Summertime=HOT! Make sure your employees are protected.
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May Home Maintenance Tips
Things are starting to heat up in Kansas City! Is your home ready for the warm weather? We’ve got the top 6 things to put on your to-do list this month.
1. CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS
Clean and inspect your gutters. Use a garden hose to flush your gutter out and make sure that your downspouts are directing water at least three feet away from your foundation. A clogged gutter can cause water issues that are potentially not covered under your home policy so it’s best to be proactive.
2. GET YOUR POOL READY
It’s time to get your pool ready for summer. Be sure to schedule your appointment with your preferred pool company, so you don’t get stuck with your first pool party and a pool that isn’t ready!
3. PEST CONTROL
Pests love warm months. Now is the time to check for signs of pests. You want to especially pay attention to any signs of burrowing in wood. Keep cobwebs clear, make sure you don’t have any standing-water issues in or outside of your home. If you have a pest problem, have an expert check it out before it becomes an out-of-control problem. Treating a small problem is always better then waiting until it becomes a large problem.
3. PRESSURE-WASH YOUR HOME, DECK, AND WALKWAYS
Pressure washing not only gives your home a nice clean look, but it also protects it! Want to get rid of spider eggs? Pressure washing will take care of that. Dirt, mold, mildew, soot, airborne pollutants & other contaminants can also cause damage to the surface of your home if it’s not taken care of.
4. DUST CEILING FANS
Dust ceiling fan blades and reverses the blade rotation. In warm weather they should rotate counterclockwise.
5. PICK UP YOUR GARAGE
Garages tend to be neglected in the winter and spring. Keeping it clean will extend it’s life and help you use it for what it’s intended for. If you have run out of room, consider garage storage solutions or having a garage sale to declutter.
6. GET READY FOR MOVIES AND ENTERTAINING
Nothing says summer like blockbuster movies and outdoor entertainment! Are you ready to take your home audio or outdoor patio to the next level? Get it ready now. If you have metal patio furniture, coat them in auto polish before setting them out to protect them. Be ready to host an impromptu party or invite your family and friends over for a Memorial Day gathering!
What to do in the event of a water loss
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Business Owner with Commercial Autos?
Here are a couple of quick tips for your commercial auto insurance, your employees and your business:
**When you hire drivers, make sure that you hire safe ones. Remember that your drivers represent your business when they are on the road. Once they are on board, you may want to train your drivers regarding best practices, such as the ones described below.
**It’s best to focus all of your attention on the road. Did you know that engaging in visual-manual sub tasks (such as reaching for a phone, dialing and texting) associated with the use of hand-held phones and other portable devices increases the risk of getting into a crash? Avoid anything that can distract you while driving.
**Maintain safe equipment. Well-maintained vehicles are not only safer, they can help you save money.
**Always, always wear your seat belt. Seat belts reduce serious crash-related injuries and deaths. It is sad to hear of accidents that injured people who might have otherwise been protected had they been wearing seat belts.
As always if you have a question on a commercial policy or would like more info on policies that Farmers Insurance offers, give us a call at 816-795-5977, email at jolson3@farmersagent.com. or just fill out this form.
Looking to start a new career in 2017?
Customer Service and Sales Position at our insurance office in
INDEPENDENCE, MO – FARMERS INSURANCE
Office Assistant
Position: Full Time – Customer Service
$9-$12 per hour DOE + commissions and bonus!
Responsibilities: Provide amazing customer service to our existing customers through the following; answer phones, take payments, assist customers in making changing to insurance policies, assisting in filing claims, advise customers on insurance products, sending proof of insurance to banks and clients, and anything else our customers requests to wow and amaze them!
Ideal candidate will have a minimum of 1 year office experience, be a quick learner, fast on computers and phones, multi tasking, dependable, and extreme attention to detail. No prior insurance experience required, but a positive attitude is a must!
Job Purpose: This is a small insurance business environment that is very fast-paced and requires an Inside Sales / Customer Service Rep. who is creative, a self-starter, and a hard worker. Must be able to be punctual, multi-task, and work well under pressure with great customer service skills. This can be a career rewarding opportunity for you to grow with us!
Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:30am-5:00pm
Responsibilities includes (but not limited to):
1) Provide prompt, accurate, and friendly service by responding to inquiries from existing policyholders and the general public regarding insurance, policy changes, billing clarification, and payment plans.
2) Timely and courteous follow up with prospective and current clients regarding current insurance policies as well as additional insurance policies.
3) Provide service in a pleasant and courteous manner.
4) Meet customer service goals and assist with marketing goals as directed by the upper management.
5) Perform other related duties as assigned by the upper management.
Qualifications:
-High School Diploma minimum. 4 year college degree preferred.
-Technological Savvy: Computer experience with Word, Excel, and Outlook is mandatory
-Experience in Social Media-Facebook, Linked In, Twitter, Blogs, Pinterest
-Communication Skills: Strong listening, oral, and written communication skills
-Initiative and Self-Reliance: Make decisions on a timely basis and take necessary actions without directions from others
-Problem solving ability: Apply and balance conceptual and analytical thinking by breaking down complex problems, evaluating alternative sources of action and their likely outcomes, and selecting the best alternative.
-Goal oriented: Highly motivated and resourceful to achieve results
-Truthfulness & Respect: Proven track record of trustworthiness, dependability and ethical behavior with the ability to learn and apply product and customer knowledge to professionally service policy holders
-Experience in service, sales, and/or retail sales is desirable.
–Must be able to pass a background check and be able to pass 2 tests for insurance licenses with 60 days of hire (this includes Property/Casualty and Life/Health).
Please email your resume at careers@olsoninsurancekc.com if you would like to set up an interview.
Insurance Tip-Act NOW!
–How to avoid freezing pipes–
Unoccupied buildings are susceptible to damage especially when Mother Nature sends an unpredictable wave of frigid air across the country. We usually associate freezing pipes with cold climate states, but temperatures low enough to freeze or damage pipes can happen anywhere in the country. The water damage can be more severe when pipes burst in areas considered to be “warm” because proper precautions and action plans are not in place.
Here are some tips to aid policyholders in protecting their properties:
When small problems go undetected, they become big problems. Business and rental property owners should prepare for events or seasons when buildings may go unoccupied for a planned or unplanned period of time.
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For your auto and home insurance coverage, should you go through an agent or online?
For many people, the convenience of buying insurance online from the provider or from an 800 number is appealing; but when a CRISIS hits, it is in YOUR BEST INTEREST to have an agent who is LOCAL, whom you know personally and can serve as a liaison between yourself and the insurance carrier. It is always most beneficial to have your auto-home-life insurance, all with the same company.
At our agency, we know YOU personally, you never have to confirm your name, address, or give a policy number when you call. We take the time to meet and sit down with our clients and to do a review of all their policies. If you talk with an “800 Insurance Company” you’ll never speak to the same person twice and they have no idea who you are as a person and what coverage you need. If there is a serious claim, it’s doubtful that you could ever find the employee of the “800 Insurance Company” to ask them why they sold you the coverage that they did.
In times of trouble, our agency goes to bat for you. We help file the claim, we can speak the adjusters, and help out with any unforeseen situations related to the claim. This is especially important, especially with weather-related incidents where there can be quite a large area off affected clients. We’re here to be an advocate YOU, if something is not being addressed promptly or if there is a communication issue, we’ll help you resolve it quickly and get you back where you belong.
Another great attribute of having Farmers Insurance is that we only work with our own adjusters, meaning the adjuster inspecting the damage is someone who is knowledgeable with Farmers Insurance policies. Many online insurers (as well as independent insurance agencies) use independent adjusters, who may not be as familiar with each insurer’s claims. This can cause larges delays as well as unfavorable outcomes when you have a claim.
For a review of your coverage, give us a call anytime 816-795-5977.
Claims, Claims, Claims-What your agent did NOT tell you.
In last month or so, I’ve had 2 vastly difference scenarios with 2 different insurance carriers, both “name brands.” I’ve changed the name to protect the guilty! It’s sad that the scenario happened, but the claims service you receive from your insurance carrier can be vastly different from one carrier to another.
Insurance Company A-Client files a home claim Oct 5. They drag their feet and finally send out an adjuster on Oct 31. However this adjuster is not an employee of Brand A, they are a ‘independent adjuster’ who is not allowed to bring the claim to completion (and submit payment to the insured). They are allowed (by law) to take 10 days to complete the claim after inspection. The took the entire 10 days to process the claim and the check. Claim closed Nov 9
**Process time from claim filing to claim closed—-
**35(THIRTY FIVE DAYS)
Farmers client (my insured). Files home claim Nov 8th. Due to high claims volume from the Liberty hail storms 2 weeks ago, our adjuster (who is a FARMERS employee), works OVERTIME on a SUNDAY. Client gets their check in hand before the adjuster leaves their home on Sunday Nov 13.
**Process time from claim filing to claim closed—-
**5 (FIVE) DAYS.
If you know of someone who has had a claims ‘runaround’ those are great referrals for me. We are proud of our company, offer great service, take care of our clients, and most importantly proud of our claims service. #WeAreFarmers
Homeowners and Renters–Tips for Holiday Security
The FBI reports that nearly 400,000 burglaries occur between November and December each year in the United States, but some burglars can be deterred; here are some tips:
- Do not hide spare keys under flowerpots or doormats.
- Use a timer to turn household lights on and off even if you’re not home. Burglars watch for occupancy cues especially unlit homes.
- Do not display your Christmas tree and presents in front of easy-access windows.
- Keep your windows and doors, including sliding doors, secured and locked.
- Make sure you’re home to accept any packages that are scheduled for delivery. If not, request that the packages are left with a trusted neighbor, the post office, or shipped to your work address.
- Request to suspend your mail if you are going out of town or on vacation.
- Do not leave notes on your door announcing that you’re away from home.
- Do not leave empty boxes from high-priced items outside your home for trash collection. Burglars would love nothing more to swipe your brand new flat screen TV, your children’s newest game system, and your computer.
- Ask a trusted neighbor to check up on your home if you’re out of town.
- Arm your security system if you have one installed and monitored. Studies show that homeowners with security systems only arm them 50% of the time.
Jon Olson Agency-Farmers Insurance 