Every business owner has read about cyber breaches and how these impact every business. We want to focus on how to prevent your confidential business information from being compromised in the first place. Cyber breaches come in a variety of forms, so we will focus on the most popular breaches; Insider breaches, payment and credit card skimmers, and direct cyber-attacks. With most of today's critical information stored on computer systems, cyber-attacks can cost firms time, money, and data, but also their reputations.

Prevention Tips
Provide Training to all employees. Helping your employees understand how cyber breaches occur, will go a long way in prevention.

Keep your operating system, browser, anti-virus, and other critical software up to date.
If at all possible utilize a third party company to serve as your IT department, unless you are large enough to have full time professionals.

Activate your firewall. Firewalls are the first line of cyber defense; they block connections to unknown or bogus sites and will keep out some types of viruses and hackers.

Secure all passwords and do not share them with anyone.
Use only secure wireless networks.

Develop a secure way to allow laptops off the premises. Never keep client information on laptops if used off site.

Install the latest operating system updates. Keep your applications and operating system (e.g. Windows, Mac, Linux) current with the latest system updates.
Verify the authenticity of requests from companies or individuals by contacting them directly.

When an employee leaves the company or is terminated, turn off the access to their computer. If there is personal information on their computer, have your IT person manage the process.

Be aware of phishing scams. This involves a hacker using an email or website to install malicious software onto your computer. These web entities are designed to look like a normal email or website, which is how hackers convince their victims to hand over personal information.

Never open an email from someone you don’t recognize, even if it identifies you by name.

Make sure a website is secure before you enter personal information.
Do not give out any information over the phone or in an email unless you are completely sure it is authentic. Social engineering is a process of deceiving individuals into providing personal information to seemingly trusted agents who turn out to be malicious actors.

Carefully read the permission release before installing apps. 
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You may want to consider encryption programs for sending confidential information.

If you have any questions, or would like a Cyber Liability Insurance Quote, please feel free to contact me.

Jason Matison
Commercial Insurance Agent
Austin, Texas

With all the changes going on in our world, customers' needs seem to change as well. In a recent customer satisfaction survey regarding customer service, we found many interesting changes in what people what.

Customer service has quickly risen to the top of the priority list for consumers, and 2021 will be no exception. But why are so many businesses putting a premium on the consumer experience, and what happens if they don't?

A customers' loyalty is no longer based on price or product. Instead, they remain loyal to businesses because of the experiences they have had with them.
Customers want to have a place to get all their insurance fulfilled at one time.

Top Consumer Priority

1. Customer experience 46%
2. Pricing 21%
3. Product 33%

The survey found that 86% of consumers are willing to pay more for a better customer experience. How we define customer service:

• Educate rather than sell.
• Communicate with us is a priority.
• We develop relationships.
• Insurance should be one of many solutions to your risk concerns, not just a product
• Trust is one of the few remaining differentiators available to the modern insurer. Not only that, but it's still the biggest indicator of a long-term sustainable business.

If we can help with your Business Insurance needs, please let us know. We are happy to serve you. 

Jason Matison
Commercial Insurance Agent
Austin, Texas

When it comes to Business Insurance, Workers Compensation for Restaurants is probably ​one of the most underrated and overlooked policies for restaurant owners. I know I've done posts on Workers Compensations before, but this one is more geared for the restaurant industry. 2020 has been tough for restaurants and Workers Compensation claims haven't slowed down. Here are my thoughts on it:

Let's face it, there are many perils when it comes to restaurants. Lots of cutting and machinery where accidents can inevitably happen. There's always cleaning, which can lead to slippery floors.  Add in the fryers and you have a recipe for disaster. Lastly, there always seems to be some chaos during that lunch or dinner rush. Trust me, I know, I worked in the restaurant industry for many years, accidents are going to happen. Having a plan in place for when they happen is critical to your business and your employees. You can have safety briefing after safety briefing, but accidents are bound to happen. 

Since Workers Compensation is not required in the state of Texas, some restaurant owners forgo coverage. Others, believe it or not, think it is included in their Businessowners Policy. It is not. It is a separate policy. As far as the cost, when you think about what you get, it's relatively inexpensive. Insurance companies are very hungry to write this line of business and premiums are very competitive at this time. 
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As a restaurant owner, don't you want to protect your employees? This coverage provides that coverage for your restaurant. If you want to take it upon yourself and pay out of pocket, that could get very costly and is extremely risky. If this is your plan when it comes to work related injuries, please be aware that the employee can sue you if they feel their needs are not being met. Workers Compensation offers employer protection, which protects you from being being sued. 

Worker Compensation for Restaurants is definitely something to consider. If you have any questions about the coverage, please feel free to contact me. I can also help get you a quote with very little information. 

Jason Matison
Commercial Insurance Agent
Austin, Texas