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Did you know that there are roughly 2.2 million farms throughout the United States? A lot of these farms don’t have the protection that they need. Farms that focus more on crops rather than livestock need specialized protection against the elements and more to continue to provide revenue for their farm. It’s estimated that 97% of these farms are family businesses, so it’s not just about the business but also about protecting the investments and the livelihoods of these American families. 

How can your farm be protected? Crop insurance is designed to protect farmers from loss, so they can continue to run their businesses effectively. This is a type of product liability insurance for fresh produce and farm goods. It will usually provide up to $1 million per occurrence with no deductible. This helps farmers get reimbursed for any losses they incur. Below are three protections that are provided by crop insurance. 

Frost

Depending on the location, frost can have devastating effects on a farm. If cold weather decides to come in early, farmers need to be protected from the damage that can occur from not being prepared. Crops differ in their susceptibility to frost, and there are steps you can take to extend the season. Typically, frost is followed by some warm and sunny weather before things really get cold for good. 

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are situations that constantly challenge agricultural production. Tornados, hurricanes, floods, fires, and earthquakes can strike without warning and farmers need to be prepared for the worst. Since agriculture strongly relies on the weather, climate, and water availability to thrive, it is easily impacted by natural events and disasters. Common agricultural impacts from these disasters include:

• Contamination of bodies of water
• Loss of harvest or livestock
• Increased susceptibility to disease
• Destruction of irrigation systems and other agricultural infrastructure

Theft

We don’t like to think about the possibility of crops being destroyed or stolen, but it is an unfortunate situation that does occur. When crops are stolen or destroyed, it can lead to a cut in revenue for the farm. Farmers who get insurance for crops don’t have to worry about the potential loss of revenue if they have the correct coverage.

Not everyone is able to work out in a gym. This could be because of lack of time or some may find it difficult to commit to a gym. Working out at your place of residence may be an easier way to get in your daily exercise. It’s important to work out and keep your body moving and functional as you get older. There are five simple exercises that are focused on functional fitness. Functional exercises are exercises that allow for someone to complete daily activities with ease. It is recommended that everyone does them – beginners, seniors, and even the best athletes – to perform to the best of their abilities. These five exercises are considered compound exercises that work all the major muscle groups in the body and as an additional plus side, the exercises can be completed anywhere. 

Squats

Many fitness experts actually say that doing squats is the one exercise everyone should do if you don’t have a lot of time. Daily squats can help you mentally and can even help you get better yearly checkups with your primary physician. The biggest benefit of squats is building leg muscles – quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. This exercise also creates an anabolic environment, which promotes body-wide muscle building, improving muscle mass.

Lunges

The biggest benefit of lunges is that the exercise effectively works the glutes and quadriceps while engaging with the hamstrings. Your metabolism can be sped up by strengthening these large muscle groups. With a fast metabolism, it can assist with weight loss. Lunges can help you shape, tone, and firm up your legs and glutes. Additionally, this exercise improves core strength and hip flexibility. 

Push-Ups

The most beneficial exercise for building upper body strength is push-ups. They work the triceps, pectoral muscles, and shoulders. If done with a proper form, they can also strengthen the lower back and core by engaging the abdominal muscles. Push-ups are a fast and effective exercise for building strength and they can be done anywhere and without any equipment.

Pull-Ups

Pull-ups focus on strengthening the back, arm, shoulder muscles, and grip. Strength and resistance training can increase your overall fitness level. When doing a pull-up, you’re lifting your entire body mass with the move. Studies show that strength training is important for promoting bone development and enhancing cardiovascular health.

Planks

One of the most effective core exercises to do. Not only will they help you strengthen your core but also will help improve your posture. A plank consists of being in an extended push-up pose and holding your core muscles. The plank is a bodyweight exercise. Bodyweight exercises are workouts that you can do with nothing but your own body and that’s a reason why it is a favorite of many people. 

Whatever your reason for needing to exercise in your own home, there are many simple exercises you can do. Keeping up your health is incredibly important and you don’t have to leave your home to maintain it.

While shopping around for car insurance, it’s important to know all the different factors that go into the price of your premium. Car insurance companies collect information on your vehicle, as well as additional factors, to help determine how much you need to pay for insurance. To speak specifically on the automotive factors, the insurance company may use your vehicle identification number (VIN) to access information and they may contact you directly for additional information needed. Below is a list of all factors that can have an impact on your car insurance:

• The vehicle production year
• The make and model of the vehicle
• Safety features of the vehicle
• Car alarm (if applicable)
• Total number of vehicles you currently insure

Additional Factors

As you know, car insurance is not just reflective of the car being insured. Two additional factors will have an effect on your car insurance coverage and price: the driver of the vehicle and the insurance company you go through. Below is a list of driver factors and insurance company factors that can potentially change your policy.

Driver Factors:

• The age of the driver
• The driver’s driving record
• Total number of drivers on the insurance policy
• The current credit score of the driver
• Homeownership
• Where the driver lives
• Grades (applicable to teen drivers)

Insurance Company Factors:

• Payment plan 
• Length of time insured
• Your state’s law

Keeping Your Limits and Deductibles In Mind

Limits on policies are the maximum amount that policy will pay towards a covered loss. Typically, most coverages within a policy have their own limit, but these can sometimes be adjusted to be tailored to your current needs. It’s common that the more coverages that you purchase, the higher your premium will be. The amount you agree to pay before insurance kicks in to help pay for a covered loss is known as your deductible. Settling on a higher deductible means that you will end up paying less for your policy.

Taking the leap into a new business venture is ambitious and thrilling. It’s basic industry knowledge that new businesses fall into sticky situations sometimes. As you start your business, it’ll be important to cover yourself and your team for the potential risks that come with it. Keep in mind that if you don’t have insurance coverage, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for any damages or legal claims made against you. Checking your state’s business insurance requirements will help you narrow down the policies you need for your new start-up. 

Basic Insurance Policies Your Start-Up May Need:

• Business Owner’s Policy
• General Liability
• Commercial Property Insurance
• Worker’s Compensation
• Commercial Auto
• Commercial Flood
• Commercial Umbrella
• Professional Liability
• Business Interruption

What Is the Total Cost of All The Policies? 

The price you end up paying for coverage will depend upon the type of business you will be running. The insurance rates for businesses vary by industry. Higher risk businesses will end up needing to pay more for their premiums. 

Once you begin to buy all of the insurance policies that you need, it’s important to be mindful of the deductibles that come with them. Your deductible is the amount that you will pay out of pocket for a claim before your insurance company will cover the rest of the expense up to the policy limits. Usually, a higher deductible can save you money on your premium, but you’ll pay more out-of-pocket if you need to make a claim.

You Only Need A Few Policies, Right?

The answer to this is, maybe. As mentioned before, the insurance needs of a new business can vary greatly based on industry. Below are listed some ways that could help you lower the cost for your start-up’s insurance:

• Comparing Coverage Options
• Bundling Policies
• Driving Safely
• Look Into Discounts

Classic, collectible or antique cars are not ordinary, everyday cars. This means that general auto insurance cannot fully protect this type of vehicle against damage or loss. There is not a book definition of a classic car. If a car’s value exceeds its original selling price, then it might be considered collectible and a candidate for specialized classic car insurance. In general, vehicles that might warrant classic car auto insurance include:

• Antique and classic cars, usually at least 25 to 30 years old
• Hotrods and modified vehicles
• Exotic and luxury autos
• Muscle cars
• Classic trucks

How To Qualify for Coverage

The age of a car is usually not enough to qualify for specialized classic car insurance. Requirements will differ from company to company. Below is a list of requirements that most cars must meet in order to qualify for classic car insurance:

• Limited use – The classic car in question cannot be used for everyday commuting or errands. It is possible that the policy will include mileage limitations and proof that the classic car is being properly garaged. In this case, your insurance may require you to own a personal vehicle.
• Secure storage – When your classic car is not in use, it must be stored in a locked and enclosed private structure. This could be a residential garage or storage unit. 
• A clean driving record – If you have serious offenses on your driving record, such as reckless driving, repeat speeding violations, or driving while intoxicated, you may not be qualified for class car insurance. 

Classic Car General Policies

Classic car policies include provisions that are found in standard auto insurance policies. Typically, these provisions are property damage and bodily injury liability coverage. There are some differences as listed below:

• The car’s value – There is not a set “book value” for specific makes and models because every car’s condition is unique. Your initial step for your classic car coverage is to work with your insurance provider to agree on the value of the vehicle. This agreed value will be specified in your policy and your car will be covered up to that value without depreciation. 
• Specialized repair or restoration – With classic car coverage, you should be given the flexibility to bring your classic car to a specialist—even if the rates are twice or three times the cost of a typical car repair at a traditional auto body shop.
• Special towing and spare parts – Coverage for towing and spare parts coverage need to be aligned with the cost of the service provided. Towing with the special demands of transporting a classic car. Spare parts need to be aligned with the cost of replacing valuable and perhaps hard-to-find vehicle components, such as wheels, transmissions, and engine parts.

Keep your prized automobile well protected. Speak to your agent today about adding specialized classic car insurance.

It’s no contest that your home is considered your most valuable possession. This is also one of the most vulnerable items in your possession. From weather accidents to flooding to property mishaps, damage can be easily done. It’s not just the outside of your home that will sustain the damage; your possessions inside will also require unique coverage. Valuable items insurance was created to help protect your possessions inside your home when problems arise. 

What Does It Mean To Have Insurance On Your Valuable Items?

When it comes to insurance most home, condo, and renters’ policies automatically cover most of your personal property anywhere in the world. This coverage typically includes items like furniture, clothing, and appliances. When it comes to items that are considered high value, there are some restrictions if the items have come into unfortunate circumstances (such as theft or item loss). Valuable items are considered to be items like jewelry, furs, silverware, or firearms. The basic policy will usually only cover upwards to $1,500 theft coverage for jewelry, watches or furs, $2,500 for theft of firearms, and $2,500 for theft of silverware. As a tip: there is no need to specifically list items that are covered. As the owner, you will only need to provide documentation of ownership to make a claim for the lost, stolen, or damaged item.

Is Valuable Items Insurance Right for You?

Do you think that the items in your possession are worth more than the limits of your homeowner’s insurance policies? If so, it may be a good time to invest in valuable items insurance. When the damage has already been done, it’s too late to purchase coverage. 

What if you own a piece of jewelry that may be worth almost $10,000? If this piece is stolen, your personal property insurance may only cover fifteen hundred dollars to replace the stolen piece. If this is the case, you would be at a personal loss of $8,500! Let’s say that you have several items that are of lesser value (gold necklaces or bracelets). This insurance policy would be worth investing in. It may appear as though you have plenty of coverage, but for valuable items, you need an extra layer of protection. No matter if the valuable items are jewelry or a nice set of silverware, you’ll want to take extra precaution to ensure that you have coverage for these items if something were to happen in the future. Valuable items insurance can provide you that protection – and some valuable peace of mind, too. 

Our pets are more than companion animals – they’re our family members. They live in our homes, sleep in our beds, and some people celebrate a pet’s, and even involve them in wedding ceremonies. Pets have become irreplaceable and hold such a huge value for the modern family. So when they get sick, we will do anything to make sure they are properly cared for. Here is where the big questions come in: is pet insurance worth it? What are the major benefits of having pet insurance? 

Did you know that many pet owners don’t register for insured pet policies? As we will discuss below, pet insurance is just as necessary as any other insurance we normally get. In view of this, here are a few reasons why getting pet insurance is a wise choice:

1. Peace of Mind

Having pet insurance can give you and your family peace of mind with the reassurance that your pet will be taken care of in the case of any unfortunate event that they may encounter. This allows you to choose the best medical treatment available so you will not have to worry about your pet’s health.

2. Saving Money

With pet insurance, you can refrain from using an emergency fund or travel savings when an issue with your pet arises. This can help you save thousands of dollars on unexpected times when your pet gets sick, get an injury, or needs surgery. Did you know that pet insurance can cover various injuries such as cancer, digestive issues, and diabetes?

3. A Rise in Veterinary Costs

The average veterinary bill can cost around $500 to $3000 depending on the pet’s reason for the visit. While veterinarians claim the inflation is caused by the development of drugs and medical technologies, many pet owners are not able to afford costs like these. Unfortunately, due to the expenses of veterinary visits, many pets die of sickness or not having proper medical care. Having pet insurance will give you financial solutions from pricey veterinary bills to allow you to take good care of your furry family member. 

4. Potential to Cover Pet’s Hereditary Condition

Many pets suffer from serious health problems and congenital conditions during their lifetime. Some of these conditions are inherited or caused by severe inbreeding. Experts have recommended getting pet insurance as quickly as possible if you wish to protect your family pet. Many pet insurance providers will include age limits or restrictions that may require you to pay an extra fee.

5. Flexible Policy Packages

An upside to investing in pet insurance is the option of flexible packages that fit your needs with your budget. You could choose to get an annual maximum package, deductible, or reimbursement percentage for services such as veterinary exams, surgeries, therapies, breed-specific conditions, and general pet care.

Living in a world with constant hustle and bustle can lead to accidents or illnesses occurring at the most inconvenient times. This could cause you to need to visit the hospital. You may be thinking, “If I have insurance through my employer, I don’t need any additional services.” But what if we told you that wasn’t necessarily true? What would you do if there was an emergency that you needed to go to the hospital? Your insurance received from your employer is not guaranteed to cover you when you go into the hospital. This is why Hospital Expense insurance was created. Hospital Expense insurance is there to protect you and your family from expensive out-of-pocket costs of hospital stays. 

The Drastic Rise in Hospital Costs

As we mentioned earlier, the world is full of hustle, bustle, and illnesses as we maneuver throughout our daily lives. It’s important, now more than ever, to prepare for the future. Protecting you and your family’s health has been pushed to the forefront. Here are some numbers of recent studies:

In 2018, the average annual premium for family coverage rose 5% to $19,616. For single coverage, premiums rose 3% to $6,896. Covered workers contributed 29% of the premiums for family coverage and 18% for single coverage. This means, on average, average workers will spend $5,688.64 for their family insurance premiums this year, and their employer will contribute the remaining $13,927.36. As shared above, the IRS defines an HDHP as any plan with a deductible of at least $1,350 for an individual or $2,700 for a family. But these are just base numbers. The average deductible for silver plans in the Affordable Care Act exchange this year is almost $4,000. And in the fast-food industry, many employers are only offering plans with the maximum out-of-pocket allowed. Currently, that’s a $7,150 deductible for an individual and double that for a family. The average amount of workers paid toward their deductibles rose 229% between 2005 and 2015, yet wages rose just 31% during the same period.

Are You Able to Cover the Cost on Your Own?

Everyone knows that hospital visits are expensive. When it comes to medical bankruptcy, hospital bills are the largest out-of-pocket expense people face. To truly see how expensive hospital visits are, look at the statistics below:

• Common ER procedures can cost as much as $17,797
• The average hospital stay costs over $10,700
• Fixing a broken leg can cost up to $7,500
• The average cost of a hospital stay for a heart attack is $20,086

Not to mention that for those with private health insurance, the out of pocket cost for a hospital stay is more than $1,000. According to a recent report by Bankrate, just 39% of Americans can cover an unexpected $1,000 bill with funds from their savings. When you put into consideration deductibles, copays, premiums, surprise bills, and everyday living expenses, $1,000 is a conservative amount but for the average American family, it’s still a very large sum. 

When shopping around for general health insurance, you’ve probably come across the term supplemental health insurance. Most will go with the overall health coverage and be done with the search, but what if something happens that isn’t covered by your overall care? That’s why supplemental health care options are created and offered – to cover any holes left by a health insurance plan. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some different types of supplemental health insurance coverage and how they can help protect you.

Dental Insurance 

Many people wish to prevent lasting damage to their teeth and gums that are essential to your long-term health. Some general health insurance plans will include dental coverage, but because dental insurance is not one of the required benefits of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the majority of plans will not include dental. When it comes to children, dental coverage is considered a required benefit and comes standard with all ACA-approved plans. Dental insurance works the same as health insurance with monthly premiums, copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Vision Insurance 

Under the normal health insurance terms, preventive care for your eyes, and prescription eyewear are not covered. Benefits like these, even laser eye surgery, can be acquired through vision insurance. Most vision insurance plans provide services at discounted rates in exchange for a monthly premium. 

Hospital Insurance 

This kind of insurance is also known as a “Hospital Indemnity Plan” and it provides coverage for hospital stays. The national average for an inpatient, single day hospital stay is more than $2,000, so hospital insurance can prove to be a worthy investment.

Accident Insurance 

Accident insurance is enacted to pay lump-sum cash benefits if you are injured in an accident. This supplemental insurance type can help to pay medical costs and living expenses while you are healing. The types of expenses that are covered often will include surgery, emergency treatments, hospital confinement, and physical therapy.

Critical Insurance 

Also known as “Critical Care Insurance,” this type of insurance provides coverage for illnesses like cancer, major organ transplants, stroke, heart attacks, kidney failure, and more. A few types of critical illness insurance plans are very specific to one particular type of illness or disease. If one is diagnosed, they may receive cash benefits paid per procedure or per round of treatment done. Typically, there will be a minimum daily benefit and a policy maximum.

Disability Insurance 

When you are sick or injured, health insurance will help out to cover the current medical bills coming your way. Disability insurance will help to retain some of your income if you become too sick or injured to continue working. Depending on the disability plan, some may pay out benefits only for an illness, while others pay for illness and injuries. 

With Summer officially starting, many people are beginning to hit the water. Are you looking to purchase a powerboat or a sailboat to use this summer? If you are, there is a good chance that you are looking into boat insurance as well. Did you know that only two states, Arkansas and Utah, legally require some type of boat insurance coverage? Make sure that you verify your state’s regulations on boating and boating insurance before committing fully to purchasing a boat for the summer months. 

What Does Boating Insurance Cover?

Below is a list of common boat insurance coverages:

• Property Damage Liability – covers the cost of damages to someone else’s property after an accident that is caused by you. In most cases, your property damage will pay out when you are at fault for an accident that causes damage to someone else’s boat or Personal Watercraft (PWC).
• Collision Damage – when your boat or PWC becomes damaged in an accident, collision insurance is an optional coverage that will pay for the cost of repairing or replacing your property minus the deductible amount.
• Bodily Injury Liability – this is the part of your insurance policy that pays for the costs associated with injuries to other people involved if you are found legally responsible for a boating accident.
• Hull Coverage – covers any physical damages that occur to your boat and generally includes trailers, equipment, motors and accessories. Common claims for this coverage include fire and windstorm damages.
• Fuel Spill Liability – a policy that separates out fuel spill liability and provides coverage for any fines that may occur from an accident involving a fuel spill from your property. 

How Much Boat Insurance Do I Need?

The answer to this question may come down to your individual tolerance for risk. As mentioned earlier, some states do have a minimum requirement for liability insurance coverage. It’s always important to check with your state government to verify if you are required to meet a coverage threshold. The amount of boat insurance you may need can depend on a number of factors such as the boat’s value, motor size, and age. Like other vehicles, high performance boats will likely command a higher level of coverage to compensate for the amount of potential damage they are able to inflict.

Ultimately, your independent insurance agent is your best resource when it comes to determining the level of boat insurance you need to safeguard your summer fun.