As the sun sets earlier and football players hit the practice fields, you can FEEL it- it is time for back to school! Does your teenager or tweenager have a laptop? A Personal Articles Insurance Policy is a must, especially if the young ones are off to college.
Another thing to consider for the college students is renters insurance; covering their stuff in the dorm or rental house: a renters policy will cover all clothing, furniture, and provides liability coverage. Renters and personal articles policies average $10 dollars per month and are also great to help reduce premium on a young drivers automobile insurance.
School days are cool days and as technology plays a bigger role in our lives, keep in mind that a little protection goes a long way.
This article is in regards to Sioux Falls Flood Insurance-are you covered? I grew up in Minot, North Dakota which recently made national headlines for record flooding of the Souris “Mouse” River (A river very similar to the big Sioux). This was caused by heavy Canadian snowfall and torential spring rains. 10,000 homes were affected by this catastrophe and most had no coverage. In 1976, I witnessed a similar situation with the flooding of “The Mouse,” not at the same scale, but it prompted authorities to raise the levies to the point that floods were absolutely no concern, therefore flood insurance was not a concern for most Minotians!
If you live by any body of water: a lake, stream, river or in a valley with a river running through it- flood protection is always a must. Flood maps mean very little when Mother Nature is in charge. So many people witnessed this with the Missouri River over the summer: never say never!
We offer flood insurance protection at our office through the National Flood Insurance Protection Program and would be happy to discuss any concerns you may have for protecting your property from H2O! Even if your mortgage company doesn’t require coverage, it is important to discuss this topic with an insurance professional.
Sioux Falls Flood Insurance and flood insurance across the country requires a 30-day waiting period before it is in effect. Floods do not give notice!
Posted in Flood Insurance Homeowners insurance Renters insurance by .
Buying a Car Insurance policy, like most policies, is the kind of spending that people like to avoid, especially because of its recurring nature. Insurance is said to be an investment that repays itself incase of a mishap. In most cases, as it is observed, such accidents never happen. This leaves people with a feeling that their money is spent on an imaginary unpleasant incident that hardly ever, and in their own case, never, takes place.
However, accidents do take place. They may not affect everyone simultaneously but at one point of time or other someone could be seen in the middle of a severe adversity. This is precisely the premise which gave birth to the concept called “insurance”. Maximum people will pool money for the loss that might happen to someone among themselves.
It is crucial to know that the low-priced options are not necessarily the best options. In the eventuality of a disagreeable contingency people may perhaps discover that the insurance policy that they bought for their car was not the right choice. “Cheap” could turn out to be expensive. It denies the policy holder the benefit Car Insurance is supposed to provide in case of an accident.
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Sioux Falls Renters Insurance
If you rent a home, apartment, condominium or other dwelling renters insurance is the way to protect your personal possessions. Your landlord will likely have a commercial property or homeowners insurance policy on the structure you are renting, but that policy does not cover your possessions such as furniture, clothing, electronic equipment and other belongings. Renters insurance is relatively inexpensive because it typically only covers your belongings and not the structure, but it does pay to compare renters insurance policies to find the best deal.
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Every day people ask themselves, “How much homeowner’s insurance do I need?” The answer varies, depending on each person’s situation. Usually you should insure your home for its whole value, the actual building and all of its contents.
In order to find out exactly how much your home is worth, you should have it appraised. You can have an appraiser, builder or insurance agent give you an estimate on its value. However, if you ever remodel or add on to your home, its value will increase, and you will then need to purchase more coverage
For any valuable possessions you have, you can purchase extended coverage, to ensure those items are covered as well. The best thing to do is take a room-by-room inventory of your valuables then keep this list somewhere outside the home, for example, a safe-deposit box.
To determine if valuable possessions, such as TVs, stereos or computers are covered, or if you have any other questions about homeowner’s insurance, contact an insurance professional.
Posted in Homeowners insurance Life insurance by .
Aug 11
3
Recessions Breed Crime!
Would you be surprised to learn that every 9 hours a burglary occurs in the city of Sioux Falls? How about a robbery once a week? Even more surprising is that the Sioux Falls police department receives a call for service on average once every 7 minutes! Sioux Falls is still well below the national average when it comes to all crimes but the alarming statistic is burglaries between 2009 and 2010 are up 22% from 797 in 2009 to 1017 in 2010.
Is your life ever worth a valuable…the answer is always NO! There are things that still need to be done to protect your possessions in uncertain times. Renters need renters insurance always! Your landlord has a policy on the building but when it comes to what you have in the building there is almost always no coverage! Homeowner’s need to make sure they have enough personal property coverage to cover all their personal property, as your family grows so does your stuff and your current policy may not be adequate. Discuss your current coverage with your insurance professional and keep in mind to be vigilant to suspicious activity. Crime may be on the rise, the importance of your current insurance coverage should rise with this!
Posted in Homeowners insurance Renters insurance by .
May 11
12
7 Strategies For Saving Money!
It can be very challenging to begin a savings program. After necessities such as food, clothing and housing, there can be little left to put aside for future goals.
For that reason, State Farm has looked at various ways to get a person’s savings plan on track and came up with seven strategies that you can use today.
1. Use a tax refund to reduce debt.-Instead of spending your refund, use it wisely by paying down debt
2. Take full advantage of your employer’s retirement contributions. Your employer may match a percentage of the contributions you make to your retirement. It’s a good idea to do what it takes to get the matching limit. It’s free money that can really help your bottom line during retirement.
3. Start small and stay steady. The first word is the most important – start.
4. Pay yourself first.Think of your savings or investments as a bill you must pay on a regular basis, yo your future! For better results, establish an automatic monthly deduction from your paycheck or checking account to fund an investment or savings account.
5. Create separate pots of savings for upcoming life stages. Don’t short-change other goals while concentrating on one thing such as retirement. Whether it’s a home, car or child’s education, it is important to give appropriate attention to each.
6. If you have children, find the right education plan. You have a number of choices when it comes to saving for a child’s education and there are a vast number of education grants, loans, and scholarships.
7. Work with someone you know and trust. Everyone’s needs and goals are unique plus your financial goals may change. You should work with a professional who not only knows about various strategies, but knows you and will stay with you through the long haul. It all boils down to making a plan, getting started and staying the course. When you make the decision to finally start, contact a financial professional who knows you and understands your needs.
Posted in Homeowners insurance Life insurance by .
May 11
12
Warding OFF Water Woes
Water damage can occur almost anywhere in your HOME. Refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, toilets and water heaters are common locations of leaks. Unfortunately, slow leaks at these appliances and fixtures are often times impossible to see and if it goes undetected, a slow leak can lead to rotting house framing and subfloors, and can be a precursor to a catastrophic leak that can release several gallons of water per minute, causing extensive water damage. A water leak detection system may help prevent these problems.
An individual appliance system, which costs $50 to $150, detects a leak from a specific appliance, such as a washing machine or water heater and shuts off the water supply to that appliance only. You can often install these systems without the use of special tools. A whole house system, which costs $500 to $1,500, sends an alarm when a leak is detected and automatically shuts off the main water service. Some models can also be integrated with a local or central station security system.
There are two types of water leak detection systems: passive and active. Contact a local contractor, building official or hardware store for more information about water leak detection systems.
Posted in Homeowners insurance Renters insurance by .
Apr 11
29
Are Your Final Expenses Covered?
Are Your Final Expenses Covered?
Imagine if your daughter came home tomorrow and said I’m getting married tomorrow and we need your help to pay. What if you crashed a car and your insurance lapsed-your only car, or taxes went up 15,000 and they are due today. Very similar situations financially as the cost of a funeral -While death is an inevitable part of life, financial questions associated with final medical bills, funeral expenses and estate settlements should not be. Two things are certain death and taxes!
Preparing for those costs today could prevent family members from dealing with a financial burden in addition to coping with the loss of a loved one.
One way you can assure that final expenses are covered for your whole family without placing the responsibility on your family is to make certain you have a life insurance policy that will meet your needs. Your life insurance policy can be an important part of your financial planning. Taking the time now to review your coverage and benefits may give you the peace of mind you deserve.
Visit with your insurance agent and discuss how a life insurance policy can cover your final expenses. It will only take a few moments of your time, but may go a long way toward easing the burdens of those you leave behind.
Posted in Health insurance Life insurance by .
* Do not put those big cardboard boxes on the sidewalk for the trash company to pick up.
* Take the cardboard boxes to your local center, or
* Hang onto the boxes for future use if you think you might need them.
* To get rid of them on garbage day, cut them down and stack them together so that no one can read the word on the boxes.
* Don’t tell the whole world what your plans are. Once you leave a message on Facebook that you will be gone the week between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, you have offered an open invitation to your homes vacancy
* Protect your home or apartment with homeowners or renters insurance protecting your valuables from theft
* Do not leave your bags in the back seat put them in the trunk and if at all possible it may be a pain dragging bags through the mall but remember there are predators out there may be looking at you load your Gifts. Most auto insurance deductibles average $500 for comprehensive theft coverage and a break in to your vehicle could ruin a holiday be safe, smart, and vigilant times are tough and unfortunately that almost always makes for increased crime.
Posted in Homeowners insurance Renters insurance by .
Dec 10
27
Road Rage “Keep Your Cool”
Does it seem like the world is a much more hostile place than it used to be? The definition of “road rage” – use of violence to settle a dispute related to driving. The outcome is never good, mostly costly, and not worth the second of anger you may be experiencing.
Please keep in mind a major reason for today’s aggressive driving is traffic congestion. Construction of new roads and widening of existing ones has lagged far behind the ever-increasing number of cars on the road. In some metropolitan areas, the concept of “rush hour” is virtually outdated because the roads seem to be packed at all times.
Another factor is that many of us lead fast-paced lives and are always in a hurry to get somewhere. Remember your loved ones want you at home as quick as possible, but more importantly they want you to make it home.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) here are a few things you can do to avoid becoming an aggressive-driving victim or offender:
· Don’t tailgate.
· Dismiss an aggressive driver-it is not worth it.
· Ignore obscene gestures and definitely do not return the favor.
· Use your horn sparingly and be cognizant that it will startle other drivers.
· Signal before switching lanes always.
· Allow adequate time for your trip. Realize that you can’t control traffic – only your reaction to it.
· If you think someone is driving dangerously and may be breaking the law, consider reporting that driver to the authorities.
· When parking, don’t take up more than one space.
It’s important to plan how you will react: If someone provokes you, take a deep breath and remember “it’s not worth it.”
The important thing is that you reach your destination safely. It’s ok to accept responsibility if you did make a mistake – a simple, “I am sorry,” goes a long way.
Posted in Auto insurance Motorcycle insurance by .
There are four risk factors that cause 84% of teen crashes.
Inexperience
About two-thirds of fatal teen crashes involve driver error – making mistakes due to inexperience and distractions. Add ice and poor visibility to that equation and this time of year is the time to get back in your teens heads: teach them how to handle South Dakota winter roads without all the noise.
Distractions
A teen driver’s fatal crash risk increases by three to five times if there are two or more passengers in the car. A driver who talks on a mobile phone is four times more likely to be involved in a serious crash, regardless of whether the driver uses a hands-free cell phone. How ugly do you think the figures are when roads are slick or snow packed?
Speed
The faster you drive, the longer it takes you to stop. Multiply that when road conditions are poor and it becomes certain recipe for disaster. Speed limits on the road were set for perfect driving conditions. My father used to take me to an empty parking lot after the first few winter storms and show me how to handle the ice and snow. He explained what to do in case of a slide and showed me how long it takes to stop and what to do if you can’t.
Fatigue
The effects of driving while tired are similar to the effects of drinking and driving. Three-fourths of teens report having seen other teens driving noticeably tired. Drivers younger than 25 years cause the majority of drowsy driving-related crashes. Rest up your teen when you know they are tired from studying or extracurricular activities. Teens need to be alert during winter driving, which can be scary. If your teen is not ready to take on icy roads, it’s ok to be the taxi for a few days. Let your teen know it is ok to not want to travel in heavy conditions. A good lesson to learn for all of us is sometimes staying home makes the most sense!
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Flood Insurance what does it cover?
Flood policy coverage may include recovery from:
- Personal property damage
- Mechanical and structural damages to the building
- Debris removal
As we found out this summer in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, a flood can happen anytime, anywhere for any number of reasons. Every state experiences some type of flooding, even in low risk areas. Just a few inches of water can damage your home and your personal belongings. A severe flood could destroy a home and all its contents. With the amount of rain this summer, one can only imagine what winter and spring will bring to the Sioux Empire. You can prevent a major loss with flood insurance.
The standard renter’s or homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover damage caused by floodwaters. Because Sioux Falls participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you can purchase a flood insurance policy from the federal government or a participating insurance agency.
Winter storms and snowmelt are often overlooked causes of flooding. Other things to consider are prevention tips to avoid water build up in your yard.
- Make sure your rain gutters are free of debris, dirt and leaves.
- Do what you can to keep water runoff away from your home by checking the slope and making sure there are no obstacles preventing water from escaping your property.
- Holes, dips, and areas that can store water should be filled with dirt to even out your yard to allow water to flow to the streets and into our sewer system.
Don’t wait for inclement weather to consider additional protection for your home. Flood insurance policies can have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. Invest some time discussing your options with an insurance agent today.
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