by Flagship Staff | Dec 4, 2018 | Blog
Holiday songs fill the airwaves on the radio, neighborhoods are full of bright lights and holiday cheer, and shopping malls are full of hustle and bustle. The holiday season is officially here!
While you’re busy crossing items off your “To Do” list, burglars are looking for ways to fill their wish lists. During this time of year, thefts and break-ins increase significantly. Unoccupied homes and unlocked cars are easy targets. While insurance may provide some theft coverage, a situation like this will dampen your mood.
Here are some ways you can ward off holiday theft this year and keep your family safe.
1. Talk to your independent insurance agent. Contact your agent to make sure you have the appropriate coverages. Whether you own or rent a home, you should have the appropriate insurance coverage to protect you from theft and other perils. If you only have the basic coverage on your auto it may not be enough to cover theft, damage or vandalism.
2. Keep an eye on your packages. Online shopping has become so popular and neighborhoods are filled with delivery trucks this time of year. If a majority of your shopping is done online, it’s highly likely a package or two could be stolen from your front porch. Here are some useful tips that may help keep your packages safe.
3. Keep recent purchases out of sight. Whether at home or at the shopping mall, it’s important to keep your bags and packages out of sight. At home, consider storing them in your basement or a closet that’s away from main entrances. This will make the packages harder to find. When at the shopping mall, don’t put the bags in the back seat of your car. Store them in your trunk or hatchback. If you put them in your hatchback, don’t forget to pull the shade to hide them.
4. Document your recent purchases. If your purchases are on the expensive side, consider snapping a photo for documentation.
5. Lock your doors. If you tend to leave your car or home unlocked, you should consider locking it this time of year. Remember, break-ins increase during the holiday season. Also, make sure your windows are locked. Locked windows help keep burglars out and the heat in. For more information, on keeping your home safe, click here.
6. Always be aware of your surroundings. If you’re visiting the mall, before you exit your car, look around before getting out. When you come back with an armful of shopping bags, make sure you’re holding your keys in case you need to press the panic button or get into your car quickly.
Here is a variety of parking lot safety tips.
Lastly, don’t forget to scan the area when you pull up to an ATM machine to withdraw money.
7. Light up the night. Install motion-activated outdoor lighting. If all the entry points to your home are illuminated, it’s likely burglars will move on to the next house. In addition, consider installing smart lighting inside your home. Smart lighting can be controlled from anywhere in the world and schedules can be created easily.
8. Secure your luggage. If you’re going to be traveling this holiday season, make sure your luggage is secure. I don’t think I’ve ever been at an airport that isn’t busy. However, during the holiday season it’s estimated that 107.3 million Americans travel 50 miles or more from their home. Consider using TSA approved locks on your suitcase or backpacks. After going through security, grab your bags first and then your shoes. Don’t leave your bag sitting at the end of the conveyor belt.
9. Hang onto your purse. Keep an eye on your purse at all times. Purse thieves look for:
A purse draped over the back of a chair;
A wallet hanging out loosely;
A purse or wallet in a shopping cart;
A purse or wallet left in an unattended and unlocked car;
A purse left in vacant offices or fitting rooms; and
Items left on public coat racks.
Men should keep their wallet in their front pocket to avoid pick pocketing thieves.
10. Stuff the recycling bin full. Cut gift and electronics boxes into small pieces so they can fit in your recycling bin. There’s no need to broadcast your recent purchases with the neighborhood.
by Flagship Staff | Nov 27, 2018 | Blog
Rodent infestations can cause all sorts of destruction in your house, from messy droppings to structural damage and more. Unlike your auto policy, rodent damage and removal aren’t covered by most homeowner’s insurance policies.
Since infestations and the damage that results from rats and mice are usually considered matters of home maintenance, the responsibility is typically on the homeowner to pay for repairs and pest control methods.
Rodents (typically rats, mice, and squirrels) are most commonly found in your walls, roof spaces, cupboards, and storage areas so it might be difficult to detect them right away. Here are a few clues you might have an infestation:
Droppings – The most common sign you have a rodent problem is droppings. Droppings usually look like small grains of black rice and are often found where food is kept, under sinks, along baseboards, on top of wall beams, and inside cardboard boxes.
Odd noises – Scurrying in your walls, attic, or heck, even right across your living room — mainly at night. If you’re worried about critters getting to family heirlooms or other valuables in your attic or storage areas, it’s best to store those items in sealed plastic containers rather than cardboard boxes that they can easily chew through.
Gnaw marks – Rodents can cause major damage just by chewing. In addition, they can chew through materials you wouldn’t even suspect — including pipes and electrical wiring.
Nests – You might not see the nest at first but you’ll notice materials typically used to build them (shredded paper, packing materials, cotton, pieces of fabric, and wall insulation) around your home.
Tracks – Rats’ naturally oily fur attracts all kinds of dirt and grease. After a few trips between their nest and their food source, they often start leaving dark tracks or rub marks along your home’s floorboards and walls. These tracks are often signs of rats, as opposed to signs of mice, which can help you narrow down which rodent you’re dealing with.
Here are some tips to help you get rid of them:
Simple home maintenance – Keep the house clean, practice good sanitation, and patch up any openings in the home. Rodent proof areas where you keep food by using plastic and glass containers instead of cardboard they can easily chew through. Since droppings can trigger allergies, carry harmful bacteria, and even transmit serious diseases like salmonella, it’s important to use gloves and antiseptic spray to quickly clean up the mess and dispose of it outside your house.
Poisonous baits – These are not always the best options. Rodents tend to die in hard-to-reach areas and it’s difficult to locate the dead animal to get rid of the odor. Pets can accidentally ingest these products, as well.
Ultrasonic sound – With this method, sound loses its intensity quickly with distance, and it can’t penetrate behind objects like furniture or walls. Rodents who are already in the home can quickly get used to any sounds that may initially affect them.
Pest control professional – This is your safest option; they know how to locate rodents and they have the proper clothing and equipment to thoroughly extricate rodents from your home. This helps keep you and your family from being exposed to health hazards during the removal and cleanup process.
It’s always wise to speak with your insurance agent about what kind of protection your specific home coverages can provide.
by Flagship Staff | Nov 21, 2018 | Blog
‘Tis the season for tossing logs into the fireplace or cranking up the furnace. While winter hasn’t officially arrived, it’s close!
Heating your home during the winter months can be costly. One of the most relied upon systems in your home is your furnace. Sadly enough, it may also may be the most neglected system. It’s often tucked in a closet or in your basement. Even when you flip the switch to turn it on, you may not think about it.
Investing in smart technology and avoiding common heating mistakes can be beneficial for you, your family, and your wallet.
Programmable vs. Smart Thermostats
Growing up, my parent’s home had a basic thermostat. Other than setting the temperature, it was either on or off.
In my current home, I have a programmable thermostat that allows me to create a schedule based on the needs of my family. The problem with this type of thermostat is, it can be difficult to program.
I’ve managed to figure mine out and it works well. While programmable thermostats get the job done, the latest trend is the installation of smart thermostats. A fellow team member of mine has had a Nest thermostat for several years and loves it. While I’ve thought about replacing my programmable thermostat, the price tag always scares me away. If you’re ready to take the plunge, a smart thermostat can:
1. Adapt and create schedules automatically based on how you use it;
2. Offer improved interaction i.e. easier to read and responds to motion;
3. Link to your smartphone so that you can access it from anywhere in the world; and
4. Collect, analyze, and present data to you about heating and cooling costs.
To learn more about the Nest thermostat click here.
Common Heating mistakes
Installing a smart thermostat is one way to improve your home’s efficiency. By avoiding these common heating mistakes, you can improve its efficiency even more.
1. Cranking up your thermostat. Unlike your car, cranking up the temperature on your thermostat doesn’t heat your home faster. Turning up the temperature and forgetting about it will cause your furnace to work harder longer. In the end, this equates to a higher utility bill.
2. Setting your thermostat too low. I’ve read some articles that indicate turning your heat down seven to ten degrees for up to eight hours can save you as much as 10% a year on your utility bills. Following this approach can be drastic and cause your furnace to work even harder when trying to get your home back up to a comfortable temperature. My recommendation is to make small adjustments. This way, you can see how you, your family, and furnace respond. If you like it cool, never set your temperature below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Doing this can lead to frozen pipes, headaches, and significant expense.
3. Neglecting your air filter. An important part of your furnace is the air filter. HVAC professionals recommend changing your furnace filter every three months. Changing your filter on a regular basis can:
a. Improve air quality;
b. Increase efficiency;
c. Extend the life of your furnace; and
d. Keep your home and ductwork cleaner.
To learn more about selecting and installing a furnace filter, click here.
4. Avoiding yearly furnace maintenance. Every year, when severe cold weather strikes, we hear on the news about repair backlogs. Tuning up your furnace now can uncover small problems and improve overall efficiency.
5. Forgetting to lock your windows. Locking your windows during the winter months creates a tight seal that keeps the cold air out. For extremely drafty windows, consider caulking, weather stripping, or installing plastic over them.
6. Forgetting to turn off your exhaust fans. My daughters always forget to turn off our exhaust fans after they shower. My wife and I are constantly reminding them to turn them off. During the winter months, this becomes more of an issue. Running them longer than needed sends the warm air right out.
7. Closing vents and doors. I remember my grandma always closing her doors to avoid heating unoccupied rooms in her home. Your best bet is to keep vents and doors open. This allows warm air to circulate through your home, which helps maintain a consistent temperature.
8. Blocking the sunlight. Sunny days can be scarce during the winter months. Precipitation and warmer temperatures can bring more clouds. However, when that nice sunny day arrives, make sure your curtains or blinds are open, especially if your home as southern exposure.
West Bend Discount
Turning your home into a smart home has many benefits. If you have systems that actively monitor your home and send you text alerts, if something goes wrong, you may be eligible for a discount on a West Bend Home and Highway® insurance policy. Common alerts include:
Theft;
Fire;
Water leaks; and
Drastic temperature changes.
by Flagship Staff | Nov 14, 2018 | Blog
There are plenty of elements to consider when making the decision to buy a home, but those considerations shift slightly if a buyer wants to begin a family in the house. After all, parents with young kids have different needs than a single homebuyer. Here are a few things to think about when choosing a home for your growing family.
1. How much house can you afford?
Before you begin your house hunt, set your budget and get pre-approval for a mortgage. With the extra expenses homeownership creates, plus the costs associated with a baby — diapers, food, toys, and more — we suggest beginning your home search with a budget well below the maximum of your pre-approval. This will give you breathing room should you and your family need it.
2. How are the schools?
Identify high-ranking school districts and focus your search within those districts. Once your kids are school age, you can rest assured in the knowledge that you’re in the right place. Find everything you need to know about local schools by researching online.
Plus, when it comes time to move again, a house in a top-rated school district may sell quicker and at a higher price than homes in surrounding areas.
3. What’s on your home wish list?
Once you’ve found a few neighborhoods in great school districts, you can begin to narrow your search further with a list of preferences based on your lifestyle. In addition to the more obvious criteria like the number of bedrooms and square footage, consider whether you’d like to sleep close to your kids or if a master on the main floor would work better. Look at storage space, staircases, the backyard, and the layout of the living areas (and if they can be easily baby-gated). If you’re planning on watching your kids grow up in this house, ask yourself if the home meets not only your current needs but your future requirements, too.
You could also look for a property to expand or remodel based on your future family’s needs — for example, one that has a basement you could finish or an attic you could repurpose.
4. Do you like the neighborhood?
Visit the homes on your shortlist to get the whole story about a house and the surrounding area. In addition to a home tour, check out the neighborhood and the road the home is on. If you have time, take a stroll to get a feel for what it would be like to live there. Can you imagine you and your family growing up here — playing with the neighbors, trick-or-treating in the fall, or building forts in the backyard? There’s no right answer, just the right answer for your family.
With these four questions answered, you’ll be well on your way to choosing the home that incorporates all of your needs — now and in the future.
by Flagship Staff | Nov 6, 2018 | Blog
Recently, my youngest daughter, McKenna, passed her driver’s test. She absolutely loves her newfound freedom. Sometimes, a bit too much! She isn’t afraid to drive anywhere. I’m constantly reminding her that she’s a new driver and that we need to continue working together on developing her driving skills. It’s a fact: teenage drivers account for more auto accidents than any other age group.
However, I’m not going to lie, it’s easy to become complacent after teenagers get their licenses. Let’s face it; we spent months riding around with them teaching them the rules of the road. Why would we want to continue with those stressful and aggravating situations? Parental involvement is a key way to help educate and protect them.
Lately, I feel like a broken record. I’m constantly telling her:
Don’t text and drive;
Don’t speed;
Keep your music low;
Wear your seatbelt;
You’re only allowed one friend in the car; and
Text me when you get there.
Here are some other topics I’ve discussed with her. I hope you find them helpful.
1. Teen/defensive driving schools. A typical behind the wheel driver’s education class teaches the rules of the road and basic driving skills. Advanced driving school programs, such as Road America’s teen driving school focus on skills not taught in driver’s education including:
Skid prevention and control;
ABS vs. threshold breaking;
Collision avoidance and maneuvers; and
Proper vision skills.
My daughter recently participated in this class and loved it. She told me she learned so much and feels even more confident on the road. If you’re a West Bend Home and Highway policyholder, you’re eligible for discounted rates for Road America’s driving school.
2. Weather. Different weather conditions can affect how we drive. Rain, sleet, and snow affect traction and braking. What may be common sense to us may not be for new teen drivers. Before letting them drive in a new weather condition, take them somewhere safe where you can talk and they can practice new driving techniques.
3. Animals. This time of year, animals are on the move. Deer hits are very common in Wisconsin. If an animal runs out, instinct is to swerve to avoid hitting it. I constantly remind both my daughters to brake hard and fast if possible; never swerve for an animal. Swerving to avoid hitting an animal can put your teen driver and others into potentially deadly situations.
4. Intersections. Unfortunately, many drivers who get a yellow light speed up instead of slowing down. Today, I see even more people driving through red lights. This tip is critical for new and experienced drivers alike. Always check the intersection to make sure it’s clear before proceeding through on a green light. During a practice session with my daughter, I had just uttered those words and another driver went through a red light while ours was green. A split second sooner and my daughter probably would’ve been taken to the hospital.
5. Clean windshield. Trying to look through a dirty or snow-covered windshield can be dangerous. Light reflecting off a dirty or frosty windshield during sunrise and sunset can make it extremely difficult to see. When the first frost glazes their windshield or the first snowfall buries their car, show them how to clean it properly. Again, what’s common sense to you may not be to your teen.
6. Roadside assistance. If you don’t have it, consider purchasing roadside assistance for your family. For adults, a dead battery or a flat tire can be a nuisance. For a new teen driver, it can be a scary situation. Moreover, with increased highway speeds, it’s best to stay in your car. Wait for a professional’s assistance.
7. School parking lot. Depending on the size of your high school, the parking lot before and after school can be chaotic. We’ve told McKenna to get to school early and stay late. A few extra minutes before and after can make a big difference in avoiding congestion and fender benders.
8. Car accidents. Teens are three times more likely to have an accident per mile driven than adults are. Obviously, inexperience behind the wheel is the leading cause. While we hope our teens are not involved in an accident, statistics say otherwise. Discussing what to do after an accident can be helpful for both of you. I’ve already received a phone call from my daughter asking me what to do because she was rear-ended at a stoplight by another student. Luckily, it was just a bump, and there wasn’t any damage. Unfortunately, trying to have a conversation over the phone just after it happened was difficult for us. Planning can make dealing with the first accident a bit easier.
9. Car inspections. Periodically look at their car tires and instrument panels. I’ve explained to my daughters what to watch for, but I’ve learned that sometimes indicator lights are overlooked.
10. Purchase an app. Smartphone apps are available that monitor driving behaviors and send automatic text messages when teens arrive safely at their destinations. This is a good opportunity to monitor their driving, as well as offer additional teaching opportunities.
11. Graduated driver-licensing systems. These systems are designed to progress new drivers through different scenarios over time. Become familiar with your state’s program.
12. Recalculating. Driving to school, a part-time job, or a friend’s house can take new drivers through parts of your city that they’re unfamiliar with or that may present a challenging driving situation. For example, making a left hand turn at a busy intersection that doesn’t have a green arrow can be tricky. If either of these scenarios occur, consider talking to them about finding an alternative route. The next time you’re driving together, give them some guidance on how to successfully navigate through a situation that’s new to them.
