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Hosting a Super Bowl Party?
There Could Be More than Team Pride on the Line
Hosting a Super Bowl party is a great way to cheer on your team if you can’t make it to the stadium in Indianapolis this Sunday, but make sure you know and manage the risks of hosting the big game day party. In many states, individuals hosting parties can be held liable in cases where a guest or third party is injured in an accident related to alcohol consumption at your event. Hosts have been held responsible for medical bills, vehicle repair costs, lost time from work, and even wrongful death. You could also be held liable if a guest or even the pizza delivery driver has a slip and fall accident while on your property. Trusted Choice® independent insurance agents recommend that those planning to host Super Bowl parties this year review their homeowners, renter’s or comprehensive general liability (CGL) insurance policy and ensure they have adequate liability coverage if sued and found liable for accidents that arise from their hosting of a Super Bowl party. While all partygoers and hosts alike should be responsible and know their limits and take care in snowy or icy conditions, consumers need to acknowledge that most risks cannot be eliminated entirely. But planning ahead and learning about what’s involved in hosting a reception is the best defense.
Liability Coverage Tips:
• If hosting a Super Bowl party, individuals should look to the liability portion of their homeowners or renters insurance policy to provide them protection if they are sued and found liable for an accident involving a guest who drank at their home.
• Purchasing a personal “umbrella” liability policy—that can provide $1 million or more in additional coverage over the limit offered by a standard homeowners or renters policy—may be a prudent move for the frequent party host. This type of coverage can cost as little as $125 a year.
Party Host Safety Tips:
Limit guest list to those you know.
Make sure your driveway, sidewalks and your porch are clear of snow or ice for guests and delivery people.
Ensure your home’s entry is in good condition, free of loose or broken pieces on stairwells and walkways to avoid the chance of injuries on your property.
Make sure there is adequate outdoor lighting.
Provide filling food for guests and alternative non-alcoholic beverages.
Schedule activities or entertainment not involving alcohol. If the party centers on drinking, it is likely that guests will drink more.
Arrange transportation or overnight accommodations for those who should not drive home.
Stop serving alcohol well before the time the party is to end. For the Super Bowl, stop serving at half-time.
Do not serve guests who are visibly intoxicated.
Consider hiring an off-duty police officer to discretely monitor guests’ sobriety or handle any alcohol-related problems as guests leave.
Stay alert yourself, always remembering your responsibilities as a host.
If you’re hosting the big game this year, contact your Trusted Choice® independent insurance agent before the game to make sure you’re properly covered.
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Want To save up to 30% on your auto insurance? This is a great review on Progressive's new product available here at Boxler Insurance. It's not for everyone, but may be worth talking to us about.
How I Spent My Spring Break
Dear Mom and Dad,Spring Break is a blast, wish you were here. The ocean is just beautiful, and the water is so clear you can almost see the jellyfish before they sting you. Boy those little suckers really hurt! I think I might remember where I left my wallet, too. I sure hope so, cause for the past few days I have been existing on a diet of Chicklets that I purchased from one of the roadside natives here. I tell ya, people can be very friendly to tourists. Just yesterday, some people told me to take a hike. I thought that was very nice of them to suggest recreational activities. Unfortunately, since the airline lost one of my bags on the way down here, I didn't have my hiking boots, and when that lizard bit my ankle, it hurt almost as bad as falling down that hill afterwards.Thankfully, my friends were able to assemble a makeshift stretcher to help me get back to the main road, and boy were we ever relieved when that nice man in the truck came by to give us a ride to the clinic. At least, I think it was a clinic. I mean, there were cots there with a bunch of sick people laying on them, and I really think that if we had waited just a little longer, someone would have assisted us eventually. I'm really not sure. I was kind of beginning to pass out from the pain and none of the people dressed like nurses spoke English. My buddy had his translation dictionary with him, and although he tried to get help, it seems the clinic wouldn't treat me unless I paid them first. Unfortunately, they did not accept Chicklets.Don't worry about me though, my foot is still black but I am beginning to get the feeling back in my toes which is certainly a good thing when you're sleeping outdoors. There are some crazy insects around here! I sure wish the hotel wouldn't have lost my reservation.You know what mom and dad? I've been thinking about how you told me to get trip insurance from Boxler Insurance. I guess I didn't think I would need it, but it sure would have been nice to have someone who could have gotten me a new hotel room, or some emergency cash when I lost my wallet, or bought me some new boots, or paid the clinic so they would treat me and get me back home safely. Just like you would have done yourself if you were here. For under 2 bucks a day, a travel medical plan could have protected me and given you peace of mind, too. But don't worry about me, mom and dad! I think I might be coming home soon. I found a company that does medical evacuations, and although it is a bit costly, at least I'll be safe. And I promise, I will totally pay you back the Fifty Thousand Dollars just as soon as I can.
3/2/2011
Spring break travel is about relaxation and fun—don’t let your vacation be ruined by identity theft. Take a look at the following tips provided by EMC and ID Theft 911.
Use a PIN-based ATM card instead of a debit card.
Leave your checkbook, debit cards and all but two credit cards at home.
Closely watch who has your credit cards and for how long. Frequently check credit and bank account activity on a secure computer or by phone.
Tell your banks and credit card companies about your travel plans, and give them your cell phone number in case they notice unusual charges.
Don’t access personal or financial information on public computers, and when using your own laptop, make sure that the wireless system you’re using is legitimate and secure.
Use a hotel safe when available. Assume your locked hotel door will never be “locked.” Many people you don't know will have access to your hotel room.
Never leave personal information in a rental car.
Never share specific vacation plans on social networking sites.
2/24/2011
What to do in case of an auto accident
With Winter driving conditions upon us, it's good to review what to do!
STOP immediately, but do not obstruct traffic.
ASSIST injured. Have someone call police.
SECURE names, phone numbers, addresses of other drivers, witnesses, injured persons.
SECURE make, model, license numbers of all cars involved.
SECURE insurance company, policy number and agent of other persons involved.
DON'T hastily accept claim settlements at the scene of accident.
REMAIN calm, courteous and consistent in your version of accident.
NOTIFY your insurance agent as soon as possible.
For a free information exchange form to keep in your car, stop by our office.
2/22/2011
Grain Bin Freezing & Bursting
We received the following memo from Farmers Alliance regarding frost buildup on grain bins that may cause damage to the bin roof:
Subject: Grain Bin Freezing and Bursting -- Loss Prevention Suggestions
We have noticed increased frequency of a somewhat unusual loss phenomenon in your state. Because this is relatively new to us, we have been in contact with an expert on loss prevention measures for this type of loss.
According to Dr. Kenneth Hellevang of the Agricultural & Biosystems Engineering Department at North Dakota State University,
“Frost and ice may form on grain bin vents at temperatures near or below freezing. Moisture from the air condenses and freezes on the cold metal surfaces. The accumulation can seal the vent so air cannot flow through the vent. A fan used for grain drying and aeration develops pressures of 4 to 6-inches of water. This is about 21 to 31 pounds per square foot pushing on the roof. Even though this seems like a small pressure, it is a total force of about 21,375 pounds on a 36-foot diameter bin. This amount of force will damage the bin roof.”
He added,
“To properly manage stored grain, it is necessary to operate fans on bins at temperatures near or below freezing. We recommend that you consider advising insureds to leave the fill hole or access door on the roof, or both, open as a pressure relief valve when operating the fan at near or below freezing temperatures to minimize the potential for damaging the bin roof.”
If you have any questions please give us a call.
2/17/2011
I attended the meeting Tuesday evening (Sponsered by the Norton City/County Economic Developement and the Norton Area Chamber of Commerce) and am getting very enthused about the direction that Norton is headed. Cinda Baxter presented the 3/50 project. It is a simple concept to keep small businesses going in our current economy. Check it out! http://www.the350project.net/home.html