Winterizing your home is not the most fun part of a weekend project but very much needed. Take the time to protect your investment. Fall is a really good time to start thinking about your home maintenance as well as getting it ready for the colder weather. Maintain gutters and pipes. Make sure there are no leaves and other debris. Clean gutters will allow water to drain properly. If your gutters back up, they overflow, and when they overflow, that water runs down your home, s

#Hurricanseason is in full swing and produces heavy rains much of the time. The rain can significantly impact your safety on the road. What to do when you get caught in wet weather? Slow down. Whenever you are facing adverse weather conditions, slowing down will lower your risk of losing control, especially if water is particularly high. Whenever you drive through a puddle, tap brakes gently a few times to make sure they are still working properly. Turn on the lights. Rain w

The key to an enjoyable day at the lake is ensuring the safety of you and others on board. No matter how many trips on the water you have under your belt, it’s always a good choice to refresh your knowledge of boat safety. #1 Before leaving the marina: - Ensure that all lights are functioning - Check your fuel level and fill up if necessary - Check local weather (sea reports if you’re cruising on the ocean) - Have an emergency plan in place - Test radio and communication serv

After a few weeks of research and comparing different models, you have just made your decision to purchase a new car. Congratulations! Before you hit the road, remember to check one more item off your list: auto insurance. There are several coverage areas that are essential. However, we recommend you look over some additional coverage options as well. New vehicle replacement If you are the owner of the car that is totaled or stolen, you will be paid the full value of the car

There are not many things that feel better than spending time on the water during the summer. However, there is more to it than just having fun! When it comes to insuring your boat, it’s often best to separate your boat insurance from your homeowner's policy. Don't rely on your homeowner's insurance to cover damage to your boat. Many homeowner's policies can offer adequate coverage for smaller boats and motors, but they usually don't cover marine-specific risks, such as salva

Summer is almost here, and maybe you’re preparing to complete some work around your property. Homeowner or hobby farmer - which side of the fence are you on? Many who own smaller farms or ranches believe their homeowner's insurance provides all needed protection. In many instances, that is actually not the case! First thing’s first, you need to decide if you are a bonafide "farm" or a "hobby farm.” There is a growing number of hobby and small operation farms throughout the U

We certainly hope that you will never have to deal with damaged or destroyed property, especially your home. Unfortunately, it happens, and it may happen to you. Are you sure you have enough coverage? Think twice. These are two common situations and along with them two affordable options that will help put your mind at ease. Extended dwelling coverage Even though your current home might be insured for 100% of its replacement cost, this will most likely differ from the actual

Buying life insurance can truly be confusing, especially as there are so many available options to choose from. The most challenging is deciding how much and what type of insurance you need. Don’t worry, we have prepared a couple of tips for you! Tip#1: Choose an independent insurance agent Independent insurance agents provide you with a variety of different options, making it easier to find a product that fits your specific situation. They will help you find a policy that fi

Many people wonder how horses, cows, sheep, and other farm animals stay warm when it is really cold outside. Here are some additional steps farmers should follow during the winter months. Farm animals do a great job of staying warm with just a little help from their farmers, especially horses, cattle, and sheep which grow their own winter coats. However, if it gets windy, they need shelter. Farmers should feed their farm animals more than usual and strive to feed them in the

When you are a homeowner, protecting your family and your property is your top priority. Feeling safe is essential in your lifestyle. #FarmersMutualSC has prepared a couple of tips for you. Keep valuables hidden If your valuables are easily noticeable from the outside, it’s an additional encouragement for thieves to get inside. Rearrange your furnishings so that valuables are less visible from the door or street-side window. Make sure that your garage is always closed. Also,

Finding the right auto insurance coverage is essential. In addition to that, everyone wants to save money without forgoing quality coverage. Here are a couple of tips to keep in mind when it comes to purchasing auto insurance. Some of the basic factors that determine and can lower your car insurance expenses are: Kind of car- price, style, age, etc. Driver age Location, area- weather, traffic, etc. Type of coverage you want Deductible amount- higher deductible leads to a lowe

Many try to avoid the expense of life insurance. The truth is, if you have dependents and you are the primary provider for them or have a significant amount of debt that outweighs your assets, life insurance is a necessity. This question deserves consideration of your overall financial status as well as needs. You want to avoid being underinsured, but also not to buy extra- buying extra insurance can be a later option. It’s crucial to take a deep look at your larger financial

Are you excited for the wintertime? What spot inside your home do you enjoy the most while sipping tea or coffee, especially coming inside from the freezing cold weather outside? There is one thing we don’t get a ton of here in the south- snow. However, temperatures get unexpectedly low during the winter months. Don’t let the fact that you are in the South fool you. There are still steps needed to prepare your home for upcoming weather. The heating system comes first on the

We might not experience snow here in the south, but it definitely gets extremely cold- even below 32 degrees. With the cold weather heading this way, do you believe your vehicle is ready for a safe driver? Take a moment and look at the following tips we have prepared for you. Remember to keep your gas more than a half. If there is a lot of empty space in your gas tank, the moisture will start to build up which can eventually freeze causing significant damage. TIRES Wondering

Are you getting ready for the fall harvest? What crops are you planning to plant this season? Whatever you decide to do, there are certain safety reminders from Penn State that you should always keep in mind. Make sure your equipment is safe to use. Avoid using older equipment. If you use a tractor, always tend to use one equipped with ROPS (Roll Over Protection Structure) when possible. Double-check lighting as you might be forced to travel in the early mornings or at night.

Are you the one who just ignores thunderstorm warning? Do you feel like it won’t be the one who gets hurt or has property damage? Thunderstorms can come with severe weather conditions such as driving rain, damaging winds, and hail which can cause a catastrophe. Wonder how you can be thunderstorm ready? First things first, make sure you are listening to the weather forecast and pay attention to warnings and watches. You can sign up for some of the warning systems (NOAA, EAS,

The most recent studies showed that 36.6% of households are renting their homes. Additionally, there are more renters today than at any other time in the last 50 years. Are you among these 37%? If you answered “yes”, keep reading and find out the importance of renter’s insurance. A lot of people assume that their landlord’s insurance policy will cover their belongings- unfortunately, that generally is not the case! Landlord’s insurance covers the building, it will most likely

Hurricane season lasts approximately from June 1st until November 30th with its peak season from mid-August to late October. As Hurricane Isais has impacted the South Carolina coastline, it is now time to take steps to protect yourself and your family and prevent further consequences. You should keep in mind that this year it might be different to prepare for hurricanes during covid-19. You should know by now that hurricanes are not just a coastal problem. Always be up-to-dat

We know that you are busy and just do not have time to handle everything by yourself. Even if you are not a car-geek, there are some basic car maintenance that takes no more than 10 minutes and you can handle them. It will save you money and prevent future repair bills. Change your fluids, especially oil. You should change your oil every 3,000- 5,000 miles, depending on the quality of the oil. Once a year, change the cabin air filter. A clogged cabin air filter puts an added

When temperatures reach their peak throughout the summer months, it can be challenging to control electric bills. However, there is still hope and a way to save some money during the summer. Timing is crucial! Avoid running your washer, dryer, and dishwasher during the hottest time of the day as utility companies often raise gas and electricity rates. The best time is after 7 p.m. and before 11 a.m. Aim for Energy Star symbol! In case you are replacing your old washer or refr