Insurance News

How Telematics can help you save on Auto Insurance

Safeco Insurance Company — Thu, 09 Mar 2023 19:20:00 GMT

Telematics uses wireless technology to monitor and troubleshoot a wide variety of vehicle performance information in real time. It makes possible many common and useful applications you may already be using such as onboard GPS, OnStar, and other security features.

This technology can also help you save on auto insurance by allowing you to prove that you’re a safe, conscientious driver who deserves a discount.

Lower your premiums with RightTrack from Safeco Insurance

RightTrack, Safeco’s own telematics product, was created to reward you for being a good driver. Depending on where you live, this free program uses a mobile app or a small device that plugs into a port on your car’s dashboard. Either way, the tool is easy to set up, use, and monitor.

Once it’s installed, we then track your driving for just 90 days to assess four factors: braking, acceleration, nighttime driving, and total miles driven. However, it does not track where you drive or record other personal information. To complete the program, all you have to do is drive a minimum of 125 total miles within the 90-day period.

Following the review period, we’ll then rate your driving and immediately offer you a discount just for participating. You’re are guaranteed to save a minimum of 5% on your premiums — and could save up to 30% — and you will never be surcharged for the driving behaviors monitored during your participation in RightTrack. Plus, this savings applies for the life of your policy, so there’s no need to track your driving again in the future. Think of it as a permanent discount you earned for having good driving habits.

So put yourself in control of your policy savings and enroll today. For more information, contact our office to learn more about RightTrack program and other telematics options we may have for you.

Read the full article at www.lakesideins.com

10 Things to do to Prepare Your Home for Fall

Tue, 28 Sep 2021 08:00:00 GMT

Fall is a wonderful time — if your home is ready for it. So enjoy the last few weeks of warmer weather, but do a little preventative maintenance while you’re at it. You’ll fix small problems before they become big, and big ones before they become catastrophes. Here are 10 tips to help:

Look up. Examine your roof closely. Moss should be removed and debris cleared from gutters and downspouts. Repairing damage is crucial before fall weather is in full swing.
Look down. Check for signs of animals and insects around your home and garage, including the basement and crawlspace. If you need help getting unwanted guests out, don’t hesitate to bring in a professional.
Keep things warm. Heat escapes through leaks around windows and doors, so seal up any drafty areas. Outside, put covers over faucets before temperatures drop.
Keep things dry. Drain outdoor hoses, faucets and irrigation systems. Look in the basement and crawlspace for wet spots. And make sure your water heater or boiler aren’t leaking.
Clear the air (or vents and filters, at least). When’s the last time you checked your dryer vent? You should take a look at attic vents and exhaust ducts as well. And change that furnace filter, too!
Take a walk. Cracks in your driveway or walkways will only get bigger, so get them fixed soon. If your deck has signs of wear, make repairs while the weather is still good.
Get a tune-up. You or a professional should clean and tune your furnace, boiler and/or water heater, as well as your oven and range.
Don’t play with fire. Before building your first fire of the season, check for soot or creosote build-up.
Don’t play with fire extinguishers, either. But check them to ensure they still have pressure. Don’t have fire extinguishers? Put them on your shopping list, ideally one for each floor.
Don’t forget those smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors. Replace batteries when needed, and test regularly that alarms are working.

Want to keep going? You can get a checklist from the National Center for Healthy Housing here: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/healthy-homes-checklist.pdf

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance.

Read the full article at www.lakesideins.com

Why a basic Homeowners policy isn’t always enough

Tue, 21 Sep 2021 08:00:00 GMT

House by David Sawyer / CC BY-SA 2.0

Sometimes a basic homeowners policy just isn’t enough. So as your career advances and your income increases, it’s important to keep your insurance protection up to date. This helps you avoid expensive gaps in coverage and prevents you from paying too much out of pocket in case of a claim. To be properly protected, you need a homeowners policy that grows with you.

That’s why we offer multiple homeowners policy options, including packages specifically for customers who need higher levels of protection. You may benefit from additional coverage if any of the following apply to you:

The cost to completely rebuild your home is between $500,000 and $3 million.
You have a custom-built home.
Your home has marble countertops, custom cabinetry, high-end appliances or electronics, valuable collections of various kinds, or similar amenities.
You have substantial financial assets to protect.
You have additional or unique risk exposure.

Our options give you the flexibility to easily add affordable comprehensive coverage to your policy without confusing endorsements or other complications. These valuable options include:

Extended dwelling coverage. Full reconstruction costs are often different than market value, so your current homeowners policy may not accurately reflect the true costs of rebuilding your home. Extended dwelling coverage helps you rebuild if construction or permitting costs change and add up to more than your current policy limits. It may also pay for debris removal, contractor costs, construction fees and permits, architect’s fees, and other expenses.
Building ordinance or law coverage. If your home needs to be rebuilt or repaired due to a covered loss, you’ll have to build according to current building codes. And since codes change, this could mean higher costs than expected to rebuild. Building ordinance policy, or law coverage, exists for just such scenarios — and it could save you thousands.
Replacement cost up-front coverage. This loss settlement option allows you to choose not to rebuild at the original location following a covered total loss. In this case, you’ll get a payout to apply to the purchase or construction of a new home in a new location.
Personal property replacement cost coverage. This helps cover the costs of replacing personal property, such as electronics, art, jewelry, and furniture, with no deduction for depreciation. So you’ll get the amount needed to buy an identical or comparable item rather than settling for something of lesser value.
Personal offense coverage. This offers you broad protection against a variety of lawsuits and damages related to libel, slander, defamation of character, invasion of privacy, and other offenses. This may include comments made on social media by either you or your children.

Is your homeowners policy up to date? If you’re unsure or if you’ve outgrown your current coverage, contact us to discuss your situation and get the protection you truly need.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance.

Read the full article at www.lakesideins.com

Inexpensive Fixes for a Safer Home

Tue, 14 Sep 2021 08:00:00 GMT

Paint by KJ Styles

Home improvement: It’s a never-ending process for many people, and for those of us who aren’t necessarily handy, it can be a hassle, too.

But there are plenty of simple maintenance tasks and other improvements you can handle to make your home safer – whether you’re handy or not. And you won’t have to break out the power tools (or any tools at all in some instances) or worry about getting in over your head.

Water Works
You need running water in your home – but not water running in your home, if you know what we mean. Even minor leaks can cause major problems, from higher water bills to damage requiring costly repairs (maybe even the kind you can’t tackle yourself). Here are some easy ways to make sure your water stays where it should:

Check your appliances. They’re the most common source of water leaks in homes, so it’s worth taking a look at least once a year to check for problems. And the hoses that come with your washer and dishwasher can mean big trouble – they break down over time. Look for kinks and cracks, and replace if needed. Consider using reinforced hoses, too; those with steel braiding or mesh won’t hold up forever, but they’re stronger than rubber or plastic.
Watch the pressure. Water pressure that is set too high can cause pipes, hoses and water lines to leak or burst. Inexpensive gauges are available at home-improvement stores to test your pressure.
Consider installing water sensors. These can alert you to a leak or other problem soon after it occurs – some can even send messages to your smartphone.

Keep Your Family (and Your Guests) On Their Feet
Millions of Americans are injured in falls each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one in four older adults report a fall each year. Look around your home. Should you make some of these fixes?

Reduce clutter. Everything from small pieces of furniture to area rugs can pose a hazard, so make sure they’re in appropriate places and out of the way if possible.
Add stability to stairs. Make sure stairways have sturdy rails, and maybe even non-slip strips, particularly outdoors.
Let there be light. It’s hard to walk safely when you can’t see obstacles or potential trouble spots. Make sure your home is well-lit, and don’t forget night lights, too.

Give Everyone Some Air
Pollution isn’t just an outside thing – the air in your home can be unhealthy, too. But helping people breathe a little easier isn’t hard when you follow these steps:

Test the air (and your detectors). Make sure you have working carbon-monoxide and smoke detectors and test them regularly. Also, consider testing your home for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can be dangerous over time.
Check your filters and ducts. Keeping your furnace filter and air ducts clean will keep your air cleaner as well. And consider adding some of nature’s air filters: plants.
Keep your home clean. Dust doesn’t just build up on the furniture – it ends up in the air as well. Regular cleaning means cleaner air (just be sure to use safe products).

Home improvement doesn’t have to mean a kitchen remodel or finishing the basement. Making your home safer, in fact, just might be the best improvement of all.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance.

Read the full article at www.lakesideins.com

Why You May Need Personal Offense Coverage

Thu, 09 Sep 2021 08:00:00 GMT

Laptop and phone by Pixabay

In today’s digital world, slander and libel lawsuits are more common than you may think. Comments made in haste or anger on social media can have lasting and far-reaching effects on a person’s reputation or character, so it’s easier than ever to libel, slander, or invade a person’s privacy. Even if you apologize, you can still be sued. Due to the wide reach of social media, claim damages can be substantial, not to mention the cost of hiring an attorney and other legal fees you would incur.

What’s more, posts or other online comments made by a minor can also be subject to a lawsuit. So if you have teens or other children who use social media, you may be at risk for something they say or write online. Consider the following scenario.

Your son was crushed after being cut from the football team, so he retaliated by writing some false and unflattering comments on social media about the head coach. These comments quickly spread through the school and the community at large. The coach then sued the boy’s parents for harming his professional reputation, a claim that could cost them thousands of dollars in legal fees and damages.

Or imagine this:

You write a scathing online review of a restaurant where you had a poor experience. Though you had some legitimate gripes, you went too far by claiming they served you outdated, potentially rotten meat without offering evidence to support the accusation. In return, the restaurant filed a lawsuit against you, and you’re forced to defend yourself.

Personal offense coverage can provide protection against such situations. Plus, it’s affordable.

What Personal Offense Insurance Covers

While personal offense coverage is included with some policies, it is optional for most coverage levels.

This coverage offers you broad protection against a variety of lawsuits and damages related to a such offenses as:

False arrest, detention, or imprisonment
Malicious prosecution
Libel, slander, or defamation of character
Invasion of privacy
Wrongful eviction or entry

To assess your risk and to learn more about this valuable yet often overlooked coverage option, give us a call today.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance.

Read the full article at www.lakesideins.com

It’s Back-to-School Time — Is Your House Ready?

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 08:00:00 GMT

We’re not quite sure where summer went, but if you haven’t noticed, the new school year is upon us.

And as you get your kids organized and ready, consider doing the same thing for something else — your home. It won’t just be good for you; in many instances, removing clutter also means removing distractions, which can help your kids focus better.

Where to start

You can start wherever you like, but it might be best to make sure your activities are organized before you start in on the daunting task of tackling all of your stuff. With sports and other activities, the school year can be a blur for parents. So keeping a family calendar — whether it’s a dry-erase board or just a weekly printout on the fridge — will ensure that everyone knows what they’re doing, and when.

Now that the kids are back

Now that you've finished shopping for school supplies and maybe some new clothes, it's a good time to toss or donate stuff that’s old, that doesn’t fit, or that your kids simply don’t like and won’t wear anymore. One trick we’ve seen online: If you’re going through a whole closet and you’re not sure what fits your kids, have them try on pants until you find a good pair. Then use that pair to compare the length of all of the other pants.

When they’ve got homework, or if they're learning remotely

If possible, designate a study space where your kids have the tools they need for success. It should be well-lit, quiet, and free of distractions. Different kids have different learning styles, so you’ll soon find out what works well and what doesn’t.

Now that you’ve gotten them organized …

… It’s time to focus some energy on your stuff. Eliminate as much clutter from the house as you can, perhaps by following the classic 80/20 theory: 80% of the time, most people use only 20% of their stuff. If the item you’re looking at isn’t in that 20%, ask yourself: Do I really need this?

Stay on top of things

You’re off to a good start in the organizing battle — so keep things rolling! Each week, set aside time to go on a “search and destroy” mission for clutter. It’s much easier to stay organized when you only have to do a little at a time. And make sure the kids are involved, too. Everything — homework, school forms, backpacks — should have a home. And when everything has a home, you’ll be happier in yours!

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance.

Read the full article at www.lakesideins.com

Benefits of Using a Dash Cam

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 13:08:00 GMT

Dash cam by Proxima Studio / Depositphotos.com

More and more people these days are choosing to add dash cams to their vehicles, and for good reason. These small cameras can be highly useful to you, especially in the event that you get a traffic ticket or are involved in a crash or other incident on the road. Here's how a dash cam can benefit you.

Document What Happened in a Crash

Car crashes can be incredibly traumatizing, and this can greatly impact your memory of the event. Not only that, but you and the other driver are likely to differ in your accounts of what happened. With a dash cam, you'll have the footage to prove exactly what happened leading up to and during the incident.

You can then provide this information to law enforcement and your insurance company to ensure everything proceeds as it should. If the other driver was at fault, this would also maximize your chances of getting a fair settlement from their insurance company. Some drivers may omit information to avoid fault, and your dash cam footage can fill in the gaps to provide a more complete story.

Avoid Traffic Tickets

Police officers are human just like the rest of us, and that means that they can make mistakes too. If you have received a ticket and don't believe you actually committed the offense they said you did, dash cam footage can help to get the charges dismissed. Of course, it won't help if you actually were in the wrong, but it can minimize the risk of officer error.

Find Out How You Got That Door Ding

Some dash cams are always on, even when you're not in your car, and can detect when something bumps into your car. When that happens, they store video from a minute or two before until a minute or two after the bump so you can see what happened, possibly even catching the license plate of the car that was responsible for causing the damage.

Share Your Adventures

If you enjoy off-roading or track racing in your vehicle, a dash cam is the perfect way to document your activities. You can then share the videos later with your friends. Just remember to keep your attention on driving, and put the dash cam out of your mind until it's time to retrieve the video later.

Equip Your Vehicle with a Dash Cam to See All the Benefits

We're sure you can come up with many other benefits besides these once you get started with your own dash cam. These devices are affordable and easy to set up, so just about anyone can add a dash cam to their vehicle. Dash cams are available from several manufacturers and with many different options to fit your needs and your budget.

Read the full article at www.lakesideins.com

Reasons to Call Your Insurance Agent

Brock Fluegge — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 08:00:00 GMT

Original post: https://www.thesilverlining.co...

Posted by Kayla Eggert on Mar 3, 2021 8:30:00 AM

Imagine this scenario, you’re in the middle of your workday, managing the operations at a small organization. One of your employees comes to you with a really great idea for a new delivery service that your company could start to offer to your customers. After many meetings and working through the logistics, your company launches this new service, complete with a new office location and a few new company vehicles. Everyone is very excited! But wait, did anyone make sure this new venture is going to be adequately covered by insurance?

Often, new opportunities or ideas come up and are implemented at organizations without anyone considering the insurance implications. This is when it’s so important to have a trusted agent who can advise your organization on what changes or additional coverages are needed for your new venture. Sometimes these changes can take some time to go from the agent to the underwriter at your carrier so the sooner you talk to your agent in the process, the better! Check out the list below for situations when your organization should contact your agent.

Updating location, including adding or removing a location.
Modifying operations or services: for example, adding a delivery component to the business.
Adding or removing company vehicles.
Changing legal classifications: for example, going from an LLC to a corporation.
Signing a new lease or contract. Make sure to do this before the agreement is signed.
Obtaining certificates of insurance
Reporting a claim or accident. Don’t forget to contact your insurance carrier too.
Utilizing your agent’s expertise. He or she may be able to help create a safety program for your organization or connect you with other useful resources.

Read the full article at www.lakesideins.com

10 Tips to Help Prevent Identity Theft

Tue, 09 Mar 2021 16:23:00 GMT

Shopping online by Nenad Stojkovic / CC BY 2.0

Shopping online. Visiting the doctor. Buying gas. In nearly all of the things we do from day to day, there’s the risk of identity theft.

You could unknowingly give your information to a fraudster thinking you’re shopping at a legitimate site. Your doctor’s office could experience a data breach. Or you could come across a tampered credit card reader at the gas pump.

The risks your identity faces go on and on. So what can you do to stop it? Unfortunately, virtually no one today can completely negate the risk of identity theft. But we can all take some important steps to help prevent it.

Here are 10 sensible habits to adopt that will help you protect your identity:

Limit what you carry in your wallet, and know what’s there in case it goes missing. First things first, don’t carry your Social Security card on a regular basis. Instead, keep it in a locked safe at home. Have a form of identification or some other card with your Social Security number (SSN) on it? Carry a photocopy of it instead of the real thing, and cut out or otherwise render your SSN unreadable. As for credit cards, only carry the ones you need. Finally, make photocopies of the front and back of the cards you always keep in your wallet and store them in your home safe. If one (or all of them) goes missing, you won’t have to search high and low for the card issuer’s contact information.
Keep your computers, software and other electronics secure and up to date. This means using strong passwords or enabling passcodes – remember not to write them down. It also means installing firewall, as well as spyware and virus protection. Keep everything up to date (and backed up) for the latest security enhancements. For your portable devices, consider installing software to remotely wipe your data or locate the device if it’s ever lost or stolen.
Don’t over share. Does every entity that asks for your (or your child’s) SSN really need it? Take a moment to think instead of automatically jotting it down. At the very least, maybe only the last four digits will do. In addition, be careful what you share online. Posting your full address, phone number, license plate number or your birth date online, even if it’s in a photo, may help others piece together a full picture of your identity.
Check your credit reports throughout the year. You’re entitled to a free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus once a year. And since the information on each report is oftentimes largely the same, you can stagger your requests and receive a different report once every four months. Once you receive your report, check it for accounts and other activity you don’t recognize. Even a credit check from a company you haven’t done business with could be an attempt at identity theft. To order your free credit reports, call 1-877-322-8228 or visit www.annualcreditreport.com.
Keep an eye on your accounts. Your account statements can alert you to identity theft sooner than your credit report, in most cases. Check regularly for unauthorized charges or withdrawals and other illicit activity, such as address changes or additional cards you didn’t request.
Watch your surroundings. Whether you’re using the ATM or a portable device, you want to be sure others nearby aren’t watching as you type in your PIN or password. And just because you don’t see anyone nearby doesn’t mean they’re not there. If you’re using a shared or public WiFi, everyone else on the same network may see the data, including passwords or account numbers, you submit. Be sure to conduct sensitive transactions on secure networks.
Reduce your mail. Start by opting out of pre-approved credit card offers by calling 1-888-5OPT-OUT and following the prompts. This should stay in effect for five years and help curb the risk of someone else obtaining a new credit card in your name. Next, sign up for paperless billing with your financial and service providers and/or schedule automatic payments through your bank. The less mail containing personal and account details that comes to your home, the less likely it is to fall into the wrong hands.
Be skeptical when someone asks for your information. Scam artists don’t always have to steal your information. Sometimes they convince you to give it up willingly by telling you via a phone call, email, snail mail or text that you won a prize or need to verify your account. To claim the prize or account, you’ll, of course, need to supply some sensitive information. Requests like these are almost always inauthentic – what’s known as a “phishing” scam. So stay on guard and contact the entity through a known, verified method to inquire about the matter, rather than providing personal details on the spot.
Mind your garbage. If you’re throwing out account statements or other documents with personal information, you’re making it easy for dumpster divers to learn a little, perhaps a lot, about you. They may even learn enough to take over one of your accounts. So shred your sensitive documents and then recycle them – don’t just throw them out in the garbage.
Tidy up at home. Tax returns, credit cards you use infrequently, checkbooks, passports, birth certificates — these and other important documents should all be stored under lock and key. Whether it’s in a home safe or a locking desk or file cabinet is up to you. And don’t leave the code or key in an easily discoverable place.

Despite your best efforts, you may still discover that your identity has been stolen. If so, take immediate action to:

Fill out the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Affidavit.
Take your affidavit to the police and file a report. Be sure to get a copy for your records. It will come in handy if you need to close fraudulent accounts, straighten out your credit report and more.
Call your financial providers to request new account numbers and, if needed, cards.
Contact one of the three credit bureaus to place a fraud alert, which will encourage creditors to contact you before opening new lines of credit, on your credit report. The bureau you contact will share it with the other two.
Experian: 1-888-397-3742
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Transunion: 1-800-680-7289

And, if you’re involved in a data breach and offered free credit monitoring, be sure to take advantage of it.

In today’s world of hyper connectivity and speed, it’s easy for your information to end up in the wrong hands. But, by being cautious with how you use and share your information, and checking for misuse, you can help keep your identity secure.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance.

Read the full article at www.lakesideins.com

Own a home? Here are two policy options you should know about

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 15:44:00 GMT

House by David Sawyer / CC BY-SA 2.0

If you have a homeowners policy, you probably expect it to cover all the costs of rebuilding your house in case it’s damaged or destroyed by a covered hazard. But are you certain you have enough coverage? Read about two common situations you may be unaware of — and the affordable options that can help put your mind at ease.

Extended dwelling coverage

Since reconstruction costs are different from market value, your current homeowners policy may not accurately reflect the true costs of rebuilding your home. Extended dwelling coverage helps you rebuild if construction costs change and add up to more than your current policy limits.

To illustrate this concept, consider this real-life scenario. Your home is currently insured for 100% of its replacement cost, with the cost based on the value of your house when the policy was originally written. However, a wildfire sweeps through your area destroying your home along with hundreds of others nearby.

Due to the high demand caused by the natural disaster, construction materials and labor costs increase 20% in your area. So your $200,000 home will now cost $240,000 to rebuild. If you had 20% extended dwelling coverage, you’d get the $240,000. Without it, you get $200,000 and will have to make up the difference out of pocket or settle for less house than you originally had.

Building ordinance or law coverage

If your home is damaged by a covered loss and needs to be rebuilt or repaired, you are required to build according to current building codes. And since codes have grown more rigorous over the past 20 years, this could mean much higher costs to rebuild than you anticipate. That’s where a building ordinance policy, or law coverage, comes into effect — and it could save you thousands of dollars.

Again, let’s take the example from above and assume you have a $200,000 homeowners policy. With a 10% building ordinance policy, you would get an extra $20,000 to apply to the new building code requirements you must meet. Without this policy option, you’ll have to pay the difference to bring your house up to code.

Extended dwelling and building ordinance policies offer valuable protection from gaps in coverage in case of an unforeseen covered event, and all for an affordable annual premium. To better understanding your risks, and to protect yourself from a loss that may exceed your policy limits, give us a call today.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance.

Read the full article at www.lakesideins.com