1/19/2012 - Four in 10 drivers have delayed car repairs   A new survey indicates that in an effort to save money, many Americans have put off having their vehicles serviced, even though doing so jeopardized their driving safety. The poll, conducted by Consumer Reports, indicated that 40% of respondents said they had postponed having their car checked out by a mechanic for repairs on such things as brakes, tires and headlights. Among these motorists, 44% admitted that doing this could...

Etler-Kettenacker Agency’s Disaster Preparation Paid Off Early morning January 10th, EK Agency’s disaster preparation was put to the test.  All week EK Agency had been servicing many of their clients with water burst claims due to last week’s sudden plunge to sub-zero temperatures when they faced the same crisis.  As seen in the photos the damage to the building that houses EK Agency was extensive from the rupture of sprinkler system pipes.  To see the full p...

Since today is tax day, it seemed as good a time as any to talk about spring cleaning. I mean, weve all filed those returns, March Madness is over, and the weather is gorgeous -- so theres no more excuses for not getting the cleaning done! We know how daunting spring cleaning can be, and were here to help! Heres a list of items that should be on everyones spring cleaning to-do: 1. Change the furnace filter: Just because youre not running the heat, doesnt mean you shouldnt change your f...

Flip phones, first-generation iPods, tube TVs -- what do these things have in common? Well, for one: theyre old. Obsolete as far as technology is concerned. And, two: you probably have one or more of these things just sitting around, collecting dust and taking up space. So, in the spirit of Earth Day -- and the spring cleaning checklist, of course -- today we are talking about what to do with your old electronic stuff. 1. Recycle You cant just throw old electronics away -- you have to...

Happy New Year! If one of your 2016 resolutions was to get your finances in order, youll want to bookmark our blog. All year long, well be talking about ways to save money and get on track. Today, we are looking at Emergency Funds. Why an Emergency Fund? Simply put, life is unpredictable. An emergency is a life-changing event you cannot plan -- like a hospitalization or job loss. Consider your absolute necessities – the things you can’t live without. If you depend ...

For many of us, paying our insurance premiums every month can feel like, well, a waste of money. If were lucky, we dont actually see our money being put to use -- because, the majority of the time, those worst-case catastrophes never happen. Heres the thing: insurance doesnt just protect you from worst-case, life-changing events, it also protects you from that annoying, ugh-why-is-it-happening-to-me-now stuff that can really put a damper on your monthly budget. Safeco coverage is added to...

It has been COLD around here lately -- and theres still lots more time before Mr. Groundhog makes any predictions about spring. In addition to being a nuisance, cold weather can also wreak havoc on your pipes, gutters, cars -- you name it! Here are 5 tips to help avoid any weather-related damage to your property this winter: 1. Check your attic Make sure there arent any leaks, which can lead to roof damage, ice dams and higher heating bills! While youre up there, insulate any areas...

We’ve all been there: you’re driving down the highway and a rock flies into your windshield, immediately cracking it. Or maybe you come out to your car after work to find a brand-new chip in your windshield. Windshield chips are unfortunately part of driving. Stuff happens! As drivers, we’re probably unsure of when we should seek professional repairs - and, more importantly, how much repairs will cost and what’s covered by our insurance. Small Repairs As a gen...