Life’s changes come with new goals and dreams. Whether you’re getting married, expecting a baby, or getting ready to downsize… big changes in life often come with new financial priorities, too. That’s why it helps to have an insurance agent who can help you understand what these changes mean for your insurance needs.

Wondering what to expect for your next adventure? Read through the list below to see if any of the following scenarios apply to you and your family.

1. YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED (OR DIVORCED)
Making sure your spouse-to-be is protected by the right life insurance, insuring a new home, putting both names on any auto policies, getting extra coverage for that sparkly engagement ring—there are lots of things worth discussing with your insurance agent before you walk down the aisle. On the flip side, there are things that will need changed if you’re going through a divorce.

2. YOU’RE HAVING A BABY
Congratulations! Whether it’s your first or your fifth, a new bundle of joy is a reason to check your life insurance coverage. This holds true whether you’re employed or are a stay-at-home parent.

3. YOU’RE MOVING
A new house or apartment will need new coverage. An insurance agent can tell you what you need in homeowners insurance or renters insurance.

4. YOU’RE ADDING ON TO YOUR HOUSE
A new addition often means you need a higher limit on your homeowners insurance.

5. YOU HAVE A CHILD HEADING TO COLLEGE
Your insurance agent can tell you what’s covered when your child is away from home. He or she can also tell you about life insurance for student loans if you’re a cosigner on a loan.

6. YOU’RE BUYING A NEW CAR
Like a new house or apartment, a new car means you’ll need to update your auto insurance policy.

7. YOU’RE STARTING A BUSINESS—EVEN IF IT’S A HOME-BASED BUSINESS
No matter where your business is located or how big it is, you’ll most likely need extra coverage to ensure everything has the proper protection.

8. YOU’RE ABOUT TO START A NEW JOB
If your new job comes with a new salary, you may need extra life insurance protection. You will also want to talk with your insurance agent about what kind of life insurance is offered through your job—in many instances, it isn’t enough to fully protect your loved ones in the event that the unthinkable happens.

9. YOU’RE SWITCHING MORTGAGE OR AUTO LENDERS
Claims payments can get confusing if your old lender is still listed on your policy. Learn why it’s important to tell your agent if you have a new lender.

Even if you don't fall into any of the scenarios mentioned, it's still a good idea to check in with your agent once a year. He or she can give your coverage a quick checkup to make sure everything’s still sized right for your life and what’s new in it. ... See more

Life’s changes come with new goals and dreams. Whether you’re getting married, expecting a baby, or getting ready to downsize… big changes in life often come with new financial priorities, too. That’s why it helps to have an insurance agent who can help you understand what these changes mean for your insurance needs.

Wondering what to expect for your next adventure? Read through the list below to see if any of the following scenarios apply to you and your family.

1. YOU’RE GETTING MARRIED (OR DIVORCED)
Making sure your spouse-to-be is protected by the right life insurance, insuring a new home, putting both names on any auto policies, getting extra coverage for that sparkly engagement ring—there are lots of things worth discussing with your insurance agent before you walk down the aisle. On the flip side, there are things that will need changed if you’re going through a divorce.

2. YOU’RE HAVING A BABY
Congratulations! Whether it’s your first or your fifth, a new bundle of joy is a reason to check your life insurance coverage. This holds true whether you’re employed or are a stay-at-home parent.

3. YOU’RE MOVING
A new house or apartment will need new coverage. An insurance agent can tell you what you need in homeowners insurance or renters insurance.

4. YOU’RE ADDING ON TO YOUR HOUSE
A new addition often means you need a higher limit on your homeowners insurance.

5. YOU HAVE A CHILD HEADING TO COLLEGE
Your insurance agent can tell you what’s covered when your child is away from home. He or she can also tell you about life insurance for student loans if you’re a cosigner on a loan.

6. YOU’RE BUYING A NEW CAR
Like a new house or apartment, a new car means you’ll need to update your auto insurance policy.

7. YOU’RE STARTING A BUSINESS—EVEN IF IT’S A HOME-BASED BUSINESS
No matter where your business is located or how big it is, you’ll most likely need extra coverage to ensure everything has the proper protection.

8. YOU’RE ABOUT TO START A NEW JOB
If your new job comes with a new salary, you may need extra life insurance protection. You will also want to talk with your insurance agent about what kind of life insurance is offered through your job—in many instances, it isn’t enough to fully protect your loved ones in the event that the unthinkable happens.

9. YOU’RE SWITCHING MORTGAGE OR AUTO LENDERS
Claims payments can get confusing if your old lender is still listed on your policy. Learn why it’s important to tell your agent if you have a new lender.

Even if you don't fall into any of the scenarios mentioned, it's still a good idea to check in with your agent once a year. He or she can give your coverage a quick checkup to make sure everything’s still sized right for your life and what’s new in it. ... See more

Happy Monday everyone! We are open until 5 PM today. The office will be closed on 12/24 and 12/25 as we celebrate the holiday with our families. We will be back to work on Thursday at 8:30 AM. We hope you have a safe and wonderful holiday. Merry Christmas!! ... See more

We got a new ride so we won’t be sneaking up on you anymore. Give us a honk when you see us and please no single finger salutes. 😂 #spiegelhoffinsurance #wegotyou #weeverywhere #jeepwrangler #jeeplife #insurance #insuranceagent #companyride ... See more

Have a commercial account coming up for renewal? We can write just about any business from apartments and short term rental properties to contractors and manufacturers. Give us a call at 262-248-9502 for all your commercial insurance needs! ... See more

Our 2019 turkey winner is Linda P.! Thanks to everyone that entered our drawing. Linda will go home with a nearly 23 pound turkey. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

Our 2019 turkey winner is Linda P.! Thanks to everyone that entered our drawing. Linda will go home with a nearly 23 pound turkey. Have a great Thanksgiving everyone!

Our customers are averaging about one deer hit a day this fall. Keep your eyes peeled for Bambi as this is the time of year you are most likely to hit a deer. Read on for a handful of deer truths and myths.

Watching deer in their natural habitat can be an enjoyable, peaceful experience. But encountering one on a roadway? That’s a different story.

If it’s happened to you… you’re not alone. More than 1.5 million drivers are involved in deer collisions each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, causing nearly $1 billion in vehicle damage.

We’ve already shared tips on how to avoid hitting a deer if one jumps in front of your car. But what about those common bits of folklore that everyone seems to have heard about deer collisions? Is there any truth to those?

Below are six common myths you may have heard… along with some facts to back them up.

Myth: Deer are more active at sunrise and sunset.Status: True. While deer can—and do—cross the road at all hours of the day, dusk and dawn are their peak hours of activity. Deer are “crepuscular” animals. That’s a fancy way of saying they move the most during twilight. So if you’re driving as the sun is rising or coming home from work at dusk… be especially careful.
Myth: You’re more likely to hit a deer in the fall. Status: True. Nearly half of all deer/vehicle collisions happen between October and December. Not coincidentally, deer mating season and peak hunting days also fall between these months. As deer are running from hunters or looking for a mate… odds are they’ll cross a road somewhere in between.

Myth: Deer whistles can prevent collisions.Status: False. Deer whistles attach to your vehicle and are said to emit a frequency that alerts deer of your presence and send them running away. Despite anecdotal evidence – we all probably know someone who swears by their deer whistle! – no credible study has proven them to be effective. One research study at the University of Georgia found that no matter how loud or high-pitched the whistle, the sound isn’t enough to alter the deer’s behavior. Tried-and-tested technology like crash avoidance features might give you more (or… less?) bang for your buck.
Myth: Hitting a deer isn’t that dangerous.Status: False. Nobody wants to face the repair costs of a deer collision. But in many instances, these crashes cause more than just inconvenience. In 2016, the IIHS recorded 189 deaths from collisions with animals. It’s important to note that the most serious injuries occur when a vehicle leaves the roadway—so know when to swerve, and when to stay in your lane.

Myth: More deer are present at “deer crossing” signs.Status: True. If you encounter a deer crossing sign, it’s there for a reason. Signs are installed in areas with high deer populations and a history of deer collisions. Additional factors that can lead to crashes, such as road conditions and visibility, also inform where deer crossing signs are placed. (And before anyone asks: The signs, of course, are for people to read… not the deer.)
Myth: If I hit a deer, I can take home the meat.Status: It depends. If you have a taste for venison, you may be tempted to make the best of an unfortunate situation by taking the unlucky animal home with you. In Wisconsin you need to get a tag from the DNR. ... See more

Thank you to the veterans, military families and current service members that sacrifice more than we will ever know so that we can enjoy a safe and free existence.

Winter arrived! Yeah! (sarcasm font) I heard through the grapevine that Alpine Valley is making snow! Yikes! Tonight the lows are going to approach single digits and since we didn't have a lot of time to prepare you may not have gotten your home ready for winter. Here are a couple of tips as we rush to get prepared. Make sure the water to your outside spigots are shut off. This is a common cause of breakage in the cold. Make sure your hoses are put away and stored inside.

If you turn your heat off because you head south for the winter or go on vacation your pipes will more than likely freeze. You need to keep your heat on at least a minimal level hovering around 60 degrees.

If you leave for the winter we strong encourage you to winterize your house or have a professional do it and still keep your heat on to protect it. You can also purchase a water leak and freeze detector for around $50 that works off WiFi and will notify you if there is any trouble via text/email. We like this one: https://www.getroost.com/sensors/

Using different methods of mitigation are way cheaper than dealing with a loss. It's also a lot easier than going through the hassle of having to fix your house.

#winter #freezingpipes #homeowners #insurance ... See more