NEWS & ARTICLES FROM Baer Insurance Services

Flooding Found To Be The Biggest Risk to Cities Worldwide

Flooding is the biggest risk to city dwellers around the world, according to a study by Swiss Re Ltd.

The study, published on Sept. 18, 2013, ranks the human and economic exposure to natural catastrophes in 616 cities around the globe.

The study, “Mind the Risk: A Global Ranking of Cities Under Threat from Natural Disasters,” examined the risk that floods, storms, storm surges, earthquakes or tsunamis pose to urban centers.

On the basis of all five perils, the Tokyo-Yokohama region of Japan is the most exposed to loss of human life and working days, the study found.…

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Teens, Social Media and a Parent’s Liability

For many the high school experience comes with social pressures and obligations to fit in and belong, and sadly this can lead to exclusion and isolation of some students. At some point everyone probably said something in their teen years in the heat of the moment that they now wish could be taken back, but today’s teens face the added burden that if they convey those statements on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, their words could be around for a lot longer than just the heat of the moment.…

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Teens, Social Media and a Parent’s Liability

For many the high school experience comes with social pressures and obligations to fit in and belong, and sadly this can lead to exclusion and isolation of some students. At some point everyone probably said something in their teen years in the heat of the moment that they now wish could be taken back, but today’s teens face the added burden that if they convey those statements on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, their words could be around for a lot longer than just the heat of the moment.…

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Don’t Be Fooled: Auto Insurance State Minimums Probably Aren’t Enough

There are a wide variety of silly and somewhat funny things we can do from time to time, like telling people that dihydrogen monoxide is coming out of the sink (dihydrogen monoxide is the chemical name for water), but one thing you should avoid falling for as a consumer is being told that carrying only the state mandated minimum coverage is adequate auto insurance protection.

In an auto accident, drivers can be legally liable for their passengers’ injuries. While most states have mandatory minimum limits of liability required of all drivers, many of these requirements may not be sufficient in covering injuries sustained in an auto accident.…

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Was Your Home Loan Sold? Quick, Call Your Insurance Agent!

Do you have a mortgage? Yes? Then at some point in your home-owning life, you have received a letter telling you that your mortgage has been sold to another lender. There’s certainly nothing unusual about it when this happens, as home loans are sold every day in the United States. It is a very common practice. Typically, the letter tells you that nothing will change for you and – "you do not need to do anything."

WRONG!!! – You should contact the insurance agent that handles your home insurance.…

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Was Your Home Loan Sold? Quick, Call Your Insurance Agent!

Do you have a mortgage? Yes? Then at some point in your home-owning life, you have received a letter telling you that your mortgage has been sold to another lender. There’s certainly nothing unusual about it when this happens, as home loans are sold every day in the United States. It is a very common practice. Typically, the letter tells you that nothing will change for you and – "you do not need to do anything."

WRONG!!! – You should contact the insurance agent that handles your home insurance.…

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Home Inspections Before Winter Weather Comes

This time of year can be just great here in . However, you won’t get much fireside snuggling done if your chimney clogs or your roof springs a leak. And while prepping your home for winter weather isn’t much fun, once you do it, your peace of mind can last all season long.

Here’s a handy checklist to make sure the weather stays outside where it ought to be.

Furnace Follies
If you have a forced-air furnace, visually inspect the outside of your system, the ducts, and other points attached to the unit.…

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Cyber Security for your Small Business

High-profile cyber attacks on companies such as Sony and Zappos have generated national headlines and have raised awareness of the growing threat of cyber crime. Recent surveys conducted by the Small Business Authority, Symantec and the National Cyber Security Alliance suggest that many small business owners are still operating under a false sense of cyber security.

The statistics are grim: The vast majority of U.S. small businesses lack a formal Internet security policy for employees, and only about half have even rudimentary cyber-security measures in place.…

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An Invitation to Help Homeless Kids throughout the US

In the United States, there are an estimated two million homeless kids. As an Aviva representative, we feel privileged to make a difference in the lives of these kids by working alongside Aviva’s Street to School program. And, we’d like your help to provide for these kids’ most basic, personal care needs! Between now and April 30th, we are hosting a personal products care drive to benefit Covenant House, a national, 24-hour crisis center serving homeless youth.

Each year, Covenant House serves approximately 70,000 at-risk and homeless kids.…

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Serving Wisconsin & Illinois

Baer Insurance Services serves families, individuals and businesses throughout these areas:

Middleton WI, Madison WI, Waunakee WI, Cross Plains WI, Verona WI, Dane WI, Windsor WI, Black Earth WI, Mc Farland WI, De Forest WI, Oregon WI, Mount Horeb WI, Morrisonville WI, Mazomanie WI, Sun Prairie WI, Lodi WI, Cottage Grove WI, Belleville WI, Arlington WI, Blue Mounds WI, Sauk City WI, Stoughton WI, Prairie Du Sac WI, Brooklyn WI, Barneveld WI, Merrimac WI, New Glarus WI, Arena WI, Poynette WI, Deerfield WI, Marshall WI, Ridgeway WI, Monticello WI, Evansville WI, Cambridge WI, Honey Creek WI, North Freedom WI, Hollandale WI, Albany WI, Rio WI, Blanchardville WI, Waterloo WI, Edgerton WI, Spring Green WI, Columbus WI, Baraboo WI, Doylestown WI, Wyocena WI, Pardeeville WI, Fall River WI, Plain WI, Argyle WI, Rock Springs WI, Loganville WI, Milton WI, Janesville WI, Hanover WI, Reedsburg WI, Naperville IL, Fox Valley IL, Warrenville IL, Lisle IL, Eola IL, Wheaton IL, Aurora IL, Winfield IL, Woodridge IL, West Chicago IL, Glen Ellyn IL, Downers Grove IL, Bolingbrook IL, Batavia IL, Carol Stream IL, North Aurora IL, Mooseheart IL, Lombard IL, Westmont IL, Glendale Heights IL, Darien IL, Montgomery IL, Geneva IL, Saint Charles IL, Oswego IL, Lemont IL, Addison IL…

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Top 10 Family Vehicles for 2011


Remember piling into your family’s sedan as a kid? Maybe you fought for space in the way back of the family station wagon. Back in the day, there weren’t many choices for family vehicles. Nowadays, there’s a plethora of options to choose from. From minivans to wagons, crossovers to SUVs and more, today’s modern family can select from vehicles of all different shapes and sizes.

To help with the decision process, Kelly Blue Book (KBB) compiled a list of the Top 10 Family Cars for 2011.…

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5 Big Insurance Mistakes

TRYING TO SAVE MONEY? AVOID THE FIVE BIGGEST INSURANCE MISTAKES.

With far too many Americans out of work, and others forced to make ends meet with less money, many people are looking for ways to cut costs. There are smart ways to save on home and auto insurance; however, there are also mistakes that can result in being significantly underinsured.

When money is tight, it is extremely important to be financially protected against a catastrophe with the right amount and type of insurance by taking a few simple steps, it is possible to cut costs and still be protected should disaster strike.…

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Scheduling Under Homeowners

SCHEDULING ITEMS UNDER YOUR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE

Perhaps it’s the latest electronic gadget or large screen hi-def television, or new sporting goods gear or maybe a piece of sparkling jewelry. If you happen to receive or purchase a particularly expensive item, you may consider purchasing extra protection, just in case.

Why would I need to schedule valuable items?

The protection provided for personal property under the typical homeowners, condo or renters policy is very broad, and includes coverage for your furniture, clothing, and appliances.…

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