Harris, Reed & Seiferth
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sane as preparations are made to start the next chapter of life. If you're also planning on a move, don't you fret! Follow along beginning to end as we create a tolerable moving experience for ourselves. This four-part series will prepare you for the move, teach you effective and time-saving hacks for packing, help you organize the moving-out process, and get you ready to move into your new home. Let's start off by checking these items off our list.
Source: https://blog.foremost.com/preparing-to-move.asp
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Snowmobiling is easily one of the most exhilarating winter pastimes. Whipping around in the snow and feeling the cold breeze on your face brings such a rush of adrenaline that can't be easily matched. Not to mention, they are a great way of getting around when the snow piles up! If you're considering buying one of your own snowmobiles, you're probably asking a lot of questions about what to consider when making the purchase, especially because these sleds can be quite an expensive investment. We want to make sure you are prepared to invest your money on the best snowmobile you can find which is why we're also here to help you with snowmobile insurance — here are some tips that will get you out on the trail with the best sled around! Be realistic about what you need Your budget, ability, and location are all important factors when considering the purchase. How much money do you want to spend? Is newness important to you? Are you an experienced snowmobiler? These are all valid questions to ask yourself before you begin your search. Consider buying a used snowmobile These babies can still be some of the most reliable sleds around. Buying a used snowmobile will give you all the fun with a lower price tag, which is always appreciated! Research different brands Every brand out there has some great snowmobiles, but asking friends and family who own snowmobiles of their own will help you make a more educated assessment on what brand to continue with. A personal story gives you a trusted source to base your decision on. Look under the hood If you are buying a used snowmobile, check the hood! If the engine and clutches are dirty and covered in oil, it might not be the best idea to make the purchase. A clean sled is a healthy sled! Start the snowmobile up and let it run for 5 to 10 minutes. It should rev consistently and will give you some time to check out the different lights and other electric functions of the sled. Ask questions Whether you are buying new or used, asking questions is the best way to make sure you are making the most educated investment possible. Good salespeople/previous owners will know the sled and will be able to answer any question you may have. Consider added costs Your initial purchase will be the most expensive, but supplying fuel, maintaining insurance, keeping up with maintenance costs, and remembering registration charges go hand in hand with the original investment. No matter what you decide, we hope you will have an exciting and safe winter sporting season. source: https://blog.foremost.com/Things-to-Consider-When-Buying-a-Snowmobile.asp
This week we meet Britany Reed of Harris, Reed & Seiferth Insurance Group in Miami, who shares her passion for nurturing her business, talks about the challenges of unplugging, and also offers some advice for those just starting out. J: How did you get started with your business?
B: On starting Harris, Reed & Seiferth Insurance Group, I was looking for a career and life change, and a business that I could dedicate my life to building and nurturing. I wanted to build something that I could establish financial strength, freedom and independence for myself, and also provide that fortitude to my clients. I felt this business called upon all of my aspirations and business experiences. It enabled me to build a career that provides me and those lives I touch with lasting purpose and honor. I set very high standards of excellence and integrity for myself, my staff and the results I provide to my clients, which provides me with the foundation to earn the opportunity to work with the people I dedicate myself to. J: How do you make use of Google products in your business? B: G Suite is a key player for us, coupled with the ability to incorporate apps like DocHub, Contacts, Analytics, Forms, Drive, Hangouts, Calendar. Even Maps keeps us running efficiently. We're always looking for latest Google updates on recommended partner applications. J: What’s your biggest challenge today? B: Unplugging. I’m HORRIBLE at this. I try to put conditions in place so that I don’t email after 8pm and I don’t respond to clients after 12pm on Saturday, but it always seems to creep in. J: What do you hope for in a year’s time? B: As we are currently licensed in seven states, we are hoping to solidify licenses for the remaining, or at least half, within the next year. J: What’s your best advice for a new business owner? B: Anything is possible. Dream big, aim high in your ethical and professional standards of excellence and, with relentless dedication, you can achieve a business and life that is filled with great purpose, substance and fulfillment. On behalf of the Small Business Community, thank you Britany. Did you enjoy reading this post? Share your comments and questions right here. Google My Business Experiencing a loss can be stressful, frustrating and disheartening, but having insurance coverage will help alleviate the financial burden a loss can cause. The first step in restoring your property and moving forward is to determine if your policy provides coverage for the loss. To do this you need to file a claim with the insurer. While the claims process isn't something many eagerly look forward to, there are definitely ways you can make it a less stressful experience. To help you successfully navigate the process, here are several tips for effectively and efficiently filing claims. Keep an inventory of all your insured possessions. Be proactive! If you keep a written document of your possessions, it can help make the claims process much easier if you experience a loss. Go from room to room and record each item and its value to prepare an inventory. An easy way to do this is to take photos or videos of each room and all of the contents in the rooms. Consider keeping receipts with the purchase date and original cost for your records too, in case of total loss. Your inventory list should be consistently updated, which can be done easily if you record new items shortly after purchasing them. Pro Tip: Your inventory should be easily accessible. It is a good idea to keep a couple copies of your inventory at different locations, with one location being off-premises in case of a total loss, like a fire. Reach out to your agent first. In the event of a potential claim, it's best to contact your agent directly instead of the broader insurance provider. Your agent will be able to explain your options and advise on whether filing a claim is in your best interest. In some cases, your agent may even file the claim for you. Report your loss promptly. Always file your claim as soon as you possibly can. Of course, theft losses should be reported to the police first, and in other situations of danger and urgency, safety takes priority. But once it's safe and reasonable to do so, you should contact your insurance agent. This is important because your policy might require you to make the notification within a certain amount of time. Not filing a claim within the time required in your policy may lead to a denial of the claim or may result in the claims process taking longer. Be prepared with the right information. When you file your claim or make follow-up calls regarding the process, be sure to have the right information so your conversation is easier and more effective. Have your inventory list and the details of your loss, and keep the following information handy for your claims representative:
Provide complete, correct information. Explain the situation accurately without downplaying or exaggerating your loss. Incorrect or incomplete information may cause complications and delays in processing the claim. Additionally, materially misrepresenting the facts of your loss may result in a loss of coverage. Record important details from all correspondence. While going through the claims process, be sure to write down important information from your phone conversations and in-person meetings with claims representatives and other contacts. This should include the time and date, as well as the name and title of the person you spoke with. This will help you stay organized and create records that may come in handy later. Make appropriate emergency repairs. If you're dealing with property damage it may be necessary to make immediate emergency repairs to prevent additional damages, such as calling a plumber to repair a broken pipe. Your policy might cover the costs of these emergency repairs, so be sure to inquire about them when filing the claim. It is also important to take photos or even videos before making the repairs, and save the receipts from all of the work that is done. Ask questions. Don't be afraid to ask your claims representative for more information or clarification. The process will go much more smoothly if you are both on the same page and fully understand each other. For example, if there is a disagreement about the coverage of the claim, ask for the specific language in the policy that is in question to find out if it is a matter of differing interpretations. Overall, it's important to have patience because every insurance claim is different! Some may be completed quickly, while others may take a few weeks or even months to be resolved. You never know when problems will arise, but these tips can help you to effectively address the situations and smoothly navigate the claims process. Source: https://blog.foremost.com/tips-for-effectively-filing-claims.asp
When strong winds blow, manufactured homes need special protection. No matter where you live, you need tie-downs and anchors to keep your manufactured home stable and secure. Before you start the job, you should understand why this wind protection system is necessary, and know the basic requirements for tie-downs and anchors. You also need to become familiar with all the components that make up your anchoring system. It's a good idea to consult with an experienced professional installer or building inspector if you have any questions or doubts about the installation. Why Mobile Home Tie-Downs? Manufactured homes must have anchors and tie-downs to keep them in place during high winds. Compared to site-built homes, manufactured homes are relatively lightweight. They have flat sides and ends, and they are built on frames rather than foundations. Almost all manufactured homes are elevated, situated on top of some sort of pier or foundation system. Wind can get under the homes and lift them up. In addition, the wind passing over the top of your manufactured home can create an uplift force. To resist wind forces, you need two different types of tie-downs. In older homes, a vertical or over-the-top tie-down is needed to compensate for the uplift force. A diagonal or frame tie-down is needed to compensate for both lateral and uplift forces. Singlewide manufactured homes need both types of tie-downs. Doublewide homes only need the diagonal ties. Tie Down Requirements For Manufactured Homes
• Singlewide manufactured homes require both diagonal and vertical ties. • Doublewide manufactured homes require only diagonal ties. Length of manufactured home (ft)Number of Vertical Ties per SideNumber of Diagonal Ties per SideNumber of Vertical Ties per SideNumber of Diagonal Ties per Side • To determine the length, do not include the draw bar. • Numbers based on minimum working load per anchor of 3,150 pounds, with a 50% overload of 4,725 pounds. • Diagonal ties must deviate at least 40 degrees from a vertical direction. • If your home has special site considerations, a registered professional engineer or architect can devise an alternate anchoring system. Anchoring System Components
Installing a tie-down and anchoring system is not too complicated for most do-it-yourselfers. It's wise, however, to seek experienced help to make sure you are using the proper anchor for your soil conditions, enough anchors for your wind conditions, the correct tension on your tie-down, and proper angle for your frame tie-downs. At the very least you should have a building inspector or a trained installer check over your finished work.
To make sure you're tied down safely, consult your local building inspector. Looking for Mobile Home insurance? In addition to following the proper steps to tie-down and anchor your mobile home, make sure you have a good mobile home insurance policy in case the unexpected happens. Source: Foremost Insurance - Mobile Home Repair - How to Install Tie Downs And Anchors During a freeze, fresh water that has not been flushed out of a boat can cause major damage. Water left in pipes, plumbing lines, holding lines, sewage tanks or the engine has the potential to freeze and expand causing, potentially, thousands of dollars worth of damage to a boat. A cracked engine from lack of winterization can be very costly. Even more, if you didn't take the time to winterize your boat, those damages may not be covered under your boat insurance policy. That's why it's so important to take some time to winterize your boat. An hour of prevention could save you thousands of dollars and one big headache.
Best Time To Winterize A Boat The best time to winterize your boat is when you've decided your boating season is over. For locations that have timely seasons it may be easy to figure out what time of year that is. In the Great Lakes region, for example, many boaters target Labor Day weekend as the right time to take their boat out of the water before the cold weather hits. For states like Texas, California or Florida that don't have a typical winter season, deciding when to winterize your boat can be a little harder. In fact, it's in these states that damage due to lack of winterization occurs the most. How can you winterize if there is no winter? Winterization is really nothing more that following proper storage procedures. Whether a location has a typical winter or not, you should know how to properly store your boat because even a state like Texas can be hit with cold weather. Who Is Typically Affected? According to Glenn Sladek, general claims adjuster for Farmers Insurance, boaters that live in a region that doesn't have a typical winter are the ones that need to be informed of proper boat winterization techniques. "The people that typically get burned are the people that don't have consistent winters. The weatherman says there's going to be a freeze, and unfortunately some people don't take any action to protect their boat. By the time the freeze occurs, the damage is done," says Sladek. With 21 years of marine claim experience under his belt he has seen a plethora of damages associated with not winterizing boats. Sladek continues, "Winterization should only take an hour for boats under 26 feet and towed on a trailer. If you don't know how, any marine facility or dealer should be able to help you, but it's really not that hard to do." Follow The Steps Below To Winterize A Boat
Looking For Boat Insurance? In addition to following the proper steps to winterize your boat, make sure you have a good boat insurance policy in case the unexpected happens. Learn about our Marine Choice® packages. Source: Foremost Insurance - On The Water - Winterizing Your Boat As summer days continue to get hotter, a visit to the nearby sea or lake may be a welcome change from the heat inland. If you’ve planned for extra free time during the summer holidays, boating with your family or friends might just be a good idea to add to your list of activities to enjoy this summer. If you already own a boat, remember that boats need extra care during the summer to keep them in ship shape. Remember, a well maintained boat will make your summer trips on the sea much more enjoyable.
To help you have safer, more enjoyable, boating experiences, here are some useful tips that you can use to help you keep your boats in good condition during these scorching summer days. 1. Perform a Full-scale Cleaning To perform a full-scale cleaning of your boat, you need to buy premium products that will maintain your boat’s surface and gel coat. You can treat and clean the interior of your boat using a vinyl cleaner and polish. It will prevent the interior material from flaking or cracking. For recommendations on the type of products you should buy to clean your boat, you can ask other boat owners. 2. Apply Protectant Protectant will protect the boat’s material and gel coat. It will prevent them from fading or oxidizing under the torturous heat of the sun. You should always use a heavy-duty product such as a polymer. You will need to reapply the protectant each time you take your boat out on the water. 3. Maintain Your Boat Regularly When it comes to maintaining your boat, you should perform a general inspection of your boat on a daily basis. If you love your boat, looking after your boat will become one of your favorite things to do in the summer. You should buy cleaning products that contain polymers. Not only will it protect your boat from the harsh rays of the sun, but it will also protect your boat from harsh chemicals. 4. Always Cover Your Boat You should always cover your boat when you are not using it. Leaving it exposed to the weather elements is a bad idea. The heat from the sun will increase the oxidation process. When you are coming back from the water, you should clean your boat before you cover it. You need to clean your boat to remove the salt, bacteria, and grime from it. Memorial Day is just a few weeks away, which means boat season is upon us! It’s now time put some work into getting your vessel ready to launch. Below we’ve compiled de-winterization steps you’ll need to take to get your boat ready, as well as more general safety and maintenance tips.
Before reading this it is important to note that there are many types and sizes of boats, as this will cover a lot of steps for preparation, you should create your own spring checklist based on the complexities of your particular vessel; just be sure to consult your Owner’s Manual if you are a do-it-yourselfer. For starters, safety first!
Now let’s get into some pre-launch maintenance and inspection
Docked Boat Inspection
Fuel System Inspection
Engine and Other Systems Inspection
Topsides, Hull, and Deck Inspection
Whether you are relatively new to the sea or a seasoned skipper, you need to have a game plan for getting your boat ready – from basic spring boat maintenance to tackling projects reserved for out of the water. Although many cavities need immediate attention to avoid serious complications, there are situations, when a cavity is small or just beginning, that treatment with a filling or drilling can wait or may even be prevented. It is up to your employees’ dentist to decide whether to treat a cavity now or later, but here’s some information to help inform the decision.
How Cavities Develop Tooth decay doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, as the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research notes, it is a disease process that happens over time. Thankfully, sometimes it can be stopped, reversed or entirely prevented. Bacteria in the mouth continually form a sticky plaque film on the teeth, and then use the sugars from foods (and drinks) to create acidic toxins that can eventually dissolve tooth enamel or other parts of the tooth. The more often that teeth are exposed to these harmful acids, the greater the chance of experiencing tooth decay. After eating, the teeth are bathed in acids for approximately 20 minutes, according to the Wisconsin Dental Association. So the teeth of employees who graze on sugary snacks all day are under constant attack. This attack involves the acids dissolving minerals from the teeth, causing the teeth to decalcify and eventually decay, as the decalcified areas get larger and/or deeper into the teeth. Tooth decay can also start in oher areas of the teeth, like on the root surfaces that may be exposed due to gum recession as we age, or recession caused by gum disease. These root surfaces are not covered with enamel and can decay much more easily and quickly than the areas of the teeth that are covered by enamel. Can Cavity Treatment Wait? Soft white spots on a tooth, sometimes called incipient lesions, are the first visible signs that tooth enamel has lost some of its minerals and is beginning to decalcify, according to the American Association of Dental Consultants. At this point, the demineralization process can be stopped by reducing the frequency of sugary things that are consumed, along with emphasizing good oral hygiene practices. Over time, lesions can repair themselves with the minerals found in saliva and fluoride from toothpaste, among other sources. As noted by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), gum with xylitol can help remineralize tooth enamel after meals. The calcium in cheese and other dairy products can also help keep teeth healthy, the University of Rochester reports. When a dentist sees signs of early decay during an examination, he or she may tell the patient that while these areas may not need treatment involving a filling now, the dentist will keep an eye on those areas at each appointment—so that if a tooth needs a filling, it will be more likely to be a small one. When to Seek Treatment If early tooth decay is left untreated, it can break down more enamel and, in time, reach the softer dentin portion of the tooth. Not only will pain or tooth sensitivity become a real possibility as the cavity gets bigger, but the tooth won’t be able to repair itself—the decay will need to be removed and the tooth restored with a filling. If too much tooth enamel is destroyed, the dentist may have to place a crown to fix the tooth. Since tooth decay moves quickly through the dentin layer of the tooth, it may reach the inner pulp portion of the tooth (which is made up of blood vessels and nerves) if treatment is delayed. When decay infects the pulp, an abscess may form and spread an infection to the surrounding bone, explains the AGD. Not only can this situation be very painful, there are only two treatment choices. The dentist can either perform a root canal to remove all of the diseased pulp tissue or extract the entire tooth. Preventing Tooth Decay Prevention is always the best medicine, and when it comes to tooth decay, this adage is definitely appropriate. If your employees and their families adhere to the following basics recommended by the American Dental Association, they may never have to worry about the unpleasant consequences of tooth decay:
The best place to be on a sunny summer day is on the water; fisherman would certainly agree. Though, whether you favor the power boat for fishing, the refreshing quality of sailing, or even zippy momentum of jet ski freedom, there's serenity in water-based leisure that propels its infinite popularity. All of the daily worries seem to float away with the waves - until something goes awry and you’re left wondering what to do next.
You have Auto Insurance for your car or truck in the event of accidents. As a boat owner, your boat is vulnerable to risk, just like your car or truck, so it should always be insured and there are two different options that will work for you:
Harris, Reed & Seiferth Insurance Group is an Independent Agency that shops to find you the best value for your insurance dollar. No compromise in coverage or quality, and at renewal we shop again to insure our clients are still receiving the best value for their insurance dollar. If you have more questions, give us a call today to learn more and get a quote. Contact us today for a quote! Harris Reed & Seiferth Insurance Group Office: 561-768-8176 www.harrisreedandseiferthinsurancegroup.com |
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January 2019
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