DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

507-226-8121 [email protected]

Travelers – A Repost With an Update

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I opened the doors to DeKok Insurance Group over 5 years ago. One of my goals was to be directly appointed with companies that would provide my future clients with the best policies at the best prices. Travelers is one of the companies that has done that this past year. They are one of the 15 companies I work with as an independent agent and the partership is serving my clients well.

I posted the folllowing information here last Februrary. I wanted to share it with you again today.

Jon

Travelers Insurance Company is over 150 years old and has Minnesota roots. In 1853, then secretary of the Minnesota Territory, Alexander Wilkin saw the need for a local company to provide insurance coverage in case of fire. He and 16 other St. Paul businessmen established the St. Paul Fire and Marine Company. In 1866, they expanded insurance protection to include all accidents. According to the Travelers website, two claims of interest from those days include a ticket agent who broke his leg while trying to stop a runaway horse, and a carpenter who broke his collar bone when after getting tangled up in his dance partner’s hoop skirt.

In 1969, Travelers issued the first policy for space flight, lunar exploration, and the Apollo Astronauts.

Thirty years later, Travelers (in a joint effort with Bond and Personal Ins) was the first to offer Identity Fraud Expense Reimbursement coverage.

Travelers is represented by over 13,000 independent agencies and brokerages nationwide and they have reps in every U.S. state, as well as in Canada, Ireland, and the U.K.

You can learn more about their history here.

Are you paying too much for your auto, home, or business insurance? Give me a call at 507-226-8121 and let’s see.

Jon

A Bird in My Hand

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This little bird flew into our window. I went out to see if I could help him. I picked him up and rubbed his tiny chest gently. He responded by sitting up and then resting for a bit in my hand before I set him on a branch of the nearest lilac bush. A few minutes later, he fluffed up his feathers and flew away.

I’m so glad I had the chance to help him, and I’d like to help you find a better insurance policy for a better price.

Jon

507-226-8121

[email protected]

Snapshot from Progressive

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Snapshot DiscountSM

One of the companies I represent has a cutting edge program  I want to tell you about.

Snapshot is Progressives Pay As You Drive Program that  allows good drivers to save on their car insurance. Some drivers could save as much as 30% by driving less, in safer ways, at safer times of the day. Although  not available in all states, Snapshot is available in MN.

Once you enroll in the program, the Snapshot device will be sent to you in about 10 days. It’s easily plugged in to your car’s diagnostic  port (usually located below the steering column). After set-up  the device records the number of miles you  drive, the time of day you drive (how often you drive between midnight and 4AM  – what are often called “peak hours”), and how often you make sudden  stops or on the positive side: gentle braking. The other information gathered  is your VIN number and when you unplug and re-plug the device in. It does NOT  contain a GPS or monitor how fast you drive.

To see how you’re doing, you can track the information online.

One of the questions clients ask first is, “Will my  insurance rate go UP because of what the Snapshot records?” The answer is, no. It’s also important for you to know that Progressive doesn’t share any of  the collected data unless it’s required by the law.

You can cancel using the device at any time although  discounts will not be applied if you cancel early.

Your discount is applied about 30 days after you plug in the  Snapshot device. When you renew your policy, Progressive will finalize your  driving Snapshot and you keep saving as long as you stay insured with them.  There is a possibility that if you make significant changes to your policy, they will ask you to take a new snapshot of your driving habits.

Most cars manufactured after 1996 work with the Snapshot technology. If you want to track the use on more than one vehicle, Progressive  will send you one for each car.

One of my clients tried this program out and saved a significant amount on his insurance. He said it made him more aware of his driving habits and he believes he is a better driver after using the Snapshot for a short time.

Jon

507-226-8121

[email protected]

PIP – Personal Injury Protection

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What is PIP?

PIP stands for –  Personal Injury Protection  (known as No Fault insurance).

Personal Injury protection is required as part of your auto insurance in some states including MN.  In Minnesota, no fault coverage protects you and your dependants if you are injured or killed in any auto related accident weather you are at fault or not. The basic minimum limits cover your medical expenses up to the first $20,000, and non-medical expenses up to an additional $20,000 (work loss, ect.).  You can choose to increase these limits. Most people leave them at the basic limit if they have health insurance.

Here are a couple examples:

  • You are getting into your car on a icy winter day. You slip on the ice while getting in and are injured.
  • You are driving your child to school. Someone hits your
    car. Your child is fine, but you are seriously injured.  You spend a week in the hospital, can’t go to work, and you need help at home getting meals made and house
    work done.  Under this situation, The basic no fault insurance would cover your
    medical expenses up to $20,000. The at fault drivers Bodily Injury liability would pay for
    the rest (if they have high enough limits).

The non-medical limit would pay for part of your lost wages and to hire help doing domestic chores.

For more details feel free to call me at 507-226-8121 or email me [email protected].

Jon

Dad DeKok,Me, & John Deere

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Joy Dad1

Hello – Joy here.

I was born and raised a city girl. Cows scared me terribly – they are such big animals. All farm machinery made me nervous.

The summer after Jon and I were married, his dad needed someone to drive his John Deere tractor when it was time to bale hay. Brave man that he was, he asked me. I was pretty nervous, but Dad was confident I could master his fairly  new and very comfy machine. The cab had air conditioning and AM/FM stereo radio, honestly, what more could a girl want on a hot and dusty summer day?

Dad taught me how to follow the cut hay and turn the corners. I watched as the hay disappeared only to reappear as rectangular bales. Looking at the field I thought, “This is going to take all day. I’ll just speed it up a little.” Following Dad’s instructions, I kept my eyes on the rows of green alfapha. That tractor could move and soon we were making excellent time. Suddenly I noticed Dad’s arms waving at me and then he gave me the thumbs down. He was seriously sweating and a bit red in the face. I slowed down, when I saw him wave at me to stop. He hopped off the wagon and into the cool cab for a few moments. He used his shirt sleeve to wipe his face the said,  “Joy, you’re doing a good job, but we need to go a little slower so I can keep up.”

He left the cab with those kind words. Back on the wagon, he gave me the thumbs up and I moved ahead, keeping a careful eye on where I needed to go and the man behind me.

When we finished with the field, the wagon was neatly piled high with bales. Dad directed me to pull up to a conveyor of sorts (I’m sure there’s an official name for it, but I have not idea what that is.) and then he unloaded the bales alone. I didn’t know it at the time, but those golden rectangles weighed about 100lbs each.

At the supper table, he prayed before the meal and thanked God for me and my help. As we filled our plates he asked me if I could come back and drive again the next day. I knew I’d sort of messed up, but the man needed a driver and assured me I’d do a much better job on day two. I did.

Another year, when he was injured, I drove that tractor again. I plowed, disked, and raked his land. (I am not sure that is the right order.) Dad did the planting, but I’d prepped those rich fields for him. I watched his crops grow with a little bit more interest that year – not a lot, but some.

Several years later, when we moved to where we live now, Jon bought a Gator so we could explore our thirty-five acres of land easily. I was so proud to show Dad our John Deere. He said wearing his signature grin, “I remember the first time you drove a John Deere.” I said, “Me too. Thanks for your patience.” He put his arm around my shoulders and gave me a squeeze then said, “Thanks again for your help.”

I sure do enjoy our John Deere and I miss the man who introduced me to them.

As Jon’s assistant here at DeKok Insurance Group I get an up close and personal view of the way he serves his current and potential clients. I see his integrity and think, like father, like son. I know. I’ve worked for and with them both.

Joy