Insurance Scout Partners Blog

Holiday Safety

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Decorate Safely

Decorating is one of the best ways to get in a holiday mood, but emergency departments see thousands of injuries involving holiday decorating every season.

When decorating follow these tips from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission:

● Keep potentially poisonous plants – mistletoe, holly berries, Jerusalem cherry and amaryllis – away from children
● If using an artificial tree, check that it is labeled “fire resistant”
● If using a live tree, cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption, remember to water it, and remove it from your home when it is dry
● Place your tree at least 3 feet away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources, making certain not to block doorways
● Avoid placing breakable ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower tree branches where small children can reach them
● Only use indoor lights indoors and outdoor lights outdoors, and choose the right ladder for the task when hanging lights
● Replace light sets that have broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections
● Follow the package directions on the number of light sets that can be plugged into one socket
● Never nail, tack or stress wiring when hanging lights, and keep plugs off the ground away from puddles and snow
● Turn off all lights and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house

Eight Tips for Being the Best Landlord

Thu, 13 Feb 2020 17:19:59 GMT

There is a common misconception that being a landlord is a great, easy way to make some money, but that is often not the case. Renting out a property can be a time-consuming and energy-draining task, but it has its' perks. I have lived in many different rental properties throu ghout my years as a college student, and I appreciate the time and care these owners have put into their respective properties. However, if the property owner seems distant or acts ill-mannered, the experience I have at that property isn't as good. Understanding how to pick your tenants and communicate with them creates a healthier and happier experience for everyone involved.

Screen your applicants well before choosing.
Making sure you have quality tenants is the most important first step to becoming a landlord. This can be a time-consuming project, but will ease your mind in the long run. Consider verifying their income, performing a background check, and checking out their rental history.
Educate your tenants when they first move in.
Spend some time discussing the different aspects of the lease when they first arrive. Communicate the different responsibilities and rights they have in signing the agreement, and make sure they understand what their obligations are as the tenants.
Set the standards for what is expected of them.
Expanding on number two, make sure your tenants understand what is expected of them. This will improve the quality of your communications with each other dramatically. Who is responsible for taking care of the lawn? Do tenants pay their own electric/cable bills? How quickly should the tenants make you aware of repairs needed at the property?
Be available.
Make sure you are checking your email and phone often to keep that line of communication open. Consider creating an alert on your phone to sound when your tenant has reached out to you. Even if you just reply with a couple of words like "Okay" or "I will look into it", your tenants will understand that you have received their message and already addressing the issue.
Stay on top of repairs.
Nothing makes a tenant more unhappy than when repairs are not taken care of in a timely manner. Follow #4 and be available so if things go wrong, you can quickly send aid.
Let your tenants know in advance if you plan on visiting.
Make sure you notify your tenants in advance if you plan on stopping by for a checkup. The general rule of thumb is to give tenants a two-week notice.
Treat your tenants with respect.
If you treat your tenants with respect, they will treat you with respect as well.
Follow the guidelines in the lease.
That lease is there for a reason! No matter if the circumstance are good or bad, make sure you are following the guidelines in the lease. It is the document that will be used to determine if there is a breach on either side of the contract.

Helpful Roof Maintenance Tips to Keep your Home Dry

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 17:24:04 GMT

Your roof is one of the most important elements of your home. With a leaky roof, not only will you and your family get wet, but it could be causing expensive damage behind the scenes.

If the interior of your home, namely the walls and carpet, gets wet from a leaky roof, it opens the door to a whole host of problems including rot, mold, and mildew, which can be a costly issue to fix.

Follow these few roof maintenance tips to help keep your home dry and strong for years to come.

Keep your gutters clean. A lot of times, roof damage is caused by overstuffed gutters. The weight can cause them to pull away from the shingles and cause holes in your roof. You should consider having a professional clean your gutters at least a few times a year - especially if you have large trees and debris around your house.
Trim the trees that are close to your home. One of the reasons your gutters get full is because of broken tree limbs and leaves. To avoid this problem all together, you'll want to be sure to trim the tree branches that are close to your home. Another good reason to trim your trees? Bigger branches could fall during a storm and damage your roof.
Check for moss on your roof. When moss grows in an area of your roof, it can take over, leaving your roofing without much strength. Moss and algae can cause certain spots to become weak over time since they hold moisture, so you should be sure to take note of any patches. A roofing professional can take care of any existing damage from moss.
Don't make a habit out of walking on your roof. We always recommend calling a professional when you need to clear debris from your roof or fix a broken shingle. Although it's feels strong beneath your feet, when you walk on your roof, you can lessen its integrity over time.

A leaky roof can cause expensive damage to your home. Be sure to talk to Insurance Scout Partners to make sure you have the right homeowner insurance coverages in place!

Keep your Home Safe While You're Away with These 5 Tips

Fri, 27 Dec 2019 17:38:28 GMT

Are you planning your next big family vacation? Maybe you’re traveling for business, or need to be away from home for a few days. Although we don't like to think about the possibility of our home being damaged or burglarized while we're away, it's something to consider to ensure that it stays safe - and in one piece for your return.

Check out our five tips for ensuring that your home is safe while you're away.

Be sure to check all outlets before you leave. This may sound like a no-brainer, but checking all of the electrical outlets before you leave your home is a must. If you leave something that creates heat plugged in, like a curling iron or coffee pot, it could result in a fire. Taking a few minutes to do a once-over before you leave to ensure that all appliances are unplugged before you leave will give you peace of mind.
Lock all doors and all windows, even the ones that you don't think are easily accessible. One of the biggest mistakes that homeowners make is not checking all of their doors and windows before they leave. You want to be sure to check even the doors that you don't think are accessible from the outside - like the doors to your home from your attached garage, and other internal entrance points, like from your basement to your main level. This will ensure that you have various levels of protection in the event of a break in.
If you normally leave the blinds open, do so. You want to leave things looking as normal as possible, and not leave any reason for passersby to think that you're gone. Keep your home safe by leaving some blinds open to give people the impression that someone is still in the home.
Stop the mail for the time period that you're gone. Like we mentioned in the previous tip, you want to give the impression that you're still home. If passersby see that your mailbox is bursting at the seams, they might get the idea that you're gone, which is exactly what you want to avoid. Stop your mail delivery for the time period that you're gone, so that you don't have to worry about people becoming suspicious.
Insure your home properly. With proper home insurance, you can travel in peace. Be sure to talk with Insurance Scout Partners about the right coverage for your home.

Now go enjoy a much-needed vacation!

4 Tips for Driving on Wet Roads

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 17:16:01 GMT

You're driving home from work when the skies open up and produce what feels like inches of rain in just a few minutes. Although driving on wet roads can be intimidating, it doesn't have to be dangerous.

Check out our four tips for driving on wet roads to ensure that you keep you and your passengers safe.

Don't drive fast - take your time getting where you're going. One thing that you may not realize when you're driving on wet roads is the potential to hydroplane or slide on the pavement. When it rains heavily, water can build up near storm drains or in potholes creating large masses of water that you may not be aware of as you drive toward them. Driving fast through even just a few inches of water can cause you to hydroplane, which is a dangerous situation.
Try not to slam on the breaks. Not slamming on the brakes goes hand-in-hand with our first tip. If you're not driving fast, you should have no need to slam on your brakes. The oil from the undercarriage of vehicles can drip on the road, and when it rains, the slick substance comes out to play. Avoid slamming on the brakes to avoid slipping on wet oil, gravel, or built up water.
Keep enough distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. When you're driving on wet roads, it's no time to tailgate. You'll want to be sure to keep a significant amount of distance between you and the car in front of you so that if they brake, you have time to stop.
Ensure that your vehicle is properly insured. Making sure that you have the correct coverages on your vehicle is important. Driving on wet roads can sometimes be dangerous, and without the right coverages, you could find yourself with a damaged car and an empty wallet. Contact Insurance Scout Partners today to find the best coverage options for you and your family.

Remember to drive smart and stay safe on the road. Always allow plenty of time to reach your destination, and keep your distance from reckless drivers!

4 Motorcycle Safety Tips that Could Save Your Life

Sun, 27 Oct 2019 17:18:47 GMT

If you own a motorcycle, you love the feeling of the wind in your hair and the open road ahead of you. You love the adrenaline rush of speeding down the highway, but it's important to consider the risk involved.

If you ride your motorcycle safely, you'll be at a decreased risk for an accident, but how can you ensure that you ride safely? Check out our four motorcycle safety tips that could save your life./p>

Always wear a helmet. As a kid, you always told your mom that wearing a helmet wasn't cool. Although you may have felt like an outcast with your helmet back in the day, the smartest thing to do as the owner of a motorcycle is to always wear your helmet. Accidents are no joke, and the outcome can be significantly worse in a crash if you're not wearing a helmet. You'll want to be sure that it fits your head properly, too!
Avoid riding your bike where there's a buildup of gravel, or before the roads are cleaned for spring. Loose gravel is one of the leading causes of motorcycle crashes. Not only is loose gravel slippery, but when you land on it, you can experience harsh injuries in the form of brush burn. To avoid slipping on gravel, you'll want to avoid roads made from loose gravel or sand.
Be sure that your turn signals are in tip-top shape. Other motorists on the road rely on your turn signals to determine when you are slowing down and making a turn. Without turn signals, your motorcycle ride can be a dangerous one. You should always check your turn signals before heading out on your bike to ensure that you can signal your turns properly.
Have proper coverage with your motorcycle insurance. Properly insuring your motorcycle can help save your wallet. You should be sure that you have proper coverages for your motorcycle in the event of an accident in order to help pay for damages to your bike, yourself, or anyone else involved.

Enjoy the open road, but enjoy it safely! Contact Insurance Scout Partners to ensure that your bike is properly insured.

4 Valuable Tips for Traveling Safely With Your Pets

Fri, 27 Sep 2019 04:00:00 GMT

For many people, pets are just as much a part of the family as humans! Since our pets are valued family members, it's important to consider their safety while traveling. Whether they're traveling with you to the in-laws for the next holiday, or just traveling to the vet, we have a few important tips to help you travel safely with your pets. After all, they are precious cargo!

Keep your pets safe and secure during the drive. Although their pitiful stares are enough to make you want to let them out of their crate, the risk isn't worth the reward. When traveling, you should always be sure to keep your pet safe in their crate to ensure that disaster doesn't strike if you were to be in an accident. If your pet is small enough for a crate, you should choose one with plenty of ventilation and an open spot for them to keep eye contact with you. This will help to keep them calm during their ride!
Never leave your animal alone in the car - no matter how long you plan on being gone. Just a few minutes in a hot parked car is enough to make your pet sick, or worse, kill them. Hot cars are no place for your animal, and if you park and exit your vehicle at any time, your pet should come with you. You can never know exactly how long you'll be gone, and it's not worth the risk to leave them alone.
Prep your vehicle with everything it needs. You should be sure to keep your vehicle fully stocked with your pet's important supplies any time you go on a road trip. Items to consider include a food dish, a water dish, extra food, a bottle or two of water, a waste scoop, bags for cleanup, and first aid. These items will help you stay calm and provide for your pet if you were to have an unexpected detour or have to make a food or waste stop along the way. You should also be sure that your vehicle is insured properly in case of an accident.
Prepare your pet for the car. Before your road trip, try preparing your pet by taking them on a few shorter trips. This will get them used to the sound of your vehicle, the sound of the road, and the feeling of movement.

With these four tips, you're sure to keep your pet safe on your next road trip! When you know they're safe, you can relax, which makes the drive more enjoyable for everyone involved. Now get out there and travel with your four-legged best friend!

Easy DIY Home Repairs that You'll Love

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Even if you're far from the family handyman, there are some DIY home repairs that anyone can do! Take a look at our favorite DIY home repairs that you can do on your own! Don’t forget to insure your home and your belongings so that your hard work, freshly cleaned appliances, and hand spackled walls are protected in case of disaster or theft.

Fix loud cabinet doors. If you're sick of the kids slamming the cabinet doors and causing a ruckus throughout the house, try purchasing a pack of peel-and-stick bumpers. You can find these little guys online or at any hardware store. They're incredibly simple to install - simply peel the small, round pieces of foam from their sticky sheet, and press them onto the corners of your cabinet doors! Voila!
Fix your patchy lawn. If gardening isn't really your thing - have no fear! With this simple solution, you can fix your patchy lawn in no time. Start by purchasing a seed spreader and some grass seed, load up the equipment, and push throughout your yard! In no time, you'll have a lawn that the entire neighborhood is envious of!
Clean dirty, smelly upholstery. The secret ingredient for cleaning your dirty upholstery probably isn't what you think. Did you guess baking soda? This powdery substance can help break up stains and remove odors from your upholstery in two easy steps. Simply spread a thick coating of baking soda on the affected area, wait roughly 30 minutes, and then vacuum it up! Not only will it remove the scent of the stain, but it can also help to remove the stain itself!
Repair old caulking to give your bathroom a new, fresh look. If you want your bathroom to look brand new, consider re-caulking it! It's cheap, it's easy, and you'll be blown away by the difference it can make in your bathroom. It can even help protect against costly water damage! All you'll need is a can of caulking and a caulking gun, and you're ready to go.
Repair your faucet with a lemon. If you have hard water in your home, you know the pain of hard water build up. But now, you can repair it on your own - and with something that you might already have in your refrigerator! Simply place half of a cut lemon on the end of your faucet and cover it with a plastic bag. You can use a rubber band to attach it! Let the lemon work it's magic for a few hours, and when you come back, your faucet should be free of hard water build up!

Although you might think that all repairs require a hammer and nails, some repair projects are easier than you think - and you'll be proud of yourself for taking them on and executing them correctly. With these simple DIY repairs, you'll be calling yourself Mr. or Ms. Fix-It!

Our Goals as an Insurance Agency

Sun, 14 Jul 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Our goals at Insurance Scout Partners (ISP) are simple; to align ourselves with your goals. Your goals of better coverage, your goals of more affordable coverage, and goals of understanding the coverage you have or need. Far too often it is over looked by insurance agencies on helping prospects or customers to understand insurance. Here at our agency we want to fill the void of understanding insurance coverage. You do not have to be a current client or looking to be a client to just give us a call to discuss insurance. How does coverage relate to you and just any questions you have about insurance in general?

Far too often we believe many people fear being "sold something" they neither need nor want. We understand this feeling, because we are just like you. We have the same fears. We want to change this and simply be a resource for understanding. If you choose our agency, great, we believe you will be very happy. However, if you choose another agency, we want you to go in equipped with the knowledge to make the right choices and not feel like you are simply being "sold something", but chose the product that is right for you.

When Should I Review My Home Insurance Coverage?

Thu, 27 Jun 2019 04:00:00 GMT

Insurance is an important part of being a homeowner. Not only does it protect you from damages caused by things like fire and vandalism, but it can also protect your personal property or additional structures like garages, and provide liability coverage.

But when is it time to review your coverages? Should you evaluate your coverage monthly, yearly, or somewhere in between?

The most important times to review coverage

Let’s talk about events that should prompt you to review your home insurance coverage.

You’ve received a shiny new gift or bought something expensive: To eliminate the risk of not being covered if someone were to steal personal belongings, it’s important to review your home insurance coverage when you are keeping something expensive in the home.

If you’ve just received a beautiful diamond bracelet, an expensive new television system, or a timeless (and expensive) piece of artwork, it’s important to talk to an agent to ensure that you’re properly covered.
You’ve added square footage to your home: Many insurance companies base your coverage off of the square footage of your home. That means that if you add a new sunroom to your existing structure, it’s important to report it to your agent.

If not, in the event of a damaging fire or thunderstorm, your entire home may not be covered.
You got married: If you’re going to be adding another person to your home, they’ll likely bring all of their belongings with them. That means that the value of items in your home will increase — in which case, you’ll need to contact your agent to increase your coverage.
You’re starting a business out of your home: If you run a business out of your home, it’s important to report this to your insurance agency.

Why? You’ll need to have liability coverage for the employees that will be working under your roof, which will be a change to your normal policy.
Policy renewal is coming up: When your policy is set to renew, it’s a great time to review it.

Instead of hastily signing on the dotted line to renew your coverage, take time to read the fine print to see if coverage changed in price, if you’ve made any of the above changes to your home, or if there are any new discounts available.

For example, some insurance agencies will offer discounts for installing a security system to your home, and we all want the best price for our insurance.

Are you shopping for home insurance?

If you’re looking to purchase insurance for a new home, or simply looking for a change in policies, contact us to learn about your options! We’re an independent agency and we offer some of the best prices for home insurance in the area.

Insurance Scout Partners Blog

Holiday Safety

Decorate Safely

Eight Tips for Being the Best Landlord

Screen your applicants well before choosing.

Educate your tenants when they first move in.

Set the standards for what is expected of them.

Be available.

Stay on top of repairs.

Let your tenants know in advance if you plan on visiting.

Treat your tenants with respect.

Follow the guidelines in the lease.