Get in touch! (816) 810-2346 | rholmes@spectrumweatherinsurance.com
When it comes to weather insurance, no two policies and claims are the same. There are six basic building blocks to weather insurance policies. In this article, we break down these building blocks to help snow contractors understand how these variables affect their coverage and claim options.
1. Location
Since weather varies from location to location, even within the same city, the […]
Joining the board of a fair or festival—most of which are governed by boards—can be a fun and rewarding experience. However, it is no small undertaking, and if the organization finds itself in hot water, you could be held personally responsible. That’s because nonprofit organizations, like many of those that put on local fairs and festivals, are still susceptible to […]
If there’s one thing we have learned is key to the success of our clients, and ultimately our success, is listening. It’s not just about hearing what our clients have to say, but actively listening to them.
Sales reps are often too busy talking to listen. Even if they are tuned in to what a customer or potential customer, they’re often […]
If you’re in the business of snow and ice removal, you’ve more than likely heard about the salt shortage plaguing the Midwest and Northeast. An unexpected late season ice storm last spring, a labor strike at the world’s largest salt mine, and issues surrounding a large mining operation in Ohio have resulted in a deficit in a salt deficit as […]
5 Steps to Cancel or Postpone Your Event Without Damaging Your Reputation
When weather doesn’t cooperate for your outdoor event, you need to act fast to communicate the situation to attendees and preserve your reputation. Here’s how:
1. Act Fast
You should begin monitoring the weather a week before your event, so you can prepare for any expected weather. However, keep in mind […]
If you’ve been to a conference or convention in the event or snow removal industries, you’ve probably seen Spectrum President, Robert Holmes. Rob strongly believes that there is no true replacement for face-to-face interaction and, therefore, racks up quite a few frequent flyer miles attending as many industry events as possible. While networking and meeting new business prospects are obvious […]
We should start out by saying you should always expect the unexpected. We cannot control the weather, nor predict it with 100 percent certainty, so always be prepared for the worst. That’s why we advise our clients, especially those planning events in coastal areas during hurricane season, to hope for the best, but plan for the worst.
The National Oceanic and […]
There are several insurance brokers that offer rain and other weather insurance products, but how do you know which one is the best choice for your needs? There are a few potential pitfalls you should be aware of to help you choose the best insurance broker for your needs.
Beware of brokers who offer rain insurance only on a surplus lines […]
As we shift our attention from wintry weather to warmer days, we look forward to an increase in seasonal activities, such as sporting events, concerts, music festivals, weddings and many other outdoor activities. At Spectrum, we can help your clients be prepared for the unpredictable weather patterns the coming months often bring. Weather insurance is a versatile tool that can […]
If you’ve been in the entertainment industry long, you know Murphy’s Law tends to ring true. Heck, even if you’re brand new to the industry, your time on this planet has likely proven to you that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Even if you’ve planned every last detail meticulously, there will always be something that doesn’t go […]
A new year means a fresh start and 365 days to achieve everything you want this year. Unfortunately, 80 percent of New Year’s resolutions fail by February. It certainly doesn’t help that January is a particularly difficult month for self-improvement. For one, we’re coming off a holiday hiatus and are struggling to get back into the groove of things. Secondly, […]
We understand that the relationship you hold with your local insurance agent is one that has most likely been cultivated and maintained for years or even decades. We, too, cherish the relationships we’ve developed with our clients over the years. We certainly understand and applaud such relationships, and we are not in the business of wedging ourselves in between those […]
If there were a mantra for the events industry, it would be “Hope for the best, but plan for worst.” There are always going to be things that are out of your control and, while it’s not something anyone wants to think about, in today’s world, no event is immune to the threat of terrorism. When many people think of […]
The challenge is not unfamiliar to snow removal contractors across the nation: how can a business whose income relies on a completely unpredictable variable manage to generate enough revenue to cover costs and, hopefully, be profitable? With the volatility of natural snowfall, surviving an extreme winter, either one with very little snowfall or incredibly large snowfall totals, can be at […]
Imagine a business that has only a month in which to earn all if its annual revenue. That’s the challenge of operating a haunted attraction, corn maze or pumpkin patch. The opportunity to earn revenue is limited to a few short weeks leading up to Halloween. Unfortunately, the weather can greatly impact the number of visitors and, therefore, the earnings […]
Spectrum has been providing weather insurance for quite a while, and no other broker in the United States places more policies than us. Simply put, we are the top specialty broker in the country. However, we also understand that people like to do business locally, and many times procure their rain or weather insurance through their local crop insurance agent or other […]
I don’t know about the rest of the country, but for us here in the Midwest, summer is a big deal. After months of unreliable, unstable, cold and snowy weather, we are more than ready for sunshine and summertime! But before we know it, Old Man Winter will be back and we’ll be stuck indoors once again. That is why […]
After some of the recent spring storms, we’ve seen a lot of backlash on social media about shows being canceled due to inclement weather. As a company in the weather business, we know how difficult these decisions can be for event organizers. After spending months planning for an event, canceling it is never an easy call, but you need to […]
Pulling off any successful event is no easy feat and the stress is tenfold when planning an outdoor event in which there are factors beyond your control that could have a huge impact on its success. Asking yourself these four questions in the early planning stages can give you peace of mind and help you save money in the long […]
Nothing turns more heads than the word “free.” Consumers love getting something they want or need for free, which is why weather-based retail promotions are so popular. A weather-based promotion is when you offer a full or partial refund on a purchase based on the occurrence of a specific weather event. For example, if it rains one inch on July […]
Even as snowfall continues to blanket much of the country, it is never too early to request a weather insurance quote for your summer event. Spectrum Weather and Specialty Insurance provides coverage for a variety of outdoor events, such as fairs, festivals, concerts, sporting events, motorsports events and many others. Take some time today to ignore the cold wind and […]
Illness, transit strikes, faulty equipment, safety evacuations, kitchen fires, storms, blocked drains, soggy ground, gas and water leaks, volcanic eruptions grounding airlines – sometimes your event just can’t go on and you need to recover your expenses. This is the point when you’ll be glad you got event cancellation insurance…or kicking yourself if you didn’t.
At bare minimum, you’ll want to […]
If you’ve seen our travel itinerary lately, you know we’re always on the move. Spectrum President, Robert Holmes, tries to attend as many industry conferences and conventions as possible to meet our clients in person. There’s just no technology that can replace a face-to-face meeting and a solid handshake.
While we appreciate modern conveniences, like being able to get quotes online, […]
When you begin your search for insurance, regardless if its weather insurance, home insurance, auto insurance or trip insurance, you’ll realize you have a lot of options. There are all of the big name companies, whose commercials you see daily, and then there are the independent insurance brokers like Spectrum.
An insurance agent who is affiliated with an agency, like one […]
This is the first week we’re finally starting to see normal temperatures in much of the northern United States. The warmer-than-usual weather may have had many people wondering if we would be skipping winter this year or if it was merely the calm before the storm. Now that temperatures are dropping, you should definitely be thinking about snowfall insurance for […]
It’s a feeling all too familiar to snow contractors, particularly in the northeastern U.S.: What if this next blizzard causes us to go revenue-negative? You know your crew will eventually get the job done, but after all those overtime hours, will your costs surpass your profit?
Since seasonal snow and ice removal contracts are typically agreed upon well in advance, you’re […]
“Take a gamble” has rarely been sound business advice. However, when your business depends on something as volatile as the weather, every winter can feel like a bad trip to Vegas. If you’re in the snow and ice removal industry, you’re either hoping for an early spring or wishing for a blizzard like a fourth grader praying for a snow […]