by Flagship Staff | Jan 8, 2019 | Blog
For many, buying a home is a dream come true. However, if you’ve been through the process, you know it’s not an easy task. You must figure out how much you can afford, get pre-approved, make an offer, and get a home inspection.
If you’ve purchased a new home recently, you may be familiar with the dangers of radon gas. If not, January is Radon Awareness Month.
What’s radon?
Radon is an invisible, odorless, and cancer-causing radioactive gas. It’s naturally found in rock, soil, and water. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer. It’s estimated that 21,000 Americans die each year.
Unfortunately, there’s no escaping it. Radon has been found in all 50 states. Levels can vary from house to house or even floor to floor. Therefore, just because your neighbor’s home may have high levels of radon it doesn’t mean yours will.
How radon enters your home
Due to the difference between pressure in your home and the ground, radon gas can be naturally pulled in. Radon can find its way into your home through:
• Cracks in your basement floor or foundation;
• Well water or your sump pump;
• Exposed soil in a crawl space;
• Loose fitting pipes; and
• Building materials such as brick, concrete, and rock.
If your home has high levels of radon, you and your family have an increased risk of lung cancer.
How can you protect your family?
Testing your home for radon is the only way to determine if your home and family are at risk. There are no other signs that can identify if there’s a problem in your home.
Types of radon test kits
There are two types of home kits available; short-term and long-term. Short-term kits can be purchased online or at big box retailers and cost between $10 and $30. This type of kit should be placed in the lowest part of your home for a specific amount of time; usually a couple of days. After the designated time frame expires, mail the test kit to a lab to analyze your results. The results will be mailed back to you.
A long-term kit can be purchased the same way, but the cost ranges between $10 and $200. A long-term kit may collect particles anywhere from 90 days to one year. While long-term kits provide more accurate results, your family may potentially be exposed for a longer period. Experts recommend purchasing a long-term kit only if a short-term kit identifies a potential problem.
Lastly, another option for testing your home is hiring a professional service. While this method is most accurate and delivers results quicker, it’s also more expensive.
Testing for radon in your water
If you live in the city, the EPA provides testing guidelines that must be followed. If you live outside the city and have a private well, it’s your responsibility to determine if your water is safe. Experts recommend yearly testing.
What to do if radon levels are high
If a test determines dangerous levels of radon in your home, contact a professional. They can provide additional testing, as well as design and install a radon mitigation system that is customized for your home. Once the system is running, follow up tests will be done to make sure it’s working properly.
by Flagship Staff | Dec 18, 2018 | Blog
Holiday traditions often make the holiday season the favorite time of year for many people. Those traditions include:
Picking out the perfect Christmas tree;
Participating in secret gift exchanges;
Baking cookies; and
Travelling to visit family.
However, this time of year can be very stressful for families dealing with internal drama. Snide remarks, political arguments, and opinionated relatives can make this a time of year you want to forget.
If you’re chuckling, you get my drift. If you’re a bit upset, take a breath. No one’s family is perfect!
Here are some tips to help you enjoy the holidays with your family a bit more this year.
1. Make a phone call. Carrying a chip on your shoulder year after year is a burden. If you’ve had a disagreement or fight with a family member, pick up the phone, send a text, or send a Christmas card. Discussing a misunderstanding ahead of your family party can make it more enjoyable or at a minimum more tolerable.
2. Be thankful. Even if you have no family drama, you may still get annoyed with some of your relatives. Consider being thankful for another year together. This may be the only time of year you see them. Life is precious and can change in a second.
3. Don’t be so serious. Sometimes we’re our own worst critics. Maybe things aren’t as bad as we think they are. Enjoy a little humor or a lighter outlook on things.
4. Exercise. This time of year is hectic. Family traditions, holiday concerts/plays, shopping lists, final exams, and your company’s year-end makes it hard to enjoy the holiday season. If you’re feeling stressed and losing sleep at night, increase your physical activity. Getting the endorphins flowing makes a big difference in how we handle stress. Get that workout in before your family event!
5. Be genuine. Trying to impress family members can be stressful and a lot of work. Connect with the family members you enjoy being around. Definitely be cordial to all, but don’t go out of your way to be someone you’re not.
6. Stand your ground. Don’t get tricked into a discussion or situation that’s going to upset you. More than likely it’s the same situation or comment from the same person every year. I had an uncle who always told me I looked healthy (over weight). Realize the game is beginning and simply walk away.
7. Just ignore them. Everyone experiences different levels of stress and emotion this time of year. Things may be said or done. It’s probably not because of anything you’ve done. It’s just them. A smile, nod, or simple gesture can keep a situation from escalating.
8. Plan an exit strategy. Before going to your family holiday party, discuss with your spouse or other family members on how long you plan on staying. As families grow and mature, it’s hard to stick to everyone’s schedule. Consider taking separate cars in case someone wants to leave early or stay late.
9. Think positive. Don’t let negative self-talk get you down. Stay positive and use tactics to keep the negativity to a minimum.
10. It’s about the kids. Unfortunately, I’ve experienced family drama during the holidays. While it can be hard to sit in the same room with a certain family member, put aside your differences for the kids. Think about the excitement the holiday brings to them. Spending time with their cousins and relatives creates memories that last a lifetime.
11. Respectfully decline. If the ideas mentioned above don’t work for you. Then it may be best to decline a holiday party invitation. At the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for you. Taking on extra stress during an already busy time of year doesn’t make sense. Consider starting a new tradition that brings you more happiness.
by Flagship Staff | Dec 11, 2018 | Blog
In today’s society of long-term college careers and high-debt range after graduation, there’s been a drastic increase in the age to which a child attends college or is being financially helped or supported by the parents. Unfortunately, this can create insurance coverage gaps for the adult child that parents may not realize and can jeopardize the child’s financial wellbeing.
When it comes to the personnel contents and the larger personal liability exposures on the homeowners’ policy, the age of the child, the full- or part-time student status, and where the child lives are all very critical for obtaining accurate insurance coverage.
The definition of who has coverage under a homeowners policy as an “insured” is limited to “residents of your household who are your relative” and further extends away from the home for “a student enrolled in school full time, as defined by the school, and is under the age of ___” (varies by carrier from 24 to 29 years old).
Many children now attend college beyond the ages of 24-29 years. Sometimes it’s because the child is working toward additional degrees. Maybe the child is working while going to school so it may take longer to graduate. Regardless of the reason, if a child is beyond that age, doesn’t have FULL-TIME student status, or is living away from home, it can instantly create a gap in their coverage for all their contents and personal liability insurance.
In more and more cases, parents are renting an apartment or purchasing a condominium or home for their child to live in. Although the parents purchase that dwelling, it’s not THEIR residence and they don’t live there. In many cases, the coverage that had been extended to the child on their parent’s policy is no longer available because the child now lives at this rented/purchased location and no longer resides with the parents.
As for the auto exposure, who the car is titled to, who’s listed on the policy as a Named Insured or Additional Insured, and where the child is living are all very critical in determining if the child has appropriate insurance coverage.
Under a personal auto policy, the definition of who has coverage includes “family members.” Family members are limited to “a person related to you by blood, marriage or adoption who is a resident of your household.”
So a vehicle titled and insured by the parents, but in possession of a child who isn’t a resident of the parents’ household, creates a gap in coverage for a child who rents or borrows a vehicle, as well one who’s injured while a pedestrian or while a passenger in another vehicle that has no or not enough insurance coverage. If a vehicle is co-titled or titled solely to the child, but the child isn’t properly listed as an Additional Insured or Named Insured, that can create a gap in coverage.
Here are some examples where adult children would NOT have coverage because the definitions, as stated above, don’t apply:
• Your child borrows a friend’s truck to pick up furniture they purchased and causes injuries to someone crossing the street. Your child didn’t know the friend had no insurance on the truck. Now your child has no liability coverage for the injuries they caused.
• Your child rents a vehicle while on vacation and doesn’t buy the insurance offered by the rental car company. Again, there’s no coverage for property damage to the rented vehicle or bodily injury to others if there’s an accident.
• Your child is hit by an uninsured motorist while walking across the street. There are no medical payments or uninsured motorist’s coverage for his or her own injuries.
• Your child is at a concert and accidentally bumps someone off the edge of the stadium bleachers causing severe injuries. There’s no coverage for the injuries caused to that person.
So always be sure to contact your insurance agent with current information about your child’s age, student status, and address to determine if they have the coverage they need. This will ensure, at the necessary time, that your child will avoid these insurance gaps and have the proper coverage in his or her own name. Without the proper insurance protection for injuries and damages, they risk personal financial devastation for many years to come.
by Flagship Staff | Dec 4, 2018 | Blog
Holiday songs fill the airwaves on the radio, neighborhoods are full of bright lights and holiday cheer, and shopping malls are full of hustle and bustle. The holiday season is officially here!
While you’re busy crossing items off your “To Do” list, burglars are looking for ways to fill their wish lists. During this time of year, thefts and break-ins increase significantly. Unoccupied homes and unlocked cars are easy targets. While insurance may provide some theft coverage, a situation like this will dampen your mood.
Here are some ways you can ward off holiday theft this year and keep your family safe.
1. Talk to your independent insurance agent. Contact your agent to make sure you have the appropriate coverages. Whether you own or rent a home, you should have the appropriate insurance coverage to protect you from theft and other perils. If you only have the basic coverage on your auto it may not be enough to cover theft, damage or vandalism.
2. Keep an eye on your packages. Online shopping has become so popular and neighborhoods are filled with delivery trucks this time of year. If a majority of your shopping is done online, it’s highly likely a package or two could be stolen from your front porch. Here are some useful tips that may help keep your packages safe.
3. Keep recent purchases out of sight. Whether at home or at the shopping mall, it’s important to keep your bags and packages out of sight. At home, consider storing them in your basement or a closet that’s away from main entrances. This will make the packages harder to find. When at the shopping mall, don’t put the bags in the back seat of your car. Store them in your trunk or hatchback. If you put them in your hatchback, don’t forget to pull the shade to hide them.
4. Document your recent purchases. If your purchases are on the expensive side, consider snapping a photo for documentation.
5. Lock your doors. If you tend to leave your car or home unlocked, you should consider locking it this time of year. Remember, break-ins increase during the holiday season. Also, make sure your windows are locked. Locked windows help keep burglars out and the heat in. For more information, on keeping your home safe, click here.
6. Always be aware of your surroundings. If you’re visiting the mall, before you exit your car, look around before getting out. When you come back with an armful of shopping bags, make sure you’re holding your keys in case you need to press the panic button or get into your car quickly.
Here is a variety of parking lot safety tips.
Lastly, don’t forget to scan the area when you pull up to an ATM machine to withdraw money.
7. Light up the night. Install motion-activated outdoor lighting. If all the entry points to your home are illuminated, it’s likely burglars will move on to the next house. In addition, consider installing smart lighting inside your home. Smart lighting can be controlled from anywhere in the world and schedules can be created easily.
8. Secure your luggage. If you’re going to be traveling this holiday season, make sure your luggage is secure. I don’t think I’ve ever been at an airport that isn’t busy. However, during the holiday season it’s estimated that 107.3 million Americans travel 50 miles or more from their home. Consider using TSA approved locks on your suitcase or backpacks. After going through security, grab your bags first and then your shoes. Don’t leave your bag sitting at the end of the conveyor belt.
9. Hang onto your purse. Keep an eye on your purse at all times. Purse thieves look for:
A purse draped over the back of a chair;
A wallet hanging out loosely;
A purse or wallet in a shopping cart;
A purse or wallet left in an unattended and unlocked car;
A purse left in vacant offices or fitting rooms; and
Items left on public coat racks.
Men should keep their wallet in their front pocket to avoid pick pocketing thieves.
10. Stuff the recycling bin full. Cut gift and electronics boxes into small pieces so they can fit in your recycling bin. There’s no need to broadcast your recent purchases with the neighborhood.
by Flagship Staff | Nov 27, 2018 | Blog
Rodent infestations can cause all sorts of destruction in your house, from messy droppings to structural damage and more. Unlike your auto policy, rodent damage and removal aren’t covered by most homeowner’s insurance policies.
Since infestations and the damage that results from rats and mice are usually considered matters of home maintenance, the responsibility is typically on the homeowner to pay for repairs and pest control methods.
Rodents (typically rats, mice, and squirrels) are most commonly found in your walls, roof spaces, cupboards, and storage areas so it might be difficult to detect them right away. Here are a few clues you might have an infestation:
Droppings – The most common sign you have a rodent problem is droppings. Droppings usually look like small grains of black rice and are often found where food is kept, under sinks, along baseboards, on top of wall beams, and inside cardboard boxes.
Odd noises – Scurrying in your walls, attic, or heck, even right across your living room — mainly at night. If you’re worried about critters getting to family heirlooms or other valuables in your attic or storage areas, it’s best to store those items in sealed plastic containers rather than cardboard boxes that they can easily chew through.
Gnaw marks – Rodents can cause major damage just by chewing. In addition, they can chew through materials you wouldn’t even suspect — including pipes and electrical wiring.
Nests – You might not see the nest at first but you’ll notice materials typically used to build them (shredded paper, packing materials, cotton, pieces of fabric, and wall insulation) around your home.
Tracks – Rats’ naturally oily fur attracts all kinds of dirt and grease. After a few trips between their nest and their food source, they often start leaving dark tracks or rub marks along your home’s floorboards and walls. These tracks are often signs of rats, as opposed to signs of mice, which can help you narrow down which rodent you’re dealing with.
Here are some tips to help you get rid of them:
Simple home maintenance – Keep the house clean, practice good sanitation, and patch up any openings in the home. Rodent proof areas where you keep food by using plastic and glass containers instead of cardboard they can easily chew through. Since droppings can trigger allergies, carry harmful bacteria, and even transmit serious diseases like salmonella, it’s important to use gloves and antiseptic spray to quickly clean up the mess and dispose of it outside your house.
Poisonous baits – These are not always the best options. Rodents tend to die in hard-to-reach areas and it’s difficult to locate the dead animal to get rid of the odor. Pets can accidentally ingest these products, as well.
Ultrasonic sound – With this method, sound loses its intensity quickly with distance, and it can’t penetrate behind objects like furniture or walls. Rodents who are already in the home can quickly get used to any sounds that may initially affect them.
Pest control professional – This is your safest option; they know how to locate rodents and they have the proper clothing and equipment to thoroughly extricate rodents from your home. This helps keep you and your family from being exposed to health hazards during the removal and cleanup process.
It’s always wise to speak with your insurance agent about what kind of protection your specific home coverages can provide.
by Flagship Staff | Nov 21, 2018 | Blog
‘Tis the season for tossing logs into the fireplace or cranking up the furnace. While winter hasn’t officially arrived, it’s close!
Heating your home during the winter months can be costly. One of the most relied upon systems in your home is your furnace. Sadly enough, it may also may be the most neglected system. It’s often tucked in a closet or in your basement. Even when you flip the switch to turn it on, you may not think about it.
Investing in smart technology and avoiding common heating mistakes can be beneficial for you, your family, and your wallet.
Programmable vs. Smart Thermostats
Growing up, my parent’s home had a basic thermostat. Other than setting the temperature, it was either on or off.
In my current home, I have a programmable thermostat that allows me to create a schedule based on the needs of my family. The problem with this type of thermostat is, it can be difficult to program.
I’ve managed to figure mine out and it works well. While programmable thermostats get the job done, the latest trend is the installation of smart thermostats. A fellow team member of mine has had a Nest thermostat for several years and loves it. While I’ve thought about replacing my programmable thermostat, the price tag always scares me away. If you’re ready to take the plunge, a smart thermostat can:
1. Adapt and create schedules automatically based on how you use it;
2. Offer improved interaction i.e. easier to read and responds to motion;
3. Link to your smartphone so that you can access it from anywhere in the world; and
4. Collect, analyze, and present data to you about heating and cooling costs.
To learn more about the Nest thermostat click here.
Common Heating mistakes
Installing a smart thermostat is one way to improve your home’s efficiency. By avoiding these common heating mistakes, you can improve its efficiency even more.
1. Cranking up your thermostat. Unlike your car, cranking up the temperature on your thermostat doesn’t heat your home faster. Turning up the temperature and forgetting about it will cause your furnace to work harder longer. In the end, this equates to a higher utility bill.
2. Setting your thermostat too low. I’ve read some articles that indicate turning your heat down seven to ten degrees for up to eight hours can save you as much as 10% a year on your utility bills. Following this approach can be drastic and cause your furnace to work even harder when trying to get your home back up to a comfortable temperature. My recommendation is to make small adjustments. This way, you can see how you, your family, and furnace respond. If you like it cool, never set your temperature below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Doing this can lead to frozen pipes, headaches, and significant expense.
3. Neglecting your air filter. An important part of your furnace is the air filter. HVAC professionals recommend changing your furnace filter every three months. Changing your filter on a regular basis can:
a. Improve air quality;
b. Increase efficiency;
c. Extend the life of your furnace; and
d. Keep your home and ductwork cleaner.
To learn more about selecting and installing a furnace filter, click here.
4. Avoiding yearly furnace maintenance. Every year, when severe cold weather strikes, we hear on the news about repair backlogs. Tuning up your furnace now can uncover small problems and improve overall efficiency.
5. Forgetting to lock your windows. Locking your windows during the winter months creates a tight seal that keeps the cold air out. For extremely drafty windows, consider caulking, weather stripping, or installing plastic over them.
6. Forgetting to turn off your exhaust fans. My daughters always forget to turn off our exhaust fans after they shower. My wife and I are constantly reminding them to turn them off. During the winter months, this becomes more of an issue. Running them longer than needed sends the warm air right out.
7. Closing vents and doors. I remember my grandma always closing her doors to avoid heating unoccupied rooms in her home. Your best bet is to keep vents and doors open. This allows warm air to circulate through your home, which helps maintain a consistent temperature.
8. Blocking the sunlight. Sunny days can be scarce during the winter months. Precipitation and warmer temperatures can bring more clouds. However, when that nice sunny day arrives, make sure your curtains or blinds are open, especially if your home as southern exposure.
West Bend Discount
Turning your home into a smart home has many benefits. If you have systems that actively monitor your home and send you text alerts, if something goes wrong, you may be eligible for a discount on a West Bend Home and Highway® insurance policy. Common alerts include:
Theft;
Fire;
Water leaks; and
Drastic temperature changes.
