Monday, April 28, 2014

College Graduation... Now what?


College Graduation Insurance Tips

Protect your college grad with the right insurance


 

College graduation is an exciting time for students and their parents alike.  And, while it’s easy to be immersed in graduation parties and focused on first-job jitters, it’s a time of major transitions and big decisions, and it’s essential to prepare graduates for what comes next.

 

One area new college graduates need to address is insurance.  As insurance professionals at Mower Insurance, we know insurance can be a confusing topic.  We also know that seemingly small missed details can result in very large losses.  We want to ensure your college graduate is protected before heading out into the real world, so we have compiled the following pointers.

 

·         Review your family’s current insurance. The first step when considering insurance for your new graduate is evaluating the coverage you currently have.  Make an appointment with your agent, who can advise on whether it’s appropriate given the pending changes, and whether it will cover your son or daughter.

·         Know the law. Most states require drivers to have auto insurance, and most of those have minimum policy limit requirements. Research the law in your son or daughter’s state, or consult with your agent, to make sure they are covered adequately.

·         Read your lease. Many apartment, condominium and home rental properties require tenants to maintain a certain level of renter’s insurance, which covers the contents of the home in the event of a robbery, fire, or other loss. Make sure you know the terms of your son or daughter’s new lease, and insure them accordingly.

·         Don’t end up liable. Any home renter or owner is exposed to liability risk. To ensure there is adequate coverage in the event someone gets injured on your son or daughter’s property, speak with your agent about liability insurance.

·         Don’t gamble! Never go without. It’s simple: your son or daughter should always have insurance in place. Be sure to discuss with your agent what types they need.

·         Know your company benefits. Many college graduates move straight into the workforce, and most companies have benefits. Study the company’s human resources handbook to learn what benefits are available, when they go into effect, and what their limitations are.

 

We at Mower congratulate you on the graduation of your daughter or son!  Please contact us with any questions, or to request a review of your family’s insurance portfolio.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Prom and Graduation Safety


Teen driving tips to keep prom and graduation safe


 

High school is full of defining moments for Chippewa Falls’ teens and two of the highlights for most are prom and graduation.

 

However, this time of year often sees other, more tragic defining moments - serious car accidents involving teens who are distracted or even under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

 

At Mower Insurance, we want to help make this season one to celebrate for you and your teen. So, with the help of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, here are some tips that can keep your teen safe.

 

First, encourage your teen to follow these general safe-driving rules:

Absolutely no alcohol

Always use seat belts

No cell phone use (including texting) while driving

 

Special circumstances

Of course, special events such as prom and graduation often present special circumstances. There may be dinner with dates before the dance, and parties before or after either event. It’s a good idea to discuss your expectations well before each event, putting some guidelines into place before your teen heads out for the night. Here are some ideas:

Make sure you know the itinerary of the evening, as well as who else will be with your teen. You should have contact information for everyone.

Have a way to contact your teen at all times. You may want to require them to check in with you once or twice over the course of the evening.

Set a curfew, whether they are coming back to your home or staying with a friend. If they are staying elsewhere, make sure the curfew will be enforced by a responsible adult.

Discuss with your teen how to handle difficult situations, such as facing pressure to drink, or accepting a ride with someone who shouldn’t be driving. It’s a good idea to provide your child with money for a taxi just in case.

Offer a “no-questions-asked” ride home, should they need one during the evening.

If you’re worried about your teen driving, consider alternate transportation. A car service or limousine will provide a responsible, experienced adult driver. You also will be able to limit changes to the itinerary and contact the driver.

 

Prom and graduation in Chippewa Falls are special times in a teen’s life. And just a little common sense will go a long way toward making sure your young adult is around to enjoy the other milestones that are sure to come.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Earth Day Tips


Take part in an Earth Day event — or celebrate in your own way


 

People are thinking more and more about the environment — whether it’s something that affects the quality of life here in Chippewa or global issues such as climate change and extreme weather.

 

But more importantly, people aren’t content with simply thinking about these things any more. They’re focused on taking action.

 

Earth Day, which is celebrated April 22, is the perfect time to take action, whether you are looking to take part in a community event or organize your own. Here are some tips to help you get involved — and think about our planet Earth all through the year.

 

Find an event

It’s easy to find Earth Day events, whether you live in Eau Claire or Chippewa Falls.  City and town Facebook pages are a great place to start, along with the websites of local environmental organizations. Newspapers, radio and TV often publicize events as well.

 

The Environmental Protection Agency website lists major Earth Day activities at http://www.epa.gov/earthday/index.html.

 

What can I do?

There are all kinds of Earth Day activities, even some you can easily complete by yourself or with your family. Examples include:

·         Planting trees

·         Cleaning up litter from a natural area or park

·         Adopting a road for litter control

·         Talking about Earth Day and helping to educate others

·         Using alternate transportation, instead of taking your car

·         Holding a garage sale or clothing swap, rather than throwing out unwanted items

·         Learning more about actions you can take to reduce your environmental impact

 

What if I want to organize an event?

Hosting an event doesn’t have to be a Herculean task, particularly if you keep it small. Any of the ideas above could be turned into your own event — just get the word out via social media, friends and family or even local print and broadcast media. But if you do want to organize a full-scale event, go for it!

 

Make it more than a day

Of course, one of the best ways to have an impact is to make every day your own Earth Day. You can take part in earth-friendly activities at any time! So in addition to celebrating once a year, make this April 22 just the beginning of something special.

 

And whether you find an event or create your own, the important thing is getting involved!

Monday, April 7, 2014

How to handle a power outage


Power Outage

Ready for a power outage or emergency?


It’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit handy in case of power outages or other issues — especially with the threat of stormy weather in fall and winter. See recommendations from the American Red Cross below.

 

Emergency kit basics

          Water (one gallon per person, per day; keep a two-week supply at home)

          Food (non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items; two week supply at home)

          Flashlight and battery-powered radio, along with extra batteries

          First-aid kit, toiletries, medications and medical items

          Multi-purpose tool

          Copies of personal documents, along with family and emergency contact information

          Extra cash, clothing and blankets

          Cell phones and chargers

          Maps of the area