We have spooky great rates on all our product lines. Give us a call today and let us save you some money! We have excellent staff waiting to take your call. 715-735-9506.
INDUSTRY INSIDER
According to new data from IHS Markit Ltd., Americans are hanging on the their cars and trucks longer.
*The average age of cars, sport utility vehicles, and pickup trucks rose to 11.9 years as of January 2020 from 11.8 years the prior year.
*The average age of vehicles on the road is at the highest level in nearly 20 years, even before the coronavirus hit.
*People working from home could put fewer miles on vehicles, allowing them to last even longer.
4 Benefits of Encouraging Movement Throughout the Day to Improve Employee Wellbeing
Studies show that a sedentary lifestyle is detrimental to overall health, decreasing blood flow and creating joint issues from posture. Though you can’t control how your employees take care of themselves off hours, you can instill a workplace culture that values their health through small but effective changes that encourage movement. Employee health and wellbeing is one of the 9 Pillars of Employee Engagement. The wellness benefits of encouraging employee movement are numerous.
1. Increased Productivity
BMC Public Health conducted a 19-week study on the impact of the workplace ‘sit less, move more’ program. The study concluded that employees who participated in a web-based wellness program increased workday mobility by 21 minutes/day and increased productivity. Employees who tracked via a journal and/or pedometer did not increase productivity and would need to increase their work hours by 1.7% to maintain productivity. To increase your workplace productivity, implement a structured ‘sit less, move more’ program. If you don’t have the resources to invest in a web-based platform, consider putting together a plan. This could include activities such as walking meetings and scheduled walking breaks (as a group or solo). It’s also a good idea to set a goal to get up and move. Because there are so many options available, we suggest sending out surveys to evaluate your workforce and to see what resonates with employees the best.
2. Morale Boost
Employee wellbeing programs should be designed to create a positive impact on your workplace culture. Flexible scheduling is a great benefit to reduce stress — allowing employees to head to the gym early, make a doctor visit or provide the time to attend family activities.
Society has incentivized employees to participate in wellness programs targeted to increase steps, build strength, and improve mindfulness. These programs create comradery, friendly competition, increased health habits and prizes for those that participate.
3. Decreased Burnout
Did you know that intermittent breaks result in higher and more sustainable work performance? Powering through your day may get more work done, but ask yourself, is the quality up to snuff and are you exhausted at the end of the day? To decrease burnout and foster productivity, get up to talk with a colleague, walk the stairs, walk the building (or home) and disengage from the day-to-day. Encourage your employees to take ‘high quality’ breaks to increase energy and reduce exhaustion at the end of the workday. If you are the manager, lead by example. Your employees will be more likely to follow and take advantage of the opportunity.
How to Begin Implementing Movement Changes
Each organization has a different work culture and situation, so the best place to start is to look for immediate changes that don’t disrupt operations too much.
•Conduct a wellness audit. Make sure your employees equipment, namely desks and chairs, allow for the best possible ergonomics.
•Discuss with your controllers the best way to implement immediate changes. According to Steelcase, the core positions of working are sitting, standing and walking, so encourage for employees to break their day up among those positions.
•Have a way to measure the effects of these changes. Benchmarking this will allow you to maintain its priority.
•Maintain an open and flexible work policy. Communicate your policy and continue to remind people of any changes. Create a forum in which employees can provide feedback and suggestions.
Happy Labor Day! Stay safe and enjoy summer's last blast. Our office will be closed Monday September 7th. We will re-open on Tuesday September 8th at 8:30am.
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Cyber Hygiene and Mobile Devices
INDUSTRY INSIDER
After getting off to a strong start, this year's tornado season turned out to be relatively calm.
* April 2020 saw the second-highest number of tornadoes of any April on record
* May, typically the most active month, had the lowest number of tornadoes in at least 50 years.
* June also saw a near-record low number of tornadoes and the lowest number of EF2 or stronger storms in 50 years.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness month! Did you know that 66% of small businesses have experienced a cyber attack in the past 12 months? That's why it's important to understand the risks and how to address them. Contact Wagner-Casper Insurance to assess your exposure and secure the right coverage if you don't have it already. https://lmsafe.co/NTAo
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Protect your small business from a cyber attack
WINTERIZING YOUR INGROUND POOL!
A beautiful in-ground pool can create hours of fun with family and friends. It’s critically important, however, to properly winterize the pool to avoid damage and costly repairs, and even to prevent a claim against your homeowner’s insurance.
Protective automatic covers have become increasingly popular. They offer great benefits because they’re easy to open and close on an automated track, they keep the water heated, and they prevent debris, animals, or children from getting into the pool. But if the pool isn’t properly winterized, the weight of water, ice, or snow on the cover can cause costly damage.
Once the temperature consistently drops to 65 degrees and below, it’s time to winterize the pool for protection. Here are some steps you should follow.
1. The pool should be thoroughly cleaned, including skimming all debris, vacuuming, brushing the bottom and all sides, and balancing all chemicals.
2. Clean, back wash, and drain the filter and pump of all debris and water and blow out all water lines. This will help you avoid any damage to these costly pieces of equipment that can be caused by freezing.
3. Drain the water three to six inches below the skimmer and jets so no water can enter and cause freezing damage. Finally, add winterizing chemicals to the water as this will deter freezing and stop algae growth during those months the pool is covered and not in use. You may wish to consider hiring a local pool maintenance company to do the full winterizing process to best protect your investment.
The water level of your pool is the most important fact to consider when protecting it during the cold-weather months. Keeping water in a pool over the winter helps keep the liner clean, thus avoiding damage from debris. It also evens the weight pressure on the walls and prevents them from bowing or collapsing during expansion/contraction. When an automatic cover is in place for extended periods of time, it’s critical to make sure the water level remains adequate. A slow leak or too much evaporation that decreases the water level can cause collapse as the season continues.
Water and ice that accumulates on top of the cover can be thawed and pumped off with special equipment to avoid that weight on the cover, as well as the drowning hazard it can create. Because it’s more frequent, however, snow can be more difficult to remove. Long-handled brooms made of the proper material or a hand-held blower can be used to sweep or blow lighter snow off the cover. It’s important to do this after every snowfall because it can build up and become difficult to remove. There are special waterproof heating cables and pool salt (NOT rock salt used on driveways or sidewalks) that can help melt the snow so it can then be pumped off. Most automatic covers have an approximate 400-pound weight limit but just one cubic foot of snow weighs 20 pounds so the weight on an entire pool cover can add up quickly. If large amounts of water, snow, or ice aren’t removed, it can cause the cover to sag inward. Depending on the water level, the cover can collapse with such pressure that it pulls the entire side of pool and tracking system away. This can cause $50,000 or more in repairs, and in many areas, pool contractors who can service this type of damage are limited.
In the Midwest, where Mother Nature sends heavier amounts of rain, ice, and snow, it’s highly recommended to retract an automatic cover and purchase a winter safety cover with built-in spring tension and drainage features to better handle the fluctuating weight in the off-season.
Properly winterizing your pool will help you avoid costly damage and lengthy repairs that can delay your fun next swimming season. Take the time to work with a local pool company to ensure it’s winterized properly, keeping your pool beautiful and functional for many years to come.
Our 2021 Wildlife and Animal Baby calendars are in. Stop in to get yours!
Adventure is out there but extra protection is right here. Come by our office or give us a call at 715-735-9506 to see how we can protect your boat, motorcycle, RV, and other outdoor products.
Have you mailed in your ballot? Use this interactive map to locate your state and to see if your ballot has been received and counted. https://lmsafe.co/o2sd
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INDUSTRY INSIDER
According to a recent survey, liability claim costs from dog bites reached an all-time high last year. In 2019:
* Claims cost homeowners insurers $797 million
* The average cost per claim increased 14.7 percent from 2018, reaching $44,760
* The number of dog bite claims increased 3% from 2018, reaching 17,802
Give us a call! We woukd love to help you out any way we can.
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Wagner-Casper Insurance
Today we honor all those that served and continue to serve. We are deeply humbled and grateful for all that you do to keep our country safe.
We have some amazing customers and do our best to give excellent customer service to all! See what one customer recently said about our agency.
"We have been comparing agencies and in communication between both companies we have decided to stick with Wagner-Casper for our homeowner's insurance. While we won't save any money, we will be in a place that we feel respected. We were not impressed with the other agency's customer relations. We wanted to let you know that the excellent communication and attitude we get from your business is the reason why we are sticking with you. Thanks again. You folks are great."
Let us provide you with our excellent customer service by calling us today for a quote! 715-735-9506
We have our 2021 Wildlife and Animal Baby calendars available for pickup. Stop in and grab yours today!
7 Tips to Minimize Parking Lot Accidents
1.Provide drivers and pedestrians with reasonable access pathways such as signs and pavement markings for proper guidance throughout the parking lot.
2.The overall design of the parking lot should be to minimize conflicts, control vehicle speeds and promote proper traffic patterns.
3.Maintain the facility by immediately replacing burned-out light bulbs, repair deteriorated pavement, re-paint worn parking lines, remove ice and snow, and keep vegetation cut low and thin.
4.Use ample lighting near stairwells, elevators, exterior areas of the parking lot or garage, and any location where attackers could hide.
5.Manage access by installing booths or gates.
6.Maintain working video surveillance or CCTV system to maximize visibility throughout the area.
7.Have emergency phones and panic buttons available to enable people to get help quickly when needed.
As we approach Thanksgiving this year, we would like to take the time to share how thankful we are for each one of you. Although this year has not been the "normal" for any of us, we feel very Blessed to be able to service all your insurance needs. Hopefully we can all find things to be grateful for going into the new year.
Our office will be closed on Thursday November 26th and Friday November 27th in observance of Thanksgiving. We will be back open again on Monday November 30th at 8:30am.
Thank you for being a part of our family and we hope you all have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁🥧
THE DANGERS OF DRIVING WHILE DROWSY
We all know drowsy driving is dangerous, but just how dangerous is it? According to the National Safety Council:
* The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports about 100,000 crashes each year involving drowsy driving, while the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety estimates that there are actually many more, with up to 328,000 drowsy driving crashes annually.
* NHTSA estimates that fatigue-related crashes cost $109 billion each year, not including property damage
* Driving while drowsy is similar to driving after drinking; driving while not having slept for 20 or more hours has an impact similar to driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.08%, which is the US limit.
What are the factors that contribute to drowsy driving:
* Untreated sleep disorders
* Too many hours on the road with not enough resting time along the way
* Working long hours on the job and then driving home
* Driving while on medication that has drowsiness as a side effect
Good luck to all the Wisconsin hunters this weekend. We hope it is a successful and safe hunt. Remember that if you want to save a buck, hunt Wagner-Casper for great rates. We have excellent staff ready to service you! 715-735-9506
7 Tips for Avoiding Impersonation Fraud
To communities, schools are pillars for education. To fraudsters, they’re a target for quick payoff opportunities. Fraudsters are increasingly targeting schools using impersonation fraud, a scam where a fraudster pretends to be a school administrator, employee or vendor requesting a payment or payment change. If not detected early, impersonation fraud can lead to significant financial losses. Here’s what your school staff should know.
What Does Impersonation Fraud Look Like?
Impersonation fraud can be conducted via email, phone, fax or letters in the mail. To pass themselves off as authentic, these fraudulent communications may include personally identifying employee information (e.g., Social Security numbers), school-specific direct deposit forms or voided checks obtained in prior phishing attacks on district personnel.
Email is the preferred choice for fraudsters in many cases. These emails will mimic the address of the individual allegedly requesting a payment or payment change. In all instances of impersonation fraud, the goal is to trick school personnel into direct-depositing funds into fraudulent accounts.
Common indicators of impersonation fraud include communications with consistent spelling or grammar mistakes, a significant sense of urgency, requests to confirm personal information, suspicious email addresses or website links. Being aware of these indicators is a great first step to stopping fraud in its tracks.
To steer clear of impersonation fraud, school personnel should:
•Remember that fraud can occur on any communications channel—not just over email
•Be educated about phishing scams that help fraudsters acquire the information and documentation needed for impersonation fraud
•Verify the identity of any individual or entity making an electronic payment request by using contact information not provided in the request or by setting up an in-person meeting
•Notify and confirm with management any instruction to issue payment and/or alter payment procedures
•Use a dual control system for payments (e.g., two employees must approve payments or changes to payment information) to avoid a single person becoming victim to fraud
•Review accounts frequently for any discrepancies or errors
•Establish a training program for how to recognize, question and authenticate requests for payments or payment transfers
When in doubt, raising a concern is always preferable to letting a potentially fraudulent transaction go through. Take action and you can help your school stay safe.
INDUSTRY INSIDER
The Insurance Information Institute reported the most common type of watercraft accidents in 2019 involved:
* Motorboats (50%)
* Personal watercraft (19%)
* Cabin motorboats (16%)
The top states with the most recreation watercraft accidents are (ranked from #10 to #1) Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan, Maryland, South Carolina, Missouri, New York, Texas, California, and Florida.
4 Ways to Prevent Roof Collapse this Winter!
Damage to your roof from severe winter weather conditions is the last thing your business needs. Particularly for flat rooftops. It's important to take preventative measures before and during the winter season.
Ideally, preparation should begin 6 to 8 weeks before winter is in full swing. Here are some ways you can get started to prevent roof collapse due to the elements
1- Keep Gutters and Downspouts Clear
It's important not only to ensure downspouts are properly clear, but that they are also the right size.
2- Remove Snow and Ice Frequently and Properly
Do not go up onto your roof and shovel the snow. It is recommended hiring a qualified professional contractor that has the proper equipment, safety training, and experience to handle this type of work.
In some cases, accumulated snow can be safely removed from the ground level using a specially designed snow rake.
3- Stay Up to Code
One of the biggest culprits of winter roof collapses is poor structural design, improper construction, or misuse of materials when building the rooftop.
4- Be Aware of Common Wintertime Roof Collapses
The most common ways rooftops collapse in wintertime are:
*Sloped roofs causing refreezing on eaves, leading to ice dams or backup under shingles
* Poor planning or improper construction
* An aged building or outdated building codes
* Allowing snow load to exceed the capacity of the roof
* Snow drift conditions caused by wind
* Rain on top of snow, which then freezes
* Clogged gutters
What are some signs your roof is on the verge of collapse?
* A sagging ceiling
* Wet and/or stained roof tiles
* Severe/repeated leaks
* Sagging sprinkler heads
* Doors and windows become hard to close, or pop open on their own
* Creaking or popping noises coming from the roof
There's nothing sweeter than a home and auto bundle. Stop by our office or call us at 715-735-9506 to find out how to treat yourself to great insurance.
HOLIDAY HOURS
Our office will be closed on Thursday December 24th and Friday December 25th in observance of Christmas. We will re-open again on Monday December 28th at our normal hours.
Our office will also be closed on Thursday December 31st and Friday January 1st in observance of New Years. We will re-open again on Monday January 4th at our normal hours.
From our families to yours, we wish you a Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year.
INDUSTRY INSIDER
The National Insurance Crime Bureau recently reported the top 10 stolen vehicles in 2019:
1. Ford pickups (full size)
2. Honda Civic
3. Chevrolet pickups (full size)
4. Honda Accord
5. Toyota Camry
6. Nissan Altima
7. Toyota Corolla
8. Dodge pickups (full size)
9. GMC pickups (full size)
10. Honda CR-V
HOLIDAY HOURS
Our office will also be closed on Thursday December 31st and Friday January 1st in observance of New Years. We will re-open again on Monday January 4th at our normal hours.
Have a safe and Happy New Years!
New car? It’s a great time to review your auto policy and see if you can save. Stop by or call us at 715-735-9506 and we’ll do the heavy lifting.
Still smelling that new car scent? Check in with us to make sure you have the coverage you need on your new vehicle. 715-735-9506
5 TIPS FOR DRIVING AT NIGHT
Did you know that the second-most dangerous time to drive is at night between 7-10pm? Although, on average, people only do one quarter of their driving at night, around 50% of all traffic deaths occur during this time. If your job entails driving at night or for long distances, its important to keep reading these 5 tips to stay safe while driving at night.
1. BE ALERT, AWARE, AND (EXTRA) DEFENSIVE
Before you begin driving, make sure that you are well rested and alert. Driving at night requires a heightened sense of awareness of the road as there is limited visibility. It is important to be aware of your surroundings and able to make quick decisions.
2. TAKE BREAKS WHEN NEEDED
Be aware of your body's limits. It is recommended that you stop every two hours to rest, even if that means a quick stretch or walk around. If you start to feel drowsy, it is best to pull over and take a nap rather than risk driving while drowsy.
3. MAINTAIN YOUR VEHICLE
It is important to check your vehicle before getting behind the wheel to make sure everything is working properly. The crucial items to check are your headlights and tail lights as those are the most important tools while driving at night.
4. KEEP YOUR VEHICLE MIRRORS & WINDOWS CLEAN
When driving at night you want to make sure all aspects of your car are clean and your vehicle has been properly maintained.
5. LIMIT DISTRACTIONS
Talking on the phone, listening to the radio, drinking, and eating can all distract you from driving safely.
INDUSTRY INSIDER
A cambridge Mobile Telematics study found phone-based distracted driving is still on the rise despite education programs and state laws. Analysis of 54 million trips recorded in 2019 indicated:
* At least 19% of car crashes were attributable to phone-based distractions.
* Phone use (calls, texts, videos, navigation, social media) is responsible for 68% of driver distractions.
* A "distraction hangover" continues for at least 10 seconds after the distraction ends, with drivers at a 70% higher risk for an extreme braking event during that time period.
These are becoming more popular especially when you leave the house for a couple days. If you can try and minimize the damage, these are a great start!
INDUSTRY INSIDER:
A recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) regarding drivers 70 and over found that:
* Drivers in their 70s have fewer fatal crashes and fewer police-reported crashes than middle-aged drivers.
* Factors contributing to this trend are better health, safer vehicles, safety innovations, and infrastructure improvements.
* The number of older licensed drivers rose almost twice as fast from 2010 to 2018 as it had the previous decade.
* Older drivers' average annual mileage also continued to grow.
