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Volunteering Is Important

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

Are you considering volunteering? It’s an important way to help individuals and communities in need. And, as Calvin Holbrook writes, the benefits of this altruistic act are proven by science.

With most of us leading super busy lives, the idea of volunteering – giving your time and energy to a cause without financial reward – may seem an impossible task. I mean, how can we fit anything else into our already jam-packed schedules? However, volunteering is important for many reasons and doesn’t have to take up too much time. And, in fact, the benefits of volunteering are vast for the volunteer – not just the community, individual, or organization receiving their assistance.

Indeed, it’s these benefits that could partly explain the rise in the popularity of volunteering over the past few years. During 2012-13, 29 percent of adults in England, UK, said they had formally volunteered at least once a month. The figure in the United States is not far off, at around 25 percent (with slightly more women volunteering than men).

Promisingly, an increasing number of these people are young adults. In the UK, figures show that 2.9 million people in the 16 to 25-year-old age group volunteered during 2015, compared to 1.8 million in 2010: that’s a whopping 50 percent increase.

So, why the interest in volunteering? The Greek philosopher Aristotle once said that the essence of life is “to serve others and do good,” and it seems an increasing number of us are starting to wake up and see why volunteering is important. People are starting to understand how serving and helping each other and different communities benefit not just others but ourselves, too.

Why is volunteering important?

Volunteering is important as it offers essential help to worthwhile causes, people in need, and the wider community. Indeed, many organizations and charities rely on the generosity of volunteers as often they’re only part-funded through government or local councils, and cannot afford to pay salaries for all their staff. In fact, many companies depend almost solely upon teams of volunteers to help them thrive and do their work.

So, what are the benefits of volunteering?

Of course, the benefits of volunteering for those receiving help are clear. Whether it’s providing kids in a Third World country with free English classes or litter picking from your local beach, the benefits to the receiver and the wider community are usually part of the reason why you decide to volunteer in the first place.

But did you realize just how important volunteering could be for the person doing it? In fact, volunteering is beneficial to the doer for a whole host of reasons, including stress reduction, combating depression, and providing a sense of purpose.

“Volunteering is important as it offers essential help to worthwhile causes, people in need, and the wider community.”

And while studies do show that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you’ll experience, volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment. Even giving in simple ways can help those in need and improve your overall health and happiness. So, let’s take a closer look at just why volunteering is important with seven key benefits of this altruistic act.

1. Volunteering connects you with others

If you’re feeling lonely, isolated, or simply want to widen your social circle, volunteering in your local community is an important – and often fun – way to meet new people. In fact, one of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to commit to a shared activity together, and volunteering lets you do just that.

If you’ve recently moved to a new city or country, volunteering is an important and easy way to meet new people and it also strengthens your ties to that local community and broadens your support network. Furthermore, it connects you to people who have common interests and passions and who could go on to become great friends.

In fact, volunteering is an important and interesting way to meet people who you might not normally connect with: people from different age groups, ethnicities, or social groups. Because volunteering is open to everyone, it allows you to meet a wide variety of people from all sorts of walks of life, something that can only open your eyes further.

2. Volunteering builds self-confidence and self-esteem

Doing good for others and the community helps to create a natural sense of accomplishment. And working as a volunteer can also give you a sense of pride and identity, helping to boost your self-confidence further by taking you out of your natural comfort zone and environment.

Indeed, volunteering helps you to feel better about yourself, which you can then take back to your ‘regular’ routine, hopefully creating a more positive view of your own life and future goals.

If you’re shy or fearful of new experiences, cultures, and travel, volunteering overseas could be an important and insightful way to help you build self-confidence in this area too (not forgetting the other benefit of this type of volunteering – a chance to see a bit of the world at the same time!).

Research shows that volunteering could be particularly useful and important in boosting the self-esteem and confidence of adolescents who are just starting out on their life journey. A 2017 study from the University of Missouri and Brigham Young University that included almost 700 11- to 14-year-olds examined how sharing, helping, and comforting others affected self-confidence. The study found that altruistic behaviors may indeed raise teens’ feelings of self-worth and that adolescents who assisted strangers reported higher self-esteem one year later.

“If you’re feeling lonely or simply want to widen your social circle, volunteering in your local community is an important – and fun – way to meet new people.”

And a National Youth Agency report seemed to corroborate this evidence. In it, young people aged 11 to 25 “repeatedly stressed that volunteering had increased their self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-belief.” This self-confidence boost was shown to be strongly linked to improved communication skills, especially amongst young volunteers who were previously nervous about meeting new people.

3. Volunteering is important for physical health…

Interestingly, volunteering has distinct health benefits that can boost your mental and – perhaps more surprisingly – physical health. Indeed, a growing body of evidence suggests that people who give their time to others might benefit from lower blood pressure and a longer lifespan.

A 1999 study showed that ‘high volunteers’ (helping out at two or more organizations) had a 63 percent lower mortality rate than non-volunteers. And more recent research (2013) from Carnegie Mellon University found that adults over 50 who volunteered regularly were less likely to develop high blood pressure (hypertension) compare to non-volunteers. Hypertension is an important indicator of health as it contributes to stroke, heart disease, and premature death.

Lead study author Rodlescia Sneed said that carrying out volunteer work could increase physical activity among those who aren’t normally very active and that it could also reduce stress: “Many people find volunteer work to be helpful with respect to stress reduction, and we know that stress is very strongly linked to health outcomes.”

Importantly, volunteers seem to notice these health benefits too. Indeed, a 2013 study from UnitedHealth Group and the Optum Institute of over 3,300 U.S. adults revealed that 76 percent of those in the United States who volunteer said it makes them feel physically healthier. Also, around 25 percent said that volunteering had been important in helping them manage a chronic health condition.

4. …and mental health

When it comes to volunteering being important for mental health, the benefits are clear. It can help counteract the effects of stress, depression, and anxiety. Indeed, the social contact aspect of helping others can have a profound effect on your overall psychological well-being.

Volunteering keeps you in regular contact with others and helps you develop a solid support system, which in turn combats against feelings of loneliness and depression. Volunteering with animals has also been shown to improve mood, reducing stress and anxiety.

Finally, volunteering boosts mental health simply because it makes you happier; the so-called ‘helper’s high’. Human beings are hard-wired to give to others, and by measuring so-called brain activity and happiness hormones, researchers have found that being helpful to others can deliver great pleasure.

A 2008 study from the London School of Economics examined the relationship between volunteering and happiness in a large group of American adults. The researchers found that the more people volunteered, the happier they were. Compared with people who never volunteered, the odds of being ‘very happy’ rose seven percent among those who volunteer monthly and 12 percent for those who volunteer every two to four weeks.

5. Volunteering is important for a sense of purpose

Because volunteering means choosing to work without receiving monetary compensation, people often choose to give their time to issues or organizations they feel are important or have a special connection to.

For example, if you’re a big animal lover you may want to volunteer at a pet shelter. Or, perhaps you’ve to live with or have recovered from an illness and want to dedicate some of your spare time to a charity that helps others living with the same condition. Volunteering like this helps address a social problem that is meaningful to you and in turn helps to build a sense of purpose, which furthermore boosts your own happiness.

“When it comes to volunteering being important for mental health, the benefits are clear. It can help counteract the effects of stress, depression, and anxiety.”

You can try volunteering at any age to help build a sense of purpose, but it’s often particularly common in older adults – those that have retired or maybe lost a partner or friend. Whatever your age or life story, volunteering can be an important technique to help give your life new meaning and direction!

6. Volunteering helps you forget your own problems

One other benefit of volunteering is that focusing on others can give us a deeper sense of perspective and help distract us from negative thoughts and help stop rumination. Volunteering often involves helping those in need and can be useful in showing us that, in fact, our own lives are not as bad as we thought they were.

7. Volunteering is important for your career

In an increasingly competitive job market, volunteering experience can be incredibly useful. It shows potential employers that you can take initiative and that you’re willing to give your own time to improve the world for other people.

Furthermore, volunteering gives you the opportunity to practice important common skills used in the workplace, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, planning, and organization. Indeed, if you haven’t had a full-time job before then volunteering is an essential way to prove your skills when you do go for work interviews.

Also, if you’ve just graduated or looking for your first job, volunteering is an important and relatively easy way to get a foot in the door of a company you’d like to work with. Even if there’s no immediate chance of employment afterward, volunteering can help you to make connections for the future.

Alternatively, if you’ve already had jobs and are considering a change of direction, volunteering is an important and fun way to try out different career options, especially if you’re not quite sure of where you want to go next. Indeed, volunteering offers you the chance to try out a new career without making a long-term commitment!

Conclusions: the importance of volunteering

It’s clear the benefits of volunteering are huge – improved mental and physical health, new friends and avoiding loneliness, a sense of purpose, and deeper self-confidence. In turn, all of these things will help to boost your overall happiness: a win-win situation for all involved.

If you’re considering volunteering, ask yourself a few questions before taking the plunge. Firstly, really think about which causes you’re passionate about – it means you’re more likely to enjoy and stay committed to the work.

Secondly, are you looking for regular volunteering opportunities or would you prefer a one-off project? Thirdly, what skill set can you offer and what can you hope to gain from volunteering? Good luck when you finally get going and make sure you have fun – volunteering is important – the benefits are clear – but it’s important to enjoy it too!

Have you ever or do you still volunteer now? What are the benefits for you? What did you enjoy most about it? The happiness.com community would love to hear your story below…

Source: Happiness.com

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The Power Of Kindness

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

From boosting your mood to lowering stress, the power of kindness is proven. In fact, science shows the benefits of kindness are greater for the giver than the receiver. So, as Calvin Holbrook suggests, help others and help yourself, too.

Can you remember the last time a stranger was kind to you? Maybe someone held a door open or offered you help with directions in the street? Or, perhaps you can recall the last time you helped somebody. After recently carrying out a few altruistic acts myself, I wanted to find out more about the power and benefits of kindness. 

Just before Christmas, I passed a homeless man sitting outside a London Tube station. Coming out of a nearby coffee shop after paying almost £3 for a flat white, I couldn’t justify spending that on a hot drink while he was sat with nothing. I started a conversation to find out how he was doing and he was thankful when I offered him some change and a banana. However, he seemed most grateful when I simply asked him what his name was. When I got up to leave, he looked directly into my eyes and gave me a genuine ‘thank you.’

Later, I was traveling on the top deck of a bus when a very jittery and ill-looking man got off and slipped, cutting his hand badly. While the driver called the ambulance, people in the street just stared and did nothing. I got off the bus and sat with him, putting an arm around him, and chatting to help keep him calm while we waited for an ambulance. Again, when I had to leave, he looked squarely at me and told me how grateful he was.  

The power of kindness: a ripple effect

In all three of these examples, the power of kindness is obvious for the recipient: they were in a moment of need and received assistance. But the power of altruism also extended to me – in fact, one major benefit of kindness is that the love spreads both ways; it’s a win-win situation.

A positive sign: showing kindness is easy and free

After connecting with these three people I felt a sense of happiness and pride to know I’d made a small but meaningful impact on their day. In fact, this feel-good sensation stayed with me for hours afterward. Experiencing this feeling has also made it more likely that I’ll carry out more random acts of kindness in the future. 

Likewise, I like to think that the power of kindness can potentially rub off on the people I’ll help out in the future, that they, in turn, will be more likely to assist others. In fact, it turns out that science backs up this kindness’s ‘ripple effect’. 

“One major benefit of kindness is that the love spreads both ways; it’s a win-win situation.”

A 2018 study focused on employees at a Spanish company. Workers were asked to either a) perform acts of kindness for colleagues, or b) count the number of kind acts they received from coworkers. The results showed that those who received acts of kindness became happier, demonstrating the value of benevolence for the receiver.

However, those who delivered the acts of kindness benefited even more than the receivers. That’s because not only did they show a similar trend towards increased happiness, but they also had a boost in life and job satisfaction, as well as a decrease in depression.

Furthermore, the effects of altruism were contagious. Those colleagues on the receiving end of the acts of kindness ended up spontaneously paying it forward, themselves doing nice things for other colleagues. This study suggests the ripple effect really is one of the benefits of being nice.

Kindness and psychological flourishing

Further studies back up the power of kindness. In another, researchers asked members of the public to either perform acts of kindness – such as opening doors for strangers – for one month or to perform kind acts for themselves, such as treating themselves to a new purchase. 

The researchers measured the participants’ level of so-called ‘psychological flourishing’ – their emotional, psychological, and social well-being at the start and end of the experiment. By the end, those who had carried out kind acts for others had higher levels of psychological flourishing compared to those who acted kindly towards themselves. Kindly acts also led to higher levels of positive emotions.

Good to give: kindness benefits both the giver and receiver

Meanwhile, another study incorporated cold hard cash to test the powers of altruism. Researchers gave participants either $5 or $20 which they had to spend either on themselves or others before the end of the day. They measured the participants’ happiness levels before giving them the money and then called them on the phone in the evening. The results? Those who had spent the money were happier than those who used the money for their own needs.

The physical effects of kindness

So, science and studies show that being kind and helpful clearly has a positive and uplifting effect on those carrying out the act. But what exactly is happening in the body when you help someone out? Here are four ways keys in which the physical benefits of kindness can be felt.

1. Kindness releases feel-good hormones

When you do kind acts for other people, so-called happiness hormones are released, boosting your serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for feelings of well-being and satisfaction. Endorphin levels also rise, leading to a phenomenon known as a ‘helper’s high’ (just like what I experienced). 

2. Kindness can reduce anxiety

Another physical benefit of kindness is that it can help to lower anxiety. Social anxiety is associated with low positive affect (PA), which relates to an individual’s experience of positive moods such as joy, interest, and alertness. A four-week study on happiness from the University of British Columbia found that participants who engaged in kind acts displayed major increases in their PA levels that were maintained during the study duration. 

3. Kindness may help alleviate certain illness

Inflammation in the body is linked to numerous health problems including chronic pain, diabetes, obesity, and migraines. For older generations at least, volunteering as an act of kindness may be of benefit to reduce inflammation. In fact, according to one study of older adults aged 57-85, “volunteering manifested the strongest association with lower levels of inflammation.” 

Additionally, oxytocin, also released with acts of kindness, reduces inflammation, and can directly affect the chemical balance of your heart.  According to Dr. David Hamilton, “oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide in blood vessels, which dilates the blood vessels. This reduces blood pressure and therefore oxytocin is known as a ‘cardioprotective’ hormone because it protects the heart (by lowering blood pressure).”

4. Kindness can reduce your stress levels

Helping others takes you out of your own mind and can potentially help to build relationships with other people. Anything that helps you to build bonds with other people is known as ‘affiliative behavior’.

And, according to one study on the effects of pro-social behavior — action intended to help others  on stress, “affiliative behavior may be an important component of coping with stress and indicate that engaging in pro-social behavior might be an effective strategy for reducing the impact of stress on emotional functioning.”

“Science and studies show that being kind and helpful clearly has a positive and uplifting effect on those carrying out the act.”

Furthermore, once we establish an ‘affiliative connection’ with someone — a relationship of friendship, love, or other positive bonding — we feel emotions that can boost our immune system. So, it seems continued altruism can boost your happiness and improve relationships and connections, in turn indirectly boosting your health.

Shifting to kindness

So, knowing this, why aren’t people benefiting from the power of kindness? Why aren’t more people making a conscious effort to change the lives of others? 

For one, in our fast-paced world, benevolence and compassion often end up taking a back seat to self-interest – and selfies. People don’t seem to take the time to stop and help others or even notice what’s going on as we’re often wrapped up in our own lives.

Helping hand: the power of kindness is proven

Also, some people believe that showing kindness and compassion is a weakness and will only lead to being taken advantage of. But, the truth is, it’s in our human DNA to show kindness. In fact, we’re the only mammals with an extended gestation period, and while other animals rely on support for a short period before becoming self-reliant, we depend on the care of our caregivers to provide for our needs. Indeed, kindness is fundamental to human existence – we’re literally wired for it. 

Kindness is not something that demands hard work or huge amounts of time. It’s something all of us can strive to achieve every day. And, knowing that the power of kindness and its benefits are immense for ourselves and not just the receiver, why wouldn’t you want to help others more? 

Source: Happiness.com

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Top ten of the most extravagant Celebrity insurance policies

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Shield Insurance Blog | Celebrity Insurance |

Celebrity insurance: Top ten of the most extravagant insurance policies

To insure one’s house, one’s car or to underwrite a life insurance policy, that is common practice. But who would pay an insurance premium for his/her thumb, legs, or smile? Stars, of course.

Stars are underwriting new policies which are more and more common and are sometimes deemed «unreasonable», much to the delight of insurers who make these policies their flag bearer.

Zoom on celebrities’ most extravagant insurance covers

  1. At the top of the ranking are the legs of Mariah Carey, worth 810 million USD: The diva became, in 2006, the Gillette brand muse for the advertising campaign «Legs of a Goddess». She then took out an insurance policy with London Lloyds to protect her legs, a decision that is far from insignificant. Among its customers, the London insurer then included several icons of music, such as Bob Dylan and Rod Stewart.
  2. David Beckham’s body was insured for 195 million USD: European champion with Manchester United in 1999, David Beckham was in 2006 the most renowned footballer on the planet. In relation to his sporting activities, he took out an insurance cover for his legs. The huge amount paid for his insurance would reportedly exceed the 103 million USD disbursed by Real Madrid for the cover of Christiano Ronaldo in 2009. The fashion model would later extend his insurance cover to his entire body.
  3. The singer Taylor Swift insured her legs for 44 million USD: At only 28, the singer estimated the value of her legs at 44 million USD. The perfectly-proportioned star decided to purchase a cover for her legs before her world tour in May 2015.
  4. Julia Roberts’ smile is worth 24.5 million USD: Crowned on several occasions the «most beautiful woman in the world», Julia Roberts, the «pretty woman», is endowed with the priciest smile in the history of the cinema. A smile that is beautiful enough to be insured for the sum of 24.5 million USD.
  5. 15 million USD in insurance for Kim Kardashian’s curves: The curves of Kim Kardashian are her number one beauty asset. The reality TV star, who is crazy about plastic surgery, has underwritten an insurance policy worth 15 million USD to protect her famous butt.
  6. The pilot of Formula 1 Fernando Alfonso insured his thumbs for 11.7 million USD: The double world champion took out a cover for his thumbs. A bargain for his insurance company put the Formula 1 pilot in the spotlight in order to promote their new insurance program. The cover was underwritten in 2010, a few days before the Barcelona Grand Prix, as part of a road accidents campaign for the promotion of life insurance.
  7. America Ferrara, star of the TV show «Ugly Betty», insured her smile for 11.5 million USD: In 2007, America Ferrara played the role of an assistant with a repulsive metallic smile in the series «Ugly Betty». She was then contacted by the brand of dental products Aquafresh. Within the framework of her partnership with Aquafresh, the actress took out an insurance cover to protect her teeth and her gums for the amount of 11.5 million USD. Part of the sales of the Aquafresh metal trays was devoted to the charitable organization «Smile for Success». This action will make America Ferrara one of the first ambassadresses of Lloyd’s of London.
  8. Bruce Springsteen has insured his voice for 9.3 million USD: While female singers would rather insure their legs or their breasts, the singer Bruce Springsteen has insured his vocal cords for 9.3 million USD; Once again, and like other celebrities, it is with Lloyd’s that the singer has underwritten his policy.
  9. Keith Richards insured his finger for 1.7 million USD: The Rolling Stones guitarist insured his right middle finger for the amount of 1.7 million USD. A work tool that is worth gold for the guitarist, making him essential for the group.
  10. The culinary critic Egon Ronay assured his taste buds: The famous Hungarian culinary critic has insured his taste buds since 1957, for the amount of 400 000 USD. An original insurance policy that allows him to cover his sense of taste without which he will no longer be able to practice his job.

source: Atlas Magazine, July 2018

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Dental Basics presented by Delta Dental

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What are dental basics of cavities?

A tooth cavity is a hole in your tooth caused by tooth decay. Tooth decay occurs when your enamel breaks down, usually from plaque and bacteria in your mouth that eat away at your tooth. Tooth decay may take years to develop into an actual cavity. Caught very early, tooth decay may even be reversed through the use of fluoride or other preventive care you can discuss with your dentist.

What are some causes of cavities?

  • Bacteria in your mouth.
  • It’s not just about candy and soda. Cavities can also be caused by frequent consumption of starchy, refined carbohydrate foods such as chips, crackers and cookies and high sugar drinks such as fruit juices and energy or sports drinks.
  • Not keeping up with your daily oral health routine, including brushing and flossing.

How can I prevent tooth decay?

  • Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day, and floss regularly.
  • Eat nutritious meals and limit snacking and sugary treats.
  • Check with your dentist about the need for topical fluoride and sealants to protect you or your child’s teeth from tooth decay.
  • Visit your dentist regularly for preventive care.

Contact Shield Agency for details on a dental policy with Delta Dental

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Insurance Terms Important to Know - Shield Insurance Agency Blog

Common Insurance Terms Made Easy

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Insurance can be confusing…we get it! But we’re here to help provide you with a better insurance experience. Learn more about what these common insurance terms mean so you can be prepared when looking for a policy.

For customer information or to get a quote, please visit our website at www.ShieldAgency.com .

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7 Things to Know About Rental Car Coverage

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Rental Car Coverage | Shield Insurance Blog | Auto Insurance |

After a car accident, you have enough things to worry about. Getting to work the next day shouldn’t be one of them.

We’ve all been there—and arranging alternate transportation while your vehicle is in a repair shop can be a hassle. But rental reimbursement coverage can help alleviate some stress after an accident while also saving you money.

Here are seven things you should know about before buying rental car reimbursement coverage:

1. Rental car insurance is optional.
Rental car reimbursement coverage does not automatically apply after an accident. As an optional coverage, it must be purchased separately. A common misconception is that auto insurance automatically covers the cost of a replacement rental car. In reality, you often have to select this coverage and apply it to the policy.

2. There is a limit.
You’ll likely have a per day and per occurrence limit. For example, if you have a 25/750 limit, your insurance company will pay up to $25 per day but no more than $750 per claim for the rental vehicle. Most insurance companies will offer several different options, allowing you to choose the limit that is right for you.

3. Your vehicle must be in the shop due to a covered loss.
Rental car reimbursement coverage can be used while your vehicle is being repaired after an accident or another covered loss, not for routine maintenance or leisure. So, if your car is at the body shop after an accident, a rental car is covered up to your limit. But if your car is undergoing routine maintenance that will keep it in the shop overnight or you are renting a vehicle for a family road trip, then rental reimbursement coverage would not apply.

4. You can use it right away.
After reporting a claim, if your vehicle isn’t drivable, you can be authorized for a rental car right away. Otherwise, you will be relying on the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and you may have to wait a little while before they can assess the claim and agree to pay for a rental car. With rental reimbursement coverage, there’s no waiting.

5. No need to worry about additional insurance.
For the most part, when you have collision and comprehensive coverages in your auto insurance policy, it will transfer to the rental vehicle, eliminating the need to purchase additional coverage from the car rental agency. Check with your Shield agent, who will be able to tell you when this applies.

6. You may not need it at all.
If you have access to another vehicle, rideshare service, or public transportation in the event your vehicle isn’t drivable, you may not need rental reimbursement coverage. But if you prefer the safety net of having a rental available if you need it, you may want to opt-in to this coverage.

7. Rental car insurance costs less than you might expect.
One year of rental car reimbursement coverage will typically cost less than one day of out-of-pocket rental car expenses. Want to learn more? Talk to your local independent Shield agent for complete details on rental reimbursement coverage.

Reference
– Insurance Information Institute

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Call Roadside Assistance When the Car Doesn’t Start

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Shield Insurance Blog | Roadside Assistance | Auto Insurance | Start a Quote Today!

You’ve grabbed your coffee, found your car keys, and herded your children out the door. Everyone’s buckled up and ready to go – on time. (A small miracle!) But when you go to turn on your car . . . nothing.

Here’s what to do when your car won’t start:

1. Cover the basics of Roadside Assistance.

  • Make sure your car is in Park (P) or Neutral (N) when you try to start it. Also, try pushing the brake pedal.
  • Look at your fuel gauge. Do you have fuel in the tank?
  • What’s the temperature today? Engines are a little harder to start when it’s cold outside, especially when the temperature drops to negative degrees.

2. Check your battery.

  • If the lights won’t turn on or they are noticeably dim, that’s a good indication that the issue is your car battery.
  • If you have a multimeter, you can use it to verify your battery is at or above 12.4 volts.
  • Make sure battery cables are solidly connected after recent engine maintenance.
  • Look for corrosion on the battery cables. It looks like fluffy green-white deposits, or even glassy.
  • Try jumping your car and see if that fixes the issue.

3. Call for roadside assistance.

  • When you’re still at a loss, it’s time to call an expert so you can get back on the road.
  • Wait for roadside assistance in a safe location. In extreme temperatures, take shelter inside your home or a nearby public building, like a gas station. If you leave your vehicle, lock it and put a note on your windshield with your phone number.
  • When the technician arrives, explain what you SEE and HEAR when you try to start your car to help him or her diagnose the problem faster.

If you have roadside assistance, you can call them using the phone number on the back of your insurance card. If you haven’t already, consider adding Roadside Assistance coverage to your car insurance policy to help cover the costs of unexpected roadside maintenance.

This article is for informational and suggestion purposes only. If the policy coverage descriptions in this article conflict with the language in the policy, the language in the policy apply. Shield Insurance Agency offers Roadside Assistance coverage in select markets that can be accessed during a roadside emergency through a Mobile app or a toll-free phone number. Talk to your local independent agent to learn more about Grange’s auto insurance and Roadside Assistance coverage.

Reference:
– Advanced Auto Parts

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New Year: Foresight in 2020

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They say, “Hindsight is 20/20.” 

As we approach the new year, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) is encouraging you to exercise “Foresight in 2020.”   

While it’s easy to look back on where and how we failed to protect our assets, it is exponentially more beneficial to look forward and try to predict where we can best insulate ourselves from insurance crime and theft. By studying where we are vulnerable, we can identify weaknesses and adapt improvements that protect us, our families, and our property. From small precautions, like making sure we don’t leave valuables in our vehicles, to more extensive protections, like installing home security systems, we can exercise foresight in 2020 and stop crime before it happens. Law enforcement agencies across the country now engage in the practice of intelligence-based policing.

This methodology uses past data to identify and predict the patterns and behavior of criminals. NICB and our members follow suit, by identifying known threats and patterns in order to properly educate our consumers. You too can be an advocate in this preemptive strike against crime. Educate yourself, take precautions, and be vigilant. By using foresight in 2020, we can win the battle against crime.  

The best deterrent continues to be vigilance.

If there is a vacant home or business in your area, and you see suspicious or unusual activity around the property, call your local law enforcement. If any vehicles are involved, jot down their descriptions and license plates. Also, note the clothing and physical appearance of any person(s). All of this is very helpful to investigators. 

NICB reminds consumers to make sure your vehicle is locked when unattended. Don’t leave spare keys or fobs inside. Take a moment and be sure to hide your valuables from view. Even an empty bag or extra change in view looks appealing to a thief from the outside. 

Do things to protect your home, by locking your doors and investing in a home security system.  

Anyone with information concerning insurance fraud or vehicle theft can report it anonymously by calling toll-free 800.TEL.NICB (800.835.6422) or submitting a form on our website.

About the National Insurance Crime Bureau:

Headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., the NICB is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization exclusively dedicated to preventing, detecting, and defeating insurance fraud and vehicle theft through data analytics, investigations, learning and development, government affairs, and public affairs. The NICB is supported by more than 1,300 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations. NICB member companies wrote over $496 billion in insurance premiums in 2018 or more than 81% of the nation’s property-casualty insurance. That includes more than 92% ($254 billion) of the nation’s personal auto insurance. To learn more visit www.nicb.org.

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Wood Burning Stove Family Safety

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

Wood Burning Stove Family Safety

Shield Insurance Blog | Wood Burning Stove | Home Insurance | Start A Quote Today!

We can replace your property, but we can’t replace you or your family.

Wood-burning stoves are great for ambiance and pocketbooks. There is also a greater risk of a home fire.

Use these handy reminders to stay on top of maintenance and safety items for wood-burning stoves.

  • Frequently check the unit and chimney flues.
  • Inspect the chimney from the roof, using a flashlight to look for obstructions or damage.
  • Check stovepipes for creosote build-up; have the chimney and stove professionally cleaned as needed.
  • Burn only seasoned wood, preferably at least 2 years old.
  • Keep children away from the stove to prevent burns or risk of clothing ignition.
  • Keep combustible materials away to avoid risk of ignition.
  • Maintain a multi-purpose fire extinguisher near the stove; check the date on the extinguisher and keep it up to date.
  • Check and maintain smoke detectors.

For more information on home insurance, contact our Shield Agents to see if you are on the right track for being insured.

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Thanksgiving Fires, Turkey Fryers and Safety

Posted on by Shield Insurance Agency

Thanksgiving Fires, Turkey Fryers and Safety

I am feverishly preparing for what I consider to be a rite of passage: I’m hosting Thanksgiving for the first time. While I love to cook and host my family from time to time, there’s something extra intimidating about preparing the quintessential meal of the year. How do I manage to prepare a turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and vegetables at the same time? In one oven? Without a Thanksgiving Fire!? At this point, I have a spreadsheet listing what I need to do on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and the baking times and temperatures broken down in chronological order. (Thank goodness my mom is bringing the pumpkin pie.)

While I was researching ways to prevent the turkey from drying out, I stumbled upon this fact. According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), Thanksgiving is the peak day for cooking-related home fires. Add another thing to worry about to the list.

It’s pretty clear to see why 69% of all home fires on Thanksgiving are cooking fires. People are stressed and busy, which can lead to carelessness and inattention in the kitchen. Let me join the chorus and reiterate the NFPA’s tips regarding cooking safety:

  • Make sure your stovetop is clear of anything that could catch fire, like oven mitts, towels, hot pads, wooden utensils and food packaging.
  • If you are frying, grilling, or broiling, stay in the kitchen. If you have to leave the kitchen, even for a short period of time, turn off the stove.
  • If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling, check on your food regularly and remain in your home. Use a timer help remind you that you are cooking.
  • Only cook when you are alert. If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove.

Then there’s the use of turkey fryers, which the NFPA actually discourages. So does Underwriters Laboratory (UL), which will not certify any turkey fryers with their UL Mark. This video explains why UL finds those appliances dangerous.

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