The Paradiso Insurance Blog

Each day Connecticut Children’s doctors work tirelessly to deliver leading edge medical care – in an environment that understands the concerns of a child.  On National Doctors’ Day, recognize the contributions of doctors who make a difference in the lives of Connecticut’s children and families.  Send a thank you note to a doctor at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center or make a gift to Connecticut Children’s in their honor.  Learn more >> Send a Thank You  Make a Gift Go to the Foundation website to submit a thank you note to a doctor at Connecticut Children’s.  We will send your message to the doctor you specify on National Doctors’ Day – Friday, March 30th. Help children of Connecticut receive the care they deserve.  Make a gift in honor of a doctor at Connecticut Children’s.  You may choose to notify the doctor of your gift on the Doctors’ Day donation form.

We at Paradiso Insurance salute all of our heros in the armed services, both home and abroad! God Bless America!

We’ve been talking a lot lately on healthy living because of the spring season and what the warm weather and sprouting of flowers and nature does for our energy and overall well-being. In keeping with this theme, today we are going to discuss ways in which to increase your overall energy and decrease those things in our life that could be draining us of that precious energy and weighing us down. Healthy living is what every CT insurance customer should practice!

Energy Vortex #1: Other’s expectations
You’re producing so much energy but lacking any emotional satisfaction.  Others are getting what you need.

Energy move: Declare independence
You started, and you can finish.  You’ll feel great.

Energy Vortex #2: Loss of self
Playing by the rules as a child has inhibited our energy capabilities.

Energy move: Personalize it!
Ask yourself- it’s your call! Make it!

Energy Vortex #3: Deprivation
Duties and responsibilities can fill you up quickly, and this will cause you to gain weight when trying to get emotional energy from food.

Energy move: Add pleasure and excitement to your day, and you will not regret it.

Energy Vortex #4: Worry

Don’t worry, be happy is how the saying goes. When you worry, you’re doing nothing to better your situation.

Energy move: Get going
Just Do It! Don’t worry about it any longer and don’t put it off to another time.  Get it done and move on!

Here at Paradiso Insurance, we are always happy to here when American businesses are successful, and furthermore, MADE IN THE U.S.A.  Reports are now showing that companies who had previously moved production plants and other divisions to other foreign countries are now returning to the United States.

In a report from Inc.com, five companies are returning from off shore to have their labels read “made in U.S.A.” We hope that any Hartford business insurance companies who off-shore any departments can follow the path laid out by these five leaders.

1. Peerless Industries: This audio/visual company has come back to the United States and its home state of Illinois.
2. Intertech Plastics: These folks customize injection molded plastic products, and plan to double last year’s revenues from $20 million to $40 million by coming back to America.
3. Buck Knives: Located in Idaho, this company sees the vast potential of products that are labeled with “Made in USA.” Returning from China back to the Northwest, Buck Knives plan to return to their roots to boost sales.
4. Sleek Audio:  Manufacturer of headphones have come back to St. Petersburg, Florida after poor quality and travel difficulties with the Far East. Now says founder Jason Krywko, “we control the quality of the product.”
5. Karen Kane: A clothing company that has capitalized on quick trend changes with local manufacturing.  This fashion business based in California, re-shored back to the United States, after cost analysts realized that business was not cheaper in China any more.

Today is a special day for all astronomy enthusiasts out there.  We have been able to see this magnificent planet at night for some time, however today we can go outside this afternoon and see it in the sky.  It’s pretty easy to see Venus on a clear day, however you need to know where to look first.  Luckily for us today, it will be visible adjacent to the crescent moon.

But how do we see it?

Around 4pm local time today, head outside to an area where you can block the sun with some type of structure like a chimney or roof.  Since Venus is so close to the sun itself, our solar star needs to be blocked from your view in order to better focus on Venus.  Once this is achieved and the blocked sun is on your right, look directly south, about 60% up in the sky.  If the clouds are gone and the sky is clear, the moon’s crescent should easily be visible. Right next to the moon should be a bright little point of light- this is the planet Venus!

So head out today around four to see an amazing sight that few ever are able to see! And remember, never look directly into the sun without proper solar filters!

Courtesy of Yahoo! News

Are you stuck trying to think of a great weekend getaway that isn’t too far for the family to go? Well living in New England allows us the wonderful opportunities to head out into the great outdoors and enjoy beautiful mother nature.  And when’s a better time than right now?! Your CT insurance provider wants you to get away this weekend with the family and seek out all that New England has to offer!

These are some of the top rated family-friendly destinations in New England that you can visit this weekend:

• The White Mountains of New Hampshire:  Whether it’s spring, summer, fall, or winter, the white mountains in the granite state give you the picturesque family hiking, skiing, biking and canoeing destination.

• The Tyler Place Family Resort, VT: Right down on Lake Champlain, about an hour from Burlington, this is great family resort that has acres upon acres of fun with kids’ programs for all ages.

• Mark Twain House: Located right in downtown Hartford, CT, this is a great historical landmark right in our home state that will be a great history lesson for the entire family!

So in keeping with the Spring time atmosphere this week, today we’ll talk about healthy eating habits.  I know, I know, this is probably the hardest part for most people when trying to get in shape this spring.  Exercising can be fun and rejuvenating, but I’ll admit, no longer having those unhealthy foods, such as those delicious french fries or that awesome burger, is a very difficult habit to break.

But we’re here to encourage you to stay on the course of healthy living and maintain your new outlook on life.  In case you find yourself craving a less-than-nutritious snack or meal, here’s some tips on how to kick that nasty habit.

• If you’re a snacker- Healthy snacks are fine and actually encouraged to keep your metabolism running, however too much snacking, and substituting these snacks for real meals, caused you to easily loose track of how much your eating.  To save yourself, allow two snacks per day, from around 100-300 calories.
• Bad Mood Eating- We’re all guilty of it. Bad day at the office? Kids stressing you out? Bad break up even? There’s reasons upon reasons why we turn to the tub of ice cream or the drive through window when we’re aren’t feeling great. But think the next time you’re down…will that candy bar really solve your issue? Or can exercising or doing a outdoor activity suit you better?
• Don’t let loose on the weekend- You could be a health nut from Monday through Friday, but pigging out Saturday and Sunday can completely undue your efforts during the week.  So what to do? Have a small meal before family/friend gatherings so you won’t stuff yourself with hotdogs. Also beer… even though it’s light, still mean it has calories. This is a pitfall of many people! Watch what you drink!

So stay on track this spring and strive to live a better, healthier life! Your CT insurance provider wishes you luck!

Courtesy of Fox Health Section

Have you ever come across someone that dislikes Spring? I certainly have not in my life.  It’s nature’s rebirth, and overall, this season has many positive associations with it.  So why not take every advantage of it? If nature is getting back on course, than why can’t you?

Let’s make this Spring the best ever by achieving some of these simple goals towards better and healthier living…

• Cleanse your body with the right Foods! 
  The delicious fruits and vegetables that we’ve all been craving during the winter months will now be available at a farmer’s market or supermarket. Try picking up fresh, organic foods that are jam-packed with nutrients that your healthy body needs.
• I’ll Say it ’till I’m Blue in the Face- Drink Lots of Water People!!
  Properly hydrating your body is important every single day, but especially in Spring. When the Earth is naturally hydrating itself with spring showers, should you be as well?? Water can help prevent seasonal allergies because it moisturizes the air in your lungs. As a victim of seasonal allergies, I know I’m definitely drinking more water this Spring!
• You Gotta Do it- Weigh-In
  Okay I know, this is often avoided by most of us like the plague.But to be honest, this may do some good, as long as your maintain your healthy lifestyle.  Now this doesn’t mean simply going on a diet.  This can encompass having a good exercise regiments, healthy eating, and an overall positive outlook on life.
• Check Your Vitamin D
  The winter months, as much as they’re great for skiers and snowmobile enthusiasts, deplete a very important vitamin from our body. Since the sun is down for a long amount of time when it’s cold outside, that means that Vitamin D, a major vitamin that we need and is produced by sunlight, is not as available to us as in the warmer months. So when spring rolls around, check with your doctor about your vitamin D levels to make sure you’re doing alright. You certainly don’t want to invoke your CT Insurance because of a illness you’ve caught that could have easily been avoided by a healthy immune system that’s boosted via Vitamin D.

information courtesy of Fox News Health Section

What an absolutely beautiful day it is today! The sun is shining bright, the shorts and flip flops are out in droves, and the overall moral of most of us at Paradiso Insurance is sky high. Look at what the weather can do! Well, if you’re like me, the warm weather just gets you in a great mood to be outside with friends and family to enjoy all that our beautiful planet has to offer. Now, I don’t mean to jump the gun on summer, but when warm weather hits, I know many of you out there are thinking one thing- boating season is here!

If you’re lucky enough to have a boat, then I’d bet it’s safe to say that today is making you itch with excitement to get out on the water- be it the local lake or ocean.  Boating is a way of life as they say, and when the temps warm up and the Jimmy Buffet music starts playing, there’s no better place than on your boat, be it sail boat, power boat, gigantic yacht, or tiny schooner.

But what does every boat, big or small need (just like all of your large investments)? CT insurance of course! So whether you’ll be floating around the lake attempting to catch some fish, in a sailing competition to block island, or cruising around from port to port, it’s absolutely essential to have the right type of CT insurance in case anything were to happen.  Hopefully this won’t ever be an issue with you, but just in case you hit that rock you failed to see, you’ll be calm and cool knowing that your boat will be taken care of.

Today, gas prices hit $4.00 per gallon and are anticipated to continue to rise throughout the next few months in Connecticut.  Like so many of you, we are feeling the pinch that this is creating for households throughout our state. 

Paradiso Insurance has collected a list of questions that every vehicle owner in Connecticut should ask in regards to their CT Auto Insurance to make sure your policy is up to date with the maximum discounts and lowering costs while maintaining the recommended coverages:

• Do I qualify for a loss-free history or policy longevity discou
• I have more than one car; am I getting a credit?
• Does it make sense to change my deductibles?
• Is my vehicle charged an additional premium because of its type or performance?

These are just several questions that everyone should be asking in order to maximize cost saving with your auto insurance policy.  Here at Paradiso Insurance, we understand that every penny counts.  You can call our team at (860) 684-5270 or go to the website for more information.  We look forward to helping you!

If you are tired of the rise in gas prices in the state of Connecticut, please sign the petition to lower gas prices.

-The Paradiso Insurance Team

So although the header might not be the ideal jingle, it certainly is the truth.  If you are a company owner in Connecticut with employees, we are about to tell you why CT Workers Compensation is essential for your business.

As Rough Notes explains, “The Workers Compensation And Employers Liability Insurance Policy is used to provide insurance coverage for a company’s statutory liability (coverage responsibility) under a Workers Compensation Act. It usually involves paying for medical treatment and disability. It also handles lawsuits from injured workers that fall outside of the Acts.”

Rough Notes also goes on to explain further:

“A workers compensation policy responds to accidental injury that occurs during work with mandatory benefits. However, besides taking place at work, an injury must also be related to the injured person’s duties. Further, the policy also covers costs associated with disease or death that may be the ultimate result of the accident. If the employee’s injury does not qualify for compensation under the Workers Compensation Acts (or Occupational Disease Acts, if separate) the policy will respond to an employee who sues his or her employer, alleging negligence.”

Individual, partnership, joint venture, corporation, association, fiduciary, or other entity are types of businesses that qualify for workers comp insurance. A typical policy lists the locations of the workplaces that are covered. The policy is designed to handle work-related accidents as well as diseases. The amounts that must be paid are defined by the state or jurisdiction where a covered incident occurs. The policy usually lists the other types of costs and expenses that are eligible for payment under the policy.

Here at Paradiso Insurance, we deal with a plethora of business types throughout Connecticut and realize how understanding coverages and types of insurance can be confusing and intimidating.  It is our goal to spend as much time with our clients in helping them fully understand the coverages and how protection like workers comp is vital for their company should anything arise in the businesses future.

If you would like more information or to go over your current policy, please do not hesitate to call Stephanie, our commercial lines manager at (860) 684-5270

We all watched in horror as the midwest was swarmed with the massive tornado outbreak last week.  We are all too familiar with the scare of tornadoes as our neighbors in Monson. Brimfield and Springfield Massachusetts were hit last year with a tornado that ripped through their communities and changed the communities as the rebuilding process is still continuing on.

For Paradiso Insurance, our hearts sank as we heard of the devastation and the loss and figured out a small way we could help.

For every new Facebook Fan we receive on our Paradiso Insurance page, a dollar will be donated to the American Red Cross in an effort to help our dear friends in Indiana.  As many of you know, Paradiso Insurance has a close relationship with The Rough Notes Company, Inc located in Indiana, which made our pledge a “no-brainer” as we understand how important their community is to them, like ours here in Stafford Springs, Connecticut.

Please go to the Paradiso Insurance Facebook Page now and help the effort by liking our page.  We will keep everyone posted on the progress.

Our agency would like to extend our sympathy and well wishes to ALL of those affected by the ruthless weather and hope that time will bring back peace and restore those communities that have lost so much.

-The Paradiso Insurance Team

So writing about CT life insurance is not the most uplifting subject matter, however we at Paradiso Insurance have tried our hand at short films, and hopefully the video below will help you better understand the ins and outs of CT life insurance.

Look for this great short film to be the front runner for best picture at next year’s Academy Awards! And if you have any questions, feel free to call Paradiso Insurance today at 860-684-5270.

If your house is overflowing with old clothes, decorations, or any other goods that seem to overtake your closet and storage spaces, and you don’t wish to throw them out or give them away, why not invest in a storage unit?

If you live in the greater Stafford Springs, Connecticut community and looking for an extra closet, garage or other storage space, give the folks at Stafford Storage a call!  Their 334 unit, self-storage facility can offer you a variety of storage needs.  Accessible seven days a week, both the indoor and outdoor storage units are available for anyone in need of some extra space.  Their office is open and staffed with a manager Monday through Saturday from 9am-3pm, and for your added convenience, a full line of moving supplies, truck rentals, loading docks and 24 hour video monitoring for top-notch security is included!

So why go anywhere else? Give Stafford Storage a call today at (860) 684-1004 to get your own clean and secure storage unit for all of your extra goods that your home can no longer hold.

Well folks, it’s everyone’s favorite day of the week…Friday! Time to break out the jeans and casual shirt to work, have a fun lunch with the crew, and maybe have a fun office-wide activity as the clock drifts into the late afternoon hours.

Regardless of what you might do in your office today, (hopefully something productive) I want to take this short time to prepare everyone for the sports super-storm that we all are about to experience within the next couple of months.

First, we have March Madness. I think it’s safe to say that pretty much everyone in America who finds at least some enjoyment in sports, loves March Madness.  No other collegiate or professional playoff event has the intensity, drama, and raw emotion that encapsulates college basketball and its playoff system. Secondly, as we head out of winter into spring, that means great things for northeasterners-baseball is back.  Teams are all back in spring training, and before we know it, Opening Day will be here, and what a beautiful day that is.  Both the NHL and NBA seasons are in the closing parts of their regular seasons, and their playoffs are always entertaining as well. And for all you golfers out there, I only need to say one thing- Green Jacket.

So get comfy in your favorite chair sports fans, because this is the best part of the year for sporting events in America! Also, Chris Paradiso knows a thing or two about basketball, as well as CT insurance, so if you’re trying to decide on that 5-12 seed matchup, I’d talk to him.