As the end of the year approaches and temperatures drop, I want to wish you a safe and happy holiday season. I also want to share a reminder on how you can help your customers reduce the risk of frozen pipes!
According to the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, “approximately a quarter-million homes and offices have a least one room damaged by a frozen pipe each year.” Common sense tells us it’s impossible to stop every single frozen pipe from unleashing a raging river in one of your largest investments (your home or your office); however, there are ways to reduce the risk.
If you or your customers check out the plumbing section at the local hardware or home improvement store, you will find some great resources including foam pipe insulation wraps, outdoor faucet covers, heat tape, and expanding foam insulation to name a few.
Did you know GuideOne’s GuideVantage program offers safeguards against water leaks? Through our partner, Roost, eligible customers have access to Smart Water Leak and Freeze Detectors. See Roost’s offering highlighted in the article below, GuideVantage in Focus.
As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions at 636-688-4216 or BCarriger@guideone.com.
Thank you for your continued partnership. I look forward to working together to grow your business in the new year.
Brad
2020 ... and What a Year it was!
Dave Dietz, SVP Core Commercial Lines
It goes without saying that 2020 has been a year of change and challenge – certainly for GuideOne and for you, our valued distribution partners, but especially for our policyholders. Religious organizations, nonprofit & human services agencies, schools and senior living centers have been deeply impacted by the hardships this year has brought, yet they continue to serve their members with grace, humility and compassion. We are inspired by their devotion to making the world a better place.
It is an honor to partner with you to provide insurance to your clients. We appreciate the confidence that you place in us. While we have not visited in person with you for nearly nine months, we treasure our relationships and have enjoyed staying in touch digitally and by phone. We hope to return to in-person visits soon.
Despite all of 2020’s challenges, we consider it a successful year. We made noticeable progress in our ease-of-doing-business initiatives, renewed 90% of our policies, increased new business in our Nonprofit & Human Services niche by 72%, and provided unrivaled claims service to the policyholders who needed it.
On behalf of everyone at GuideOne, I wish you a healthy and safe holiday season and look forward to building on our success in 2021.
BillingCenter: Launched!
As part of our effort to be easy to do business with, GuideOne implemented new digital premium payment capabilities through BillingCenter, which launched on Monday, December 7, 2020, for new business and at renewal for existing business. If you missed it, you can view the details here:
Equipment Breakdown Partner Now Travelers Boiler RE
Effective May 1, 2020, GuideOne has partnered with Travelers Boiler Re (TSB) to provide Equipment Breakdown coverage on our Commercial Property and Business Owner's Policies. This change is effective for all policies on or after 5/1/2020.*
Policyholders should see minimal to no impact to their GuideOne equipment breakdown coverage as a result of this change.
As many states require periodic inspections for issuing and renewing certificates permitting the continued operation of certain equipment such as boilers, water heaters and pressure vessels, we do have an update to the contact information if an inspection is needed.
If a GuideOne policyholder requires an inspection to obtain a jurisdictional certificate-of-operation, please contact TSB to perform the next required inspection.
TSB Inspection Hotline: 1-800-425-4119
If calling TSB directly, they will need:
Name of business as shown on policy
Policy number
Location of the equipment (physical address)
Name of person and phone number to contact to schedule the inspection
Type of equipment requiring inspection
Certificate number and certificate inspection date
You or the GuideOne policyholder may also request an inspection by completing and submitting the form below.
*Policies effective prior to 5/1/2020 will continue to have Hartford Steam Boiler service the account until the policy renews.
Please note that jurisdictions where the policyholders' equipment is located may charge a fee for renewing a certificate. It is the policyholders' responsibility to pay any certificate-of-operation fees.
Helping customers feel protected from the unexpected is a key advantage of Roost’s property sensors. As another value-added service provided through our GuideVantage program, these sensors help prevent and minimize water damage by detecting water leaks and freezing temperatures.
Now, as many buildings are not occupied daily due to the pandemic, this service is more important than ever. Roost’s Smart Water Leak and Freeze Detectors notify and enable customers to address issues before they become significant problems.
Eligible* customers may receive two complimentary sensors, which use a smart phone and WiFi to connect. Help your customers stay safe from water damage with Roost.
*Eligible customers include: religious organizations, nonprofit & human services organizations, small businesses and educational institutions.
Winter is on the way, and so are the risks of water damage, slips and falls, and decorating mishaps. Our Risk Control Team has compiled years of industry expertise and claims service to create these safety resources to help your customers reduce risks this season:
Follow us on social media for more timely tips you can share with your customers.
Let’s Fight the Flu & Stop the Spread
What are your customers doing to reduce the spread of viruses? Is it enough? With the peak of flu season ahead and COVID-19 still spreading in many communities, it's more important than ever to be vigilant. Share our Flu Prevention safety resource with your customers, and encourage them to visit our COVID-19 resource page for additional information.
Custom GuideOne holiday cards are now available for order on MarKit! Holiday cards are located under the Direct Mail tab on the MarKit home page and offered at the same discounted rate as other available postcards.
Enter your contact information, custom message and upload your mailing list – we’ll take care of the rest!
