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.

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 some of the same threats as for-profit businesses, including the potential for lawsuits. If the organization is sued and doesn’t [...]

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 just listening for a specific cue or challenge that gives them a jumping off point to pitch their product [...]

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 plow companies begin stocking their supplies for winter. Since municipalities typically get first dibs on road salt, private plow companies [...]

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 that there are no guarantees when it comes to the forecast, so be ready for anything. As [...]

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 reasons to attend these types of events, we also see it as an opportunity to better serve our clients. These [...]

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 Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released their 2018 Atlantic hurricane season outlook—which extends from June 1 to November 30, typically peaking [...]

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 policy If your insurance broker is only able to offer rain insurance on a Lloyd’s or other non-admitted insurance [...]

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 benefit event organizers and businesses to protect event income, drive consumer sales and stabilize budgets.   The financial success of most [...]

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 according to plan. These things are often beyond your control. However, what you can control is how it impacts your [...]

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, crummy winter weather practically begs us to stay on the couch in front of the fireplace all day — not [...]

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 relationships. Perhaps the agency has been a sponsor of your fair or festival for many years, or perhaps even serves [...]

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 terrorism insurance, they think of a claim that covers losses due to an act of terrorism at their event. However [...]

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 best, a difficult and arduous task or, at worst, cause financial hardship or ruin. However, there exists a tool to [...]

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 derived from those visitors. Fortunately, there is a solution to address this negative impact: rain insurance. Any outdoor event can [...]