April Showers Bring.... Wet Basements?

With spring upon us and the potential for showers soon starting, there may be some wet basements and properties this spring season.  What can you do to prepare?  First - review your insurance policy!

Grab yourself a cup of coffee, find a comfortable seat on the sofa, and take a few minutes to look for this very important rainy day coverage:  Backup of Sewer or Drain.

If you have a basement, that's below ground level, chances are you have a sump pump to help keep the water out.  Sump pump failures often occur during power outages or periods of heavy rain or melting snow.  When the sump pump fails, water can back up into your home.  If you have a finished basement, the damage can be extensive as water can seep into your furniture, floors, walls, and damage your electronic appliances.

On most Homeowners Insurance policies, coverage for this type of loss is EXCLUDED unless you purchase Backup of Sewer and Drain coverage.  it's important to check your policy to see if it's on there.  If you cannot find it, call your insurance agent and ask them to add it.  The additional coverage is relatively inexpensive and ranges from $50 to $100 per year, depending on the limit you choose.  It is an invaluable coverage.

In the event of a sump pump failure, you'll want to do everything you can to get the water cleaned up, and the space dried out, as quickly as possible.  If there is a lot of water you should consider calling Alliance Disaster Kleenup.  ADK has been taking care of the Chicagoland area for over a decade.  Waiting too long to clean up the water can cause mold problems which can be very costly to remediate.

After you have contacted Alliance Disaster Kleenup to discuss the situation and the extent of the damage - they will come out to your property and perform an inspection.  After the inspection, you should know where the source of the loss started, and steps needed to get your property back to pre-loss condition.  Based on this inspection, you should have an idea if the damage is extensive enough to file a claim or not.

Of course you may also want to inquire about Flood Insurance with your Insurance Agent.  This coverage needs to be in place 30 days before flooding starts, so the time is NOW to make that phone call and get this coverage.  Having the correct insurance coverage in place is extremely important.  This is one area in life that you do not want to skimp on.  Adding $100 a year can literally save you thousands of dollars in the event of a loss.  This is less than $2 per week, but it is also amazing the number of people that don't think they need the extra coverage.  Until it's too late.

Contact ADK Toll Free at: 1-800-499-5921  24/7/365

April Showers Bring... Wet Basements?

With spring upon us and the potential for showers soon starting, there may be some wet basements and properties this spring season. What can you do to prepare?  First- review your insurance policy!
Grab yourself a cup of coffee, find a comfortable seat on the sofa, and take a few minutes to look for this very important rainy day coverage:  Backup of Sewer or Drain.

If you have a basement that’s below ground level, chances are you have a sump pump to help keep the water out.  Sump pump failures often occur during power outages or periods of heavy rain or melting snow.  When the sump pump fails, water can back up into your home.  If you have a finished basement, the damage can be extensive as water can seep into your furniture, floors, walls, and damage your electronic appliances.

On most Homeowners insurance policies, coverage for this type of loss is EXCLUDED unless you purchase Backup of Sewer and Drain coverage.  It’s important to check your policy to see if it’s on there.  If you cannot find it, call your insurance agent and ask them to add it.  The additional coverage is relatively inexpensive and ranges from $50 to $100 per year, depending on the limit you choose.  It is an invaluable coverage.

In the event of a sump pump failure, you’ll want to do everything you can to get the water cleaned up, and the space dried out, as quickly as possible.  If there is a lot of water you should consider calling Alliance Disaster Kleenup.  ADK has been taking care of the Chicagoland area for over a decade.  Waiting too long to clean up the water can cause mold problems which can be very costly to remediate.

After you have contacted Alliance Disaster Kleenup to discuss the situation and the extent of the damage- they will come out to your property and perform an inspection.  After the inspection, you should know where the source of loss started, and steps needed to get your property back to pre-loss condition. Based on this inspection, you should have an idea if the damage is extensive enough to file a claim or not.

Of course you may also want to inquire about Flood Insurance with your Insurance Agent.  This coverage needs to be in place 30 days before flooding starts, so the time is NOW to make that phone call and get this coverage.
Having the correct insurance coverage in place is extremely important. This is one area in life that you do not want to skimp on. Adding $100 a year can literally save you thousands of dollars in the event of a loss.  This is less than $2 per week, but it is also amazing the number of people that don’t think they need the extra coverage.  Until it’s too late.

Information provided by Alliance Disaster Kleenup.  Mars Insurance makes no recommendation or warranty for the services of Alliance Disaster Kleenup.  Many companies provide the same type of services, and we recommend contacting several to obtain comparison quotations and recommendations.

Jewelry Protection

Have some new jewelry in the house? Protect it!


Ah, Valentine’s Day is near, and love is in the air. Well, love and a few other things, such as chocolates, romantic dinners, candy hearts that say “Be Mine” - and, of course, jewelry.

It’s exciting to receive jewelry from a loved one — or to give it as a gift. Not to mention romantic. But if you’re lucky enough to have some new jewelry in your Illinois home this Valentine’s Day, you should take a few minutes to think about something you probably don’t find exciting or romantic: insurance.

Don’t know where to turn? Don’t worry. at Mars Insurance Agency, we think it is exciting to help our customers protect what’s most important to them — so we’re ready to help and can answer all of your questions.

Things to consider when insuring jewelry: 

You may need to purchase additional coverage. Your homeowners policy covers valuable items such as jewelry only up to set amounts. If the cost of replacing your jewelry exceeds that limit, you will want to purchase scheduled personal property coverage. You can check your policy or give us a call at 815-459-0711.

You might want to reconsider your deductible amounts. As always, this impacts your policy premium. It’s a good idea to take a look at your deductibles whenever you make a change to your policy.

Do you need an appraisal? You may need to have an independent appraisal if the insurance company requires it or if you don’t know the value of your jewelry. Each item should be listed with a description and value on paper.

What kind of coverage is offered? You’ll want to determine if items are covered no matter where they are, whether they’re in Crystal Lake, or on an international trip, and if the policy offers full replacement cost. You also should ask if you will be required to replace your jewelry if lost or stolen, or if you can simply keep the cash settlement.

Pictures can be helpful. Lost or stolen pieces of jewelry sometimes can be recreated if the jeweler has a good photograph to work from.

Should I go with a company that specializes in jewelry insurance? There are companies that specialize in jewelry insurance. Whether you choose one of these, or a company that we represent, you’ll want to make sure they are reputable and stable.

Is the value of your jewelry mainly sentimental? Is an item irreplaceable? If the answer to either of these questions is “yes,” you might consider foregoing insurance. But please, talk to us at 815-459-0711 before making that decision. That’s what we’re here for.

Of course, it’s important to store your jewelry securely when it’s not in use; a safe in your home or a safe-deposit box is best. We want your jewelry to be replaced if it’s lost or stolen, but we’d rather your sentimental and valuable pieces stay with you and your family for years to come.

Here’s hoping your Valentine’s Day is full of fun and romance. And if there’s no jewelry involved, well, there’s always next year!

Contact Us!
For further questions and assistance, please contact Mars Insurance Agency at 815-459-0711 or marsinsurance@marsinsurance.com.

Content provided by Safeco Insurance

What You Don't Know About Smoke Detectors Could Save Your Life!

The facts are clear that smoke detectors in your home are important.  In fact, not having a functional smoke alarm doubles your chances of dying in a house fire.  And, two-thirds of all fire-related deaths happen in homes without functional smoke detectors.

So, if you're like 96% of the nation's homes, you have at least one smoke alarm.  And because you are concerned about minimizing fire risk you change the battery twice a year when we set the clocks back and forward.  You can rest easy knowing that you're protected, right?

The answer is maybe and maybe not.  It all depends on the type of smoke alarms you have.

The Two Types of Smoke Alarms
Most residential smoke alarms utilize either ionization or photoelectric technology.  And while you may think that "a smoke alarm is a smoke alarm" there are crucial differences in the ways these two technologies respond to fires.

About 90 percent of installed alarms are ionization type smoke detectors which are typically more responsive to fast flaming fires such as stovetop or cooking fires.  These types of fires often occur when people are awake and can more easily escape.

Photoelectric smoke detectors are typically more responsive to smoldering fires in living spaces where furniture, mattresses and synthetic materials generally burn more slowly with a long period of smoldering before they erupt into open flames.  These fires often start overnight when occupants are likely asleep.

Here's the critical difference between these two types of smoke detectors:

On average, ionization smoke detectors respond about 30 seconds faster to an open-flame fire than photoelectric alarms and in a flaming fire there can be little time to spare.

In a smoldering fire, however, ionization units may respond on average 30 to 60 minutes slower than a photoelectric unit.  In some cases, ionization smoke detectors may not always alarm even when a room is filled with smoke from a smoldering fire.

Photoelectric detectors can provide a lot more warning time than ionization detectors in a smoldering fire.  While smoldering fires account for only about 12 percent of fires, they also account for more than half of fire-related deaths and a third of fire-related injuries (most residential fire fatalities occur at night and are the result of smoke inhalation).

Changes in building materials and furnishings over the past decades have reduced the time available for safe escape in any fire so having the proper warning of either a smoldering fire or an open flame fire as early as possible is absolutely critical.

Another Problem with Ionization Smoke Alarms
A recent Alaskan nuisance alarm study indicated that 92% of homes with ionization smoke alarms experienced nuisance alarms compared to only 11% with photoelectric smoke alarms.  The reason this is important is that occupants disable ionization smoke alarms by removing the batteries because of frequent nuisance alarming.  And a disarmed smoke alarm is, obviously, useless.  In fact, homes with non-functional smoke alarms account for close to two-thirds of all fire-related deaths.

What Type of Smoke Detectors Should I Have?

You should perform your own research before making a final decision, but consider that the Consumer Products Safety commission says that best protection when it comes to smoke alarms is to:

   - Install a working smoke alarm on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms

   - Install both ionization and photoelectric type smoke alarms

   - Install interconnected smoke alarms

   - Install smoke alarms using house wiring with battery back-up

The data is clear that having both ionization and separate photoelectric smoke alarms provides the best protection from both fast moving flaming fires and smoldering fires.

Consider that the National Fire Protection Association, Consumer Products Safety Commission, United States Fire Administration, National Institute of Standards and Technology and the National Association of State Fire Marshals all recommend having both types of smoke alarms installed.

Additional Features to Consider in Your Smoke Alarm

Interconnected Alarms: This type of alarm causes all the interconnected alarms in the home to alert if one has detected smoke.  For example, if a fire starts in the basement all the alarms in the house, including those on the upper bedroom level will sounds which may give occupants additional escape time.  Interconnected systems can be hard wired or are available using wireless technology.

Talking Alarms: There are now talking alarms that not just sound an alarm but "speak" to you alerting you to the detected hazard.

Kids and Your Escape Plan

Remember that many children will sleep through smoke alarms!  Do not assume they will awaken and find their way out of the house.  Make sure everyone in your family knows how to escape when the smoke alarm goes off, whether they are awake or asleep.

Courtesy of:

Alliance Disaster Kleenup 

574 Wheeling Road, Wheeling, IL  60090 

P: 847-205-2100  F: 847-205-4100  

www.adk911.com

10 Ways to Winterize Your Home — Now

1. Clean those gutters
Once the leaves fall, remove them and other debris from your home's gutters -- by hand, by scraper or spatula, and finally by a good hose rinse -- so that winter's rain and melting snow can drain. Clogged drains can form ice dams, in which water backs up, freezes and causes water to seep into the house, the Insurance Information Institute says. As you're hosing out your gutters, look for leaks and misaligned pipes. Also, make sure the downspouts are carrying water away from the house's foundation, where it could cause flooding or other water damage.

2. Block those leaks
One of the best ways to winterize your home is to simply block obvious leaks around your house, both inside and out, experts say. The average American home has leaks that amount to a nine square-foot hole in the wall, according to EarthWorks Group.
First, find the leaks: On a breezy day, walk around inside holding a lit incense stick to the most common drafty areas: recessed lighting, window and door frames, electrical outlets. Then, buy door sweeps to close spaces under exterior doors, and caulk or apply tacky rope caulk to those drafty spots. Outlet gaskets can easily be installed in electrical outlets that share a home's outer walls, where cold air often enters. Outside, seal leaks with weather-resistant caulk. For brick areas, use masonry sealer, which will better stand up to freezing and thawing.

3. Insulate yourself
Another thing that does cost a little money -- but boy, you do get the money back quick -- is adding insulation to the existing insulation in the attic. You need a minimum of 12 inches of insulation in your attic."

4. Check the furnace
First; turn your furnace on now, to make sure it's even working, before the coldest weather descends. A strong, odd, short-lasting smell is natural when firing up the furnace in the autumn; simply open windows to dissipate it. But if the smell lasts a long time, shut down the furnace and call a professional. It's a good idea to have furnaces cleaned and tuned annually. Throughout the winter you should change the furnace filters regularly (check them monthly). A dirty filter impedes air flow, reduces efficiency and could even cause a fire in an extreme case. Toss out the dirty fiberglass filters; reusable electrostatic or electronic filters can be washed.

5. Get your ducts in a row
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home with central heating can lose up to 60% of its heated air before that air reaches the vents if ductwork is not well-connected and insulated, or if it must travel through unheated spaces. That's a huge amount of wasted money, not to mention a chilly house.
Ducts aren't always easy to see, but you can often find them exposed in the attic, the basement and crawlspaces. Repair places where pipes are pinched, which impedes flow of heated air to the house, and fix gaps with a metal-backed tape (duct tape actually doesn't stand up to the job over time). Ducts also should be vacuumed once every few years, to clean out the abundant dust, animal hair and other gunk that can gather in them and cause respiratory problems.

6. Face your windows
Now, of course, is the time to take down the window screens and put up storm windows, which provide an extra layer of protection and warmth for the home. Storm windows are particularly helpful if you have old, single-pane glass windows. Update windows when needed.

7. Don't forget the chimney
Ideally, spring is the time to think about your chimney, because chimney sweeps are going crazy in the fall. That said; don't put off your chimney needs before using your fireplace. A common myth is that a chimney needs to be swept every year," says Eldridge. Not true. But a chimney should at least be inspected before use each year.

8. Reverse that fan
Reversing your ceiling fan is a small tip that people don't often think of. By reversing its direction from the summer operation, the fan will push warm air downward and force it to recirculate, keeping you more comfortable.

9. Wrap those pipes
A burst pipe caused by a winter freeze is a nightmare. Prevent it before Jack Frost sets his grip: Before freezing nights hit, make certain that the water to your hose bibs is shut off inside your house (via a turnoff valve), and that the lines are drained. Next, go looking for other pipes that aren't insulated, or that pass through unheated spaces -- pipes that run through crawlspaces, basements or garages. Wrap them with pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation, available at hardware stores. If you're really worried about a pipe freezing, you can first wrap it with heating tape, which is basically an electrical cord that emits heat.

10. Finally, check those alarms
This is a great time to check the operation -- and change the batteries -- on your home's smoke detectors. Detectors should be replaced every 10 years, fire officials say. Test them -- older ones in particular -- with a small bit of actual smoke, and not just by pressing the "test" button. Check to see that your fire extinguisher is still where it should be, and still works.

Information provided by Alliance Disaster Kleenup Wheeling, IL 

Cholesterol: Do You Know Your Numbers?

Do you know your cholesterol levels? About 1 of every 3 adult Americans has high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
Without even making you feel sick, high cholesterol can clog your blood vessels and contribute to a heart attack or stroke.
Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as “bad” cholesterol. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as “good” cholesterol. LDL, HDL, triglycerides and Lp(a) cholesterol make up your total cholesterol count.

To find out what your cholesterol levels are, ask your doctor for a blood test called a lipid panel. The American Heart Association suggests that adults age 20 and older have a fasting lipoprotein profile every five years. This test is done after a nine- to 12-hour fast.
For most adults, the numbers should be:
Total cholesterol: • 200 or lower
• LDL (“bad”) cholesterol: Lower than 130
• HDL (“good”) cholesterol: Higher than 60
• Triglycerides: Lower than 150
Talk with your doctor about your results and how often you should be tested. Some people who are already at a higher risk for heart disease may have different targets for their levels than those listed above.

High LDLs are a major risk factor for coronary heart disease. The problem is the build up of plaque, which is made up of cholesterol, fats and other things in the blood, inside the heart’s arteries. Blood vessel linings are usually smooth and strong. When plaque builds up, the vessels narrow. The vessel walls are also weakened. This can cause cracks in the lining that attract blood clots, blocking the flow of blood to the heart even more. If the blood supply to the heart is severely reduced, you could have a heart attack. If your numbers are borderline or high, you can make lifestyle changes to help you lower your levels and your risk for heart disease by eating a healthy diet, controlling your weight
and exercising regularly.

An important step to healthier eating is looking at food labels. Be on the lookout for trans fats, such as hydrogenated oils in baked goods, and saturated fats in high-fat meat and dairy products. Choose plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fat-free or low-fat milk products, lean meat and poultry without skin, and unsaturated vegetable oils such as canola and olive oil.

And for dessert, take a walk after dinner. Exercise can help lower your bad cholesterol and raise your good cholesterol, which can help keep you healthy.

www.marsinsurance.com/#health

Information courtesy of Blue Cross Blue Shield

Camping & Outdoor Safety

More and more families are enjoying the pleasures of camping and outdoor life. Some advance planning will make camping trips more enjoyable and safer.  Look for a campsite that offers good drainage, with a good combination of sun and shade.  Check the area for hazards, and instruct children about things to avoid such as poisonous plants, wild animals and moving vehicles.

Here are a few more safety tips to help you enjoy your time in the great outdoors:

• Wear shoes, sandals or moccasins at your campsite; glass, cans, sharp rocks and hot embers can hurt bare feet
• If you bring perishable food, use a portable ice chest to keep it from spoiling
• Keep the site clean. Dispose of cans, bottles and garbage safely in a campground trash can or appropriate receptacle
• Obey signs and warnings concerning wildlife.  If raccoons, skunks, porcupines or other small animals come to your campsite, scare them away with a flashlight or a loud noise.  IMPORTANT:  Don't keep food in your tent where it can be smelled by animals -- store it away from the campsite
  
• Never leave a fire unattended.  When finished with it, spread the burned pieces/embers out, soak them touroughly with water, and then cover them with sand

These safety tips will keep you and others safe but it will keep the campground clean and safe from fires.

Information was provided to us by Safety Sense Enterprises Inc.

Please remember while you are away, do not share your events on social networking sites as it tells people you are not at home and leaves your home vulnerable to break in.

Be sure to have someone check on your home regularly - having lights scheduled to turn on and off at various times in different rooms is recommended to appear as if you are at home.  Remember, lights turning on and off at the same time could indicate a homeowner is away.
If you have pets, remember to either board them away from the home or be sure to have someone come to check on them daily.

Water Backup Coverage

Do you know what is covered and what is not covered by your homeowner policy?

If a toilet overflows or a shower drain gets clogged and overflows, your homeowner policy provides coverage.  However, all homeowner policies exclude any damage caused by water that escapes, overflows or discharges from a sump pump, sump well or any other system designed to remove water which is drained from the foundation area.

The good news is that there is an endorsement that can be added to your homeowner policy which removes the exclusion and provides coverage for such an unexpected incident.  Pricing and coverage amounts available will vary, depending on the carrier.

The other thing to remember is that flooding is not covered by this endorsement, but can be purchased through the government's national flood insurance program.

Note:  Some of the above information was obtained from a News & Community Bulletin from Safeco Insurance.

Family Time by Frank Zimmerman

In this day and age of work pressures, deadlines, commuting and working overtime, make sure that you set aside time for quality family time.  That is what I will be doing as you read this - as my wife and I will be in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains at Boone, North Carolina.  I will be meeting our first grandchild for the first time - a beautiful baby girl named Elizabeth Grace Blaha - born on April 15th!


A special added bonus is that our other daughter is only 2 hours away in Charlotte and will be driving up for the weekend to meet us.  So we are looking to a joyous and restful time with our whole family together for a few days.


So, whatever your family situation is - take the time to enjoy time with your family.  Travel safely!

Never Use Cruise Control on a Rainy Day

Cruise control is designed for normal road conditions.  It doesn't know when the pavement is slippery.  Under slick conditions, you need to be in complete control and monitoring road conditions.  You’re more likely to notice hydroplaning if you are not relying on the cruise control.  With some cars, it is possible that the wheels will actually spin faster when the cruise control is on/engaged and the care hits a slippery spot.  When the tires make contact with firm road again, the car can skid or lose control.


On most cars, the cruise control is disengaged by tapping on the brake.  In an emergency situation, this adds a fraction of a second to your response time as well as the risk of the braking action itself causing a loss of control on a slippery road.

Allow plenty of distance between vehicles, avoid cruise control and reduce your speed to allow for slippery roads, especially during the spring and fall when there is debris from the trees also on the roadway making for more slippery pavement.

Check back for more safety information.  We’ll keep you up to date on Illinois Auto Insurance,  home insurance in Illinois and all your other coverage too.

The Benefits of Pet Insurance

  

Pet Insurance is a growing trend.  People love their animals as if they were their own children and for many folks, they are just like children.  Therefore, when they become ill, it is devastating.

As medical costs increase around the country for humans, the same is true for animals.  Consequently a few companies have instituted pet insurance products to help offset the rising costs of medical care for your dogs and cats.

The costs of good veterinary care are high, especially as more treatments become available for animals. Most pet insurance carries a deductible, you pay the initial charges up front, file a claim with the company and the carrier reimburses you for the allowable limit for treatment.

Imagine coming home from work to find that your dog had consumed the entire bag of chocolate that your son left sitting on the counter.  Your pet will need immediate emergency attention and probably monitoring overnight to be sure he is out of the woods.  Or you allow your cat outside to explore the countryside and she is attacked by a feral cat.  Events like this and others such as a diagnosis of a tumor, kidney disease, heart disease, all treatable from emergency care to long term treatment; but they come attached with a price tag.

If you are as in love with your pets as I am, please consider looking into a pet health insurance policy to be assured your pet is with you for a long time with proper medical treatment.

The ASPCA Pet Health Insurance program is a fantastic policy which gives you the option of 4 levels of coverage at very affordable rates.  It offers a $100 deductible and the ability to use your own vet and not be tied down to using someone you don’t know and trust and reimburses up to 90%.

Visit their website today and find out just how affordable this valuable coverage is.  Protect your pets as you would yourself.

http://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/enroll/?priority=BR10MARS87







To learn more about pets visit www.barkpurrandinsure.com

Summer Safe Driving

According to a recent survey provided to us by Travelers Insurance, 67% of Americans taking a summer vacation plan to drive.  Make sure it is a safe trip by doing the following:

1.  Do not overload your vehicle - keep the load evenly distributed and do not block rear and side view mirror vision.

2.  Be prepared - Pack snacks and entertaining items for the little ones in the backseat to help avoid distractions.

3.  Take a break to avoid fatigue - this helps maintain focus - make sure to pull off in a safe spot.

4.  Know the route - be familiar with the route and do not solely rely on GPS so as to avoid dangerous last minute turns and lane changes.

5.  Use cruise control carefully - it can be easier for the driver to lose focus on the road and become more distracted.  But also remember never to use cruise control when roads are wet due to the slowing of response time when cruise control is engaged

6.  DO NOT TEXT WHILE DRIVING - even using a hands-free device can be enough of a distraction to cause a driver to miss key visual and audio cues needed to avoid a crash.



Enjoy your summer vacation, but please be safe and cautious.

Frank Zimmerman, CIC

My brother is getting married this upcoming June to one of the most wonderful women I have had the honor of meeting.  I have volunteered to throw a bridal shower for them and I wanted to share a couple of the ideas that I have done to make it special for them.
The first game I decided to do for them was a word search.

Going to the Chapel and We’re Gonna Get Married!

The wedding bells are ringing
And the guests are seated. Help
Us find the wedding party so
We can cue the music!

L    B    M   A   R  Y   N  A   T   T    I   R   B

K   D    F    T    I    F    F  A   N  Y   W  R  J

G    Z    D   Q   C   Y   K  C   I    R   T   A  P

C   W   H    J     X   E    E  T   J    C   S   U  T

D   N    C   O    E    L   A   I   P   N   X  C   P

V   R    W   H    Z    L   N  V   Z   Q  U  B   T

W  I     E    N    H    E   A  Y   M  A  R   Y   L

V   E    R    M   P    I   D   H   S   G   O  P   S

O   B    D   T    E   N   Z   T    R   V   D  A  R

T   Q    N   D   S   A   A   O   B   U  R   L   I

W  M   A   Z   O   D   D   M  J   A  V   Q   E

J    S    A   B    J    Y   W   I    J   D  O   Q  O

E   N    P   G   N   W   D   T   P   Z  G   F    J

Andrew      Brittany
Joe             Danielle
Eirn            Dana
John           Mary
Joseph       Sara
Patrick       Tiffany
Timothy      Mary



By Mary Marsh



Everyone at Mars Insurance Agency sends best wishes to the happy couple!

Getting Ready for the Spring Storm Season

We’ve all heard the expression, “take care of your body and your body will take care of you.” Homeowners should apply this wisdom to their home and the premises around it. While it is easy to see physical damage that can be caused by large storms, Mother Nature also is slowly and consistently breaking down a home’s defenses against future weather conditions. The specific weather conditions a home is exposed to, coupled with a maintenance plan similar to that below, play a large part in the strength and longevity of a home and the homeowner’s resulting bottom line.

Roof & Its Drainage Systems
Keep all drains, scuppers, gutters and downspout inlets free of debris that may restrict proper flow. It is also important to keep the roof clear of debris, leaves and vegetation, all of which may retain water. Trim trees near the home and branches that hang over the roof.

Home Joints & Connections
Intersections of the roof to walls, rooftop air conditioner mounts and curbs, window and door frames, and pipes through walls all require some type of transition material that is typically more prone to wear out over time. Rubber gaskets, seals and caulks should be inspected for brittleness, cracks, chips and gaps, and replaced as needed.

Walls
Inspect for and seal all minor wall cracks. Inspect Exterior Insulating Finishing Systems (EIFS) for cracks, chips, holes and other problems, and repair them as needed.

Windows & Doors
Ensure that all doors and windows have proper seals. Water stains below a window sill on the inside of the home are a sign of leaks. Inspect the rubber gasket or glazing putty surrounding the windows for cracks and reseal when necessary, even if stains aren’t obvious. Examine magnetic contacts that may be part of the home’s security systems to monitor when the window is opened or closed, and make sure they are well sealed.

Inspect the wooden threshold, where the door meets the floor. If there are signs of decay, replace the threshold and place new seals around the door.

Home Penetrations
Check and seal all roof and wall penetrations, including all water lines and electrical conduit. A single tube of caulk can likely seal all gaps between utility service lines that enter the walls.

Surroundings
Check downspout outlets to ensure that they are not blocked by debris or by the ground itself. It is best to have the surrounding terrain slope away from your home to prevent storm water runoff from accumulating around perimeter walls. Keep all exterior storm water drains free of debris. Drainage canals and culverts that are designed to shed water from the property should be checked and maintained for proper water flow.

Information courtesy of our friends at Grange Insurance.

The Good and Bad of Credit Scoring

Most people are aware that one of many underwriting factors used in determining one's actual auto or homeowner insurance rate is credit scoring.  What many do not know is that a good credit score helps to lower your insurance cost.  The Insurance Information Institute, according to a recent article from Safeco Insurance, indicates that upwards of two-thirds of policyholders have a lower premium because of good credit.

The bad side of credit scoring is that the other one-third of policyholders have higher premiums due to their credit history.  The remedy is obviously trying to improve your credit in the future to more favorably affect your insurance premiums.

So, the next time you receive the privacy notice from your insurance company indicating that your credit score has affected your insurance premium, do not think that this is a bad thing.  You are most likely in the two-thirds of those policyholders who are getting better premiums because of good credit.


Frank Zimmerman