There are lots of things you can do to prepare for emergencies in your life. Building an emergency fund for unexpected expenses, having a plan and support in case of a house fire or other disaster, and updating emergency contact information when a change happens in your life. By putting these types of measures in place, you and your family can be prepared for emergencies or unexpected events that may arise. Preparation will help keep these emergencies from being too much to handle.

Another way your family can help prepare for the unexpected is with a long-term plan. Setting long-term goals helps set a structure for your family, and gives milestones you can check your progress against along the way. Having a long-term plan can also help you plan for the unexpected. When you develop a long-term plan, your family will think of complications or problems that could come up so that the long-term plan can be adaptable in case something happens. This can help your family be more prepared for whatever may arise.

Even when you plan for emergencies and develop a long-term plan for your family, the unexpected can still happen. When the unexpected occurs, there must be measures in place to help your family keep moving forward and transition afterward. One way to do this is to ensure that you have a plan for your end-of-life wishes and make sure you have life insurance that will meet your family’s needs.

Life insurance can’t solve problems, but it can help. When you pair your life insurance with other preparation, your family will be ready to face whatever challenges may arise. Contact a local agent at Oliver Insurance today for more information.

Understanding umbrella insurance isn’t easy, but at the very least the name helps conjure the idea that it’s a policy that covers anything and everything. It’s not necessarily a common policy, but it certainly provides some comfort to those who have it. Here are 3 tips to consider if you’re trying to decide if it’s for you. 

1. Consider What You Have

The more stuff you have, the more stuff you have to lose. This is the core idea behind umbrella insurance is that it’s meant to save what you own from scenarios that could have never even been imagined at the time the policy was drawn out. Humans can be pretty inventive, but you can only list so many events that are technically covered under a policy (otherwise, there wouldn’t be enough time to write them all out.)

2. Understand the Importance of Caution 

Throwing caution to the wind can sometimes be fun, but when it comes to your property, is that really what you want to do? You’ve likely worked extremely hard to build everything you have, and umbrella insurance could be the key to guarding it from whatever it is that could happen to it. Getting a policy like this shows your commitment to what’s important to you. 

3. Find Someone Who Knows 

Oliver Insurance helps the people of Canby, OR draft umbrella policies to save themselves from financial ruin and emotionally devastating events. Talk to us about what’s most important to you, and we’ll talk to you about how to best protect it. Whether you have several rental properties or just a very special single-family house, give us a call and let us help you work it all out so you can rest easy at night. 

The majority of people do not even consider flood insurance for their home, especially if the home is in an area that is not considered to be prone to flooding. However, it is not something that should be overlooked so easily. There are a few reasons that you may want to consider getting flood insurance for your home. Continue reading to see some of them.

• Areas of new construction are more prone to flooding. The reason behind this is because there is less soil that can absorb the rain. There are roads and sidewalks where there used to be soil. Because of this, flooding can occur in these areas. If you have a home in a new construction area, flood insurance is something that you should consider getting. 
• Twenty percent of flooding happens in low to moderate flooding areas. You may think that flooding cannot happen to you but that is a large percentage of flooding in areas that are outside of high flood prone areas.
• Flooding does not just happen because of rain. It can happen with a pipe burst or even if a neighbors above ground pool gives way. There are many things that can cause a flood in your home that do not involve rain so it is best to be covered.
• Your homeowners insurance policy likely does not include flood insurance. You would be surprised by how many people think that flood insurance is included in their current policy but more often than not, it has to be purchased separately. 

For more information about flood insurance, please contact us at Oliver Insurance today. We can take a look at your current policy or explore options for a new flood insurance policy that will meet your needs. 

Maintenance

Assuming that your boat gets a maintenance check every six months, double check the parts of your boat like the sails and the motor for any tears or debris that may have been carried by the wind before heading out. Check the gas tank and ensure that it’s full and that all other parts of the fuel system are clean from rust and debris even if they seem to be working. Concentrate on preventative measures.

Current Documents 

The state of Oregon requires sail boats measuring more than 12 feet to have visible identifying numbers on both sides of the boat, a valid certificate to verify these numbers, and current registration if the sailboat will be moored in water within the state. Make sure you have these documents on hand before you head out. Personal identification papers and proof of insurance are also must-have documents in case of an accident. Also, be familiar with the process of filling out an accident report, the proper reporting agency and the deadlines to do so. All boat operators need to be familiar with this process.  

Safety

You are legally required to have a certain number and type of fire extinguishers on your boat. You can request safety information specific to your boat at the DMV. You need to have a complete first-aid kit and enough life jackets for all passengers onboard. If children will be traveling on the boat with you, familiarize yourself with the life jacket requirements for kids -these vary by state.

Most importantly, stop by Oliver Insurance to inquire about a new policy or to review an existing one. Agents will work with you to give you the appropriate insurance coverage for Oregon state -insurance laws and coverage requirements vary by state. 

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!

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.