Dean Ballenger Agency Inc

Independent Insurance Agent

For questions call (317)-867-5433

Foggy Window Solution

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Chilly weather is looming and soon will come the snow.  Instead of blasting the air-conditioner, we will be blasting the defroster to clear up the windshield while heading to work.

Have you ever got that pesky patch of fog on the window that you just can’t get to go away?  This should help!  Check those settings on your console and get it switch over so you can make your commute safely.

  1.       Defrost is on.
  2.       Air speed is turned up.
  3.       Double check your air recycle options!

Don’t recycle the air. Make sure it comes in from outside.

In the summer you may change this setting to keep the cool air in your vehicle and just recycle it.  It keeps the interior of the vehicle cooler. However, in the winter it causes us much grief!

Make sure you have chosen the option to pull in fresh air.  Those foggy windows won’t go away until it is getting fresh air. WHY, you ask?

Recirculated air is just that, it is our breathe and air already in the vehicle being recycled.  Our breathe has moisture in it. Water from snowy or wet boots is evaporating and making the air wet as well.  That moisture is landing on our windshield and surrounding windows making it hard to see out. It’s just condensation.

Condensation and safe driving doesn’t go together.  Check your settings on your console as the seasons are changing so you are ready.  The morning is coming when you will head off to work or school and see someone driving down the road looking out a small clear area of the windshield as they are battling to keep clear. Be a good neighbor and share this free tip.

Condo & Townhomes

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Life is full of simple teachable moments and they can start with a phone call to our office 317-867-5433

We are here as your resource to explain things, after all we like this insurance stuff.

What included in your “Walls In Policy”

So the explanation we have today is about a “Walls In Policy”, also known as a HO-6 policy.  What is an HO-6 policy? That’s the insurance jargon that is associated with a “Condo/Townhome Policy”.  If you are getting a condo/townhome your lender will want to verify that you are properly insured.

Who’s Responsible for What?

The question that we hear the most is:  Who is responsible for what? You, the Condo Owner, would be responsible for the inside, hence the “Walls In”. On the other hand,  the Condo Association/Builder is responsible for the outside.

Our whole team stepped out of the office to get a inside out look into some condos that are in various steps of the building process.  We are going to walk you through the process, so now our friendly explanation comes complete with pictures. Let’s look at each phase and breakdown responsibility from there:

 

The Building Process:

 

The Big Frame Up

First thing that goes up is the framework. The studs start to divide each room and each floor. Other things that are in place at this stage include the exterior and the roof.  Should a loss/claim happen at this time, the things you see now are not your responsibility. If a claim was to happen once the building is finished, the builder Condo/Townhome policy would get you back to this starting point.

Framing the condo is responsibility of the Condo Association or Builder.

Filling in the Gaps

This is where your responsibility as the owner will begin. You see the drywall going up, the molding and the railing are in the early steps. Cabinets are being set into place and what was once a skeleton is now starting to look more like livable space. Soon to follow will be the flooring carpet, hardwoods, ceramic tile giving it that home look.  Your responsibility for cost are starting to add up. You as the homeowner are responsible for all of this and is all figured into you new policy as “Replacement Cost”.

Any damage that may happen to all you see in this stage is covered b your insurance policy.

What if you come home and find a water leak from your dishwasher or a pipe burst while you are at work or on vacation. You return home to water all over your floor that has been sitting there seeping in. This could be a costly repair that you would be responsible for.  

While a fire will damage almost everything it touches, in lots of cases the smoke damage and water damage from the fire department can exceed the cost of damage by the fire itself. The Condo Association would only take it back to “The Big Frame Up”, ensuring the structure is sound, but you would be responsible for those “walls in”.

Your responsibility starts here.

All Moved In

The builder is done, the movers have left.  You walk into your furnished condo. The finished job will look something more like this:  the ceiling are done, the recessed lighting is installed, the hanging lights are shining on the new counter tops, and all of your belonging are in their place. You are now fully responsible for everything you see in every room.

While a homeowners policy will automatically come standard with a certain percentage for your personal belongings. As the insured for a Condo/Townhome policy you get to determine the value stated under your “Personal Property”. You have flexibility to set this at a limit you are comfortable with, and adjust if need be.

Other coverage on your policy include but are not exclusive to are:  Liability Coverage, Water Back Up, Scheduled Property. 

All finished and your personal property is all moved in.

Now you should be ready to make an educated decision on the amount of coverage you will need  for your new Condo/Townhouse policy. If you still have question, please feel free to call and talk to us!

Other things to consider as well: Contractors, Having an Open House, Claims

 

Roost Home Detector

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Have you or someone you know had a water claim?  Your sump pump fails and next thing you know you have a basement full of water.  Or you are out of town in the winter and the temperature drops, have you been worried about your pipes freezing?

We have a free opportunity for you to look into.  All you need is a Smartphone and Wi-Fi in your home.

NEW technology called Roost is available to all of our policy holders.  Roost is a smart detector to help you detect a water event in your home.  The detector monitors changes in temperature and humidity within your home. The idea is that it can help minimize claims because you will receive alerts on your phone when there are significant changes in your home.

Roost Smart Water and Freeze Detector

Do these scenarios ring a bell?

So say that you have an event to attend one evening, or maybe all weekend.  Before you head out you notice that storms are looming in your area, and you hope your sump pump will be able to handle the extra water.  With Roost you can stick the detector in your basement while you are out to monitor the temperature and humidity.  If significant changes are detected you may not be able to stop it entirely, but you would have the information to be able to call for someone to check on the problem soon.

Maybe it’s not the sump pump you are worried about, but rather your pipes while visiting family for Christmas.  You can move your completely mobile Roost detector near pipes you are most concerned about to monitor temperature changes.

Perhaps this one sounds familiar, you have young kids and periodically they flush things down the toilet that shouldn’t go down the toilet.  Or possibly your little one is potty training and experimenting with how much toilet paper to use.  Roost could sit right in your bathroom as an “extra pair of eye”.

Get one for your home

If you are interested in getting a free Roost for your home, now is the time.  Winter will be here before we know it!  Please Contact Us and we will get you one for your home.

 

For any technical questions, please contact Roost:

Send an email to Support@getroost.com – or – call toll free 1-888-446-1365, 8am-9pm EST

 

 

Download the App

After you let us know that you would like a Roost to monitor temperature and humidity in your home don’t forget to download the app.  Look at the picture below so you know which app to get.

Roost App

Halloween Safety Tips & Community Events

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The pumpkins are ripening and the leaves are getting ready to change.  The smell of fall is in the air!  While you are out scouring stores for the perfect costume for your little ones to wear on Halloween (or maybe a costume for yourself) here are a few things to keep in mind:

 

Community Events:

  • 10/5 – First Friday Fall Festival – Downtown Noblesville 5-9pm –  Join in on trick or treating at the different stores downtown, the scarecrow contest, a soup cook off, hay rides, pumpkin decorating, CanStruction, live music and more!
  • 10/6 – Pancake Breakfast – Station in Downtown Noblesville 7-11am – All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast at Noblesville Fire Station. Admission is a $5 donation.
  • 10/6 – Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival – Potter’s Bridge 11-4pm – Enjoy a special autumn day at Potter’s Bridge Park during the 19th Annual Potter’s Bridge Fall Festival. Listen to live music, visit the more than ninety arts, crafts, and food booths, watch your little ones play in the KidZone, or simply take in the natural beauty of Noblesville’s most scenic park on the White River Greenway Trail.
  • 10/6 – WYAP Fall Festival – Asa Bales Park 11-2pm – Join in celebrating family and community at the annual WYAP fall festival. This free family event will feature inflatables, face painting, music and more. Hot dogs will be available to purchase.
  • 10/8 – Fall Break Fun Days – Tuttle Orchard – An array of activities to join in on at the orchard: pumpkin patch, corn maze, narrated wagon rides, U-Pick apples, and much more!
  • 10/11- 10-28 – Headless Horseman Festival – Connor Prairie – This annual Halloween festival is full of activities, shows and spooktacular family fun. Don’t forget to try out our 11-acre corn maze, the Apple Store and, of course, our famous Headless Horseman Hay Ride.
  • 10/17 – Fireside Tales – Simon Moon Park 6:30-8pm – Stories come to life around the campfire at Fireside Tales!
  • 10/23 – Noblesville Octoboo – Hamilton East Public Library 6-8pm – Celebrate this spooky season with a family visit to the library! Dress in costume and visit the treat stations throughout the library.
  • 10/24 – Fishers Octoboo – Hamilton East Public Library 6-8pm – Celebrate this spooky season with a family visit to the library! Dress in costume and visit the treat stations throughout the library.
  • 10/24 – Wear Purple! – Wear your purple with Prevail today! Let’s stand together and use our voices to help end all acts of violence in our community.
  • 10/25 – Little Haunt on the Prairie – Cool Creek Park 5-9pm – Little Haunt on the Prairie at Ghoul Creek Park is fun for the whole family! Spooky, yet age-appropriate Halloween activities will be offered for children ranging from preschool to school ages and their families! You are welcome to come in your costumes and enjoy nature interpretation, entertainment, a hayride, food for purchase, and activities for the little ones as they trick-or-treat their way through this spooky event.
  • 10/26 – Family Halloween Party – Federal Hill Commons 6:30-8:30pm – Bring your little ghoul or goblin out to our annual Halloween Party at its new location, Federal Hill Commons. Stop by the trick or treat village filled with local businesses offering a variety of treats and activities for your little one. Don’t forget to take a ride on the trackless train or stop by our free photo booth! Food trucks will be on-site for purchase.
  • 10/31 – Halloween – Click Here for times for each of the communities in the Hamilton County area

Customer Appreciation Lunch 2018

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It was hard to pick which truck to stop at: Caplingers, Market Distict, Limonez, Papa Smurf Concessions, Pi Indy, and many more choices!

Craig Thurston Music

Phil Schaefer, Margie Altekruse, Ralph Allison, Gregg Pulley, along with Rick & Donna getting their vouchers

Thanks to all the food truck vendors for such great lunches!

After lunch conversations on such a gorgeous day!

Brad & Dean talking about their options

Eric even brought out their new pup to enjoy the afternoon at the park

check in

Good seeing you Jim & JoEllen

Jim & Marcia thanks for coming out

Not only did we give out lunch we had t-shirts for everyone too! Trina,we want to see you model our T-shirt because you make every T-shirt look better.

Baylee was getting the vouchers lunch.

Jim & Sharon enjoying their Caplingers! (Caplingers is an angency favorite!)

Thanks from our entire team!

to

Young Families

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There are all different Seasons In Life and needs change with different seasons.  Last month we talked about Student Loans and Life Insurance,  this month we are hitting on the Young Families.  Both are very different seasons that have unique needs are you prepare in case the unbelievable did happen?

If this doesn’t meet your Season In Life check out LifeHappens for more information.  Please call the agency as well with any question about your coverage we have agents ready to talk with you and see if you have gaps that could be filled so your family doesn’t risk having the financial burden.

Young Families

When you’re starting a family you face perhaps the most daunting financial pressures you’ll encounter at any stage of life. Expenses like a new home and young children weigh heavily, and you’re likely still early in your career, far from your peak earning potential. Meanwhile, you need to begin saving for the future: college for the kids, a nest egg for you and your spouse. How can you address all of these obligations at once?

The key is to imagine you’re at the beginning of a long-term building process. Financial security is a combination of insurance protection, and savings and investments that accumulate over time. Start small and cover all your bases. As your career progresses and your income increases, your financial security will grow as well.

Protection First

The first step in establishing your financial security is to confront the biggest threats to it by asking yourself some tough questions: What would happen if you or your spouse or partner became sick, injured or died? All of these situations can be devastating to your family’s financial health. That’s where insurance comes in.

Life insurance can provide your family members the resources to maintain their lifestyle when you die. It can replace some or all of your income, pay off debts, cover funeral costs and can even help fund longer-range needs like college tuition or retirement. Insure your spouse or partner as well, even if he or she doesn’t work outside the home. A stay-at-home parent provides vital household services—childcare, house upkeep and transportation to name a few—that would be expensive to replace. To find out more about life insurance and if you need coverage, use our Interactive Planner.

Disability insurance is also a must. It will replace a portion of your income if you are unable to work due to a disabling illness or injury. Why is that important? Think about how long you could make ends meet if your paycheck suddenly disappeared. A LIFE Foundation survey found that a majority of workers wouldn’t make it more than a month before serious financial sacrifices would have to be made.

Many larger companies and some smaller ones offer some disability coverage to employees through a group plan. If you need more, it may make sense to buy additional coverage through your employer’s group plan, if available. Buying your own disability insurance policy independently is also option worth considering. Unlike group coverage, privately owned insurance stays with you even when you change jobs. To find out more about disability insurance and if you need coverage, use our Interactive Planner.

Be Sure to Save

Given all the costs a young family faces, the idea of saving may seem impossible. But it’s crucial to get into the habit early, and important to have a source of cash to fall back on in an emergency. Setting aside just $25 a week at a 6% annual return will turn into $31,000 in 15 years. If you have credit card debt, your first priority should be to pay it off. High interest rates on credit card debt can turn into a long-term drag on your family’s financial health.

Invest for the Future

If you haven’t already, you should immediately enroll in your company’s 401(k) retirement savings plan. This will probably be the primary source of your retirement savings, so start early. Some companies even match employee 401(k) contributions, so not participating is like turning down free money.

A 529 college savings program is a good way to put aside money for your kids’ college tuition. You won’t have to pay taxes on your investment gains from the plan as long as you use the money for legitimate education purposes. In addition, some states offer tax deductions to residents who contribute to these plans. Another college savings option is a Coverdell IRA, though it has income level restrictions.

Content Originialy seen at LifeHappens.org

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Dean Ballenger Insurance Agency
3501 Westfield Rd #107
Westfield, IN 46062

O: 317-867-5433
F: 866-906-1604
E: dean@insurewithdean.com