Personal/Family Archives - Page 4 of 14 - Premier Insurance Services

Signs Your Child May Need More Support During Pandemic

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:March 3, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

While the COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful for most of us, children and teens often have an especially difficult time dealing with the lack of activities and social interaction if they are distance learning. Depression has skyrocketed during the pandemic as a result of isolation, lost jobs and/or having family members that have fallen ill or died from coronavirus. Also, mental health visits are at an all-time high, even if many people are seeing counselors remotely by video conferencing. The ongoing stress, fear, grief and uncertainty created by the pandemic can wear anyone down, but children and teens may have…

Medical Marijuana, Recreational Pot Laws and Driving

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:February 24, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

With more states moving to legalize marijuana through ballot measures, and even more having medicinal marijuana laws on the books, many people may be confused about the legality of driving after using pot. While all states have laws prohibiting driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, many people who live in states with medicinal marijuana laws think it's okay to get behind the wheel after using the substance. But the truth is that no state that has legalized recreational marijuana use or medical marijuana permits people to drive under the influence. Just as alcohol is legal but driving drunk…

Homeowner’s Five Coverages You May Not Know You Need

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:February 17, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

When you own a home, you may have extenuating circumstances and/or own property that your insurance may not cover. There are a number of extra coverage options you can add on to your policy, which are known as endorsements. They are essentially riders that you purchase separately but tack on to your homeowner's coverage as a policy extension. In fact, there may be risks in your home that you never thought of and that won't be covered by your homeowner's policy. Here are five endorsements that you should be aware of, according to the insurance trade publication National Underwriter. 'Additional…

Are You Covered for Invasion of Privacy by Drone?

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:February 10, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

If you or one of your kids has a new drone and are excited about flying it, one issue that you need to be aware of is invading another person's privacy, particularly if you are flying it around your neighborhood and capture images of your neighbors and their backyards. Because many drones are also equipped with cameras, and with the continuing proliferation of social media, chances are high that someone will be posting images or video captured in their neighborhood by a drone they are flying. In other words, drones present a new form of privacy invasion that can land…

Stay Safe on the Roads This Winter

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:February 3, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

During the winter months, driving conditions can become hazardous as the weather gets less predictable. In extreme conditions, it is better to stay off the roads altogether; however, this is not always possible. There are several essential steps you can take to reduce your risk. Know your vehicle You need to be aware of what conditions your car can safely handle. You may have anti-lock brakes, all-wheel drive and all-weather tires, but while all of these features are valuable, don't be fooled into thinking your vehicle is accident-proof in bad weather. Becoming too confident in your vehicle's ability to respond…

How to Prevent Frozen Pipes During the Winter

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:January 27, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

Every winter, about 250,000 households find themselves with messes from pipes that freeze and burst. In addition to erupting and filling a room with water, a burst pipe can cause thousands of dollars in damage. Carpeting, photos, furniture and other belongings can be permanently damaged to the point they need to be replaced. A crack measuring only 3 millimeters can spew as much as 250 gallons of water into a person's home in just one day. Fortunately, there are several steps that you can take to protect pipes and avoid the hassles associated with bursts: Bundle up the pipes. Use…

Why Everyone Needs Life Insurance

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:January 20, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family Senior Care

People who are considering life insurance usually debate whether they need it or not. If anyone will suffer financially after a person's death, that person should have life insurance. This death benefit is meant to help surviving family members or dependents cope with the financial difficulties of losing the deceased's income and paying for final expenses. Life insurance isn't subject to federal income tax. In order to determine how much life coverage to buy, it's important to consider what surviving loved ones would need if death occurred suddenly. Be sure to consider monthly living expenses, debts and final expenses when…

Understanding the Term ‘Totaled Vehicle

Post author:Mark Kofalt
Post published:January 13, 2021
Post category:Personal/Family

You've had an accident and your vehicle is in bad shape. After you report your claim, the insurance company sends out an adjuster to determine if it is worth paying out for the required repairs or instead of paying you for the value of the vehicle at the time of the accident. If the cost of repairs exceeds the value, the insurer may tell you the car is "totaled," even if it doesn't look that way. Before an accident occurs, it is wise for you to learn how insurance companies determine the value of your vehicle, which will mean one…