Spring has sprung and so much has happened lately there's no doubt change is in the air.

Last week we had a full solar eclipse, a comet pass close to the earth and a crazy storm! 

I don't know if it was a named storm but she sure was angry as all get out - thunder and lightning, torrential rains, and tossing out tornadoes left and right.

What does this have to do with Insurance?

Everything!

If you haven't reviewed your insurance policies wouldn't now be a good time to do so?

Springtime brings people out of the house, gardening, landscaping, cleaning and otherwise beautifying their home and yard. After the wildfires of last year, please practice outdoor fire safety stay up to date on burn bans in the area.

Hurricane season is fast approaching. Are you prepared? Do you know what your homeowner policy does and does not cover? What about your automobile or flood policies? Are you familiar with Binding Restrictions and when/why they go in effect?

Along with longer days we have kids going to prom and school is ending soon so watch out for those young drivers! Especially those in Driver's Ed or newly licensed. AND beware of the folks using e-bikes for transportation.

Kids will be kids so pay close attention in neighborhoods and country roads where they may be driving a cart or operating/riding an ATV. Boats are out and about on our local waterways. Is yours properly insured?

Summer is right around the corner and with it vacation and travel plans. Is your RV, Motorhome or Camper properly insured? If you're taking a trip abroad, have you renewed your passport and/or purchased travel insurance?

Are you turning 65 this summer? Have you gotten your Medicare insurance in place? Don't call the number on a television ad and be careful to avoid the Medicare scams out there. Why not, shop local and contact our experienced, knowledgeable Medicare agent? 

Just a few reminders of what's important over the next few months.

Until next time, take care and get out and enjoy the beautiful weather as often as you can!

Tommy Curtis and Staff

• We here at Curtis Insurance would like to wish you and yours a Merry Christmas and a Blessed, Happy & Prosperous New Year!

We appreciate your business and look forward to serving your Auto, Recreational Vehicle. and Medicare insurance needs in 2024.
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Please Note: We will be closed December 25th and January 1st in honor of the holidays but will resume normal business hours (9-5) on Tuesday, December 26th and Tuesday January 2nd.

That their child is growing up fills parents with ​a mixture of pride and trepidation. True, having an extra driver in the home helps when it comes to extracurricular activities and quick trips to the grocery store, but the worry and fear of them on the road are real.

So, what are some things parents can do to prepare for their teen getting a driver's license?

​Spring is in full bloom and the days are getting longer. Kids are out running around and playing ball or throwing a frisbee in the yard. Perhaps roaming the neighborhood on their bicycle.
 
What they shouldn’t be doing is dragging the roads on a golf cart, 4-wheeler or any other ATV made for operation by a licensed driver!

And yet, we see this all the time.

Louisiana law states that all golf cart drivers must have a driver's license for safety purposes and that 4-wheelers and other ATV’s can be driven on the shoulders of all public roads and highways except interstate highways for the purposes of farm-related activities within a five-mile radius of your farm, provided that you possesses a valid Class “E” driver’s license.

According to a report dated Sept. 2022 by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), more than 3,000 have been killed as a result of ATV accidents between 1982 and 2015; 4 kids go to the ER every hour with injuries sustained in riding or driving an ATV. The Mayo Clinic states that children account for nearly one-third of all ATV injuries and one-quarter of ATV fatalities.

Another thing for parents to beware of is, if your child is riding his or her friends around on your ATV and that friend gets injured or killed, YOU may be held liable.

No one intentionally puts their or someone else’s child in danger. We teach them to be careful and obey the rules we put in place. But kids will be kids and they will test those boundaries. Therefore, if you’re going to disregard the law and take matters into your own hands with your child’s life, for goodness sakes, make them wear a helmet and other protective gear!

And be sure you have adequate life insurance on them in case the unthinkable happens.

Until next time, take care and remember one moment can change your entire life.

Tommy Curtis & Staff

​Disclaimers:
ALL material on this blog is available for informational purposes only.
 
Life and Medicare Products marketed through Curtis & Associates Financial Services, Inc.
{A Life and Health Agency}
 
Medicare has neither endorsed nor reviewed this information.
Not connected or affiliated with any United States Government or State agency.
Calling this number will direct you to a licensed Agent/Broker.
 
*By contacting us and providing information, you agree that an authorized representative or licensed insurance agent may contact you by phone, e-mail or mail to answer your questions and provide additional information about Medicare Advantage, Part D or Medicare Supplement Insurance plans.

Well, it's that time of year again.... Time to say goodbye to 2022 and hello to 2023!

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) ended on December 7th but OEP (Open enrollment period -which allows you a one-time change in your MA plan) opens January 1st through March 31st.

If you're turning 65 in Jan, February or March 2023 or getting Medicare due to disability and/or Medicare & Medicaid, and you haven't already set up your Medicare Insurance plan(s) contact our Licensed Medicare Agent today.

We will be closed on December 26th and January 2nd in observance of Christmas and New Year's but look forward to meeting your Auto, Recreational Vehicle and Medicare needs in 2023.

Until next time.... Take care and enjoy a Happy & Blessed Holiday Season!
Tommy Curtis and Staff


Disclaimers:
ALL material on this blog is available for informational purposes only.
 
Life and Medicare Products marketed through Curtis & Associates Financial Services, Inc.
​{A Life and Health Agency}
 
Medicare has neither endorsed nor reviewed this information.
Not connected or affiliated with any United States Government or State agency.
Calling this number will direct you to a licensed Agent/Broker.
 
*By contacting us and providing information, you agree that an authorized representative or licensed insurance agent may contact you by phone, e-mail or mail to answer your questions and provide additional information about Medicare Advantage, Part D or Medicare Supplement Insurance plans.

​Most of us grew up with spring cleaning…. that time of      the year in which you spent a whole weekend cleaning   walls, cabinets, drawers, etc. A weekend you’d have   much rather spent doing anything else. Now, with     Spring approaching, you may already be preparing your   summer toys for usage. Washing and waxing boats, RV’s   and Jet Skis will help protect and keep them in good   condition. Be sure and change the oil, plugs and any   filters too. This is important for pulling them out of storage and before putting them away for the winter.

If cleanliness is next to godliness, how often should you clean various household and outdoor items?

Many of us have a weekly or monthly routine where the most used and/or high traffic areas of our homes get cleaned on a regular basis. But what about those deep-cleaning things like cabinets, walls, mattresses, etc.?

Let’s take a look at the different items and levels of clean.

Some folks say jeans can be washed every other month or less by putting them in the freezer to kill germs, unless of course, something is spilled or splashed on them. Hmmmm, I don’t know so much about this one.

Towels, washcloths, dish rags…those get washed after one or two uses.

Shoes, boots, and other footwear need regular cleansing and/or polishing to maintain their look and performance.

Bedding is another story altogether. Some say weekly for sheets and quarterly for comforters and pillows. I say as often as you feel the need. Most of us go to bed clean so sheets can wait a couple of weeks. Once or twice a year is good for pillows and other bedding items –vacuum & refresh your mattress too–unless you or someone you sleep with has been ill then it’s always a good thing to wash and disinfect right away.

Computers, I-pads, phones, and other electronics should also be cleansed often, daily, or weekly at best.

Cabinets, walls, drawers, carpets, furniture, and closets deserve a deep clean at minimum once each year, but twice is better and remember, decluttering helps you stay calm and focused, especially if you incorporate Feng Shui into the process.

Oven, dishwasher, microwave, and vehicles can be on your monthly list or at the very least, quarterly.

These are standard household/personal items. But what about things you don’t see or even think about daily?

Dryer hose and vents, AC unit and vent covers, shower heads, stove vents & filters, windows, curtains and blinds, ceiling fans, light fixtures and lamp shades, baseboards, molding and woodwork, toasters, and other small appliances? How about on top of or behind your refrigerator and/or stove? Items such as these can be part of your annual or semi-annual cleaning sprees. Waxing your AC vents will help keep the dust from collecting on/in them between cleanings.

Cleansing and repairing your window screens on a regular basis will help keep the sun shining in all the time. While you’re at it, does that house and/or patio (furniture?) need a good pressure wash? What about that shop or garage?

For tips, tricks and checklists check out Pinterest.

Until next time, take care and remember preventative maintenance goes a long way in your vehicles or toys maintaining their value.

Oh and, while we’re talking about keeping things clean and routine maintenance, any time is a good time to review your insurance policies and be sure your recreational vehicles (boats, jet skis, camper/rv, etc.) are properly covered!
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Not sure? Give us a call 337-433-1683.
 
Tommy Curtis & Staff
 
 ©2016 Pamela S Thibodeaux
*previous printing Thrive Magazine 2016; Used with Permission

The National Hurricane Center is considering changing Hurricane Season from June 1 to May 15th.

You’ve got to be kidding me – Right!?!

Let’s face it, many of us haven’t fully recovered from 2020 hurricanes and now, as if we don’t have enough to fret about, the powers that be in the Weather Center want to add 2 more weeks of hurricane worry upon us.

In our first post of this year, we talked about ways to take control of your life, one of which was taking control of your health.

Today we’re going to share a few ideas on ways to manage stress.

According to The American Institute of Stress, over 100,000 people die each year due to stress related illnesses and injuries.

Why are we so stressed?
​
We’re so busy chasing things…career, new house, new car, new…bigger and better… half the time, many don’t even realize they are stressed until they’ve ended up in the doctor’s office or hospital with health problems related to their lifestyle. Add to this a global pandemic, two hurricanes and an ice storm and our friends and neighbors here in SW Louisiana are finding themselves with all sorts of stress-related symptoms. Headaches, stomach issues, insomnia, and depression are almost always connected to external circumstances.
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Here’s the rub: Stress is a mindset.

Think this isn’t true? Just check out these stress busters and you’ll see what I mean….