Personal Insurance

Three Ways to Keep Epsilon Spammers from Phishing Your Money!

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On March 30, Epsilon, one of the world’s largest email marketing companies, reported a breach of their system.  Epsilon sends more than 40 billion emails a year to consumers who register on one of their clients’ websites or who give their email addresses while shopping.

Have You Received an Email Like This One?

“Dear Valued Customer,
On March 30th, we were informed by Epsilon, a company we use to send emails to our customers, that files containing the email addresses of some [company name here] customers were accessed without authorization.”

Millions of people have. As of April 18, 2011, clients of more than 100 companies and brands have been hit, including big names like GlaxoSmithKline, Shell, Radio Shack, PacSun, Capital One, JPMorgan Chase, J. Jill, Sears, Crate & Barrel, Walgreens and Abercrombie & Fitch.

According to Epsilon, the breach was limited to email addresses or customer names only; they report that no other personal identifiable information was stolen. Despite that, many security experts are concerned about the implications.

Having even a person’s email address and their spending habits or favorite brands may make it easier to craft a sophisticated phishing attack. For example, you could get an email that appears to be from a company you know and trust, asking you to log in and provide  information that may seem harmless. This nefarious technique is called “spear-phishing”.

Prevent Phishing Attacks

1.  Stay on guard – especially now. Be extra careful about where you click and what information you enter on a website.

2.  Scrutinize emails from any company. Look for typos and strange URLs. Look at the email address of the sender. Don’t click on those links!

3.  Call the company in question if you get a suspicious email,. No company should be asking you for sensitive information by email.

If you have questions about identity theft in Maine, contact Noyes Hall & Allen, a Maine Trusted Choice independent insurance agent. If you’re looking for Maine data breach business insurance, our business insurance specialists can help.  Call us at 207-799-5541.

Thanks to Steve Anderson for sharing these tips, which we’re sharing with his permission.

What Should I Do When Someone Hit My Parked Car in Maine?

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This week alone, two of my friends’ parked cars have been hit by someone else. One in Portland Maine. The other in Westbrook, Maine. A responsible person would leave their contact information for the poor victim, but that doesn’t always happen. If you can’t identify who hit your car, you have little recourse but to use your own insurance.  However, if you can identify the other party, this information may be helpful.

Flickr photo by gillicious
Flickr photo by gillicious

What To Do If Someone Hits Your Car in Maine

  • If it’s safe to do so, get the person’s name, address, phone number and insurance company information – BEFORE the police arrive!
  • Call the police if the total damage (both vehicles) appears to be more than $1,000. If there’s visible damage – even minor – it’s probably more than $1,000.
  • Give your statement to the police. Don’t admit any fault to the other driver, or argue about whose fault the accident was.
  • Report the accident to your Maine auto insurance agent.

Should I Use My Insurance or Theirs?

If the accident was clearly the other driver’s fault (e.g. you were legally parked), try their insurance first.  Using their insurance avoids having to pay your collision deductible, allows you to keep your Maine car insurance discounts, and contains no daily limit on rental coverage. Of course, if  you’re a victim of a hit-and-run accident, you have no choice but to use your own insurance. Your own local insurance agent can help you start the process.

Use their insurance if:

  • You got their insurance information at the scene, or can quickly get the Maine police report (many police reports aren’t available for several days).
  • Their insurance company accepts responsibility quickly (within 24 hours after you contact them).
  • You did not buy collision coverage on your own policy.

The Other Company Isn’t Responding After the Accident

The other insurance company must confirm liability before they accept responsibility to fix your car. They do this in one of three ways:

  • Their customer admits to them that they were clearly at fault (e.g. hit your parked car, rear-ended you at a stop light).
  • The police report says the other driver was at fault (police reports may not be available for several days).
  • After their own investigation, the insurance company determines that their customer was at fault.

If it’s taking too long for the insurance company to accept responsibility, you may choose to make a claim on your own policy.  You’ll have to pay your collision deductible, but at least you’ll get your car fixed, and get on with your life.

Will I Get My Deductible Back if My Insurance Company Collects from the Other Insurance Company?

Yes. if they collect from the other insurance company (a process called “subrogation”), your Maine insurance company will reimburse your deductible, and wipe the accident off your record.

Who Will Help Me Deal With The Other Insurance Company?

That depends on where you bought your insurance.  If you bought your car insurance or Maine commercial vehicle insurance from an independent local Maine insurance agent like Noyes Hall & Allen, they can help you report that claim to the other company. Your claim against the other insurance company should not affect your insurance company or your policy.

If you bought your Maine car insurance online, you’re probably on your own. One more reason to buy insurance from a local agency instead of a computer or 800 number. 

Of course, if you have no insurance at all on your vehicle, you’re really on your own.

 

10 Quick Tips to Protect Your Halloween Visitors and Your Property

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Jack-o-lanternSunday is Halloween: the spookiest – and maybe most dangerous – night of the year.  Every year, we hear reports of accidents, injury, or property damage that occur on October 31. Here are 10 quick tips to keep your family and property safe.

Keep Visitors Safe

Kids’ costumes often reduce visibilty, and are bulky. In their rush for the goodies, trick-or-treaters also like to cut across yards instead of using the sidewalk.  Plan accordingly.

1) Remove the glass from your storm door, so the kids don’t have to back away as you open the door to pass out treats.

2) Keep your stairs and sidewalks free of loose or broken pieces and other irregularities.

3) Secure  electrical cords for your outdoor displays so they are not a tripping hazard.

4) Replace any burned-out outdoor bulbs before Halloween night.

5) Keep pets inside, and away from the door. Halloween is one of the most stressful nights of the year for dogs. Between the repeatedly ringing doorbell and the strange costumes, even the best-tempered dog can be on edge.

6) Drive more slowly and carefully than usual. Be extra alert for dashing children, who may be wearing dark costumes. And – of course – drive sober!

Protect Your Property

7) Park vehicles in the garage, if you have one.

8 ) Sit outside to give out candy. This allows you to keep an eye out for any trouble.

9) Turn on floodlights to illuminate your yard.

10) Keep jack-o-lanterns away from flammable material (especially childrens’ costumes)!

We wish you a safe and happy Halloween! But, if you need to report a claim on your auto insurance, homeowners insurance or business property insurance, contact Noyes Hall & Allen at 799-5541.

Maine Snowmobile Insurance – The Top 5 Insurance Questions

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It’s that time of year again, when clients’ questions turn away from boat and recreational vehicle insurance to snowmobile insurance. Here are some of the most common questions we hear:

How much does is cost to insure a snowmobile in Maine?

It depends. Some snowmobile insurance costs less than $80 a year (liability only on an older 500 cc sled with no young operators). Other clients pay almost $900 a year (3 newer 800 cc machines with collision coverage, and younger operators).

What Snowmobile Insurance Discounts are Available?

Depending on the insurance company (as an independent insurance agent,we represent several), you may earn

Maine snowmobile insurance discounts

for:
  • A good driving record
  • No claims in the last 3 years
  • Completing an approved safety course
  • Owning a home
  • Insuring your autos and snowmobiles with the same company
  • Paying your premium on time.
  • Belonging to a snowmobile club.

How Do I Insure My Snowmobile Accessories?

If you buy physical damage (collision and “other than collision”) coverage on your machine, you can usually insure accessories such as electronics and radios, trailers, custom paint, exhaust, seats, backrests and windshields – even plow blades and winches. If you tell your agent about these items, they will be able to include them in your snowmobile insurance quote.

Which Company Has the Lowest Snowmobile Insurance Rates in Maine?

No insurer is consistently under-prices all the others. Some companies are better on fast sleds. Some prefer touring models. Still others have a great price if they insure your home, auto and other assets. It’s a good idea to compare. Even better, find a Maine independent insurance agent who represents several insurance companies. They can do the shopping for you!

For answers to your insurance questions, or for a Maine snowmobile insurance quote, contact Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance at 207-799-5541.