Did The Grinch Spoil Your Holiday?

Posted under Homeowner’s Insurance, News and Announcements, Personal Insurance, Safety.

NL only shopping sWe are getting closer to the peak holiday shopping season. We would like to provide all our clients with a few reminders about how to be safe and to prevent your gifts and other purchases from being stolen. Shopping during the holiday season can present unique dangers, but following a few prevention measures can help keep your holiday season joyous.

Please keep these safety tips in mind, so that you can enjoy the season without incident:

Shopping Safety Tips

  • Always be aware of your surroundings.
  • Don’t leave purchased merchandise in your parked car where it can be seen. If you take purchases to your car and then continue shopping, always put your purchases in the trunk.
  • Police advise you to remove the GPS unit and if necessary, take it with you. That includes even the suction cup, if that can be removed.
  • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Pay for purchases with checks, credit or debit cards. Carry your cash and wallet in a front pocket to reduce your chances of having your pocket picked.
  • NEVER leave car doors unlocked or windows open.
  • Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
  • ALWAYS park in lighted areas. Do NOT park in remote areas.
  • Shop with a friend.
  • Keep receipts in your wallet or purse.
  • As you return to your car, be sure to keep your car keys in your hand.
  • If you make expensive purchases like jewelry or guns, call our office as we may need to add these to your policy.
  • Keep a record of all of your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.
  • Beware of strangers approaching you for any reason. At this time of year, con-artists may try various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking your money or belongings.

We hope you never have a loss or claim, but if you do, call our office as soon as possible. Remember your deductible will apply to all losses. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Brad Runnebaum and Jeff Hartman established PlatinumOne Insurance Agency in 2008. We are a full service insurance agency representing individuals, families and businesses in the Kansas City area. We are licensed professionals who are not limited to placing your insurance with just one carrier. We have the flexibility to choose the insurance company that best serves your individual needs. Having choices is our advantage and it benefits our customers.

 

 

 

The Most Common Insurance Claims In The Fall

Posted under Auto Insurance, Personal Insurance, Safety.

Did you know that the insurance industry can tell you what the most common claims are for each month? Insurance companies keep very accurate and detailed records of when claims occur and what kinds of claims occur in what month.

We thought it might be informative to let you know what kinds of claims occur in the fall season.

  • Rear-end collisions. These occur more in the fall due to changing weather and increased rain. If you’re following a car, leave at least four seconds of time between you and the car in front of you if going 45 mph.
  • Water damage. Damage as a result of rain or freezing pipes, occurs more often between October and December than in any of the other months.
  • Fires from candles, cooking, and fireplaces caused over 45% of the home fires in the fall months.According to gov, more than 2,500 people lose their lives in house fires each year, and another 12,600 are injured.
  • Theft from vehicles. From October through December, more cars are broken into at shopping malls, due to increased holiday shopping. Always place your packages out of sight in the trunk when going back and forth from your car to the stores.
  • Snow, ice and rain accidents. Winter weather, even in warmer parts of the country, creates increased hazards and accidents. 37% of all skidding and snow claims occur between October and December.
  • Home burglaries increase about 33% during the fall. Keep your doors locked, use motion detectors, and turn on your home alarm.
  • Accidents involving animals. The fall is prime time for deer and other animals to be moving, and often they are on the roads. Pay attention especially in the early morning and early evening.

With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Brad Runnebaum and Jeff Hartman established PlatinumOne Insurance Agency in 2008. We have established relationships with some of the top carriers in the industry including Travelers, Allied, Kemper, Encompass, Progressive and many others.

We are a full service insurance agency representing individuals, families and businesses in the Kansas City area. We are licensed professionals who are not limited to placing your insurance with just one carrier. We have the flexibility to choose the insurance company that best serves your individual needs. Having choices is our advantage and it benefits our customers.

What to Do When There Is a Deer in Your Headlights

Posted under Auto Insurance, Personal Insurance, Safety.

As the outdoor temperature gradually drops, animal activity and deer-vehicle accidents increase. Every year across the country, deer and other animals cause millions of dollars in vehicle damage as well as thousands of injuries and hundreds of fatalities. Whether you are taking your family on a trip through the woods or just traveling on business, the following safety tips are intended to save your life and prevent accidents.

Drivers should review their auto insurance policies since not all policies cover damage caused by deer strikes. Comprehensive coverage is optional insurance but it does cover deer strikes. If you only have collision coverage or liability coverage, your Louisiana insurance carrier will not cover damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with an animal.

Actions to Consider

  1. Heed the warning signs. Posted warnings of deer and animal crossing are there for a reason.
  2. Always drive at a safe speed.
  3. Many animals move around at dusk and early morning.
  4. Observe your surroundings. Actively scan the sides of the roads as you drive for any signs of wildlife.
  5. September through January is a time when deer and elk are particularly active.
  6. Deer and elk are herd animals, so if you see one, there may be more.
  7. Don’t rely on vehicle-mounted whistles or reflectors to keep deer away from your vehicle. Studies show they are not effective.
  8. Notify the local law enforcement agency if you have an accident with an animal.
  9. Contact the local emergency services if anyone is injured.
  10. If you have comprehensive coverage, deer accidents are covered. However, if you swerve to avoid hitting the deer and hit another vehicle, that would be considered collision coverage, and is many times more expensive for your insurer and you.

We hope you never have to worry about hitting a deer or other animal.  Please slow down and be safe. Taking simple precautions can be the difference between having an accident with a deer, and almost having an accident with a deer.

With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Brad Runnebaum and Jeff Hartman established PlatinumOne Insurance Agency in 2008. We have established relationships with some of the top carriers in the industry including Travelers, Allied, Kemper, Encompass, Progressive and many others.

We are a full service insurance agency representing individuals, families and businesses in the Kansas City area. We are licensed professionals who are not limited to placing your insurance with just one carrier. We have the flexibility to choose the insurance company that best serves your individual needs. Having choices is our advantage and it benefits our customers.

Now Is The Time To Think About The Winter That Is Coming

Posted under Homeowner’s Insurance, News and Announcements, Personal Insurance, Safety.

iStock_000016395160XSmall-150x150The weather has changed. Over the next number of months we will all be experiencing winter’s wrath. Now is the time to get your home, auto, RV, and boats ready for winter. Remember, we can help you with all your personal insurance needs.

Winter Checklist

  • Get your furnace serviced if needed. Turn on your furnace to make sure everything is working properly.
  • Clean your fireplace if necessary.
  • Check windows and doors for drafts and efficiency.
  • Get your motor boat out of the water, drain all fluids and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for winter storage. For more information, go here.
  • Make sure your RV is winterized. Here is some good information.
  • Check your inventory to verify that you have extra supplies like water, flashlights, food and candles on hand.
  • Purge all sprinkler system lines of water with an air compressor to prevent freezing and bursting.
  • Ice and snow can weigh down branches, so be sure to remove any that are hanging too close to the house.
  • Invest in a home energy audit.
  • Put a clean filter in your furnace.
  • Replace batteries in smoke detectors.
  • If you have any ceiling fans inside your home, know the rules; counter-clockwise rotation produces cooling breezes and clockwise rotation produces warmer air.

Good Time For An Insurance Check Up

Let PlatinumOne Insurance Agency provide you with an insurance check-up to make sure you have the best possible coverage. We have access to a number of different markets and can save you even more if you combine your home and auto together.

 

What Is Trending In The Insurance World

Posted under Commercial Insurance, Personal Insurance.

17685653_xxlEvery so often we think it is a good idea to talk about what may be happening regarding business insurance, personal insurance and risk management. We review many different insurance publications, insurance company bulletins and other professional’s opinions, to analyze these trends.

We hope you will consider these as part of your personal and business insurance review process.

Insurance and risk management trends to watch

With the recent cyber breachs, cyber liability is a hot issue. More firms are buying cyber coverage. Cyber threat is a hot, high profile issue these days throughout business and the insurance industry. The threat is real and the economic exposure potentially catastrophic. Basically, a company is liable for any damage, real or possible, caused by computer-based theft or vandalism. If attacked, a business is legally responsible for notification (ongoing communications with every individual whose records were possibly compromised) and it is liable in any legal action regarding identity theft.

There are more insurers entering the marketplace. While this can be a good thing, some of these insurers are not financially strong, which might lead to issues at a later date. We always recommend using stable and financially strong insurers.

Increased reliance on technology will lead to better run insurers and stable premiums. The development of advanced loss control analytic tools will revitalize insurers focus on claim reduction, and potentially lead to increased investments in loss control.

Term life insurance continues to be very competitive. This will continue to allow more and more people to have an interest in life insurance.

Mobile applications are one of the fastest growing areas of insurance. People are managing their insurance on-line, including premium payments.

Health insurance will cost more for most of Americans.

Retirement income innovations.  A groundswell of consumer interest in ensuring sufficient income in retirement has led to many innovative products for those planning retirement.

Let PlatinumOne Insurance Agency provide you with an insurance checkup to make sure you have the best possible coverage. We have access to a number of different markets and can save you even more if you combine your home and auto together.

Does Your Company Use Sub-Contractors?

Posted under Commercial Insurance, Safety.

Why Your Risk Just Went Up

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) unveiled a new standard for determining which employees are considered employees and which are considered contractors. Over that past few months, most government regulators have been cracking down on businesses that misclassify employees as contractors. These rules may make more businesses responsible for labor law violations committed by contractors and staffing agencies in wage and hour benefits.

Previously, employers were responsible only if they had direct control over working conditions. This ruling will impact temporary staffing firms which currently employ over 3 million people. In some cases, these “contractors” may be deemed joint employees.

Most State governments are cracking down on local businesses that try to skirt the employee/employer relationship by identifying certain individuals as contractors. Here is a good test:

The six factors, or questions, in the “economic realities” test include:

  1. Is the work an integral part of the employer’s business?
  2. Does the worker’s managerial skill affect the worker’s opportunity for profit or loss?
  3. How does the worker’s relative investment compare to the employer’s investment?
  4. Does the work performed require special skill and initiative?
  5. Is the relationship between the worker and the employer permanent or indefinite?
  6. What is the nature and degree of the employer’s control?

We are locally owned and operated out of Overland Park, Kansas and are strongly represented in all areas of the Kansas City metropolitan area including not only Kansas City, but also Olathe, Leawood, Lenexa & Shawnee.  We primarily write business in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties in Kansas but are licensed in the entire State.

Summer Is Over; Back To School Safety Tips

Posted under Homeowner’s Insurance, Personal Insurance, Safety.

 

MF schoolrfEveryone looks forward to the first few days of school; meeting old friends and finding the seat in the new classroom, all create an excitement this time of year. But as you get your kids ready for school we want to remind you of a few safety tips.

  • Make sure your children know their phone number, address, how to get in touch with their parents at work, how to get in touch with another trusted adult, and how to dial 9-1-1.
  • Remind your child not to walk, run, or ride his bicycle down railroad tracks. It’s illegal and dangerous.
  • Teach children not to talk to strangers or accept rides from someone they don’t know.
  • If your child walks to school, complete the walk a few times with them.
  • Make sure that your teen driver understands and obeys all traffic laws. Absolutely no texting or talking on a cell phone while driving.
  • Bright colored clothing will make your child more visible to drivers.
  • Bike riders should always wear a helmet.
  • Children should always board and exit the bus at designated locations that provide safe access to the bus or to the school building.

Are You Driving In A School Zone?

  • In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection.
  • Obey school zone speed limits.
  • Follow all laws pertaining to school buses.

Homeowner’s Insurance

Did you know that in most cases your homeowner’s insurance will provide liability coverage if your child injures a third party? Also, did you know that your homeowner’s insurance will provide loss or damage to personal property (subject to policy terms and conditions)?

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Brad Runnebaum and Jeff Hartman established PlatinumOne Insurance Agency in 2008. We are a full service insurance agency representing individuals, families and businesses in the Kansas City area. We are licensed professionals who are not limited to placing your insurance with just one carrier. We have the flexibility to choose the insurance company that best serves your individual needs. Having choices is our advantage and it benefits our customers.

Some information provided by American Red Cross and National Safety Counsel

How To Have A Safe Vacation

Posted under Homeowner’s Insurance, Personal Insurance, Safety.

bigstock-Concept-or-conceptual-black-pl-47908673-300x225As the summer vacation season approaches and thoughts turn to fun in the sun, getting on an airplane or even camping. Remember your homeowners insurance will cover your personal property while on vacation. If you plan on traveling to a foreign country, call our office for an insurance review.

Here are some tips to protect your data from prying eyes so you can have one less thing to worry about on your vacation.

  • Set a budget. Begin with the vacation as the finish line, and mark out the steps it will take to get there. Determine how much you want to spend on everything including hotels, gasoline, souvenirs and meals.
  • Don’t post on social media until you return.
  • Let a trusted neighbor know you will be away and have them keep an eye on your home. It is a good idea to leave your vacation address and telephone number with a neighbor so you can be reached in case of an emergency.
  • Be aware of any travel and health alerts at your destination
  • Write out a schedule and give it to a family member for safety purposes.
  • Make copies of all of your credit cards, important identification information, including your medical insurance cards, and your traveler’s checks.
  • Look for deals. You can find websites all over the internet that can help you score deals on hotels, amusement park tickets, airline travel and so on. Make sure you look for bargains after you set the budget.
  • Put inside and outside lights on timers.
  • Advise your alarm company and local police if you will be gone for an extended period.
  • Stop the paper and garbage service.
  • Don’t take expensive jewelry with you. Jewelry can get lost or be a target for thieves.
  • Never put your home address on your luggage tags. Write your phone number instead.
  • If you are traveling to a foreign country remember to study up on laws and customs. You will have a much better time if you understand the culture.
  • Make sure all electrical appliances are turned off.
  • Before you leave for vacation, you may decide to close your curtains to prevent people from peering inside your home to see whether you’re there. However, closed curtains also stop those who aim to help the police, your neighbors or friends from seeing inside your house

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Brad Runnebaum and Jeff Hartman established PlatinumOne Insurance Agency in 2008. We are a full service insurance agency representing individuals, families and businesses in the Kansas City area. We are licensed professionals who are not limited to placing your insurance with just one carrier. We have the flexibility to choose the insurance company that best serves your individual needs. Having choices is our advantage and it benefits our customers.

Now go and have a great time!

Boating Safety Tips From PlatinumOne Insurance

Posted under Uncategorized.

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The onset of spring sends many of us to the water to enjoy our watercrafts, which brings us to the important topic of boating/watercraft safety.  According to the U.S. Coast Guard, eighty eight percent of reported fatalities in 2012 happened on boats where the driver had not received boating safety training. Your boat will need insurance for watercraft liability, damage to the hull, and personal property.

Boat policies can cover damage to your boat, motor, trailer, and personal effects in the boat. Available coverage includes liability, medical payments, coverage for injury to a water skier and damage to the boat itself, sometimes called hull coverage. Availability varies by state and by insurance company. Even though boat insurance premiums are low, shopping your rate can sometimes save a substantial amount.

Here are some things to think about before you take your watercraft out:

Trip Pre Planning

  • Have a first aid kit and fire extinguisher onboard.
  • Make sure your gas tanks are vented and bilges are free of vapors, oil, waste, and grease.
  • Carry Coast Guard approved life jackets.
  • Service your motor at least once per year, or as recommended by the manufacturer.
  • View the hull for damage.
  • Consider taking a safety course.
  • We know you have a million things to do, but learning CPR should be on the top of the list. It will give you tremendous peace of mind.

Watercraft Safety

  • Follow all safety rules.
  • Be aware of weather conditions.
  • Have operable boat lights. Always test boat lights before the boat leaves the dock and carry extra batteries.
  • Never allow passengers to ride on gunwales, seatbacks or outside of protective railings, including the front of a pontoon boat. A sudden turn, stop or start could cause a fall overboard.
  • Follow speed laws around houseboats and docks.
  • Know your boat’s capacity and how to properly load it. An overloaded or improperly loaded boat can cause safety problems.
  • Have a working marine radio on board at all times and know how to use it.
  • Ventilate after fueling. Open hatches, run the blower, and check for fuel fumes before starting the engine.
  • Infants and young children are at a higher risk for hypothermia, so if you are taking a baby on a boat, just take a few extra precautions to keep your baby warm.

We are the smart way to buy insurance. As a leading Kansas City Independent Agency, we offer a broad selection of insurance policies, companies and financial services. We are licensed in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska and are not limited to placing your insurance with just one carrier. By representing multiple carriers such as Travelers, Allied, MetLife Auto & Home, Kemper, Hartford and Progressive, we have the flexibility to choose the insurance company that can best serve your individual needs. Having choices is our advantage… and it benefits you the customer

Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation

Posted under Personal Insurance, Uncategorized.

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Home Safety
As you head out this summer for that Griswold family vacation, take a few moments to protect your home so it will be there upon your return. While homeowner’s insurance covers many types of losses, the following facts and safety tips might just help prevent a loss from happening.

Home Burglary facts (Source FBI, Harris Interactive Polls)

• 23% of burglars get in through the back door.
• Homes with security systems have a 30% less chance of being targets.
• A majority of convicted burglars say they avoid homes with alarm systems.
• 20% of homeowners say they leave their doors unlocked.
• Burglars will use social media to select targets.
• The average cost to replace stolen items is $4,200.
• Almost 50% of homeowners do not have a home inventory.
• A home is broken into once every 15 seconds.

Home Insurance Vacation Safety Tips

1. Stop the paper and garbage.
2. Keep valuables in a locked safe.
3. Lock up all guns.
4. Tell neighbors about your trip. Have them watch for deliveries.
5. Don’t take all your credits cards on vacation, only take the ones you may need.
6. Use automatic lights to give the appearance of someone being at home.
7. Pay all your bills so that key utilities don’t get turned off.
8. Inform your credit card companies where you plan on traveling. This information will alert them to any fraud.
9. Mow the lawn before you go to make it look like you are at home.
10. Give you itinerary to a family member.
11. Don’t post vacation pictures on social media sites until your return home.
12. Have us complete a free home insurance review before you go.

With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Brad Runnebaum and Jeff Hartman established PlatinumOne Insurance Agency in 2008. We are a full service insurance agency representing individuals, families and businesses in the Kansas City area. We are licensed professionals who are not limited to placing your insurance with just one carrier. We have the flexibility to choose the insurance company that best serves your individual needs. Having choices is our advantage and it benefits our customers.