DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

507-226-8121 [email protected]

A Few MN Facts

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The Mall of America in Bloomington is the size of 78 football fields — 9.5 million square feet.

Minnesota has 90,000 miles of shoreline, more than California, Florida and Hawaii combined.

The stapler was invented in Spring Valley.

The name “Minnesota”, was adapted from the Dakota Sioux Indian language. In the Sioux language, “minne” is water, and “sota” is “sky-tinted” or “cloudy sky”.

Richard W. Sears, the co-founder and first president of Sears lived in Stewartville, MN.

Some people who were born in MN, or lived here for awhile:

  • Charles M. Schulz, cartoonist
  • Bob Dylan, singer and composer
  • Laura Ingalls Wilder, writer
  • Judy Garland, singer & actress
  • Prince, musician, singer, songwriter
  • Jessican Lange, actress
  •  F. Scott Fitzgerald, writer
  • Sinclair Lewis, writer
  • Jane Russell, actress

3 of the movies filmed in MN:

  • The Mighty Ducks
  • Grumpy Old Men
  • Fargo

Some large companies who are based in MN:

  • Target
  • 3M
  • Best Buy
  • Buffalo Wild Wings
  • General Mills
  • Toro
  • Polaris
  • Xcel Energy
  • Anderson Windows
  • Deluxe (the check people)

The 5 Largest Employers in MN are:

  • The State of MN
  • Mayo Clinic
  • U. S. Federal Government
  • Target
  • University of MN

There are so many more interesting and fun facts about Minnesota. Please leave any you know that aren’t listed here in the comments section.

Jon

 

507-226-8121

[email protected]

Serving MN clients for almost 30 years, I specialize in home, auto, umbrella, business, and life insurance.

If you have any questions regarding your insurance or insurance in Minnesota, please call me at 507-226-8121.

Bike Helmets

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Joy and I live near the Douglas Trail and see a lot of bike riders – kids, family groups, couples, and serious cyclists.  Most of them wear helmets.

Did you know that it not only matters that you wear a helmet when cycling, but that HOW it fits is as important? If you helmet fits right, it can save your life.

Here are some statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:

  • The average age of cyclists injured in traffic crashes is 31 (2009)
  • 85% of head injuries are caused by helmets that don’t fit or are worn incorrectly.
  • 51,000 cyclists were injured in 2009 in motor vehicle crashes. (2009 are the most current stats released at the time this post was created)

Want to be sure your helmet is the right size and you’re wearing it properly? This website has excellent information:  http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/learn/bicycle+helmet.html

Ride Safe,

Jon

507-226-8121

[email protected]

[tweetthis]Bike Helmets #RideSafe #MNInsurance #Cycling[/tweetthis]

 

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Insurance Trivia

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In 1995, MetLife introduced Snoopy as their mascot and started using the slogan, “Get Met. It Pays.” With the choice of a much loved cartoon character, MetLife radically changed insurance marketing by showing the friendly side of a business most considered serious to the point of boring.

As an assigned agent with MetLife, I’ve found that for some of my clients, MetLife Home & Auto “pays” by saving them a substantial amount of money on their insurance needs while providing them with excellent coverage.

It’s possible you’re paying too much for your insurance. To find out if I can save you money, call my office at 507-226-8121 or click HERE  to let me know you’re interested in a quote.

Jon

[email protected]

[tweetthis]Insurance Trivia #MetLife #DeKokInsuranceGroup #Trivia #Snoopy[/tweetthis]

The Red Car Myth

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Ford Mustang

You may have heard that red cars are more expensive to insure and are often “targeted” by law enforcement  officials. Let’s take a closer look at the what the statistics show.

More Expensive to Insure:

Insurance companies decide their rates based on statistics – not vehicle
color.

So why does it seem that red cars cost more to insure? To find the answer, we have to look at sales statistics. Sports cars are expensive and  because they cost more to buy, they cost more to insure. The colors that outsell the rest are (in this order): red, black, and yellow.

Another factor: drivers of fast cars tend to speed more often than others.

Targeted by Law Enforcement:

Again, when looking at the numbers, this is another myth, we can bust. Law enforcement officers are targeting speeders and a high percentage of people driving expensive sports cars prefer speed. If you put these people in a
car of any color, they will exceed the speed limits and get ticketed more often. Statistics show these drivers usually prefer red and black cars – with red again being the number one choice.

When you combine the sales and driving statistics, it’s easy to see where the myth of red cars comes from, but the numbers bust it.

Jon

[tweetthis]The Red Car Myth. #RedCars #MNInsurance #Statistics[/tweetthis]

Specializing in auto, home, umbrella, business, and life insurance.

Graphic purchased at fotolia.com  © -Misha – Fotolia.com

Cell Phones & Driving

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Distracted Driving

 

Most of us talk on our cell phones while we drive. This convenient source of communication is great in a roadside emergency, but it has a few dangerous negatives. Here are some facts I learned and want to pass them on to you:

  • According to the University of Utah, a driver talking on his or her cell phone while driving has the same response time as a driver with a blood-alcohol
    level of .08.
  • People who use cell phones while driving are 4 times as likely to
    get into accidents where they are injured.
  • Carnegie Mellon found that driving while talking on a cell phone
    reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%.
  • Police report that 25% of the reported crashes involve a
    “distracted” driver. While not all of these distractions are caused
    by cell phones, the majority are.

In a recent survey, 8 in 10 drivers supports some kind of cell phone and driving restrictions. 80% would apply a ban on all texting while driving. 80% would also support a ban on emailing while driving. Most of the respondents wanted varying degrees of other restrictions, and the majority believes such laws should apply to all drivers.

Jon

507-226-8121

[email protected]

[tweetthis]Cell Phones & Driving #DistractedDriving #DeKokInsuranceGroupInc[/tweetthis]

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