Insurance Blog - Homewood Insurance Agency

Beware of Storm Chasers

June 4, 2019 By Monty Homewood

Madison, WI may not get the worst Summer storms, but we get our share. Tornadoes and heavy wind and rain can chew up roofs and break windows, tear at your siding and knock down fences. Even mild storms can create damages that seem catastrophic. Fortunately, storm damages can usually be managed. We can break it down into three simple steps:

Prevent any further damages. The initial damage caused by the storm will be blamed on the storm, but if you could have put a bucket under a leak to prevent your floorboards from getting soaked and warping, that might be seen as your insurance provider as policy-holder negligence, and not a direct result of the storm. So if you can manage the damage with tarps on broken windows or turning the water valve off until you get your broken pipes fixed, get that taken care of so that you can be fairly sure that you’re covered.
Call your insurer. And don’t talk to anyone until you’ve called your insurer… Okay, you can call friends and family and make sure everyone’s okay, but if you’re talking damages, no reputable contractor is going to swoop in and try to get you to sign something before your insurance agency has had their appraiser look at the damages. This is where “storm chasers” prey on the anxious homeowner who just wants a quick fix. A storm chaser is a contractor who goes door to door in a storm-affected neighborhood getting desperate homeowners to sign contracts, usually never to be seen or heard from again. Get your insurer’s appraiser out there, first. Don’t let some door-to-door huckster play you for a fool.
Research and hire a contractor to fix the damages. The more research you do on your contractors, the less likely you are to be taken advantage of by a shady dealer. There’s nothing like a disaster to bring out the best, and the worst, in humanity, and there are plenty of people out there who are looking to cash the check and do a lousy job patching your roof if they do the job at all. Take your time and make sure that you trust anyone that you’re going to be allowing to go up on your roof or into your crawlspace or under the house to fix the damages caused by the storm.

It should be said that there’s a step a lot of us skip in preparing for a storm, as well: Checking our insurance policies. You need to know what’s covered before you bother calling your insurer, and it’s better to know before the storm hits than after. For instance, most Madison, WI homeowners policies cover wind damages as part of the basic policy, but flooding might not be covered without some additional protection. You need to know what’s covered and determine whether you’re comfortable with your current level of protection.

Beyond that, just try to keep a cool head and don’t let the storm rattle you too much. Managing storm damages can be stressful, but that’s what insurance is for.

Driving at Night

March 14, 2019 By Monty Homewood

Nervous about driving at night? You have every right to be. According to one study, 60% of drivers have driven while they were exhausted, and 37% have actually fallen asleep at the wheel. Unfortunately, exhausted and impaired (under the influence of alcohol or drugs) drivers tend to be on the roads more at night. It’s also just plain harder to see, especially for older drivers. If driving at night is unavoidable for you, these tips will help you stay safer out there.

1. Don’t Drive Drowsy

If you’re exhausted and can barely keep your eyes open, stay off the road. A sleep-deprived driver is no better than a drunk driver in many circumstances. Need a jolt of energy for the drive? Skip the caffeinated soft drinks that can cause you to crash even harder once the sugar wears off, and try eating some energy-fueling protein, fat, and healthy carbs instead. That combination might help give your body the fuel it needs to stay on its game for a short drive in the dark.

2. Make Sure Your Headlights Are Operating At Peak Performance

Just because your headlights passed inspection doesn’t necessarily mean they’re great at illuminating the road in front of you. Make sure your headlamps are clean, polished, and bright; it can be worth polishing the glass in older, well-loved vehicles (you can buy headlight polishing kits inexpensively at any auto parts store) or replacing the headlights altogether. You can also double-check that your headlights are aimed the right way. They should point downward and toward the right side of the road. This illuminates the road for you and helps prevent a blinding glare straight into the eyes of oncoming drivers.

3. Take Care of Your Vision

No matter your age, driving at night poses unique challenges. If you wear eyeglasses, make sure your prescription is up-to-date, and spring for anti-glare coating on your lenses. This helps drastically cut the glare you’ll see through your specs and your windshield, making it easier to see what’s actually going on out there. Protecting your vision during the daytime by wearing sunglasses can also help reduce eye strain and fatigue, which in turn helps you drive safer at night.

4. Plan Your Route Intentionally

If you have to drive at night, consider sticking to the best-lit roads in the neighborhood–and the ones with the fewest potholes. That shortcut through the backroads might be the shortest and least-traveled way to reach your destination, but when it’s dark out, you’re likely better off staying on the main drag as much as possible. Planning a longer trip that involves driving at night? Check your route against Google Maps or another online map service, and plan to stay on major highways.

5. Slow Down

It should go without saying, but we’ll just drop it here anyway: when you’re driving in the dark, slow down. Make sure that you’d always have time to stop by the time your headlights illuminated a danger in the road. Consciously remember to scan side streets and driveways for approaching traffic; many drivers are less cautious at night because they assume they’re going to be the only cars on the road. By slowing down a little and being aware of the hazards out there, you’ll greatly reduce the chances that you’re in an accident. And you’ll be able to drive with more confidence, no matter what the road throws your way.

The Independent Insurance Agent

December 10, 2018 By Monty Homewood

Would you buy a new car from the very first car lot that you happened upon? Probably not. So why would you buy an insurance policy from the first company you found online? While it can definitely be convenient to shop for insurance online directly from a national provider, you could be missing out on big savings if you don’t shop around.

The next logical step is to work with an insurance agent who can give you advice and help you find the right policy. But not all insurance agents do the same thing. In fact, some agents work for a single insurance company, so they can make it difficult to explore all of your coverage options. But an independent insurance agent typically works with different companies, making it easy to find the right coverage at a great price. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of choosing our independent agents!

What Are the Advantages of Independent Insurance Agents?

Some of the most important things that an independent agent can do for you include:

Help you to quickly compare coverage options and prices with many different insurance providers. Rates can vary greatly from provider to provider, making it hard to keep track of the numbers on your own. With the help of someone who is more experienced in comparing prices, you can get the coverage you need without going over budget.
You’ve got access to a one-stop-shop. While you may only be looking to invest in a new car insurance policy right now, you could be missing out on savings by not bundling your coverage. Since independent agents sell everything from auto insurance policies to life insurance and even small business coverage – you can shop for all of your insurance needs under one roof.
You’ll have an advocate on your side. Because independent agents aren’t indebted to a single insurance company, they can help to assess your needs first and then make suggestions based off of your needs. While they do still make a commission off of each new policyholder they work with; their top priority is you, not the insurance provider. They can help to break down your coverage options, make sure you meet the proper state requirements for Wisconsin residents and review your policy as needed.
Work with your neighbors. When you go independent, you’re working with your neighbors. Our independent insurance agents are active in the community and know what life is like in the greater Madison area better than anyone. We understand the unique needs of the locals and can help you to plan for your future here as well.
You can talk to a real person. If you have to make a claim on your policy, you can give us a call or even come into the office. There’s no need to get frustrated while trying to navigate an automated phone system. Don’t have the time to chat over the phone? No worries, shoot us an email and we’ll work to answer your questions quickly. We know that the insurance industry can be confusing and want to make sure that you feel confident and protected with your policy choices.

Contact Homewood Insurance Today

Want to learn more about the benefits of buying insurance with an independent agency? Don’t miss out on huge savings by limiting your shopping choices! Instead, take your insurance coverage seriously and invest in comprehensive coverage with us. Call (608) 442-6666 or contact us today to learn more and be sure to request a free quote.

Putting your Vehicle Into Storage

November 9, 2018 By Monty Homewood

Long-term storage of a vehicle isn’t as simple or straightforward as it may sound. For starters, you’ll need to maintain your vehicle prior to storing properly. Furthermore, you might be considering adjustments to your insurance policy.

All of these steps will be addressed in the following article to assist you in the safe and sound storage of your vehicle in Madison.

Wisconsin Winters Mean Indoor Storage Is Best

As a Wisconsin resident, you are keenly aware of how harsh Wisconsin winters can be, and this means that outdoor storage of your vehicle is not a good idea.

Instead, find a safe location indoors where you can store your vehicle. Your best option will be a paid storage facility. If you can’t store your vehicle at a storage facility, consider your garage, barn, or outbuilding. Just remember that it’s best not to store a vehicle on a dirt floor or in a place where critters or the elements would have easy access to it.

As a last resort, it is possible to park your vehicle under an awning or pole building and cover it with a vehicle cover as tightly as possible.

Pre-Storage Maintenance Is Essential

Once you’ve found a safe location for your vehicle, it’s time to perform some routine pre-storage maintenance. Take the following steps.

Start by giving your vehicle a tune-up. Fill all of the fluids that need replenishing, including the anti-freeze, coolant, windshield wiper fluid, steering wheel fluid, and any others. You’ll want to replace the air filter and change the oil as well.
Next, inflate all four tires to the maximum allowed pressure. This can help avoid what is called flat spots on the tires. You should also fill up the gas tank, taking care to add a fuel stabilizer like STA-BIL.
As a final step in your tune-up, give your car a good cleaning and waxing on the outside, and clean and vacuum the inside as well.

Don’t Forget to Remove the Battery

Here’s a step that many car owners forget. You should take out the battery of your vehicle prior to storage. The battery should be hooked up to a battery tender to keep it from completely losing its charge. If it’s impossible to remove the battery (as is the case with some newer cars), you can hook the battery tender up to the battery while it’s still in the engine bay without issue.

Keep Pests at Bay

Mice and other critters may find their way into your vehicle as a warm place for the winter. To avoid this, a good preventative measure is to strategically place mothballs or fabric softener sheets in your trunk, on the seats or floor of your vehicle, and around the outside of the car.

Don’t Forget to Reexamine Your Insurance Policy

While it may be tempting to cancel your auto insurance altogether during your car’s storage; make sure you consider several points before doing so.

First, if you’re still paying off your car, your lender will not allow you to remove collision insurance. Next, removing any part of your insurance is going to leave a gap in coverage, which could raise your rates when you inevitably return to using your car on a regular basis again.

Finally, comprehensive insurance should never be removed from your policy as it protects against events that could happen at any moment in time, including fire, vandalism, building collapse, theft, and other acts of God.

Homewood Insurance Agency is here to assist you with any questions you may have concerning your auto insurance policy. Contact us today by visiting our office or giving us a call at your convenience.

Affordable Home Security Systems

October 16, 2018 By Monty Homewood

It’s almost Halloween! Are you frightened about goblins and ghouls at your door?

You shouldn’t be. With the help of a comprehensive home security and alarm system, you can feel safe and secure in your home at all times — and even while you’re away from home.

This article will outline some of the top reasons to consider installing a new security alarm system in your home, and we’ll also discuss certain features and contract options you should particularly look for as you shop around.

Keeping Your Family Safe: Why Everyone Should Have a Home Security System

There are many more reasons to consider installing a home security system then there are reasons not to. First, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your home and family are protected from intruders, thieves, and others who wish you harm or who want to steal from you. One of the best things about home security systems is that you can ensure this for your family even when you are away, with remote home monitoring.

Home security systems can even help reduce losses from thieves who would otherwise take packages from your front door. If you own seasonal homes or investment properties where you cannot physically be at all times, security systems offer the best possible solution to ensuring these locations are safe and secure.

Are All Alarm Systems Alike?

The short answer is no. Although all alarm systems should aim to protect you and your family by alerting you to suspicious activity at your door or around your house, all security systems are not the same.

Security systems for your home range from doorbell alarms (these notify you whenever someone rings your doorbell) to comprehensive systems with motion detectors, video surveillance, night vision cameras, and central monitoring by a highly sophisticated home security company.

You’ll need to make numerous choices when it comes to choosing the right security system for you. These include:

How you want your system installed: You can install your own security system (DIY), or you can have professionals come to your home and install it.

Monitoring method: Self-monitored systems send data to your smartphone and/or computer so that you can keep tabs on your property on your own. Central monitoring outsources your security to a highly qualified company who will monitor feedback coming from your home (motion sensor setoffs, break-ins at windows or doors, suspicious video footage, etc.).

Other features: You will also be able to choose between additional small and large features, such as the following:

Motion alert sensors
24/7 monitoring or monitoring only when you are away from home
Night vision options
Home automation features such as being able to arm or disarm alarms, turn on or off lights, and more — all remotely
High-resolution video cameras
Wireless installation or a hardwired system (this usually depends on how you will be monitoring your home)
Various reporting options (how intrusions or suspicious activities are reported to the police)

Remember that certain insurance companies also offer discounts or deductions on homeowners insurance just for installing a new home security system and maintaining it. Keep in mind that this is only available through certain insurance companies, and you must have central monitoring in most cases. A simple doorbell alarm will generally not earn you a discount.

Homewood Insurance Agency can help you determine whether you will be eligible for homeowners insurance discounts with a home security system. We can also help you find an affordable and comprehensive homeowners insurance policy if you’re looking for one. Contact us today by visiting our office or by giving us a call.