Knepper Insurance Group

Protect Your Holiday Gifts

Alex — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 15:00:34 +0000

Make Sure Those Valuable Holiday Gifts Are Protected

Did you receive new computer equipment this holiday season? How about a new piece of jewelry? Musical instruments, high quality cameras, golf clubs and even fine art are popular gift items. If you were given a valuable gift, you need to take the necessary steps to protect it against loss. Although most homeowners insurance covers a certain amount of personal property, many high-value items are excluded from your policy.

Here are some items that Knepper Insurance thinks you should consider getting additional insurance on include:

Jewelry
Furs
Cameras
Musical instruments
Silverware
Golfer’s equipment
Fine arts
Collectable stamps
Rare and current coins
Computer equipment

Ask your insurance agent about protecting these possessions with what’s called a Scheduled Personal Property Endorsement, or a Personal Articles Floater. These endorsements allow your agent to list each article separately, and assign a specific value to them for which they will be covered. Be sure to talk with your agent about the true cost of your gift. Most endorsements insure for actual cash value or cost of repair. This won’t cover the total cost if you need to replace the item down the road. If you want to make sure coverage is adequate to replace it, you may want to opt for an agreed value loss settlement. That means that you and your insurance company agree on a certain amount to be paid in the event of a loss instead of the standard amount listed on the endorsement. Fine arts are almost always insured under an agreed value, as they are usually unique and their value is difficult to determine. As with most insurance policies, there are some things that aren’t covered, like damage due to wear and tear, or damage caused by insects. Ask us about any exceptions in your policy.

For more information about protecting your valuable possessions, contact your insurance agent or Knepper Insurance. We can offer expert advice on how best to insure your most prized possessions against loss.

Safe Travel Tips for the Holiday Season

Alex — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 19:11:53 +0000

The holiday travel season is fast approaching and many people will be on the roads. Last year more than 35 million people traveled during the Thanksgiving holiday, with almost as many traveling during the Christmas week. With more people choosing to drive instead of fly, you’ll need to be extra careful on the roads.

Here are some quick tips to make your journey safe and sound.

Check Road Conditions and Weather Reports. Even if the forecast is good, winter weather can change quickly. Check weather conditions not only in your home town, but log onto weather.com to check the forecast for the town you’re traveling to. Check the Federal Highway Administration’s Web site for up-to-the-minute traffic information, detours and road construction. Planning for delays or looking for alternative routes can save you time and a lot of hassle.

Emergency Snow Kit. Even the best planning may not allow you to avoid wintry driving conditions. Pack an emergency snow kit, and keep it in your car. Include a snow scraper and brush, a flashlight, blankets, booster cables, a shovel, kitty litter, flares, emergency triangles and a first aid kit. While you may never have to use these items, you’ll be glad you have them in the event of an emergency.

Winter Check Up. The last thing you want to do is break down, whether it’s on a deserted back road or on a busy interstate highway. So make sure to have a certified mechanic check your oil level, tire pressure, windshield wipers, heater, defroster, antifreeze and brakes before you head out on icy and snowy roads.

Buckle up. Sounds like a no-brainer, but many motorists fail to use this basic safety essential. Thanksgiving weekend is one of the most dangerous and deadliest times of the year to travel, don’t let yourself or your loved ones become a “Thanksgiving statistic.”

Do Not Over Eat. We all know we’re guilty of this…over indulging in holiday treats can make you feel uncomfortable and sometimes groggy for the ride home. If you have a long journey ahead, consider cutting back on the goodies and have a cup of coffee or a caffeinated soda to help perk you up for the trip home.

Do Not Drink and Drive. Another no-brainer. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more people are killed in drinking and driving accidents during Thanksgiving weekend than during New Year’s Day weekend.

Review Your Auto Insurance Policy. Make sure you know what is and is not covered in your plan.

Knepper Insurance wants to keep you and your family safe this Holiday Season!

Knepper Insurance Promotes Fire Prevention Month

Alex — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:19:05 +0000

October is Fire Prevention Month – Here are Some Fire Safety Tips for Your Home

According to the US Fire Administration, more than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires while approximately 20,000 are injured. Most fires occur in the home. Many of these fires can be prevented or their severity lessened, by following these simple rules:

Every Home Should Have at Least One Working Smoke Alarm. Smoke alarms are inexpensive and available at any hardware or discount store. If you live in a multi-level dwelling, install a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Test it monthly, and replace the battery at least once a year. Smoke alarms themselves should be replaced after ten years of service, or as recommended by the manufacturer.

Tips to Prevent Electrical Fires: Never overload circuits or extension cords. Do not place cords and wires under rugs, over nails or in high traffic areas.

Alternate Heaters Keep anything combustible at least three feet away from any source of heat. Use fire screens in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks from jumping out, and have your chimney cleaned annually. The creosote buildup can ignite a chimney fire that could easily spread. Kerosene heaters should be used only where approved by authorities. Never use a gasoline or camp-stove fuel inside your home.

Plan Your Escape Develop and practice an escape plan from every room in the house. Stay low to the floor for better breathing and visibility and check doors to make sure they are cool before opening them. Never open doors that are hot. Pick a location where everyone can meet after leaving the house. Get out then call for help.

For any further information or questions, please call our office at (814)445-7971.

Insuring your child’s property while away at school

Alex — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 13:45:53 +0000

Sending a child off to college is a big day for a family and one that shouldn’t be ruined by concerns about whether the valuable items the child is taking to school are insured. When sending your college-age child off to school, he or she usually takes many valuables such as a computer, television, stereo, DVD player, clothing, possibly furniture and other items. This leaves many parents questioning whether their homeowners insurance protection will cover the items while they are out of the home.

Relax! The good news is that most homeowner’s insurance policies will provide coverage for personal property located away from the principle residence, such as with a child at college. However, there are coverage limits that parents must consider…

These limitations include:

Does child meet the definition of “full-time student” as defined by the school?

If not the child may no longer meet the definition of “insured” under his or her parents’ homeowners insurance policy. It is important for your child to tell you when there are any changes to their enrollment status.

Is the child on the “seven-year plan?”

Many homeowners insurance policies extend coverage to a full-time student living away from home provided he or she is under a certain age. Once that age is eclipsed, the policy will no longer consider the student “an insured.” Check your policy to determine if there is an age limit restriction.

What about coverage limits?

There are coverage limits for property that is located away from the insured party’s principle residence. For example, a homeowner’s policy may provide $50,000 for personal property coverage but limit that coverage for property located away from the insured’s principle residence to only 10 percent of that amount.

Certain types of property such as electronics, collectibles, high-value jewelry and other valuable items may have separate coverage limits that are significantly lower than the normal personal property limits. Having adequate insurance is the best defense against a loss that could otherwise taint your child’s college years, so let us help you! Call Knepper Insurance to review your coverage today, before your son or daughter heads off to school.

Knepper Insurance prepares you for the summer heat

Alex — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 15:13:52 +0000

Everybody loves summer. However, with the hot temperatures comes the risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, especially for the elderly or the sick. If you know someone who fits these categories and doesn’t have air conditioning, please check in on them when the temperature rises above 90 degrees.

What is Heat Exhaustion?

Heat Exhaustion is when your body can’t cool itself properly and your core temperature rises. Normally your body cools itself when sweat is evaporated off the skin. However, on hot and humid days, the sweat isn’t evaporated as quickly, so your body can’t regulate its temperature as efficiently. Some symptoms of heat exhaustion include:

Heavy sweating
Feeling weak and/or confused
Dizziness
Nausea
Headache
Fast heartbeat
Dark-colored urine, which indicates dehydration

If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, get to a cool place like a store, office building or a shady area. Drink plenty of water, but avoid alcohol or caffeinated drinks. Take a cool shower or apply cool water to the skin. If you don’t feel better within 30 minutes, contact a doctor.

What is Heat Stroke?

Heat ttroke is a serious medical condition and requires immediate action. Heat stroke is when the internal temperature of the body reaches 104°F. It can happen when your body gets too hot during strenuous exercise or when exposed to very hot temperatures, or it can happen after heat exhaustion isn’t properly treated. Some symptoms of heat stroke include:

High fever (104°F or higher)
Severe headache
Dizziness and feeling light-headed
A flushed or red appearance to the skin
Lack of sweating
Muscle weakness or cramps
Nausea
Vomiting
Fast heartbeat
Fast breathing
Feeling confused, anxious or disoriented
Seizures

If you think you or someone else might have heatstroke, call emergency medical personnel immediately. Go into an air-conditioned building or to a cool, shady place. Remove unnecessary clothing and fan air over the person while wetting the skin with water. You can also try applying ice packs to the person’s armpits, groin, neck and back. These areas contain a lot of blood vessels close the surface of the skin.

Knepper Insurance wants to wish all our clients and the community a fun rest of the summer, but remember that it’s also important to stay safe as well!

Knepper Insurance prepares you for severe storms

Alex — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:10:53 +0000

Severe thunderstorms and even tornadoes have been hitting our region this spring and we should expect more severe storms throughout the summer. Take these storms seriously! They can be very dangerous and cause injuries and even death.

Being prepared for severe storms is your best defense. Here are some safety tips for you and your family:

Have a safety plan in place in your home. Be sure every one in your home knows the safe place to go in case of a storm warning.
Put together an emergency supply kit with non-perishable food items, water, a flashlight and fresh batteries.
Keep a battery-powered radio available in case of power outages in your area.
Keep your cell/smart phone or other mobile devices fully charged.
Remember the 30/30 Lightning Safety Rule: Go indoors if, after seeing lightning, you cannot count to 30 before hearing thunder. Stay indoors for 30 minutes after hearing the last clap of thunder.
Familiarize yourself with the terms that are used to identify a thunderstorm hazard

-A thunderstorm watch means there is a possibility of a thunderstorm.

-A thunderstorm warning means a thunderstorm is occurring or will likely occur soon. If you are advised to take shelter, do so immediately

If you are unsure whether you are properly insured for windstorms or flooding, call our office at 814-445-7971.

Knepper Insurance Answers Medicare Questions

Alex — Tue, 10 May 2011 12:59:08 +0000

If you are confused about how Medicare works, you certainly are not alone; then not to mention throwing Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage, and Part D plans into the mix, it’s enough to make anyone’s head spin. Reviewing the four main Medicare Parts – Part A, B, C and D will help you get a brief understanding concerning Medicare. Once you know how the different Parts of Medicare works, it will help you to decide what your next steps are, such as purchasing a Medicare Supplement Plan to fill in some “gaps.”

Part A- Hospital
Part A covers Hospital and Skilled Nursing. If you are an inpatient in a hospital, Medicare Part A insurance will cover most of your hospital bills. You will be responsible for a deductible; perhaps a per day co-pay. It’s only because of some of these “gaps” in coverage that many seniors purchase a Medical Supplement Plan.

Part B- Medical
Medicare Part B basically covers everything else outside of a hospital. Medical care such as doctor visits, specialist visits, lab work, diagnostic work, outpatient surgery, & phjysical therapy. There is an annual deductible and you are responsible for 20% of all these bills. Again, it is because of these potential out of pocket expenses that many people purchase a Medicare Supplement Plan. That 20% could add up to a lot of money.

Part C- Medicare Advantage
This is your Medicare Advantage plan. Unlike Medicare Supplement Insurance, where the plans are standardized by Medicare, Medicare Advantage Plans are provided by private insurers. These insurance companies design their own plans. They decide on the premium, co-pays, deductibles, etc. It is usually an HMO or sometimes a PPO plan.

Part D- Prescriptions
Part D is also offered by private insurance companies. This is your prescription drug benefit. Many plans have an upfront deductible and there are also co-pays. Depending on how expensive your prescriptions are, you may fall into the dreaded “donut-hole.” In 2011, if you are in the “donut hole” most brand name prescriptions will be subsidized 50%. You are able to have a separate Medigap Plan along with a Part D plan.

So there are the different parts of Medicare A,B,C,D. Questions? Post a comment in the box below or contact Knepper Insurance for more information. Just ask for Andrea!

Knepper Insurance’s Tips: Building a Reputation for your Business

Alex — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 13:18:17 +0000

Whether you own a small or large company, it’s always important to have commercial insurance. This will give you the opportunity to take care of certain situations that wouldn’t normally be covered without it. You never know when a situation is going to arise, so we highly recommend looking at all the essentials needed to make this a great part of your business.

Building a Reputation:

Every company wants to build a reputation, and with the right insurance plan it can make a huge difference. After all, consumers want to know they’re protected if there is ever a problem that surfaces. Companies that have this type of coverage can show it to potential customers and put their mind at ease. While there are several different parts to a commercial policy, just knowing you have one can easily help the company bring in new business.

Keeping Third Parties Protected:

Anyone who owns a business understands the importance of keeping their clients and customers safe. In order to do this, it’s important to make sure that the essentials surrounding this area can keep them protected. What happens if someone who doesn’t work for the company comes onto the property and gets injured? Problems such as medical costs, a lawsuit, or anything else similiar can come into play; will you be able to handle it? This is very important, so make sure this area is covered in the policy.

Keeping the Managerial Staff Protected:

Depending on what type of business setting you have; lawsuits usually involve more than the owner of the company. In fact, there are usually a couple of lawsuits that take place. The second revolves around the individual that is either just below the owner or the manager on duty. Whatever the case may be, it’s a good idea to have this included in the insurance plan. This way if a problem surfaces, everyone is protected.

In the end it will keep the company from dealing with stressful events that could have a major impact on the company. We know you want to build a reputation, so get commercial business insurance, it will be extremely helpful. To find a great plan with an even better price, contact Knepper Insurance Group today so that we can find the best prices for you and your business!

Knepper Insurance voices importance of life insurance

Alex — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:57:30 +0000

You probably have your car, homeowners, and maybe even disability insurance. Along with all of those, life insurance is equally as important. Here are some reasons why.

1. You can’t predict the future: No matter how healthy you are, and how great your family health history is, you just don’t know how long you will live. No one is invincible and unexpected tragedies happen every day.

2. Financial support to your spouse & children: “Life Insurance is not for those who die, it’s for those who live.” If you pass away, your spouse and children will obviously lose your income. This could mean having to move from the home, getting a second job, etc. With the death of a loved one, their lives are changed forever. If you have life insurance, you can prevent them from further hardship.

3. Your spouse could become disabled after your death and unable to work: It’s possible that your spouse, who may be caring for your children, could become injured or disabled after your death. And even with the addition of disability insurance, she could then be unable to financially support the family. You will no longer be there as a ‘back-up” for your spouse.

4. Incase of a terminal illness: The only thing worse than having a serious terminal illness is having a serious terminal illness with no life insurance. Do you really want to spend your last days worrying about your family’s financial future?

5. Your spouse will not be left with the debt you incurred: Life insurance can be used to pay off your debts. If not, your spouse will probably have to pay it off. If you had a chance to have your debt payed off upon your death, leaving your spouse in better financial shape, shouldn’t you take it?

6. Funeral & burial costs: The average funeral costs $7,000. If you have life insurance, it will cover the costs, preventing your family from further financial hardship.

In many ways, life insurance gives you and your loved one peace of mind; and that in itself is just as important. Protect your family, buy life insurance now.

New Online Initiatives Within Knepper Insurance Continue To Grow

Alex — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:04:12 +0000

These days, everything is taking place online; communication, shopping and most importantly, business. Knepper Insurance Agency wanted to accomodate their clients by bringing many new improvements into the technological world to suit all needs in the most popular place- the world wide web.

Knepper Insurance’s Website

Now more advanced than ever, www.knepperinsurance.com has many new additions that are sure to make things easier for everyone when it comes to Pennsylvania Insurance.

To name a few, Knepper Insurance’s Customer Service Center will link people directly to a form to recieve a quote for any department in the agency. With one click, they can read about all of the available products and services. If they click on About, there is also a formal picture as well as a biography of every one of Knepper Insurance’s employees that instructs which department they are a part of within the business. The agency’s goal is to make our website as informative and helpful as possible, so there is also a Blog page, to keep everyone updated with Knepper Insurance’s most recent news and stories.

‘Knepper Insurance Group’

Besides introducing a new website, the insurance agency has also been putting forth efforts regarding Social Networking. Facebook is undeniably one of the most popular online networks on the web, so the agency now has it’s very own page, Knepper Insurance Group. Although still in the process of growing their fan base, the agency has already posted useful articles, information, and pictures with more to come. So if you are a member of Facebook, please take a look and be a part of Knepper Insurance Group’s new page.

Also coming soon: LinkedIn and Twitter