Independent Savvy

September 22nd marked the first day of the fall equinox. Cooler weather has set in quickly and it's bittersweet. I'm going to miss having my car windows rolled down and wearing sundresses. Summer was full of grilled steaks and late night ice cream trips. I'll be sad to say goodbye to 9 p.m. sunsets but let's face it, this summer in Connecticut was extremely humid and I'm OK taking a break. I'm ready to let flannel blankets, chilly breezes, and crock pot meals consume me. Don't fight it. Like summer, fall brings great food. But unlike summer, this time of year allows you to indulge in piping hot dishes, savory or sweet. In the true spirit of fall, today I share my three favorite ways to make apple crisp! Nothing can warm you up quite like this dessert. When paired with a cool, sweet scoop of vanilla ice cream, it transports you to Autumn paradise! 1. Grain Free  I eat primarily grain free. This has helped reduce inflammation in my body as well as c...

 I have yet to meet a person who enjoys the insurance claims process. It's confusing, it's scary, it's not fun. As much as we'd like to avoid having to go through this ordeal, losses still happen. Uncontrollable weather still exists, crazy fires do break out, and pipes burst in extreme temperatures. Aside from finding an insurance company that has an orderly claims department, below are three ways you can help make your claims experience less of a headache. 1. Notifying Your Company Immediately The best way to act is quickly. As the customer, you do have the ability to choose whether or not you'd like to get your insurance company involved when things go wrong. However, don't take too long mulling over the decision. The longer damage sits, the higher the chance more damage will occur and create problems down the road. Your insurance company should be at the top of your list, as far as contacts go, in the event of a loss. The sooner they are notifi...

A couple of times a week, I visit some furry friends at the Sadie Mae Foundation in Bolton, CT. Along with other volunteers, I feed them, clean them, and give them plenty of attention. Below I break down my top three reasons for doing so and why you should do it too. 1. Because It's a Blast I have volunteered for a handful of causes and events in my adult life but nothing has given me more joy than volunteering at an animal shelter. While at the end of most days I think I just want to go home and unwind, petting a sweet dog after a long day is extremely relaxing. I will never forget my first day and how it felt to have a swarm of puppies ease my stress away. I get to play with dogs that are happy to see me no matter what my day looked like. I have fun! 2. To Fill a Void I love dogs. I am crazy about them. I am the crazy dog lady. I have two extra-large pups at home and if it was up to me, I'd have many, many more. Fortunately, I have a husband that keeps my head on...

Are all insurance agents the same? Nope. It's pretty common, after speaking with or meeting a future customer for the first time, that they do not realize how an independent agent works. After all, the only advertisements we see are for big name companies with their funny reptiles and witty mascots. It's easy to believe we all operate like the other. Offering "Great Rates" and claiming to be "#1 in Connecticut". There are two types of agents: those who only work with (for) one company and those that do not. The majority of the companies advertised on radio and television are companies whose agents can only provide you one option: themselves. If they can only offer you them, how can you be sure that they are genuine? Independent agents are different, they work with numerous insurance companies every day. This allows them to tailor the options to fit your needs. Independent agents have more loyalty to their customers and when circumstances in your...

Summertime means picnics, dinner parties, and get-togethers! Below you will find siganture dishes from our very own staff here at IIC. Feel free to steal them, we won't mind. Tuna Macaroni Salad Ingredients 1 Box of Elbow Macaroni 1/2 Cup Chopped Onion 1/2 Cup Chopped Celery  1 Can of White Albacore Tuna 2 Heaping Tablespoons of Hellman's Mayonnaise Salt and Pepper to Taste Instructions   "Cook macaroni, strain, and cool. Place in large container. Add tuna, celery and onions. Add mayonnaise and mix. Add salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate and serve cold."  ~ Marie, Customer Service  Simple Bolognese Sauce Ingredients 1lb Ground Beef 1 Onion 1 28oz Can of Crushed San Marzano Tomato Sauce ½ Cup of Red Wine 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil Italian parsley to Taste Oregano to Taste Salt and Pepper to Taste Instructions " Cut the onion into quarters and sauté in a pan with about 2 tablespoons of olive...

Recently, I sat and thought about all of the wonderful people I've met during the course of my career. My general thought was that my customers are REAL people with a story. People with families that they love and homes they have made their own. It made me want to speak from the heart about my customers and just how much I enjoy working with them and sharing the common ground of insurance. To My First Customer You were such an exciting concept to me as I entered this new world. Studying insurance material and gaining a license from the state could never teach me what you did and that was friendship. We were able to sit with one another over a cup of coffee and really talk. I remember you well and I don't expect I will forget you. Thank you for giving me the chance to serve you. To the Animal Lover You and I could talk for hours if the work day would allow us. As a person who has "fur-babies", like I do, you have endless stories to share with me that ...

Something about the warm weather makes my phone ring off the hook with folks who would like a new insurance policy. Some customers are buying their first home, a new car, and others just got an itch to look around. Regardless of why, they all have something in common: they need help. When you've never done it before or haven't done it since 1987, shopping for insurance is a headache that you just want to be done with, or so you have been told. In your search, make sure you don't make the top 3 mistakes below! Calling One Insurance Company When you are standing at the grocery store, staring at the multi-vitamin selection in front of you, most likely you are trying to decide which brand to choose. There will always be some people that just grab the first bottle of vitamins they see without paying attention to what kind they are. But for many of us, we really ponder what we're purchasing. You need to read the bottle and see what's being provided to you...