Change happens … and it takes many different forms. At home, change might mean a marriage, birth of a child or an additional driver in the household. At work, change may mean a sole proprietorship becoming a partnership, relocating the business to a new building or new staff joining the company.

Sometimes, special certificates and licenses are issued for changes in your household. For tax and licensing purposes, a new license may be required whenever a business entity changes or moves to a new location.

Along with these required documents, insurance coverage updates are likely required to address these many changes. Having the wrong coverage on additional drivers and changes to business property can leave an individual or business without necessary coverage at the time of a loss. Having the right type of liability coverage (and the right amount) is critical to ensure that you are protected properly.

Cover all your bases by making sure you contact your insurance agent for a simple coverage review whenever you experience a change in your personal or business life. You will benefit from expert advice on the changes necessary to your policies to ensure that you have adequate coverage.

Again this month, Schwartz Insurance Group selected one peer-nominated associate to receive a Core Value award. The winner is chosen because they "lived” one of our agency’s core values … typically an event or accomplishment above and beyond the call of duty in servicing our customers. This month, Robin Clark was selected – here’s Robin’s story:

Dozens of companies … hundreds of schedules … thousands of clients. It all adds up to opportunities for error. And, when the errors impact revenue and sales compensation, that makes this a big priority.

Every single month, the “back office” responsibility of downloading, reviewing and approving every last commission dollar falls on one person’s shoulders. It takes brains. It takes focus. It even takes humor.

We are fortunate to have one person with a healthy mix of all three. Our Core Value Winner for March– Robin Clark— lives Consider it Done!

Congratulations Robin! Here’s a bit more about her, in her own words:

1. Tell us a little bit about the type of work you do for Schwartz Insurance Group.
I do the Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Billing, and Auditing Commissions for Schwartz.

2. When you aren’t at work, what keeps you busy?
My son, Wes, keeps me rolling. He is senior at Butler High School who is very involved in his school-which keeps my husband and I very busy. He was on the Football team, Archery, National Honor Society, Beta Club and ROTC.

3. Have you always been in this industry? If not, what brought you where you are today?
I’m 5 years new to the insurance industry but not to the accounting world. I’ve been in accounting for 26 years. When my boss Mike Morgan left to come join Schwartz—I thought it sounded like refreshing opportunity.

4. What’s one thing you love about what you do for a living?
I love routine. Which accounting is just that. It starts at the beginning of the month and “hopefully” balances at the end of the month.

5. Tell us a little bit about what you do for fun.
My family and I are lake lovers! We try to go to the lake every weekend possible- even in the winter.

6. If you could do one thing for a living that had nothing to do with your current job, what would it be?
My real love is decorating. I would love to be an interior decorator and work with Ty Pennington on Extreme Home Makeover.

Hail damage is one the most common homeowners insurance claims. Take these simple steps if you suspect your home has sustained storm damage.

• Inspect and document any damage, including the date the damage occurred.
• Contact your insurance company, even if you’re not 100% sure. Let them file a claim and send an adjuster to verify the damage.
• If the adjuster recommends repairs or replacement, they will provide you with an estimate of the cost. Don’t hire the cheapest contractor, trust your insurance agent to recommend a reputable company.
• Once the insurance check based on the adjuster’s estimate is received, you will usually have around six months to have the repairs or replacement completed.
• Familiarize yourself with your policy so you know what to expect. Policies can vary in what is covered and how to proceed with a claim.

Other types of storm damage may also be covered by your homeowners insurance policy. These could include damage from wind, fire, lightning, or tornadoes— but not flooding. Flood coverage requires a separate National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy offered through your insurance agent.

Make sure you understand your homeowners insurance policy. Take the time to read through it and feel free to ask us at Schwartz Insurance Group about anything that isn’t clear. It could save you time and money if disaster strikes your home.

Of course, you know you need car insurance. In fact, liability insurance is required by law in all 50 states. But with all the different options available, how do you choose the right kind of coverage for your vehicle?

Here’s a quick look at the various types of coverage available:

Liability – covers damage only to the other driver’s vehicle when you are at fault in an accident

Collision – covers damage to your own vehicle, whether or not you are responsible for the accident

Comprehensive – covers non-collision damage to your own vehicle (such as theft or hail damage)

Full Coverage – includes all of the above, plus peace of mind. (If you are financing your vehicle, the lien holder may required full coverage as a term in your loan or lease agreement.)

Choosing the right insurance coverage depends on your coverage goal. Do you simply want the minimum coverage required by law or do you want to properly protect your property against loss? The answer to that question will drive your decisions.

Unless you can afford to go out and pay cash for repairs or a new vehicle, most experts recommend full coverage. Why gamble with your means of transportation? The security offered by full coverage is almost certain to outweigh the cost for the added insurance.

Although liability insurance is required by law in all 50 states, many drivers are still uninsured or underinsured. Not sure what that means? Take a look at the explanation of the terms:

An uninsured motorist (UM) doesn’t have insurance or their insurance company denies the claim.

An underinsured motorist (UIM) has the minimum legally-required insurance, but the payment limits on their policy don’t meet the amount of vehicle damage or bodily injury they caused you.

Very few states require UM/UIM coverage, but experts highly recommend it. It’s relatively inexpensive and could be vital to recovering your loss if you are hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist.

This coverage pays your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering in the event that other driver’s insurance does not. Without it, if you’re hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, YOU will be the one forced to cover those costs.

Some UM or UIM claims can only be filed by an insurance company. It’s always best to contact your agent and let them handle your claim. Don’t take chances that another driver may not be properly insured. Make sure your policy covers your needs in the event of an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist. We would be happy to help you.

Contact Schwartz Insurance Group for more information or visit our website to get an instant auto insurance quote.

Tornadoes are natural disasters that cannot be controlled or avoided. So how can business owners prepare for tornadoes and minimize wind-related damage? The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) conducted research to find the answers.

Tornadoes pose a serious threat to business structures because many of the structures are not built to withstand the lateral and uplift forces associated with this type of wind storm. Winds of the strongest category of tornado can reach speeds in excess of 250 mph, about twice the force of the strongest hurricanes. Yet structures built in areas frequently hit by hurricanes are built to stand up to the winds and those built in areas prone to tornadoes often are not.

The IBHS has compiled a list of measures businesses can take to reduce the risk of loss from a tornado. These measures also offer protection from other wind-related storms and thunderstorms. The IBHS recommends that businesses assess their risk of tornadoes using a map they have created, which shows areas at highest risk of tornadoes, and then take appropriate action to minimize their risk.

Here’s a sample of the IBHS’s checklist for minimizing risk of loss from tornadoes:

Protect employees by

• having an emergency plan in place and hold regular tornado drills
• providing a safe room (away from exterior walls and windows) or basement for shelter
• tuning into a local weather channel to monitor the situation

Protect the business property by

• working with the contractor on new construction to include high wind rated materials and a safe room or basement
• retrofitting existing structures with features such as braces, fasteners, and anchors

The time to guard against any loss is before it happens. If your business is in a tornado-prone area, take the necessary steps to reduce your chances of loss from tornado damage. Schwartz Insurance Group has the coverage options and expertise to guide you as you safeguard your business structure and employees.