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A standard homeowners insurance policy includes four essential types of coverage. They include:
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The Polar Vortex: it sounds almost otherwordly, like a malicious entity from a science fiction movie, or a faraway frigid realm in which one is destined to dwell in perpetuity. For those in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the U.S., like Highland, MI, who recently experienced an actual polar vortex, however, those imaginative notions don't seem so far fetched. Actually a large-scale cyclone near either the North or South Pole, a polar vortex has the power to create drastically cold temperatures in a region spanning several hundred or even thousands of miles from its point of origin.
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• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze up and ensure that you have extra “running time” if the weather is unfavorable. • Be sure you have the proper amount of antifreeze in your vehicle. Antifreeze works to prevent engine block freezing. • If door locks are frozen, be sure to warm the key or use a lock de-icer. Be sure to never combine heat with lock de-icer as it is flammable. Don’t pour warm water on the car as it may re-freeze, making the situation worse. • Schoen Insurance Agency, Inc. recommends warming up your vehicle for at least 10 to 15 minutes before heading out. Warming your vehicle allows oil and the engine to warm up, as well as the heat and defrosting systems. At all times, make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust or exhaust system leak could cause deadly carbon monoxide to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running. • Consider winter wiper blades and “no-freeze” windshield washer fluid. Motorists should replace worn wiper blades and always carry extra windshield washer fluid. • Protect your vehicle from the cold by using a garage if available. Heat from a recently driven vehicle’s engine will warm the ambient air in a properly insulated garage and make your vehicle easier to start in the morning; plus, your vehicle will also be clear of ice and snow. • Be sure your vehicle is fully equipped with a Michigan winter driving kit. The most important safety items are a fully charged cellular telephone and emergency road service coverage; small bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, “non-clumping” kitty litter); a small snow shovel; snow brush and ice scraper; traction mats; flashlight with batteries; windshield washer fluid; cloth or roll of paper towels; booster cables; blanket; protective clothing – heavy gloves, scarf, warm boots; warning devices (triangles); first aid kit. For all of your insurance related questions, call or contact Schoen Insurance Agency today.
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While December is the time of year when many of us focus on giving, the spirit of altruism and generosity flows into January, which is National Blood Donor Month. Unlike most of the material things we give during the holidays, our own blood comes at no expense to us. Rather than breaking the bank, we can fill up the bank-the blood bank, that is. All that's required to give it is a bit of time and a desire to help others.
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The first month of a new year is a time when we make resolutions to better tend to our physical and mental health, as well as the health of our relationships. We'll work out three times a week, we promise. We'll finally sign up for those guitar lessons we've been so shy about taking, we vow. We'll have regular Sunday dinners with the entire family, no ifs, ands, or buts.
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The cold, snowy winter months in Highland, Michigan can cause some unique challenges when it comes to taking care of your new home. Especially when you least expect the most recent Snowmageddon! Proper measures can help prevent damage to your home. Here are just a few home maintenance tips for winter that we have put together to help you with your winter home to-do list.
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Those of us who live in seasonal places, like Michigan, are often at the mercy of a great force of nature, one that can affect our moods, alter our plans, dictate what we eat and do, and even influence our safety. This all-powerful entity goes by a single name: Weather.
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It turns out that few of us in Michigan are as unique as we might like to think. Each New Year's Day, the common longings that unite us all come to the surface in the form of our resolutions, many of which are identical from one person to the next. How many of the top ten most common New Year's resolutions sound familiar to you?
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Just as the fresh, white flakes of a snowstorm seem to leave no surface untouched, so does December's festive mood effect virtually every aspect of our lives: family, food, finances, and even work. We reconnect with relatives we only see once a year, prepare and devour elaborate feasts, and spend time and money hunting for the perfect holiday gifts. And many of us will attend-or, if you are a business owner, actually plan-holiday office parties.
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Things change around the house during the holidays. One family member is perched on a sky-high ladder hanging up festive lights on your home's exterior. Another is slaving over a hot stove for hours on end. Youngsters are playing on all sorts of unfamiliar, newfangled toys. And there's often a huge, flammable tree in the living room. Needless to say, the opportunities for accidents are many during this time of year. While we hope to let a sense of joy and gratitude reign over this month in Michigan, it's also prudent to be cautious and take a few steps to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your property during this vulnerable time.
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