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

Spring is in the air and the days are getting longer, the weather milder. Along with that you’ll see children and adults outside more–playing ball, riding bikes and not always paying as close attention to their surroundings as they should.
 
Along many highways and byways, you see “Share the Road” signs encouraging us to watch out for cyclists. With the influx of E-bikes, I dare say we’ll see a lot more bicycles on the road, so it is our responsibility to watch out for them!
 
In this short post we’ll cover a few safety tips and how to insure your e-bike.
 
An e-bike is a bicycle that adds an electric motor for propulsion and "pedal-assist" E-bikes are the most common. For more information on the differences in E-bikes check out this article.
 
Simple but important bike safety rules are:
*Wear a helmet
*Adjust your bike to fit your body (handlebars, pedals, seat).
*Wear reflective clothing if you’re riding close to (or in the) dark.
*Obey traffic laws, especially those pertaining to bicycles. If you don’t know them, check with the LA Office of Motor Vehicles, State/City/Parish Police Departments or read this article and learn them.
 
Your or the life of someone you love may depend on it!
 
Insuring Your Bike:
 
Electric bike/ or e-bike insurance is a policy to protect you and your e-bike in the event of an accident or a covered loss such as theft, vandalism, or damage to the bike itself. This coverage varies by carrier and is based on the type of bike. Although certain aspects of your home or renters insurance may cover your bike, it is always smart to check with your agent or company before assuming everything is covered.
 
As one of the Lake area’s prominent carriers of Progressive Insurance, we now offer Electric/E-bike coverage. For more information give us a call at: 337-433-1683 or stop by our office during regular business hours (M-F 9-5).
 
Until next time take care, be safe and happy cycling!
Tommy Curtis and Staff

We are right in the middle of Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) where Medicare members can make a one-time change to their Medicare Advantage plan. Both Medicare AEP (Annual Enrollment Period) and OEP are fraught with television ads featuring celebrities--who, I'll bet my last dollar know absolutely nothing about Medicare--advising you to call some toll-free number and have your Medicare plan reviewed. 

Now, marketing companies have gotten creative showing men or women in scrubs or a lab coat urging you to do the same before March 31st when OEP ends.

Do NOT Make That Call!

These people are actors, not actual doctors, nurses or Medicare experts. They know absolutely nothing about Medicare nor are they familiar with Your Situation, or Your Provider Network in Your Parish.

If you are new to Medicare or unhappy with the Medicare Advantage plan you joined during AEP, please give Connie, our local, educated, trained, and seasoned, Medicare Agent a call at: 337-310-2253

Until next time, be aware of those who proport to know more about what you need in a Medicare plan when they are usually operating from whole other state!

Tommy Curtis and Staff
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​Today’s post will cover a little bit about a whole lot. Let’s begin with Medicare…
 
As licensed agents, we receive information from the Department of Insurance. The latest was urging Seniors to “be vigilant against Medicare Scams during open enrollment (AEP) which ends on December 7th.”
 
We can’t stress this enough. 

​The newsletter also warned against “high pressure” sales tactics.

It's cooling down here in SWLA and relief from 100 degrees is definitely welcome but don't be fooled. Cooler does not mean our drought is over.

We are still dangerously lacking in annual rainfall and the humidity is severely low for this time of year, making fires of any sort, a hazard. 

In fact, the burn ban is still in effect across the entire state except for Allen and Ascension parishes! Check out last month's post for more information.

One great thing about fall is the cooler temps will help us avoid hurricanes, although we still need to be aware and alert for Gulf storms. So, stay prepared!

Some folks are not a fan of colder temperatures and will be using their space heaters from here on through winter. Please be aware of safety measures when it comes to heating your home.

Many choose fall for their family vacations. If you're one of them, check out our travel tips and have a wonderful time!

Medicare AEP is open and it's time for Medicare recipients to review their coverage. If you are in need of a local Medicare agent, give us a call. Remember, you only have until December 7th to make changes to your Medicare insurance coverage. Don't put it off until the last minute and risk losing out on benefits that may be available to you!

With fall comes Halloween and then we barrel into the Holiday season. Remember, kids will be out and about more and more as the year comes to an end. Stay alert and practice safe driving and holiday safety.

As we move into the last quarter of 2023, we here at Curtis Insurance know and understand the value of kindness and gratitude and we'd like to take this time to Thank YOU ALL for your patronage. We appreciate your business and ask if you are happy with our services, please consider leaving a Google review.

Until next time take care and remember.... in life you receive what you give, multiplied, therefore give good things, loving thoughts, kind words and deeds.

Tommy Curtis and Staff

Back in 2018 we did a blog post on fire safety. At that time, we referred to indoor/house fires. We’ve been in a drought for months and under a burn ban for nearly as long, so today, let’s look at outdoor fire safety.
 
On August 14th, Gov. John Bell Edwards declared a state of emergency due to the impact of extreme heat and wildfires in Louisiana. The entire state is under a burn ban.
 
The four major wildfires in SW & Central Louisiana are still active and have burned nearly 50,000 acres combined.
 
For decades now, we’ve seen commercials with Smokey the Bear educating us on how to prevent forest fires. Seems those tips need to be uppermost in our minds until the fall rains appear and the drought is over.
 
So how can we do our part to prevent wildfires and help those fighting them?
 
*OBEY the burn ban! Even a “small” trash pile can become a raging fire with one tiny shift of wind. Do. Not. Start. One. PERIOD. According to officials those caught disregarding the burn ban will be fined or jailed or both.
 
*LISTEN to the news and remain vigilant of evacuation orders in your area should a fire erupt. Firefighters and law enforcement have enough to worry about in protecting homes. They do not need to be concerned with recovering bodies too. Homes can be replaced. Lives can’t.
 
*KEEP your own fire-fighting equipment on hand and up to date. Most of us have a fire extinguisher or two hanging around. Have them checked to be sure they are sufficient to use should the need arise. Water hoses and buckets of sand are quick and easy ways to put out a small fire. Once you extinguish the blaze, check often to be sure no embers or coals are still ignitable.
 
*BE CAREFUL while using gas-powered equipment such as tractors, lawn mowers, leaf blowers, edge trimmers, etc. Starting them can cause sparks. Hot mufflers can ignite dry grass. This goes for riding four-wheelers and other ATV’s in dried out fields.
 
*HAVE an evacuation plan and supplies ready. Just like leaving for a hurricane or another natural disaster, being prepared is your best option. Pack a couple of bags with clothing, personal items, medical and legal papers, nonperishable food, etc. and keep them in a place where you can grab them and go. Check out our previous tips for hurricane preparedness, moving and travelling for more ideas.
 
*BE CONSCIOUS of water conservation requests or requirements in your area. Watering lawns, filling swimming pools and the like are not smart when in a drought or during a fire emergency. Firefighting crews need all the help they can get to contain and control the flames.
 
*BE VIGILANT weather-wise. Although rain is much needed, lightning is one of the dangers of a storm system. Keep your eye on the sky and if you see lightning strike a tree or something, do what you can, but don’t try and be a hero. Call local authorities for back up.
 
Although the burn ban on grilling has been lifted in some areas do not leave your grill unattended and keep the fire-fighting equipment/items mentioned above handy.
 
I never thought I’d see fires like these burning up our state. Please be considerate, vigilant, and wise in everything you do to help ensure the safety of your family and neighbors.
 
Thank You,
Tommy Curtis and Staff

Although "Summer" isn't officially over until September 23rd (first day of Fall) here in SWLA and around the country many consider summer's end when school starts. That said, let's look at some things to stay aware of as we move into the end of 3rd and last quarter of 2023.

School is back in session in many states and communities so slow down and pay attention to your surroundings! Too many parents live the ultimate nightmare when their child is injured or killed while on his/her way to school or sports practice. Lots of teens get a license and/or new car which means more drivers on the road, many of them inexperienced.