Tips

Insurance coverage is especially important when moving from one residence to another but often gets excluded from the list of priorities. Gaps in coverage can arise during the transition between residences with both personal property and personal liability. Consider a few scenarios that may arise during the move and how having the right policies in place can help to alleviate coverage gaps.

Personal Property Coverage

During a cross-country move, several days can pass between leaving the old house and moving into the new one. One way to maintain coverage on personal property during this transition is to keep the homeowners policy on the old home in force until the coverage starts on the new home, even if you have sold your old home. Most insurance policies have a standard coverage concerning personal property within the residence, but separate exceptions for property outside the residence, like when in a storage facility or on the moving truck. Be sure to consult your Mel Foster Insurance producer to clarify your terms before you begin the move.

Personal Liability Coverage

Unlike a policy that covers the physical property during the move, personal liability provides coverage for bodily injury and property damage sustained by others for which you or covered residents of your household are legally responsible. Personal liability insurance can begin on the move date and would then apply during the trip and transition. Some restrictions apply with policy coverage and limitations on value are often implemented by insurance companies. Read the fine print and have all the facts before issues arise during the transition.

Insurance Tips

Do not cancel the current insurance based on instructions from third parties like the mortgagee, title company or closing attorney. As with any insurance, the agency should never make a change to add, delete or change policies without explicit instructions from you. It’s always best to handle any wanted changes or clarifications yourself.

A majority of losses from fire, theft or windstorm are covered under the basic personal property insurance policy. If the moving truck overturns, most authorities would apply damage to personal property as the result of the vehicle hazard.

Some potential causes of loss are unique to moving, such as breakage, scratching or lost items. The homeowner may be advised to purchase protection from the moving company directly in some instances.

Schedule an appointment with one of our agents today to verify proper insurance coverage for your upcoming move.

The beginning of a new year is often when we consider making changes to our lifestyle. Maybe we want to exercise more and eat less, visit somewhere new or spend more time at home. Consider a few creative ideas from Joshua Fields Millburn and The Minimalist Rulebook when planning to simplify your life and your belongings.

A Purging Challenge

Think less is more. Choose a friend who wants to minimize with you and select the organization where you’ll donate. Start the purging challenge on the first day of a month, with a goal of ridding yourself of the most items by the end of the month. Each person removes one thing on day one, two things on day two, three things on day three, and so on. Obviously, the challenge becomes harder when faced with donating items in the double digits in one day. The friend who gets through the most days wins, but both will feel successful in passing along their excess to someone in need.

Photo Scanning Party

Wondering what to do with your old photos stacked inside your desk drawer? Consider planning a photo scanning party. Find a high-quality scanner that rapidly feeds and scans photos and then immediately saves them to a memory card and/or online. Gather your favorite friends, some snacks and cocktails, and make an evening of making your memories digital! Once the photos are scanned, they can easily be enjoyed in a digital picture frame or made into a bound photo album. Securing the photos digitally also offers peace of mind in the unfortunate event of house damage by fire or flood.

Wait For It

If online shopping from your couch is your downfall, this challenge could help save you money and help simplify your life! Take pause before you purchase something non-essential. When considering buying an item that costs more than $30, ask if you can get by without it for the next 30 hours. Choosing to wait this extra time helps determine how necessary the item is and if it will add value to your life. The pause often results in a pass on the purchase. If you do decide to buy the item though, you are satisfied that it was acquired with intention and not just as an impulse buy. Some even consider waiting 30 days to decide on making purchases over $100. So, just wait for it and see what results you’ll achieve.

Organize your personal documents at home by using an inventory checklist recommended by Mel Foster Insurance.

Snow storms and icy conditions present a particular set of driving hazards.  You can prepare for the hazards of winter, the time of year when auto accident claims increase in frequency.  Preparing your vehicle for the winter and knowing how to react in sever conditions or if stranded are the keys to safe winter driving.

Be prepared before a storm hits:

Have a mechanic check your car’s battery, brakes, fluid levels, as well as the heating and exhaust systems to ensure that your car is in good, safe working condition.

Try to keep your gas tank full during the winter months.  Don’t allow the gas to go below half a tank.  Not only will this prevent damage from freezing, you’ll avoid running out of gas if your stuck in traffic during the dead of winter.

Prepare for an emergency.  Keep blankets, flares, a sack of sand for traction, shovel, windshield scraper and brush, tool kip, and cordless phone charger.

When driving under adverse winter conditions:

Take care of pulling out in streets blocked by mountains of snow.  It’s often difficult to see who or what is coming.

Back your car into a driveway so you have a better vision when pulling out.

When waiting to make a left-hand turn, keep wheels pointed straight ahead.  If wheels are turned to the left in anticipation of making the turn and you’re rear-ended, your car will be pushed into the path of oncoming traffic, which could result in a head-on collision.  This is good advice for normal road conditions too.

If you must travel during a severe winter storm:

Don’t travel alone.  Notify someone of your estimated time of arrival as well as your primary and alternative travel routes.

If stuck, stay in your car and wait for help.  Run the engine and heater sparingly.  Also make sure your exhaust pip is clear of snow and ventilate your care so that carbon monoxide fumes won’t poison you.

Keep your energy.  Eat food that provides the body with energy for producing its own heat.  Replenish your body with fluids to prevent dehydration.  Don’t eat snow; it will lower your body temperature.  Melt it first.

Your building is probably the most valuable asset you own. Prevention of damage to your building is of utmost importance to you as a property owner. Property damage can mean unforeseen business interruption costs, higher insurance costs and major inconveniences for your organization. Each winter, frozen pipe damage to buildings has been a major problem for property owners. Winter is upon us, and making sure you’re prepared will help you avoid the messy and often very expensive issue of frozen pipes. Below is some important information to help prevent frozen pipes, and steps to prevent more problems if you find pipes have become frozen.

Some areas of your building may be more at risk to freezing pipes than others. The areas most at risk are generally basements, crawlspaces, attics, garages, unheated rooms, sprinkler systems and exterior walls.

Here’s some ways you can prevent pipes from freezing:

• Keep temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit at all times.
• Seal and repair spaces around windows and doors that allow cold air flow.
• Fill cracks and holes in walls to prevent cold air flow.
• If an area is not going to be used for an extended period of time, drain the water from those pipes and turn off the water supply to that area.
• Be sure water-based fire protection systems are winterized—confirm with your sprinkler system service company.
• Increase insulation in areas where pipes are located.
• Consider installing products like pipe sleeves, heat tape or heat cable on exposed water pipes.
• If your building is unoccupied for extended periods of time, appoint some one to check on the
  building to ensure the heating and plumbing systems are working properly.

Should you suspect you have frozen pipes:

• Call a qualified plumber immediately.
• Shut off the main water valve and leave faucets open until repairs are made.
• Apply heat to the frozen section of pipe using a portable space heater and an electric heating
  pad wrapped around the pipe, or by wrapping the pipes with towels soaked in hot water.
• Check all other faucets in your building to find out if you have additional frozen pipes.

Take measures today to prevent pipes from freezing in your building.  Prepare your property to minimize the extensive damages that can result from freezing pipes in these cold winter months.

Source:  United Fire Group Insurance.  The information contained in this blog was obtained from reliable sources. However, United Fire Group accepts no legal responsibility for the correctness or completeness of this information.

Read tips from Mel Foster Insurance Producer, Gene Krismanits on how legal marijuana could affect employers and their workers.

https://qconline.com/business/into-the-haze-how-will-legal-marijuana-affect-employers-and/article_86b320ac-dd3a-5b26-89ef-33dcac45f880.html://

Helpful tips for reviewing your insurance policies.

You’re ready to consider the purchase of a used car. Whether it’s to replace the one you already own or to add another car for a new driver in the household, you’ll want to feel confident with the buying process from the start. Follow these tips for best results.

1. Create a Realistic Budget

You’ll have better luck in the long run when shopping for a used car if you first create a budget. Determine how much you can afford. Will you be paying cash up front in addition to taking on monthly payments? Are you planning to trade in your current car as down payment? Figure out how you will pay for the car first before you start your search. Don’t forget to include new insurance coverage costs into the budget. You won’t want to get your heart set on a car you can’t afford to insure.

2. Figure Out Your Financing

It’s important that you get a pre-approved financing deal in place before you start shopping for a car. Financing a used car is considered a higher risk than financing a new car, in the lender’s perspective. This risk stems from the fact that you’re more likely to have unexpected repair costs as the car ages, which may cause difficulty in your ability to make your monthly payments. The value of the car becomes more unpredictable with age as well, making it more difficult for a lender to value its collateral, your used car. Look at your credit score, as this is one of the key elements lenders will use to determine your loan approval and the interest rate that will be applied to the loan.

2. Ask the Right Questions

Finding the right used car means you must ask a lot of questions. First, ask yourself why you drive, where you drive and how you drive so you can find the vehicle that fits both your needs and budget. Once you begin car shopping, questions will be aimed at the sellers. Who owned the car and for how long did he own it? How many different people have owned the car? Was it ever in an accident or had it been in a flood? Is there documented repair and service history available? Be prepared to gather plenty of information so you can make an educated decision before you buy.

4. Drive and Inspect It

Get behind the wheel of your potential car and drive it around. Does it make any unusual sounds that are concerning? Does it hug the road well or will the tires soon need to be replaced? Especially if you’re on the road often for work, is the seat comfortable for long-distance driving? Be aware of how the car smells when you get in. Will it need to be detailed before it’s yours and does that cost fit into your budget? Confirm that the car’s manual is available, if the spare tire is accounted for and that all the windows and doors function properly.

Enjoy your new car and read about ways to keep your newly purchased car safe and prevent theft.

 

 

Here’s three tips for why adding umbrella insurance is a must.

It’s that time of year that car thefts seem to be on the rise.  Help avoid your car being stolen by following these tips.

Park Safely

The best bet is to keep your vehicle in a locked garage. But for some people, this may not be an option. If you have to keep your vehicle parked outside, start by parking it in your driveway. If your vehicle is front wheel drive, park front end first, and if your vehicle is rear-wheel drive, back into your driveway. This makes it harder to thieves to tow your vehicle. If you have to park in the street, park in a well-lit, highly trafficked area, but make sure you’re following the posted rules. Turning your wheels towards the curb, using your emergency brake, and parking in between other vehicles can also make it harder for your vehicle to be towed away.

When leaving your vehicle, always roll up all your windows and lock the doors, even if you are just leaving it for a few minutes. Also, try to avoid leaving your vehicle unattended for an extended period of time, but if you have to, make sure you park in an attended, well-lit lot.

Theft Deterrents

While locking your vehicle or leaving it in a well-lit area can certainly help prevent auto theft, you may want increase your peace of mind by purchasing an anti-theft device. Many different types are available, and it’s easy to find one that fits your budget and needs. Some of the more common anti-theft devices include:

• Electronic security systems
• Steering wheel and column locks
• Ignition kill switches
• Fuel kill switches
• Immobilizers
• Locks for the floor board, gear shift, tires/wheels or hood
• Vehicle tracking systems

Whatever type of anti-theft device you choose, make sure that it is installed properly. Otherwise, you may risk damaging the device or your vehicle. Hire an alarm installation professional to do the work for you. Also, consider etching the vehicle information number (VIN) into different parts on the vehicle, as this makes it easier to trace stolen automobiles/parts.

Common Sense

To protect your automobile from theft, always use common sense. Don’t leave the car running unattended with the keys in the ignition. Don’t hide a spare set of ignition keys in the glove box, or within close proximity to the vehicle. Don’t leave personal identification documents like titles or credit cards in your vehicle. Don’t keep valuables in plain sight in your vehicle. And if you park using a valet, or leave your keys with an attendant, make sure you only leave the key to the vehicle.

If Your Vehicle Is Stolen

Unfortunately vehicles are stolen all the time in this country. If you become the victim of auto theft contact the police first. Make sure you know as much of the following information as possible:

• Year, make, model, and color of your vehicle
• License plate number
• VIN
• Approximate time of the theft
• Location where the vehicle was parked
• Names of eye witnesses (if there are any)

Next, inform your insurance company that your vehicle was stolen. Have your policy number on hand when you call.

Insure Your Investment

In addition to being confident that you are doing what you can to protect your vehicle; it’s important that you have the right insurance. Not all automobiles are the same and neither are all automobile policies. You need an insurance policy that offers the coverages that are important to you when you’re behind the wheel.

Here’s what a new DISTINCTCHOICE Auto policy can offer you:

• Security and Peace of Mind. Foremost has experience with the kind of insurance you want. Foremost has been in business since 1952 and has a long, solid history of providing superior value to our customers.
• Coverage Essentials. A Foremost policy provides the coverage you want for your vehicle and the drivers, including medical payments and permissive user.
• Additional Coverages. A Foremost policy recognizes that every driver is different and offers additional coverages, like loan or lease coverage and rental reimbursement, so you can tailor your policy to fit your lifestyle.
• Choice of Payment Plans and Deductibles. A Foremost policy offers flexibility, like being able to choose from different deductible levels and payment plans. This allows you to choose when you want to pay and helps make your premium payments affordable.

Doing Business With Your Insurance Company

When you have a loss, it’s an inconvenience, and you want it to be taken care of quickly and efficiently by adjusters who are courteous, helpful and knowledgeable. The new DISTINCTCHOICE Auto policy is backed by expert claims service that will get you back on the road quickly and fairly in the event of a loss.

Source: Foremost Insurance Group

• Did you know a majority of tornadoes typically last for a few minutes?
• Did you know there were  confirmed 23 tornadoes in Iowa and 26 in Illinois in 2018?
• Did you know tornadoes in the Midwest are most common from May to July?
• Statistics show our area is at a very high risk for tornadoes and average 3 or more a year.

What should you do to prepare for a tornado?

1. During any storm, listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio to stay informed about watches and warnings.
2. Know your community’s warning system.  Communities have a different ways of warning residents about tornadoes, with many having sirens intended for outdoor warning purposes.
3. Pick a safe room in your home where household members and pets may gather during a tornado.  This should be  a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.

What should you do if a tornado is threatening?

1. The safest place to be is an underground shelter, basement or safe room.
2. If no underground shelter or safe room is available, a small, windowless interior room or hallway on the lowest level of a sturdy building is the safest alternative.
3. Mobile homes are not safe during tornadoes or other severe winds.
4. If you have access to a sturdy shelter or a vehicle, abandon your mobile home immediately.

What do you do after a tornado?

1. Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions.
2. If you are away from home, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
3. Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and sturdy shoes when examining your walls, doors, staircases and windows for damages.
4. Watch out for fallen power lines or broken gas lines and report them to the utility company immediately.

Source:  Werner Restoration Services