Food Spoilage and Power Outages

Severe weather over the past week has left thousands of homes in our area without power in some cases for more than 24 hours. One of the unfortunate consequences of a long term power outage is that food in your refrigerator may be spoiled as a result.

While power outages under 4 hours should have no ill affect on most foods, outages beyond 4 hours can cause food to spoil rapidly. The USDA has a fantastic website which can provide tips on how to try and salvage food in the event of a power outage or flood, and also has a chart which gives you a useful primer on what to keep and what to discard from your refrigerator in the event of a long term loss of power. The chart and more information can be found at http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/keeping_food_safe_during_an_emergency/index.asp.

If you are one of the many who have been affected by this power outage, please check out the above link. And remember, if there is a question about whether or not something is still good, the old adage of "when in doubt, throw it out" is always a safe choice!

Boating Safety

With the mild spring (hopefully) behind us, and with warmer weather (hopefully) on the horizon, boating can be a fantastic way to spend a warm summer weekend. Between the Chain o' Lakes region and Lake Michigan, as well as various destinations in Wisconsin, there is no shortage of options for boating destinations.

While boating can be a fantastic experience for people of all ages, boating carries along with it the need to act responsibly both as a passenger and driver of a vessel. Here are some tips to stay safe on the water this summer:

• Always wear a life jacket. According to the US Coast guard, life jackets could have made a difference in 80% of boating fatalities.
• Do not, under any circumstances consume alcohol while operating a boat.
• Develop a float plan in case of emergency. A float plan is similar to a flight plan-it includes a description of your boat, who is on board, what safety equipment you have, and where and when you expect to be.
• Have your boat checked out by a licensed inspector prior to taking it out on the water.
• Take a boating safety course. The United States Coast Guard offers safety courses for various levels of experience. Go to http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/boating_safety_courses_.aspx for more information.

Driving or being a passenger on a boat is little different that being a driver or passenger of a vehicle, and while summer is a great time for fun, following basic safety steps can save the lives of yourself and any passengers out enjoying the water with you.

Should I File A Claim?

Often times, the question of whether or not a claim should be filed will be asked by our clients. As much as we'd like the answers to always be clear cut and straightforward, there are certain situations that may require a careful review of all of the different factors involved.

With auto insurance, looking at the facts surrounding an accident, the type of claim in question, and deductibles applicable can give us guidance on what direction to go. On a property policy, the type of claim and the severity of the damage can also dictate whether or not a claim is appropriate. With certain types of claims having the ability to impact premiums and even, in some cases, eligibility to continue a policy, it's often necessary to fully review the variables before making a decision to proceed.

Having an agent you trust, and an agency that knows the claim process in and out can make a massive difference in how a claim will be handled, or even if a claim is necessary and cost effective. An agent will be able to review your deductibles and any impact on your premiums as a result of filing a claim. If you choose to proceed, they can advise you how long you may be affected rate-wise, or if you are eligible for claim forgiveness packages and policies that they may offer. If you or someone you know is considering filing a claim, speak with your agent to review the facts of the situation. This can save you time and money both in the short and long term.