Our job with insurance is to put you back into the same shape you were prior to any given loss or accident. Should be fairly simple, right?

There have been a number of recent developments that have complicated this mission. And, today we’re seeing it with home replacement costs.

Housing prices and mortgage interest rates have not been at present low levels since before the turn of the century. This flies directly into the face of replacing ones property.

Thomes Insurance Group recently spoke to one of our well established housing contractors. They have indicated that the square foot cost for most homes today is still $130.00-$150.00 per square foot depending on the homes customization.

We’re finding contractors that are eager to build new homes. However, banks refuse to complete the loans because the new homes value will be worth much less upon completion than the new mortgage amount.

If you want to be put-back into the same shape, following a loss, you’ll need to shed the present day housing market syndrome. Hearken-back to 5 years ago for replacement values. The cost of labor and materials have not changed much.

Commercial motor vehicle drivers are prohibited from using cell phones while driving. Penalties are stiff too; $2,750 for the driver and $11,000 for the employer! (1).

Other liability concerns should make employers take note. These include:

*Business owners will generally be held liable for injuries to others caused by their workers. And, it doesn’t matter if the employee is driving a company owned or a personal vehicle. The business owner does not even need to be aware of what the employee is doing when they are involved in an accident. If the employee was “on-business”…then the business owner has a serious exposure.

*A business owner may also be held liable if they knowingly allow unqualified, incompetent or intoxicated/medicated employees drive.

Please see one of our agents at Thomes Insurance Group if you have questions about drivers and insurance regulatory issues.

(1). MyBusiness NFIB.

If you have a few employees driving (either their cars or your vehicles) for the business, it’s probably time to transition into a business auto insurance policy.

The cost to insure these units, under a business auto policy may even cost less depending on your personal situation.

Receiving the best rate depends on several factors, including:

   *Age of drivers.

   *Satisfactory driving records.

   *Past claims history.

See Thomes Insurance Agency to sort-out the Name Game and YOUR auto insurance coverage.

This nearly doubles what insurance companies paid in property claims in 2010. And the 38 Billion far eclipses any other year.

So, what’s going on with our weather patterns? Everyone has their own opinion. Already, 2012 has seen it’s fair share of severe weather in Illinois, the Dixie States and parts of the northeast. 

Insurance companies tend to be reactionary to these type of trends. So, all of us are sharing in high property repair costs. If you haven’t already seen it, you’ll notice an up-tick in your homeowners, farm owners or commercial property insurance premiums. Insurance companies spread-out their premiums evenly and in the hardest hit areas. This is truly a normal course of events. As-much-as we hate to defend rich companies, big government and others taking our hard-earned dollars, good insurance policies have a time and place in today’s climatologically harsh events.

We want you to be ready for the possibility of more severe storms this year. Please contact us regarding your individual insurance policies and your coverage needs. We’ll sort-through what is factual and that which is simply rumors in stormy times.

The number of  Minnesota workers now crossing into North   Dakota for employment has become staggering. Over 27,000 of us commute on a regular basis to the Peace Garden State. The Bakken Oil Fields offer a boon for employment rarely seen in our lifetime. Even more Minnesotans travel into Wisconsin (the Badger state) for employment.

Liability, worker’s compensation and property insurance sometimes have grave restrictions and exclusions once you cross state lines.  For instance, North Dakota has an entirely different worker’s compensation system than does Minnesota. Also, crude oil related businesses (trucking for one) will usually see pollution exclusions on their coverage.

So, while the grass looks greener on the other side of the border…improperly written insurance can leave you severely exposed. 

The best solution is for you to contact your independent insurance agent. At Thomes Insurance Group, we’ll sort-through the coverage barriers that exist between our fine states!

 These figures have made your insurance companies sit-up and take note. In fact, many of our underwriters will now exclude coverage due to damages caused by canines.

 If you own any of the following breeds of dogs, we strongly recommend that you check out your insurance policies to see if there are any excluded coverage:

*Pit Bulls                          *Rottweilers

*German Shepherds    *Doberman Pinchers

*Chows                              *Akitas

*Canary Dogs                  *Hybrid Wolves

Some other forms of exotic pets fall into a “prohibited animal” category.  

You may also contact our insurance agency for further information. It used-to-be that insurance companies would give a dog ‘one bite’ before denying coverage. Today, you may be faced with liability and no coverage to back you up.

We look forward to taking your questions on this issue.

Despite a texting ban in 35 or more states, a study found that 71 percent of us use hand-held electronic devices while driving…either phone calling or texting. A large majority of Americans support the texting ban.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 90 percent of those surveyed feel unsafe, as a passenger, while the driver is texting or emailing.  The study also finds that nearly half of the drivers 21 to 24 have done texting or emailing while driving. This is a 50 percent increase over the past year.

No matter what you may think, any distraction is a hindrance to safe driving. Texting is one of the greatest distractions affecting insurance rates and your safety.

For the average policyholder, the purchasing transaction is a promise to put them back into the same shape they were prior to a calamitous event. And, I’m sure you’ve heard people say that all insurance policies and companies are the same…..aren’t they?

Well no THEY are not…and no YOU are not. A wise man once said, “Education is what a fellow gets reading the fine print…and Experience is what he gets by not reading it.”

Is effective underwriting discipline, responsiveness, claim service, risk management and loss control worth spending 10 to 15 percent more on your insurance? Talented customer service is a proud feature at Thomes Insurance Group. Our staff is well educated and professional in every transaction.

Thomes Insurance conducts each transaction with attention to detail. And, we can be as-responsive-as necessary in our point & click society.

The trusted relationship we’ve fostered for 77 years with our clients is still our modus operandi today. We’ll be there for you.

We will not spend a lot of time expounding on the reasons why adequate life insurance is important. Suffice to say that most of us are under-insured. The average funeral today is close to $15,000!

With the advent of employer sponsored retirement planning in the 80′s and 90′s, many of us have done fairly well with making sure there will be enough resources when we retire. So, cash value life insurance may be avoided in many instances. Term insurance is very inexpensive. Generally one can obtain a stable (level) premium for 10,20 or 30 years.

Visit with independent insurance agents for the best deals on life insurance. We have 4-5 life insurance companies and can pattern a policy that will fit your needs.

Now is a good time to wrap up those 2011 New Year’s resolutions that address our financial needs. At Thomes Insurance Group, we are ready to complete a life insurance application for you. It is painless and may be done in 15 minutes!

Speaking of financial needs; Wills are important too. And, we have staff that can help you update or begin your last will & testament.