Audits seem scary, but they can help businesses.

The word "audit" is a small word that creates big feelings in people. Often, it conjures images of wrongdoing, and consequences. However, what if those consequences were actually helpful? Let's explore the benefits of audits, and how they help Commercial Insurance policy holders.

Audits...Full story

Why are my rates increasing? It’s what everyone is asking, it’s what everyone is Googling. Hastings Mutual wants to have a very transparent conversation about what’s happening.

Insurance rates are incredibly complicated. At Hastings Mutual, we believe you have the right to know more about rate changes, especially increases.

We...Full story

What is Work Comp? Everyone seems to have an idea of what it is, but does anyone really know what it is? Great news! Hastings Mutual is here to help! Work Comp, formally known as Workers’ Compensation, is a form of Commercial insurance carried by most businesses, designed to...Full story

We’ve all seen the billboards about not texting and driving, and studied the lesson in our drivers’ education courses. However, while we’ve all heard of the dangers of texting and driving, distracted driving goes so much further than just texting. Since April is National Distracted Driving Awareness month, we...Full story

From not being able to purchase a life insurance policy on themselves, in 1841, to making up half of the industry today, what a remarkable journey women had. While progress is happening, it is slow. The Daily Report advises that it wasn’t until 1961 that the United States saw...Full story

Pop culture often has obscure references to Insurance careers, usually as the mysterious profession of a parent or grandparent (Richard Gilmore, from the “Gilmore Girls” anyone??). However, the Insurance industry actually employs more people (in America) than Google, Facebook, Apple, Twitter, and Yahoo! combined, according to PropertyCasualty360. What does this...Full story

If you’re in the computer business, you’re immediately familiar with the acronym “MFA.” If not, you’ve probably heard the term “multi-factor authentication” at some point. You might have had to take part in multi-factor authentication the last time you logged in at work, for...Full story

A big part of insurance isn’t simply putting together an insurance policy or trying to make a sale. It’s reducing risk. If you’re driving safely, using appliances in your house by following the manufacturer’s instructions, and keeping your surroundings clean, there is less of...Full story

The Hastings Mutual Insurance Company Charitable Foundation recognizes the contributions of nonprofit organizations in the communities we serve. Each month, we’ll honor one of those organizations as our Nonprofit of the Month.

St. Martin’s Healthcare is the...Full story

This weekend is the series of shopping-related “special days” that some shoppers and retailers hold to, while others ignore entirely. There’s Black Friday for huge deals on big-ticket items (and huge crowds early in the morning) and Cyber Monday for online shopping. In between...Full story

Fortunately for me, I have never had to return to work after a serious injury. But it happens to many people every year (it’s part of what FMLA, or the Family Medical Leave Act, is for). Even if you’ve been preparing for your return...Full story

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are often seen in two places:

1. A big backyard, where they’re fun to drive around and get a little muddy.
2. A farm, where they’re used to haul small loads and get people from place to place quickly.

Of course, they’re found...Full story

There are a lot of vehicles on the road every single day, and if you’re driving a vehicle owned by your company, you have two audiences to keep in mind. You want to make sure you and any of your passengers are safe. And you also ...Full story

It’s called a “bundle,” and it can save you money. Having a Hastings Mutual Homeowners policy, a Personal Auto policy, and a Personal Lines Umbrella policy can help protect you and your family. Having more than one is a bundle. At Hastings Mutual, it means you’re eligible...Full story

November is Drowsy Driving Prevention Month, which makes a lot of sense — it’s when the time change happens, and the days get shorter. But schedules remain the same, and tiredness behind the wheel can be dangerous or even fatal.

The National Highway Traffic Safety...Full story

If you’re reading this blog post, you probably use email. It might be at your job, to communicate with co-workers on the other side of the building or the other side of the country. Or it could be at home, with family and friends. ...Full story

Even if you’re working on a completely organic farm, you’re using chemicals in and around your fields. It’s probably possible to operate without any hazardous chemicals of any kind, but it’s a difficult task in what is already a difficult line...Full story

At Hastings Mutual, insurance is discussed every single day — it’s the business the company is in, after all. But if you’re like most people, you only think about insurance a few times a year: if tragedy strikes and there’s a need to file...Full story

Since I started at Hastings Mutual, I have seen several people retire from the company. That’s no surprise; most people retire from the workforce eventually. But it always is kind of a loss — each person has a unique voice and way of looking ...Full story