When you think of spring cleaning, you probably think of cleaning the inside of your home. Not only is it a good idea to spring clean the interior of your home, but spring is also the perfect time to make some repairs and clean up to the exterior of your home. Spring and summer can bring some pretty intense weather in the Midwest, so it is best to get your home and yard ready for the season.

Roof and Gutter Cleaning

During the spring you may still get some freezing temps. This cold/warm cycle can cause damage to your roof from water freezing and thawing. Most water damage to roofs occur in the spring because of this freezing and thawing cycle. You can help prevent this damage, and other damage to your roof, by making sure your gutters are clean. Clean gutters let the water drain and keeps it from accumulating under the shingles and causing damage.

Check to make sure all of your shingles are in good repair. Loose shingles can blow off in a storm and cause damage to the roof and surrounding structures. Check for any cracked or warped shingles. Cracked or warped shingle expose your roof to water and weather damage. Look for any leaks in the attic or ceilings for signs of a leak in your rook.

Yard and Shrubs

Remove any limbs or other debris that may have accumulated in your yard during the winter. Clean around your shrubs and trees to remove any loose limbs or debris which may blow around and cause damage in a heavy storm. Trim any limbs or branches which may rub against your roof or structures to help prevent costly damage.

These are just a few tips to get your home ready for the spring and summer weather. Call or contact the Martin Insurance Team and ask about homeowner insurance to be sure you have the right coverage for the upcoming spring and summer season.

 

 

Did you know that a disaster can happen at any moment? Are you prepared? There is always something that you can do to make it easier to deal with the catastrophe, whether it is an injury to the house, fire, or even an evacuation.

Have Lights

If the power goes out, you want to make sure to have lights so that everyone can see. The last thing you want is for injuries to occur simply because no one can see how to get safely from room to room. Use flashlights and battery-operated lanterns – and be sure you have plenty of extra batteries for them.

Avoid Fire

Fires can often be avoided by having carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms on every floor. You should also have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen as well as on every floor of your home as well. Be sure you know how to use the extinguisher if a fire does start.

Have Food

If you are unable to leave your home for several days, do you have enough food? You should have at least 3 to 5 days’ worth of food for everyone in your house – and it’s a good idea for some of it to be nonperishable and edible without heating.

Be Prepared

There are a few other things you can do to be prepared as well. This includes having:

• A list of emergency contacts numbers
• An emergency radio
• First aid kit
• Extra blankets
• Escape ladder for the second/third floor
• Secure locks on your doors

Call and talk to us at the Martin Insurance Team today where we can help you find an insurance policy that is going to protect you against disasters in Evergreen Park. We look forward to answering your questions and comparing policies for you.

 

A rental home can be great for many reasons but in one area, you can suffer. Because you do not own the property, you simply cannot make any changes to it that are permanent. This seriously weakens your ability to customize the property and make it your own. However, there are many ways you can spruce up the bathroom in a rental to make it reflect you and make the place seem a bit more like a home. Follow these tips to get started and always ask your landlord before doing anything that may be permanent.

1. For added storage and style, put a free-standing storage unit in your bathroom. This is a way to add storage in a stylish way. Unfortunately, this only works if you have the space needed in the bathroom already.
2. Add an additional mirror to the bathroom. This will really open up the space to make it appear larger. If you do not have a lot of space to begin with, you may also want to consider just putting a mirror on the back of the bathroom door. 
3. Decorate the bathroom. A lot can be done with a few items, especially in a small space such as a bathroom. You can put in a shower curtain that adds style and you can put in a rug or bath mat that covers up the unsightly floor. Use your imagination and be sure to decorate the bathroom in a way that reflects your personal style. 

No matter how you improve the bathroom, as a renter, you need to have rental insurance to make sure all of your belongings are covered. If you do not currently have coverage, call Martin Insurance Team serving Evergreen Park, IL, to explore your insurance options. 

Buying any type of insurance policy can be an overwhelming process. As a consumer, you must navigate the ins and outs of each policy and decide what terms make the most financial sense for your family. Although purchasing an insurance policy online sounds easy, you’re actually taking a huge risk. By not working with an independent insurance agency, you’re missing out on sound professional advice.

The most important benefit you’ll get from using an independent insurance agency is access to years of training in the field. Insurance agents have been educated on risk analysis and how each type of insurance policy protects the insurer against these potential risks. The independent agents will know what policies are available in your area and what kind of special or required coverage you may need based on your current situation and location. 

An independent agent will not sell you coverage you don’t want or need. In fact, the agent can tell you about what inclusions are unnecessary when purchasing your policy. An agent can also make you aware of any discounts you may be eligible for. You’ll save more money by having the agent collect quotes on policies and relaying the most competitive rates to you. You could also be given access to bundle rates that grant a price break when securing multiple policies from one carrier.

An independent insurance agency can also keep you safeguarded against irreparable insurance companies. The agents will be familiar with the reputation of each company and know whether there have been complaints about claims not being handled properly.

The Martin Insurance Team is a group of independent insurance agents who serve the Evergreen Park, Illinois area. Their agents will get to know your requirements in order to recommend the right policy to keep you and your family safeguarded in case of disaster.

It is important to protect your home as well as your home based business. This means choosing insurance that works best for the type of business you are operating. This will ensure that you have less to worry about – and that you have financial protection should you need it.

Various types of insurance may be required – and it can be advantageous to speak to an agent where you can discuss the coverage as well as the limits.

General liability can protect you against lawsuits in the event someone injures themselves on your property or there is a case of negligence. Business property coverage can help to protect against loss of computers and various business assets that you have within your home.

If you have any employees that work out of your home as well, you will want to explore employment practices liability coverage. This can help to protect you against the various allegations of sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and various other employee issues.

Every business is a little different and you need to be aware of this. You may need to explore business continuation coverage, data compromise coverage, and even equipment breakdown coverage. By choosing the various levels of coverage that are needed for your individual business, you can protect it significantly more than relying solely on your homeowner’s insurance policy.

The gaps found within your homeowner’s policy needs to be dealt with. Not everyone has a home based business and therefore the insurance is bound to be different.

Contact us today to learn more about homeowner’s insurance and the insurance coverage that you need for your home-based business in Illinois. At Martin Insurance Team, our insurance agents are prepared to help you find a policy that makes sense – and contact multiple insurance companies on your behalf to help with the comparison process.

 

If the power goes out in your home in Evergreen Park, there are actually quite a few things you can do. The more you know and the more you prepare, the easier it will be to go about your daily routine, even without any kind of power.

There’s a lot you can do, and much of it is about preparing.

1. Freeze water bottles so you can keep the freezer and fridge food colder for longer.
2. Stock up on batteries so you can replace them as needed within fans, flashlights, and even electronics.
3. Buy food that doesn’t need to be heated or refrigerated.
4. Invest in an emergency radio so you can obtain emergency information as it is released.
5. Have a few alternatives for heat, such as a fireplace, gas grill, or solar oven.
6. Bottle jugs of water so you have them available.

When the power goes out, keep everyone calm. It doesn’t do anyone any good to freak out about the fact that there are no lights. Issue flashlights everyone in your family and gather everyone for a meeting.

You should have at least one week’s worth of food in your pantry so that you don’t have to worry about sustenance. If the electric company has not issued a timeframe in which your power will be resumed, you will want to ration the food to make sure it lasts as long as possible.

Bring out some board games, decks of cards, and even puzzles to keep everyone entertained. This will prevent restlessness and help to pass the time until the power comes back on.

Call and speak to one of our agents on the Martin Insurance Team today. We look forward to helping you find affordable home insurance and quotes from insurance companies throughout Illinois.