Technology continues to advance in so many ways and this also includes technology for fire safety. Some of the new fire alarms have some really cool features. There are “smart alarms” that will send a notification to your phone if the alarm goes off and can tell you if it is a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide, and also the location of the fire. For example, the alarm will tell you “there is smoke in the kitchen” and when one speaks they all speak, so if you are in a different room you will know there’s smoke in the kitchen. … Continue reading

With spring finally here, it’s a great time for home and car owners to review their insurance policies to be sure that they are covered against the types of damage that come with the change in weather. During the spring, floods and the resulting water damage can be caused by the combination of snow melt and heavy rains that come with this time of year. If you’re not prepared, water damage can do permanent structural damage to your home. According to online notes, 30,000 – 40,000 incidents happen each year involving water damage in basements significant enough to warrant an … Continue reading

Did you know that your medical plan may cover certain treatments 100% before you hit your deductible? These are known as preventative care benefits / services. These benefits allow you to get certain things done, and the health plan will pay for them at no cost to you. Things that are generally covered are: Blood Pressure, Diabetes and Cholesterol test Cancer screenings Flu shots Screenings for STIs Smoking attestation Well baby visits Mammograms Well woman visits Annual physicals Please remember to take advantage of these benefits / services.  If you are not sure what is covered, always check with your … Continue reading

It’s that time of the year again, where the flowers are coming out to bloom, and temperatures are increasing. You can start to see some lovely brown grass patches from the melting snow, and the threat of water damage from all that melting snow! Weather is unpredictable, especially here in the U.P., so when it comes to our homes we need to be sure we are protected for those unsuspected and unpleasant weather days.  I’m going to help you take some precautions to help minimize the chance of water damage this spring! Being sure that your property is grated can … Continue reading

If you’re a member of a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or Blue Care Network (BCN) group health care plan, you have access to resources that you may not be aware of. One of those resources is member discounts with Blue 365®. Members of Blue Cross and BCN plans are eligible to receive savings on a variety of health-related products and services.   These discounts include exclusive deals on things like: Gym memberships Cooking classes Weight-loss programs Fitness gear Travel and recreation Contact lenses Lasik Dental care Hearing aids Fitness magazines Members can take advantage of these discounts by … Continue reading

Other areas of the country may be experiencing spring like weather, but here in the Upper Peninsula, we still have snow on the ground and the potential for more snow fall is very likely. We live in an area that is used to getting mass amounts of snow every winter. That being said, we are experienced when it comes to shoveling snow. However, it’s good to keep in mind your safety while shoveling to protect your body from harm. Here are a few tips to follow: Take it slow. Stretch before you begin. Push the snow rather than lifting. Lift … Continue reading

The majority, if not most, of our population is covered by a health insurance policy. Whether you have an individual health policy or coverage through your employer, we are all required to have health insurance. Having insurance isn’t as simple as just being covered whenever you seek medical attention. It is very important to understand the design of your insurance policy to know what your out of pocket expenses are going to be. Health insurance policies have terminology such as deductible, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums that many people think of as a foreign language. In my post today I’m hoping … Continue reading

“Why do I have medical payments coverage on my home insurance?” This is a question that comes up quite often when people discuss their home insurance policy with me.  It’s actually a great question, because at first glance this doesn’t seem like a coverage that should be associated with your home. That’s what you have health insurance for, right? The truth is that this coverage actually isn’t for you, or any of your household members for that matter. Allow me to elaborate. Medical payments coverage is only for non-household members. Essentially, it is a good faith payment that your home … Continue reading

It is hard to believe that the holiday season is upon us. With all of the magic and joy the holiday brings it is important to be reminded that it also brings an increased risk of fire or loss. So while you are sipping on your hot cocoa and dancing around the Christmas tree while decorating, please remember these tips and reminders for this season so you don’t become one of the statistics below [statistics from the National Fire Protection Association report from November 2017]. Tips and Reminders Chose a tree that is fresh, trim base of tree to increase … Continue reading

It’s just about that time for casseroles, football on TV, elastic pants and the yearly visit from all of the family you (mostly) love! Yes, the holidays are at the front door and so is the chaos and holiday cheer that comes with it. While most of us are making our extensive grocery list and checking our pantry for those essential ingredients, there’s often one thing that’s overlooked during all of that prep: cooking safety. Oil fires, boiling water, and sharp objects pose a danger to even the most seasoned chefs. Here are just a few quick tips to make … Continue reading