June 28th is National Insurance Awareness Day

Have you ever noticed how many "National ..... Days" exist?   While it is fun to celebrate National Ballpoint Pen Day, National Pop Goes the Weasel Day, National Catfish Day, and National Donut Day (all in June by the way), there is one that we focus on here at our agency - June 28 is National Insurance Awareness Day.  (Okay, we did celebrate National Donut Day here at the office too).

National Insurance Awareness Day is just a reminder to review your insurance coverage and see if any changes need to be made.

Some things to keep in mind:

• Is there a special item that you received for Christmas, birthday, or anniversary that might need specific coverage?  A piece of special jewelry?  An expensive guitar?  That road bike you have been eyeing?  
• Do you have a student going off to college in the fall?  This might affect your auto rates depending on where they go to school, and if they are taking a vehicle to school or not.  
• Did the value of your home change?  Does the coverage on your policy need to be adjusted as well?  
• Have you done any updates to the home?  New roof?  New Heater?  New Plumbing?

Our agents at Absolute Insurance work with customers throughout the year to review existing coverages, but if you haven't revisited your policies in a couple years or you have had a big change in your life, this might be a good time.  Give your Absolute Insurance agent a call at 515-279-2722 today to set-up a time to review your insurance policies.

Tips for Traveling with Kids

Do you have a trip planned this summer?  Here are 10 tips to make your trip a little less stressful:

• Set reasonable expectations - know the limits of your children.  For example, will your kids be able stay engaged for a 3 hour architecture tour, or would a shorter version be a better fit?
• Bring plenty of food - bring a variety of treats, space them out throughout your trip, hide a couple “extra special” treats for when it gets a little crazy.
• If you are flying with a baby, make sure to bring an extra outfit for you and baby in your carry-on in case of a diaper issue or throw up.
• Most airlines allow for family boarding, but if you have an assigned seat I will sometimes wait to board so my kids can run some energy out.
• If you are flying solo with kids, you can ask at the ticket counter if you can get a “gate pass” for someone to assist you through security and to the gate.
• If you are driving, plan a picnic or take food to a park/playground instead of sitting down at a restaurant.  This way your kids can run around and wear themselves out.
• Pack some new activities for when the kids get bored - a new book, raid the Target dollar area, a new app on the tablet, etc.
• Have your kids pick out an activity they want to do or a place they want to visit along the way or at the destination.  Kids love getting to pick things out
• Have a photo contest - post a picture taken by each person on social media and have people vote on their favorite. Winner gets to choose an activity or restaurant
• At the end of a long travel day, have a glass of wine, read this description of another mom’s disastrous flight with her child, and maybe your long day won't seem so bad :)