by Flagship Staff | Aug 21, 2018 | Blog
Going on vacation with your family can be exciting, but it can also involve a lot of planning, depending on where you’re going. While vacations can be busy, they usually offer much needed rest and relaxation.
When preparing for a vacation, the last thing you want to think about is coming back home to your everyday routine. To help extend your rest and relaxation a bit further, here are some things to consider before you go and after you come back.
1. Create a checklist. Create a checklist that identifies what you want to accomplish before, during, and after the vacation. This can help reduce feeling overwhelmed and can serve as a sense of accomplishment when you cross things off your list.
2. Have your family immediately unpack. We’ve been fortunate to take numerous vacations as a family, so we all know the drill. When we arrive home, the first thing my wife wants us to do is unpack our suitcases. Each one of us is responsible for putting our travel items away and taking our dirty clothes to the laundry room. While we complain about this, it helps avoid a cluttered house, which can be overwhelming.
3. Extra R&R days. My wife does a great job planning our family vacations. Part of her plan always includes returning home a day or two early. This allows us to catch up on sleep and other tasks before returning to work or school. Also, you never know when travel delays may occur. This helps alleviate some of the stress accompanied with returning home.
4. Return to a clean house. Before we leave on vacation, my wife insists on cleaning our house from top to bottom. Again, more grumbling from the peanut gallery. However, I must admit returning to a clean house does feel great after spending time in other accommodations. You know the old saying, “There’s no place like home.”
5. Stock the kitchen cupboards. Travel days can be long and tiring. For me, there’s nothing worse than coming home to empty cupboards. Consider buying non-perishable food items before you go so that when you return, you don’t have to go to the grocery store immediately. Another option is to ask family or friends to grocery shop for you so that when you get back your refrigerator and cupboards are full.
6. Talk about the positives of returning home. Returning home after a memorable vacation is always difficult. Let’s face it; it’s hard to beat not having to follow schedules or daily routines. After our most recent European vacation, I was happy to return home. Talk to your family about the positives of returning home. Positives may include:
A quiet neighborhood;
Sleeping in your own bed;
Spending time with your pet(s);
Visiting with family and friends; and
Not having to use public transportation.
7. Don’t forget a souvenir. Souvenirs are a great way to help remember your trip. Depending on what it is, you may be able to integrate it into your daily life. Sweatshirts, a statue of the Eiffel Tower, and chocolate have helped my family enjoy our trips a bit longer!
8. Talk about next year’s trip. Before your vacation ends, talk about where you want to go next year. Thinking about your future trip helps ease the thought of going back to your daily life. While all good things must end, it’s nice to think about what the future may hold.
9. Reminisce with your family. Set aside some time to look at your photos or videos from your vacation. Everybody in my family has a smartphone, so it’s nice to see all the different pictures that my kids take while we’re on vacation. It’s also a great way to see things you’ve missed!
10. Exercise. Returning home after vacation can you leave you feeling sluggish. Delicious food, increased alcohol consumption, late-night dinners, and busy days can catch up with you. While exercising may not be high on your priority list, it’s a great way to get the endorphins flowing, improving your mood.
11. Catch up on your sleep. Depending on your vacation, sightseeing and other adventures can lead to hectic schedules and late nights. Make sure to get seven to eight hours of sleep when you return home. Proper sleep helps your body recover and boosts your energy and productivity levels.
by Flagship Staff | Aug 14, 2018 | Blog
One frequently-asked question we receive from our policyholders and agents is: Are rented vehicles covered by the personal auto policy?
While the most common scenario is renting a private passenger vehicle while on vacation, this also applies to renting a moving truck or a motorhome for personal use.
Amy Justman, senior personal lines underwriter will explain the difference between a standard policy and a West Bend Home and Highway® policy.
The standard policy language developed by Insurance Services Office (ISO) and used by many personal auto companies provides coverage for rented vehicles under PART D – COVERAGE FOR DAMAGE TO YOUR AUTO. This, however, can be limiting as it only covers damage identified as “collision” and other-than-“collision” and a deductible will often apply. There may also be limits to the type of vehicle covered.
West Bend’s Home and Highway policy, on the other hand, includes rented vehicle coverage under PART A – LIABILITY COVERAGE. This allows us to cover any damages for which you’re found legally liable – including those assumed via contract (aka the rental agreement) – up to the limit of liability. Additionally, under liability coverage, there’s no deductible. The liability coverage automatically applies to four-wheel vehicles licensed for road use when rented for personal use.
This is a feature we call out as especially unique to our Home and Highway policy because of the broad coverage. Again, all insurance providers and their coverage forms differ so make sure to contact your agent or company to confirm before signing the liability waiver and driving off!
These questions are also often part of the discussion. The answers are specific to coverage provided by the Home and Highway policy:
1. Who’s covered for rented car coverage?
The “insured” and a “family member” as defined by the personal auto coverage form.
2. Is there a coverage territory for rented car coverage?
Yes, the coverage territory is:
1. The United States of America, its territories or possessions
2. Puerto Rico
3. Canada
3. Is there a limit to the amount of coverage West Bend will pay on a covered loss to a rented car?
Yes, the Property Damage or Combined Single limit is the total amount we’ll pay for damages to the rented car.
4. Will West Bend pay for loss of use to a rental car company?
After a loss, our Claims Department will investigate to determine if the rental car company did indeed suffer a loss of use due to damage to the rented car; we will only pay if warranted. If we find there were other fleet vehicles available for rent while the damaged vehicle was being repaired, there was no loss of use. In that case, we’ll deny this portion of the claim. If they can validate they experienced loss of use, we’ll provide coverage for a reasonable period. For example, replacing a windshield shouldn’t take more than a day.
5. My Home and Highway includes a Personal Umbrella. Will that limit be available as excess over and above the underlying auto liability limit?
Yes, the Umbrella limit will provide excess limits beyond the underlying auto Property Damage or Combined Single limit.
Furthermore, because the coverage territory for the Umbrella is worldwide, it would provide coverage even if needed outside the auto coverage territory described above. In such an event, a $250 retention (deductible) would apply.
by Flagship Staff | Aug 7, 2018 | Blog
If you’re like me, you carried around paint samples and fabric swatches for weeks before finally settling on the choices. Now that my room is coming together, I’m still in love with the color scheme I chose.
But with the heat of summer here and sunlight streaming through my windows, it’s clear I need to think about protecting those colors from diminishing. Over time, the sun’s rays can “age” your room, making things fade and discolor. It’s not just ultraviolet (UV) radiation that causes damage to furniture, rugs, paint and artwork. Visible light, heating, humidity, the age of the fabric, and fabric dyes all play a part in the process, with UV radiation attributed to 40 percent of the damage.
While you can smear on sunblock to protect your skin from UV rays, it takes a few different tricks to protect your home. These tips will help keep your décor’s vibrant colors looking fresh.
Rearrange Your Furniture Often
Keeping your furniture continually in one spot will only emphasize damage and create dark spots on your floor. Try these tricks instead.
Float furniture away from windows and out of direct sunlight. In addition to keeping the pieces outside of harmful rays, floating furniture creates interesting designs with great conversation areas and often makes rooms look larger than if the items were pushed against the walls.
Rearranging furniture won’t necessarily keep it out of the light, but it will distribute the fade evenly so that it’s less visible.
Swap photos or artwork. Instead of hanging valuable art or prized photos where the sun can cause damage, switch them to walls that stay out of the sun. Use sunny spots for mirrors, metal décor, fun signs, decorative plates and other more fade-resistant items.
Choose Décor with Sunlight in Mind
The only thing better than having beautiful windows in a room is even more windows. If you have a wall of windows in your home, you need to consider the excess sunlight when you make choices in furniture and décor.
Pay attention to fabric choices. There are “outdoor” fabrics with through-and-through color designed for indoor use. They are more fade-resistant because the color is part of the production process rather than a dye that’s added later.
Bright colors, such as red, tend to appear faded faster. Choose more neutral colors to reduce the appearance of fading. Use bright colors in easily replaced fabric items, such as accent pillows or throws.
Slipcovers can be an asset in a light-filled room. They’re easy to wash and inexpensive to replace—which makes them great for homes with kids and pets as well.
Select Window Shades That Save Your Design
Choosing the right window treatments makes your room’s overall design complete. There are style and color options to suit every room design and offer protection for your investment.
Don’t give up your view. Keep your view to the outdoors with clear cling panels that block UV light and glare. Or, maximize the tilt-wand feature on blinds to direct sunlight away from furniture without closing off the view.
Don’t skip natural light. While blackout shades are great for bedrooms, there are plenty of sheer window treatment options for your main living areas. Consider woven or bamboo window blinds, or even cellular shades, which allow for natural light while still blocking damaging rays.
Don’t work too hard. Today’s motorized shades make it easy to block the afternoon’s damaging light. One click of the remote can close and open light filtering shades on a whole wall of windows.
Don’t forget window treatments for skylights. A light-filtering shade helps block harmful rays from skylights without making the room darker. Choose a motorized version with remote control to make it easy to open and close.
Practice Maintenance for Preservation
A few tips added into your regular cleaning routine can help keep your room as fresh as possible.
Flip furniture cushions whenever you clean so they are continually rotated. This way, one side does not become lighter than the other.
Turn your throw rugs in a different direction. Not only will it help them avoid fading in one area, but you’ll also protect against traffic wear.
Don’t just dust. Furniture dries out in the sunlight, so make sure to use furniture polish and leather conditioner as recommended by the manufacturer.
by Flagship Staff | Jul 31, 2018 | Blog
Surprises are great — but not when you’re closing on your new home. Even if a house passes a pre-close inspection, environmental hazards like mold, asbestos, radon, and lead may still be lurking. According to 2013 data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 30 million American homes pose “significant” health issues.
The good news: For the most part, those issues are easy to detect and, with professional intervention, easy to remedy. The bad news: A standard home inspection doesn’t include tests for environmental factors like air quality, and these kinds of tests — and their fixes — can be expensive.
That’s why experts suggest making your offer contingent on environmental test results. The presence of certain hazards doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pass on a property you really love; if the current owners are willing to pay experts to get rid of the problem, you and your family can move ahead without worry. If they aren’t, that’s their problem — anything that worries you could scare off other potential buyers, too.
Here are four health hazards to look out for when you’re closing on a home, plus what to do if you encounter an issue.
1. Mold
Yes, it looks gross, but a little bit of mold often isn’t usually anything to panic over, especially if it’s contained to one small area of the home. On a large scale, however, mold can cause unpleasant, allergy-like symptoms and even trigger asthma attacks. Young children, seniors, and people with heart and lung disease are particularly susceptible to mold’s effects.
Sellers may or may not have to disclose mold-related issues, depending on state laws. But you (or a home inspector) can still assess mold risk by asking the current owners about any flooding, burst pipes, or leaks they’ve dealt with in the past.
The presence of mold shouldn’t necessarily be a deal breaker. You can easily DIY mold remediation of a small area. If the growth is more widespread, call in the pros.
2. Lead
If you’re buying a home that was built before 1978, it probably contains lead paint. Fortunately, if the property’s painted surfaces are in good condition, it may be okay. Lead paint becomes problematic when it’s cracked or peeling, and can be especially harmful to young children and pregnant women.
Sellers are legally required to disclose the presence of lead in a home and share results if they’ve had levels tested. If they haven’t, buyers are, by law, given 10 days during which they can bring in their own inspectors.
If lead is a concern for your family, leave the remediation to certified professionals who meet EPA standards.
3. Asbestos
Similar to lead, asbestos was prevalent in homes built before 1975. It can be found in all kinds of surfaces and materials, from pipe insulation to siding to linoleum. Long-term exposure to asbestos can cause lung disease and cancer; however, just like lead paint, asbestos-filled products may not be cause for concern if they’re in good condition. In fact, if they are in good condition, it’s better to not disturb anything. Attempts to remove it will probably send highly-toxic asbestos particles into the atmosphere.
If you’re worried about asbestos, see if the seller will permit testing by an industrial hygiene firm. (Never test for asbestos yourself.) If it is present and poses a hazard, get estimates for professional removal from an asbestos abatement contractor. Fixing the problem won’t take long, but whoever handles it should be properly licensed.
4. Radon
Exposure to radon, a radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, can pose a serious health risk. In fact, it’s the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., after smoking. Radon can enter your home through cracks in the doors, windows, and foundation, and isn’t just an issue for older homes — newer constructions can have hazardous radon levels, too. In fact, the EPA estimates that almost one out of every 15 homes has elevated radon levels.
Experts suggest testing your home for radon twice a year. If the sellers haven’t tested for radon recently, insist that they reduce the home price to cover radon testing and, if levels are unsafe, remediation. You won’t need to hire a separate home inspection firm to conduct a radon test, although it may be an additional charge. If radon is present, don’t assume that means you have to retract your offer; radon removal pros are easy to find and relatively inexpensive.
The upshot: Know what tests to ask for and don’t be afraid to ask for them. Your dream home isn’t the only thing at stake — your family’s health is, too.
by Flagship Staff | Jul 24, 2018 | Blog
There is a lot we can do to ensure our family’s health and safety. In our daily lives, we can encourage healthy habits and identify potential safety hazards to avoid. Looking toward the future, we can seek home, vehicle, and life insurance in case of an emergency. While there are so many situations we can — and do — prepare for, there are plenty we overlook. A sudden disability, for example, is an occurrence that families rarely plan for, and it can be emotionally and financially overwhelming. It’s important to understand all that’s involved when a family member is disabled after an accident or is diagnosed with a physical impairment.
Like any new lifestyle change, a person’s recently-acquired disability will require time to adjust, not only for themselves but for their family members, as well. While this can be a time of great emotional struggle, for many families it can also prove to be a bonding experience that strengthens family relationships. Depending on the disability, a family may need to adjust to a new schedule with medical appointments, new mobility equipment throughout the home, and/or the long-term care needs of their relative.
These new changes will not only be time-consuming, but they can be financially draining, as well. Take, for example, a person who has lost the ability to walk and is confined to a wheelchair. This person requires certain home modifications and mobility throughout the home to give a wheelchair full access, like wider hallways, larger bathrooms, and lowered countertops. A child diagnosed with a birth injury, like Erb’s palsy, might require more inclusive fixtures to better accommodate limited mobility in the arm or hand. Examples include rocker light switches, lamps with touch sensors, and door handles, to name a few. These particular features are highly recommended for a person with limited fine motor skills.
Technology can also take on a new meaning for the disabled and their families. Apps that provide home safety features for families can be especially helpful for a person with limited mobility. With the touch of a button on their iPad, a person with home safety technology (depending on the software) can turn the lights on or off in the home, change the thermostat, lock or unlock doors, or call for emergency help if needed. These services can give more freedom and control to a person with limited mobility or a physical impairment.
As previously mentioned, these home modifications can add up. To preserve some of the family’s savings and aid in the costs associated with a home renovation project, there are several financial avenues available to explore.
In some circumstances, a family may be able to take legal action against the party that caused the permanent disability. We often don’t think of this as viable option while adjusting to a new situation, but for many people, these lawsuit settlements can provide a great deal of financial support for both home modifications and other needs that might arise in the future. A family whose child suffered a birth injury due to medical malpractice might consider seeking legal action on behalf of their child. For example, families may file a cerebral palsy lawsuit to combat the exponential costs of long-term care.
For those in which legal action isn’t an option, there are also several great loan options that are specific to home improvements. First, there is the FHA Title 1 loan provided by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The FHA is not the lender (you have to go to a private FHA-approved lender), but it does ensure the loan making it less risky for lenders and easier to obtain for borrowers. An FHA Title 1 loan can be used for a broad number of home improvements to make a home more functional and livable which is perfect for someone who needs disability-based modifications in their home.
Second, a Section 203(k) loan is another FHA-backed loan that many homeowners use for broader home improvements. Again, these loans can be easier to obtain because they are insured by the FHA. The standard 203(k) has no price cap or a higher maximum depending on the state, which can make it a better option for larger home improvement projects. It is important to remember that these two solutions are loans; a steady income and some savings may be required to cover the payments. If you already have significant debt accumulated, these might not be the most viable options for you or your family.
For those who are struggling financially with a disability, but are unable to obtain a loan, consider seeking out your local advocacy group. Organizations like the National Council on Independent Living often have a part of their budget set aside to assist with home modifications or other costly needs. To find your local Center for Independent Living, call 703-525-3406 today.
Living with a disability or adjusting to a family member’s disability can be difficult, but it shouldn’t leave you with a financial hardship. There are products and resources available to help you carry the financial burden, make life easier, and renovate a home to be more inclusive for the whole family.
