As a child, your parents may have taught you never to talk to strangers. As an adult hoping to sell your home, not only are you going to have to talk to strangers — you’re going to have to invite them in. Real estate professionals — who are sometimes targeted by...

The unofficial start of summer is here! This means many families are making plans or final arrangements for this year’s summer road trip. According to researchers, summer road trips are still very popular among families. The two main reasons are flexibility and...

If you have kids in high school, final exam week is just around the corner. Year-end projects are nearing completion, which leads to study packets and a stressful time for students and parents. Exam stress can be the result of a number of factors or situations such...

Is learning to ride a motorcycle on your bucket list? Now that the weather is getting nicer, you’re closer to making this dream a reality. Growing up riding dirt bikes with my friends, I know how fun and exhilarating riding can be. It offers a new perspective to...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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,...

In just a few short days, our children’s alarm clocks will be ringing and hectic school schedules will become a part of our routine. No matter what age your child is, the first day of school can cause anxiety for the entire family. Here are some things you can do to...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

For many families, summer vacations are the highlight of their year. Hectic schedules are put aside for rest, relaxation, and quality family time. No matter where you go this summer, family memories will be made that will last a lifetime. A bad vacation memory is...

While summer is a great time to enjoy many outdoor activities, it can take a toll on our pocket books because of increased utility costs. Air conditioning units and dehumidifiers are working overtime to keep our homes comfortable. With the kids home from school,...

Just when you think you’ve seen your last snowfall or cold spell, Mother Nature plays another trick on you. Winter...

With several weeks of winter left, and then the transition to spring, salt could still play a big part in keeping your...

After a quiet December, Mother Nature has really created a ruckus in Wisconsin the last several weeks. From...

Here in Wisconsin, the weather is consistently throwing us for a loop. Anticipating snow and ice is something we all...

Extreme cold temperatures put your home or business at risk for frozen pipes. As water freezes, it expands and puts...

During the winter months, Mother Nature can stir up a variety of weather conditions. Howling winds, drifting snow, and...