Ryan & Ryan Insurance Broker's Client of the Month

Casa Villa

Casa Villa Mexican Restaurant, located at 395 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY has been owned by Jose Villa for the past 11 year. It has also been home to the annual Cinco De Mayo festival for over 15 years. Known for their Mexican features, their menu includes a variety of “must try” specialties including fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and “Paella De La Casa”. They also provide American and Italian cuisine such as steak, seafood, and ribs with a twist of Mexican flare.

Mr. Villa’s relationship with Bob Ryan originated when he owned his first restaurant, El Rodeo, almost 19 years ago.  Jose has continued that relationship as a customer of Ryan & Ryan Insurance Brokers.  

Internally at Ryan & Ryan Insurance Brokers, Jose is primarily assisted by Kim Whelan with most of his insurance affairs.  He compliments her on being very good at what she does and her willingness to always support him with all of his insurance issues and needs.  

Visit Casa Villa Mexican Restaurant the next time you have a craving for a margarita or one of their Mexican specialties.

 

Find them on Facebook @  Casa Villa or call to make a reservation at 331-7646.

This Month's Insurance Tip

Thwart Dog Bites

Did you know that dog bites cause over 2,000 injuries that require immediate medical care in the United States each day? You can be held legally liable if your dog bites someone. Fortunately, this loss is usually covered by the homeowners policy, with some exceptions. In fact, around 33 percent of all liability insurance claims paid by homeowners policies are for dog bites! Even if your insurance covers the claim (and any ensuing lawsuit), however, imagine the personal grief you and your family would feel for the injured friend, not to mention the time and trouble you would incur in cooperating with your insurer in defending the claim following a tragic event involving your pet.

Therefore, thwarting such an ill-fated occurrence should be your primary objective, and there are steps you can take to reduce or prevent dog bites. Here are some suggestions from the professionals.

• Consider dog breeds carefully prior to selecting a pet. Some breeds are more aggressive than others, and a veterinarian can help you decide which breeds might best fit your lifestyle.
• Spay or neuter the animal, as this often decreases the aggressiveness of dogs.
• Seek a veterinarian's advice quickly if your dog becomes aggressive.
• Socialize your dog from an early age to encourage appropriate behavior.
• Never leave dogs alone with small children.
• Avoid aggressive games with puppies and dogs, such as tug-of-war.
• Do not place your dog in situations where he or she can be teased or feel threatened.
• Train your dog to obey commands.
• If your dog does bite someone, a board-certified plastic surgeon should treat this person to minimize scarring and potential disfigurement. 

There is one other loss exposure concerning dogs you should consider. You may face liability claims if your dog gets out into the road and causes or contributes to an auto accident. You can be sued for violation of leash ordinances by allowing your dog to "run at large." Use a well-maintained and sturdy fence or other safeguards to reduce this exposure.

And if your dog does injure someone despite all your efforts to avoid it, report it to your insurance company immediately to assure your coverage is not jeopardized for late reporting.

Copyright 2016
International Risk Management Institute, Inc.

Ryan & Ryan Insurance Brokers Client of the Month

Hudson Valley Distillers

What did two fraternity brothers from Bloomsburg University fantasize about while vacationing together and enjoying some craft distilled spirits next to an open campfire?  Partnering and opening up their very own distillery, of course. And that’s exactly what Thomas Yozzo and Chris Moyer of Hudson Valley Distillers, our Client of the Month for May, did.  In 2013, Thomas, Chris, along with their two wives, Jennifer and Jennifer, purchased a small apple farm and apple orchard in Clermont, NY. They named it Spirits Grove Farm.  The property also came with a nursery, a house, a retail center, a 150 year old barn, four acre apple orchards, and four greenhouses.  The apple orchard is slowly being restored without the use of chemicals and the 150 year old barn has been renovated by both families. In April 2014, the renovated barn opened as the distillery for Hudson Valley Distillers.  The distillery includes a steam boiler, a 300 gallon still, and a 300 gallon mash tun, from Artisan Still design.   In 2015, when New York State Laws changed their laws for farm distilleries and allowed selling by the glass, Hudson Valley Distillers opened a new and exciting addition to the distillery, Cocktail Grove.  Cocktail Grove is an intimate and inviting space where friends and customers can gather to enjoy unique cocktails (made from the spirits created at Hudson Valley Distillers), and light local fare such as charcuterie, cheese, crackers, bread, and soup. A covered patio has been the most recent addition to Cocktail Grove.   Hudson Valley Distillers is a destination distillery offering tours, tastings, and bottle sales.  The current line up of spirits include Vodka, Applejack, and ‘Fine Shine’, all made from local apples.  They also have a gin made from New York grapes, and two whiskeys, one made from a locally produced beer and the other from a local rye.

There is often an interesting story to go along with how most clients find Bob Ryan, and Ryan and Ryan Insurance Brokers. Bob was not the first choice for Hudson Valley Distillers’ insurance. Tom and Chris actually have a fraternity brother who is also an insurance agent (“Sorry Bob, we hadn’t even met you when we first approached him.”), but he just couldn’t put a real plan together for Tom and Chris. They found out early on, in this burgeoning industry, you don’t want to have to train your insurance broker or banker, you need them to advise you.  Bob had distillery and winery clients prior to bringing Hudson Valley Distillers on and that was a real benefit for them. Tom and Chris signed on Ryan and Ryan from the day they bought their  farm in July 2013, and have been with them ever since.

“We deal with Ryan and Ryan on a regular basis.  A big part of our business is wine and beer fests and they all have differing insurance requirements.  We are constantly asking for Certificates of Insurance and Linda does a great job getting us what we need in a timely manner.  We try not to ask for a COI on Friday afternoon for a Saturday fest, but it’s happened and she has come through.  We also have arcane bonding requirements and no matter how esoteric my bonding requirements, Ryan and Ryan has a quick answer on how to handle it.  We’ll go directly to Bob for more generic business advice, such as guidance on whether it would be wise to start a shuttle service with our van (he recommended against it) or whether expanding into Kingston is a good idea.  Bob has also helped us get into events such as Benedictine Health Foundation’s Sample Sip and Savor and introduced us to  customers such as J&K Wine and Liquor.  You can’t quantify this type of benefit in terms of an insurance premium, but it is definitely a factor in why we stay with Ryan and Ryan.”   Chris also made sure to mention again that he had emailed Linda and left a voicemail for her with a COI request after business hours on Friday for a Saturday fest.  I’m not sure if she was in the office when I made the request, but sure enough, I had it later that evening.  I thought that was impressive customer service.      

Hudson Valley DIstillers is more than just a distillery, Come relax on the patio or lawn, enjoy a cocktail or tasting, or learn about the spirits production process with a tour.  Bring your entire family, children and dogs included, to Hudson Valley Distillers!  Located at 1727 Rte 9 in Clermont, New York, distillery hours are Friday - Sunday, 12-6 PM, for tours, tastings, and bottle sales.  Cocktail Grove is open Wednesday - Sunday, 3-7 PM.  Cocktail Grove is also available for private parties outside of normal business hours.  If you are interested in visiting the distillery, given them a call (518-537-6820), send them an email - info@hudsonvalleydistillers.com  or reserve on-line here: Online Reservations   Also, look for live music and events by visiting their website www.hudsonvalleydistillers.com.  

Liquor Liability Insurance & Why Would You Need It?

What is Liquor Liability Insurance and 

Why Do I Need it?

Any establishment that sells, serves, or assists in the purchase or use of liquor (i.e. dram shop) opens its doors for a liability claim as a consequence of someone getting drunk to the extent that injuries or property damages are the result. This includes restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and taverns. While it’s logical that the inebriated person should be the one to pay, in reality the business that served the alcohol could be liable for injuries, damages, or both that occurred as a result of actions, behaviors, or conduct of a patron who drank too much.

Take into Account the Following Scenarios

Liability claims made to a restaurant or bar as a result of damages or injuries caused by an intoxicated person can be quite costly. A common example of an alcohol-related claim occurs when an intoxicated patron leaves a bar, gets into his car, drives, and commits a vehicular manslaughter act. In this case, the victim’s family could now sue the bar for both civil and criminal damages. As another example, suppose at a catered event, a restaurant serves alcohol and two guests are subsequently involved in a fight, whereby serious injuries are incurred. These are just two of the many scenarios that can occur when a business that sells or serves alcohol may be held liable for the actions of the inebriated persons served.

Accordingly, it’s vital that if your establishment serves alcohol, you protect yourself from potential financial losses by being covered with a liquor liability policy. In the above examples, liquor liability insurance could help cover the bar’s legal costs, court fees, and any civil or criminal damages awarded.

Liquor Liability Insurance Policies

The terms surrounding of a liquor liability policy vary, but some commonalities ensue:

▪   Most states in the US require establishments that sell alcohol to carry liquor liability insurance.

▪   Most liquor liability insurance policies exclude the selling of alcohol illegally, such as selling liquor to a minor.

▪   Most liquor liability policies are sold as a stand alone policy or packaged with a general liability policy.

What Liquor Liability Insurance Covers

As might be expected, a good deal of alcohol-related liability claims filed against bars, taverns, and restaurants are a result of liquor-induced fights or altercations. In fact, the mere act of an employee escorting an unruly patron to the exit is frequently all that is necessary to trigger an assault and battery allegation. Therefore, assault and battery coverage should be included in your liquor liability policy. Lastly, litigation costs, including the fees to retain an attorney and court costs are covered under a liquor liability policy.

Take Appropriate Preventative Measures

Aside from investing in liquor liability insurance, establishments should be proactive in limiting their liquor-induced claims. From training employees to refuse serving alcohol to clearly intoxicated persons to requiring strict measuring of mixed drinks to encouraging designating drivers or taxi use, you can reduce your chances of having to deal with a liquor liability claim by implementing and enforcing safe alcohol serving practices.

What's New at Ryan & Ryan Insurance Brokers?

Congratulations!!!!

Kerri Letersky has recently been promoted to an Account Manager position.  Kerri previously worked as a receptionist at Ryan & Ryan for two and a half years.

Ryan & Ryan's Client of the Month for April 2016

The chances of hiring an architect may happen only once or twice in someone's life. Finding the right architect for your project, be it a building or home, expansion or renovation, is vital in the process. In Ulster County, some of the most recognized renovated buildings have our Client of the Month, Dutton Architecture, PLLC, written all over them. Dutton Architecture, PLLC, owned by Scott Dutton and started in 1997, is now comprised of seven employees. It is a full service, progressive, architectural firm that provides comprehensive professional services for design, planning, and project development for both commercial and residential sites.  Originally from Maine, Scott fell in love with the Hudson Valley and made Kingston his home by purchasing and renovating the former Canfield Supply warehouse building on Broadway.  That 28,000 sf building is now the home and office of Dutton Architecture, PLLC.

Dutton Architecture has an extensive list of projects in their portfolio some of which include Kingston Health Pavilion, Rondout Lighthouse, Mother Earth’s Storehouse, Mariner’s Harbor,  The Ulster County Community Center, and the HealthAlliance Center for Breast Health.  The most recent masterpiece by Dutton Architecture, Pllc has been the renovation of the 55,000 sf  U.S.Lace Curtain Mill Factory which had laid dormant for 30+ years in Midtown Kingston.  The historic structure was renovated into 55 units of beautiful Artist lofts, a public gallery, studio space, and a meeting place.

When asked about the key to his company's success, Scott Dutton said,  “We are extremely client-centered. It’s not uncommon for us to be here late into the night or weekends.”  It may sound cliche, but Scott honestly believes in just a few very basic principles; Treat every client the way you would want to be treated even if that goes beyond the bottom line. A client that has chosen to trust him with their project is the best advertisement dollar he could spend.  Scott can vouch that he and Bob Ryan share the same philosophy in that regard.  Bob and I both know that our clients have many choices and we both believe strongly that every client, no matter how small or large, is someone placing their trust in us.  At Dutton Architecture, PLLC, we try and help each client navigate the process by putting ourselves in their shoes. We treat their budget, schedule, and design goal as if it were our own.  The same can be said for helping clients with their insurance needs. Bob and his team have been there for us since early on. Ryan and Ryan Insurance Brokers has assisted us through major changes in health care insurance that impacts our family as well as those of our employees, risk management on the commercial buildings that we own, life insurance, and coverage for our company and personal automobiles.

When asked about a specific moment he could relay about his insurance experiences with Bob and Ryan & Ryan Insurance, Scott responded that it is easy to be cynical about the insurance carriers and assume the worst when dealing with an insurance situation. Last year, Bob proved to me that cultural stereotype about insurance companies is, in fact, inaccurate.   I called to ask “what happens now” after a catastrophic loss.  Scott will never forget Bob’s reply after his inquired, of course assuming the worst, about a drawn out negotiation with the insurance company and/or a disappointing settlement.  Bob’s response was, “Now hold on just a minute, Mr. Dutton. Don’t assume anything. We’ve got you with a very good company and I have no doubt that they will be fair to you.  Just be patient and let me take care of it”  Scott states,and that is exactly what Bob did. A few weeks later, he was pleasantly surprised and happy to have been proven wrong, something Bob likes to remind him of with a good hearted jab every so often when he sees him.

For more information about Dutton Architecture, PLLC visit their website by clicking here or contact Scott Dutton, 15 Canfield St., Kingston, NY 12401, 845.339.2039

The Lace Mill, our Client of the Month for March

The 55,000 sq. ft. former United States Lace Curtain Mill, built in c.1903, was once part of Kingston’s thriving textile manufacturing industry, which boomed at the turn of the 20^th century.  It employed hundreds of Kingston residents over several generations.  The factory, which sat unused for nearly 30 years, was once an eyesore for midtown Kingston.

Today, it has become a symbol of community rejuvenation, having an impact far beyond the 55 units that were created. This historic structure which had been left vacant  for years now offers a beautiful place for artists to live. Kevin O’Connor, RUPCO’s Chief Executive Officer, stated in Affordable Housing Finance,  “It was about lifting a community and creating a much more interesting place where people can live and work.”  The development also has 8,000 sq. ft. of public gallery, studio, and meeting space.

The project was lead by RUPCO’s CEO, Kevin O’Connor, who envisioned a project such as this would significantly impact the community.  With help from RUPCO colleagues Chuck Snyder and Guy Kempe, architect Scott Dutton, community involvement from City of  Kingston Mayor Shayne Gallo and others, the vision started to become a reality. On April 1, 2014  a celebratory kick-off ‘Paint Can Opening’ took place.  Restoration had already begun when more than 200 attendees toured and viewed architectural renderings of the completed project.

Fifteen months later, occupancy of some of the units began, and by the fall of 2015, the labor-intensive historical restoration was complete.  

As of October 2015, The Lace Mill was home to the ‘Urban Pioneers’ and the first residents with units leased to 34 households, 56 individuals whose ethnic/cultural identity includes, Hispanic, Non-Hispanic, Multi-Race, African American, Asian and Caucasian, including 9 children and 5 seniors.  These residents are dancers, graphic designers, film & media, jewelry makers, painters, photographers, crocheters, puppeteers, therapist in healing arts, sculptors, drawers, singers, musicians, writers, printmakers and actors.

Most recently, New York Regional Home Performance Conference in Saratoga Springs,  NYSERDA honored the Lace Mill with its Low-rise Residential New Construction Program Trailblazing Project Award. Each year NYSERDA recognizes projects of merit innovative approaches to energy efficiency, usage, and application.  The Lace Mill hosts Kingston’s largest solar array (160kW) which net-meters rooftop solar-electricity production against the building’s common area energy usage.

Several  RUPCO employees asked about the business relationship and communication with Ryan & Ryan Insurance offered many positive thoughts.  Chuck Snyder, Director of Real Estate and Construction, commented that “RUPCO has been using Ryan & Ryan as our primary development insurer for at least 5 years.  Although we often have issues, Bob and Kim Whalen always advocate for us and as a client treat us as their first priority.”

Sheila Kilpatrick, Vice President of Operations stated “Recently, we were faced with our workers compensation carrier dropping us with little notice.  Bob Ryan put in a significant amount of effort to make sure we had coverage by the first of the year.  He sent out several bids on our behalf.  Ultimately, we did not end up going with the insurance that Bob was able to find us, but even after all of his effort he was very gracious and understood our financial decision to go down another path.  He is a class act!”

Regarding Ryan & Ryan Insurances Community Involvement,  Tara Collins, Director of Communications and Resource Development at RUPCO says ‘R&R has been a consistent supporter of our events throughout the years and for that we’re grateful!’