Embrace Life, No Matter What

  Have you ever heard, “If I had only had more time.”

       As people grow older, some may have regrets about all the things they did not do. Not taking an exotic trip or missing visits to family members might top the list. Your list might even include “not running a marathon.” One of the biggest regrets may be not telling a loved one how much you care.

       One thing is for sure: The more you enjoy life and prepare for the unexpected, the fewer regrets you may have.

       While no one can possibly do everything on a lifetime to-do list, there are plenty of ways to show people you care. One way is to make sure your family has the financial means to continue living their current lifestyle if you are no longer around.

       Life insurance is one way to do just that. A strong economic foundation includes adequate life insurance coverage; enough to cover a mortgage, college tuition or outstanding debts.

       

There are many online sites, including statefarm.com®, that provide calculators to determine your life insurance needs. A qualified insurance professional can help you choose a policy to meets your needs and fit in your budget. Once a policy is in place, you can revisit it, especially during different life events, to make certain the coverage is still appropriate.

       

Knowing you have provided for your loved ones will give you peace of mind so you can enjoy doing the things you’ve always wanted to do. It may not mean training for a marathon -- but, then again, it might.

Condominium unit owners need property insurance

You finally decided that your residence should be a condominium. Condos can be an appropriate choice for a number of reasons - fewer maintenance worries and no yard work are only some of the benefits. But what about insurance on your property?

      In most cases, homeowners insurance differs from condominium unit owners insurance. Homeowners insurance protects the building structure and the items inside, whereas condominium unit owners insurance protects the items you keep within your unit. Also, unit owners insurance may be needed to protect any additions or alterations you have made to your unit.

      Know your responsibility. The condominium association insures the building structures and the common areas, like the club house or the swimming pool with the master policy. But master policies vary widely and it’s important to read the bylaws and know what is covered by your association and what items are your responsibility to insure.

      As a unit owner, there are several insurance coverage options to consider:

·        Personal property - protects personal items such as clothing and furniture.

·        Building property - protects the additions or alterations you made to your unit.

·        Loss of use - coverage for the necessary costs to maintain your standard of living after a major fire, tornado or another insured catastrophe.

·        Personal liability - protects you if someone makes a claim or brings a lawsuit against you for bodily injury or property damage for which you or a member of your family are responsible.

·        Rentals: If you own a unit that is rented to another party most of time, ask your insurance agent about any special insurance coverage arrangements.

      Learn to protect your personal property while living safely within your condominium community.

Be Fire Wise about Wildfires

Wildfires are the most destructive natural disaster on Earth. We've all seen the pictures. The wildfires that plague our neighboring states, burning up debris and houses that stand in their path … that lash of orange flame that begins as a spark and ends in a fire out of control. If you live in foothills, grasslands or mountains, you are at risk!

Each year thousands of wildfires burn across millions of acres of land, mostly west of the Mississippi River. In 2004, it cost nearly $890 million to fight these fires, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Fires play a vital role in nature, helping revitalize forests and prairies by clearing out underbrush, dead trees and other debris.

      However, more and more people are moving into areas that were once considered remote, where wildfires now pose greater risk to homes and personal safety. In the past decade, NIFC indicates that annually on average more than 2,600 homes were damaged, more than 100,000 fires were reported and approximately 4 million acres burned.

      Wildfires are often started by lightning. But more – four out of every five fires – are started by people, according to FEMA. In the past few years, new techniques have been developed to help combat these devastating fires.

      Controlled or prescribed fires are used in many places to remove the fuel that feeds a fire. Areas close to homes are given extra attention in an effort to keep the fire away from buildings. There are also things homeowners can do to help protect their property, possessions and family:

   Install fire detection and sprinkler systems inside your home.

·                    Use fire resistive building materials outside your home.

·                   Create a "defensive space" of at least 30 feet by removing dry grass, brush, dead leaves and downed trees.

·                   Maintain an emergency water supply.

·                   Provide ready access to your home and be sure your street name and house number are identifiable.

·                   Practice emergency preparedness in case you need to evacuate the area.

Be sure your family has a plan of how to escape a fire. If you are caught in a fire, stay low to the ground where the smoke is not so heavy. Never hide during a fire – always get out of the house. And once out, do not go back inside. Alert emergency personnel if someone is trapped inside.

We can live in forested areas, as long as we understand that there are risks in doing so. If a fire does flare up in your area, remain vigilant to changing conditions and follow instructions from emergency personnel.

For more information on this and other safety related matters, please visit statefarm.com 

Home-Based Businesses Need Business Insurance

The dream of owning a business is becoming a reality for thousands of people each year.  For many of these would-be captains of industry, that means starting the operation at home.  However, your enterprise may be in jeopardy if you don't have business insurance.

       You need business insurance because most homeowners policies place limits on business-related exposures.  For instance, a copier or fax machine used for business and damaged in a fire may not be fully covered because it is considered business property.

       Also, the homeowners policy does not cover business liability, loss of income, exterior signs and many other important items.  If a client were injured at your home while conducting business, your homeowners policy would not apply. Anyone who operates a home-based enterprise and does not have the proper insurance coverage is putting his or her business and personal assets at risk.

       Business insurance may provide many or all of the coverages listed below:

·        Accidental direct physical loss coverage for business personal property.

·        Broader off-premises property coverage Loss of income coverage

·        Extra expense coverage

·        Contractual liability coverage

·        Liability of employees while acting within the scope of their employment.

       Many entrepreneurs start their businesses on shoestring budgets and try to cut corners by keeping expenses at a minimum. But when you consider what you get, business insurance becomes a tool you can't afford to work without.