Wyoming Department of Insurance

Are you prepared?

Winter is here: Are you ready? Winter can be a fun time of the year to enjoy skiing, sledding, holiday events, hunting and ice fishing. However, it can also mean cars sliding off the road, painful slip and fall issues, and frozen pipes or chimney fires. To help make your winter picture perfect here are a few precautions to take this season: Winter proof your car with emergency road supplies, good tires, new wiper blades and antifreeze. Emergency road supplies could include blankets, matches, candles, non-perishable food and water. You should also have a flashlight gloves, hats, coats and boots. Do not overload circuits with holiday decorations. Check all extension cords and tree light cords for wear. Keep a fire extinguisher handy in your home, check the expiration date and know how to use it. Be sure to watch your pets around holiday plants. Many plants can be poisonous for pets such as poinsettia, holly, mistletoe and Christmas cactus. Also many pets like to knock ornaments off the tree and used it as a toy. Some of your ornaments could be a choking hazard. Keep them out of your pets reach. Keep your veterinarian’s number handy, a great place to post it is on the fridge, or save the number in your phone. If you are traveling during the holiday, have a friend or family member check on your home. Set indoor and outdoor lights on timers and lock all doors and windows. Don’t post on social media that you will be gone for the holiday as unscrupulous people may consider that an invitation to break into your home. Winter storms can hit hard and fast. Be smart. When temperatures are expected to be low, keep your exterior room doors open so warm air can circulate around pipes, particularly in the bathrooms and kitchen. If temperatures are expected to be extremely low, turn your faucets on with a slow drip or turn on a portable indoor heater in the room to keep it warm. In Wyoming it is not unusual for a hard storm to knock out power. Do not leave candles or fires during unattended. If you use a portable generator, follow the instructions and do no use it indoors. Also, if travel is not encouraged, don’t do it. Roads are closed frequently in Wyoming so check road conditions before heading out. All of those new gifts under the tree (or in the garage) may need to be added to your inventory list or perhaps you will need a special insurance rider. Be sure to discuss it with your insurance agent. If the need for a claim during this time should arise, be sure to reach out to your insurance agent as soon as possible. The holidays and winter can be stressful enough. You will be more relaxed when you know your property is sufficiently covered. Now get out and enjoy wonderful Wyoming’s winter wonderland.

Three Tips to Avoid Common Pitfalls During Medicare and Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Check out the NAIC article on pitfalls to avoid during Medicare open enrollment. The NAIC has a lot of great resources available to the public. https://lnkd.in/d7h5ZsJA

Do you need help understanding Medicare? Here is a guide from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. https://lnkd.in/gBmFiX59

Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15, 2024

September is Life Insurance month. Do you have adequate life insurance coverage?