College, Yikes! 
This is the time of year for a big transition for many families that have kids going off to college.  Have you given any thought to their insurance coverage as they attend college?  Different insurance companies have varying standards when it comes to whether or not they still have coverage from their parents policy.  College students have different insurance risks than when they are still living with their parents.  Here are a couple areas to think about.
 
Auto
Will your college student be bringing their vehicle with them to school?  If not, there may be a discount available as your youthful driver will not have access to their vehicle on a regular basis.  Another concern to think about is if your auto policy cover them driving someone else's vehicle while they are at college.  This is where different companies vary with their underwriting standards.  Check with your agent and they will be able to tell you whether or not your policy has coverage for your kids away at college.

Personal Property and Liability
Will your home policy cover that $2000 Apple Laptop?  How about the rest of the items kids need to start successfully living on their own, like clothes, Dorm fridge, gaming consoles or a TV?  What happens if they unintentionally do something that hurts someone, will your home policy cover their personal liability while they are away from the house?  Again check with your agent as this varies from company to company.

Hopefully your college kids don't run into any problems while they are away, by making sure they have proper insurance coverage you can help them avoid some pretty major pitfalls when they are just starting life on their own.  Please don't hesitate to reach out to us, we will be happy to answer your questions and help you get your college kids started on the last leg of their journey to being independent. 

Ethan Sletten
Owner | Independent Agent
Montevideo Insurance Center LLC

Here is a West Bend Blog post:

Posted by Scott Stueber on Jan 3, 2017 1:26:23 PM

 
This is the time of year when ponds and lakes are frozen. Soon you’ll be getting ready to get your vehicle out on the open, frozen water to enjoy the great outdoors. But what would you do if the unthinkable – but sinkable – happens and your vehicle breaks through the ice?
Wendy Wagner, senior Personal Lines underwriter will discuss how an insurance policy will cover this scary situation.
How is your car covered if it breaks through the ice?
As long as you have comprehensive (other than collision) coverage on the auto, there’s actual cash value coverage for the auto. West Bend will also provide coverage for the retrieval cost of the vehicle’s extraction from the body of water.
What happens if your car does not have comprehensive coverage (other than collision)?
West Bend will provide coverage for the retrieval costs of the vehicle’s extraction from the body of water as property damage under your auto liability coverage.
There’s no coverage for the cost of the vehicle itself. Any fines assessed to you for the car falling through the ice would also be paid by you.
What happens if your ATV, snowmobile, or other recreational vehicle breaks though the ice?
If your recreational vehicle carries physical damage coverage, it would be covered if it sinks. The deductible would apply. West Bend would also provide coverage for the retrieval costs of the recreational vehicle’s extraction from the body of water.
What happens if your ATV, snowmobile, or other recreational vehicle doesn’t have comprehensive coverage (other than collision)?
If you don’t have physical damage coverage on your recreational vehicle, West Bend would provide up to $1,000 of coverage for the recreational vehicle itself and the retrieval costs of the recreational vehicle’s extraction from the body of water.
Pollution and any other fines assessed to you for the recreational vehicle falling through the ice would be paid by you.
Before heading out on the ice
To keep you and your vehicle afloat, be sure to take the necessary safety precautions. First, check with your local bait shop or lakeside resort about ice conditions, then check the ice thickness when you get there.
Ice thickness guidelines:
2" or less - STAY OFF!
4" - Ice fishing or other activities on foot
5" - Snowmobile or ATV
8" - 12" - Car or small pickup
12" - 15" - Medium truck

Remember, temperature, snow cover, currents, and springs all affect ice safety. Ice is rarely the same thickness over a single body of water; it can be two feet thick in one place and one inch thick a few yards away. Check the ice at least every 150 feet. Park cars, pickups, and sport utility vehicles at least 50 feet apart and move them every two hours to prevent sinking.
With common sense and precaution, you’ll keep your vehicles above water and enjoy a safe season outdoors!
Do you have any tips or information you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them; please share them in the box below. 
Topics: Auto Safety, Auto Insurance, Weather

4 Tips for Safer Holiday Cooking

A home-cooked holiday meal is a time-honored tradition that millions of people enjoy each year. Unfortunately, though, the act of cooking those meals can lead to something much less joyous: a holiday kitchen fire.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking fires are the top cause of both home fires and injuries in the home. And, the most likely time of year for them to happen? You guessed it: the holidays.
In 2013 (the most recent year in the organization’s statistics), Thanksgiving Day was the worst day for cooking fires. Christmas Day and Christmas Eve were second and third on the list, respectively.
How to Help Keep Your Kitchen SafeHere are four safety tips from the NFPA and the American Red Cross to keep in mind when you’re preparing that holiday feast — or any meal, for that matter — along with some advice on how to respond if (despite your best efforts) a kitchen fire breaks out.

1. Stay alert while cooking. That means staying there while you’re cooking, too. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. More than 40 percent of people in one survey admitted that they leave the kitchen to talk or text on the phone. Many others skip out to check email, etc. Use timers and stick around, so you don’t burn your food or your house.
   
   
2. Take particular care when frying. Heat oil slowly to the right temperature, and if you see or smell smoke, turn off the burner and remove the pan immediately — your oil is too hot. Avoid splattering by adding your food to the pot or pan carefully. And, always keep a lid close by while you cook, so you can slide it on if the oil catches fire. Frying that bird? Get turkey deep fryer safety tips.
   
   
3. Keep your environment clean and safe. Keep flammable materials, including paper and plastic items, pot holders, oven mitts, towels and curtains, away from all cooking appliances. Make sure you don’t wear clothing that dangles over your cooking area, and keep kids away as well. Also stay on top of cleaning up grease buildup, which can pose a fire risk. Finally, a smoke alarm should be installed in or near the kitchen, and a fire extinguisher should be readily available.
   
   
4. Make sure everything’s cool. Before you go to bed or leave the house, check to see that all appliances are turned off and that everything, including your pots and pans, has cooled down.

What if There’s a Fire?If a kitchen fire starts and you cannot control it, the NFPA recommends that you leave immediately. If your kitchen has a door, close it behind you to help prevent the fire from spreading. Call 911 from outside the house.
With a little common sense and a lot of caution, you can help make sure your holidays are warm and cozy — and that the only fire in your home is the one blazing in your fireplace. Here’s to a happy and safe season!


Home Insurance and FiresCooking equipment, fireplaces, lightning – the causes of home fires are numerous, and so are the outcomes. While some result in minor surface and smoke damage, others burn a home completely to the ground. It’s important to know how your home insurance would help in such situations. In particular, you want enough coverage to be able to completely rebuild your home to what it was in case it’s destroyed. Talk to an independent agent about whether you have the coverage you want – and enough of it.
Topics: Around the Home, Holidays
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6 Steps to Putting Your RV Away for the Winter

So, you’re not a year-round RV-er, or, at least not yet. (One can dream!) Which means another RV season is coming to a close.
With cool fall and winter weather on the way, now is the time to make sure your rig will be ready when spring returns and you can hit the road again. These six tips will help:

1. Check your manuals. A good place to start before performing any RV maintenance is your owners’ manual, including those for the RV itself and the appliances within it.
   
   
2. Get the water out and the antifreeze in. Storing your RV with empty water lines will help prevent damage to your water system due to freezing temperatures. The Family Motor Coach Association (FMCA) recommends both draining and blowing out your lines and tanks. Afterward, add nontoxic antifreeze (NOT automotive antifreeze) throughout the system, following the directions and specifications in your manual.
   
   
3. Disconnect your battery. If you won’t be driving your RV for at least 30 days, disconnect the negative battery cable. But, make sure to test it every few months, because batteries can lose their charge even when they’re disconnected.
   
   
4. Clean and dry the interior thoroughly. Remove all food from the cabinets and refrigerator, and leave them open after cleaning. Be sure there’s nothing left that might attract critters and insects. Close your curtains or blinds to keep the sun out, and remove all of your clothing and bedding. Don’t ever store a propane tank inside your RV, even over the winter.
   
   
5. Don’t forget the exterior. You’ll want to clean your exterior thoroughly, too. Be sure any awnings are fully dry before rolling them in for the winter. Your tires can be impacted by sunlight and the elements, so keep them inflated to the right pressure and covered for protection. Finally, close all of the doors and windows, and use an RV cover if you have one.
   
   
6. Park in the right spot. Your efforts could be all for naught if you don’t put your RV in the right place after you’ve winterized it. If you leave it too close to trees, it could be damaged by falling branches or sap. High weeds can attract insects and even impact your paint. The FMCA recommends finding a level surface for parking; if one isn’t available, place the front chassis higher than the rear.

You may have your own way of winterizing your RV. If so, make a checklist and keep it in your RV so it’s always handy when you need it. And, don’t forget to do the same for de-winterizing tasks. After all, you’ll be back in your RV in no time!


Put Your RV Insurance in Winter Mode, TooOnce you’ve winterized your RV, give your independent insurance agent a call. If your vehicle is going to be stored for 90 consecutive days, you may be able to reduce your coverage to comprehensive only. This will help you pay less for RV insurance while it’s parked for the season. Your agent can also help you explore other ways to save on RV insurance, such as insuring your car and RV on the same policy.
Topics: Driving and Car Safety
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Extinguish Your Worries Over Picking the Right Fire Extinguisher

A fire is a fire, and a fire extinguisher is a fire extinguisher, right? Well, not quite. There are actually different types of fires and different types of extinguishers that respond best to each. So, which is right for you?
We’ll get to that, but first let’s look at the five different fire types, as outlined by the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association:

• Class A: Fires in ordinary combustibles, such as wood, paper, cloth, etc.
• Class B: Fires in flammable liquids, like gasoline, or flammable gasses, such as propane.
• Class C: Fires in energized electrical equipment, such as appliances or motors.
• Class D: Fires in combustible metals.
• Class K: Fires in cooking oils and greases, such as animal and vegetable fats.

Selecting a Fire Extinguisher
For each fire class, there’s a fire extinguisher to match, and it’s important to use the right one. For example, an extinguisher rated for Class B fires only might not be appropriate to use on another fire. In fact, it might even be dangerous.
So, how do you pick a fire extinguisher? Do you need several? A good bet is a multipurpose extinguisher, which typically is rated for Class A, B and C fires and available at home improvement stores. This type of extinguisher is typically good for general living areas and will work on small grease fires, as well. Specialized kitchen extinguishers are available, too. (Note: Class K extinguishers are typically for large commercial kitchens.)
No matter which type you choose, you want:

• An extinguisher that’s large enough to put out a small fire but not too heavy to handle safely.
• One that carries the label of an independent testing laboratory.
• One for each level of your home, as well as in the garage.

Using a Fire Extinguisher
Before you use a fire extinguisher — or try to fight a fire with any method — make sure you consider the following questions:

• Is the fire small and contained?
• Are you safe from toxic smoke?
• Do you have a way to escape?
• Do your instincts tell you it’s OK?

If you’ve answered “yes” to those questions, the National Fire Protection Association recommends remembering “P.A.S.S.” when it’s time to use your extinguisher:

• Pull the pin.
• Aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever.
• Sweep the hose from side to side. Once the fire is out, remain aware, because it can re-ignite.

Maintaining a Fire Extinguisher
It’s easy to just put an extinguisher in your kitchen cabinet and forget about it. But, by doing that, you run the risk of it not working when you need it most.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, some need to be shaken monthly, and others need to be pressure tested periodically. Follow the instructions on your specific extinguisher. Also, check regularly to make sure it’s not damaged, rusted or dirty.
Remember, a fire extinguisher won’t do you any good if it doesn’t work, and it won’t help if you can’t get to it, either. So, ensure it’s in an accessible place, not buried in the back of a closet.
Finally, don’t ever forget that sometimes your best bet is not using an extinguisher at all. It’s using your family escape plan to get you and your loved ones out of danger. If there’s any doubt, get out!


Insurance Coverage for Home FiresFireplaces, stoves, furnaces – the average home has plenty of fire risks. If you were to lose everything in a home fire, would you have enough insurance coverage to rebuild your home and replace all your belongings? Check out these blogs from independent insurance agents that discuss how much home insurance you may need and personal property coverage.
Topics: Around the Home, Safety Tips
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