by Flagship Staff | May 8, 2018 | Blog
The grass is turning green, trees are beginning to bud, and the temperature is rising. It’s time to open your cottage or summer home!
While opening your cottage can be very exciting, it can also be stressful and a lot of hard work.
Whether you’re opening your cottage for the first time or you’re a seasoned professional, here are some tips that can make this year’s opening more efficient and successful.
1. Create a checklist. With all the excitement surrounding the opening of your cottage, there may be a lot of information floating around in your brain. Writing things down, such as cleaning supplies needed or chores you want to complete can help you focus on things that are important. Lastly, don’t forget the keys!
2. Contact your utility companies. If you discontinued utility services during the winter months, don’t forget to have them reconnected before you leave home. Services could include electricity, propane, water, phone, internet, and TV.
3. Contact your insurance agent. If you’ve made changes since last year, contact your agent to make sure your insurance coverage is up-to-date. If you bought a new boat at the annual boat show, you’ll definitely want to make sure you have coverage. Check out the blog “Protect your watercraft and enjoy your summer!” to learn more.
In addition, if you have a fun summer car in storage near your cottage, make sure you’ve added insurance coverage back on before driving.
4. Conduct a physical inspection. Before unloading the items from your car, conduct a physical inspection inside and outside of the home. On the outside, look for:
Fallen tree limbs, branches, and other debris;
Curved or loose roof shingles or other defects;
Cracked windows or damaged screens;
Loose floor boards or railings on your deck or patio;
Evidence of rodent infiltration;
Different or unpleasant smells; and
Low hanging utility lines.
Several of these items will apply to the inside as well. In addition, check inside for:
Wet or stained carpet, ceiling, or furniture;
Damaged wiring; and
Damaged appliances.
Once you turn the water back on, inspect water lines and check around your sinks and toilets to make sure there are no visible water leaks.
If you find damage, contact a local contractor, plumber, or electrician. Also, don’t forget your insurance agent.
5. Clean your septic system. If you didn’t have your septic system pumped when you closed your cottage, make sure to take care of it now.
6. Inspect your fireplace. If you have a wood burning fireplace that you used during the fall or haven’t cleaned for a number of years, consider having it inspected and cleaned by a reputable chimney sweep. Creosote is a residue that travels up your chimney and builds up on your flue over time. In fact, some creosote builds up every time a wood burning fireplace is lit. If that residue isn’t properly cleaned out, the chance of a fire igniting in your chimney increases.
7. Prioritize your projects. Once you have inspected your property, create a prioritized list of projects you need to complete. Again, this will help free up your brainpower for other things.
8. Dispose of oily rags properly. This is very important! If staining your deck is one of this year’s projects, dispose of oily rags properly. Oily rags stacked in a pile can lead to spontaneous combustion. Unfortunately, many families have lost their homes to fire. To keep you and your family safe please read the blog “House Fire Prevention: How To Store And Dispose of Oily Rags.”
9. Consider installing surge protectors. Let’s face it; even though we want to get away, electronics are a big part of our lives. Consider installing surge protectors on your outlets to keep your electronics safe from a power surge or lightning strike.
10. Consider installing a weather radio. During the summer months, weather can change significantly in a short period. A weather radio broadcasts both normal and emergency weather information. If severe weather is near your area, an audio alert is broadcast to inform you of the impending danger. This warning system is particularly useful at night when you and your family are sleeping. I’ll admit, the alert is startling at night, but it’s well worth it as I don’t usually hear the tornado sirens. Some radios also come with colored LED or strobe lights.
11. Take your neighbors a gift. If you have neighbors who have kept an eye on your property all winter, it is a nice idea to give them a gift to show your appreciation. They can be very impactful in stopping a theft or disaster during the off-season.
12. Create a home inventory. After you’ve completed your tasks and your cottage is open for the season, consider creating a home inventory. It’s likely each year the personal property at your cottage will change. If it was destroyed by fire or severe weather, would you remember every possession you had in it?
by Flagship Staff | May 1, 2018 | Blog
In just a few short weeks, college students will put on their caps and gowns and celebrate graduation. For many, graduation will be exciting and scary. Some graduates will start their new jobs right away while others will continue looking for their dream jobs.
Either way, graduation signifies the official start to adulthood. Full time jobs, as well as other responsibilities will become part of everyday life. For parents, it’s time to celebrate the fact that their college student is finally off the payroll!
With all the changes college graduates will experience, figuring out what they need for insurance coverage can be tricky.
If you or someone in your family is graduating from college, here is some information that may help.
Review your state’s auto insurance requirements. Many states mandate a minimum level of liability insurance on an auto insurance policy. Unfortunately, each state may be different and the minimum coverage may not provide you with adequate protection. Talk to an independent insurance agent to learn more about coverages and available limits.
To find your state’s minimum requirements click here.
If you live in Wisconsin, your auto insurance policy must provide the following minimum liability coverage. Again, higher limits may be needed to provide you with adequate protection.
• $25,000 for injury or death of one person;
• $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people; and
• $10,000 for property damage.
Don’t forget to buy renters insurance. Signing a lease for an apartment is the start to independence. However, don’t forget about renters insurance. Most property owner’s insurance covers only the building. Personal property coverage provides protection against loss to your items such as clothes, shoes, furniture, electronics, small appliances, sporting equipment, etc. Personal liability comes into play if your actions lead to someone else’s injury. Minimum liability limits start at $100,000 and provide coverage for medical tests, surgeries, prescriptions, and their time off work.
Understand health insurance options. Many employers provide health insurance plans. Talk to your employer about the plans they offer. If they don’t provide a good plan, current law allows children to stay on their parent’s plan until age 26. However, based on where you live, it may make sense to purchase your own policy through the insurance exchange. Visit www.healthcare.gov to learn more.
Take advantage of retirement plans early. If you just received your diploma, you might think it doesn’t make sense to invest your hard-earned money in a retirement plan. While I understand you have rent payments and grocery bills, I recommend you start investing right away. There’s never a good time to start investing. However, the earlier you start, the better off you’ll be.
by Flagship Staff | Apr 25, 2018 | Blog
Depending on where you live, spring may have sprung. For some of us in the Midwest, we’re still waiting.
No matter where you live, weather can cause damage to your home. Bonnie Pesch, senior personal lines underwriter shares areas to examine on your home after a long, cold winter.
Windows: In the winter, windows ideally keep the cold air out and the warm air in, and in summer, they should do just the opposite. If your windows don’t do this, you’re probably wasting money on your heating/air conditioning bills.
To make sure your windows are doing their job, check that the caulking and weather stripping are still in good condition. If not, replace them. If there’s condensation on your window, either the glass or the window should be replaced. Faulty windows, as well as window trim that’s not maintained properly, can allow moisture into your home. That moisture can lead to mold and damaged dry wall.
Gutters: Gutters should direct water away from your home and help keep it out of your basement. It’s important, however, that the water NOT be directed over a walkway or driveway. If it freezes, it could create a liability exposure for you if someone slips or falls. Gutters expand and contract, depending on the temperature; they should be flush with the roof and not sag or dip.
Roof: Check for loose, missing, or cracked shingles. Are the shingles curling? What about nail-pops? These issues should be addressed to ensure water doesn’t get into your home. An aging roof can be a concern as shingles lose the ability to shed water as they age. Older shingles are also more prone to hail damage. If your roof is getting old, or you see even a small amount of deterioration, don’t wait too long! Over just one summer, sun exposure can increase the rate of the roof’s deterioration, and then before you know it winter in here. Don’t let that aging roof sit in the snow, ice, and rain, hoping no water gets into your home. What a mess it could be!
Foundations: Be sure to examine the foundation for any cracks that can allow water in. Sometimes just caulking cracks isn’t sufficient. Consider contacting a foundation specialist to assess your home.
Exterior Walls: Do you have water stains on your exterior walls? If so, this may be an indication that your gutters aren’t adequately containing rain water. Perhaps the gutters need to be cleaned or straightened. If you have wood siding, check for holes or openings that can allow ants, woodpeckers, or other critters to nest or burrow through. If the paint on your wood siding is peeling, you should properly scrape and re-paint the wood to protect it from the weather elements.
Chimneys: Mortar deterioration can lead to moisture. Repairing the mortar and replacing deteriorated bricks can be a DIY project, but if you’re not comfortable on the roof, call a professional. Also check the cap and screen to be sure they keep water from entering the flue inside the chimney. You should have your chimney/flue inspected and cleaned every year to make sure there are no cracks, deterioration, or debris blocking the hot air/smoke to escape. During the winter, we see a large number of home fires associated with chimneys.
Decks: You should check your deck periodically to be sure the posts are still solid, the deck boards haven’t rotted, and the railings aren’t wobbly. All of these create a liability exposure on your premises. What if someone would fall down the steps because the post or railing wasn’t maintained properly?
When everything is finished and in good condition, I suggest you plant some beautiful flowers, sit back on the deck, and watch your neighbors figure out what repairs they may need.
by Flagship Staff | Apr 17, 2018 | Blog
Whether you’re spring cleaning, downsizing, or preparing to move, getting rid of your unnecessary personal belongings can be a big endeavor. If you’ve experienced a recent death in the family or you’re going through a divorce the decluttering process can be even more stressful.
My parents have lived in their home for more than 40 years and went through this process a few years ago. As they progressed through different areas of their home, they found getting rid of “their junk” was therapeutic and a relief. Too much stuff or clutter in your home can make it difficult to find things, which can lead to stress.
Here are some tips to help you clean out or declutter your home this spring.
1. Break your home into sections. Depending on the size of your home and the items you’ve accumulated, this can be more than a day or weekend project. Prioritize and set completion dates for the different sections of your home you want to work on. This method won’t only help minimize feeling overwhelmed, it’ll also provide a sense of accomplishment when you cross it off the list.
2. Put it on the calendar. Look at your calendar and identify the days you want to work on this. Again, spending all day working on this project can be overwhelming and frustrating. Consider spreading it out over several days or even a month or two. Lastly, by having the project on your calendar, it can help avoid procrastination.
3. Ask for help. Consider asking friends and family members for help. Some extra sets of hands can speed up the process.
4. Make it fun. If family and friends are helping, play their favorite music or turn on their favorite sports team. In addition, consider buying them lunch or making them dinner to show your appreciation. Celebrate your success!
5. Avoid open-ended questions. Depending on the situation, getting rid of things can be emotional. By asking yes-no questions, decisions can be made more quickly, eliminating some of the emotion that may be present.
6. Create a sorting system. Before you start taking items out of your closet or from under the bed, have a sorting system in place. Label plastic storage bins or boxes with “Keep,” “Toss,” or “Donate.”
7. Coordinate with a community rummage sale. If your city or neighborhood has an annual rummage sale on a specified day or weekend, consider participating.
8. Use social media to sell items. A variety social media tools make it easy to promote items you want to sell. If you’ve never tried it, you’ll be amazed at the number of people you’ll reach.
9. Contact your local charities. If you don’t have donation organizations like Goodwill or St. Vincent DePaul nearby, contact local charities.
10. Research your disposal options. Moving items out of your home and into the garage with no place to go defeats your goal to declutter. Here are some disposal options to consider.
a. Can your items be placed in regular garbage collection?
b. Does your municipality allow you to arrange special curbside pickup?
c. Do you have a city drop off yard? If so, find out how you access it, what can be disposed of there, and hours of operation.
d. Is there a company that provides at home dumpsters? If so, research how much it costs and how long you can have it.
11. Apply the 12-month rule. If you haven’t used or worn something in the past year, does it make sense to keep it? I chuckle when it comes to this rule. I’ve struggled with weight my entire life. I have pants and shirts in many different sizes. I tend to keep them because I never know when the big weight loss or gain is going to happen so I have to be prepared. My wife often says, “Seriously, do you think you are ever going to wear that again?” After I ponder her question, the answer is usually “no.” If you don’t use it, lose it!
by Flagship Staff | Apr 10, 2018 | Blog
Moving from your home to another can be a daunting task, especially if you’re moving to a new city. Personal items can get lost or broken, heavy items can cause bodily injury, and your current furniture may not work in your new home. In addition, if you have kids, they may have their own worries, which can add another element of stress to the moving process.
As the weather warms up, and it gets closer to the end of the school year, more families will endure the moving process. If you’re moving with children here are some tips that may help.
1. Break the news gently. As adults, we often hear the phrase “change is good.” While that may be the case, trying to explain a job promotion to children can be difficult. When it comes time to talk to your kids about moving, make it a fun event. Take them to their favorite restaurant or park. Gradually work the idea of moving into the conversation. Talk about the new fun things you’ll be able to see and do in your new city.
2. Continue the conversation and planning with them. After you’ve introduced them to the idea of moving, keep them in the conversation. Talk to them about packing, colors for their new room, and meeting new friends. By keeping them in the conversation, you’ll be able to identify things that may trigger anxiety for them. This will allow you to talk to them about what is making them anxious. This is a much healthier approach than having them keep their emotions all “bottled up”.
3. Try not to deviate from normal schedules. Life can get hectic prior to the big move. Family dinners and bedtime schedules are often overlooked. Do your best to keep a bit of normalcy in your daily schedule. If Thursday night is family night, keep it on the schedule.
4. Keep in touch with family and friends. Today’s technology makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family from afar. Develop a plan or talk to your kids about how they can stay in contact with family members and friends.
5. Take plenty of pictures. Before you move, take plenty of pictures of friends, your home, and other places that have created family memories. These pictures can be helpful during the transition to your new home, especially if you’ve moved to a new city. External hard drives and cloud storage make it easy to store photos. In addition, consider sharing pictures of your new home ahead of the move.
6. Make introductions. After you get settled into your new neighborhood, introduce your family to your neighbors. This makes it a lot easier for your kids to make new friends.
7. Spend adequate time at their new school. When it comes to moving, starting at a new school is probably the scariest element for them. Simple things like whom will they sit with at lunch or play with at recess can be overwhelming. Make sure you spend adequate time with their teachers and administrators. Tour the school frequently so they’re comfortable when the first day of class arrives.
8. Keep their favorite items close. Pack a small bag or suitcase with their favorite items. This can help keep them comfortable on long car or plane rides, as well as during an overnight hotel stay.
