Dwelling Insurance: Replacement Cost Value v. Actual Cash Value

When outdoor temperatures drop, our homes become havens of warmth. Keep the following tips in mind to ensure your home stays safe and warm. Use space heaters on flat, level surfaces, away from foot traffic, bedding, and curtains Do not leave space heaters unattended; turn them off every time you leave the room Never use an oven or stove to heat your home Never leave a fire in a fireplace burning unattended, and use a fire screen to keep embers inside the fireplace Plug space heaters directly into the wall, without the use of extension cords Do not use a space heater if its cord is frayed or damaged Keep an empty space of at least 3 feet around heating sources Have your heating system inspected annually Test smoke alarms periodically Use carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning We want to help keep you warm and safe. If you, your family or friends have any questions about how to safely heat your home or have any questions about insurance, all you have to do is Call, Click, or Come by TODAY. We’re always here to help our customers and our community. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

1. Check your chimney for any blockages. Make sure your flue is open and the ventilation path is clear before you start a fire. 2. Check the firebox for cracks or gaps , which could indicate a dangerous problem. 3. Keep flammable items away from the area around the fireplace and hearth. 4. Use a safety screen to keep errant embers from injuring people or damaging property. Some safety screens are designed to stay cool while a fire is burning, which may be helpful for homes with small children or curious pets. 5. Make sure the fire is completely extinguished before you leave the room or the house. 6. Keep and maintain smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers in good working order. We hope that you and your family are safe, warm, and cozy this winter season. If you should ever have any questions about your insurance or need a recommendation for a great Chimney Sweep, feel free to Call, Click or Come by TODAY. We are always willing to go the extra mile for our customers and our community. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

With Halloween just around the corner, I wanted to share some helpful tips to ensure a fun and safe evening for everyone involved. Check the forecast : Adjust your child's costume as necessary to prevent overheating or getting too cold. Ensure the costume fits well, doesn’t drag on the ground, and allows good visibility to avoid tripping. Enhance visibility : Wear reflective clothing, carry a flashlight, or use your phone's light, especially once the sun goes down. This helps ensure that drivers can see you and your group. Set boundaries for older kids : If your children are legally old enough to trick-or-treat without an adult, it’s a good idea to set clear boundaries for where they can go and when they need to be back home. Safety first when crossing streets : Hold hands with young children and follow traffic rules to prevent accidents. Kids can get excitable on a night like Halloween, so it's important to stay vigilant. Watch for bully behavior : Costumes and masks can sometimes give older kids a sense of anonymity. Keep an eye out for any behavior that could intimidate or make others feel unsafe. If you see something concerning, speak up. By following these tips, we can all enjoy a safe and happy Halloween. And as always, if you have any questions this fall, please feel free to Call, Click or Come by TODAY. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

Encourage the use of makeup, hats, or wigs in lieu of masks, which can obstruct vision. Cross the street as a group by using established crosswalks; don’t cross between parked cars. Once you arrive back home, examine the treats and throw away anything that appears to be spoiled, tampered with, unwrapped, or otherwise suspicious. Restrain any pets that may jump on or bite a trick-or treater. We wish you and all your ghosts and goblins a safe and happy Halloween. If you have any questions about Halloween safety or just want someone to review your current insurance coverage, feel free to Call, Click, or Come by TODAY. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

As the fall season arrives, it’s important to be aware of increased deer activity on our roads. With deer becoming more active, especially during dawn and dusk, I wanted to share some tips to help keep you safe while driving. Look for deer eyes. You know the phrase “deer in headlights”? At night, watch for the reflection of deer eyes in your headlights. This can give you an early warning that deer are nearby. Be extra cautious at dawn and dusk. Deer are most active during these times of day. Pay extra attention and use your high beams when appropriate to increase visibility. Do not swerve. If a deer suddenly appears in front of you, it’s safer to brake and hit the deer than to swerve and risk losing control of your vehicle. Swerving can lead to more serious accidents. Where there’s one, there are usually more. Deer often travel in groups. If you see one deer, slow down and be on the lookout for others that may be following. If you do have an incident with a deer and need guidance on filing a claim, please don't hesitate to Call, Click or Come by. We’re here to help you navigate the process and ensure you receive the support you need. Stay safe on the roads, and feel free to contact Rising Star Insurance Group with any questions or concerns. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

You can take lots of steps to protect yourself from identity theft. Here are just a few. Don’t give out your personally identifiable information to anyone, unless you can confirm that they are who they say they are. Use dual-factor authentication on your mobile devices, especially if you bank or conduct other business using a phone or tablet. Use complex passwords (letters, numbers, special characters, etc.) to make it harder for a hacker to get into your accounts. Don’t click on links or open attachments from emails that look suspicious or like they may not come from the sender they appear to be from. If you should have any questions about protecting your identity or questions about insurance, we are always here for our clients as well as our community. All you have to do is Call, Click, or Come by TODAY. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

Having a home inventory list can help you figure out how much homeowners’ or renters’ coverage you need. After a loss, it can help your insurance company process your claim more efficiently, and it can help you return to your regular life. What types of items should I include on my list? Electronics : computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, cameras, and televisions Clothing and accessories Housewares and other home appliances : kitchen appliances, sporting goods, other hobby-related equipment Other valuables : jewelry, artwork, collectibles, etc. Records of important documents : birth certificates, passports, social security cards, bank account numbers, etc. If you’d like an electronic solution, plenty of home inventory apps are available for iPhone and Android devices. Finally, if you aren’t sure which of your belongings are covered by your policy, Call, Click, or Come by TODAY and one of our “Trusted Risk Advisors” will be happy to answer any of your questions. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

As you may or may not know, Drones may be purchased at every imaginable size, weight, and price point. They—and the data they may collect—have become ubiquitous in news media and on social media platforms. But even hobbyist owners can be held liable if their drone causes property damage or bodily injury. If you own a drone, contact our office to make sure your current insurance coverage is sufficient. Your existing homeowners’ or renters’ policy may apply to drone-related damage; it may even cover theft or damage of your drone. You’ll want to ask what policy covers if your drone damages your car, and make sure you have coverage for injuries or property damage incurred by others. If your drone is capable of data collection, talk to one of our “Trusted Risk Advisors” whether you need specialized coverage for potential violations of the privacy of those around you. Finally, make sure you follow all relevant state and federal laws before you take your new toy out for a spin. We hope you and/or your family have fun with your new Drone, but if you should have any questions, feel free to Call, Click or Come by TODAY. We’re always here to help our customers as well as those in our community. Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years

Event organizers routinely adapt long-planned events to unforeseen circumstances; during the COVID-19 pandemic, though, everyone had to figure it out as they went. Those experiences brought public attention to an oft-overlooked insurance product: the special event policy. There are two main types of special event coverage: liability and cancellation. Liability coverage could cover medical care for an ill or injured guest damage done to the venue during the event Cancellation coverage could cover costs associated with an event cancellation due to extreme weather deposits paid to vendors who disappear after signing contracts If special event insurance sounds perfect for your upcoming event, please feel free to Call, Click or Come by TODAY to find a policy that’s right for you.  Rising Star Insurance Group Protecting What Matters Most to YOU for over 40 Years