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As we head into another Wisconsin winter, it’s a great time to do a quick seasonal check around your home. These simple maintenance steps can help reduce winter-related issues and keep things running smoothly:

• Clear leaves and debris from gutters
• Turn off water supply to outdoor spigots
• Disconnect and store outdoor hoses
• Clean and inspect dryer vents
• Check and replace furnace filters as needed
• Ensure home insulation is adequate to help prevent ice damming
• Maintain a consistent indoor temperature if you’ll be traveling
• Unplug unused battery-powered items and review extension cord use
• Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors - and confirm you have them installed
• For more on winterizing your pipes, read our blog:

https://www.robertsonryan.com/personal-lines/2025/01/21/protect-your-home-from-winter-freeze-tips-to-avoid-burst-pipes-and-costly-damage/

If you have any questions about your insurance coverage, feel free to reach out. We’re always here to help.

Protect Your Home from Winter Freeze: Tips to Avoid Burst Pipes and Costly Damage | Robertson Ryan Insurance Winter can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing. This guide covers ways to protect your property and peace of mind during the cold months.

What Does “Uninsured” and “Underinsured” Mean?
Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: Protects you if you’re in an accident with a driver who has no liability insurance or in a hit-and-run situation.
Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage: Steps in when the at-fault driver’s liability limits are too low to cover your injury or property damage costs.
While liability insurance is legally required in 49 states and the District of Columbia, many drivers still choose to go without. Or they only carry the minimum required coverage, which may not be enough in a serious accident.

Why Are Insurance Rates Rising?
Uninsured drivers create more financial risk for insurance companies. When more drivers don’t carry adequate insurance, insurers face higher costs covering accidents. This added risk leads to higher premiums for all policyholders, even those with clean records.

Here’s how uninsured and underinsured drivers impact everyone:

Increased risk for insurers: Accidents involving uninsured drivers often lead to higher claim payouts.
Higher premiums for insured drivers: Insurers raise rates to offset these costs.
Pressure on UM/UIM coverage: Frequent claims can cause premiums for this coverage to increase.
Penalties for uninsured drivers: Those caught driving without insurance face steep fines and future rates that can skyrocket due to their high-risk status.

How Can You Protect Yourself?
Even the best drivers can be involved in an accident with someone who doesn’t have enough insurance. Here’s how to reduce your risk:

Make sure you have UM/UIM coverage: These coverages are often optional but provide critical protection.
Consider an umbrella policy: This adds extra liability protection above your auto policy limits. Confirm if uninsured motorists are included.
Ask your agent about discounts: There may be opportunities to lower your overall premium without sacrificing protection.
Drive defensively: Staying alert and minimizing distractions reduces the chance of needing to file a claim in the first place.

Why Uninsured & Underinsured Motorist Coverage Matters | Robertson Ryan Insurance Learn why uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is so important and how to protect yourself from financial risk.

Great article on Flood damage vs water back up and water damage to read!

Flood damage is a separate insurance policy**

If the water touched the ground outside before entering your home or business, it’s likely flood damage and needs flood insurance.

If it originated inside—like a pipe break, roof leak, or sump pump overflow—it’s water damage, but may still require special coverage.

Flood Damage vs. Water Damage — And Where Sump Pump Overflows Fit In | Robertson Ryan Insurance Know the distinction between Flood Damage &. Water Damage. Having the right policies in place can make a difference.

For many people, driving a vehicle that’s provided by their employer, or a business they own, is a major convenience. Whether you’re behind the wheel of a company-owned car, or your family members use vehicles titled to your business, it’s important to understand how this can affect your insurance coverage.

Great article.

Business Auto vs Personal Auto: Coverage Pitfalls to Avoid | Robertson Ryan Insurance Whether you're a business owner, an employee, or a family member driving a company car, it’s worth checking your policy.

Safe travels this holiday week and Happy 4th!!!!!!! 🎇🎆🎉

Rental Car Insurance: What You Need to Know Before You Drive

Does My Personal Auto Insurance Cover Rentals?
If you have a personal auto policy, your coverage usually extends to rental cars…as long as the rental is for personal use and you’re within the U.S. or its territories. Your deductible and coverage limits will apply to any claims.

Here are common coverage types that may carry over:

Liability Insurance: Pays for damage or injury to others if you’re at fault.
Collision Coverage: Helps pay to repair or replace the rental if it’s damaged in an accident.
Comprehensive Coverage: Covers damage from theft, weather, or vandalism.
Medical Payments (MedPay) or Personal Injury Protection (PIP): Helps with medical expenses for you and your passengers.
Always check your policy’s declarations page or talk to your agent to understand what’s included, especially if you’ve dropped collision or comprehensive coverage.

What If I’m Using a Credit Card?
Some credit cards include rental car insurance when you use the card to pay for the rental and decline the rental company’s damage waiver. This coverage is often secondary, meaning it only kicks in after your personal auto policy pays. A few cards offer primary coverage, which can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

Each card has its own terms, so it’s a good idea to:

Confirm whether coverage is primary or secondary.
Ask about exclusions (e.g., types of cars, countries, or accident types).
Find out what documentation is required if you need to file a claim.

Rental Car Insurance: What You Need to Know Before You Drive | Robertson Ryan Insurance This guide breaks down what’s typically covered by your personal auto policy, credit card, or travel insurance and when it might make sense to buy extra protection.

Hitting the road this holiday weekend? 🚗 Watch out for these surprising summer driving hazards: https://www.emcinsurance.com/losscontrol/insights-d/2018/08/driving

Looking for interior or exterior painting? Contact Max for a free estimate!

Prep-Rite Painting Llc. We are a energetic professional, interior/exterior commercial & residential full service painter.

No one is happy about it. It is what it is and we are trying our best to help accommodate and find the best coverages and companies for clients.

Your Home Insurance Premiums Keep Rising – Even Without Claims | Robertson Ryan Insurance Reinsurance, the “insurance for insurance companies." Why it’s getting more expensive and how it affects your premium.

https://www.robertsonryan.com/personal-lines/2025/03/25/roofing-insurance-how-your-roof-material-impacts-coverage-and-costs/

Roofing & Insurance: How Your Roof Material Impacts Coverage and Costs | Robertson Ryan Insurance From durability to potential discounts, discover how your roofing material affects your premiums and peace of mind.

https://www.robertsonryan.com/2025/02/26/navigating-insurance-needs-for-teen-drivers/

Navigating Insurance Needs for Teen Drivers | Robertson Ryan Insurance Your teen is ready to drive—are you ready to insure them? Discover the essentials of covering learner drivers without the stress

Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value: A Homeowners Insurance Guide to Protect Your Roof

Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value: A Homeowners Insurance Guide to Protect Your Roof | Robertson Ryan Insurance When it comes to protecting your home, your homeowners insurance policy plays a critical role. One key decision you’ll need to make is whether to insure

With these colder temps, here are few suggestions to keep pipes from freezing or bursting.

Keep pipes from freezing and bursting with these guidelines. — Protect Your Pipes First, check with a neighbor to see if they’re experiencing the same issue. If they have a loss of water too, it may be the result of a main break. But if they have running water, it’s likely your pipes have frozen.