tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54121314280107625522013-05-21T06:13:53.583-07:00A SECURA Insurance blogFind Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.comBlogger125125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-50701212079985895082013-05-21T06:13:00.001-07:002013-05-21T06:13:53.588-07:002013-05-21T06:13:53.588-07:00

The trees in your yard can harm your property if they’re not maintained. They’re especially prone to damage when severe weather brings wind and hail that can knock down branches. Here’s what you can do to protect your home and your trees:Be proactive to prevent damage Inspect your trees several times a year. If necessary, take the following actions to limit hazards: •  Trim any large

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-33839050169556896442013-05-14T07:31:00.000-07:002013-05-14T07:31:12.792-07:002013-05-14T07:31:12.792-07:00

Inexperience is one of the main factors in accidents caused by teens — and those accidents can be fatal. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among teens in the U.S. You should establish guidelines for your new teen driver to help them gain experience while practicing safe driving habits. One way to do this is with a parent-teen driving agreement. You can find samples online, or

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-42209127529333430822013-05-07T07:47:00.000-07:002013-05-07T07:47:18.681-07:002013-05-07T07:47:18.681-07:00

Yard work can be a back-breaking job. To lighten the load, you could rent a utility vehicle. But before you do, understand the risks – and insurance implications – of doing so. Lower the risk of injuriesMake sure you know how to operate the machinery. If you’re new to the equipment, ask for help from the rental company. If, after some training, you still don’t feel comfortable with the

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-30262632918867027072013-04-30T07:06:00.000-07:002013-04-30T07:06:37.020-07:002013-04-30T07:06:37.020-07:00

  As a nonprofit, volunteers are the face of your organization. You rely on them to support your work in the community. Because they play such a vital role in your mission, it’s important that they represent your organization appropriately. You should establish a written procedure or handbook for selecting and training volunteers. This will help you set expectations from the

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-61911460579805696192013-04-23T07:13:00.000-07:002013-04-23T07:13:45.345-07:002013-04-23T07:13:45.345-07:00

You spend time and money fixing up your house to make it a haven for your family — remodeling the kitchen, finishing the basement, getting everything exactly how you want it.So it’s important to make sure that investment is protected. If you suffered a loss, you typically would receive replacement cost value from your insurance company: enough to rebuild your home with similar materials. But

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-42948220716267880162013-04-17T08:19:00.000-07:002013-04-17T08:19:40.115-07:002013-04-17T08:19:40.115-07:00

So many people use their cars for work that they probably don’t think about insurance consequences. Make sure you know what’s covered the next time you take your auto on the road for business. Physical damage As long as you purchased physical damage insurance for your vehicle, you have the same coverage if you get in an accident when using your car for work. Liability You receive the

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-56543617743508239322013-04-09T06:41:00.000-07:002013-04-09T06:41:36.166-07:002013-04-09T06:41:36.166-07:00

Distraction comes in many forms.In the car, it could mean taking your eyes off the road to change the radio station, taking your hands off the wheel to eat a snack, or losing your focus because you’re talking to a passenger.From eating, drinking, and personal grooming to using a GPS and talking or texting on a cell phone, there’s no limit to the possible distractions while driving. And each

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-88572214575771748422013-04-04T07:08:00.000-07:002013-04-04T07:08:01.585-07:002013-04-04T07:08:01.585-07:00

Peak tornado season runs from mid-spring through early summer and, if a tornado strikes near your business, you need to react quickly. That’s why it’s crucial to develop a severe weather plan and safe areas for your employees. Follow these steps to get your company and employees ready for storm season:1. Determine how much space you’ll require. You should have enough safe areas to fit all

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-49071207260939424362013-04-02T07:34:00.000-07:002013-04-02T07:34:08.770-07:002013-04-02T07:34:08.770-07:00

People are at the heart of all we do.It starts with our employees. They’re the best at what they do, and they love doing it. They’re insurance experts, from finding the best coverage to solving complex claims. But at the end of the day, our employees excel at treating our customers the way they’d want to be treated. We partner with only the top independent agents. We get to know each other well

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-75601020625654065832013-03-20T06:33:00.000-07:002013-03-20T06:33:34.248-07:002013-03-20T06:33:34.248-07:00

A chipped or cracked windshield can put your vehicle out of commission, leaving you without transportation until it’s fixed.That’s why, if a rock or other debris hits your car, your first thought often is how to replace the windshield.But you have another option. If it’s a small crack or chip, you usually can repair the damage just as effectively as replacing the glass, saving you time and

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-33521301565513072642013-03-05T07:19:00.003-08:002013-03-05T07:19:36.724-08:002013-03-05T07:19:36.724-08:00

The board of directors for a non profit plays an influential role in the organization — and ultimately in the community — by making decisions about funding, programs, and more. As a result, board members face unique liability risks. Non-Profit Directors and Officers (D&O) coverage is designed to meet those risks.A D&O Liability policy protects the organization against claims arising from

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-76143951857981981152013-02-27T08:13:00.002-08:002013-02-27T08:13:57.779-08:002013-02-27T08:13:57.779-08:00

You never know when you might get in an auto accident — or who the other driver will be. According to the Insurance Research Council, one in seven drivers doesn’t carry auto insurance. If your car is hit by one of those drivers, it could mean substantial costs to you.That’s where uninsured motorists and underinsured motorists coverage come in. They often are built right into your auto policy,

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-89854619703804907042013-02-15T08:08:00.001-08:002013-02-15T08:09:07.582-08:002013-02-15T08:09:07.582-08:00

As a safe driver, you take steps to avoid accidents, like checking your blind spot, using turn signals, and allowing enough distance between vehicles. But even if you use all possible precaution, an auto accident still can happen — and it’s important to know what to do next so you can stay calm and safe. Follow these steps after an accident: Do not leave the scene.       • Call the

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-179374767944391292013-01-31T07:01:00.000-08:002013-01-31T07:41:56.422-08:002013-01-31T07:41:56.422-08:00

When injuries happen on the job, they can turn into expensive claims, ultimately driving an employer’s Work Comp insurance premiums higher. There are, however, ways to keep costs in check. The key is taking action before non-emergency work injuries become insurance claims. Value-added features offered by select insurance companies, such as SECURA’s Nurse Hotline, connect employees hurt on

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-12562754016648074592013-01-21T10:25:00.006-08:002013-01-21T10:25:47.554-08:002013-01-21T10:25:47.554-08:00

This week, we celebrate the achievements of our 2012 top-performing agencies.Our top-performing agency was three-time award winner Johnson Insurance Services, LLC. Mark Behrens accepted the award from John Bykowski, SECURA President and CEO, at a ceremony during our Premier Agent Professional Development Conference. Johnson Insurance has represented SECURA as an independent agency since 1979.

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-21630300951263449042013-01-11T10:58:00.000-08:002013-01-15T07:18:50.504-08:002013-01-15T07:18:50.504-08:00

A frozen pond or lake extends the winter landscape, offering opportunities for ice skating, hockey, ice fishing, and more. But treading on thin ice can be dangerous, potentially causing hypothermia or even death. That’s why you need to know whether the ice is strong enough to support you, your snowmobile, or your vehicle before you venture out. Just how thick does ice need to be?

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-23991292288996072382013-01-08T06:48:00.000-08:002013-01-08T06:48:22.612-08:002013-01-08T06:48:22.612-08:00

Snow forts are great fun, but are they a good risk? When considering whether to write seasonal coverage for kids’ ice castles, you have to stick with the basics of COPE — Construction, Occupancy, Protection, External Exposures. Below are some thoughts to help keep a cool snow fort book of business.Construction. Umm, they’re snow forts so they are all pretty much equal in this area, right?

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-31479203872453129132012-12-27T06:52:00.000-08:002012-12-27T06:52:41.624-08:002012-12-27T06:52:41.624-08:00

SECURA recently was honored as one of America’s healthiest companies. The Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) presented us with its top designation: the Platinum Well Workplace Award.It is rare for a company to achieve the Platinum level award on its first submission, and we are only the second company in Wisconsin ever to earn it.WELCOA rates businesses based on seven criteria. Our success

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-90118443774689435322012-12-26T07:01:00.000-08:002012-12-26T07:01:10.056-08:002012-12-26T07:01:10.056-08:00

Ring in the new year with a safer, healthier, and more effective business by taking on these resolutions in 2013: 1. Develop an emergency preparedness program. Establish guidelines for medical, severe weather, and fire emergencies. Practice these procedures with all employees, reinforce them at all levels of the company, and post reminders in high traffic areas. Make

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-76971740830375977392012-12-18T06:33:00.001-08:002012-12-18T06:33:41.347-08:002012-12-18T06:33:41.347-08:00

Ker-chunk, ker-chunk. Those over age 35 will remember that as what paying with a credit card once sounded like. This was back when merchants used a giant contraption to take an imprint of your card. In addition to requiring some serious muscle power on the part of the checkout person, this process also was time consuming.Today, however, cashiers barely have time to greet customers before they

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-45166654111863101572012-12-11T06:12:00.001-08:002012-12-11T06:12:35.077-08:002012-12-11T06:12:35.077-08:00

No matter how you choose to heat your home during winter, a heating source can become a fire hazard if it’s not properly maintained. Here are reminders to help keep your home warm and safe:Wood-burning stove or pellet stove •  Leave the proper clearance    around the stove. Brick, stone,    and metal can get hot enough    to ignite nearby combustible    materials. •  Keep

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-34311493842926340022012-12-03T13:21:00.000-08:002012-12-03T13:21:34.632-08:002012-12-03T13:21:34.632-08:00

The insurance concept is pretty simple. We buy insurance to protect us from loss.Where things can get confusing is when the talk turns to specific coverages. Take, for instance, Employment Practices Liability Insurance, which your agent may refer to as EPLI. If you run a business with employees, EPLI is almost certainly a must-have, even for businesses with only a few employees.But what is it?

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-573186190449262032012-11-27T07:25:00.000-08:002012-11-27T07:25:29.433-08:002012-11-27T07:25:29.433-08:00

Storing excessive amounts of items in your home, whether they’re used regularly or just collecting dust, can create an unsafe environment — even if confined to one area.If a visitor tripped over clutter in your home, you could be liable for his or her injury. What’s more, chemicals or other flammable materials stored improperly could lead to a fire.Plus, if you were to have a loss, the

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-21066289662364563392012-11-20T06:09:00.000-08:002012-11-20T06:09:23.253-08:002012-11-20T06:09:23.253-08:00

“My mother is such a lousy cook that Thanksgiving at her house is a time of sorrow.” – Comedian, Rita Rudner Yup, the pressure is truly on for cooks of a Thanksgiving feast. Guests might overlook the poorly executed sweet potatoes. They might even hold off on panning the over-seasoned, soggy stuffing. But cook that bird wrong and your dinner table will deflate faster than the Snoopy

Find Your Advantagehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16965199909152816921noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5412131428010762552.post-63751783254578446112012-11-13T06:49:00.003-08:002012-11-13T06:49:27.875-08:002012-11-13T06:49:27.875-08:00

Together with our agents, we’ve supported breast cancer research by raising awareness and funds in our fourth annual One by One campaign. From Aug. 1 to Oct. 31, we donated $10 for every new MILE-STONE® home and auto policy written. As a result, we will present a check to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation for $9,730, bringing our four-year campaign total to nearly $81,000. We donated

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