Becky's Blog

Summer music and art camp for preschoolers!

Becky Reid (Canopy Insurance, LLC) — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:47:40 -0500

I just received the following note from a friend of mine from the Charlottesville area:

"I'm doing music and art camp (1/12 hours twice a week) for preschoolers. It's going to be a combination of music/art history and appreciation and related experiences and exploration. Introduction to different types of music and instruments and lots of movement. We'll be working lots of different techniques and mediums for art. $200 for 18 sessions which is almost cheaper than a babysitter! Please help me spread the word!"

Starting June 2 and running all summer - Tues and Thurs from 10-11:30 am

For more information, please contact Whitney at bscnme@yahoo.com or 434-882-7089

Canopy Insurance is open for business!

Becky Reid (Canopy Insurance, LLC) — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:01:38 -0500

Online simplicity, local support- the best of two worlds collide!

Serving the greater Charlottesville area specifically, and capable in many cases, of assisting clients throughout Virginia, Canopy Insurance uses the latest in technology to provide the ease of online transactions with the added benefit of support from a local agent. Canopy Insurance is an independent agency who has partnered with some of the industry's most respected companies to bring affordable and comprehensive products to our client base.

Previously, a consumer was forced to choose between the ease of purchasing auto insurance online, versus having the security of aligning with a knowledgeable, licensed professional to assist in important financial decisions. Although we recognize that it is critical to offer competively priced products, especially in these trying financial times, it is somewhat alarming that the public focus has shifted to finding the cheapest of the cheap. There are factors that are so much more important!

Is the company you've chosen financially stable? Are claims handled quickly and fairly? Is the billing process easy to understand? Are the liability levels you are carrying appropriate for your financial situation? Somehow the catchy slogans and talking spokescritters have simplified the concept of insurance. There are many nuances that only a licensed insurance agent would understand or recognize, and it takes a thorough interview process for this person to determine how best to meet your needs. Car insurance is only one aspect of your portfolio. There are so many more considerations! Homeowners insurance, umbrella policies, special floaters, health and life insurance; the list goes on and on! It takes years of experience and continuous training to have a clear picture of all the important pieces.

Canopy Insurance offers the ability to get an instant auto quote from many of our preliminary companies. Simply visit our informational page www.insurecharlottesville.com or our service module www.mycanopypolicy.com and follow the links! Your information will then be passed through to our agents so they can evaluate if you would qualify for other ultra preferred companies that must rely on agent recommendations. If you are in need of a quote for homeowners insurance, health insurance, life insurance, business insurance or the other numerous products we offer, simply submit the appropriate request form. Our agents will be alerted via our cell phones the instant you submit the form!

We also offer the ability to request many online changes, file a claim 24 hours a day, link to our partner companies to pay your bill online, and request proof of insurance. Our website is secure and ease to use.

Try us today! We would love to hear from you!

Clickerslickers now offers portable car jump starters!

Becky Reid (Canopy Insurance, LLC) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:39:38 -0500

Why risk getting stranded out at that desolate country property! Don't compromise your safety by having to rely on strangers for assistance!

The StartMeUp2 Emergency Jump Starter is a unique automobile safety product. The product allows the operator to jump start their weak battery without leaving the vehicle, raising the hood, fumbling with risky jumper cables or flagging down a stranger to beg for a jump. The unit will stay charged for over a year and can be stored in your glove box. Stay in your vehicle, safe and secure, plug the unit into the vehicle's cigarette lighter or power port; follow the instructions; wait 5 minutes then start your vehicle and drive away. It's that simple!

The product is designed to work on all 4, 6 and 8 cylinder gas powered cars, light trucks and SUVs which operate on a 12 volt electrical system. Will not work with diesel engines.

"Insurance" for your Toyota Prius smart key at clickerslickers.com

Becky Reid (Canopy Insurance, LLC) — Fri, 30 May 2008 07:59:18 -0500

We now offer an Extra Large Remote Tote to will fit the larger key fobs such as the Prius smart key. This is in response to growing requests from clients who have misplaced this device because there is no secure way to attach it to your key ring. Our product has heavy duty steel grommets and a strong key ring so that your smart key will be safe and secure. Believe me, you don't want to be faced with having to replace this device! A replacement smart key can run over $200!

clickerslickers.com now offering Remote Totes™ A super gift for your new or existing clients!

Becky Reid (Canopy Insurance, LLC) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 07:44:20 -0500

Those of you who know me well know that I'm quite type A and love to work! Since I tend to be a night owl and figure that most clients would prefer not to hear from me at midnight, I decided to start an ecommerce business that I can focus on in the evenings and on weekends.

My first website is www.clickerslickers.com and I was fortunate enough to become the USA online distributor for a simple, but ingenious little product; the Remote Tote.^TM

This elegant leather pouch is has been described by customers as being "The next best thing to sliced bread!". This truly is the case because it offers a stylish, effective solution to what can be a very expensive dilemma; a key fob or remote control that has broken and become detached from your key set!

Many people don't realize that a replacement remote for their car can cost from $150- $300, depending on the make of car. This is primarily because of the programming that is involved. In addition to the expense, a damaged keyless entry remote can in many cases leave you stranded. Many car alarms can be quite impossible to deal with without this electronic device.

Remote Totes^TM offer a simple solution to needing to buy a replacement remote. They come in an array of colors and can not only reattach a broken key fob, but also protect a new remote from wear and tear. Attach a charm with a logo or have your logo embossed on the back and you have an instant gift for clients that will keep ensure that your company name is with them everywhere they go!

This product is manufactured in the USA and is quickly gaining popularity throughout the country.

For more information, or to place an order please visit www.clickerslickers.com!

Canopy Insurance Website is live!

Becky Reid (Canopy Insurance, LLC) — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 16:36:14 -0600

Huge kudos go out to Darcey Ohlin of Watermark Design (www.designbywatermark.com) for my custom logos and beautiful new website! I absolutely love the color scheme and am really thankful that she was so patient and helpful during the time that I couldn't seem to make up my mind! There are still a few pages that we'll add some copy to once I find the time to focus on it, but I couldn't wait to get the site up and running 8^).

My new website can be viewed at www.insurecharlottesville.com

"Sheltering you from life's downfalls"

The really fun thing about the site is that if you look closely, there are words such as "fire", "theft" and "collision" raining down over the umbrella. Just a very nice touch by an extremely talented designer. Her overwhelming challenge was to make a dry topic a bit more interesting... since it's raining on my site, I think this goal was definitely accomplished! tee hee!

Local schools need assistance with Driver's Ed training!

Becky Reid (Canopy Insurance, LLC) — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:44:11 -0500

Due to budget cuts, there is an immediate need for volunteers to assist with the driving simulator portion of the driver's education classes in the Albemarle County School system. Initially, the organizers put out a plea to insurance agents, and a few of us have agreed to assist, but it would be nice to have a few more folks who could be called upon to cover all the dates and locations. If you'd like to speak with the organizer, contact me and I'll put you in touch with her... we sure would appreciate it!

Vacant house... what a grey area!

Becky Reid (Canopy Insurance, LLC) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 23:25:26 -0500

I'm increasingly uncomfortable with the grey area of how to define a truly "vacant house"; particularly in the current Real Estate market where it's taking longer for things to sell and often your client is forced to move and leave the house empty. In VA, a true Vacant house policy, even for a 1200 sq ft house, can run thousands and have 50, even 100% fully earned premium. I understand the risks, and I view water as a particularly alarming claim possibility (a broken pipe that went undiscovered for even 24 hours can do THOUSANDS of dollars of damage!) but I'm also trying to be as fair and helpful to my valued clients as I can while still being a responsible agent. How do you handle this in your agencies? Do you have guidelines that you try to adhere to or is it kind of a case by case thing? I've often marveled at how "secondary" houses don't seem to unnerve underwriters as much, but quite often they too sit empty for extended periods of time!

Horsing around in the Charlottesville area

Becky Reid (Canopy Insurance, LLC) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:58:40 -0500

If anyone has a son or daughter (or for that matter, any adult!) who is interested in showing horses on the weekends, we have a few more openings for students. Focus is on hunters and jumpers and we tend to have thoroughbreds, warmbloods and kids between the ages of 13-17 or adults. The farm is located in beautiful Cismont, Virginia and full board is available. It is also possible to meet us at the shows if you've already got horsey accomodations :). Riders that would be comfortable joining our team should already be jumping confidently and want to learn the finer aspects of successful showing. We go to local schooling shows throughout the area and focus on 6-8 key "A" shows each year. Two of my students are currently in the top rankings of the VHSA Associates program so we're really looking forward to finals this year!

Markets needed- Who are your favorites to work with in VA? Advice for a growing agency...

Becky Reid (Canopy Insurance, LLC) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:45:33 -0500

Hello all! I'm new to AR and would love some advice on ways to find markets for hard-to-place risks. I'm primarily a Farmers Insurance Agent, but I have a lot of clients that have needs that Farmers doesn't/can't offer and my contract allows me to broker outside business as long as Farmers gets first right of refusal.

I've owned an agency for about 8 years now and feel like I'm ready to tackle some of the more complex risks that I've passed on in the past. I'm located and licensed in VA and would love to some input on the ins and outs of the "independent" side of my business- what MGAs have been most helpful and welcoming to an agency who might not be able to guaranty a large premium base right away etc. Some of my areas of concern are E&O, Taxi drivers, Churches, Sports Bars, Garbage Trucks, Farms, large estates that have buildings that are out of the scope of a "typical" company, protection 10 homes, companies that would be willing to list bill rental properties that may not be in peak condition, a better solution for vacant houses... you know, all the things that make the typical underwriter shudder!! :)

I'd also love to know what software you've found the most helpful in your insurance businesses. Farmers has done a terrific job teaching me what I need to know on their side. I sure would love to learn more about what goes on in the world of independent agents! It's very important to me to be extremely knowledgable and aware of the "bigger picture" for the sake of my clients!

My final question is... if you had to warn me of one pitfall that I could encounter at this juncture in my business, what would that be? It would be nice to learn from other's mistakes or experiences! To give you a better feel, I currently have about 1800 policies in force and am a rather automated office with my own LAN, cordless headsets that can go 300 feet away from the desk, and most files kept digitally.

Thanks so much for any advice.....

I have the perfect mascot for this group!

Becky Reid (Canopy Insurance, LLC) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 21:16:32 -0500

Becky and Suki the Brussels Griffon

Pet Safety- Blue Green Algae and fish ponds and birds of prey taking small dogs

Becky Reid (Canopy Insurance, LLC) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:54:06 -0500

I recently installed a 2500 gallon fish pond and waterfall at my new house. Shortly thereafter I started hearing stories about dogs dying from exposure to certain types of algae blooms. Does anyone know if a UV clarifier that turns over 3500 gallons an hour would keep this problem from occurring? My dogs are very precious to me and really aren't allowed to run around unsupervised but now that I know this can be so deadly it's got me worried to let them go near my pond at all :(

There are a couple other warnings out there for you pet lovers that I want to make sure to share. I belong to an online community of Brussels Griffon owners and learned from some members that grapes and raisins can be fatal. Additionally, I want to make anyone out here who has never thought about it ACUTELY aware of just how dangerous birds of prey are for our tiny dogs. My smallest is less than 5 pounds so he would be an easy snack for an owl or hawk. In fact, I've heard of at LEAST 9 occurrences of small dogs being grabbed by hawks or owls; most commonly it's been a Pomeranian and a startling number of these situations have happened within 6 feet of the owner and occasionally while the dog is still leashed :( It's just something I never really thought about until after I had small dogs for a while so PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR PRECIOUS ONES!!

Here's my solution:

Inside, there is temperature control and no access to any household items that might be problematic

Then, when they want to, if it's nice outside, they can run through the wall to the outdoor doggy condo! It's completely covered so big birds can't get them and has an alarm system. Since this photo heavy rubber mats have been placed throughout with a small area remaining in gravel so the potty area can easily drain. There are also two great dane sized houses in the outside area in case it's a nice night to camp out!

If any of you are aware of other concerns or any inventive solutions that would help us keep our pets safe I sure would like to hear about them.....

Decorate your home while memorializing your favorite pet!

Becky Reid (Canopy Insurance, LLC) — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 20:32:10 -0500

Hi! I'm Becky and I'm new to this site! Though my "real" job is running an Insurance Agency in Charlottesville, Virginia I have a variety of interests that I pursue in my free time. I have always been an extreme animal lover and have been involved in showing horses most of my life. In addition, there's never been a time that I didn't collect critters like crazy and a few years ago, this led to a second business for me. You pet lovers out there know just how important the four leggers can become in our lives! I'm very pleased to have been given a gift that can forever help people memorialize their favorite fur kids.

These two examples are original paintings done from a photograph in soft pastels.

I take work on a commission basis and have sent pieces all over the united states :)

If you'd like to see some of my other pieces, visit: