Safety First With Summer Boating

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The days are getting longer and it is warming up outside! If you live near water, then you probably cannot wait until you can get your boat out for some lazy and fun-filled days. Before you get out there on the water, though, be sure to put safety first and make sure your boat is ready to go. You can do that by following some easy steps. Use our tips to get started.

  • Check your fire extinguishers and life jackets on board. You want to make sure you have plenty of life jackets on board and that they are in good condition. Replace or buy any that you need. Also, be sure to check your fire extinguisher. This should be done once per year so summer is the perfect time. Hopefully you never need to use these but these are needed on any boat for safety precautions.
  • Get a tune up and de-winterize your boat. Get your boat ready for the summer with a proper tune up as well as de-winterizing the boat for warmer weather. Both of these actions can prepare your boat for summer and also help you identify any potential safety issues that you may need to address before taking the boat out. Get these two things done at the beginning of the season every year so you always know that your boat is ready to go for all of the summer activities.

Being safe is more than just prepping your boat for summer fun. It is also important to have a great boat policy on your boat. If you want to take a look at your current policy or want to look at a new one, please feel free to contact us at HighPointe Insurance Services LLC today. We will be happy to help you.

Why Motorcycle Insurance is Important

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As a motorcycle rider, you should take care and show caution every time you are on the road. You should think about your life, your bike, and the lives of others. Motorcycle insurance is a great way to protect you against loss if you are in an accident. There are several reasons it is important for bike riders to secure and maintain motorcycle insurance.

Medical Bills Can Pile Up

If you are involved in a collision, motorcycle insurance may cover most, if not all, of your medical bills. You may even need additional treatment beyond an initial hospital visit. Having coverage could give you piece of mind in an unfortunate event.

Injury to Others

If others are injured in an accident that is your fault, you will have to compensate those involved. With a qualified policy, your insurance may be able to pay the cost.

Total Loss Policies

If your motorcycle is damaged due to an accident, it may cost more to fix it than it is worth. Total loss coverage could get you the cost of a replacement or the actual cash value of your bike.

Property Damage

Your bike is precious to you and you are going to want to get right back out on the open road after an accident. If you don’t have the means to fix it, it may be months before you can ride your motorcycle again. Being covered may get your bike repaired quickly and efficiently.

Collision Coverage

You could add collision coverage as part of your policy. Collision insurance can help you if you are in an accident and have to cover the cost of another persons’ property or their vehicle. This comes in handy if the accident is determined to be your fault.

HighPointe Insurance Services LLC are independent insurance agents serving Overland Park, Kansas. You can visit them and get more information about motorcycle insurance as well as auto, home, and commercial insurance policies.

Packing Tips in Overland Park, Kansas

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Not only is moving painstaking and tiring, the packing and unpacking part may be the worst of it. Items must be individually put into boxes and sometimes even wrapped so they are protected for the move itself. All of this can be very time-consuming and stressful. So here are a few tips to alleviate the packing process and allow you to get into your new place sooner and begin to enjoy it.

GET RID OF IT OR SELL IT

Look around your place and make that final decision on whether you really need this or that thing anymore. This move may be a great opportunity to purge some of those items you have been holding on to for a while for whatever reason. You can give them away or even sell them and use to profits to pay for the move, or buy yourself something brand new and nice.

INSURE YOUR ITEMS

Get a renters or home insurance policy to insure your items you are moving so you don’t have to worry about losing or breaking them during the move itself. Check in with HighPointe Insurance Services LLC who is known to serve the greater Overland Park, Kansas area with these types of insurance policies.

USE LUGGAGE AS BOXES

One way to efficiently pack items simple for the move is to use all of the bags you own to move items for you from point A to point B. This will save you money on boxes or time gathering free boxes and sort of move two things that you own at once.

GARBAGE BAGS

Even though it looks cheap and they aren’t as sturdy as a box, there are plenty of items you can transport with garbage bags. Utilize them as they are easy to acquire in bulk for very cheap!

Why Drivers Experience Road Rage and What to Do About It

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Although most people won’t admit to it, they’ve experienced road rage at some point in their lives. While it may not be something that you feel every single day or that you see day in and day out, it’s a serious threat. In fact, the National Safety Council says that this is the single most threat to safety on the highway today. So, why do people experience road rage in the first place? Is there anything that can be done? Read on to learn more.

Reasons Why People Experience Road Rage

How do you feel when someone flips you off – you know, gives you the middle finger, or the bird? Probably not great, right? In fact, it could really anger you. How do you feel when you’ve been driving around the mall parking lot forever and finally set your sights on a parking space only to have someone else swoop in at the last minute and take it from you? You’re really angry because who knows how much longer you have to continue driving around with your screaming kids now. Things like this are what cause people to experience road rage.

How You Can Avoid Road Rage

One of the most unfortunate things about road rage is that it can result in aggressive driving, which can then lead to traffic injuries and deaths. Therefore, it is important to learn a few tactics that will help you avoid experiencing such aggression toward someone else. For example, with the above scenarios, try to wave instead of flipping someone off. In some cases, this can actually help to defuse a situation. When someone steals your parking spot, stay calm, don’t blare your horn at them and avoid eye contact with them. While you may still be angry on the inside, these steps will do wonders in helping you calm your emotions and bring your levels of anger down so that you can relax, avoid unnecessary confrontation and injury, and enjoy the rest of your day.

Because road rage is so common and can cause accidents, it is important that you make sure you are always covered with an adequate amount of insurance. Contact us at HighPointe Insurance Services LLC to get a quote for a new policy or to ensure your coverage is still current and meeting your needs. 

ATV Tips For First Timers

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Owning an ATV for the first time can bring a lot of joy. When you live in Overland Park, there are things that you should know and tips that you should keep in mind to ensure your safety and keep your ATV safe at the same time.

Learn How to Ride

Be sure you know how to ride your ATV so that you are safe on it as can be. Depending upon where you live and how old you are, there may be various safety courses that you can take that will teach you more about the fundamentals of driving so that you can exercise more caution.

File the Necessary Paperwork

Some paperwork needs to be filed with the state, and this includes a permit. You will also want to consider ATV insurance so that you have some kind of recourse in the event that there is damage to the vehicle or even theft.

Be Safe

Be safe at all times. You want to make sure that you are wearing a quality motorcycle helmet, and that you have gloves and goggles on each time you ride. Until you have mastered level services, avoid mountains, mud flats, and anywhere else. It may also be wise to invest in additional protection, including a chest protector and knee guards.

Lock it Up

ATVs are commonly stolen, and you want to make sure that yours isn’t. Whenever possible, you should lock it up inside of a garage or shed. If you have to leave it outdoors, purchase a heavy-duty metal chain and tied to something sturdy on your property.

Call and talk to our independent insurance agent at HighPointe Insurance Services LLC where we can talk to you more about ATVs and how to get the necessary insurance so that you are safe, trails and everywhere else.

 

What Auto Insurance Do You Need When Traveling Abroad?

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Auto insurance is an important legal aspect of driving safely in the United States. Driving overseas, it is also just as important. While driving overseas, car insurance is more for your own benefit than anything else. Considering that driving laws can be very different overseas from those in the U.S. it is imperative to have auto insurance for your own safety and protection.

Temporary auto insurance is often offered through the car rental company you will be using. However, if you are planning to stay overseas for a longer period of time then purchasing international car insurance is a good plan.

Remember that each country will have different laws governing auto insurance coverage. You will need to do your homework beforehand to make sure you are properly covered with the correct type of insurance.

Types of Auto Insurance

Collision- This covers you when you have an accident involving another car that was not your fault. This type insurance will cover the repairs to your car and often medical bills resulting from any injuring.

Liability- This covers you when you have an accident that was your fault. This pays the victim for damage and injuries, but does not pay for damage to your car or injuries you withstand.

Comprehensive- Comprehensive car insurance covers a variety of incidents which might occur to you or your vehicle. Although collision and liability are two of the most common types of coverage under comprehensive, there are a host of other types of accidents which can occur to damage your car or injury you while driving abroad. Comprehensive insurance is good because it can cover all of these other things which are also real threats. Some of these threats include hail damage, vandalism, striking an animal and many others.

If you would like to learn more about auto insurance please contact us at HighPointe Insurance Services LLC now serving Overland Park, KS.

How To Make A Difference In Your Community

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You can make a big difference in your community now and throughout the year. You may not realize it, but there are a lot of people who are homeless, less fortunate, and lonely – and what you do can have a profound effect on their lives.

Below are 10 ways you can make a difference.

  1. Donate to a charity of your choosing
  2. Collect non-perishable food items for a local food bank
  3. Put food on the table for a family in need
  4. Spend time with a lonely person by volunteering with Meals on Wheels
  5. Volunteer at a nursing home and spread joy
  6. Donate old coats and clothing to a clothing recycler
  7. Visit the VA to see how you can make a difference in the lives of local veterans
  8. Volunteer to build homes or work in a soup kitchen
  9. Adopt a pet instead of going into a pet store
  10. Donate blood at the hospital or a local blood bank

All of these are ways you can make a difference – and as you can tell, many of them don’t require you to spend any money. You should always look inside your community before donating elsewhere. This ensures you are taking care of your own.

There may be some alarming statistics you weren’t aware of – like more than half of the residents of nursing homes never get visitors from loved ones. A little of your time can go a long way to bringing a smile to someone’s face.

HighPointe Insurance Services LLC agents are standing by, waiting to help you find the right insurance. We’re in the community, which is a great way to support Overland Park local businesses, too. Call today and we can answer any questions you may have and get quotes to help you find an affordable policy.

 

What To Keep In Mind When The Power Goes Out

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If the power goes out at your home in Overland Park, you need to know what to do. A little bit of preparation can go a long way to keep your family safe, fed, and entertaining for as long as the power may be out.

Food Isn’t Going to Last

Your food inside of your refrigerator and freezer are going to last forever. It’s a good idea to keep a thermometer that doesn’t involve power so that you can keep an eye on temperatures. It is also helpful to fill bottles of water and keep them frozen inside the freezer. This can help to extend temperatures for longer.

You should also plan on stocking your pantry with items that don’t require refrigeration or cooking. Popular items to keep in stock include granola bars, jerky, and peanut butter. Be sure to focus on high nutrient items that your family will enjoy eating for as long as the power is out.

You Need Hot Water

You are going to need hot water for a lot of different things, including purified water, doing laundry, and sanitizing dishes. In order to get hot water, you can keep using a solar oven, a fuel-efficient outdoor rocket stove, or even a grill.

Kids Can Grow Stir Crazy

Kids are often going to be the first to go stir crazy. This is because they won’t have access to video game consoles, TVs, or anything else. Have board games, decks of cards, and puzzle available so that they can keep themselves entertained for long periods of time.

At HighPointe Insurance services we look forward to helping you with life’s events. Your homeowner’s insurance policy can provide plenty of coverage to help you out in Overland Park. Call today and learn how we can help.