It’s that time of year again! As snow freezes and thaws, you may experience ice dams building up in your gutters or on low-sloping roof areas. Unfortunately, this means that a blockage has been created and the water from the melting snow on your roof cannot flow from the gutters to the downspouts. This can potentially cause the water to back up under your shingles.
Oftentimes if the melting snow, water and ice cannot move through your gutters unobstructed, it finds a way into your home, causing damage to your walls, ceilings or insulation. Typically there is minimal, if any, damage to the shingles on your roof. However, it may be necessary to pay a professional to remove snow or ice in the affected area to prevent any further damage. As your policy requires you to mitigate damages, a reasonable cost to do so may be covered under your applicable building policy. In the event of a covered loss, be sure to work with your contractor and claim adjuster to determine a reasonable cost for this service, and always obtain an invoice to present for reimbursement (subject to your policy limits and deductible).
You cannot control the weather, but you can take steps to identify ice dams and prevent them from causing damage to your home:

• Keep your gutters and the areas near your downspouts clear so water is unobstructed when channeled away from your roof.
• Consistently check your attic and the tops of exterior walls for moisture or water stains.
• Safely remove excess snow and icicles from the edge of your roof, if possible.
• Long-term prevention of ice dams includes proper insulation in your attic and applying an ice and water shield membrane under your shingles.

Group life insurance shows employees you value what matters most to them - their loved ones, and it is an integral part of most employee benefits packages. When provided by an employer, employees appreciate the value of life coverage and the additional security it provides to their families.

Life insurance can help employees protect their loved ones.
Did you know more than 35% of all households would feel a negative financial impact within 1 month after the death of the primary wage earner? Having life insurance can help your employees have confidence that, should they pass away, their family will have a financial safety net to replace lost income, cover final expenses, everyday living expenses, and long-term obligations that may otherwise cause them financial strain. Life insurance can even be used to help fund a child’s education.

It’s a key benefit to help you attract and keep quality employees.
When candidates are searching for a new job, benefits are a main differentiator, and prospective employees tend to consider a position’s benefits before they apply. That includes life insurance. Whether you cover the premium or offer employee-paid, voluntary life insurance, group rates make coverage through an employer an affordable option for employees. Including life insurance in your benefit package can make you stand out against organizations competing for the same candidates—and help you hold on to the good employees you’ve already hired.

It can be a budget-friendly option for you to offer.
If you think offering life insurance to your employees is out of your price range, think again. There are plenty of affordable life insurance solutions available. You can pay all, part, or none of your employees’ benefits, depending on your needs and goals. And keep in mind, group life insurance premiums are based on an overall assessment of a company’s risk. Spreading that risk helps bring group rates down, offering an affordable coverage option for employees.

Offering life insurance can help you enhance your company culture.
For many employers, building a strong company culture is about creating an environment that brings your core values to life. Culture is often what drives employee satisfaction. It makes employees feel like they belong, like they’re valued. That’s why including life insurance as an employee benefit plays a solid role in shaping your culture. It shows you put your employees first, and that you’re an employer who wants to help employees have a more secure financial future. For this reason, offering life insurance can help you see improvements in employee turnover, not to mention a general boost in productivity and company loyalty.

The best life insurance policies can be catered to your business needs
Your business—and employees—are unique. Fortunately, you can customize your group life insurance to make it the right match for you. As you’re considering life insurance policies, think about these questions:

• Will the company cover the premium or will the employee … or a combination?
• What type of policy will you offer—term or permanent?
• What optional and additional benefits will be offered?
• Will the proceeds be paid in increments or as a multiple of salary?
• What will the minimum and maximum benefit be?

How will the coverage transition— or not—if the employee leaves?

Theodore & Associates offers free, comparative quotes on group life insurance from multiple insurance carriers so you can get the best possible rate, whatever your group size or benefit goals.

Contact us to find out how to protect your employees with the right life insurance.