Shovel Snow Safely

Shovel snow safely this winter

 

Winter is here, and with it comes many traditions and activities: Holiday celebrations with loved ones in Western Wisconsin, skiing and snowboarding outings in the mountains, fireplace-lit living rooms, homemade batches of soup… and shoveling snow.

 

Should you live somewhere in Wisconsin when snow storms hit and your driveway and walkways are covered with the cold white stuff, you might want to just stay inside. But if your work and personal commitments make that impossible, you’ll need to first dig out the snow shovel - or make sure it’s handy before the snow flies!

 

For many people across Wisconsin, snow shoveling will be both a reality and a necessity this winter. At Mower Insurance Agency, we want to ensure your efforts will get you on your way while also keeping you safe, so here are some snow-shoveling tips offered by the Boston Herald.

·         Warm-up! Never jump right into an activity. Start by cleaning off your car.

·         Place your hands a good distance apart on the shovel - it helps with leverage.

·         Never bend at your waist.

·         Push the snow when you can.

·         Scoop smaller loads of snow.

·         Use your legs, core and arms to help scoop and throw snow.

·         Always step in the direction you throw snow to avoid excessive twisting on your lower back.

If snow shoveling is on your winter task list, we at Mower wish you both a clear sidewalk and a healthy body.

Why an Independent Agent?

Some people think it doesn't really matter where they buy their insurance. But this misconception could be costing them money, service and protection. Buying insurance isn't like buying bread or milk. Insurance is an important safety net for your family, your home, your car or your business. Independent insurance agents usually represent a number of insurance companies.

They research these firms to find you the best combination of price, coverage and service from the wide choice of insurance plans and programs available to them.

Your Independent Agent...

·         Is a licensed professional with strong customer and community ties.

·         Gives you excellent service and competitive prices because your agent can obtain insurance coverage from more than one company.

·         Unlike other agents, is not beholden to any one company; thus, you don't need to change agencies as your insurance and service needs change.

·         Assists you when you have a claim.

·         Is your consultant, working with you as you determine your needs.

·         Offers you a choice of insurance plans and programs.

·         Is a value hunter who looks after your pocketbook in finding the best combination of price, coverage and service.

·         Offers one-stop shopping for a full range of products: home, renters, auto, business, life and health.

·         Can periodically review your coverage to keep up with your changing insurance needs.

·         Treats you like a person, not just another number.

·         Customer satisfaction is the key to an independent agent's livelihood. So, serving you is your independent agent's most important concern.

There Is A Difference.

Healthy Holiday Tips

Be the pinnacle of health and wellness this holiday season

 

It goes without saying that keeping yourself and your family healthy through the holiday season in Wisconsin can be a challenge. When you combine chillier temps, housebound days, year-end deadlines and pre-holiday preparation - not to mention kids passing around colds at school like they’re playing “Hot Potato” - you can end up spending the holidays under the covers.

 

No matter how many inherent seasonal risk factors you face, there are ways to prepare for and get through the season virtually unscathed. At Mower Insurance, we wish for you a happy and abundantly healthy holiday season, so here are a few tips to help you stay well and enjoy!

Consider ‘sticking it’ to The Flu. Flu shots seem to be available at practically every drug store or pharmacy in Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls.  Discuss with your doctor the pros and cons of flu shots for yourself and your family.

Get some zzz’s. The holiday hustle and bustle can interfere with normal sleep patterns, yet sleep is essential to health and healing. Prioritize getting enough sleep - or taking a quick nap - despite your busy schedule.

Fill the fridge. It’s easy to allow your pantry to start looking like a sweet shop as the holidays near. Take care to stock your refrigerator and cabinets with healthy snacks and ingredients for balanced meals. Think fruit, nuts, lower-calorie snacks, veggies and lean proteins.

Get real. Emotional health is important, too, so be realistic about what can be expected through the season. Just because it’s the holidays doesn’t mean that Aunt Zoe and Uncle Andrew from Minnesota will finally mend their rocky relationship. 

Keep moving.  Despite the many holiday temptations to just relax, don’t give in to being a couch potato. Get to the gym or yoga studio, go for a walk in Chippewa, jump on the treadmill or dance. The important thing is to just move!

From the Mower Insurance Agency to you, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!

DON’T LET AN ACCIDENT STOP YOUR BUSINESS

For most companies, business interruption insurance may be as important for survival as fire coverage. It is difficult to find a business with no insurance for windstorm and fire damage. However, too many business owners do not consider how they would continue functioning if a windstorm or fire actually did damage their property. This is especially true with small business owners. Business interruption insurance is not sold independently. It is an additional type of coverage for a property insurance policy. In some cases, it may be included in a package policy for business owners.

Businesses that must completely cease operations while the premises are repaired often lose money to their competitors. Quickly resuming business after a disaster is essential for survival. If a company must vacate the premises because of damages from a disaster, business interruption coverage extends protection for lost income. It also provides coverage for the profits that would have been earned if the business had not sustained damage. The profit reimbursement is based on an average of financial records, so it is imperative to keep them up-to-date and accurate. These beneficial policies also cover operating expenses that may not be halted due to the damage. For example, electricity would still be needed for most businesses, so the insurer would provide money for electricity bills.

It is important to make sure the policy limits are generous enough to cover the business for more than a week. Keep in mind that it may take much longer than most people anticipate to resume operations. If a major disaster happens, it may take several weeks to resume operations. The waiting period for business interruption coverage to start is usually about 48 hours. Policy pricing is based on the risks a particular business faces. Businesses in some locations are more likely to sustain certain types of damage than others. In addition to this, the nature of the business plays a major part in determining policy pricing. For example, a restaurant would be more expensive to insure than a travel agency. This is due to the restaurant’s heated appliances and grease creating a higher risk for fires. While a restaurant would have a hard time operating out of an alternate location, the travel agency would easily be able to do this. These are just examples of some of the issues determining premium amounts. To get a clearer price estimate for a specific business, discuss individual business details with an independent agent.

 

Holiday Giving

The gift of time could be the best gift of all this holiday season

 

For many, the holiday season is a time for celebration and fun with loved ones. But for others in Chippewa, the season can be one of the loneliest times of the year. 

 

At Mower Insurance, we know how precious the gift of time can mean to someone in Chippewa Falls during the holidays. Here are a few ways you and your family can share the spirit of the holidays with others.

Share a holiday dinner with local heroes. Many firefighters, medical specialists and law enforcement professionals spend their holidays on the job in Chippewa Falls. Bring a holiday dinner or treats to your local hospital, fire station or police station, and share the gift of thanks with local heroes who protect and serve our community every day.

Offer comfort to those in need. Connect with local organizations in Western Wisconsin that help to feed the hungry or provide warmth and shelter for those out in the cold. If you’re not sure where to start, spend just a little time researching the websites of our local volunteer organizations like Feed My People or Meals on Wheels.  Find out how and when you can help - and make it a family affair!

Make some new friends at our local retirement homes. While many of our senior citizens are included in holiday celebrations with family and friends, some spend the season without anyone. Call your local retirement home and check into the volunteer opportunities they offer for helping with crafts, special events, playing cards or just spending time visiting.

At Mower Insurance Agency, we know that giving the gift of time is sometimes the best gift of all. That’s why we make the time each year to donate to our local food shelves at First Presbyterian.  We hope you find time to share your time this holiday season - you’ll be glad you did!