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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.

Adult Camps

Every year, millions of children attend summer camp. It can be a wonderful place to make memories and lifelong friends. Camp is a special type of community where kids come together to have fun.

Why limit the experience to kids? Reawaken your adult child: Check out these adult camps for the young at heart:

Adult Space Academy®
If you had dreams of becoming an astronaut, check out the Adult Space Academy. This weekend program gives adults a glimpse into the life of an astronaut. Train on simulators such as the one-sixth gravity chair; build and launch a model rocket; learn all about the history of space exploration. Prices start at $499.

Astronomy Camp
Longing to explore the dark skies? Check out Astronomy Camp for adults sponsored by The University of Arizona Alumni Association. It’s a two day hands-on program that introduces participants to the wonders of the cosmos. Visit nearby observatories and operate high-powered telescopes; attend lectures and workshops about space; experience the excitement of scientific inquiry. Tuition is $600 for two days.

Murder Mystery Weekend
Stay at Point Sebago in Maine during their yearly Murder Mystery Weekend, and try to solve an elaborate crime played out through an immersive theatrical experience. On Friday night, someone will die and participants will race against the clock to determine whodunit. Prices start at $165 and include meals, entertainment, and lodging.

The Culinary Institute of America
Foodies, listen up. The ideal food and wine vacation, The Culinary Institute of America offers several cooking boot camps in New York, Texas, and California. Enroll in basic training or more advanced programs that cater to your specific culinary interests. Camps are from one to four days and prices vary. All tools and some meals are included; accommodations are not included.

WoodenBoat School
If you’re interested in woodworking this camp may be just for you. WoodenBoat School in Maine offers a variety of one or two week woodworking and boat building courses: Beginners can take an introductory course, while those with a bit more hammer and nail knowledge can build a dory, a dinghy, or a skiff. Tuition varies by class; room and board are available at an additional cost.

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:

Farmers Mobile App

We are excited for the release of the new Farmers Insurance Mobile App.  The Farmers app is a quick and simple way to access your insurance policy informaiton on the go.  Our new app will give you access to the most frequently used self-service featrures right from your mobile device.  We are making it easier and more convenient to view your insurance anytime, anywhere.

“The new Farmers Insurance mobile app gives customers phone or tablet access to our most frequently used self-service features, making it more convenient to manage their insurance needs anytime, anywhere,” said Chief Marketing Officer Mike Linton. “It’s another way we are making it easier for customers to connect with us.”

The mobile app joins Pet Insurance, the Farmers Car Shopping Service offered by TRUECar and the new Farmers Rewards Visa card as part of our suite of Smart Solutions.

With the new Farmers Insurance app you can easily view your policies, instantly view auto id cards, quickly connect with us, your agent, and pay your bill.

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.