In this era of global corporations and multi-national businesses, it can be hard for the average commercial consumer to be noticed or feel appreciated by their service providers. Clients might feel like they are simply nothing more than an account number, especially when they are in need of customer service. Thankfully, commercial insurance customers do have choices, and one of the best ones they can make is choosing an independent insurance agency instead of a large, faceless insurance corporation.

As 2016 comes to a close, many businesses begin planning out strategies for the new year to increase revenue, win customers, improve efficiency, and lower costs. However, many companies miss out on important growth opportunities because they fail to perform a thorough year-end review. A year-end review can help identify successes, failures, and areas of improvement from the past year, all of which can help put businesses in a better position to thrive in the new year.

Winter weather in the Gulf Coast region is typically milder than in the rest of the country, but Texas often experiences high winds and strong gusts as cold fronts approach our area. Sometimes these strong winds cause little to no property damage, while other times a freak windstorm can topple trees, down power lines, and cause extensive damage to businesses, retail centers, restaurants, and office complexes.

Texas has seen its fair share of disasters, including record-setting flooding, major hurricanes, severe windstorms, and wildfires. When these catastrophes impact homes and businesses, there is often a major response from assistance groups, federal agencies, and contractors ready to help rebuild. Unfortunately, along with legitimate assistance groups come scammers and fraudulent organizations hoping to make money off of both victims and individuals and businesses wanting to help in some way.

Disasters can strike at any time and their unpredictability, combined with the damages they cause, leads to major issues for homeowners, renters, and businesses. Although catastrophic events can never be fully prevented, there are proactive measures that can be taken to reduce damages and expedite recovery times. One prime example is having a property inventory for personal or commercial assets.

No matter what you're in the market for, there's a good chance you'll have multiple options or several companies vying for your business. This is true whether you're buying a car, boat, home, clothing, or even a loaf of bread. Consumers have a bounty of choices, but the quality and value among them can vary greatly, especially in the world of personal and commercial insurance.

Although handy for home improvement projects and construction jobs, ladders are one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment found in homes and businesses. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, over 43% of fatal falls in the home involve the use of ladders, while in the business world, ladder falls account for 20% of all falls on worksites, and over 80% of falls in the construction industry. Their instability, combined with frequent misuse, makes ladders a dangerous piece of equipment to use if not handled safely.

Employees should expect to feel safe and protected while on the job, but unfortunately worksite accidents and injuries are still far too common in the U.S. Each year, over 3 million workers are injured in some form while at work, whether because of falls, overexertion, electrocutions, being struck by objects, or other causes.

When it comes to starting a new business, there are a variety of misconceptions and incorrect theories regarding how best to begin and successfully operate a business. Some business owners might believe that location doesn't really matter, that quality isn't an important issue for customers, and that most business insurance isn't really necessary. In reality, location is a critical issue for new businesses, most customers insist on high quality, and business insurance is always necessary to have, especially for companies with higher risks and liability issues.

Texas is home to thousands of award-winning restaurants, including high-end luxury dining rooms, casual BBQ joints serving food on butcher paper, quaint bistros and cafes, and bustling family restaurants. Regardless of the type, size, and cuisine of a restaurant, there are universal liability issues that exist for all restaurant owners.