http://www.insurewithbutler.com/blog/View Butler & Associates Insurance Agency's Website Blogen-uspostmaster@www.insurewithbutler.comInsurance Website Builder - www.insurancewebsitebuilder.comurn:uuid:c99a590e-59f6-452f-86cf-a5666231bda1urn:uuid:7b0d4681-8c4e-4904-a1e2-0bc266c8fa7bWhile the current market value of buildings may be lower, The cost to rebuild may be higher &nbsp; At Butler &amp; Assoicates, insurance to value (ITV) has always been a top concern and we believe it&rsquo;s now more important than ever to help custo...Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:35:22 -0600<p style="text-align: center; margin: auto 0in 0pt;"><strong>While the current market value of buildings may be lower,</strong></p> <p style="text-align: center; margin: auto 0in 0pt;"><strong>The cost to rebuild may be higher</strong></p> <p style="margin: auto 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: auto 0in 0pt;">At Butler &amp; Assoicates, insurance to value (ITV) has always been a top concern and we believe it&rsquo;s now more important than ever to help customers understand the insurance coverage required to rebuild.&nbsp; Why now?&nbsp; Recent trends like the increasing frequency and severity of weather events and skyrocketing construction costs underscore the significance of ITV. So does the fact that an estimated 75 percent of commercial businesses are underinsured by an average of 40 percent or more.^*&nbsp;Simply said, underinsurance can greatly impair, or even bankrupt a business trying to recover from a major disaster.&nbsp;<strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p style="margin: auto 0in 0pt;"><strong>Rebuilding can be pricey</strong></p> <p style="margin: auto 0in 0pt;">In recent years, the insurance industry has experienced devastating weather events, many unprecedented and unexpected.&nbsp; In 2011 alone, the U.S. experienced nearly $38 billion in insured losses, and experts predict that severe weather will likely continue.</p> <p style="margin: auto 0in 0pt;">Add to that, increasing building costs.&nbsp; As communities rebuild, the demand for building materials and labor has intensified, driving up prices.&nbsp; For example, in the 15 months between the second quarter 2010 and the third quarter 2011, the following materials rose significantly:</p> <p style="margin: auto 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&gt;Copper Pipe +26.5%&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &gt;Drywall +5.5%</p> <p style="margin: auto 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&gt;Steel Rebar +15.8%&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &gt;Plywood +11.0%</p> <p style="margin: auto 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&gt;Structural Steel +13.0%&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &gt;Lumber +11.7%</p> <p style="margin: auto 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;Bottom line, construction costs are increasing and buildings constructed just two years ago cannot be rebuilt at anywhere near the original cost.&nbsp; It&rsquo;s also important to remind customers that insurers evaluate the cost to rebuild the property, not its current resale value.&nbsp; Even though the commercial real estate market has plummeted, property insurance costs may have not followed suit because of the increasing cost to replace the property. &nbsp;</p> <p style="margin: auto 0in 0pt;">&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:a6844694-ce81-4637-9acb-9837d506565f Insurance Federation of Minnesota&nbsp; -&nbsp; Dateline November 2011 Weather-Related Claims Taking a Toll on Homeowners Insurance Overview: Weather-related claims are taking a huge toll on the Minnesota homeowner&rsquo;s insurance Weather-related...Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:23:54 -0600<b><i> <p style="text-align: left;">Insurance Federation of Minnesota&nbsp; -&nbsp; Dateline November 2011</p> </i> <p style="text-align: left;">Weather-Related Claims Taking a Toll on Homeowners Insurance</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Overview: Weather-related claims are taking a huge toll on the Minnesota homeowner&rsquo;s insurance</p> </b>Weather-related claims are taking a huge toll on the Minnesota homeowner&rsquo;s insurance marketplace. Legislative action on this issue is essential to protect Minnesota&rsquo;s consumers. <p style="text-align: left;">Independent research conducted by Dr. Bob Hartwig of the Insurance Information Institute confirms this alarming trend. Below is a summary of Dr. Hartwig&rsquo;s findings recently presented at a November 1, 2011, summit attended by more than 120 people, representing 26 insurance companies, independent agents, regulators and legislators.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Dr. Hartwig&rsquo;s full presentation is available at:&nbsp; <a href="http://www.iii.org/presentations/homeowners-insurance-is-a-minnesota-meltdown-coming.html">http://www.iii.org/presentations/homeowners-insurance-is-a-minnesota-meltdown-coming.html</a></p> <b> <p style="text-align: left;">Minnesota Now a Consistent Top Catastrophe State</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">In 2007, Minnesota had the second highest amount of catastrophe losses among all states that year (the latest year for which data is available) with $747-million in losses (second only to California&rsquo;s $1.4-billion in primarily wildfire losses).</p> <p style="text-align: left;">In 2008, Minnesota was third nationally in catastrophe losses with $1.5-billion behind Texas and Louisiana, which were stuck by hurricanes that year.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">The data is not in for 2010, but it is highly likely that Minnesota will be another Top Three catastrophe loss state. And 2011 may not be much better.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: left;">Claims Costs Driven Largely by Extreme Storm Activity</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">The claims cost increases are primarily from the large amount of storm damage in Minnesota in the last five calendar years.&nbsp; While 2011 saw only 30 tornadoes (out of about 550 total severe storm reports), Minnesota led the nation in tornado touchdowns in 2010 with 144. Before 2010, Minnesota saw an average of 44 tornadoes in a typical year.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">In 2008, Minnesota&rsquo;s loss ratio for homeowners insurance was 157.3, one of the worst on record.&nbsp; Nationally the homeowner&rsquo;s combined loss ratio is estimated to be 115.0, seventh highest in the last two decades.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: left;">Average HO Premiums</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">Minnesota is now the 14th most expensive state for average homeowners&rsquo; insurance premiums ($845), up almost 225% since 1998 ($345).</p>urn:uuid:86e61c9f-4d01-42f5-b32a-0d20511d68e5Check out this link to find out what is happening with Homeowner Rates nationally: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK7HXXsQOQ8 Call us or use our easy link for a comarative coverage analysis and&nbsp;quote. https://www.agentinsure.com/compare/auto-in...Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:17:02 -0600Check out this link to find out what is happening with Homeowner Rates nationally:<br /> <p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK7HXXsQOQ8">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK7HXXsQOQ8</a><br /> <br /> Call us or use our easy link for a comarative coverage analysis and&nbsp;quote.<br /> <a href="https://www.agentinsure.com/compare/auto-insurance-home-insurance/insurewithbutler/quote.aspx">https://www.agentinsure.com/compare/auto-insurance-home-insurance/insurewithbutler/quote.aspx</a><br /> <br /> &nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:4a66929d-1801-4f40-87a5-82ed62245d7b Follow these winter safety tips outlined below to reduce the risks of fire to your home. 1. Have your chimney, furnace, etc inspected each year. 2. Do not burn wrapping paper or Christmas tree limbs in the fireplace. They burn very quickly, throw...Sun, 04 Dec 2011 14:39:07 -0600<b> <p style="text-align: left;">Follow these winter safety tips outlined below to reduce the risks of fire to your home.<br /> <br /> 1. Have your chimney, furnace, etc inspected each year. </p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">2. Do not burn wrapping paper or Christmas tree limbs in the fireplace. They burn very quickly, throwing off sparks and</p> <p style="text-align: left;">possibly causing the creosote that has previously accumulated in the chimney to ignite.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">3. Always use a screen in front of the fireplace. Also consider using a fire-resistant carpet or mat (made for fireplaces) on</p> <p style="text-align: left;">the floor in front of the fireplace.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">4. Use your space heaters wiselya.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Clear a 3-foot area around space heaters.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">b. Unplug space heater when not in use.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">c. Purchase a space heater that will automatically shut off if it falls.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">d. Plug electric portable space heaters directly into wall sockets, not into an extension cord.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">5. Do not put comforters, bedspreads, or anything else on top of an electric blanket while it is turned on. Do not tuck your</p> <p style="text-align: left;">electric blanket into your mattress.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">6. Review your fire escape plan with your family.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">7. Be sure every level of your home has a working smoke alarm. Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke</p> <p style="text-align: left;">and carbon monoxide alarms each month.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">8. Avoid using lighted candles altogether. Try safer alternatives such as battery-powered candles. Never leave a burning</p> <p style="text-align: left;">candle unattended and don&rsquo;t let candles burn completely.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">9. Do not connect more than 3 strands of holiday lights together and check to make sure there are no tears in the coating or</p> <p style="text-align: left;">exposed wires.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">10. Water a real tree to keep it fresh, green, and full of needles. Dried-out trees can easily catch fire. If purchasing an</p> <p>artificial tree, find one that is fire resistant.</p>urn:uuid:c0cc746d-0020-4d25-b684-a82ea7d4ce57&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I had the opportunity to attend an industry seminar on November 1st and wanted to share the information with you.&nbsp; Due to the size and nature of the information,&nbsp;using the link provided would&nbsp;make it&nbsp;easier...Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:05:09 -0600&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I had the opportunity to attend an industry seminar on November 1st and wanted to share the information with you.&nbsp; Due to the size and nature of the information,&nbsp;using the link provided would&nbsp;make it&nbsp;easier for you to directly access the presentation.<br /> <br /> Here is the link to that presentation: <a href="http://www.iii.org/presentations/homeowners-insurance-is-a-minnesota-meltdown-coming.html">http://www.iii.org/presentations/homeowners-insurance-is-a-minnesota-meltdown-coming.html</a>&nbsp;Click the link below the introductory paragraph to open the presentation.&nbsp; After reading the introductory paragraph, you will understand why Homeowner's rates are going up anywhere from 8 to 20% in the next year.urn:uuid:d1f7dbe5-5fa0-4949-896d-4d153782de71Holiday Season Hazards - House Fires &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It&rsquo;s that time of the year again; time to turn off the AC, fire up the furnaces, watch some football and enjoy the fall weather. As good as all that sounds, this time of year is also...Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:18:26 -0600<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">Holiday Season Hazards - <i>House Fires</i></span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It&rsquo;s that time of the year again; time to turn off the AC, fire up the furnaces, watch some football and </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">enjoy the fall weather. As good as all that sounds, this time of year is also the beginning of the house </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">fire season; the season when the most house fires are reported and the most damage is done due to </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">candles, fireplaces, kitchen fires and old corroded wires. <br /> <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; This seasonal hazard piece will focus on</span> t<span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">he dangers that this season brings and what can be done to prevent them from happening.&nbsp; </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency more than 4,000 Americans die and </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">more than 25,000 are injured in house fires each year while causing an estimated $8.6 billion in </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">damages. With these numbers continually growing, experts are looking for solutions to lowering the </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">numbers and keeping more people safe. House fires can be devastating losses to families because </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">they can spring up out of nowhere and take everything you own. Year after year homes and property </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">are burned and destroyed by fires simply because precautions are not taken. Here are some </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">precautions that should be made during this house fire season.&nbsp; </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">What room in your house is the most prone to having fires break out? The kitchen; hot oil, grease, </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">ovens, stoves and open flames are all factors that increase the possibility of a fire starting in your </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">kitchen. One way you can prevent a fire from breaking out is to make sure that all of your appliances </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">are serviced, cleaned and in good shape. If they are not working properly or tend to stay dirty or full </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">of food; that increases the risk for fires breaking out. By cleaning them out and emptying the crumb </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">trays you will lower the odds of a fire starting. Some other ways you can ensure your home will be </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">safe is by; unplugging your electrical appliances when they are not in use, install a smoke detector </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">near the kitchen, keeping a fire extinguisher close by, avoid using metal in the microwave, avoid </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">overfilling pots or pans with oil or grease and never leave your cooking unattended. Being present in </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">the kitchen is a must when cooking or preparing food so if an accident does occur you are able to </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">hop on the issue right away.</span></p> <p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">Every year there is that one family who tries to deep fry their turkey and ends up burning down their </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">garage, kitchen&nbsp; whole house, this is one reason why the kitchen is the leading area for the origin </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">for home structure fires. While only 4 percent of house fires start in the living room or family room </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">and 8 percent start in the bedrooms. With a higher risk of&nbsp;a fire breaking out, the kitchen is a very </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">important area of the house to watch this fire season. </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">Other factors that increase the risk of house fires during this season are holiday decorations like </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">candles, lights, garland and much more. When hanging lights on your home or property, the first </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">thing you are going to want to do is inspect the lights to make sure that there are no broken bulbs or </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">torn wires. If you plug in a string of lights with one of these defects you run the risk of shorting out </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">something or creating a spark and starting a fire. One other important tip is to not overload el-ectrical </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">sockets, we know that everyone wants to have the best decorations and have the most lights, but if </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">you are planning on covering your home, please be cautious and use several outlets. The last and </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">probably most important thing you should do this holiday season is never leave your lights </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">unattended; it runs the risk of causing more fire and more damage especially when you aren&rsquo;t home. </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">For candles during this fire/holiday season try to avoid using lit candles, yes I know that a candle is </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">make to be lit but if you choose to light them make sure they are on a sturdy holder and in a place </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">where they cannot be knocked over. Candles can be very dangerous in homes, especially when </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">they are left unattended and not watched, so always remember to keep an eye out for your candles </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">and blow them out when you are going to leave.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">The high cost of home heating bills is a driving factor for people to switch to other ways of heating </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">like space heaters, wood burning stoves and fire places which all have high risks of starting a house </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">fire. When using&nbsp;ne of these heating alternatives be sure that you read the instructions carefully </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">and make sure that they are all cleaned and working properly before you turn them on or light them. </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">A dirty clogged fire place is one place where if it is not cleaned and maintained it could not let out the </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">necessary smoke and ash and start a fire in your home. Overall when using any type of wood </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">burning oven or heater make sure that you keep it away from anything flammable and keep it clean </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">to ensure that the fire will burn smoothly and ventilate properly.&nbsp; </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">The last way you can protect yourselves and your home this season is to not let anyone smoke in </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">your home. Fire officials have stated that smoking in your home dramatically increases the possibility </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">of a fire breaking out, so be sure to not smoke in your home and dispose of your cigarettes </span><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">properly.</span></p>urn:uuid:8a9ba40b-24f2-49bb-a7dd-b3546c554ff4What Causes Ice Dams? Ice dams form when melting ice and snow refreeze above the eaves of your roof and subsequent melting backs up under the shingles. This causes interior leaks and water damage to interior walls and ceilings. Preventing Ice Dams ...Thu, 27 Oct 2011 19:34:30 -0500<strong>What Causes Ice Dams?<br /> <br /> </strong>Ice dams form when melting ice and snow refreeze above the eaves of your roof and subsequent melting backs up under the shingles. This causes interior leaks and water damage to interior walls and ceilings.<br /> <br /> <b>Preventing Ice Dams</b><br /> <br /> Proper ventilation, drainage and insulation are the only ways to prevent ice dams and can be achieved in the following ways:<br /> <br /> <ul> <li><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Make sure your gutters are clear of leaves and debris </span></strong></li> <li>Check and seal places where warm air could leak from your house to the attic: vent pipes, exhaust fans, chimneys, attic hatches and light fixtures are all possibilities </li> <li>Inspect, or have your roof and attic inspected for proper ventilation and insulation </li> <li>Look for signs of inadequate ventilation: rust spots, rusty nails or a mildew smell are all signals that moisture has formed on the inside of your roof </li> <li>If you have soffit vents in your eaves, make sure they are not blocked and insulation surrounding them is secured so that air can flow easily </li> <li>Keep snow from accumulating on the lower three to six feet of your roof</li> </ul>urn:uuid:c0661789-c4b2-4ac2-8a92-6a6ec2e937d3With autumn in full swing and Halloween right around the corner, many families are pulling out their decorations and carving up their pumpkins. This old hallowed tradition is a lot of fun and great to look at but it does come with some hazards everyo...Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:05:41 -0500<p style="line-height: 150%;">With autumn in full swing and Halloween right around the corner, many families are pulling out their decorations and carving up their pumpkins. This old hallowed tradition is a lot of fun and great to look at but it does come with some hazards everyone needs to be aware of. Here are some tips to ensure you don&rsquo;t start a fire from the candles.</p> <p style="line-height: 150%;"><strong>1)</strong> First, before you place the candle in the pumpkin, make sure that the wick is trimmed and is no larger than a quarter of an inch; any longer and the flame could get too big.</p> <p style="line-height: 150%;"><strong>2)</strong> Once you have placed the candle in the pumpkin, make sure that it is either on a flame resistant plate or holder so it won&rsquo;t fall over inside the pumpkin.</p> <p style="line-height: 150%;"><strong>3)</strong> Once your pumpkin is lit, make sure you keep it away from other decorations or dry objects that could catch fire. Autumn is a poplar time for creating fall foliage decorations to go along with pumpkins, so placement is very important in this situation.</p> <p style="line-height: 150%;"><strong>4)</strong> When you decide to put out your candle, make sure you put it out all the way to the point where it is not smoking to ensure that nothing can catch on fire.</p> <p style="line-height: 150%;"><strong>5)</strong> The last and probably most important thing is to never leave a candle burning unattended, this is the easiest way to start a fire because no one is there to watch it and make sure that nothing catches on fire.</p> <p style="line-height: 150%;"><strong>6)</strong> If at all possible, think of replacing your usual candle this year with a flameless candle. You can find these are most retail stores these.</p> <p>Fall is the beginning of house fire season, so this year, take the proper precautions to ensure that you, your family and your home are safe. Also make sure that you have a fully functioning fire extinguisher in your home in case of an emergency.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Stay Safe!</p>urn:uuid:49d8ae6a-dd0c-4872-a7e1-41186c46efb7 1. Clean those gutters Once the leaves fall, remove them and other debris from your home's gutters -- by hand, by scraper or spatula, and finally by a good hose rinse -- so that winter's rain and melting snow can drain. Clogged drains can form ice ...Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:11:00 -0500<b> <p style="text-align: center;">1. Clean those gutters</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">Once the leaves fall, remove them and other debris from your home's gutters -- by hand, by scraper or spatula, and finally by a good hose rinse -- so that winter's rain and melting snow can drain. Clogged drains can form ice dams, in which water backs up, freezes and causes water to seep into the house, the Insurance Information Institute says.&nbsp; <br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As you're hosing out your gutters, look for leaks and misaligned pipes. Also, make sure the down spouts are carrying water away from the house's foundation, where it could cause flooding or other water damage.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: center;">2. Block those leaks</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">One of the best ways to winterize your home is to simply block obvious leaks around your house, both inside and out, experts say. The average American home has leaks that amount to a nine square-foot hole in the wall, according to EarthWorks Group.<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; First, find the leaks: On a breezy day, walk around inside holding a lit incense stick to the most common drafty areas: recessed lighting, window and door frames, electrical outlets. Then, buy door sweeps to close spaces under exterior doors, and caulk or apply tacky rope caulk to those drafty spots. Outlet gaskets can easily be installed in electrical outlets that share a home's outer walls, where cold air often enters.<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Outside, seal leaks with weather-resistant caulk. For brick areas, use masonry sealer, which will better stand up to freezing and thawing.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: center;">3. Insulate yourself</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">Another thing that does cost a little money -- but boy, you do get the money back quick -- is adding insulation to the existing insulation in the attic. You need a minimum of 12 inches of insulation in your attic."</p> <b> <p style="text-align: center;">4. Check the furnace</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">First; turn your furnace on now, to make sure it's even working, before the coldest weather descends. A strong, odd, short-lasting smell is natural when firing up the furnace in the autumn; simply open windows to dissipate it. But if the smell lasts a long time, shut down the furnace and call a professional.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It's a good idea to have furnaces cleaned and tuned annually. Throughout the winter you should change the furnace filters regularly (check them monthly). A dirty filter impedes air flow, reduces efficiency and could even cause a fire in an extreme case. Toss out the dirty fiberglass filters; reusable electrostatic or electronic filters can be washed.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: center;">5. Get your ducts in a row</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a home with central heating can lose up to 60% of its heated air before that air reaches the vents if ductwork is not well-connected and insulated, or if it must travel through unheated spaces. That's a huge amount of wasted money, not to mention a chilly house. (Check out this audit tool for other ideas on how to save on your energy bills this winter.)<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Ducts aren't always easy to see, but you can often find them exposed in the attic, the basement and crawlspaces. Repair places where pipes are pinched, which impedes flow of heated air to the house, and fix gaps with a metal-backed tape (duct tape actually doesn't stand up to the job over time). Ducts also should be vacuumed once every few years, to clean out the abundant dust, animal hair and other gunk that can gather in them and cause respiratory problems.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: center;">6. Face your windows</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">Now, of course, is the time to take down the window screens and put up storm windows, which provide an extra layer of protection and warmth for the home. Storm windows are particularly helpful if you have old, single-pane glass windows. Update windows when needed.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: center;">7. Don't forget the chimney</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">Ideally, spring is the time to think about your chimney, because chimney sweeps are going crazy in the fall. That said; don't put off your chimney needs before using your fireplace. A common myth is that a chimney needs to be swept every year," says Eldridge. Not true. But a chimney should at least be inspected before use each year.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: center;">8. Reverse that fan</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">Reversing your ceiling fan is a small tip that people don't often think of. By reversing its direction from the summer operation, the fan will push warm air downward and force it to recirculate, keeping you more comfortable</p> <b> <p style="text-align: center;">9. Wrap those pipes</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">A burst pipe caused by a winter freeze is a nightmare. Prevent it before Jack Frost sets his grip: Before freezing nights hit, make certain that the water to your hose bibs is shut off inside your house (via a turnoff valve), and that the lines are drained. Next, go looking for other pipes that aren't insulated, or that pass through unheated spaces -- pipes that run through crawlspaces, basements or garages. Wrap them with pre-molded foam rubber sleeves or fiberglass insulation, available at hardware stores. If you're really worried about a pipe freezing, you can first wrap it with heating tape, which is basically an electrical cord that emits heat.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: center;">10. Finally, check those alarms</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">This is a great time to check the operation -- and change the batteries -- on your home's smoke detectors. Detectors should be replaced every 10 years, fire officials say. Test them -- older ones in particular -- with a small bit of actual smoke, and not just by pressing the "test" button. Check to&nbsp;see that your fire extinguisher is still where it should be, and still works.</p>urn:uuid:e697b752-6eac-4f19-9841-e7f6156175fdIn June I recommended that you keep valuables such as GPS systems out of sight in your car. I just received one of those forwarded emails from a friend with another GPS related warning that should be considered. Ask youself this: if your car is bro...Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:06:51 -0500In June I recommended that you keep valuables such as GPS systems out of sight in your car. I just received one of those forwarded emails from a friend with another GPS related warning that should be considered. <br /> <br /> Ask youself this: if your car is broken into, what will the thief take away that would put your home at risk for a break in? <br /> <br /> <ul> <li>GPS with your home address programmed in</li> <li>Your garage door opener</li> <li>A&nbsp;spare set of keys</li> <li>Valuable or sensitive information in your glove box</li> </ul> Play it safe and program your GPS with a nearby address&nbsp;in place of your&nbsp;&nbsp;home address &nbsp;(like a store or gas station) and be careful about what you keep in your car.<br /> <br />urn:uuid:bade1982-7be0-4e4c-ab52-09105650240d&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Here is an interesting article published by the Insurance Information Institute: http://www.iii.org/issues_updates/dog-bite-liability.html&nbsp;.&nbsp; The article addresses dog bites and how they can e...Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:27:45 -0500&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Here is an interesting article published by the Insurance Information Institute: <a href="http://www.iii.org/issues_updates/dog-bite-liability.html">http://www.iii.org/issues_updates/dog-bite-liability.html</a>&nbsp;.&nbsp; The article addresses dog bites and how they can effect your Homeowner's Insurance policy.&nbsp; If you have had this issue effect your coverage, we may be able to help.&nbsp; Give us a call at 952-953-3838.&nbsp; We write Home and Auto Insurance in the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan area.urn:uuid:f035144d-60f9-4bb7-96d3-60c855d1fb94&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Now that hurricane Lee has turned into a bad memory,&nbsp; I want to remind you that flood insurance is available to just about everyone.&nbsp; If you are interested in finding out more, give us a call at 952-953-3838.&nbsp; ...Sat, 10 Sep 2011 23:09:15 -0500&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Now that hurricane Lee has turned into a bad memory,&nbsp; I want to remind you that flood insurance is available to just about everyone.&nbsp; If you are interested in finding out more, give us a call at 952-953-3838.&nbsp; Linda is our resident flood expert and she would be happy to answer any questions you might have.&nbsp; A good link to use is <a href="http://www.floodsmart.gov">www.floodsmart.gov</a>&nbsp;!urn:uuid:45a40ad0-64ad-47ac-91a0-4306b03b5fdb&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Did you know that it may only cost an extra $2 - $3 a month to increase your auto limits to $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident?&nbsp; If you think you might be sued if you were at fault as th...Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:48:39 -0500&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Did you know that it may only cost an extra $2 - $3 a month to increase your auto limits to $250,000 per person and $500,000 per accident?&nbsp; If you think you might be sued if you were at fault as the result of an automobile accident, it would be well worth the minor monthly expense to have your insurance company defending you.<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, if you wanted&nbsp;even higher limits, an excess liability $1,000,000 policy can be purchased for as little as&nbsp;$115.00 a year.&nbsp; if you are interested in more information, please give us call @ 952-953-3838.urn:uuid:7a1996c2-bcd5-4a8f-986f-6873a935e1db&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We would like everyone to take their time getting to where they are going this weekend.&nbsp; While this is the last holiday weekend before the kids head back to school, it is also time to remember to b...Fri, 02 Sep 2011 08:52:32 -0500&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We would like everyone to take their time getting to where they are going this weekend.&nbsp; While this is the last holiday weekend before the kids head back to school, it is also time to remember to be safe.&nbsp; There will be stepped up enforcement by the state patrol.&nbsp; Remember, it is their job to keep our roads safe for us.&nbsp; Give 'em a brake and move over.<br /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Be safe and we will see you after Labor Day.urn:uuid:cab08741-4a2f-48f2-b31a-33f9c37cd12dTexter pleads guilty in fatal accident The 19- year- old woman whose alleged texting and driving caused a car crash that killed a 77-year-old woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to criminal vehicular homicide. The 19 year old also has been charged with a...Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:20:56 -0500<strong>Texter pleads guilty in fatal accident</strong> <br /> <br /> The 19- year- old woman whose alleged texting and driving caused a car crash that killed a 77-year-old woman pleaded guilty Tuesday to criminal vehicular homicide.<br /> <br /> The 19 year old also has been charged with a misdemeanor reckless driving charge.<br /> <br /> Court records said the 19 year old received or sent 15 text messages in the minutes before the collision, which occurred about 8: 30 a. m.&nbsp;&nbsp; The vehicle crossed the centerline and hit an oncoming car.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The drive of the oncoming vehicle&nbsp;died from&nbsp;injuries due to the accident.urn:uuid:a36f2231-23b2-4cb1-989a-67c75f9a9047&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When leaving town even for a short 2-3 day holiday,&nbsp;I would like to suggest you shut off your main water supply.&nbsp; This&nbsp;may help you prevent a major claim if there is a burst pipe during your absence.&nbsp; I hav...Mon, 22 Aug 2011 22:48:27 -0500&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 24px;">When leaving town even for a short 2-3 day holiday,&nbsp;I would like to suggest you shut off your main water supply.&nbsp; This&nbsp;may help you prevent a major claim if there is a burst pipe during your absence.&nbsp; I have seen several of these claims over the last few years.&nbsp; I can assure you, while the companies usually get the claims settled satisfactorily, the homeowner was seriously inconvenienced.</span>urn:uuid:8e9ade3e-e24a-4dad-bbda-401ea001dcd9Am I Covered? What Can I Expect Read Your Policy If you have Questions Am I covered? The answer to this question is not the same for everyone who has suffered a loss. Homeowners policies do not always have the same coverages. It is very importan...Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:12:47 -0500<p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?id=-536893703&amp;subchannel=null&amp;sc2=null&amp;sc3=null&amp;contentid=536917153&amp;contenttype=EDITORIAL&amp;programid=536914936&amp;agency=Insurance#HOCovered"></a><a href="http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?id=-536893703&amp;subchannel=null&amp;sc2=null&amp;sc3=null&amp;contentid=536917153&amp;contenttype=EDITORIAL&amp;programid=536914936&amp;agency=Insurance#HOCovered">Am I Covered? </a><br /> <a href="http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?id=-536893703&amp;subchannel=null&amp;sc2=null&amp;sc3=null&amp;contentid=536917153&amp;contenttype=EDITORIAL&amp;programid=536914936&amp;agency=Insurance#HOexpect">What Can I Expect </a><br /> <a href="http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?id=-536893703&amp;subchannel=null&amp;sc2=null&amp;sc3=null&amp;contentid=536917153&amp;contenttype=EDITORIAL&amp;programid=536914936&amp;agency=Insurance#HOread">Read Your Policy </a><br /> <a href="http://www.state.mn.us/portal/mn/jsp/content.do?id=-536893703&amp;subchannel=null&amp;sc2=null&amp;sc3=null&amp;contentid=536917153&amp;contenttype=EDITORIAL&amp;programid=536914936&amp;agency=Insurance#HOquestions">If you have Questions </a></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a name="HOCovered"><b>Am I covered?</b></a><b> </b><br /> The answer to this question is not the same for everyone who has suffered a loss. Homeowners policies do not always have the same coverages. It is very important to read your policy to determine what is covered, and the level of coverage that exists. If you cannot locate your policy, contact your insurance agent or company immediately. Your agent or company will usually be able to address your questions quickly and accurately. Many companies have Disaster Claim Teams that have been sent to the area. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">The standard homeowners insurance coverage will cover most of your loss. Most policies have deductibles that will apply. Coverage will usually cover the replacement cost for the damaged portion of your home, including any upgrades that are required by local codes when damage is repaired. Personal property will be covered for replacement cost only if specifically stated in your policy, but there are usually specific restrictions or requirements in obtaining the replacement cost reimbursement. If you are unable to live in your home due to damage, you will likely have coverage for reasonable expenses incurred for temporary accommodations, subject to policy limits. This coverage will usually not cover all expenses, just those above your usual monthly expense. Most contracts cover the expense of debris removal from you home. This coverage is usually provided in addition to the policy limit restriction that applies to the repair of the damage to your home or garage. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a name="HOexpect"></a><b>What can I expect?</b><b><br /> </b>The rebuilding process is never as quick as we wish it could be. With the widespread extensive damage that has been sustained in the area, the insurance companies will be hard pressed to be able to provide the type of expeditious service that we all would like. The claims settlement statutes dictate that companies must handle claims in a responsive manner. However, some of the time frames that are established in the law allow a company up to 60 days to respond to some issues. Most companies will be much more responsive than that. You can expect responses to most of your concerns or problems within a day or two. Though it is not required, some companies have set up programs that allow their on-site adjusters to issue checks in advance to cover some of the additional living expenses and replacement of some essential person property. Once you have made contact with your company adjuster, ask him/her about the availability of such programs. </p> <b>You can avoid many of the problems that can be experienced in the removal of the debris and the rebuilding process by making sure that you coordinate closely with the company adjuster. Remember to ask the contractor if he/she is licensed by the&nbsp;<a href="https://secure.doli.state.mn.us/licensing/licensing.aspx" target="_blank">Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry</a>&nbsp;(required by law) as a building contractor. Get all proposals in writing, and be sure contractors name, phone number, address, and license number is on the proposal. </b>urn:uuid:0117ee05-da4d-43ad-8831-4782c286f975A Word to the Wise : Don't invite a break-in. Keep all valuables out of sight whenever you park your car! Within one week, two of our policy holders have had their cars broken into and GPS systems stolen. Besides the inconvenience it causes you, a...Thu, 16 Jun 2011 12:40:52 -0500A Word to the Wise : Don't invite a break-in. Keep all valuables out of sight whenever you park your car! <br /> <br /> Within one week, two of our policy holders have had their cars broken into and GPS systems stolen.<br /> <br /> Besides the inconvenience it causes you, a break in and theft will cost you&nbsp;even if the damage to the car is covered by auto insurance.&nbsp; You may pay out of pocket for a portion of the cost of repairs if a deductible applies. Personal property is usually not covered by an auto policy. <br /> <br /> Your homeowners policy generally provides coverage for personal items if they are stolen from your locked&nbsp;car, but only if their value is above your deductible.&nbsp; We do not necessarily recommend using your homeowners policy for small theft claims since it may affect your future homeowners insurance costs. However, if the value of the items stolen is high, you need to replace them and this would be financially difficult, claiming the theft would be a good use of your insurance policy. &nbsp; <br /> <br /> We hope this never happens to you, but if it does, we are happy to advise you on how to make best use of your insurance program.<br /> <br />urn:uuid:a7980551-859e-456d-9901-1232be29f05fCHECK OUT THESE FREE RESOURCES FOR SMALL BUSINESS FROM TRAVELERS! Article from Travelers IN-SIGHT (http://in-sight.travelers.com/e_article002116607.cfm?x=bjyJPh7,bnQhBCkC) ...Thu, 09 Jun 2011 14:40:51 -0500<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 24px;">CHECK OUT THESE FREE RESOURCES FOR <br /> SMALL BUSINESS FROM TRAVELERS!</span><br /> <br /> Article from <b>Travelers IN-SIGHT</b> (<a href="http://in-sight.travelers.com/e_article002116607.cfm?x=bjyJPh7,bnQhBCkC">http://in-sight.travelers.com/e_article002116607.cfm?x=bjyJPh7,bnQhBCkC</a>) </p> <table width="100%" style="background-color: #000000;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td> <table width="100%" style="background-color: #ffffff;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="background-color: #ffffff;"> <table width="100%" class="article_box" style="background-color: #ffffff;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3"> <tbody> <tr bgcolor="#ffffff"> <td id="s_a2116607" valign="top"><a name="a2116607"></a>May 27, 2011 <br /> <b>Travelers Risk Control Presents Small Business Solutions </b><br /> <p>As one of the largest insurers of small business in the U.S., Travelers understands the unique challenges faced by small business owners. From barber shops to bakeries, restaurants to record shops, Travelers Risk Control has a new web resource, <a href="http://rccustportal.prodlb.travp.net/RCCP/NavToIWPage.aspx?Tab=Tab1&amp;link=/iwcm/RiskControl/home/gettingstarted/Insynchsmallbusiness.shtm&amp;pfsnavstate=UEZTX0xOQVZfTXlSaXNrQ29udHJvbA%3d%3d">Small Business Solutions</a>, offering tools and resources, such as:</p> <p style="margin: 6pt 0.1in 0pt 0.25in;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong><a href="http://rccustportal.prodlb.travp.net/RCCP/NavToIWPage.aspx?pfsnavstate=UEZTX0xOQVZfTXlSaXNrQ29udHJvbA%3d%3d&amp;link=/iwcm/RiskControl/home/Small-Business/Small-Business.shtm" target="_self"><strong>Workplace Safety for Small Business</strong></a> <br /> </strong>Fundamentals of business continuity planning and managing the risks associated with natural disasters, as well as the daily safety issues often taken for granted.</p> <p style="margin: 6pt 0.1in 0pt 0.25in;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong><a href="http://rccustportal.prodlb.travp.net/RCCP/NavToIWPage.aspx?pfsnavstate=UEZTX0xOQVZfTXlSaXNrQ29udHJvbA%3d%3d&amp;link=/iwcm/RiskControl/home/gettingstarted/gettingstartedmenu.shtm" target="_self"><strong>Getting Started Managing Risk</strong></a>&nbsp;</strong><br /> Tools and resources developed to address the exposures unique to a particular business or industry.</p> <p style="margin: 6pt 0.1in 0pt 0.25in;">&middot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <strong><a href="http://rccustportal.prodlb.travp.net/RCCP/NavToIWPage.aspx?pfsnavstate=UEZTX0xOQVZfTXlSaXNrQ29udHJvbA%3d%3d&amp;link=/iwcm/RiskControl/home/gettingstarted/gettingstarted101.shtm" target="_self"><strong>Safety Management 101</strong></a></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> Helps build an overall safety program, including the key components every business needs to begin managing safety. </p> <p style="margin: 6pt 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://rccustportal.prodlb.travp.net/RCCP/NavToIWPage.aspx?Tab=Tab1&amp;link=/iwcm/RiskControl/home/gettingstarted/Insynchsmallbusiness.shtm&amp;pfsnavstate=UEZTX0xOQVZfTXlSaXNrQ29udHJvbA%3d%3d">Small Business Solutions</a> offers tools to minimize exposures, protect property and keep employees and customers safe. Solutions that help manage risk.</p> <br /> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table width="100%" style="background-color: #ffffff;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="background-color: #ffffff;"> <div style="text-align: left;"> <table width="100%" style="background-color: #ffffff;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"> <tbody> <tr> <td>Published by <a href="mailto:Travelers.IN-SIGHT@travelers.com" class="link">Travelers </a><br /> <p>This material does not amend, or otherwise affect, the provisions or coverages of any insurance policy or bond issued by Travelers. It is not a representation that coverage does or does not exist for any particular claim or loss under any such policy or bond. Coverage depends on the facts and circumstances involved in the claim or loss, all applicable policy or bond provisions, and any applicable law. Availability of coverage referenced in this document can depend on underwriting qualifications and state regulations. </p> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>urn:uuid:bc7ba945-1afc-4a15-bcdc-fd3b38160731Do&nbsp;You Need to Buy Insurance to Rent a Car?&nbsp; It Depends&hellip;.. &nbsp;It depends on where you are traveling: If you will be traveling outside of the US or Cananda your personal auto policy will not provide coverage. Check out www.auto-e...Wed, 18 May 2011 16:15:40 -0500<p class="Default"><b><span style="font-size: 18px;">Do&nbsp;You Need to Buy Insurance to Rent a Car?&nbsp; It Depends&hellip;.. </span></b></p> <p class="Default"><b>&nbsp;</b><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">It depends on where you are traveling</span>:</b> </p> <p class="Default">If you will be traveling outside of the US or Cananda your personal auto policy will not provide coverage. Check out <a href="http://www.auto-europe.com/">www.auto-europe.com</a> for information about driving requirements and rental programs in Europe and other countries around the world. </p> <p class="Default"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">It depends on how much you want to spend for peace of mind</span></b>:&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p class="Default">Most CDW/LDW fees charged by rental companies are considered to be outrageous, but they can save you from inconvenience and lost time and money if you have an accident while on vacation or business.*&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p class="Default"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">There are 3 sources of Coverage for Damage to a Rental Car</span>: </b></p> <p class="Default"><b>1.&nbsp; Coverage provided by your own Auto Policy (<i>Be sure to take proof of your insurance and your company&rsquo;s claims phone number with you on your trip.) </i>&nbsp;</b></p> <p class="Default">Under Minnesota insurance laws, automobile policies issued to residents of the state that provide liability and no-fault coverages on private passenger vehicles, must also provide coverage for damage and loss of use to vehicles the named insured may rent on a daily or weekly basis in the US and Canada.&nbsp;&nbsp; Wisconsin residents who have an auto policy with collision coverage and comprehensive coverage and who rent a car for personal use are usually covered for damage to a rental car under their personal auto policies.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p> <p class="Default"><b>2.&nbsp; Coverage provided by your credit card </b></p> <p class="Default">Call your credit card company to find out what insurance your card provides. Levels of coverage vary. </p> <p class="Default"><b>3.&nbsp; Coverage you can purchase at the rental car counter </b></p> <p class="Default">Collision Damage Waiver (CDW): Sometimes called a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW), this coverage relieves you of financial responsibility if your rental car is damaged or stolen. The CDW may be void, however, if you cause an accident by speeding, driving on unpaved roads or driving while intoxicated. </p> <p class="Default">Liability Insurance: If you have adequate liability coverage on your car or an umbrella policy, you may consider forgoing this additional insurance.&nbsp; </p> <p class="Default">Personal Accident Insurance: This provides coverage to you and your passengers for medical/ambulance bills, but may be unnecessary if you are covered by health insurance or have your own auto policy. </p> <p class="Default">Personal Effects Coverage: This provides coverage for the theft of personal items in your car.&nbsp; However, if you have homeowners or renters insurance, you may be covered for items stolen from the car, minus your deductible.&nbsp; </p> <p class="Default">&nbsp;<b><i>*Rental agreements may allow the rental company to immediately charge your credit card for damages and may require you to reimburse the rental company for administrative expenses not covered by your personal auto policy.&nbsp; Ask for an advance copy of the rental agreement in order to determine your contractual obligations for damage.&nbsp; </i></b></p>urn:uuid:e37b794b-a0de-4fa9-8530-49bbb52bea39 HOMEOWNERS POLICIES PROVIDE LIMITED COVERAGE Coverage for canoes, small sail boats and small power boats with less than 25 &ndash; 50 horsepower motors is often included in a standard homeowners policy. Property coverage is generally limited to aro...Mon, 02 May 2011 15:18:39 -0500<b> <p style="text-align: left;">HOMEOWNERS POLICIES PROVIDE LIMITED COVERAGE</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">Coverage for canoes, small sail boats and small power boats with less than 25 &ndash; 50</p> <p style="text-align: left;">horsepower motors is often included in a standard homeowners policy. Property</p> <p style="text-align: left;">coverage is generally limited to around $1,500 to $2,500 for the boat, motor and</p> <p style="text-align: left;">trailer combined. Liability and property coverage for larger boats and motors is offered</p> <p style="text-align: left;">by some insurance companies for an additional premium. Check your homeowners</p> <p style="text-align: left;">policy or call us at Butler &amp; Associates if you have questions about the coverage</p> <p style="text-align: left;">your policy provides.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: left;">ADVANTAGES OF A WATERCRAFT POLICY</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">Larger and faster boats, yachts and personal watercraft such as jet skis and wave runners</p> <p style="text-align: left;">generally require a separate boat insurance policy or a separate watercraft segment</p> <p style="text-align: left;">in a package policy. Watercraft policies provide broader protection than a</p> <p style="text-align: left;">homeowners policy. You may purchase additional coverages for such things as such</p> <p style="text-align: left;">as theft, Fuel and Other Spillage Liability, your boat trailer, medical payments, and</p> <p style="text-align: left;">liability to protect you from an uninsured boater. Another advantage to the watercraft</p> <p style="text-align: left;">policy is that a claim for a boating accident does not become part of your homeowners</p> <p style="text-align: left;">claims history.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: left;">WATERCRAFT PROTECTION AVAILABLE</p> </b> <p style="text-align: left;">Liability insurance protects you and members of your household if you or they were</p> <p style="text-align: left;">legally liable for injuries to other people either on or off your boat, or if you or they</p> <p style="text-align: left;">accidentally caused damage to anyone else's property. Also included are the costs to</p> <p style="text-align: left;">defend you in lawsuits brought against you. Medical Payments covers a person who</p> <p style="text-align: left;">is injured on your boat. It pays reasonable medical expenses, regardless of fault, up</p> <p style="text-align: left;">to $1,000 for each injured person. (Higher limits are available).</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Protection for your boat, boating equipment, and accessories can be purchased for</p> <p style="text-align: left;">total loss replacement, an agreed value or actual cash value at the time of loss. Optional</p> <p style="text-align: left;">coverages available include: personal effects (clothing, water skis, etc.), fishing</p> <p style="text-align: left;">equipment, theft, emergency service for towing and labor on land or water including</p> <p style="text-align: left;">delivery of fuel, oil or battery if your boat breaks down.</p> <b> <p style="text-align: left;">CALL US AT BUTLER &amp; ASSOCIATES FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT</p> <p>CUSTOMIZED PROTECTION FOR YOU, YOUR PASSENGERS AND YOUR BOAT.</p> </b>urn:uuid:ff618f5a-57dd-47ec-98f9-994e7e48994c<img src='http://saintpaulpioneerpress.mn.newsmemory.com/eebrowser/frame/check.5990/init/pics/none.gif' align='left' />The St. Paul Pioneer Press released this article outlining the 2011 road projects.&nbsp; There is a map of these projects posted on our agency facebook page. Saint Paul Pioneer Press 04/07/2011, Page B05 ...Fri, 08 Apr 2011 09:48:26 -0500The St. Paul Pioneer Press released this article outlining the 2011 road projects.&nbsp; There is a map of these projects posted on our agency facebook page.<br /> <br /> <table class="MsoNormalTable" style="mso-cellspacing: 0in; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184; mso-padding-alt: 0in 0in 0in 0in;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes;"> <td style="padding-bottom: 0in; background-color: transparent; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;border: #c0c0c0;"><b><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: 'times new roman';">Saint Paul Pioneer Press 04/07/2011, Page B05</span></b><o:p _rdEditor_exists="1"></o:p></td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="padding-bottom: 0in; background-color: transparent; padding-left: 0in; padding-right: 0in; padding-top: 0in;border: #c0c0c0;"><o:p _rdEditor_exists="1"><span style="font-family: times new roman;">&nbsp;</span></o:p><span class="maintitle"><b><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: 'times new roman';"><!-- START FOR TRANSLATE --><span style="font-family: times new roman;">2011 road construction projects</span></span></b></span> <o:p _rdEditor_exists="1"></o:p><br /> <br /> <span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span class="abody">Below are the road construction projects likeliest to affect drivers in the eastmetro area. For the complete list of Twin Cities and statewide projects, go to dot.state.mn.us/construction.</span><br /> <br /> <span class="abody"><b>1. U. S. 8 Location:</b> I-35 to Karmel Avenue (County Road 80) in Forest Lake, Wyoming, Chisago<b> </b></span></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Resurface road<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> June-July<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $1.8 million<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Medium<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">2. U. S. 8 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> East of west junction with Minnesota 95 in Taylors Falls<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span s="abody"> Resurface road</span><span class="abody"><b> </b></span></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> July-September<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $200,000<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> High<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">3. MINNESOTA 13 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> North of I-494 in Eagan<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Resurface road, install guardrail, drainage work<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> May-June<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $290,000<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Medium<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">4. INTERSTATE 35 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> From 0.8 miles north of U.S. 8 to Minnesota 95 in North Branch, Wyoming, Stacy<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span lass="abody"> Pavement preservation, miscellaneous drainage, safety improvements (remaining federal stimulus funds)</span><span class="abody"><b> </b></span></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> April-July<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $9,105,186<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Medium<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">5. INTERSTATE 35 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> At County Road 2 and U.S. 61 in Forest Lake<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Interchange reconstruction and revision<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> April-August<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $17 million<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Medium<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">6. INTERSTATE 35E Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> At County Road 14 in Lino Lakes<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Reconstruct interchange and build new bridge over I-35E<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> April 2010-June 2011<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Total cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $12.3 million<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">2011 cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $2,781,070<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Medium<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">7. INTERSTATE 35E Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> South of Ramsey County Road 96 to north junction of I-35W and I-35E<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Concrete overlay, drainage corrections, cable median barrier<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> May-October<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $22 million<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impa ct:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> High<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">8. INTERSTATE 35E Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Lone Oak Road in Eagan to West Seventh Street in St. Paul<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Overlay and concrete pavement repair<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> July-November<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $7.3 million<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> High<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">9. INTERSTATE 35W Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> MnPass and Smart Lanes extension project, northbound only from the I-35E/I-35W split to Burnsville Parkway<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Construct MnPASS Smart Lane in median, convert rural median to urban, construct median barrier<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> July-October<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $12,664,000<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> High<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">10. INTERSTATE 35W Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Southbound from Burnsville Parkway to Minnesota 13 in Burnsville (part of MnPass extension project)<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Resurface road<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> April-October<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $635,000<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> High<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">11. MINNESOTA 36 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> At Rice Street in Roseville, Little Canada<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Replace Rice Street bridge, reconstruct interchange<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> July 2010-November 2011<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Total cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $16.6 million<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">2011 cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $6,680,864<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Medium<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">12. MINNESOTA 50 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> From Minnesota 3 to U.S. 61 in Farmington, Empire Township, Castle Rock Township, Vermillion Township, Hampton Township, New Trier Township, Douglas Township<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Micro-surface<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> May-June<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $1.1 million<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Medium<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">13. MINNESOTA 51 Locati on:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> From Pierce Butler Route to Como Avenue in St. Paul<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Repair concrete pavement and drainage<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> September-October<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $750,000<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Medium<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">14. INTERSTATE 494, U. S. 52 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> From I-494 in Inver Grove Heights to Belvedere Street in St. Paul<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Repair deck on nine bridges<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> April-July 2011<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $1,475,520<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody"><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> High<span ass="abody"><b> </b></span></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">15. U. S. 52 Location:</span></b></span><b></b><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span class="abody"> Eaton Street, Plato </span><br /> <br /> <span class="abody">Boulevard, Concord Street bridges<b> </b></span></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Re-deck Eaton Street and Plato Boulevard and repair deck on Concord Street<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Summer<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Included in Project 35 (Lafayette Bridge replacement)<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> High<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">16. U. S. 52 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> St. Paul<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Replace the Lafayette Bridge and roadway approaches<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> January 2011-November 2014<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody"><span style="font-family: times new roman;">Total cost:<span ss="abody"></span></span></span></b><span class="abody"><span style="font-family: times new roman;"><span class="abody"> $130,381,000</span><b> </b></span></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">2011 cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $93,795,106<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> High<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">17. U. S. 61 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> U.S. 61 in Gem Lake<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Replace BNSF railroad bridge spanning U.S. 61, reconstruct roadway<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> May 2010-May 2011<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Total cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $3,634,830<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">2011 cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $10,000<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Medium<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">18. MINNESOTA 65 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> From I-694 to County Road 24/237th Avenue Northeast in Fridley, Spring Lake Park, Blaine, East Bethel<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Signal timing, install fiber optics and cameras at various signalized intersections<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> August-November<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $1.4 million<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Medium<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">19. INTERSTATE 94 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Eastbound I-94 from northbound U.S. 61 to White Bear Avenue in St. Paul<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Auxiliary lane eastbound I-94, ramp metering<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> July-October<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $2.5 million<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> High<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">20. INTERSTATE 94 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> From Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis to Cretin/Vandalia exit in St. Paul<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Resurface road, repair concrete pavement, work on bridge piers, install noise wall and traffic-management device<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> April-September<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $25,665,000<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> High<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">21. MINNESOTA 95 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> U.S. 8 in Franconia Township to Minnesota 97 in New Scandia Township<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Resurface road, repair drainage and guardrail, add westbound right-turn lane on Minnesota 243 to northbound Minnesota 95<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> July-September<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $4,345,000<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> High<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">22. MINNESOTA 149 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> From north of Mendota Heights Road to Smith Avenue in Mendota Heights, West St. Paul<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Seal road<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> September-October<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Cost:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> $400,000<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Medium<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">23. INTERSTATE 694 Location:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> 40th Street to U.S. 61 in Oakdale, Vadnais Heights, White Bear Lake, Maplewood<b> </b></span><b><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></b><span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;"> Concrete overlay<b><s> </s></b></span><b><s><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></s></b><span class="abody"><s><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> October 2011-October 2012<b> </b></span></s></span><b><s><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Total cost:</span></s></b><span class="abody"><s><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> $18 million<b> </b></span></s></span><b><s><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">2011 cost:</span></s></b><span class="abody"><s><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> $3 million<b> </b></span></s></span><b><s><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></s></b><span class="abody"><s><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> High<b> </b></span></s></span><b><s><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">24. INTERSTATE 694 Location:</span></s></b><span class="abody"><s><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> U.S. 10 southbound to the eastbound left-lane entrance to I-694 and merge to Snelling Avenue and southbound Hamline Avenue to eastbound I-694<b> </b></span></s></span><b><s><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Description:</span></s></b><span class="abody"><s><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> Reconstruct interchange<b> </b></span></s></span><b><s><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Dates:</span></s></b><span class="abody"><s><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> August 2011-September 2013<b> </b></span></s></span><b><s><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Total cost:</span></s></b><span class="abody"><s><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> $45 million<b> </b></span></s></span><b><s><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">2011 cost:</span></s></b><span class="abody"><s><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> $10 million<b> </b></span></s></span><b><s><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Impact:</span></s></b><span class="abody"><s><span style="font-family: times new roman;"> High<b> </b></span></s></span><b><s><br /> <br /> <span class="abody" style="font-family: times new roman;">Source:</span></s></b><s> Minnesota Department of Transportation <!-- END FOR TRANSLATE --><o:p _rdEditor_exists="1"></o:p></s><s><o:p _rdEditor_exists="1"><span style="font-family: times new roman; text-decoration: none;">&nbsp;</span></o:p></s> <table width="100%" class="MsoNormalTable" style="width: 100%; mso-cellspacing: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;" border="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr style="height: 1.5pt; mso-yfti-irow: 0; mso-yfti-firstrow: yes;"> <td style="padding-bottom: 0.75pt; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; background: #cccccc; height: 1.5pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;border: #c0c0c0;" colspan="3"><img alt="" height="2" id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://saintpaulpioneerpress.mn.newsmemory.com/eebrowser/frame/check.5990/init/pics/none.gif" /><o:p _rdEditor_exists="1"></o:p></td> </tr> <tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="padding-bottom: 0.75pt; background-color: transparent; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;border: #c0c0c0;"><span style="color: #c50023; mso-fareast-font-family: 'times new roman';">Powered by TECNAVIA</span><o:p _rdEditor_exists="1"></o:p></td> <td style="padding-bottom: 0.75pt; background-color: transparent; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;border: #c0c0c0;"><font face="Times New Roman"></font></td> <td style="padding-bottom: 0.75pt; background-color: transparent; padding-left: 0.75pt; padding-right: 0.75pt; padding-top: 0.75pt;border: #c0c0c0;"><i><span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;; color: black; font-size: 9pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'times new roman';">Copyright &copy; 2011, St. Paul Pioneer Press 04/07/2011</span></i><i><o:p _rdEditor_exists="1"></o:p></i></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> </td> </tr> </tbody> </table>urn:uuid:45cc0674-517a-47e0-94d2-ede0ba215d4bNational Flood Insurance Program Many people already know that flood damage is not covered by their homeowners or business owners insurance policy....but they are often uncertain about how flood insurance works. Butler &amp; Associates offers flo...Sat, 26 Feb 2011 10:47:06 -0600<p style="text-align: left;"><strong>National Flood Insurance Program <br /> <br /> </strong>Many people already know that flood damage is not covered by their homeowners or business owners insurance policy....but they are often uncertain about how flood insurance works. <br /> <br /> Butler &amp; Associates offers flood insurance policies&nbsp;through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).&nbsp;<br /> <br /> <strong>A few important&nbsp;facts to&nbsp;know</strong>:</p> <ul> <li><strong><a href="http://www.FloodSmart.gov">www.FloodSmart.gov</a></strong> has lots of information about how the program works</li> <li>there's a 30-day waiting period from the date of purchase before a new flood policy goes into effect</li> <li>the rates are set by the NFIP and do not differ from company to company</li> <li>the rates depend on several factors including your area's level of risk</li> <li>you must live in a participating community to be eligible for a policy</li> <li>coverage is limited in basements</li> <li>the policy covers only flood as it is defined by the NFIP</li> <li>One of the resources on the NFIP website is a Summary of Coverage <a href="http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pdfs/NFIP_Summary_of_Coverage.pdf">http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pdfs/NFIP_Summary_of_Coverage.pdf</a></li> </ul> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Preventing damage that's not covered: <br /> <br /> </strong>Unfortunately, no insurance can be purchased to cover damage from water that enters your basement due to cracks in the foundation or snowmelt around your foundation. <br /> <br /> For help on preventing that kind of damage....check out:<a href="http://www.disastersafety.org/" target="_blank">http://www.disastersafety.org/</a>&nbsp;<br /> The website contains practical information on preventing damage to your home or business. </p>urn:uuid:110c5875-a9d1-49e0-83f9-4528a838d789<img src='http://www.disastersafety.org/resource/resmgr/Graphics/freezing.gif' align='left' />What You Should Know As if slippery sidewalks and snow-covered cars aren&rsquo;t bad enough during the winter, you face another potential headache: ruined carpets and water damage to your ceilings and walls from leaks caused by ice dams or bursting ...Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:30:52 -0600<h2>What You Should Know</h2> <div style="padding-right: 15px;"><img alt="" style="float: right;border: 0px solid;" src="http://www.disastersafety.org/resource/resmgr/Graphics/freezing.gif" /> As if slippery sidewalks and snow-covered cars aren&rsquo;t bad enough during the winter, you face another potential headache: ruined carpets and water damage to your ceilings and walls from leaks caused by ice dams or bursting pipes. You can avoid the resulting aggravation and expense by taking several basic steps. <br /> <br /> DisasterSafety.org is a website that has good information for helping to protect yourself and your property. The link below will take you to the page about what to do in severe weather situations. <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.disastersafety.org/main.asp?id=1068">http://www.disastersafety.org/main.asp?id=1068</a><br /> </div>urn:uuid:463ae19d-ed98-4f5d-80ec-9618896ddf35 The following information has been taken from the University of Wisconsin Extension&rsquo;s Web site and gives some valuable guidelines on removing snow from your building roofs. If an owner suspects a snow loading is in excess of the design loadin...Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:57:43 -0600<b><i> <p style="text-align: left;">The following information has been taken from the University of Wisconsin</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Extension&rsquo;s Web site and gives some valuable guidelines</p> <p style="text-align: left;">on removing snow from your building roofs.</p> </i></b> <p style="text-align: left;">If an owner suspects a snow loading is in excess of the design loading or if the roof is showing signs of</p> <p style="text-align: left;">impending collapse such as buckled or broken members, plans to remove the snow should be implemented.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Heating air in an uninsulated building can help to melt snow/ice on contact with the roof surface allowing</p> <p style="text-align: left;">snow/ice to slide from a sloped roof. Unvented heaters consume oxygen in the building and can contribute</p> <p style="text-align: left;">carbon monoxide to the building space. Both conditions are poisonous to people and livestock. People and</p> <p style="text-align: left;">animals should not be allowed in the building when using unvented heaters. Before starting an unvented</p> <p style="text-align: left;">heater, make plans for turning off the heater from outside the building.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Snow slide from the building roof can cause crushing/suffocating injuries or death. Keep people and animals</p> <p style="text-align: left;">away from the fall zone when snow/ice slides from the roof.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Roof snow can also be removed by shoveling. This is a dangerous process as falling from ladders and the</p> <p style="text-align: left;">roof is a real possibility. Consider hiring experts who own boom trucks or other specialized equipment for</p> <p style="text-align: left;">safely performing this task.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">The following apply to removing snow from the roof:</p> <p style="text-align: left;">?? Use a snow roof rake if at all possible. This allows you to stand on the ground in a safe place. Check</p> <p style="text-align: left;">the local hardware store or building supply store. Removing snow from the edge of the roof could</p> <p style="text-align: left;">allow snow above the edge to avalanche. Make sure you are out of the fall zone when scraping snow</p> <p style="text-align: left;">from a smooth roof surface.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">?? Use fall protection equipment when workers are on the roof. Tie workers off so they don&rsquo;t fall from the</p> <p style="text-align: left;">roof.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">?? If ladders are used, locate and secure them so they do not fall while workers are standing on them.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Also, locate ladders so they do not fall if snow slides off the roof knocking workers off the ladder or</p> <p style="text-align: left;">leaving them stranded on the roof.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">?? Generally remove snow from the most heavily loaded areas first.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">?? Remove snow in narrow strips instead of large areas to help loading somewhat uniform.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">?? Don&rsquo;t pile removed snow onto snow-covered areas increasing the load in those areas.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">?? Use plastic shovels or wooden roof rakes to avoid damaging roofing material. Don&rsquo;t feel as if all snow</p> <p style="text-align: left;">must be removed. A layer of snow next to the roof surface can protect the surface from damage</p> <p style="text-align: left;">during the snow removal process.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">?? Do not pick or chip at ice near the roof surface to avoid damaging roofing material.</p> <p>?? Do not use snow blowers as they can damage the roof.</p>urn:uuid:79c7fc0d-3bf2-4a82-8521-3aa9672077d0The III, Insurance Information Institute released an article on winterpoofing you home.&nbsp; i am attaching a link in case you might be interested in what they had to say. http://www.iii.org/press_releases/its-going-to-be-a-cold-cold-winter-is-your-...Thu, 03 Feb 2011 13:51:09 -0600The III, Insurance Information Institute released an article on winterpoofing you home.&nbsp; i am attaching a link in case you might be interested in what they had to say.<br /> <a href="http://www.iii.org/press_releases/its-going-to-be-a-cold-cold-winter-is-your-home-properly-winter-proofed.html">http://www.iii.org/press_releases/its-going-to-be-a-cold-cold-winter-is-your-home-properly-winter-proofed.html</a>urn:uuid:89ca9751-af5d-480d-a547-b62b4438a95ePlease do not text and drive.......&nbsp; If you think you must, please view this Youtube message from AT &amp; T http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DebhWD6ljZs Best wishes for a Safe 2011. DanFri, 07 Jan 2011 17:37:36 -0600Please do not text and drive.......&nbsp; If you think you must, please view this Youtube message from AT &amp; T<br /> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DebhWD6ljZs">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DebhWD6ljZs</a><br /> <br /> Best wishes for a Safe 2011.<br /> Danurn:uuid:974e5e0b-886e-4699-9bc1-0a4ffd45d387Have A Very Wary Christmas As millions of Americans host and attend holiday parties across the street or across the country, many are unaware of the risks they may be taking, according to a national survey on homeowners insurance issues by Trusted ...Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:57:49 -0600<strong><em>Have A Very Wary Christmas</em></strong> <br /> <br /> As millions of Americans host and attend holiday parties across the street or across the country, many are unaware of the risks they may be taking, according to a national survey on homeowners insurance issues by Trusted Choice^&reg; and the Independent Insurance Agents &amp; Brokers of America. Do your insureds know their risk? <br /> <br /> The Trusted Choice^&reg; survey found that about one-third of homeowners did not think or did not know if they could be held responsible in the event of an alcohol-related accident. In fact, in many states, individuals hosting holiday parties can be held liable. Many courts have found hosts liable for the damages their party guests cause as a result of consuming alcohol at their social gatherings and then driving motor vehicles. Many states have also enacted statutes that can be interpreted as mandating non-commercial social host liability. In these situations, if a guest or third party is injured in an accident that is related to alcohol consumption and the drinking can be linked to you, you could be held responsible for the payment of medical bills, vehicle repair costs, lost time from work and &mdash; in the worst case &mdash; claims for wrongful death resulting in huge monetary settlements. <br /> <br /> The Trusted Choice^&reg; survey found that more than 46% of homeowners thought they weren't liable in the event that a guest became seriously ill from catered food consumed at the host's home, and more than 22% didn't think they could be held responsible if a guest was injured on the sidewalk in front of their property. One-third of homeowners either didn't think they could be held responsible or admitted they didn't know if they destroyed another home with a careless act. The bottom line is that homeowners could, in fact, be held responsible in any of these scenarios or accidental incidents.urn:uuid:29d3fa83-ea8e-42c1-be72-3e0b9f69eb37Tue, 21 Dec 2010 16:55:12 -0600urn:uuid:2c41645e-874c-4d2f-9cb5-5cf112b70526Cleaning up the Mess It&rsquo;s after the wind blows or the fire burns. The insured is sifting through the rubble of what used to be his commercial building, looking for any savable scraps of what used to be. The good news is that the loss is cov...Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:26:36 -0600<strong>Cleaning up the Mess</strong> <br /> <br /> It&rsquo;s after the wind blows or the fire burns. The insured is sifting through the rubble of what used to be his commercial building, looking for any savable scraps of what used to be. <br /> <br /> The good news is that the loss is covered and the insured will be getting a check for the cost to replace the building. The better news is that the policy limit was adequate and the insured will not suffer the consequence of coinsurance. But it&rsquo;s not over. <br /> <br /> The insured discovers that, due to increased demand resulting from widespread damage, hiring a contractor to remove the debris will be more expensive than anticipated. But that shouldn&rsquo;t be a problem because the policy limit is adequate&hellip;right? <br /> <br /> Most <b>commercial property policies</b> will cover the cost to remove debris resulting from a covered cause of loss. However, coverage may be limited or excluded depending on a few important factors addressed in the policy. <br /> <br /> <b>Factor #1 &ndash; How much is enough?</b> <br /> <br /> First, consider that it is not cheap to remove certain types of debris. For example, removing debris of an old frame building may be less labor-intensive than debris of a building with substantial masonry or steel. Removing such items will likely require the use of a contractor and heavy equipment. Also consider that high demand brought on by widespread damage will likely increase the contractor&rsquo;s fee for service. <br /> <br /> Second, consider how the policy calculates coverage to remove debris. Most policies say that the insured will have access to a stated amount&mdash;typically $10,000&mdash;plus the <i>lesser</i> of: <br /> <br /> &bull; 25% of the paid loss plus the deductible, or <br /> &bull; The remainder of the policy limit minus the paid loss. <br /> <br /> For example, consider a loss to a building valued at $1 million. If the loss amount is $100,000 and the deductible is $5,000, coverage would be determined as follows: <br /> <br /> &bull; 25% times the paid loss ($95,000) plus the deductible ($5,000) = $25,000, or <br /> &bull; The remainder of the policy limit ($1 million minus $95,000) = $905,000. <br /> <br /> In this claim, the insured has access to $25,000 plus the stated amount of $10,000 to clean up the mess. <br /> <br /> Now consider the same building, only this time it is a much greater loss of $900,000. Coverage would be determined as follows: <br /> <br /> &bull; 25% times the paid loss ($895,000) plus the deductible ($5,000) = $225,000, or <br /> &bull; The remainder of the policy limit ($1 million minus $895,000) = $105,000. <br /> <br /> IIn this claim, the insured has access to $105,000 plus the stated amount of $10,000 to clean up the mess. In the event of a total loss, it&rsquo;s likely the policy won&rsquo;t pay more than the stated amount of $10,000. The purpose of these examples is to show that the more severe the loss, the less money the policy includes for cleanup. <br /> <br /> <b>Factor #2 &ndash; What is &lsquo;covered property&rsquo;?</b> <br /> <br /> Most <b>commercial property policies</b> will pay only the cost to remove debris of &ldquo;covered property.&rdquo; This definition includes items specifically listed as such in the policy. The policy also lists items that are defined as &ldquo;property not covered.&rdquo; Items meeting this definition may also require cleanup, and the cost associated will not be paid by the insurance company. Examples of these items include pieces of the parking lot, building foundation, landscaping, and items that end up on your property from somewhere else. <br /> <br /> <b>Factor #3 &ndash; Pollutants</b> <br /> <br /> If a building is damaged and the site must be cleared, items defined in the policy as &ldquo;pollutants&rdquo; may require special care. For example, consider a print shop that catches fire, releasing highly toxic inks and dyes into the ground. Local engineers may require you to extract those pollutants from the site. If so, the cost may be substantial and is typically not covered by a commercial property policy or is limited to a specified dollar amount that may not be enough, such as $10,000. <br /> <br /> <b>What&rsquo;s the Solution? </b><br /> <br /> The best solution to this potentially large gap in coverage is to call your <b>Trusted Choice^&reg; insurance professional</b>. We can help you amend your existing policy to offer more coverage for the cost to clean up debris. We can also help you minimize your exposure by amending the policy to cover items that are currently excluded, such as those examples listed above. Further, we can help you understand the meaning of &ldquo;pollutants&rdquo; in your policy and determine if your property contains items that may require special care to remove.&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.trustedchoice.com">www.trustedchoice.com</a>urn:uuid:f1d7cc30-7fbd-4800-a2f0-da3c1d9525ecAdding a Pet to the Family this Holiday Season? The holiday season often includes images of cute puppies under a Christmas tree or a kitten with a sparkly ribbon around its neck. But before consumers do their holiday shopping at the pet shop, be su...Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:39:01 -0600<strong>Adding a Pet to the Family this Holiday Season?<br /> </strong><em><br /> <br /> </em><span style="font-family: verdana, helvetica; font-size: 13px;">The holiday season often includes images of cute puppies under a Christmas tree or a kitten with a sparkly ribbon around its neck. But before consumers do their holiday shopping at the pet shop, be sure they consider the risks and liabilities they may also be bringing home.<br /> <br /> A new national survey by Trusted Choice&reg; found that 29% of respondents, representing more than 65 million households in the United States, said they have either given or received a pet as a gift. Of those, 73% said they never considered liability or risk factors of pet ownership such as higher insurance rates or the need for specialty coverage.<br /> <br /> Urge your clients to consider these points before giving someone a pet for the holidays:<br /> <br /> &bull;&nbsp;<strong>Sick puppy?</strong> While the concept of health insurance for pets has received a lot of attention lately, it is important for pet owners to know that this coverage is NOT suitable for everyone. These policies are non-regulated insurance products, so purchasers have no recourse through state insurance regulators if there is a complaint or problem with their coverage. In addition, many pet insurance policies exclude routine examinations, vaccinations and pre-existing conditions. This coverage may have some merit for certain pet owners, but consumers should research any pet insurance product carefully before buying it.<br /> &bull;&nbsp;<strong>Is Fido a biter or a chewer?</strong> As a dog owner, a consumer can be held financially responsible if their animal attacks and injures a person or property. That bite can also have huge implications for their insurance. Most people are bitten by dogs they know, not strays. About 50% of all dog bites happen on the owner&rsquo;s property according to the Insurance Information Institute. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says children are the victims of about half of the 800,000 dog bites that are reported yearly in the United States, with the highest rate among children ages five to nine and many requiring medical attention. However, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 10% of children (7.5 million) in the United States do not have health insurance. Talk with your customers before they bring a new pet into their home to make sure they have adequate liability coverage and inquire about safety measures to take to protect their family and those who visit their property.<br /> &bull;&nbsp;<strong>What kind of dog is that?</strong> Many insurers are now routinely asking in their policy applications if homeowners or renters have dogs and if those dogs have a history of aggressive behavior. Some companies may even deny coverage to those who own certain breeds of dogs, including wolf hybrids, pit bulls and Rottweilers. Insurance companies can deny claims or limit coverage for dog owners who do not take precautions to prevent their animals from attacking. Many agents recommend at least $500,000 in liability protection for owners of large dogs or for those who own certain breeds.<br /> &bull;&nbsp;<strong>How much was that doggy in the window?</strong> Pet owners must understand that no matter what they paid for their pooch (or any pet), most homeowners insurance policies exclude any damage or injury to animals. So if your pet is injured or killed in a fire or other disaster, it is not likely a consumer will be able to claim it as a loss with your insurance company.<br /> &bull;&nbsp;<strong>Cruisin&rsquo; with canines.</strong> Some auto insurers are now including a pet clause which allows for a certain amount of coverage for expenses relating to a dog&rsquo;s injuries in the event of an accident when a dog is in the vehicle. <strong>Beyond cats and dogs.</strong> Does one of your client&rsquo;s little princess want a pony? Or maybe a future farmer wants a baby goat? These types of gifts are not uncommon, especially with the popularity of state fairs, livestock competitions and youth agriculture programs. Families who are considering the purchase of horses, goats, calves, pigs and other farm animals may want to consider livestock or animal mortality products that cover certain losses, including drowning and electrocution. These are considered specialty products, though.<br /> <br /> </span><span style="font-family: verdana, helvetica; font-size: 13px;"><em>The survey was conducted for Trusted Choice&reg; via telephone by International Communications Research (ICR), an independent research company in Media, Pa. Interviews of a nationally representative sample of 1,048 households were conducted in November 2010. The survey has an overall margin of error of +/- 3.1%.<br /> </em></span>urn:uuid:2eb6f768-9e17-4f65-beeb-04502bf776cdFree Car Seat Safety Checks (Limited number of appointments available.) Performed by Burnsville Police Department and ABRA Auto Body &amp; Glass on Saturday, December 4 from 9:00 AM &ndash; 2:00 PM WHERE:&nbsp; Progressive&reg; Insurance&nbsp; 12450 ...Tue, 23 Nov 2010 13:06:02 -0600<p style="text-align: left;">Free Car Seat Safety Checks (Limited number of appointments available.)</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Performed by Burnsville Police Department and ABRA Auto Body &amp; Glass on Saturday, December 4 from 9:00 AM &ndash; 2:00 PM</p> <p style="text-align: left;">WHERE:&nbsp; Progressive&reg; Insurance&nbsp; 12450 River Ridge Lane &ndash; Burnsville, MN 55337</p> <p style="text-align: left;">BE SURE TO:&nbsp; Call 952-707-6100 to schedule an appointment*</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Keeping our kids safe in today&rsquo;s world can be a challenging effort. Be sure you&rsquo;re using the correct car seat for your child and that it </p> <p style="text-align: left;">Iisinstalled properly.</p> <i> <p style="text-align: left;">Sponsored by:</p> </i> <p style="text-align: left;">Progressive&reg; Insurance, <i>ABRA Auto Body &amp; Glass, and the Burnsville Police Department.</i></p> <p style="text-align: left;">* Please expect a 1/2 hour for your appointment.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">Limited number of appointments available.</p> <p>&nbsp;BUTLER &amp; ASSOCIATES INSURANCE - COMMITTED TO KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE</p>urn:uuid:c0c8cbcb-4fca-4f62-8277-a2c398e91dd2The 2010 Ham Lake Snowbowl is now history and as we look forward to our event recap, I can only reflect on all the positive things coming out of a community event like this.  First, businesses and the Ham Lake Area Chamber of Commerce all put in a gi...Sat, 20 Feb 2010 18:16:15 -0600<p style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">The 2010 Ham Lake Snowbowl is now history and as we look forward to our event recap, I can only reflect on all the positive things coming out of a community event like this.  First, businesses and the Ham Lake Area Chamber of Commerce all put in a gigantic effort behind the scenes to make this event possible.  Then there was Ralph, the grateful recipient of the car that Free2Be GAVE him to replace his other vehicle which was consumed by a fire.  Also, there was the initiative by Quad Central Motorsports to partner with the Chamber and host our first annual ice fishing contest.  I had numerous youthful contestants remark how they won something.  The comment I remember most vividly was the one of the young lady who won her own fishing pole (in Viking Purple)!  Thanks to John, Dan, and all the volunteers that made this possible.  I stopped in to thank John on Monday and he was already making plans for next year’s event.<br />     The list goes on; there was the broomball tournament, the dedication of the fishing pier to "Tony" Fitzloff, a fallen Anoka County Sheriff, the Winter Golf, dog sled races, rides, and Skijoring.  WOW.  I cannot wait until next year.  Then there was the evening dance-music provided by Retro Six with dance lessons before hand with Shannon and Bill see them at <a href="http://www.shannonandbill.com/">www.shannonandbill.com</a> .  Thanks to the Majestic Oaks group (Dan and Sarah) for making this event a huge success.<br />     I like to extend a very special thanks to U-Pull R-Parts as the major sponsor this year, and, of course, a thanks to all the other sponsors who participated this year.  <br />     Finally, thank you from all of us to Chris Mickman of Mickman Brothers who is the father of this event and continues to guide prod push and pull this event together year after year.  Chris, thank you from all of us!<br /> <br /> Dan Butler   Butler &amp; Associates Insurance<br /> President of the Ham Lake Area Chamber of Commerce</p> urn:uuid:d5615151-63d2-475b-b91f-83e6a60467cbHardy Minnesotans are invited to enjoy winter festivities in Ham Lake Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 during the fourth annual Ham Lake Snowbowl. There will be plenty of activities to watch or participate in - dog sledding, dog pulling...Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:50:40 -0600<p style="text-align: left;">Hardy Minnesotans are invited to enjoy winter festivities in Ham Lake Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 during the fourth annual <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ham Lake Snowbowl</span></strong>. <br /> <br /> There will be plenty of activities to watch or participate in - dog sledding, dog pulling, skijoring, miniature golf, frisbee golf, broomball, ice fishing, expos of businesses and snowmobiles, snow sculptures, a variety of children’s games and helicopter rides. <strong>Stop in and see Dan and Linda Butler in the heated expo tent, next to the main tent. Enter our drawing for free AAA Auto Club Memberships!<br /> </strong><br /> Park at any of these four Ham Lake locations. A shuttle bus will transport people to and from Ham Lake Park starting at 8 a.m. and until 3:45 p.m.</p> <ul> <li> <p style="text-align: left;">Ham Lake Park (east of Highway 65 on 153rd Avenue)</p> </li> <li>Ham Lake Lanes (16465 Highway 65 N.E.)</li> <li>Glen Cary Lutheran Church (15331 Central Ave. N.E.)</li> <li>Quad Central Motorsports (16421 Aberdeen St. N.E.)</li> </ul> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Snowbowl Snowball dance</span></strong><br /> The first Ham Lake <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Snowbowl Snowball dance</span></strong> will kick off at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 at the Majestic Oaks Golf Club, 701 Bunker Lake Blvd. N.E. The cover charge for the dance is $8 for singles and $15 for couples. A cash bar and appetizers will be available. Casual attire is encouraged.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong><em>There will be swing dance lessons by Bill and Shannon Butler from 7 to 8:30 p.m.</em></strong> A Minneapolis band, Retro Six, will start playing a selection of music from the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s and 1980s starting at 7:45 p.m.</p> urn:uuid:373ec5ba-9b7d-4f3f-a4c1-36f55d8aa061We will be posting insurance updates for the industry for state and national updates that will affect our clients along with current things to look out for within the insurance industry.&nbsp; We will be focusing on home, auto, motorcycle, boat and o...Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:19:07 -0500We will be posting insurance updates for the industry for state and national updates that will affect our clients along with current things to look out for within the insurance industry.&nbsp; We will be focusing on home, auto, motorcycle, boat and other specialty insurance.&nbsp; Another main focus for our agency is insuring investment property in the greater&nbsp;Minneapolis and&nbsp;St. Paul area.<br><br>Bill