Have a Holly, Jolly, Pet Safe Christmas

At Brew City Insurance it is our mission to offer customers a truly exceptional insurance buying experience. We provide our customers with the knowledge to choose the best possible insurance products that fulfill their wants and needs. Our friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff will help inspire, problem-solve, and best of all EDUCATE our customers so they can choose the coverage that best fits at a reasonable price.

Of course you want to include your furry babies in the festivities, but as you celebrate this holiday season, try to keep your pet's eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. And be sure to steer them clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and possible holiday dangers.

Oooh Christmas Tree ~

Securely anchor your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip and fall, causing possible injury to your pet. This will also prevent the tree water—which may contain fertilizers that can cause stomach upset—from spilling. And we all know how cats LOVE to climb!!

Tinsel-less Town ~ 

Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching "toy" that's easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It's best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel.Long, stringy things are a feline's dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that's too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer—and tons of play sessions together.

Holly Jolly Plants be Poisonous ~ 

Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet.

Sweets ~ 

Most people understand that chocolate is toxic to pets.  Unsweetened baking chocolate carries a much higher dose of the toxin theobromine than does milk chocolate, but even normal milk chocolate can be dangerous in higher amounts.  Clinical signs of chocolate poisoning include hyper-excitability, nervousness, vomiting, and diarrhea and death.  Inducing vomiting to empty the stomach is the first step in treatment but if the toxin has been absorbed your pet will likely need to be hospitalized for further treatment. Sugarless treats may contain xylitol, a class of sweetener known as sugar alcohol. Xylitol is present in many products and foods for human use, but can have devastating effects on your pet.If you think your dog may have eaten a product containing xylitol, call your vet, emergency clinic, or animal poison control center right away.

Christmas Cheer ~

Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds (of all sorts) zipped up and packed away, too.If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure.

Silent Night ~ 

Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to—complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub.As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat's intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears. 

Bottom Line ~ 

While the holidays are a time for celebrating, we need to remember that what is fun and (mostly) safe for us ~ could cause harm to the furriest member of the family. Take some extra care to make sure all of your fur babies have a safe and happy holiday too!

  

Want to know if everyone you love is safe? 

Brew City Insurance is a great place to start.

Come in to Brew City Insurance for a no-obligation insurance review. 
We will make sure you and all your family are safe this holiday season.

Brew City Insurance Agency Inc. is located 2937 S Chicago Ave. in South Milwaukee between Pick N Save and Walgreens.

Stop in today and see what we can do for you! Or call 414-762-6600 and we can quote you right over the phone. 

We have several companies to choose from.

Visit our web page to find out more! http://www.brewcityinsurance.com

Or find out even more about us here.
We do business insurance too!

Deep Frying Turkey. An Adventure in Cooking for Sure.

At Brew City Insurance it is our mission to offer customers a truly exceptional insurance buying experience. We provide our customers with the knowledge to choose the best possible insurance products that fulfill their wants and needs. Our friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff will help inspire, problem-solve, and best of all EDUCATE our customers so they can choose the coverage that best fits at a reasonable price.

There are certain traditions people hold sacred. For me and my family, that’s Thanksgiving Dinner at our house with a beautifully oven roasted turkey and all the fixin's. Every now and again I like to mix things up a bit. So this year, I suggested that I wanted to deep fry the turkey. My mistake. I received a resounding NO from the rest of my suddenly safety conscious family. They convinced me to do it like we have always done ~ safely ~ in the oven.

Why? I wondered. What did they know that I didn't? Well, after some research I found out why. According to the Bloomberg News, the number of cooking-related fires doubles on Thanksgiving. There is an estimated 15 deaths each year on Thanksgiving due to fryer accidents and more than 1,000 fryer-related fires each year. In fact, turkey fryers are considered to be so dangerous that both the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a safety consultation and certification company, refuse to certify any brand of fryer.

When used properly, turkey fryers can possibly produce a delicious meal. Used improperly, and bad things happen. So why is deep frying a turkey dangerous? You're combining hot oil and an open flame. This has the potential to cause serious damage to your body and your property.

The NUMBER 1 biggest issue is that when a frozen, partially frozen, or wet turkey comes into contact with the hot boiling oil in a fryer, the water is superheated into steam which expands by about 1,600-1,700 times the water’s original volume. The steam then displaces the boiling cooking oil causing it to spill over the top of the fryer tank and (if you didn't follow the instructions) onto the open flame. With enough water the results can even be explosive!!

The other way accidents happen is by placing the dry turkey into the fryer while the flame it still lit. Often time oil in the fryer tank spills or splashes over and ignites in the open flame. 

The fryer should NEVER be used indoors, or too close to buildings or other flammables. 

Honestly, just use your head. People sometimes make bad decisions. Do you really need one more beer before you start playing with fire???

The lesson here is: Read all the instructions before starting!!

• Thaw the turkey before frying (and don’t use the fryer if it’s raining or snowing)
• DRY the turkey completely inside and out!! 
• Do not overfill the fryer pot with oil.  Remember, you’re putting a giant bird in it, there will be more than a little displacement
• Do not heat the oil above 400°F
• Turn the fryer flame OFF before you put the turkey into the pot
• Keep a grease-fire rated fire extinguisher handy. DO NOT use water to put out a grease fire. We talked about this right?
• Use the “Dingle Dangle” or some other sort of device to lower the turkey in, don’t do it with your hands. Make SURE it can safely hold a +20 lb. bird.

• Wear protective gear (i.e. oven mitts, safety goggles, and maybe a fire proof suit?)
• Be careful not to knock the fryer over, as they tend to be unstable (DUH!)
• Keep the fryer outside and away from your house, your garage, your deck and anything else you might not want sent on fire
• Stand back to avoid any potential splatter burns from the oil (like way over at your neighbors house)
• NEVER leave the fryer unattended. Yup ~ that's right! You must stand outside in the freezing cold and watch every second that turkey is cooking. This is reason enough to NEVER do this. Wouldn't you rather be watching the football game??
• And lastly ~ KEEP ALL CHILDREN FAR FAR AWAY!!! I cannot stress this last one enough. If you want to take on the risk of dunking a huge bird in a tipsy vat of boiling hot oil that's your business. Please don't risk hurting an innocent child in the process.

Bottom Line ~

The NFPA's and UL’s ultimate safety advice for deep frying a turkey is ~  Don’t. 
Now I'm not saying that this process couldn't be done safely, I'm just saying that I already have a tried and true method ~ so why risk it?

I doubt my family will ever be game for frying the turkey, but in the event that your family is planning your own turkey-frying extravaganza, here a few additional safety tips from  Underwriters Laboratories, National Fire Protection Association and FEMA. And you might want to make sure you are covered if something bad does happen. That's where we come in.

If protecting your stuff is important to you - Brew City Insurance is a great place to start.

Come in to Brew City Insurance for a no-obligation insurance review.

We will make sure you and all your family are safe all year long.

Brew City Insurance Agency Inc. is located at:

2937 S Chicago Ave. in South Milwaukee between Pick N Save and Walgreens.

Stop in today and see what we can do for you!

Or call 414-762-6600 and we can quote you right over the phone.

We have several companies to choose from.

Visit our web page at - http://www.brewcityinsurance.com, 

Or find out even more about us here.

We do Business too!!

Back To College Insurance?? You Betcha!!

At Brew City Insurance it is our mission to offer customers a truly exceptional insurance buying experience. We provide our customers with the knowledge to choose the best possible insurance products that fulfill their wants and needs. Our friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff will help inspire, problem-solve, and best of all EDUCATE our customers so they can choose the coverage that best fits at a reasonable price. 

College students in the dorms or renting an off-campus apartment or house while away at school should consider purchasing renters insurance to protect their personal property, such as a computer, television, stereo, bicycle or furniture, and even a guitar in the event that it is damaged, destroyed or stolen.

Even if a student is a dependent under his or her parent’s insurance, the student’s personal property, in many cases, is not covered if the student lives off campus.

What is Renters Insurance?

Renters insurance protects your personal property against damage or loss, and insures you in case someone is injured while on the your property.

Why Purchase Renters Insurance?

If you live in a dorm, rented apartment, house or condominium, your landlord’s insurance doesn’t cover your personal property in the event that it is stolen or damaged as a result of a fire, theft or other unexpected circumstance.

College students are ideal candidates for needing renters insurance, since many students bring thousands of dollars worth of personal items, such as electronics, a computer, textbooks, clothes, furniture, and even guitars, with them to school. It is the student's responsibility to provide coverage for these valuable items.

If a college student is living with one or several roommates,  a renters insurance policy is a must. Each of the roommates must get his or her own policy. One policy does not cover the entire apartment (or frat house) ~ it only covers the policy holders possessions.

The premiums for renters insurance average between $10 and $30 per month depending on the location and size of the rental unit and the policyholder’s possessions.

Basic Options

Most renters insurance policies provide two basic types of coverage: personal property and liability. Personal property coverage pays to repair or replace personal belongings if they are damaged, stolen, or even destroyed .

Liability insurance also provides coverage against a claim or lawsuit resulting from bodily injury or property damage to others caused by an accident while on the policyholder’s property.

 Shop for the Right Coverage

Another important factor to look for when shopping for renters insurance is “actual cash value” vs. “replacement cost” coverage.

Actual cash-value coverage will reimburse the renter for the cost of the personal property at the time of the claim, minus the deductible. It’s important to account for depreciation when considering this coverage option. For example, if your guitar was accidentally damaged, five years after the guitar was purchased, the policyholder would only be reimbursed for the current value of the guitar.

Replacement cost coverage, on the other hand, will reimburse the full value of the new guitar, after you purchase the new system and submit your receipts. While the up-front cost may be slightly more, you are more likely to receive accurate compensation for your possessions. This is the best coverage.

Other Points of Interest Regarding Renters Insurance

When a claim is reported, the insurance company will ask the policyholder for proof of purchase for all items reported on the claim. A comprehensive list of possessions, including purchase prices, model numbers and serial numbers, will suffice. It also is a good idea to take photos or video footage of any personal possessions for documentation, making sure it is stored in a secure, off-site location.

When determining how much, if any, renters insurance you should purchase, estimate the value of your personal possessions, typically between $10,000 and $30,000. This is the amount of insurance you will need to replace your stuff if everything were destroyed, say ~ by a huge a party of some kind.

One of the smartest things you can do as a renter is reduce the chances of needing to file a claim altogether.

• lock your doors
• secure items of value from harm
• leave valuables at home when going out
• if it is irreplaceable you may want to, again, store it in a secure, off-site location

These are all common sense items.

In all cases, it is recommended to call an independent insurance agent when purchasing renters insurance for a student away at college.

If protecting your stuff is important to you - Brew City Insurance is a great place to start.

Come in to Brew City Insurance for a no-obligation insurance review.

We will make sure you and all your family are safe all year long.

Brew City Insurance Agency Inc. is located at:

2937 S Chicago Ave. in South Milwaukee between Pick N Save and Walgreens.

Stop in today and see what we can do for you!

Or call 414-762-6600 and we can quote you right over the phone.

We have several companies to choose from.

Visit our web page at - http://www.brewcityinsurance.com, 

Or find out even more about us here.

Brew City Insurance Welcomes Danielle Cooke

At Brew City Insurance it is our mission to offer customers a truly exceptional insurance buying experience. We provide our customers with the knowledge to choose the best possible insurance products that fulfill their wants and needs. Our friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff will help inspire, problem-solve, and best of all EDUCATE our customers so they can choose the coverage that best fits at a reasonable price.

We'd like to welcome Danielle Cooke (soon to be Schmid)
 in her new position as Senior Sales and Marketing Manager at 

Brew City Insurance Agency Inc.

Danielle comes to us with an impressive background and a proven track record after 8 years at AAA Insurance as a Field Manager. Help us welcome her by stopping in today!

Our family is important to us. Protect your family and your property.  Brew City Insurance is a great place to start.

Come in to Brew City Insurance for a no-obligation insurance review.

We will make sure you and all your family are safe all year long.

Brew City Insurance Agency Inc. is located at:

2937 S Chicago Ave. in South Milwaukee between Pick N Save and Walgreens.

Stop in today and see what we can do for you!

Or call 414-762-6600 and we can quote you right over the phone.

We have several companies to choose from.

Visit our web page at - https://www.brewcityinsurance.com, 

Or find out even more about us here.

We also do Business Insurance!!

Summer Fun! Cookouts, Fireworks, Family, and FIRE!

At Brew City Insurance it is our mission to offer customers a truly exceptional insurance buying experience. We provide our customers with the knowledge to choose the best possible insurance products that fulfill their wants and needs. Our friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff will help inspire, problem-solve, and best of all EDUCATE our customers so they can choose the coverage that best fits at a reasonable price.

Independence Day celebrations almost always include Cookouts, Fireworks, Friends and Family!  Here are a few safety tips to keep your gatherings safe and fun-filled. Summertime is in full swing and as we saw on July 4th, we all love to celebrate our nation’s freedom with friends, family, fun, and that usual “dangerous” tradition—fireworks. What a spectacular way to commemorate Independence Day. Honestly - it's best to leave fireworks to the PROFESSIONALS!! Here is a link to the fireworks in southeastern Wisconsin.  The truth is that thousands of people are injured each year and some have even died as a result of fireworks accidents. Of course, you're far more likely to blow your hand off with an explosive than actually kill yourself. There were around 10,500 emergency-room visits in 2014 due to fireworks-related injuries and there's been no statistically significant shift since 1999, the data show.  Fireworks and Sparklers: Adhere to your local laws regarding home fireworks use!  Wisconsin law says it is okay to use things like small sparklers, toy snakes, and stationary cones. But things like bottle rockets, roman candles, and firecrackers are illegal to set off unless you have a permit.  Here is the link to Wisconsin Firework Laws. Furthermore, each county, city, or even township can have their own unique set of ordinances. Check with them first!

"Anything as a rule of thumb, anything that's aerial or shoots into the sky are fireworks we want you to stay away from," said Officer Kyle Roder with the Eau Claire Police Department. If allowed, use only fireworks made for home use. Professional fireworks are wrapped in brown paper, while recreational fireworks are packaged in colorful, labeled wraps. Use only in areas clear of buildings, foliage, children, and pets. Sparklers can burn at over 2000 degrees! Opt out when young children are present. Wear safety glasses, light only one at a time, and don't try to re-light a dud. Note:  As a special aside, some veterans suffer from PTSD and may live nearby.  Be courteous, avoid setting fireworks near their homes.  Also, many pets can be upset by the loud noises too. Please Please be courteous!      Cookouts: Follow grill instructions on igniting and proper gas/charcoal/lighter fuel use.   Keep the grill away from eaves of your home and garage, as well as any attached awnings. Entertain children and pets in areas a safe distance from a hot grill. Use screen covers or safety border on fire pits. As always: Keep a hose or fire extinguisher handy. Enjoy your holiday celebrations safely! Protect your family and your property.  Brew City Insurance is a great place to start.

Come in to Brew City Insurance for a no-obligation insurance review.

We will make sure you and all your family are safe all year long.

Brew City Insurance Agency Inc. is located at:

2937 S Chicago Ave. in South Milwaukee between Pick N Save and Walgreens.

Stop in today and see what we can do for you!

Or call 414-762-6600 and we can quote you right over the phone.

We have several companies to choose from.

Visit our web page at - https://www.brewcityinsurance.com, 

Or find out even more about us here.

We also do Business Insurance!!

What Is Your INSURANCE Score? Did you even know you had one?

At Brew City Insurance it is our mission to offer customers a truly exceptional insurance buying experience. We provide our customers with the knowledge to choose the best possible insurance products that fulfill their wants and needs. Our friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff will help inspire, problem-solve, and best of all EDUCATE our customers so they can choose the coverage that best fits at a reasonable price.

First things first - an insurance score is not the same thing as a credit score.

 

A Credit score is used to determine how likely a person is to pay off borrowed money on-time.
An Insurance score is your ranking based on various factors that predict the possibility of a person filing a claim.

Insurance companies have to determine the risk associated with their clients, and they each have their very own complex and thoroughly confusing method of determining your  insurance score. They use this score as a factor to determine how much premium to charge each client. The lower the score, the higher the premium that client will have to pay. Simple huh?

The challenge is that YOU have no clear way of knowing exactly how those assessments are made. It is important to understand what an insurance score is, how it is different than a credit score, and how it affects the process of obtaining insurance. This is a simplified explanation of that process.

How is Your Insurance Score Determined?

Your insurance score typically is based on;

1. Your personal claims history and
2. Your overall credit score
3. The area you reside
4. And your motor vehicle record (MVR)

Why do we have insurance scores?
This score directly impacts how much you will pay for insurance.
Secondly, this keeps people from filing a bunch of claims with one company then simply moving to a different insurance company when their rates skyrocket. The new company will know exactly what you did in the past.

The majority of insurance companies report to two claim databases – the Automated Property Loss Underwriting System, or A-PLUS, and the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, or CLUE.

Your past will follow you. Insurance companies have made sure of it.

What is a Good Insurance Score Range? What is a Bad Insurance Score?
This number will range between a low of 200 and a high of 997. Insurance scores that fall into the range of 770 or higher are typically considered to be good. Conversely, a poor insurance score is considered to be any number below 500.

How to Improve Your Insurance Score
There are several ways that you can improve your score – ultimately resulting in your insurance premium amounts being reduced.

1. Improve your credit score.
2. Don't file small claims.
3. Move?
4. Drive SAFE!!

Better credit is a time consuming but very possible process. There are many articles on-line that can help. Insurance is really designed for larger losses. Claiming a $750 damage on a car when you have a $500 deductible is just not smart. Finally, living in a high traffic or high crime area increases your risk of loss. In some cases insurance companies change rates block by block.

Bottom Line
Your insurance score matters a great deal when it comes to the premium that you will be charged for insurance coverage. While a small premium difference may not seem substantial, over time, the difference in dollars can really add up.

Want your score? Visit our web page and click on this link at the bottom of the page.

Or come into Brew City Insurance and find out.

Come in to Brew City Insurance for a no-obligation insurance review.

We will make sure you and all your family are safe all year long.

Brew City Insurance Agency Inc. is located at:

2937 S Chicago Ave. in South Milwaukee between Pick N Save and Walgreens.

Stop in today and see what we can do for you!

Or call 414-762-6600 and we can quote you right over the phone.

We have several companies to choose from.

Visit our web page at - https://www.brewcityinsurance.com, 

Or find out even more about us here.

We also do Business Insurance!!

Insurance for the Summertime

At Brew City Insurance it is our mission to offer customers a truly exceptional insurance buying experience. We provide our customers with the knowledge to choose the best possible insurance products that fulfill their wants and needs. Our friendly, knowledgeable and professional staff will help inspire, problem-solve, and best of all EDUCATE our customers so they can choose the coverage that best fits at a reasonable price.

Is there really such a thing??

Summer is nearly here and there a few things that you should know before heading off for all of that summer fun. Do you have a pool? A trampoline? ATV? There are some financial risks you need to think about. 

Pools and Trampolines

Before inviting friends and family over to enjoy your pool or trampoline, know that either may increase your insurance risk. Consider purchasing an umbrella policy in addition to your homeowners insurance to increase your liability coverage. However, because pools and trampolines can be dangerous, some companies may not insure your property if you own them, or there may be policy exclusions for liability for related injuries. An insurance company may also deny coverage or cancel your policy if you do not follow the policy's safety guidelines or fail to inform them when you build a pool or purchase a trampoline. Check with your insurance provider for rates, discounts and safety guidelines (such as installing a fence or locked gate). If you lease a property with a pool, discuss your insurance options with your agent or insurance company.

All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) 

ATVs, off-road motorcycles, and snowmobiles are not covered by standard automobile insurance policies, but your homeowners policy may partially cover liability. Ask your agent if you have sufficient coverage on your homeowners policy. If you do not, you should consider a separate policy. Ask your provider about age restrictions regarding who may operate the these toys or if the policy covers friends and family. Make sure you have the right coverage for your situation and intended use.

Boats

A boat insurance policy provides liability coverage if someone is injured on your boat. It also covers bodily injury inflicted on others and property damage to your boat. It also may cover damage caused by you to others property.

The personal property coverage of your homeowners policy may cover a small boat for $1,500 or less in physical damage. However, coverage for your liability risk is limited. A large boat will be excluded from your homeowners policy for property and liability coverage. 

Personal watercrafts, such as jet skis, often require a separate policy that may be offered by your homeowners' insurance. Alternatively, you may choose to purchase a policy from an insurer that specializes in boat insurance. Talk with your independent insurance agent and get quotes from other companies to understand your options.

Traveling

Whether you're leaving home for a weekend getaway or a long road trip, be aware of what your homeowner's or renter's policy will cover while you're gone. Typically, your homeowners insurance will follow you, protecting you even while you're not at home. Off-premises' coverage means your belongings are covered anywhere in the world. If you're staying at a hotel and your belongings are stolen, your homeowners policy will provide coverage but the exact coverage depends on your policy. In addition to your deductible, items will typically have a limit on things like jewelry and furs. If you're traveling with high-priced items, it's a good idea to get separate insurance coverage for these items. Contact your independent agent to find out what's covered under your policy.

Bottom Line

Home and auto insurance, with a few exceptions, cover just that - your home and your auto. To make sure you have the right coverages for everything else it is always a good idea to review your policies at least every couple of years.

Are you properly covered?? 

Come into Brew City Insurance and find out.

Come in to Brew City Insurance for a no-obligation insurance review.

We will make sure you and all your family are safe all year long.

Brew City Insurance Agency Inc. is located at:

2937 S Chicago Ave. in South Milwaukee between Pick N Save and Walgreens.

Stop in today and see what we can do for you!

Or call 414-762-6600 and we can quote you right over the phone.

We have several companies to choose from.

Visit our web page at - https://www.brewcityinsurance.com, 

Or find out even more about us here.

We also do Business Insurance!!