Honoring National Hispanic Heritage Month

Every year, the U.S. observes National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 to appreciate the remarkable influence Hispanic and Latinx Americans have had on our country. September 15 is significant because it was the day when five Latin American countries earned their independence from Spain in 1821. This month, we have an opportunity to appreciate their histories, cultures and contributions.

According to the Census Bureau, as of 2020 the U.S. Hispanic population is about 62.6 million, “making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority”.

Resources to learn more:

23 Activities to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month: from podcasts and virtual tours to cooking classes and concerts, these are ideas for ways to recognize, understand and celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Building a Future for Hispanic Professionals in the Insurance Industry: Read this recent report regarding the journey of Hispanic insurance professionals published by Marsh and the Latin American Association of Insurance Agents (LAAIA).

15 Influential Hispanic Americans Who Made History: Explore the ways these Hispanic Americans have made their mark on the world.

Netflix and PBS: to celebrate and gain awareness of Hispanic and Latinx culture, consider exploring the wide-ranging collection of documentaries, films, and series on websites like Netflix and PBS.

Intact supports Barney and Barney Foundation at their annual fundraisers

Our employees from Technology, Ocean Marine, Inland Marine and Business Development teams are pleased to participate in the annual golf events being hosted by Barney and Barney Foundation! Our participation, which is sponsored by the Intact Charitable Trust, helps raise funds for several local nonprofit organizations.

B&B foundation is the charitable arm of Marsh & McLennan Agency, one of Intact’s largest producers in the California region. These events bring the insurance community together to network, celebrate and support great causes. This year, we sponsored the following three tournaments:

  • Orange County & Los Angeles Golf Classic in Dana Point, CA on August 25
  • Bay Area Golf Classic in Orinda, CA on September 12
  • Rock the Green Golf Classic in Poway, CA on October 27

Our sponsorship will benefit nonprofits like Project Access, Unlimited Possibilities, Free Arts, Kathy’s Legacy, Kitchens for Good, and the Lucky Duck Foundation.

For more details, visit the B&B website. Check out a picture of our employees teeing off at OC golf!

Gear up for peak hurricane season

The Atlantic Hurricane Season is nearing its peak time as we approach late summer and early fall. Though conditions have been in our favor till now, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) still expects an above-normal season in the coming months. To ensure you and your boat are protected, let’s take a look at some resources.

Preparedness for boaters

According to the National Hurricane Center, there is no single rule of thumb that can be used by mariners to ensure safe separation from a hurricane at sea. Instead, constant monitoring of potential hurricanes, risk analysis and basic guidelines are the best tools to minimize a hurricane’s impact to vessels at sea or in port.

Discover Boating provides a guide and checklist for boat owners to consider before, during and after a hurricane.

  • Stay informed and up-to-date on weather reports.
  • Keep important information such as insurance documents, registration, etc. in a secure location.
  • Develop a plan for how and when to move your boat inland.
  • If your boat cannot be moved, empty it, use fenders and tires to secure the boat, and drop an anchor.
  • Have an evacuation plan ready.

Forecasters at NOAA’s climate center predict a 65% chance of an above-average hurricane activity this year – which would make it the seventh consecutive above-average hurricane season. Keep the checklist handy to make sure you are always safe in the waters.

For more, check out “How to Prepare Your Boat for a Hurricane” offered by Boat Safe.

Jumpstart Party in a Box for Kids!

We’re always pleased to see our employees volunteering and giving back to the community. Our San Francisco office recently hosted a “Jumpstart Party in a Box” with Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation (IICF). Intact’s Martin Ogden, Quinn Englebert and Vanessa Cool participated in this volunteering initiative alongside industry peers from Ascot.

Jumpstart is a national early education organization founded in 1993 that provides language, literacy and social-emotional programs for preschool children from under-resourced communities. As part of Jumpstart’s Community Engagement Initiative, volunteers helped create a children’s Literacy Kit that includes activities for children that strengthen learning beyond the classroom.

For more information on Jumpstart, visit their website.

Intact Ocean Marine hosts Broker Appreciation Day

Our New England Ocean Marine team recently hosted a summer outing in Essex, Massachusetts for local producer partners.

The day started with a guided tour of the Essex Historical Society and Shipbuilding Museum located in the heart of the coastal town historically known for its shipbuilding trade. The museum was established in 1976 and exhibits rare and extensive archives of the local shipbuilding industry through antique shipwright tools, photographs, films and displays. After the museum, the group went for a two-hour lunch cruise on the Essex River that offered beautiful views of the quaint town.

Intact Ocean Marine’s President, Pat Hickey and National Product Line Director Hull & Liability, Sam Hellebush attended the event with Meredith Atwood, Regional President and her team of underwriters including Christopher Connolly, Chris O’Connell, Matt Pedersen and Dan Brown. The team had the opportunity to catch up and network with producers, and talk about the year ahead. Here are some pictures from the event: