Welcome to Spring business owners! This is the tenth edition of the Johnsonese Brokerage Insurance Newsletter for Creative Businesses. The goal of our quarterly newsletter is to provide useful information about insurance to independent creative businesses .
This week you can visit us in person at the 9th Annual Creative Chicago Expo. See below for details. And follow-us on Facebook for updates on insurance info for small business between our quarterly newsletters.
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Chicago Flower Shop Clerk Stabbed During Robbery | |
Last month an unarmed man entered a flower shop in Chicago's fashionable Wicker Park neighborhood and demanded money. He used a note to announce the robbery, according to police.
The woman working behind the counter resisted, and the man picked up a scissors or shears inside the shop and slashed her face, police reported. She locked herself inside a bathroom, and the robber used the handle of a mop to bang on the door while "trying to get at her''. He gave up, grabbed some cash and an iPod, police said. Luckily, her injuries were not life threatening.
Police said the robbery appeared to be a random "crime of opportunity''.
-Chicago Tribune, February 22, 2012
This article illustrates unfortunately that the risk of crime is present in all neighborhoods and even for the smallest businesses. It also illustrates the importance of employee training for all sizes of business.
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Burglars Steal Hair from Georgia Salon | |
Three men broke into a Georgia beauty salon in late December and got away with more than $8,000 in hair weave products. The crime definitely seemed planned since surveillance tape showed the three get out of the car, open the trunk, and remove a large rock. The tape also showed the suspects run behind the counter, grab the hair products and a laptop computer, and exit through the door.
-Rockdale Citizen, December 29, 2011
As this article demonstrates, all types of businesses can be targeted by criminals.
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'Dumb' Arsonist Destroys Washington Hair Salon |
 A small town salon in Washington State was nearly destroyed by arson just before the holidays. The owner thinks she was targeted by mistake. The salon is located next door to the local police department.
Firefighters say someone started the fire at the back door, and investigators immediately ruled the damaging blaze arson. There's now a $10,000 reward being offered for information leading to an arrest or a conviction.
This isn't the first time that the hair salon's owner has had to deal with back-door vandalism. "I came to work one day and there was graffiti about the pigs and stuff on my back door, and I thought, 'You idiots ... you're at the wrong door,'" she said.
Restoration and insurance teams are already on the job, working to get the salon back in business.
-KOMO News, December 19, 2011
You can never anticipate all the motives of potential criminals, let alone criminals' mistakes, that could be devastating to your business.
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Chicago Area Leads Nation in Copper Thefts |
The Chicago Tribune reports that the Chicago area leadsthe nation in insurance claims related to thefts of copper and other metals. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, the Chicago area had 42 more claims than were generated in the New York and northern New Jersey region, which ranked No. 2.
From Jan. 1, 2009, through 2011 claims were up 81% nationwide. The increase was driven by rising prices for metals, especially copper. And not only is the frequency of thefts increasing, but thieves also are becoming more brazen. A recent theft of copper wiring at an airport in Modesto, California, for example, blacked out runway approach lights.
-Chicago Tribune, March 8, 2012
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Upcoming Event: Creative Chicgao Expo 2012 | |
 For the third year running, Johnsonese Brokerage will have a booth at the Creative Chicago Expo.
Please join us March 23-24, 10am - 4pm for the two-day 9th Annual Creative Chicago Expo at the historic Chicago Cultural Center! This event brings together hundreds of arts organizations and thousands of artists across disciplines to connect, exchange information and share best practices. Admission is free--bring a friend!
Please stop by our booth with your insurance questions.
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The Johnsonese Brokerage can assist you with most of your business insurance needs. To get started immediately call 773.857.0242 or Email info@johnsonese.com. Christopher Johnson (dba Johnsonese Insurance Agency LLC in CA) insurance for creative businesses
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About the Johnsonese Brokerage |
The Johnsonese Brokerage LLC is a licensed and bonded independent insurance agency focused on insuring independent creative businesses.
Who we insure:
- Advertising Agencies
- Architects & Interior Designers
- Boutiques
- Event Planners
- Fashion Designers
- Florists
- Furniture & Design Dealers
- Graphics Designers
- Hair & Nail Salons
- Musical Instrument Dealers
- Photographers
- Pop-up Stores
- Publishers
- Restaurants
- Specialty Retail
- Special Events
- Spas
- Tailors
- Travel Agencies
- Videographers
- Wedding Planners
We are licensed in the states of Arizona, California (license #0H55862), Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Wisconsin.
How are we doing? Your feedback is always welcome!
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Common Insurance Terms
For property insurance policies we are required to determine the "construction type" of the building where your business is based. The options typcially are:
1. Frame
Primarily made with wood frames and joists
2. Joisted Masonry
Exterior walls are brick/ concrete/ stone but roof and floors are wood.
3. Light Non-Combustible
Exterior walls of light metal or other non-combustible material and with non-combustible floors and roofs
4. Masonry Non-Combustible
Exterior walls of masonry material and with non-combustible or slow burning floors and roofs
5. Modified Fire Resistive
Combustible materials have a fire-resistance rating less than two hours but not less than one hour
6. Fire Resistive
Combustible materials must have a fire-resistance rating of at least two hours |
We Are a Trusted Choice ® Agency
Trusted Choice® agencies are insurance firms whose access to multiple companies and commitment to quality service enable us to offer our clients competitive pricing, a broad choice of products and unparalleled advocacy.
"You need an independent insurance agent"
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Our Business Partners
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AmWins -
AXA -
Berkley -
Chubb -
CNA -
Hartford -
Insurance Noodle -
Markel -
Philadelphia -
Risk Placement Services
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We Appreciate Referrals!
As a service business, referrals are our biggest source of new clients.
If you know of any other business needing insurance, please let us know. We promise to give them the same personal and professional service that you've come to expect from the Johnsonese Brokerage. |
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