Avoiding Frozen Pipes

When the temperatures drop in the winter, there is a possibility that your water pipes could freeze. Since water expands when it freezes, there is a chance that a pipe could burst, which could cause major damage to your home. To avoid this from happening, install frost-proof hose bibs, find and wrap exposed water pipes and keep garage doors closed.

Driving in the snow and ice

Auto accidents during the winter are often related to slick roads and driving in poor weather conditions. Whether you live in a climate that gets yearly snow and icy roads or you are traveling to a climate that does, every driver should have the knowledge for driving in these conditions.

A few things to consider:

• If your vehicle starts to slide on the road, take your foot off the gas until you regain traction. While it can be natural to want to slam on your brakes, try not to do this.
• Make sure your vehicle has plenty of windshield washer fluid. The last thing you want to do is run out of fluid on muddy, frozen roads and have it impact your visibility.
• Always check weather conditions. If conditions are bad and you still have to make your trip, allow yourself extra time to get to your destination. This allows you to drive slower as well as give yourself more distance between other cards on the road.

Liability concerns regarding ice or tripping hazards in your driveway

With more people doing home delivery for groceries, gifts and other necessities during the pandemic it is important to keep your delivery area clear of hazards. Avoid being held liable for a slip and fall injury claim by keeping your driveway and stairs clear of hazards for your delivery drivers. Keep extension cords tucked safely away, make sure steps and driveways are free of ice and slippery surfaces are scrubbed clean. A huge thank you to delivery drivers everywhere.

Review your policy

Life changes, so should your insurance policy. If you need an agent to review your current insurance policy, reach out to us! There are many scenarios where an update to your insurance policy may be necessary. Items such as a kitchen remodels, a big-ticket purchase like jewelry, art, collectibles or antiques or if you are driving less to name a few. If you are shopping prices or want to change your coverage, reach out to us. We can shop all our insurance carriers and help you find a policy that suits your budget and coverage requirements. We will always explain your coverage options too.

Watching for rodents

Rodent damage isn’t always covered by your home insurance policy. Rodents are always looking for a warm place during the winter months and likely would prefer to enter your home if given the opportunity.

Here are a few tips:

• Cover all holes and gaps in your crawlspace by checking your screens and access panels.
• Never store food in your garage or crawlspace. Also leave your pet food in a safe place. It can be stored high on racks or in an airtight container.

If you suspect a rodent may be in your crawlspace, consider calling a professional to come out and look.

Owning a home is a great way to build wealth and give your family a place to build memories. Insuring your home correctly is important to protect your investment and your family’s well-being. Today we will go over three things to discuss with your insurance agent regarding your home insurance policy.

1. You remodeled.

A new bathroom, a custom kitchen, hardwood floors or a new outdoor living space all add value to your home. Not only are they improving the function and livability of your space, but you have increased the replacement cost of your home. By discussing these changes with your insurance agent, they can run a replacement cost estimator and ensure that the changes you have made still fit your current policy. They can easily adjust your existing policy to ensure your new features are covered in the event of a catastrophic loss to your home.

2. You changed mortgage companies

Do you ever wonder why you never see an actual bill for your home insurance? It is likely because your mortgagee is paying it. Homes that are financed are required to carry insurance, which is why your mortgage company pays the bill, then includes it in your monthly mortgage payment (typically listed as “escrow” on your bill). If you change mortgage companies, be sure to contact your insurance agent and let them know who the new company is. This way, your home insurance company will not have a skipped payment. Insuring your largest investment is serious business and a lapse in coverage can be catastrophic. If you refinance or receive a notice that the lender is changing, send a quick email to your agent informing them of the change.

3. Your home insurance premium seems out of line

If it has been a while since you shopped your home insurance, you may be wondering if your current home insurance company is the most cost-effective solution and that the coverages you originally had are still the best for you. Because we are an independent insurance agency, we represent many of the top-rated insurance companies. We can compare coverages, pricing, and deductibles side-by-side so you can review what you have now and what other companies offer. This way, you know your asset is properly insured with the right coverage for you. Nothing you do not need and certainly everything you do need!

A home insurance review can take just a few minutes of your time but save you a huge headache down the road. If you would like to review your coverage with one of our agents, simply call and schedule a time. We might even have a new company who offers specialized coverages that would suite your needs better at this time.

It isn’t uncommon for people to type into a Google search bar, “best place to find car insurance” or “best insurance rate.” There are many ways to purchase an insurance policy but there are countless benefits of buying from an independent agent.

As an independent insurance agency, we want to explain why buying your insurance policy through a company like ours is always the best option.

First and foremost: Choice. 

We represent multiple, top-rated insurance companies. Some great local ones as well as some nationally recognized names. This means you get the best coverage and pricing from many of the best companies in your state. Our licensed agents will search our network of great companies to find you the best rate and coverage on your car, home, business, or life insurance policy! One call to us can save you hours of time.

Secondly: Options.

We can discuss what coverage options we feel would be best for your specific needs. We can explain what happens when you have specific coverage options vs. not having the coverage options. We can shop your deductible and let you choose a lower or higher and show you the differences in your premium all with the click of a mouse. With this information you can make the choice on what works best for you. We always want to make sure you fully understand your options so you can make an informed choice on your insurance policy.

Thirdly: More discounts.

Being an independent insurance agent, we also will search for available discounts. Whether it is bundling multiple policies together or finding other ways to save you money, we understand saving money is important to all of our customers. We take pride in finding you discounts! If you are unhappy with your insurance price at renewal time, let us requote you with one of our other carriers.

Lastly, we’re local!

We work and live in your community. We are always a quick phone call or email away. If you need to add a vehicle, remove a vehicle, get a quick quote on a motorcycle or boat you’re interested in buying, or want to add umbrella insurance, we can help. You can get this information over the phone or we can email you options for you to review at your convenience.

Insurance can be confusing which is why the best place to find an insurance policy is through an independent insurance agent. We will answer your questions, provide you with many coverage choices and will find ways to make your insurance coverage affordable. Contact us by calling our office, requesting a quote through our website or simply emailing us.