We are approaching our nation's birthday, July 4th, and we hope everyone has a great day of celebration with friends and family. In 2020 over 5,800 people went to the emergency room as a result of fireworks-related injuries. There were an estimated 13,750 reported fires started by fireworks. These fires resulted in an estimated eight reported deaths, and $40 million in direct property damage. This is why it is a good idea to have a free home insurance review and quote, call us today!

Homeowner's Insurance
If you over-celebrate and do have a loss or damage, please call our office. It is very likely that the claim would be covered under your homeowner's insurance policy.

General 4th of July safety
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Be a safe swimmer. Water sports and fireworks are two of the biggest pastimes for the Fourth of July celebrations, and these are both linked to numerous deaths and injuries each year. Never swim alone, and make sure that kids' water play is adequately supervised at all times.

Be a safe boater. Never consume alcohol while driving a boat. Set water safety rules for your family and passengers.

Use alcohol responsibly. Alcohol and fireworks can be a hazardous and dangerous combination.

Use sunscreen. At the start of summer, skin is especially tender, so use a high SPF.

Keep alert for local weather conditions. Check to see if any warning signs or flags are posted.

Remember your pet. They are not used to all the fireworks, so keep them inside.

Grill safely. Before you use your grill, make sure all hoses are secure and leak-free. Never grill inside. Keep grill away for al structures.

Fireworks Safety

• Never try to make your own fireworks.
• Light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from the house, dry leaves, and flammable materials.
• Only use legal store-bought fireworks.
• Don't point sparklers or fireworks at yourself or others.
• Make sure spectators are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Always keep matches and lighter fluid far away from fireworks.
• Read labels and carefully follow directions.
• Only light fireworks on the ground and in areas that are dry and fire-resistant.
• Don't attempt to light multiple devices at the same time.
• Never allow young children to handle fireworks or sparklers.
• Teach children to "stop, drop, and roll" if their clothes catch fire.
• Always keep a portable fire extinguisher close by. Also, keep a water hose or buckets of water nearby to put out fires.

 
 

An Insurance Update
Most people have some gaps in their personal insurance coverage. We do our best to help our clients understand where these are and provide solutions so that these gaps don’t exist. Having an independent agent help, you find the right kind of personal insurance for you can go a long way in providing you with peace of mind.
Personal insurance is complex, and we are here to help you understand the complex, so you have made an informed and educated decision.

What are Insurance gaps?
Insurance gaps can be areas where you thought there was coverage, but in reality, there is not. It may be that the coverage is not available or is too expensive or you just did not know about it. Gaps can occur if you have more than one agent handling your personal insurance. Between your home, auto, RV or personal umbrella there might be times when one agent thought the other was taking care of the issue. Insurance gaps can include:
•    Flood insurance
•    Identity theft
•    Earthquake
•    Sewer back-up
•    Auto insurance limit issues
•    Your home is undervalued
•    Lack of a personal umbrella
•    Limited coverage for other drivers on your auto policy.
 
These are just a few of the personal insurance issues that can create real problems for you. Call our office for a free review.  Strive Insurance Group, Inc. is a full-service independent insurance agency that has been serving insurance customers since 1984 (formerly Gordon Lund Insurance). Don't worry, nothing has changed, but our name. We are licensed in Texas, California and Missouri. 

We represent, and have established a strategic alliance, with only the highest quality insurance carriers. In doing so, we can provide you with the service and protection to meet your dynamic needs. As your needs change, we can review and collaborate to decide which insurance company or companies are best suited to your situation.
 
 

There are several common mistakes some people make when it comes to purchasing commercial insurance. Insurance is the product you buy in case the unexpected happens. Unfortunately, by the time you need it, it's too late to make sure you have the right type and amount of insurance coverage. Make sure you don't make the following mistakes while buying insurance.

Mistake One
Having two agents is better because they keep each other competitive
Having two agents duplicates effort and can create coverage gaps. For example, there is certain coverage that can be included under a liability policy and auto policy. One agent is better able to manage your entire insurance program.

Mistake Two
The lower the premium, the better
Premiums are determined by a combination of exposures and coverage. If you get a lower premium, you may be missing the needed coverage. For example, does the lower premium include replacement cost coverage on buildings and equipment?

Mistake Three
Buying from a national company is always better.
Don't listen to the entertaining advertising on TV. Most national agents only represent one insurance company. They can't shop your account to determine the best combination of price and coverage.

Mistake Four
The internet is a great place to get good insurance deals
Low-cost internet insurance usually allows you to select the coverage and limits you want. But in most cases, you end up with a limited and inadequate program. You find this out after you have an uninsured claim.

Mistake Five
Umbrella insurance is only high net worth companies or individuals
A small electrical contractor was at fault for the total loss of a historic property, a loss that exceeded his general liability policy. The contractor's umbrella paid the loss in excess of $7,000,000. Umbrella or excess coverage is some of the least costly insurance you can buy. Don't risk a lost for a little expense.

Mistake Six
I don't need employment liability insurance, I only have five employees, and they are like family.
This is the fastest-growing area of litigation for small businesses. The average claim cost in 2020 was $75,000.

Mistake Seven
Not knowing your policy
Consumers' biggest mistake is not knowing what's in the fine print of their policies. Take time to read the policy. Ask your agent to meet with you at least annually to review your coverage. 

Mistake Eight
Flood insurance is only for business in high-risk areas
Big mistake; we recommend you ask for a flood quote to at least review the cost-benefit of the coverage.

Mistake Nine
I don't need disability insurance because I can get Social Security
Don't count on Social Security to take care of all your needs if you become disabled. The cost is not as much as you may think.
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Mistake Ten
There isn't anything I can do to manage my insurance costs except shop price.
There are many things you can do to reduce your premiums; here are a few:

• Consider increasing your deductibles
• Consider the vehicle model when making a purchase. Some are more expensive to insure
• Add smoke and security alarms to your office