Springtime Safety Tips for your Home

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After a long hard winter, most families look forward to spring when flowers begin blooming once more, and the songs and sounds of birds grow louder each new day of spring. This could be a very exciting time for home owners as they look forward to tree and shrub plantings, and gardening activities.

End of winter hibernation 

 Many home owners are also happy to emerge from what may appear like hibernation from their homes and start venturing outside once more. In the midst of this enthusiasm, there are certain important spring safety tips that every home owners should consider. This article discusses spring safety tips for your home.

Safety of Your home is paramount

Change of season oftentimes requires periodic physical checkups for your home.  Here is a list of things to check in your home to make sure they are in optimal condition.

  • Check all the smoke detectors to make sure they are all in great working condition. Change batteries if need be.
  • Check all door locks both from inside and outside the home.
  • Check your garage locks; consider installing deadbolts with outside access on all doors.
  • Install motion sensors. It not only increases security of your family it also deters criminals from attempting to break into your home.
  • Are your shrubs trimmed? This is the time to trim and cut them to size, so they don’t shield burglars when they attempt to break into your home.
  • Clean your garage. Collect all important paper documents and file and store them in fire resistant safes. This will keep your documents safe and reduce fire hazards in your home.
  • Install a security system in your home. If you don’t have one, and you have often procrastinated in doing this, this spring is a great time to get this done. Security systems can lower your Home Insurance premiums

 Securing your Home Insurance

This is the most important tip of all. Home or property insurance is vital to every homeowner. If you live in the Rochester MN area contact a reliable home insurance provider – Safechoice Insurance Agency to discuss your insurance needs. 

How to Talk to your Landlord about Doing some Kitchen DIY Projects

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At times, living in a rental house can be frustrating. You may feel as though you have no control over what can be done in the space where you are living. While this is true to a certain extent, there are some landlords who would be more than willing to help out with a few small changes to enhance the home. They key to getting the go ahead with changes to your Rochester, MN rental can be found here.

Be honest

Don’t try to make the changes and then tell the landlord what is going on. Even if they are for the better, if they are not approved by the landlord, in writing, it may cost you. There are laws in place, in some areas that will put all the liability on the person who made the changes, if they were not approved. Chances are, if it is a reasonable request, your landlord will say yes.

Discuss added value

If the landlord seems hesitant to give you the go ahead to make these changes, talk to them about how much value this update could add to the property. In most cases, this will encourage them  to say yes to the changes.

Always get it in writing

Even if you have a great relationship with your landlord, you never know what is going to happen down the road. This is why you should get any approved changes in writing. This will help protect you in the long run.

Regardless of if you make changes to the space or not, ensuring your belongings are protected is a must. Contact the Safechoice Insurance Agency in Rochester, MN to learn more about the coverage you need.

 

 

Disaster Preparedness Tips For Your House

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When you live in Rochester, Minnesota, it’s always a good idea to prepare your house for any kind of disaster. This includes fires, snowstorms, and anything else where you could be potentially stuck inside your home for several days, or even evacuated. A few tips can go a long way to making sure you are ready.

Have Food

It may sound obvious, but you want to have food in the house. 3-5 days’ worth can make a difference if you are ever stuck inside and cannot get out to the store. You should also have nonperishable items that can be eaten without being heated. Great items include peanut butter, protein bars, MREs, and trail mixes.

Buy Lighting

Buy sufficient lighting for all rooms of the house that isn’t dependent on electricity. This can include flashlights as well as wind-up lanterns. Avoid candles and such as the open flame can end up causing a fire.

Know About Fire Safety

Teach everyone about fire safety and have fire extinguishers in the house. Also ensure you have smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the house that are in working order.

Light Up Your Front Entry

Keep your front entry well-lit and properly locked so you can deter burglaries and break-ins.

Have Extra Batteries

Extra batteries are a good idea not only for flashlights and a radio, but also for toys for the kids. If you lose power, they are going to want their toys and you want to make sure they have a way of keeping themselves busy.

Call Safechoice Insurance Agency today and find out how you can protect your home with a good homeowner’s insurance policy. Our agents can get quotes from some of the top companies in Minnesota and answer any questions you have along the way.

 

Avoid Motorcycle Theft Using These Tips

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Motorcycle theft happens more often than people would like or even care to admit. It is relatively easy to steal a bike if it is not properly secured. For motorcycle owners, however, it is always a good idea to practice precaution to ensure that their property remains their property. Use these tips to keep your motorcycle safe and prevent theft. 

  • Install a tracking system on your motorcycle before anything can happen. In the case that your motorcycle is stolen, you can easily track it and have a better chance of recovering it before anything bad happens to it. It is not enough to simply rely on alarms that are built in anymore because most people do not pay attention to car or motorcycle alarms anyway. Do yourself a favor and develop a better system to protect your motorcycle. 
  • When parking in public, choose the parking spot wisely. You may be tempted to park in the spot that is surrounded by other cars because it might provide some visibility shelter. However, this is not the best place to park your motorcycle because if someone wants to steal it, they can also do so without many, if any, people seeing them. Instead, always park it where it is visible and near to a security camera or light if available. 
  • Keep your motorcycle out of sight when at home. If you can, park it in a garage. If you do not have a garage, park it where it cannot be easily seen and cover it up with a cover that blends in. 

Even with the best-laid plans, there is always still a possibility that someone will try to steal your motorcycle. The best option you have would be to ensure you have motorcycle proper insurance. Contact Safechoice Insurance Agency serving Rochester, MN to explore your options. 

3 Ways to Stay Safe Around Bicycles at Night

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Thanks to a number of factors, there are more people than ever using bicycles instead of cars or trucks.  While this is great for the environment and the bicyclist’s wallets, bicycles on the road can be a hazard.  This is especially true at night when bicyclists are harder to see. Follow these tips to make sure you keep them and you safe on the road at night. 

  1. Be on the lookout for bicyclists.  It may seem obvious, but even after you have passed a bicyclist it’s important that you stay aware of him or her.  A sudden stop or change in his or her direction may mean that you need to stop your vehicle.  The more aware you are of the bicyclist, the easier it will be to stop in time.
  2. Give them some space.  Most bicycle accidents occur when a car hits a bicycle from the rear.  In many of these cases, the car was going around the corner, or was simply following the bike too closely.  By giving bicyclists enough space on roads without bike lanes, you’ll reduce the risk of striking them.
  3. Make sure your vehicle is visible.  Make sure that you have your headlights on during at night.  On country roads, use your bright lights.  This allows bicyclists to see you and for you to see bicyclists.

Being in an accident with a bicyclist can be one of the scariest and most costly events in your life.  That’s why it’s important for residents of Rochester, MN to make sure that they are protected with a good auto insurance policy.  Call the insurance agents at Safechoice Insurance Agency to discuss your coverage.

Why Independent Insurance Agents Matter

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No matter what type of insurance you’re looking to get for yourself or your family, making final coverage decisions can be difficult and complicated. In many cases, consumers assume that their best option is to go through one of the major companies they’ve seen advertised on TV, the majority of which are direct-writer insurance companies whose employees focus predominantly on bringing business to a single company. There is another option, however: an independent insurance agency (like Safechoice Insurance Agency), whose agents work one-on-one with customers to discuss their insurance options and legalities in greater detail. Independent insurance agents can also direct you to a variety of insurance companies rather than a single entity, depending on which is best for you. 

In their capacity as individuals representing the needs of the consumer, independent agents are well-versed in state law and strive to stay up-to-date with any changes. Because different types of insurance laws vary from state to state, it is important to make sure that they are always properly considered with regard to one’s situation and insurance needs. With so many subtleties and potential legal trouble if you do not have the appropriate insurance to meet state laws, it is quite convenient for you and your loved ones to be able to leverage the expertise of an independent agent who not only knows the law but can compare coverage for you. 

If you are looking for auto, home, commercial, life or other types of insurance, consider discussing your needs and options with an independent agent from Safechoice Insurance Agency. Your Safechoice Insurance agent will be able to work with you and your state’s laws (Safechoice Insurance Agency currently serves both Minnesota and Wisconsin) to determine the best, most affordable coverage options for you.

Tips for Revamping Your Winter Driving Skills

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It doesn’t matter how long you have been driving in winter weather, there are always a few tips you can follow to make sure you’re as safe as possible. More importantly, these safety tips can help ensure that your family and passengers are safe while traveling in hazardous winter weather conditions. It’s imperative that you follow these tips as they can keep your insurance rates low, as well. Here’s a close look at three tips everyone should follow when driving in winter weather in Rochester. 

Add more distance between you and other vehicles

When driving in normal weather conditions, you’ll want to keep anywhere from two to five car links between you and any vehicles in front of you. In winter weather driving conditions, though, you’ll want to double this amount of space. Remember, the slicker the roads are, the more space you’ll need to come to a stop without hitting the vehicle in front of. It’s especially important to slow down around curves, too, because there’s the possibility that your car could slide sideways. 

Pay extra attention to the roadway

Driving down the road and listening to music is quite okay in normal driving conditions, but when traveling in winter weather, you’ll want to keep the radio turned down and have absolutely no distractions. The farther ahead you can keep your eyes on the road, the better prepared you will be if you need to avoid an accident. 

Know when to stay home

If there are reports of lots of accidents taking place on the roadways you’re needing/wanting to travel on, this is a good sign to just stay at home. If you have to get out, though, make sure to go well below the speed limit. 

Want more tips on driving in winter weather? If so, contact the Safechoice Insurance Agency today. 

Avoid Motorcycle Deer Crashes in Rochester

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During the fall, many motorcycle enthusiasts like to take to the open roads in Rochester, Minnesota and enjoy the cool, crisp autumn weather. Although motorcycle riders need to be constantly aware of their surroundings, one particular hazard to watch out for is deer. In motorcycle crashes involving deer, there is a significant risk of the accident proving fatal for both the rider and the animal.

Basic Road Safety

Watching out for deer at all times while riding a motorcycle is a good idea, but be particular mindful at dawn and dusk. This is when deer activity is at its peak and the animals are more likely to run out onto the road. Since deer travel together, don’t assume if you avoid colliding with one, you’re in the clear. Always keep watch for the deer’s companions. This is why it’s important to ride in a staggered formation if you’re traveling with a pack of motorcycles. If you see a deer crossing sign while riding, reduce your driving speed, cover your brake, and use your high-beam headlights as a precaution.

Unavoidable Collision

Brake firmly if you see a deer in your cross hairs in lieu of swerving. If your motorcycle isn’t stable, you are more likely to sustain a serious injury. If you have the time, flash your headlights at the deer in order to hopefully startle the animal enough to move out of your path. Revving your engine and honking your horn may help too, but you shouldn’t completely rely on this method.    

As part of staying safe during deer season in Rochester, Minnesota, you need to have the right level of insurance coverage for your motorcycle. Safechoice Insurance Agency provides quick and easy quotes on motorcycle insurance policies. The agents can let you know what policies have you covered in case of a collision with a deer.

What Home Liability Coverage Is Used For

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Home liability coverage is a part of homeowner’s insurance. You can choose what kind of limits you have within your policy – and every policy is a little different. It’s used in the event that someone accidentally hurts themselves on your property.

The most important thing to know about this coverage is that it is for accidents only. If there’s an intentional injury, you probably won’t be covered.

Accidents can include just about anything that happens on the property or in the home. It can be something along the lines of a dog bite, a slip on a frozen sidewalk, a trip down a flight of stairs, and much more.

You never know when an accident is going to occur and therefore you want the home liability coverage in place. If there’s a major accident, it’s best to have the coverage so it can be handled properly – and without costing you a fortune.

The coverage is going to be used to take care of the person who has been injured without charging you for everything out of pocket. It may provide coverage for:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Death benefits
  • Legal costs
  • Medical bills
  • Pain and suffering

When you buy an insurance policy for your home, you want to look at what the limit is. It can be advantageous to go above the minimum just in case there is an accident at your home. You can also choose optional coverage in the form of a personal umbrella liability, offering more financial protection.

At Safechoice Insurance Agency, we’re here to help you find the best home liability coverage for your home in Rochester, Minnesota. Call and talk to one of our agents today to begin getting quotes and have someone who can answer your questions.

 

 

Garage Sale Tips In MN

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You want to have a great garage sale in Rochester, Minnesota and therefore there are some tips to follow. This will ensure that you maximize your time, market effectively, and earn more money.

Contact the Neighbors

Contact the neighbors to let them know that you are going to have a garage sale. If everyone decides to hold a sale on the same day, it can drive more traffic and allow you to sell more items.

Market Effectively

It is important to market effectively throughout Rochester. This means you will want to do a combination of marketing online and offline. Hang signs throughout the neighborhood, put an ad in the local newspaper, and create ads throughout various online forums. If you don’t market, people are never going to learn that you are even having a garage sale.

Price to Sell

Price everything to sell because you don’t want to bring it back into the house. Typical garage sale prices are a third to a quarter of the retail price. Anything more than that and people are likely going to walk away without even considering purchasing anything from you. Remember that many people like to haggle prices.

Donate Remaining

You have gone through the work of gathering everything that you don’t want. Donate the remaining items that don’t sell so that you don’t bring them back in the house. This will ensure that you remove the clutter from your home. Schedule a run to the donation center directly following the garage sale – or have a donation center pickup arranged, depending upon what your center offers and how much stuff you have to donate.

Call us at Safechoice Insurance Agency today to learn about homeowners insurance in Rochester. We work with some of the best insurance companies in Minnesota to get you affordable rates.