3 Ways to Show You Care January 31, 2022 Valentine’s Day is the perfect holiday to show your loved ones how much you care. This year, don’t just get flowers and chocolates. One gift that can truly last is insurance. It may not be as romantic as a dozen roses, but it can provide protection for life. Protect Your Valuables Home is where you usually feel safest and where you keep your most prized possessions. Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, both insurance lines offer personal property coverage. Personal property coverage covers personal belongings inside a home in the event of damages or theft that may not be covered under a general Homeowners or Renters Insurance line. Personal property coverage can provide a sense of security and help in recuperating valuables. Reach out to your local OKFB Agent and see if the jewelry you have or are planning to give for Valentine’s Day is covered. Travel With Confidence Planning a weekend getaway for the weekend of love? Whether you’re fishing at the lake, racing ATVs or cruising Route 66 in an RV, one way to protect your loved ones from the unexpected is with Recreational Insurance. We offer a wide range of coverage options that could help you when making new memories wherever your travels take you. Support Your Employees The COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that small businesses have to expect the unexpected and adapt quickly. Many Oklahoma businesses have suffered from lost revenue, staffing shortages or have had to close their doors completely. One way to show you care for your employees is to give the gift of insurance. Our fully-customizable Business Owners Insurance includes Loss of Income coverage that could help cover a loss of net income due to suspension of operations and help pay for continuing payroll expenses. BONUS – How We Care: Drive with Peace of Mind One auto-related gift to offer a loved one, and no, we’re not talking about buying a car, is Roadside Rescue. As an OKFB member or policyholder, we give you the gift of Roadside Rescue. This is a free service that provides 24/7 assistance wherever you or your loved one is nationwide. Enjoy the gift of traveling with confidence and peace of mind wherever and whenever this Valentine’s Day. Insurance coverage is a great way to show you care and to provide loved ones with protection and safety. Reach out to your local OKFB Insurance agent if you have questions about your existing plan or purchasing a new one. We’re here to help!
Protect Your Business From Shoplifters November 10, 2021 With the holiday rush, the risk of encountering shoplifters increases. As a business owner, your primary focus is on your customers and on ensuring they have a good experience with your business. However, there are a few things you can implement before the holidays to minimize the risk of shoplifting. Manage Inventory Although you might think your only shoplifting threat comes from potential customers, company employees actually pose a considerable risk. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners reported that small businesses are the most vulnerable to employee fraud and abuse. Since there is a risk of employees shoplifting, consider developing and following a solid inventory process. Also, ensure that any employees managing inventory are trusted and trained. Train Employees During your business’s peak season, it can be hard to watch for shoplifters and manage customers. To help with this, it could be beneficial to train employees on what signs to look for and how to mitigate risk. You should have employees check in with customers frequently. Posting signage also lets customers know they are being watched. Additionally, having a greeter at the front door provides not only a friendly experience, but this person can also monitor for any suspicious activity from people coming in and out. Hire and Schedule Appropriately If you believe you’ll need additional help during your busy season, consider hiring part-time employees. Shoplifters tend to notice where employees are and how many are around. Having just a few more people on the store floor can help customers find what they need. It also adds an extra layer of security by deterring possible shoplifting. As the holiday season approaches, consider reaching out to your local OKFB agent to discuss any needed changes or updates to your Commercial Insurance or Businessowners policy.
3 Ways to Prevent Small Business Fraud November 10, 2021 Having a small business can be a rewarding experience, yet it comes with many challenges. Fraud can not only affect individuals, but it can also affect small businesses, which ultimately can impact the bottom line and future success. To help protect your business, check out these tips to help you minimize the risk of fraudulent activity. Conduct Internal/External Audits Internal and external audits can help ensure your assets and finances are not being impacted by outside parties, as well as provide other helpful financial information and advice. External audits are typically done by certified public accounting (CPA) firms to review financial statement accuracy. Meanwhile, internal audits can be performed by an outside certified firm or self-assessed. They serve to evaluate operational, managerial and financial policies and procedures. Sign up For a Business Fraud Training Course Enrolling in fraud awareness training could help you identify fraudulent activity. The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) reported, “the presence of anti-fraud training programs are associated with lower fraud losses and quicker detection.” The ACFE hosts webinars and offers online training courses. Additionally, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides resources on best practices that could help in mitigating fraud. Implement Cybersecurity Best Practices Hackers, or even employees, can commit fraudulent activities on work computers. To protect your business data, set up strong passwords and consider using an antivirus program. It is also important to be aware of phishing attempts that often come through email. Additionally, it could be beneficial to back up your files on a frequent basis. This way if something does happen, your business data can be restored. Fraud could happen at any time during the year, and we are here to help keep you protected. Check in with your local OKFB agent and take some time to review your Commercial Insurance policy to ensure everything is updated and covered.
3 Reasons to Get Businessowners Policy November 3, 2021 Hey guys! I’m Gary Winters, an OKFB Insurance agent in Custer County. Along with being an insurance agent, I serve on several committees for my church in Weatherford, OK. The joy I get teaching and helping others is incredibly rewarding. It’s also how I feel about having the privilege to protect and cover small businesses in Custer County, OK. There are an array of coverage options and features, and having been an agent for more than 30 years now, I have learned a thing or two about how to best help our Oklahoma businesses in their insurance needs. That being said, let me break down why and how the Businessowners Policy (BOP) could be a great fit for you. 1. BOP is Customizable Because Commercial Insurance policies cover small and large businesses, a standard policy may include some features your small business does not need. The BOP on the other hand, includes coverage options that are necessary for an Oklahoman small business owner. Also, the coverage features can be customized into a policy that works best for you and your business. 2. BOP Works Best for a Range of Small Businesses From barbershops and convenience stores to restaurants and artisan contractors, there are lots of small businesses that can benefit greatly from a BOP. As an Oklahoman and insurance agent for OKFB for almost four decades, I understand Oklahoma’s business landscape. I can help in deciding what coverage options may be worth obtaining for your business. At OKFB Insurance, we want to provide business owners with the right, tailored insurance coverage. 3. BOP Could Offer a Lower Premium Because BOP caters to small businesses and offers a customizable policy, the premium could be lower than a typical Commercial Insurance policy. Commercial Insurance policies can cover a lot, and your business may not need every piece of coverage. In selecting the coverage necessary for your business, your premium could decrease. Reach out to your agent to discuss options. These are just a few reasons why the Businessowners Policy could be better for your business. At the end of the day, Oklahoma is my home, and I know it wouldn’t be what it is without the hardworking small business owners. At OKFB, we work hard to protect these prominent community businesses. Reach out to me or another local agent if you want to talk through anything or need to review your Businessowners or Commercial Insurance policy. Thanks! -Gary Winters
