by Flagship Staff | Aug 20, 2019 | Blog
Another summer is ending. It’s hard to believe how fast it went by. I hope you’ve enjoyed time with your family and friends and found time to relax.
I love having my kids around the house during the summer. While the extra help with chores is appreciated, I like the fact that there are no chaotic schedules to follow.
Unfortunately, back-to-school time means chaotic schedules, congestion on roadways, and added stress. Depending on your children’s ages and their involvement in extracurricular activities, the chaos might have already begun.
We often hear about tips for helping our kids manage back-to-school stress, but what about us?
Many parents of school-aged children have their own worries and insecurities about school starting such as:
Will my children have good teachers?
Will they know anybody in their classes?
Who will they eat lunch with?
How much will school supplies cost?
Are my children’s schools safe?
Will my children make a sports team or will they get a leading part in the school play?
Will my children be able to handle their homework?
Will they excel academically?
Looking back on my high school years, the big insecurity for me was finding someone to sit with at lunch. So of course, it’s the first question I ask my high schooler.
There are some things that as a parent we just need to let go. It’s impossible to be in control of everything all the time. For other things, stress can be alleviated.
Here are some tips to help you beat back-to-school stress.
1. Map out your schedule now. If you haven’t already done so, start thinking about what your schedule will look like once school starts. Consider buying a calendar that the entire family can look at. If your family members are aware of the different schedules, this can alleviate some of the pressure you may be feeling. Continue to update the calendar as new activities or appointments are discovered.
2. Review paperwork and school website. If you’ve received paperwork from the school and it’s sitting in a pile on your kitchen counter, now’s the time to start reading through it. Also consider looking at your school’s website for useful information. Finding out on the first day of school that start or end times have changed will increase your stress level.
3. Reach out to your children’s teachers now. If you have contact information for your children’s teachers, consider sending them an email now. Asking questions before the school year starts can help you feel more prepared.
4. Develop a back up plan now. Think about different scenarios that may interrupt your normal school routines. What happens if an early morning meeting pops onto your schedule or if you’re delayed in traffic? Do you have neighbors or family members who can step in and lend a hand? Can you utilize the bus service? Can your child stay after school in an extended care program or homework center? Having a Plan B can help eliminate stress when something changes. You won’t be left scrambling trying to pick up the pieces.
5. Work as a team. As schedules get more hectic, divide up routine tasks with your spouse or significant other. This can reduce the workload and stress that maybe only one person is feeling. If you’re a single parent, ask for help from neighbors, friends, or family members. People are willing to help if you simply ask.
6. Prioritize back-to-school expenses. Buying school supplies and new clothes is exciting for the kids. But for us, it can be overwhelming because we pay the bill. And once school starts, it never fails, miscellaneous fees start to trickle in (e.g. field trips, yearbooks, etc.). Write down everything you think your students need with estimated costs and then prioritize. There may be something on the list that can wait.
7. Discuss rules and expectations. For a lot of kids, the end of summer can be a rude awakening. The days of staying up late and sleeping in are over. Also, the amount of time spent on social media or gaming will need to be reduced so that they can focus on homework. Before the school year starts, discuss what the new rules will be. Let them know that homework takes priority. Hopefully, setting expectations now will help with the transition into the new year and will alleviate future arguments.
8. Write it down. If you have questions you want to ask or things you want to do, write them down, rather than trying to store everything in your brain. This can reduce stress and free up brain power to concentrate on things that are more important.
9. Don’t be afraid to say no. Along with the start of school comes volunteering opportunities. Based on your children’s involvement in activities, volunteering may be mandatory (e.g. concession stand, uniform fitting, etc.), while other opportunities may not be mandatory. Volunteering is rewarding and has many benefits. However, it’s important to stay focused on your family’s needs.
by Flagship Staff | Aug 13, 2019 | Blog
If you’re heading off to college or you’re a recent college graduate, renting an apartment is another step into the journey of adulthood. Renting an apartment allows you to have your own place without all the upkeep and expenses associated with owning a home. If the water heater ruptures, you can call the landlord. If the roof is damaged by a hailstorm, it’s the landlord’s responsibility to have it repaired or replaced.
If you’re at a different stage in life, you may be downsizing and renting an apartment until you find a smaller home that’s perfect for you. Whatever the case may be, the downside of renting is an unresponsive landlord. We’ve all heard horror stories about situations that aren’t handled appropriately. This can be very frustrating and stressful as a tenant. That’s why it’s important to understand tenant rights. Understanding your rights can help you navigate through a challenging situation.
While each state may have different tenant rights, there are some common ones you should be aware of. To learn more about your state’s tenant rights
1. Right to livable conditions. Again, one of the benefits of renting is that the landlord is responsible for maintaining the building and making sure it’s safe and up to code. As a tenant, you’re entitled to working utilities like heat, water, and electricity. In addition, working smoke detectors should be present and the apartment should be free of mold, bugs, and rodents. If your apartment becomes uninhabitable because something is wrong with the property and your landlord fails to fix the problem, you may be able to break your lease without facing penalties.
Please keep in mind, however, that you’re responsible for keeping the apartment clean, preventing damage from occurring, and respecting others.
2. Right to have repairs made in a timely manner. Before signing your lease, discuss with the landlord how repairs will be handled and in what time frame. Communication is key! Ask the landlord what their communication preference is. If they prefer phone calls, don’t send them an email. They may never check it. The urgency of the problem may dictate the method of communication and the response time.
It’s important to understand that landlords can’t enter your apartment anytime they’d like. Based on where you live, state law may dictate the amount of time you must be given before they can enter your apartment. Again, that’s why communication is so important. Both parties should know how to get in contact with one another.
Lastly, you can’t withhold rent payments to get a faster response to a problem. Rent must always be paid on time.
3. Right to receive an eviction notice. After signing a lease agreement, there are terms and conditions you must abide by. If you break them, you may be evicted by your landlord. The eviction, however, won’t happen spontaneously (i.e., your personal belongings won’t be out on the curb when you arrive home after work). There’s a process that must be followed. Your renter’s rights entitle you to the right to receive an eviction notice.
Once you receive the notice, you’re given time to rectify the situation. For example, if you have unpaid rent, you have time to pay the landlord. Or if you have animals in your apartment, and they’re not allowed, you would have time to find them a new home. If you fail to remedy the situation, your landlord can file an eviction proceeding which is processed in court. Depending on the outcome, you could be responsible for court costs.
4. Right to a returned security deposit. Many states have a statutory deadline in which your full security deposit must be returned to you after you move out. Normal wear and tear can’t be deducted from your security deposit. Normal wear and tear items include, but are not limited to:
Faded or worn carpets
Peeling or cracking of paint
Cracks in walls as a result of foundation settling
Dirty grout around tiles
Worn door handles
Money can be withheld, however, for damaged property as a result of your neglect or abuse. Damaged property reduces the value or usefulness and may include:
Significant holes in walls
Stains, burns, or holes in carpet
Broken doors or windows
Missing tiles
To prevent disputes from arising, conduct an inspection before moving in our out. Take pictures to serve as evidence if needed later.
Now that you understand your rights, here are some tips when you’re looking for a new apartment.
1. Inspect the apartment for safety. Make sure windows and doors have working locks. Also check for working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
2. Make sure apartment amenities are in good working order. Make sure the appliances are clean and function as designed. Test light switches and outlets. A buzzing or flickering light may be a sign of a potential problem. Lastly, flush toilets and turn on faucets to make sure the apartment has adequate water flow.
3. Listen for peace and quiet. A good night’s sleep is important. Listen for street noise. Can you hear traffic or people walking by? Can you hear other tenants? If the building lacks proper insulation between walls or floors, apartment living can be noisy.
4. Ask how they handle maintenance requests. Depending on the size of the apartment complex, they may have a property manager on site 24/7 that can help you when something goes wrong.
by Flagship Staff | Aug 6, 2019 | Blog
Sending children off to college for their first year, is an exciting time for families. College allows kids the freedom to make their own decisions and allows them to pursue a career that they’re passionate about.
Numerous conversations are to be had regarding college life. A conversation that may get overlooked is one on fire safety. If students live in the dorms, the college residence hall staff or safety department will discuss fire safety and evacuation procedures with the them. But let’s face it, they’re excited about other things that college has to offer, not fire safety. What may seem like a dumb rule or policy to them could save their lives.
For students living in apartments or houses off campus, it’s their responsibility to understand fire safety. No one is going to be there to watch over them or make sure their living conditions are safe.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), from 2011 – 2015, U.S. fire departments were called to an estimated annual average of 4,100 on-campus structure fires. These fires occurred in dormitories, fraternities, sororities, and other properties.
The peak months for dorm fires are September and October. The peak times for these fires are between 5:00pm and 9:00pm. Here are some of the causes of those fires.
Cooking equipment
Overloaded power strips
Candles
Space heaters
Smoking materials
Here are some things your students can do to prevent injury.
1. Understand all evacuation routes. Evacuating quickly is the key to survival. Have them review and become familiar with evacuation routes before an emergency. During a fire, one of their routes could be blocked. If this is the case, they’ll have to find another way out.
2. Be aware of the closest fire alarm. Should a fire start in their dorm or apartment, make sure they’re familiar with where the closest fire alarm is located. The quicker they pull the alarm, the better.
3. Don’t tamper with smoke detectors. Working smoke detectors are key in alerting of a fire and starting the evacuation process. If they disable a smoke alarm due to a problem, they should contact their college’s safety or maintenance department promptly.
4. Don’t block fire exit doors. In many college dorms and apartments space is limited. They should never block entrances/exits with bikes, boxes, or furniture. In an emergency, they won’t have much time to move items.
5. Report damaged fire equipment to the appropriate staff. Fire equipment may be damaged accidentally or by vandalism. If your students see damaged equipment, make sure they report it to resident hall staff or safety department.
6. Be familiar with how to use a fire extinguisher. While a student’s priority should be to evacuate the building, there may be a time that a fire extinguisher could be helpful. Trying to read the instructions during a fire isn’t a good idea.
7. Don’t be a practical joker. While pulling a fire alarm as a joke, may seem harmless, it can have serious consequences. When a real fire starts, students may not take it seriously.
Here are some things your college students can do to prevent starting a fire.
1. Keep an eye on small appliances. While most college students are enrolled in a meal plan, common appliances that can be kept in a dorm room include microwave, coffee maker, and toaster. When using these appliances, they should stay close by. Also, before rushing off to class, they should make sure they have turned it off or unplugged it. Don’t forget about the curling iron or hair straightener.
2. Use candles with extreme care. Candles are prohibited in most college dorm rooms. However, if they’re living off campus, candles can provide some amazing scents and a way to relax. However, they should never leave candles unattended or near clutter. Fires can start and spread very quickly.
3. Take it easy on power strips and surge protectors. With all of today’s devices, outlets are usually at a premium, so power strips and surge protectors come in handy. However, they should never connect multiple power strips together to increase the number of outlets available. In addition, they should never use power strips or surge protectors for high-power capacity items such as, space heaters, dehumidifiers, or other high capacity appliances. Have them plug those items directly into a wall outlet.
4. Keep decorations to a minimum. If you’ve been in a college dorm, you probably noticed that dorm room decorations can be elaborate. While it’s fun to furnish and decorate the new room, keeping things to a minimum is much safer. Share these suggestions with them when it’s time to decorate. Never hang things from a smoke detector or sprinkler. Avoid running extension cords in front of a doorway or under a rug. Don’t block a doorway or window with furniture.
5. Don’t smoke indoors. They should smoke outside or in designated smoking areas.
For a fire safety checklist for your student click here.
Insurance Coverage
Parents and students alike may be under the misconception that their current homeowners policy provides protection for their property that’s kept at school. This may not be the case. A homeowners policy may have different deductibles, limits, and eligibility requirements or it may exclude certain claims.
by Flagship Staff | Jul 30, 2019 | Blog
Every year millions of people travel the globe to visit and explore. No matter your destination, renting a car may be a part of your plan. If it is, are you prepared?
After a long flight, bus ride, and wait in the rental car line, you’ve finally made it to the front of the line. With a sigh of relief, you walk to the counter and are greeted. All you want to know is if your car is available and if you can get the keys to continue your journey. And then, you’re asked the question. Would you like to buy our insurance that provides coverage if something happens to the car? As an insurance professional, this is still a question that makes me think. I should already have coverage, right?
Understanding what your policy covers before you start your travel is important and can help you in this situation. However, one of the questions we frequently receive from our policyholders 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 or motorhome for personal use.
Car rental companies recommend that you buy their collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW). These waivers remove the right of the rental car company to charge you for damage to their car. While this can offer you peace of mind, it can be expensive, and you may already have coverage under your personal auto insurance policy.
Amy Justman, senior personal lines underwriter will explain the difference between a standard policy and a West Bend Home and Highway® policy.
The standard policy language developed by Insurance Services Office (ISO) and used by many personal auto insurance companies provides coverage for rented vehicles. However, this can be limiting, as it only covers damage identified as collision and other-than-collision and a deductible will often apply. There may also be limits to the type of vehicle covered.
Collision insurance coverage provides protection for damages caused by upset of your covered auto or impact with another vehicle or object.
Other-than-collision (Comprehensive) provides protection for damages caused to your car, which are not collision related.
West Bend’s Home and Highway® policy, on the other hand, includes rented vehicle coverage. This allows us to provide the coverages above, plus any other damages for which you’re found legally liable – including those assumed via contract (aka the rental agreement) – up to the limit of liability. Additionally, under liability coverage, there’s no deductible. The liability coverage automatically applies to four-wheel vehicles licensed for road use when rented for personal use.
This is a feature we call out as especially unique to our Home and Highway policy because of the broad coverage. Again, all insurance providers and their coverage forms differ, so make sure to contact your agent before signing the liability waiver and driving off!
If you do contact your agent before traveling, here are some questions that should be a part of the conversation. Please note: The answers here are specific to coverage provided by the Home and Highway policy but they’ll still help you understand how insurance coverage works.
1. Who’s covered for rented car coverage? The “insured” and a “family member” as defined by the personal auto coverage form.
2. Is there a coverage territory for rented car coverage? Yes, the coverage territory is:
1. The United States of America, its territories, or possessions
2. Puerto Rico
3. Canada
3. Is there a limit to the amount of coverage West Bend will pay on a covered loss to a rented car? Yes, the Property Damage or Combined Single limit is the total amount we’ll pay for damages to the rented car.
4. Will West Bend pay for loss of use to a rental car company? After a loss, our Claims department will investigate to determine if the rental car company did indeed suffer a loss of use due to damage to the rented car; we’ll only pay if warranted. If we find there were other fleet vehicles available for rent while the damaged vehicle was being repaired, there was no loss of use. In that case, we’ll deny this portion of the claim. If they can validate they experienced loss of use, we’ll provide coverage for a reasonable period. For example, replacing a windshield shouldn’t take more than a day.
If you’re traveling outside the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada, it would be wise to purchase additional coverage.
by Flagship Staff | Jul 23, 2019 | Blog
As summer temperatures begin to rise, keeping your family and pets safe should be your top priority. If you live in a climate that experiences snow and cold temperatures, the summer heat is usually welcomed. However, all too often we see headlines about how extreme heat can be deadly.
According to a 2014 report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 666 people die annually in the U.S. because of heat-related reasons. While many people take precautions for extremely cold temperatures, we may forget to take precautions when it’s extremely hot. Here are some things you should know about extreme heat and what you can do to protect your family and pets.
Understand heat related alerts
Like many other weather events, understanding the different terminology can be crucial to staying safe.
Excessive heat warning. If this warning is issued, act immediately. This warning is usually issued within 12 hours of when the heat index temperature is expected to be 105 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for a minimum of two days with evening temperatures at 75 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Excessive heat watch. This watch is issued if excessive heat is expected within 24 to 72 hours. The timing of this heat event could change causing the watch time to change.
Heat advisory. Like an excessive heat warning, the advisory is usually issued within 12 hours of an event. However, the heat index temperature is expected to be 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for a minimum of two days.
Excessive heat outlooks. Outlooks are issued when there could be an excessive heat event in three to seven days.
Remember, excessive heat and cold are equally dangerous. Please keep an eye on watches and warnings for your area.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion
Nothing beats keeping the windows open and enjoying a nice summer breeze or a round of golf. However, when temperatures become extreme, it’s important to stay cool to avoid heat-related illnesses.
Here are some symptoms of heat exhaustion:
Confusion
Dark-colored urine
Dizziness
Fainting
Fatigue
Headache
Muscle or abdominal cramps
Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Pale skin
Profuse sweating
Rapid heartbeat
If any of these symptoms become present while spending time outdoors, get into an air-conditioned room or car immediately.
Symptoms of heat stroke
Prolonged exposure or physical activity in high temperatures can cause your body to overheat, leading to severe complications. If left untreated, heat stroke can damage your brain, heart, kidneys, and muscles.
Here are some symptoms of heat stroke:
Throbbing headache
Dizziness and light-headedness
Lack of sweating
Red, hot, and dry skin
Muscle weakness or cramps
Nausea and vomiting
Rapid heartbeat
Rapid, shallow breathing
Confusion, disorientation, or staggering
Seizures
Unconsciousness
Tips for you and your family
1. Drink plenty of water. Staying hydrated year-round is important, but especially during the hot summer months. The amount of water you need can differ from what other people need, depending on activity level and body type. To stay properly hydrated, consider drinking 68-135 ounces of water per day. If you don’t like water or it’s difficult to drink, consider adding a flavor packet to it.
2. Reschedule outdoor activities. The hottest time of the day is between 11:00am and 3:00pm. Avoid participating in strenuous activities during this time. Consider venturing outdoors earlier in the morning or later in the evening.
3. Stock up on supplies. Make sure you have plenty of food, water, and medications. You may not realize this, but because so many air conditioning units are running, power outages can occur more frequently. Severe thunderstorms aren’t the only way to lose power during the summer months.
4. Watch for signs of heat-related illnesses.
5. Check on elderly parents or neighbors.
6. Wear appropriate clothing. Wear light, cool, and loose-fitting clothing. Also consider wearing a hat and sunglasses.
7. Never leave children in a parked car. It can take as little as 10 minutes for a car to reach deadly temperatures.
8. Keep the heat out. Close the blinds or the pull the shades in your home to keep the heat out. In your car, if you have a moon roof, close the interior cover and consider putting a sunshade in your front window. If you don’t have a sunshade, consider buying a steering wheel sun cover to prevent your steering wheel from becoming too hot to touch.
Tips for your pets
1. Limit outdoor activities. Take them for a walk or to the dog park in the early morning or evening hours. Or reduce the amount of time spent outdoors. If your normal walk routine is 30 minutes, cut it to 20 minutes on hot days.
2. Protect your dogs’ paws. Concrete, sand, and asphalt can get very hot. Avoid taking them on these surfaces during the peak time of the day or buy them proper paw ware.
3. Consider buying cooling products. A cooling wrap, vest, or mat may provide nice relief. Fans don’t provide as much relief for pets as they do for us.
4. Never leave pets in a parked car. When running errands, no matter how much they whine, consider leaving them at home. A car can get dangerously hot even with the windows cracked.
5. Provide access to plenty of water.
6. Be on the lookout for signs of overheating. There are a couple of things to be aware of regarding how our pets cool off. First, pets sweat mainly through their feet. Panting takes heat out of their bodies. Excessive panting, difficulty breathing, and drooling may occur if they’re overheating.
by Flagship Staff | Jul 16, 2019 | Blog
I’m sure you’ve heard the stories of people whose gifts or money have been stolen at their wedding reception. You’re probably thinking, “That won’t happen to me” or “I don’t think any of my guests would ever do that.” Well, wedding gift theft is very common and in many cases, stolen gifts are never recovered. As a bride-to-be myself, I’m taking this seriously and I think you should, too!
To ensure stolen gifts don’t ruin your big day, take some of these tips into consideration:
Think about the layout of your reception space when determining where to place your card box and gift table. Put your card box and gift table away from doors, high traffic areas, and especially away from spaces that the public can access.
Designate a friend or family member to keep an eye on your gifts throughout the night. Have that person empty the card box and put gifts in a secure area – perhaps the trunk of a car or a hotel room. As the evening goes on, you may even consider removing your card box as most guests will bring their cards and gifts in prior to dinner.
If you’re the person responsible for the card box and gifts, remember, you can never be too careful. When putting items in your car or hotel room, double check it’s locked when you leave. Even if you only plan to step away from your car for a few minutes, make sure you lock it. It only takes a few seconds, and a sneaky bystander to notice your absence and steal the card box. Can you imagine telling the newlyweds their cards and gifts were stolen on your watch?
When selecting a card box, try and pick something that would be difficult to open or hard to steal. Use a unique card box, something that’s easily noticeable and would be obvious if it was missing. Make sure the opening of your box is just big enough for a card to fit through too!
Even if you’re a guest at a wedding and notice someone out of place or acting strange, don’t be afraid to say something. Most times, gift theft is done by an uninvited person.
Consider purchasing wedding insurance as another line of defense. Wedding insurance will protect your from more than missing wedding gifts.
Insurance Coverage
Most insurance policies only offer a small amount of coverage for stolen money. West Bend’s basic policy provides up to $250. This isn’t much money when you could be gifted significantly more.
Another option includes the Protector Grand endorsement which provides up to $500 in coverage for stolen money, plus additional coverages. The highest coverage limit you can choose is $1,000.
As for your actual wedding gifts (blender), they’re considered personal property so there would be coverage. However, you’d need to contact your guests to figure out what was gifted before contacting your insurance company. A deductible may apply.
