Category: Holiday

Five Key Factors in Selecting a Worker's Compensation Carrier

4/29/2016

Sandvik Insurance Agency Five Key Factors in Selecting a Workers’ Compensation Carrier
It's no secret independent insurance agents love to shop for their clients. Think of them as the best gift-givers around! When it comes to shopping for Workers' Compensation insurance, your agent's job is to find a carrier that's the best fit for your business, but the process is a little more complicated than you'd think. Selecting a carrier based solely on economic decisions might not be the smartest choice. And while price is definitely important, it's not the only factor. As an owner or manager it's important to understand the process when it comes to your Workers' Compensation insurance.

Check out these five key factors your independent insurance agent is considering when recommending a Workers’ Compensation carrier.

1. Financial Stability
Your Workers' Compensation carrier needs to be financially strong. If they had to pay out a large portion of policies, would they be able to do so? It's important to know before you have to file a claim. A.M. Best is a company that rates insurance carriers' Financial Strength Rating (FSR), which represents their ability to meet commitments to policyholders.

2. Claims handling practices
If the unfortunate happens, how fast would you want the carrier to respond to a Workers' Compensation claim - immediately or several weeks after the incident? Time is money when it come to business and you can't afford to wait. Carriers track claims response rates and the ones that are highly rated are likely to toot their horn and let you know about their timely and helpful service.

3. Risk management resources
Top insurance carriers should have a library of resources available to help your business maintain a risk-free work environment and information on return-to-work programs. The best part is that access to these resources is usually included in with your Workers' Compensation policy.

4. Experience in your industry
You would never take your BMW to a mechanic that doesn't specialize in imports because they would have little experience with your German engine. That's the same reason why you shouldn't select a carrier that has little-to-no knowledge of your business. Experience in your industry is important so they understand your needs to provide adequate coverage.

5. Tenure in the industry
A carrier who has only been selling Workers' Compensation coverage for 6 months might be more of a risk for your business as opposed to another who has a strong book of business selling Workers' Compensation coverage for more than 30 consecutive years.

Leaving the shopping to an independent insurance agent will not only give you the best possible Workers' Compensation coverage for your business, but the peace of mind that comes along with it. Courtesy of Integrity Insurance

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Holiday Decoration Safety Tips

12/18/2015

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SANDVIK INSURANCE AGENCY'S HOLIDAY DECORATION SAFETY TIPS
The holidays are a time for getting together with family and friends. Rarely do we consider how our decorations could put us at risk for injury or fire. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that every year, more than 12,500 injuries involving holiday decorations are seen in emergency departments nationwide during November and December. Sharing these reminders can go a long way to helping your customers be safe during the holiday season.

How can you avoid injuries this holiday season? Check out these safety tips for decking the halls:

Buy fresh — when you head out to pick the perfect tree, make sure to conduct a quick three-part stress test. The needles should resist being pulled off and should not snap or break when bent, the trunk bottom should be sticky with resin and the limbs should be strong and only drop a few needles if shaken
Keep it cool — live or artificial, trees don’t take well to the heat, so make sure not to position your tree next to the fireplace, heat ducts or radiators. Also remember not to place them where they may block doorways or high-traffic areas
Put them to the test — make sure your lights are in good condition and in proper working order. They should be tested and marked with a holographic UL label. A red label means lights can be used indoors and out, while green means they are for indoor-use only
Take it easy — use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use
Lights out — when you turn in, your lights should too. Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire
Stay grounded — your power should come from a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet. This type of outlet will shut down if there is over-current. If you don’t have one, a qualified electrician can add one outdoors for your future holiday needs or you can buy a portable outdoor unit from your local hardware store for less than $20
Teamwork — if you are working with lights or decorations above your normal reach, help prevent falls by making sure you use a secure ladder of the proper length and have someone help support the base
Watch that wick — keep all candles within eyesight when lit. Place them on a stable surface out of reach to animals and children and make sure to extinguish them all before you go to bed, leave the room or the house

It’s easy to get caught up in the festivities. Keep your holidays happy and your home and family safe by taking a little extra time to make sure your decorations are hung with care.
Courtesy of Integrity Insurance

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Holiday Home Security

12/10/2014

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Make home safety a priority while you’re away for the holidays

The holidays can be a great time to get out of Rochester to visit family you rarely get to see, hit the slopes or flee to the beach. Regardless of how you spend your time away, you need to ensure your house stays safe while you’re gone.

A house left empty can be an opportunity for burglars, so before you pack your bags, prepare to protect the stuff that’s staying at home in Minnesota.

At Sandvik Insurance Agency, we want to make it a little easier for you to get out of town with peace of mind and return to everything you left behind, so here are some pointers for prepping your Minnesoata home before you travel.

Lock it up. Check and double-check that you have locked all the doors and windows.

Check under the mat. If you store an extra key outside your house, remove it. Instead, give the key to a trusted friend or neighbor in case someone needs to enter in an emergency.

Communicate. Inform a friend or neighbor that you will be away. Ask them to keep an eye on the house, and give them a way to reach you to report any suspicious activity. But don’t communicate your absence on social media!

Forego deliveries. Make sure to stop delivery of packages, mail, newspapers, and anything else that could pile up on your porch. Ask your trusted friend or neighbor to pick these items up every other day.

Remove temptations. Do not leave wrapped gifts or expensive electronics visible through windows and doors.

From Sandvik Insurance Agency, we wish you, your family (and your home and belongings) a very safe and joyous holiday!

INSURANCE SIDEBAR:

If you are the victim of a theft this holiday season, your homeowners and umbrella policies may offer protection. To know for sure, review your insurance policies with us at Sandvik Insurance Agency.

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Pet Holiday Safety

12/4/2014

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Holiday Safety Tips for Minnesota Pets
The holidays have arrived in Minnesota! For those with one or more four-legged friends in the house, it’s time to go over some safety tips. After all, you want all of your family members to enjoy the festivities – even the furry ones.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which operates the 24-hour Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435, takes calls year round about pets being exposed to potentially hazardous yet common household items. With the house filled with guests, presents and decorations during the holidays, the risks multiply.

Here are some things to remember and consider from Thanksgiving through New Year’s to help keep Fluffy or Fido healthy, happy and safe:

House guests

Make sure everyone keeps medicine bottles or pill cases safely tucked away – actually that applies to everyone in your household, both permanent residents and visitors. And, just in case a probing pet gets into some medications, always make sure the containers are labeled with the contents and potency so you know what was ingested.

Of course, the holidays wouldn't be complete without sharing in feasts and treats with family and friends. Just make sure that doesn't extend to your pets. After all, some things on the holiday dinner table, such as alcohol and chocolate, are toxic for pets.

And, because all of the seasonal commotion may become too much for your pets, be sure they have a quiet place to which they can retreat. Let others know your pets shouldn't be disturbed when they are in their quiet spot, whether it’s a bed, a cozy blanket or a kennel.

Presents

Those beautifully wrapped presents under the tree or covering the fireplace mantel can also be harmful to your oh-so-curious felines and canines – especially if a present contains treats for them or food for humans. Animals have a keen sense of smell and, once they sense that food is nearby, they’ll be more than happy to unwrap and eat both the outer and inner contents of the gift. Those ribbons and bows that you worked so hard on perfecting may end up wreaking havoc on your pet’s digestive tract.

Decorations

Besides the obvious of making sure electrical wires, batteries and poisonous/toxic plants (such as holly, mistletoe and poinsettias) are all out of paw’s reach, make sure that plastic and glass ornaments are far away as well. If chewed or eaten, these items can cause electrical shock, acid burns, dermatitis and mouth abrasions.

You should also remember that, as beautiful and fun as they are, snow globes contain ethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance to all pets. Another substance that you may not think of as harmful to pets is salt, and homemade play dough is loaded with it. Watch pets while your children are playing with it or around ornaments made with it. The dough can cause life-threatening electrolyte imbalances.

Scented candles may also be a holiday staple, but they may be enticing to our pets, which are at risk for serious burns and other injuries. Best to keep those candles completely out of reach.

Finally, make sure you have the phone number for your local emergency veterinarian or the ASPCA hotline on hand for emergencies.

With these tips in mind, you can help keep your four-legged family member safe during the holidays – and all year round. We here at Sandvik Insurance Agency wish you a very happy holiday season!

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Giving During the Holidays without Getting Taken

12/3/2014

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Giving During the Holidays without Getting Taken
Every year during the holidays, people in Rochester, MN look for ways to give gifts, not just to family and friends but to those less fortunate. It’s the spirit of the season.

Unfortunately, some of the charities out there don’t help people as fully as they claim – or possibly not at all. As if that weren’t enough, bogus organizations take advantage of people’s goodwill by stealing credit card and bank account information, along with identities, from people who think they’re donating to a legitimate cause.

It doesn’t mean you can’t be generous this holiday season. It just means a little extra caution is in order. Here are four tips for making smart and safe holiday donations:

1.      Verify the charity is legitimate.
Sure, the name sounds official and you think your friend mentioned what good work they do. Or does the charity simply have a name similar to another well-known organization? Before you donate, do a little digging.

Enter the charity’s name at Better Business Bureau, Charity Navigator or   GuideStar, and, if you feel comfortable after reading about the organization, go ahead and donate. If not, look for another charity that supports the same cause. A good rule of thumb is to look for organizations with 501(c) (3) status.

2.      Steer clear of pop-up charities.
A pop-up charity is anything but charitable. These groups spring into action at opportune times, namely when people are feeling generous, such as during the holidays or following a disaster. The so-called charity is actually a scam designed to steal money, credit card numbers, bank account information and identities from unsuspecting donors. If, during your research, you come across an organization that seemingly appeared out of the blue, do not share any of your personal information with it.

3.      Be careful with digital donations.
Now that you’ve researched the charity, how do you plan to donate? If it’s online, be sure to type in the website address correctly. Fraudsters put up realistic-looking sites using a URL similar to a well-known charity’s to trick people into donating. But, they’re not donating at all. They’re lining the pockets of thieves.

Once you know you’re on the correct site, check that it’s secure before submitting any credit card information. Simply look for “https” instead of “http” at the beginning of the URL.

Likewise, that email you received from a prominent charity may be a fake. Instead of clicking on a link in an email to donate, go directly to your Web browser and type in the address yourself.

4.      Avoid phone and door-to-door solicitors.
If people call or knock on your door out of the blue asking for a contribution to this or that organization, ask them for the charity’s website or mailing address instead of donating right then and there. Even if it’s a charity you've heard of, the operation may be a scam. It’s always safer for     you to initiate the donation by visiting the charity’s website or mailing in a check. Plus, fundraising over the phone requires a middleman – that agent calling you – who must be paid, reducing the amount of your donation that goes to the charity.

It feels good to be in a giving mood during the holidays. With a little legwork to look into the legitimacy and practices of the charity, your donation will help others feel good too.

Contact Us!

At Sandvik Insurance Agency, we can work with you to make sure you've got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at (507)226-8481 or send us a note at contactus@sandvikagency.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what's important to you is protected!

Content provided by Safeco Insurance

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Healthy Holiday Tips

12/1/2014

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Be the pinnacle of health and wellness this holiday season
It goes without saying that keeping yourself and your family healthy through the holiday season in Minnesota can be a challenge. When you combine chillier temps, housebound days, year-end deadlines and pre-holiday preparation - not to mention kids passing around colds at school like they’re playing “Hot Potato” - you can end up spending the holidays under the covers.

No matter how many inherent seasonal risk factors you face, there are ways to prepare for and get through the season virtually unscathed. At Sandvik Insurance Agency, we wish for you a happy and abundantly healthy holiday season, so here are a few tips to help you stay well and enjoy!

Consider ‘sticking it’ to The Flu. Flu shots seem to be available at practically every drug store or pharmacy in Rochester. Discuss with your doctor the pros and cons of flu shots for yourself and your family.

Get some Zzz's. The holiday hustle and bustle can interfere with normal sleep patterns, yet sleep is essential to health and healing. Prioritize getting enough sleep - or taking a quick nap - despite your busy schedule.

Fill the fridge. It’s easy to allow your pantry to start looking like a sweet shop as the holidays near. Take care to stock your refrigerator and cabinets with healthy snacks and ingredients for balanced meals. Think fruit, nuts, lower-calorie snacks, veggies and lean proteins.

Get real. Emotional health is important, too, so be realistic about what can be expected through the season. Just because it’s the holidays doesn't mean that Aunt Zoe and Uncle Andrew from Minnesota will finally mend their rocky relationship.

Keep moving. Despite the many holiday temptations to just relax, don’t give in to being a couch potato. Get to the gym or yoga studio, go for a walk in, jump on the treadmill or dance. The important thing is to just move!

From the Sandvik Insurance Agency to you, we wish you a happy and healthy holiday season!

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Black Friday Strategies

11/26/2014

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Add some strategy to your ‘Black Friday’ shopping
If there’s anything more satisfying than melting into the couch following a multi-course Thanksgiving dinner complete with all the fixings, it has to be shopping for the best deals of the season the day after in Rochester.

Hitting the shops on Black Friday has become a ritual that is as all-American as watching fireworks on the Fourth of July. And why wouldn't it be, considering what a win-win it is for Minnesota customers and retailers alike?

Over the years, however, Black Friday has evolved. Stores that used to open at 6 a.m. now open at midnight, and Cyber Monday has entered the picture, offering bargain prices online the Monday following Black Friday. All of this means that getting the best deals now requires a bit of strategy.

At Sandvik Insurance Agency, we want you to get the best deals for your holiday shopping, so here are a few pointers for maximizing your experience.

Be willing to forego the shut-eye. It’s a fact: stores open early. Accept that you will not get eight hours of sleep Thursday night (and remind yourself that your wallet will thank you).

Do your research. Go online before the holiday and note who has deals on what and when. Remember to factor in your opportunities for Cyber Monday.

Pick your favorites. You probably won’t have time or energy to go everywhere, so narrow your shopping store list down to focus only on your favorite stores or those that are offering sales on exactly what you’re looking for.

Create an itinerary. Before you go, make a list of stores in order of priority based on times they open and items you want to snap up. Then, map it so you know your route.

From the Sandvik Insurance Agency to you, we wish you a very productive and enjoyable Black Friday!

Fun fact:

Considered as the kick-off to the Christmas holiday season, Black Friday is often described as the busiest shopping day of the year. This has been true since 2005. The millions of Americans who shop on Black Friday have been keeping the streak alive for nearly nine years.

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Holiday Pet Travel

11/13/2014

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Make sure your pets travel well for the holidays

The holiday season is here and that means it’s time to eat good food and join together with loved ones. For many who have families far away, this is also is the time to pack up and get out of Minnesota.

If you are gearing up to travel and have pets at home, you’re probably considering their holiday options, perhaps a dog sitter, cat spa or kennel. If you just can’t bear leaving your furry friends behind, you’re in luck! With the following tips, you and your cuddly companions can be on your way — via car, plane or train — in safety and comfort.

Pre-travel honesty. Before you consider making Fido your backseat driver or your wingman, consider whether he will feel safer en route or at home. Some pets simply don’t like to travel, while others are more versatile.

Hit the rails. If you’re traveling by train, plan ahead. Make sure pets are allowed on the train and find out what rules apply. Also, ensure your pet can stay with you in the passenger compartment, versus needing to be placed in cargo.

Comfort your four-legged friends in flight. Before you book your flight, make sure the air carrier allows pets in the cabin or if they need to ride in cargo. Research weight requirements ahead of time, and check the airline’s website for additional regulations.
Pack their bags with care. Pack a travel bag for your pet, just as you do for yourself and your family. Consider items like food bowls, leashes, treats and favorite toys, as well as immunization records and identification tags.
Put the pedal to the metal. If you have a choice, travel by car. This way you can stop as frequently as necessary for potty stops and feedings.
Avoid accidents. Regardless of your mode of travel, be cognizant of the duration of your journey. Gauge how much your pet eats and drinks according to the length of the trip. If you’re traveling by train, find out in advance if there are stops when you and your pet can get out and get relief.

At Sandvik Insurance Agency, we hope you and your pets have a comfortable, safe journey wherever you travel for the holidays.

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Sandvik Insurance Agency Blog

Five Key Factors in Selecting a Worker's Compensation Carrier

Holiday Decoration Safety Tips

Holiday Home Security

Pet Holiday Safety

Giving During the Holidays without Getting Taken

Healthy Holiday Tips

Black Friday Strategies

Holiday Pet Travel

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