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2 Carriers we represent: Progressive & Geico Progressive took the top spot for the 2nd year in a row. Geico tied for 3rd. Keynova Group recently released the Q4 2024 edition of its semi-annual?Online Insurance Scorecard, which evaluates the?website?capabilities of a dozen of the largest U.S. property and casualty insurance carriers, including Allstate, American Family, Erie, Farmers, GEICO, Liberty Mutual, Nationwide, Progressive, State Farm, The Hartford, Travelers and USAA. In Q2 2024, Progressive led the field in the?online?scorecard, followed by State Farm and USAA. Progressive held onto that lead from the Q4 2023 scorecard, in which it also placed first, followed by State Farm, GEICO and USAA. The group’s online scorecard also lays out current?trends?in insurance service and what customers expect from their carrier. https://lnkd.in/gmSeuV2j

Frozen Pipes Happen. Each year, homeowners across the country are affected by pipes that freeze and burst, resulting in damage that is frustrating and costly. But freezing temperatures don’t have to mean frozen pipes! You can potentially avoid this common cause of property damage by taking the steps necessary to winterize your home’s plumbing and knowing what to do in the event of an emergency. Steps to take before winter: Locate pipes vulnerable to freezing.? Check areas that tend to be unheated such as crawlspaces, garages, exterior walls, and attics. Protect your pipes.?Insulate water pipes in areas exposed to cold temperatures. Both hot and cold-water pipes in these locations should be insulated. Foam tubing or “sleeves” in different thicknesses and pipe widths can be found at your local hardware store. Know how to shut off your water.? Locate your home’s main water shut-off valve by checking for it along the outside wall near the water meter, the inside wall access panel, or in the basement. Identify if you have a ball or gate valve and know how to turn it off. Check irrigation systems.?Disable sprinklers for the season and fully drain the system. Safeguard exterior faucets.?Disconnect hoses ahead of cold weather and inspect for leaks that may need to be repaired. Purchase insulated slip-on covers to secure to outside faucets to prevent any remaining water from freezing. What to do if temperatures reach freezing: Let faucets drip.?Keep water moving through the pipes by allowing a small amount of water to run through both the hot and cold faucets. Heat your home.?To ensure the air around your pipes is warm enough to prevent freezing, set your thermostat to a minimum of 65 degrees (day and night) – the warmer you can go the better. Keep pipes warm.?Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow heat from rooms to circulate around the plumbing. In the event your pipes freeze: Turn off the water.?Immediately shut off the water to your home if your pipes are frozen. You and your family should know where the main water shut-off valve is located and how to turn it off. Do this before attempting to thaw pipes or clean up any mess. Thaw pipes with warm air.?If you discover your pipes are frozen, take action to thaw them right away. You can warm them using a hair dryer or space heater or call a plumber to help. Turn the water back on.?After pipes are thawed, turn the water back on slowly to check for cracks or leaks that may have been caused by freezing. A licensed plumber will need to complete the repairs if there is pipe damage. Maintaining your home is one of the most important things you can do as a homeowner. Be prepared this winter by taking the steps necessary to keep your home safe. ? The information included in this article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended as a replacement for professional advice. Information provided by the folks over at HOAIC

Winter is Coming. Water Damage from Frozen Pipes? An arctic blast of cold temperatures is expected to affect a large part of the country this coming week and could drop temperatures below freezing for several days. Here is some information that can help prevent water damage from frozen pipes and keep your customers safe. Tips to Help Prevent Frozen Pipes? ?Disconnect any hoses from exterior faucets.?Even frost proof faucets/sillcocks require that the hose to be disconnected in freezing weather to allow residual water to drain.? ?If provided, close inside valves supplying water to outdoor faucets and hookups. Open outdoor faucets to allow residual water to drain. Be sure to keep them open during the cold weather months, while the water supply is turned off.? ?Keep garage doors closed to help protect water pipes located in the?garage.? ?Open the doors on cabinets where plumbing is located. This can help allow warmer air to circulate around the?pipes.? ?For pipes that are at risk of freezing (both hot and cold water pipes), let water drip from?faucets.? ?Keep the heat in your home set at a minimum of 55 degrees Fahrenheit.? ?Identify areas that have experienced freeze issues in past winter storms and consult with a plumber or mechanical contractor to address and help protect those vulnerable areas ahead of the cold weather. What to Do if You Have a Frozen Pipe? ?Locate and close the main water shutoff valve as soon as possible and before temperatures rise above freezing.? ?Inspect pipes for damage, including those in attics and crawl spaces, where it is safe to do so.? ?As temperatures increase above freezing, watch and listen for signs of water?leaks.? ?If a pipe is leaking, do not turn on the water. Open all faucets including those outside to drain remaining water from pipes and call a licensed plumber for?repairs.? ?If no leaks are detected, turn water back on slowly. Continue to check for leaks before turning water on completely.??Never use torches or heat guns to facilitate thawing as these can create fire?hazards. Tips provided from my friends at Travelers.

Signs of the Times? Insurance is so high, buyers are giving up?? Will mortgage rates come back down? Home valuations?? https://lnkd.in/gx73GgJ6 Marc Ivins CIC, TRS, TRIP Jeff Shi Mark Cerny Jessica McMahon any thoughts to add?

Hi MYsurance fans. Did you know you can see 2025 ACA Health Plans and rates today?!?!? Please visit: Please call us for assistance @ 312.300.4122 IL or 361.993.8888 TX

The dog days of summer have arrived. Here are some tips to help you beat the summer heat: ?Drink plenty of water. ?Wear a hat and light-colored clothing. ?Try to reserve exercise and other activities for cooler periods of the day.

Water adventures are exciting during these summer months! Which do you want to try: kayaking or paddleboarding? Let us know in the comments. #Kayaking #Paddleboarding #Watersports

Enhance your outdoor spaces by inspecting and maintaining your yard. From decks to swing sets, a little TLC goes a long way in helping to ensure a fun summer. For more summer home maintenance tips, visit Travelers.com #SummerTips #SummerSafety #InsuranceAgent

Water damage in the laundry room can wreak havoc on other parts of your home. Avoid laundry room leaks with these steps from Travelers.

Some of us like the familiarity and comfort of being home, while others may enjoy a scenic road trip. Let us know which you prefer. #Staycations #Roadtrips #SummerAdventures