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Kathryn Smith

Does your auto insurance provide coverage for hitting a deer?

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So far this fall I’ve seen quite a few deer standing on the side of the road. Did you know that mating season for deer runs from October through December? As a result, the deer population is more active, accounting for an increase in collisions. In 2013, Wisconsin vehicle/deer collisions totaled 18,338.  Do you know if your insurance will cover a deer hit? In this blog, I’m going to discuss two types of insurance coverage for damage to your vehicle: collision and comprehensive.

  • Collision means the upset of your covered auto or its impact with another vehicle or object. For instance:

 a. Running a stop light and hitting another car;
b. Swerving to avoid a deer and hitting a tree; or
c. Hitting a parked car, mailbox, or building.

  • Comprehensive coverage (other than collision) is for losses caused by missiles/falling objects, fire, theft/larceny, explosion or earthquake, windstorm, hail, water or flood, vandalism, contact with a bird or animal, or breakage of glass.

Both collision and comprehensive coverages are optional unless you have a loan or are in a lease. Contact your independent insurance agent to make sure you’re covered. If you don’t have the coverage, you’re responsible for paying for your own repairs.

While deer hits are common, how the situation unfolds will determine if your insurance rates will increase or not.

In driver’s education, students are taught not to swerve for an animal in the road; however, this is hard to remember when an animal suddenly runs in front of you. Our instinct is to swerve, which we all know can lead to very serious or deadly injuries. Jeff Huber, owner of Drive for Life Driving School, provides a few tips on what to do if you encounter a deer on the road.

If a deer runs out and you do not have the ability to brake, your safest option is to hit it. While this is upsetting, it’s the best option for you and your family. Please remember to stay in your car and contact local authorities. If you have comprehensive coverage, the damage will be covered by your insurance policy.

Since you had no control over the situation, it’s likely your insurance premium will not increase; however, if you swerve to avoid the deer, cross the median, and cause an accident, this is a different and much more serious situation which causes different coverages to be activated.

The blog below shares some tips on how to avoid hitting a deer with your car this fall.

Do you see the deer looking at you?

Do you have any tips you would like to share? If so, please share them in the box below.

deer-sign

Source:
Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance

When should you report changes to your insurance agent?

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Residential

 

Did you buy a new car lately? Perhaps you moved into a new home. Or maybe you decided to purchase a boat or a recreation vehicle. Nancy Arndt, a veteran personal lines underwriter with West Bend will discuss why you need to talk to your insurance agent about these important changes.

Autos
Auto coverage for a new or replacement auto can vary. A new car is one you bought in addition to the cars you already own. A replacement car is just that: one you replaced for a vehicle you previously owned.
What coverage you have can depend on whether the car is a new car or a replacement car. It can also depend on what coverage your company provides. Regardless, you need to make the changes to your auto policy within a specified period of time in order for coverage to apply.

The wording in your policy determines what coverage, if any, is automatic and when you need to report the change. Do you have Liability coverage only? Do you need to carry Collision and Other Than Collision coverages on your new auto? Is your car financed through a bank? What coverage do they require? When you talk to your agent, you’ll need to know this information, along with the details of your new car – year, make, model, and serial number. It’s in your best interest to call your agent right away to make any of these changes to your policy. Don’t rely on your car dealer or banker to make changes for you.

Homes
Your homeowner’s policy covers only the dwelling shown on your policy’s declaration page. A new or a replacement home isn’t automatically covered so you must contact your agent with all the required information about your new home, such as:

  • What is the location/address of your new home?
  • What year was the home built?
  • Who’s the responding fire department?
  • Have any updates been made to the home: roof, furnace, electric?
  • Does the home have a wood stove?

Once your agent has all the necessary information, he/she should be able to bind coverage for you – either verbally or in writing.

Recreation vehicles
Your homeowner’s policy may also provide you with some limited watercraft coverage like Liability coverage for outboards under 50 horsepower or up to $1,500 physical damage coverage. Your homeowner’s policy may also offer some limited Liability coverage for a snowmobile or four-wheeler, but if you drive such a vehicle on the road or a trail, you’ll need to add more coverage. You don’t have automatic coverage for motorized vehicles.

The bottom line is that you should consult with your insurance agent immediately or very soon after you purchase a new vehicle, home, or recreation vehicle in order to be sure you’re properly protected.

SOURCE: West Bend Blog Site:  Posted by Scott Stueber on Dec 2, 2014 11:01:00 AM

Sticking With Your New Year’s Health Goals: Making the Investment

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As the New Year begins, most people are in the process of trying to improve themselves and their lifestyle in the form of their New Year’s resolutions. According to a University of Scranton survey published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, two of the top five most common resolutions are health-oriented. The most common resolution among all is to “lose weight,” with “staying fit and healthy” coming in at fifth most popular. Both of these goals are major lifestyle changes that require a serious commitment in order to be successful. That commitment ultimately comes to the person undertaking these challenges, and an effective way to set the year up for success is to invest time and some money into the things that will assist in achieving those goals.

First, and arguably most important, is a visit to a physician. It is widely recommended that before embarking on a weight loss regimen or other lifestyle change that you consult with your doctor about your health. This investment of time and possible co-pay can help in setting attainable goals to improve your quality of life. It can also help to keep tabs on common medical issues that you may be prone to develop.

Those who are looking to lose weight or strive to maintain a general level of good health often are looking to join gyms and fitness clubs. These facilities can vary in price based on the services and attention made available to each member. These membership fees should be viewed as an investment in your well-being, and just like with any other investment, a little bit of research can go a long way toward earning the returns you desire. Most gyms and clubs will provide a guided tour of the facility and information on the services available to members. By taking the time to research different clubs, you are better able to decide where you are most comfortable, what is most cost-efficient, and where you could most effectively exercise, thus making it more likely for you to go to the gym.

Finally, making time for these lifestyle changes is vital to ensuring that they become habit and successful resolutions. Changes such as these require a change in how people spend their time. People who wish to lose weight can schedule time to prepare meals at home rather than rely on the convenience of restaurants. Those who wish to stay fit and maintain good health can schedule more time to be at their gym. Time you spend in a day should be seen as an investment, and when you invest that time in yourself, these goals and others can be more easily achieved.

Good luck on your New Year’s health resolutions!

Dylan
Life Claim Analyst

Posted by on Jan 22, 2015 in Blog, Happy Together

Dangers of Burning Candles

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Do you love the smell of all the candle scents available today? Do burning candles give your home that “comfy and cozy” feeling? Do you dim the lights in your home and burn candles to give your home more ambiance? Candles can be a great addition to your home; however, when burning candles, you need to be aware of the possible dangers.

The National Fire Protection Association reports that, while deaths from residential fires have decreased in the last several years, those caused by candles have increased dramatically. Candle deaths increased 375 percent from 1980 (40 deaths) to 2005 (150 deaths). Candles cause an estimated 16,000 home fires each year. In most cases, candles triggered house fires when they were left unattended, were tipped over, and ignited nearby combustibles. Almost half of home candle fires start in the bedroom; mattresses and bedding are the most common items to ignite. A child playing with or near the candle is one of the biggest contributors to candle fires; drinking excessively and falling asleep leaving the candle burning is another.

When using candles, we all should practice the following safety tips:

  • Always keep matches, lighters, and candles away from children.
  • Never leave burning candles unattended.
  • Keep combustible materials far away from candles.
  • Do not put candles in a location where children or pets could knock them over. Be aware that candles and rambunctious puppies don’t mix.
  • Use only nonflammable candleholders that are sturdy and hard to tip over.
  • Always trim the wicks before lighting.
  • Do not burn a candle all the way down to where it is too close to the holder or container.
  • Use flashlights rather than candles when you have a power outage.

Barb Cadagin
Personal Lines Customer Service Representative

Source: International Risk Management Institute, Inc.

Posted by on Jan 1, 2015 in Blog, My Favorite Things

Benefits of an independent insurance agent

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When it comes to purchasing insurance, consumers have many choices. For most people, price is one of the most important factors when deciding what to buy and from whom. What consumers may not realize, however, are the benefits of working with an independent insurance agent.West Bend works with independent insurance agents throughout the Midwest. The benefits of an independent insurance agent are countless.

In this week’s blog, I had the opportunity to interview two independent West Bend agents, Tracy Oestreich and Dan Wolfgram. Here are their thoughts on how an independent agent can benefit you.

Q: What’s the difference between a direct writer and an independent insurance agent?

A: Dan Wolfgram: The difference between a direct writer and independent agent is the independent agent works for the client and not the carrier. An independent agent represents many different insurance companies and offers the consumer choices.

A: Tracy Oestreich: Although both direct writers and independent agents share a common goal of providing customers with insurance, there are some notable differences. Direct writers (captive insurance agents) typically represent and work exclusively for one insurance company, providing a specific portfolio of insurance products. They’re limited to only that company’s products, services, and coverages. The standard of care offered by a direct writer can be less than that of an independent agent. That’s because the contract a direct writer has with a respective company usually stipulates the agent works for the insurance company and not for the customer.

Q: What are the benefits of working with an independent insurance agent?

A: Dan Wolfgram: An independent insurance agent can offer consumers choices. It’s not a one-size-fits-all proposition with an independent agency. You can develop a life-long relationship with your independent agent. With a direct writer, if something goes wrong and the direct writer company decides to non-renew your account, you have to find a new agent. Should that happen with an independent agent, your agent can find a new insurance carrier for you and you still maintain your trusted relationship.

Lastly, an independent agent has the ability to write even the most challenging accounts. Most independent agents can write basic home and auto package policies all the way up to major corporations with international exposures.

A: Tracy Oestreich: Independent agents have no exclusive relationship with any one insurance company. Independent agents offer a wide range of products from multiple insurance companies and are able to offer guidance on a variety of products, coverages, and prices. Independent agents don’t work for one particular insurance company; instead, they work for and represent their customers. This can be a key difference at claim time.

Since independent agents can offer more choices and savings, a consumer doesn’t have to spend hours gathering quotes from various direct writers. You can accomplish this task with a simple call or visit to an independent agent. It’s highly unlikely that an independent agent will have to turn away a potential customer with all the choices and options available.

Independent agents are all about showing consumers they can help people save lives, help prevent injuries, and help prevent financial hardship.

The true role of an independent agent is no longer about providing information, but more about guiding customers through choices that will best identify their needs and provide sound solutions.

Source:  West Bend Mutual Insurance, Posted by Scott Stueber on Nov 18, 2014 10:35:00 AM

TOP 5 REASONS YOU NEED LIFE INSURANCE

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1.  Life insurance death benefits are received free of income taxes.  Your family will receive the full benefit without a reduction for Uncle Sam.

2.  Life insurance will protect your family’s  future.  A life insurance contract can help cover loved ones’ living expenses,  mortgage, and college costs.

3.  Life insurance benefits are paid immediately.  A life insurance contract is the only financial vehicle that explodes into a pile of cash at exactly the moment it    is needed – at death.

4.  Individual life insurance policies stay with clients, even if their employers don’t.  Unlike life insurance acquired through an employer, you don’t lose the life insurance you buy from you when you change jobs.

5.  Life insurance provide peace of mind.  You will worry less knowing your family will be provided for financially, even if you are not around to help out.

And here’s a bonus reason:

6.  There is no risk.  You have 30 days to review the policy.  If you are not satisfied, you will get a full refund of all premiums paid.

Life happens!!  Don’t be unprepared!!!