Four Reasons Why You Should Purchase Commercial Insurance Now

Posted on by agentinsure

Business owners in West Hartford, CT should never procrastinate about finding an appropriate commercial insurance policy.

Unfortunately, an average company faces a plethora of potential liabilities and needs to be adequately insured to enjoy true financial security. At StateChoice, we recommend that business owners find the right commercial policy before it’s too late.

The following are just four of the many reasons why you should find the right commercial insurance policy now:

You are legally required to have commercial insurance.

The biggest reason to get commercial insurance is that you’re legally required to do so.

If you use commercial vehicles to run your business, you need to acquire commercial auto insurance. Also, you may legally need workers compensation insurance if you employee people at your company.

These are just two examples of situations where a company is legally required to have insurance.

It can give customers more confidence in doing business with you.

Depending on what industry you’re in, customers may only want to do business with you if you’re insured. Commercial insurance allows your company to be more stable so that customers don’t worry when doing business with you. 

Lawsuits can happen at any time and are very expensive.

In this litigious society, it’s not hard for an individual to sue your company. The resulting legal costs could be astronomical.

Commercial insurance could save your company from the financial ravages of a lawsuit.

You need to protect your company’s assets.

Your company’s assets are at risk if you don’t have commercial insurance. Without company equipment and resources, you may not be in business anymore.

If you’re ready to purchase commercial insurance for your West Hartford, CT business, we’re here to help. Contact us at StateChoice to explore our policies.

Our Favorite Tailgating Snacks

Posted on by Gabriella Silva

Everyone knows that one of the best parts of football season is food. Whether it’s tailgating or watching games at home with friends, football is best enjoyed with loved ones and snacks. We have compiled together our favorite office recipes! Take a look below to see what each of your favorite StateChoice employees nominated as their favorite tailgating food!

1. Slutty Brownies

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Let’s start sweet with some dessert. Angie loves to make slutty brownies for her guests. These delicious treats are a twist on a brownie. They start with a layer of cookie dough, followed by Oreos, and are topped off with brownie. Check out a recipe here to give it a try!

2. Pulled Pork Chili

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Chris couldn’t decide between chili and pulled pork, and we didn’t want to decide either! So instead we present to you, Pulled Pork Chili. Chili is a staple at all parties whether as a meal or a dip. This twist uses pulled pork instead of ground beef, PLUS it can be made in a slow cooker for an easy meal! Check out the recipe here!

3. Pepperoni Bread

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June is a big fan of tailgating food and one of her favorite things to make is pepperoni bread! Roll together pizza dough, cheese, and pepperoni with some marinara sauce for dipping and you’ve got handheld pizza. Who doesn’t like pizza as an appetizer before pizza? Try the recipe here!

4. Anticuchos

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When it comes to food, Cathy insists you try everything Peruvian! For this reason, she suggests anticuchos as her go to tailgate food. These skewers are made of grilled cow hearts. If you bring the grill to every tailgate, this bite size beef is a necessity! Check out the recipe here.

5. Pigs in a Blanket

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Pigs in a blanket is simple, classic, and my favorite tailgate food. You can’t go wrong with mini hot dogs wrapped in crescent dough! They are easy to make and sure to be a hit, especially served with a variety of dipping sauces! Follow this simple Pillsbury recipe!

6. Ropa Vieja

Rui loves all types of slow-cooked meats, but ropa vieja is for sure a favorite! Typically this dish is made using flank steak which easily shreds into tender pieces of meat. At the end of the day, this dish is good with any meat you have at home! Rui loves it served over rice with a side of platanos maduros. Check out the recipe here!

7. Wings

Wings are of course a classic for tailgating! Nellie says wings are a staple at her house when it comes time to watch a game. She likes various different flavors, but we all know buffalo is the classic. Check out this recipe here to have the best wings at every tailgate.

Fall Activity Bucket List

Posted on by Gabriella Silva

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As the air gets crisper and summer comes to a close, excited Pumpkin Spice lovers everywhere are planning fall activities to fill the season. Whether it be picking apples, jumping in leaves, or attending fall festivals, there are plenty of activities to fill the fall season. Here is our bucket list of must do fall activities

Celebrate Oktoberfest with beer and sausages

Re-watch your favorite scary movie on Halloween (Nightmare before Christmas? Hocus Pocus? Halloweentown?)

Throw a Halloween party

Give out candy to trick o’ treaters

Thanksgiving with friends and family

Go apple picking

Tailgate at your local football game

Bake a pie (apples and pumpkins and pecans, oh my!)

Get lost in a corn maze

Play a game of two-hand touch football

Go for a hike

Go for a hayride

Take a drive to admire the fresh fall foliage

Make a pinecone bird feeder

Buy something from a bake sale

Make rice krispie treats

Jump in a pile of leaves

Eat a candy apple (or make them yourself!)

Make butternut squash soup

Drink hot spiced cider

Eat a slice of warm pumpkin bread (see bake sale above)

Carve your own pumpkin

Make your kid’s (or your own) Halloween costume

Get spooked in a haunted house

Breath in the cool, crisp air

Dig up your sweaters from storage

Listen to the sound of leaves crunching under your feet

Spend a day antiquing

Build a bonfire

Collect pinecones to decorate for the holiday season

Watch a kids’ soccer game

Attend a fall festival (or 2 or 3 or maybe 7?!)

Remember what you’re thankful for so of course enjoy all of these activities with your loved ones.

5 Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Posted on by Gabriella Silva

 

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Hispanic Heritage Month (El Mes de la Herencia Hispana) was started in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson, originally set to be just a week long celebration.  However in 1988, it was expanded to 30 days by President Ronald Reagan. Hispanic Heritage Month lasts every year from September 15th-October 15th. September 15th marks el Día de la Independencia for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua thus it was a fitting day to begin a celebration for Hispanic Heritage.  September 16th marks the Independence Day for Mexico, September 18th marks the Independence Day for Chile. While in the United States, October 12th is celebrated as Columbus Day, in much of Latin America it is celebrated as Dia de la Raza, or Hispanic Heritage Day. Since that time frame is filled with a lot of history, it serves as a great time to honor and celebrate the cultures of Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

So how do you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

1. Education

The first step is to understand the culture. Learn a little bit about your Hispanic counterparts whether that be through research or asking questions! With so many different countries making up Latin America, there is always new information about traditions, food, and culture. Whether through art, literature, or conversation, you are sure to enjoy some of what you hear. Check out one of these books by Latino authors!

2. Music

Latin Music from Gasolina to Despacito has always made it into the hearts of listeners regardless of language preference. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, here is a playlist of all of our favorite latin hits. There is sure to be a song here you would love!

3. Food

Without good music and good food can you even consider yourself Latino? Celebrate the delicious varieties of food from Latin America by hosting a potluck with friends. Everyone can bring a dish inspired by a different Latin American country! Don’t worry, we’ve got a few suggestions to get you started.

4. Movie Night

Not into food or dance? Why not host a movie night instead! Movies from Selena to Mi Familia all celebrate Hispanics and Hispanic Americans. Many films like Disney’s Coco (also on Netflix!!) will probably jerk some tears out between the smiles. Need some more ideas? Here is a list of great films to watch this month.

5. Speak Spanish!

Whether you speak fluently, proficiently, or not at all, a few words in Spanish can make you new connections whether that be through work, family, or friendship. If you don’t speak Spanish, try out Duolingo (a ~*free*~ language learning app) for the month to see how much you can learn! Even one word a day can make a difference.

 

Finally, if you are Hispanic/Latino, share your culture with others, let them know that you are proud of where you come from. Now is a time to celebrate, learn about different cultures, and break down barriers. Don’t be scared to try new things; embrace the differences and similarities that bring us together!

Poor Driving Habits that Can Damage Your Vehicle

Posted on by agentinsure

Poor driving habits can damage your vehicle and increase your risk of having an accident. Changing bad driving habits will protect you from accidents, extend the lifespan of your vehicle and reduce insurance costs. Paying less for StateChoice auto insurance in West Hartford, CT should be incentive enough to change your driving style. Eliminating the following habits will improve your driving and protect your car.  

Driving on “Fumes” – Driving on low fuel can overheat your fuel pump, causing premature wear and tear. It can also clog your fuel filter as you’re using the dregs from an empty tank. If you can’t afford a full tank of gas, keeping your gauge at a minimum of quarter full will protect your car.   

Hauling Excess Weight – Extra weight puts stress on your vehicle’s suspension, brakes and drivetrain. It also causes you to burn up more fuel. If you don’t need the cargo you’re lugging around, leave it behind.   

Hard Stops – Unless it’s an emergency to prevent an accident, avoid sudden stops that cause you to slam on the brakes. Hard stops wear out brakes quicker, forcing you to replace brake pads and rotors more often.

Dragging Brakes Downhill – Riding brakes on downhill slopes can damage brake components. Rather than using brakes as a protective measure, shift to a lower gear to reduce your speed. This will protect your brakes for when you need them most.

Riding Clutch – Resting your hand on the clutch while waiting for the light to change is yet another bad habit that needs to stop. Riding your clutch puts undue pressure on its components, causing premature wear and tear. Over time, this habit could cause your clutch to fail resulting in costly repairs.

Good driving habits combined with auto insurance from StateChoice in West Hartford, CT will protect you and your vehicle on the road.

Fall Festivals in Hartford County

Posted on by Gabriella Silva

              

One of the many perks of living in Connecticut is the festivity and beauty of the Autumn. As the fall season begins, we all begin looking forward to the festivals and fairs that can be found across the state. In an effort to help everyone find fun ways to spend their weekends we have put together a list of Fall Festivals in Hartford county. Don’t miss out on the fun!

 

September

September 6th-9th – Wapping Fair

75 Brookfield Street, South Windsor, CT 06074

Check it out here!

 

September 7th-9th – Septemberfest

22 Iron Horse Boulevard, Simsbury, CT 06070

Check it out here!

 

September 8th-9th – Suffield on the Green

Suffield Town Green

Check it out here!

 

September 14th-16th – Berlin Fair

Beckley Road, Berlin, CT 06037

Check it out here!

 

September 22nd – Wethersfield Corn Fest

Broad Street Green

Check it out here!

 

September 28th-30th – Southington Apple Harvest Festival

75 N Main Street, Southington, CT 06489

Check it out here!

 

September 29th – Old Wethersfield Arts & Crafts Fair

Cove Park, State Street, Wethersfield

Check it out here!

 

October

October 5th-7th – Southington Apple Harvest Festival

75 N Main Street, Southington, CT 06489

Check it out here!

 

October 6th – Windsor Lions Club Fall Arts & Crafts Festival

Windsor Town Green on Broad Street in Windsor

Check it out here!

 

October 7th – Max’s Fifth Annual HOPtoberfest

Rosedale Farms & Vineyard

Check it out here!

 

October 12th-14th – Glastonbury Apple Harvest Festival

Riverfront Park, 300 Welles Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033

Check it out here!

 

October 13th – Rocky Hill Fall Fest

Veteran’s Memorial Amphitheater

Check it out here!

 

October 20th – The Plainville Pumpkin Fest

Downtown Plainville, in front of Town Hall

Check it out here!

 

October 27th – Simsbury Spooktacular Chili Challenge

22 Iron Horse Boulevard, Simsbury, CT 06070

Check it out here!

10 Lunch Ideas for Back to School

Posted on by Gabriella Silva

With school just around the corner, it is planning season. Whether buying school supplies, new clothes, or groceries, we are all a little stressed to have everything ready in time for the big first day. Many children and parents opt to pack lunches rather than purchase hot lunch at school for various reasons. Perhaps waiting in line takes away too much time, maybe packing is cheaper or healthier, or maybe your kids simply do not like what the cafeteria has to offer. Either way, it can become difficult to come up with new ideas of what to pack for 180 days and kids definitely get tired of the same old PB&J. Whatever your reason may be, we’ve put together a list of lunch ideas that for sure will not bore!

 

1.Pepperoni Pizza Pockets

What child doesn’t like pizza? This home made HotPocket can be filled with anything to suit your kid’s tastebuds, or even to be healthier. Try the recipe here!

2. Turkey & Cream Cheese Pin Wheels

A new take on the classic sandwich. These pinwheels are both delicious and fun to eat. Check out the recipe here!

Also check out turkey and cheese pin wheels for another twist here!

3. Turkey, Cheddar, and Crackers

The fun shapes and fresh food will have your kids never touching another Lunchable! Use cookie cutters to cut deli meat and cheese into fun shapes that your kids can use to put together their own sandwich crackers. Check out the recipe here!

4. Crust-Free PB&J

Uncrustables who? Everyone loves a classic PB&J, use this fun and easy recipe to eliminate the crust for any picky eater or just for a fresh take on a classic. Check out the recipe here!

5. Chicken Marinara

You can make this meal fresh for lunch or enjoy it for dinner and pack up the leftovers. With a thermos like this, your child won’t feel like he’s missing out on warm food by packing. Check out the recipe here!

6. Classic Sandwiches

Sometimes a simple sandwich is all it takes to keep a kid satisfied. By changing up the ingredients and sides, lunches won’t get boring. Check out this video for a whole week of sandwich packing ideas!

7. PB&J Triangles

Try out this modern twist on a classic. Using tortillas instead of bread in a PB&J (or any sandwich) can provide a whole new lunch. Check out the recipe here!

8. Build Your Own Pizza

Kids love hands on activities, even for lunch! With a few simple ingredients, your kid will have the best lunch at the table. Check out the recipe here!

9. Grilled Cheese Roll-Ups

For a fun and easy to eat lunch, consider these grilled cheese roll ups with a side of marinara sauce. Like mozzarella sticks but better, any kid is sure to love these. Check out the recipe here!

10. Pasta Salad

Both you and your kid are sure to love this fresh, easy to make pasta salad. Pro Tip: Change up the noodles with different shapes and colors to make it even more exciting for your kid to eat. Check out the recipe here!

Benefits Of Life Insurance

Posted on by agentinsure

If you are like most people in West Hartford, CT, you may likely ignore the idea of taking up a life insurance plan thinking that you don’t need it. However, sudden accidents can bring you to a realization that life can end at any time without giving you any clues or hints. What will happen to your family then?

It’s important to understand that life continues even after you are gone, so it is important to prepare early enough and protect your family’s future in your absence. It would be unfortunate for the flow of income to be discontinued and there isn’t an alternative source. This is where life insurance coverage from StateChoice comes in. This post will outline some benefits of getting a life insurance plan.

Advantages of life insurance

The primary goal of purchasing life insurance is to offer immediate cash funds to assist your loved ones in paying their regular monthly expenses when you are gone. The coverage may cater for your funeral expenses and your home’s mortgage expenses too.

Another benefit of life insurance proceeds is that it can fund the future education expenses for your children or grandchildren. The cost of education keeps rising so this insurance plan will be an excellent tool to help your children achieve their education goals.

If you need to pay estate taxes upon death, consider buying life insurance coverage to pay for the due amount. It would be unfortunate to leave this burden to your loved ones –some people end up selling their assets at a low cost just to pay the tax funds.

Life insurance proceeds can also act as an inheritance. For instance, if you have a child, you can buy a life insurance policy in the amount of your property’s value and name them as a beneficiary.

To get a suitable life insurance plan in West Hartford, CT, contact StateChoice today.

Does home insurance cover my unattached shed and garage?

Posted on by agentinsure

If you own a home in West Hartford, CT, you probably already have an existing homeowners insurance policy. Even though there are many details in your contract, you understand that your insurance will cover your losses in case of fire, theft, or some other kinds of catastrophes. An agent at StateChoice can help explain to you how to make an inventory so that if you needed to make a claim it would be easier to do so. Your insurance obviously covers the house itself, and items inside like furniture, clothing, appliances, and other personal items. But does a homeowners policy cover outside buildings?

In fact, your policy will cover the extent of your actual real estate. If someone falls on your walk and is injured, they may file a lawsuit or at least make a claim to recover damages. Your insurance company will help with that claim, including any legal fees you may incur from the incident.

As far as outside buildings, they will be covered also. It is important if you do have outside buildings, like unattached sheds or a garage, that you understand your particular insurance policy. There may be a limit to how much you can claim for the outside of buildings. You can consult your policy, and talk to your agent if you have any questions.

If you have outside, unattached buildings at your home in West Hartford, CT, it is important to make sure they are protected in case anything does happen. Please feel free to call StateChoice today to discuss your existing policy, and see if you would benefit from a change in policy limits.

How Commercial Umbrella Insurance Can Protect Your West Hartford, CT Business

Posted on by agentinsure

You work hard for your business and have a significant amount of your wealth tied up there. Even though you take every possible precaution, accidents can happen. Let’s say a few customers are hurt on your property and seek a lawsuit. What happens next? The answer to this question is very different, depending on whether you have commercial umbrella insurance.

In our scenario, you have general liability Insurance as well as a commercial umbrella policy, so your assets and business are safe. How well does your coverage measure up in real life? Talk to your StateChoice agent about your options for commercial umbrella insurance. Meanwhile, here is some basic coverage information.

What is Commercial Umbrella Insurance?

Commercial umbrella insurance is supplemental to existing liability coverage and protects you against catastrophic loss. If someone decides to target you in a lawsuit, your business and personal assets are on the line for large claims. Your commercial policy typically has a limit, but lawsuits can cost tens of thousands of dollars.

To avoid extraordinary losses, consider bolstering your existing coverage with an umbrella policy. Note that a regular commercial policy is still needed. An umbrella policy doesn’t take the place of your existing policy.

What’s Covered?

Commercial umbrella policies pay for medical bills, legal fees and damages that exceed your regular policy limits if:

  • You hold an appropriate underlying policy.
  • Your claim exceeds the underlying policy coverage.

Additionally, you might not be able to get a commercial umbrella policy unless your regular policy has a limit.

Contact Us

Significant assets are at risk when your business is the target of a lawsuit. Don’t wait until damages threaten to ruin your business. Contact your StateChoice agent today to make an appointment for a quote and to answer any questions you may have.