Living with Tech

By Stephanie McLain, Claims Adjuster

Technology is evolving at an almost alarming rate while becoming pleasantly more affordable.

In 1984, the touch lamp was invented allowing its users to simply touch the light to power it on or dim it without the struggle of flipping or twisting a power switch.

In 1985, The Clapper hit the market as the most “modern” way to power on your electronics without the stress of standing.

The way my house is set up now thanks to my team of Sengled smart bulbs, the hub that controls them, and my Amazon echo; I can say things like, “Alexa, turn on the master bedroom lights,” and I am met with a chime and my lights coming on.

My favorite feature of all so far is that I can set an alarm with my lights. At whatever time I choose, my lights will gradually get brighter, waking me up naturally as opposed to the excessive amount of alarms I had set previously.

Embracing technology and the autonomous life is a gradual process, but starting with the lights is something to consider. Have you ever forgotten to turn the lights off? If you’re gone and you want to check, you just hop on the Alexa app and shut them off. These features work with other smart home devices too such as the Google Home. More control equals more security and more security equals better peace of mind. Who doesn’t want more of that?

Stephanie HeadshotAbout Stephanie

Tech enthusiast (not pro), photographer hobbyist, boy mom, animal lover, and Insurance Adjuster

When Stephanie isn’t at work she’s trying new things from food, tech, games, hair colors, etc. Stephanie and her husband of 2 years live with their 2 boys, 1 fostered cousin, 2 dogs, 1 snake, and 1 fostered bearded dragon. Her goals are to experience the best life has to offer. They like to explore as a family everything from the outdoors, new towns, new games, or even new concepts or ideas for the house.

No Endorsement:  The products identified above are examples of smart home technology.  The information in this article about products is for informational purposes only.  MAX Insurance has not purchased or tested and does not endorse, recommend, certify, or approve any product mentioned above.  We have no affiliation or relationship with any manufacturer or supplier of any product described in this article.  We make no representation or warranty with respect to any such product nor to its quality, reliability, or integrity.  We do not vouch for the truthfulness or accuracy of any information from any third-party about its product.  If you choose to purchase or use such product, it is at your own risk and you are responsible to use it in accordance with directions from its manufacturer or supplier.

MAX Mindfulness: Fundamental Attribution Errors – What?!!

by Dave Wine, President & CEO

I want to move a bit from mindfulness directly, and talk about an interesting human tendency (which does take mindfulness to acknowledge).   This is what is called the Fundamental Attribution Error.  Quite the label, but boiled down it simply refers to our tendency as humans to attribute the negative or frustrating behaviors of our friends, family and colleagues to their intentions and personalities while attributing our own negative or frustrating behaviors to environmental factors.  In other words, we give ourselves the benefit of the doubt and find ways to project our behavior onto other things.  But we tend to assume the worst about others and think their behavior is a major personal defect.

As an example, you might notice someone in a store yelling at their kids.  And you make a quick judgment that they are not a good parent.  And you go home and yell at your kids but say to yourself, “I’m at least doing it out of love and besides, they deserved it – the kids in the store weren’t doing anything that bad.”  Or someone makes a mistake and you think, “why can’t they ever get it right?”  Yet you make a mistake and it is due to there being so many things you are responsible for in this job/life- of course you are going to make a mistake.  I share this not to judge or condemn any of us,  but to invite each of us to recognize ways we might do this. I know I do it!  The sins of another are just ‘mistakes’ when I do them.

There is also the Reverse Fundamental Attribution Error when we assume the best about others and blame ourselves more than them for the same things.   And I’ve done this, too.  I’ve made my mistakes sins when I’ve just labeled them mistakes when others do them.   Neither of these approaches are helpful.  That’s where mindfulness comes in – to have the self-awareness and self-honesty to discover ways we are doing this and realize how alike we all are in most things and then have the grace to allow them and us to be affirmed and forgiven together for our humanness and imperfections.

Dave Wine David Wine

David is the President and CEO of the MAX enterprise, having served in that capacity since its formation in 2001.   He has forty plus years of  leadership experience in the business and faith-based worlds, being an ordained minister, having been elected to the highest position in his denomination,  and receiving numerous awards and recognition for his leadership in the insurance industry. He currently serves on numerous boards in the church and insurance sectors.  His hobbies include hiking, biking, skiing and snowshoeing as well as being an avid reader.  David and his wife, Sharon, have three daughters, a son, and six grandchildren.

Frozen Pipes

By Stephanie McLain, Claims Adjuster

Oh the weather outside is expensive. Hmm…I don’t think that’s how the song goes exactly. However, if you don’t take proper precautions, even if winter is your favorite season, it can quickly turn into a costly one. Your home is threaded with pipes. These pipes allow for modern living to function beautifully.

However, when cold weather comes to town, those pipes can get a little congested. Water expands as it freezes which can cause your pipes to burst and, depending on the location or severity of the freeze, can cause costly repairs to start piling up. Luckily, frozen pipes are fairly easy to prevent as long as you pay attention to the weather.

The Red Cross’s website provides these helpful tips on How to Prevent Frozen Pipes:

  • Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
  • Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
  • When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe – even at a trickle – helps prevent pipes from freezing.
  • Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
  • If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

If you’re going to travel, be sure to have someone check on the house. Even if you do set your thermostat to a reasonable temperature, there is always the chance that the power could go out. House sitting and peace of mind are more affordable than a flooded house or all new piping.

Helpful products to look into are smart thermostats. You can control these thermostats from your phone in the event you forgot to adjust the temperature, or if the weather takes a sudden shift while you’re out of town.

In the event you do have a loss, our team is here to help you restore wholeness and assist you in your time of need.

Source:  https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/winter-storm/frozen-pipes.html

Stephanie HeadshotAbout Stephanie

Tech enthusiast (not pro), photographer hobbyist, boy mom, animal lover, and Insurance Adjuster

When Stephanie isn’t at work she’s trying new things from food, tech, games, hair colors, etc. Stephanie and her husband of 2 years live with their 2 boys, 1 fostered cousin, 2 dogs, 1 snake, and 1 fostered bearded dragon. Her goals are to experience the best life has to offer. They like to explore as a family everything from the outdoors, new towns, new games, or even new concepts or ideas for the house.

ARK Insurance and MAX Insurance® Contribute to Fire Relief Foundation

(FINDLAY, OH) – Families who have lost their homes and items in a house fire find hope and support from the Fire Relief Foundation in Findlay, OH.  Thanks to a $2,500 grant from ARK Insurance and their partner MutualAid eXchange (“MAX”), the organization can now assist more people in their time of need.

Kathy Coppes heads ARK Insurance Services.  She reached out to MAX and its Mutual Aid Ministries Community Grant Program to help support the Fire Relief Foundation.  “This great organization stands beside families after their loss and offers household items, monetary assistance, and a shoulder to lean on until the families can get back on their feet,” Coppes said in her application for the grant.  “They function solely through the help of volunteers, many of whom have been fire victims themselves. Our agency has donated clothing, furniture and food in the past and we are pleased to partner with MAX Insurance® and its community grant program to make this gift possible.”

ARK Insurance Services is an independent insurance agency representing MAX Insurance® in Findlay and surrounding areas.  MAX Insurance®, based in Overland Park, KS, is a unique fair, faithful and socially responsible insurance enterprise.  Founded on religious principles, the company’s mission is to restore wholeness to communities and individuals in need.  It lives out its mission through a variety of quality, fairly-priced insurance products, outstanding personalized customer service and its non-profit Mutual Aid Ministries (“MAM”) program.

“MAX is more than an insurance company.  We truly care beyond the contract,” said David Wine, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “That’s why we are excited to partner with ARK Insurance Services to help families rebuild physically and emotionally after experiencing the devastation of a fire loss.”

For more information:
ARK Insurance Services
2135 Tiffin Ave.
Findlay, OH 45840
Email: kcoppes@arkinsservices.com
Phone: 419-425-4200
Web:  www.arkinsservices.com

MAX Insurance® and Mutual Aid Ministries, visit www.MAXInsurance.com.

##

New Year – New Home Inventory

By Stephanie McLain, Claims Adjuster

It’s human nature to think “That could never happen to me” and yet when disaster strikes, we want to be as prepared as possible — which is why we have insurance in the first place. However, many of us tend to overlook the vast amount of things we’ve accumulated over time. Have you packed to go on a trip and then started packing to return home and suddenly there is too much to fit in your suitcase? From souvenirs to dirty unfolded clothes, suddenly nothing fits quite like it did before.

Throughout the course of last year, your home, much like your suitcase, has probably obtained a few new items and lost a few older ones. Each year it’s important to inventory your belongings to see to it that you’re properly insured for the contents that are actually there. No one should ever have to experience being under-insured during a disaster, but on the other hand, you also should not be paying to be over-insured unnecessarily.

By walking through your house, documenting the items you have with a camera or a home inventory app like HomeZada, and reviewing your contents with your MAX agent, you can determine the best coverage for you and your home in the New Year.

About StephanieStephanie Headshot

Tech enthusiast (not pro), photographer hobbyist, boy mom, animal lover, and Insurance Adjuster

When Stephanie isn’t at work she’s trying new things from food, tech, games, hair colors, etc. Stephanie and her husband of 2 years live with their 2 boys, 1 fostered cousin, 2 dogs, 1 snake, and 1 fostered bearded dragon. Her goals are to experience the best life has to offer. They like to explore as a family everything from the outdoors, new towns, new games, or even new concepts or ideas for the house.