Category: Insurance

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Claims Concierge Insurance Small Business General

Tornado Preparedness Tips Supported by Gild’s Claims Concierge

Tornado season doesn’t wait, and when one hits, you may only have minutes to react. These powerful storms can tear through communities with little warning, leaving behind shattered buildings, lost inventory, and halted operations. That’s why preparation isn’t optional; it’s essential.

In this blog, we’re sharing the tornado preparedness tips every business owner needs now, plus how Gild’s Claims Concierge can help you recover faster if disaster strikes. Our support is fast, personal, and free even if you’re not currently insured with Gild.

Why Tornado Preparedness Requires a Different Plan

Unlike hurricanes or snowstorms, tornadoes can touch down with almost no warning. The aftermath is often total: damaged roofs, shattered windows, and complete business shutdowns.

According to the National Weather Service, tornadoes cause more than $10 billion in damage annually. Business owners must prepare not only to survive the storm—but to recover quickly afterward.

That’s why combining tornado preparedness tips with Gild’s Claims Concierge makes all the difference.

Tornado Preparedness Tips Every Business Should Follow

A solid plan doesn’t need to be complex. It just needs to be ready.

Here are the essentials:

  • Designate a safe room in your building and train staff to access it
  • Keep an offsite or cloud-based backup of all critical documents
  • Photograph your building, equipment, and inventory ahead of time
  • Store an emergency contact sheet in both print and digital form
  • Identify alternative work locations in case of major damage

These tornado preparedness tips can help reduce losses and stress. Especially when paired with a responsive claims strategy.

How Gild’s Claims Concierge Helps After a Tornado

Even with the best plan, recovery takes work, and most business owners aren’t equipped to handle it alone. That’s where Gild’s Claims Concierge steps in.

Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Sign Up for Claims Support and Tornado Preparedness Tips

Fill out a short form to contact a claims advisor who will guide you through your next steps. 

Step 2: We Handle the Hard Part

Gild works directly with your insurance company and adjusters, so you don’t have to.

Step 3: Immediate Action

Once your claim is approved, repairs begin, often before your insurance check arrives.

Step 4: Real-Time Updates

You’ll stay informed through the entire process via text, call, or email.

What Makes Our Tornado Claims Support Different

Most insurers make you navigate complex forms, vague timelines, and unresponsive service. Gild does it differently.

With Gild’s Claims Concierge, you get:

  • Fast, free help—available to non-policyholders
  • Pre-vetted contractors ready to start repairs
  • Claim advocacy to help prevent delays or underpayment
  • A personal point of contact from start to finish

We combine tornado preparedness tips with real recovery action, so you don’t face this alone.

Tornado Preparedness Tips Are Just the Start and We’ll Handle the Rest

No amount of preparation can stop a tornado, but it can drastically change the outcome. Gild’s Claims Concierge bridges the gap between damage and recovery, ensuring you have the tools and support to move forward.

Looking to prepare for more than just tornadoes? Check out our blog “Storm Preparedness Tips and Fast Support from Gild’s Claims Concierge,” for guidance on handling other seasonal risks.

Be Ready for the Next Tornado Before It Hits

When a tornado is in the forecast, it’s too late to start planning. At Gild, we make it easy to take action now—before disaster strikes.

📝 Sign up for Gild’s Claims Concierge to get fast, personalized support if your business is hit.

📞 Schedule a time to talk to a Gild agent about your current coverage and fill in any gaps before the next storm rolls through.

🚨 Ready to get a quote now? Click here.

We’re here to protect what you’ve built and help you rebuild when it matters most.

Contractor and Claims related program, products and services are provided by and through C-Setter, Inc., dba Claimsetter

Categories
Insurance

Smart Ways to Manage Florida Gift Shop Tariffs Now

Business owner thinking about Florida gift shop tariffs

Tariff pressure is mounting, and Florida’s gift shops are caught in the crosshairs. From coastal boutiques to theme park souvenir stands, many small retailers rely on imported inventory, especially novelty, seasonal, and custom-branded items. But with Florida gift shop tariffs rising on imports from China and Mexico, your costs could spike before you even restock.

At Gild Insurance, we help retail owners understand these risks and insure against them. More than just paperwork, insurance is part of a broader risk strategy, and it starts with knowing how tariffs threaten your margins and what to do next.

Florida Gift Shop Tariffs: What’s Changing

Tariffs are no longer an abstract trade issue; they’re a direct hit to your bottom line. In 2024, Florida imported approximately $117 billion in commodities, excluding goods transported from other states, making it the 10th largest importer in the U.S.

Key imports affected:

  • Plush toys and stuffed animals
  • Ceramic mugs, magnets, and decor
  • Branded apparel and accessories
  • Seasonal novelties (e.g., holiday merchandise)

Rising costs aren’t just shipping. They ripple into pricing, purchasing, and profitability. If your suppliers raise rates or delay fulfillment, you could be left scrambling during peak seasons.

Tip: Use our Survive Tariffs Runbook to review which categories are most at risk and how to proactively manage vendor contracts and stocking cycles.

Don’t Absorb the Costs—Manage Them Strategically

Facing tariff-driven increases? Here’s how Florida gift shops can respond:

1. Reassess inventory mix: Shift toward U.S.-sourced or tariff-free suppliers where possible. Negotiate for longer lead times or volume discounts.

2. Protect your shipments: Delays, damage, and loss are more painful when costs are high. Gild’s shipment protection coverage ensures peace of mind every time goods are in transit.

3. Lock in business income protection: If tariffs create product shortages or unexpected closures, business interruption insurance can help you recover lost revenue.

4. Build a better buffer: Start thinking in terms of risk layers: inventory risk, supplier risk, and liability risk. Our Survive Tariffs Runbook helps you map this out in a single page.

When you understand the full picture, you can insure smarter—not more.

Why Insurance Matters When Florida Gift Shop Tariffs Rise

When Florida gift shop tariffs rise, you don’t just face higher prices; you face increased exposure. A delay in one shipment can cascade into missed sales, frustrated customers, and even long-term reputational damage. That’s where Gild Insurance steps in.

Our tailored policies can help gift shop owners:

  • Cover lost revenue during seasonal disruptions
  • Protect goods in transit with cargo or inland marine coverage
  • Bundle liability, property, and interruption coverage under a single quote

And if a storm or theft adds fuel to the fire? Gild’s Claims Concierge service steps in fast for property claims, helping you rebuild with licensed contractors and streamlined documentation. That’s one less thing on your plate when the market is already tight.

Next Steps: Plan Smarter and Insure with Gild

Tariffs may be unpredictable, but your response doesn’t have to be. The best Florida gift shops know that risk planning is part of doing business—not a last-minute reaction.

  • Download our Survive Tariffs Runbook
  • Talk to a Gild agent about bundling business insurance
  • Explore shipment protection and income loss policies

Florida gift shop tariffs aren’t going away but with the right support, they don’t have to sink your business.

👉 Get a quote online or schedule a call today to build your protection plan.

Categories
Insurance Partners Small Business General

Gild Insurance Partners with Corpay: A Smarter Way to Spend

A person paying with a credit card showing that Gild Insurance Partners With Corpay

At Gild Insurance, we’re always looking for ways to help small business owners protect what they’ve built and power what’s next. That’s why we’re excited to announce: Gild Insurance partners with Corpay, a global leader in spend management, to bring Gilders early access to the Corpay World Elite Mastercard®.

This premium business card is more than just a payment method. It’s a growth engine built specifically for small business owners offering cashback rewards, global purchasing power, and mobile-first spend management that keeps your finances as agile as your operations.

What Happens When Gild Insurance Partners with Corpay? A Smarter Business Card Is Born

Now available through Gild, the Corpay World Elite Mastercard® is designed to help small businesses scale smarter. With no annual fees and 1.5% cashback on every purchase, the card delivers value with every swipe. It also includes:

  • 1.5% cashback on all purchases
  • No annual fees for primary or authorized users
  • Real-time spend tracking
  • Customizable controls and alerts
  • Access to 1,500+ airport lounges through Priority Pass™
  • Global acceptance at 100M+ merchants
  • Fraud protection and paperless expense management

From managing job site expenses to booking last-minute travel, this card simplifies your operations and delivers rewards with every transaction.

Why Gilders Love It

This partnership brings more than just convenience; it’s about access. Many small business owners struggle to find credit options that actually meet their needs. With Corpay, Gilders can streamline how they spend, manage cash flow more effectively, and track every expense from a single, mobile-friendly platform.

By integrating the Corpay World Elite Mastercard® into our ecosystem of insurance, payroll, legal, and financial tools, Gild Insurance continues to deliver on its promise: helping business owners build stronger, more resilient operations, without added complexity.

About the Partnership

Gild Insurance partners with Corpay as part of our broader commitment to simplifying business ownership through smarter tools and trusted partners. From affordable insurance to business banking, legal support, and now spend management Gild Insurance helps you move forward with confidence.

Be the First with Access

We’re proud to bring this opportunity to Gilders before it becomes widely available. To learn more or get started, simply fill out this form and a dedicated Corpay specialist will follow up with the next steps.

👉 Be the First with Access to the Corpay World Elite Mastercard® now → https://yourgild.com/small-business-credit-card

Disclosure: Gild only features partners we value. Occasionally, if you directly purchase a product from a featured partner, Gild Insurance Agency may earn a referral fee. 

Categories
Insurance Small Business General Tariffs

Surviving Texas Small Business Tariffs

Tariffs are tightening the squeeze on small businesses in Texas. For retailers in sporting goods, toys, and home goods, the pressure is building fast. In 2023, Texas imported $92 billion worth of goods from China and $107 billion from Mexico, but with Texas small business tariffs now hitting both sources, costs are rising, and margins are shrinking

Whether you’re managing tight inventory or trying to stay competitive against big-box retailers, the trade landscape is shifting—and fast. At Gild Insurance, we’re here to help you face it head-on with the tools, protection, and practical strategies outlined in our Survive Tariffs runbook to help your business stay resilient.

Let’s take a closer look at how Texas small business tariffs are affecting retailers and what you can do right now to reduce your risk.

The Real Impact of Texas Small Business Tariffs on Retailers

Retailers importing products like yoga mats, dumbbells, or children’s toys are facing an uphill battle. Tariffs on Chinese imports have fluctuated significantly, at times reaching levels that substantially increase costs—particularly for small businesses that lack the purchasing power and profit margins of larger competitors. Even at the low end, Chinese tariffs remain above 30%. 

Many are also grappling with supply chain slowdowns at Gulf Coast ports, making restocking difficult and expensive. And in regions near the border, price-sensitive customers are shopping in Mexico, adding another layer of competition that favors big-box stores.

For small businesses in cities like Houston and Dallas, where they play a vital economic role, these tariffs are not just a nuisance—they’re a threat to survival.

3 Ways Texas Retailers Can Stay Resilient

If you’re in retail—especially in toys, sporting goods, or home décor—here are a few actionable strategies to consider:

  • Diversify Sourcing: Shift more of your imports to Mexico or other tariff-exempt countries to reduce reliance on Chinese goods.
  • Blend Domestic Inventory: Integrate U.S.-made products into your offerings. They may have higher sticker prices but can offer stability and branding advantages.
  • Adopt Lean Inventory Practices: Use just-in-time inventory systems and smarter demand forecasting to avoid tying up cash in overstocked, high-tariff goods.

These tactics won’t eliminate risk but they will give your business more control in an unpredictable environment.

How Inland Marine Insurance Helps You Handle Texas Small Business Tariffs

When importing goods or managing a mobile inventory, there’s one more step you can take to shield your business: Inland Marine Insurance.

Unlike standard property policies, Inland Marine Insurance covers:

  • Goods in transit
  • Inventory stored offsite
  • High-value movable property

If a shipment is delayed, damaged, or stolen on its way to your retail floor, you’ll be glad to have this extra layer of protection. And in the current tariff climate, that peace of mind is worth its weight in gold. Schedule a time to talk to an agent and get the protection your business deserves

Stay Protected with Gild Insurance

While you can’t control international trade policy, you can control how you protect your inventory and manage your risk. At Gild Insurance, we specialize in helping small businesses like yours stay resilient through changing times—with insurance solutions that work the way you do.

Want to learn more?

👉Download the Tariffs Runbook today to stay informed, stay protected, and stay ahead. 

👉Want personalized help? Schedule a call with Gild Insurance and discover smarter ways to protect your business—now and into the future 

Categories
Insurance Small Business General Tariffs

California Retailers: How to Stay Afloat with Tariffs

The Liberation Day tariffs are reshaping the retail landscape—and for California retailers, the impact is immediate. Rising import costs, shipment delays, and shrinking margins are hitting businesses from all sides, from e-commerce giants to boutique apparel shops.

According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, approximately 40% of U.S. containerized imports move through California ports, with China accounting for $144 billion in trade through the state in 2023 (USTR). The result? California retailers tariffs are now driving up product prices by 10–30%, slowing shipments by weeks, and forcing urgent changes to sourcing, pricing, and supply chain strategies.

At Gild Insurance, we help retailers adapt to uncertainty with smarter protection strategies, flexible insurance coverage, and practical business guidance. Below, we break down the risks California retailers face and what you can do to stay ahead.

How California Retailers Tariffs Are Disrupting the Supply Chain

Real-time data shows California retailers are being squeezed from both ends: rising import costs and declining consumer spending. Here’s how it’s unfolding:

  • Heavy import reliance: The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach handle over 40% of U.S. containerized imports, making California retailers especially vulnerable to global trade disruption (LAEDC).
  • Industry vulnerability: Tariffs on key goods like apparel and electronics are driving up costs significantly. According to the Consumer Technology Association, tariffs could raise laptop and tablet prices by up to 46%, and smartphones by 26%. Apparel has seen price increases of over 17% in some categories (CTA, Yale Budget Lab).
  • Cash flow risk: SBA data shows 20% of small firms have fewer than 90 days of cash reserves, putting them at risk of insolvency by Q3 2025 if cost pressures continue (SBA).
  • Port delays: Ongoing congestion at California’s major ports is contributing to 2–4 week shipment delays—disrupting just-in-time inventory strategies and consumer satisfaction.

California retailers tariffs aren’t just economic headlines. They’re already affecting stock, pricing, and operational stability across the state.

Why Retailers Must Act Now to Stay Competitive

Tariffs aren’t going away anytime soon. They’re part of a broader global trend toward protectionism. If California retailers don’t adapt quickly, they risk:

  • Squeezed profit margins due to higher input costs
  • Lost customers as prices rise or products go out of stock
  • Operational downtime from shipment delays or supplier issues
  • Greater exposure to legal or reputational risk from product issues or missed delivery windows

Adaptation isn’t optional; it’s critical. California retailers must audit their sourcing, protect their cash flow, and build in safeguards now.

How Insurance Helps California Retailers Weather Tariff Fallout

Insurance isn’t just a backup plan—it’s a proactive risk solution. Gild Insurance helps California retailers stay resilient in turbulent markets with coverage tailored to your industry. Recommended policies include:

🔗 Schedule a time with a Gild agent to audit your policies and see how you could save up to 20% while reinforcing your protection.

🔗 Get an online quote today and see how fast and affordable smart coverage can be.

Smart Strategies for California Retailers Facing Tariff Disruption

To stay afloat in the face of rising California retailers tariffs, small business owners should:

  • Source smarter: Shift to partners in Mexico, Canada, or Vietnam where possible.
  • Consolidate inventory: Negotiate better terms with bulk domestic suppliers.
  • Pivot to service models: Offer customization, repairs, or faster local fulfillment.
  • Audit import exposure: If 30% or more of your inventory comes from tariffed countries, prioritize diversification.
  • Leverage insurance: Use coverage to buffer supply chain, liability, and revenue risks.

Gild can help you implement these tactics quickly and confidently.

Partner Resources to Reduce Costs and Risk

Gild collaborates with trusted providers to help retailers build resilience:

  • Rocket Lawyer – Simplify annual reporting and stay on top of required tax filings
  • RangeMe – Find vetted, tariff-exempt suppliers in North America
  • Envision Payroll – Cut back-office costs with scalable payroll solutions
  • Owners Bank – Access funding to cushion against cost increases or shipment delays

These partnerships offer immediate tools to offset tariff fallout.

Protect What You’ve Built

California retailers face a tough road ahead—but with the right strategy, you can stay ahead. From insurance to smarter sourcing and partner support, Gild is here to help you navigate the shifting trade landscape. 

👉Download the Tariffs Runbook today to stay informed, stay protected, and stay ahead.  

👉Want personalized help? Schedule a call with Gild Insurance and discover smarter ways to protect your business—now and into the future