The FBInsure Blog

We live in an age where we are more “connected” than ever before.  Our phones are “smart,” are homes are “smart”and Alexa is our best friend. All of these conveniences can also make us more vulnerable to a range of new cyber risks.

What is Malware?

Malware is software that’s main function is to damage or disable a computer.  Generally, it infects our computers with a virus because we have clicked on an infected email or link.

What is Ransomware?

Ransomware is a type of malware is used by Cyber criminals to hold computer

The Rising Health Care Cost Challenge

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures in 2018, the average annual employer-based family coverage premium was $19,616, up 5% from 2017! Premiums have increased over 20% since 2012. Health insurance now consistently ranks as the second largest line item for a business, after payroll.
This rapid increase in cost resulted in less than 30% of businesses with fewer than 50 employees offering health insurance in 2017, according to NFIB. A 22% reduction in companies offering health insurance since 2010. In comparison companies between 50-99

I started out in the insurance field by accident. It was in 2008 when my insurance journey began. My uncle was the owner of Alves Insurance Agency in Fall River. He was short staffed and I opted to help him and join his team. It was something out of my element but a risk I was willing to take. As the days, weeks and months went by I began enjoying insurance more and more. In 2012 he retired and I had a received a phone call from the manager at

This month’s Jeans Day advocate is Judi Kagiwada from our Personal Lines Sales Team. Judi is no stranger to the YMCA’s mission. She has served on their Board of Governors’ since 2009 which has given her the opportunity to see firsthand how the lives of so many have been enriched through various Y programs. Judi also attends many YMCA sponsored events. Her favorite memory is hearing a young mom speak of how her special needs daughter has flourished in the Y Ability program. This is a program for children with

Why should I buy the optional insurance provided by the rental car company? As an FBinsure agent, we are often asked this question. Many of our clients have physical damage coverage on their auto policy and should know the ramifications of not purchasing the additional Collision Damage Waiver, which is presented at the time of renting a vehicle.

The Collision Damage Waiver is also referred to as “Walk Away Coverage,” which basically means that any damage to the rental car would be covered by the insurance you purchased through the rental

According to the United States Census Bureau half of all businesses are owned by baby boomers. This means that the owners are between the ages of 53 to 71. The Census Bureau also states that the average age of retirement in the United States is 63 years old. This means that half of all business owners are at the average age of retirement or less than a decade away from it.  If you find yourself in this category are you actively planning an exit strategy?

Successful business owners spend decades building

Wow, things really do move fast. It has been nearly a year since we made the decision to formalize our practice in the cannabis space.  It has been fun nearly every day.  It has been a learning experience.  It has been an opportunity to meet some really talented people.  It has been a blast to collaborate and tackle some significant challenges with new forward thinking people.  I think some of my most recent conversations are worth sharing.

Last fall I attended a captive insurance meeting with a client.  At one of

South by Southwest [SXSW]. Music. Movies. Interactive Technology. Networking. Late Nights. And, now featuring the Cannabis Industry!

I recently attended the SXSW Cannabusiness track in Austin, TX. The conference based track was lead by industry experts, lifetime Cannabis advocates, doctors, and even featured a guest panel including John Boehner. What was the overall takeaway from the event? I’d say it was discussions around reversing the stigma of Cannabis. Discussions around reversing the messaging developed around the prohibition of Cannabis – a message clearly articulated by Med Men: Cannabis. The New Normal.

So,

For our next Spotlight, we’d like to welcome Adam Hofmann and the Reid-Hofmann Agency to our team. Adam started in insurance as a claims representative for Arbella Insurance. Working for a carrier helped him understand the “crunch time” of the insurance life cycle with the industry being surprisingly fast-paced due to a lot of it’s time-sensitive nature. This is especially true in claims where the entire process is brought to bear and Adam also saw then the importance of a strong client focused approach. He worked there for a year

March is SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood) awareness month and for that reason this month’s Jeans Day we are supporting The Ariella Marie Foundation.

This month’s employee sponsor, Rebecca O’Connor, became friends with Ariella’s family a few years ago through her daughter’s cheerleading & football league in Norton.  Shortly thereafter the unimaginable would ever affect this beautiful little family.

After a healthy 2-year-old check up with her pediatrician in April 2017, beautiful Ariella passed away peacefully in her sleep the same night.

Ariella was an adorable little girl who captured the love of