National Kidney Month this year is bringing attention to Chronic Kidney Disease. Take a look at the infographic below to learn some of the facts about this silent killer. Then, on March 13 (World Kidney Day) – start your day off with a glass of water to show that you take care of your kidneys.
Today is Valentine’s Day, the second most popular gift and card-giving day of the year (Christmas is the first). It is a designated day to recognize the people we love and let them know how much they mean to us, often through tokens of affection, dinner, candy, flowers, etc. It is also the perfect time to think about Life Insurance.
It might not be the most romantic of thoughts, but making sure you are adequately insured provides financial protections for those you love. The emotional burden of losing a loved one is difficult enough – life insurance helps to make sure that financial concerns don’t add to that burden.
Life Insurance can be beneficial to everyone: single or married people; those with or without children; younger or older. It can be a means to cover funeral costs, medical expenses, to pay off existing debt or to provide income replacement. Everyone has different life insurance needs depending their individual situation and goals.
We can help answer your questions – Do you need it? If so, how much do you need? What are the different types of Life Insurance? How much does it cost? While you probably want to stick with the candy and flowers for today, tomorrow is a good time to take action if you are not currently insured.
Do it for Love.
Did you know…
Did you know your Life insurance policy can also help you pursue your savings goals? Video courtesy of Security Mutual:
Bieritz Insurance Agency is an independent agency working with over 20 companies to offer our customers a variety of options, and find the right product and company to fit your needs. We operate in the beautiful Leatherstocking Region of Central New York and are proud to call the Cooperstown Area our home. We are an Award Winning Allstate Independent Agency, having received recognition for being among the top 30 Independent agents in the United States. Contact us at (607) 547-2951, 209 Main Street, Cooperstown or (607) 263-5170, 128 Main Street, Morris.
Beginning with a Fireworks Display at 6:30pm on Friday, Feb. 7 at Lake Front Park in Cooperstown and culminating on Sunday, Feb. 9 with a 5K/10K race, Cooperstown’s Winter Carnival is sure to chase away the winter doldrums! With over 40 different events and activities for all ages taking place throughout the area, the event truly offers something for everyone!
View the Complete Schedule Here!
Cooperstown Winter Carnival has been an area tradition since 1967. See Event History Here.
With ten more weeks of winter still to come, we are sure to find a few snowstorms in our future. The next time it snows, do yourself a favor and take a look at your roof. Does the snow cover your roof evenly or does it melt in the center and remain visible only towards the eaves? Do you find that large icicles develop from your gutters or roof edge after a few days? These are visual signs that your home is forming ice dams.
Ice dams are formed when warm air escapes into your attic and heats/melts the snow on the roof. When the water from the snow melt reaches the eaves or gutter area, it gets colder again (no longer effected by the warmer attic temps) and freezes along the edge. Ice begins to build up along the edge, with water accumulating behind. This water can continue to build up and eventually seep through the roof, causing damage.
This video illustrates the process very well.
Ice dams can be prevented by making sure that heat from your home is not escaping into your attic. An energy audit from a local service provider can help give you information on where air leaks are coming from and recommendations on how to fix, either through improvements in attic insulation or proper ventilation. In many cases in New York State, a home energy audit can be done for free – see information here from NYSERDA.
In the meanwhile, if you have ice dams that have already formed and are causing damage, you are going to want to contact a local roofing professional who can use steam to safely clear the ice blockages from your eaves.
For more information about ice dams, view Energy Star Fact Sheet here.
Did you know…
For more Blood Facts and Statistics, visit the American Red Cross Website Here!
Please consider donating at one of the following blood drives in our area – Jan 20 through Jan 31.
Jan 20, 12-5pm at Worcester Central School
198 Main St, Worcester, NY 12197
Jan 21, 1-6pm at St James Episcopal Church
Jan. 27, 1:30-6:30pm at Richfield Springs Community Center
Jan. 27, 1-6pm at Otego Methodist Church
Jan 29, 9am-2pm at Milford Central School
Jan 29, 2-6pm at Cherry Valley Springfield High School
Jan 30, 10:30am-4pm at Golden Artist Colors, Inc.
Jan. 31, 12-5pm at State University of New York Oneonta
One of the highlight events each year in Cooperstown is Candlelight Evening at The Farmers’ Museum, taking place this year on Saturday, December 14 from 3:00-7:00pm. Find out all the details HERE.
The Holiday Season marks a special time of the year, providing opportunities to gather with family and special friends. Whether you are hosting guests at your home or traveling to another destination, our team at Bieritz Insurance Agency would like to share some tips with you for a safe holiday season.
Safety in the Kitchen
Each year, firefighters respond to an average of 155,000 cooking fires, the number of which increases during the holiday season. To stay safe in the kitchen, keep in mind the following:
Make sure your appliances are working properly. This includes stove tops, burners, ovens, microwaves, etc.
Don’t forget to turn off your stove or oven when finished using it. You can set a timer for this as a reminder.
Don’t leave food unattended on a stove top or in the oven – stay alert.
If a pan catches fire, cover it immediately with a lid and turn off the burner. Water on a grease fire will make it worse. Make sure your kitchen has a fire extinguisher (and check the expiration date to make sure it will work when you need it).
If you have a fire in your oven, turn off the oven and keep the door closed.
Keep flammable items away from your stove (pot holders, paper towels, food packaging, etc.).
Wear tight fitting sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can easily catch on fire from open burners. Remember “stop, drop and roll”.
Never use extension cords to plug in appliances as this can overload a circuit.
Make sure you have smoke alarms installed and that their batteries are fresh.
Review your escape routes with your family and guests. Have a pre-determined meeting place to make sure you have the proper head count.
Safety for your Guests
Family gatherings include members of all ages, from toddlers to grandparents. Walking through your home and property and correcting any potential problems will help to prevent injuries that could occur.
Inside the home:
Keep stairways clear of toys, shoes, loose carpeting, etc.
Avoiding rugs in areas of your home where people can potentially trip and fall.
Keep stairways, hallways, and entry ways well lit.
Apply non-skid strips to the bottoms of bathtubs and use non-skid rugs outside of bathtubs and showers.
If you use extension cords, use tape to secure each cord to the floor to avoid tripping.
Outside the home:
Make sure sidewalks and outdoor steps are clear of toys or objects that block a clear path for walking.
Repair any cracks or missing pieces on sidewalks and walkways.
If you live in an area with snow, keep sidewalks, staircases and paths clear and free of ice and snow. Add sand to the ground to help avoid slipping hazards.
Childproofing:
Move chairs, cribs, beds, and other furniture away from windows to prevent children from climbing onto sills.
Install hardware-mounted safety gates at the top and bottom of every stairway.
Attach childproof covers to corners of coffee tables, furniture, and countertops with sharp edges.
Add childproof covers to all electrical outlets.
Safety on the Road
For road travelers, the following winter driving tips will help you stay safe and a little less anxious on your next trip.
Have your car examined before you leave. Take it to your local auto shop for a quick once over, and make sure your tires are winter ready and properly inflated.
Be prepared for a change in course. Before you depart, become confident in knowing your route. Keep the directions as well as appropriate state map(s) handy, in case you need to reroute your trip.
Stay hydrated for the journey. It probably seems like dehydration isn’t very likely, but a recent Mayo Clinic study shows that a mere one- to two-percent loss of body weight can quickly lead to fatigue and decreased alertness, which could be deadly in icy winter driving. Also, your body requires more fuel in the cold — so rely on high-energy food including sandwiches, a thermos filled with soup and fruit.
Pack a winter safety kit for the car. Don’t leave without the essentials for a safe road trip — a cell phone (don’t forget the car charger); ice scraper; tow rope and jumper cables; sand or cat litter to aid with traction; blankets; flashlights, matches and emergency candles; first aid kit; portable radio; and a good book, in case you do get stuck.
Make frequent rest stops. Winter driving is much more fatiguing than in the summer, so you’ll want to make time to stop and stretch your legs. Just a few minutes off the road will make all the difference in improving your alertness when you’re back behind the wheel.
To all of our Friends, we wish you a safe and happy holiday season!
Bieritz Insurance Agency is an independent agency working with over 20 companies to offer our customers a variety of options, and find the right product and company to fit your needs. We operate in the beautiful Leatherstocking Region of Central New York and are proud to call the Cooperstown Area our home. We are an Award Winning Allstate Independent Agency, having received recognition for being among the top 30 Independent agents in the United States. Contact us at (607) 547-2951, 209 Main Street, Cooperstown or (607) 263-5170, 128 Main Street, Morris.
Sending a child off to college is a wonderful thing. It marks a new stage in their lives and allows for a new level of independence and real growth in learning to become responsible adults. Today’s student arrives at college with an array of personal belongings that help make them effective students and provide for comfortable living while away from home. In addition to clothing, furniture items, and books, they arrive at school with laptops, tablets, televisions, smartphones, printers, game consoles and more.
Many parents assume that personal belongings are protected by insurance provided by the school’s housing insurance, but this is not typically the case. SUNY Resident Life Handbooks clearly state:
“The College cannot be held responsible for loss of or damage to personal possessions in student rooms or suites resulting from fire, theft, leaks, vandalism, confiscation, mechanical failure or acts of nature. Residents are encouraged to carry personal property insurance.”
Renter’s insurance is one way to help protect your college student and your budget. At Bieritz Insurance, a typical policy costs in the area of about $100 per year and provides for replacement value of $10,000 with a $250 deductible. Another avenue would be to obtain a rider on homeowner’s insurance, however this typically has a high deductible ($500 to $2000), so it wouldn’t make sense to file a claim for something like a stolen smartphone as it wouldn’t cover the requirements for the deductible. Additionally, a claim through your homeowner’s insurance could effect your policy.
Replacement cost coverage (as opposed to actual cash value) will reimburse the full value of a replacement item, after you purchase the replacement and submit your receipts. This requires a greater up-front cost, but you are likely to receive accurate compensation for possessions. Insurance companies will want proof of purchase for all items on a claim, so it is helpful to keep a file at home (not on campus) that documents all items that you want insured – include purchase receipts, model numbers, serial numbers, etc. Photo documentation is also helpful.
If you are looking to protect the property of your college student, contact Bieritz Insurance to find out what might be covered under any existing policies and we can help you determine if a separate renter’s insurance policy is a better option.
Bieritz Insurance Agency is an independent agency working with over 20 companies to offer our customers a variety of options, and find the right product and company to fit your needs. We operate in the beautiful Leatherstocking Region of Central New York and are proud to call the Cooperstown Area our home. We are an Award Winning Allstate Independent Agency, having received recognition for being among the top 30 Independent agents in the United States. Contact us at (607) 547-2951, 209 Main Street, Cooperstown or (607) 263-5170, 128 Main Street, Morris.
Check us out at 9:19.
We have created a new YouTube Channel to provide educational information about various insurance products and to highlight some of the things that make our community special.
If you have content you would like us to include, please email Steve Bieritz, President, at steve@bieritzinsurance.com.
Bieritz Insurance Agency works with NYCM for insurance products including Home, Auto and Business Insurance. Call us today at 607-547-2951 for a free quote. Customer Service is our focus: no machines, no prompts – just real people, with real experience, offering great service.
Video produced by the Otsego County Tourism Program.
TRENTON, N.J. — Hurricane Sandy survivors who register for federal disaster assistance may be referred for a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest long term disaster loan. The loans can go to homeowners, renters, business, and non-profit agencies to pay for disaster-caused damages not covered by insurance.
Hurricane Sandy survivors who receive an SBA loan application should complete it now, because there are potential benefits that can happen as a result.
They would have readily-available funds for hidden damage that may be discovered after the initial inspection.
The SBA loans are low-interest, and long-term. In some cases, SBA can refinance all or part of an existing mortgage. SBA loan officers work to come up with a plan that fits a survivor’s budget.
Loans of up to $200,000 are available to eligible homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters may apply for loans of up to $40,000 for personal property, including clothing, furniture, cars or appliances. Loan amounts cannot exceed uninsured losses.
Businesses and private nonprofit organizations may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory and other business assets that are not fully covered by insurance.
Interest rates are as low as 1.688 percent for homeowners and renters, 3 percent for non-profit organizations and 4 percent for businesses with terms up to 30 years. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.
Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela Applications can be downloaded from www.sba.gov . For more information, call the SBA’s toll-free line at 800-659-2955. If you use TTY, call 800-877-8339.
Individuals can register for assistance and follow up on previous applications by registering online or by web-enabled mobile device at m.FEMA.gov. By phone or 711/VRS, you can call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY 1-800-462-7585.
The SBA has also opened ten Business Recovery Centers throughout New Jersey to help survivors.
Allstate Insurance has recently appointed Steve Bieritz, President of Bieritz Insurance in Cooperstown, to its Agents Advisory Council for the State of New York. This council is made up of 10 independent agency owners in NY and is designed to provide input to the company on ideas, changes, and improvements that can effect how Allstate does business. NY is the largest Independent system for Allstate in the country. This appointment was made official at a recent meeting in Binghamton, NY.
The Bieritz Agency and Morris Insurance Agency have represented Allstate for 18 years and earned the status of the top 30 Allstate independent agencies in the country for 2011. Serving Otsego County since 1990, Bieritz Insurance represents over 20 companies and is located at 209 Main Street. For information call 607-547-2951
