InsuranceMan

Rattlesnakedistillers, If you would like, I could certainly assist you with your insurance. Not only do I offer a product that no one else in the country has access to, and not only is it the only product that actually values your product the way you want it, but I do not make a recall plan manditory. It is a great idea, but the carrier does not require that you have one that fits their desires. Give me a call at 307-752-5961 to find out more.

MaskCraft, I would love to discuss the finer points of all of this with you if you would like to get in contact with me. I have issued out over 4 dozen bonds over the period of the last several weeks and probably know more than anyone really should about this process. Feel free to PM me or give me a call on my cell phone at 307-752-5961 if you would like some assistance in getting this taken care of.

Allow me to interject on this subject if I may. There are many, many carriers that will write a distillery, and several that claim to have a specialized "craft beverage" schtick. There are also many insurance agents who "specialize" in this industry, or so they say. The truth of the matter is that aside from my program every carrier and agent offer pretty much the exact same coverage forms and endorsements (see my whitepaper post here: http://adiforums.com/index.php?showtopic=4883 ). At that point it all just boils down to pricing since it is all darn near the same coverage options. But be warned …….. Trying to compare your insurance premium situation to someone else is like trying to compare apples to giraffes. There are so many mitigating factors to consider since no two distilleries are alike. How much equipment value is there; what are the annual sales; how much product is being held in maturation or being held for pick up; do you own or lease your space; do you have business income insurance or not; how about transport or cargo coverage; workers compensation; what are your liability limits; is there a tasting room and if so does it generate receipts; how about ancillary sales of distillery swag; any direct sales of product; what is the public fire protection class of the location in which you have your distillery; do you carry liquor liability; I could go on for days about the vast amounts of difference and why you really cannot compare your situation to someone else based on price alone. The only real way to make sure you are getting the best available price and product for your money is to deal with someone who ACTUALLY knows the industry inside and out and someone who can provide you with several different quotes and do a comparison of them all, taking into account the bottom line as well as coverage options. Hummmmmm …….????? Who is an industry leader that has a huge working knowledge of not only distilleries but insurance as well, not to mention can offer several quotes and is so into this that he has developed the only insurance product in the country (and offering it in all 50 states) to offer an increasing valuation scale for maturing product with no co-insurance penalties and all kinds of other cool endorsements??????? Oh yeah, it is me!!! Seriously though, I know people think that they can get the best deal by asking three agents to quote three different carriers but what actually ends up happening is you cloud your perception even further as all coverage is not the same and many agents may not have a clue as to what they are doing or what to ask for. I suggest you find one person you can work with, build a relationship with them and have them do the work in providing several quality quotes and compare and contrast the coverage. That is the only real way to find out if you are paying too much for your insurance.

Good Day Dear ADI'ers, I am about as excited as a kid on Christmas morning (or any other holiday as to not exclude anyone)!!! I was just on the phone with the TTB (a few different times to make sure that the answer was the same multiple times) and was assured that the process for submitting your TTB DSP bond has now become a very simple process for those of you doing your permit application on line. Back in April the TTB had announced that they would consider doing the full application process on line, however it seemed that no one really knew how they would treat what I consider on of the biggest factors .... How they would treat or process the bond. A little history for those of you new to the process ..... Back in the day the TTB would require for the Surety (or insurance agent) to process the Distilled Spirits Bond, attach a power-of-attorney form, crimp seal the Bond form, sign it and send it off to the distillery (in duplicate) in order for it to be considered an "executed bond form". Then the authorized party at the distillery would have to sign each copy and submit both copies to the TTB in Ohio for approval. Once approved they would keep one of the bond forms and send the other back to you at the distillery for your files. Fast forward to today ....... The TTB will now allow for the insurance agent (me of course, if it is anyone else we really need to talk) to still execute the bond form in the same manner but now once I have sealed it and signed it I can send it to you in an electronic format (most likely a PDF), then you can simply print it off, sign it and have it witnessed or sealed with your corporate seal if you have one, simply scan it again into a PDF and upload it as an attachment. Only one copy now, not duplicates and viola!!! No more having to overnight things to get them there in time. No more having to duplicate all of the work and make sure each copy is EXACTLY, PAINSTAKINGLY the same for fear of the TTB rejecting it. No more worrying that it may get lost in the mail with out a tracking number and delay the process. Man, if you are a craft/micro distillery and insurance nerd like me you are geeking out right now. This literally gives me (because I am InsuranceMan, super insurer of the universe) the ability to take these bonds from the application process to approval to the executed bond in your hands in an electronic format all within about 24 hours! See, I'm geeking out here but this is really great. Taking this process down from what use to be several days if not weeks to a day, that is good stuff. Oh what a great time in which we live. As I have said before, I am always working to improve your insurance experience. I encourage anyone with a pre-existing bond or a need for a first time bond or anyone in-between to give me a call. I know more about bonding and insurance than dang near anyone else in the country and my program and rates are unbeatable. If you have not read my white paper posted on the form, do it! I look forward to working with anyone on their bonds and insurance needs at any time. Feel free to call me on my personal cell phone at 307-752-5961 and let me show you what makes me the super insurance hero that I am.

I have heard from many folks that they have not been able to view my attached whitepaper if they are not a "member" that is logged in. I have had several requests to send it off to folks in a pdf format via email. If you are interested in reading the whitepaper but have not or for some reason do not want to email me your request I have it posted as well on my website. If you go to www.hublinden.com there is a link entitled "From Passion to Protection: Micro-distillers Insurance Solutions". Click on that link and you will then be able to read the whitepaper and see what my exclusive insurance program is all about. Thank you all again for your wonderful response, I am currently working with about 86 distilleries and adding more every day. I am so proud to be a part of this and bring my knowledge to all of you. Have a great rest of the week.

Great looking website for sure!!! I'd love to know more about your bourbon as well, I think I could assist you greatly in regards to your product insurance as well as all other aspects of bonding, equipment, etc. My valuation on aged products is the best in the country. Give me a call if you like, your going to do very well.

dwhuff bought up a good point that I forgot to mention in any earlier postings. I guess you can only remember to get so much information out there when there is so much to get out there! Not only am I able to provide the TTB Bonding on a national level but I am able to provide the state required bonds to those of you who have a need as well. Just an FYI.

Howdy Rouge Spirits! Welcome to the best place on earth ...... aside from Disney World that is.

StonesRyan, Ask and ye shall receive. I can cover your distillery without issue. I cover everything from incredibly remote distilleries to those right in the heart of large metropolitan cities. I recommend me! Seriously though, I have the experience and the only insurance product of its kind that was specifically developed for distillers. Call me at 307-752-5961 and let’s talk!!! Please read my other forum posts and you will see that I am the real deal.

Holy cow! This white paper has really stirred up a lot of discussion and questions from many forum readers, posters and lurkers!!! That is great, it is meant to make you think, make you question and make you more aware, so all-in-all it has done exactly what I was writing it to do. I just wanted to address a few key issues that seem to be at the heart of many of the conversations I have with folks in regards to my white paper, the insurance industry and what I am doing differently then everyone else. 　 I am NOT saying your coverage is wrong or your agent is wrong. A lot of people are now thinking they have been taken advantage of by their past agent or carrier based on the fact that they are now learning that they really may not have been covered appropriately up to this point in time. Others think their agent may have purposefully misled them into believing that they were buying the "best" coverage available. This is most likely not the case. More likely an explanation is that at the time in which many folks had bought their insurance it may have been the "best" thing out there or at least a good attempt. However, I have changed that for ever. What use to be considered the "Market Standard" and the form that everybody used to try to cover things correctly I changed to make it antiquated and something that still can be applied and used, but it is no longer the "best" thing out there. If you are wondering what I am talking about please do review the whitepaper attached to this posting. My product valuation is vastly different from the "standard" used in years past and is still currently being used by a majority of the companies and agents today. 　 As far as an agent purposefully misleading you, I certainly hope not. What it truly boils down to in my experience, and I have been doing this a long time, is that many agents just don’t know what makes distilleries and their products unique and how to correctly cover them and deal with the intricacies they present. Many agents I have dealt with mean well (I think) but they say things like, "Well, I have written breweries/wineries for a few years so I thought I would get into distilleries." Again, often times they just don’t understand the difference. Also, there are many agents who only write your distillery, or maybe a couple of distilleries, but often times they are generalists who write insurance on everything and anything without specializing or gaining the knowledge needed to really handle or understand your needs. I’m not saying that is wrong, but someone like me who writes distilleries on a national level and who has taken the time to developed a customized insurance program based on real needs seen from YOUR daily working distillery level just knows better as to what is actually going on, how to insure you correctly, as well as has a passion to do so. 　 Again, I am glad that this paper has had such an impact on folks and that there are that many of you out there thinking about your insurance now and asking questions. I truly feel that aside from your people and your product, insurance is a "top priority" focal point (or should be) for your distillery. Your people and your product are what make you successful but your insurance keeps those investments safe and protects you from losing everything. As always, please feel free to get with me to give me comments, concerns or simply ask questions. That is what I am here for. As well, my offer always stands to give a no obligation analysis of your current insurance coverage. If you don’t know what you have or if you are not sure if you are getting the straight answers feel free to reach out to me at any time on my cell phone at 307-752-5961.

MaskCraft, I have assisted a lot of folks with there TTB bonds and I have never hear of any of the references being contacted in any way, shape or form. That being said, I guess they (BATF - TTB) certainly reserve the right to contact them but to date I don't know of any that ever have been. As always though, I'd put down good references (who puts down bad ones???) that you are either very close to, or have a good financial relationship with (bankers, CPA's, Lawyer, Insurance professionals, etc.) or other professionals that can speak to your character as well as your responsibility. I'm obviously not telling you anything that you probably don't already know, but those types of references are the ones I see the most. Maybe that is why they do not get contacted, who knows. I hope that helps, and if you need any other assistance please feel free to reach out to me, I know AN INSANE amount of information when it comes to TTB bonds.

Hey, I just wanted to give another shout out, this time to Millstone Spirits, Clawhammer Supply and Orcas Island Distillery and say thank you for allowing me to be your trusted insurance agent, adviser, and consultant. I also want to thank everyone else who has reached out to me and for all of those of you who I am in the "process" with. Seriously, the support and inquiries of the folks here on the forum has been amazing and being able to work with you has been a wonderful experience. We just keep insuring more ADI-er’s every day and I am so grateful to be able to help you all out. 　 Remember, from the planning stages to those who have been running for years, I can assist you. No one else has an insurance product that will cover you like mine, that is the truth, I worked for 5 years to bring this product to your industry and I am the only one that has it. Also, my TTB bond rates seem to be the very best around, so if you are in need of a new DSP Unit bond or if you just want to price shop give me a call. Again, thank you to everyone out there (from distillers to other vendors) for making my insurance program for you such a HUGE success. Have a great week!!! Oh yeah, if you have not seen it yet, go here ( http://adiforums.com/index.php?showtopic=4883 ) and read my "white paper" explaining why my insurance product is so different. It should blow your mind.

Dear Forum Readers, DATELINE - TODAY (5/7/14) In my daily insurance-superhero saga to bring you the most up-to-date and most well enhanced insurance coverage available, I am pleased to announce that I have been able to create and provide a new endorsement to my already outstanding line of insurance coverage! Released today is an endorsement that will provide for up to $100,000 worth of "annual aggregate" coverage for "leakage" for direct physical loss or damage to aging bulk distilled spirits or bottled and packaged spirits. "Leakage" is defined as a discharge by seepage, release or escape. However it will not pay for "leakage" which may reasonably be considered customary to the trade or a shortage found on taking an inventory (the angels still get their share, sorry). This endorsement is written on a "Cause of Loss - Special Form" (only the best I say) and the standard property deductible would apply. This form is currently the highest available limit with the broadest coverage that I am aware of in today's insurance marketplace. If you are not certain about what your current insurance policy covers or if you simply would like to discuss my exclusive and unique insurance product I would invite you to give me a call. No one else anywhere can currently offer you what I can in the way of insurance product and expertise (and knowledge of TTB Bonds); I guess that is what makes me "InsuranceMan", defender of micro and craft distilleries throughout the country!

MaskCraft, Techinically you can be held liable for anyone that becomes injured on your property no matter if they are employee, visitor or "volunteered" labor. The type of insurance coverage that would respond is the real issue. Obvioulsy if it is a worker, then workmans compensation insurance would apply, but if it is a visitor or donated labor then your General Liability (or possibly medical payments if the claim were small enough) would apply. There are various work-arounds for these types of issues, waivers and releases being one, as well as a few other items I would be glad to discuss. Feel free to give me a call on my cell phone at 307-752-5961 and we can have a more detailed and specific discussion based on your immediate needs.

Welcome to the forum, I know you will find a lot of amazing people and information here. If there is anything I could do for you please do let me know.

Natrat, It was so great putting a name with your ADI "handle"!!!! You were great to talk with and from our conversations and your posts here on the forum I can attest to the fact, you know your stuff. Take good care my friend and do keep in touch. To eveyone else, reach out to this guy with questions, he is on the inside track for sure!

ADI Forum Members and Lurkers, I just wanted to take a few moments to say a big "Thank You" to two of my newer insurance clients: Ventura Spirits Company and Liberty Call Distillery. These folks are the reason why I do what I do! I have truly enjoyed getting to know them, getting to know their businesses and assisting them with their insurance needs. I cannot say enough good things about either of them. Anthony and Bill, you guys are great and I look forward to growing with you and your distilleries! 　 Best,

Good Morning ADI Forum, I just wanted to take a few moments to thank each and every one of you that stopped by my booth at the ADI Convention. Being able to put a face with your "handle" here on the forums was awesome! I also wanted to thank everyone for all of your support and enthusiasm in regards to my insurance product and the revolutionary valuation system we have created. Since I returned to the office not even two weeks ago we have written insurance for about 14 or better of you across the United States and we are even working on some in Canada now at this point. Seriously, I want to thank each and every one of you for your support and for this incredible welcoming response. We had a great time at our booth and had so much fun in Seattle. I know what you are thinking, "Insurance ..... Ugh, that is the furthest thing from fun!" Well, maybe that is because until now everyone else has been doing it wrong. LOL. We do, we make it fun and make it understandable by working hand in hand with our folks as a true partnership. Anyway, a big shout-out to all of you that stopped by, that have worked with us already, and to those of you that I have not had the pleasure to speak to yet, I encourage you to give me a call. Thank you ADI community, you all are amazing!!!

Hewn, I do not know if you were ever put in touch with anyone back during your inital questioning but I am most certainly the guy to assist you. We do not require your building be sprinkled and better yet, I am the only insurance professional able to offer you an accurate and adequate valuation for your product that no one else in the counrty has access to. Please give me a call on my cell phone at 307-752-5961 and I would love to discuss this issue further.

Forum Members - I just wanted to first off thank everyone on the forum who has welcomed me so warmly in the past week or so. Your overwhelming support has been amazing, and to the many of you that I have already been able to bind insurance coverage for I wanted to say a big "thank you". I am so pleased to be able to work with and for you fine folks and really am excited to be able to grow with you throughout the future. OK, now on to the 2014 Spirits Conference. I wanted to invite anyone here from the forums that will be attending the ADI conference to stop by booth 433 at the Expo and introduce yourself to me and enter to win my unique "prize" drawing that we will hold the last day of the expo. My experience has been that many vendors have the same types of prizes they give away year after year. As with everything I do, I wanted my prize to be unique. If you stop by booth 433 at the expo and either fill out a quick info sheet or toss me a business card you will be entered to win one of two CUSTOM BUILT 9 FOOT / 5 WEIGHT "AMERICAN DISTILLING INSTITUTE" FLY RODS. Tying in my unique "Wyoming" feel via these custom built fly rods is just another way of saying thank you to the ADI members and to the ADI itself. These are really quite beautiful, one done on a blue blank and one on a black, both hand crafted with the unique copper thread that ties in that great "still-look", you will be the envy of fly fishermen and women everywhere. I am giving one of these away at my booth but if you don't get the lucky draw, don't worry. ADI will be auctioning the other fly rod off during the dinner, so if you don't win one you can bid to buy the other one. Check out the photos at the bottom of this post to see what they look like! I can't wait to see you all in Seattle at booth 433!!!

WanderNorth, welcome. I originally grew up in Stillwater, MN and went to school downtown so I am very familiar with your area. Best of luck with your business and if I can be of any service please let me know. Aaron Linden - CIC www.hublinden.com

Gentlemen, Perhaps I could be of assistance. Although I am new to the ADI (I am a gold level sponsor for the conference this year, booth #433 so stop by and say hi), I have just released a revolutionary insurance product that is unlike anything else available in today’s marketplace. I would be very happy to discuss the finer details of this program with anyone that is interested. I can be reached on my personal cell phone at 307-752-5961 if you would like. Also you may find more information about me at www.hublinden.com. With over a decade of niche insurance experience and an abundance of micro distillery knowledge you can rest assured, I am "the guy". Best, Aaron Linden - CIC

I am a "newbie" to the conference this year but I am very excited to be able to be a part of it. Although I am not a distiller, I have the heart of one for sure! Anyway, I am a GOLD LEVEL SPONSOR for the conference this year and I would encourage you to stop by my booth (#433) and say HI. I have created a revolutionary insurance product specifically for micro distilleries that is not available through anyone else in the country. It will be a huge benefit to the industry and I am excited to bring it to Seattle this year for its debut. Best, Aaron Linden - CIC www.hublinden.com

I hope I am not coming into this topic too late, but better late than never I say. I am able to offer an exclusive insurance product that no other carrier or agent has access to that is the most comprehensive and competitive product available in today’s market. As well, it is the only insurance product specifically developed for micro-distilleries that can accurately and correctly insure and value your products throughout the aging process. Feel free to give me a call at 307-752-5961 (my cell phone) with any questions. You can also visit my website at www.hublinden.com for more information. I hope this helps. Best, Aaron Linden - CIC