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Swat, splat, bang. These are common sounds at my house. The reason for these sounds is mosquitos are invading us. I don’t recall them ever being this bad! Strong storms accompanied by heavy rain, and warm temperatures in Wisconsin at the end of August have caused the mosquito population to explode!

In recent weeks, if you’ve tried taking your dog for a walk, cutting the grass, or simply grilling out, you know how bad they are!

Recently, the City of Milwaukee Health Department confirmed the first likely case of West Nile virus this year. Symptoms of the virus can begin three to fifteen days after being bitten by an infected mosquito.

West Nile virus common symptoms

• Fever
• Rash
• Headache
• Joint pain

West Nile virus severe symptoms

• Muscle weakness
• Stiff neck
• Disorientation
• Tremors
• Convulsions
• Paralysis
• Coma

Currently, there’s no cure for West Nile virus, only treatment for symptoms. If you think you’re infected with the virus, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

There are still plenty of nice days to enjoy. Here are some reminders on how to protect your family from these annoying insects throughout the fall season.

1. Limit outdoor activity. Mosquitos are most active at dusk and dawn.

2. Use insect repellent. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using insect repellants that contain one of the active ingredients below.

• DEET
• Picaridin
• IR3535
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Para-methane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone

To find a repellent that’s right for you and your family, click here.

Remember to apply every few hours for maximum protection.

In addition, to learn more about DEET safety, visit Consumer Reports article, “How Safe Is Deet?” 

Quite honestly, the mosquitos are so bad right now; I’m going to buy a repellent with DEET for my family. I’m also going to look for a spray to treat my house door as well. Mosquitos are just sticking to it. Every time I open the door, they fly right in. I find there’s nothing worse than a mosquito buzzing around my head at night while I’m trying to sleep.

Please note; the repellents mentioned above are effective for human use only! They shouldn’t be used on pets. If you’re a pet owner, contact your veterinarian or pet store for safe product recommendations.

3. Protect your house indoors and out. Since mosquitos can transmit disease, it’s important to protect your home as well!

• Use knockdown spray. If you see mosquitos flying around in your home, consider using a knockdown spray. It may be easier than chasing them around with a fly swatter. Spray also avoids splattering them on your wall. If you have pets or small children, read the warning label before spraying.
• Plug in the bug zappers. Back in the day, my parents were innovative with the outdoor bug zapper. From what I’ve seen lately at friends’ homes, they’re making a comeback.
• Identify areas that could be a breeding ground. Remove standing water inside and out. On a weekly basis, change the water in your birdbaths, pet’s water dish, and vases. If you have rainwater barrels, make sure they’re sealed tightly.
• Inspect your screens. Make sure your screens are in good condition. Look for tears or holes in screens that protect your doors, windows, exterior vents, and chimneys.
• Keep a beautifully manicured yard. Mowing your grass and trimming tall weeds on a regular basis can prevent mosquitos from finding a place to hang out.
• Consider spraying your yard. If you’re unable to enjoy your deck or patio, look into treatment options. Mosquitos like to relax in dark, humid areas around your home.

4. Protect your newborn. If you’re a new parent or grandparent, congratulations! Please avoid using insect repellent on babies younger than two months old. Better alternatives include, clothing that covers their arms and legs and mosquito netting for their carriers and strollers.

5. Wear long-sleeved shirts and pants. With the nice warm temperatures we’ve had, and cooler temperatures around the corner shorts and flip-flops may be desirable apparel. However, long sleeved-shirts and pants can help protect you from unwanted bites and frustration. It makes standing at the grill a little bit warmer, but it’s worth it.

Since not all mosquitos are the same, here is some additional information from the CDC about protection.

When the fall wasps return, check out my blog “Five tips to deal with crazy fall wasps”.

Do you have any tips you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them. Please share them in the box below.

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/westnile/prevention/index.html
https://www.wisn.com/article/first-human-case-of-west-nile-virus-hits-milwaukee/23119526

SOURCE:  West Bend, Posted by Scott Stueber on Sep 18, 2018 9:41:43 AM

Severe weather can pop up in your neighborhood quickly. If severe weather strikes, your first priority should be taking cover and protecting your family. Unfortunately, the damage after severe weather can wreak havoc on your home and neighborhood. Common types of storm damage to your home can be caused by wind, water, or hail.

After the skies clear and you’ve been given the all clear by your local weather service, checking your home for damage should be your next priority. Protecting your home from further damage is critical. Here are some areas you should inspect.

1. Roof. Depending on the storm, roof damage can be significant. High winds can easily tear your shingles off. From the ground, look for missing shingles. If hail came through your area, depending on the size of the hailstones and other conditions, the damage may or may not be significant. Contact your insurance company. They will send out an expert who will be able to identify if you have damage. For more information, check out my blog “Your roof and your insurance rates.”

2. Siding. Depending on your siding, damage may be evident. Brick, stucco, and cement fiber siding are more durable than vinyl siding. No matter what siding type you have, walk around your home and check for damage. Damage can consist of cracks, chips, dents, and holes.

3. Outdoor structures. If you have a detached garage or shed don’t forget about them: especially if you’re storing tools, collector cars, or other types of equipment. Even a small hole or leak can damage what’s inside. If you find a hole, consider covering it with a tarp. If that isn’t possible, consider moving those items to prevent further damage. To learn if your outdoor structure is adequately insured, click here.

4. Electronics. A lightning strike or power surge can damage or destroy your expensive electronics.

5. Fallen trees or limbs. Understanding coverage for fallen trees can be a bit tricky. Do you have coverage for the tree itself, debris removal, or coverage for your neighbor’s fallen tree on your property? Contact your agent to find out.

6. Miscellaneous property. Other items to look at include:

• Air-conditioning unit;
• Fence;
• Patio/deck furniture; and
• Cars parked in your driveway.

7. Basement. Significant rainfall can be difficult on your sump pump and local sewer system. Check the area around your sump and floor drain. To learn how to keep your sump pump in good working order click here. If you don’t have water backup or sump pump overflow coverage on your policy, talk to your independent insurance agent to learn more.

For a list of helpful reminders, checkout the infographic below!

Miscellaneous Safety Tips

• If you have overhead powerlines in your neighborhood, be cautious when inspecting your property. High wind or trees could have knocked them down.
• Keep your kids out of flooded streets and rushing water. Dangerous situations that weren’t there before may now be present.
• Only consume food or water that was not damaged by the storm.
• If your home has been damaged, consider turning off your main utilities, including your natural gas, electricity, and water main.
• Before a severe storm hits, consider documenting your possessions. Whether you rent an apartment or own a home, one of the most important things you can do is to keep an inventory of your personal belongings. Trying to remember what you own after a disaster strikes can be overwhelming.

Insurance policies are not created equal! More than likely, your policy is different from your neighbor’s policy. Depending on the storm and the type of damage you experience, you may or may not have insurance coverage to help get you back on your feet. This can make a devastating situation even worse. If you aren’t familiar with what your policy covers, please contact your independent insurance agent.

Do you have any tips you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them; please share them in the box below.

SOURCE:  West Bend, Posted by Scott Stueber on Sep 4, 2018 11:35:15 AM

In just a few short days, our children’s alarm clocks will be ringing and hectic school schedules will become a part of our routine.No matter what age your child is, the first day of school can cause anxiety for the entire family. Here are some things you can do to make the first day a bit less stressful for everyone.

1. Fill their backpacks ahead of time. While I didn’t always enjoy school, I did enjoy looking at my new school supplies. A few days before school starts, lay out your children’s supplies. Next, double check their supply lists to make sure you’ve bought everything they need and then start filling. This could be an enjoyable activity for all of you.

2. Lay out their clothes. I know this seems like a “no-brainer”, especially on the first day of school because they probably have new outfits to wear. The challenge is to keep this as part of your routine as the school year progresses and this begins to feel more cumbersome. If you have teenagers, good luck!

3. Pack their lunches the night before. My wife does a great job packing our lunches the night before. It saves everybody so much time in the morning. The only issue I have occasionally is when I get the text, “Dad, I forgot my lunch. Can you drop it off at school?” Ugh, luckily it doesn’t happen often.

4. Complete additional paperwork. While most of the paperwork should already be on file with the school, consider completing additional paperwork a few days prior or the night before. Returning additional paperwork on the first day of school can be beneficial to you because you can cross it off your “To-Do” list.

5. Designate a departure time. It’s inevitable that the morning routine won’t go as planned. Let your kids know the night before when you’ll be leaving. Don’t forget to build in a five to seven minute cushion to allow for extra traffic or the missing gym shoe.

6. Get a jump-start on course work. If you have a high school or college student, it may be a good idea to have them start doing some reading or other work a few nights before school starts. This can help eliminate some of the pressure that accompanies the first few days of school. My daughter in college has been working on course work for about a week.

7. Check out the bus stop. If your child is riding the bus for their first time, consider taking a walk or bike ride to your neighborhood bus stop. This will help familiarize your child with its location and surroundings.

8. Set several alarms. If your kids started going to bed at an earlier time a week or so prior to school, you’re probably a step ahead of the rest of us. If you have a teenager like me, that plan doesn’t work. Therefore, I’ll have her set her alarm so when my wife or I go into her room to wake her, she is already stimulated.

9. Set a reasonable bedtime. Excitement and a late night summer routine can make it difficult for your kids to go to bed the night before school starts. Consider compromising on the bedtime the first few nights until their bodies adjust to the school routine. Don’t forget that it’s important they get plenty of sleep. Depending on their age, they may need eight to thirteen hours of sleep per night.

I hope your child’s first day goes great!

Source:  West Bend, Posted by Scott Stueber on Aug 28, 2018 9:29:37 AM

Going on vacation with your family can be exciting, but it can also involve a lot of planning, depending on where you’re going. While vacations can be busy, they usually offer much needed rest and relaxation.

When preparing for a vacation, the last thing you want to think about is coming back home to your everyday routine. To help extend your rest and relaxation a bit further, here are some things to consider before you go and after you come back.

1. Create a checklist. Create a checklist that identifies what you want to accomplish before, during, and after the vacation. This can help reduce feeling overwhelmed and can serve as a sense of accomplishment when you cross things off your list.

2. Have your family immediately unpack. We’ve been fortunate to take numerous vacations as a family, so we all know the drill. When we arrive home, the first thing my wife wants us to do is unpack our suitcases. Each one of us is responsible for putting our travel items away and taking our dirty clothes to the laundry room. While we complain about this, it helps avoid a cluttered house, which can be overwhelming.

3. Extra R&R days. My wife does a great job planning our family vacations. Part of her plan always includes returning home a day or two early. This allows us to catch up on sleep and other tasks before returning to work or school. Also, you never know when travel delays may occur. This helps alleviate some of the stress accompanied with returning home.

4. Return to a clean house. Before we leave on vacation, my wife insists on cleaning our house from top to bottom. Again, more grumbling from the peanut gallery. However, I must admit returning to a clean house does feel great after spending time in other accommodations. You know the old saying, “There’s no place like home.”

5. Stock the kitchen cupboards. Travel days can be long and tiring. For me, there’s nothing worse than coming home to empty cupboards. Consider buying non-perishable food items before you go so that when you return, you don’t have to go to the grocery store immediately. Another option is to ask family or friends to grocery shop for you so that when you get back your refrigerator and cupboards are full.

6. Talk about the positives of returning home. Returning home after a memorable vacation is always difficult. Let’s face it; it’s hard to beat not having to follow schedules or daily routines. After our most recent European vacation, I was happy to return home. Talk to your family about the positives of returning home. Positives may include:

• A quiet neighborhood;
• Sleeping in your own bed;
• Spending time with your pet(s);
• Visiting with family and friends; and
• Not having to use public transportation.

7. Don’t forget a souvenir. Souvenirs are a great way to help remember your trip. Depending on what it is, you may be able to integrate it into your daily life. Sweatshirts, a statue of the Eiffel Tower, and chocolate have helped my family enjoy our trips a bit longer!

8. Talk about next year’s trip. Before your vacation ends, talk about where you want to go next year. Thinking about your future trip helps ease the thought of going back to your daily life. While all good things must end, it’s nice to think about what the future may hold.

9. Reminisce with your family. Set aside some time to look at your photos or videos from your vacation. Everybody in my family has a smartphone, so it’s nice to see all the different pictures that my kids take while we’re on vacation. It’s also a great way to see things you’ve missed!

10. Exercise. Returning home after vacation can you leave you feeling sluggish. Delicious food, increased alcohol consumption, late-night dinners, and busy days can catch up with you. While exercising may not be high on your priority list, it’s a great way to get the endorphins flowing, improving your mood.

11. Catch up on your sleep. Depending on your vacation, sightseeing and other adventures can lead to hectic schedules and late nights. Make sure to get seven to eight hours of sleep when you return home. Proper sleep helps your body recover and boosts your energy and productivity levels.

SOURCE:  WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on Aug 21, 2018 1:42:17 PM

When deciding how you’d like to customize your long-term care (LTC) policy, you will most likely face a decision on whether to have an inflation rider or forgo any inflation protection.  Before deciding what is best for you, it is best to understand the benefits offered by a compound inflation rider.

Purchasing an inflation rider can help ensure that your LTC benefits is adequate, considering the cost of medical care continues to increase each year.  As your benefits grow, you’ll feel more at ease knowing whatever the cost of care is, your policy will help support expenses related to your facility or in-home care.

In 2016, the average cost of a private room in a nursing home facility was $229 per day or $6,695 per month.  For people purchasing long-term care protection, the need for an inflation rider is critical.  Statistics show that the median cost of a nursing home facility is increasing 5% annually.

Knowing what the future holds for the cost of care, you’ll want to choose the right amount of inflation protection for your LTC policy.  Compound inflation protection amounts can vary, typically from 3% to 5%.  Choosing an inflation rider affects your daily and monthly benefit.

For example, let’s say you are 50 years old.  You selected a daily benefit of $150 and you’ll need to care in 20 years.  Your daily benefit compounds to be around $271 with a 3% inflation rider.  With the 5% inflation rider, it potentially could compound to $398 after 20 years.  The younger you are when you buy your long-term care policy, the more likely you’ll need a higher inflation rider.

The ideal age to purchase your LTC policy is 50 to 60 years old.  Premiums will be more attractive and  your insurability will be protected as well.  People under age 65 account for nearly 41% of long-term care due to diseases, disability, mental illnesses or developmental disabilities.

Don’t wait to purchase your long-term care policy, and ask us about inflation rider options.  The reality is that 70% of people 65 years of age or older will need long-term care protection.  Prepare your future today.

SOURCE:  Auto-Owners Insurance

Q:  Is physical damage coverage included when an insured rent from TURO, a peer-to-peer car sharing marketplace, rather than a traditional rental car agency?  The insured in question has physical damage coverage on his own personal auto policy.

A: The short answer is: If you have physical damage on an insured vehicle, yes, the insured is covered for damage to the rental vehicle – but only on an actual cash value basis.

But from an insurance perspective, using TURO appears very convoluted.  So, the longer answer is:  In a traditional rental situation, the insured’s PAP extends liability and physical damage to the rented vehicle on a primary basis, but the insured has the highly recommended option of purchasing a physical damage waiver to avoid the gaps that may result from the ACV-only coverage on the PAP.

Depending on the person from whom the vehicle is rented, this option may not be available with TURO.  It appears that the person who owns and rents the vehicle has the option to make this protection available, but they aren’t guaranteed to do so.  In situation where the car owner doesn’t provide the option, a separate, standalone protection package can be purchased from TURO.

From a liability perspective, it appears that the renter’s insurance may not be extended on a primary basis; it may be excess, at least initially.  But the contract appears to allow the owner of the vehicle to subrogate against the renter – once again making the renter’s liability coverage primary.

SOURCE:  Iowa Agent Newsletter, May 22, 2018