Summer Energy Savings

Beat the Heat - and Your Air Conditioning Bill - This Summer

Did you know that, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Americans spend about $11 billion each year on air conditioning?  That might not be such a surprise if you're the one who writes the check for your household energy bill every month.

Believe it or not, you can spend less on cooling costs while still keeping cool.  Here are five things to do to adjust the thermostat:

1. Make sure your house isn't part of the problem.  If your home isn't insulated and sealed well, warm air could be leaking in, sabotaging your efforts to cool things down.  Make sure all cracks and openings are sealed, along with your ducts.  The DOE says air loss through ducts can account for 30 percent of the energy a cooling system uses.
2. Keep that breeze flowing.  Natural ventilation is a great way to decrease the temperature in your home without using any energy.  Open windows in the mornings or evenings when the air is cool and get a cross-breeze going throughout the house.
3. Check that the heat isn't on.  You might be heating your house in the summer without realizing it.  How?  By using the oven, stove, or other appliances that generate heat.  Cook outside whenever you can, and use the dishwasher and clothes driver at cooler times of the day if possible.  Look into drying bedding and clothes outside - sometimes they dry quicker outside in the sun than in the dryer!
4. Create your own personal cool zone.  Cooling the whole house might not be necessary if you're only using a few rooms.  Set up fans (ceiling fans will allow you to set your thermostat a few degrees higher), drink plenty of cool liquids and eat cold foods, which can help lower your body temperature.  You might even consider wearing a damp shirt to stay comfortable to putting an ice pack on your forehead, the back of your neck or your wrists.  
5. Don't forget the basics.  When it's sunny outside, keep your curtain closed.  Minimize your use of lights, as they generate heat.  And, when the outside air is warming than the air in your house, close the windows to keep the cool air in.

We can't promise these tips will keep you just as cool as when you kick back and turn on the AC full-blast.  But saving money every month?  That's pretty cool, too.

Replacement Cost vs Actual Cash Value - What Does it Mean?

Have you ever looked at your homeowners, condo, or renters policy and saw that your property, belongings, and/or roof is listed as being insured for Replacement Cost Value (RCV) or Actual Cost Value (ACV)?  Have you ever wondered what that means?

Replacement Cost (RCV) is the value to replace an item at today's cost.
Actual Cash Value (ACV) is the value for a similar item at today's cost minus depreciation (replacement cost minus depreciation).

What does this mean?  Let's use an example most people have in their house - a couch.  Four years ago when you moved into your house, you purchased a new sectional for $2500.  Last month, your sectional couch was damaged in a covered claim.  

• If you have actual cash value coverage, the insurance company would pay the value of the couch today (replacement cost minus depreciation).  In this example, they might determine that after 4 years of use, your sectional is only valued at $1800.
• If you have Replacement Cost coverage, the insurance company will pay what it could cost to buy a similar couch today.  The sectional you purchased 4 years ago might now be $2600 so they would pay that amount. (Some insurance companies will give you the actual cash value of an item and require a receipt for the new item before paying you the remainder)

What does it mean by depreciation?  Over time, your home, contents, and/or roof may lose value due to factors such as age and wear and tear.  This loss in value is commonly known as depreciation.  

RCV and ACV also affect how your roof is insured too.  Some companies only offer RCV coverage for roofs if they were installed within the last 15 years, otherwise, the roof is covered for ACV.  

Here are some important things you can do:

1. Look over your Homeowners, Condo, or Renter's Insurance policy to see what coverages are listed for your policy
2. On your Homeowners policy, make sure that we have the most recent roof year listed for your home
3. Take an inventory of your items in your home, and update annually.  It is recommended to take a video of each room, including in your closets and cupboards.  This will help in the event of a house claim.

If you have any questions regarding the coverage on your policy, please contact your Absolute Insurance agent today at 515-279-2722 or at service@insaia.com.

You can find more information about Homeowner's Insurance coverage at https://www.insaia.com/home_insurance.php


You can also click here for a quote on your Homeowners Insurance.

5 Alarms to Consider for your Home

What alarms and sensors do you need in your home? The answer is different for everyone. But, whatever your situation, today’s technology has you covered with options including online monitoring and more. Here are some common alarms, including two everyone needs to have, and three many people should at least consider:

1. Smoke alarms
   No matter where you live — house, condo, apartment — you need smoke alarms. Place one in every room where people sleep, and at least one on each level of your home. Consider alarms that work for both flaming and smoldering fires (they’re different), as well as an interconnected system so that all alarms sound when one detects smoke.
    
2. Carbon-monoxide (CO) detectors
   Here’s another must-have. CO — a deadly, odorless gas generated by the burning of fuels such as wood, natural gas or propane — kills hundreds of people a year in the U.S. You should have at least one CO detector on every level of your home, even if you only have electric appliances and heat sources. Your state may even require you to have one.
    
3. Natural gas detectors
   These alarms usually detect CO and propane leaks, so consider one if you have natural gas appliances in your home. You also need one for your RV or trailer if you use propane to fuel your cooking or heating.
    
4. Water alarms
   Leaks from appliances or pipes can do extensive — and expensive — damage to your home if they go undetected. Water alarm systems typically use sensors placed near appliances or other trouble spots to alert you when they sense moisture.
    
5. Security systems
   Whether you want a do-it-yourself system or one that is professionally monitored, you’ve got more options than ever before. You may even be able to check in on your home from wherever you are using your smartphone.
    

When you’re making these important decisions, here’s one more important thing to consider: Some of these alarms could qualify you to save on your homeowner's insurance!

You can find more information about Homeowner's Insurance coverage at https://www.insaia.com/home_insurance.php

You can also click here for a quote on your Homeowners Insurance.

Please give us a call at 515-279-2722 or email us at service@insaia.com.

Workers' Compensation Insurance

Workers' compensation coverage provides medical expenses, lost wages, and physical rehabilitation costs to employees who are injured or become ill "in the course and scope" of their job.  Additionally, this coverage protects an employer from being sued by an injured worker in most cases.

Absolute Insurance can help your business find complete solutions to your unique workers compensation insurance needs.  We'll find solutions that create safer and more productive workplaces, more confident and secure workers and overall savings you'll see on the bottom line.

Coverage for office workers using their own vehicles on company business is often needed, as well.  If you have employees, it is critical that you consider this workers compensation coverage.

Some Workers Compensation coverage can include:

• Innovative payment systems
• Medical disability case managers
• Utilization management nurses
• Certified life care planning nurses
• Vocational rehabilitation consultants
• Physician consulting services
• Legal staff
• Contracts with medical network providers
• Managed prescription drug program

What are some instances that Workers' Compensation might cover?

• An employee is driving from a client's location back to office and is involved in an accident.  The employee requires hospitalization from the accident
• An employee injures her back lifting a heavy box in the back room, requiring a doctor's attention, medication, and physical therapy.
• An employee slips on a wet floor, injuring himself, requiring an emergency room visit and weeks of recovery time

To find out more about this product and other products and services, contact Absolute Insurance Agency today by calling 515-279-2722 or service@insaia.com.

Valentine's Gift Coverage

Each year, we usually have a few clients who get engaged over Valentine's Day.  If you are one of these lucky couples, make sure that calling your insurance company is at the top of your list of people you notify.  Why?  "While there is no way to insure the sentimental value of such a gift, having the right amount of insurance will provide financial protection", according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Jewelry losses are one of the most common losses for all homeowners content-related insurance claims.  So if you received a new piece of jewelry for Valentine's Day (or a nice new set of golf clubs, or artwork, or fancy new camera, etc), you want to make sure that it is insured correctly.

Does the item need special coverage?
Most homeowners and renters insurance policies include coverage for contents, but there are limits to how much coverage there is for high-value items such as jewelry, furs, art, etc.  Usually, we add these types of items to a policy as "Scheduled Personal Property" or SPP.  This has specific coverage for individual items, offer broader coverage for loss (such as if your ring were to accidentally fall down a drain.)  There is usually no deductible applied to items that are scheduled as SPP on your policy.

Keep a copy of your Receipt or Appraisal
Insurance companies will usually ask for a recent appraisal of an item being specially insured as SPP.  This helps with a description of the item and the appraised value.  We also recommend that you keep a picture of items as well - this can help with identifying a lost item.

For more information regarding Scheduled Personal Property, check out this blog on our website.

If you have an item that you want to add as Scheduled Personal Property to your Homeowners or Renters Insurance Policy, please call your Absolute agent at 515-279-2722 or email us at service@insaia.com.

How to Stay Safe After a Winter Car Accident

The days are short. The air is cold. And, roads are often slick with rain, snow or ice.

It’s winter driving season in Iowa. And, while most people know what to do to try to avoid an accident, many don’t know what to do after one. It’s vital knowledge to have, because the aftermath of a crash can be just as dangerous as the crash itself — especially when it’s cold and snowy.

Here are five things to do (or not do) if you’re in an accident this winter to help keep yourself and others safe:

1. Make sure everyone’s OK — then get off the road if you can. The safety of everyone involved in a crash is the first concern, of course. So, check on the occupants of each vehicle and call for emergency assistance if it’s needed. Then, if the vehicles are drivable, get them off the road as soon – and as carefully – as possible.
   
2. Stay in your car if you can’t safely move away. If you can’t get your car off the road, but you can get off the road, wait until there’s no traffic around and then move well out of the way. Otherwise, stay in the car so you’re protected from other vehicles.
   
3. Stay visible — and warm. Turn on your hazard lights and put up road flares so other vehicles know something is wrong. And, grab your vehicle emergency kit (you have one, right?) for blankets and extra clothing. If you’ve run off the road and you’re still in your car, make sure nothing is blocking your exhaust pipe. Otherwise carbon monoxide may build up.
   
4. If you’re stranded, stay put. Running off the road in a remote area is scary, but resist the urge to try to walk for help. You risk getting lost, especially during a storm, if you set off on foot.
   
5. See a crash? Don’t always stop to help. Being a Good Samaritan could cause more problems than it solves. So, if those involved aren’t in immediate danger, call 911 and let the professionals help with medical aid and traffic control.

It’s not always easy, but keeping a cool head after an accident will do more than help everyone get through a stressful situation — it will help keep everyone safer, too.

And, remember, if something does happen on the road this winter, your Absolute Insurance agent is here to help with your auto accident claim. If you’re unsure whether you’re carrying the right coverage, call us now at 515-279-2722 before it’s too late!

What gifts might you need to specially insure?

After the Christmas gifts are opened, the wrapping paper is picked up, and the Christmas dinner is over, you might want to take a minute to think about the different gifts that people in your household received.  Did anyone receive anything expensive that you might need to add specifically to your homeowners or renters insurance policy?  Did someone receive a nice necklace or ring?  That Gibson Guitar they have been talking about for a couple years?

We have had a few insureds share the great news that they are engaged this holiday season.  Engagement rings, and other jewelry, often has limited coverage on insurance plans unless it is added as "Scheduled Personal Property" to your home, renters, condo, or manufactured home insurance policy. 

We also typically get the question about who needs to insure the engagement ring - the person who gave the ring, or the person who is wearing the ring?  This depends on a few different factors such as whether the couple live together (and have a joint insurance plan) or if they live separately.  Generally, the person who is in possession of the ring needs to be insuring the ring.

Typically, we think about jewelry as an item that might be appraised and added to a homeowners or renters insurance policy as "Scheduled Personal Property", but there are other items that you might want to consider:

• Cameras, lenses, and equipment
• Golf Clubs
• Skis or snowboards
• Road bikes
• Art or antiques
• Firearms
• Computers
• Musical Instruments

If you, or someone in your household, received some of these items, you should consider adding them with special coverage to your homeowners, renters, or condo insurance policies.  Most Homeowner, Renters, and Condo Insurance policies place limits on high-value items.  These items should be added as Scheduled Personal Property to your policy.  You can insure jewelry, furs, fine art, expensive cameras, and other valuable items this way on your policy.  You can contact your Absolute Insurance agent at (515)279-2722 and discuss whether or not to add items to your policy.