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Keeping Your Crew Healthy During COVID-19

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Keeping Your Crew Healthy During COVID-19

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This is a tough in our ever changing COVID-19 environment. It takes a lot of discussion and research to figure out what will work best for your office or worksite. As I started anticipating North Carolina lifting the Stay at Home order and Charlotte, NC moving into Phase 1 I found myself questing everything. My approach was to research what it would take to keep my team safe if we were to return to the office.

Physical Space

What does your physical space look like? If you are inside or outside you have to look at the actual physical space you are working in. Is it possible for you to separate your employees by 6 feet of space? In office environments if you have desks you need to ensure your teams desk spaces are 6 feet apart. Open office concepts might make this challenging and you will have to get creative. You can physical move the desks 6 feet apart or you may need to create physical barriers from cardboard or plywood.

If you are work site either inside or out is it possible to separate your employees? If it is work diligently to layout a schedule to make that happen. If it is not possible you need to take every safety precaution you can. Check out this link to the Department of Labor's website and OSHA guidelines for Coronavirus. https://www.dol.gov/coronavirus

How do you make sure your office or worksite is clean and safe environment for your team and your clients?

The last thing you really have to analyze is how will you make sure your office is a clean and safe environment for your team and your clients? is a debate about how long COVID-19 lives on surfaces and the answer is different depending on the surface. (4 hours on copper, 24 hours on cardboard and 2-3 days on plastic or stainless steel) The takeaway from this is it lives on surfaces much longer than you think and you have to implement different cleaning protocol.

In your office space if you have a contract with a commercial cleaning company consult with them on what they are offering. Beyond that you will need daily and even hourly for cleaning on high touch surfaces. Common areas like the front doorknobs, tables, handrails, desks you need to have 1 staff person designated to clean these surfaces at regular intervals depending on your level of traffic. What about all the common appliances for your team members use? You will have to create rules for them or temporarily remove them. In our office we implemented using a disinfectant wipe to clean the item you use after each use. If you have common computer equipment the best idea is to limit use of these things to just one team member. Do not allow team members to share desk spaces, keyboards, postage machine and sprinter/scanner.

If you are on a worksite these same safety protocols must be followed. Masks need to be worn correctly at all times. It is imperative that your employees know how to properly clean them if they are washable if not provide new disposable masks daily and training on how to correctly wear them.

Temperature checks can be another effective tool to implement. If you are going to do this make sure whoever will be doing the checks understands how to operate the thermometer and that you have procedures in place for what happens if an employee registers a temperature.

If you are open to the public, you will need to have another process and procedure put in place for anyone visiting the office or job site. Some suggestions are to have guests only appointment only to avoid multiple people in your lobby. Create a sanitary station clients need to access when they enter your place of business. This would include things like making sure they wear a mask (and providing them if they do not have one). Insisting on a guest washing his/her hands upon arrival and before meeting with anyone. You will also need to designate a team member who will enforce these practices who is kind yet tough enough to make sure every person follows through. After all this is for the health of your team and the guest.

New employee processes and procedures while at work

Here are some of the things on our Process & Procedure for Team Members in the office:

No handshaking/hugging/physical greetings of any kind

Hanging hand washing guides in restroom

Avoid touching your face and cover your face with a tissue for coughs and sneezes

If you are sick stay home

Stay home if you have a family member sick

Family Medical Leave Act - have you read this and do you understand the implications for your office - https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employer-paid-leave

Supplies you need

Here is a list of some supplies you will need:

Lysol

Every desk must haves

Video camera

Tissues for every desk

Hand sanitizer for every desk (60% alcohol or more) - do not share the bottle

Masks - have to be washed daily in hot water. Consider providing several for your staff.

Desktop scanners

Thermometer

Clorox wipes

Toilet Paper

Paper towels for restroom - disposable

No touch trash cans

Extra Hand soap

During this time, it is critically important to the vitality of your business that everyone is cross-trained. If you have an employee who becomes ill, you will need to pivot and the employee may be out of work for 14 days or longer. Your operation has to be able to run smoothly. You will also need to exercise a great deal of flexibility during this crisis. In the last 8 weeks I found leading in a crisis is challenging and the most important thing I will leave you with is our employees need us to lead them. Knee jerk reactions will not help them manage this crisis. Deep thought and careful consideration will be key in leading our team during this or any crisis.

Wishing you and your business health and wellness.

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Keeping Your Crew Healthy During COVID-19 - O'Connor Insurance Associates, Inc

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This is a tough in our ever changing COVID-19 environment. It takes a lot of discussion and research to figure out what will work best for your office or worksite. As I started anticipating North Carolina lifting the Stay at Home order and Charlotte, NC moving into Phase 1 I found myself questing everything.

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O’Connor Insurance 2019 Holiday Schedule

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O’Connor Insurance 2019 Holiday Schedule

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Our office will be closed on the following dates:
November 28th - Thanksgiving November 29th - Black Friday December 24th - Christmas Eve December 25th - Christmas December 31st - New Year's Eve - closing at noon January 1st - New Year's Eve
Don't forget our client portal is available 24/7 - 365 days of the year. You can complete a certificate, view and print a vehicle ID card, start a non-emergency claim and even pay your bill with Travelers and Hartford. If you don't yet have a login please email stephanie@oianc.com.

While we are closed, if you an emergency claim you can find the claims number for the insurance company you are insured with by 704-510-8884 clicking this link. You can call our office extension 1 and listen to the prompts to be directly connected to the insurance company you are insured with.

Just a reminder if you signed up for the OIA Client Portal you can get a vehicle ID card, check a deductible, report a claim, verify drivers on your policy, and our business clients can do a certificate of insurance.

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Holiday season and best wishes for 2020!!

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O'Connor Insurance 2019 Holiday Schedule - O'Connor Insurance Associates, Inc

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Our office will be closed on the following dates: November 28th - Thanksgiving November 29th - Black Friday December 24th - Christmas Eve December 25th - Christmas December 31st - New Year's Eve - closing at noon January 1st - New Year's Eve Don't forget our client portal is available 24/7 - 365 days of the year.

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O’Connor Insurance Associates Donates $1,000 to Loaves & Fishes

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O’Connor Insurance Associates Donates $1,000 to Loaves & Fishes

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Charlotte, NC: O'Connor Insurance Associates, an independent insurance agency serving the greater Charlotte community, answered Loaves & Fishes call for financial donations donating $1,000 to the organization. Loaves & Fishes provides a weeks worth of nutritionally balanced groceries to individuals and families experiencing a short-term crisis. Due to the COVID-19 crisis Loaves & Fishes went from serving 1,200 families a week to a surge of more than 3,500 a week. This is an unprecedented need to help feed our neighbors.

O'Connor Insurance owners, Michelle & Terry O'Connor, released the following statement "We are so grateful to the community that has given us an opportunity to have a successful small business and want to give back in any way we can. Our donation was made possible through the generosity of our insurance company partner, Erie Insurance Group."

While O'Connor Insurance Associates has not provided any additional details they hinted this is the beginning of a community give back project they will be kicking off. If you would like to make a donation to Loaves & Fishes you can visit their website at loavesandfishes.org. Every $33 donated provides a meal box for a weeks worth of groceries for an individual.

About O'Connor Insurance Associates, Inc.: O'Connor Insurance Associates, Inc. is an independent insurance agency serving the greater Charlotte community since 2000. The agency provides customers business, personal and life insurance. Their trained professionals truly try to understand your unique situation by asking more questions, educating you and offering you choices so you can make the best insurance decisions for your business and family.

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O'Connor Insurance Associates Donates $1,000 to Loaves & Fishes - O'Connor Insurance Associates, Inc

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Charlotte, NC: O'Connor Insurance Associates, an independent insurance agency serving the greater Charlotte community, answered Loaves & Fishes call for financial donations donating $1,000 to the organization. Loaves & Fishes provides a weeks worth of nutritionally balanced groceries to individuals and families experiencing a short-term crisis.

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Am I covered when I rent a car, moving truck or pull behind trailer?

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Am I covered when I rent a car, moving truck or pull behind trailer?

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Clients ask this question multiple times a week especially during summer when a lot of folks move and travel. The short answer is - it depends. Like all things insurance there are multiple factors that come into play so let's break down the scenarios.
I have a personal auto policy and need to rent a moving truck
If you are renting anything larger than a cargo van you will not have coverage from your personal auto policy. You need to purchase the insurance offered to you if you would like coverage for this rental.
I have a personal auto policy and need to rent a pull behind trailer
You need to check the weight limit your vehicle can safely tow. If it is safe to tow the weight of the pull behind trailer (after you fill it with your things) then you have liability coverage that extends from your vehicle. You need to purchase comprehensive and collision for the trailer you do not have coverage on your personal auto policy for either.
I have a personal auto policy and need to rent a car
You need to review the coverage on your policy. If you have comprehensive and collision on your policy then you have those coverage when you rent a vehicle. The coverages apply the same way they would if you have a claim on your own car. You will pay the deductible and the insurance will kick in after the deductible is met.
I have a commercial auto policy and need to rent....
Give us a call. There are a wide variety of scenarios in the world of business insurance so give us a call. Together we will look at your coverage with you, what you are renting, the length of time you are renting it and who will be driving it to best advise you on the coverage options.
Important Note
When you rent anything (car, truck, moving van, trailer etc...) take time to inspect it prior to accepting it and note any damage. The notes should be provided to the rental company in writing and you should retain a copy. Take photos if there is any damage so you have it for your records. When you return the rental take time to check for any damage. If there is none make sure the rental company provides you something in writing stating there is no damage for your records and take some photos of the car (all sides/angles). We have had clients who received damage reports AFTER rentals were returned. Our clients are positive there was no damage when the rental was returned. Your only defense is having a written record and photos at the time the rental is returned. Learn more about a personal auto policy with O'Connor Insurance Associates by visiting the personal auto page on our website or calling us at 704-510-8884.

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Am I covered when I rent a car, moving truck or pull behind trailer? - O'Connor Insurance Associates, Inc

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Clients ask this question multiple times a week especially during summer when a lot of folks move and travel. The short answer is - it depends. Like all things insurance there are multiple factors that come into play so let's break down the scenarios.

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3 Things You Need to Know Before You Buy Life Insurance

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3 Things You Need to Know Before You Buy Life Insurance

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Life insurance is not nearly as expensive as most people think it is. Some of the factors that impact life insurance prices are your age, health history (this does include your height and weight), the medications you take, your family health history and tobacco usage. You are as young and as healthy today as you will ever be. Don't wait until you lose 10 pounds or until you quit smoking. If you die while you are working on those things your family would suffer.

The life insurance application is faster now than it has ever been and it can all be done virtually. The application process has been simplified to making doing it from home very easy. Depending on the insurance amount and policy type you may have to complete a paramed. A paramed involves meeting with a nurse who takes you vitals, draws blood and asks you medical questions about your health. There are policy options that remove the medical exam if you are not comfortable having this in-person appointment. The thing that takes the most time is when you start the process and then delay making a decision or moving forward. Then when you start it again you have to look at all the options again. If you and your significant other can both be involved in the meetings at the same time it will go much faster as you can both hear the information together and ask questions.

You need to have an idea how much life insurance you need. Our team at O'Connor Insurance has tools to assist you with calculating how much life insurance you need. You need to know some key details about your finances like the amount you owe on your home, your total debt, and if your family needs monthly income to cover living expenses. Our professionals will guide you through a calculator to help you make a good decision for your amily.

It is important to note our agency has received a lot of questions asking if dying of COVID is covered by life insurance. If you have a life insurance policy in force at the time of your death the answer is yes. The key is to have a policy in place. If you want your family's future protected you have to give us a call today and get the process started - 704-510-8884. Visit our website for more life insurance resources https://oianc.com/life-and-disability-insurance/.

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3 Things You Need to Know Before You Buy Life Insurance - O'Connor Insurance Associates, Inc

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Life insurance is not nearly as expensive as most people think it is. Some of the factors that impact life insurance prices are your age, health history (this does include your height and weight), the medications you take, your family health history and tobacco usage.

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10 Homeowners insurance tips the pros want you to know

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10 Homeowners insurance tips the pros want you to know

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​Owning a home is a grand adventure. Some days, you fix the house. Some days, the house destroys your bank account with flood damage. However, you can save your home - and your wallet - with the help of homeowners insurance.

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10 Homeowners insurance tips the pros want you to know - O'Connor Insurance Associates, Inc

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​Owning a home is a grand adventure. Some days, you fix the house. Some days, the house destroys your bank account with flood damage. However, you can save your home - and your wallet - with the help of homeowners insurance.

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Do I Need Earthquake Insurance in North Carolina?

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Do I Need Earthquake Insurance in North Carolina?

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Earthquake is not covered on a renters, home, condo policy or standard business property policy. You have to purchase earthquake insurance. In most states, including North Carolina, earthquake insurance can be added to your policy as an endorsement. If you have it you will see it listed on the declaration page of your policy.

Why Do I Need Earthquake Insurance?

Earthquakes can damage your property in many ways but one of the most destructive is when the foundation of your structures is damaged. This kind of damage can be expensive to repair and you may have to live somewhere else until it is repaired if the structure is not safe. Earthquakes can cause other types of damage to your structure and your belongings that would be costly to repair or replace.

If you are interested in the history of earthquakes in North Carolina check out this piece written by a local news station.

If you have any concerns it is worth a phone call to your agent to discuss it. Call O'Connor Insurance today 704-510-8884 or visit our website for more information.

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Do I Need Earthquake Insurance in North Carolina? - O'Connor Insurance Associates, Inc

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Earthquake is not covered on a renters, home, condo policy or standard business property policy. You have to purchase earthquake insurance. In most states, including North Carolina, earthquake insurance can be added to your policy as an endorsement. If you have it you will see it listed on the declaration page of your policy.

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Flood insurance is not covered on a renters, home, condo policy or standard business property policy. Flood insurance is a separate insurance policy and if you didn't purchase one you do not have flood insurance.

If You are In a Flood Zone You Have to Have Flood Insurance?

If your home or property is located in a flood zone and you have a loan on the home or property the bank requires you to carry flood insurance. A flood zone is a designated area on a map called a community flood map that indicates areas that have a high likelihood of flooding. Generally speaking they are typically areas that are around a body of water of some sort like a pond, creek, lake etc... If you are not required to carry flood insurance you may still need it and want it to protect your property.

Do I Need Flood Insurance if I am Not in a Flood Zone?

The simple definition of flood is rising or standing water. If you have property in a low-lying area or a place where there are drainage issues you should consider flood insurance. In the past few years there have been a lot of rain storms that drop significant amounts of water at one time and the ground simply can't absorb it as fast as it is falling. If a storm like that has the ground water reaching your property the damage caused is not covered unless you have a flood policy.

Where Do I Buy Flood Insurance?

Your insurance agent will be able to help you with purchasing a flood policy. It is important to know there is a 30-day waiting period before the policy goes into effect. While there are a few exceptions don't wait until you are fearful your property is flooding to call your agent. As the Hurricane season ramps up in the Carolinas call today to get a flood insurance policy.

This is a great FAQ from the North Carolina Department of Insurance that will answer more detailed questions related to Flood.

Need some more info? Check out this great article about flood - Am I at Risk for Flood?

If you don't have an agent O'Connor Insurance Associates is happy to help you with questions call us today 704-510-8884 or visit the flood page on our website.

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Do I Need Flood Insurance in NC? - O'Connor Insurance Associates, Inc

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Flood insurance is not covered on a renters, home, condo policy or standard business property policy. Flood insurance is a separate insurance policy and if you didn't purchase one you do not have flood insurance. If your home or property is located in a flood zone and you have a loan on the home or property the bank requires you to carry flood insurance.

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O’CONNOR INSURANCE ASSOCIATES, INC. INCLUDED IN IIABA’S 2020 BEST PRACTICES STUDY

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O’CONNOR INSURANCE ASSOCIATES, INC. INCLUDED IN IIABA’S 2020 BEST PRACTICES STUDY

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Charlotte, NC, September 14, 2020 - O'Connor Insurance Associates, Inc. retains its Best Practices status, once again becoming a part of an elite group of independent insurance agencies around the United States. This status comes by participating in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big "I") Best Practices Study group. The annual survey and Study of leading independent insurance agencies documents the business practices of the "best" agencies and urges others to adopt similar practices.

Since 1993, the Big "I" and Reagan Consulting, an Atlanta-based management consulting firm, have join forces to study the country's leading agencies in six revenue categories. The agencies comprising the study groups are selected every third year through a comprehensive nomination and qualifying process and awarded a "Best Practices Agency" designation. The agency was nominated by either an IIABA affiliated state association or an insurance company and qualified based on its operational excellence.

The selected Best Practices agencies retain their status during the three-year cycle by submitting extensive financial and operational data for review each year. This is the second year of the current three-year study cycle, where over 1,000 independent agencies throughout the U.S. were nominated to take part in the annual study in 2019, but only 262 agencies qualified for the honor. To be chosen, the agency had to be among the 35-45 top-performing agencies in one of six revenue categories.

"We are honored to be included in this elite group of insurance agencies and will continue to strive to be the best of the best to serve our clients." says Michelle O'Connor, O'Connor Insurance Associates, President.

O'Connor Insurance Associate, Inc. was founded in 2000 and can offer insurance products from a number of different companies including Erie Insurance Group, Travelers, Hartford, West Bend, Accident Fund, Progressive and National General.

For further information, please contact Michelle O'Connor of O'Connor Insurance Associates at 704-510-8884.
Founded in 1896, the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (the Big "I") is the nation's oldest and largest national association of independent insurance agents and brokers, representing more than 25,000 agency locations united under the Trusted Choice brand. Trusted Choice independent agents offer consumers all types of insurance-property, casualty, life, health, employee benefit plans and retirement products-from a variety of insurance companies.

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O'CONNOR INSURANCE ASSOCIATES, INC. INCLUDED IN IIABA'S 2020 BEST PRACTICES STUDY - O'Connor Insurance Associates, Inc

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Charlotte, NC, September 14, 2020 - O'Connor Insurance Associates, Inc. retains its Best Practices status, once again becoming a part of an elite group of independent insurance agencies around the United States. This status comes by participating in the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big "I") Best Practices Study group.

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Every month at O'Connor Insurance Associates we share tips, advice and information to protect your business and families. We are passionate about insurance. Most of the conversations we have with you are around car insurance, homeowners insurance, and various business insurance policies. In O'Connor Insurance's 20 years of being in business in Charlotte, NC we always discuss life insurance with our clients and prospective clients. You might think it is because we just want to sell you another policy. That would not be correct. O'Connor Insurance has had 3 clients with life insurance pass away. In each of these instances being able to deliver a check to provide the family with some financial relief didn't help to ease their immense grief. It did allow them the time to grieve and try to figure out how to do life without their loved one without the intense financial pressure.

This video is a tear jerker. The wife left behind said it best...life insurance is not a luxury it is a must. After 20 years of being in this business we all know no one wants to have a conversation about life insurance. Our team asks about life insurance because they know you need to have the conversation. You have trusted us with insurance your property and we want to make sure you have your life insurance taken care of.

If you have been talking about getting life insurance now is the time to reach out and put the gears in motion. The hardest conversation we will ever has is the one that goes like this..."I am sorry Mr./Mrs. __________ we discussed life insurance with you but you didn't put policies in place." That is the reason our team asks you about life insurance. Call O'Connor Insurance today 704-510-8884 to make sure that is not the conversation we have with your family.

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Why Do You Need Life Insurance? - O'Connor Insurance Associates, Inc

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Every month at O'Connor Insurance Associates we share tips, advice and information to protect your business and families. We are passionate about insurance. Most of the conversations we have with you are around car insurance, homeowners insurance, and various business insurance policies.