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Did you know that according to the 2019 Insurance Barometer Study, only 57% of American households have life insurance, and yet 40% of those without it said that they would immediately struggle with paying their living expenses if the primary wage earner in their family passed away?

Life insurance has many uses that can benefit most everyone; it can pay for:

• Funeral costs
• Replace income in a household
• Cover bills
• Fund education goals for a child
• Serve as an inheritance for a loved one

Maybe you haven’t considered life insurance options because you have some sort of coverage provided by your workplace. This is great, but also keep in mind that your coverage is only extended to you for as long as you continue to work for that company. If you seek out an individual life policy, that policy is yours to keep, and follows you individually, rather than being extended to you for as long as you work for an establishment.

We’d love to talk to you more about what our life insurance policies can do for you. Call us for more information and a quote – for many people, they can be insured for the price of a daily cup of coffee. It’s worth having the conversation now, so that if something was to happen later, you know that your family will be taken care of.

Protect Your College Student from On-Campus Losses!

It’s that time of year again where your kids are going back to college! Did you know that students who live in a dorm are covered under their parents’ standard homeowners insurance policies? That means that their possessions are protected by “off premise” coverage. Do keep in mind, though, that some homeowners policies may limit this amount of insurance, so be sure to understand your own policy. Students who live off campus, however, are likely not covered by their parents’ homeowners policy. Those living off campus may need to purchase their own renters insurance.

If your college-bound student is leaving their vehicle at home, call our office and let your account manager know; depending on far away they are going to school (usually 100 miles and further) you might be eligible for a discount.

Easy Fall Recipe: Apple Blondies!

Try this delicious recipe that Suana, one of our commercial account managers, made for us!

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 cups of apple, peeled and chopped
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• For Topping:
• 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• Caramel topping, if desired

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Line a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray, set aside.
3. In a large bowl, mix together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until blended.
4. Add eggs, vanilla extract, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt. Mix well.
5. Add flour and mix until combined.
6. Add apples and mix well. Pour mixture evenly into prepared pan.
7. In a small dish, mix sugar and cinnamon. together and sprinkle on top of apple mixture.
8. Bake 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Remove from oven, allow to cool. Cut into bars and serve – top with caramel topping if you desire.

Tips to Avoid a Deer-Vehicle Collision

For those who don’t live in major cities, the true mid-westerner’s good-bye around this time of year usually includes "watch out for deer!" The well-meaning farewell is for good reason – the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that there are about one million car crashes annually that involve deer, killing about 200 people in the process. To avoid hitting a deer, use these defensive driving tips as we edge closer into deer season.

• Be attentive during peak deer hours, which are typically from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise, which are the highest risk times for deer-vehicle collisions.
• Know that deer seldom run alone. If you see one deer, there may be others nearby.
• Use high beam headlights if driving at night, when there is no oncoming traffic. The higher light will better illuminate the eyes of deer on or near the roadway.
• Brake firmly but stay in your lane when you notice a deer in or near your path. Lots of serious crashes occurs when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.
• Always wear a seatbelt! Most people injured in deer related accidents were not wearing their seatbelt.