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

Home Inventory Why a Home Inventory Is Important in St. Charles County   Let’s try a little exercise: Can you list everything you own from memory? Didn’t think so.   The fact is most people own more things than they realize. It’s easy to remember the cars, the computer, the TV. But what about that holiday china in the garage? Or every pair of shoes?   All of it is regarded as personal property for insurance purposes. And if your home is destroyed by fire or some other disaster, having a list of your possessions makes filing a claim easier — and helps you put your life back together.   Why should I complete a home inventory? What’s the best way? Comparing the value of your belongings to the “contents” limit listed in your policy helps you make sure you have enough insurance to replace them if they are lost, stolen or destroyed as a result of a covered loss. The easiest way to take an inventory is to use a video camera, recording and describing items as you walk through your house. Or, you can use a regular camera and create a home inventory checklist.   Here are a few tips for completing and storing your inventory: Add brand names and descriptions where you can, especially on large-ticket items. Serial numbers are helpful to note. Keep any receipts you have with the list to make the claims process easier. Store your video or photo inventory offsite so you won’t lose it if your house is damaged. Update your personal property records when you purchase new furnishings and valuables. Though the task may seem daunting, it’s important to try. An incomplete inventory is better than nothing at all.   How much insurance do I need? We can assist you in analyzing your insurance needs and help you decide how to most effectively protect your personal property. You should consider full-value coverage, which will pay for the replacement value of your personal belongings. A standard policy typically covers personal property only up to its actual cash value, determined by taking the replacement cost and deducting depreciation, which can be substantial. (For example, a 5-year-old TV is usually worth much less...

By admin on Jul 6, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

  Firework Pet Safety     Keep your pets safe during the Fourth of July Fireworks   For most of us, the Fourth of July is a time to enjoy the pyrotechnics that mark the holiday. But for our pets, fireworks are another story. Many pets can be traumatized by the noisy rockets and firecrackers so many of us enjoy.   At Insurance Consultants, Inc., we hope your holiday is happy and safe for you and your pets. So along with our other story about fireworks safety, here are some tips to help you protect your pets on the Fourth in St. Charles County, or elsewhere.   Protecting your pets Many pets are very frightened by the loud noises caused by fireworks. If you can’t take them away from the noise, here are some pointers from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals that will help them have a more peaceful holiday. Don’t take your pet to a public fireworks display. In addition to the noise, they may be spooked by the crowds. If possible, leave your pet inside in a safe, secure room. Do not leave them outside, even if your yard is fenced. They may try to flee, and they may succeed; July 5 is a busy year at many animal shelters in St. Charles County, as dogs and cats are frequently found miles from their homes. Taking your pet on a walk early in the day can help tire them out. Give your pets a comfortable place to rest, as well as plenty of food and water. You might even leave a TV or stereo on to drown out the fireworks. Provide soothing music, if possible. A favorite toy (or their favorite owner!) can help comfort them, too. Make sure your pets have an ID tag or microchip, in case they get scared and escape. Check with your veterinarian before giving your pet any medication intended to calm them. They may be able to provide you with a prescription or suggest alternatives. And, of course, keep your pet away from used and unused fireworks.   With some common sense and planning, the Fourth of July can be both safe and enjoyable for everyone...

By admin on Jun 29, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

Firework Safety                                                                                                                        When Things go BOOM in the Night – Fireworks Safety   For most of us, the Fourth of July is a time to enjoy the company of family and friends, having fun and creating memories – whether at home in Missouri or away.   But for some families, the holiday is a nightmare. Homes each year in Missouri are damaged by wayward fireworks. Thousands of people are injured in accidents.   At Insurance Consultants, Inc., we want your holiday to be happy, but also safe. So here are some tips to help you protect yourself and your property on the Fourth.   Protecting yourself (and others) To minimize the risk of injury, don’t use consumer fireworks. Attend a public display conducted by professionals in St. Charles, St. Peters, O’Fallon or elsewhere. If using consumer fireworks, always follow instructions. Do not attempt to re-light “duds” or create homemade fireworks. Never let children handle or light fireworks. Even sparklers, which burn at more than 1,000 degrees, can cause third-degree burns. Kids under the age of 15 account for approximately 40% of fireworks injuries, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. A responsible adult should always be present when children – even teenagers – are around fireworks. More than half of fireworks injuries happen to those younger than 20 years old.   Protecting your home According to the National Fire Protection Association, the best way to protect your home is to not use fireworks at home. Remember, fireworks can cause grass fires and other types of blazes as well. Make sure you light fireworks in a safe area, away from homes and buildings, as well as other combustible material. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency. Look out for tree limbs or bushes that could catch fire. Trimming vegetation to keep it away from your home is a good idea anyway, but it could save you from a catastrophic fire on the Fourth of July. If your gutters have accumulated leaves, pine needles or other flammable material, clean them before using fireworks near your home. Finally, if you won’t be home on the holiday, ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house if others in...

By admin on Jun 22, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

  Father’s Day   Time to Honor Dad Father’s Day in St. Charles, County Missouri   With summer drawing near and the weather warming up, Missouri neighborhoods come alive with the sights and sounds of the season: lawnmowers, power tools and backyard barbecues, to name a few.   For many people, those things all bring to mind one specific person: Dad. And since Father’s Day is just around the corner, we at Insurance Consultants, Inc. thought we’d give you some gift ideas – and some fun history trivia, too!   The history of Father’s Day Marked on the third Sunday of June in the United States (and in many other countries), Father’s Day was first celebrated in 1910 to complement Mother’s Day. According to Wikipedia, the day was created by Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Wash., who wanted to honor her father, Civil War veteran William Jackson Smart.   Although Dodd originally suggested her father’s birthday in early June, she had not provided organizers with enough time to arrange the event – and the celebration was delayed until the third Sunday of the month.   Although Mother’s Day has been an official national holiday since 1914, Father’s Day had a tougher road. Congress refused to make the celebration official in the years immediately following Dodd’s first observance, fearing that the day would become commercialized. (Some would say those fears were well-founded; the creator of Mother’s Day later came to regret the commercialization of that holiday.)   It wasn’t until 1966 that Father’s Day received an official proclamation, thanks to President Lyndon B. Johnson. And six years later, President Richard Nixon signed a law making the day a national holiday.   Facts and figures (from government website USA.gov) There are an estimated 70.1 million fathers across the nation An estimated 1.7 million men are single fathers Approximately 176,000 fathers are stay-at-home dads   What to get Dad? Once you’re past the age of, say, 10, the “Old Spice and a tie” routine probably won’t cut it anymore when it comes to getting a gift for your father. Here are some better ideas from AskMen.com: Grilling tools (this way, perhaps he’ll even cook for you on Father’s Day!) Alcohol (to be...

By admin on Jun 1, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

Distracted Driver Avoiding distractions while driving could save your life   You’ve seen them on the roads in St. Louis and St. Charles counties; you might even know a few of them.   And you could be one yourself.   Distracted drivers in come in all shapes, sizes, ages and experience levels. Even if you’re not one today, you could become one at any moment — in the time it takes you to answer your cell phone or check the kids in the back seat when you’re driving through {neighborhoods}.   If you or someone else you know thinks you can drive just fine while talking on your phone, think about this: More than 450,000 people were injured in crashes that reportedly involved distracted driving in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More than 5,000 of those people died.   Distractions on the road come in many forms, according to www.distraction.gov, a U.S. Department of Transportation website. There are three main kinds of distractions: Visual – taking your eyes off the road Manual –taking your hands off the wheel Cognitive – taking your mind off what you’re doing   To help you avoid all three kinds of distractions the next time you’re behind the wheel of your car here are a few tips: Put your phone in silent mode and store it away from the front seat or in a purse or bag. This helps reduce temptation. Have a passenger answer your phone or return text messages for you. If a call or a text can’t wait, pull over in a safe spot before using your phone. This one seems obvious, but finish shaving or applying makeup before you get in the car! If you’re emotional, wait until you’ve calmed down before hitting the road. Avoid road rage. You’ll be happier and safer.   Whenever you’re on the road, it’s not a time to multi-task. Focus on driving safely.   This article was provided by our friends at Safeco Insurance...

By admin on May 25, 2016 in Blog | 0 comments

Uninsured Motorist Uninsured Motorist Levels Are on the Rise There’s another unfortunate side of the economic downturn that impacts every driver on the road: The number of underinsured motorists is expected to rise here in St. Louis and St. Charles County area. According to a recent study from Insurance Research Council, about one in six drivers across the United States may be driving uninsured by 2010. This means responsible drivers who purchase insurance may end up paying for injuries caused by uninsured drivers. If you haven’t reviewed your liability coverage in the last two years, now is a good time to revisit your auto coverage to ensure you avoid extra costs after an accident. We’re happy to help – and we can often increase your coverages without a significant increase in premium. Just call Brian or Tom at Insurance Consultant, Inc. at 636-812-3500. This article was provided by Safeco Insurance...