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Don’t get caught without an umbrella (POLICY)
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A reason to feel good this holiday season
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We’ve got you covered with dinner and a show to make it a great evening at home.
It’s a good idea to revisit your life insurance needs every few years.
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With Amica’s self-service features, we aim to make your insurance experience effortless.
We asked our team to share a few of their favorite things.
Make this affordable product part of your insurance protection.
Together, we provided much-needed food to families facing hunger.
Providing you with thoughtful advice on insurance topics through our new educational website.
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We're spending more time at home, and that can mean more time for home maintenance.
Our new Storm Imagery Viewer will allow you to see post-event aerial photos of affected areas.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a new light on the importance of life insurance and financial planning.
Have you met AVA, also known as the Amica Virtual Assistant? This new digital tool was created to help answer customer questions on Amica.com.
We know how important your pets are, and we’re happy to help protect them.
When the pandemic struck, we took quick action to ensure there was no interruption in the service we provide you.
The gift of time
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Directions: Preheat the oven to 350° F. For the pumpkin bread pudding: Whisk the half and half, pumpkin, dark brown sugar, eggs, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon and vanilla extract in a large bowl to blend. Fold in the bread cubes. Stir in the golden raisins. Transfer the mixture to an 11 x 7-inch glass baking dish. Let stand 15 minutes. Bake the pumpkin bread pudding until a tester inserted into the center comes out clean, about 40 minutes. For the caramel sauce: Whisk the brown sugar and butter in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until the butter melts. Whisk in the cream and stir until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth, about three minutes. Sift the powdered sugar over the bread pudding. Serve warm with caramel sauce. Makes 6 servings.
Ingredients: Pumpkin Bread Pudding: 2 c. half and half 1 (15-oz.) can pumpkin 1 c. plus 2 T. dark brown sugar 2 large eggs 1½ tsp. pumpkin pie spice 1½ tsp. cinnamon 1½ tsp. vanilla extract 10 c. ½-inch cubed egg bread (challah or brioche) ½ c. golden raisins Caramel Sauce: 1¼ c. dark brown sugar ½ c. unsalted butter ½ c. whipping cream Powdered sugar
Directions: Preheat the oven to 375° F. Lightly grease a 24-cup mini muffin pan with cooking spray. On a lightly floured surface, unroll the crescent dough sheet and cut it into 24 equal squares. Place the squares in the muffin pan slots. Cut the brie into ½-inch pieces and place one piece inside each of the crescent dough squares. Top the brie with one tsp. of whole-berry cranberry sauce, two to three chopped pecans, and two to three leaves of fresh rosemary. Bake for 15 minutes until the crescent dough is golden brown. Serve warm.
Directions: For the teriyaki turkey tenders: Place the turkey in a resealable plastic bag and set it in a shallow dish. In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, lemon juice, oil, ginger and garlic. Pour the marinade over the turkey and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator for one to two hours, turning once. For a charcoal grill, grill the turkey on a rack of the uncovered grill directly over medium coals for 16 to 20 minutes or until the turkey is no longer pink (170° F), turning once and brushing with the marinade halfway through cooking. If using a gas grill, preheat it. Reduce the heat to medium. Place the turkey on a grill rack over the heat. Cover and grill the same as for charcoal grill. Makes 4 servings. For the wild rice: Rinse the rice in cold water. Place it in a kettle with warm water, let it soak for 4 to 6 hours, rinse. Bring 3 to 4 cups of water and salt to a boil, add the rice and cook for about 10 minutes. Drain and set it aside. Fry and chop the bacon. Saute the onion in 1 tablespoon of butter until golden brown. Place the rice, bacon, onion, celery, oregano, pepper, salt, remaining butter (in cubes) and enough chicken broth to keep everything moistened in a 4- to 5-quart casserole dish. Bake in a preheated 325° oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Continue to add broth and mix to keep the ingredients moistened and until most of the rice pops open and is tender.
According to Trinity Rep Artistic Director Curt Columbus, “There’s never been a better time to share the ideals of this play with a broader audience. Hope, generosity of spirit, caring for others, recognizing that we can overcome isolation – these are what ‘A Christmas Carol’ is about.” Trinity Rep was one of the first regional theaters to stage the Dickens classic, and the company has earned national acclaim for its exhilarating performance style ever since. But, says Columbus, 2020 presented a new set of challenges for the actors and artistic staff. “I’m directing via Zoom, and we have actors working together in safely distanced pods. Sometimes an actor’s dog or kid will walk across the frame as they rehearse. Still, it’s fun to work with old friends I haven’t seen in person for months.” Columbus is also clearly excited about the possibilities of technology. “We’re integrating digital elements into the play in really amazing ways,” he says. For example, the Ghost of Christmas Past is an illustration from a child’s storybook come to life on the screen. “Challenges aside,” continues Columbus, “we’re hanging our hats on the good things of the season.” Columbus credits the sponsors of “A Christmas Carol,” including Amica, for making it possible to present the play free of charge to the theater’s legion of devoted fans along with a new nationwide audience. “Amica’s support is critical – and necessary – for us to be able to do this work,” he says. “It’s an act of generosity on Amica’s part that is as heartening as it gets.”
A miserly man, a sleepless night and a journey with the Spirits of Christmas Past, Present and Future. However it’s wrapped – on the page, on the stage or on the screen – Charles Dickens’ timeless classic “A Christmas Carol” is a joyful gift of the season. And for the first time, people everywhere can enjoy this timeless story online, free and on demand. Presented by Trinity Rep, Rhode Island’s Tony award-winning theater company, and sponsored by Amica, the play offers you and yours a memorable event that mixes the thrill of theater with the magic of digital technology.
Please note: By registering, you’ll be opting into Trinity Rep’s mailing list and will receive communications from the theater directly.
To register for “A Christmas Carol” free of charge, click here.
Columbus credits the sponsors of “A Christmas Carol,” including Amica, for making it possible to present the play free of charge to the theater’s legion of devoted fans along with a new nationwide audience. “Amica’s support is critical – and necessary – for us to be able to do this work,” he says. “It’s an act of generosity on Amica’s part that is as heartening as it gets.” Perhaps almost as heartening as the message of “A Christmas Carol” itself, as Dickens wrote: “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.” So gather ’round your nearest screen, and enjoy the show!
The show will be available for viewing Dec. 17, 2020, through Jan. 10, 2021.
As we marked the milestone of sending our 50th Thanksgiving card this year, we celebrated with our employees by creating a company cookbook. Team members from across the country sent in recipes, along with personal messages about why they’re so special. We’ve selected a few of them to share with you. These tried-and-true favorites of Amica employees would make for a great three-course meal on a night in. And after dinner, don't forget to check out the free online showing of "A Christmas Carol," which you can register for below. Enjoy!
Wild rice casserole: 1 c. wild rice, uncooked 8 T. butter 1 lb. bacon 1 med. onion, diced 2 stalks celery, diced 4 to 6 c. chicken broth 1 heaping tsp. oregano ½ tsp. salt ¼ tsp. pepper
Ingredients: Teriyaki turkey tenders: 2 (8-oz.) turkey breast tenderloins ¼ c. soy sauce 2 T. brown sugar, packed 2 T. lemon juice 1 T. cooking oil 1 tbs. fresh ginger, grated 1 clove garlic, minced
Ingredients: Cooking spray 1 (8-oz.) crescent dough sheet 1 T. all-purpose flour ½ c. whole-berry cranberry sauce 1 (8-oz.) pkg. of brie ¼ c. pecans, chopped 1 sm. package fresh rosemary
Peace of mind during a disaster
The show will be available for viewing Dec. 17, 2020, through Jan. 10, 2021. This is an adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic, “A Christmas Carol.” Each year, Trinity Rep presents a different version of the story. Visit the synopsis on the Trinity Rep website for more information.
Perhaps almost as heartening as the message of “A Christmas Carol” itself, as Dickens wrote: “There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humour.” So gather ’round your nearest screen, and enjoy the show!
No matter how careful you are, accidents happen. And if you’re involved in a serious accident, your hard-earned savings and possessions could be at risk. For those unfamiliar with umbrella insurance (also called a Personal Excess Liability Policy in some states), it’s a policy that provides another layer of liability coverage on top of what’s provided by your personal auto and homeowners coverage. There is additional coverage provided under an umbrella policy – such as protection related to libel and other personal injuries – that may not be covered in your underlying policies.
At around $1 a day for $1 million of protection, it’s well worth the investment for the peace of mind. Without the additional coverage from an umbrella policy, a judgment that exceeds your auto or homeowners coverage could leave you exposed.
So don’t leave yourself unprotected. If you’re interested in adding an umbrella policy to increase your coverage, Amica representatives are here to help. Give us a call at 800-242-6422 or visit Amica.com to learn more.
For example,
let’s say you were responsible for an auto accident
that caused significant injuries to another driver, or your dog bites someone visiting your home, causing permanent scarring. In either situation, the injured party may be entitled to compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, potentially resulting in a claim settlement that exceeds the liability limits of your auto or homeowners policy. Without umbrella coverage, you may be left to pay the excess amount of the claim out of your own pocket.
Exploring new Pathways
Coverage at the speed of life
Giving great gifts this holiday season
Making fire safety a top priority
Don’t get caught without an umbrella (policy)
Planning a fun night in? We can help!
Every cent raised during the food drive made a difference, and we thank you for your generosity!
We partnered with Feeding Children Everywhere, an organization that provides healthy meals to those facing hunger across the country. The support was more important than ever because approximately 50 million Americans will have experienced food insecurity by the end of 2020 due to the pandemic.
Each November, Amica employees participate in a food drive in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we opted to host a virtual holiday food drive this year, and, for the first time ever, we welcomed our customers to join us.
“Their eagerness to help families and seniors in need speaks volumes to the character of the organization and its people. We're grateful for the Hunger Heroes at Amica Insurance!”
said Rick Whitted, CEO of Feeding Children Everywhere.
“Through their virtual food drive, Amica Insurance will provide food to more than 1,500 homes across the country, feeding more than 5,000 people this holiday season,”
With $1 given for each share of our Thanksgiving e-card on Amica.com, and a dollar-for-dollar match for online donations, the campaign raised $60,052!
We’re proud to share that this donation will provide 187,625 meals to families facing hunger this holiday season.
Amica cares about your safety. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of potential hazards to look for in your home, as well as tips on how to plan for an emergency evacuation. Download our Home Hazard Checklist today!
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that three of the four leading types of accidental home fires (cooking, heating and electrical) occur most often over the winter months, when people are making large meals and spending more time inside to keep warm. The leading cause of home fire deaths, however, is fire caused by smoking materials.
It may seem like there aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish everything on your to-do list, especially during the holidays. That’s why we want your interactions with Amica to be effortless! No matter the time, day or night, you can log in to Amica.com to print an ID card, make a payment, send us documents or make changes to your account.
To learn more about these options, and other claims self-service features available to you, click here. While our online tools are always an option, our representatives are also ready to assist you 24/7/365.
And if something should happen and you need to report a claim, we’re here for you! We offer a variety of self-service tools to make your experience as simple as possible. You can report your claim on Amica.com or through our mobile app. Signing up for options like text notifications and electronic funds transfer (EFT) will ensure that you’re updated on your claim status and that payments make it to your bank account quickly. And we offer photo tools for both auto and home claims that allow you to digitally share damage with us so we can speedily resolve your claim. We hope these enhancements provide efficient, cost-effective ways of doing business with us so that you can spend more time on the things that matter most.
It seems everything has a Wi-Fi connection these days. Here are some ideas to keep your tech-lover happy this season: Video doorbells/security cameras: These devices allow you to see everyone who comes by – and confirm package deliveries. They also help to minimize thefts from “porch pirates,” who cruise neighborhoods looking to swipe unattended packages.
While we may not be able to see all of our friends and loved ones in person this holiday season, you can let those you care about know you’re thinking of them with a thoughtful and useful gift. We asked our team to share a few of their favorite things.*
Amica tip: If your gift recipient decides to have their devices monitored as a part of a security system, make sure they contact their insurer to see if they qualify for a discount on their homeowners policy.
Amica tip: To help deter break-ins, use a smart plug or switch to control interior lights while you’re away from home. Turning on lights at different times can make it appear that someone is home.
Smart switches/plugs: It’s now possible to turn any home into a smart home, thanks to IoT (Internet of Things) gadgets. A smart plug can transform any electrical outlet or appliance into a “smart” appliance, which you can control with your phone from any location.
Smart speakers: Feel like you’re talking to yourself a lot more these days? Well, with an Alexa or Google smart speaker, you’ll get a response! Receive instant updates on sports scores, news, weather updates and more. Smart streaming: Google, Amazon and Roku all make affordable gadgets that will allow just about any HDTV to stream Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and hundreds of other services.
Amica tip: If shopping online, consider supporting your local bookstore.
An informal survey of our team found one common denominator – food! Whether cooking it or eating it, we have many aspiring gourmets on staff. Some related gifts to consider: A good-quality knife: One staffer swears that every kitchen needs just one good knife. And the one knife he swears by is the Victorinox Swiss Army Fibrox Pro 8” Chef Knife. Best of all, it won’t break the bank. Victorinox A great cookbook: Anyone can cook with the right recipe, right? From the eccentric (one staff member recommends the Mountain Dew cookbook) to the custom (another plans to collect and print her family’s favorite recipes into a personalized cookbook), there’s no shortage of options to suit any taste.
A pinch of good taste: A foodie/team member loves to gift friends and family with flavors from around the world, including subscription services that provide collated ingredients and meal combinations to fit every taste and preference. The Spice Suite, Goldbelly, Cratejoy
Amica tip: Find a charity you can trust. Charity Navigator rates 9,000+ charities and provides basic data on how much of their money goes to their stated causes, and also points out scam charities to avoid.
2020 has many of our employees looking for ways to give back. A perfect way to start is to gift a donation to a worthwhile cause in a loved one’s name. A few places receiving our donations include: Adopt an endangered animal: The World Wildlife Foundation offers endangered species "adoption" kits, which include a stuffed plush doll, a certificate and information about the endangered animal. World Wildlife Fund Adoption Kits Help a small village: One staffer spends her gift-giving budget at Heifer.org, which works to end hunger and poverty by supporting and training the world's farmers, ranchers and female business owners. There are a myriad of programs where you can donate livestock or equipment to help struggling communities and small business entrepreneurs around the globe. Heifer International
If you receive any high-value gifts like jewelry or fine art this season, make sure they’re appropriately protected. You can insure these items specifically in your homeowners policy with a scheduled item endorsement. This coverage will provide more comprehensive protection than your homeowners policy alone.
* The inclusion of non-Amica companies, products, services or statements herein (“Third Party Content”) is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Amica Insurance. Policies, views, opinions or positions of Third Party Content expressed herein are those of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the policies, views, opinions or positions of Amica Insurance. Amica Insurance makes no warranties, express or implied, as to the accuracy and reliability of Third Party Content.
Adopt an endangered animal: The World Wildlife Foundation offers endangered species "adoption" kits, which include a stuffed plush doll, a certificate and information about the endangered animal. World Wildlife Fund Adoption Kits Help a small village: One staffer spends her gift-giving budget at Heifer.org, which works to end hunger and poverty by supporting and training the world's farmers, ranchers and female business owners. There are a myriad of programs where you can donate livestock or equipment to help struggling communities and small business entrepreneurs around the globe. Heifer International
Life insurance needs can change as your circumstances evolve, so it’s a good idea to revisit them every few years, or whenever you experience certain life changes. Here are five life events that should trigger a reevaluation of your life insurance requirements:
1. Starting out on your own Even if you’re single and don’t have children, you should still think about life insurance early in life. Keep in mind, the younger you are when you purchase life insurance, the less expensive it will be. Starting a policy early can be a smart move that could save you money in the long term. Also, be sure to consider your own life policy even if your employer provides group life benefits, as these benefits can be inadequate to meet your needs.
2. Getting married Joining your life with another is a time of bliss. It’s also a time when many merge their assets and debts and begin to rely on each other’s income. It’s important to take the time to set up financial protection for the one you love. If something should happen to either you or your spouse, life insurance can provide you with peace of mind that your income, along with the lifestyle you built together, is protected.
3. Buying a home Purchasing a home is a significant financial obligation. After the closing, it’s a good idea to reevaluate your life insurance needs to account for how mortgage payments, utilities and general maintenance have changed your financial picture. You’ll want to make sure these expenses are able to be paid should the unexpected happen.
4. Welcoming a child The process of welcoming a child into your life can be exciting but also a bit overwhelming. As you’re preparing a nursery, child-proofing every corner of your home and choosing the safest car seat, don’t forget to consider your child’s long-term security. The cost to get a child from birth to adulthood is significant. Life insurance can ensure there’s enough money to provide the life you planned for your child, even if something were to happen to you or your spouse unexpectedly.
5. Empty nesting and retirement Once your children are out on their own, you should reevaluate your situation. Depending on your circumstances, you may still have a need for life insurance. Whether it be covering a mortgage or other debt, or simply a desire to ensure ongoing support for people who depend on you financially.
Amica Life is now offering rate reductions of up to 25% for Term Life insurance. So visit LifeWithAmica.com/OnlineQuote, or give us a call at 800-234-5433, to get a quote today!
We’re excited to introduce a new hub for Amica auto, home and life content! Pathways by Amica provides thoughtful advice to help protect the people you love and the belongings that are so important to you. The site meets you and your family as you move from one life stage to the next, and as your insurance needs change. Visit PathwaysbyAmica.com to learn more today!