Insurance News

Protect Your Most Cherished Possessions

Fri, 30 Dec 2016 19:29:00 GMT

If you're like most people, there are certain items you own that you can't imagine ever losing - possessions you deeply cherish or those that would be impossible to replace due to the cost of re-purchasing them or simply because they're irreplaceable.

While your homeowners insurance is invaluable for covering the loss or destruction of many of your belongings (as well as damage to your home's structure), your policy might provide only partial coverage for your most cherished items.

The good news is that you can still protect the things that matter to you most, even if they're not fully covered under your homeowners insurance, with a scheduled personal property endorsement that is tailored to meet your specific needs.

Not an easy name, but it can help you sleep better at night

A scheduled personal property endorsement is not something that everyone talks about, but here at ISU Insurance and Investment Group, we can help you determine if it would be a good fit for you. The first step begins with you. Look around your home and make a list of your cherished possessions. Be sure to consider the following:

Jewelry
Antiques
Art
Collections
Musical instruments
Silverware/China
Autographed items
Rare or one-of-a-kind items

Once you have taken an inventory, make the time to talk with us by calling or emailing us Contact Page. We are here to help you determine whether your prized possessions need more coverage than your current policy provides.

Keep in mind that it is wise to complete an inventory every year or so, because it's easy to acquire new items over time that should be added to a scheduled personal property endorsement. It could be tragic to find yourself in a situation rendering you unable to replace what matters most to you.

Contact Us!

At ISU Insurance and Investment Group, we can work with you to make sure you've got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Call us or send us a note Contact Page. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what's important to you is protected!

This article provided courtesy of Safeco Insurance

Read the full article at www.isuinsuranceandinvestmentgroup.com

What Should Go in Your Home Safe (or Safe-Deposit Box)?

Fri, 17 Jun 2016 18:00:00 GMT

Spring has arrived, which means it’s time to clean the cobwebs out of the corners, organize the closets and so forth. While you’re at it, don’t forget to revisit the important documents and other items you have in your home safe and in that safe-deposit box at the bank.

What documents do you need to keep? What can your shred? Are your valuable items properly secured?

Wait, what’s that? You don’t have a home safe? Or a safe-deposit box? Well, let’s look at why you may want to get one – or both – and what to keep inside.

Home Safes

Oftentimes these are well suited for safeguarding important documents and valuable things you access somewhat regularly, such as jewelry or watches. Keep in mind that while residential safes help protect against fire and theft, they often aren’t as robust as commercial models. For the best protection in a home safe, select a model that is heavy enough that a burglar couldn’t make off with it, and consider bolting it to the floor. Here are some of the things you may want to keep inside:

Insurance policies and your agent’s contact information.
Passports, original birth certificates and Social Security cards.
Photocopies of passports, credit cards and driver’s licenses, in case they are ever lost or stolen from your purse or wallet.
Tax documents and tax returns, from the past six to seven years.
A list of your family’s medical information and contacts, including doctors, pharmacies and medications.
Investment and banking documents, including billing contact information, as well as emergency cash.
Heirloom and other valuable jewelry and watches.
Wills and other important legal documents, including wills that list you as the executor.
Computer backup disks or drives, or other small electronics you don’t use regularly.
Safe-deposit box keys.

Safe-Deposit Boxes

Speaking of safe-deposit boxes, are they an old-fashioned notion or something that’s worth your while? To answer that question, U.S. News & World Report recommends gathering everything you might want to store in a safe-deposit box and then determining whether you feel secure enough storing it all at home.

If not, a safe-deposit box may be a better, more secure option. A bank is more heavily guarded that your home, after all – against theft, fire and other disasters.

If you do decide on a safe-deposit box, here’s what you might want to keep in it:

Originals of key documents, such as property deeds, car titles, etc.
Valuable collections or family keepsakes that you don’t access very often.
Pictures or videos from your home inventory to use for insurance purposes.

If not, store these items in your home safe. And, here’s what NOT to put in a safe-deposit box:

Anything you may need to access quickly, such as passports, powers of attorney documents, etc.
Cash. Not only will your money not earn interest in a safe-deposit box, it won’t be protected by FDIC insurance, either.

Remember, putting something in your home safe or a safe-deposit box is more secure than stashing it in your sock drawer, but it doesn’t guarantee anything, either. So, think about having document backups, as well as insurance for your valuable items.

After all, if something is valuable enough to lock up, isn’t it valuable enough to insure, too? Talk to us about your personal property coverage and about scheduling any high-value items, especially expensive jewelry and collectibles, separately.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance.

Read the full article at www.isuinsuranceandinvestmentgroup.com

Miss Madison Wins Second Gold Cup - First was 1971

Richie Buchanan — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 17:22:00 GMT

It’s the equivalent to the Kentucky Derby, Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500. The biggest race of the year for Unlimited Hydroplane is the APBA Gold Cup. It is the oldest active trophy in all motorsports. Miss Madison’s only win for this race was in 1971. That upset victory inspired the movie Madison.

It has been 43 years since, but the Oberto/Miss Madison won the Gold Cup on Sunday, July 13^th in Detroit.

Congratulations to the Oberto/Miss Madison Team, City of Madison and Madison Regatta, Inc.

This is a great victory for everyone!

Short History on Miss Madison’s Start:

Late in the 1960 season, Sam DuPont donated his boat to the City of Madison. Miss Madison continues to be the only community-owned unlimited hydroplane on the circuit. That same boat, although it had a major repair/rebuild from an accident while in tow in 1970, finished its stent as Miss Madison the season she won the ABPA Gold Cup in 1971.

Since her first full season in 1961, Miss Madison only had 6 wins up to 2005. Things have changed and the Oberto/Miss Madison has become a strong contender.
Read more about Miss Madison' history: www.MissMadisonHydro.com

The story of driver, Jimmy Shane's, previous week's second place finish due to an early start at the Madison Regatta and then to turn around and win the Gold Cup the same way is incredible.

Read the Madison Courier story - Miss Madison Strikes Gold!

Read the full article at www.isuinsuranceandinvestmentgroup.com

Prom and Graduation Safety

Richie Buchanan — Sat, 17 May 2014 22:02:29 GMT

High school is full of defining moments for 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 ISU Insurance and Investment Group, 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 three rules to clearly state and reinforce with your teen to help keep him or her safe while driving:

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. Have a designated adult your teen knows he or she can call to get a ride home should it be necessary.
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 are special times in a teen’s life. And just a little planning and conversation will go a long way toward making sure your young adult is around to enjoy the other milestones that are sure to come.

Read the full article at www.isuinsuranceandinvestmentgroup.com

Keep Water from Going Where it Shouldn't

Thu, 08 May 2014 16:28:00 GMT

One of the most disheartening experiences is to find flooding or extreme water damage to your treasured home.

At ISU Insurance and Investment Group, we know you want to protect what's important. That's why we're offering these tips to help you prevent many of the most common causes of water damage.

Just a little time and some effort can prevent a lot of heartache and hassle.

Make sure your water pressure is not set too high. For just $6 or so, you can purchase a gauge that will help you test your pressure for the appropriate level, which should be set between 60 and 80 PSI.
Standard hoses on new appliances are not as durable as they used to be. So check your appliances. If you find rubber hoses, either replace them with longer lasting stainless steel braided hoses or replace them every three years.
Keep water from leaking into the walls or floor of your bathroom by replacing cracked tiles and re-grouting when it's needed.
Examine the shingles on your roof. Worn, curled, or missing shingles allow water to get in, so replace these as soon as you notice them.
Consider buying a water alarm, which can help you find leaks, or automatic shut-off mechanisms, which can help avoid bursts.
A lot of water damage occurs when nobody is home. Make a practice to avoid running the washing machine or dishwasher while you're out.
When you leave for vacations, turn off the water supply to appliances.
Keep up maintenance on all appliance hoses, because slow leaks from worn out hoses can cause major damage.

We here at ISU Insurance and Investment Group hope these pointers will ensure your house stays nice and dry this year!

Contact Us!

This article provided courtesy of Safeco Insurance

Read the full article at www.isuinsuranceandinvestmentgroup.com

How will the Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchange) affect you?

Richie Buchanan — Tue, 02 Jul 2013 18:04:11 GMT

Believe it or not, 2013 is half over. As we begin the 2^nd half of the year, there are some big changes coming that may affect you whether you realize it or not. It wasn’t long ago when we had a big divide in our country over the healthcare reform and the passing of PPACA (Obama Care) in 2010. Since then, there have been small changes occurring in the health insurance industry, and most likely, your health insurance policy. However, a lot of these changes have gone unnoticed by most people.

That is all about to change! Starting January 1, 2014, four of the biggest changes in the reform legislation are set to be implemented. This is when the “rubber will meet the road” and it all goes from theory into practice. Whether or not this is a big success or another financial burden on our national debt, only time will tell. But, what’s important now is to understand what is expected of you and/or your business and which decisions are best for you.

The 4 biggest changes are:

Individual Mandate- The PPACA requires all American citizens and legal residents to purchase qualified health insurance coverage. If not, then you will pay a minimum fine of $95 up to 1% of your household income. The fines increase in 2016 to $695 per person or 2.5% of income up to $2085.
Guaranteed Coverage- Coverage cannot be declined due to pre-existing conditions. For persons who have been unable to get coverage on the individual market due to pre-existing health conditions, they will now be able to get the same coverage and price as a healthy person the same age (smokers are charged additional).
Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchange)- For individuals and small businesses, the Federal government and some states will provide an Exchange to access health insurance in addition to the traditional method of an insurance agent/broker. In fact, some insurance agents/brokers will provide plans both inside and outside the Federal or State Exchange. The two important points are 1.) an individual can only qualify for a subsidy and 2.) a small business can only qualify for the small business tax credit through a Federal or State Exchange. The Enrollment for the Exchanges opens October 1^st this year.
Pay or Play Rule- For businesses with 50 (FTE/Full-Time Equivalent) employees or more, an affordable “minimum essential coverage” health plan must be provided to their employees or pay a fine. If a business does not provide qualified coverage, the penalty will be the lesser of ($2000 times the # of F/T employees minus 30) or ($3000 times the # of F/T employees that obtain a subsidy for coverage through the Exchange). This penalty is determined on a monthly basis so will pay 1/12 those amounts times the # of months they are not in compliance.

These are the biggest, but far from the only, changes that are coming in 2014. How will you be affected? Do you know the best approach to take? For some, you may not see much difference. For those individual and businesses who want answers to your questions, my suggestion is to speak with one of our agents who will be providing coverage both inside and outside the Exchange to compare your options and help you make the best decision.

Contact Us!

For further questions and assistance, please contact us.

Read the full article at www.isuinsuranceandinvestmentgroup.com

Does your kid need life insurance?

Richie Buchanan — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 22:51:49 GMT

A few months ago, I sent an email to a client about taking out life insurance policies on his 2 kids. A couple weeks later we ran into each other and I asked if he had reviewed the quotes. He said, "I'm not concerned about it because the kids have no debt. In the worst case scenario, I will only be out the cost of a funeral." I explained how I understood where he was coming from, but he missed the most important part.

Life insurance is a reliable way to cover your debt and family's on-going bills, funerals, college funds and more. So for him to think his children didn't need life insurance seemed logical. However, his kids will grow up and have families of their own. "What happens if one of them gets Juvenile Diabetes or another uninsurable disease? Even if your kid gets Diabetes, they can still go on and live a normal life. That means they will likely buy a house and start a family but will have difficulty getting affordable life insurance." I explained. "Oh, I never thought about that.", he said.

Example: $25,000 Whole Life + a Guaranteed Purchase Option of an extra $50,000 at ages 25, 28, 31 & 34. For a newborn, the cost is less than $8 per month.

As the example shows, life insurance for your child or grandchild is very affordable. Click below to contact us for a quote.

For further questions and assistance, please contact us. You can also learn more about our Life insurance or get a free Life insurance quote online today!

Read the full article at www.isuinsuranceandinvestmentgroup.com

A History of Mother's Day

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:30:08 GMT

As the second Sunday of May nears, it’s time to think of ways to celebrate mothers – although, of course, that’s a worthy pursuit at any time of year!

At ISU Insurance and Investment Group, we thought it would be interesting to give you a little of the history behind Mother’s Day, as well as a few ideas to honor the special women in all our lives.

Ancient beginnings

According to MothersDayCentral.com, the ancient Egyptians held an annual festival to honor “the mother of the pharaohs” – the goddess Isis. This is one of the earliest historical records of a society celebrating a mother.

How Mother’s Day came to be in the U.S.

In an effort to honor her mother's activism and wishes, Anna Jarvis began her work to provide mothers their due recognition. Her mother, Ann (Reeves) Jarvis, had founded Mothers' Day Work Clubs in five cities to improve sanitary and health conditions. It also treated wounds, fed, and clothed both Union and Confederate soldiers.

On May 12, 1907, two years after her mother's death, Anna held a memorial to her mother and then embarked upon a campaign to make "Mother's Day" a recognized holiday. To celebrate Mothers Day, Anna began to send her mother's favorite flower, carnations, to members in her local church requesting people to wear them in honor of their mothers.

By 1909, more than 40 states were holding Mother’s Day services, even though it was not a national holiday. In 1912, according to Wikipedia, West Virginia was the first state to officially observe Mother’s Day. Jarvis continued to promote the day until President Woodrow Wilson made it an official national holiday in 1914.

She later regretted creating the holiday, believing that it had become too commercialized. She was quoted,

"A printed card means nothing except that you are too lazy to write to the woman who has done more for you than anyone in the world. And candy! You take a box to Mother—and then eat most of it yourself. A petty sentiment."

Her idea of the celebration would be a time of gathering, reflections and prayer.

Enough with the history – where are the gift ideas?

Like us at ISU Insurance and Investment Group, we know you might have more urgent concerns on your mind, like last-minute shopping, so here are the most popular Mother’s Day gifts, according to MothersDayCentral.com.

Flowers
Gift baskets
Personalized gifts
Jewelry
Perfume
Spa gifts
Magazines

Of course, just as Anna Jarvis intended, the best gift of all is getting in touch and letting the mom in your life know just how much they mean to you. Happy Mother’s Day!

Protect the expensive gifts

If you're giving or have received an expensive Mother’s Day gift, such as a nice piece of jewelry, please get in touch to find out whether it will be covered by your existing home insurance policy. If it's not covered, we'll advise you on your options.

Read the full article at www.isuinsuranceandinvestmentgroup.com

It's Time for Spring Cleaning!

Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:04:08 GMT

Spring is a time for new beginnings here in Southern Indiana

-and now is a great time to take on some cleaning and organization tasks around your home. If you’re not fond of doing that, some of these tasks may be long overdue!

Here are some tips to get you started – and keep you focused. We’re looking forward to using these tips ourselves!

First, get some help

If you’re doing a deep spring clean, try not to put all of the pressure on yourself. Make the event a family affair and assign your spouse or your kids some chores. Or throw a cleaning party and offer pizza to everyone who comes to help.

Second, make a list

It’s extremely helpful to have a plan before you get started. Is the kitchen your biggest trouble spot? The master bedroom? Create a detailed plan of attack and you’ll increase your chance of success. Many people find it best to go room by room so there’s a sense of accomplishment when they finish in a particular area.

Third, remember safety!

Of course, you’ll want to make sure you have protective gear like rubber gloves if you’re dealing with chemical cleaners, and even a particle mask if you’ve got some serious dust. Or try using some of the many green cleaning products that are now available. Spring cleaning is also the perfect time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and other safety equipment. And it’s a good idea to refresh (or start) your family emergency kit.

Room–by–room quick tips

The tips below will help get you going. If you need more, just do a web search for spring cleaning and you’ll find tons of sites with useful information and detailed checklists.

Kitchen

Clear out the contents of your refrigerator and freezer (but not at the same time) and discard any expired items. Then, clean the appliance thoroughly, removing shelves and racks – you’d be surprised how dirty the bottom of a refrigerator can get. And don’t forget to clean the coils underneath, too; it will boost energy efficiency.
Clean all small appliances – toasters, coffeemakers, etc.
Clean the oven and stove, including burners and spill catchers.

Living room and dining room

Dust all light fixtures and shelves, along with window blinds (or, if you have drapes, take them down and have them cleaned). Don’t forget to dust the ceiling fan!
Clean and dust couches and chairs. This is easily done with a vacuum attachment. Removing cushions will not only give you a deeper clean, but can fill your pocket with change!
It may be time to shampoo your carpets or rugs. You can have a professional do the work for you or rent a machine at a local store.

Bedrooms and closets

How long has it been since you flipped your mattress? Now is the perfect time. Dust your bed frame (and other furniture), strip your bedding and turn over your mattress, rotating it as well. It’s also a good time to wash bedding that you don’t wash often, such as the mattress pad.
Pillows should be washed occasionally. Most can be cleaned in your washing machine, but check the label beforehand to be sure.
Go through the items in your closet. Do you have winter clothing you can put into storage? Do you have items you no longer wear that can be donated or sold at a garage sale?
Remember to clean under the bed.

Bathrooms

Clean fans and vents (this should be done more than once a year, typically).
Go through your medicine cabinet and throw away expired medications or items you no longer use or need. Then move your medications to the kitchen – away from the moisture of a bathroom – where they will store better.
Scrub toilets, sinks, faucets, showers and tubs, including the shower head!

Garage

Hey, you’ve done enough for one spring cleaning cycle, haven’t you? Let’s leave the garage for another time!

One final tip: It’s best to leave sweeping and vacuuming for last in each room.

Contact Us!

For further questions and assistance, please contact us. You can also learn more about our homeowners insurance or get a homeowner insurance quote today!

Read the full article at www.isuinsuranceandinvestmentgroup.com

Do Transportation Issues Impact Your Business

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 20:17:44 GMT

In the United States there are a number of governmental agencies that have responsibility for our transportation systems on the ground, in our waterways and up in the skies. Each one has their own set of transportation projects or travel safety initiatives. And in many cases, a short drive from point “A” to point “B” can mean using systems regulated and policed by multiple municipalities.

Is transportation an important part of your business? Whether you are a professional cleaner making service calls, a farmer who needs to transport fertilizer or a long-haul trucker, it’s important to know where to find transportation news and information that applies to you. A good place to start is the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). Yes, it’s a large organization, consisting of 13 different agencies, but the USDOT provides a wealth of resources. Here are just a few higlights from the USDOT website.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

With safety as its #1 priority, the NHTSA provides driving, vehicle and equipment safety guidelines and educational programs that are of benefit to everyone, regardless of the reasons for being on the road.

Be sure to check out the Distracted Driving Program, www.distraction.gov, which offers educational tools for employers, schools, parents, law enforcement, and communities.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)

FMCSA’s primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries. This is where you’ll learn about new carrier safety rules being proposed by the USDOT and current Rules and Regulations. If you transport hazardous material or cargo, need to track hours of service, or want to learn more about safety compliance, visit this website.

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

The FHWA’s job is to ensure that America’s roads and highways continue to be safe and technologically up-to-date by providing support to States, local and tribal governments for constructing, improving, and preserving our highway systems. Here you’ll find information about federally funded projects and initiatives as well as directories to other resources:

Whether your business travel is limited to New Albany or extends through the state of Indiana, ISU Insurance and Investment Group wants you to be prepared. Contact us with your questions about managing risk, loss prevention or workplace safety.

Read the full article at www.isuinsuranceandinvestmentgroup.com