This is the time of year when ponds and lakes are frozen. Soon you’ll be getting ready to get your vehicle out on the open, frozen water to enjoy the great outdoors. But what would you do if the unthinkable – but sinkable – happens and your vehicle breaks through the...

Do you have a new furry member in your family? Is this your first winter with them? If so, winter weather can be challenging for both of you. Pets are a great addition to the family. They bring laughter and companionship to our lives. In return, most of us want to...

If you’re building a new home, remodeling your existing home, or you recently built a new deck, you may be staining the new woodwork yourself. While it saves money, it can be a bit scary and dangerous. Stain is permanent! It will stain your clothes, fingers, and...

When people think of homeowners' insurance claims, they often associate them with major disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes or wildfires. In these situations, there's not much that policyholders can do to avoid disaster.   Fortunately, many homeowner losses are...

Have you ever jumped into your car, turned the key, and nothing happened? If so, did thoughts like this start racing through your head? I wonder what’s wrong? What am I going to do now? Who can I call? I hope this isn’t going to be expensive. A dead battery can occur...

Between giving gifts, preparing large meals, and planning family gatherings, the holidays can be a stressful time of year.  Adding another thing to think about may seem overwhelming, but home safety is an important consideration. A devastating burglary, expensive...

As much as we love our pets, we do our best to protect them from danger all year long — and around the holidays there are special circumstances that put them at risk. Many of these are obvious, but others are not — and that’s not even considering the anguish of...

The National Fire Protection Association is promoting the theme, "Don’t Wait: Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years" during this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign. The focus on smoke alarm replacement comes as the result of a recent survey conducted...

The commercial general liability (CGL) coverage form has a “who is an insured” section in which it describes “an insured” to whom the provisions of the CGL form apply. However, that section does not deal with entities known as “additional insureds,” those that are...

Another sign that warm weather is here is the roar of a motorcycle as it drives down your street. It's always been my dream to own a motorcycle. Like many things in life, a motorcycle must be respected by the rider and other motorists who share the road. Motorcycles...

It's been reported in the news that the 2017 tick season is going to be worse than usual. If you're wondering why they're anticipating such a bad season, there's some supporting evidence. This year, our Midwest winter was on the mild side. While this led to less...

Losing a home to a fire or tornado is a devastating life-changing event. If your home were destroyed, would you have enough coverage on your homeowner’s policy? Many policies provide a specific percentage of coverage based on the value of your home’s contents...

Nothing puts you on edge like a big storm. Whether it’s pounding rain and crashing thunder or a blizzard that knocks out the power for days, nasty weather can have you questioning your family’s fundamental security—and the steadfastness of the home that keeps you...

While operating a lawn mower is a common task this time of year, it can be dangerous. Flying debris, moving and hot parts, and errors in judgment can quickly lead to serious injury. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 80,000 people make an unexpected...

The electrical load on a household has significantly increased in the last 50 years. Today most people have at least one computer, several televisions, gaming systems, cell phones … all requiring electricity. According to the US Census Bureau, more than half the homes...

With nicer weather on the way, we'll start seeing a flurry of activity in our neighborhoods. Neighbors will begin walking/running, grilling out, and starting yard cleanup to deal with what Mother Nature left behind. Neighborhood kids will begin knocking on your door...

Mother Nature has been a bit slow in turning up the heat this spring; however, when she does, you’ll probably start thinking about yard work and outdoor projects you want to accomplish this year. If you have a large project on your list, it may be time to call in a...

Owning a home is a dream shared by many. Home ownership provides many benefits, such as financial security and...

According to Tom, West Bend claims manager, March, April, and May are typically heavy volume months for sump pump...

Having worked in the insurance industry for most of my career, I’ve talked to many people about the benefits of a West...

This year’s flu season has grabbed our attention. Hospitalization for people infected with the flu has increased for...

A few months ago, I purchased a new car. Because my previous car was 10 years old, it didn’t have all the safety...

Smart home technology use is a rising trend. From connected appliances to Wi-Fi lightbulbs to automated environmental...