DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

507-226-8121 [email protected]

As Good As It Gets

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I’ll let Joy tell the story this car played early in our relationship. In these pictures my Dodge Charger was parked in the driveway at my folk’s farm. 

70 Dodge Charger 2000

One evening, Jon called to ask if he could stop by for a little while. I was pretty excited since I’d worked very hard to get his attention. I thought I’d blown it because I hadn’t received an over enthusiastic response. Then the call came and tall handsome redhead arrived in his brand-new to him car. That day, his dad had gone with him to buy a car and they found the perfect one for Jon; a 1970 Dodge Charger 500, metal-flake blue, with a white landau roof, and leather interior. The engine made a powerful “blub, blub, blub” sound and there was a cool guy and a cool car in my driveway! If I was lucky, that might mean he thought I was cool too and that would be well – you know –  way cool.

When you’re seventeen, that’s as good as it gets.

70 Dodge Charger 1

I guess we started more than a relationship in the driveway that night – we started a ritual that survives to this day.

In the early days, our dates involved getting a bite to eat and then riding in that car all over the place. We didn’t need to speed and really got more attention when Jon drove slow. It seemed people like the opportunity to look at his always stellar looking car.

These days the riding continues. Now, Jon drives an older Buick Park Avenue. Sitting in gray leather seats (with the company of our dogs Sophie & Tucker) we ride, eat, drink coffee, listen to music or books on tape, and talk.

Eventually, Jon sold his Charger to pay for college. but I know there are days he wishes he was still driving it around the countryside, windows down, music playing, and the best part of all – with me beside him! At fifty-nine, he’s still cool, and for me, being with him is still as good as it gets.

Joy

Arrow SetDeKok Insurance Group, Inc. Referral Program: When you tell your family and friends about your positive experience with my agency, and they call for a quote, I’ll send YOU a $20 gift card.

Do you go to Classic Car Shows? You might like this post.

Email: [email protected]

Phone  507-226-8121

[tweetthis]As Good As It Gets #1970DodgeCharger #AutoInsurance #IndependentAgent[/tweetthis]

Better coverage. Better prices.

Jon DeKok has been serving insurance clients for over 30 years. He specializes in home, auto, umbrella, recreational vehicle, business, and life insurance. He is licensed in the state of Minnesota.

Make the Most of a Classic Car Show

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lineup

Summertime there are dozens of  classic car shows in Minnesota. These automotive events are a great way to kick start your weekend or vacation. Several times during the summer classic car enthusiasts get together in Pine Island, MN.

Some people attend classic car shows as spectators to check out unique and rare vehicles. Others go to connect with fellow car buffs or to show off their prized possession. And some attend shows to shop or to sell.

Whether you’re planning to shop, sell, show, or just go, here are some tips for making the most of a classic car show.

  • Family fun. Larger classic car shows typically feature entertainment, food vendors, raffles and more. Bring the whole family for a day of fun.
  • Plan. Take note of the event schedule, plan before you go, and make sure you’re aware of the hours for check-in.
  • Be the early bird. If you’re entering your automobile in a competition, sign up early. Most are limited to a certain number of entries, and it’s usually first come, first served.
  • Know the value.  If you are planning to sell or buy, you must be well versed on the value of the vehicle and the market conditions. Buying or selling a car—especially a classic—can be an emotion-driven experience. Knowing the facts is essential if you are to get the right deal.
  • Need parts? Some larger car shows also feature a swap meet. Before you go, research the show and take note of car accessories and parts you might need.
  • Get some rest. Larger car shows can sprawl for miles upon miles. Make sure you’re rested, hydrated, and fed so you have plenty of energy for a long day of roaming.
  • Pack a bag. Be prepared to get the most out of the day by bringing along what you might need for the weather – from coats to sunscreen – and for your basic needs – from water to snacks.

Whatever your reason for attending the next classic car show, I hope these pointers will ensure you make the very most of it.

If you own a classic car and want the best coverage available, call me at 507-226-8121 or email me your questions at [email protected]. I represent Haggarty Insurance and others who provide the best coverage available for you classic.

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone  507-226-8121

Arrow SetDeKok Insurance Group, Inc. Referral Program: When you tell your family and friends about your positive experience with my agency, and they call for a quote, I’ll send YOU a $20 gift card.

[tweetthis]Car Shows #AutoInsurance #IndependentAgent #MNInsurance #CarShows[/tweetthis]

Better coverage. Better prices.

Jon DeKok has been serving insurance clients for over 30 years. He specializes in home, auto, umbrella, recreational vehicle, business, and life insurance. He is licensed in the state of Minnesota.

Heading to Sturgis?

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scenic mountain highway

 

Which cyclists have the highest risk for serious motorcycle accidents?  Surprise:  It’s 40-year-olds.

Whether you’re taking your cycle and heading across country (This year, the Sturgis rally is 76 years old.), or riding the Minnesota back roads, we want your ride to be safe this summer. Here are a few top tips:

No one’s too old to wear a helmet.

A motorcycle rider not wearing a helmet is forty percent more likely to sustain a fatal head injury in a crash than a rider with a helmet.* A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study reports that “helmets saved 1,658 motorcyclists’ lives in 2006, and that 752 more could have been saved if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.”* Buy a full-face helmet for the best protection for your head and eyes. Wear other protective gear as well: heavy leather or synthetic gloves, long pants and jacket, and over-the-ankle leather boots.

Take breaks.

Plan to stop for water breaks to prevent dehydration, which can cause riders to feel tired or weak. Don’t ride tired. A short walk around a park, or a cup of coffee while filling up with gas is often enough to revive a weary rider.

In a crash, the SUV wins.

 When cars and motorcycles collide, it’s usually because the driver of the car failed to see the cyclist. With more SUVs on the road, it’s even more critical to take extra steps to become more visible. Use your headlamps—both night and day—and wear yellow, red or orange jackets to make yourself easy to see. Make a point of positioning yourself in your lane for visibility.

Training saves.

One out of four motorcycle drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2006 were driving with invalid licenses.* Safeco offers discounts to riders who attend the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s safe riding courses or are active in one of 10 approved groups that promote safe riding. Do both those things and you can reduce your premium.

New Gear? Update your policy.

Some companies, including Safeco, offer special coverage for custom parts and equipment—but you have to make sure each piece of equipment is listed on your policy. Anytime you buy new leathers or safety equipment or customize your bike, call me at 507-226-8121 or e-mail [email protected]  before you head out on the highway.

Enjoy the ride,

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone  507-226-8121

 

Photo purchased from: © Jim Parkin – Fotolia.com

Slow Down – Save Lives and Money

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speed

How many times has the following happened to you? You’re speeding down highway 52 when you spot a MN highway patrol car. You quickly hit the brakes and slow down, relieved that you didn’t get caught … this time.

Now take a minute to think what could have happened if you hadn’t been so lucky.

First, your speeding could have hurt somebody — or yourself. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, speed is a contributing factor in more than 30% of fatal crashes and nearly 20% of non-injury accidents. That’s a big risk to take.

Second, getting a ticket could put a big hit on your wallet. Of course, that’s not nearly as important as the health and safety impacts of speeding, but in this economic climate, more and more people are watching every dime. And who wants to write a check to the state for speeding?

At DeKok Insurance Group, I want you to be safe. I also want to make sure you get a great price on the insurance coverage you need. Thankfully, easing up on that lead foot can help accomplish both.

How a ticket impacts your insurance

If you get a speeding ticket, that violation can stay on your driving record for three years or even longer. And because your driving history plays a large part in determining how much you’ll pay for insurance, the fewer tickets you have, the better.

Different carriers have different policies when it comes to checking your driving record and dealing with drivers who have violations. If you receive a ticket, and it’s your first in several years, you may not see much of an increase — depending on the severity of the offense. In fact, many states will allow you to enter a deferment program if it’s your first ticket, keeping the violation off your record if you complete a safety course and avoid further tickets.

But that second ticket (or third, or fourth …) can bring some serious financial penalties. While there are too many variables to say specifically how much each additional violation will increase your premium, it’s safe to say that the jump will be significant. And unfortunately, you can be stuck paying those higher premiums for years.

Significant violations can have a bigger impact as well. If you’re going 20 miles per hour over the limit, you’ll likely pay more than someone with a ticket for 5 mph over. Insurance companies know that speeding increases the risk of accidents, and they’ll view you as an increased risk — for good reason. In fact, if you have a serious violation, or too many tickets, your insurance carrier could drop your coverage altogether.

For younger drivers (typically under the age of 25), it’s especially important to avoid tickets, because companies already view these drivers as riskier than the general population.

And keep in mind, having a violation on your record could prevent you from receiving the lowest possible rate on your insurance.

When  you slow down, not only will you avoid tickets and possible insurance hassles, but your risk of accidents will decrease. And you’ll get better gas mileage.

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone  507-226-8121

Better coverage. Better prices.

Jon DeKok has been serving insurance clients for over 30 years. He specializes in home, auto, umbrella, recreational vehicle, business, and life insurance. He is licensed in the state of Minnesota.

Boat Trailer Safety

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Two Boats on Trailers

There are many reasons to love the sport of boating – it can be relaxing, exciting, entertaining and even rejuvenating. But hauling a boat on a trailer and launching it at the busy launch ramp can have its challenges. In fact, it can be downright stressful and dangerous and is often wrought with mishaps.

It’s not too early to start getting your boat trailer in tip-top shape. To help make sure you can haul your boat to its destination and into the water smoothly, check out this basic trailering checklist from discoverboating.com.

Before you put your boat on your trailer. . .

  • Take a look at your current boat and trailer insurance policies. Check with your agent to be sure your coverage is adequate and that your policies are up to date and renewed.
  • Upgraded your boat or trailer recently? If so, talk to your insurance agent about your coverage and limits to be certain your coverage is sufficient.
  • Be sure both your boat and trailer policy liability limits are adequate. Just one accident involving a boat can result in extensive damage and serious injuries.

Before you tow your boat trailer. . .

  • Coupler, hitch and hitch ball are of the same size
  • Coupler and safety chains are safely secured to the hitch of the tow vehicle
  • All fasteners are properly tightened
  • Boat is securely tied down to trailer (winch line is not a tie down)
  • Wheel lug nuts are properly tightened
  • Wheel bearings are properly adjusted and maintained
  • Load is within maximum load carrying capacity
  • Tires are properly inflated
  • All trailer lighting is working properly
  • Trailer brakes are properly adjusted and working (if trailer is so equipped)
  • Brakes and additional equipment meet all local and state requirements

At DeKok Insurance Group, I want your boating adventures to be enjoyed on the water instead of experienced with frustration on the boat ramp or on the road. If you have any questions, give me a call at 507-226-8121 or email  me at [email protected].

Jon

Email: [email protected]

Phone  507-226-8121

Better coverage. Better prices.

Jon DeKok has been serving insurance clients for over 30 years. He specializes in home, auto, umbrella, recreational vehicle, business, and life insurance. He is licensed in the state of Minnesota.