Insurance

Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems

Posted on by Martinson Agency

Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems

May 12th, 2016 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

Working for a living may be less than thrilling, but it makes the finer, more enjoyable things in life possible. And thanks to a more robust economy, businesses are helping out with that by increasing their employees’ salary, according to a recent poll.

Aiming to both retain workers and reward staff members for all their hard efforts, 8 in 10 businesses intend to increase compensation levels for employees this year, a recent survey from CareerBuilder revealed. Additionally, two-thirds will do the same for new hires.

“While employers have been more willing to pay a premium for high-skill labor, they now have to pay more competitive wages for entry-level positions,” explained Matt Ferguson, CEO for the online job search engine. “Workers are gaining leverage.”

Whether it’s buying a second car, or splurging on an all-new vehicle straight from the showroom floor, more money in your pocket can bring more opportunity to improve your standard of living. At the same time, however, it also brings a greater risk of liability, be it in the form of theft, an accident on the roads or a crash out on the water aboard a newly purchased boat.

In short, when your assets grow more expansive, so do your insurance needs. That’s because the more valuable your belongings are, the more it can cost to replace them should they be damaged, lost or stolen.

You can figure out how much coverage you should buy by performing a home inventory – something few of us have done before. Nearly 60% of consumers have not made up a formal list of the items they own, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

You’ve worked hard to get where you are. Make sure your assets are protected with the proper insurance package. For assistance, speak with your local insurance agent at the Martinson Agency in Chaska, MN.

Don’t leave your insurance to luck! Call today us today!

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

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Boat Maintenance Tips

Posted on by Martinson Agency

Boat Maintenance Tips

April 8th, 2016 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

Summer is right around the corner, and you’re ready to get out on the water. But, is your boat ready? Even if it has been safely stored for the winter and protected from the elements, there are still numerous things you need to do before your boat is ready to hit your favorite lake.

Your boat hasn’t been used in months, so it’s not ready to cruise around the lake just yet. Here are a few things to check with in regards to your engine and electric:

  • Check to be sure that your fuel hoses are in good working condition. Also make sure that the fittings and clamps are secure.
  • Examine your electrical connections for corrosion and be sure that your battery is holding a charge.
  • Check all fluid levels and change or top off as needed.

Damage to your propeller or hull can be a major buzz kill while out on the water. Here are a few things to look for:

  • Dings or distorted propellers. This will lead to a very rough and choppy boat ride and can also damage your drive train.
  • Hulls with blisters or cracks.

You can’t go boating if you can’t get your boat to the water. Here are some maintenance tips for your trailer:

  • Test the lights on your trailer.
  • Inspect the grease fittings on the hubs and apply more if needed.
  • Look over the trailer bunks to make sure the padding isn’t worn out.

Let’s all remember that the Titanic was supposed to be unsinkable. No matter how safe you think your boat is, make sure you travel with all of the necessary safety equipment.

  • Check to be sure that you have enough life jackets for all passengers.
  • Confirm that your navigation lights are in working order.
  • Have a fire extinguisher on board and make sure that it is functional.

Taking the time to examine your boat and make sure that it is ready for the water is important. So take a little time to make this boating season a safe one. Of course we don’t want to forget about insuring your boat or personal watercraft. Please give the Martinson Agency in Chaska, Minnesota a call today with all of your boat insurance needs!

Don’t leave your insurance to luck! Call today!

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

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Popular Celebs Insure More Than Cars and Houses

Posted on by Martinson Agency

Popular Celebs Insure More Than Just Cars and Houses

March 4th, 2016 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

Most people believe that insurance only relates to things like your cars, home or business. Celebrities however, take insurance to a completely different level. We thought it would be fun to share a few examples of popular celebs who have insured their body parts in an effort to protect their money maker.

Trou Polamalu – Troy is a well known retired NFL player who spent 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was famous for being a great player but his three-foot-long hair also turned him into one of the most recognizable players in the league. Because of this, Head & Shoulders hired him to endorse their shampoo. Considering all of this, Troy has those beautiful flowing locks insured for 1 million dollars.

Mariah Carey – Mariah is a five time Grammy winning artist and believe it or not she is also the celebrity with the highest valued legs. She currently has her legs insured for 1 billion dollars. That’s right, billion…with a B.

Bruce Springsteen – No one can belt out “Born in the USA” quite like Bruce Springsteen. Because of this, “The Boss” has his unique vocal chords insured for 5.7 million dollars. Not a bad pay day if Bruce suddenly loses his ability to rock out.

Julia Roberts – Julia is an Oscar winning actress with a million dollar smile, literally. We should probably be a bit more specific, it is actually a 30 million dollar smile. That’s right, Julia Roberts has her smile insured for an astounding 30 million dollars.

Gene Simmons – You know this one right? Mr. Simmons is a bass player for the band KISS. When KISS was at its peak Gene seemed to recognize the value of his signature move; sticking out his ridiculously long tongue. In order to protect himself against the loss of this move, he purchased one million dollars in coverage on that disgustingly valuable skill set.

As you can see, insurance is a valuable resource for far more than just your car, home or business. Obviously, many of us will never have to worry about insuring our tongue, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take a long look at your assets prior to purchasing the first policy you stumble across. Contact your friends at the Martinson Agency in Chaska, MN for a comprehensive review of your insurance needs.

Don’t leave your insurance to luck! Call today!

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

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Tips For Traveling With Your Pet

Posted on by Martinson Agency

Tips For Traveling With Your Pet

February 26th, 2016 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

Spring break season is approaching and for many people that means vacation is approaching as well. No matter how excited you are for a vacation, having to say goodbye to your pet can be tough. You don’t have to leave them behind however; there are plenty of ways to make a vacation suitable for the entire family.

If you are traveling by car with your pet, here are a few things to consider:

  • Keep pets in the backseat – Restraining your pet in the backseat is suggested in order to prevent distractions for the driver. Also, by restraining your pet you will keep everyone in the vehicle safe in the event of an accident.
  • Prevent car sickness – Feed your pet a light meal four to six hours before departing and never give them food or water in a moving vehicle.
  • Take breaks – Stop every two or three hours during a long trip. This will give your pet a chance to move around and get some fresh air.

If you are traveling by air with your pet, please consider the following:

  • Be sure that your pet is fit to fly – Cats and certain breeds of dogs including pugs are prone to severe respiratory problems when kept in an airplane cargo area. Those breeds should only fly in the passenger cabin with their owner.
  • Prepare for the flight – Do not feed your pet less than four hours before departure but provide water until boarding. Take your pet for a walk and make sure it has gone to the bathroom before takeoff.
  • Practice proper “petiquette” – Make sure your pet is clean and under control while on the flight as a courtesy to others. If you and your family make the decision to bring your pet, it is your responsibility to make sure he/she doesn’t ruin the experience for others around you.

Instead of waving goodbye to your pet before leaving for vacation, bring them along for the trip! By following these tips from Martinson Agency you will find greater success in traveling with your four legged friends.

Don’t leave your insurance to luck! Call today!

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

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New Carrier Alert: Acuity Insurance

Posted on by Martinson Agency

New Carrier Alert: Acuity Insurance

November 5th, 2015 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

We are proud to announce that we have added a new carrier to our stable. We are now appointed with Acuity Insurance based out of Sheboygan, Wisconsin to write home, auto, umbrella and commercial insurance policies. Acuity offers a great selection of products and we wanted to take a moment to share some facts about our new partnership.

Facts about Acuity:

  1. 96% of claimants rate the award winning claim service as “very good” or “excellent”.
  2. Acuity was named the #3 large company to work for in America.
  3. Rated A+ by both AM Best and Standard & Poor’s
  4. Acuity has been in business since 1925 and is listed as the 62nd largest insurer in the nation, with over $3.5 billion in assets.
  5. They write a broad spectrum of property and casualty coverages for families and businesses in 24 states including Minnesota and Wisconsin.
  6. Named to Ward Financial Group’s list of the 50 best run insurance companies in the nation for 15 straight years.
  7. Named one of the top 500 technology companies in the nation by Information Week.
  8. Won more ACORD technology awards than any other carrier in the country in the past 13 years.
  9. With turnover of less than 2%, they attract and retain motivated, experienced and dedicated professionals who are looking to develop a long term relationship with you and your family.

If you are interested in having our agency provide you a quote from Acuity Insurance please contact us at (952) 314-4400 or visit our website, www.martinsonagency.com today!

Don’t leave your insurance to luck! Call today!

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

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