Missouri Insurance News

Why does Dave Ramsey only endorse Independent Insurance Agencies?

Ryan Gerstner — Mon, 06 May 2013 19:59:34 GMT

No doubt many of our agency's clients are Dave Ramsey devotees and even if you're not, Dave is a very well respected leader in finance, budgeting, debt management, and leadership. Whether or not you currently subscribe to Mr. Ramsey's methods or not, Dave only endorses independent insurance agencies. Here's what Dave Ramsey's web site says:

Why use an independent insurance professional?
"A shocking number of people overpay for car and home insurance without realizing it. An independent insurance professional works for you not the insurance company. They are not limited to a single insurance company's plans. Independent agents can search dozens of policies from many reputable companies. And best of all, it's absolutely free to use an independent insurance professional!"

http://www.daveramsey.com/elp/why-use-an-elp/

While Prime Insurance Agency has not gone through the process to be endorsed by Mr. Ramsey, we do have a Certified Insurance Counselor on staff and provide a high level of customer service just like the ELP's Dave has endorsed (for no charge). Dave understands the independent insurance agencies are trusted sources of insurance from reputable insurers and can help people accomplish their financial goals. The less a person pays for the insurance coverage they need, the more money they have to reduce their debt load.

Let Prime Insurance Agency or one of Dave Ramsey's ELP's help you today!

A Time to Celebrate Mothers

Wed, 01 May 2013 18:26:43 GMT

As the second Sunday of May nears, it’s time to think of ways to celebrate mothers – although, of course, that’s a worthy pursuit at any time of year!

At Prime Insurance, we thought it would be fun to give you a little of the history behind Mother’s Day, as well as a few ideas to honor the special women in all our lives.

Ancient beginnings

According to MothersDayCentral.com, the ancient Egyptians held an annual festival to honor “the mother of the pharaohs” – the goddess Isis. This is one of the earliest historical records of a society celebrating a mother.

How Mother’s Day came to be in the U.S.

In 1870, Julia Ward Howe, a social activist and poet (and author of the lyrics for “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”) had become distraught by the toll of the Civil War. She issued a “Mother’s Day Proclamation” that year, calling on mothers to protest the killing and create a day celebrating peace and motherhood.

Howe’s proclamation did not result in a national Mother’s Day, but in 1908, Anna Jarvis of West Virginia took up the cause. She wanted to accomplish her mother’s dream of making a celebration of all mothers. By 1909, more than 40 states were holding Mother’s Day services, even though it was not a national holiday.

In 1912, according to Wikipedia, West Virginia was the first state to officially observe Mother’s Day. Jarvis continued to promote the day until President Woodrow Wilson made it an official national holiday in 1914.

She later regretted creating the holiday, believing that it had become too commercialized.

Enough with the history – where are the gift ideas?

Like us at Prime Insurance, we know you might have more urgent concerns on your mind, like last-minute shopping, so here are the most popular Mother’s Day gifts, according to MothersDayCentral.com.

Flowers
Gift baskets
Personalized gifts
Jewelry
Perfume
Spa gifts
Magazines

Of course, perhaps the best gift of all is getting in touch and letting the moms in your life know just how much they mean to you. Happy Mother’s Day!

Protect the expensive gifts

If you're giving or have received an expensive Mother’s Day gift, such as a nice piece of jewelry, please get in touch to find out whether it will be covered by your existing home insurance policy. If it's not covered, we'll advise you on your options.

It's Time for Spring Cleaning!

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 17:55:49 GMT

Spring is a time of new beginnings in Liberty – and now is a great time to take on some cleaning and organization tasks around your home. If you’re anything like many of us here at Prime Insurance, some of these tasks are long overdue!

Here are some tips to get you started – and keep you focused. We’re looking forward to using these tips ourselves!

First, get some help

If you’re doing a deep spring clean, try not to put all of the pressure on yourself. Make the event a family affair and assign your spouse or your kids some chores. Or throw a cleaning party and offer pizza to everyone who comes to help.

Second, make a list

It’s extremely helpful to have a plan before you get started. Is the kitchen your biggest trouble spot? The master bedroom? Create a detailed plan of attack and you’ll increase your chance of success. Many people find it best to go room by room so there’s a sense of accomplishment when they finish in a particular area.

Third, remember safety!

Of course, you’ll want to make sure you have protective gear like rubber gloves if you’re dealing with chemical cleaners, and even a particle mask if you’ve got some serious dust. Or try using some of the many green cleaning products that are now available. Spring cleaning is also the perfect time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and other safety equipment. And it’s a good idea to refresh (or start) your family emergency kit.

Room–by–room quick tips

The tips below will help get you going. If you need more, just do a web search for spring cleaning and you’ll find tons of sites with useful information and detailed checklists.

Kitchen

Clear out the contents of your refrigerator and freezer (but not at the same time) and discard any expired items. Then, clean the appliance thoroughly, removing shelves and racks – you’d be surprised how dirty the bottom of a refrigerator can get. And don’t forget to clean the coils underneath, too; it will boost energy efficiency.
Clean all small appliances – toasters, coffeemakers, etc.
Clean the oven and stove, including burners and spill catchers.

Living room and dining room

Dust all light fixtures and shelves, along with window blinds (or, if you have drapes, take them down and have them cleaned). Don’t forget to dust the ceiling fan!
Clean and dust couches and chairs. This is easily done with a vacuum attachment. Removing cushions will not only give you a deeper clean, but can fill your pocket with change!
It may be time to shampoo your carpets or rugs. You can have a professional do the work for you or rent a machine at a local store.

Bedrooms and closets

How long has it been since you flipped your mattress? Now is the perfect time. Dust your bed frame (and other furniture), strip your bedding and turn over your mattress, rotating it as well. It’s also a good time to wash bedding that you don’t wash often, such as the mattress pad.
Pillows should be washed occasionally. Most can be cleaned in your washing machine, but check the label beforehand to be sure.
Go through the items in your closet. Do you have winter clothing you can put into storage? Do you have items you no longer wear that can be donated or sold at a garage sale?
Remember to clean under the bed.

Bathrooms

Clean fans and vents (this should be done more than once a year, typically).
Go through your medicine cabinet and throw away expired medications or items you no longer use or need. Then move your medications to the kitchen – away from the moisture of a bathroom – where they will store better.
Scrub toilets, sinks, faucets, showers and tubs, including the shower head!

Garage

Hey, you’ve done enough for one spring cleaning cycle, haven’t you? Let’s leave the garage for another time!

One final tip: It’s best to leave sweeping and vacuuming for last in each room.

Contact Us!

For further questions and assistance, please contact us. You can also learn more about our homeowners insurance or get a free homeowner insurance quote online today!

The Importance of Renters Insurance

Safeco — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 20:08:03 GMT

If you live in a rental home or apartment in Liberty, chances are you don’t have the proper insurance. Despite the fact that rented homes are more likely to be burglarized than owner-occupied properties, nearly 60 percent of renters don’t have a renters policy. More Kansas City apartment complexes are requiring renters insurance as a condition of renting.

Why does it matter?

“If you rent a house or apartment in Kansas City and think that your landlord is financially responsible when there is a fire, theft or other catastrophe—think again,” warns the Insurance Information Institute*. “Your landlord may have insurance to protect the building you are living in. But your landlord’s policy won’t replace your personal possessions or pay for your living expenses while the building is being repaired. The only way to protect yourself financially against disasters is to buy a renters insurance policy.” Renters insurance covers your possessions, liability, and additional living expenses.

Let’s take a look at these three types of protection:

Possessions

Standard renters insurance protects your personal belongings against damage from fire, smoke, lightning, vandalism, theft, explosion, windstorm, water and other disasters listed in the policy. Floods and earthquakes are not covered. To decide how much insurance to buy, you need to know the value of all your personal possessions—including furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances, kitchen utensils and even towels and bedding. The easiest way to figure this out is to create a home inventory, a detailed list of all of your personal possessions and their estimated value. Taking pictures or video and saving it in the cloud are a great way to have that data stored elsewhere so it wouldn’t be destroyed in a fire.

There are two types of renters insurance policies for your possessions:

Actual Cash Value pays to replace your possessions minus an amount for depreciation (the reduction in the value of items due to age and use) up to the limit of your policy.
Replacement Cost pays the full cost of replacing your possessions (with no deduction for depreciation), up to the limit of your policy. The price of Replacement Cost coverage with preferred insurers is little more than an Actual Cash Value policy; thus, it makes little sense to skimp on this coverage.

Note that a standard renters policy offers only limited coverage for items such as jewelry, silver, furs, etc. If you own property that exceeds these limits, it is recommended that you supplement your policy with a floater. A floater is a separate policy that provides additional insurance for your valuables and covers them for perils not included in your policy such as accidental loss. Some insurers will just endorse the jewelry coverage onto your renters policy.

Some claims examples: pipe bursts in the unit above you and leaks into your unit damaging your possessions, a fire occurs after someone leaves a candle unattended, and someone breaks into your car and steals your laptop.

Liability

Standard renters insurance policies also provide liability protection in the event you or members of your familiar cause injury to others or damage their property. It also pays for damage your pets cause.

If you are sued, the liability portion of a renters policy may pay for both the cost of defending you in court and for court awards, up to the limit of the policy. Liability limits generally start at about $100,000 and it can be really inexpensive to increase coverage to $300,000 or $500,000. Your policy may also provide No-Fault Medical coverage. If visitors are injured in your home, regardless of fault, you can submit their medical bills directly to your insurance company. You can generally get $1,000 to $5,000 worth of this coverage. It does not however, pay medical bills for your own family or your pets.

Some claims examples: a fire results after you leave a candle unattended and the other insurers subrogate against your insurance for the losses; your washing machine leaks (unbeknownst to you) and damages the unit below you.

Additional Living Expenses

Many people are pleasantly surprised to learn that Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage is typically included in a renters insurance policy. If the home or apartment you are renting is damaged or destroyed and you need to live elsewhere while it is being repaired or rebuilt, renters insurance will cover your additional living expenses—namely the difference between your regular living expenses and the additional costs incurred by having to live away from your home, such as hotel bills, temporary rentals, restaurant meals, etc.

Some claims examples: a fire occurs in another building and the complex and you’re not allowed to occupy your unit for two weeks; a tornado damages your complex and you’re unable to occupy your unit.

Need help deciding the best way to protect you? Contact Prime Insurance in Liberty today!

*Insurance Information Institute, September 30, 2009

Get Ready to Safely 'Spring Forward'

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 15:15:24 GMT

Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 10, 2013, for most places in the United States, so don't forget to set your clock forward one hour. We here at Prime Insurance want to remind you it’s also a great time to improve your family’s safety.

Be safe in your home

Health and safety agencies often use the approach of Daylight Saving Time to remind people to change the batteries in their smoke alarms. The American Red Cross suggests you test your smoke alarms and talk with your family about your fire escape plan. Whether you live in Liberty or elsewhere, practice your plan at least twice a year.

Daylight Saving Time is also a great time to check your emergency preparedness kit to make sure it’s fully stocked with fresh supplies.

Carbon monoxide is a concern too

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 400 people die annually in the US from carbon monoxide poisoning. The CDC recommends changing the batteries in your CO detectors when moving your clocks forward on March 10.

The CDC says the most common symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain and confusion.

Visit the CDC website for ways to prevent carbon monoxide exposure.

We here at Prime Insurance hope these tips help and that you’ll consider sharing them with the people you care about so they can live safer lives too.

Contact Us!

For further questions and assistance, please contact us.

Cabin Fever? Make a Home Insurance Inventory!

Trusted Choice — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 21:26:42 GMT

Do you have the winter time blues? Cabin fever? Looking for a way to pass the time? Why not take a few minutes if you’re stuck inside this winter to make a home inventory? If disaster strikes or your home is burglarized and your belongings are destroyed or stolen, a home inventory makes the insurance claims process a lot simpler. Being able to provide a detailed home inventory to a claims adjuster can help you and your home insurance company settle on a fair amount for your belongings and it helps you get your possessions replaced more quickly. Creating a home inventory doesn’t have to be completely daunting. Here are a few tips for compiling your home inventory:

Details, details, details. A home inventory includes a comprehensive list of all your belongings, along with receipts (if you have them), photos, and descriptions. For items such as electronics be sure to record the serial number of the item.
Divide and conquer. Instead of making one long list of your items, break it down by room and/or type of item, such as clothing, heirlooms, electronics, and jewelry. This will make the home inventory less overwhelming and decrease the chances that you’ll overlook something.
Know what your stuff is worth. If you have antiques, family heirlooms, or other valuables that don’t have receipts, you may want to have them appraised in order to determine their value.
Don't forget to check the attic. When taking your inventory, make sure you don’t overlook items that are stored in the closet, drawers, attic, or garage. Bicycles, holiday decorations, and sports equipment may be out of sight, but their cost adds up. Make sure you include everything – even if it’s in storage – on your list.
Add it up. Once you have a full document of all your belongings, along with their values, add up all the items in your home and their total cost.
Keep it safe. Store your complete home inventory with your insurance policy in a safe, easily accessible place, such as a fireproof box, safe deposit box, or other secure location.
Take stock annually. Remember to review and update your inventory each year, or whenever you make a significant purchase, to ensure your new items are documented.
Store info in the Cloud. The last thing you want is to have your inventory list get destroyed. There is online file storage like Know Your Stuff or DropBox where you can easily access your home inventory and not worry that your list burned up.

Remember, the more documentation you have, the easier it will be to have your home claim quickly processed. If you live in Missouri, the policy will pay out the policy limit if your possessions are destroyed by a fire, but other than that, expect to have to provide documentation for your possessions.

Trusted Choice ® offers a home inventory tool on our mobile app,which allows you to use your smart phone or tablet to take pictures and document important details of your belongings. It also allows you to maintain multiple inventories, so you can categorize your belongings by type (electronics, furniture, etc.) or by room in the house. The app is free and available through both the App Store and Google Play.

http://www.trustedchoice.com/Content/Articles/cure-cabin-fever-make-a-home-inventory.aspx

Prime Insurance Agency is a Liberty, MO based independent insurance agency.

Be the Pinnacle of Health & Wellness This Winter

Fri, 01 Feb 2013 16:50:00 GMT

It goes without saying that keeping yourself and your family healthy through the winter months in Liberty can be a challenge. When you combine chillier temps, housebound days – not to mention kids passing around colds at school like they’re playing “Hot Potato” – you can end up spending the much of the winter under the covers.

No matter how many inherent seasonal risk factors you face, there are ways to prepare for and get through the season virtually unscathed. At Prime Insurance, we wish for you a happy and abundantly healthy winter, so here are a few tips to help you stay well and enjoy!

Consider ‘sticking it’ to the Flu. Flu shots seem to be available at practically every drug store or pharmacy in Liberty. Discuss with your doctor the pros and cons of flu shots for yourself and your family.
Get some zzz’s. Prioritize getting enough sleep – or taking a quick nap – despite your busy schedule. Sleep is essential to health and healing.
Fill the fridge. It’s easy to allow your pantry to start looking like a sweet shop with Valentine's Day nearing. Take care to stock your refrigerator and cabinets with healthy snacks and ingredients for balanced meals. Think fruit, nuts, lower-calorie snacks, veggies and lean proteins.
Keep moving. Despite the many temptations to just relax and stay out of the cold, don’t give in to being a couch potato. Get to the gym or yoga studio, go for a walk, jump on the treadmill or dance. The important thing is to just move!

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For further questions and assistance, please contact us.

Protect Your Motorhome and RV From the Cold

Wed, 02 Jan 2013 18:56:27 GMT

If you're a snowbird and you're headed away from the cold this winter to a sunnier and warmer spot, you can move on to the next article. Just know that we here at Prime Insurance wish you a safe journey – and that we're all a little jealous. But no hard feelings; we'll still be here, standing ready should you need us.

But for those RV owners who aren't able to escape the winter weather, or who are simply storing their RV in a warmer locale for an extended period, it's important to prepare for it. Just as with your home, a little maintenance now will go a long way toward preventing frustration – and expensive repairs – later.

The basic tips below should help you get started. For more detailed information, including step-by-step instructions on replacing the water in your motorhome with antifreeze, simply do a web search for RV winterization and you'll find several great resources. Of course, you should consult your owner's manual for guidelines specific to your unit.

Winterizing your RV's exterior

This is the "easy" part of winterizing your RV. You'll want to clean it thoroughly, and make sure any awnings are fully dry before rolling them in for the winter. Also, keep your tires covered to protect them from sunlight and the elements. Make sure all doors and windows are closed.

Protecting your motorhome's interior

After cleaning the interior, leave the cabinets open and make sure to remove any food or food residue. If you aren't going to be in your RV over the winter, you sure don't want to attract any animals or insects looking for a cozy spot. Close your curtains or blinds to keep the sun out. And never store a propane tank inside your RV, even over the winter.

Engine, tanks and plumbing

If you live somewhere prone to freezing weather, make sure you have enough antifreeze in the engine, and change the oil and filter if needed. If possible, you'll want to charge the battery a few times during the winter (you may even want to remove it from the RV). Then, empty the holding tanks and replace the water in the plumbing lines with non-toxic antifreeze.

Just a little preparation will help ensure your RV is ready to roll when summer comes back around in Liberty. You'll be back on the road before you know it. (And then we'll be jealous of you, too!)

Contact Us!

For further questions and assistance, please contact us. You can also learn more about our RV insurance or get a free RV insurance quote online today!

Fight the Flames: Seven Tips for Protecting Your Home from Fire

Trusted Choice — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 22:23:37 GMT

In 2011, fire departments in the US responded to over 1.3 million fires that resulted in 3,005 civillian deaths and over $11.6 billion in direct property loss, according to the National Fire Protection Association. As part of National Fire Prevention Week, your independent agent offers the following fire prevention and preparedness information:

Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Test these devices monthly to make sure they are working properly and replace the batteries annually. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends putting at least one smoke detector on each level of your home. Never disable these detectors even if they go off while cooking or showering.

Install fire extinguishers. The NFAP recommends keeping extinguishers near exits of your home and in the kitchen where most house fires start. A multi-purpose extinguisher that is large enough to put out a small fire but isn’t too heavy to handle is ideal. Be sure to read all the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly operate the device.

Create a home escape plan. Draw a map of your house that includes all the doors and windows and discuss a fire escape plan with all family members. Practice the escape route at least once a year.

Keep it clean. Remove leaves and debris from around the property and clean out the gutters. It’s also important to trim back any shrubs or tree limbs that are close to your home. All of these things can be potential fire hazards.

Make sure your home is fully insured. Talk to your independent agent to ensure your home is fully covered for fire loss and that you have loss-of-use coverage in the event your home becomes uninhabitable.

Take a home inventory. Make a list of everything valuable in your home and document it with photos and video. Keeping a record of all your belongings will help you file a claim if you experience a fire or other loss. If you don't have a current home inventory, you can use the Trusted Choice Mobile App, which features a home inventory tool.

Protect important documents. Keep a copy of your home insurance policy, home inventory, and other important documents, such as passports, legal documents and birth and marriage certificates in a fireproof lockbox or at an off-site location.

Could you be liable for a holiday party?

IA Magazine's Margarita Tapia and Sue Nester — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 21:21:53 GMT

Who is liable if a holiday guest gets food poisoning or drives home drunk?

As millions of Americans host and attend holiday parties across the street and across the country, many may be unaware of the risks they may be taking. According to Trusted Choice^® and the Big “I,” party hosts need to understand their responsibilities when inviting people into their homes and serving food and drinks.

In fact, a casserole could bring just as many risks as a cocktail. A recent survey by Trusted Choice^® and the Big “I” found that almost three-fourths of homeowners had served food in their home that was prepared by someone other than themselves. That means more than 111 million homeowners in the United States have put themselves at risk for a lawsuit by just feeding their guests.

“Whether the food served came from your kitchen, a pizza delivery truck or a five-star caterer, if you serve it, you could be liable if anyone gets sick,” says Madelyn Flannagan, Big “I” vice president for education and research. “Even a simple neighborhood holiday potluck could have disastrous results for the host if someone is stricken with food poisoning.”

Agents are encouraged to remind their clients of the following important safety tips:

Do your homework. When hosting a holiday party, individuals should look to the liability portion of their homeowners or renters insurance policy to protect them if they are sued and found liable for an accident involving a guest who consumed alcohol or got sick after consuming food at their home. Consumers should regularly review their liability coverage limits to ensure they are adequately covered should an accident or illness occur.

Watch what you eat and feed others. Even if food was prepared outside your home by a caterer, another guest, a local deli or the neighborhood pizza joint, you could be held liable if someone becomes ill from consuming it on your property. Make sure that you check food and don’t put anything out that you suspect may be undercooked, spoiled or contaminated. Use only reputable food purveyors. Follow proper food handling, heating/cooling and storage recommendations. When in doubt, throw it out.

Know your state laws and statutes. In many states, party hosts can be held liable if a guest is involved in an alcohol-related accident. Many courts have found hosts liable for damages their party guests cause as a result of consuming alcohol and then driving motor vehicles. Many states have also enacted statutes that can be interpreted as mandating non-commercial social host liability.

So, if a guest or third party is injured in an accident that is related to alcohol consumption and the drinking can be linked to you, you could be held responsible for the payment of medical bills, vehicle repair costs, lost time from work and—in the worst case—claims for wrongful death resulting in huge monetary settlements.

Mix up the activities, not just the cocktails. If the party centers around drinking, guests will likely drink more. Schedule entertainment or activities that do not involve alcohol. Provide safe, filling food for guests and alternatives to alcoholic beverages.

Party elsewhere. Host your party at a restaurant or bar that has a liquor license, rather than in a home or office, to decrease your liability.

Call a cab, get a room or have a slumber party. Arrange transportation or overnight accommodations for those who cannot or should not drive home.

Just say no. Do not serve guests who are visibly intoxicated. Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party is scheduled to end. Stay alert and always remember your responsibilities as a host. You might also consider hiring an off-duty police officer or professional bouncer to discreetly monitor guests’ sobriety or handle any alcohol-related problems as guests leave.

Consider an umbrella policy. While holiday partygoers and hosts alike should act responsibly and know their limits, consumers need to acknowledge that most risks cannot be entirely eliminated. But planning ahead and learning about what’s involved in hosting a reception is the best defense. Purchasing a personal umbrella liability policy—providing $1 million or more in additional coverage over the limit of a standard homeowners or renters policy—may be a prudent move for the frequent party host.