With Fall just beginning, it's only going to get colder out! That means we'll all be starting up our furnaces to stay toasty and warm in this Wisconsin weather.
As friendly reminder from your staff here at The Insurance Office, if you haven't had your furnace checked recently in the past couple years, now would definitely be the time to do so! It's also a good time to change your furnace filter. It will be money well spent towards your comfort this fall, as well as a good investment towards your home.
Stay safe and stay warm! 🥶🍂🍁🌬
The Insurance Office is open for you normal hours during this time. Be safe.
Winter Home Tip: In the glorious months of summer here in the Midwest, we look to dehumidify all that additional moisture to keep our homes dry. During the winter, you may need to ADD humidity to your property to make sure it doesn't get too dry and cause cracking in your building materials. :)
When talking about insurance of any kind, the word “deductible” is used a lot. But what is a “deductible” in terms of insurance?
A deductible is what you pay before an insurance company pays for a claim. So, say you have a $500 deductible, you would pay the first $500 and your insurance company will repair or replace the vehicle for up to the value of the vehicle.
There are other options for deductibles. If you were to choose a $1,000 deductible instead, your monthly insurance bill would be less, saving you money every month, because the insurance company would be paying less for each accident you have. However, this also means that if you were to get into an accident, you would have to pay $1,000 out of pocket and the insurance company would pay the rest up to the value of the vehicle.
Asking your agent about deductible options and possible savings is always a good idea when signing up for insurance.
It’s something we all don’t want to think about just yet but, snowy season is on the way. 🥶❄️ It may only be October, but Wisconsin weather waits for no one. Before it gets a chance to snow on us, now would be a good time to check the durability of your tires to prepare for the icy roads to come.
It’s also a good time to make sure your windshield wipers and your car’s defrost is working smoothly. As well as, making sure you have car fluids acceptable for freezing weather. It’s best to be prepared for the winter before it hits us, which could be sooner than later up here in the Midwest.
Here’s a good reference on what you should be checking for with your tires: https://www.consumerreports.org/tire-buying-maintenance/fall-is-the-best-time-to-buy-tires-for-winter/
If you’re riding a motorcycle this fall, while you’re admiring the beautiful autumn scenery, make sure to be extra cautious of the leaves on the roads. Especially after the rain, the leaves on the roads can be just as dangerous as icy roads.
Not only are wet leaves dangerous, but dry leaves can be too! They can cover up potholes or other hazards that could harm you or your motorcycle. Make sure to wear a helmet and be extra careful when driving along roads covered in leaves.
And don’t forget to enjoy the fall weather while it lasts! 🍁🍂🏍
Daylight Savings is coming to an end on November 1st, don’t forget to turn your clocks back an hour! While turning your clocks back, it would be a great time to check the batteries in your smoke/carbon monoxide detectors.
If you don’t remember when the last time you changed the batteries in your smoke detectors, which happens to the best of us, then it’s time to pick up some new batteries to make sure that your smoke detectors are still in working condition.
Enjoy the extra hour of sleep!
If your car would be damaged in any way, your claim will be filed under either a comprehensive or a collision claim. Both deal with claims, but what is the defining difference between the two?
A comprehensive claim is damage that occurs while your car is parked. Such as a tree branch falling onto your car on an especially windy day or a basketball hitting the windshield while the neighborhood kids are outside playing.
A collision claim is an accident where a vehicle is moving. As long as either your car, another car or both cars are in motion, it is considered a collision claim. For example, hitting another car while driving is a collision claim. However, if your car is parked and another car hits it while driving past, it is still considered a collision claim, because the other car was still in motion even though your car was not.
There are a few exceptions when it comes to collision claims that can instead be filed as comprehensive claims. Things such as hitting a deer while driving can be considered a comprehensive claim.
A frequent question people have is whether to purchase insurance through an agent or whether to buy insurance from the company directly. So, what are the benefits of purchasing insurance through an agent?
As a locally owned insurance agency, we write insurance with about 40 different companies to find you the best rate possible for your desired insurance. Whether it be Auto, Home, Umbrella, Motorcycle, Boat or even Life insurance an agent can help you to find the cheapest rates for all of it. An agent will also keep records of all your insurance policies, even if they are written through multiple different companies. So, rather than you having to call each insurance company individually, you would only need to call your agent for the information you need, which makes things much more convenient for you.
Choosing an agency over purchasing directly from an insurance company also allows a much friendlier customer service interaction. Agencies generally have a smaller staff that gets to know you personally so they can assist you more thoroughly, as compared to having a policy directly from an insurance company where there are hundreds of employees and you end up talking to a different person every time you call.
Agents help make finding insurance and keeping track of your insurance easier for you. If you’re looking for an agent, feel free to call us during our business hours! Your staff here at the Insurance Office would be more than happy to help you! 😁
When insuring a vehicle, a common question we hear from customers is whether or not the color of the car will affect the price of the insurance. More specifically, do red cars make your insurance more expensive?
But rest assured, the color of the car does not change the prices of your insurance in the slightest! Red cars making insurance rates go up is just a myth! Insurance companies look at the make and model of your car rather than the color. Of course, some models of cars are more expensive than others and that may cause your rates to go up.
Don’t let the fear of increased insurance rates deter you from getting the car you want. Pick whatever color you want, it will not be factored into your insurance rates! 🚗
Always check to make sure to check on any traffic violations to monitor when they expire. Once they do, have your insurance agency double-check and lower your premiums accordingly.
Every auto insurance agency has different car insurance rates because each company uses a unique formula in evaluating applications and analyzing risks. The same policy will have different costs depending on the agency.
If you are planning to lease a vehicle instead of buying one, be prepared to pay a higher insurance premium. In addition, the dealership may require you to carry GAP insurance as well. They want to protect their investment.
Auto insurance policyholders will be able to save more if they pay for a full year in advance. Paying for the year up front will ultimately help car owners save as an extra fee is usually added on top of monthly payments.
Of course, paying annually isn't the right fit for everyone. And that is perfectly okay! But if you'd like to hear more about a possible discount on your insurance, feel free to give us a call anytime!
Snow is in the forecast here in the Midwest and we’re sure that some of you may be getting antsy to bring out your winter toys. However, it is important that you insure them before you use them! If you’ve already reinsured your snowmobiles/vehicles then stay safe and have fun!
However, if this is your first year owning a snowmobile, then feel free to give us a call! We’d be happy to walk you through insuring your winter vehicles so that you can feel confident and secure this winter season. ❄️☃️
Do you already have an umbrella policy? This is great news, but most people’s financial situation changes yearly, so it might no longer be enough. An insurance expert can go over your current financial status to help you find the right umbrella policy.
Did you know that you can reduce your insurance costs by having one agency handle all or almost all of your policies? If you have multiple insurance policies, whether it be automobile, homeowners, life, or something else, you may be eligible for a multi-policy discount. When giving a quote, our agents always check to see if you qualify for a multi-policy discount, however, if you have any questions about whether or not you are eligible feel free to give us a call! We'd be happy to answer any questions you may have about your insurance policies.
Why is car insurance so high for teenagers? One word: Risk. Drivers between the ages of 16 and 19 (inclusive) are four times more likely to be involved in an accident than any other age group. Teenage drivers don't have as much driving experience as older drivers do, which makes them less likely to read the warning signs of a hazardous situation on the roads.
If you are a collector of fine art or have a valuable jewelry collection, the value of these items may exceed what your homeowner’s policy cover. An umbrella policy or item specific rider policy will cover the increased value.
Have you been hesitant to contact us because you genuinely aren’t sure whether the nature of your small business requires commercial auto insurance? We would much rather you call us and learn that you don’t need to switch policies than to wait until you get into an accident to learn you should have switched.
If you plan to rent a car during your next trip, hold off before buying the rental agency's insurance. Check your auto insurance policy; chances are it already covers car rental. Don't pay for what you don't need.
If you’re a safe driver, make sure you are getting proper credit for it! Look into getting discounts on your auto insurance for a clean driving record.
If you are a small business owner, and you carry small business insurance (which you should), you should be able to deduct the premiums from your income tax. This is considered a normal business operating expense.
Selling your home? Home warranty insurance can bring peace of mind as it covers issues that may arise after the sale is completed. The policies typically cover heating and electrical systems, plumbing, and built-in appliances.
Pay attention to the amount of your deductible. While having a higher deductible can lower your monthly insurance costs, it's important to make sure that you're able to afford a higher deductible if you were to ever get in an accident. Remember, the deductible is the amount of money you pay out-of-pocket when you get into an accident. We recommend putting the deductible amount in a savings account and leaving it until it's needed just to make sure that you're covered.
Auto insurance companies use a number of factors to determine your policy's premium, including your age, driving record, type of car, deductible and age and type of vehicle. When you have several of these factors working against you, consider raising your deductible to lower your premium.
Do not let your auto insurance policy lapse, as it will have a negative effect in a number of ways. Primarily it will mean higher premiums when you purchase new insurance. If you will not be needing car insurance for a while, or you change providers, cancel the old one rather than letting it expire.
What is the difference between an insurance policy’s premium and deductible? The insurance premium is the total yearly cost of the policy, while the insurance deductible is the amount of money the policy holder needs to pay before coverage kicks in.
Today is National Freedom Day as well as the beginning of Black History Month! Celebrating our freedom today is the perfect way to start a month of appreciating the history and contributions African Americans have made to our culture, country and the world. ❤️
We recognize that many small business owners can fall into a gray area when it comes to the use of their personal vehicle for business. When you truly aren’t sure whether you should have a business or personal auto insurance policy, it’s worth looking into.
Happy Valentine's Day from your staff here at The Insurance Office! ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
Happy President's Day! We will be open all day to service you! Feel free to give us a call or stop in if you need any assistance regarding any of your insurance policies, as always, we'd be happy to help!
Does your commercial vehicle only operate during certain parts of the year? For example, if you drive a snowplow, use a truck for landscaping services, or more. In these cases, an insurance expert can help you get commercial insurance for only part of the year.
While no one would want to have their vehicle damaged, these things do happen so it's best to afford your asset some protection. Investing in collision insurance for instance, is a good way to ensure that you are spared tremendous repair bills if your car or truck figures in an accident.
Keep an eye on the depth of tread on your tires. Use a penny to check it – slip it into a groove and if the tread is below Lincoln’s head, it is time for new tires. Tires with diminished tread lose their gripping ability on slick or wet roads and accidents result.
While states have minimum requirements regarding the amount of liability coverage you carry, we recommend carrying as much as you can afford. This is the best way to protect your assets if you are at fault in an accident.
Daylight Savings begins today so don't forget to put your clocks ahead!It’s Daylight Saving time! A friendly reminder to set your clocks forward one hour if you haven’t already.
Happy first day of spring from the staff here at The Insurance Office! Who’s excited for some warmer weather and flowers blooming?
Happy St. Patrick's Day! Enjoy the holiday, but if you plan on celebrating with a drink or two this year, make sure to have a ride prepared. Driving while under the influence is not only dangerous but can make your auto insurance premium increase!
Business car insurance covers not only damage to the vehicles in your fleet, but also any damage your drivers or the vehicles they drive may cause.
