Three ways to avoid having to file home insurance claims

Having home insurance is a necessity, and it comes in handy if you’re faced with unexpected and expensive damage to your house. You need a policy that covers your property and belongings. However, claims can be costly. 

While you can’t completely prevent every possible disaster from damaging your home, there are proactive steps you can take to prepare yourself and your property, so it’s easier to avoid damage. 

Let’s look at some common hazards and events that can lead to costly claims and what you can do to prepare your house so you can avoid filing a claim. 

1. Fire Damage. Experiencing a house fire is one of the most devastating things you can go through. Accidents happen and fires aren’t always preventable. However, you can take steps to reduce the risk of fire damage to your home, including: 

• Install smoke detectors and inspect them regularly.
• Keep electrical devices away from flammable materials.
• Remove lint from dryers and air filters.
• Never leave heat sources, including ovens and wood stoves, unattended.

It’s also important to have your furnace regularly tuned up by a professional. Not only will it help to ensure it’s working properly and is safe to use, but regular maintenance will help to reduce your utility bills. In fact, investing in energy-efficient appliances and keeping them all well-maintained will help to lower your cost of living if you’re on a budget. 

2. Flooding. There’s not much you can do to prevent home flooding from a natural disaster. However, things like faulty pipes can create just as much trouble in your home and lead to water damage that forces you to make an insurance claim. It’s especially common in homes with basements or crawl spaces. 

You can do your part to prevent water damage by keeping your gutters clean and well-maintained, repairing any dripping or cracked pipes, and checking seals and caulk around tubs and sinks. Again, it’s a good rule of thumb to have a plumber check out your pipes. They’ll be able to better determine if there are any problem spots or leaks that should cause concern. 

Unfortunately, some pipes can burst suddenly, especially when you’re dealing with inclement weather. Do what you can to keep your system in good shape and monitor your plumbing regularlyto help prevent flooding and water damage. 

3. Burglary and Theft. Home invasions can be terrifying. You might feel like you’ll never experience true privacy again if someone breaks into your home and damages your belongings. Thankfully, you can bolster your home security and deter criminals from entering your home by:

• Deadbolting all exterior doors.
• Installing security cameras.
• Never hiding a spare key outside.
• Installing an alarm.
• Putting motion-sensing lights outside.

Like the other issues listed here, you might never be able to completely keep someone from breaking in. But they’re less likely to try invading your home if they think they’re going to get caught because of an alarm or security system. Protect yourself and your family by putting these precautionary measures in place. 

Home insurance is important and can be extremely helpful if you experience significant damage to your property. Having the right coverage for your specific needs may end up saving you money and a lot of stress. Try some of these ideas to keep your home safer and contact an independent agent to discuss appropriate coverages for you.

Posted by Scott Stueber on Apr 18, 2023 9:56:20 AM

https://www.thesilverlining.com/westbendcares/blog/three-ways-to-avoid-having-to-file-home-insurance-claims

Peekaboo, we see you: Don’t drive and text

Almost every state across the nation has some kind of law on texting while driving. Drivers know texting in the car isn’t safe and can lead to fines or jail time if they’re caught, but many have continued to do so. But they’re not fooling anyone as it’s easy to spot.

Police Bird’s-Eye View

Police driving in elevated SUVs and motorcycles have a bird’s-eye view of a driver’s hands.

• Even if the driver appears to be looking forward, a phone on the steering wheel or instrument panel is one of the easiest ways for police to catch texting drivers.
• The bright glow of a screen will light up an entire car when driving, particularly at night.
• If the police can’t see the driver’s hands, another indicator the driver is texting is the driver is continually looking down. Drivers try to do this to hide their phone (the opposite of the last example) but can be constantly distracted from keeping their eyes on the road.

Traffic and Highway Cameras

City cameras are frequently located at the busiest intersections in the city and at lanes getting off and on the highway. Typically, these cameras are used to see if people run red lights, other traffic violations, or, in extreme cases, identifying drivers for police investigations. However, they can be and are used to catch texting drivers as well.Future Methods

These methods are subject to state regulations and future testing, and although not widely implemented today, they’re useful for proving texting while driving violations:

• Texting Records – In the case of an accident, police can consult cell phone records to see if texting might have led to the accident, thereby placing blame on the driver who was texting. In the future, some feel this could be implemented at everyday traffic stops instead of under extreme circumstances.
• Text Analyzer – A text analyzer prototype is much like a police radar for texting, except instead of measuring speed it analyzes frequencies from a driver’s cell phone to see if it is being used for texting. This type of access could be subject to state privacy laws and could be subject to a required warrant.

So, what CAN you do with your phone while driving?

Check your state statutes first. Typically, drivers depending on age, may use their device as long as it’s in hands-free mode or if there’s some sort of emergency requiring the driver to use the device. Here are some examples of actions that are normally acceptable:

In hands-free mode:

• Make a phone call.
• Initiate, send, or listen to an electronic message.
• View or operate a GPS/navigation system that doesn’t require typing while the vehicle is in motion or in traffic.
• Listen to audio-based content.

Not in hands-free mode:

• Obtain emergency assistance.
• React to life-or-death circumstances.

What happens if you get caught?

Punishment for texting and driving typically requires some sort of proof: eyewitness testimony, admission from the driver, evidence from the phone itself, public information/social media, or information obtained through an authorized search warrant. Whatever the method, it’s best to put the phone down while driving to avoid a costly fine or jail time.

Posted by Scott Stueber on Apr 11, 2023 9:56:41 AM

https://www.thesilverlining.com/westbendcares/blog/peekaboo-we-see-you-dont-drive-and-text

Ride together safely: Essential tips for group motorcycle riding

Riding motorcycles in a group can be an exciting and enjoyable experience. However, careful planning and coordination are important to ensure everyone’s safety. Here are some tips that can help you whether you’re a new or an experienced rider: 

1. Schedule a pre-ride meeting. Group rides provide a nice social experience for riders and there are always opportunities to invite other riders to join you. While your motto could be “the more the merrier,” it’s important to realize that riding skills could vary significantly. By holding a pre-ride meeting, riders can introduce themselves and share their skill level. This can help create camaraderie and a safe riding plan. This also allows you the ability to select a leader and a follower. These riders should be experienced and responsible. 

2. Inspect your motorcycle. Before each ride, it’s a good idea to inspect your motorcycle. It’s even more important if you’re going on a long group ride. Click here to find a detailed inspection checklist created by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. 

3. Learn and use hand signals. When riding in a group, there are a variety of hand signals that can aid in communication and prevent injuries. Some hand signals include:

• Single file
• Slow down
• Speed up
• Hazard in the roadway
• Follow me
• Pull off

For additional signals click here. If you ride with a group on a regular basis, consider purchasing a motorcycle intercom/Bluetooth headset.

4. Ride in a staggered formation. If you’re used to riding alone, riding in a group can be fun but stressful. It’s not as simple as riding single file. When riding in a group, a staggered formation should be used. This allows other riders to react should a hazard present itself. Always be ready to use avoidance maneuvers.

5. Avoid sudden lane changes. If you’re leading the group ride, watching the group in your mirrors is important. If a lane change is necessary, wait for a large enough space so the entire group can move. This ensures that the group stays together and helps avoid hasty decisions by riders that may get left behind. 

6. Take breaks. Riding a motorcycle is exhilarating, but it can also be exhausting. Weather, mileage rode, and the type of motorcycle can have an impact. Be sure to take group breaks so riders can recharge.

7. Carry extra food and water. Keep water and snack foods like energy bars, nuts, and raisins in your travel bag. Again, riding a motorcycle exerts more energy than driving a car. 

8. Carry a first aid kit and tools. Ensure at least one rider has a first aid kit in case of an injury.

9. Respect your motorcycle. Poor split-second decisions can have deadly consequences. Treat your motorcycle with respect. Never feel pressured to drive outside your ability level. 

For additional information check out the links below.

Tips for your first motorcycle ride of the season

Beginners’ tips for riding a motorcycle

Top ways new riders can stay safe

Tips to avoid hitting a deer while riding your motorcycle

Posted by Scott Stueber on Apr 4, 2023 9:49:47 AM

https://www.thesilverlining.com/westbendcares/blog/ride-together-safely-essential-tips-for-group-motorcycle-riding

Everything you need to know about moving with reptiles

Moving with reptiles, is anything but a walk in the park. After all, there are a lot more regulations and restrictions in place when it comes to living with and transporting these animals. Because of this, it’s important to be sure you’ve checked everything off the reptile-moving checklist to ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible.

Here’s everything you need to know about moving with reptiles.

1. Not every living situation or state allows entry to exotic pets.
If you’ll be renting at your new home, it’s important to ensure reptiles are allowed to stay there. Believe it or not, it’s incredibly common for individuals to decide on a place to live and later find out that their specific reptile isn’t allowed on the premises or in the state. This commonly leads to individuals giving their pets away, or even though irresponsible, simply abandoning and releasing them into the wild. Know that, if there’s no way around it, there are plenty of reptile rescues around the country that can take your pet if you need to surrender it. Don’t be irresponsible and put it into the wild!

2. Transportation can get a little tricky. Thinking about how you’re going to transport your reptile on moving day is more important than you may think. Rules for transporting exotic pets vary by state, so looking at your new state’s regulations is incredibly important. Transporting your pet by airplane can be expensive and not all airlines allow it. However, if you’re allowed to fly with your pet, you’ll need an airline-approved carrier to transport your reptile. Be cautious because this method can be quite stressful on reptiles, and after you put them on that plane, their health and safety will be completely in the hands of the people who handle them. Transporting your reptile personally by car is usually an easier and cheaper way to go. You’ll have more room to accommodate the transportation crate you want to use, and you’ll be able to personally keep tabs on how your pets are doing during the journey. However, you should limit the number of stops you make to ensure your pet gets from point A to point B as quickly as possible.

3. It’s always best to have pet insurance for your reptiles when moving. Pet insurance is something that all pet parents should have, especially when moving. Moving can be a stressful event for reptiles, and they can unfortunately fall ill or get injured during the process. Pet insurance could potentially help you if the worst were to happen and you need to pay extensive vet bills. There aren’t a lot insurance companies that offer coverage for exotic pets, so you’ll have to do your research. Remember, It’s always best to be prepared before something bad happens.

4. It’s best to have an enclosure set up in your new home before moving your reptile.Animals are incredibly sensitive about their habitats and enclosures. Therefore, it’s important to ensure your pet has a habitat similar to their current one ready for it in its new home. While it might seem excessive, most people simply buy their reptiles a new habitat and set it up in their new homes before they move their reptiles. Having this ready, will prevent your reptile from having to stay outside of their enclosure for longer than it needs to, which can be especially detrimental for reptiles that require specific heating, lighting, and humidity levels.

5. Monitoring your reptile’s health before and after a move is important. Your reptile’s health should be the top priority before and after you move. So, before moving it’s important to take your reptile to the vet to get a clean bill of health. This is also a good time to get it current on its vaccines if needed. After you move, it’ll be important to monitor your pet’s mood and health for a couple of days to make sure that it’s settling in well and isn’t stressed. Continuous stress can quickly lead to sickness and can quickly become fatal if it isn’t addressed.

If you notice your reptile exhibiting any signs of stress, contact a vet as soon as possible and figure out how to address the problem.

Moving with a pet can be quite a hassle, especially when that pet is an exotic pet. To ensure that you and your reptile have the most ideal moving experience possible, it’s important to be sure:

• Your new home or state allows your pet entry.
• Your pet is in tip-top shape for the move.
• You have a plan to transport your reptile.
• Your pet is insured in case of injury.
• You have an enclosure set up in your new home.
• You monitor your pet’s health to ensure it’s fine after the move.

Posted by Scott Stueber on Mar 28, 2023 2:08:22 PM

https://www.thesilverlining.com/westbendcares/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-moving-with-reptiles