The Wertzberger Agency Home Tips: Winter Gardening Ideas

Our team is so excited to be at the Johnson County Home + Garden Show for the second year in a row! Visit our booth this weekend and enter to win $250 Giveaway!

Dreaming of getting started on your Garden but this cold weather has you stuck inside? Here are fun and creative winter garden ideas you can do now!

Create a Winter Planter

Plant Dwarf Conifers and create a miniature winter forest that you can enjoy all year round. Evergreens are a must this time of year, their beautiful color pops against white winter. Dwarf varieties of these lovely plants, placed in pots on a outdoor table or in a window pot, can bring life to your home during gloomy winter months.

More information and photo credit click: here

Grow fruits and veggies indoors!

You can grow dwarf avocados, carrots, lemons, peppers, beets, tomatoes and much more indoors! Some plants such as the avocadoes and lemons will take some extra TLC but its great way to keep your gardening juices flowing in the winter months. You may even save money while you are at it.

More Information and photo credit click: here

When all else fails, feed the birds!

Seeking food is the main activity for wild birds. Help them out this winter with creative winter feeders.  It is important to provide food for birds in the harsh winter months because natural food sources like fruits and insects are scarce. The food we provide may be the only source of nutrition for them in the area. Great food choices would be suet, peanuts and sunflower seeds.

More information and photo credit click: here

For more homeowner advice visit Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency team in Booth #1210 at the Johnson County Home + Garden Show. Learn how we can help you, your family, and home stay financially protected.

Don't have tickets yet? Buy online and save $2! Click here to take advantage of this exclusive offer

For more creative garden inspiration, visit The Wertzberger Agency Pinterest Outdoor Living and Plants page click: here

Get Blizzard Ready in 9 Steps

Are you ready? 

Review this nine-day blizzard preparedness guide to see if you’ve got what it takes to help survive in an extreme winter weather event.

Day 1: Understand winter storm “advisories” vs. “warnings”

Learn to decode key forecast terms to tell hype from threat. An “advisory,” according to the NOAA National Weather Service, implies the weather will be an inconvenience, but manageable with proper precautions. “When a Winter Storm Warning is issued, it’s serious,” says Sean Sublette, a meteorologist with Climate Matters, an independent climate research group. “A ‘warning’ implies a threat to life and property if no precautions are taken.”

Blizzards, by definition, are characterized by heavy or blowing snow, sustained winds in excess of 35 mph and visibility less than a quarter mile for at least three hours, according to the National Weather Service.

Day 2: Identify your regional risks

The Great Plains, Great Lakes region and Northeastern states are more prone to blizzard than other parts of the country, and areas in “Blizzard Alley” — stretching from the Dakotas and western Minnesota to Iowa, Nebraska, southeast Wyoming and eastern Colorado — are affected most, according to a study of U.S. blizzards from 1959 to 2000, according to the NO

But blizzards don’t always stay within bounds. In 2015’s Winter Storm Jonas, 25 people from New York to Kentucky died. The lesson? If you live on the border of blizzard-prone areas, storm tracking is vital when forecasts predict winter storm warnings nearby, says Jeff Schlegelmilch, deputy director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP). The National Weather Prediction Service Winter Weather Forecasts shows how vulnerable your area is to blizzards.

Day 3: Plan for a prolonged power outage

Living without electricity for days, or even weeks, can be fairly typical with winter storms due to driving winds and snow and ice piling up on power lines. Schlegelmilch shares these key points:

· Layer up. You may be without heat if you have an electrical heating system. Collect extra blankets and warm clothes to have on hand.

· Use caution with a generator. Keep generators outside, away from your house. “We see a lot of carbon monoxide poisonings after blizzards,” says Schlegelmilch.

· Develop a Plan B for medical appliances. For people dependent on machines like oxygen concentrators, the loss of power is potentially life-threatening. Contact your local Emergency Management Agency or the Red Cross, to make sure they can support medical appliances.

Day 4: Know the signs of and First Aid for extreme cold health emergencies

“Hypothermia and frostbite are big issues, especially if it’s very cold and windy after a blizzard,” says Schlegelmilch. Frostbite occurs when skin and body tissue freezes and turns pale or bright red and feels cold, hard or waxy, according to the Mayo Clinic, and signs of hypothermia — a dangerously low body temperature — can include:

• Uncontrollable shivering
• Slurred or incoherent speech
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Clumisness/lack of coordination
• Low energy or drowsiness
• Confusion or memory loss
• Bright red, cold skin (particularly in infants)

If you can’t get to a hospital, focus on heating the victim’s core body temperature, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you’re stranded outside, shield the victim from wind, particularly the neck, head, and areas most affected by frostbite: fingers, toes, nose, ears, cheeks, and chin. Remove wet clothing immediately and replace with warm and/or dry clothing.

Day 5: Practice a water turnoff

One frozen, burst pipe running at four to eight gallons a minute can do tens of thousands of dollars in damage, says Glenn Gallas, vice president of operations at Mr. Rooter professional plumbing service. “You’re looking at an extremely expensive home disaster.”

Locate the water shut-off valve in your home and label it. This valve is typically located in the basement. Practice turning the valve off clockwise by hand, which you will need to do in an emergency if your pipes burst. In rare cases, if your water valve is located outside the home, you may need to use a hex key at the meter box.

Day 6: Stock your car with supplies

In January 2016, hundreds of motorists were stranded on the Pennsylvania Turnpike for more than 16 hours. “Depending on the temperature of the pavement and the air during a snowstorm, a driver can get trapped in less than an hour,” says Sublette.

Beyond a typical kit with flares and a First Aid kit, Schlegelmilch says your winter car worst-case-scenario kit should include:

· A small shovel

· Sand, salt or cat litter to give your wheels traction

· An invertor powered by your car battery. This should last 30 minutes to an hour. Let your engine run 10 minutes to recharge the battery.

· Extra clothing layers

If you’re stranded and snow is accumulating quickly, remember to keep snow away from your tailpipe to prevent a carbon monoxide build-up.

Day 7: Shop for a week’s meals

The general rule of thumb in disaster preparation: have at least a three-day food supply for everyone in your household, including pets. For major snowstorms, Schlegelmilch recommends stocking up for a full week. “I remember one storm where the snow was higher than the standard plows,” says Schlegelmilch. “Some roads didn’t get cleared for a week.”

Your disaster grocery list should include non-perishable nutritious items that are easy to eat such as dried fruit; proteins like canned tuna, beans and nut butters; and shelf-stable (meaning powdered or boxed) milk.

Day 8: Limit your home’s vulnerability

Survey your house for zones vulnerable to heavy, wet snow accumulation, which can cause structures to collapse. Anything with a flat roof (think: carport or porch) is at particular risk and should be cleared first when snow begins to pile up. J.B. Sassano, president of Mr. Handyman home improvement service, cautions against shoveling from a ladder or the roof itself, where you can easily slip and fall. Instead, consider using a telescoping plastic-edged snow rake with your feet firmly planted on the ground and focus on removing excess weight (versus clearing every bit of snow) or hire a professional to assist.

More home improvement recommendations from Schlegelmilch:

* Locate and label the outside vent to your heating system so you can clear away snow buildup, which can block the exhaust pipe lead to carbon monoxide poisoning.

* Have a professional trim branches near power lines

Day 9: Build a community network

Whether you live in a rural or urban environment, develop a plan with your neighbors to check in on each other. In a rural area, that might mean bringing the truly isolated members into town before a storm. In the city, identify elderly or medically fragile neighbors. “In any disaster, it really comes down to neighbor helping neighbor,” says Schlegelmilch. “At its most basic, they might have peanut butter and you may have jelly.”

By Margaret Heidenry

The information is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute professional or expert advice and does not signify an endorsement in any manner. No representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, are made with respect to this information, including, but not limited to, the completeness, accuracy, timeliness, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to this article or the information, products, or services. You are solely responsible for any reliance you place on this information, for any injuries or losses incurred, and for decisions made in connection with this information.

For more general tips and tricks of preparedness, contact Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency at 913-383-3276 or by email HERE

Why you may want to think twice about work provided life insurance

As the owner of Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency, I have conversations with clients about all different types of insurance products. A very regular conversation will be around the product of life insurance. We will have conversations about who should carry it, how much should be carried, and what type should be carried. Inevitably, through that conversation, the topic of life insurance being provided by one's employer will come up and my opinion on it; Should it be purchased? How much should be purchased?

When asked whether a client should purchase life insurance through their employer, my answer is always YES! However, it does come with a cautionary caveat of not to rely solely on work provided coverage to fill one's life insurance need. It should be a part of one's life insurance package, if not just supplementary to the coverage one owns personally.

To expand, think of it this way: There are basically three ways we all leave this earth.

1. Accident - As in car accident or some other type of unforeseeable incident.
2. Illness - As in Cancer or some other type of disease.
3. Age 

When contemplating work provided life insurance, what one needs to realize is that the coverage provided through one's employer normally ceases to be provided if/when one's employment were to stop. Now, think about about the three ways of passing listed above and whether or not work provided coverage would apply to be a saving grace for one's family.

1. Accident - Will you be employed at the time of death if you were to perish due to some type of accident? - POSSIBLY! Obviously, no one ever knows if/when a tragedy would strike that would cause one to perish due to an accident. It is certainly probable that one would be employed at the time of their passing due to an accident. Their work provided coverage MAY apply.
2. Illness - Will you be employed at the time of death if you were to perish due to some type of illness? - PROBABLY NOT! In many, if not all, cases if one were to acquire a life threatening disease it would very likely effect their ability to work. This would cause them to have to leave their place of employment and would in turn cause their life insurance to cease, just at the time it is needed most! Some may argue that in some cases work provided coverage can be converted to a personally owned policy but, if that is available, it is normally rated extremely high. Think about it: if one needs to convert work provided coverage it normally means that they can not acquire coverage directly due to a medical issue. This converted policy will VERY likely get paid out and the carrier will rate highly due to that circumstance.
3. Age - Will you be employed at the time of death if you were to perish due to age? I WOULD HOPE NOT! Obviously we all hope to retire as far before our death as possible. Work provided life insurance would cease to apply when retirement would be reached.

In conclusion, work provided life insurance can be a good PART of one's life insurance plan. Normally, work provided life insurance is very cheap and it allows the applicant to secure the most coverage for a very inexpensive cost. 

One needs to realize that work provided life insurance is cheap for a reason; It very likely will never get used!

If you would have interest in structuring a life insurance plan that you would own/control personally, please reach out to us at Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency at 913-383-3276 or www.thewertzbergeragency.com

Roadside Assistance

Did you know that just by being a Farmers customer you get roadside assistance? 

DO THIS RIGHT NOW: Save our Roadside Assistance number 1-800-435-7764 in your phone so you are always prepared! 

Use Our Roadside Service - Call 1-800-435-7764

With more than 20,000 towing and road service facilities and 10,000 professional locksmiths, our dispatch service will send the nearest professional to you.

• Emergency tow – covering up to $150
• Dead battery/jump-start
• Flat tire change
• Lockout entry assistance – if your keys are lost, broken or locked inside your vehicle
• Roadside winching – if your car is stuck in the mud, snow, ice, or by the side (within 10 feet) of a public paved road
• Emergency roadside connect — Access police, fire and medical assistance

Or Select Your Own Provider

You may also contact the service provider of your choice, pay the bill and submit for reimbursement.

For any additional questions on Farmers Roadside Assistance or with inquiries about becoming a new client of Farmers Insurance, contact The Wertzberger Agency at 913-383-3276 or click HERE.

Ways to Cover the Cost of Life Insurance

Many people may they think they have a good understanding of life insurance. Often, this may not be the case. When asked how much they thought life insurance would cost for a year, 80 percent of those who answered a recent survey overestimated the cost of term insurance¹ by more than twice what it really costs. The primary reason many people hesitate to purchase life insurance is the belief that it’s too expensive. That’s unfortunate considering that life insurance can help protect the financial future of your family should something happen to you. When you look at the numbers, the cost of coverage should not be a barrier for many people.

For example, a healthy 30-year-old man can get $250,000 of term coverage from Farmers New World Life Insurance Company for $22.68 a month². With the average monthly cost of $61³ for a cell phone, or $64⁴ for a cable subscription, life insurance is a relative bargain. As you can see, life insurance can be affordable.

Here are some money-saving ideas to consider that can benefit many areas of your life in addition to helping cover the cost of life insurance:

Create a budget. Track your expenses: knowing where your money is going may help you identify areas where you can easily reduce your spending. There are many free money management tools and apps that can assist you with this.

Quit smoking. It benefits your health, and a pack-a-day smoker can save over $2,000 per year based on the average cost of a pack of cigarettes⁵. Non-smokers can also expect lower life insurance rates – all other factors being equal – than smokers.

Bring your lunch to work. By not spending just $5 a day you are looking at saving about $1,200 a year. You don’t have to bring your lunch every day: even bringing your lunch every other day can result in savings that can help cover the cost of a life insurance policy, and possibly even more.

Eat out one less time per month. If it costs you about $30 on average each time you go out, reducing this number by once a month will allow you to save over $300 a year.

Bring coffee from home.  Do you spend $3 a day on coffee during the work week? If so, this can add up to $720 per year. Cutting this number in half can result in significant savings.

Save your loose change. It may not sound like much, but setting aside fifty cents a day over the course of a year will allow you to save more than $180.

Take advantage of all company benefits and discounts. Your company may offer corporate discounts on gym memberships, cell-phone data plans, hotels, concerts, etc. that can help you save.

Organize your closet. This can have a number of advantages. You can save time in the long run knowing where everything is located, and you may find forgotten items, reducing the need to purchase new ones. Consider consignment for items you no longer want to keep.

Research major purchases. Check product reviews, price comparisons, features, and other aspects of any product you are looking to purchase. Wait for sales for additional savings and discounts. A little research and timing can save big $$$ on a purchase.

Start small to save big
Starting with some small steps, you can easily find the money to pay for life insurance. The hardest part of any change is getting started. Once you do, things usually start to fall into place, the process becomes much easier, and you can begin to recognize the positive impact it has on your life.

Life insurance can positively impact your life by providing you comfort in knowing that it will help support your family financially in what may be a distressing and uncertain time. While no one likes to think about a time when they can no longer care for their family, your family’s needs will still be there even if you are not.

Contact me today to discuss your options regarding life insurance and how it can help you and your family. You can reach Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency by calling 913-383-3276 or by email HERE

¹ Data from the 2015 Insurance Barometer Study by Life Happens and LIMRA.
² Policy form 2000-230 or applicable state variation. Rate is based on a 20-year Farmers Value Term, 30-year-old male, non-nicotine Platinum Elite underwriting class. Electronic Funds Transfer required. Issuance of a policy and rates are subject to underwriting guidelines and approval. Premiums are subject to change after the initial term period.
³ New Street Research, The Wall Street Journal, March 9, 2014
⁴ Report on Cable Industry Prices, Federal Communications Commission, May 16, 2014
⁵ http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/tables/economics/infographics/index.htm
Your Farmers agent may only sell policies in states in which he or she is licensed.
Farmers New World Life Insurance Company is not licensed to sell life insurance, accident and health insurance, or annuities in the state of New York.
Life insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, 3003 77th Ave. SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040.

Benefits of a Farmers Friendly Review®

There are numerous benefits to having a Farmers agent — one of the most important can be the Farmers Friendly Review (FFR). A Farmers Friendly Review includes quality review and customer service regarding insurance and coverage options. Take Chris, a married man with 2 children. Chris has his auto and home policies with Farmers.  He wants to keep his family and assets protected now and in the future. Chris felt his current coverage was adequate for his situation when he first bought the insurance but wanted to be sure it was still adequate for his family situation. He received an email from his Farmers agent prior to his one-year anniversary as a Farmers customer and he contacted him to discuss his insurance program. “I accepted my agent’s offer of the Farmers Friendly Review, which was easy and convenient to do.”

Chris scheduled his review with Farmers agent Michael Lambert. Michael analyzed the situation and identified some potential gaps that had developed because of changes to Chris’ household. Michael identified some options that would be beneficial to Chris. “My agent reviewed my coverage selections and explained some reasons he felt would make sense to increase my levels of coverage,” said Chris. It was an easy decision, as the cost was minimal given the improved protection it provided. “Since the additional cost was very low to increase coverage, I did so. I feel more comfortable about my coverage knowing my assets are better protected.”

When should you schedule your Farmers Friendly Review?

We recommend scheduling an FFR at least once a year, or whenever a change in your life occurs as this can result in big changes in your insurance needs. A change in marital status, the birth of a child or the purchase of a home are just a few examples of life events that may create overlaps or gaps in your coverage.

Why you should schedule your Farmers Friendly Review today

There are several ways to benefit from scheduling an FFR with your Farmers agent. In addition to keeping up-to-date on the amount of coverage needed and possible ways to save money on your insurance, as a Farmers policyholder, you can be the first to enjoy new benefits such as discounts for alternative-fuel vehicles, pet insurance through Pets Best and experience the Farmers Car Shopping Service through TRUECar.  You can even apply for a Farmers Rewards Visa credit card through your Farmers agent.


Still feel you can’t gain from a Farmers Friendly Review? Even if you feel content with your coverage, you never know what the future holds. A review with your Farmers agent can help identify options to fit your household budget.. Schedule your Farmers Friendly Review today so you can realize the benefits of a full policy review with your agent. You can reach Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency by calling 913-383-3276 or by email HERE.

The Benefits of Renters Insurance

Even if you don’t own a home, you probably own a great deal more than you think. Consider all of your furniture, electronics, clothing and appliances. Also include any jewelry, collectibles, books or musical instruments you own. Now consider how much it would cost to replace all of these items if you had to do so. Doesn’t seem like such a small number, does it? Imagine you are having a cookout, and a guest trips on the stairs while attending. Could you cover their medical bills if need be? What happens if something leaks in your apartment, and ends up damaging your neighbor’s unit? How would you pay for those damages? The answer is renters insurance.

Renters insurance is very similar to homeowners insurance, in that it helps cover you and your property. The landlord’s insurance policy on the rental unit typically covers the building structure itself, while protecting your property is your responsibility. Renters insurance and what it covers can vary, but in general it covers personal property, personal liability, property damage to others, additional living expenses and medical payments to others. What your policy covers depends on the coverage limits you select.

Here are some of the benefits renters can gain from purchasing renters insurance:

Fire and theft protection

If your apartment or rental home becomes damaged in a fire or other peril named in your policy, your renters policy can help to repair or replace your possessions. Likewise, if your residence is broken into, your renters insurance policy can pay to repair or replace listed items that are damaged or taken. Additionally, renters insurance policies typically provide loss of use coverage, which can help pay your expenses if you have to relocate for repairs. Here’s a tip: Create an inventory of your belongings. Include furniture, clothing, books, electronics, appliances, etc. along with its estimated value. Take photos of your belongings, and keep track of credit card statements — keeping a current list will make it easier should you have to file an insurance claim.

Protection from damage you may cause

Renters insurance covers more than just your property. For example, if you accidentally ride your bike into a parked car, your policy can  cover that, and pay for the losses of people who are injured or suffer property damage because of your actions.

Protection from liability claims

Like to entertain? Ever get a package delivered? Renters insurance can provide liability protection, which covers injury to another person while on your property. So, if you’re sued because someone is injured while at your residence or because you or someone covered under your policy accidentally injure someone, renters insurance can provide liability coverage for legal costs and the settlement of the injury claim up to your limits.

Affordable protection

Many renters assume their belongings will be covered by their landlord’s policy if something should happen. Your landlord’s insurance policy will not cover your losses due to theft or damage. Renters insurance covers your personal property, and even covers you from liability claims while you’re renting. Also, if your rented home ever needs serious repairs, and you’re unable to live there, it also covers the reasonable and necessary increase in living expenses (housing, food, etc.) you may incur from a covered loss. While there’s no law requiring you to purchase a policy when renting, to help protect you now and your future it is important to purchase renters insurance.

Make the call and purchase renters insurance.  It is an inexpensive way to protect your property from damage or loss, and can help you rebuild your life should you experience a loss. Call me today to get the coverage you want to protect both yourself and your belongings. You can reach Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency by calling 913-383-3276 or by emailing us HERE.


Sources: homeproperties.com; realestate.msn.com; smartmoney.com; zillow.com

Boating and Water Safey

When you’re out on the lake on a sunny, summer day, the last thing on your mind may be safety.  It should be though, as a seemingly perfect day can turn tragic in an instant. There are steps that can be taken to lessen the chances of an accident occurring as a boat operator or passenger.

Take a boating safety course

The first thing you should do is to understand the requirements and regulations of operating a boat. Boating safety courses are offered for all types of recreational boaters of all ages. Qualified volunteer organizations, such as the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron and others sponsor courses, and many state boating agencies also provide classes.1 An added benefit is that taking a certified safety boating course may qualify you for lower insurance rates.

Perform a vessel check

The goal of a vessel check is to make boating safe for you and any passengers by educating boaters on proper safety and preparation.  For personal pleasure crafts, both the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons have certified vessel examiners who will perform a free Vessel Safety Check (VSC) at your boat, at a convenient time.2There is no charge for the check, and no consequences if your vessel does not pass. You can request a vessel check here to get started.

Make sure all passengers have life jackets

To meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements, a boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard Approved life jacket for each person aboard.3Make sure children have life jackets that fit them correctly — adult-sized life jackets will not work for children. Any pets that travel onboard should have life jackets too. Life jackets should be tested for wear and buoyancy at least once each year.  Any waterlogged, old/faded or leaky jackets should be discarded.4

Do not drive while impaired

The importance of this cannot be overstated: the use of alcohol is involved in about a third of all recreational boating fatalities.5 The same rules apply on the water as they do for operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and it is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs in every state. Do not operate a boat under the influence of any substance.

Stay safe and have fun

Recreational boating accidents often increase as the temperature rises. Every year, hundreds of lives are lost, thousands are injured and millions in property damage occurs due to negligence. These accidents are preventable through proper vessel maintenance and following boating training and safety procedures. By performing the necessary safety checks, staying sober and playing it safe, everyone can enjoy a relaxing time out on the water.

With numerous choices and options, Farmers offers a variety of industry-leading Boat insurance packages so you can select the Marine Choice boat insurance package you want. Contact me today to get started.

To discuss how to insure your boat with Farmers, please contact Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency at 913-33-3276 or email us HERE

1 http://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/boating-safety-courses.php

2 http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=V-DEPT&category=i-want-a-vsc

3 http://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php

4 http://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php

5 http://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/boating-under-the-influence.php

General sources:

http://www.safeboatingcouncil.org/

http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=V-DEPT&category=i-want-a-vsc

http://www.boatus.org/

Help protect your loved ones’ financial future with Life insurance

A summer’s evening spent by a campfire, the sound of your children’s laughter as they play on the beach, grilling your “famous” burgers at an afternoon picnic ... there are many enjoyable ways to spend a summer weekend, and these events are usually made all the more special with family as part of them. You hope these traditions are passed down, and that your family has many days filled with similar memories in their future.

Unfortunately, simply wanting the best for those you love isn’t enough: no one can guarantee they will always be there to care for loved ones. Life insurance can help protect your family, however, by lessening the financial impact of your loss if your family has to carry on without you.

Life insurance can help loved ones

Life insurance can help protect your spouse and children from potentially devastating financial losses that can result if you were to die prematurely. Too often, when an income earner dies, survivors are forced to make tough financial decisions at a time when they may not be in a position emotionally to do so. Life insurance would provide your survivors a chance to adjust to this change over time, instead of having to look immediately for a new residence or a higher-paying job. Some of the ways life insurance can help your family include:

• Providing income in a time of need:  While life insurance won’t replace you, it can help replace some or all of your income if you die. It can help cover the cost of funeral expenses, be used to pay off debts, and help with day-to-day living expenses such as food, clothing and housing. It can help longer term goals, such college tuition or retirement plans, become a reality.
• Assisting with household needs:  Something that can get overlooked is the financial value a stay-at-home parent provides. The services they provide are invaluable to a family. In the event of the loss of a stay-at-home parent, life insurance can help pay for important household services like childcare, transportation and general household duties.
• Supplying financial benefits during your lifetime:  If you choose Whole Life insurance, the cash value of your policy increases over time and you can access those funds for a variety of needs. 1 These funds can be used to help pay for life events such as buying a home, a wedding, or educational expenses. Whole Life insurance can also provide the ability to take out a loan from your policy at a lower rate than banks offer, to add to an investment portfolio or to supplement your retirement income.

Give those you love a lasting gift

Whether for their family, a spouse or an essential business partner, people purchase life insurance to help those they care about have a more secure financial future. You can do this for those important to you as well. Start a new tradition and make life insurance a part of your family legacy. It may end up being the most valuable one of all. Contact me today and we can get started.

To speak to a representative with Farmers about Life Insurance or other products, call us at Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency at 913-383-3276 or email us HERE

1Policy loans and withdrawals will reduce cash surrender value and death benefit. Policy loans are subject to interest charges. If your policy is a modified endowment contract, loans and withdrawals may be subject to taxes and penalties.

What coverage do I need for my vacation home?

Vacation homes can provide a relaxing getaway from stresses of everyday life. Just as with your primary residence, a vacation home needs to have adequate insurance protection. These types of homes require a different type of property insurance, however. A vacation property isn’t your primary residence, so why insure it like it is?
While it may not be your primary residence, your vacation home still faces potential damage or loss due to fire, wind, storms and severe weather. It is also vulnerable to vandalism and theft during the time it is unused. Because of these risks, not all insurance companies will insure second homes.

Farmers Seasonal and Vacation Home Insurance

Seasonal and Vacation Property insurance from Farmers provides coverage for accidental damage, liability, and loss, as provided in the policy. You can choose a prepackaged policy or customize one to meet your specific situation. Unlike many insurers, Farmers doesn’t require you to insure your primary residence with Farmers: coverage options are available for your seasonal or vacation property regardless of your primary home insurer.

What coverage does Seasonal and Vacation Home Insurance provide?

Just like standard Homeowners Insurance, Seasonal and Vacation Property Home insurance helps offset the costs of repairs, replacement costs and living expenses if something happens to your vacation home due to accidents like fire, lightning, wind-driven water, hail damage or theft.

Additional Specialty Homeowners coverages available through Farmers

Do have a rental property? Do you own a vacant property or one in less than optimal condition? As a landlord, with Farmers you can choose a Landlord or Rental Property insurance package that is a good option for you. You can also customize your policy with extra options to suit your unique situation and help you protect your investment.

If your home’s market value is lower than it would cost to rebuild it, some insurance companies may be reluctant to provide coverage. For older or lower-valued properties, Farmers has created specialty policies specifically for these types of homes.

Helping to meet your coverage needs

Farmers Specialty Property insurance covers additional types of properties in addition to seasonal and vacation properties, providing coverage for homes that may not qualify for typical homeowners coverage, such as vacant homes or rental properties. No matter the type of homeowner’s coverage need you have, chances are Farmers will have a coverage that can help.


With numerous choices and options, Farmers offers a variety of Seasonal and Vacation Property insurance packages. Contact me today and we can discuss your property insurance options.

To speak to a representative with Farmers about Home Insurance or other products, call us at Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency at 913-383-3276 or email us HERE

Benefits of Life Insurance on Children and Grandchildren

Juvenile life insurance is permanent, affordable insurance that can provide your children or grandchildren with their own life insurance policy as well as benefits above and beyond what your own life insurance policy may offer them.

Why do people insure their children and grandchildren?

There are many reasons:

• A medical exam is typically not required and coverage is guaranteed for life¹, regardless of the future health of the child.
• The cost of insurance for a child is typically less than similar coverage for an adult. Some policies offer an option to purchase additional insurance in the future, regardless of insurability.
• Over time, the policy may accumulate cash value. This cash value can be used to pay future premiums.
• You may withdraw or borrow funds² from the policy generally income tax free.³
• Unlike funds in 529 college savings plans, a juvenile life insurance policy’s cash value doesn’t have to be used specifically for education. It can be used for other purposes such as wedding expenses or a down payment on a home, for example.
• Juvenile life insurance may also helpful for estate planning by providing for the tax-efficient transfer of wealth.  See your estate planning expert for details.

How is it different than college savings plans?

Let’s say you want to accumulate funds for your child or grandchild’s future college tuition. You may consider a 529 savings plan. There may be up-front tax savings which might be attractive, but if your child or grandchild’s college plans change, withdrawal restrictions will generally apply. With limited exceptions, you can only withdraw money that you invest in a 529 plan for eligible higher education expenses without incurring taxes and penalties. In contrast, a permanent life insurance policy’s cash value can be withdrawn or borrowed tax-free by the policy owner for any purpose. It can be used to help the child purchase a car, a home, or even to start a business.

If the child goes to college as planned, under current rules, the cash value that has accumulated in a permanent life policy won’t have to be declared and counted against them when it’s time to qualify for financial aid. Although each educational institution may treat assets held in a 529 plan differently, investing in a 529 plan will generally reduce a student’s eligibility to participate in need-based financial aid.⁴

Consider a non-traditional and versatile gift for your child or grandchild. Let’s talk about how the cash value in a permanent juvenile life insurance policy can potentially provide your children or grandchildren with a lifetime of financial and life insurance options.

For more insurance about life insurance or to start the application process, please contact Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency at 913-383-3276 or by email HERE.

¹The death benefit is guaranteed according to the terms of the contract and provided that premiums are paid.

²Policy loans and withdrawals will reduce cash surrender value and death benefit. Policy loans are subject to interest charges. If your policy is a modified endowment contract, loans and withdrawals may be subject to taxes and penalties.

³Distributions from a life insurance policy in the character of partial surrenders (withdrawals) up to basis or policy loans will generally be income tax free, provided the policy does not violate Modified Endowment Contract (MEC) guidelines and the policy is not terminated during the lifetime of the insured. MEC guidelines are rules in the Internal Revenue Code which specify maximum premiums that can be paid without triggering adverse tax consequences for withdrawals. A policy termination during the life of the insured can cause the owner a single taxable event for any gains in the policy that were borrowed or withdrawn on or before the termination date.

For informational purposes only. In general, partial withdrawals from a permanent life insurance policy in excess of the policy’s basis are taxable, and limited circumstances exist where death proceeds will be taxable. Neither Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, its employees nor its Agents provide legal or tax advice. Always consult your own attorney, accountant or tax adviser as to the legal, financial or tax consequences and advice on any particular transaction.

⁴http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/intro529.htm
Your Farmers agent may only sell policies in states in which he or she is licensed.

Farmers New World Life Insurance Company is not licensed to sell life insurance, accident and health insurance, or annuities in the state of New York.

Life insurance issued by Farmers New World Life Insurance Company, 3003 77th Ave. SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040.
0615-A  6/15

Tips for preventing child deaths in hot cars

As the summer months are upon us, we unfortunately hear of another child whose life is lost due to the effects of being left in or climbing into a hot car: on average, 38 children die in hot cars each year.¹ Children should never be left alone in a parked car, as a vehicle’s cabin temperature can rise rapidly in the hot sun, topping 120 degrees on an 80 degree day. Tragedies like these can be avoided, however.

Here are some tips to help avoid accidental deaths in hot cars:

• Never leave children alone in a vehicle, not even for a short period of time.
• Whenever possible, use drive-thru windows at banks, dry cleaners and restaurants. Use a debit or credit card to pay for gas at the pump.
• Put a purse, cellphone or other item you will need in the back seat of your car. This will help ensure that you check the back seat before leaving the vehicle.
• Keep a stuffed animal or toy in your child’s unoccupied car seat. As a reminder that your child is in the back of the car, put that item in the front seat when you place your child in the car seat.
• If a child is missing, immediately check the vehicle, including the trunk.
• If you see a child alone in any vehicle for more than a few minutes, try to get the child out and call 911.

Get involved

Awareness and education about this hazard could have an immediate impact on the problem. Get involved in Where’s Baby and help to save a child’s life. Remember: whether it’s cloudy or not, the heat of the sun can be deadly.

Did you know?²

Child heatstroke in cars can lead to:

• Severe injury or death
• Being arrested and jailed
• A lifetime of regret

Children overheat up to five times faster than adults:

• In 10 minutes, a car’s temperature can rise over 20 degrees.
• Even at an outside temperature of 60 degrees, your car’s inside temperature can reach 110 degrees.
• A child dies when their body temperature reaches 107 degrees.

Warning signs of heatstroke:

• Red, hot, and moist or dry skin
• No sweating
• Strong, rapid pulse or a slow, weak pulse
• Nausea
• Confusion or strange behavior

¹http://www.kidsandcars.org/heatstroke.html
²http://www.safercar.gov/parents/InandAroundtheCar/heatstroke.htm

Coverage is not available in all states.

How You Can Benefit From a Farmers Friendly Review (FFR)

At Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency, one of the many benefits is having a Farmers Friendly Review (FFR) every year offered to you. Once a year, you'll receive a postcard indicating that someone from our office will be calling to schedule your review. At the review, many things will be discussed. The goal of the FFR is really just to make sure your coverage is changing as your needs change and you are never left with different coverage than you needed as this can lead to a VERY bad claims experience. We also confirm all discounts are accounted for. Do you think that this sounds like it could be a benefit? Does your Agent offer you an annual review? Do you have an Agent??

A Farmers Friendly Review includes professional advice and friendly customer service regarding your insurance and policy coverage options.

Take Shari and her husband David, for example. They were looking to add their 16-year-old son Cole to their auto policy. Knowing teenage drivers could significantly impact the cost of their auto insurance, Shari and David were concerned about how it would fit into their budget. They also wanted to make sure they did not have any overlaps or gaps in coverage as they had recently experienced some life changes. To help with the process, Shari decided to accept the invitation for a Farmers Friendly Review.

Soon after meeting, Shari and David were quickly put at ease.  They knew their Agent was knowledgeable, helpful and patient, something that came in handy as they had plenty of questions regarding their coverage.  Their Agent also had a great sense of humor which helped the meeting go very smoothly. Their Agent understood Shari’s and David’s concern for the increased cost of adding Cole to their policy and helped them select coverage and deductible options that allowed them to add him without compromising the protection they wanted. Their Agent also explained their  homeowners policy coverages and pricing options to ensure they were taking advantage of all eligible discounts leaving Shari and David feeling much better about their insurance protection provided by Farmers. Shari summed up the experience with this: “The level of service we receive, as well as the experience and knowledge Steve provides, is worth it. It’s hard to imagine missing out on the great relationship we’ve developed, and it all started with an FFR.”

When should you schedule your Farmers Friendly Review?
We recommend scheduling an Farmers Friendly Review at least once a year or whenever a change in your life occurs A change in marital status, a new job, the birth of a child or the purchase of a home are just a few examples of life events that may create overlaps or gaps in your coverage.

Why you should schedule your Farmers Friendly Review today
There are many benefits to scheduling an FFR with your Farmers agent. In addition to keeping up-to-date on the amount of coverage needed and exploring possible ways to save money on your insurance, you can learn about new benefits such as discounts for alternative-fuel vehicles, pet insurance through Pets Best and experience the Farmers Car Shopping Service through TRUECar.

So, what’s keeping you from scheduling your Farmers Friendly Review? Your Farmers agent can help you select the right coverages to fit your lifestyle. Get started today so you can realize the benefits of a full policy review with your Farmers agent.

If you would like to schedule a Farmers Friendly Review or would enjoy having an Agent who offers an annual review, please contact Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency at 913-383-3276 or by email HERE.

Farmers Insurance - Identity Fraud Coverage

Example: You go to refinance your home and discover that someone has stolen your social, opened a credit card, and defaulted on it. Your credit is now ruined. What do you do?

Example: You get a letter in the mail indicating a warrant has been issued for your arrest due to traffic citations in New York. You have never been to New York. What do you do?

Example: You have a family member put you down as a cosigner on a loan without your knowledge. They default on that loan and now you are getting letters about the balance due. What do you do?

These are just SOME examples of situations that can occur that are due to Identity Fraud. Did you know Farmers' Home Insurance INCLUDES Identity Fraud Coverage. Farmers would be able to help in each of the above situations and more and it would not cost the policy holder anything!

There is NO deductible with filing a claim for Identity Fraud coverage.

Filing a claim for Identity Fraud coverage does NOT cause your rates to go up.

Identity Fraud coverage is NOT included in the majority of home insurance products available with other carriers.

We have people come to our Agency, Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency, because they have had to go through rebuilding their identity before and know it can be a time consuming, and expensive process.

If you would like to review a home insurance product that would include Identity Fraud coverage, please give us a call at 913-383-3276 or email us HERE.

More about Identity Fraud coverage can be found here:

State Farm Non Renewing Home Insurance

Over the recent weeks, we have taken more than a handful of calls from soon-to-be former State Farm clients. The story that we are hearing is that State Farm is choosing to no longer have the calling individual as a client of theirs. Understandably, the calling individual is quite upset about it...and wouldn't you be?? One would think, "okay, well, I can see the insurance carrier's stance to some extent. That client must just be a terrible client who files lots of claims." I'll share a review of two of the most recent call we've taken.

We'll call the first client "Joe".

Joe called our office, Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency, last week. Joe let us know that State Farm is choosing to non renew his home insurance. Our first response was of course, "sorry to hear that!". Joe then went on to explain his history with them as a carrier.

Joe's parents were insured with State Farm, as a lot of ours are/were. When Joe bought his first house, he just followed suit of his parents and also became a State Farm customer. Fast forward 10+ years and Joe has been a loyal client for many years.

While Joe was continuing his business with State Farm, he was also having success in his professional career, which soon led him to purchasing a new home. Joe's new home was a $600,000 property for him and his growing family.

Prior to moving into his new home, there was a small water loss which he filed a claim for. In Joe's opinion, not a big deal. He paid a deductible and State Farm paid a few thousand to help with the clean up. Then, Joe moved to his new home and, as luck would have it, three years later had another small water loss. This put Joe as having 2 water losses over a 4 year period at two different location.

Prior to Joe's next home insurance renewal of his $600,000 home, he received a letter indicating that State Farm saw him as too much of a risk to insure and is giving him two options. Option one, carry an extremely high deductible or, option two, find a new carrier. Joe called his Agent but the Agent indicated his hands were tied. After being a client for many, many years and paying State Farm thousands and thousands of insurance premiums, they no longer want his business because of TWO claims at TWO properties no less!

Joe googled for a new insurance provider and found Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency. At Farmers Insurance, we only look back 3 years for any home insurance claim history. We did have to account for one of his water losses but were able to provide insurance for Joe and his entire household for less than he was paying with State Farm!

We'll call the second client "Mary".

Mary called Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency within the last few days. Mary had been with State Farm for 20+ years. Mary had purchased a home to retire in in 2009. Over the next 5 years, the area that Mary lived in was hit by two large storms. The first storm caused lots of shingles to be blown off Mary's roof. Mary filed a claim, paid her deductible, and State Farm helped repair her roof. Three years later, a second storm came through, bringing lots of hail with it. Everyone in Mary's neighborhood, including Mary, needed a new roof due to this storm. Mary filed a claim, paid her deductible, and State Farm replaced her roof. Both claims, as Mary would put it, were "unavoidable".

Prior to her next home insurance renewal, Mary learned that State Farm no longer wanted to insure her as she had filed too many claims over the past 4 years. Mary had been a loyal client for 20+ years and filed TWO weather related claims in the past 4 years and she is now forced to find another provider.

Mary was understandably upset and vented to anyone who would listen. Fortunately, one of those listeners told her to call Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency. We met Mary and were able to be of immense help. Farmers only looks back three years so we only accounted for one of the two hail claims. Also, Farmers Insurance offers a New Roof discount. Not only could we provide insurance, but we lowered her deductible and saved her $1000+ on her home insurance premiums.

If you, or someone you know, is going through a similar situation with State Farm or your carrier, we encourage you to give Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency a call at 913-383-3276 or email us HERE.

Joplin Tornado - May 22, 2011

May 22, 2011 is a day that will forever change how anyone in the Mid West views insurance. May 22, 2011, was a day that gave us all visibility to how bad things can get and why we carry insurance.

May 22, 2011 brought the 2011 Joplin Tornado; an EF5 vortex that reached a maximum width of nearly 1 mile during its path through the southern part of the city.  

Today is a day that we remember May 22, 2011 and the effect it had on Joplin, MO; the many lives lost, the homes and businesses destroyed, and the thousands it effected.

We constantly use what happened in Joplin, MO as an example of catastrophes that can occur that can expose gaps in the home insurance that is available from other carriers.


Many families in Joplin were effected by their policies not having full replacement coverage, not having sufficient loss of use coverage, not having sufficient personal property coverage, not having building ordinance coverage, or just the carriers themselves being too slow to respond and causing the effected to live homeless and wait for assistance from their insurance carrier.

We realize pricing is important with the home insurance we all carry. We do our absolute best to make sure that the policies we provide to our clients are at the best possible price point, but not at the sacrifice of coverage that can prove to be extremely important in times similar to May 22, 2011.

It is reasons like this that it is so important to educate one's self about the policy carried on their home.

What does it cover? 

What does it NOT cover?

Having an Agent you can trust allows one to be confident that the answers to these questions don't come as a surprise when it comes time to file a claim. If Farmers Insurance - The Wertzberger Agency can ever be that Agent for you, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at 913-383-3276. You can read reviews of the Agency from other clients HERE.