Insights
MiniCo Announces Sale of its Publishing Division to Storelocal
Phoenix, AZ (March 8, 2023) – MiniCo Insurance Agency LLC (MiniCo) announced today that it has finalized the sale of its Publishing Division, effective March 1, 2023, to Storelocal Media Corporation (Storelocal). “It’s very exciting,” said Travis Morrow, Storelocal’s CEO, “Mini-Storage Messenger is not about just a magazine–it’s what it represents to the industry. We view Mini-Storage Messenger and its annual Self-Storage Almanac as more than a group of publications....
Myths About Nonprofits: How to Protect These Organizations
There are about 2 million nonprofit organizations in the U.S. With their entrepreneurial spirit and mission-guided purposes, these nonprofits play a tremendous role in our society. Nonprofits champion humanitarian goals, advocate charitable causes, lead the forefront in scientific research, serve as guardians for the environment, and more. ...
The Future of Technology in Agribusiness
Understanding The Future of Technology in AgribusinessThe digital revolution is making great strides in the agriculture business, and for good reason. For one, digital technologies in agriculture have helped improve crop yields and fine-tune the food system from beginning to end. MiniCo’s VP of Underwriting, Nathan Garrett, has some great...
Insider Perspective: 2023 Trends to Watch in the Self-Storage Insurance Market
Insurance rates are rising, media is buzzing about a possible recession, and capital is becoming harder to find. We spoke with MiniCo VP of Underwriting and P&C Insurance expert, Josh Leykam, about how these factors are impacting commercial self-storage and what we can expect in the year ahead. Although no one can say for sure what 2023 will...
Can Homeowners Insurance Cover a Storage Unit? What You Should Know About Off-Site Storage
Comedian George Carlin famously said that all we need in life is “a place for our stuff.” More than 11 percent of Americans — nearly 15 million households at last count — turn to local self-storage facilities because they have more stuff than their closets and garages can hold. Renting a self-storage unit is a convenient solution for many of us....
International Ransomware Network Cripples over 1,500 Victims Before Being Dismantled
The U.S. Department of Justice last week announced the outcome of a multi-agency, multinational operation that dismantled an international ransomware network with thousands of targets. With a narrative worthy of a fictional espionage thriller, the news release dated January 26, 2023, described a months-long campaign of disruption waged against...
Top 7 Most Unusual Collections We’ve Insured
We’ve all heard stories about the Hollywood stars and athletes who take out insurance policies to cover specific body parts. World War II pinup model and actress Betty Grable was famous for having a $1 million insurance policy on her legs. More recently Proctor and Gamble insured the flowing locks of its shampoo spokesperson (and former...
When Winter Drops a Bomb: Understanding Bomb Cyclones
Winter Storm Elliott made headlines in December 2022 for its incredible ferocity and destructive power. Amid the reports, many of us first encountered the term “bomb cyclone.” While not a rare phenomenon, bomb cyclones don’t usually cause the level of damage that Elliott inflicted. Air travel during the 2022 holiday season produced moments...
Protecting Nonprofits and Their Volunteers
‘Tis the season for end-of-the-year charitable giving! As fundraising efforts ramp up and volunteers pitch in, make sure your nonprofit clients have the coverage they need. The last few weeks of the year are critical for charitable organizations when it comes to fundraising. The holiday message of giving to others combined with the...
Rising Catastrophic Losses Underscore the Importance of Property Valuation
For the past several years, catastrophic insurance claims of all types have been occurring more frequently and with increasing severity. The Insurance Information Institute reported $92 billion of insured losses in the United States in 2021 as a result of natural catastrophes to include severe storms, wind, hail, wildfire, flood, and earthquake....
Self-Storage: Opportunity Behind the Rollup Doors
4 Reasons Why Insurance Agents Should Give Self-Storage Risks a Closer Look Self-storage is a superstar in the commercial real estate market. Over the past half-century, the industry has proven itself to be resilient to the vagaries of consumer trends, economic recession, and even global pandemic. As the industry continues to grow, so...
MiniCo Recognized as 5-Star Program Administrator by Insurance Business America
MiniCo has been chosen for this award for the second year in a row by voters within the insurance industry. MiniCo Insurance (MiniCo), a Jencap company, has been recognized for the second consecutive year as a 5-Star Program Administrator by Insurance Business America. Program administrators were nominated by insurance industry professionals...
How to Get Your Underwriter to Get Behind Your Risk
Communicating the story of your client’s risk profile can yield optimal coverage at the best rate. One of the most effective ways an agent can streamline the quoting process and get the best rate for a commercial client is by telling your underwriter a story. The story you craft probably won’t begin with “once upon a time,” but it may result in a...
Hurricane Season at Halftime: What Do Forecasters Predict for the Atlantic?
Does a quiet July indicate a mild season overall? Not so fast! Since the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season on June 1st, the U.S. coastline and Gulf Coast have been quiet. According to the Tropical Weather and Climate Research team at Colorado State University (CSU), the three named storms that have developed so far accounted for...
Cyber Liability is An Important Protection for All Industries
Which of your commercial clients need cyber coverage? All of them. Any organization that has a computer network, handles confidential information, or collects and transacts with personal identifiable information is at risk of a data breach. This exposure has the potential to pose a significant financial threat to any business or entity involved....
Higher Construction Costs Lead To Increased Insurance Rates
The construction industry is facing its share of challenges lately. COVID-19-related shutdowns are causing ongoing product shortages. Supply chain disruptions are making it difficult to secure materials and leading to project delays. Soaring inflation is causing construction material prices to skyrocket by as much as 26.7%—which is having a...
MiniCo Insurance Agency Named Best of Business in Self-Storage Commercial Insurance for Eleventh Year
For the eleventh consecutive year, MiniCo Insurance Agency has claimed the top spot in self-storage commercial insurance among voters in the self-storage industry. MiniCo Insurance Agency (MiniCo) has been selected by readers of Inside Self-Storage magazine as a Best of Business winner in the category of best commercial insurance for the eleventh...
Loss-Control Tips for Private Collectors
Billion-dollar insurance losses have been on an upward trajectory for the past several decades in a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. The latest data from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) indicates a dramatic increase in both the total number of billion-dollar events each year as well as the cost of insured...
Why You Need to Have Google Business in 2022
Although it feels like everyone is on at least one social media platform, there are local audiences that could be missing out on your content. Having a Google Business profile will literally put you on the virtual map, help you get seen, and help spread the word about your business. Get Put on the Map Google processes 5.6 billion searches a day!...
Getting Seen and Followed on Twitter
Twitter is its own unique social media platform. Although you have followers, how you post, engage, and create content varies from the other social media networks. Here are some tips to help you get seen and grow followers on Twitter. Credibility Followers matter. The more followers you have, the greater the reach your posts will have. Having...
All About QR Codes
QR codes look like a cubism form of a barcode. These encoded symbols can be printed out onto a product, sticker, or marketing material, and then scanned to share information. It’s a great way to provide information to clients without having to write it all out on every brochure or other marketing piece. In the past you had to download a separate...
Flood Evacuation Planning
Ensure the safety of your employees and customers by developing a flood evacuation plan for your business that includes the following: Conditions that will activate the planSpecific evacuation proceduresMaps of evacuation routesProcedures for accounting for all personnelEmergency functions with staff assignmentsEmergency equipment Don’t forget to...
Driving in Flood Conditions
If you need to drive in flood conditions, be mindful of the risks and take the necessary precautions. According to the National Weather Service, almost half of all flash flood fatalities occur in vehicles, so it is important to be prepared. Six inches of standing water can stall some cars.One foot of water can float a vehicle.Two feet of moving...
Surviving a Wildfire
According to the National Interagency Fire Center, federal wildfire suppression costs range from $1-2 billion annually. Here are some tips to help you survive during a wildfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a fire. Don't assume that someone else has reported it.Monitor the Emergency Alert System (EAS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration...
Fire Prevention Tips for Customers
Educate your tenants and customers about fire prevention to help reduce risk at your property.3 Ways to Educate Customers About Fire Prevention Signage: Post signs around the property to remind customers that smoking, candles, and open flame are prohibited.Monthly Bills: Add a fire prevention tip or other safety reminder to each monthly bill or...
Creating Defensible Space for Wildfires
Defensible space is a zone in which vegetation, debris, and other combustible fuels have been cleared, minimized, or treated with the goal of slowing the spread of fire to and between buildings. Here are tips from the Department of Homeland Security's website www.Ready.gov.6 Tips for Creating Defensible Space Choose fire-resistant materials for...
Pre-Wildfire Mitigation
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), an average of 70,000 wildfires are set ablaze across the United States each year. Lightning can trigger burns, but they are frequently initiated by humans through intentional or unintentional means. Property owners can help mitigate potential wildfire losses, but some don’t take these...
First Aid for Heat Exhaustion
First aid actions for heat-related illness: Call a supervisor or co-worker for help. If no one is available, call 911.Have someone stay with the person until emergency medical personnel arrive.Move the person to an area that is air conditioned or shaded.Remove the person’s outer clothing.Fan the person and mist them with water. Apply ice bags or...
Know the Signs of Heat-Related Illness
Working outdoors in the summer months can mean coping with hot, humid weather conditions. It is important for you and your facility managers to understand the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke to help prevent these dangerous, and possibly deadly, situations. Symptoms of heat exhaustion: Headache, dizziness, or faintingWeakness and wet...
Watch Out for Heat Stress
In many parts of the country, the summer months mean high heat and high humidity – a combination that can be a serious health hazard for you and your facility managers who have to work outside. Here are some tips for avoiding heat stress and heat-related illness: Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made of breathable fabric.Drink small...
Here Comes the Sun
During the warm-weather months, it's important to take precautions to protect yourself and your employees from the hazards of sun exposure while working outside. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation in sunlight causes premature skin aging, wrinkles, cataracts, and skin cancer. Remember: there are no safe UV rays or suntans. Here are a few ways to stay safe...
Employment Practices Complaints
High-profile cases involving employee claims of sexual harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination by their employers make headlines on a regular basis. Self-storage businesses are not impervious to this type of trouble. In today’s litigious environment, all employers would be wise to consider employment practices liability coverage to...
Employment Practices Liability Coverage
No business is immune to the possibility of employment practices complaints, which most commonly involve complaints of sexual harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination. With this in mind, it is important to discuss employment practices liability coverage with your insurance agent. Employment practices liability coverage may be...
Fireworks Safety
In the weeks surrounding the July 4th holiday, an average of 180 people per day wind up in the emergency room due to fireworks-related injuries according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Fireworks are synonymous with Independence Day celebrations. But in the midst of the festivities, it can be easy to overlook the fact that...
Pest Control
The last thing your tenants want to discover is evidence of damage to their valuable stored items as a result of insects, rodents, or other pests. Your facility risk management plan should include a monthly pest control prevention program that includes regular inspections and treatment. Hiring a licensed, insured pest control vendor to perform...
Maintaining Gates and Elevators
Gates, gate operators, and elevators are some of the most frequently used features at a self-storage facility. Now that spring is on the way, it's a good time to inspect these systems and make any necessary repairs. This action ensures that these systems are operating at peak efficiently while helping to minimize the potential for costly property...
Spring Roof Inspection and Maintenance
As you plan ahead for the busy summer rental season, one of the first tasks to address is a thorough roof inspection. Roofs and gutters can take a beating during the winter months, and it is important to address any issues before a problem escalates into a leak causing costly damage to the facility or tenants' stored items. Be sure to inspect the...
Hurricane Emergency Plan
With the 2022 hurricane season underway, it is critical that you be prepared. The first step is to create an emergency preparedness plan, a basic requirement for all businesses regardless of location. Once the plan has been developed, it is important to communicate it to your managers and employees. Training – Provide ongoing training for your...
Hurricane Season Forecast
June 1st marks the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season. This year's extended-range forecast by Colorado State University research scientist Dr. Philip Klotzbach anticipates above-normal activity. His forecast for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season predicts 19 named storms including 9 hurricanes with 4 classified as major hurricanes...
Downed Power Line Safety
Downed power lines can be deadly. They can energize the ground for up to 35 feet (or more in wet conditions). The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) recommends that downed power lines should always be assumed to be live to reduce the risk of severe injury or fatality. Here are...
Electrical Safety and Hurricanes
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June to November, and severe storms can strike across the country at any time. The storm preparation checklist for your self-storage facility should include electrical safety considerations. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) offers recommendations for before, during, and after a...
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