Our Blog

Posted on October 26th, 2018 by admin

The annual apparition of spooky skeletons, broomstick-riding witches, and carved pumpkins is a sure sign fall is well underway. Second, only to Christmas in terms of how much consumers spend on decorations, Americans of all ages seem to love celebrating Halloween. The Halloween spirit has spread to the inside and outside of the home as well, with homeowners setting up elaborate displays that range from haunted houses in the basement to graveyards on the lawn, as well as high-tech LED lighting outdoors. When planning and setting up your Halloween decorations, it is a good idea to consider any potential risks…Read More

Posted on October 8th, 2018 by admin

As the first hint of frost approaches, all eyes turn toward toasty fires in the fireplace. Before you light it up, though, it’s important to invest a little time and attention to your chimney in order to prevent fires that could devastate your home. In 2013, there were 23,100 residential structure fires related to chimneys and fireplaces, resulting in 10 deaths, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The estimated property loss resulting from these fires was more than $109 million. What are Signs of a Chimney Fire? Chimney fires can occur with or without you knowing about them….Read More

Posted on September 27th, 2018 by admin

Email fraud happens far more often than many people realize.  In fact, it can be one of the easiest crimes a would-be crook can carry out. While SPAM filters do manage to eliminate the bulk of these scams from making it into your email inbox, some do get by even the most sophisticated technology. Phishing is the most common and the most dangerous as it is designed to steal your confidential and personal information. These emails disguise themselves as legitimate agencies (banks, utility companies, etc.) then attempt to get information from you such as account numbers, personal information, passwords, PIN…Read More

Posted on August 22nd, 2018 by admin

Our friends at The Hanover Insurance Group put together this excellent infographic containing tips on what to do before a hurricane hits, during the storm and after the storm passes. Please take a few moments to review the tips and keep your family protected this upcoming hurricane season:   If you are a business owner, please download this guide from Hanover: Hurricane Preparedness for Business     Please contact us at info@icnj.com or call us at 201-525-1100 if you have any questions regarding hurricane insurance coverage.

Posted on August 6th, 2018 by admin

Does your homeowners policy cover your son or daughter while away at college? According to the ISO Homeowners Policy (special form), a student is considered an “insured” if: under the age of 24; and your relative; and enrolled in school full time, as defined by the school; and who was a resident of your household before leaving to attend school. An extension for older children pursuing higher education can often be obtained from the insurance company upon request. How will your student’s belongings be covered? Since children away at school are an “insured” on their parent’s homeowners policy, they will…Read More

Posted on July 25th, 2018 by admin

New Jersey’s workers’ compensation statutes were amended in October 2008 by a series of bills signed by then-Gov. Jon Corzine, which intended to strengthen the system and set penalties that can be levied against participants who run afoul of the system’s requirements. What are these requirements? An employer in New Jersey must satisfy its obligations to injured employees under the Workers’ Compensation Law, either by purchasing an insurance policy or by obtaining authorization to self insure by fulfilling certain filing requirements. What was changed in October 2008? The law that has the most impact on you as an employer is Chapter 94 of 2008. This…Read More

Posted on July 18th, 2018 by admin

According to various studies on American divorce rates, more than 40 percent of marriages end in divorce or annulments. If you and your spouse are going through a similar circumstance, we would like to share with you some commonly asked questions that will assist you in dealing with your homeowners and auto insurance policies. My spouse has left the household and we are getting a divorce. What happens to the coverage on our homeowners and auto policies? Auto If someone moves out, the appropriate coverages will not remain in place. With the auto policy, there will be new garaging information,…Read More

Posted on July 10th, 2018 by admin

It sounds like a subtle difference or a matter of semantics. However, the differences between a “claims made” insurance policy and a “claims made and reported” policy are significant. Most professional liability insurance policies are written in one of these two forms. When you purchase professional liability insurance, you must understand these differences, so you can make an informed decision about which policy is the right choice for you. What is a Claim? The first thing you need to understand is the definition of a claim as it applies to both types of coverage. A “claim” is the official notice…Read More

Posted on June 11th, 2018 by admin

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—Steven C. Radespiel of Hillsdale, N.J., was re-elected vice president of the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey today at the association’s annual business meeting at Harrah’s Resort and Casino in Atlantic City. Radespiel is president of Insurance Center of North Jersey in Maywood, N.J. Radespiel is an active member of PIANJ, serving as vice president of the association for 2017-18. He also is vice president of the Legislative/Business Issues Committee and is a member of the Bait & Switch, Executive/Budget & Finance and PIANJ Political Action Committees. He also is a member of the Carrier Advisory Council…Read More

Posted on June 6th, 2018 by admin

Taking a vacation this summer can be a great way to relax, explore, and spend time with your friends and family. While you remembered to pack your swimsuit — thanks to your packing checklist, did you use a home vacation checklist — and check it twice? Whether you’re off for a quick weekend getaway or a much-needed two-week trip, it’s essential to ensure your home is adequately prepared and protected. Here, are 7 areas of focus that you need to make sure are appropriately handled before you leave for vacation this summer. 1)  Take Into Account Auto Safety If you’re going…Read More