by Flagship Staff | Aug 14, 2017 | Blog
When warm weather is here, many look for ways to enjoy our time outside. One of those ways is to get on a bicycle and go for a ride. With school a few weeks away, a bicycle can also turn into the main mode of transportation.
There are many benefits to riding bicycles, whether it’s for recreation, getting around town, or going to work. Besides the benefit of getting exercise, in many cities it’s easier to find parking for a bicycle than a vehicle. Now it’s also easier to get around, since access to roads, bike paths, and rural trails has increased. In addition, the increased use of bicycles helps reduce air and noise pollution, consumption of fossil fuel, and traffic congestion.
Sarah Fasching, our personal lines manager will discuss the types of bikes available and if your insurance policy provides coverage.
There are many different bicycles to choose; what’s best for you depends on your use and the distance you plan to ride. Options range from the traditional bicycle, to tricycle, quadracycle, recumbent, and human-powered vehicles (HPV) such as pedal assist, electric, or motorized bicycles. The HPV bicycles help the rider go farther or faster with less effort due to their design with pedal assist technology.
The traditional bicycle is covered for physical damage as contents under personal property on the homeowners’ policy. If a motor is attached to a bicycle, as in the pedal assist-type bicycles, these now become motorized vehicles. The standard homeowners’ policy does not provide coverage for motorized vehicles.
When making the decision to purchase a new bicycle, check with your insurance agent to see if it will automatically be covered or, in the case of a motorized bicycle, it should be scheduled in order to provide liability and physical damage coverages. This will help protect your investment.
Do you have any tips you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them. Please share them in the box below.
by Flagship Staff | Aug 9, 2017 | Blog
As college students search for independence, a new challenge for this school year could be renting an apartment.
If you’ve been down this road before, you know renting an apartment for a college student can be stressful. If this is your first time, there are many things to keep in mind.
Unfortunately, when it comes to renting an apartment in your student’s college town, you’ll notice that rent prices can be through the roof and places may be in poor condition.
Here are some tips to help you and your college student through the process.
1. Do your homework. Before scheduling an appointment to view the apartment, do your research. Some items to think about are:
– Is there public transportation nearby?
– Is it a residential area or business district?
– If it is a business district, what type of work is performed there?
– Are retail stores and restaurants within walking distance?
Use the power of the internet to your advantage.
– Look for online reviews from previous renters.
– Compare and contrast different properties.
– Use tools such as Google Earth to look at the neighborhood as well as the condition of the property.
– If something looks too good to be true, it may be a scam; proceed with caution.
2. Pay a personal visit. Once you have selected apartments of interest, visit each one. Make sure the pictures online accurately reflect the condition of the property. The last thing you want to do is rent an apartment without seeing it. A visit allows you the opportunity to:
– See the actual size. This is a nice opportunity to see if their furniture will fit.
– Check out the quality of the appliances.
– Look in cupboards and closets. Keep an eye out for mouse droppings.
– Identify preexisting damages such as holes in the walls or carpet stains.
– Run the water in sinks and showers and flush the toilet.
3. Coach your kids. This is an opportunity for your kids to enter the realm of adulthood. Discuss with them what to look for and questions to ask. Lights burned out in the hallway or empty beer cans may not seem like a big deal, but can provide a glimpse of poor maintenance schedules or rowdy neighbors. While these things may not be a big deal at the time, they could be after signing a 12-month lease.
4. Discuss your expectations. Property owners may not be comfortable renting to your college student due to lack of income. Therefore, you may be asked to co-sign the lease. Before you sign on the dotted line, discuss your expectations with your student. It may not even be a bad idea to create a contract between the two of you. Once you co-sign, any damages that occur are your responsibility.
5. Make sure the lease is in writing. Signing a lease with a large apartment complex often leads to paperwork that is more thorough. Individual property owners may not follow a structured approach. If they don’t have the appropriate paperwork in place, consider renting somewhere else.
6. Test their smartphone. Depending on the construction of the building or their phone company, your student’s smartphone may not work. Have them walk through each room to make sure it works. I’m sure you’ll want to get a hold of them from time to time.
7. Understand the pet policy. Simply having a pet may cause you to forfeit your security deposit even if your pet doesn’t cause any damages.
8. Don’t forget to purchase renters insurance. Most landlords’ insurance policies cover only the building, not what’s in it. Many students think because they’re in college, they don’t have anything valuable to insure. Imagine if they lost everything in a fire. The cost to replace necessities adds up quickly. To learn more about renters insurance, check out the blogs below.
Renters Coverage? Why do I need that?
Renter’s insurance. A smart choice for college students
BUY VS RENT? Either way homeowners (aka renters) insurance is needed!
9. Make multiple visits. Visiting at night or during poor weather conditions can paint an even better picture for the both of you. No one wants to rent a place with roof that leaks or one that has poor insulation. Poor insulation can lead to increased heating costs.
10. Pros and cons. After each visit, identify the pros and cons while they’re fresh in your mind.
Do you have any tips you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them. Please share them in the box below.
by Flagship Staff | Jul 31, 2017 | Blog
When the weather gets hot at this time of year, you tend to hear people say, “The dog days of summer are definitely here.” When I was young and I heard my parents say that, I knew it meant the hot weather was here and the air conditioning would be turned on. Thank goodness!
“The dog days of summer” isn’t a reference to our pets being outside in the heat with their tongues out, scrounging for a bowl of water. It refers to Sirius the Dog Star. It was thought in ancient times that when the Dog Star aligned with the sun, weather would get even hotter. This alignment occurs in July and goes into August.
When the weather gets hot and humid, the last thing you want to experience is trouble with your air conditioner.
My brother, as well as some friends of mine, recently experienced issues with their central air conditioning. For my friends, it led to buying a new and expensive system. Ouch! For my brother, it was a simple fix. His condenser unit was clogged with cottonwood.
A few years ago, I found my basement carpet soaked with water. I learned the plastic tubing that went from the furnace to the drain was clogged with mold and it caused the water to back up everywhere.
Here are some videos that may help you identify why your home isn’t cooling during the “dog days of summer.” If the repair looks too complicated, call your local heating and air conditioning contractor.
Air Conditioner Not Cooling
How to fix your AC! Outdoor fan not running
Hello, You Need a New Compressor on that Air Conditioner. NOT!
Furnace AC Water Leak Fixed
Do you have any information you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you please share them in the box below.
Source:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/07/150710-dog-days-summer-sirius-star-astronomy-weather-language/
by Flagship Staff | Jul 24, 2017 | Blog
It’s hard to believe summer is here! The weather has finally gotten nice and my family is planning our annual trip to northern Wisconsin. I can’t wait to hop on that jet ski and take it for a spin around the lake.
Many places rent jet skis or boats for a day or a week. They typically offer many options, which is nice because not everyone likes the same thing. What’s also nice is that some policies provide automatic physical damage coverage if someone damages the jet ski. It may also include liability coverage for any injuries I might cause to someone else because of my driving.
I appreciate that this coverage is available and we don’t have to buy insurance from the rental facility. In fact, not only does my policy provide coverage under the homeowner’s portion, it also provides coverage under the umbrella portion.
You may have that coverage too, depending on your policy. Keep in mind, however, that you have only as much coverage as your policy’s limits. So if you have $100,000 of homeowner’s personal liability coverage, that’s the maximum that will apply to your rented boat or jet ski if you’re liable for injuries to other people.
The physical damage limit will be the same as your personal liability limit. So if you carry $100,000 of personal liability, that’s also your physical damage coverage limit or what’s available to cover damages to the rented boat or jet ski.
Now keep in mind this is a feature of certain polices, so you might want to check with your agent to see if you’re protected if you rent a boat or jet ski.
Here are safety tips and other resources to keep you safe if you’re boating or jet skiing this summer.
Safety Tips
– Understand U.S. Coast Guard requirements and state laws and regulations.
– Read your owner’s manual and understand the various on-board warnings located on your boat or jet ski.
– Wear a life jacket. While this sounds like common sense, the excitement of getting on a jet ski or riding in a boat may take your focus off safety. A life jacket is like a seatbelt. It should be worn at all times because it can increase your chances of survival if there’s an accident. http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/life_jacket_wear_wearing_your_life_jacket.aspx
– Stock your boat. Make sure you have an appropriate life jacket for each person onboard. An adult life jacket is not appropriate for children. In addition, if you plan to be on the lake for the day, make sure you have plenty of water, sunscreen, medications, and snacks. Lastly, make sure you have a fire extinguisher, flares, maps, and communication devices in case you run into trouble.
– Bring a back up. If you’re boating with friends or family, make sure somebody other than the driver is familiar with the boat. It’s not a safe idea for one adult to take a boat full of children out tubing. If the primary driver is injured or unable to navigate, it’s vital that a passenger is also familiar with the boat and can get you back to land safely.
– Keep an eye on the weather. Summer weather can change quickly. Pay attention to your local forecast and consider signing up for weather alerts that can be sent to your Smartphone.
– Be aware of your surroundings. Depending on the time of the year, boat traffic can be heavy on the lake. Make sure you always keep a close eye on what’s happening around you. If pulling a tube or skier behind your boat or jet ski, always have a spotter to alert you of issues.
Additional Resources
Sea Doo safety video
U.S. Aids to Navigation System
Boating Safety Resource Center
Al Roker Radio PSA
I can’t wait to get up north and enjoy summer activities, because before we know it, we’ll be shoveling snow again!
by Flagship Staff | Jul 17, 2017 | Blog
Are you going on a trip of a lifetime or a well-deserved family vacation this summer? If so, it can be both exciting and stressful. After months of preparation, there’s nothing left to do other than hop on a plane or jump in the car and go. But wait a minute! What about your family pet?
If you’re a new pet owner, figuring out what kind of care to provide while you’re gone can be stressful. For us, there were two options.
1. Leave them home alone in their natural environment and have people check in on them.
2. Take them to a pet lodge/resort (kennel).
Here are some tips to help you select the right place for your pet.
1. Get referrals. Ask your local veterinarian for recommendations. Also check online reviews, websites, and the Better Business Bureau for information.
2. Don’t wait until the last minute. For many of us, our pets are our pride and joy. You want to make sure they’re in a good place, so tour different facilities early. This will allow you to make a reservation at a place that’s right for you and your pet.
3. Evaluate the staff. When touring a facility, pay attention to the staff you see along the way.
– Are they knowledgeable?
– Are they dressed appropriately?
– Do they show compassion for the pets that are there?
– Are they using proper handling techniques?
– Do they have a good attitude?
4. Evaluate the facilities. The building and property should be maintained. If they can’t maintain their property, how can they take good care of your pet? In addition, evaluate the cleanliness of the facility. You shouldn’t see and smell dirt, fecal matter, and strong odors.
5. Discuss and understand their routine. Talk to the staff to get a clear understanding of what your pet’s day will look like. Some pets have a lot of energy and will need some playtime. Some facilities may charge extra for ala carte services.
6. Discuss communication. Check if it’s possible to receive regular communication on how your pet is doing.
7. Discuss medication policies and procedures. If your pet is taking a maintenance drug, it may be okay to board them. If they take numerous medications, it may not be feasible for the staff to provide the proper care your pet needs. You don’t want to discover this on the day you drop them off.
8. Go with your gut. Intuition is powerful. If you don’t feel good about the facility, move onto the next one. It’s important that you feel comfortable with your decision. As we do for our children, we want what’s best for our pets.
9. Comforts of home. Find out what you can bring from home and what the facility will provide to make your pet as comfortable as possible during their stay.
10. Enjoy your trip. If you’ve done your homework and picked a quality facility, your pet will be fine. Now it’s time to enjoy your trip.
For additional pet safety tips, visit the links below.
Pet-cation: Ways to help your pets cope during your absence
Ten safety tips to enjoy summer with your pet
Seven tips to make your pet’s holiday travel enjoyable and safe
Do you have any tips or information you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them; please share them in the box below.
