The Paradiso Insurance Blog

Here at Paradiso Insurance, we understand the importance of recommending and referring good, ethical companies for situations such as bed bugs where a professional is more often then not needed. 

If you or someone you know are in the need of a pest control professional, we recommend ProTek Pest in Stafford Springs, Connecticut.

Courtesy of Housemaster e-newsletter

New advice from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) will change the way many parents buckle up their children for a drive.

Different sources such as salvage experts, property specialists and government agencies advise that quick action is critical when faced with water-damaged property. Many types of personal property can be saved within 48 hours of the property suffering damage.

Before trying to save property, make sure that YOU are safe. Flooded buildings can be hazardous. Make sure that there is no danger of electrocution by turning off power and avoiding fallen utility lines. Do not come in contact with water containing sewage and make sure the floor, ceiling and wall supports pose no danger.

Tips On Handling Personal Property

 Photographs – Remove from plastic/paper enclosures or frames; carefully rinse with cool, clean water; DO NOT touch or blot surfaces. Air dry, hang with clips on non-image areas, or lay flat on absorbent paper. Keep photographs from contact with adjacent surfaces or each other.

Paintings - Remove from frames in a safe, dry place. Do NOT separate paintings from their stretchers. Keep paintings horizontal and paint-side up with nothing touching the surface. Avoid direct sunlight.

Books – If rinsing is necessary, hold book closed. If partially wet or damp, stand on top or bottom edge with covers opened to 90° angle; air dry. If very wet, lay flat on clean surface; interleave less than 20% of book with absorbent material; replace interleaving when damp.

Paper – Air dry flat as individual sheets or in ¼” or smaller piles, with absorbent paper placed between each wet sheet (interleaving). Do not unfold or separate individual, wet sheets. Keep coated papers wet by packing in boxes lined with plastic garbage bags; freeze (maps or manuscripts), sponge water out; pack loose flat sheets in flat boxes or plywood covered with plastic sheets. If there are too many items for air drying: interleave (by groups or individually) with freezer or waxed paper; pack papers or files, standing up in sturdy containers; pack containers only 90% full and freeze.

Diskettes -Remove diskette from casing and bathe in clean distilled water, dry with lint-free towels and insert diskette into new casing and copy.

Clothing/Fabrics – Brush off all loose, dried dirt. Rinse thoroughly in cold water as soon as possible until as much mud as possible is removed. Repeat if necessary. Do not use hot water as it sets stains from red or yellow clay. Machine wash when no more dirt can be rinsed out.

Wood Furniture – Rinse/sponge surfaces gently to clean, blot, and air dry slowly. If any painted surfaces are blistered or flaking, air dry slowly without removing dirt or moisture. Weigh down or clamp veneers in place while drying; separate weight from veneer with protective layer. (Finishes may develop white haze; treat later with wood cleaning product.)

Upholstered Furniture – If antique or VERY valuable, get professional estimate on cleaning/restoring.

Metal – Use gloves to handle, rinse/sponge and blot metal object, air dry. If object has applied finish, do not clean. Air dry; keep flaking surfaces horizontal.

Leather (including shoes) and Rawhide – Rinse/sponge with clear water to remove mud, drain and blot to remove excess water, pad with toweling or unlinked paper to maintain shape, air dry. Manipulate tanned fur skins during drying to keep skins flexible.

Baskets - Rinse, drain and blot to remove excess water, stuff with clean paper towels or cotton sheets to retain shape and absorb stains, cover with clean towels and air dry slowly, regularly changing blotting material.

Be Practical And Prioritize

 Often it is impractical or impossible to try to save everything, so prioritize. Work on property that is MOST important to you and that is most vulnerable to permanent damage. One practical consideration is to forget about fully upholstered furniture and mattresses. Such property is usually impossible to properly dry and is often contaminated.

Courtesy of Rough Notes-Producer Online

Last night, after hearing the news of the zodiac symbol shift, I had an hour long conversation on Facebook discussing how one minute I was a proud Cancer, and now considered a Gemini. 

People were in outrage.  They felt as though they lost part of their identity. Everything they read about their zodiac symbol and how they relate to it, now gone. 

I came upon an article from CNN today, that will hopefully help  put my friends and the world to ease.  Enjoy and breathe:

Tattoo parlor owners must be salivating. An assertion in a Minneapolis Star Tribune articlethat our understanding of the zodiac is off by about a month – and that therefore people havebeen identifying themselves with the wrong sign – caught fire on the internet Thursday, and many folks are in an absolute panic on social media.

“If my zodiac symbol has been changed to a Libra, what am I supposed to do with my Scorpio tattoo?!?!,” read one tweet Thursday.

Some vowed to get their tats removed. Others groaned about losing the sign with which they’ve identified themselves for years. The zodiac and related terms – including Ophiuchus, said to be a 13th and neglected sign – were trending Twitter topics much of Thursday.

But before astrology fans scrape the ink from their arms because they think they’re now a Virgo instead of a Libra, they should consider this: If they adhered to the tropical zodiac – which, if they’re a Westerner, they probably did – absolutely nothing has changed for them.

That’s worth rephrasing: If you considered yourself a Cancer under the tropical zodiac last week, you’re still a Cancer under the same zodiac this week.

That’s because the tropical zodiac – which is fixed to seasons, and which Western astrology adheres to – differs from the sidereal zodiac – which is fixed to constellations and is followed more in the East, and is the type of zodiac to which the Star Tribune article ultimately refers.

Two zodiacs. That’s nothing new.

“This story is born periodically as if someone has discovered some truth. It’s not news,” said Jeff Jawer, astrologer with Tarot.com.

The hubbub started with Sunday’s Star Tribune article, which said the following: “The ancient Babylonians based zodiac signs on the constellation the sun was ‘in’ on the day a person was born. During the ensuing millenniums, the moon’s gravitational pull has made the Earth ‘wobble’ around its axis, creating about a one-month bump in the stars’ alignment.”

“When [astrologers] say that the sun is in Pisces, it’s really not in Pisces,” Parke Kunkle, a board member of the Minnesota Planetarium Society, told the Star Tribune.

“Indeed,” the article continued, “most horoscope readers who consider themselves Pisces are actually Aquarians.” The article also asserts Scorpio’s window lasts only seven days, and that a 13th constellation, Ophiuchus, used to be counted between Scorpio and Sagittarius but was discarded by the Babylonians because they wanted 12 signs per year.

True enough, Jawer says, the sun doesn’t align with constellations at the same time of year that it did millennia ago. But that’s irrelevant for the tropical zodiac, codified for Western astrology by Ptolemy in the second century, he says.

In the tropical zodiac, the start of Aries is fixed to one equinox, and Libra the other.

“When we look at the astrology used in the Western world, the seasonally based astrology has not changed, was never oriented to the constellations, and stands as … has been stated for two millenniums,” Jawer said.

People who put stock in astrology can ask whether they should adhere to the tropical zodiac or the sidereal zodiac. Jawer argues for the tropical.

“Astrology is geocentric. It relates life on Earth to the Earth’s environment, and seasons are the most dramatic effect, which is why we use the tropical zodiac,” he said.

-Kate & The Paradiso Insurance Team

As we begin the new year, several old BAD habits have continued to stick around in our society.  Although many of these scams sound like old news, they are still being used today, finding any way to sucker you in.  Here at Paradiso Insurance, we have talked about unethical contractors and other scams to watch for. With that said, here are some other scams to be aware of!

Debt Relief and Settlement Services

The rip-off is the upfront fee you pay to have the company negotiate with lenders — which usually doesn’t happen; so not only are you out the fee, but your debts have accumulated more interest and penalties.

To Avoid: Locate a legitimate nonprofit counseling agency via the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, which has been around for decades and charges modest fees, and sometimes nothing. If you are truly under water, visit a bankruptcy attorney.

Crooked Foreclosure Help

Like debt relief schemes, so-called foreclosure companies offer to get your mortgage modified — after you send them a walloping fee. No modifications occur, homeowners fall further behind and go deeper in debt. According to ConsumerAffairs.com, the Indiana Attorney General alone filed 34 lawsuits against such companies. Similar firms pledge to modify auto loans with the same non-result.

To Avoid: Get foreclosure avoidance counseling from groups approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Bogus Charities

They claim to give to needy youngsters or veterans, but in fact little of what they collect goes to charity.

To Avoid: Before pledging, go to CharityNavigator.org and type in the organization’s name. You’ll be able to see what percentage of revenues go to program activities and how much to managers’ perks.

Lousy Gold Deals

The value of gold surged last year, and strapped consumers did everything they could to unload old rings and necklaces. But New Jersey found that 49 businesses were short-weighting the gold while Massachusetts authorities found wide variance in the amounts companies paid for the same items.

To Avoid: Ask a jeweler the carat of the metal and the weight in pennyweights or troy ounces. An online calculator can help you figure out the value based on the price of gold that day. Call other jewelers to see what they would pay. A fair deal would give you 85 percent of the value.

Identity Theft

You may already know about phishing (which sends you an email leading to a replica of a bank website, where you provide your SSN and account numbers), but now there’s vishing (same deal only with Internet based telephones) and smishing (use of texting and cell calls to again lead you to a phony site where you tell all). The messages suggest that something is amiss with your bank account, and you must immediately contact by pressing a number or clicking on a url. When you get there, an automated system elicits the info, and so long identity.

To Avoid: If you get a message from your bank that something is wrong with your account, don’t click through or use the automated response system. Call your bank directly to find out if the problem is real.

Tips and full story at Yahoo

From Canada to New York to Los Angeles, blood-sucking bedbugs are spreading like wildfire across North America.

In New York, the epicenter of the bedbug crisis, the pests have been spotted in movie theatres, retail stores, hotels and office buildings. Bedbugs have even been found in Carnegie Hall and the United Nations building.

Reports of bedbug infestations have since surfaced in California, Texas, Illinois and several other states across the U.S. Bedbugs can latch on to purses, coats and other objects, allowing them to be transported to virtually any location. Bedbugs feed exclusively on the blood of warm-blooded animals. They are resistant to many pesticides, making them notoriously difficult to kill. Adults measure 4 to 5 millimeters and are reddish-brown in color. They commonly burrow in furniture, especially mattresses, and are most active at night.

Symptoms of bedbug bites include red skin rashes and psychological disturbances. The tiny pests thought to be mostly eradicated in the 1940s, but their numbers have surged since the mid-1990s.

Here are some very alarming statistics from website www.newyorkvsbedbugs.org:

These statistics are not only alarming but proving that the bed bug epedemic can effect anyone and everyone.  New York has been in the spotlight regarding the bed bug issue due to the alarming outbreaks the city has faced.  It’s not just New York however, it’s a slow epidemic occuring everywhere.

Here are some simple tips to preventing bed bugs:

1. Check for bed bugs before unpacking during a trip away from home. Change rooms or hotels immediately if you see any evidence of bed bugs.
2. Take care of bed bugs that may have hitched a ride on clothing.
3. Inspect luggage and other personal items for bed bugs. Vacuum off luggage and items that cannot be washed. Hand wash other items with hot, soapy water. Use a brush to scrub items, especially where bugs and eggs may be hiding in the seams and folds.
4. Take care when bringing used furniture and clothing into your house. Wash clothing immediately. Furniture, however, should be inspected carefully before even bringing it into your home:

If your home or office is infested with bedbugs, it might be a good idea to make sure your health insurance policy covers insect-related rashes.

-The Paradiso Insurance Team

-The Paradiso Insurance Team

When people think insurance, they often think home, health and automobile.  People fail to realize that insurance has been around for nearly 125 years.  That dates insurance back all the way to 1878, when Rough Notes first began to trek and lay the foundation down to the insurance industry as we know it today.

It all started back when Dr. Henry C. Martin decided to quit his career in medicine and began to tackle the insurance industry of the 1850’s.  As he traveled the rugged territory, Dr. Martin took “rough notes” of his experiences in the industry.  At a later time, with the help of his wife, Dr. Martin started publishing the field notes in newsletters for his agents. As the rave responses poured in from agents, the newsletters became a magazine.  Insurance Rough Notes started in 1878 where it gave agents key information on the most important process; how to sell. Beyond the information and content the magazine delivered, Insurance Rough Notes’ powerful editorials let to better insurance laws and fire underwriting.

From then on, Rough Notes became nationally recognized as the “headquarters for insurance supplies”. 

1894 marked a key plateau for Rough Notes as they introduced the Loose-Leaf System-which marks the birth of the agency management system, monthly accounting books, and a scientifically-engineered cabinet, Clark’s O-N-T Spool Cabinet.   

1898 to 1902, Rough Notes launches several key products and business ventures including:

• The capture of U.S. and Canadian markets with mail-order catalog and selling insurance supplies and office furniture. 
• Launches the American Insurance Institute- a professional training school for agents. Rough Notes helped support through educational material in textbook form.

1902 and The San Francisco Earthquake And Fire

                Tens of thousands of people become homeless, as the San Francisco earthquake demolishes the city.  Over  night, 75,000 proof-of-loss forms are requested by telegram.  In 1916, Dr Martin dies after four decades after founding the Rough Notes Company. The company is then sold to E. Jay Wohlgemuth. One year after, the first educational magazine The Insurance Salesman is created.  By 1919, subscriptions soar to 15,000.The 1920’s were an incredible time for Rough Notes.

•  With the series The Insurance Salesman: “How To Sell”, “How To Solicit” and “What To Say”, The magazine becomes the most profitable insurance magazine circulating nationally.
• With their new products designed for the modern agent, over 25,000 orders are processed yearly!
• Policy, Form & Manual Analysis Service (PF&M) is introduced and remains the company’s leading products.

1926 TURNS 50!

And with that comes even more technology advances and even more success for Rough Notes.  Rough Notes launched the photographic advertising- advertising the reasons for needing insurance. 

In 1927, Rough Notes introduces the 1-2-3-4 system. During the great depression, Rough Notes continued to prevail through the most difficult times.  They created cost-cutting techniques and promotional campaigns through advertisement and sales kits.  They then created Coverages Applicable which becomes the industry standard and remains in print. 

 The 1930’s were just as successful as years past with RN creating the easy-to-use cancellation tablets for agents in calclulation pro rata earned, the book publishes What It Costs and celebrating their 60^th anniversary with the profit sharing plan, enabling employees to share in the company’s success.  In 1939, Albert Wohlgemuth is elected president after his brother’s death.  From there, Rough Notes becomes the largest general insurance magazine circulating in the nation. 

As Rough Notes headed into the 50’s and early 60’s, new technology had been introduced.  Such tools at the AAA (Automated Agency Accounting) which was its own computer center.  RN is the only company that offers both automated and manual systems.

By 1972, ACORD (Agency Company Organization for Research and Development) is created to standardize insurance forms throughout the agency.  ACORD asked RN to be a part of this early development stage.   

The late 1980’s and 90’s proved to be just as busy and successful as the years past.  PF&Mgoes from loose leaf to CD-ROM, Offers state-approved pre-licensing courses for insurance agents and RN creates its own software called “Three-Part Harmony” which was designed to keep independent insurance agents informed of the changing rules and coverages.

Rough Notes in today’s time has created what is known as Producer Online, which  is a unique risk evaluation sales and resource tool.  Integrating many of Rough Notes’ products into an easy-to-use Web-based format, Producer Online help’s producers identify the risk exposures and detailed coverage analysis associated with both personal and commercial lines policies. 

Rough Notes  has paved the way for independent insurance agencies nationwide.  They have allowed the independent agent stay alive through their products, knowledge and tools in order for the “family owned” companies to stay alive and true to the customers that realize the importance of dealing with the independent agents.  They continue to be a predominant backbone to the structure of insurance as we know it.  Here at Paradiso Insurance,  we can not begin to give enough thanks and recognition to a company that has given so much to us.  But giving people an opportunity to read and watch as to what a truly amazing company they are, is what we have done.

Paradiso Insurance has begun a new, exciting endeavor.  We are currently volunteering at Windham High School and working with Patty King’s marketing students.  Owner Chris Paradiso and Social Media Engineer Jenilee Wirtz are teaching these young adults the importance of marketing themselves and having confidence in everything they do.  Their innovative marketing ideas are phenomenal, and Paradiso Insurance has provided them with an outlet to express themselves!  The students have been creating videos through Animoto.com, a unique slide show program that can help get an ordinary message across with an up-beat presentation.  While working with the students, we have been stressing the importance of co-branding, and giving students the opportunity to create their own co-branded work.

Toward the end of the year Paradiso Insurance will be hosting a scholarship contest for the students.  Based on their submissions, one student will be rewarded with money to further their education and explore the ever-changing world of marketing in-depth.  The premise of these video submissions will be marketing their own high school and changing the way that surrounding towns view Windham High.  Students will “show off” their high school by highlighting sports teams, educational and art clubs, and music programs.  This is an exciting opportunity for both the students and the Paradiso Insurance team.

Legends Night Video created by Windham High Student David Cobb