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Close up of basketball being dunked through basket.

It’s time for March Madness!

There’s excitement in the air. Casual and avid basketball fans alike are tracking scores and watching their brackets closely. Underdogs are pulling off amazing upsets as Cinderella stories develop. No other time of year highlights basketball more. In fact, a 2018 survey found that the average employee spends six hours of work time on tournament-related activities, including, checking scores, peeking at highlights, examining their brackets, and talking to other employees about the games. It’s estimated that March Madness will cost businesses $16.3 billion due to reduced worker productivity in 2023.

And while playing basketball is a favorite pastime for many, it’s not without risk. A recent study found that between 2012 and 2021 emergency departments treated more than 4.4 million injuries that occurred while playing basketball. This was more than any other sport including football, gymnastics, wrestling, baseball, softball, and hockey. While a lot of these injuries were minor, many could’ve been prevented by taking simple precautions. Common injuries sustained in basketball include ankle and knee sprains, jammed fingers, bruises, cuts, and fractures.

Check out these great resources for more information on basketball safety, including tips for preventing and treating basketball injuries.

American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons: Basketball Injury Prevention

Seattle Children’s Hospital: Preventing and Treating Basketball Injuries

It’s not raining, but you may still want an umbrella

If you rely on your primary insurance coverage to respond to liability risks, you may not be adequately protected in the case of a lawsuit. Primary homeowners and auto insurance only cover you to a certain extent. A West Bend Personal Umbrella policy provides an additional layer of liability coverage over and above the limits provided by your Home and Highway® or West Bend Choice® policy.

Unfortunately, we live in a very litigious age, and we all have liability risks that are a part of our everyday lives. Simple exposures include:

Owning a home, dog, gun, swimming pool, or trampoline
Driving a car, motorcycle, boat, four-wheeler, or snowmobile
Hosting a party and serving alcohol to guests
Texting, tweeting, or blogging potentially inappropriate content

While these possessions and activities can provide great enjoyment, all of them have led to lawsuits with awards for large damages. Without proper liability coverage, a legal judgment could take away your savings, property, and even your future earnings.

You can also add the optional Uninsured and Underinsured motorist coverage to your Personal Umbrella. It provides you with additional bodily injury protection if you’re injured in an accident with an at-fault uninsured or underinsured motorist.

West Bend's Personal Umbrella limit starts at $1,000,000; however, higher limits are available. Your independent insurance agent can help determine the amount of coverage that's best for you and if you qualify for any discounts.

West Bend can insure your accounting business

Trustworthy. Customer service focused. Detail orientated. Knowledgeable. Ethical. These are all characteristics of successful accountants. As an accountant, you probably expect the same from the companies you do business with, including your insurance provider.

West Bend understands this and is committed to providing you with the same expertise and excellence you provide to your customers. Our skilled insurance professionals will work with you to design a comprehensive insurance program tailored specifically to your business needs. Our business insurance offerings include Property, General Liability, Business Technology, Errors and Omissions (E&O), Cyber, Crime, and more.

If something were to happen, you’ll receive professional and experienced customer service from our knowledgeable claims team. Knowing you’re protected by a West Bend insurance policy gives you peace of mind and allows you to focus on delivering superior service to your valued customers this busy tax season and year round.

Click here to learn more or contact one of our independent insurance agencies to get a quote.