Frankenmuth Insurance Commercial Lines This week is part two of Etler-Kettenacker Agency’s two part feature on Frankenmuth Insurance.  This second part focuses on Frankenmuth Insurance Commercial Lines.  To see the first installment on Frankenmuth Insurance Personal Lines visit http://www.ekagency.com/frankenmuth/insurance.aspx.      For the full page on Frankenmuth Insurance Commercial Lines go to http://www.ekagency.com/frankenmuth_insurance/co...

Before you click “purchase” for that new coffee maker, consider this: statistics show that every dollar spent at a locally owned business generates roughly three times more economic activity than the same dollar spent at a national franchise. Additionally, the revenue from shopping locally boosts area employment, and the taxes support schools and emergency services. Furthermore, shopping locally can also save you time and money. Gas is expensive, and shipping and handling fee...

As your kids walk, bike, ride or even wait in line at the bus stop, its important to make sure they know proper etiquette and safety rules. Heres a quick recap of basic pedestrian safety: If your child is walking to school: 1. They should only use designated crosswalks, such as at traffic lights or marked school crossing spots. 2. Watch cars -- not lights. A green light does not mean it’s safe to walk — it means you should look for cars first, and only then begin cro...

Most of us probably remember the massive information breach at Target in late 2013. For many who shopped at the mega retailer between November and December 2013, the holidays werent so merry that year as their personal information was compromised. Its estimated that some 70 million records were stolen in the breach, which resulted in $40 million stolen from the company. As of January 2015 it spent $252 million in costs related to the data breach, which was partially offset by $90 million i...

Its Valentines season, and we are feeling the love. Any small business owner will tell you that the highest compliment they can receive is a customer referral. One of the top reasons to choose a small business over a larger one is the quality of customer service we can offer. For local businesses without the marketing budget of a big corporation, or the cache of a publicly traded company, referrals are the most effective way to attract new business. "Word of mouth" can make or break a ...

Tax season is upon us, and as you sit down to fill out your 2015 return, you may find yourself scrambling to track down all of those receipts, W2s and other important documents. Having an organized filing system is critical -- and easy! Here are 4 ways to stay organized, so you can have everything you need to maximize that return! 1. Toss the ATM receipts and paper statements Once your deposits have been made, youll be able to access your account information electronically. All...

If you’ve been at all connected with social media in the past few weeks, you’ve likely heard about the Pokémon Go craze. It’s everywhere -- and small businesses are joining in! Simply put, Pokémon Go is a game that uses your phone’s GPS and clock to detect where and when you are in the game and make Pokémon "appear" around you (on your phone screen) so you can go and catch them. As you move around, different and more types of Pokémon wi...

By now, we’ve all heard about the Pokémon Go craze; recently, headlines have shifted to the myriad accidents this cyber game is causing. From fender benders to falls, catching Pokémon has become quite dangerous! Whether you’re behind the wheel or your business’ counter, insurance can help protect you as you capture Pikachu. Homeowners/Renters Insurance This insurance protects your home while you’re away — so if there’s a break-in or fir...

School buses are awesome. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these yellow vehicles: keep roughly 17.3 million cars off the roads each morning, are far less likely to be involved in accidents, and are easily the safest mode of transportation for your kids. Moreover, todays school buses are designed to be safer than ever, and drivers are expected to undergo rigorous training and education to get your kids safely to and from school. ...

If you’ve ever joked about hiring a chauffeur to shuttle your kids to and from their various activities, you’re not alone! With back-to-school season upon us, many of us are in desperate need of a little help getting our kids around town. Between transporting your kids to and from school, extracurriculars, soccer practice, weekend football games, study sessions and playdates, your family minivan is probably feeling more like the family taxi. For working parents, the 9-5 sc...

Does your business need environmental insurance? Probably. Virtually every construction or commercial type of business has at least one environmental liability exposure. Conditions could include a discharge of pollutants brought to the work site, release of pre-existing pollutants at the site or other environmental issues. (By the way, a pollutant is legally defined as something that ends up where it doesn’t belong -- so it can be anything from chemicals to garbage to water.) He...

If youre a business owner, tax time is likely causing you quite a headache. Getting all your expenses/receipts in order, knowing what tax breaks you qualify for and what you can deduct... the list goes on. While were not accountants, we are insurance experts -- so we can help you out with one particular deduction. Namely: Can I deduct my business insurance? Yes. Yes you can. According to IRS.gov, business expenses are the cost of carrying on a trade or business. These expenses are ...

For most of us, its been a few years since Drivers Ed. Do you remember bus safety rules? This infographic breaks down when you should stop in relation to a bus on the road. You want to make sure youre following these guidelines, as theyre designed to keep the buss passengers safe! School buses are awesome. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), these yellow vehicles: keep roughly 17.3 million cars off the roads each morning, are far less likely...

There are lots of ways technology can be seen as a negative: smartphones are to blame for the recent increase in car accidents, robocalls flood our phone lines, consumers have to worry about online identity theft, the list goes on. However. Insurance is a very personal industry, and technology has complimented and enhanced tactics that agents have been using since the beginning of time insurance. Dont believe us? Here are 4 ways technology makes the insurance industry better - and how clien...

Is Your Private School Properly Protected? With today’s society becoming more and more litigious, you need to make sure you have the proper protection for your organization.  Private schools have unique risks that require special protection.  Good news for you, many insurance companies have revitalized their private school program.  This means better rates and more comprehensive coverage.  Key Coverages Your School Needs: ·      ...

“An independent agent is an insurance agent that sells insurance policies provided by several different insurance carriers, rather than just a single insurance company. The independent agent acts as a middleman to connect insurance buyers and sellers in order to facilitate a transaction. Independent agents are not considered employees of any specific insurance company."    I have found that many people dread talking about insurance or to anyone who works in insurance. This...