Tag: tips

Essential Tips for Motorcycle Road Trips

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Before you go out and take your long motorcycle road trip, there are few things you need to check on your motorcycle.

If you are planning on going on an extended motorcycle road trip this spring or summer, you need to look at the needs of your motorcycle. Examining these needs will best assure that your motorcycle takes you from point A to point B, and then back to point A. Without a proper inspection, your motorcycle could leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere, and possibly walk many miles to the nearest sign of civilization. Here are a few tips for your motorcycle road trips.

  • Check the Fluids – Before you head out, make sure to check all the fluids and refill any that are low. This includes fluids like oil, brakes, coolant, hydraulic clutch, et cetera. Refer to the owner’s manual for a complete list of fluids for your bike.
  • Ensure Proper Inflation – Tires need to be inflated to ensure that nothing catastrophic happens to them while you are riding. Refer to your owner’s manual to know what psi you need to inflate your tires.
  • Check the Weather – You don’t have a roof nor a windshield to protect you from the elements outside. Make sure that your road trip is centered around days in which there are clear skies or no chance of rain. Pack the proper equipment just in case rain is in the forecast.
  • Pack the Essentials – You need to pack a first-aid kit, flashlight, matches, water bottles, energy bars, an emergency blanket, and a solar-powered phone charger to keep you safe if you are stranded in the middle of the road.

The right motorcycle insurance can keep you protected in the case of an emergency. Contact our knowledgeable team at Stromsoe Insurance Agency for all of your personal and business insurance coverage needs. We will work with you to ensure you have the right amount of protection, all at the right price to fit your budget.

How To: Create the Right Safety Management Plan

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

A safety management plans is an essential tool for all businesses.

One of the most important parts of owning a business is making sure that your employees are safe at work every day. Creating a safety management plan is the best way to reach this goal. Use these tips to help you create a safety management plan that will work best for your company.

  • Show management involvement – your management has to lead by example. Visibly demonstrating that you care about the safety of your company’s employees can go a long way in creating a safe culture.
  • Communicate clearly – if your employees don’t know what your safety management plan is, they won’t be able to follow it. Regularly give employees updates of your plan and keep them informed on any changes that have been made.
  • Create involvement – when employees are actively involved, your safety program can be much more successful.
  • Provide proper training – all employees should know exactly what they can do to stay safe at work each day. Provide all essential safety equipment to employees as needed.
  • Make improvements – your first safety plan is bound to have flaws. Taking the time to review and revise your plan will help to ensure that everything is being done to help your employees stay safe.
  • Thoroughly investigate all incidents – accidents happen, even with the most comprehensive safety plan. All injuries need to be investigated and documented to help you find ways to improve your safety plan so the same accidents don’t happen twice.

Not only will having a strong safety management plan in place work to keep your employees safe, it can also help you save on your workers’ compensation coverage. For all of your business insurance needs to give you the peace of mind that you deserve as a California business owner, contact the independent insurance experts at Stromsoe Insurance Agency.

Stop Water Damage Expense Before It Starts With This Guide & Homeowners Insurance

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Use these tips and your CA homeowners insurance to avoid water damage expense.

Water damage can be a serious hassle. Even a small leak can spike your water bill and have you reaching for the mop. More water damage is even more problematic – and expensive. Just an inch of water in your home can easily do tens of thousands of dollars of damage. Are you ready to handle the cost of replacing your flooring and personal belongings and drying out your walls? You won’t have to be with this water damage prevention guide and your CA homeowners insurance!

  • Look for hidden leaks. While you may not be able to spot them right away, you can get tipped off to them by keeping an eye on your water bill. If you see your bill start to climb or are suddenly hit with a higher-than-usual total, odds are you’ve got a leak.
  • Clean out your gutters! It’s simple, but having cleared gutters makes it possible for rain to run off your home through the right channels, instead of down your walls and into your foundation.
  • Watch where you plant certain things. Weeping willows are a great example of a tree of which you should be wary. Their invasive roots an infamous for growing straight through pipes, sprinkler systems, and even septic tanks. Do your homework before planting to make sure you avoid this kind of issue.
  • Take care of your pipes. Stay away from drain unclogging chemicals, which can damage them, and instead choose to use a drain snake. Also, avoid pouring grease down your sink at all costs!

The good news? Even if you do experience water damage, your homeowners insurance could cover it! To figure out exactly how much water damage your policy offers – and if it’s enough – contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency. As California homeowners insurance experts, we can protect you against water damage costs and other unforeseen financial burdens!

How To: Avoid Holiday Hazards at Home

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

Keep your holiday merry by avoiding these home holiday hazards.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We don’t want to dampen your holiday season in any way, but we do want to remind you that this time of year is also filled with hazards. The good news is that if you take steps to avoid holiday hazards at home, you can keep this time of year merry, bright, and safe! Here are a few tips to help you get started.

  • Theft claims increase by 7 percent during the holiday season. Make sure you’re home isn’t targeted by keeping valuables out of the way of windows and having your mail collected if you’ll be heading out of town.
  • Home fire claims also heat in the coming weeks, and by a shocking 15 percent! Choose flame-resistant decorations, avoid stringing more than the manufacturer-recommended number of light strands together and overloading outlets, and make sure all candles are blown out and lights are turned off when you go to bed. Your décor might not be the spark, though. When you’re in the kitchen, keep a close eye on all your items. If you know you’re cooking on a hectic day, set timers for yourself so you don’t forget!
  • Sewer back-up claims climb up by 19 percent during the holidays. Be careful about how you dispose of your kitchen waste. If you’re completely confident your garbage disposal can handle the job, dispose of it in the garbage. Also, keep plungers where guests can easily find them. Better a slight eyesore than a major cleanup!

We hope this guide helps you stay safe, but it’s not the only protection we want to offer.  Contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency in California to put a homeowners insurance policy to protect your home for the holidays and throughout the rest of the year.

Preparing Your California Home For The Fall Season

Posted on by butlervetinsurance

The California homeowners guide to getting their home ready for the coming cold.

Can you believe September’s almost already over? If the end of this month snuck up on you the way it did us, you might find yourself scrambling to get your house ready for the coming colder seasons.

We can help! To make maintaining and preparing your home for winter easy this fall, use these handy tips.

  • Clear Your Water Heater: What’s better than a hot shower after being out in the cold air? To make sure you can enjoy that feeling this winter, drain your water heater and clear out any debris that’s collected.
  • Seal It Up: Check your doors and windows for any cracks that will let hot air out, increasing your heating bill and your home’s chill. When you find them, seal them up.
  • Clean Your Gutters: With the winter comes an increase in precipitation. Make sure your home can handle it by cleaning out your gutters and drainpipes. Double-check that all of your downspouts are still pouring down a grade away from your foundation.
  • Get Your Chimney Inspected: Don’t try to clean your chimney yourself; have a professional come out and handle the job for you. While you have him or her there, make sure the damper gets checked so you can seal out cold winter drafts.

Another crucial aspect of preparing your home for the coming season is reviewing your homeowners insurance coverage. Do you have the right policy to protect your home? To make sure you do, contact Stromsoe Insurance Agency. Our committed California team can help you get the right coverage to fully safeguard your home this fall and throughout the rest of the year.