Practical insurance advice you can use

The theme this year for Earth Day is “Invest in Our Planet”. It focuses on accelerating solutions to combat our greatest threat, climate change, and to activate everyone from governments, businesses, and YOU to do their part.

There are many environmental issues that we are dealing with as a society, and sometimes it may feel like there is no way you can possibly make a difference with such a tremendous amount of needs that the Earth’s environment has.

However, I assure you that every little bit counts! And, if we all just made a few simple changes in our daily lives, those changes would have an enormous positive impact on our Mother Earth.

Here are a few tips to help our planet:

• Minimize waste and recycle everything you can.
• Use reusable grocery bags instead of paper or plastic bags.
• Carpool when possible to save on gas, emissions, and fumes that go into the atmosphere.
• Use reusable water bottles and water filters instead of purchasing plastic water bottles.
• Unplug unused electronics – computers, TVs, DVRs, etc
• Turn down the temperature on your water heater
• Turn off lights when you leave a room.
• Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle – look for the special triangle on all your products to know if it can be recycled.
• Plant a tree or bush that will help the Earth as well as your curb appeal.

Making these changes can help give us a healthier and more wonderful world to live in. For more information on how you can celebrate Earth Day go to https://www.earthday.org/.

Every little bit counts, so start today and make a difference!

This time of year is when many motorcyclists start taking to the road. After the long, cold winter, many riders are eager to start taking their bikes out. If you are not a motorcycle rider, please be particularly diligent at this time, and all others, of motorcyclists. If you are, please be informed to help better protect yourself on the road.

Before you take the bike out, call or come by our office to make sure you have the proper motorcycle coverage. We can answer any questions you might have.

Don’t take to the road after a long winter without giving your bike the once-over:

• Test the lights, brakes, and turn signals.
• Check the oil and fuel levels.
• Make sure the mirrors are positioned correctly.
• Check the cables to make sure they aren’t worn or frayed.

While you’re on the road, be sure that you are driving responsibly. Here are a few things to be conscious of:

• Always wear a helmet that fits. Pick one that has a DOT label, showing that it meets federal safety standards.
• Know your bike’s limits and stick to the speed limit
• Use your signals properly and at all times when turning or making a lane change.
• Be respectful of other drivers. Don’t tailgate other vehicles, weave through traffic, or drive on the shoulder.
• Make sure other drivers can see you. Don’t ride in blind spots and always use your headlights.
• Brake smart. Use both brakes at the same time, slow and steady.

Use these tips and keep safety top of mind when you get your motorcycle out this spring, and be sure to remember them while you’re on the road throughout the year!

Everyone feels stressed from time to time with their busy lifestyle. If left unchecked, it tends to be a real joy-killer. Stress can also lead to several major health problems, ranging from anxiety to severe depression and from mild acne to life-threatening heart attacks. It is easy to see why it is so vitally important to keep life’s major stressors in check.

What is stress? We hear people talk about stress all the time. We say we’re “stressed out”, but many of us may not know what stress really is. The term ‘stress’ refers to the response you have when facing circumstances that force you to act, change, or adjust in some way to maintain your footing or to keep things balanced.

Here are 5 tips that, when observed, will help you take charge and beat the stress:

1. Focus on Your Health —You are not healthy when you’re constantly tired and run down. Make an annual physical appointment with your doctor. Staying healthy and feeling good is essential to reducing stress.
2. Learn to Relax — Take a moment to just breathe, meditate, pray, etc. Take a breath and think about something positive, peaceful, and soothing. It’s a perfect way to break the cycle of task-related stresses.
3. Get Some Exercise — When you’re stressed, exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing. However, helping your body relieve stress through regular exercise will improve your stamina, help you feel good about yourself, and help avoid exhaustion in the long run. Walking 3-5 times a week is a great way to start an exercise regimen.
4. Talk to Your Inner Self — Keep a journal or talk to yourself while driving. It doesn’t matter if the conversation is one-sided and reflective. It just matters that you take the time to think about your experiences. You’ll be amazed at how getting things out will lighten your spirit.
5. Smile — Seriously, just smile. It will help. It’s a fact. You can’t hold a negative thought with a genuine smile on your face. Very few things can reduce stress better than a funny moment and the smile it brings. Laughter is, after all, the best medicine.

If you are still in the spirit of St. Patrick’s Day or just want to try something different, try out this traditional Irish recipe. This easy-to-make, surprisingly yummy recipe will be loved by the entire family, plus everyone can help in the kitchen… it’s super simple!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup mashed potatoes
• 2 tablespoons milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch of salt
• 1 (16 oz) package powdered sugar
• Extra powdered sugar for dusting
• 1/3 cup peanut butter, or as desired

Directions

1. Combine mashed potatoes, milk, vanilla extract, and salt in a bowl.
2. Stir powdered sugar into mixture until dough forms. Refrigerate until chilled, approx. 1 hour.
3. Sprinkle powdered sugar on waxed paper and roll dough into a large square on top. Layer peanut butter on top of the dough and then roll into a log.
4. Refrigerate for approx. 1 hour then slice into pinwheels and serve.

Many people choose to move during the springtime and early summer when more flexible schedules allow the time, and the kids are out of school. Springtime means changes of all kinds for many families… you may even have a teen you’re going to be moving out on their own soon! If you’re planning an upcoming move (especially with kiddos!), now is the time to get started. I wanted to talk to you about something that you may forget to pack… renter’s insurance!

Many times, when moving, families have to stay in an apartment or rental property for a short time while relocating, finishing building, or finalizing the purchase of a new home. While you’re there, if your apartment is robbed or the apartment above you has a fire and the water used to extinguish it floods your apartment, your landlord’s policy likely won’t pay to replace any of your stuff. That’s up to you. You may need Renter’s Insurance.

Many renters pass on Renter’s Insurance because they think that they don’t have anything worth protecting. However, for many renters, the things in their rental property are the majority (sometimes all) of their possessions. You do have a lot of money invested in your personal property, and it’s worth protecting. Remember, as a renter, you could experience a loss due to something you have no control over.

A Renters Policy will protect your personal property the same way it would if you owned a home. Ask us what level of coverage is right for you.

Your Renter’s Insurance Policy includes:

• Personal Property Protection – Covers the loss of damage to your “stuff” (furniture, clothing, and other personal property).
• Family Liability Protection – Covers you in case someone gets hurt and claims you are responsible. This also covers attorney’s fees.
• Guest Medical Protection – Covers medical costs for visitors who are accidentally injured at your home or apartment.
• Additional Living Expenses – Reimbursements for costs of temporary housing during reconstruction. For example, if you were forced to find other temporary housing because of a fire or storm, your renter’s insurance would reimburse you for temporary housing costs.

Coverage Choices:

• Replacement Coverage – Allows you to receive the full purchase price of lost items. (You will receive the amount of brand new “stuff” at today’s cost with no depreciation.)
• Scheduled Personal Property – Extends protection beyond your basic policy limits for certain high-value items

Do you have any questions about your renter’s or other insurance policies? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at the agency. We are happy to discuss your coverages and answer any questions you may have.

Whether you can trace your families’ bloodlines to Ireland or not, most people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Here are a few St. Patrick’s Day Fun Facts:

• Tradition says that you wear green on St. Patrick’s Day to hide from leprechauns that would pinch you.
• St. Patrick was not born in Ireland. It is believed he was born in Britain and kidnapped by Irish raiders.
• The first-ever St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in America.
• The 4 leaves of the clover symbolize Faith, Love, Hope, and Luck.
• Beer is the most widely consumed beverage on St. Patrick’s Day.
• Your odds of finding a four-leaf clover are about 1 in 10,000.
• Ireland and Montserrat are the only 2 countries that have made St. Patrick’s Day a public holiday.
• There are 34.7 million U.S. residents with Irish ancestry. This number is more than seven times the population of Ireland itself.

Need a little laugh this week?

• Q: How can you tell if an Irishman is having a good time?
• 
A: He’s Dublin over with laughter!

• 

Q: What do you call a fake stone in Ireland?

• A: A sham rock

I hope you enjoyed this information.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

It’s almost time to spring forward! Be sure to set a reminder to move your clocks ahead an hour on Sunday, March 13th to make sure you are not an hour late 😊

This is also a great time to take care of important tasks around your home:

• Change the batteries in your smoke detectors
• Flip your mattress
• Wash your pillows
• Take stock of your medicine cabinet and pantry
• Clean your fridge’s coils
• Vacuum out your dryer’s vent and ducts
• Replace or clean filters around your house
• Clean the oven
• Check your emergency kit

Daylight Savings is also a great time to call our office to review your insurance policies to make sure there are no gaps in your coverage and that you are receiving all possible discounts. We suggest reviewing your coverage at least once a year. Make sure you ask us to review your policies regularly to ensure you are getting the best coverage and all discounts possible!

It is estimated that 93 million adults in the United States are at high risk for serious vision loss. Proper care and caution are very important to prevent serious eye diseases and possible blindness.

You can reduce your risk of vision problems by taking steps as simple as wearing sunglasses and getting an annual eye exam.

Many eye and vision problems have no obvious signs or symptoms. It’s important that we are informed and recognize the risk so we can safeguard our eye health.

Here are 5 tips to help you do just that:

• Wear sunglasses — Wearing sunglasses that block ultraviolet (UV) rays can delay the development of cataracts by protecting your eyes from direct sunlight that can damage the retina. Sunglasses also protect the delicate eyelid skin and reduce your risk of wrinkles and skin cancer around the eye.
• Don’t smoke — Tobacco smoking is directly linked to many adverse health effects, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Studies show that current smokers and ex-smokers are more likely to develop AMD than people who have never smoked. Smokers are also at increased risk for developing cataracts.
• Eat right — A vitamin or mineral deficiency can impair retinal function. The belief that eating carrots improves vision has some truth, but a variety of vegetables, especially leafy green ones, should be an important part of your diet.
• Early intervention — Age-related eye diseases, including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and AMD are expected to dramatically increase over the next several years. Left untreated, these diseases can cause serious vision loss and blindness. Regardless of your age, early intervention now will prevent vision loss later.
• Be aware of eye fatigue — If your eyes are tired from working at a computer or doing close work, you can follow the 20-20-20 rule: Look up from your work every 20 minutes at an object 20 feet away for 20 seconds. If eye fatigue persists, it can be a sign of several different conditions, such as dry eye syndrome, and you should see an eye doctor to determine why you are having eye fatigue and to receive proper treatment.

Six ingredients and ten minutes of prep are all you need to make this creamy, delicious goodness! It’s so good you may want to make a double batch and freeze one for another day!

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 1 can Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup or Campbell’s Condensed 98% Fat-Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 3 cups frozen tater tots

Directions

1. Cook the beef and onion in a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat until the beef is well browned, stirring to separate meat. Pour off any fat.
2. Stir the soup, ketchup, and Worcestershire in the skillet. Spoon the beef mixture into a 2-quart shallow baking dish. Arrange the potatoes around the inside edge of the baking dish.
3. Bake at 425°F. for 25 minutes or until the potatoes are golden brown.

Enjoy!

Every home is vulnerable to leaks and flooding. Dealing with water damage can be expensive and annoying. The good news is there are several easy ways to prevent water-related problems.

Look at these maintenance tips to help keep your house dry and your foundation strong.

1. Clean your gutters. To do their duty, gutters must be free of leaves, nests, and other debris. Be sure to clean out your gutters regularly or they may send water directly to the sides and foundation of your house instead of carrying it safely away.
2. Watch for signs of a leak. Identifying and repairing potential water leaks can help you steer clear of mold and termites. Pay attention to any upticks in your water bill and listen for dripping sounds. Also look for physical signs of trouble, like dark spots around your pipes or ceiling stains.
For extra peace of mind, consider investing in a smart water leak sensor that will detect hidden leaks and alert you when there’s an issue.
3. Avoid chemical drain cleaners. Harsh chemicals can erode your pipes to the point of puncture, so do yourself a favor and invest in a drain snake. They’re effective, inexpensive, and better for your health and the environment.
4. Insulate your pipes. There are plenty of ways to avoid bursting pipes. Whether you leave cabinet doors ajar, leave faucets dripping or cover outdoor spigots with foam shields, be sure to act before inclement weather hits. Insulating your pipes is the best preparation.

Along with these preventive actions, make sure you know what your policy covers in the event you do have to file a claim. It is important to remember what is covered under a home policy versus what requires a flood policy.

If you have any questions about any of your current policies or about adding a policy, do not hesitate to reach out. Call the agency today!