Kathryn Smith

Take a moment and think about your family and what you might do if your income stopped tomorrow.  Would you be able to pay for your son’s field trip or your daughter’s dance classes and still make your house payment?  How far would your savings go to cover your family’s expenses?

Consider these important facts:

• Almost one third of Americans entering the work force today will become disabled before they retire.*
• In 2013, 66.5% of Social Security disability applications were denied. *
• Employer’s workers’ compensation coverage is provided only if you become sick or injured from job-related causes.

How will you minimize the impact of a disability on your family?  A disability income insurance policy can protect you from having to make sacrifices in order to fulfill all of your financial obligations.

Contact our office to discuss options to help protect your income in the event you are disabled.

*Social Security Administration

SOURCE:  Auto-Owners Insurance Update, Volume 8, Issue 2, April-June 2014

Spring tends to be our wettest season, with the melting snow and rain showers.  The ground is saturated and there is no place for the water to go other than where you don’t want it.

What if this water makes its way into your home – are you covered?  A standard home-owner’s insurance policy does not provide coverage for such an event, but there are ways to help protect your home.

Damage from water backup of sewers or drains can be costly and tends to occur in the basement, which is where your washer and dryer, furnace, hot water tank, and other items and appliances may be located.  Water or sewage can destroy anything it comes in contact with.

Water backup of sewers or drains occurs when water or sewage backs up into your home through a floor drain, sump pump well, washtub or toilet in the basement.  Sump pumps can fail due to power outages or motor failures, or the sump pump may be unable to handle the flow of water during a severe storm or flood.  Sewers or drains can also back up due to blockage.

You can prevent water backup of sewers or drains by:

• Maintaining gutters and downspouts.  Keep them free of debris and leaves.  Also repair them if they are sagging.  Extend downspouts at least 10 feet from the house.
• Adjusting landscaping so water flows away from the foundation.  French drains can help with this process.
• Installing a backflow-prevention device.
• Considering a sump pump system in your basement, as well as a battery backup in case of a power-outage.

It may be well worthy purchasing additional coverage with your homeowner’s  insurance policy.  Be sure to contact use about Water Backup of Sewers or Drains coverage; we are here to help!

SOURCE:  Auto-Owners Insurance Update, Volume 8, Issue 2, April-June 2014

From genetically modified crops to the environmental and health effects of pesticides, more and more residents are questioning whether they should grow what they eat.

Wherever you stand on the issues surrounding today’s food supply, however, there are several good reasons to start your own garden:

• You’ll know exactly where your food was grown, and what went into growing it.
• You and your family can enjoy great-tasting vegetables — better than store-bought, some believe.
• Many people find gardening provides both physical and mental benefits and gives them an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors.
• Finally, there’s that sense of satisfaction that comes with eating food that you have grown yourself!

Clearly there are plenty of benefits to gardening. But, how do you get started?

Here are some important tips from the Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service, which, like similar services around the country, provides helpful community resources on agriculture and other topics.

 Pick the Right Site

 

“Choosing a garden site is as important as selecting the vegetables to grow in it,” according to the OSU Extension website. “All vegetables need sunlight and fertile, well-drained soil, and they will contract fewer diseases if the site has good ventilation.”

Here’s what to consider before marking your garden plot:

• Sunlight. Look for a shade-free site. Vegetables need a minimum of six hours of sunshine a day.
• Soil. How is the natural vegetation? If weeds and grass are healthy on the site, the soil will probably be good for vegetables, too.
• Surroundings. The roots of trees and large shrubs can suck nutrients away from your vegetables.
• Proximity. Make it easy on yourself, with water access nearby. Otherwise, you might be less enthusiastic about caring for your garden.

Choose What to Plant

 

Check with a local gardening organization or search the Web for what vegetables are best for your specific situation and climate. Here are three factors to keep in mind when you’re getting ready to plant, according to the OSU extension:

• Season. Plant your seeds at the right time to avoid damage from temperatures that are too hot or too cold. Follow the instructions on the seed packet.
• Depth. If you plant your seeds too shallow, they can wash away or dry out, but if they’re too deep, they might not come up at all.
• Spacing. Each plant needs its share of sunlight, nutrients and water. Don’t make them fight for it! Putting seeds too close together usually results in smaller vegetables, too.

Water Wisely

 

The best way to water is by monitoring your garden, rather than simply adhering to a set schedule. Follow guidelines for your specific plants, and avoid these common problems, as noted by the OSU Extension website:

• Frequent, shallow watering. This can promote root development in surface layers of the soil, making plants very susceptible to stress and damage.
• Overwatering. Yes, you can “drown” plants; too much water can leave little to no oxygen in the soil.
• Postponing watering. Check your plants regularly. If they appear to need water, don’t wait.

 

For more specific advice on gardening check with the local university extension program. And, don’t worry; you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy homegrown food. You just need to be willing to put in a little time and effort — and get your hands dirty!

There are many reasons why you may not have purchased life insurance.  Is the cost too high?  Are you not sure what product is right for you?  Has anybody asked you about life insurance?  All may be valid reasons, but the truth is life insurance is important.

Term insurance (10-, 20-, or 30-year term) is a simple and affordable way to protect your family while keeping the costs reasonable for your budget.  After all,  some life insurance is better than none.

You can also purchase the Guaranteed Renewability Benefit on 10- and 20-year term policies, which guarantees your policy will renew until your 90th birthday.

No matter what happens to your medical situation, you can have peace of mind knowing your policy will never be canceled as long as premiums are paid.  You will also be able to convert the policy to another life policy, such as universal life, until age 65.

Term insurance may be the right choice for you for many reasons, including:

• Affordable premiums
• 10-/20-/30-year options
• No interest rates to worry about
• $50,000 minimum face amount
• You can save money on your home and auto policies

It’s never too early to start thinking about purchasing a life insurance policy.  Talk to u today about how we can structure a term policy that will meet your needs!

SOURCE:  Insurance Update with Auto-Owners, Volume 8, Issue 4, October-December 2014

1.  Because you love someone.

2.  To fund education for your children.

3.  To pay for final expenses.

4.  To provide additional funds at your retirement, or as needed.

5.  Because you are healthy enough to purchase it today!

Contact your local agent today!!

SOURCE:  Pekin Insurance Brochure

As an owner of a repair facility, you spend the majority of your time servicing customers’ vehicles.  The cost of the parts you install in those vehicles, coupled with the time and money invested in your mechanics servicing these vehicles, can be significant.

When your mechanic installs a part in a vehicle – for instance, brakes and rotors – and that part fails, causing your customer to drive off the road and damaging the undercarriage of their car, how will your garage liability policy respond?

Your policy probably covers the resulting damage to the undercarriage of the customer’s vehicle, but does it also cover the cost of the brakes and rotors you installed?  Will your garage liability policy also cover the costs associated with your mechanic repairing the issue with the brakes and rotors again?

If not, you will bear the cost of the new brakes and rotors along with the time and money spent for your mechanic to repair the brakes and rotors a second time.

Additional coverage can help at a time like this.  Please contact our office to discuss your current coverage and verify that you are adequately protecting your customers’ vehicles.

SOURCE:  Auto-Owners Insurance Update, Volume 9, Issue 1  January – March 2015