Life insurance

Last month's New Year celebrations had good cause; we have a chance to be grateful for the years behind us as we look forward to the years ahead. Chances are, as we clinked champagne glasses with friends and family, the idea of not being around to celebrate with them next year never crossed our minds.
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Getting married this summer? Read on for ways that marriage affects insurance and other financial considerations to handle before tying the knot...

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The season of love is always a reminder to think about heart health. Here are some of the latest advances in cardiac care and prevention, plus some interesting heart facts.
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You're expecting, and there's so much to consider: pink, blue or gender neutral colors for the baby's room? Which parent will stay home, or will daycare be an option? Midwife, birthing center or hospital? Another thing you may want to think about before your new bundle of joy comes into the world is how it will affect your insurance. You'll be surprised at all the different ways having a child can impact all different types of insurance. Here are a few:
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When the last of the children head off to college or out on their own, some parents, although sad, breathe a sigh of relief. For many, getting the kids out of the house will immediately relieve some serious financial stress. But it's important to be smart with how you handle that extra income so that you're setting yourself and your children up for a secure future. Here's what to do when your dependents become independent:
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If you're heading for retirement or even if it's a ways off, you might already be writing that bucket list of things to do and places to see as soon as you don't have to show up to work every day. But before that happy day arrives, there's a different list of things you should cross off to ensure that your golden years are truly carefree.
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Most people in Macomb County understand insurance basics, but how about the other intricacies, such as who invented insurance and what are the craziest things that have been insured? Here are some insurance fun facts:

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Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in America; but according to the National Stroke Association, up to 80 percent of strokes are preventable. Here's all you need to know about stroke, from symptoms to solutions.

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Between personal motor vehicles, factories, trains, and other sources of toxic fumes, the outside air would seem to be significantly more toxic than the air within our seemingly pristine indoor environments. Unfortunately, this is an illusion. The air you breathe at home or work can be seriously harmful. In fact, according to a study by the World Health Organization, indoor air pollution kills approximately four million people worldwide every year.
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Another big snow storm in Highland, Michigan....Refresh your memory on safe winter driving tips!
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It has been 50 years since the U.S. Surgeon General released his report on smoking and its negative effects on health. During the ensuing half century, there's been a massive shift in public attitude toward smoking, as well as a significant change in the number of smokers. People still smoke, of course, and psychology is central to understanding the impulse as well as kicking the habit. Dr. Sherry McKee, a researcher focusing on gender differences and smoking, shared the following discoveries in January:
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Snow shoveling is not for the faint of heart-literally. According to Dr. Thomas Esposito of Loyola University's Stritch School of Medicine, an average of 11,500 people visit U.S. emergency rooms each year for mishaps resultant from snow shoveling. Heart attacks, broken bones, and back injuries are just a few common consequences of shoveling sessions gone wrong. Bumps, blisters, sprains, and lacerations are also oft-cited injuries. And then there are the fatalities! Who knew this everyday wintertime chore could pose such danger?
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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.

Asbestos is a hidden health hazard that can lurk right in the place where you should feel the safest: home. While those who work in the construction industry are considered the most vulnerable to asbestos exposure, especially repeated exposure, it's important to keep in mind that even very limited exposure-such as what you might experience during a simple renovation project-can have long-term negative effects. Make it a priority to prevent you and your family members from coming into contact with this dangerous material.
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Is Facebook still a "friend" to the social media user who values some semblance of privacy? With the advent of Graph Search, Facebook's internal search engine, which allows users to search for comments, photo captions, photos, and other material posted by themselves or anyone else, many Facebook users are feeling that their privacy is a thing of the past, like those other casualties of technology, such as the handwritten letter and the answering machine.
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Just imagine this scenario: You're driving to work early one morning, and you stop at a red light in Highland. The driver behind you still has sleep in his eyes, and doesn't hit his brakes in time. He crashes into the back end of your car, not too hard, but hard enough to raise some concern, and maybe even a curse word or two. You both get out of your vehicles and when you check your rear bumper for damage and see not even a scratch, you shake hands, get back in your cars, and finish the drive to work.
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Sometimes, what appears to be an impenetrably solid roof above your head actually has little openings through which the rain can leak. The same is true of some car insurance and homeowner's insurance policies; they can appear to provide sufficient coverage, but, in the event of an accident of some sort, you may find yourself drowning in debt. To avoid getting soaked by surprising expenses, use an umbrella; umbrella insurance, that is.
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For a long time, most devoted exercisers have adhered to the rule that a sustained stretch of aerobic exercise-one that kept your heart pounding for at least 10 minutes-was what garnered the desired results: a healthy weight and a fit body, not to mention less money shelled out on health insurance co-payments!
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