Tag Archive for: insurance

What DO You Need To Know About ATV Insurance?

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Ah yes, summer is here and we are all rejoicing! We may not be able to return to life as normal yet, but we can enjoy some classic Midwest summer moments. Whether you’re camping out, hitting the lake, hiking around Mounds Park, or snagging a sugary, crisp root beer from Gene’s on Scatterfield, you’re reveling in the summer heat to some degree (maybe 90?).

One of the many wonders that comes with summer is breaking out the ATV and riding through the trails, around the neighborhood, or up to Snow Castle for a cold treat! The thing is, you may be setting yourself up for disaster if you don’t have that ATV covered by insurance.

Here are four main things that insurance will cover with ATV’s, let go!

  1. Liability Coverage: This will protect you in the case of bodily injury and property damage (up to a certain amount) if you have caused the incident. Additionally, it will cover your legal fees if you are sued. 
  2. Collision Coverage: After an unfortunate accident where you drive the ATV into a lake (Ahem, I have done this at least once…) or crash into another vehicle, pole, house, you name it, this coverage has your back to pay for the damages!
  3. Comprehensive Coverage: This one’s generally optional, but it will make sure you’re taken care of in the event that the ATV is stolen, vandalized, or damaged by fire and/or weather. You can’t foresee any of that happening, so it’s probably best to go ahead and stack this on top of your average coverage. 
  4. Uninsured/Underinsured Coverage: Another optional form of coverage that insures you if someone else causes an accident with your ATV and they don’t have the expenses to cover the damage. 

One last thing to remember regarding ATV insurance is the way you have it insured. If you have the ATV covered under your home insurance, then it’s best not to take it off the property. You see, if the ATV is involved in an accident off of your property, then it was technically uninsured, and you may be liable for damages done out of pocket! That sounds like summertime sadness to us. 

Now, if you have the ATV individually insured, then you are free as a bee to drive it all over (abiding traffic and city laws of course, no delinquents here!) town without worry of personal liability in the event of an accident. Everything mentioned above will ensure that you and your ATV are taken care of.

Go ahead and give us a call at or shoot us an (765)-644-8847 email at hwsm@hotmail.com to get a meeting set up with one of our insurance specialists today!

As always, we are looking out for you, your loved ones, and everyone else too! Happy summer!

Article written by contract writer and digital media coordinator: Candace Cox. You can reach her at socials@howardwebbins.com or candacecox96@gmail.com.

 

Candace Cox
Contract Writer &
Digital Media Coordinator

Retaining Customers During (and After!) Coronavirus

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We are all well aware of the current situation and pandemic that has struck the whole world, and if you aren’t…well, all you need to do is look at just one screen for five minutes, and you’ll be somewhat informed.

Anyways, for those of you who have been keeping up with COVID-19 and the numerous hurdles it has brought about, then you may be interested in how it’s been affecting business. 

There are dozens of ways you can ensure that customers will return (and want to return) to your business following Coronavirus, but we’ve done our research and narrowed down a list of XX tips for retaining happy customers!

Proactive Communication:

The number one thing to remember in any relationship, is communication! Seriously, how many times has grandma said this as her token piece of advice when you ask about how her and grandpa have been together for seventy years? Well, it’s because it’s true! Customers understand what’s happening, and won’t fault you for a delay in shipment, pause in taking orders/applications, and so on. They will, however, look down on you if you stay silent about what’s going on with your business. If you plan on reopening at a certain point, tell them! If you plan on closing your doors forever, tell them! All they want, is to know what’s going on. So let them in, just like grandma gets grandpa to open up!

Gift Cards:

Crazy, right? Well gift cards give you a chance to catch your breath while you figure out the next steps for your business. It’s instant cash flow in, without any cash flow going out! This is especially helpful if you have yet to set up an ecommerce store yet, or if you are truly unable to ever do this (i.e. classes, restaurants, gyms, ect.)! Additionally, this little tactic ensures that you will have customers returning to your store when everything lifts and we all go running to the streets to shop, hug, and talk without a mask on! 

Streaming:

This one may seem a little out of your wheelhouse if you’re no attune with social media and online marketing, but it’s pretty vital in getting your customers to stick around. This one sort of relates back to communicating with your customers, by making yourself available to them virtually, they are able to ask questions, see what you’re up to, and feel like they are a part of the business (which means they’ll want to see it succeed too). Bonus, this will probably help your social media grow too, because the more views and engagement you get, the more social platforms will push you to other customers!

Online Events: 

Similar to the previous tip, but make this one more curated. Consider having speakers, creatives and artists, industry leaders, and so on come on your socials for a virtual event that customers can sign up to attend. This will allow you to add them to an email list, which means you can reach them in the future with promotional emails, business updates, and sales. It’s good to build this list because you’ll have people in your circle and be able to foster that communication we talked about earlier!

Discounts:

Oh boy, did you see this one coming? This is a great tool to garner traffic to your site, interest from customers and prospective buyers, as well as attention from others in your niche. Now, don’t go bonkers and hemorrhage your business with sales, but giving a few discounts here and there will make customers feel appreciated because you are understanding their possible financial crises; and, who doesn’t love a sale? This could bring in new customers that are at home, bored, and looking for something new to jazz up their daily walk to the fridge!

As always, we are looking out for you! If you’re looking to insure your business, life, car, home, or anything else, then give us a call at (765)-644-8847 or email us at hwsm@hotmail.com.

Article written by contract writer and digital media coordinator: Candace Cox. You can reach her at socials@howardwebbins.com or candacecox96@gmail.com.

 

Candace Cox
Contract Writer &
Digital Media Coordinator

10 Points to Keep in Mind for Auto Insurance

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Figuring out the right auto insurance policy for your personal needs can be daunting, but we have written up a list of ten important things to remember when you speak with your insurance agent, that way you get the best deal possible. So let’s get to it!

Image of car crushed by stone via pixabay user mabelyeap.

The whole house:

You must make sure that all drivers living in your household are declared. If a resident relative lives with you they must be on the policy. If you have a roommate, they won’t typically need to be declared, unless they do not have their own car and insurance. 

Wanna save a little?…Or a lot!:

Most companies offer a significant discount for paying the premium in full for the policy term. Take advantage of this, as it can save you hundreds of dollars per year.

Let’s do the math together:

Many people look only at the price of auto insurance, without understanding the coverage.  The liability limit you choose is critical in protecting you, and your family’s future(s). For instance, if you have only state minimum coverage of $25,000 per person injured / $50,000 for all injuries in an accident / $25,000 for property damage, you are leaving yourself exposed to potential disaster. If you were to strike a newer vehicle worth $40,000, your insurance would pay up to the $25,000 limit for property damage and you would be responsible for the remaining $15,000. It’s even worse with the possible bodily injuries that could occur. If you injure someone and they have to stay in the hospital, bills can easily reach $100,000. If you only have $25,000 per person injured, you will be responsible for the remaining $75,000! Buying too little insurance is far more expensive than buying the right amount.

Image of paper house, family, and car in front of grass background via pixabay user Tumisu.

A policy can’t always be there for you:

Understand the limitations on roadside assistance and rental car coverage. Many policies only allow a small number of incidents every year, and many will only reimburse you for the expenses incurred, including rental cars needed when your car is in the repair shop due to a claim. Look closely, it may be much better to buy a towing service, like AAA, instead of using an insurance claim to cover it.  

You don’t drive much:

If you drive less than 8,000 miles per year, make sure you let your agent know. There may be low usage classes for your vehicle to help reduce cost, while maintaining the same valuable coverage!

Don’t skimp out:

Buy your insurance from an ‘A’ rated company. This means they have the financial reserves to make sure they can pay any claim. Unrated companies may be cheaper, but they provide far less value. Don’t confuse price and value when buying insurance. If they go out of business and you have a claim, you will wish you had bought insurance from an A rated company. You deserve more value for your hard earned dollars!

Image of luxury home and car via pixabay user ArtisticOperations.

Be diligent:

Set yourself up for success during a claim. If you are in an accident, call the police whenever possible, no matter how little the damage. This single act protects you more than any other. Get the police report number from the officer, take pictures of the license plate and vehicle involved, get contact/insurance policy information from the other driver, and collect witness information from all witnesses at the scene. By doing this, your agent can help file a claim with the other driver’s insurance if it was their fault. If there is a dispute on what occurred, you will have witness names, driver information, and pictures of the scene to back up your claim.

Be proactive:

If you ever get a ticket, or get in an accident, let your agent know immediately. In most states, they will need to file a “Certificate of Compliance” with the BMV to prove you had insurance on that date. If you do not do this, the BMV will suspend your drivers license!

Protect the treasure:

If you have a collectors vehicle, or a high value vehicle, never put it on a standard auto policy with an “Actual Cash Value” payment method. It is far better to use a specialty insurance company and add the vehicle as an “Agreed Value Vehicle”, to make sure you will be taken care of, should it be damaged. Not doing this can cause thousands of dollars in unpaid damage to your prized possession!

Get those savings:

Whenever possible, schedule your ATV, golf cart, motorcycle, or RV on your auto policy for a large savings in premium, versus a stand alone policy. There are times when a stand alone policy is appropriate, especially for high value assets, but most often putting them on the auto policy is the way to go.

As always, we here at Howard Webb Insurance want to see you living your best, most secure life! Be sure to consult your insurance professional in regards to all of these tips, to ensure that you are properly insured. Or reach out to us via phone, (765) 644-8847, or  email, hwsm@hotmail.com, to get you on the road to safe and protected driving today!

** This list is in no particular order. This list is meant as a general guideline to purchasing insurance and does not apply to all insurance agencies and situations. You should always obtain coverage advice that has been reviewed by an insurance professional that is licensed in the state in which you reside. This is purely an informational list for you to consider. **

Article written by contract writer and digital media coordinator: Candace Cox. You can reach her at socials@howardwebbins.com or candacecox96@gmail.com.

Candace Cox
Contract Writer &
Digital Media Coordinator

Imagine This: The Lost Spouse

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We’re introducing a new series here on our blog today to shift your thinking into the possibilities that could befall you if you fail to have coverage on your life, home, car, and more. Please read on with an open mind, and know that we are here for you and your loved ones, always.

Stock image of woman looking out over a mountain at sunrise.

Imagine with us for a moment. You and your spouse have been happily married for five years, and you’ve just had your first child. A beautiful baby girl, congratulations! A few more years pass, and when your husband goes in for a general health check up they find that he has a severe lung disease, and doesn’t have more than a year left. You’re understandably caught up in the grief of this news that you start missing work, your husband can no longer get out of bed and must leave his job, and before you know it you’re dipping into your savings to cover your general living costs, and the outrageous medical bills that show up every month. 

Fast forward a year. Your husband has passed away, you’ve been let go from your job, and your little girl is just about to start school. In all the stress of losing your spouse you come to find that you never set up life insurance to protect your family. You find yourself moving back in with your parents, working odd jobs, and picking up extra hours to cover the bills that continue to stack up. You’re at a loss and it seems like the rest of the world just continued on turning, when all you needed was for it to stop for a minute. 

Before this becomes your story, and we hope it’s never the case, turn to Howard Webb Insurance to cover your life in protection, safety, and security. Set up a meeting with a specialist today, and prepare for tomorrow.

Article written by contract writer, Candace Cox. You can reach out to her at socials@howardwebbins.com or candacecox96@gmail.com.

Candace Cox
Contract Writer &
Digital Media Coordinator

You Insure Your Phone, but Not Your Life?

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A shattered screen, a tumble into a puddle (or maybe the toilet!), a forgetful moment at a restaurant, an unfortunate act of theft. These are a few of the reasons many choose to insure their cell phones.

broken phone screen image

Yes, these tiny computers that can answer just about every question or need you may have, but the reality is, they’re entirely replaceable. Sure, you may lose some photos from that trip to Florida, but how many palm tree pictures do you really need? You might have to ask the question, “Sorry, I got a new phone! Who is this?” when you receive a text or call from an unknown number because the lost contacts. And yeah, you will probably have to re-download your apps, sign back into all of them, and update everything that you had been putting on the back-burner for a few months. 

The thing is, you have really only lost time when you go through replacing a phone, but you insured it, so it was just one small fee, or maybe even free!

If you bother to insure a cell phone, which is ultimately replaceable and simply just an object to make your life run smoothly, how can you justify not insuring you and your loved ones’ lives? Why would you risk not providing financial security for your chosen beneficiaries? Why put your family in a place of doubt and stress, but protect something as trivial as a phone?

Set up a meeting with a Howard Webb Insurance specialist today to secure the future for yourself, and your loved ones, today. It’s as simple as picking up the phone and calling 765-644-8847, sending a quick inquiry to hwsm@hotmail.com, or visiting the Howard Webb Insurance office located in Alexandria or Anderson.

Article written by contract writer, Candace Cox. You can reach out to her at socials@howardwebbins.com or candacecox96@gmail.com.

 

Candace Cox
Content Writer &
Social Media Coordinator

What to Know About Welcoming Employees Back to the Workplace Following COVID19

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We are all well aware that we are living in a new chapter of this world, that this moment will be chronicled in history books for our children to learn from.

What will the chapter objectives be though? We can imagine that it will highlight the socioeconomic impact, the culture that evolved from the quarantine (Yes, your TikTok could very well be embedded into the digital textbooks; I hope it was good!), the precautions made by individual governments, the backlash when citizens grew into their unrest and lack of haircuts, and of course, the precautions made by all who ventured out of their houses when the spike began to diminish. 

What do you want those textbooks to say about how your employees fared in the workplace following the pandemic? Well we at Howard Webb have created a guide for you to ponder as you begin welcoming your work force back to the physical office, and away from the never ending Zoom meetings. 

Physically Safe:

To start things off, you need to ensure that you are following the guidelines set forth by the CDC in regards to the actual cleanliness, and the policies to uphold them, in your office.

Aside from providing the basics of hand sanitizer, masks, and socially distanced work stations, it would be wise of you to disinfect the facility before reopening.

As this section itself could be an entire post, we have decided to simply link you to the CDC’s website that will guide you through all steps to ensure you have the most accurate representation of what to do and what not to do! Check it all out here!

Emotionally Safe: 

There will be many feelings surrounding the pandemic. Some people will be distraught over the loss of their loved ones and experiences, others will be indifferent about everything and simply not care about the pause the Earth took, and then there will be those that are bitter and angry about any aspect of the pandemic. Each of these individual’s feelings are valid, and they need to be heard. 

Taking the time to listen to your employees grievances (or lack there of) will be beneficial for you in the long run when it comes to operating your business. Whether you choose to hold a staff meeting where your employees are given the opportunity to share their feelings, or you hold one on one check ins with each of your employees, or choose to do both, they will be thankful that you made the effort to allow their voices to be heard. 

An article written on the Smarp blog page shares a variety of statistics regarding employee engagement in the workplace, and its effects on business growth and revenue. Would you be surprised to hear that 69% of employees say they would work harder if they were better appreciated? It’s definitely something to consider!

Addressing the Stereotypes:

Whether we like it or not, there are going to be stereotypes that follow the COVID19 outbreak. There will be individuals who play the blame game; which, looking for a source to take your less than jolly emotions out on, is actually a natural human instinct.

You may have employees who contracted Coronavirus, overcame their sickness, and are now on their way back to their desks. First thing to note is that no one is obligated to share their medical history with their coworkers, and that needs to be shared with all your employees to ensure that no one feels pressure to “come clean”, because there is no shame surrounding their previous illness.

We suggest holding a meeting to discuss the previous point, as well as that the stigmas about the virus, and those who have been afflicted by it, will not be tolerated. The employees who were themselves, or had family, that were physically affected will be thankful and feel safe in your business, and the ones who have been lucky to evade COVID19 may develop a better understanding of the pandemic, but it will ultimately further the safe space you want to foster in your business. 

Looking to the Future:

There will be many changes and shifts as time and the downturn of Coronavirus progresses, but paying attention to your employees wants and needs should always be a prevalent part of your business structure. Maybe this is a wake up call for you as you run your business? Maybe this was already something on your mind? Regardless of where you were before reading this article, we at Howard Webb hope to see you, and your employees, getting started on the right foot as you return to your workplace.

As always, we are here for you, and we are rooting for you!

Article written by contract writer, Candace Cox. You can reach out to her at socials@howardwebbins.com or candacecox96@gmail.com.

Candace Cox
Contract Writer & Digital Marketer