On St Patrick’s Day at Shawns Irish Tavern in Waterville we were treated to a performance by Black Swamp Pipes and Drums. They are a local non profit band that plays primarily to honor our local fallen first responders. They were excellent, and what a great cause!
Max & Kassie discuss the importance of having life insurance from the world headquarters of Beck Insurance Agency in Archbold, Ohio.
Hi! I’m Kassie, and I’m Max….coming to you from Beck Insurance in Archbold. Parents, we want to remind you of the importance and low cost of life insurance. Do you have kids? A mortgage? Loans? A spouse? Kids??
You need life insurance!
Only 62% of people have life insurance. And over half of those have way too little. Even worse, one out of three households admit they would suffer financial disaster within a month of the main breadwinner passing.
What would we do?
And it’s not as expensive as you think. 80% of people think life insurance is more expensive than it really is. But it’s like less than a java chip frappechino a day….more like a couple of pop tarts!
So what’s your excuse? Mom? Dad?
Contact Beck Insurance today for your painless life insurance review!
Call 419-446-2777, click here, or stop by Beck Insurance Agency in Archbold, Ohio.
According to Acuity’s internal data, fire is one of the most common claims for auto repair shops. Unfortunately, fire also causes some of the most expensive claims. Protecting your shop against fire is a great place to start when looking to reduce the likelihood of a major claim in your shop.
To bring you some fire safety tips, I collaborated with Scott Leistner, one of Acuity’s loss control representatives. Scott has more than 20 years of experience in assisting automotive repair, manufacturing, and supply businesses with loss control. He works with these businesses to develop risk improvement solutions, including those aimed at fortifying fire protection practices.
Here are a few of Scott’s tips for reducing the risk of fire in your shop:
1.A clean shop is a safe shop. Maintain a high level of housekeeping at all times, removing trash and waste daily and cleaning up oil spills immediately using absorbent materials. Discard all oily rags in metal storage containers with self-closing lids to reduce the likelihood of spontaneous combustion.
2.Store wisely. Effective storage practices help prevent fires. Store flammable and combustible liquids in approved flammable liquid storage cabinets and keep all combustibles away from heating sources like furnaces and hot water heaters. Store tires separately, away from all flammables and potential ignition sources. Finally, do not allow temporary storage to block access to fire extinguishers and other fire prevention equipment.
3.Practice proper use of electrical equipment. Ensure all electrical equipment and tools are properly grounded and immediately discontinue use of and remove any damaged electrical equipment. Inspect and maintain battery charging equipment and keep combustibles far away from it. Only use extension cords if needed and make sure they are in good condition. Avoid using portable electric space heaters.
4.Guard against fire from special hazard shop exposures. Always spray paint in an approved spray booth equipped with automatic fire-suppression equipment. Implement effective hot work procedures to prevent sparks from igniting combustibles during cutting and welding work. Inspect hydraulic lifts for leaks and repair immediately if a leak is present. Keep solvent tanks clean and maintained and make sure the lid closes securely.
5.Develop and implement formal policies and programs for fire prevention. Train staff in proper use of fire extinguishers and enforce a no-smoking policy. Conduct weekly self-inspections, correcting any hazards found in inspection, and practice daily housekeeping and clean-up duties. Schedule regular preventive maintenance of HVAC and fire-protection systems.
At Acuity, we offer expert loss control services to our business policyholders at no extra charge. Our loss control representatives are safety and insurance professionals who have college degrees, technical certifications, and an average of 25 years of experience in the field. These representatives partner with our customers to minimize risk of future losses by assisting with safety and loss prevention initiatives.
Posted by Paige N. on October 17, 2018 in Mechanic
Today seems to be as good a day as any to share! Our friends at Pekin Insurance created a list of 21 items to keep in your winter car emergency kit for when you’re driving through winter conditions!
Make your kit, put it in your car, then contact Beck Insurance Agency to discuss your auto coverage to ensure you’re properly covered!
Hybrid Life Insurance/Long Term Care coverage from Beck Insurance Agency
This is a relatively new concept in the market and something you may be interested in. With hybrid Life Insurance/Long Term Care coverage, you can address two very important needs at one time: Life Insurance needs which provide for things like funeral expenses, paying off debt, and estate creation for family, buyout agreements, estate equalization, and Long-Term Care needs that may arise later in life.
Here’s how the coverage works: Secure a hybrid whole life policy then add a Long-Term Care rider with a monthly benefit at 2%-5% of the total death benefit amount, subject to the life insurance limit or $350,000, whichever is less.
This is an incredible product that creates an opportunity to secure and lock in long-term care coverage as well as the rate; depending on the premium payment structure. It also provides much greater returns in that should you pass away without requiring monthly care, your heirs receive the death benefit tax free. Should you decide later that you no longer need the protection, you can cancel the policy and take back your cash value – which after 5-6 years is generally higher than the amount of premiums paid. And of course, if you were to need long-term care you would have coverage when the time came.
If this is something that is of interest and you would like more information, please call (or click) Beck Insurance Agency at 419-446-2777 and we can review your needs and possible solutions.
Having a wood-burning stove as a source of supplemental heat during the colder months can result in significant cost savings on your electric bill, but did you know it can cause an increase in premium on your homeowners insurance?
fire in domestic stove on the kitchen
What to know:
•Even if you have a new wood-burning stove, the act of burning wood as a source of heat creates the possibility of sparking or spitting of hot embers. Taken in combination with combustible materials around your wood-burning stove, there is an increased risk.
•If you are considering having a wood-burning stove installed, be sure it is UL approved and professionally installed. Not only will this help ensure the safety of your home and family, but many insurers will not provide insurance unless certain safety standards or clearances are met. Most insurance carriers will want to do an additional inspection on the unit itself as well.
•Notify your insurance company of the presence of such a stove in your home to ensure you have proper coverage on your home and belongings.
How to maintain wood-stove safety:
•Have the chimney and stove cleaned and inspected annually before you begin using it for the season.
•Look over your unit and chimney regularly for potential cracks. This will help you catch something small before it becomes an issue.
•Follow all clearance requirements in the home. This rule applies to people and pets as well as furniture and other combustible materials. This will help prevent burn injuries as well as limit the risk of a fire starting outside the unit.
•Only burn dry wood. Burning wood can cause deposits known as creosote to build up. If not properly maintained, these deposits can ignite and cause chimney fires.
Having a wood-burning stove doesn’t have to be scary. Make sure you fully understand the risks and responsibilities associated with having one in your home. Also, be sure to talk with your insurance agent or carrier if there are ever any changes in your home that could impact your insurance. Stay warm out there!
References:
•https://www.doityourself.com/stry/10-safety-tips-to-remember-when-using-a-wood-burning-stove
Kassie – Hey Max, what’s the difference between a whole life policy, and a man?
Max – I give up Kassie…
Kassie – A whole life policy eventually matures!
Max – Ohh, Kassie….
Max – You know what’s mature is making sure you have enough life insurance in place to protect your loved ones, should the unspeakable happen.
Kassie – That’s a really good point Max. Who can someone call for rate options through all of the top life insurers?
Max – Beck Insurance Agency in downtown Archbold. They have access to dozens of the top life insurance companies and can help guide you through the process from start to finish.
Kassie – Call or stop by Beck Insurance Agency. 419-446-2777
Max and Kassie stopped by the Beck Insurance recording studio to bring you another important message from Beck Insurance. Today’s message is Truck Insurance!
Max: Hey Kassie, you got your ears on?
Kassie: 10-4 Max!
Max: Hey you know where I can find a solid insurance plan for my big rig?
Kassie: Of course! Beck Insurance in Archbold. Beck Insurance has four markets that fit most trucks operating within a 600-mile radius.
Max: Can they help with my filings, and certificates too?
Kassie: Yes, and the companies that they work with have resources available to help with your hiring practices, safety manuals, and much more. I would call Beck Insurance Agency for your trucking insurance needs at 419-446-2777.
Max: Thanks Kass!
<HONK HONK>
It’s that time of year again! As snow freezes and thaws, you may experience ice dams building up in your gutters or on low-sloping roof areas. Unfortunately, this means that a blockage has been created and the water from the melting snow on your roof cannot flow from the gutters to the downspouts. This can potentially cause the water to back up under your shingles.
Oftentimes if the melting snow, water and ice cannot move through your gutters unobstructed, it finds a way into your home, causing damage to your walls, ceilings or insulation. Typically there is minimal, if any, damage to the shingles on your roof. However, it may be necessary to pay a professional to remove snow or ice in the affected area to prevent any further damage. As your policy requires you to mitigate damages, a reasonable cost to do so may be covered under your applicable building policy. In the event of a covered loss, be sure to work with your contractor and claim adjuster to determine a reasonable cost for this service, and always obtain an invoice to present for reimbursement (subject to your policy limits and deductible).
You cannot control the weather, but you can take steps to identify ice dams and prevent them from causing damage to your home:
•Keep your gutters and the areas near your downspouts clear so water is unobstructed when channeled away from your roof.
•Consistently check your attic and the tops of exterior walls for moisture or water stains.
•Safely remove excess snow and icicles from the edge of your roof, if possible.
•Long-term prevention of ice dams includes proper insulation in your attic and applying an ice and water shield membrane under your shingles.
Contact Beck Insurance Agency today for your house insurance needs. 419-446-2777
Content originally posted here by Auto-Owners Insurance Company.
