by Flagship Staff | Jun 4, 2019 | Blog
So, you’ve arranged a moving-in date for your new home; cleared out your junk; organized transfer of your cable, mail, and utilities; and ordered your moving containers. What next?
Presuming you’re going to be using a moving company, you’ll want to get that service booked soon, but before you do, there’s one thing you absolutely need to think about: insurance.
Insurance isn’t the most exciting part of a home move but imagine the fallout if your moving truck ends up in a river or a rogue driver goes AWOL with a truckload of your possessions. It’s very rare that this kind of thing happens, but you’ll want to be prepared if it does. Of course, relatively minor mishaps, such as a dropped flat screen TV happen more frequently. After all, cardboard boxes can split and people can drop things.
Before you sign a contract with the moving company you should do some homework and a little bit of math. You may have a limited amount of coverage built into your homeowners or renters insurance policy. But usually, homeowners policies don’t cover personal property while in transit or storage. It’s important to sit down and discuss this with your agent.
To see what coverage you have, you’ll need to run through the following checklist of items:
Are you covered for moving?
Is there a time limit?
Are you covered if you’re moving your items into storage?
Are you covered if you use a professional moving company?
Do your contents have to be properly packed? Does this mean the movers have to pack them for you?
What deductible will you have to pay if you have a claim?
Are any items excluded?
Is there a price-per-item limit?
What’s the claims process?
The answers to some of these questions may result in extra costs for you. For example, if you need the moving company to pack on your behalf they’ll likely charge for that.
When you call your insurance agent, you should ask about:
Any riders or floaters that can increase your protection;
Whether a claim would push up future premiums;
If they offer any ‘basic perils’ coverage if you intend to continue using your current insurance company in your new property; and
The effect of increasing or reducing deductibles.
You should get prices for all the above and use these to decide on the level of risk you’re comfortable with. There’s never zero risk!
If you’re a first-time buyer, note that your new insurance policy will probably not cover your possessions until they’re in the new house although if you have an existing renters policy that would provide coverage. If you don’t have an existing policy but were previously protected under another person’s policy (e.g. a parent’s), it’s worth asking them to check with their insurer to see if they’ll extend some coverage in return for you taking your first insurance policy out with them – this can work!
If you haven’t purchased homeowners insurance yet, West Bend offers a policy with numerous coverage options. A West Bend homeowners policy provides coverage for 30 days subject to the perils of the policy and home deductible, up to the limits of the policy for a newly acquired principal residence.
When you know what’s covered by your existing policy, you can look at what your moving company could offer you.
Can your moving company provide insurance coverage?
Federal regulations require all moving companies to offer two types of insurance coverage if you’re moving out of state. However, this isn’t technically regarded as insurance in the same way as your home, renters, or condo insurance.
Released Value Protection is liability coverage that’s based on weight. This coverage pays up to 60 cents per pound for personal property. However, with all the electronic devices in a person’s home, this coverage is very minimal and wouldn’t pay full replacement cost.
Full Value Protection may cover you for the repair or replacement of your personal property. If you purchase this coverage, make sure you check with your moving company to see how you’ll be covered. Usually, their insurance policy determines if the damaged items will be replaced with new ones or at their depreciated value (i.e. reduced value based on age and condition).
Once you’ve talked to your insurance agent and the moving company, you’ll have a better a better idea of how the different coverage options work.
by Flagship Staff | May 28, 2019 | Blog
Are you disappointed with how your lawn looks this spring? Do you have bare spots? Harsh winters, insects, animals, and disease can wreak havoc on your lawn. While I’m not striving for the perfect lawn, I do take pride in having a nice, healthy one.
If you’re frustrated with how your lawn looks and you want to fix the bare spots, you can! For existing lawns, lawncare professionals recommend core aeration and over seeding in the fall. This process promotes overall healthy growth and can help thicken it. However, you can add seed to your lawn in the spring and experience good results.
Here are some tips for fixing your lawn.
1. Determine the best time to plant. Depending on where you live, certain times of the year will generate better results. In the Midwest, cool-season grass seeds will germinate when soil temperatures consistently range between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in southern states, warm-season grass seed will germinate when soil temperatures are between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the soil temperatures are confusing, a less technical rule of thumb is grass seed germinates when the air temperature is consistently between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lastly, if you experience a cool spring or summer, germination may take longer, or it may fail.
2. Prepare the site. Watering a bare spot will not get the grass to regrow. Site preparation is needed. Before planting the seed, make sure that weeds, exiting grass, sticks, and rocks are removed. After the area is cleaned up, rough up the soil or lay down some fresh topsoil. The layer of topsoil only needs to be about a quarter inch thick. This allows the seed to connect with the soil. Laying seed on a hard, compact surface won’t work well.
3. Select the appropriate grass seed. This may seem like a no brainer. All you need to do is visit your local retail store and buy what’s on their shelves, right? While your local retail store will carry products that contain a mixture of seed that’s appropriate for your area, there are a few things you should consider.
Does your lawn get full or partial sun?
Do you have pets?
Does your lawn get light, moderate, or heavy foot traffic?
For example, Kentucky Bluegrass or Bermudagrass are good for heavy-traffic lawns. Perennial Ryegrass is good for light to moderate traffic.
For small areas I’ve used a product that contains a combination of grass seed, mulch, and fertilizer all in one and enjoyed success.
4. Determine the correct grade. For small patch jobs, determining the correct grade isn’t critical. All you need to do is make sure the soil is flat. If you’re reseeding your entire yard, you can do it yourself however, the process is more complicated. Your yard should be graded so that water flows. The last thing you need or want is large mud puddles in your yard or water running towards your home. If you run into trouble, contact your local landscape professional.
5. Apply the seed. Gently sprinkle the seed on the bare spot until it’s sufficiently covered. You still should be able to see the soil.
6. Water gently. After you’ve planted your grass seed, briefly and gently water the soil two to five times per day. The number of times to water will depend on the temperature. The goal is to keep the soil moist.
7. Don’t get frustrated. Depending on the type of grass seed you’ve planted, germination can take from 5 to 30 days. If you don’t see acceptable results after 30 days, give the process another try, or consider waiting until fall.
by Flagship Staff | May 22, 2019 | Blog
Do you remember buying your first new car? Or how about adding a teen driver to your policy? These experiences are often exciting and signify milestones in our lives.
However, these milestones come along with the responsibility to purchase auto insurance. Buying auto insurance isn’t as exciting.
Auto insurance includes different types of coverages, such as Comprehensive, Collision, and Liability. Trying to figure out the appropriate insurance coverage needed and the appropriate insurance limits to carry can be daunting.
In today’s litigious society, it’s crucial to make sure you have adequate liability insurance limits. Currently, liability insurance is required in 49 of 50 states. The limits required in each state may be different and may only be minimum requirements.
If you’re responsible for causing an auto accident and injuring another person or damaging their property, you could be held financially liable for damages if you’re underinsured.
The different types of Liability insurance limits available;
Auto accident scenarios; and
How the different coverage limits apply.
Remember, it’s important to buy as much liability insurance as you can afford. Big losses usually occur on the liability side. If you don’t have enough liability insurance, you may be held personally and financially liable for the injuries and property damage you’ve caused.
If you have questions about your auto insurance policy, contact your insurance agent. Finding out after a loss that you don’t have adequate liability insurance limits isn’t a good situation for you or your insurance company.
by Flagship Staff | May 14, 2019 | Blog
Having your perfect wedding and buying your dream home are both exciting milestones, full of new adventure and hopeful possibility. However, both events require a significant amount of careful logistical and financial planning. There are so many little details to work out, that when challenges arise, it’s difficult to keep everything from falling apart. But have no fear! There are plenty of helpful tools to help you steer your big day and your big move into smooth sailing.
Set Financial Goals
Budget, budget, budget! It’s important to sit down as soon as possible and decide what you need and what you want out of each experience. Give each item careful consideration and strike a balance between what’s most desirable, and what’s reasonable. If you’re too conservative with your plans and your money, you may not be able to enjoy the wedding and the home of your dreams. If you’re too ambitious, you may find yourself in a sticky monetary situation. Finding that sweet spot is your first step toward your future.
Once you’ve created a budget, start setting aside a percentage of your income each month. Cut down on any extras and limit your splurging. If you need a bit of extra help, budget planning apps like WeddingHappy and Mint can help you set goals, plan out timelines, and keep track of your spending.
Check it Twice
Embrace the checklist! You’re less likely to forget to make that phone call, book that caterer, or meet with your real estate agent if you have everything written down. Put your action items in order of priority and create smaller lists for each of those big jobs. Be diligent about checking it each day. If you need help knowing what needs to be on your to-do lists, start with this moving checklist to get you started and adapt it to fit your needs.
Stick to a Schedule
Not only is it essential to maintain a strict financial schedule but wedding bells and moving vans also come with meticulous logistics that are time sensitive. Most wedding venues, photographers, florists, and caterers are booked months–at times, years–in advance. Once you set dates and finalize plans, keep a neatly organized list of contact numbers and dates for check-ins. Mistakes happen, and if something falls through the cracks or goes awry, you’ll want to know as soon as possible so that you can resolve the issue, or make other arrangements. The Knot and Lady Marry are both excellent wedding planners, and these apps will help you stay on top of everything else!
Delegate
Every dollar, every hour, and every task should have a designated purpose when juggling your move and your wedding. So, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Delegate tasks to trusted friends and family, and make sure to maintain clear and honest communication well ahead of time. That way, you can take care of the big stuff while others can make phone calls, help you pack, and pick up essentials.
Hire Professionals
When it comes to wedding plans, always be sure to hire professionals. Relying on friends, family, or friends of friends for photography and catering can cause tension in your personal relationships, adding extra and unnecessary stress to your itinerary. However, don’t hesitate to ask them for recommendations! If you’re still unsure of who to hire, you can use crowdsourcing apps like Yelp and choose vendors that suit your particular needs.
While hiring movers can get a little pricey, they can save you a lot of precious time and lots of stress. As experts in their field, they have plenty of experience in packing, loading, and unloading belongings. Be sure to get a few estimates before you decide to move forward with a moving company!
Insurance
Unfortunately, sometimes things don’t go quite according to plan, and you’ll want to be covered in the event of an emergency, accident, or other unforeseen event. On top of contingency plans with your individual wedding vendors, look into moving insurance, wedding insurance, and home owners insurance to protect you if things go wrong. It’ll give you peace of mind that’s well worth the investment.
While West Bend doesn’t offer wedding insurance, your independent insurance agent should be able to find coverage.
Self-Care
Lastly, it’s critical to remember that your move and your wedding are intended to be blissful gateways into your new life with your partner. Chances are, you’ll be juggling these changes on top of work, school, and family, which can get very exhausting and stressful. Make time for yourself, and for your relationship. Treat yourself to some pampering, even if it’s just a hot bath at the end of a long day. Plan date nights, a few weekends away, and small treats to enjoy in between your planning time. When you take care of yourself and your relationships, you’re better equipped to handle curveballs as they come!
by Flagship Staff | May 7, 2019 | Blog
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. As the weather begins to improve, more motorcyclists will bring their motorcycles out of storage. If you’re a rider, this is an exciting time of year. If you’re a motorist, it’s important to be on the lookout.
Unfortunately, motorcyclist deaths occur 28 times more frequently than deaths of occupants in other vehicles. In 2017, 5,172 motorcyclists lost their lives. While deaths were down 114 people from 2016, it’s way too many.
While I don’t own a motorcycle, I do enjoy riding on two wheels. I enjoy riding my Trek bicycle and my Yamaha Zuma scooter. Both rides have me sharing the road with other motorists. Often motorists don’t see me even though I wear bright colors and have headlights and tail lights that are extremely bright during daylight hours.
Not all motorcycle accidents are the result of a collision with another vehicle. Animals, debris on the road, and not wearing a helmet can all contribute to injuries and death.
Here are some safety tips for motorists, as well as all two wheeled enthusiasts.
>Motorists
Double check your blind spots. Because of their speed and size, motorcycles may quickly come in and out of your blind spots. Always take a second look now that motorcycles are out on the road.
Assess your surroundings. Always be on the lookout when approaching intersections or making a left-hand turn. Covering the brake pedal is a good idea as you drive through an intersection.
Allow plenty of distance. Allow plenty of distance between you and a motorcycle when braking. A motorcyclist may not always use their breaks when decelerating. They may be decelerating by down shifting or simply letting off the gas.
Watch out for flashing turn signals. Turn signals on motorcycles may not be self-canceling and the motorcyclist may have forgotten to turn it off. Wait to be sure the rider is going to turn before you proceed.
Know and follow the laws. Safe passing laws require a motor vehicle to allow no less than three feet of clearance when passing a bicyclist. The Dooring law states that a person in a parked car DOES NOT have the right to open the door at any time. A driver or passenger may only open a door when it’s reasonably safe and doesn’t interfere with the movement of traffic.
Watch for road debris. Especially right after winter, road debris is a big concern. There can be a build up of salt and sand on the side of the road if you haven’t had a good, steady, heavy rain in your area. This could result in slippery conditions.
Watch out for potholes. After a brutal winter, potholes can be found in new places. Hitting one could send you flying or severely damage your motorcycle.
Wear a DOT compliant helmet. You’re much more likely to sustain major injuries in a traffic collision if you don’t wear your helmet. Wearing it always when operating a motorcycle is crucial.
Watch for animals. If you’re riding after dusk in the country or through wooded areas, consider reducing your speed. Hitting an animal at a high rate of speed can send you flying. In addition, never swerve to miss striking the animal. This can put you in the lane of oncoming traffic or driving towards a tree. Brake as hard as you can until impact.
Navigate turns cautiously. Accidents are very common on curves and bends in the road. Pay attention to signs warning of curves and slow down to the suggested speed limit.
Pay attention to the weather. Always be aware of weather changes. Rain can make the pavement slippery. If you add leaves to the mix, pavement conditions can be extremely dangerous. Poor weather conditions can also make it difficult for other motorists to see you.
Drive in the left side of the lane. Driving here helps you to be more visible to motorists.
Bicyclists
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Make sure your bike is in proper working condition. This means making sure bolts are tight, brakes work, chains are lubed, and tires are inflated to the manufacture’s recommend tire pressure.
Consider buying some accessories for your bike. Accessories can make your commute to work safer and more enjoyable. A mirror, bell, headlight, and taillight are very important accessories. All of them help you navigate and safely manage your surroundings.
Obey all traffic laws. It happens all too often that bicyclists are seen running stoplights or riding on the wrong side of the road.
