DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

507-226-8121 [email protected]

10 Things Burglars Are Watching For

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Many of you are planning your summer vacations, but are you also planning on protecting your home while you’re gone? Here are a few ways some homeowners alert burglars they’re gone.

Burglary Fact: In a matter of minutes, a burglar can grab jewelry, money, and a few valuables – enough to make the risk worth it. Most of them are in and out long before a concerned neighbor notices, or the police arrive.

Here are the top giveaways that you’re gone for an extended amount of time:

1. Closed drapes. If you choose to shut off the air conditioner, drapes can insulate your home from some of the heat. Go ahead and pull some of them part-way shut, but consider leaving at least those on the main level at least partly open.

2. A mail pile-Up. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to have the Post Office hold your mail for the days you’ll be gone and notify your newspaper that you want to cancel delivery for that time as well. Don’t order anything that will be delivered while you’re gone, or have it delivered to a friend’s address.

3. Long grass. Have someone mow your lawn or remove the snow from your driveway and sidewalks. If your front step is raised, have them remove the snow from there too. If you have a lawn service come in, ask them to send you a bill in the mail or pay them in advance. That way they won’t leave a bill hanging on the door – a sure sign you’re gone.

4. Timed lighting. Leaving no lights on or a few lights on all the time is like putting out the welcome mat for burglars. Investing in timed lighting saves electricity and deters break-ins.

5. You might enjoy letting your Facebook and Twitter friends know that you are about to embark on the vacation you’ve been working so hard for, but it’s better to tell them about the trip when you get home. Social media sites are constantly being watched by people you don’t know.

6. Vary the visits. If you have someone stopping by to check on the house, water your plants and lawn, and to feed the cat, ask them to come at different times of the day. If a thief is watching, they will be less likely to take the risk if the visits from your house-sitter happen at different times. Better yet – ask more than one person to stop by at different times.

7. The key. Don’t hide it – give a copy to the house sitter or sitters you have coming over.

8. No parking. If you usually park your other car in the garage, but decide to leave in the driveway while you’re gone, that’s a clue you’re not there.

9. The packed car. If you can, pack the car with the garage door closed. If you don’t have a garage, consider packing it very early on the day you’re leaving. If you get into the car without your luggage, anyone watching will assume you’re not going far.

10. Tell only the neighbors you trust that you’ll be gone. If you don’t know your neighbors well, keep your trip to yourself.

Do burglars really “case” neighborhoods? Yes. Planning ahead allows them a better chance to get in and out before a neighbor notices and the police arrive.

If you have any questions about your insurance, call me at 507-226-8121.

Jon

[email protected]

[tweetthis]10 Things Burglars Are Watching For #InsuranceInformation [/tweetthis]

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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AAA Membership

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It’s not just about insurance with AAA.

 

AAA members can save up to 60% on state-to-state moves with Atlas Van Lines. There are discounts available for across-town moves as well as in-state, and overseas moves as well. Want to move yourself? Members can save up to 20% with Penske and 12% on moving supplies.

Need The Geek Squad? AAA Members save 15% on computer support, and installation services, and 20% when they need online support.

Want to get rid of some stuff? As an AAA member, you can save 10% on all of Got Junk? services. What happens to your stuff? Got Junk recycles it, correctly disposes of it, or donates it to organizations like The Salvation Army, GoodWill, and Habitat for Humanity.

AAA Members also receive special offers from places like Target and Sears.

Whether you have AAA Insurance of not, a membership can save you money.

Call me at 507-226-8121 to find out how you can join today.

Jon

[email protected]

[tweetthis]AAA Membership #DeKokInsuranceGroup #IndependentAgent #RochesterMN[/tweetthis]

[tweetthis]It’s not just about insurance with AAA. #DeKokInsuranceGroup #AAAmemebership[/tweetthis]

Specializing in home, auto, umbrella, business, & life insurance for MN residents.

Flood Insurance & WaterDamage – What’s the Difference?

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Flood Insurance:

Flood insurance is a separate policy that is sold by insurance agents, but that is from the federal government. It covers damage caused by water moving on top of the ground that enters homes.

Water-backup Coverage:

This is a separate endorsement to your homeowner’s policy and covers damage from water that rises up from backed-up sewers, washtubs, sinks, toilets, and sump pump failures.

Call 507-226-8121 today to learn more about flood insurance and to see if you have all the endorsements you need on your homeowner’s policy.

Let’s get you covered,

Jon

[email protected]

[tweetthis]Flood Insurance & WaterDamage – What’s the Difference?[/tweetthis]

 

Specializing in home, auto business. umbrella, and life insurance for MN residents.

Choosing the Right Agent

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Hello everyone – Joy here.

I’ll tell you right away – this post is full of prejudice and favoritism.

Over the years, I’ve met a lot of insurance agents – really good men and women who work for good companies and serve their clients well. So, I can tell you this with a certain degree of experience: The best insurance agent I’ve ever met is Jon DeKok.

A client and I were talking the other day, and she said that she choose to insure with DeKok Insurance Group in part because Jon provided her with better coverage at a much better price, but also because she trusts him. Working with Jon on and off over the years, I’ve watched him in situations where other might compromise, but he acted with integrity every time.

Another client told me a couple of weeks ago that he insured with us because he wasn’t just buying insurance – he was choosing an agent.

A few weeks ago, another client, who didn’t save a ton of money, but who did get way better coverage said he choose to insure here because of Jon.

Getting excellent policies for less money is a good deal. Choosing the right agent turns that good deal into a great one.

You can trust Jon DeKok. I know this from personal and professional experience. He’s one of the good guys and in my opinion, the best insurance agent you’ll ever have.

One client sent Jon and email that said, “You rock!” He’s right – Jon does.

I didn’t ask Jon if I could write this blog – he’s out of the office today because it’s his birthday. He trusts me to take care of things on days like this, so I am.

Happy birthday, Jon – I’m so proud of you as a business man and thankful for the privilege of being your wife!

Joy

 

 

 

 

[tweetthis]Choosing the right agent. #MNInsurance #IndependentAgent[/tweetthis]

This blog belongs to Jon DeKok, Independent Insurance Agent

DeKok Insurance Group, Better coverage. Better Prices.

Specializing in Home, Auto, Umbrella, Commercial Property, Business, and Life insurance in the state of MN.