Spring has Sprung!

Finally Spring has come and with it comes the possibility of spring showers through April and May. With the rain will come the rejuvenation of the outdoor world. The lawns will turn to green and the tulips will begin to bloom. These are beautiful sights to behold after a winter of being held hostage in homes due to the frigid winds and temperatures. However, as these showers melt away the bits of snow and ice on the ground and as the ground thaws, there can be a lot of extra water coming towards the foundation of your home and ultimately being routed to you sump pump. This is an excellent time to head down to your basement and open the sump pump well do some your regular spring maintenance. No one wants to deal with the problems associated with a malfunctioning sump pump and there are a few steps to take to maintain your pump and keep it in the best working order. These tips are general guides and you should follow the manufactures recommendations first and foremost.
These tips were found at www.homerepair.about.com:
Plan on doing these items every 3-4 months:

• Clean pump inlet screen
• Check power cord and make sure the cord is connected to power
• Dump a bucket of water into the sump to raise the float and make sure the pump turns on

Plan on doing these items every year:

• Remove the pump from the sump and clean it and inspect it
• Clean out the sump
• Check the owner manual to see if the pump bearing require grease or oil. If you do not have the manual look it up on the internet using the manufacturer and model number of your pump or contact the manufacturer
• Replace the pump in the sump
• Check power cord and make sure the cord is connected to power
• Dump a bucket of water into the sump to raise the float and make sure the pump turns on, adjusting the float if necessary

We at Absolute Insurance also STRONGLY advocate that homes with sump pumps should also install a battery back-up pump that will assist your main pump in the event of a power loss. There is also a newer version of a pump that uses the home’s water lines to act as a pump rather than using electricity. This is highly beneficial if you are in area that losses electricity consistently during storms. Call your Absolute Agent today at 515-279-2722!

Ensuring Insurability and More!!!

Do you have children or grandchildren and are tired of buying plastic toys or gizmos that will end up being stored and thrown out in the next few months? As a parent to 2 children myself, I know this dilemma well and I want to give my children beneficial gifts in addition to next big Christmas must-have. There are better uses for that money. One of which is a Children’s Universal Life Insurance policy through Pekin Life Insurance that offers a Guaranteed Insurability Rider. These are very reasonably priced policies that are permanent and build a cash value. In addition to that, they have a rider that allows the owner or the insured on the policy to increase the death benefit up to 7 times throughout the lifetime of the child at various ages indicated within the policy. The best part about this is that there are NO HEALTH QUESTIONS and NO NEW UNDERWRITING for the increased death benefit. There are too many heartbreaking stories of children developing chronic diseases that leave them uninsurable in the future. Now is the time to put this important protection in place and give yourself the peace of mind that your child can increase their coverage even in the event of a tragic diagnosis. Call your Absolute Agent today at 515-279-2722!

You've Got Q's; We Got the A's

Q:  The color of my car affects my insurance rates, right?

A:  False.  The color of your car does not impact your car insurance rates.  What does influence your rate is your vehicle's year, make, model, body type, engine size, safety-features, and anti-theft features, along with your credit history, driving record, and geographic location.


Q:  No Fault Insurance means it's not my fault, correct?

A:  No.  It means that your company will pay for the damage to your vehicle (if physical damage is purchased) regardless of whose fault it is.  This type of policy is not available in Iowa and is a state specific type of coverage.  I, for one, am thankful that Iowa has not adopted this type of policy!


Q:  If I recently paid my insurance bill, the new car I just bought is covered?

A:  Yes, to a point.  Most insurance companies require that you notify the company of the agent within a specified number of days after the purchase.  There is a short grace period where the coverage does automatically transfer from one full coverage vehicle to a new full coverage vehicle.


Q:  If I lend my car to a friend and they get into an accident, will their company cover the damages?

A:  False.  Your car, your responsibility!  However, your friend's insurance could act as excess insurance if the damages exceed your policy limits.


Q:  I don't want uninsured/underinsured motorist because I don't want to pay for those drivers' cars!

A:  This is a common misconception.  That coverage is purely for your protection.  It pays for your lost wages and medical bills if you are struck by a driver without or not enough coverage (relative to the accident).  It does not pay for ANY vehicles, yours or theirs.

Annuities: Safe Choice in Choppy Market

With the recent credit and market insecurities, many people have lost as much as 55% of previous investments in their stock driven 401k's and IRA's.  For some, this isn't the end of the world as they may be young enough to make up for the losses in the future.  For others, the loss comes right at the time of retirement and will have devastating financial outcomes. 

Given the current market conditions and the see-saw nature of the S& P and Dow Jones, now may be a great time to consider an investment in an annuity backed IRA.  These operate in much the same way as stock driven IRA's, except without the risk of losing your investment.  These types of IRA's offer guaranteed interest rates which, as we have all now seen, stocks do not!

There are various types of annuity products available, some of which are readily available to transfer your existing stock driven IRA's directly over to a guaranteed interest rate annuity IRA.  Whether you have a qualified or non-qualified fund, we have a solution to fit your needs.

Now is the time to talk with your Absolute Agent and discover the awesome power of guaranteed interest rates combines with the power of compounding interest.  Don't let your money slip away in the market.  Call today for information. 

Insure Your Snowmobile Property

It's getting to be that time of year, when motorcycles and ATV's are being put away in storage while the snowmobiles are being brought out.  If this winter shapes up anything like last year, than this will be another great year for outside snow-related fun (that should translate into another bitter cold and snowy winter for the rest of us!)

Most people typically know to get out the thick coats, hats, gloves, goggles, and scarves to protect against the worst winter has to offer us, but one should not forget about whether or not they've checked up on their snowmobile insurance to protect them from teh other elements that may occur during the recreational fun.

Just as motorcycles and ATV's have their own type of coverage, so to do snowmobiles.  We offer specially designed policies from industry leaders to make sure you can get the most out of your winter-time fun without the bothersome worries of whether or not you protected properly.

Whether it be physical damage protections to make sure your snowmobile is protected itself or the vast array of liability protection, we strive to make sure you are worry free for the season opener.

While we are not rooting for winter this year, we are rooting for you and the time you'll have this time of year to enjoy the best an Iowan winter has to offer.

Remember just as it is important to do occasional check-ups on your auto, home, motorcycle, and boat policies; it is also a good idea, and a good time, to explore getting or checking up on your snowmobile policy.

You've Got Some Q's: We've Got the A's

Q:  I am a pizza delivery driver and I hit another vehicle.  My policy will cover the damage, right?

A:  NO.  A personal auto policy will not cover a vehicle being used for delivery purposes.  The same policy will also not cover paid-for snowplowing or people transportation (i.e. taxis).

You would need to have a commercial auto policy in order to cover this vehicle and the liability properly.

If you engage in these types of business, call your Absolute Agent today to ensure you have the right policy!


Q:  I failed to pay the renewal, but companies have a grace period, right?

A:  NO.  If the renewal payment has not been paid, then there is no coverage at that moment.  There are no grace periods on renewal payments as the policy period has expired.  These are handled differently than regular monthly bills that do have a short grace period.


Q:  How often should I get my jewelry appraised in order to keep it as a separate rider on my insurance policy.

A:  You'll want to get such things appraised about every 3-5 years.  This is in your best interest as the price of gold and precious metals and stones have increased drastically over the past 2 years.  For instance, if you had a ring appraised in 2002 and it came to a value of $2,000 and now it would appraise at $10,000 in order to replace, then the company would only be responsible for providing the $2,000 in coverage.  As you can see, given the vast increases in value on these types of things, it is very important to update these every 3-5 years.

Get Your Snow Plow Covered Correctly

As the winter months approach with the memory of last year's crazy long wintery months still vivid in our minds, some folks will consider adding a snowplow to their trucks and make a little extra money. While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it could turn into a nightmare if you don’t first consider how to insure yourself properly.

The private passenger insurance policy you have for your vehicles is not meant for things such as transporting people for a fee, deliveries, or paid snowplowing.  Your personal auto policy is meant for the purpose of insuring you against the standard perils of to and from work and recreational activities.

Once you get paid for snowplowing, you’ve left the door open for many possible consequences and liability concerns that are not wrapped into a personal auto policy. In the case of snowplowing, or  even delivery driving, you’ll need a commercial policy in order to cover the risks associated properly. While the premium may be a little more, it is worth it in the event that a claim arises as your personal
auto policy will rightfully deny a claim if the vehicles are being used in a commercial manner.

As with most things, careful consideration should be given when thinking about either of these types of activities. Talk with your Absolute Agent to find the best and most affordable way to insure yourself properly before engaging in these types of business pursuits. Often times, a few minutes of going through the in and outs may end up saving you big in the event of a claim or liability concern.

Let us help you find the right policy and price for your needs.  Call us today at 515-279-2722 to ensure you are covered correctly.