Play It Safe for the Summer

July 8, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

Summertime is a season of relaxation for many of us. Warm temperatures and long daylight hours means plenty of opportunities for time spent in the great outdoors with family and friends. Walking on the Monon, grilling out with neighbors or simply catching a tan in your backyard may be activities you look forward to every summer. While the opportunity for outdoor fun increases, so does the opportunity for outdoor liability. If you own a pool, trampoline or even a playground for your kids, now is the time to be extra vigilant. The Dean Ballenger Agency has some tips to help you protect yourself from potential liability claims this summer.

Have a pool?

Rules. Make sure that any friends or family you have over know the rules that you expect to be followed for your pool. These rules may include no running, no diving or no playing chicken. If you have children, make sure they are aware of these rules along with any friends they invite over. It may even be a good idea to make a sign and post it near the pool that lists what these rules are.
Cover yourself! Using a cover on your pool while it is not in use can prevent visitors both wanted and unwanted from falling in. Cover yourself by using a pool cover this summer
Fence it in. Fences can block uninvited or unwanted visitors from taking a swim without your permission. Consider having a self-locking fence to prevent catastrophes from kids wandering around for some fun during summer nights.

Have a trampoline?

Rules. Like with the pool, setting rules for the way the trampoline is used can help diminish the possibility for accidents and injuries. Rules such as no flips, no jumping at night or limiting the number of people allowed to jump at the same time can help create a safer environment.
Limit access. Many trampolines can be purchased with a net to help prevent accidents. A sturdy net can be the barrier between a guest and a broken bone. Additionally, a fence around the backyard will limit access to uninvited guests.
Location, location, location. Step back and look at your trampoline. Is it on a slope? Is there any sharp or dangerous equipment near by? Is it in the line of fire of the sprinkler? If the trampoline rests on a slope, gravity may not be your best friend in terms preventing liability claims. Make sure your trampoline is on a flat surface. Also, ensure that it is not near a fence with sharp peaks or any equipment such as a grill that reaches hot temperatures. In the event of someone falling off the trampoline, these would not be optimal things to land on. And of course, jumping on a wet surface versus a dry surface is easy math. The likelihood of slipping and falling increases greatly. Make sure your sprinkler is watering the grass, not the trampoline.

Have a playground?

Rules. Like with pools and trampolines, it can never hurt to lay down some rules for how and when the playground can be used. Make sure your children are aware of these rules along with any friends they have over.
Limit access. Fences seem to be a trend here, don’t they?
Be a responsible owner. Inspect the playground occasionally to make sure no parts have broken, edges have sharpened or rust has taken over. Making sure that the playground is on flat, firm ground is crucial as well.
Empty nest means empty yard. If your kids are long gone and no grandchildren are making use of the playground, get rid of it. Getting rid of a playground set may not rank high on your to-do list. However, if no one is using it, there is truly no reason to have it. The only purpose it could serve now is opening you up to a liability claim.

From all of us at the Dean Ballenger Agency, have a fun, safe summer! If you have any questions about this blog or blogs past, feel free to call us at 317-867-5433.

When Getting Married Saves You Money

May 24, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

When couples exchange vows, combining their existing insurance policies doesn’t typically rank high on the post-wedding to do list. However, combining policies as a married couple can amount to savings that may have you calling your agent the second you say “I do.” Being listed as married versus single can decrease your rates up to 50%. Make sure your agent is on speed dial.

This drop in rates occurs for several reasons. Once you are married, insurance agencies view you as settling down and therefore a lower risk. Additionally, once two people are married, in most cases, the insurance agency will pull credit scores on both spouses and use the better of the two scores found. This could mean dramatic savings.

This may be a good time to shop your insurance, as well, since you are now both starting a new chapter of life together. If you are looking at purchasing a house together, a quality agent can coach you through the process of comparing homeowner’s insurance rates for older homes vs a newer homes. Often times, newer homes come with significantly lower premiums than older homes. This could mean budgeting more money toward a newer home versus budgeting that money toward insurance costs.

Now You See It Now You Don’t

May 13, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

Welcome to May, Hoosiers! The first month of sunshine, warm days and of course, the Indy 500. Like many other Hoosiers, you likely have plans to attend the 100^th running of the Indy 500 and ring summer in right. But no Hoosier expects to ring it in by losing just that…their ring.

Ladies, picture you and your husband at the Indy 500. You’re enjoying the race with friends and the last thing on your mind is all the reasons you could lose the diamond ring on your finger. But unfortunately, there is a lot working against you – you’re sweating from the sun, the cold beverage in your hand is dripping condensation, and the sunscreen has made your skin slick. Your favorite driver makes his final lap, winning the race. Now your hands are in the air and for the first time today you notice one thing is missing, that beautiful ring that usually lives on your left hand. Now you and your husband are left wondering what the next steps are toward getting it replaced. This is where your homeowner’s insurance could save the day.

With a scheduled personal property endorsement on your homeowner’s policy, this loss of your ring is covered. However, this is only if the endorsement has been applied. In a very different situation, if a house fire occurred and your ring was destroyed, your homeowner’s policy will cover that up to a certain dollar amount without the endorsement. However, in situations similar to that at the Indy 500, the endorsement will need to be in place to cover losing it while out and about.

So, as you prepare your race day to-do list, be sure to call your agent to get your ring, or any other valuables you may wear, scheduled as an endorsement to your homeowner’s policy. This way, the day of celebrating your favorite driver’s victory can remain a day of celebration.

Insure That She Has a Great Mother’s Day!

May 7, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

There is no doubt about the important role mothers play in our lives. From cheering the loudest on the soccer game sidelines, to bandaging up scrapes and bruises, to helping build that volcano for the science fair – mom has always been there. And for most of us, she’s the reason we turned out half way decent as adults! So, for this Mother’s Day, we would like to offer some ideas about things you can do for mom that say “I love you” and “thanks for everything.”

Wake up early and make her breakfast. If there’s one thing moms like more than waking up to a clean kitchen, it’s waking up to breakfast in bed (assuming you clean the kitchen after making it of course). What’s her favorite breakfast food? Pancakes? Eggs over-easy? Whip that up for her and start her day out right, feeling loved and with a full belly!
Do a few chores. One of the many hats that moms wear include that of a personal butler at times. Wear that hat for a day. What chore does she dislike most? Whether its vacuuming, dishes, laundry or whatever else, take over that role for her! And gentlemen, remember, don’t mix colors and whites! 🙂
Rent her favorite movie. Sometimes the nicest thing to do for moms is allowing them some relaxation! To the mom in your life, letting her kick up her heels with her favorite movie might be the best gift she could ask for. Also, if you go this route, rent a separate movie to occupy the little ones while mom relaxes.
Surprise her with Starbucks. Who doesn’t love Starbucks? With the awesome new frappe flavors out like Caramel Waffle Cone and S’mores, grab her a Venti (the big one, gentlemen) to satisfy her sweet tooth and her caffeine cravings. This may be best served alongside the breakfast in bed!
Tell her what she deserves to hear. On Mother’s Day it’s natural to wish your mom a Happy Mother’s Day. But what else does she need to her? I love you, mom. Thank you for everything. You are beautiful. I appreciate you. I am blessed to have you as a mother. These might be good places to start.

Whatever you choose to do for the mother figures in your life, we hope she feels as loved and appreciated as she deserves. From the Dean Ballenger Agency, Happy Mother’s Day!

9 Gardening Tips for Beginners

April 28, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

Spring has officially arrived and summer is around the corner! It’s time to pull the work gloves out of storage and get to work on the yard work that’s been calling your name. For those who are new to the gardening world, this article is a great resource for dos and don’ts to keep your garden looking great! Happy planting!

Know Your Region

Photo by Westend61/Getty Images

It may sound obvious, but not everything grows everywhere, so what you plant is determined by where you live. “Take a look at the characteristics of your garden area—from the climate to sun exposure,” says Brian Sullivan, Vice President for Gardens, Landscape, and Outdoor Collections at The New York Botanical Garden. “It’s the most important thing to start with because you’ll want to understand the limits and the possibilities.” Talk to someone who works at your local garden center about the best native plants for your region, says Chris Lambton, professional landscaper and host of DIY Network’s Yard Crashers. “These will perform the best with less maintenance.”

Test Your Soil

To get a thorough reading of your soil’s pH and nutrient levels, send a sample to your local nursery or cooperative extension, suggests garden expert Christy Dailey of christy gardens. (There are also at-home testing kits available at Lowes, Home Depot, or any gardening store.) The results will tell you how acidic or alkaline your soil is, which affects how plants absorb nutrients. Since different plants thrive best in different pH levels, this test will help you decide what to plant or indicate how you should treat the soil.

Examine soil texture, too. “It should be easily shoveled and crumble in your hands,” says Annette Gutierrez, owner of Potted in Los Angeles. “If your soil is super hard or clay-like, it will be difficult for most plants to grow roots. Add fresh soil, mulch, and compost, being careful to aerate as much and as deep an area as you can before planting.”

Start With “Easy” Plants

“Growing vegetables is a fun introduction to gardening,” says Sullivan. They don’t take as long to grow, so if you make a mistake you won’t have wasted months and months of your time. Sunflowers are also a good option, since they grow quickly and tall, or try easy-to-grow ferns—both of these can be grown all across the United States. “Early success is inspiring,” he says. “It might make you want to move on to more complicated plants.”

Create a Plan

To avoid crowding, Sullivan suggests researching your plants first so you know exactly how big they will get and how to space them out accordingly. “Typically perennials, plants that live for more than two years, should be spaced approximately 18 inches apart,” says Dailey. “This allows enough room for new growth and will usually make the garden look filled right away.”

It’s also important to know how high your plants will grow, he says. “Shorter and creeping ones should be planted toward the front and edges of the garden bed, with the taller plants in the back.” This is where knowing about sun exposure comes in handy—be mindful of taller plants that would block smaller ones, or the varieties that prefer a lot of sun or shade.

Keep a Notebook

“A journal is really about the big picture, so jot down your dreams for the garden or inspiration,” says Sullivan. “It’s a great way to keep track of garden activity. You can also use it to keep notes about the interesting plants you come across elsewhere, so you can make a reminder to include them in your garden next year.”

Set a Calendar…

…or have a general idea of your big gardening tasks each season. “In the spring, I start fertilizing all plants and do that every six-to-eight weeks throughout the growing season, which usually ends in the fall,” says Gutierrez. “It’s usually too hot to plant in the summer. In the fall, after the heavy heat has passed, I prune trees and large shrubs. If I want to add bulbs or any new plants for the next year, I add them at this time, but you can also plant in early spring. And winter is when I cut back woody plants and roses, usually before the first frost.”

Water Carefully

“Give a consistent and ample amount of water,” says Sullivan. “’Consistent’ means you’re doing it on a regular basis and ‘ample’ means enough, which varies from plant to plant. Make sure the water penetrates the soil as opposed to just putting a little bit on the surface.” Newer plants will need to be watered more frequently because their root systems aren’t completely developed. As for the best time of day, Lambton suggests early morning before it gets too warm so the plant can really soak up the water. If you water in the evening, your plants might be more prone to fungus and other diseases.

Keep Up the Good Work!

You might not have to do a lot of work everyday, but “proper maintenance is the greatest thing you can give your garden and the most rewarding,” says Dailey. “Taking time to deadhead, weed, prune, and tidy up will get you in tune with what the plants need to thrive. You will inevitably see how each plant reacts to weather changes and how to correct issues like infestations before they become too problematic.” If you notice stunted growth, check what’s going on with the roots of the plant by carefully examining and digging around the underlying soil, Sullivan says—sometimes they will need to be gently opened or teased so that they can spread out in the soil.

Try to Be Patient

“Gardening is a process,” says Sullivan. “It doesn’t just happen in one day—it takes time.” Sometimes impatience will cause you to overwater or fuss too much with the plants in the hopes that they will grow faster. Monitor them regularly, but unless something looks wrong, let them be.

Author: Sarah Yang with RealSimple

Source: http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/gardening/outdoor/gardening-101

Blown Away By Your Roof Deductible?

April 18, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

With Indiana’s recent hail and wind storms, many Hoosiers have needed to lean on their homeowner’s insurance to help with the damage their roofs have experienced. Unfortunately, many of those same Hoosiers are realizing their coverage is not what they thought it was. Do you know if your homeowner’s insurance has actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost value (RCV) coverage? Let’s find out now to save a headache potentially a lot of out-of-pocket payments later.

ACV means actual cash value. This is determined by taking the original value of the roof, then subtracting the depreciation and the deductible. Let’s say your roof has a 20-year shingle life, and 10 years into its lifespan, a windstorm leaves it unusable. With ACV, that would be the amount of the replacement cost minus the depreciation, then minus the deductible. Consider this scenario: a homeowner with a $20,000 roof replacement cost experiences wind damage that leaves his roof in need of replacement. After all deductions are applied, he will receive a check from the insurance agency for $20,000 minus $10,000 for the 10 years of depreciation, minus the $1,000 deductible. This leaves him with less than half the amount needed to replace the roof, and little frustrated. Also consider this scenario: the homeowner realizes that not only does he have ACV coverage on his roof, but he also has a separate wind and hail deductible. In this case, it would pay out as follows. The $20,000 minus the $10,000 for 10 years of depreciation, minus a separate 2% deductible of coverage A, coverage A being the replacement cost for the entire home, in this case $300,000. That equals $20,000 minus the $10,000 minus $6,000. This leaves the homeowner with a check for $4,000, and more than a little frustrated.

One of the popular trends for agents quoting new business is to offer ACV. At the Dean Ballenger Agency, we feel that this popular trend is not always best for the client. While we are open to discuss actual cash value policies when it makes sense, all of our current homeowners policies are written with RCV. RCV will pay to replace the roof, regardless of age or depreciation, once you’ve met your deductible. Additionally, make sure that you are not persuaded into believing that every insurance company is switching to this type of ACV roof coverage. They’re not.

Some companies offer RCV as part of their homeowner’s insurance coverage, while other companies offer it as an additional coverage that can be purchased. Either way, this is a conversation that should be had with your insurance agent to protect yourself from what could be thousands of dollars out-of-pocket.

When You’ve Gone Through Hail

April 1, 2016 by Dean Leave a Comment

Spring has arrived. Flowers are blooming, temperatures are rising and hail is falling. As beautiful as spring can be, it is also the time of year when 42% of all comprehensive auto claims are filed. This is due in large part to hail. The unpredictable weather that comes with spring results in unpredictable precipitation, such as hail, especially in the Midwest regions. Hail can also wreak havoc on homes, in some states resulting in over 50% of filed claims.

Often times, when hail strikes, storm-chasers are not far behind. Storm-chasers are general contractors and roof repair companies that seek business in areas that have recently experienced hailstorms. While this can be a convenient way to find a contractor, be sure that you are electing the most efficient and reputable company for your needs. Here are a few things to watch out for when interacting with these storm-chasers:

Do your research: Don’t make a hasty decision which may result in poor quality repair just because someone is knocking at your door. Do not feel pressured to choose the first company that comes knocking with an estimate. While you are free to choose the contractor of your choice, the insurance company cannot help you in the event you choose a poor quality company.
Consult your insurance agent: Many times, your insurance agent has a list of wonderful and highly recommended references for all of your repair and construction needs. Ask your agent if they’ve ever heard of the company that is attempting to offer you their services and if they can recommend anyone they personally know to be high quality.
Never let someone file a claim for you: Always file your own claims! Many contractors will offer to file a claim on your behalf even when they know there is not enough damage necessary to file a claim. Case and point – you have $1,200 worth of damage and $1,000 deductible, so your net check would be $200 and a claim on your record. This is not always the best choice for you, the policy holder.

NOAA predicts moderate flood potential in Midwest.

March 21, 2014 by Dean Leave a Comment

Spring Flood Risk

National Weather Service hydrologists predict moderate flooding in parts of southern Wisconsin, southern Michigan and portions of Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa as a result of the current snowpack and the deep layer of frozen ground coupled with expected seasonal temperatures and rainfall. At risk are the Mississippi River and the Illinois River as well as many smaller rivers in these regions. Small streams and rivers in the lower Missouri basin in Missouri and eastern Kansas have already experienced minor flooding this year and the threat of moderate flooding will persist through the spring.

Minor flooding is likely in the northern Rockies, parts of the Midwest, and the Great Lakes region. Minor flooding is also possible in the Northeast, the lower Mississippi River basin, and across the entire Southeast up to Virginia, including east Texas, and parts of Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, West Virginia and the Florida panhandle. In these areas, spring flood risk is highly dependent on rainfall.

Charcoal Grilling

March 17, 2014 by Dean Leave a Comment

Charcoal Grilling Safety Tips:

-When using barbecue grills on decks or patios, be sure to leave sufficient space from siding and leaves.

-Place your grill at least 15 feet from any building.

-If you live in an apartment, place your grill on a parking lot or section of lawn far away from buildings and flammable items.

-Grill only on a flat surface that can’t catch fire.

-Never use gasoline, alcohol or kerosene to start your coals.

-Do not add lighter fluid once your coals are on fire, glowing or smoldering.

-Since charcoal produces CO fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.

-Close the grill lid and any vents tightly.

-Do not move the grill or remove the coals for 48 hours, unless you can safely transfer the coals to a stainless steel container.

-When dinner is done, soak the Coals

-Keep in mind that charcoal when burned in grills produces carbon monoxide (CO). CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can accumulate to toxic levels in closed environments. Each year about 17 people die as a result of CO fumes from charcoal being burned indoors or in a poorly ventilated area. To reduce the risk of CO poisoning:

-Never burn charcoal inside of homes, vehicles, tents or campers, even if ventilation is provided.

-Since charcoal produces CO fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.

With Spring Comes Grilling

March 17, 2014 by Dean Leave a Comment

Gas Grilling Safety Tips:

-Make sure all hose connections are tight and in good condition. Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing.

-After grilling, close the valve on the gas cylinder making sure that it is completely turned off.

-Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk. Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and allow gas to escape.

-Make sure your spark igniter is consistently generating a spark to create a flame and burn the propane gas. If the flame is not visible, the heavier-than-air propane gas may be escaping and could cause an explosion.

If your grill catches fire:

If you can get close enough without getting burned, put the lid on or shut off the gas. Get completely away from the grill. Activate the building’s alarm system.

Call 911.

Dean Ballenger Agency Inc

Independent Insurance Agent

For questions call (317)-867-5433