Cleaning Checklist

Our partner Servicemaster by Rice has a checklist to remind you of areas that are most often touched, and that may need an extra cleaning to help prevent the spread of illness, such as COVID-19. We wanted to share this with all of our clients, and those who should be.

If you need further assistance, don’t hesitate to call us at 319-643-2695 or ServiceMaster at 1-800-727-8515.

COVID-19 Update

The Fulwider Agency (FAI) and Wuestenberg Agency (WAI) are very committed to the well-being and safety of our customers, employees and the communities we serve.  As the Coronavirus/COVID-19 Pandemic continues to progress, we want to inform you of the efforts we have made in order to keep as many people safe from either obtaining or spreading the Coronavirus as possible.   FAI & WAI has been continually monitoring and relying on recommendations of the CDC & Public Health Officials which have been rapidly changing hour by hour. 

As a result of the potential impacts of this virus, we are trying to limit in-person exposure. At this time, our offices remain open, though we ask that you only visit with an emergency need. Also, please call ahead to make an appointment. We are working to implement social distancing, and are thoroughly cleaning the office surfaces to prevent the spread of germs. We can still service all of your needs via phone, email or fax. We strive to still provide excellent service to our clients, even with the trying times, while still trying to limit everyone’s exposure to the Coronavirus/COVID-19.  We hope you all understand and hope that you all take precautions as well to limit your exposure to the Coronavirus.

Please know that if you need to obtain a quote, make a change, make a payment, file a claim, ask a question or need to obtain new insurance coverage, we can still provide ALL of these services via phone or email.   Here is how to contact us during this unstable & fluid time.

WAI Contact Information:

Call the Office first: 319-627-2184

Visit our Website: fulwideragency.wordpress.com  

Reach us via Cell or email: 

Bob Fulwider: Cell: (319) 430-8518, E-mail: bfulwider@fai-wai.com

Jan Fulwider: Cell: (319) 430-8591, E-mail: jfulwider@fai-wai.com

Gloria Zamora: Cell: (563) 299-4132, E-mail: gzamora@fai-wai.com

FAI Contact Information:

Call the Office first: 319-643-2695

Visit our Website: fulwideragency.wordpress.com  

Reach us via Cell or email: 

Bob Fulwider: Cell: (319) 430-8518, E-mail: bfulwider@fai-wai.com

Steven Grace: Cell: (319) 430-1133; E-mail: sgrace@fai-wai.com

Jan Fulwider: Cell: (319) 430-8591, E-mail: jfulwider@fai-wai.com

Konnor Myrvik: Cell: (319) 330-2213, E-mail: kmyrvik@fai-wai.com

Karen Thurness: Cell: (319) 331-8076, E-mail: kthurness@fai-wai.com

If you typically drop off payment in our office, please call us to make other arrangements prior to arrival.  You can also visit the “About/Contact” tab which shows how to contact each of our agents via phone or email.  Please check back on our website often for any further updates as the Coronavirus/COVID-19 Pandemic evolves and changes.

Thank you so much for your understanding.  We look forward to continuing to serve your insurance needs and answering any insurance questions you may have. 

Sincerely,

Bob & Jan Fulwider

Fulwider Agency, Inc & Wuestenberg Agency, Inc

West Branch & West Liberty, IA

WL Office: 319-627-2184

WL Fax: 319-627-2186

WB Office: 319-643-2695

WB Fax: 319-643-4100

Congratulations!!!!!

Congratulations to long-time Fulwider Agency clients Rob & Amy Glick, as they have been awarded the March, 2018 Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award. The award is presented by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers, in conjunction with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa Ag Radio Network. It is awarded to Iowa farm families who raise livestock and take pride in being good neighbors and stewards of the land. It’s given in honor of distinguished late WHO radio farm broadcaster, Gary Wergin.

The Glicks will be presented their award at a ceremony at the Cedar County Fairgrounds on March 23. WHO Radio’s “The Big Show” will be broadcasting live from the event.

Congratulations Rob and Amy! Keep up the good work!

Fire Safety Tips

A recent Gazette article stated that Iowa is on pace to have the most deaths caused by fire in over a decade. The most common causes of fires are: cooking, smoking, and heating equipment. Candles can also be dangerous.

The National Fire Protection Association has a website with a lot of information about preventing fires, and being prepared in case of a fire. A few highlights:

  • Keep flammable items away from flames and heat sources (i.e. towels away from stovetop; paper away from fireplaces)
  • Never leave items unattended while cooking
  • Have a lid handy to smother a grease fire
  • Never leave candles unattended
  • Never light candles near flammable materials (curtains, blankets, etc.)
  • Be sure to service your furnace, fireplace and chimney annually
  • Never leave space heaters unattended, and turn them off when going to sleep
  • Test smoke alarms monthly; change batteries every 6 months
  • If you smoke, smoke outside; don’t smoke while in bed
  • Have an escape plan and practice it regularly. Know how to escape in the event of a fire, and how you will meet up with the family once you are safely outside.

Please be cautious and prepared to prevent a fire.

Special Enrollment Period for Clients Losing Individual Health Coverage Begins 1/1/18

This year, it was announced that many people would lose their individual under-65 health insurance through Wellmark or Aetna in 2018. If you missed the Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which ran from November 1 – December 15th, you may still be able to enroll in an individual under-65 health insurance plan during the Special Enrollment Period (SEP). Since this is an involuntary loss of coverage, it enables affected individuals to enroll in a new health insurance plan during the Special Enrollment Period.

The SEP is the time outside of the yearly Open Enrollment Period (OEP) when individuals can sign up for individual under-65 health insurance due to a qualifying event. Such events include getting married, having a baby, or losing coverage. For those who will lose their coverage as of December 31, 2017, they are currently eligible for the SEP if they are able to provide their loss of coverage letter from Wellmark or Aetna as the proof document.  You will then have 60 days after these individuals lose their current coverage to enroll them onto new individual under-65 coverage.

If individuals choose to purchase alternatives to traditional under-65 coverage (such as Short Term Major Medical, Altura HealthShare or Medi-Share), they are able to enroll at anytime during the year.

Please feel free to reach out to Bob Fulwider or Konnor Myrvik with any questions, comments, or concerns. They will be reachable at the Fulwider Agency (319-643-2695) or the Wuestenberg Agency (319-627-2184). We wish you and your family a happy holiday season!

Back to School Time

Back to School Tips

As the calendar turns to August, we are quickly approaching the start of a new school year. While most kids are cringing, and many parents are counting down the days, the truth is, there is a lot of excitement associated with the start of classes. However, that excitement can also lead to some dangerous situations. Here are several reminders on how to stay safe as school starts from the National Safety Council (www.nsc.org)

Safe Driving:

  • Pay extra attention at crosswalks and around schools and playgrounds for kids walking to and from school.
  • Don’t stop in a crosswalk while waiting for a red light or stop sign
  • Yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk
  • Slow down
  • Avoid distracted driving—don’t text or talk on a cell phone and avoid other distractions that may take your eyes or attention from the road
  • Never pass a school bus with its lights flashing
  • Stop at least 25 feet away from a stopped bus, and wait for the children to be safely on the sidewalk before proceeding

Safe Walking:

  • Always cross at a crosswalk
  • Always use the sidewalk—if there is no sidewalk, walk on the side of the road, facing oncoming traffic
  • Don’t text and walk—be aware of your surroundings
  • Don’t wear headphones

At School:

  • Don’t double park
  • Always drop off on the school-side of the street
  • Be alert for opening doors/kids hopping out without looking
  • Slow down!

Teen Drivers

  • Don’t speed & always wear your seat belt
  • Avoid distractions while driving
    • Texting, Snapchatting, eating, talking, messing with the radio, singing with friends, etc.
  • Parents-create ground rules for:
    • Who & how many riders can your teen have
    • When & where they can drive
    • When & how to safely use a cell phone while in a car (pull over and park)
    • Set consequences if any of these are not followed
  • School Permits
    • Check with school & state for specifics
    • Typically between 5 a.m. & 10 p.m.
    • To get to and from school for classes or extra curriculars
    • Be sure to add your teen as a driver on your insurance policy

Off to College

If you are lucky enough to have one of those “bigger” kids that is moving on to the next stage of their life and going off to college, here are a few reminders and insurance pointers.

  • Students–Enjoy your new found freedom responsibly
    • Don’t binge drink
    • Remember to sleep regularly
    • Focus on your schoolwork (the reason you’re at college!)
  • Insurance Concerns
    • Dorms—typically can be covered on a parent’s homeowners policy (ask your agent to determine if this is accurate)
    • Apartments—typically required to have a renters insurance policy (ask your agent for options and pricing)
    • Be sure to take an inventory of items you have, in the case of a claim (fire, theft, etc.)–a good way to do this is after you unpack, stand in the middle of the room and take a picture of all four walls. This will show the items along each wall, and help jog your memory in the event you might have to file a claim
    • Each situation is unique, so always check with your insurance agent to determine what coverage is best for your situation

Policy Extras

There are plenty of commercials and ads bombarding us on a daily basis with how we can best spend out money. In the insurance world, the current trend is to focus on policy extras that bring added-value to your policy. But, what exactly are they?

Many companies offer a variety of extras, including: vanishing deductibles, accident forgiveness, new car replacement, and personal property replacement costs. The marketing reps behind the ads make it sound like each company has something unique, and that it is a way to get something for nothing. While each company does have a different way to offer some of these extras, most have some version of it.

As for getting this “extra” that others won’t do…well, if you can pause your TV and look at the fine print, you will see the disclaimer that additional premium may (will) be charged for the added coverage. That’s not to say that the extra premium dollars are not worth it. Just know that your current company may offer a similar program that you could add to your current policy.

So what? Well, review your policy to determine if you have any policy extras. If you do, and have questions, contact your agent to have them explained. If there is something you would like on your policy, contact your agent to see what your options are.

These added-value extras do actually add value to your policy, and could lead to some cost savings in the future. But know that there will be some additional premium to include these on the policy. As the saying goes: “You get what you pay for.” In insurance, sometimes a lower payment isn’t always the best option.

 

Each insurance policy is unique. While some generalities can be made, each situation should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This is not considered advice on any specific insurance matter. Please contact an agent to discuss any concerns you may have.

Insurance 101: Renter’s

You have just signed a lease, and your son or daughter is moving into their first apartment. Or, you are moving off on your own and are renting your first home. Do you need insurance coverage? (YES!)

So what coverage do you need? We hear the term “Renter’s Insurance” thrown around, and that is a common phrase for a form of homeowner’s coverage, an HO-4. Basically, when you rent an apartment or house, this insurance provides coverage for your personal property, as well as some liability coverage. When you make the move, create an inventory of your belongings and figure a value for them. When you add it all up, that is the amount of coverage your policy should contain. Many policies have replacement cost coverage, so when you determine the value, consider what it would cost to replace each item with a similar one. Hypothetically, your used couch or tv may only be worth $300, but to replace them with a similar style, it may cost $1500 each. You will want to take that into account when determining how much coverage you want or need. Also, having an inventory is a good way in the event of a loss to show what items were damaged or lost.  A clean, quick way to make your inventory is to stand in the center of each room with your camera and shoot images of all four walls picking up photos and furniture in the shot.  At the time of loss, reviewing those same pictures will quickly prompt you on items acquired since the photo was taken and help to strengthen your inventory.

It’s also important to check your lease agreement, as some places may have minimum requirements for liability coverage. This coverage offers protection in the event someone is injured in your apartment.  Many times it demands additional coverage as well i.e. waterbed liability in case your water bed springs a leak and wipes out the tenant living below.

“Renter’s”  insurance is simple to acquire – it is usually priced depending on location of your residence, number of living units in the building, total value of all contents (don’t forget clothing, cosmetics and cooking utensils) and a deductible you’re willing to pay in the event a loss should occur.

“Renter’s” insurance is usually fairly inexpensive, and provides some much needed peace of mind that if something bad happens, you will be able to recover your items.

 

Each insurance policy is unique. While some generalities can be made, each situation should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This is not considered advice on any specific insurance matter. Please contact an agent to discuss any concerns you may have.

Golf Carts

Golf carts are a great way to make that round of golf more enjoyable, (and quicker!). But does your insurance policy cover your golf cart in case something happens on the course? What about when you’re driving to or from the clubhouse? Are there other rules or laws to take into consideration?

First, Iowa law (Iowa Code 321.247) states that operating golf carts on city streets is up to the local city government, and the carts cannot be driven on a main thoroughfare. Also, the carts must have a slow moving vehicle sign and a bike flag, along with any other rules set forth by the local government. Check with your city staff or police to determine what is or isn’t allowed in your community.

As for the insurance aspect… Most homeowner’s policies offer coverage for the golf cart, assuming it is being used for golfing purposes. Therefore, if you park your cart at home, you would have coverage from the time you leave your driveway to the time you return, assuming you are driving straight to the course to golf and returning home. If you are going to the clubhouse for a meal, or take a detour to the gas station to grab a gallon of milk on your way home, your policy may not cover a claim.

If your community allows golf carts be driven on city streets, you may have to either add your golf cart to your auto policy, or consider a recreational vehicle policy. Each company is a little different on what they will cover and how they will cover golf carts, so it’s best to talk with your agent to see what the best options are.

Each insurance policy is unique. While some generalities can be made, each situation should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. This is not considered advice on any specific insurance matter. Please contact an agent to discuss any concerns you may have.