Cold Weather Tips for Homeowners

It's getting cold out there! Here's a few tips for homeowners to help you through the icy front.

Preparing for cold weather:

* Disconnect outside water hoses. If left connected during freezing temperatures, water in hoses will freeze and expand causing connecting faucets and pipes to freeze and break.

* Inspect outside faucets. If dripping or leaking, make the necessary repairs or call a plumber before a freeze.

* If your home is equipped with interior shut-off valves leading to outside faucets, close them and drain water from the pipes.

* Cover outside faucets using an inexpensive faucet insulation kit.

* Insulate pipes in unheated areas. Apply heat tape or thermostat-controlled heat cables around exposed pipes.

* Make sure your furnace is set no lower than 55 degrees during the winter to prevent pipes from freezing. Note that when pipes freeze, water pressure builds causing cracks, whether the pipe is made of plastic, copper or steel. Even a tiny crack can unleash 250 gallons of water in a single day.

* Your water heater works harder during winter months. Drain corrosion-causing sediment from the tank, which reduces energy efficiency if it's not removed.

* Set water heater thermostat to 120 F for optimum performance without risk of scalding.

* Clear any leaves and debris from roof gutters and downspouts to ensure proper drainage throughout the winter season.

* Inspect and clean sump pit. Remove any rocks and debris from pit then dump a bucket of water into the sump pit to test the pump. If it turns on and pumps water out then turns itself off, it is operating properly.


When temps fall below freezing:

* Open cabinet doors to expose pipes to warmer room temperatures to help keep them from freezing.

* If you have an attached garage, keep its doors shut. Occasionally, plumbing is routed through this unheated space, leaving it vulnerable to winter's worst.

* Crack a faucet farthest from the place where your water enters the house. A very slow drip will keep water molecules moving, reducing the chance that pipes will freeze. Place a bucket underneath the faucet so the water can be saved for other household uses. The cost of the extra water is low compared to the cost to repair a broken pipe.

* Keep your thermostat set above 55 degrees when leaving your house or business for several days

Adapted from info from Sioux City Journal and Newport Utilities

Social Host Liability Tips

'Tis the season for holiday parties. Here's a few "Iscential" tips to keep in mind as you plan those fabulous fetes.


Do Your Homework: When hosting a holiday party, individuals should look to the liability portion of their homeowners or renters insurance policy to protect them if they are sued and found liable for an accident involving a guest who drank at their home. Consumers should regularly review their liability coverage limits to ensure they are adequately covered should an accident occur.

Consider an Umbrella Policy: While holiday partygoers and hosts alike should act responsibly and know their limits, consumers need to acknowledge that most risks cannot be entirely eliminated. But planning ahead and learning about what's involved in hosting a reception is the best defense. Purchasing a personal "umbrella" liability policy — providing $1 million or more in additional coverage over the limit of a standard homeowners or renters policy — may be a prudent move for the frequent party host.

Consider the following tips to prevent holiday party accidents and protect yourself:

· Limit your guest list to those you know.

· Host your party at a restaurant or bar that has a liquor license, rather in a home or office.

· Provide filling food for guests and alternative non-alcoholic beverages.

· Schedule entertainment or activities that do not involve alcohol. If the party centers around drinking, guests will likely drink more.

· Arrange transportation or overnight accommodations for those who cannot or should not drive home.

· Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party is scheduled to end.

· Do not serve guests who are visibly intoxicated.

· Consider hiring an off-duty police officer to discretely monitor guests' sobriety or handle any alcohol-related problems as guests leave.

· Stay alert, always remembering your responsibilities as a host.

· Review your insurance policy with your agent before the event to ensure that you have the proper liability coverage.



Guest Injury/Damage Tips 

Review Your Policy: A good homeowners policy is the best way to safeguard any house and its contents. The coverage not only protects owners from losses due to fire, theft and various other disasters, but it also shields them from liability if someone is injured on their premises and covers other risks as well. A comprehensive homeowners policy may even eliminate the need for other smaller, more specific personal insurance policies.

Think Twice About Liability: Carefully consider additions to your property that could be dangerous. You are liable for anything that happens on your property. Understand that adding a pool, trampoline, recreational vehicle or even a vicious dog to your property will significantly raise your risk of an accident in your insurer's eyes, so rates will be considerably higher.

Have a happy and safe holiday season from your friends at Iscential!

Warren Barhorst to Present at NAIFA Career Conference in San Antonio

Iscential CEO, Warren Barhorst will present at the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) 2013 Career Conference in San Antonio on Monday, September 30.

WHAT'S YOUR GAME PLAN?

TODAY'S FUNDAMENTALS FOR GROWING A MULTI-LINE INSURANCE AGENCY

In this engaging presentation, Warren will focus on the fundamentals through Planning, Process Selling, Active Marketing, Hiring the Right People, and Leveraging Technology

Warren will be giving out tips and sage advice based on his personal business success, some of which was highlighted in his book, "Game Plan: The Definitive Playbook for Starting or Growing Your Business".

Warren and his co-author, Rusty Burson, are currently working on a follow-up to "Game Plan" and are targeting for an EOY release. Read what started it all... available on the website or Amazon.com.

Iscential Offers Support to Customers in Regards to the PPACA

Open enrollment in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's (PPACA's) exchanges begins on October 1, 2013, with coverage taking effect on January 1, 2014


On March 23, 2010, President Obama signed into law the "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" (PPACA). The Affordable Care Act aims to increase the quality and affordability of health insurance, lower the uninsured rate by expanding public and private insurance coverage, and reduce the costs of health care for individuals and the government. Beginning January 1, 2014, all U.S. residents and dependents are required to maintain minimum essential coverage or be subject to a penalty. Employers of one or more employees who have more than $500,000 in annual business volume must send a notice to each employee and new hires informing them that subsidies may be available to them through the Health Insurance Marketplace. The Marketplace is designed to help individuals and families find affordable health insurance as well as a one-stop shop to compare private health insurance options. October 1, 2013 marks the deadline for employers to deliver these exchange notices under the PPACA. Below are links to the PDF documents and tips to help distribute these notices correctly to your employees.

Employers are required to send only the first page of the notice. Pages two and three are optional. There are two notices, one for employers that provide a health plan, and one for employers that do not provide a health plan. Spanish-language model notices are also available.

Notices may be mailed or sent electronically. The Department of Labor (DOL) also permits them to be distributed in renewal packets, new-hire kits, attached to paychecks or personally handed out to every employee (full time or part time, even if they are not participating in the health plan). Employers should document how the notice was provided, including the date it was provided. Penalties are not specifically addressed in the law; however, the DOL could impose administrative actions.

"We know that PPACA is complicated and has raised many questions on both individual- and employer-sponsored benefits," states Iscential Benefits Services Coordinator, Jaquelyn Tullos. "Sending this notice about The Marketplace opening on October 1 is just one of the ways we are keeping our clients informed."

Little things that can add up to a lot (of hassle, time, money, etc.). Managing your risk in even the smallest ways.

Insurance adjusters see a lot in the field when assessing a claim. We are fortunate that often times they pass on what they've seen to us (and we can then communicate to our customers) and we can all learn a valuable lesson.

We know that actionable information like this can help you mitigate against potential losses of your own. As this adjuster saw (noted below), it's often the small things that cause the greatest damage (in this case, a minor toilet piece).

"In my experience, many of our largest water losses are caused due to a split in the plastic nut on the water supply line to toilets. The line is pressurized with cold water that fills the tank after flushing. They typically fail at 8 to 10 years. Below are several photos of the nut and supply line. They are simple to install and should probably be replaced on each toilet every 5 to 7 years and checked annually. The plastic nut is to be "hand-tightened". The best water supply lines are flexible, braided, stainless steel.”

We hope this tip can help our customers prevent a loss. Either way, we'll be there for you in your time of need. Thank you to our partners at PURE for helping us manage our risk with this valuable "lesson learned"!

About PURE

Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange (PURE) is a policyholder-owned insurer dedicated to creating an exceptional experience for responsible high net worth individuals and families.  Our product suite includes best-in-class, customizable coverage throughout the U.S for high-value homes, automobiles, jewelry, art, personal umbrella liability, watercraft, and flood. 

PURE was founded by some of the most knowledgeable and experienced professionals in the industry. They combined experience, insight and intuitive perspective to challenge the insurance industry’s conventional thinking. They recognized that policyholder-owned companies consistently delivered the greatest value and customer satisfaction. Further, they recognized that the leading specialist companies could offer broader coverage and more personalized service.  PURE combines the best of both.

Inspired by some of the finest policyholder-owned companies in the world, PURE emphasizes alignment of interests and transparency. Our unique alignment with our membership supports our objective to charge the right price — not the highest price the market will accept.  PURE’s low cost of capital, careful member selection, and proactive risk management all contribute to highly competitive rates.  Further, we invest heavily in helping members prevent claims from occurring, and resolving them quickly, without hassle if they ever do.

www.pureinsurance.com

Eric Jones Named Sales Manager for Iscential's Dallas/Fort Worth Operations

In an effort in increase the growth and profitability of its Dallas/Fort Worth business, Iscential has named Eric Jones as its new Sales Manager. In addition to focusing on augmenting sales efforts, he will take on an active role in recruiting, training, developing and managing individuals for the firm.

Jones brings more than 13 years of experience in insurance business sales, service and sales management. He worked for Nationwide Insurance for 11 years and served in both producer and manager roles, managing up to four offices at one point. Jones joined Iscential’s Bedford office in November 2012 as an Account Executive.

"Since joining our team, Eric has shown a great deal of commitment and passion in everything he does," says Iscential Sales Director, Devin Wisener. "I believe he will take the same approach in his new role."

An award-winning sales professional, Jones studied Business Management at Tarrant County College and has been working in the insurance industry since age 19. In addition to his drive in the workplace, he is heavily involved in non-profit work within the DFW area as well as in Mexico and Guatemala.

Iscential's DFW office is located at:

1600 Airport Fwy, Suite 403

Bedford, TX 76022 

817.283.2600

Iscential CEO, Warren Barhorst becomes a regular guest on Internet radio program, "Bring On Success!"

Successful businessman and risk management/insurance agent, Warren Barhorst talks entrepreneur "shop" with Internet radio program, "Bring On Success!"


Texas entrepreneur, Iscential CEO, and past member of Texas A&M's famed 12th Man Kickoff team, Warren Barhorst, has been a frequent guest on KGCP Internet Radio's Sunday morning program, "Bring On Success". As the owner of the largest Nationwide Insurance agency in the U.S, Barhorst discusses his real-life experience as an entrepreneur, gives relatable tips, and answers questions from the audience.

"The radio station's website highlights the following quote by Albert Achweitzer: 'Do something for somebody every day for which you do not get paid,'" says Barhorst. "That is my passion. I love talking about building business with entrepreneurs at every stage. But the young ones, the ones just starting out… I am absolutely driven to work with them; helping them realize their dreams and take those first steps toward making them happen."

Barhorst is the founder and CEO of Iscential (formerly the Barhorst Insurance Group), a Texas-based risk management and insurance firm. In 20 years, Iscential has grown from zero clients to more than 60,000 lines in force, from two employees to over 100 employees, and from one location in Jersey Village to 24 across the state of Texas. Barhorst's passion for educating and mentoring frequently has him presenting from coast to coast: from fourth-grade classrooms to executive boardrooms, he is driven to educate others about how to make wise choices that will positively impact their financial future. In 2008, Barhorst penned a book on entrepreneurship titled 'Game Plan: The Definitive Playbook for Starting or Growing Your Business'. In it, he delves into the power of dreaming and working toward fulfilling those dreams.

The "Bring On Success" platform helps its listeners connect and share success stories with other people around the world. Barhorst is one of many from all parts of business to take to the airwaves to share business wisdom and help others live their dream. Hosted by Jim Klauck, the show runs every Sunday morning from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm CST.


KGCP Internet Radio
http://www.kgcpradio.com

Bring On Success Radio
Sunday mornings, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm CST

Podcasts are available for 24/7 listening:
http://www.kgcpradio.com/release/bringonsuccess/
http://www.kgcpradio.com/category/archives/bringonsuccessradio/