Prevention

Personal Umbrella Policies are liability insurance policies with very high limits of protection, typically starting at $1,000,000. They are designed to add a layer of protection above other kinds of personal liability coverage such as the liability protection found in a personal auto, homeowner or boat insurance policy. These kinds of policies are meant to protect you should you be deemed legally responsible for injury to persons or property. Personal injury can include non-physical injury like libel or slander.
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For nature lovers, many of the most memorable moments take place in the great outdoors, whether it's catching your first trout on a fly rod or summiting a peak. This is also where people often find the most solace, as time in nature can bring a sense of peace. Unless, of course, things go wrong.
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In a world full of visible dangers, the last thing anyone in Illinois wants to think about is the invisible ones. But they're there and, believe it or not, many of them may be lurking inside your home. According to the CDC, each year, approximately 430 people in the U.S. die from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning and more than 50,000 are treated for it. Mold is prevalent in an estimated 70 percent of American homes. And the EPA and Surgeon General attribute more than 21,000 annual deaths from lung cancer in the U.S. to radon exposure.
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Winter is coming, whether we're ready or not. Every year, despite all of fall's colorful warning signs, shorter days, and brisk mornings, the first blanket of white always seems to come as an abrupt surprise, dusting all that summer gear you never made it around to storing with regret. This year, no regrets! You're going to clean up, check, and double-check your way to being properly prepared. And here's how you're going to do it.
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Does your home need a new paint job or a quick refresh on the trim? Are the gutters overflowing with the remains of fall foliage? Or are larger issues demanding immediate attention, like doors and windows, the roof, or the foundation? Whether you thrive on weekends filled with do-it-yourself projects or hide at the mere suggestion, summer's long days and generally agreeable weather in Illinois offer the ideal opportunity to take on the range of home maintenance and improvement tasks to preserve value and functionality for years to come. Here are a few considerations for fixing up the exterior of your home in the months to come.
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Summer's generally agreeable weather and extended daylight hours in Illinois make it an ideal season to tackle renovations, remodels, and other household fix-its. Still, these projects aren't without inherent challenges and risks. A little due diligence at the onset can do much to minimize unhappy surprises and make for successful, stress-free (or, at least, as close as it gets) renovations.
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As winter thaws into spring blossoms, summer beckons with backyard cookouts and campfires under the stars. Like many people in Illinois, spring also means an overhaul of all the recreational toys and gear that make those summertime adventures comfortable, including the family camper. Here are some considerations when readying your RV for all the camping and travel expeditions ahead.
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You get to the end of your flight reservation and the page comes up: For a few extra dollars, would you like to purchase travel insurance for your trip? Or maybe you're planning that once in a lifetime trip, and an experienced agent has suggested you purchase a travel policy. So what should you do?
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The holiday season is upon us, meaning it's time to be jolly, gather with friends and family, and, hopefully, stay safe. But in addition to the things we're all wishing for, the holidays can bring some unwanted gifts in the form of accidents, damages, or injuries that might result in an insurance claim. So what are the most common holiday-related insurance claims and how can you avoid them? Read on to find out.
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Pets often become more like family members, and in the case of dogs (and the occasional cat), we tend to take them wherever we go. But before you pack up Fido for a summer road trip, it's important to think about how to keep your beloved pet safe when temperatures are extreme.
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Heat-related illnesses are serious business. When left untreated, the symptoms of heat exhaustion can turn into heatstroke, which is life-threatening. During the prime summer months, this can be a big problem and one that can creep up on you, since the signs and symptoms of heatstroke can often look like something else. With normal summer temperatures slowly increasing around the globe, it's even more important to understand how heatstroke occurs and how you can prevent it.
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According to the U.S. Fire Administration, clothes dryers contribute to nearly 3,000 fires, 5 deaths and over $35 million in property loss each year. So making sure your dryer vent is clear is a simple but important way to keep your home and family safer. Even in the absence of fire, clogged vents cause your dryer to be less effective resulting in greater use of electricity and more breakdowns. If you find your dryer is taking longer and longer to fully dry a load of laundry, chances are your vent has become blocked with lint.
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Because you can't keep an eye on it all the time, you want your second home or rural property to stay well-maintained and protected. There are many things you can do to keep your land and buildings safe and prevent problems that can arise when a property is unattended.
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For business owners, operating during a pandemic is complicated to say the least. You want to do the right thing by your staff and customers, without losing the business you love. In many cases, there is a lot you can do to make patronizing and working at your business safer for everyone.
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Summer in Illinois is almost here and, unfortunately, the global pandemic we've been faced with is still here too. While most of the country, and the world for that matter, are reopening, fears of a resurgence still linger, and we are faced with the unknown. Around the nation, everything from festivals to summer camps have been cancelled, vacation plans have changed, and we're all wondering if summer will even feel like summer at all.
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With COVID-19 fresh on the mind and social distancing a new way of life, this summer may not be like any in recent history. But having more time at home means you can't tackle some of those projects you've been putting on the back burner for months, or even years. Here are some ideas for projects to embark on this summer.
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Most people rely on dozens of appliances to support their daily tasks and activities, including small but significant tools like alarm clocks or hairdryers; toasters and stand mixers; and heavy hitters like the dishwasher or washing machine. So, how do you keep your appliances running their best, and getting a good return for your investment by having them work for as many years as possible? Here are a few tips to improve the performance and longevity of appliances.
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Winter hasn't raised its icy head yet, but the calendar never lies and we're inching closer to those shorter days and cooler nights. Now is the time to get ready, starting with how you get around, namely, your car, boat and RV.
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After a long summer, most parents and (some) kids alike are ready to go back to school. But going back to school also means sending your kids into a sea of germs, and increasing their likelihood of getting sick. In fact, most school-aged children will get 6-10 colds every single year. But there are several things you can do to help your child and the rest of your family stay healthy, and decrease their chances of catching an illness at school.
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Outdoor grilling season in Illinois is here, a time to relax on the deck and enjoy some ribs or a juicy burger cooked to perfection on the grill. But even the most experienced grill master should take safety precautions before firing up the grill. Make sure your outdoor entertaining goes according to plan by following these grilling safety tips.
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Unpredictable weather, at least in most parts of the country, is here. Suddenly, regular activities like driving and walking outdoors have become more hazardous. Whether you're going about your daily tasks, celebrating the holiday season, or taking part in fun winter activities, here's how to make sure you're safe and protected.
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According to the World Health Organization, falls are the second leading cause of accidental injury deaths worldwide. Falling disproportionately impacts adults age 65 and older, and can lead to serious injury, further health problems, decreased quality of life, and a loss of independence.
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In regions with any kind of wintery weather, you probably know exactly how to prepare for and navigate the unique risks caused by snow, ice, and low temperatures. And since they can't change the thermostat or put on cold weather booties, your pets count on you to get them ready for the season, and to keep them safe through the cold winter months.
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Most of the modern world is plugged in these days to smartphones, ipads and laptops, among other things. And many of us complete the loop by coaxing earbuds into our ears, turning up the sound to shut the world out, even just for a minute. But this practice, along with the increased amount of dangerous noise present in the modern world, is causing epidemic levels of early hearing loss in children, adults and teens. Read on to find out what you can do:
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Your teeth reflect your overall health, so paying attention to them is important everybody knows that. And yet, many of us still skip brushing our teeth on some busy days or avoid regular checkups. In light of National Dental Hygiene Month, here's how to stay on top of dental hygiene along with dental insurance guidelines:
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Boating season is on the horizon in most parts of the country, and for boaters, it's time to get your vessel out of storage and start performing the necessary inspections and maintenance to ensure that you're ready to hit the water as soon as the weather allows. Follow these tips to get your boat water-ready for summer:
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Water crises seem to be everywhere, from the ongoing droughts in the West to the recent water-related disaster in Flint, Michigan, to the problem of clean water that devastates the people of many third-world countries. Still, if you don't live in these areas, it may feel like these issues don't, or won't, affect you: but that couldn't be further from the truth. Here is what you should know about water safety and how you can contribute to the solution.
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When Hurricane Katrina touched down in 2005, humans were not the only species affected by its destruction. And because emergency relief agencies were not in the business of saving pets, nearly half a million animals were left behind, devastating many owners and causing public outrage on their behalf. Passed in 2006 as a direct result of Hurricane Katrina, the Pet Evacuation and Transportation Act now requires state and local agencies to consider pets and service animals in their emergency preparedness plans. While most of us won't experience a disaster like Hurricane Katrina in our lifetimes, it's still up to us to consider our beloved companion animals when planning for emergencies, big and small. Here are a few things you can do:
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Everyone in Illinois agrees that cyber safety is important, but what, exactly, does it mean to be "safe" online? And what do parents really need to know? Here are the top five things you can do to teach your kids how to become responsible digital citizens:
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We all want to be the one to find a gift that makes the holidays unforgettable for that special child in our lives. Whether you're a parent, aunt, neighbor or godparent, don't let your quest for holiday magic steer you towards a purchase that might be unsafe or inappropriate.
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The holidays tend to revolve around food: potlucks, family dinners, cookie decorating and seasonal celebrations offer dozens of opportunities to cook, bake and dine to your heart's content. Whether you're whipping up something in the kitchen or delivering homemade goodies, here are a few tips on food safety for the season:
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Gathering school supplies, updating vaccines, and returning to a regular sleep schedule are part of a long list of things that need to be done before sending kids back to school. If your child also has a food allergy, preparing to go back to school takes extra effort and due diligence. Here are some things you can do to make sure your child's medical needs are met throughout the school year.
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For most American families, summer is outdoor celebration time, fireworks time, barbecue time, and fun-in-the-sun-by-the-pool time. If you're the one who happens to be hosting, however, it's important to recognize that these quintessential summer activities present unique risks, as well as potential liability issues.
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Summer in Illinois is coming and with it is the opportunity to experience all kinds of warm-weather mishaps. Here are some common summer dangers and how to avoid them.
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There is no shortage of distractions in the modern world. Distracted driving has become a national issue, and many schools and public agencies are scrambling to raise awareness of the problem. The National Safety Council estimates that one in four car accidents involve cell phone use, but many people still believe that talking or texting while driving is harmless. Using electronics while driving is only one of the dangerous habits that have become all too common for today's drivers.
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April showers eventually bring May flowers, but in the meantime, wetter and warmer temperatures can cause a variety of hazards along the way. Here are some common spring safety issues, and ways you can prevent their potentially harmful consequences:
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Asbestos is a hidden health hazard that can lurk right in the place where you should feel the safest: home. While those who work in the construction industry are considered the most vulnerable to asbestos exposure, especially repeated exposure, it's important to keep in mind that even very limited exposure-such as what you might experience during a simple renovation project-can have long-term negative effects. Make it a priority to prevent you and your family members from coming into contact with this dangerous material.
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Before winter strikes in Illinois, most of us tuck away our summer clothes and bring out the sweaters, coats, and scarves that will keep our bodies cozy when there's a chill in the air. But how many of us take similar steps to prepare our homes for winter weather? Readying your home for winter, also known as "winterizing," will not only help you and your family to stay snug and warm while saving money on energy bills, but it may also protect your home from damage that can lead to costly repairs.
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There are plenty of potentially hazardous activities that go along with the holiday season and the start of winter, such as stringing up Christmas lights, navigating the icy roads, and hopping on those skis or other snow sports equipment, just to name a few. This is also the time of year when we break out the snow shovels and ice melt, so that we, and our neighbors and visitors, can safely navigate our walkways and sidewalks.
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Large or established businesses often have top level management and policies guided by a board of directors. But boards exist all around us and not just in a corporate setting. In each case, individual board members can be held liable for their actions or the actions of the board of directors and subject to lawsuits.
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Swimming pools are wonderful complements to summer weather. Few things are better than stepping outside your home for a cool dip, hosting poolside parties or watching your kids play themselves to exhaustion in the water. Most of us understand that pools also pose a danger but it is important to understand the extent of that danger, the components and preventative measures we can take to keep our pools safe.
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