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Canby, OR 97013

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Organizing Tips to Get Your Closet In Order

When it comes time to get ready for work in the morning, it can feel like you’re really crunched for time. This makes it all the more frustrating when you walk into your closet and are met with an absolute disarray of clothes, shoes and accessories. After all, who wants to waste their precious time wading through their closet in the morning? 

To help save you time (and stress!), we’re here with some easy organizing tips that will help you get your closet in order. 

Install Shelves or an Extra Rod

You can never go wrong with adding a few shelves in your closet, as long as you have the vertical space for them. These shelves are perfect for baskets to store those odds and ends that don’t really have a place elsewhere. You also could use them for keeping your shoes organized. Likewise, take advantage of any vertical space by installing an extra rod. This will literally (and very easily) double the amount of clothes you can hang in your closet. 

Use Pegboard to Hang Miscellaneous Items

You’d be amazed at how much better your closet will look once you get all those purses, scarves and belts in line. These items tend to be thrown around loosely, which makes them hard to find and leaves your closet looking messy. You can mount a pegboard to the back of your closet door or on a wall to create easy storage for hanging items. Just add hooks and rods and you’ll have a convenient place to hang all of your stuff.

Fill Your Closet With Ready-to-Wear Clothes Only

There’s no need to have all of your sweaters on-hand in your closet in the middle of July. The clothes you store in your closet should be ones that are ready to be worn now. Any out of season items can be hidden away in under the bed storage or in the basement. This creates more room in your closet and keeps it from looking like it’s bursting at the seams. 

Replace the Closet Door With a Curtain 

Having a closet door that swings open can make an already small room feel even tighter. If you’re lacking space in the bedroom, consider swapping the closet door for a curtain. It will add a few extra inches of space to your closet and it creates a unique look. 

Is it time to review your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy? Call Oliver Insurance and make an appointment with one of our agents. We’ll go over your policy with you to make sure you have the right coverage for your home. Contact us today to get started!

Spring Cleaning Tips That Take No Time to Finish

With spring comes new life. It also brings about the perfect time to clean your home and transform it into something fresh. Spring cleaning in your Canby, Oregon home doesn’t need to be one long, drawn out chore after another though. At Oliver Insurance, we understand your time is valuable, which is exactly why we want to give you these spring cleaning tips that take no time to finish at all. 

Wash the Fabrics

This is beyond your clothing. This includes the bedspread, the mattress pad, the curtains and the bath mats. Wash the heavier items first, then toss in the fabric curtains and bath mats on a gentle cycle. It’s amazing how much dust and dirt these objects collect throughout the year. If your shower mat isn’t fabric, look towards swapping it out for a new one. 

Easy Dusting

Dusting doesn’t need to be a chore. Wiping every corner down with a paper towel just takes way too long. Pick up a duster with an extended handle. This way, you can clean off the TV, bookshelves, ceiling fan and everywhere else without reaching for the paper roll. It is a green way of cleaning and it is done on the fly. 

Start Fresh with the Fridge

Most of the odd smells in your home come from opening the fridge and exposing older items. If you don’t use the items, toss it. You can keep most of your condiments, but everything else, it is time to start fresh. A clean fridge is much more satisfying to open, and it makes it easier when returning from the grocery store. 

Wash the Cans

Your trash can needs washing too. After holding garbage for the entire year, the plastic does absorb some of the aroma. Take it outside, hose it down, then let it dry. It will be like a new can. 

The Heightened Danger for Cyclicts

In nearly every way that an automobile accident can inflict damage, motorcyclists suffer a worse fate. It’s important that anyone who takes a motorcycle on the road understands the increased risk of bodily harm, vehicle damage, and insurance costs that they can expect in case they are involved in an accident.

Increased Risk of Bodily Harm

In a modern automobile, the occupants are protected by thoroughly safety-tested frames that are designed to compensate for the force of an accident with various systems like airbags and strategic crumpling. Even with these enhancements, automobile accidents resulted in over 30,000 deaths and many more casualties. A motorcycle has less bulk, affording it less space to implement the safety features seen in automobiles that are already struggling to prevent injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has long considered motorcycles to be one of the single-most hazardous vehicles operated on roadways thanks to the limited amount of protection they offer to riders, even after the push for universal helmet laws came to fruition.

Increased Damage to the Vehicle

When a motorcycle is in an accident, there is a larger amount of vital equipment exposed to the impact than in conventional automobiles. A wreck that causes a broken window and a bent frame for a car could do enough damage to a motorcycle’s engine to require a full replacement.

Increased Insurance Liability

The cost of insuring a motorcycle will typically be over 40% higher than the cost of typical passenger vehicles before driver history is taken into account. On top of the costs of mechanical and medical services, a motorcycle accident can result in higher insurance premiums depending on the temperament of your provider. When that time comes, you’ll want to have a partner like Oliver Insurance in your corner.

Looking For A Family Car? Tips To Find A Great Used One

Picking a safe family car can be very expensive if you purchase it new. However, if you purchase it used, you run the risk of not getting a great car. When it is time to get a new family car, there are a few tips to finding the gem that you are looking for. Use these tips to find your next safe, affordable, and loveable family car.

  1. Consider Age and Price. When looking for a used family car, there is a balance to be found when it comes to age and price. The older the car, the less expensive it will be but just because the price tag is great does not mean the car is. Take a look at these things before making the purchase. 
  2. Have an Independent Mechanic Look At The Car. Before you make a purchase on a vehicle, make sure you take it to a local mechanic that you trust. Taking it to an independent mechanic is even better because they are more likely to give you the truth about the car instead of listing a lot of issues (that may not even exist) just to get your business if you buy it. 
  3. Don’t Get Emotional. This is a major purchase and it is best to not let your emotions get in the way of your decision. This can result in you getting the wrong car because you fell in love with the color. Keep your mind clear before the decision and get emotional after you make an educated decision.

When you do get a great new family car, contact us at Oliver Insurance serving Canby, OR, to find you a great insurance policy to protect the family vehicle and your family. 

Keep Your Motorcycle Safe

How to keep your motorcycle safe from theft is a constant consideration. There are several situations to be aware of, and more than one type of thief to be aware of at all times. There is the theft of opportunity where a motorcycle wasn’t locked up well and begged to be stolen by an impulsive joyrider, and, of course, a real thief. Professional thieves will find your motorcycle at events, a retail outlet for motorcycle gear and parts, as well as simply by chance.

There things you can do to keep your ride safe, and even protect you from attacked and the cycle hijacked. You can also check in with your insurance agent at Oliver Insurance for other ideas on how to keep yourself protected.

#1. Are you aware of your surroundings?
Be aware if someone appears to be following you. If you think someone is stalking you, attempt to lose them, pull over, let them pass, all the while leaving yourself an exit in case they are out to steal your bike. Go around the block, or make a safe U-turn. If you are still being followed, know that trouble is coming, so don’t go home or to your worksite until you have lost the tail.  

#2. Lock it up
No matter if the bike is parked in a garage, there are ways to ensure the motorcycle isn’t taken. Besides the lock that comes with the bike, if you want to keep it, pay for the top-of-the-line in U-locks of hardened steel, alarmed disc locks, and asymmetrical chains. Lock the forks or disk brakes. When locking up the bike, never have the lock close to the ground where the thief has the leverage to cut or bash the lock off. 

#3. Take no chances
Consider getting a kill switch, or remove the main fuse after you have parked your bike. Consider getting a tracking system in case of theft, like LoJack.

#4.  Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Park your bike between two vehicles, even inside your private garage. Cover it with something less appealing than what treasure lies underneath such as a Honda cover over an Indian. A nondescript cover works to some degree especially at night where it is easier to conceal it in the shadows.

#5 Keep the Bike Attached
No matter where you park the motorcycle, if parking outside, take your chain and U-lock, and attach it to something sturdy and stationary like a light pole, or to another vehicle, but only if you know the owner of the object. Also, look around to park under lights, and operational cameras.

A motorcycle can be driven off, or loaded into a trailer and gone in minutes. Take precautions, and always be vigilant. 

Do you know your local boating regulations?

Boats are vehicles, so they must adhere to specific regulations just like any other vehicle. Boating regulations vary by state, and there are also local regulations put in place to help protect people on the water as well as the water itself. Before you go out boating, make sure you know your local boating regulations. Here are a few tips to make your boating experience safe, legal, and fun.

What kind of boat can you own?

While you can own most boats, there are regulations about what kinds of boats you can own or store in certain areas. After all, it is not safe or practical for a family to own a military-grade submarine in the suburbs. Be sure to check these regulations before you purchase your boat.

Where can you go boating?

There are also regulations for where you can boat based on the size of the body of water as well as the size and power of your boat. Knowing these regulations will ensure that your boating is safe for others in the water. Be sure you know where you can go before you take your boat out on the water.

What boating insurance do you need?

Since a boat is a vehicle, it requires insurance to protect the boat as well as you and your passengers. Like where you can go boating, the level of insurance you need is dependent on the type of boat you have and where you take it boating. An insurance agent can help make sure you have the insurance you need.

For more information about boating insurance in Oregon, contact your local Oliver Insurance agent today.

The Importance of Having a Home Disaster Plan in Place

Preparing a home disaster plan is a vital step in ensuring your family’s safety and well-being during an unplanned or unexpected event or disaster. Disasters can wreak havoc on a family who is unprepared, but having a plan in place can 1) ensure your family is able to reconnect after becoming separated, 2) create plans for your family to meet if you are in different places when disaster occurs, 3) ensure your family has enough food and water to sustain themselves until services are restored, 4) establish alternative sources of heat, light, and other essentials, 5) improve the chances of survival for your pets, and 6) create a plan for administering first aide.

Disasters may included but are not limited to fire, flood, tornado, hurricane, blizzard, mass casualty event, or toxic spill. Important questions to address in your plan include:

  • Where will we meet if able to meet near our home? Where will we meet if community evacuation is necessary?
  • Who can we designate as a contact person outside of our local area?
  • What will we take with us during an evacuation and who is responsible for grabbing the kit?
  • Where can we take our pets if we are unable to care for them?
  • How will we get cash, food, and other necessities if ATMs are down?
  • What are the contact numbers of important parties (household members, emergency services)?

Ensuring your home is adequately ensured is vital in minimizing the impact of a natural disaster and ensuring your family will be cared for during the months and years following. To find out whether you have adequate coverage for natural disaster that pose a risk to you and your family, contact the qualified professionals at Oliver Insurance in Canby, OR.

 

Renter’s Guide to Kitchen Improvement

Rental properties aren’t always top notch when it comes to kitchen space and decor, but you don’t have to accept it as-is! Here are three simple tips to improve your kitchen. 

Add a Backsplash (Or Replace the Old One)

Add a colorful tile or modern stainless steel backsplash to create visual interest and protect your walls. Even if you’re not allowed to attach anything to the wall in any serious way (say, a tile backsplash with grout or caulk), you can still create a dynamite look with self-adhesive backsplash tiles. These just stick on to the wall and can be peeled right off come moving time. 

Set up a Pot Rack

Organize your kitchen and free up cabinet space by getting your pots and pans up on the wall or ceiling with a pot rack. You can use a metal hanging rack, build a peg board, or even add shelves to move them into the vertical space of your kitchen. Just make sure it’s high enough that no one runs into them!

Invest in Quality Cooking Essentials

Pitch in some cash for a good knife set, decent cutting boards, a nice cast iron skillet, quality cookware, etc. This is the heart of renewing your kitchen, and it doesn’t require any management approval or elbow grease.

It’s always a good idea to consult your property manager about what you want to do. Many rentals do not allow any painting or wallpapering, even if you agree to repaint or remove wallpaper when you leave. You’ll also want to ask whether you can replace any flooring, paint cabinet doors, or anything else that requires significant alteration. If you’re not sure, ask. 

If you’re renting, make sure you’re insured! Contact Oliver Insurance to get covered. 
 

Independent Insurance Agents Can Give You Options

One of the ways to get insurance for your car, home, life, and more is to work with an independent agent. Instead of needing to go from company to company, getting information from each one of them about the policies they can offer you, you can get everything you need to know in one place. Your independent insurance agent can check the companies for you, and give you information on their policies and prices all in one place. By doing that, you get a much faster result, and an easier comparison between companies.

Another reason to work with an independent agent is that you will have one person you can go to when you need to make a change to a policy, get more coverage, or add or subtract a policy from your coverage options. If you buy a house, for example, you may want to remove your renters insurance and add a homeowner’s policy. When you can make one phone call or send one email to do that, and you don’t need to shop around with multiple companies, it’s easier and faster for you to make any changes and ensure that your coverage and policies are up to date.

You can get your Canby, OR insurance needs met when you work with Oliver Insurance. As an independent insurance company, they can help you find the best rates and policies for your needs. That way you can have peace of mind, in knowing that you got the insurance coverage that will be right for you. With good insurance, you have less to worry about and you can focus on other parts of your life that might be more fun and enjoyable. Shopping all over the place for insurance is no longer necessary, when you can go to one place, see one agent, and get everything you need.
 

Buy Insurance In Canby, Or That Makes Sense For Your Business

When you live Canby, Oregon, you may have a business that is based inside your home. Homeowners insurance is not necessarily going to extend coverage to your business, even though they share the same roof. This means you need to choose coverage that makes sense for your business.

It is important understand that every small business is a little different. You may have things that are completely unique in comparison to the small business operating out of their home down the street. Things you want to consider include:

  • Whether you have a car for your business
  • If you have clients visit your home
  • If you have a lot of inventory in your home
  • If you have employees

Each of these can play a role in terms of what kind of coverage you need. Business property coverage can protect against loss for computers, merchandise, and various other types of business related property.

If you have computers, you may want to compromise coverage, which can protect you against the data breach and any other damage that a hacker can do. You may also want to consider business interruption coverage, which could provide you with business income in the event that your home-based business operations cease for a certain amount of time as a result of Carlisle, such as a tornado or fire.

You can choose general liability coverage to protect you against lawsuits, employment practices liability coverage to protect against wrongful termination, and various other types of insurance as well.

At Oliver Insurance, we are committed to helping you find the insurance that makes the most sense for your business, even if it is based in your home. Call today and asked questions and begin working with one of our independent insurance agents.

 

 

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