Don’t invite risk to your next party

Time to celebrate, and we hope it’ll be a wedding, graduation party, fundraiser or summer soiree to remember—but only in the good ways. Which is why we feel duty-bound to pause your preparations and talk about minimizing risks for (just) a few minutes. Maybe it’s the particular lenses through which we view the world, but we’ve seen too many festivities ruined by the late arrival of tort lawyers. To make sure that doesn’t happen at (or as a result of) your next celebration, we’ve compiled a list of what can (and often enough does) go wrong at celebrations - along with ways to mitigate the likelihood of that happening. You’ll also learn how to protect yourself in the event something does happen, or at the very least, how to prove that you tried your best to prevent any mishaps from occurring. How to avoid the problem of… ...someone getting injured: Use locks, guards (or both) to ensure guests and staff can’t go anywhere off limits. Pools are one of the highest risks at a celebration. Best to seal it off if no one is supposed to swim. For a pool party, we recommend hiring a lifeguard, ban diving, and clearly mark the deep and shallow ends. And we are not just talking the warning signs painted on the pool – place additional signage around the pool area for extra precaution. Trampolines are also danger zones, so unless you like to roll the die, keep guests’ feet on the ground. ...someone damaging or stealing items: If you have rare art or other valuables in the home, make sure to think through the likely flow of people to ensure nobody gets jostled into the Picasso or climbs on the Calder. Alert staff to anything needing special protection and, if you are still worried, hire someone to make sure that people keep a respectful distance for the Diebenkorn. ...damage to a rental space: While it’s a fabulous idea to have your anniversary party in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, hired staff should understand the venue’s rules. For example, no hanging the “Congratulations on 50 years” banner on the Temple of Dendur. (You laugh but....) ...a guest drinking and driving: The law increasingly holds whoever serves liquor is responsible for injuries caused by intoxicated guests, so give the bartender(s) clear cutoff instructions. It’s also a good idea to have someone watch guests as they leave so they can flag a cab for those that clearly need one. Alcohol and teenagers are a particular concern—know that whether or not you gave the okay for a keg party, you might be ultimately liable if the drinking happens in your child’s home. ...someone harassing or harming a high-profile guest: When the gossip columns are abuzz about the guest of honor at your upcoming book party or fundraiser, prepare for some unwanted attention. Have security in place to deal with paparazzi, gate crashers, or worse. And how to protect yourself in the event a problem happens... ...don’t assume you are covered through your homeowners or umbrella liability policy: Purely personal events in your home are usually covered, but it gets trickier if the event is, at all, business-related. It’s one thing to invite a few clients to your holiday party, and another to host a partners meeting. Even a fundraiser for a nonprofit organization could be iffy. Therefore, it is best to speak with your broker before the invitations go out so we can advise you on the best ways to mitigate your risk and ensure you are properly covered. ...put insurance in writing when hiring vendors: Have every contract, from renting a hall to signing on a caterer, explicitly state which party is responsible for liabilities and which policies must be in place. The expense can be significant, so negotiate insurance when you discuss other terms. A cheap catering hall with an expensive insurance bill is no bargain. Contracts should also specify that any subcontractor must have appropriate coverage. ...talk to your broker about whether you need special event policies: This coverage is typically combined with cancellation insurance. Note that these policies are precise in what they do and don’t cover. You might be able to make a claim if the bride gets pneumonia, for example, but not if it’s a case of cold feet. To sum it up, you should add checking your insurance coverage to your party planning list. Ideally you should call your broker before you sign a contract to rent a space or hire a caterer. That way you can get the details right, banish the dark thoughts of potential disasters, and go back to planning a celebration that will delight your guests and honor the occasion. ...

Smooth sailing ahead: what you need to know about yacht insurance

Island hopping through the Caribbean or cruising the Mediterranean, yacht ownership should be a sun-filled dream come true. But, as every seafarer knows, storms and structural mishaps can quickly turn the dream into a nightmare. Contributing to that nightmare, yacht insurance policies are notoriously demanding and their terms are extraordinarily complicated. To help you navigate these complicated insurance waters, here are our insights to help ensure that you are never left high and dry. Current Conditions Securing yacht insurance has been a challenging task in recent years due to various factors including increasing natural disasters, regulatory changes, and economic shifts. The overwhelming payouts have forced several carriers out of the industry, and those that remained not only increased rates significantly but became extremely picky about who and what they would insure. In fact, today, many carriers would prefer to not cover first-time yacht owners at all. So, the first thing we tell people who ask about insuring a yacht is that the process will be an intricate one. Needless to say, it’s more important than ever to find an insurance professional who has the knowledge to put together a successful package, and the strong industry ties to get it done. The Right Approach For Securing Yacht Insurance Unlike some other more pro forma coverages, this one is neither quick-binding nor set-it-and-forget-it. It will take some work to get adequate coverage, then require more communication with your broker to adhere to the carrier's demands. These suggestions will make it easier to do both: Lean into the process: To obtain insurance, your broker has to paint your circumstances in the best possible light, and that is going to require know-how (theirs) and time (yours). Our watercraft team has the advantage of having worked for carriers, so they understand exactly what underwriters need to see, but they can’t create that packet of information without your help. Be prepared to answer questions: Underwriters want to know everything, from the primary mooring spot (although the bigger the yacht, the less it matters) to cruising itineraries to hurricane contingencies to who is your captain and crew. If you are buying a pre-owned yacht, you also need an accredited appraisal of its condition and value. Keep your insurance professional on speed-dial: Making sure you are properly protected means thinking beyond the vessel itself. Specifically, your insurance professional should review all contracts for marinas, shipyards and the like; few of those entities provide the blanket coverage you would expect them to, instead offloading as much liability as possible onto vessel owners. And to make sure your insurance remains valid, you will need to keep your insurance professional apprised of all operational changes, especially in personnel. Many carriers reject captains who they deem too inexperienced. It’s also important to let the insurer know, via your broker, whenever there are navigational changes. Four Concerns That Could Put You In Deep Water Yacht ownership comes with its own set of potential problems which is why proper coverage is essential. Here are some of the potential worries: Gusts and gales: When the winds blow, vessels get tossed about even when they are tied up at a marina. Big storms can rip pilings out of the ground, and that is bad whether it is your boat’s moorings or not, because once one boat is let loose, it can ping pong destructively through neighboring vessels. During those 2017 catastrophic storms, thousands of boats sank, but many others ended up on dry land, up to 1,000 feet from the water. Lightning: This is becoming more of an issue as vessels become more sophisticated. A strike can wipe out an entire electrical system, and these days that system can cost a million dollars or more. As a result, carriers have increased lightning deductibles. Fire: A bad shore power connection, an engine issue, shipyard carelessness ... any of these hazards can lead to costly damage, particularly because many boats are highly flammable. Groundings: Professional captains significantly cut down on the incidence of groundings and collisions. Nonetheless, the possibility remains, especially in crowded sea lanes such as those off the coast of Florida and in the Caribbean. A Tight Ship: What Needs To Be Covered Appropriate coverage protects you when there is loss of property, liability claims and environmental damage. The essentials include: Hull and machinery: Think of it as property coverage for your boat, protecting not only the vessel and its infrastructure, but also some personal property, tenders and recreational watercraft, even the mopeds you use to zip around towns after you dock. However, though helicopter pads on your yacht can be included, the helicopters will require additional coverage. Protection and indemnity (P&I): This provides coverage for your liability for anything, fixed or floating, that your yacht hits. It also encompasses bodily injury to passengers or the crew, property damage and a mariner’s version of workers comp. You also want your P&I policy to reflect your intended navigation area. If you are going to be cruising internationally, your policy must be able to respond every port around the world (note: this is why a great majority of yachts are covered under one of 13 P&I clubs). Wreck removal: Should your boat sink, the local jurisdiction may mandate that you remove it. That is quite an expensive proposition. Vessel pollution liability: This is another requirement in many jurisdictions— the United States made it mandatory after the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Frequently rolled into P&I, it also covers fines and penalties incurred for causing damage to natural habitats such as reefs. Yachting is almost by definition an interstate activity, so maritime insurance is less regulated than most other coverages. One benefit of this lesser oversight is that much of it can be tailored specifically to your— and your vessels—needs. We understand the tremendous pleasure that you expect to receive from yacht ownership, so we look forward to using our all-hands-on-deck approach to make sure nothing ever rocks your boat. ...

Think before you post: a social media risk guide

In the 20 years since the beginning of its now-ubiquitous popularity, social media has transformed both society at large and our personal lives. From Facebook to Twitter, Instagram to TikTok, the various platforms—today used by 72% of Americans, according to the Pew Research Center—now regularly impact politics, commerce, work and relationships. They have inevitably caused a concerning increase in the daily risks assumed by every user. Though risk is rarely considered on a post-by-post basis, as insurance professionals, we are well aware of the negative outcomes. There was, for example, the client whose diamonds were stolen after she posted about them and included her whereabouts. And the client who was sued after uploading false, negative reviews about a retailer whose service failed to meet his expectations. Unfortunately, the list goes on and on. Of course, we don’t expect you or your family members to abstain from social media, but we do want you to know what can go wrong. These are the biggest issues and what we suggest you do to avoid each. Scams and fraud How it manifests: A recent report by the Federal Trade Commission found that criminals are targeting people on social media at an alarming rate. Individuals reported around $770 million in losses from social-media-centric rackets, such as investment frauds and shopping scams, in 2021 alone. These days, many involve fake cryptocurrency payments, with nefarious individuals posing on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook as successful billionaires like Bill Gates and Elon Musk, or as friends or family members to offer “tips” or otherwise ask for financial contributions. We have even seen pretenders declare themselves to be representatives of some cryptocurrency exchange platforms. How to protect against it: No matter how great the opportunity appears, never give money or account information to anyone online. Before investing, we recommend you consult your wealth manager or financial advisor. Legitimate opportunities can always be vetted. Note that even if you maintain fraud insurance and/or cyber policies, it is important to act prudently as coverage may not apply for every situation. It is also important to speak with your insurance advisor, regardless of the coverage you have in place. In short, no one is shielded from bad decision making or improper vetting. Digital doors to your home and accounts How it manifests: You might think you are sharing something mundane, but expert eyes can put it to use for their own unsavory purposes. For instance, whenever you, your children or even your household staff post photos of your home and its surroundings, it can potentially provide outsiders with information about entry points or the art hanging on your walls or the times of the day you are usually home—or more notably, not there. Similarly, if you post about things like your birthday, your pet’s name, or your favorite movie, you may be providing scammers with information that could help them decode your password, allowing them entry into accounts and other private online areas. How to protect against it: Use privacy settings to your advantage. The best option would be to keep all social media accounts private, so you are only sharing information with a curated group of trustworthy followers. Make sure your children and domestic employees do the same. Also, always elect to use 2-Step verification when offered by an app or website login. Liability, libel and slander How it manifests: While those in the public eye face a greater degree of risk, anyone who participates in a public forum is responsible for the words and views they put on display. This can affect you adversely in a few different ways: If you are an influencer who is commodifying aspects of your lifestyle, you may not be covered by your personal insurance should someone sue you for libel, slander or bodily injury since that could be considered a business pursuit and therefore a commercial exposure not covered by personal insurance. Similarly, if your teenager is an influencer, whatever they say or do can be connected to you as a parent. The age at which they are deemed independent adults varies by state, so parental responsibility may hold even for those living away from home in “hype houses”, with other content creators. The risk is comparable to that of children living in fraternities, where liability responsibilities ultimately land on the parents. If your child bullies someone online or pulls a harmful prank, you may be held liable for damages. If you publish negative comments that are not based on facts on Twitter, Yelp, Google, or any other platform, you could be held liable for slander and defamation. This is especially true if you attack the character of an individual or business or otherwise intentionally aim to injure their reputation. How to protect against it: Influencers and others who use social media commercially should create and operate under a commercial entity such as an LLC, thus creating distance between the enterprise and personal assets. They should secure commercial liability insurance too. Regardless of whether your children are influencers or not, speak to them about the serious risks of social media and how to post safely. Of course, you also need to be careful about the content and tone of your own published comments. Only write posts that are fact-based and defendable. Remember that whatever you say in the public sphere can be used against you, legally and otherwise. To that end, we encourage you to be mindful about what you are sharing and especially with whom. We also always recommend that clients incorporate cyber insurance and excess liability policies in their risk-management portfolio, as they offer additional layers of protection, especially if you regularly use social media. If you have any concerns about risk related to social media usage, we are, as always, here to discuss and advise. ...

Risks in air: an aviation insurance overview

The majority of our clients spend a good deal of time traveling from place to place, high above the clouds. Some charter a private jet, others fly their own single engine aircraft, and many hop a helicopter to the Hamptons or LA to skip traffic. Almost all of these trips are uneventful, but as risk-management experts we know that often enough the friendly skies are not so friendly. In fact, the lawsuits and payouts resulting from crashes and other midair incidents have become so extreme that they have actually scared off some insurers. In the spirit of better-safe-than-sorry, we’ve created this brief of aviation’s inherent risks and the precautions and policies we recommend to minimize them. When you fly private Though COVID-19 has caused havoc on commercial airline travel, it has been a boon for private charter companies. To reduce contact with the virus, travelers are flocking to charters. A majority of those bookings are being made by new customers, and industry experts believe that once those flyers experience the ease of this type of travel—check-ins only 15 minutes before boarding, no taking off shoes, direct flights, privacy—many of them will be hooked. From a risk-management perspective, however, there is a downside, and it’s one that should be addressed before one pulls up to the airport: You could be held liable should something go wrong on the trip because private flyers select aircraft providers and determine flight paths as well as schedules with the aircraft operating company. Don’t worry—there are ways to counter this concern, depending on your connection to the plane. If you are chartering  Ask for additional insured status. Once the charter company lists you in its insurance policy, you will be protected to the limits of its liability (ideally, a minimum of $25M for helicopters, $50M for turboprops and $100M for jets). This will lessen the burden on your own umbrella liability policy. If you fly private regularly, you might want to consider sticking with one charter company that will give you ongoing additional insured status. Request a waiver of subrogation. After payouts, insurance carriers often seek reimbursements from “responsible parties,” and as a charterer that could include you. Obtaining this protection limits a charter company’s insurer from going after your assets. If you own a jet—or a share of one Make sure you are properly protected: Whether you own a piece of a plane, or all of it,—you’ve entered a higher realm of liability risk. Ownership means signing lots of contracts. Before you do, consult an aviation attorney and insurance professional to ensure you are aware of the risk and have mitigated the potential damage. When you charter a helicopter Autorotation notwithstanding, helicopters defy many of the laws of flight. If an airplane malfunctions, chances are it will glide, slowing its descent. Helicopters, which are traveling at lower altitudes to begin with, fall stone-like to earth. All of which is to say, even a minor accident in a helicopter can be very serious—causing broken backs and necks at best, disfiguring fires and death at worst. Obviously, underwriters know this, so insurance solutions are both significantly more expensive and somewhat limited. For example, one client of ours recently insured a six-passenger turboprop with $50 million in liability coverage for less than $30,000 a year; insuring a seven-seat helicopter in the same market cost a second client $130,000 annually, for a maximum liability of $25 million. So, if you’re thinking about purchasing a helicopter, you’ll likely need to consult a team of experts to get the maximum protection. If you’re chartering a flight, treat it as you would a jet:1) get named as an additional insured and 2) request that waiver of subrogation. When you are the pilot If you don’t get paid to fly, the insurance market considers you a hobbyist. And that means that, regardless of your training, you will be placed in a high-risk category. In other words, you’re looking at high premiums and low liability limits. A recent series of serious accidents and expensive settlements have made the market even tougher. But that doesn’t mean you can’t pursue your passion. Here’s what we suggest: If you own—or want to own—a small plane Talk to trusted advisors first. Insurance professionals and trust and estate attorneys will make sure you and your “bug smasher” are adequately covered. It’s important to note that it will be quite a challenge to protect yourself with insurance policies alone. Your team will need to get creative to fully insulate you against potentially massive payouts. Make sure you are insured when you’re grounded too. Fire, wind, heavy snowloads, hangar collapse, accidents during handling ... there are plenty of risks attached to planes even before you get up in the air. To park your plane, airports require you to sign a contract and show proof of insurance. Some plane owners may wish to self-insure, which will necessitate providing financial statements and written commitments. If you’re learning to fly or flying someone else’s plane Choose a flight school carefully. When you hire someone to teach you to fly, you’re hiring their plane too, and the problem with that is you can’t know how well that plane is being maintained. Once you get in the cockpit, you could be liable if something goes wrong and causes an issue. The lack of control you have in this situation can argue for a more radical solution: It may be worth buying your own small plane and learn to fly it. That gives you oversight over the insurance, so you can rest easier knowing you have the proper coverage. Consider non-owned aircraft coverage. These policies are available to pilots who borrow or rent small planes and to corporations that charter private flights or have employees and executives who fly or would like to fly themselves on business trips. Essentially, they cover bodily injury and property damage that may occur as you operate or use third-party-owned aircraft. If you want to fly a vintage or experimental plane Prepare yourself for an even more challenging insurance market. Seaplanes, home-built, vintage models and the like are treated quite particularly by the industry. Can you obtain coverage? Sure. Will it be quite expensive? Definitely. Obviously, and rightly, there are many factors at play when it comes to protecting yourself in the air. All of them make finding sufficient aviation insurance a challenging task. Challenging, but not impossible—especially if you work with a team of dedicated experts. Should you have more specific concerns, we are always available for a more targeted discussion. ...

Alliant's leaders discuss the unprecedented insurance market

The insurance market is going through significant changes, many of which we have mentioned before: more difficulty in securing insurance, higher premiums nationwide, even non-renewals. But the situation continues to evolve, and there are early signs that the market will stabilize. To give you a clearer idea of where things stand and what the future may hold, two members of our leadership team share their thoughts. Is the current market as tough as everyone says?   Cindy Zobian, EVP, Managing Director: Simply put, we have never seen market conditions like these before. In essence, it’s a capacity issue: the rate of natural disasters—and the damage caused by them—have increased exponentially while home values and rebuilding costs have gone sky high. Mark Recht, SVP: Case in point: we just got another announcement from a carrier about adjustments caused by inflation. Unfortunately, higher premiums and insurance challenges aren’t just happening to property owners in areas prone to most natural disasters, such as California and Florida. Those are countrywide phenomena. There is currently a cloud casted over the market. CZ: That said, we can see glimmers of light at the end of the tunnel! Well, that’s hopeful. What makes you optimistic about the future?   MR: We saw a similar market a while back in Florida after Hurricane Andrew, but within a few years, things had shifted for the better. Homeowners learned to incorporate new and better risk-mitigation methods, the government placed stricter building codes, technology helped us to map the riskiest areas, and we incorporated more flexibility into insurance programs. Together, that all worked to stabilize the situation. As for the current moment, Cindy and I just met with reinsurers [Note: As a reminder, reinsurers assume a portion of carriers’ risks] and they told us they are in the process of figuring out how to add more capacity. If they can take on more risk, carriers will be able to as well. CZ: We have seen many insurance trends over the years, but, ultimately, they come down to finding a middle ground in the marketplace. That’s what the industry is striving for again today. I’m not saying the problems will be solved in a year, but our decades in the business have us hopeful that things will get easier eventually. At the same time, I don’t think insurance is going to be a buyer’s market again. What is Alliant Private Client doing to help policyholders in this market?   CZ: We are being proactive. We don’t wait to get non-renewal notices or other surprises. Our team is constantly on the lookout for unexpected solutions to lost coverage. MR: For instance, clients are becoming more comfortable with unregulated solutions, so that has allowed us to be more creative in our use of non-admitted options. And without being arrogant, the fact that we are one of the largest brokers in the country gives us significant clout among carriers who have begun to prioritize trading partners. We are also working more with different organizations, and sometimes even direct writers, to be able to offer solutions that make things easier for our clients. And what can clients do to make things easier on themselves?   MR: First and foremost, they need to recognize that it really is no longer a buyer’s market. These days, the priority is finding a suitable solution; pricing is secondary. Also, they should consider consolidating insurance solutions under one broker because carriers may, for example, be willing to take on your multi-million-dollar house in California’s brush territory if they are also insuring your less-expensive ranch in Idaho. You lose that benefit if you are dealing with multiple brokers. CZ: Also, when you get a bill, pay it on time. If you let your policy lapse, you might not be able to get it back. And be really thoughtful about making claims. Putting through even a $50,000 claim might hurt your premiums and renewal prospects. Be sure to discuss every potential claim with your broker first. Then they will help guide you on whether or not it’s in your best interest to put forth that claim. MR: And whenever you receive notice of a critical requirement—be it to trim brush or put in vents—follow through. Maybe you could ignore these in the past, but not anymore. Today, failure to comply might result in a policy cancellation. CZ: And lastly, of course, our clients should know that we are always here to help with questions and concerns about their risk management strategy. ...

A risk management guide for household employers

Your biggest treasures are in the hands of your household staff: the safety of your children, the security of your property and the privacy of your information. These employees are necessary and helpful but also a risk, be it from accidents, reckless behavior or bad intentions. While there is no way to minimize the concerns entirely, establishing clear communication, crisp policies and appropriate checks and balances can prevent, or at least decrease, most issues. We’ve created a checklist of important steps to head off problems with domestic employees. Step 1: Hire carefully • Do extensive background checks. For every potential employee— even part-time or temporary workers— you should initiate a pre-employment background check to investigate criminal records, driving violations, financial problems, etc. We recommend hiring an in-depth service that can provide an intensive historical dive compared to your typical investigation. For example, one client’s nanny candidate passed a basic background check of U.S. records, but a deeper inquiry found links to a foreign-born terrorist group. These background checks not only raise red-flags but could also help protect you if there is ever a liability suit. • Hold contractors to the same measures as full-time employees. Those workers hanging your art collection might also be sizing up your home for a break in. We recommend checking all workers out, whether they report to you or your contractor. Step 2: Train staff • Create an employee handbook. Putting important details in one place benefits all parties. It might seem trivial, but writing down rules and expectations can help you down the road, should someone violate them. • Empower employees to do the right thing. Give staff the knowledge on how to safely and effectively handle situations such as fires or weather incidents. This way, employees know how to properly protect themselves, family members, and, if there is time, art or other valuables. Also prepare them for less catastrophic problems such as red wine spills on your silk carpet. You may want to pay for training in key skills, like first aid for the nanny, defensive driving for the chauffeur, etc. Step 3: Set limits • Have employees drive your car, not theirs. Any staff member that regularly drives on your behalf should use a car that you own and insure. There are potential liability issues if they get into an accident in their car and are underinsured. But don’t forget to name him/her and all regular drivers on your policy. • Limit access to financial accounts and personal information. Give employees access to only as much information and authority as they need to do their jobs. Regularly review any bank and credit card accounts staff members use, and make sure they know you’re keeping a close eye. In addition, be careful about giving employees access to your email, especially if you use that account to send instructions to your banker or financial advisor. Create a procedure to verify any emailed transaction, such as requiring the banker to confirm instructions by phone. This can help reduce the chance of unauthorized bank transfers or cyber related losses. • Establish clear social media policies. Make sure staffers know what is okay to post, and what’s not. For example, do you want pictures of your house, children and vacation spots on their feeds? Consider asking them to share their social media handles to double check that they are complying with the rules you have put in place. Step 4: Get insured • Obtain workers’ compensation and employment practices insurance. Many states require you to carry workers’ compensation insurance. Even if your state doesn’t have those requirements, we recommend you obtain the proper coverage so employees are protected in the event they are injured on the job. Consider adding employment practices coverage to the basic workers’ comp policy to assist with liability from claims regarding discrimination, sexual harassment, and other workplace violations. Any workers who spend time on a boat or even on a dock may need special maritime workers compensation coverage, so ask your broker about proper coverage options. • Consider employee crime coverage. With your broker, explore whether you need a separate policy to cover cases of employee theft. This is usually obtained when staffers deal with finances or regularly handle your valuables. Some family cyber insurance policies will include coverage for computer theft by employees and other digital attacks. Step 5: Terminate relationships carefully • Take suspicions seriously. If you suspect improper behavior, speak with your financial advisors, attorney and insurance broker to be sure you are properly protected in all areas, if action is needed. • Consult your legal team before letting employees go. If you no longer want someone to work for you, call your lawyer first. In this litigious age, you don’t want to create new problems as you solve old ones. Following these steps can help establish both a foundation of trust and a series of smart checks and balances. Furthermore, if you have the right policies in place you can help ensure that each employee is properly protected which is an added, but important bonus. ...

Why fighting cybercrime is a family affair

Gather the family: It’s time to chat about cybersecurity.Today’s cyber risks are all too common and unfortunately, constantly morphing. From attacks and extortion to bullying and more, your family and property are likely at risk if you are on the internet. Last year, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center received a total of 301,580 complaints with reported losses exceeding $1.4 Billion. The biggest group of victims was people over 60 (49,523 of them lost $342 million), but more than 9,000 cybercrimes were reported with victims under the age of 20. So whether it’s your parents or your teenager, it takes the whole family to keep cybercriminals away. Those with substantial wealth and any degree of public prominence are generally the most attractive targets for the latest crop of techno-crooks. As such, personal cyber security policies are now as essential as home or automobile insurance. That’s why we urge clients to speak with us about resources for prevention, education and protection. But in case the gang is coming over for Sunday dinner, and you want to have this discussion sooner rather than later, these are the key areas to cover over the cornbread. Beware of (false) requests One of the fastest growing cybercrimes is called “social engineering” where crooks convince you to send them money by pretending to be someone you know. Often, they break into your email system to gather tidbits of personal information to make their appeals seem believable. Create a universally understood protocol before anyone in the family approves a money transfer, and make sure it involves face-to-face or voice verification. Don’t rely on email. Criminals can program automated responses from a hacked email account that seem realistic. Put an extra wall around your money Use unique passwords for each of your banks, investment companies and/or any account that could lead to a substantial loss. Similarly, consider using a separate email account just for communicating with your bank. Avoid conducting financial transactions on public Wi-Fi networks—while it’s getting harder to hack into data moving over Wi-Fi, it’s not impossible. Banking on your phone connected to cellular data is somewhat more secure. If anyone in your family is into Bitcoin or other crypto-currencies, they need to take extra security precautions. These systems turn money into unique code numbers and if they are stolen or lost, you can’t get them back. These losses are shockingly common. Use new ways to protect your passwords Lots of money is stolen by crooks who fool people into revealing their passwords. Remind family members to watch out for phishing emails from a “bank” or other site requesting information. Even better, make sure to enable the service that require you to log in both with your password and a code sent to your cell phone. Make your passwords really long. Never mind the old advice to make funny looking pA$$w0rdz with symbols and numbers. Many crooks use computers to guess all the possible passwords until one works. Foil this scheme by using a phrase of five or six words that you can remember. Normal spelling is fine. Use software that assigns a different password to each site you use, such as 1Password and Dashlane. That way if someone steals one password, they can’t get into any of your other accounts. Talk to your kids about their social interactions (and listen too) Watch for secret “ghost” apps that hide photos or videos in a calculator or enable private messaging. Listen carefully to your kids who are likely ahead of the trends! They may hear about other kinds of scams and technology problems that the whole family should be aware of. Today’s best policies assist with data restoration, credit monitoring and damages related to cyber bullying. Because cyber scams are evolving as fast as our devices (or faster!), it’s worth staying in regular touch with your Alliant Private Client account executive. Fortunately, the insurance industry is evolving right along with the criminals so those discussions will help to ensure your coverage is up to date. ...