melloInsurance

Serving our clients, Serving our community

Lyndon Block

We aren’t wedding planners, but we can help you take care of some of the little things.

Getting married is are one of the biggest highlights in a person’s life. It is a public display of one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. So we bring in all of our friends and relatives to share it with and then have a party to celebrate!

For most of us who attend a wedding, we just show up eat a fancy dinner, listen to a program, try to two-step and go home. However, for the bride and groom and some family members, there is a lot of sweat and tears that go into this big special day.

The big decisions happen early in the engagement. Reception venue, Church, DJ, Dress, etc. Along the way, little parts start to unfold: Centerpieces, programs, party favours, etc. These take a lot of time to nail down and make sure they fit who you are as a couple..

So, again, we aren’t wedding planners, so I have no idea the time and effort that goes into all these decision. I have a slight idea, but pinterest wasn’t around when I got married, so it was an easier time back then. However, we do know insurance, and like anything there is risk involved in every situation, even the most joyous day of your life.

Not all venues require you to carry insurance, as they have absorbed the liability with the rental agreement you have signed. Some venues do require you to carry your own insurance on the event; and some venues, might not even think to ask about it. When you have a reception/party that you are hosting for people to come out, you can be found liable if one of your attendees gets out of hand and causes injury or damage to someone else.

How can this be? Well, it’s complicated and the courts do not make it any less grey. In a nutshell, each person in life should carry an insurance policy; a tenant pak (if you rent) a condo or home pak (if you own). With those policies, you are given liability coverage to cover you personally if you are negligent and cause property damage or injury to someone else. This liability limit follows you everywhere in the world. Now, the catch here is, you have invited these people to come to a party, and most likely there is alcohol served at these events. If people are not responsible and they get to drunk and start causing problems, or choose to drive home drunk; you can be held responsible as you were the host of the party.

They will likely sue the drunk person as well, but he may not carry liability coverage, or if he was driving, he won’t have any as the insurance carriers do not cover drinking and driving. So the lawsuit might extend to where the problem originated. You’re wedding reception. This sounds dark, and I apologize, but things can happen that are out of your control and we want to make sure that nothing could damper your special day.

We have insurance carriers that specialize in wedding event insurance policies. They have packages that can also extend coverage to your wedding gifts, photo recovery, honeymoon cancellation, rings, lost deposits, etc. These are things most people don’t think of, and they shouldn’t have to. There are much bigger things to think about, so it’s our job to think of this for you.

We want your wedding to be the day of your dreams. Ask us about this coverage if you are getting married or if you know someone who is, maybe refer them to this blog to see if it’s something they wish to pursue. We want to make sure you are looked after.

Keeping the thanksgiving attitude all year round.

This past weekend, most of spent our time with family indulging in some home cooked food. This would include Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Pumpkin Pie and all the trimmings….mmmmm (still thinking about it.).

During this time we expressed thanksgiving to the ones closest to us; for all the blessings that we have in our life. Some of us take it a step further and do some volunteering – whether it’s a food bank drive, or serving at a soup kitchen – trying to help those who are less fortunate.

This is all fantastic, spending quality time with family and volunteering are great ways to spend the long weekend. We want to encourage everyone to keep up this spirit of thanksgiving all year round. It seems like this world is spinning 100mph and in no way are we keeping up. We try, but the further we move forward, the further we fall behind.

In this busy world, it is important to “stop and smell the roses.” One way to keep our lives in perspective is to donate our time. As busy as our schedule may be, donating our time is a way to open our eyes to what is going on in the world, outside of our tiny bubble. There are many local and global initiatives that we can help support. Whether it’s the hurricane survivors in Puerto Rico and other island destinations; or the heartbroken families in Las Vegas; there are always opportunities to help and support those in crisis. These devastation’s are absolutely terrible, and we need to be there for those who need our support. We also need to remember those who continue to suffer on a daily basis. For example: Families & communities in majority of Africa and other third world countries do not have access to clean drinking water. This is something that we take for granted, like the air we breathe.

Those are global scenarios that we can be a part of, and World Vision & Compassion are great international support systems. Please check out their sites to see what you can do to help these communities. You can sponsor children & build a relationship with these kids, donate money to fresh water wells, or you can send goats & cattle to help support communities.

There are just as many ways that we need to help locally as well. We have many kids in our cities who desperately need help and guidance. Sons & Daughters is a great place to help support local vulnerable children, by extending support to foster families who have opened their homes to children who urgently need a safe place to live. The Bridge on 20th in Saskatoon is also a great local organization that helps meet people’s immediate physical needs, but they also takes it a step further and try to help build relationships and provide some spiritual guidance and support as well.

We are a business that survives based on our communities supporting us, and we are extremely grateful for all your support. That is why we continue to try and give back to those in our community first. We are extremely fortunate to have such amazing clients, great co-workers and supportive communities that we live and work in.  Again, we are extremely grateful for your continued support. We could not do it without you.

The world is moving fast, and it is very easy to look past the chaos around us. Let’s try and take some moments to stop and lend a hand to those who need it.

Keep you and your family protected with an Auto Pak policy.

We live in a province of government auto insurance. This is simple, yet complicated. Many people believe that when they purchase their driver’s license and registration from SGI that they are properly insured and completely covered. However, there are scenarios you need to be aware of that can put yourself at risk, if you do not carry an extension auto policy.

When you purchase your registration from SGI, you are accepting a $700 deductible on any type of physical loss to your vehicle, and $200,000 liability if you are found negligent while operating that vehicle. If you are comfortable absorbing $700 in the event of claim, that is completely fine, however, the liability amount is the main concern.

Most people think that we have “no fault” insurance coverage in Saskatchewan. While that may be true, there are certain scenarios where you can be still found at fault and on the hook for the damages. This includes actual property damage caused by the use of your vehicle. If you hit a building or another vehicle, those damages to the other vehicle/house are covered using your liability coverage. Now most losses are covered under 200,000 limit, however, there have been situations where people have derailed trains or have overturned semi trucks that were carrying harmful products causing damage to the environment. If you are found at fault, these physical losses are your responsibility and will come out of your liability limit. In both these scenarios, the losses amounted into the millions; which is horrific. With an extended liability policy you can purchase 2 million liability coverage for as little as $4 per month ($46 / year).

You can also be sued for additional income losses. Let me explain what that is. SGI has a cap on how much they can pay for annual income if someone is severely injured and can no longer work.  If you injure someone in a vehicle accident who is making more than the $94,587 cap. They can sue for the additional income that they were making prior to the loss. So if you hit a lawyer or doctor who makes 250k per year and they can no longer work. They can sue you for the additional 140k for the next 25 years (Or however long their career would have been for). This particular scenario ends up being $3.5 million. These types of claims can end up crippling a person or family for a very long time. Liability is by far the most beneficial product on the auto policy. Make sure you call our office and make sure you are properly protected as these are the claims that can cause huge financial problems.

Other products you can purchase on an auto pak are the following:.

  • Wildlife Waiver of deductible – if you hit any type of wildlife your deductible is waived.
  • Road Hazard Glass – If you buy a package policy you can add on this endorsement to cover stone chips or cracks to your windows.
  • Replacement Cost Coverage – If you purchase a brand new vehicle, you can obtain replacement cost coverage on the vehicle for the first few years. If something terrible happens and the vehicle is written off, you will receive a brand new vehicle similar to the one you had prior to the loss.
  • Loss of Use coverage – if you are in an accident and you need a rental vehicle to continue your day to day operation while your vehicle is being repaired, this coverage will pay for the costs to rent a vehicle. $1000 or $2000 limits are available. You can choose the limit that will work best for you.
  • Family Security – This coverage is automatically added with the liability coverage. This covers your family if you are hit by an uninsured or impaired driver who has no insurance coverage.

There are many other benefits to purchasing a package policy. Such as – coverage will automatically extend to a personal vehicle of similar nature, that you do not own, but are currently operating (ie. rental car or borrowed vehicle). Higher liability limits when you travel outside Saskatchewan and become higher risk of a potential lawsuit if there is an accident.

We are a community minded business and all we want is to make sure our friends and relatives are properly covered, in the event something awful happens. We all know someone who has likely been involved in some kind of accident; and unfortunately, we cannot see into the future to prevent them. However, at least with this coverage you can have peace of mind knowing you’ll be taken care of if something terrible does end up happening.

As we wind down our summer activities, this is what you need to know for fall!

It is September 26th, 2017. The days are officially getting shorter. That is sad, but on the plus side…..yes there is a plus side! We can start binging Netflix without feeling like we’re wasting the day! Okay, I tried….that was a stretch at best; this summer was far too short as always.

On that note, we have fall work ahead of us all and we will shed some light on some things you’ll likely need to get done for the winter and some insurance advice for you to make sure you are looked after.

Some fall projects to take care of:

  1. Blowing out your sprinklers – if you fail to blow out your lines, they will likely freeze and cause cracking or damage to the lines which will result in leaking the following year; which could be difficult to find underground.  
  2. Winterize your boat & camper – both of these items have water in them or likely did; if they aren’t stored in a heated shop, you will need to make sure they do not have any water left in them to freeze. Again this will cause problems come next spring if not handled correctly.
  3. Look into getting some winter tires for your vehicle to help you with the icy road conditions ahead of us. No tires can stop reckless driving, so be safe out there.  
  4. Roof Repair – during the winter it’s hard to get on your roof and hard for the shingles to stick down properly. Make sure the roof is in good shape and tarred down, so that if there is a bizarre amount of snow or an ice dam, you know your roof is up for the challenge.
  5. A furnace inspection – this is never a bad thing to do just for a maintenance check. We have some pretty harsh winters and the last thing you want, is to be without heat. Have someone take a look at your unit to make sure it’s up for the task this winter.

Now that those fall projects are taken of, there are some helpful insurance tips, we would like to mention. We want you to be as prepared as possible for this upcoming winter so you can make the most of it. Whether it’s eating pumpkin pie & turkey, jumping in a pile of leaves, or enjoying a warmer climate down south; we want you to have an amazing fall..

  1. When you store your RV / Camper trailer, make sure you put a package policy on it. This package policy will insure the trailer for the storage duration; while you aren’t using the trailer. It is a more reasonable price than keeping it licensed and will have some additional coverages you may need; such as vermin or potential freezing damage.
  2. Get your snowmobile licensed and put a package policy put on it. A plate on a snowmobile gives you liability only, so you need a package policy to have coverage on the unit. Theft of these machines is happening more and more, so it’s important to have coverage on it. If you plan on operating the unit on crown land, you must have the unit registered. Crown land includes: Lakes, rivers, ditches, parks, trails, etc. If you ride on those areas, you must have it licensed to be legal and to have your insurance policy apply.
  3. If you plan on going on a warm holiday this winter, plan ahead and have someone check on your house daily. This is required by your insurance carrier, as they need someone to be checking on your heating system to make sure there isn’t a possibility of the water pipes freezing. You can also blow out your lines or some companies allow that you have a third party monitoring system installed that monitors the temperature in the house.
  4. Ice Damming on low sloped roofs has become quite the problem. With the snow, then the temperature bouncing around from mild to cold. The snow melts and creates ice dams in valleys and along the edge of the roof. This can cause water to crawl up the shingles and penetrate the roof causing water damage in your roof / ceiling / gyproc. Please try and remove any excess snow on the roof and keep an eye out for any ice building up on the edge of your house.

We want you to be as prepared as possible for this upcoming winter so you can make the most of it. Whether it’s eating pumpkin pie & turkey, jumping in a pile of leaves, or enjoying a warmer climate down south; we want you to have an amazing fall.

Getting the protection you need for your family, home and business.

Remember the days when you could leave your vehicles unlocked, your front door open and your tools in your truck box? Yes, those days have come and gone. Unfortunately we are no longer privileged with that level of trust, in our society. Whether its petty theft or gang related initiation, there are certain people who choose to do bad things to make a profit. Therefore, it is important to take measures to protect your family, your home and your prized possessions.

We have recently partnered up with Reed Security to help our clients, friends and family get a security system in place that will keep them protected. Reed Security was established in March 2000, right here in Saskatoon. This is important, because they are a part of our community and will do their best to look after you.

Technology has come so far, and what you can design in your house to make it “automated,” is simply amazing. Whether it’s a sensor in your basement to measure moisture levels, a doorbell that has a motion sensor camera built in it; or a thermostat you can control from your phone; you can make your house smarter than ever. You join all of these things together and the best value you’ll leave with, is Peace of Mind. So make sure you ask questions about all the options available to get those services that you value the most.doorbell

Since we have partnered with Reed Security, we have a promotional code you can use to obtain a “Free Smart Security & Automation System.” When you book your appointment or consultation, make sure you use the promo code: BLKSBORD.  The best part is, after it is installed and operational,  you can send in the security certificate to your insurance broker and they will apply a security intrusion discount on to your home insurance, this could result in a savings of up to 20%.

reedsecuritylogo2So how do you get this started? You can call Dan Mulhall at Reed Security: (306) 716-9943 or email him at: dmulhall.dsss@gmail.com. Remember to use the promo code BLKSBORD.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact one of our branches for more information.

Enjoy the warmth of a wood fire in your home, this winter.

As the mornings get a little cooler, we have come to the unfortunate conclusion that fall is here and winter is around the corner. (So get those last rounds of golf in quick!)

It is now the time to get on those fall projects before we get into the unbearable truth, that is, winter. One thing that can make this winter a little more enjoyable is having a warm wood fire in your home. Whether it is a wood stove, fireplace or wood boiler system; nothing feels as nice as the warmth of a good fire on a cold day.

That being said, there are some things you should know about your wood burning system to keep you and your family safe and to make sure if something happens, your property is looked after as well.

1) When installing a wood stove or other system, please contact a wood heat professional. This can be either a heating contractor or stop by one of our offices to get some information on how to properly install a unit into your home. Each wood burning system is different and requires different installation codes to follow. If you install it incorrectly, your insurance company may not accept it, and you may also be putting yourself in harm’s way.

2) Once installed, make sure it is inspected by someone qualified to do so. Again, we have staff on hand who are WETT certified and can inspect these units properly. A basic inspection can be done by any broker; this is required by every insurance company so they can review the unit and make sure it is up to their standards. If a claim occurs from the use of the new unit, and it hasn’t been approved by the insurance carrier, your insurance can be voided. So please contact us before you use your wood burning appliance. 

3) Keep a clean environment around the stove at all times. When you have a fire burning and you are opening and closing the door to add more fuel (wood) to the fire. Sparks can jump out and land outside of the unit. If there is paper or other combustibles nearby, a fire can start outside the unit and this could end up being devastating. Each certified unit will have a required amount of clearance around the stove to prevent problems like this, so for your safety it is important to follow those requirements.

4) Do not burn any items in the unit other than the fuel that it is approved for. Burning garbage or other items in these units can ruin the integrity of the steel and equipment. This is a not only a safety concern, but it will reduce the life expectancy of the unit and you will start to have a lot of problems in your chimney with the burnt emissions & creosote.

5) Lastly, you should have your unit & chimney cleaned regularly. Most insurance companies would like to see your equipment being cleaned at least twice a year; before heating season and after. This will help keep the unit running efficiently (proper draft) and get rid of any possible blockages that could have developed over time, causing potential fire hazards.

We want to make sure your wood burning appliances are installed correctly; not because it’s required for your insurance, but because we care about your safety. How these units are installed, maintained and cleaned will help keep you and your family safe. If you would like an inspection, please contact one of our locations so we can get that scheduled for you.