Behind the Sheetrock
Behind the Sheetrock

Plenty of folks are calling it a bargain, and some are itching to keep buying, but to temper myself I took a more in depth look at the company to get a feel for what it’s worth.

The company is aware of this, and is attempting to enter other markets via the manufacture and marketing of, for instance, personal security equipment .

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I just don’t think it’s a very great product. And if you disagree, I don’t think these things would ever sell to more than the overly paranoid soccer mom market.

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The company can manufacture all the new widgets it wants. None of this matters all that much because LENS is, to me, an asset play! horizon with the reduced burn.

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Spot Investing Frauds, Scams, Ponzi Schemes, and Other Rip Offs

These are a few telltale signs of ripoffs and garbage that simply isn’t worth your time or money.

Short period of time

There is simply no method that yields huge returns which is not extraordinarily risky and leveraged.

Investment Advisor

A really simple way to spot something that might be shady is to check seller has registered with the SEC.

Success Stories

If an investment advice peddler is charging for services, be sure to get or ask for a track record.

Lack of a free Trial

If someone is offering a “system” or regular newsletter for investing success.

Money Back

I’m honestly a bit conflicted on this point, but here’s what I think. On one hand.

Check the BBB

The Better Business Bureau is a great resource for consumers .

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What Happens If You Drive With an Expired Vehicle Registration in Alberta? 

Driving with an expired vehicle registration might seem like a minor oversight, but in Alberta, it comes with significant consequences. If you’re a vehicle owner in Alberta, understanding the importance of keeping your registration up to date is essential—not just for avoiding fines but also for staying compliant with Alberta’s legal requirements and ensuring continuous insurance coverage. 

To avoid fines and maintain compliance, Renew Your Vehicle Registration Today with GoldKey Registry and keep your registration current. 

This article explains what vehicle registration entails, Alberta’s legal requirements, the penalties for missing renewal deadlines, and practical tips to ensure you’re always up to date. If your vehicle registration is approaching its expiration date, keep reading for everything you need to know. 

What Is Vehicle Registration? 

Vehicle registration is the mandatory process of documenting your vehicle with the provincial government. This ensures that your vehicle is legally allowed to operate on Alberta’s roads. Once registered, your vehicle receives a license plate and registration certificate that connects your car to you as the registered owner. 

Since January 1, 2021, Alberta no longer issues expiry stickers for license plates. This means it’s entirely up to vehicle owners to remember their registration renewal dates and keep their records current. 

Legal Requirements for Vehicle Registration in Alberta 

Under Alberta law, all vehicles must have valid registration to be legally driven. Vehicle registration must be renewed annually and expires at midnight on the last day of the month determined by the first letter of your last name or business name. For example, if your last name begins with “A,” your registration likely expires in January. 

Failing to renew or update your registration can result in fines, penalties, and unnecessary hassles, including denied services at registry offices until your registration is brought back into compliance. 

To check the exact expiration of your vehicle registration, refer to your registration certificate or consult Alberta’s registration expiry chart. 

Consequences of Driving With an Expired Registration 

The consequences of letting your vehicle registration lapse might be more severe than expected. Here’s what you could face: 

1. Fines and Penalties 

Alberta imposes hefty fines for driving with expired vehicle registration. You could be fined up to $310 if law enforcement pulls you over for an expired plate. This fine doesn’t include any additional fees you may incur if your vehicle gets towed or impounded for non-compliance. 

Remember, there is no grace period for expired registrations in Alberta. It’s crucial to renew your registration before the expiration date to avoid these penalties. 

2. Legal Repercussions 

Driving without valid vehicle registration is considered an offense under Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act. Multiple infractions could escalate into more serious legal issues, including court appearances and higher penalties. 

Additionally, expired registration could result in your driving record being flagged, which could impact your ability to renew licenses or vehicles in the future. 

3. Impact on Insurance Coverage 

Many insurance providers in Alberta require vehicles to have valid registration to maintain coverage. If your registration has expired, your provider might void your insurance policy or deny claims, especially in cases of accidents or vehicle theft. This leaves you exposed to financial liability for damages. 

How to Renew Your Vehicle Registration in Alberta 

Fortunately, Alberta offers a straightforward process for renewing your vehicle registration. Whether you prefer the convenience of digital options or in-person interaction, here’s how you can update your registration: 

Online Renewal 

GoldKey Registry makes renewing your vehicle registration online quick and hassle-free. Follow these simple steps: 

  1. Log into your verified Alberta.ca account and select the renewal option. 
  1. Enter required details, including your registration number, license plate number, and proof of valid insurance. 
  1. Pay securely with a credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or AMEX). Renewals are only available for one-year terms online. 
  1. Your new registration certificate will be mailed to your registered address. 

When prompted, choose GoldKey Registry as your registry agent for service you can trust.  

In-Person Renewal 

If updates are needed to your registration (e.g., address changes, name updates, or paying off outstanding fines), you’ll need to visit a registry office. Bring the following documentation: 

  • Your current vehicle registration certificate. 
  • Proof of valid car insurance (pink card). 
  • Driver’s license for identification. 

The friendly staff at GoldKey Registry is always ready to help with your in-person vehicle registration needs. 

Tips for Remembering to Renew 

With no more expiry stickers available, it’s easy to forget to renew your registration on time. Here are a few strategies to ensure this doesn’t happen: 

  • Sign Up for Renewal Reminders: Receive timely emails or text alerts when your renewal date is approaching. GoldKey Registry offers this service to help keep you on track. 
  • Set Calendar Alerts: Mark your expiration date in a digital calendar or planner and set multiple reminders leading up to it. 
  • Renew Early: Don’t wait until the deadline approaches. Renewing in advance gives you peace of mind, reduces stress, and ensures you avoid penalties. 

Why Staying Compliant Matters 

Keeping your vehicle registration current isn’t just about avoiding penalties—it’s about peace of mind. A valid registration ensures your vehicle is legally compliant, prevents interruptions in insurance coverage, and saves you from costly fines. Whether online or in-person, renewing your vehicle registration is a quick and easy process with the right tools and support. 

Protecting Your Small Business Against Digital Exposures

Digital exposure is inevitable for any size of business nowadays. If you collect data from employees, clients, vendors, or even have some form of digital presence, you could be exposed to cybercrime and must take every necessary precaution to defend your business against virtual threats. 

One form of small business liability insurance, i.e. cyber liability insurance, is specifically designed to protect businesses against any legal repercussions they could face as a result of being involved in a cybercrime event. Data breaches and ransomware can seriously cost your business’ reputation – and you may even find yourself with a hefty lawsuit at the end of it. That being said, insurance isn’t a catch-all, and you shouldn’t use it as your fallback. You need to take adequate security measures in order to protect your small business and all the information that has been delegated to you. At Bullfrog Insurance, we understand the unique needs of small businesses in Ontario. As a top provider of small business insurance, we go beyond offering excellent coverage tailored to your specific requirements.  

Discover how our comprehensive Bullfrog’s small business liability insurance solutions can benefit your business. 

Here’s how to protect your small business against digital exposures. 

Know how data breaches can occur. 

In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, even small businesses in Ontario need to be vigilant about the risks of data breaches and their potential impact on daily operations. Data breaches, a prevalent form of cybercrime, occur when unauthorized individuals or parties gain access to and steal confidential, personal, or sensitive information. With the COVID-19 pandemic leading to a surge in remote work and the use of insecure networks, the frequency of cybercrime incidents has significantly increased. It is essential to understand that data breaches can transpire in various ways, emphasizing the importance of robust cybersecurity measures and adequate insurance coverage for small businesses in Ontario. Protect your business against the risks of cybercrime by exploring comprehensive small business insurance options tailored to the unique needs of Ontario businesses at Bullfrog Insurance. 

  • They can happen via human error. Human error, or accidental exposure, is when an employee uploads a document containing private information onto a cloud service and doesn’t include a secure password. It happens when a human employee clicks a malicious link. 
  • Malware or ransomware is another means of data breaches. A hacker who enters into an organization’s network (via a phishing email, let’s say) might infect that network with malware, which permits them instant access.  
  • Don’t underestimate the potential of disgruntled employees. A malicious insider could be working with a hacker to provide network information that they can then steal for their own use. With smaller businesses, this is less common but not impossible. 
  • Network or software vulnerabilities are a potential, wherein hackers exploit outdated software and use hidden backdoors in your system to access data. 
  • Finally, data breaches can occur through physical theft. A hacker or cybercriminal can steal a mobile device used for work at a public place, or hack into your work system via a business laptop that was left on your passenger seat overnight. 

How to protect yourself against potential exposures 

 
While having insurance is crucial for small businesses in Ontario, it should not be seen as a sole solution. Instead, we must proactively implement preventive measures to safeguard our businesses from digital vulnerabilities. By taking strategic steps before any mishaps occur, we can effectively protect our valuable assets. Here are some valuable tips on how to fortify your small business against accidental exposures and ensure its long-term security. 

  • Consider your provincial or even federal regulations when determining your data retention needs. Some vendors and clients might need different schedules for destruction versus employee data. Destroy any data that is no longer needed. Any remaining data is subject to a breach, so long as it’s there and available. 
  • Educate your employees. Human error is the no. 1 cause of data breaches, and they tend to occur because of clicked links on emails or accessing business data through insecure networks. Consider implementing a mandatory cybersecurity training program for all employees to take. 
  • Invest in antivirus and firewall software and commit to keeping these on all devices – updated and patched with the latest security protocol. 
  • Be sure to have backups stored off-site (especially in the event of a fire) that you can regularly verify for accuracy in the event you need to recover following a cyberattack. 
  • Use a password manager for all employees and implement strict rules for two-factor authentication and biometrics. Make sure all employees are using complex passphrases, not easy-to-guess passwords. 
  • Do a forensic security audit. Conduct an inventory of all your existing confidential data and security practices to see where changes may need to be made. Assume a zero-trust policy for all devices that are connected to your business’ network. 

Part of keeping your small business safe is addressing the digital side of things. Be vigilant and proactive; yes, it takes some time, and you may need to invest some money into it, but safety should always come first. It’s your business, and your hard work. Don’t let it go to waste. With Bullfrog Insurance, you can have peace of mind knowing that your small business is backed by reliable and comprehensive insurance coverage. 

A Risk Management 101 for Professionals

What is risk management? Why do professionals need to know about risk management? These are great questions to ask as a professional – whether you’re a consultant, a lawyer, a financial advisor, etc. Risk management will look different for every profession and every industry, but this risk management 101 provides tips for professionals all across the board.

It is critical to manage your risk as a working professional, not just as a business owner. Professionals face a different level of risk than your average worker does and, without properly addressing the issue or taking the necessary steps to mitigating your risk, your business may be severely impacted by a loss which could threaten to put you out of work for good.

Professional liability insurance is just one piece of the puzzle. Here’s the rest:

First of all, what is risk management?

Risk management is the practice of evaluating risks which could potentially harm your business’ operations – as well as its profitability – and taking the necessary action to mitigate the devastation of these risks or avoiding them altogether.

Risk management can look like:

  • Mitigation – When you avidly reduce the impact of the potential risk
  • Acceptance – Accepting that the risk may occur and creating an emergency preparedness response for if it does happen
  • Avoidance – Taking away the risk altogether by avoiding taking on certain clients/working in a certain location/etc.
  • Transference – Transferring all or a portion of the risk to a third-party, like through the purchase of insurance.

Risk management may take the form of the following steps:

  1. Acknowledging or identifying a risk that exists
  2. Determining the severity that the risk could cause to your business
  3. Identifying the source of the risk
  4. Navigating a process to mitigate or avoid the risk
  5. Navigating a process to recover from the risk.

Not every risk can be mitigated, avoided, or even managed. Some risks may simply need to be accepted (which is, in fact, a part of the risk management process!) As such, it is imperative that you focus only on the risks that are the most impactful to your business.

How does risk management help my business?

As a hard-working professional, you love what you do. You excel at what you do. You want to better your business, and risk management is one of many ways to do just that. Here are just a few of the ways that risk management can help better your business:

  • Allows your business to be adaptable to change
  • Boosts your teams’ communication skills
  • Hels aid in project/contract negotiations
  • Allows you to meet deadlines with success
  • Keeps long-term costs affordable
  • Allows your business to operate smoothly without a hitch

There are plenty more benefits than just those that we have listed here. Working with your team is imperative to acknowledging, weighing, and managing your risk. It just depends on your company’s individual risk and how seriously you take the process of risk management.

Not all risks can be mitigated

Part of risk management is accepting that some things may just happen, no matter the precautions we take and no matter the measures we instill to avoid them. Planning for risks can be a difficult endeavour, but there are some risks that we may simply have to accept. Part of our risk management plan can then be a “risk response plan,” for how we get back to normal following an emergency or incident.

For any business, the following scenarios can be significantly impactful:

  • Cyberattack/data breach
  • Medical emergencies
  • Storm damage
  • Fire damage

For your emergency response plan, you should consider orienting your team members on how best to handle the threat of a natural disaster. Include an evacuation plan, a muster point, and give each employee corresponding roles for if an emergency does occur.

Technology and data can be vulnerable spots when it comes to risk management as cyber-attacks become an ever-increasing issue for Canadian businesses. You need to be aware of these risks and how to handle your business accordingly if something does occur (such as a breach.)

Professional liability insurance may not be able to prevent a risk from occurring, but it can be a huge aid if something does happen. Professional liability insurance is designed for businesses and individuals of a professional nature and can cover you for legal defense costs if a client should ever sue for alleged, perceived, or actual negligence resulting in their financial loss.