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Did you know there are special discounts for certain professions?

A costly catastrophe from a simple error is burdensome to any business owner. Professional Liability covers legal defense costs, no matter how baseless the allegations. Plus, it is not just for the medical field; it is available to most business and industry groups

- Brad Steinbach, Mayville Insurance Agency, Inc.

It’s Rude. It’s Distracting. It’s Dangerous. It’s Multi-tasking Behind the Wheel

You’re driving to the store when, without warning, the car in front of you makes a surprise left turn, forcing you to slam on your brakes. You notice that the driver is hitting buttons on his GPS. In the shopping center, your car is almost broadsided by a driver who backs out of a parking spot without looking. The driver is on a cell phone. On your way home, you can see the driver in front of you reach over to pull a CD out of the passenger side visor. The car momentarily drifts to the right and nearly goes into the ditch. Using gadgets while you’re driving can be a very bad thing. According to new research, crashes and near crashes are twice as likely to happen when a driver is performing a moderately complex task not related to driving, such as inserting a CD. The statistics jump to three times as likely if the driver is attempting complex tasks such as dialing a phone or texting. “As new technologies are introduced, the list of potential driver distractions keeps getting longer,” says Brad Steinbach, Mayville Insurance Agency. “Safety concerns have even been raised about GPS navigation devices and complex ‘green’ energy monitoring displays on dashboards. The bottom line is that if you’re not paying attention and the result is an accident, you could be in big trouble.” A new study at the University of Iowa showed that most drivers overestimate their driving abilities and aren’t aware of the degree of danger they expose themselves to when they attempt to multi-task behind the wheel. The study confirmed that teen drivers in particular “don’t notice what they don’t notice.”

In one case, a driver looked away from the road for six seconds to tap out a text message on her phone. She unknowingly drove out of her lane and it came to her attention only when the tires of her car hit the curb. When the driver was shown a video of her driving, she was shocked to see that she almost hit a telephone pole at 40 miles per hour. New driving instruction methods that use cameras and feedback sessions to show new drivers what they miss when they’re distracted may help reduce the problem of multi-tasking behind the wheel. But many drivers seem to have to learn the “hard way” that good driving requires concentration. “The abrupt steering and braking that are often associated with distractions can easily result in accidents,” says Steinbach. “And if a driver involved in an accident is found to have been distracted to the point of inattentive driving, the penalties can be severe. And obviously future insurance premiums can be affected.” More than 40,000 people die every year in motor vehicle crashes, and research indicates that failures of attention – including distractions – probably played a role in many of those crashes.

“Drivers need to understand that driving deserves your utmost concentration and attention. If you just ‘look away for a second or two’ – what if that’s the moment someone changes a lane, a deer flashes across the road or a small child darts from behind a car to grab a ball? That second or two could mean the difference between a frightening incident or a life-changing tragedy for both the driver and the others involved.” “Parents should also considering making it a rule that if they find their teens chatting on the phone or texting while driving, they lose their driving privileges. It’s that important,” said Steinbach

Do you know the difference between a flood and a sewer backup?

A flood involves rising waters, such as those caused by rain, melting snow, or overflow of a river. It can cause enormous damage. However, a homeowner’s or a commercial property policy does not cover it. The primary way to insure your home or commercial properties against flood is through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

Sewer and drain backup, on the other hand, involves water that causes damage to your house or property as a result of a sewer or drain that backs up. Unlike flood insurance, the coverage for this type of loss can be purchased as an endorsement to your homeowner’s and commercial property polices.

Flood polices do not cover losses caused by sewer or drain backup. Nor do sewer and drain backup endorsements cover true flood losses.

We urge you to consider adding Sewer and Drain Backup Endorsement to your Homeowners or commercial property polices as well as purchasing a Flood Insurance policy.

Identity Theft…It happened to me!

Identity Theft is a growing threat to everyone. We often think of Identity Theft coverage as a kind of “fluff” coverage. Think again! Identity Theft recently hit home with Wilson Mutual Marketing Representative Jim Schoenecker. This is his story…

No identity theft for me!

Wrong I had my wallet stolen out of a locked locker at the YMCA just weeks ago? When I discovered it missing my first reaction was one of anger. I did not know what to do or where I could find a resource to assist me. I filed a police report and fortunately the officer was very helpful and had a nice checklist for me to begin closing accounts and putting credit bureaus on notice. Through my discussions with YMCA staff and the police officer, I was astonished at the rate of frequency in which this happens!

I used to think of Identity Theft as a find of “fluff” coverage.

I was also given a description as to one of the predator approaches on this. The predator will sit in their car in the parking lot and watch for women entering the facility who are not carrying a purse. Guess what, they presume the purse is in the locked car…and boom. They break in and make off with the purse. Sickening huh? Just one of many scams targeting hard working, honest citizens.

I used to think of identity theft as a kind of “fluff” coverage. No longer, it is just as necessary as coverage to protect you from fire. Statistics suggest you or someone you know has had their identity stolen.

The lesson I learned was to be proactive. Document what you carry in your purse or wallet. Have card and cancellation numbers on file. Don’t carry unnecessary cards.

Above all, carry Identity Theft Coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions Coming Soon

Frequently Asked Questions Coming Soon