Rutledge Group

 If freezing temperatures damage your building this winter, you will need to take some immediate action to stem the loss and alert your insurer.

 -Immediately report damage to your agent and insurance company.

 -Make emergency repairs and document them. Take necessary steps to keep your employees safe and protect your building from further damage. Be sure to keep all receipts, take photographs or video of damage before and after any repairs, and keep any damaged furniture, carpet or rugs for the adjuster to inspect.

 -Take precautions if the damage requires you to leave your building. Secure your property and ask the adjuster if you should turn off gas or electricity. Contact your insurance agent and provide a phone number where you can be reached.

 -Beware of fly-by-night repair businesses. Hire licensed, reputable, preferably local service people, and avoid any contractor or appraiser who says they can adjust your insurance claim. Verify a contractor’s license and check to see if there are any complaints against them by calling your local or state department of business and professional regulation.

 -If you must leave your building, contact your insurance company, employees, clients and others to inform them of your temporary contact information and post signage warning visitors of any hazards.

Make Sure Those Valuable Holiday Gifts Are Protected

Did you receive new computer equipment this holiday season? How about a new piece of jewelry? Musical instruments, high quality cameras, golf clubs and even fine art are popular gift items.

If you were given a valuable gift, you need to take steps to protect it against loss.  Although most homeowners insurance covers a certain amount of personal property, many high-value items are excluded from your policy.

Some items you should consider getting additional insurance on include:

• Jewelry
• Furs
• Cameras
• Musical instruments
• Silverware
• Golfer’s equipment
• Fine arts
• Collectable stamps
• Rare and current coins
• Computer equipment

Consider a Scheduled Personal Property Endorsement, or a Personal Articles Floater. These endorsements list each article separately, and assign a specific value to them for which they will be covered. Most endorsements insure for actual cash value or cost of repair. This won’t cover the total cost if you need to replace the item down the road. If you want to make sure coverage is adequate to replace it, you may want to opt for an agreed value loss settlement. That means that you and your insurance company agree on a certain amount to be paid in the event of a loss instead of the standard amount listed on the endorsement.

Fine arts are almost always insured under an agreed value, as they are usually unique and their value is difficult to determine.

As with most insurance policies, there are some things that aren’t covered, like damage due to wear and tear, or damage caused by insects.

The holiday travel season is fast approaching and many people will be on the roads. Last year an estimated 33 million people traveled during the Thanksgiving holiday, with almost as many traveling during the Christmas week. With more people choosing to drive instead of fly this year, you’ll need to be extra careful on the roads.

 Here are some quick tips to make your journey safe and sound.

 Check Road Conditions and Weather Reports. Even if the forecast is good, winter weather can change quickly. Check weather conditions not only in your home town, but log onto weather.com to check the forecast for the town you’re traveling to. Check the Federal Highway Administration’s Web site for up-to-the-minute traffic information, detours and road construction. Planning for delays or looking for alternative routes can save you time and a lot of hassle.

 Emergency Snow Kit. Even the best planning may not allow you to avoid wintry driving conditions. Pack an emergency snow kit,  and keep it in your car. Include a snow scraper and brush, a flashlight, blankets, booster cables, a shovel, kitty litter, flares, emergency triangles and a first aid kit. While you may never have to use these items, you’ll be glad you have them in the event of an emergency.

 Winter Check Up. The last thing you want to do is break down, whether it’s on a deserted back road or on a busy interstate highway.  So make sure to have a certified mechanic check your oil level, tire pressure, windshield wipers, heater, defroster, antifreeze and brakes before you head out on icy and snowy roads.

 Buckle up. Sounds like a no-brainer, but  many motorists fail to use this basic safety essential.  Thanksgiving weekend is one of the most dangerous and deadliest times of the year to travel, don’t let yourself or your loved ones become a “Thanksgiving statistic.”

 Do Not Over Eat. Over indulging in holiday treats can make you feel uncomfortable and groggy for the ride home. If you have a long journey ahead, consider cutting back on the goodies and have a cup of coffee or a caffeinated soda to help perk you up for the trip home.

 Do Not Drink and Drive. Another no-brainer.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more people are killed in drinking and driving accidents during Thanksgiving weekend than during New Year’s Day weekend.

Symetra Financial and The Rutledge Group have chosen Eileen Saffran, executive director and founder of The Gathering Place, as one of two Symetra Community Champions across the country. The Symetra Community Champion Award was created to recognize and celebrate those who are working to make a positive difference in their communities.

Having spent 23 years as a clinical social worker, and losing her own parents to cancer, Saffran recognized that cancer patients and their loved ones need information and support, but a gap existed in addressing the entire scope of the disease. So in 1998 she founded The Gathering Place, a nonprofit, community-based cancer support center designed to educate and empower individuals and families touched by cancer through programs free of charge.

The Gathering Place services include two education centers with libraries of more than 2,500 books and DVDs. There are many different types of support groups, as well as exercise and nutrition classes. In addition, they have released a children’s book, Someone I Love is Sick, which is a customizable tool to use when talking with children ages 2 to 6 years old about a parent or grandparent who has cancer.

In just 11 years, Saffran has taken the organization from three employees to 18, with 450 volunteers having served more than 18,000 individuals in the greater Cleveland area. “The stories of desperation and inspiration motivate me each day to keep helping those touched by cancer,” said Saffran.

Saffran was nominated as a Symetra Community Champion by Darwin and Deborah Rutledge of The Rutledge Group. “Over the years I have watched Eileen’s idea materialize into an all encompassing a service to individuals affected by cancer,” said Deborah Rutledge. “Her insight, drive and compassion has helped thousands of people fighting this terrible disease.”

Saffran was recognized by Rutledge at The Gathering Place’s annual Volunteer Recognition Tea on September 25. Symetra’s Managing Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Stan Emert, also presented a contribution to the foundation.

About Symetra Financial

Symetra Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries provide employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions and independent agents and advisors. Headquartered in Bellevue, Wash., Symetra and its subsidiaries have approximately $21 billion in assets. Symetra is owned by an investor group led by White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. and Berkshire Hathaway Inc.

The Rutledge Group, a member of COSE (Council of Smaller Enterprises) urges all small businesses to attend the upcoming COSE Small Business Conference, to be held October 21 and 22 at the I-X Center in Cleveland.

COSE is northeast Ohio’s largest small business support organization. It works to help small businesses grow and maintain their independence. It has more than 17,000 members- 75% of which have one to ten employees. The 2009 Conference offers immediate practical tools and information that can be applied to any small business. Throughout the two-day program, there will be workshops offered on a variety of subjects, including sales & marketing, money matters, human resources, technology and personal & professional development.

Three keynote speakers will be featured, including Christopher Gardner, the inspiration for the movie “In the Pursuit of Happyness,” Lisa Bradner, social media expert and contributor to Groundswell, and John DiJulus, founder of John Roberts Salon & Spa and the DiJulus Group. He is an authority on world-class customer service.

In addition to the workshops and keynote speakers, the conference will include an exhibit hall with 75 exhibitors, and many networking opportunities.

For more information, go to the COSE Web site, www.cose.org/sbc.

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