By admin on May 11, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

Power Outage   Ready for a power outage or emergency? It’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit handy in case of power outages or other issues — especially with the threat of stormy weather in fall and winter. See recommendations from the American Red Cross below.   Emergency kit basics Water (one gallon per person, per day; keep a two-week supply at home) Food (non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items; two week supply at home) Flashlight and battery-powered radio, along with extra batteries First-aid kit, toiletries, medications and medical items Multi-purpose tool Copies of personal documents, along with family and emergency contact information Extra cash, clothing and blankets Cell phones and chargers Maps of the area Content provided by: Safeco...

By admin on May 4, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

Mother’s Day   A time to celebrate mothers   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 Insurance Consultants, Inc., 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 became 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 Insurance Consultants, Inc., 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...

By admin on Apr 27, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

Leak Tips for those in Saint Charles County When Water Goes Where It Shouldn’t Even a small leak can become a major problem, so knowing what you’re covered for and how to prevent water damage are equally important. The below tips should help uncover any potential water problems down the road and keep your property dry. Check appliance hoses. Standard hoses are not as durable as they used to be.  Replace rubber hoses with steel-braided hoses. This is a low cost fix that can save thousands in water damage. Broken tiles in the shower can allow water to leak into the walls or on the floor. Replace cracked tiles and re-grout when needed. Run dishwasher and washing machine only when you are home. If a leak occurs, you can turn the appliance off right away. When on vacation, turn off the main water supply to your house. Keep storm drains near your house clear of leaves. Install a gutter guard. This can prevent a rooftop disaster caused by drain clogs, and also prevents flooding by water that isn’t carried away from the house. Install a water pressure gauge. An inexpensive gauge can prevent damage caused by water pressure that’s too high.  Pressure should be between 60 and 80 PSI. This article was provided by Safeco...

By admin on Apr 20, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

Heading to Sturgis Whether you’re taking your Harley and heading across country, or just hitting the Northwest back roads, we want you to be safe on the roads this summer. Here are a few top tips: Which cyclists have the highest risk for serious motorcycle accidents?   Surprise: It’s 40-year-olds.” No one’s too old to wear a helmet A motorcycle rider not wearing a helmet is forty percent more likely to sustain a fatal head injury in a crash than a rider with a helmet.* A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study reports that “helmets saved 1,658 motorcyclists’ lives in 2006, and that 752 more could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.”* Buy a full-face helmet for the best protection for your head and eyes. Wear other protective gear as well: heavy leather or synthetic gloves, long pants and jacket, and over-the-ankle leather boots. In a crash, the SUV wins When cars and motorcycles collide, it’s usually because the driver of the car failed to see the cyclist. With more SUVs on the road, it’s even more critical to take extra steps to become more visible. Use your headlamps—both night and day—and wear yellow, red or orange jackets to make yourself easy to see. Make a point of positioning yourself in your lane for visibility. Training saves One out of four motorcycle drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2006 were driving with invalid licenses.* Safeco offers discounts to riders who attend the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s safe riding courses or are active in one of 10 approved groups that promote safe riding. Do both those things and you can reduce your premium. New Gear? Update your policy Some companies, including Safeco, offer special coverage for custom parts and equipment—but you have to make sure each piece of equipment is listed on your policy. Any time you buy new leathers or safety equipment or customize your bike, call Brian Fricker or Thomas Reese at 636-812-3500 or e-mail info@goicb.com before you head out on the highway. Another fine article from your friends at Safeco...

By admin on Apr 13, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

Boating Season Every summer, our team gets calls from customers after a fun weekend on the water takes a turn for the worse. Often, these accidents could have been prevented with just a few simple precautions. Here are a few tips we like – courtesy of our partners at Safeco. Don’t let an accident wreck your fun! Life Preservers Aren’t Just for Kids. It’s not enough to just have life jackets on board — wear them! In an accident, people rarely have time to reach for a life jacket. This rule applies to adults, not just children: More people in their 30s die in boating accidents than any other age group. Life vests have come a long way in style. Today, you can even get vests for your water-loving dog! Watercraft Insurance Most home insurance policies have limited coverage for boats. If you own a boat, watercraft insurance is your best bet: It covers theft, damage, and injuries or accidents while you’re on the water, as well as some of your expensive watersports gear.   Watch the Back of the Boat. Carbon monoxide kills in minutes. So tell your passengers where your exhaust pipes are located and turn off your engine when people are in the water, and don’t let passengers “ski” or “teak-surf” by holding on to the back of the boat. Both Washington and Oregon made teak-surfing illegal in the last few years, after several tragic deaths. Carbon monoxide detectors are standard on most new boats; older boats install devices for less than $100. Alcohol and Boating Don’t Mix. More than 50 percent of drowning’s result from boating incidents involving alcohol. You don’t drink and drive, so don’t boat and drive. Boats Need TLC Too. When you’re out on the water, make sure your gas tanks are vented and bilges are free of vapors, oil, waste and grease. Carry a charged fire extinguisher. Have your boat’s operating systems checked yearly by a certified marine technician. The Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons also offer free vessel safety checks. Experience Counts! The U.S. Coast Guard says that operator errors account for 70 percent of all boating accidents. Make sure anyone who drives your boat is properly...