Newsletters

Sharing the Road Safely with Cyclists

Pedal power is growing all over the country. Bike lanes are popping up everywhere and bike-riding has more than doubled in some cities. But the mismatch between a massive vehicle and a lightweight bicycle frame can have tragic consequences. Here are some ways to reduce the danger when sharing the road with cyclists: Defensive driving…

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Retirement Planning: The Cost of Waiting

“The way to get started is to stop talking and start doing.”  – Walt Disney The time for planning for your future is now. But in today’s fast paced, hectic world many people put off important decisions until another day. The excuses—”I don’t have time to plan,” “I can’t afford to invest,” and “I really…

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Tire Tips to Help Ensure Road Safety

Under-inflated tires are a leading cause of auto crashes. Typically, they lead to uneven treads or overheating which could result in a flat or a blowout. Therefore, keeping your tires properly inflated can make a big difference in your safety. As an added bonus, it can also improve your gas mileage by 3.3%. There are…

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Disabled Architect Illustrates Disability Risks

In December 2007, the sky seemingly fell on 39-year-old architect Robert Woo near ground zero while he sat in his trailer office working as associate architect on the Goldman Sachs office tower project. A crane cable snapped, dropping 7 tons of steel from a 25-floor elevation onto Woo’s trailer. Lucky to be alive at all,…

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Fall Maintenance

It’s time for fall maintenance on your home to tackle any trouble spots outside before winter arrives. It’s a good idea to start with outside jobs before it gets too cold and rainy. For some tasks, such as electrical or plumbing problems, it may be best to use licensed professionals. Here is a list of…

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Winter Behind the Wheel

Because driving in winter conditions is fraught with hazards such as icy roads, poor visibility, and the threat of snowstorms, consider the following questions before getting behind the wheel and putting safety at risk. Is this trip absolutely necessary? If you can wait out a storm or until roads are cleared, don’t take the risk.…

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Firm Policies Restricting Communications in Vehicles

The National Safety Council now estimates that cell phone use increases auto accident risk by a factor of four. Many, if not most, company policies on the use of cell phones for enacting company business while driving ban the use of hand-held devices but make an exception for hands-free cell phone usage. This often is…

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Insuring Against College Calamities

If you’re the parent of dependent college students living away from home, you may not be aware that your homeowner’s policy will cover their personal property and personal liability. Personal property coverage Although limits and coverage vary by state, as long as your children’s permanent residence is your home, their personal property is automatically covered…

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Do You Need Flood Insurance?

You may think you need flood insurance only if you live near water. Think again. Floods can be caused by heavy rainfall, melting snow, clogged drainage systems and broken levees. All it takes is a few inches of water to cause major damage to your home and belongings.

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An Accident-Free Workplace

National Safety Month focuses on preventative measures that employees can take to maintain an accident-free workplace. In keeping with that mission, here are some best practices that you can incorporate into your daily routine to ensure the safety of you and your colleagues.

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Don’t Be a Victim of the “Fiduciary” Label

The AIA Trust risk report on the crucial legal & professional considerations for architects regarding fiduciary duty offers no surprise about lawsuits founded upon professional malpractice or the breach of a professional services agreement against design professionals. However, concerns may arise when a design professional is also sued for the breach of a fiduciary duty.…

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Preventing Road Rage

How can you manage anger or defuse a scary encounter on the road? An expert, Dave Melton, Transportation Safety Specialist at the Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, says “Every day, thousands of drivers experience some form of road rage or aggressive driving.” Melton offers steps for avoiding a road rage situation—or getting away from…

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The Advantages of Securing Your Family’s Future

How do you ensure your family maintains their standard of living if they have to live without you and without your income? When there isn’t enough life protection, surviving loved ones often face very difficult circumstances, having to take out loans, move to smaller, less expensive housing, work additional jobs or longer hours, or forego…

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Keep Your Own House In Order

Scrambling at work for clients and bringing in new business may lessen focus on one’s own home front. It’s important to focus on fall home maintenance to tackle any trouble spots before winter arrives. Now is the time to start outside jobs before it turns cold and rainy (or snowy). Some tasks may require scheduling…

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Protect Your Income: Disability Insurance

Disabilities happen every day. According to the Disability Status Report published in 2010 by Cornell University, 40.4% of Americans between the age of 21 and 64 with a disability are unemployed. While these are not things we like to hear and talk about, these are numbers we cannot and should not ignore. Many people believe…

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When Your Wallet Goes AWOL

When your wallet is lost or stolen, it’s tough not to fear the worst—credit card fraud and identity theft. But you can hold the panic at bay by acting quickly and taking a few preventative measures that help protect your credit and reduce your liability. Before Your Wallet Goes A.W.O.L. Because identity theft is on…

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What You Need to Know—About the Changing Standard of Care

The AIA Trust white paper about the evolving standard of care is a topic of vital interest to AIA Members. The standard of care is the prevailing benchmark of professional practice in architecture and design and the threshold of protection under professional liability insurance.  The design professional’s standard of care is generally based on the…

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Employee Benefits Help Maintain Firm Success

Your firm’s success relies on the talent, experience, and dedication of your employees. Without them, your firm may not succeed—which is why most consider their employees to be their most valuable asset. Offering your employees good benefits, including salary, health care coverage, and retirement incentives is key to retaining your top employees and in return,…

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Winter’s Last Blast

You may be dreaming of spring, but don’t forget the cold, hard facts:  Old Man Winter still has plenty of time to deliver a deadly blizzard or ice storm. It’s important to protect yourself during late-season snowstorms—so follow these tips if you lose power in your home or are stranded in your car. At Home…

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Driving Green

Driving Green is more important than ever today to conserve fuel and protect the environment. With gasoline prices on the rise and increasing reports about the impact of greenhouse gases on the environment, now is the time to rethink how you may typically drive and maintain your vehicles. Try following these tips to increase your…

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