Ready for Round Two!
By Amy Streifel
Round two is upon us. This time I feel way more prepared in moving my daughter into her dorm for her second year of college. We know what things to take and not to take. I know now not to micro manage setting up her room, because she will redo it the minute I leave anyway. We for sure know that we may have over packed a bit last time as we ended up bringing home a car load that wouldn't fit. One of the most important things to consider when settling into your new residence hall, apartment or condo is renters insurance. Why, you may ask? Students can bring thousands of dollars worth of possessions to school, from electronics to books to laptops and even furniture. Taking an inventory is a must If I have learned anything from having a college student, its that belongings mysteriously go missing a lot. I've also learned that kids sometimes come home with their roommates clothes on….I don’t ask questions. With people in and out of dorm rooms all the time, its very important to have protections for those belongings. About half of all on campus crimes involve bur-glary. Whether it’s a classroom theft, someone stealing from your dorm room or a break in at your campus apartment, the result is the same. Unless your stuff is properly insured, you’ll have to pay to replace it. There are a couple of different ways to do so. Dorm insurance is an option with come carriers as well as a renters policy. A standard renters policy includes liability and personal property coverage, and you can tailor your policy to get the coverage that your individual needs call for. And don’t forget your car! Your personal belongings are covered even if they are in your car. Your personal belongings are NOT covered under your auto insurance. Lots of students basically live in their cars, carrying electronics and other valuables with them daily. Or if you are like my kids, a pound of garbage. Check with your agent to make sure you have the right cover-ages for you!
Keep safe with these tips:
1. Lock the door!
2. Do not leave valuables lying out in the open.
3. Understand what people target.
4. Limit the valuables you bring to school
5. Lock expensive items up.
Posted on August 4th, 2023
Business Spotlight
Helping Hands Thrift Store
Jodi Keller is on a new business journey opening Helping Hands Thrift Store in Harvey about eight weeks ago. Jodi said her goal is to be helping the community and keeping "first aid" at a better variety for the community. We all know someone who has been in need due to unfortunate circumstances. Jodi wants to be the place where families can seek comfort in those scenarios and replenish their needs at no cost.
We asked Jodi how it has been going in the weeks she has been open, she said their side walk sale went very well and she hopes to do those more often! Her store has a variety of supplies including name brand clothing at affordable prices. Helping Hands has a goal to help build the economy but they depend heavily on volunteer work. The first big project Jodi has a dream of is purchasing all 14 elementary classroom teachers school supplies. This is a domino effect donation so it relieves teachers from buying their own supplies and then it benefits students, which what we all want, right! If you would like to be a part of the Helping Hands projects, Feel free to contact Jodi at 701-208-1159. Helping Hands summer hours are Tuesdays & Thursdays 9-4P.M., Wednesdays 10-5 P.M.
Posted on July 13th, 2023
Recipe of the Month
Mexican Corn Dip
"This recipe takes just minutes to whip up and its so good you don’t even need the chips!"
Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cups corn kernels, frozen, canned or roasted
1 jalapeno, seeded and diced
3 Tablespoons mayo
2 Tablespoons crumbled cotija cheese
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 clove garlic, pressed
Juice of 1 lime
Instructions:
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add corn and jalapeno, and cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and slightly charred, about 8-10 min. Stir in the mayo, cheese, cilantro, chili powder, garlic and lime juice.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Posted on July 13th, 2023
Its Time Again!
NuLine will be presenting the traveling trophy at the
Annual Dwight Jelsing
Car Show
Where: Ellery Park,
Rugby, N.D.
When: July 18th
1-4 p.m.
Watch our Facebook page for more info!
Posted on July 13th, 2023
Claim Corner
AND THE ROCKETS RED GLARE….
This neighbor really took patriotic to a new level. Our insured enjoyed a relaxing 4th of July with their family. After shooting off fireworks and watching their neighbors shoot off a huge show, they went to bed. A couple hours later, they awoke to commotion in the backyard. When our insured looked out the window, she saw nothing but orange. The neighbors whole side of their house was up in flames. After they had shot off fireworks, they had picked up all of the used fireworks and put them in a trash container in the garage. In a short amount of time, something had caught fire and it was out of control from there. Because there were cars in the garage, there was an explosion and eventually the whole house was up in flames. There was a knock at our insured’s door and the police quickly escorted them out of the house. There was 3 firetrucks and they immediately began also spraying our insureds house to help avoid it catching on fire too. By the wee hours of the morning, the neighbors house had burned to the ground, despite all of the efforts to save it. A joyous relaxing family day had ended in tragedy for this family. After hearing about this claim, I cannot stress how important firework safety is. Even if you think the fireworks are put out, they may smolder and spark back up. Our insured did not walk away from this tragedy unscathed. She had a few things damaged on her own home including melted window frames, a warped pool, soot damage and siding damage. In addition there was debris all over her yard. There were areas of her home such as the deck and garage that were toxic from the fire damage as well. Smoke and fire damage also caused some health issues for our insured and her family, which thankfully were not long term. As you can imagine, the claim was very extensive and is still being handled a year later. As our insured found out, its very valuable to know what to do in the event of a claim. This is a great question for your insurance agent to answer.
Posted on July 13th, 2023
Give me the City Life
By Amy Streifel
Moving will be so much fun they said. I'm not sure who said that, but I am here to tell you it is in fact, not fun. Moving has proved to be stressful, at least for me. Having lived in the same home for 20 years, this experience has definitely been life changing. My children and I packed up our farm and headed to city living. I started packing well before I needed to move so I could take the time to get organized. I spent the time vacuum sealing, sorting and of course labeling everything. Fast forward two months, yesterday I found a cat in the loading truck after two days and I was jealous. I was tempted to hide there myself. In loading another box, I looked in and found my kids packed dirty laundry…..no words. Moving is already stressful, but moving a lifetime of belongings for me and four children has been a bit tricky. I've had some help moving, but been told me yelling orders does not help. Every time I see someone pick up one of my valuables I get nervous. This is why I didn't hire a moving company. I need to know exactly where my belongings are at all times. While Thinking though, what if someone damaged my property moving? Will I have to pay for it? How would I even begin to replace my hand made buffalo hide drum? In times like this, I am thankful for my inventory list. With NuLine’s app, I easily took pictures and made a running list of all my belongings and it’s easily accessible on the app. Even if you do not have access to the NuLine app, making an inventory is more important that ever. If there was ever a claim, having this list can support that claim, especially if you have something of value.
If you were to hire a moving company, many times, they offer their own moving insurance, which is designed to cover your belongings if something should happen.
Homeowners and renters policies provide coverage for your belongings while your personal property is at your residence, in transit or in storage facilities, but will not pay for any damage done to personal property while being handled by the movers. Movers? That sounds like a wonderful, magical word. I'm looking at my "movers" right now who all happen to be laying on the couch snacking and playing video games. Oh well, maybe they're better at unpacking……...
Posted on July 13th, 2023
Business Spotlight
If you have driven along Highway 52 near Martin, ND, you’ve probably seen this sign. Lautt's Autobody and Towing has been around for quite a while, but what people may not know is, they are much more than an Autobody shop. Lautt brothers, Corey and Casey, recently became a Ferris lawnmower dealer and servicer. Lautt's knew there was a need in the area and they wanted to offer people that service again. They have an assortment of lawn mowers on the floor and they can order in just about anything you are looking for. They also can get you accessories for your mower as well as oil and blades. In addition to mowers, they also have a snow blower selection…..even though we do NOT want to think about snow at the moment. Lautt's carries a majority of Ferris brand mowers but can order parts for any brand, usually. In addition to helping you find your perfect mower, they offer services for maintenance on your lawnmower, such as changing oil, sharpening blades, changing filters, and cleaning the deck. The only thing they don’t do is…..cut your grass! The Lautt's encourage you to bring in your mower in the fall or spring of the year to get it maintained and ready to go.
Since adding these services to their Autobody shop, they have been extremely busy. This is exactly what our area needed! You can contact them at:
701-693-2804 or by email at: lauttsautobody@srt.com
Posted on June 15th, 2023
Recipe of the Month
Chicken Quesadillas
"This is a great make ahead and freeze recipe! To reheat, place frozen quesadilla in microwave for 1-2 min."
Also a quick meal that the kids will love!
Ingredients:
2 cups chicken (chopped or shredded)
2 tsp hot sauce
1 cup mayonnaise (I use 1/2 cup only)
1/4 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp taco seasoning (or more)
6 tortillas
2 cups Mexican cheese
Whisk together mayo, taco seasoning, garlic salt and hot sauce. Spread sauce on one side of tortilla. Sprinkle desired amount of shredded chicken on top, then cheese. Add sauce to a second tortilla and place on top. Heat in the microwave for about 20 seconds, then put on the stove until crisp. Use any extra sauce for dipping!
Posted on June 15th, 2023
Claim Corner
It was a beautiful day. A fishing day. The waters were calm and it was the best opportunity for our insured to get his boat out on the water. He had been waiting for this day because he had splurged on brand new fishing equipment, which was top of the line of course. He took his boat out on the nearest lake. He sat for quite a while before he had a bite. And just like that, the wind picked up. Our insured decided he better call it a day as the waves started hitting the boat harder and harder. The next thing he knew, water had splashed up on his face. Before he realized what had happened, all of his new fishing equipment was no longer in the boat. He searched for a long time with no luck. He could of cried because of what he lost, but he cried even harder when he realized it was not automatically covered under his insurance. Because he had expensive items pricing over a certain amount, they would have to be scheduled on his policy. Items like your boat trailer, hoist, electric trolling motor, kicker motors, marine instruments, safety equipment, life jackets, depth finders, and GPS devices are generally things that need to be added to your fishing boat insurance policy.
With standard coverage such as property damage liability, bodily injury, medical expense, and physical damage to your fishing boat should be included with almost any full coverage boat insurance policy, additional coverage will ensure peace of mind on and off the water. Consider asking your agent if your fishing boat insurance will cover all boat equipment, fishing equipment, travel, fishing tournaments, and roadside or on water assistance. Do not assume your insurance policy protects your equipment.
Posted on June 15th, 2023
Get your motor running…….but can you head out on the highway?
By Amy Streifel
It seems like everywhere you look, there’s people cruising around town on a golf cart, especially kids. Even my own kids are riding around. I always wonder, are there seatbelts in those things? Do you have to wear a helmet? What are the rules to driving a golf cart on the street? More importantly, do you need golf cart insurance? Golf cart accidents can happen at any time and place. You can damage someone's property or get in an accident even on the golf course. There have also been instances where carts get stolen if the keys are left inside. I had a friend who "borrowed" someone's cart to give her friends a ride. You are leaving yourself open to liabilities and sometimes without knowing it. Another example, every time I am a passenger on Michelle's golf cart, I have a near death experience because of her fast driving. Who's is going to pay for my injuries when I fall off one of these times? If you own a golf cart, there's a good chance that you use if for more than getting around to the golf course, especially in small towns. Many golf cart owners treat their cart as a secondary mode of transportation. But, if you drive your golf cart on the road, you will need insurance. A golf cart may be covered under your homeowners insurance while it is on your property or on the golf course. However, once you leave your property, most homeowners insurance will no longer cover your golf cart. Most homeowners insurance policies won’t cover a golf cart that’s registered to be driven on roads. When you get a golf cart policy, it typically will include some basic coverages such as property damage liability coverage, bodily injury liability coverage, collision and comprehensive coverage. These coverages may help pay to repair damage to your golf cart in certain situations. Even if you only use your cart at the club, home or auto coverage many not be sufficient for every hazard you face. Check with your insurance agent before taking it on the road!
Golf Cart Etiquette:
¨ Carry no more than the designated amount of passengers (or the total number of seats).
¨ Never drive any vehicle under the influence.
¨ Don't allow anyone to stand in/on the vehicle while in motion.
¨ Avoid driving if you see lightning.
¨ Use hand signals if the cart isn't equipped with turn signals.
¨ Golf Carts can tip quite easily, so take turns, inclines and declines slowly.
¨ Check your state-specific laws for age and license requirements.
¨ Don't leave keys in the Golf Cart.
Posted on June 14th, 2023