Ontario Insurance Tips

Please click on the links below to view some handy insurance tips we have assembled. As always, our staff will be happy to provide you with all of the information you need about the coverage we provide.

Business Tips

General Commercial Crime Prevention
Protecting Your Computer Equipment
Business Interruption Prevention
Contractors' Loss Prevention Tips
Office Loss Prevention Tips
Commercial Vehicles Loss Prevention Tips
Repair Garage Loss Prevention Tips
Retail Loss Prevention Tips
Slip and Fall Loss Prevention Tips

General Commercial Crime Prevention

Ensure that all exterior doors have deadbolt locks with a minimum one inch bolt into the strike plate.
Secure exposed exterior door hinge pins to prevent their removal.
Protect all grade floor glass through the use of bars, metal screens or burglary resistant glazing materials.
Install a burglar alarm system which is monitored offsite. We recommend that the system be certified by Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC).
Continually check for unsafe work conditions and practices, and take prompt corrective action.
Provide a complement of serviced, multi-purpose fire extinguishers in your premises and instruct all staff in their use.

Protecting You Computer Equipment

Clamp or lock PCs to desks/work stations. Security kits are available at nominal cost.
Backup data and programs on a regular basis and store them offsite in a secure location.
Protect all grade floor glass through the use of bars, metal screens or burglary resistant glazing materials.
Laptop computers are portable and easy targets for theft. Do not leave them unsecured or unattended.
Maintain records of serial numbers for all of your computer equipment.

Business Interruption Prevention

Employ the services of a professional accountant to:
- Prepare financial statements.
- Perform an annual audit of you books.
Maintain a list of secondary suppliers of materials in the event your primary supplier suffers a loss.
Be prepared with a plan of action as to how you will continue to service your customers while your premises are being repaired after a loss. This will help you to avoid losing your customer base. Consider availability of temporary premises where you can resume operations immediately.
Reduce the physical and moral hazards of your business.
Duplicate your business records and store them off-site; in the event that your premises are damaged, you will have documents to substantiate any business interruption loss

Contractors' Loss Prevention Tips

Focus on pre-job and pre-task planning. The principle of planning the work and working the plan should be followed.
All tools and equipment should be kept in a locked area at all times when not in use.
All tools should be stamped with an identification number to assist in recovery. Tools should be painted with bright, easily recognizable colours to ease in their identification.
Any onsite storage of materials should be in a secure storage area. Where the materials are considered a high target, they should be kept inside a building in a locked area or brought to the site only when they are needed.
Warning signs should be posted limiting access and indicating the safety equipment required to gain entry.
All electrical cords that pass through pedestrian areas should be secured so that tripping is avoided.
All mud or water on public traffic areas should be cleaned regularly.
The local utilities should be contacted to locate underground services in the event that any excavations are to be performed.
All flammable liquids used should be stored in approved safety containers.
All hotwork should be controlled. Combustibles should be removed at least 11 metres from the hotwork. If this is not possible non-combustible shields should be used. A fire watch should be provided for at least a half-hour after the hotwork is completed. All hotwork permit regulations must be followed.
All combustible refuse created during the work should be cleaned up regularly. Oily rags should be separated and stored in metal containers with tight fitting lids.
Fire extinguishers of the appropriate type should be available at all times.
Certificates of liability should be obtained from all subcontractors to ensure they are maintaining adequate liability coverage.
All new equipment should be tested and inspected when the work is completed. Customers should signoff the job once complete.
Ensure that the project complies with all applicable codes and standards.
Records of all jobs including plans, testing documents and approvals should be maintained.

Office Loss Prevention Tips

Avoid overloading of electrical outlets, particularly in older buildings equipped with fuses instead of circuit breakers.
If existing electrical service is inadequate, ensure that any required electrical modifications are done by a professional electrician.
Ensure that life and safety features such as fire alarms, exit signs and emergency lights are operational and serviced as per applicable fire code specifications.
Clean all spills or wet floors immediately, post signs warning of wet or damp floors and check floor surfaces for potential hazards on a regular basis. Non-slip rugs should be used during the winter months.

Commercial Vehicles Loss Prevention

Drivers should NEVER pick up hitchhikers or allow anyone who is not authorized by the OWNER, to ride in the vehicle.
Proper MAINTENANCE improves road safety and should be completed by experienced and qualified mechanics. Regular maintenance schedules and records should be kept to prevent accidents caused by unexpected mechanical failures.
Inspect your vehicle every day against a standardized checklist. Keep your vehicle equipped with a flashlight, good spare tire, jack and flares in case of emergencies.
Proper USE of vehicles extends the life of your vehicle as well as preventing damage to the property of others. Drive on well-maintained and well-travelled roads. Travel at speeds that are not in excess of the posted speed limit. Properly secured loads prevent your load from spilling on the roadways causing damage to others. Improper loading or overloading leads to load shift and/or upset or rollover. Vehicles should only be used for their intended purpose.
Always lock your vehicle and take the keys with you, even if it is only for a few minutes.
Never leave the engine running while your vehicle is unattended.
Safeguard your keys - NEVER keep your vehicle keys or business keys on the same key ring and NEVER attach identification tags to them.
Valuable items exposed to view are an invitation to thieves, e.g. log books, delivery schedules, cash, cheques. Drivers should NEVER reveal the contents of their vehicles, their loads, their destination or leave their loads unattended.
Deliveries should not be made unless the receiving party signs them for.
Parking in well-lit areas is important for personal safety and for the protection of your vehicle and cargo. Keep your vehicle in a locked garage or protected location when not in use.
Choose your anti-theft devices carefully. There are many types of anti-theft devices available to protect your vehicle and cargo. Choose the mechanical device, alarm or electronic immobilizer that is best suited to protect your vehicle and cargo.

Repair Garage Loss Prevention

Establish, post and strictly enforce a rule forbidding customers from entering the service bay area. By establishing a clean, safe waiting area for customers, you will significantly reduce the possibility of "slip and fall" types of losses. An added benefit is that customers will not disturb your mechanics while they are working on vehicles.
Ensure that you always get signed customer work orders that outline the authorized repairs. This will eliminate any disputes as to the work that was authorized by the customer.
When preparing a customer's work order, all completed repairs should be listed along with all recommended repairs declined by the customer; the customer should sign-off the work order. Including declined recommendations in the work order could protect you from a potential liability loss.
Make sure that the front, rear and interior of your business premises are well lit, particularly when closed for business.
When overnight storage of customers' vehicles is necessary, they should be stored inside if possible. If outside storage of vehicles is required on a regular basis, the area should be well lit, adequately fenced and padlocked overnight.
Establish a key control procedure with employees to limit access to customers' keys. Keys should be kept under lock and key, within your office premises. This will reduce the accessibility of keys to potential thieves and vandals, reducing the possibility of customers' vehicles being stolen or vandalized.
Limit the amount of cash in the till by using a safe or money-limiting device. Make regular bank deposits, varying the time of deposits and the route taken.
Ensure that you maintain accurate inventory records for all stock, including tools, automobile parts and miscellaneous retail items. In the event of a theft loss, accurate records will make it easier for the insurance adjuster to settle your claim fairly, quickly and equitably.
Obtain driver abstracts for all employees on a regular basis. This will help you to determine which employees should be test-driving customers' vehicles.
Establish guidelines for employees as to when and who is permitted to test drive customers' vehicles.
Ensure that test drives follow a predetermined route, in areas that have relatively light vehicular and pedestrian traffic. This can significantly reduce your chance of suffering a loss with a customer's vehicle.

Retail Loss Prevention

Never store combustible material, such as cardboard or paper, near heaters or electrical equipment and remove combustible waste on a regular basis.
In sprinklered buildings, keep stock more than 18 inches below the sprinkler heads, so as not to interfere with the system's effectiveness in the event of a fire.
Avoid overloading of electrical outlets, particularly in older buildings equipped with fuses instead of circuit breakers.
Keep all of your stock off the floor, stored on skids, shelves, or racks.
Make sure the front, rear and interior of your business premises are well lit, particularly when closed for business.
Arrange the interior layout of the store so that the till area is clearly visible from the exterior of the building.
Limit the amount of cash in the till by using a safe or money-limiting device.
If your store is open long hours, consider the installation of closed circuit television cameras and hold-up alarms.
Make regular bank deposits, but vary the timing of the deposits and the route taken.
Install anti-shoplifting devices and surveillance equipment or keep high priced merchandise under lock and key in display cases.
Ensure that life and safety features such as fire alarms, exit signs and emergency lights are operational and serviced as per applicable fire code specifications.
Do not block exits with stock or equipment. Ensure that all exit doors are unlocked during store hours.

Slip and Fall Loss Prevention

Inspect the interior of your premises on a regular basis for unsafe conditions that could lead to a slip & fall loss. Maintain a daily log of when the inspection was done, what conditions were noted and what corrective action was taken.
Floors should be kept clean and in good repair at all times, with loose or defective flooring being replaced immediately.
Ensure that aisles are kept clear and free of fallen merchandise or stock. (e.g. fruit, vegetables, clothes etc.)
During periods of inclement weather, all entrances should have mats or rugs to help keep the floor clean and dry. Damaged mats should be replaced as soon as possible.
Non-slip wax should be used on floor surfaces, where required.
Water and other spills should be mopped up immediately and a Caution-Wet Floor sign should be posted.
For surfaces that are consistently slippery, specialized non-slip epoxy coatings or non-skid flooring materials may be used.
For spills involving oil or other industrial materials, absorbent non-combustible cleaning materials should be used.
Ensure that all entranceways and aisles are clear of obstructions and/or promotional displays.
Inspect the exterior of your premises on a regular basis for unsafe conditions that could lead to a slip & fall loss. Maintain a daily log of when the inspection was done, what conditions were noted and what corrective action was taken.
Any damage to stairs, sidewalks and pavement should be repaired as soon as possible, with signs and barriers posted, until such time as repairs are completed.
A snow and ice removal program should be implemented and adhered to, with a single individual having responsibility for the program.
Have the appropriate equipment, tools and materials available for use by your staff, in the case of a weather related emergency. e.g. shovels, salt, sand etc.
Professional snow removal contractors should be contracted to plow, sand and salt your parking and walkway facilities. Ensure that the contractor keeps a comprehensive log of the work performed.
Clean gutters and downspouts and ensure that melt water is directed away from sidewalks and walkways. Check that exterior lighting is adequate and check on a regular basis for malfunctioning light fixtures.
Establish and maintain a daily garbage removal program, whereby the walkways and sidewalks are swept and the debris removed on a regular basis.

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Home Tips

Crime Prevention
Tips for Inside your Home
Tips for Outside your Home
What NOT to Do
Going on Vacation
What to Do if Your House is Broken Into

Crime Prevention Tips

One-third of burglars enter from the basement
One-third of burglars force entry through a window or door
One-third of burglars gain access from an unlocked/open door or window

To best protect your home, look at it from a burglar's perspective. What are the vulnerable parts? If you take a few simple and inexpensive steps to make sure your home is not an attractive target, you'll greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

The following are some tips to help you prevent a burglar from entering your home:

Tips for Inside your Home

Secure your premises.
- Close blinds and curtains at night so that a burglar can't scope your belongings.
- Lock all doors and windows before leaving.
- Lock windows so that they can't be opened from the outside. If they can't be locked, you can pin them by drilling a hole through both window frames and inserting a bolt or metal pin. The pin must be easily removable for emergency situations.
- Home burglar alarm systems are a great deterrent. Even if you have an alarm system, don't neglect the other security measures available to you. An alarm provides an extra layer of security, but is no replacement for good common sense. Alarm owners should still do what they can to make sure their home is not an attractive target for thieves.
Make your home look occupied at all times
- Use timers to maintain normal lighting patterns.
- Leave a radio on when you are away from your home for short periods of time.
Protect you valuables.
- Consider marking your valuables indelibly (engraved) with your drivers licence or social insurance number.
- Take an inventory of your home with a videotape and/or photographs.
- Keep jewellery and negotiables in a safety deposit box or an unlikely place (i.e. Not your bedroom).

Tips for Outside your Home

Keep your shrubbery cut back so that it doesn't block windows and doors.
Secure window air conditioners from the inside.
Illuminate as much of your property as possible.
Exterior doors should be solid, not hollow. Metal doors provide the best protection against forced entry.
Use a fencing style that would not conceal a burglar's activities. Remember if you can't see out, others can't see in.
Secure any glass that is less than 40' from a door lock. Either coat exterior glass with an acrylic or polycarbonate to strengthen, or replace with laminated or tempered glass.
Door hinges that are on the outside should have a non-removable center pin that can't be tampered with.
Install deadbolt locks.
Dogs are great deterrents to burglars. Even a strategically placed "Beware of Dog" sticker can make a burglar think twice. Of course, vicious dogs are never a good idea. If your dog bites someone, you might find yourself in court. A dog that barks is better than one that bites.
Place hinged security bars over basement windows. Remember to keep the key nearby for emergency exits.
Pin sliding patio doors together when closed. Another easy security step is to drill a hole in the upper track and insert a screw that extends out into the runner to prevent the door from being lifted up and out of its track.
Ensure that a burglar cannot access the roof from high trees or a ladder left outside.

What NOT to Do

Don't put up a nameplate outside of your house with your full name. A burglar can use this information to look up your number in the phone book and call to see if you are home.
Don't leave a note on the door or in the mailbox telling a friend/family member that you aren't home.
Don't leave spare keys in an obvious place such as the mailbox or under the front door mat. This makes it very easy for a burglar to rob your house quickly without forcing entry.
Don't leave cash and handbags in view in your home.
Don't leave any doors unlocked when you are at the other end of the house or in the yard.

Going on Vacation

Stop all mail delivery.
Arrange for a neighbour to cut the grass or shovel snow.
Cancel all deliveries during the time you will be away.
Maintain normal lighting patterns by using electronic timers.
Ask a neighbour to put one of their garbage bags in front of your house on collection day.
Leave a radio on, with a timer if necessary to simulate normal use.
Ask a neighbour to park in your driveway.
Arrange for neighbours to pick up flyers.
Don't talk about your vacation plans with strangers or service people.
Use your work address on your luggage tags so a potential burglar won't know where your empty house is.
If practical, remove valuables from your home. Small valuables should be stored in a safety deposit box.
Lock garage door. Note: Before you leave, you should tell someone you trust:
That you will be away
How long you will be absent
Whether or not you will have a house sitter
The number where you can be reached

What to Do if Your House is Broken Into

Don't stay - Always think of your safety first
Never confront a burglar or block the exit route
Go immediately to a neighbour's home or nearby location and phone the police

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Motorcycle - Boat - RV Tips

Bikers, Boaters, and RVers: Tips for Matching Coverage with Your Lifestyle
Buying a Bike, Boat, or RV?
When Do You Need Boat Insurance?
Boat Insurance on the Water
Boat Insurance off the Water
Year-Round Boat Insurance Could Save You Money
What to Consider before You Buy Boat Insurance

Bikers, Boaters, and RVers: Tips for Matching Coverage with Your Lifestyle

When you buy insurance for your motorcycle, boat, or RV, you might wonder which combination of coverage fits your lifestyle best. Here are tips to help you choose great coverage that might save you big bucks later:

Take long motorcycle trips away from home?

Coverage to consider: Trip Interruption coverage

Benefit: This coverage pays for your transportation, food, and lodging if you get stranded on a road trip—and it costs as little as $5 a year with Roadside Assistance.

Own a motorcycle that’s less than two years old?

Coverage to consider: Total Loss coverage

Benefit: If your bike is stolen or completely written off, this coverage will pay the manufacturer's suggested retail price.

Planning a road trip in your RV?

Coverage to consider: Specialized RV insurance

Benefit: Unlike insuring your RV on the same policy as your car, having specialized RV insurance can include coverages like Emergency Expense, which will pay for lodging and transportation if your RV is damaged in an accident while you’re on a trip, and Replacement Cost Personal Effects, which will pay for stolen items like golf clubs.

Frequently haul your boat?

Coverage to consider: Specialized boat insurance

Benefit: You'll get coverage tailored specifically for boaters--coverage you wouldn't get if you insure your boat as an endorsement to your homeowners policy. This includes Roadside Assistance, which will cover towing for your boat, trailer, and your tow vehicle, even if your car or truck is insured with another company.

Buying a Bike, Boat, or RV?

Make ownership enjoyable with the right amount of planning.

Take a jaunt down any road on a warm spring day, and you'll likely encounter boats being towed to nearby waters, motorcycles on winding roads or RVs on the highways. Seeing them might make you want one of your own, which could be a pretty easy — and enjoyable — feat with the right amount of planning. If you remember things like insurance, accessories, and operating costs, you can enjoy your toys for many balmy seasons ahead.

Insure your investment.

Naturally, pride comes with owning a motorcycle, boat, or RV, so make sure you protect your new toy with the proper amount of insurance. Generally, the cost to insure a specialized vehicle like these is lower than you'd expect. In fact, ThinkInsure offers motorcycle insurance policies starting at a reasonable $300 a year, so do a bit of research before assuming it's too costly.

Before you even buy, you can see how much you'd pay to insure your new vehicle, and you can even get a hypothetical quote before ever setting foot in a dealership. You may even be able to research insurance at the dealership, as many of them have insurance agencies inside for your convenience.

Personalize with accessories.

Once you've bought your boat, bike or motor home, it's time to accessorize it. Some of them may be necessary, such as a motorcycle helmet or lifejackets, but you can still add your own flair by selecting colors and designs that reflect your personality. Or, you can really make it your own with custom-designed accessories that could include anything from a paint job to a decked-out RV interior.

Plus, if you have Comprehensive or Collision coverage on a Progressive policy, we'll cover your accessories at no extra cost, up to a specified amount. For instance, we can custom accessory coverage on most motorcycle policies with Comprehensive or Collision coverage. Not a bad deal for the sake of safety, right?

Don't forget operating costs!

Once you have the keys to your new toy in hand, you'll need to purchase fuel, perform regular maintenance, and properly store or park it when it's not in use. Operating costs, such as campground fees for RVs and marina storage for boats, are an expected expense when you invest in recreational-use vehicles, so make sure you have a good idea of what they can run both in season and out of season.

Owning a boat, motorcycle, or RV lets you enjoy your surroundings in a different way. Once you've crossed your Ts and prepared for long-term ownership, strap on your helmet (or life jacket or seatbelt) and enjoy the ride!

When Do You Need Boat Insurance?

If you're only on the water for a few months, is year-round boat insurance necessary?

With warmer temperatures arriving earlier than usual, water season is well underway. Whether you're out on your boat every day or just on weekends, boat insurance should be top of mind during the summer months — and even beyond.

Even after boating season is over, you may think cancelling your boat insurance is a good idea to save some money. Here are a few reasons why you may want to keep your boat insurance year-round.

Boat Insurance on the Water

Naturally, you want to protect you're boat while you're using it. When you choose a boat insurance policy from a company that specializes in boat insurance, such as Progressive, you'll receive protection designed specifically for your boat.

Choose from standard and specialized coverages, including:

Liability, which protects other people and property if you're responsible for an accident Comprehensive, for incidents such as vandalism, flooding, and fires that may happen to your boat

Collision, for instances in which you hit another object and damage your boat

Fishing Equipment, which protects your gear on board or while it's being transported on or off your insured boat

Uninsured Boater, which protects you in case an uninsured boat collides with yours.

Boat Insurance off the Water

Protecting your boat while it's on the water is an easy decision, but what about when it's not on the water? What about when it's sitting in a slip or even in your yard? You may think cancelling your boat insurance to save a few dollars during the off season is a good idea, but a lot can happen while your boat isn't in use.

In fact, nearly two out of every 10 boat claims in Canada are filed between Labour Day and Victory Day — when boating isn't at its peak. Most of these claims are filed due to vandalism, theft, fire, or flooding, which can happen at any time, not just during warmer months.

And what about injuries? You're most likely responsible if someone gets hurt on your boat, but did you know you could be responsible for injuries around your boat, too? If you bypass boat insurance, you won't have liability coverage to protect you in cases that involve injury, which means you may be responsible for paying someone's medical bills whether you're using your boat or it's sitting unattended.

Whether you store your boat in a marina or in your yard, you may want to rethink any decisions to cancel your boat insurance while it's not being used.

Year-Round Boat Insurance Could Save You Money

You may actually save some cash if you keep your boat policy all year. With Progressive's disappearing deductibles, your Comprehensive and Collision deductibles are reduced by 25 percent for every claim-free policy period. If you go four policies in a row without a claim, you won't pay a deductible if you file one after that.

Cancelling your policy means you'll most likely be paying the entire amount to repair damage to your boat since you won't have any coverage. However, if you keep your policy, you may qualify for a $0 deductible after four claim-free years, which means you could save $500 or even $1,000 (depending on the deductibles you selected) when you do file a claim.

What to Consider before You Buy Boat Insurance

Before you make any changes, be sure to check your policy and review it with your agent to make sure you're getting the most for your money. Remember to look at what you have, then purchase boat insurance that covers your way of life. If you own a home, cars, a business, etc., you may want to consider a higher level of boat insurance coverage or an umbrella policy to protect your assets.

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