Transitioning from a home where you have roots in one place to a full-time life on the road is a drastic change, but there are many things that draw people to this “nomad” lifestyle. It could be the flexibility, the love of traveling, or maybe you just want to get out of your comfort zone and try something new! Whatever the reason may be, if you’re preparing to be an RV full-timer, kudos for having the courage to embrace this exciting lifestyle change.

We know it can be overwhelming to think about the details involved with living full-time in an RV, and your choice to welcome the open road may seem impulsive to others, but that’s okay. Life is short, and who knows … you may end up regretting not doing this sooner!

Here are some tips to help you prepare for living in an RV full-time.

Become a Minimalist.​
Adapting a minimalist lifestyle often requires major changes. You’re probably going from a normal-sized home to a roughly 270 square foot space, which forces you to ask: “What do I really need?” To determine this, start by writing down everything you want to bring, then write another list of everything you actually need. This will help you visualize and prioritize your possessions.
Bring all the necessities, of course – clothes, toiletries, shoes, cookware, etc. However, you won’t nee
d 10 pairs of boots, or the many t-shirts that have been sitting in your drawers for 2+ years, or 20 drinking glasses that you currently have in your kitchen.

You may need to make some tough decisions, but take this opportunity to de-clutter your belongings. Make a “take” pile and a “donation” pile. It’s always a good idea, even if you aren’t planning to RV full-time!

Go Paperless.
Life on the road means you won’t be home to pick up your mail and see if you received any bills. Move all of your bills (cell phone, medical, credit cards, auto insurance, etc.) to automated billing so you don’t need to worry about it. Once you make the switch, you should get all notifications for your bills via email moving forward. Plus, this helps save the environment!

Sell or Keep Your Home?
This brings us to our next question – will you make the commitment to sell your home and have your RV be your only residence? This depends on how much you plan to travel throughout the year. Also, can you afford to keep your home while traveling? You will still have your mortgage payments, maintenance on the home and other obligations. If you decide to keep your home, there’s always the option of renting it out so you won’t have to worry about any mortgage payments. If you don’t start renting, make sure you have someone regularly stopping by your home to get the mail and take care of any maintenance needed as the seasons go by.

If you do decide to sell your home or cancel a lease, you will need to choose a domicile state and receive mail. Getting a domicile means you are choosing a state for your legal residence. This state will be listed on your driver’s license, where you purchase your health insurance, where you can vote and where you will accept mail. (There are lots of mail-forwarding services that will set you up with a street address so you can officially establish residency. This is helpful because a P.O. Box address will not be accepted as your legal residence). The best states for full-time RVer domiciles are Texas, Florida or South Dakota.* People usually choose these states because they are income tax-free!

Selling your home will also allow more financial freedom for your RV travels! Get that estate sale ready, or find a storage unit to put all of your furniture in, just in case you ever want a break from the RV life.

Determine a Monthly Budget.
You may think you’ll be saving a lot of money when you live on the road – but you will be surprised. Since your expenses will be drastically different from when you lived in a home, you need to budget and keep track of everything you spend. Things like campsite fees, eating out frequently, gas and unexpected RV repairs can add up. Once you get a good idea of how much you’re spending each month, you can adjust your budget accordingly.

Purchase Full-Time RV Insurance.
Since your RV will be your permanent residence, you need a specific type of insurance coverage called “Full-Time RV Insurance.” You will be covered against liabilities, Additional Living Expenses, medical expenses in the case of an accident and more! Contact one of our local agents today to get more information on how you can get covered, so you can enjoy your travels across the U.S., or start an RV quote now!

Stay Connected with Family and Friends.
Communicate with your friends and family on a regular basis. (They will miss you!) It’s also a good idea to let a few people know your current location and where you’re headed next on a regular basis, just in case of an emergency. To make your loved ones feel like they’re part of your adventure, post pictures frequently on social media or send them via text or email. It will let everyone know you and your companions are safe, and also allows you to stay connected with everyone even when you’re not physically with them.

Enjoy Every Minute.
Living life on the road is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. You will see amazing things, meet one-of-a-kind people and make the best memories. Don’t take it for granted! With traveling, you will always run into some bumps in the road – but that’s part of the journey. Don’t let it discourage your long-term goals. You’re not tied down to a routine now, so enjoy the freedom and independence that comes with RVing full-time. Stay safe and happy travels from Foremost!

I can only imagine a few things worse than waking up in the morning and discovering the unexpected – you've been robbed! You may feel violated, and then angry…and then confused. You might think, "Who would do this, and how did it slip right under my nose?"

If this has ever happened to you, don't feel bad; it can happen to anyone – at any time. According to the FBI's most recent property crime report, nearly 8 million homes reported property crime offenses in the U.S. in 2016 alone, and that includes neighborhoods where the crime rate is very low.

I've rented since college and haven't had an issue with my safety, or experienced a burglary in any of my apartments. I am always careful to lock the front and patio door before going to bed. But, I did slip up recently. I was so exhausted I fell asleep on the couch and forgot to lock the door! Luckily, I woke up in the middle of the night to get water and noticed the door was unlocked. Since I've never lived alone before now, I felt scared and anxious - and immediately locked the door. I couldn't believe I had put myself at risk like that, especially because I consider myself very cautious and aware of my surroundings.
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After my personal safety lapse, I began to wonder what additional security measures I am allowed to take at my apartment complex. I don't technically own the place, so what can I do besides lock my door? I found out there are security measures I can implement in and outside of my apartment to help ensure my safety – and I wanted to share them with all the fellow renters!

• Get to know your neighbors and landlord. Being familiar with your surroundings is very important. By knowing who your neighbors are and what they look like, you'll be able to identify someone who shouldn't be near your property.
• Add extra locks to your doors and windows. Always secure all points of entry into your home when you arrive, and before you leave. If you are not comfortable with the current locks on your door, install additional hardware on your doors and windows after receiving permission from your landlord. If you have a sliding door, keep a solid bar in place that will prevent the door from opening.

• Practice intercom security. If your apartment has an intercom system, be cautious if you get a buzz, and weren't expecting company. Experts say it's better to leave your name off the intercom system because then, burglars won't have as much information to work with. Never buzz someone in without talking to them first. If you don't know them – don't allow them to enter the building!
• Use a security checklist before signing the lease. Write up a checklist and go through the apartment to make sure it's up to your standards. Be sure all the locks and windows are functioning properly. If you have a storage unit outside or connected to the unit, make sure it's secure and ask your landlord if they will provide a new lock for you. Also confirm that the landlord has changed the locks since the previous tenants. For an official checklist you can print off, use this one provided by the National Crime Prevention Council.
• Don't leave anything exposed on your property. If you have a porch and a patio, do not leave any valuables outside. This provides easy access to burglars, who can quickly take the valuable and run. I suggest also shutting blinds on your windows while you're away – you don't want to expose valuables you have inside your home, either!
• Purchase renter's insurance. Help ensure your items are protected with renters insurance! If you do have the misfortune of experiencing a burglary in your apartment, a renter's insurance policy can cover possessions that were stolen after paying a deductible.

I hope you feel a little more confident knowing there are extra precautions you can take when it comes to your apartment and security. If you live in a single family home, read our blog on how to keep your home safe from break-ins.

1. https://www.cpss.net/about/blog/2017/04/apartment-security-tips/
2. *https://alarm-reviews.net/top-10-apartment-safety-tips/

Homes become vacant for many reasons. Maybe your home is for sale but you haven't found a buyer yet. Or you've purchased a new home but won't move in for a while. It could be a rental property that's between tenants. Whatever the cause, there are some insurance risks that you should keep in mind.

You may be thinking, why get vacant home insurance when you already have regular homeowners insurance? Well, most homeowners policies exclude or limit coverage if the home is vacant, so you'll need more specific coverage.

Insurance coverage is extremely important for a vacant home, because there are lots of dangers that threaten vacant homes in particular. If you're debating whether or not you need a vacant policy, talk to your insurance agent! Here are some things to ask about:

Cost
Vacant home insurance typically costs more than regular homeowners insurance due to potential risks like weather threats, fires and vandalism. However, you may be able to get a discount by installing security systems around the house. Even if your insurance company doesn't provide a discount for extra security, it's a good idea that will make your home safer!

Coverage
Each vacant home insurance policy is different. Many cover damage caused by fires, lightning, wind storms, hail, vandalism and theft. Check with your insurance company to see what options you have. (Remember to ask if flood damage coverage is an option!) There are also different time lengths for policies. Many are 12 months long, but they could go up to four years, so find out what will work best for you. You'll also want to consider Liability coverage, which applies if anyone is hurt on your property and you're found legally responsible.

Restrictions
Many insurance companies have different definitions of what is vacant and what is unoccupied. Additionally, there may be a specific time length distinction for the type of coverage. Restrictions can also be based on the age or value of the home. Discuss these variables with your insurance agent to find the coverage that works best for you!

Still not sure if vacant home insurance is for you? Contact our local agents to learn more and get a quote! Overall, don't be afraid to ask questions about insurance. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments.
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What to do if you’ve lost your health care coverage

For those who have lost their job (and therefore their health insurance) because of coronavirus, they are eligible for a special enrollment period (SEP), which involves re-opening the Healthcare.gov enrollment site.

Read more: How to get ACA health insurance if you lose your job

Generally, people are only able to obtain health care coverage during open enrollment. However, getting laid off is considered a “qualifying event,” which means the person can sign up for health care coverage outside of open enrollment.

Another option is COBRA, which means the individual continues the same health care coverage they had under their employer-based health insurance, though COBRA has higher premium payments since there is no longer an employer contribution. And if income is considered low enough, a person may be eligible for Medicaid.
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Lastly, don't forget the agency in your back pocket - us! We can help educate you about your options outside of ACA coverage. Just head over to our National General Health E-Store for Health, Dental, Accident, Critical Illness, and Cancer options or our UnitedHealthcare Health E-Store where you'll be able to familiarize yourself with our co-branded health plans designed to meet the needs and budgets of individuals and families. If you feel like nothing there fits or you would simply like to see other options, just let us know and we can send you some additional brochures with other companies.

Affordable plans for everyday health care needs:

Looking for Medicare options instead? Click here

The HealthiestYou telehealth app from Teladoc® offers you access to 24/7 virtual care from a nationwide network of doctors – all for the cost of a monthly membership fee. Now, that access extended to Behavioral Health Care and Dermatology Services!

NEW! Behavioral Health Care – You can receive support for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, family problems, and other issues. Care from a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist is available by phone or video 7 days a week.

• Psychiatrist: $200 for initial evaluation & $95 for each ongoing session

• Psychologists or Therapists: $85 per session

NEW! Dermatology Services – You can share photos of your skin condition or infection with a board-certified dermatologist and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan within two business days (typically within 8 hours). Free follow-up is included for a week after the session.

• Dermatologist: $75 per session

Included with Membership – You will still have access to doctors ready to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for many of the most common ailments, right over the phone. You can use the app to find a doctor, dentist or other provider in your area, and comparison shop to get the best price on a procedure or prescription.

• Added cost for these services: Nothing! All of this is included with your  $20 HealthiestYou membership fee.

Budget-friendly coverage and straight-forward fixed benefits:

​Need to discuss Medicare options instead? Click here.

Golden Rule Insurance Company is the underwriter of UnitedHealthcare insurance plans. National General Accident and Health markets products underwritten by National Health Insurance Company, Integon National Insurance Company, and Integon Indemnity Corporation. Subject to health underwriting. Product availability and designs vary by state.

Harris, Reed & Seiferth Insurance Group, Inc.
6650 W Indiantown Rd

Now and again, it is our recommendation in the insurance industry that businesses carry higher liability limits. So, someone might wonder: “Why is my medical expenses limit so low compared to my other general liability coverages?”
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To answer this question, let’s take a look at a standard commercial general liability outline:

The answer to why a medical expense limit is so low compared to general liability coverage is  twofold—where liability coverage is for situations where a third-party claims your negligence for bodily injury or property damage, medical payments is considered an exception. This is because the coverage pays for bodily injury medical expenses to third parties as a result of your operations regardless of fault. 

The idea behind reimbursing others—regardless of fault—for medical or funeral expenses they incur as a result of injury or death on your premises is that people are less likely to sue if they receive timely payment for their medical bills.  This also helps to prevent any costly legal fees. 
So why wouldn’t we want our medical payments limit to be higher if the intent is to avoid lawsuit expenses and hefty claims?

First, medical expense limits apply separately to each person, and they are a sublimit of the each occurrence limit. Meaning, payments made under this coverage reduces your each occurrence limit as well as your general aggregate limit. 

Here’s an example:
You carry a $10,000 medical payment limit, a $1,000,000 per occurrence limit and $1,000,000 general aggregate limit.  A customer slips and falls on your wet floor after you neglected to provide adequate warning of it having been mopped.  $5,000 in medical expenses are incurred, so your medical expenses coverage pays that cost.  The hope is this person is satisfied with you having covered their medical bills, but this is not always the case.  This brings us to our second point…

Making a payment under medical payments coverage doesn’t release you of liability from the injured party or prevent them from taking civil action.  Continuing our example, the customer decides to sue, and you are now processing a claim under the liability portion of your commercial general liability.  The $1,000,000 per occurrence limit of liability you originally carried has now been reduced to $995,000 as a result of medical payments.  Your general aggregate has also been reduced to $995,000. 

Now, let’s say five individuals slip and fall on your wet floor—each incurring the maximum $10,000 of medical expense payments.   Remember, medical expense limits apply separately to each person and are a sublimit to the each occurrence limit.  Even before these individuals have decided whether or not to take civil action, the per occurrence and aggregate limit have been reduced by $50,000. 

Once you think about this information, the question of “Why is my medical expenses limit so low?” can quickly become, “Is my medical expense limit too high?”  If you own a business that has an exposure to third party slip and fall accidents on sidewalks, aisles, staircases, or even elevators, perhaps it’s worth asking whether or not your medical payments coverage is at the right limit.  This can help you maintain healthy liability limits in the event that medical payments are not sufficient. 

Contact the trusted advisors at Harris, Reed & Seiferth Insurance Group, Inc. if you have any questions.

HealthiestYou is a standard price and includes the whole family -- just $20 per month, making it an affordable option that simplifies care by eliminate the copays and time spent in waiting rooms that come with standard doctors office visits. The HealthiestYou network has doctors licensed in nearly every state, so it's great if travel often inside the country. Included with membership is access to doctors ready to diagnose, treat, and prescribe medication for many of the most common ailments, right over the phone!

HealthiestYou can handle more than 70% of primary care doctor office visits offering:

• 24/7 access to virtual care from a network of doctors ready to diagnose and prescribe treatment for many common illnesses right over the phone.
• Comparison shopping for prescriptions using a geo-based search engine. This will help you find the best deals on your medication at local pharmacies.
• Behavioral health and dermatology services. Simply pay in the app for these additional features.
• HealthiestYou membership is available to primary member, spouse, and eligible children up to age 18. Membership for children only is not available.

NEW! Behavioral Health Care – You can receive support for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, family problems, and other issues. Care from a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist is available by phone or video 7 days a week.

• Psychiatrist: $200 for initial evaluation & $95 for each ongoing session

• Psychologists or Therapists: $85 per session

NEW! Dermatology Services – You can share photos of your skin condition or infection with a board-certified dermatologist and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan within two business days (typically within 8 hours). Free follow-up is included for a week after the session.

• Dermatologist: $75 per session

​HealthiestYou can be a great add-on to insurance products you currently have! Click the button below to get started.

According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), everyone lives in a flood zone. Even those who don't live near water are at risk, because anywhere it rains, it can flood. Heavy rains, clogged or insufficient drainage systems, nearby construction projects, broken water mains and inadequate levees and dams can cause flooding that put your home and belongings at risk.
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Your home is one of your greatest investments. It's important to prepare ahead should disaster occur. Here are three simple steps to help make sure you're ready in the event of a flood.

• Create a "flood file" and keep it in an accessible waterproof and fireproof container. It should contain a personal property inventory of your home, a copy of your insurance information, copies of any critical personal documents (e.g. social security cards, titles and deeds), and a CD backup of computer documents and digital photos.
• Prepare your home by making sure your sump pump works and has a battery backup, your gutters and downspouts are clear, your electronics and appliances are elevated, and any valuables and keepsakes are moved to a higher level.
• Develop an emergency plan that includes evacuation routes from home, work and school. Make sure that plan includes an out-of-town contact list that all family members can call in case you get separated. Also, create an emergency kit with extra drinking water, non-perishable food, first-aid materials, blankets, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries that can be grabbed easily if you need to evacuate.

​It's important to know that most home policies don't cover flooding and just a few inches of water damage can cost thousands. To find out if you live in an area that is at risk for flooding, type in your address in the FEMA Flood Map Service Center and use this interactive tool to learn more.

Renting out your home or a room in your home on Airbnb can be a good way to generate income, but you need to understand what is and isn’t covered by your homeowner’s insurance.

Homeowners Insurance and Home Sharing
Homeowners insurance combines various personal insurance protections, which can include losses occurring to one's home, its contents, loss of use (additional living expenses), or loss of other personal possessions of the homeowner, as well as liability insurance for accidents that may happen at the home or at the hands of the homeowner within the policy territory.

With home sharing, the rules are much less black and white. While some insurance companies will allow you to extend your homeowners coverage to a STR (short-term rental) if it’s a one-time event and you notify the insurer ahead of time, others contrarily may require you to purchase a specific endorsement, which is added on to your existing policy to cover the temporary rental. 

When Home Sharing Is a Business
Regularly renting out your home or parts of it for income will generally be viewed as business activity by an insurance company. Instead, you’d need to purchase business insurance. If you’re planning to rent the entire home for an extended period of time, you'll need landlord insurance, as well. Landlord insurance covers the home itself as well as any structures that are on the property, such as a garage or shed. These policies typically cover you for losses such as fire or wind damage, but they won't reimburse you for damage caused by normal wear and tear or for the loss of your tenant’s personal property (tenant should acquire renters insurance).

Home Sharing as a Renter
You’ll also need to cover your insurance bases if you’re a renter and subletting to someone else. First things first: You have to be sure that your landlord allows you to sublet. From there, you need to check with your renter’s insurance company to see if your coverage would apply to someone who’s subletting. If you’re not planning to live in the rental while you’re subletting, the sublessee would need his or her own renter’s insurance. Keep in mind that if the sublessee damages any of your personal belongings while you’re away, your renter’s policy may not cover it. 

Which Companies Offer Home-Sharing Coverage?
In response to the growth of the home-sharing industry, a handful of insurance companies are moving toward expanding coverage for homeowners who rent out their homes through Airbnb and similar sites. Luckily we're representing a few and writing policies! Next step? Run a quote for home share coverage!  Talking to your insurance company or agent about what is and isn’t included in your policy can help you determine what’s needed to fill the gaps.

The wind in your hair, the sun on your face, and the open water in front of you. Sound appealing? Then you might want to join the ranks of boat owners all over the country. But before you cut through that clear blue, there are some things to keep in mind. Whether you're buying a fishing boat, cabin cruiser, pontoon or speed boat, different components like cost, horsepower, weight capacity or onboard storage may prove to be more important to you than others.


Answer these questions before going boat shopping:

• Use What are you hoping to use your boat for? All boat styles have a different design tailored to the use. Speed boats may be better for tubing and water skiing, but wouldn't hold as many people or be as fish-accessible as a pontoon or fishing boat. Maybe you're in the market for a sailboat, or leaning towards a houseboat. There are so many different varieties of boats, so make an informed decision on which one is right for you (information provided by Discover Boating).
• Cost What's your budget? This may help decide whether to purchase a pre-owned boat. According to Discover Boating, new boats depreciate anywhere between 25%-33% immediately after leaving the dealer's lot. So if you buy a pre-owned boat, someone else has already paid that depreciation cost - more boat for fewer dollars! However, buying a new boat will offer a warranty, the newest technology, and that nice shiny look as you move across the water - the choice is up to you! Don't forget boat insurance!
• Capacity How many people are you hoping to go on your boating excursions with? The capacity on personal fishing boats is generally smaller than a pontoon boat, which are made to hold anywhere between 8-15 adults comfortably.
• Equipment What type of equipment will you want onboard? Here's some suggestions:
  • Trolling Motor
  • Lights
  • Depth finder
  • Live well
  • GPS
  • Canopy/bimini
  • Stereo
  • Tables
  • Emergency survival kit
  • Fire extinguisher
  
  
  
• Towing Will your car be able to tow the new boat? According to Auto Bytel, the average 21-foot boat trailer weighs between 500 and 1,000 pounds, while most boats in this size range hover in the 4,000-5,000 pound range. This means that you'll want an SUV or truck that is rated to tow between 4,500-6,000 pounds in total.
• Storage Limitations Will your new boat fit in your garage during the off season? Alongside your garage? In a separate storage space?

And a few other components to consider...

• Horsepower
• Engine Type
• Hull (Deep V, Modified V, Pontoon, etc.)
• Storage Onboard

No matter what you decide, get out there, matey, and enjoy the open seas!


Source: https://blog.foremost.com/what-to-consider-when-purchasing-a-boat.asp

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.
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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.

• Change over utilities you will be responsible for in your new abode as soon as possible.
• Acquire packing supplies so you can begin to stow away the items you may not need directly before or after the move. This includes sturdy moving boxes of different sizes, packing tape, labels, permanent marker, and bubble wrap. If you're not interested in forking over a ton of money for the boxes, check out your local retailers – they might be able to give you a deal on their used shipment boxes. Remember to stop by our blog again next week so you don't struggle bus through the rest of the packing process.
• Notify important parties like banks, credit card companies, insurance providers, and magazine and newspaper services of your impending move so you don't end up without any money, insurance, or entertainment. We offer customers a stress-free way to navigate updating your insurance policy through the online form or just call the agency, let us know you're moving, and we'll take care of the rest.
• Set up mail forwarding with your post office. Hopefully, most of the mail will be relocated to your new place, but consider contacting a close neighbor to look out for those stragglers after you've moved.
• Sort and purge the different rooms in your house and decide what you'd like to keep and what you're willing to get rid of. While going through this process, also consider whether any items will require special packaging or extra insurance coverage – that piano isn't gonna go as easily as your place-mats might.
• Organize school records for any children if you're planning a move out of your current school district. Visit the schools and arrange for your children's records to be transferred to their new school district.
• Take measurements of your new home so you know if that piece of furniture will fit through the door or in your living room.
• Highly consider requesting time off from work so you can be fully involved on moving day. Having the option to supervise the move, whether it be movers or family-friends, is very important and keeps everyone accountable for what goes on.
• Empty, clean, and defrost the freezer at least 24 hours in advance if you plan on taking your refrigerator with you. This will give your fridge the time to get rid of that moisture and prevent a waterfall when people try to move it. Check out these tips if you don't know what you're doing.

Good luck, and make sure to check out our other blogs we've made to help you save a ton of time and effort in packing up your home.