Americans celebrate Memorial Day in the spring and Veterans Day in the fall. While it can be easy to confuse the two holidays, Memorial Day is set aside to honor American’s war dead; Veterans Day is intended to honor the service of all U.S. veterans, both living and dead.
In fact, celebrations surrounding Veterans Day often place a special emphasis on thanking all living U.S. military veterans who have or are currently serving in any U.S. armed service. And it’s the perfect time for all Americans to show appreciation for their service.
The best way to thank a military U.S. veteran for his or her service depends on the individual and his or her needs. But the most important thing is to do something to show your gratitude.
Here are 10 ideas to get you thinking about how to be grateful for veterans on November 11.
Raise. Display the American flag in your yard to demonstrate your support of veterans everywhere.
Listen. Strike up a conversation with a disabled or homeless veteran and be an active listener as you hear about their experience.
Speak. Simply say, “Thank you” to veterans you see.
Reach out. Contact a disabled or homeless veteran whom you know and spend some quality time together.
Support. Send a donation to organizations that support the special needs of veterans.
Find. Trace your ancestry and identify how many veterans are in your family.
Write. Send a letter to someone who’s currently serving in the military.
Visit. Visit a disabled veteran in his or her home or a homeless veteran on the street.
Learn. Educate yourself on the challenges veterans face when retiring from service to rejoin civilian life.
Share. Use your social media to help celebrate Veteran’s Day and acknowledge the service of all veterans.
To learn more ways to honor a veteran on November 11, visit http://www.wallawalla.va.gov/Misc/Honor_Veteran.asp.
To all our American heroes, we at Sentinel Assurance Group thank you for your service to our country.
Did you know? Veteran’s Day is always celebrated on November 11, regardless of the day of the week. It’s also a federal holiday, so federal government employees take the day off on Monday if the 11th falls on a Sunday, and they take the day off on Friday if the 11th falls on a Saturday.
Contact Us!
At Sentinel Assurance Group, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 651.237.5180 or send us a note at info@mysentinels.com. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!
Insurance can be complicated. How do you know you’re making the right decision when it comes to protecting the most important things in your life? Find out how an Independent Insurance Agent is a simple solution to this!
We give you more choices and options
The beauty of working with an independent insurance agent is that we represent many different insurance carriers that offer a wide variety of coverages at varying price points. We do the work of shopping your quotes around with those different companies to determine which one is the best fit for the types of coverage you need with the best rates for that coverage. We shop, you save!
We are industry experts
Insurance is complicated, let’s be real! We are licensed and trained in industry verbiage and terminology and are equipped to be able to explain to you, in simple terms, which help you to make informed decisions. Why go to google and confuser yourself on the different kinds of insurance that are available, when we are just a phone call away?
We are your advocate
Since we work for YOU and not the insurance company, we are your advocate! We will assist with claims, billing or changes your coverage directly with the insurance company.
We are your neighbor
We are a small, local business that shares your passion for our community and famillies. We are woman-owned and have a pusle on the local community and its benefits and challenges. You won’t sit on hold in a quete, but can walk right into our quaint office in Rosemount.
We are a one-stop-shop
With the ability to write with so many different insurance companies, we are able to meet all of your insurance needs. Everything from Home, Auto, Life & Business coverages, we work with tons of companies that offer a variety of coverages.
We are your personal advisor
Insurance isn’t just about finding the cheapest prices. It’s about making sure that you aren’t suprised by unexpected expenses if a loss were to happen. Through working one-on-one with you, we listen to meet your specific, unique insurance needs. Â
We are your lifelong advisor
We love building life long relationships with our customers and often times, they become good friends. We know that life is ever-evolving and we work with you throughout those stsages. Everything from buying a home, getting married, growing your family, teen drivers and getting ready for that retirement home.
KEEPING THE HOME FRONT SAFE WHILE YOU’RE AWAY
Following these simple tips to make sure your home is as safe and inviting when you return fr
om vacation as when you left.
LEAVE INFORMATION ~ give a neighbor and/or the house and pet sitter the contact information for your service professionals and the name and number for your insurance agent. THat way, if anything goes wrong and you can’t be reached, they can contact the appropriate people.
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE ~ Keep your home from appearing deserted by using timers or smart bulbs. Set timers so your living room and bedroom lights turn on in the evening and go out later at night. Also, consider installing motion sensor lights above all entryways (front door, garage, back door, etc.).
CREATE A CHECKLIST ~ Plan ahead and create your own to-do list well before it’s time to pack up and leave. It’ll remind you to pull the plug on electronics, adjust thermostats and turn off the main water supply if you plan to be gone for an extended time.
BE SMART ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA ~ It may be tempting to share your exciting vacation plans or wow your friends and family back home with Instagram-worthy pics while you’re away. But recognize that you’re also broadcasting that you’re not home to potential malicious offenders. Save our social sharing for after you’ve returned.
Wherever your travel plans take you this summer we hope you found these safety tips helpful. Download a copy of our homefront checklist to help get you started. As always we’re available to answer any questions, call 651-237-5180 or email info@mysentinels.com
With winter behind us, this is the best time of year to update the outside of your home! These updates can include landscaping and hardscaping. Both will create an oasis, up the curb appeal, and increase the value of your home. This post will help you determine the difference and which items you need to let your insurance agent know about.
Landscaping is the soft, growing stuff like perennial flowers, shrubs, succulents, and trees. Softscape is living; hardscape is not. Hardscaping your yard can include outdoor dining, fireplaces, walkways, decorative stairs, decks, and even water elements. Adding a hardscape design to your yard using natural materials both increases property values and spaces in your home to be enjoyed during the seasons.
Hardscapes are considered “other structures”. Â They are usually pricier in cost and add significant value to your home, you definitely want your agent to know about them. Give us a call, we can walk you through it all! 651-237-5180
You’ve just been involved in an auto accident. The most important thing is your safety. If you are injured , please call for emergency help right away. Here are some additional steps to help you file a claim on your auto insurance:
Call for emergency assistance if needed.
Once all parties are safe it’s helpful to take pictures of the damage and exchange insurance and driver information.
Next call your agent whether you are at fault or not
Follow the directions your agent gives you to provide all documentation related to the accident and file your claim. You may need a police report.
Keep copies of all your documentation and bills related to the accident. Jot down detailed notes following conversations about the accident. You need to know who you spoke with and what they said, at what date and time, and how to contact the person.
Find out from your agent:
Time limitations for filing your claims and submitting bills.
Time limitations for resolving claim disputes.
When you can expect the insurance company to contact you.
Whether you need estimates for the damages.
Whether your policy covers a rental car while your car is being repaired and how much it covers.
Next we will cover the steps to take to file a claim on your homeowner’s insurance:
Report any crime to the police if its due to a burglary or a theft
Phone your insurance professional immediately
Have the insurance adjuster inspect the damage
Make any temporary repairs to prevent further damage to your home or items in it
Prepare a list of lost or damaged articles
If you need to relocate, save your receipts, some of those costs may be reimbursed
We hope this has helped you navigate the claims’ process and answered any of the questions you may have had. Â If we can be of further help, feel free to give us a call here at Sentinel Assurance at 651-237-5180.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the second most common homeowners’ insurance claim is water damage to houses.  Leaking pipes and appliances, and damage caused by storms and  freezing conditions cause millions of dollars’ worth of damage every year. If a pipe leaks or bursts while you are on vacations, water can destroy carpets and furniture and even compromise the structural integrity of your walls or foundation.  Before leaving your home for more than a few days, prep your house so you won’t come home to a big, expensive mess. Here are some steps to take before you head out of town.
Step 1:Â Check your home for leaks before you leave. Â Look at the pipes under all sinks, and check your water heater for cracks and rust. Â The seals around your windows must be in good condition, and check that there are no dislodged or damaged shingles on your roof. Â Re caulk seals and replace shingles if needed.
Step 2: Inspect the hoses that connect to major appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerator ice-makers. Â Make sure there are no kinks; replace any old or damaged hoses.
Step 3: Clear all the debris out of your rain gutters, and check the downspouts for any blockages. {Better off doing this in the Fall before the cold comes.}
Step 4: Examine your sump pump and check that it is in good condition and clear of debris by filling the sump pit and running the pump. Â Listen to the motor for strange sounds and watch that the water is going outside. Â Install a battery-powered backup source in case there is a power outage while you are gone.
Step 5: Insulate exposed pipes to keep them from freezing in the winter. Â Hardware stores sell foam rubber or fiberglass sleeves that fit right over the pipes. Â Protect outdoor spigots by removing any hoses and covering the spigots with bib protectors. Leave the heat on low while you are gone to also prevent freezing pipes. {Do you have a Nest thermostat? You can control temperature from a distance with that!}
Step 6: Ask someone to check your house periodically while you are gone. Â Show where the thermostat is to ensure the heat is always on in the winter. Â Show where the water main is located in case a pipe leaks or bursts. Â The water main shut-off valve is usually in a home’s basement, garage or outdoors near the foundation.
Step 7: Turn off the water at the main if there is no one to check your house. Drain the pipes to keep them from bursting in freezing weather by running the water and flushing the toilets after you shut off the water. Leave the cupboards under sinks open while you are gone to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.
We hope these tips make you feel more comfortable when traveling to your warm weather destinations this winter!
KEEPING THE HOME FRONT SAFE WHILE YOU’RE AWAY
Following these simple tips to make sure your home is as safe and inviting when you return fr
om vacation as when you left.
LEAVE INFORMATION ~ give a neighbor and/or the house and pet sitter the contact information for your service professionals and the name and number for your insurance agent. THat way, if anything goes wrong and you can’t be reached, they can contact the appropriate people.
LET YOUR LIGHT SHINE ~ Keep your home from appearing deserted by using timers or smart bulbs. Set timers so your living room and bedroom lights turn on in the evening and go out later at night. Also, consider installing motion sensor lights above all entryways (front door, garage, back door, etc.).
CREATE A CHECKLIST ~ Plan ahead and create your own to-do list well before it’s time to pack up and leave. It’ll remind you to pull the plug on electronics, adjust thermostats and turn off the main water supply if you plan to be gone for an extended time.
BE SMART ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA ~ It may be tempting to share your exciting vacation plans or wow your friends and family back home with Instagram-worthy pics while you’re away. But recognize that you’re also broadcasting that you’re not home to potential malicious offenders. Save our social sharing for after you’ve returned.
Wherever your travel plans take you this summer we hope you found these safety tips helpful. Download a copy of our 
