December 2017 Agency Newsletter
Our Mission Is Simple
Stone Creek Insurance Agency Is Committed To Knowing, Meeting, And Exceeding Our Clients’ Needs And Expectations.
At A Glance
New At The Creek
How To Minimize Holiday Fire Risk
According to the American Red Cross, almost 47,000 fires occur during the winter holidays. Millions are lost in property damage, and hundreds of lives are lost. Fortunately, fire risks can be abated with a little planning.
We have compiled some tips to help you stay safe this holiday season:
- Keep your Christmas Trees away from heat sources like fireplaces and radiators.
- Never use lit candles to decorate your trees. Consider battery operated ones.
- Check that your artificial trees are made from flame resistant materials.
- Make sure to stay away from dry trees, as they are more susceptible to fires.
- Use a tree stand to ensure yours doesn’t tip over while you are out or asleep.
- Place Candles in a sturdy holder and place where they are less likely to tip over.
- Keep candles away from things that can combust like ornaments, curtains, or heaters.
- Turn off your holiday lights and extinguish flames when you leave or go to sleep.
- Check fairy lights for frays or damage and check for instructions from your manufacturer for how to use.
- Use a surge protector.
- Watch for kitchen fires. While you’re cooking, keep your eyes peeled for potential risks, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, and food packaging on your stove top.
- If using a deep fryer, do not over fill and keep it far from your house.
- Remember to inspect your fireplace before using and turn it off before you sleep.
- Do not overload your electrical outlets with more than they can handle.
- Do not neglect matches and lighters, keep them away from children.
We can best to prepare and avoid fires, but they can still happen. If does occur, it is important that you have a homeowner’s insurance policy to help cover your valuables. Even if you do not own a home, renters and condo policies can be put in place to help you replace what you lost. At Stone Creek Insurance Agency, our agents would be happy to make sure you are properly protected. Call us or go online for a quote today!
To learn more ways to help prepare for fire, check out this website:
http://extramile.thehartford.com/home/holiday-home-fire-risk?cmp=EMC-PL-eNews16-86268555
(Source: The Hartford)
Is Your Home Based Business Insured?
Many Americans own small business that they run out of their homes. The internet has made home based businesses’ more common than ever before. But many business owners do not know that they are not properly insured. Many homeowners assume their small business needs are met by their homeowner’s insurance, but that may not be the case. Below are a few tips in deciding if it’s time to consider a business owner’s policy.
- Does your homeowner’s insurance allow your home-based business? Many business owners don’t realize that their homeowner’s policies don’t allow a home-based business.
- Are the limits on your homeowner’s policy enough? Most homeowner’s policies only provide $2,500 of business personal property. Is this enough? For most business owners it is not.
- Are clients visiting your home? The likelihood of a claim goes up significantly when clients are coming to your home. A client could easily slip and fall, injuring themselves. And your current coverage may not be sufficient.
- Is your home-based business your main source of income? If your home were to burn down, would you have anywhere else to run your business and generate income?
- If you think your home-based business may not be properly insured, reach out to Stone Creek. We can help guide you towards understand your business needs and making sure you are properly insured.(source: https://www.inc.com/libertymutual/is-your-home-business-really-insured.html)
(source: www.Safeco.com)
Business Spotlight
South Texas Fleet Services
Family owned & operated for over 70 years in the Laredo area, South Texas Fleet Services (STFS) is a full service trailer repair company. Services include onsite trailer repairs, small or large damages, semi-trailer mobile maintenance & repair, trailer wheel, tires, alignments and more! STFS serves Laredo & surrounding areas and can handle any type of semi-trailer including dry vans, flatbeds, step decks, double drops.
We are reliable, honest and are committed to excellence!
107 Flecha Ln, Laredo, TX 78045-7028 – (p) 956-723-6233