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As important business tools for companies of all sizes, drones are growing in popularity among small businesses.  But when a drone is used for business purposes rather than for recreation, it becomes subject to the small unmanned aircraft rule, also known as Part 107 of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Federal Aviation Regulations.

Part 107 makes it easier for small businesses that operate drones to comply with airspace rules.  The rule opens vast opportunities for small businesses to serve their customers and innovate in ways they haven’t before imagined.  But with these benefits come responsibility and liabilities.  Consider pointing your clients to a few of the policies that will best protect their businesses – and ensure they stay compliant.

Requirement:  Part 107 requires each person who operates the drone to hold a pilot certification.  The licensed pilot is responsible if anything goes wrong and have the final say as to whether the flight is safe and legal.

Recommendation:  Encourage your clients to use the buddy system.  While it is perfectly legal to fly a drone with only the pilot present, the University of Nebraska – Lincoln’s Drone Journalism Lab recommends that all operators be supported by an observer who can keep the pilot informed of any potential hazards.  The observer can also help ensure that no pedestrians wander into the flight area.

A pilot and observer working together increases the likelihood of maintaining safety, professionalism and efficiency in the drone flight.

Requirement:  Part 107 restricts operators from endangering people of property on the ground.

Recommendation:  Encourage your clients to invest in a validated airspace map to pinpoint where it’s safe to fly, versus where special permission is required.

Because many people regard drones with suspicion, it’s also a good practice to alert and request permission from property owners ahead of time.  Careful preflight planning and coordination help ensure the drone does not fly over anyone illegally.

Note that Part 107 does not require operators to obtain permission from landowners before flying over their property, since landowners don’t own the airspace over their property.  But following the law is one thing; professional courtesy is another.

Asking for permission should help your clients avoid legal conflict or damage to their aircraft, while also contributing to normalizing drones in the public eye.

SOURCE:  Iowa Agent Newsletter, Independent Insurance Agents of Iowa, July 12, 2018

When warm weather is here, many look for ways to enjoy our time outside. One of those ways is to get on a bicycle and go for a ride. With school a few weeks away, a bicycle can also turn into the main mode of transportation.

There are many benefits to riding bicycles, whether it’s for recreation, getting around town, or going to work. Besides the benefit of getting exercise, in many cities it’s easier to find parking for a bicycle than a vehicle. Now it’s also easier to get around, since access to roads, bike paths, and rural trails has increased. In addition, the increased use of bicycles helps reduce air and noise pollution, consumption of fossil fuel, and traffic congestion.

Theresa Meyer, senior personal lines underwriter will discuss the types of bikes available and if your insurance policy provides coverage.

There are many different bicycles to choose; what’s best for you depends on your use and the distance you plan to ride. Options range from the traditional bicycle, to tricycle, quadracycle, recumbent, and human-powered vehicles (HPV) such as pedal assist, electric, or motorized bicycles. The HPV bicycles help the rider go farther or faster with less effort due to their design with pedal assist technology.

The traditional bicycle is covered for physical damage as contents under personal property on the homeowners’ policy. If a motor is attached to a bicycle, as in the pedal assist-type bicycles, these now become motorized vehicles. The standard homeowners’ policy does not provide coverage for motorized vehicles.

When making the decision to purchase a new bicycle, check with your insurance agent to see if it will automatically be covered or, in the case of a motorized bicycle, it should be scheduled in order to provide liability and physical damage coverages. This will help protect your investment.

SOURCE:  West Bend, Posted by Scott Stueber on Aug 1, 2017 9:00:00 AM

For many families, summer vacations are the highlight of their year. Hectic schedules are put aside for rest, relaxation, and quality family time. No matter where you go this summer, family memories will be made that will last a lifetime.

A bad vacation memory is coming home to a burglarized home or vehicle. Since people are more active during the summer, our homes stand empty more frequently. In addition, many people take strolls or bike rides around the neighborhood and leave doors and windows open. Both scenarios make the home easy targets for burglars.

Here are some tips to keep your home safe while you’re on vacation.

1. Buy a professionally-installed home monitoring system. Professionally-installed systems, such as ADT, offer many options for keeping your home safe. They provide this equipment for their customers.

• Security keypad – Central command for your home security system.
• Motion detector – They cover a large area of your home and can send you alerts and video clips if motion is detected while your system is armed. If you have, pets don’t worry. The sensitivity level can be adjusted based on the size of your pet.
• Entry detection – These sensors monitor your doors and windows. If a door or window is opened when your system is armed, you’ll receive a text alert. If you have small children, another nice feature is setting the door to chime every time they go in or out to play. I absolutely loved this feature when my kids were small.
• Glass break sensors – These sensors detect the sound of breaking glass.

Don’t forget, ADT and others provide monitoring 24/7 and 365 days a year. Therefore, you may be eligible for an insurance discount. Talk to your independent insurance agent to learn more.

2. Install a DIY security system. Nest secure is an easy way to protect your home by doing the installation yourself. Components include:

• Nest Guard – Alarm, keypad, motion sensor, and the brains in charge of the entire system.
• Nest Detect – A sensor that monitors doors, windows, and rooms.
• Nest Tag – The easiest way to arm and disarm the system without entering a passcode.
• Nest App – Keep tabs on your house from anywhere in the world.

If someone breaks into your home, you’ll receive a text to call the police. If you want to add an extra layer of security, you can team up with Brinks Home Security. Brinks provides professional monitoring 24/7, 365 days a year.

3. Develop a plan with your neighbors. Let your neighbors know when you’ll be gone so they can keep an eye on your house. They may also be able to cut your grass or water your plants while you’re gone.

4. Light up the night. Install motion-activated outdoor lighting. If all the entry points to your home are illuminated, it’s likely they’ll move on to the next house.

5. Keep valuables and important documents locked. Don’t leave valuable jewelry or paperwork laying around. Store them in a fireproof lock box or safe. It may be wise to store important documents, such as wills, passports, and birth certificates, at a relative’s house.

6. Keep your house looking normal. When you leave home, make sure it looks like you still live there. Leave your blinds and curtains open. Install smart plugs to turn lights on and off on a schedule. The nice thing about smart plugs is you can change the schedule while you’re traveling.

7. Park in the garage. Cars parked in the driveway are not much safer than cars parked in the street. Car thefts can take place in less than 20 seconds. Always lock your belongings in your glovebox or trunk. It’s also wise to remove your garage door opener from the car.

8. Remove stashed keys. Storing spare keys under the doormat or rock isn’t the smartest thing to do. A lockbox or smart door lock is safer.

9. Halt mail and newspaper delivery. Newspapers and mail falling out of your box into the street is a telltale sign nobody’s home. Talk to the U.S. Postal Service about holding your mail while you’re gone.

10. Avoid social media. Don’t blast your travel plans on social sites before you go and during your trip. Post pictures when you return.

Insurance coverage

Depending on your insurance policy, coverage may be provided. Coverages that may help if your home is burglarized are Dwelling Coverage and Personal Property Coverage.

Dwelling Coverage provides protection by paying for repairs needed after a break in. Some examples include repairs for a broken window or door.

Personal Property Coverage provides protection by repairing or replacing your stolen personal property. For example, if an intruder steals your large screen TV and gaming console, your insurance policy would pay for replacements of like kind and quality.

If you have a home monitoring/detection system that sends you an alert when someone breaks into your home, you may be eligible for a discount on a West Bend Home and Highway^® insurance policy. To learn more, contact your independent West Bend agent or find an agent near you by visiting www.thesilverlining.com.

Links to home monitoring systems

ADT

Brinks Home Security

AT&T

Vivint.SmartHome

Frontpoint

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

Source:
https://www.adt.com/resources/travel-safety-tips
https://nest.com/alarm-system/overview/

SOURCE:  WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on Jul 17, 2018 9:00:00 AM

Topics: Home Safety

SOURCE:  Posted by Scott Stueber on Jul 10, 2018 10:39:45 AM

The unofficial start of summer is here! This means many families are making plans or final arrangements for this year’s summer road trip.

According to researchers, summer road trips are still very popular among families. The two main reasons are flexibility and packing ease.

If you’re planning a summer road trip with your family, here are some things to consider.

1. Give your car a tune up. Before hitting the road, it’s important to make sure your car is working properly. Consider visiting your local mechanic or check the following items yourself.

• Motor oil. Depending on the number of miles you’ll be driving, it may be a good idea to get an oil change before you leave. At the very minimum, read your dipstick to determine the current oil level. If the oil is below the add line, consider adding the oil recommended for your car.
• Tires. Driving a car is one of the most dangerous things you do on a regular basis. Tires play a key role in keeping you safe. Before going on a long road trip, check your tire pressure and inspect your tires for cracks, bulges, or objects stuck in them. In addition, make sure you have adequate tire tread. Tire tread is important for pushing water out from underneath you so that you can maintain control of your car. Poor tire tread can lead to hydroplaning.
• Windshield wipers. Windshield wipers are often neglected when it comes to routine maintenance. Yet, like tires, they’re very important to keep you safe. Windshield wipers take a beating from the elements. The last thing you need is to be caught in a torrential downpour with poorly working wipers. Consider replacing them every six months.
• Brakes. If your feet experience an unusual pulsating when you press the brake pedal, or you hear squealing or squeaking, it may be time to change them. Depending on how your drive and other conditions brakes may last 20,000 to 50,000 miles.

2. Review your vehicle warning lights. If one of your vehicle warning lights turns on, will you understand what it means? The complexity of cars is increasing. Make sure to refer to your owner’s manual for a complete explanation or check out my blog Vehicle warning lights and their meanings [Infographic].

3. Pack important information. Make sure to pack important documents, such as your:

• License and registration;
• Car warranty information; and
• Insurance policy. If you have any questions regarding your insurance coverage, contact your agent.

4. Pack an emergency kit. If you’re stranded on your trip, there’s not much you can do other than wait for help to arrive. Here are some items to keep in your summer emergency car kit.

• Water and snacks, such as energy bars, nuts, and dried fruit;
• Reflective vest(s), flares, or roadside hazard triangles;
• First aid kit;
• External battery packs for your smart devices;
• Flashlights;
• Whistle;
• Rain ponchos;
• Jumper cables or a portable jump starter; and
• Small gas can.

5. Pack a personal care kit. Rather than digging through your suitcase, consider packing a personal care kit that is easily accessible. Items to include:

• Sunscreen;
• Insect repellent;
• Hand sanitizer;
• Lip balm;
• Tissues;
• Body wipes; and
• Medications.

6. Consider purchasing roadside assistance. If you do a lot of traveling and don’t want to be left stranded, roadside assistance may be a good investment. Roadside assistance programs can help with small items, including an empty gas tank, flat tire, lockout, dead battery, or towing.

7. Secure your pets. Pets roaming around freely in your car can be distracting and lead to a serious accident. Depending on where you travel, allowing your dog to sit on your lap may be illegal. Make sure you have an adequate size crate or carrier for your pet or consider alternative restraint options.

8. Remain calm. During summer months, drivers face many different road conditions and driving situations. There are more cars on the road and construction zones can be confusing and frustrating. The best piece of advice is to remain calm. Driving erratically or showing your emotion can lead to dangerous situations.

9. Pass the time. We’ve all been involved in car ride squabbles. Make sure your family has plenty of activities to help pass the time in the car. DVDs, smart devices, and the license plate game are just a few ideas. Don’t forget extra batteries.

10. Share your itinerary. Make sure you share your itinerary with family or friends. This way they’re familiar with your travel plans if you need help.

11. Have fun. Don’t forget, the purpose of your road trip is to enjoy quality time and make memories with your family.

Additional blogs

No more mistakes when replacing windshield wipers

Roadside Assistance: Do you really need it?

Vehicle warning lights and their meanings [Infographic]

Eleven tips to avoid or handle hydroplaning

Don’t get stranded: Tips for jumpstarting your car

Sources

https://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/eco-tourism/sponsorstory/30-tips-get-your-car-ready-summer-road-trip
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/travel/road-trips-in-the-united-states.html

WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on May 29, 2018 9:15:25 AM

Traveling with your family is a great way to create memories that will last a lifetime. Whether traveling to a new destination or a traditional family destination, planning for each trip is important.

If you’re traveling this summer, here are some flight attendant travel tips that can make your vacation more enjoyable for you and others.

1. Drink plenty of water. Staying properly hydrated is necessary to keep your body functioning properly. When traveling, staying hydrated is even more important. Extremely low humidity levels in airplane cabins make dehydration a common condition for travelers. Symptoms of dehydration include:

• Dry skin, eyes, and mouth;
• Chapped lips;
• Headaches;
• Constipation; and
• Lightheadedness or dizziness.

According to the Aerospace Medical Association, travelers should drink eight ounces of water for each hour of flight. This guideline is even more important if you’re flying more than four hours. Jetlag symptoms are worse if you’re dehydrated.

2. Drink bottled water. When traveling, drink bottled water. It not only helps you keep track of how much you’re drinking, but it helps you avoid having to drink the jet’s tap water. Jet water storage tanks may contain bacteria that could make you sick.

3. Keep your legs moving. Sitting for extended periods is uncomfortable and can lead to health issues. Consider walking the cabin hourly if you have access to the aisle. If not, flexing your legs and moving your feet periodically can help get your blood flowing.

4. Clean blankets and pillows Blankets and pillows sealed in a bag or handed to you by a flight attendant are probably clean. Blankets and pillows found elsewhere may be dirty.

5. Pack Ziploc bags. If you’re traveling with small children who wear diapers, it’s likely they’ll need a diaper change during the flight. If you can’t make it to the lavatory, you’re left with no other alternative than to change them at your seat. Traveling with Ziploc bags allows you to dispose of dirty diapers quickly. In addition, the bags help contain the smell. Honestly, the last thing a flight attendant wants is to be handed a dirty diaper. Lastly, Ziploc bags work great for disposing of wrappers and other miscellaneous garbage.

6. Roll your clothes. This is a tip that my wife uses, especially if we’re traveling overseas. Rolling your clothes creates more space in your suitcase. Rolling your clothes can make the difference between checking your luggage and carrying it on.

7. Pack less. So often my wife and I overpack. Before you start packing, check with your hotel to see if they have washers and dryers available. If you have rented a home, more than likely they will be included as an amenity. A Ziploc bag filled with detergent packs and dryer sheets can reduce the amount of clothes needed.

8. Pack some disinfecting wipes. Wipes can come in very handy. They can be used to:

• Clean your hands;
• Clean up spills; and
• Wipe down tray tables, seat belts, and armrests.

According to Travelmath “Airline Hygiene Exposed”, the dirtiest place on an airplane is the tray table. Before using your tray table, consider cleaning it with alcohol-based wipes or hand sanitizer and a tissue or napkin.

9. Adjust controls to optimize airflow and reduce germs. Often times before takeoff, I’m warm. The combination of nerves, excitement, and getting settled in my seat catches up with me. So, the more air I can get from the overhead nozzle the better. According to some flight attendants, this may not be the best thing to do. Planes circulate a 50-50 mix of fresh and recycled air. To avoid airborne germs, disinfect the nozzle and point it towards your lap.

10. Sleep tight. To help you sleep on your next flight, pack noise cancelling headphones or earplugs, an eye mask, and a neck pillow. I recently purchased neck pillows for my family and we love them. Neck pillows keep our necks and heads in a natural position. By staying in a natural position, the pillow prevents kinked necks and head bobbing which disrupts sleep.

11. Be considerate when using the call button. If you’re traveling to a popular destination, it’s likely that the airplane will be full. With a full plane, certain things can be annoying. One of them is the constant chiming of the call bell. Pressing the call button disrupts the flight attendants’ focus and takes away from the service they are providing to other passengers. Unless it’s an emergency, don’t use it. Instead, ask the flight attendant for assistance when they walk by. Other than during takeoff and landing, they frequently move about the cabin.

12. Don’t forget your pen. If you’re traveling internationally, each country will have travel documents that need to be completed prior to entry. While the airlines have some pens, it’s best to carry your own.

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

Sources:
http://www.businessinsider.com/flight-attendants-share-their-favorite-travel-hacks-2017-5#save-space-in-your-suitcase-10
https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a19996567/flight-attendant-travel-hacks/
https://www.travelmath.com/feature/airline-hygiene-exposed/

SOURCE:  WEST BEND, Posted by Scott Stueber on Jun 26, 2018 9:00:00 AM