Is your homeowner's policy up to date?

Please read the information below that the Department of Insurance Financial Institutions and Professional Registration released.  It's very important that we take their advice and be prepared.

Severe Weather Awareness Week: Missouri Department of Insurance encourages consumers to be prepared

Consumers should review their policies and make a home inventory

 Jefferson City, Mo. - Severe weather arrived early this year as deadly storms produced tornadoes and high winds that did significant damage across the southern parts of Missouri on Leap Day. As a part of Severe Weather Awareness Week, the Missouri Department of Insurance urges consumers to review their policies, make sure they have adequate coverage and prepare a list of their belongings.

Homeowners insurancePolicy limits on homes and belongings can become outdated. A homeowners insurance policy that's more than five years old may not cover the entire cost associated with rebuilding a home or replacing lost or damaged possessions. Homeowners should make it a habit to review their policy limits annually to ensure they are better protected from unpredictable events. Get more information on the department's website at insurance.mo.gov.
Renters insuranceMost renters forego this type of insurance because they assume their landlord's insurance will cover any damage or loss to their belongings. However, landlords typically have a policy that only insures the building they own, not their tenants' possessions.
If you are renting an apartment, condo or house, consider renters insurance. With premiums averaging $8-21 for $20,000 to $30,000 worth of coverage, renters insurance is an affordable way to protect your belongings. Get more information on the department's website at insurance.mo.gov.
Prepare a home inventoryThe department also strongly encourages consumers to prepare a list of their belongings. A home inventory can help determine the level of coverage needed before disaster strikes, and it can make it easier to file a claim.
There are several ways to start building a home inventory. The Department of Insurance offers a free home inventory booklet. If you are using an electronic or paper spreadsheet, remember to take pictures of your belongings, and save them, along with your home inventory, in a safe, fireproof place.
You can also download the free home inventory app for iPhone or Android smartphones. The app guides you through capturing images, descriptions, bar codes and serial numbers, and then stores them electronically for safekeeping. The app even creates a backup file for email sharing.
What's not coveredA standard homeowners and renters insurance policy doesn't protect your home or belongings from damage associated with floods, earthquakes or sewer and drain backup. Ask your agent if you need this additional coverage.
To be covered by flood insurance, consumers need a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program. Policies have a 30-day waiting period before they're effective. For more information about flood insurance, visit floodsmart.gov or call 888-379-9531.
For other tips about preparing for severe weather, visit the Department of Insurance's severe weather page. To learn more about Severe Weather Awareness Week in Missouri, visit sema.dps.mo.gov.
About the Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions & Professional RegistrationThe Missouri Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration (DIFP) is responsible for consumer protection through the regulation of financial industries and professionals. The department's seven divisions work to enforce state regulations both efficiently and effectively while encouraging a competitive environment for industries and professions to ensure consumers have access to quality products.

Identity Theft

The threat of identity theft continues to grow, especially from internet and computer use. If you are an Allied Identity Theft Insurance policyholder, please take time to read below about what Allied is offering their customers to help protect them from this threat.

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There are 2 new enhancements (DataScrambler and PhishBlocking) that are now being offered for our ID Theft policyholders. These enhancements are software that can be downloaded onto personal computers and designed to protect against key logging and phising attacks. These enhancements are FREE of charge.

What are "Key Logging" and "Phising" Attacks?
Key Logging- A type of surveillance software that records every keystroke you make including instant messages, email and any information you type at any time using your keyboard and then transmits this information to an unknown third party, who can use this information to have access to your confidential information.
Phising Attacks- A type of online identity theft that involves the use of email and fraudulent websites to steal your personal data or information such as credit card numbers, passwords, account data or other sensitive information.

 

Allied’s Identity Theft Endorsement

Follow the steps below for signing up for the free online data protection that protects members’ sensitive datawhile surfing the internet and credit monitoring which keeps a constant eye on your credit report. You will receivea free credit report when you enroll as well.

1) Go to

: www.alliedinsurance.com2) Under the ‘Property’ tab, click on id theft
3) In the blue section on the right, click on ‘Sign up for online data protection and credit monitoring’.
4) In the last paragraph, click the “Sign up” link to enroll for credit monitoring and Online Data Protection Suite.
5) Enter the information listed below. Please note a policy number is required.

Stay One Step Ahead of IDENTITY FRAUD

Carbon Monoxide

Please check out this article on the Lake News' website about carbon monoxide in your home.

http://www.lakenewsonline.com/news/police_and_fire/x1508891017/SBFPD-offers-safety-tips-after-carbon-monoxide-incident

Tips to help keep your home warm and lower your heating bills

Since we are getting a spout of bad weather here at the Lake, we thought we'd share with you some tips on how to keep your home warm without loading on the extra dollars to your electric bill.

1.) Use door snakes to cover the bottom of your doors.  You can use a rolled up bath towel in place of the snake.  This helps keep cold air from coming under our doors into our home.

2.) Change your furnace filters.  It is recommended that during the cold months when our furnace is working overtime that we change our filters once a month. Dirty filters can restrict the air flow and increase the energy demand.

3.) Run your ceiling fan on reverse.  Running the fan in reverse makes the warmer air come back down to our level and can cut our heating costs by 10%.

4.) Install storm doors or storm windows.  It can help block wind and cold air and reduce our energy bill by 45%!

5.)  Give your heating system an annual tune up -- just like your car!  A lot of companies will give a free annual checkup, so price around.  A free checkup might possible save you 5% on your energy bill.

6.)  Remember to turn your heat down when you leave your home.  This can save you a lot of money.  No need to heat the home so much if nobody is home!

7.) Window insulation kits can help block a lot of cold air and wind for a very small price.  You can get these at any of your home improvement stores or even WalMart.

Events

Hey, all! Hope you're staying safe in the cold, wintry weather we are getting.  We here at Golden Rule will be attending some different events at the Lake and hope to see you there.  You can check out the list below for a few of the upcoming ones we'll be attending.  Hope you can stop by and check out the events!

February 15th -  Lake Area Chamber of Commerce Social at Hideout Bar & Grill
                             Meet people, food and fun!

March 3rd -  Lake West Business Expo at the Lake West Christian Academy from 9am-4pm.

You can also click on the link below for other area events.

http://us1.forward-to-friend.com/forward/show?u=446411488bf097f1e144cfcbd&id=d7c7781471

About Golden Rule Insurance Agency

Golden Rule Insurance Agency is an independent insurance agency located in the heart of Osage Beach Missouri.  We represent multiple lines of insurance from home and auto to commercial risks of all types with Life and Health in the middle.  The Agency is owned and operated by the Brenizer family which also owns 7 other agencies which are called Hawkins Insurance Group. 

Together the Golden Rule Insurance and Hawkins Insurance Group family, have a history of excellence and experience of serving our clients for nearly 60 years.  We are dedicated to providing quality insurance solutions to clients in Missouri and surrounding states. We combine our strong insurance background and product knowledge to assist both current and future clients in managing and planning for all types of risks.

Our team of certified agents are trained and experienced in designing individual insurance policies to meet your specified needs.  The team has over 300 years of combined experience in the insurance industry; all which strive to provide the best insurance programs and advice to our clients.

Golden Rule Insurance Agency's mission is to provide its customers with the best possible coverage, service and information to all of our customers in order for them to make intelligent decisions regarding their insurance, as a part of our mutual success.

Golden Rule Insurance Agency, "Coverage you Need, People you Trust"

Check us out!