DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

507-226-8121 [email protected]

Personal Injury Liability

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Have you ever heard someone slander another individual?

Most likely you have.  In a lot of  cases where someone talks or writes about someone else in a negative or hurtful way, no legal action is taken.  However,  In the world of insurance, we see the legal consequences of this type of behavior.

Here is Traveler’s definition of  “Personal Injury” in their HO-82 endorsement.

 DEFINITIONS

The following definition is added: “Personal injury” means injury arising out of one or more of the following offenses, but only if the offense was committed during the policy period:

1. False arrest, detention or imprisonment

2. Malicious prosecution

3. The wrongful eviction from, wrongful entry into, or invasion of the right of private occupancy of a room, dwelling or premises that a person occupies, committed by or on behalf of its owner, landlord or lessor

4. Oral, written or electronic publication of material that slanders or libels a person or organization or disparages a person’s or organization’s goods, products or services

5. Oral, written or electronic publication of material that violates a person’s right of privacy.

Personal Injury liability coverage is an optional coverage on most homeowners insurance policies.  Please feel free to contact me to discuss further and see if your policy includes this protection.

Jon

 

[email protected]

507-226-8121

[tweetthis]Personal Injury Liability #Coverage #MNInsurance #RochesterMN [/tweetthis]

Minnesota Weather. . .Now & Then

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Minnesota is a state of dramatic weather: in the winter of 1881, snow drifts were as tall as locomotives.

The 1881 Minnesota tornado outbreak struck southern Minnesota on July 15, 1881. At least six tornadoes touched down between 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, killing 24 people and injuring 123.

New Ulm – 1881

The 1883 Rochester, MN tornado hit on August 21, 1883. It was one in a series of tornadoes that day, causing at least 37 deaths and over 200 injuries. It was (at least in part) the impetus for the creation of the Mayo Clinic. On July 21, two other tornadoes struck the area. An F4 (estimated by the amount of damage and eyewitness reports) tornado was one of a family of storms that killed 4 people near Dodge Center (15 miles west of Rochester), and that devastated Elgin, 10 miles northeast of Rochester.

Rochester, MN 1883

2012: Some states have already been hit hard by tornadoes. What does this mean for homeowners? Will they raise their rates?

It’s sometimes assumed insurance companies can increase prices whenever they want to – this is false.

When there is a large amount of storm damage in a state, companies may raise the prices they charge for homeowner’s insurance. Although it’s commonly assumed that insurance companies can raise their rates randomly, this is not true. All change to an insurance company’s rates must be applied for and approved by the state’s insurance commissioner. To learn more:  http://mn.gov/commerce/insurance/

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

Jon

[email protected]

[tweetthis]MN Weather #Insurance #Tornado #blizzard[/tweetthis]

Apple Blossom Time

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Joy here. Apple blossom time is almost past. After the storms this weekend, the yard, under the trees, looked like it had snowed.

When Jon and I moved into this home five years ago, we had no idea what we were going to do with the apple crop from at least 20 trees. Jon did some research and decided two things:

  • He was going to care for the trees organically.
  •  He was going to buy an old-fashioned apple press and make juice.

While talking to his mom about protecting the fruit from bugs, she remembered a recipe she’d heard on a radio show years ago. It works! We can pick apples and eat them immediately – after wiping the dust off on our pants. The kids we love can often be seen with an apple in each hand – they love them.

Here’s the recipe:

In a one-gallon  milk jug combine: 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of vinegar, 1 banana peel, and then fill it half-way to the top with water.

Hang it by the handle in the tree. If the tree produces very sweet apples, hang two jugs.

Over time, the water evaporates. Just add water to the gunk in the jug.

We also use Apple Maggot-fly Traps. They are available at many local plant and tree nurseries and online at many places, including here:  http://eartheasy.com/non-toxic-pest-control/outdoor/non-toxic-apple-maggot-traps

When the apples are ripe, Jon picks from several trees, cleans them, and presses them. We purchased our press here:http://www.happyvalleyranch.com/.

After straining the juice through a cloth, he puts the juice in a clean water jug (1-gallon), at least 1 inch from the top, and freezes it.

When we’re ready to drink it, we simply thaw the juice. That’s it. We like it best in it’s slushy form. It’s also delicious warmed up with cinnamon. Once it’s past the slushy stage, I love it over crushed ice too. Jon prefers it cold without ice. Each batch is slightly different because of the mix of apples.

The juice can also be turned into the best apple jelly I’ve ever tasted.

Apple blossom time at our house is beautiful, smells great, and holds the promise of fresh apple juice all year long.

Joy

[tweetthis]Apple Blossom Time #Apples #AppleJuice #OrganicApples[/tweetthis]

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

Scoot!

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Scooter sales are economical and fun!

Interesting Scooter Facts:

  • Women are 3 times more likely to purchase and use a scooter than men.
  • Although less powerful than many models, motor scooters are motorcycles. That means you’ll need to take a riding course, get a motorcycle license, and purchase insurance.
  • A few scooters have 800cc engines, which catches them up to some motorcycles.
  • Some scooters get up to 100 miles per gallon of gas.
  • Many models are designed to allow a passenger to ride along.

Most insurance carriers offer inexpensive policies and all the safety experts urge scooter riders to purchase full coverage.

If you have a scooter or are thinking about buying one, call 507-226-8121 for a quote. You could save on more than gas – at DeKok Insurance Group we offer 95% of the people we quote better pricing. We offer all our clients better coverage.

Jon

507-226-8121

[email protected]

[tweetthis]Scoot! #Scooters #Fun&Economical #Insurance[/tweetthis]

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.

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.