Month: January 2016

Independent Insurance Agent

10 ways to save money

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In these economically challenging times, we look to find ways to save money wherever we can. Here are some ideas to reduce your spending and pocket the difference:

  1. Stop eating out so much – the average American spends nearly $3000 eating out each year.
  2. End your cable service – today, much of what is on television can be found online, free to stream (often on the websites of the major networks). Regardless, can’t you find better ways to spend your time besides being stuck to the television?
  3. Use your local library – beyond the obvious savings of book purchases, most public libraries offer numerous family-friendly activities (most are free and offer an educational component).
  4. Energy audit – find out if your energy providers offer a free energy audit to offer ideas on how to reduce your bill and become more environmentally conscientious.
  5. Lower your property taxes – contact your County Government and request a re-assessment of your property to determine if you are paying above and beyond your fair share.
  6. Get rid of your landline – consider ditching the home phone and flying solo with your mobile service. If you desire an additional number, look into google phone service, which offers a free number that can be forwarded to any line you have (and it has many additional perks like voicemail and recording capabilities).
  7. Stop impulse buying – most people make purchases on a whim, only to regret the decision. Try setting a number (like$50) and agree to think for 24 hours before spending that much on one single item.
  8. Payoff debt – Many Americans have numerous credit cards and other loans which cause thousands of dollars in interest to be thrown out the door. Attacking a few of your smaller balanced debts quickly can save the average person hundreds, or more, each year.
  9. Make supermarket lists – determine what you want or need from the supermarket before going there, which will help you from making hasty decisions induced by clever marketing ploys.
  10. Shop around your auto and home insurance – check out competitive rates and see if you can reduce your annual premium. Customers of Weathervane Insurance Solutions have been saving an average of nearly $500/year.

Weathervane Insurance Solutions is a locally owned (Bloomington, Indiana) independent insurance agency offering over 30, ‘A rated’ carriers. We have the opportunity to compare your insurance needs with the largest selection of preferred companies in order to provide you with the most competitive premiums in the area. Save on Auto Insurance, Home Insurance, Renter’s Insurance, Motorcycle Insurance, Boat Insurance, RV Insurance, Life Insurance, Business Insurance, and more! Call us today at 812-269-8621.

 

 

 

Household Tips

Freezing weather and broken pipes

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The frigid temperatures are here! Each year there are millions of broken water pipes recorded in the United States alone, and the damage ranks second the hurricanes as the most costly of housing damages. While the threat is significant, there are ways to combat this potential peril by preparing yourself and your home for the winter weather.

Here are some tips on how to best position yourself to avoid a busted or frozen water pipe, and some advice on what to do should you find yourself in the situation of having a broken water pipe:

Before below freezing weather

  • Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses before putting them in storage
  • Place a foam cover over the faucet, turn off their supply valve, and leave the faucet to open position
  • Insulate water pipes with pipe sleeves, heat tape or heat cable, particularly pipes that run through unheated areas of the house, such as attics, basements, crawl spaces, and garages

During freezing weather

  • Keep your house warm, and allow the warm air to circulate as much as possible. Seal drafts and keep interior doors open
  • Do not turn off the heat if you will be away overnight
  • Open cabinet doors under kitchen and bathroom sinks, allowing indoor heat to reach the pipes. (be conscientious to keep chemicals out of reach from children and pets)
  • Open indoor faucets and allow a trickle of water

If a pipe freezes

  • Determine the location of the freeze
  • If the problem is widespread, turn off the main water and call a plumber
  • If it’s a single pipe, and you can reach the frozen section, try using a hair dryer, heating pad, or portable space heater (under close supervision). Keep the faucet open and work up and down the pipe, starting at the faucet and working backward to the frozen section. Apply heat until full water pressure returns and reduce the flow to a trickle until the stream is back to normal

If a pipe breaks

  • Turn off your water main IMMEDIATELY
    If your electricity has been in contact with the water, turn off the affected breakers
    Your safety is your first priority, so ensure that you, your family, and your pets are safe
  • If you can safely remove valuables from potential damage, and then proceed to extract as much water as possible
  • If the water damage is significant, contact your insurance agent, a water damage restoration company, and a plumber as soon as possible

For more information on how to prepare your home for winter, contact Weathervane Insurance Solutions in Bloomington, Indiana at 812-269-8621.

Uncategorized

Insuring your college student

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Do you have a child in college, or about to be? If so, you will want to read the advice offered by our friends at Grange Insurance relating to ensuring that your student is properly insured . . .

The fact is, you may currently have too little—or too much—coverage, depending on factors such as:

  • Whether or not your student is taking a car to school.
  • Where your child will be living (on campus or off).
  • What’s in your child’s suitcase, such as expensive electronics, furniture, instruments, sporting equipment or jewelry.
  • If your child plans to leave belongings at school over summer break.
  • If your student is taking out loans to help with tuition.

Before your student hits the books, it’s a good idea to hit your insurance policy manuals. And to talk to your independent insurance agent. Doing so can ensure your child and your family have the protection you need against accidents or losses that happen away from home.

Here are a few tips to help make sure your insurance policies make the grade:

1. Tune up your auto policy. MSDNALA EC105

  • Let your agent know if your student is taking a covered car to school. Reporting the new location where the car will be kept is necessary to ensure full coverage in the event of an accident or theft.
  • Ask for a discount if your student is leaving his car at home, especially if school is more than 100 miles away. Such discounts could save you, on average, at least 16 percent.
  • Check into good student discounts—on average, a good student discount could save you 5 to 15 percent1, adding up to hundreds of dollars per year.
  • Remind your student to drive safely and discourage lending the car to roommates or friends.

2. Make sure your homeowner’s policy lives up.

  • Check if your policy provides protection for your student’s personal possessions at school, and find out your coverage limits. Some home insurance policies only cover possession in a dorm room up to 10 percent of your total personal possession coverage2. So if you have $50,000 in coverage, your student’s belongings will only be covered up to $5,000. Your child’s electronics alone may exceed that amount.
  • Add up the value of the items your child is taking to school. If the cost is more than your coverage, consider a floater, a replacement cost endorsement or a stand-alone policy for big-ticket items.
  • See if your policy extends to off-campus housing. If not, consider a renters policy. Roommates may be able to share the policy, and the costs.
  • Update policies as needed to cover new belongings at school, including pets.
  • Check on restrictions that could deny coverage for belongings left unattended at school for long periods of times, such as over summer break.
  • Remind students to take care of their property. Most insurance policies don’t cover mishaps, like dropping an iPhone in a beer mug.

3. Look into life insurance for you—and your student.

  • If you’re paying for your child’s education, consider a term life insurance policy during the time your child is in college. If something happens to you, the policy can help her afford to stay in school.
  • If your child has loans to help with tuition, look into a term life insurance policy in his name. Proceeds can pay off the balance of the loan if something happens to your child before it’s paid in full.

4. Don’t forget to check up on health insurance.

  • In addition to talking to your independent insurance agent about your auto, homeowner’s and life insurance policies, it’s a good idea to check in with your health insurance company, too.
  • Health insurance companies must allow dependents to stay on their parents’ plan until age 263. But some plans might have geographic limits or may not cover certain conditions, such as sports-related injuries for college athletes.

Call us today, at 812-269-8621 to support you and your family through the challenges of insuring your college student!

 

 

1 – CarInsurance.com 
2 – Insurance Information Institute
3 – Insure.com 

Household Tips

Winter energy saving tips

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Energy saving tips to reduce your winter bills

The winter months bring more than glistening snow and holiday cheer . . . they bring frigid temperatures and dreaded heating bills! There are some simple ways you can become more energy efficient around your home to assist in reducing your costs this coming winter. Getting these chores accomplished early in the season will benefit you, as the days are typically warmer and have longer periods of daylight. Here are some DYI ideas which should save you energy and money:

  • Seal off drafty windows and patio doors
  • Caulk both sides of the trim around your windows
  • Try replacing the weather stripping around the doors in your home
  • Reverse the direction of ceiling fans to push air downward, delaying it from escaping the house
  • Insulate the hot water lines around your hot water heater and turn down the temperature of the water heater to the “warm” setting (120 degrees F)
  • Replace your furnace filter every 3 months (or as often as manufacturer recommendations)
  • Make sure your cold air returns aren’t blocked so your furnace can operate efficiently
  • Use a programmable thermostat to reduce heating costs when no one is at home
  • Uncover all south-facing windows to let all possible sunlight in your home
  • Install foam insulators behind the face plates of light switches and electrical outlets
  • Have your HVAC system inspected and tuned up in the Autumn

All of these ideas common sense thoughts that can be implemented with little time and little expenditure; contact a locally trusted HVAC professional to inspect your heating system and ensure it is running properly for you!

Independent Insurance Agent

Why choose an independent insurance agent?

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There are many reasons you should consider working with an independent agent instead of a captive agent (one who works for a single carrier, typically a large national ‘box store’). Indiana is a diverse state of nearly 7 million Hoosiers; each with unique insurance needs. There is no one-size fits all solution to insurance, and subsequently, you are best served with an independent insurance agent.

Benefits of an Independent Insurance Agent

  • Personal Service from a highly trained professional supporting your best interests, and not that of a particular brand
  • Ability to shop around your insurance needs to a variety of carriers, ensuring you receive the best value, coverage, and service
  • The best insurance value for your money through marketplace competition
  • Independent agents are considered to be the better listeners, learning you and your needs
  • Becomes your personal insurance, helping you to protect your valuable assets
  • Professional service, understanding first-hand the risks that which your business is exposed
  • Provides personalized service in the event of a claim, instead of you having to aimlessly navigate an endless supply of automated phone trees

Do you want to shop smarter and make sure you’re getting the right coverage to protect what matters most? Do you also want to take ownership of your insurance buying decision? Then it’s time to get the expert guidance and individualized support that only comes from working with an independent insurance agent. An independent agent will assist you in determining the coverages you really need, and to choose the best carrier of many all bidding for your business. Choose an independent insurance agent . . . your tailored life deserves a tailored insurance policy.

Weathervane Insurance Solutions will work with you one on one in order to learn about your individualized situation, and fit you properly with the best coverage at the right price. Call us today at 812-269-8621 for a free consultation and free quote – we are conveniently located 4 blocks south of Downtown Bloomington, Indiana.