Fuhriman Insurance Agency

How to organize your linen closet

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Although there are probably a number of closets in your house, the one that everyone seems to use is the linen closet.  While it can seem as if storing towels and sheet sets shouldn’t be that hard, it’s easy for this closet to become disorganized very quickly.  Fortunately, there are ways to get it under control and keep it from becoming a mess again.  Try these tips to get your linen closet organized again.

  1. Assign a place for everything.  Use sticky notes to label what is going to go on every shelf.  As you organize, you’l be able to refer back to these labels and stick to an organization plan.
  2. Keep kids’ items where the kids can reach them.  Even if this takes up more room, your closet will stay organized if your kids don’t have to jump to reach the towels and sheets that they need.
  3. Make bed “kits”  Matching sets of sheets should be folded together.  Not only will this make the closet neater, but it will also prevent family members from tearing apart the neatly folded stacks in search of a pillowcase or top sheet.  You may also want to consider doing the same for towel and washcloth sets.
  4. Place the “good” linens at the top of the closet.  This will prevent kids from grabbing the guest towels to dry off the dog after his bath.

As you’re cleaning out your linen closet, you’ll probably come across some things you forgot your had, and get rid of a lot of stuff.  That means that you’ll need to change your insurance policy.  Call the agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency to make sure that your homeowner’s or renter’s policy is up to date.

3 Apps to Keep Teens Safe While Driving

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One of the scariest situations a parent faces is making the decision to hand over the car keys to their teenager. The news stories about tragic car accidents that are caused by teenagers texting and driving or driving carelessly are downright frightening. Fortunately, there is a variety of cell phone apps available to help you monitor your teenagers driving.

DriveMode

DriveMode by AT&T is available for iPhones and the Android. When the app is activated, it automatically sends a text message to the sender that the person being sent a message is currently driving. The app also silences alerts for emails, texts and phone calls as well as blocks web browsing and all outgoing calls unless they are an emergency. The app allows you to input 911 and five additional phone numbers on an emergency list. The app must be activated each time your teenager drives, so you or your teen will need to turn it on and off during each trip.

Safe Driver

Safe Driver is a free app for iPhones that monitors your teenagers driving behaviors through the GPS and accelerometer installed in the phone. The app sends alerts and updates to you whenever your teenager is driving over the speed limit, accelerates too quickly and/or brakes too hard. The only problem with this app is that it may drain the battery quickly if the accelerometer and the GPS are continually used.

DriveScribe

DriveScribe is a free app available for Android and iPhone that monitors and alerts you in real time of any unsafe driving habits. Once the app is activated, it will use the phone’s speakers to let your teenager know they are exceeding the speed limit. Another benefit of this service is that you earn points with each trip you or your teenager makes. The points are earned for good driving habits and accumulated points can be used for gift cards through the DriveScribe website.

If you do a little research, you will find that there are a wide range of apps available that can give you a little piece of mind each time your teen gets behind the wheel. In order to ensure you are getting the most out of the apps, it is important that you talk with your teen and discuss the importance of them not disabling the apps. Be sure to talk with teens about the dangers of texting and driving, speeding and getting distracted by talking with passengers while they are driving.

Now that you have a teenage driver in the family, don’t forget to contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency to review your current auto insurance policy and add your teen driver if necessary.

Understanding What Constitutes a Great Used Family Car

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Tax season is a great time to purchase a great used family car. With extra money, you don’t have to worry about taking money from your savings to purchase a car. At Fuhriman Insurance, we want you to purchase the right car so that you don’t have to worry about ongoing repairs after your purchase. The following are three tips to help you purchase a great family car.

Tip #1. Choose a car that is safe.

There is more to a car than getting you from point A to point B. You want a car that is going to take you and your family where you need to go safely. Before you invest in your next car, you should consider how safe it is. Many manufacturers are going beyond industry standards to incorporate additional safety features, including additional airbags, adaptive cruise control, automatic tire pressure monitoring, and rollover prevention. You should choose a car that offers your family the best protections while you are on the road.

Tip #2. Ensure your new car has enough room.

It’s important that you purchase a car that’s comfortable for your family. If you have a family of four, then a sedan or an SUV is an easy option. For families that are still growing, you should consider the future. You can start by estimating how long you expect the car or SUV to last, and then determine whether you will need additional room in that time frame.

Tip #3. Choose a vehicle that is compatible to where you will drive.

Getting the most out of your vehicle is best for your entire family. The best way to do so is to consider where you drive most frequently. For instance, if you anticipate your family will travel to areas with unpaved roads, then it’s important that you purchase something rugged that will endure.

At Fuhriman Insurance Agency, we want you to be happy with your next car purchase. If you have questions about purchasing a car or getting auto insurance, do not hesitate to give us a call.

Save Money With These Spring Cleaning Tips

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When it comes to cleaning your home, you don’t need to go broke maintaining the appearance. In fact, there are several ways you can actually save money. At Fuhriman Insurance Agency, we all conduct our own spring cleaning back at the house, so we know how important it is to find the best ways to clean a home at the lowest price possible. Whether you live in Boise, ID or somewhere else, you can use these tips just about anywhere. 

Make Your Own Cleaner

Why purchase cleaning supplies when, chances are, you have what you need already. Vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice really is all you need for most cases. Pick up a spray bottle for easy application, but outside of this, you’re good to go. Have stains in the bathtub? Sprinkle baking soda around the tub then spray it with the vinegar. It will foam up, soften up the dirt and you can easily wash it away. You can also combine 2/3 part vinegar and 1/3 part lemon juice to bring in that nice lemon scent. 

Ditch the Paper Towel

Paper towel consumption can quickly increase your cleaning bill. When you look at how much paper towel you go through while cleaning your home up and down, it really adds up. Instead, go with a reusable item. Microfiber cloths are great for washing surfaces around the house and a squeegee with a rubber tip is perfect for washing windows. Whatever you need, you can clean your home rather effectively without spending an arm and a leg on disposable paper. 

Wash Everything At Once

Don’t to a bunch of smaller loads in the washing machine. It is easy to just go room by room, but instead of washing just the curtains, add in the shower curtain and washer-safe rugs as well. It will reduce your energy consumption and save you on utility bills. 

What You Can Do To Prepare Your Home For Disasters

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There is a lot that you can do in order to prepare your home for disasters. The best approach is to go room by room to see if you have the necessary supplies. Some you may simply need to gather, while others you may need to purchase.

Kitchen

The kitchen is probably one of the most important rooms because that is where you keep all of your food, and where most of your family likely gravitates. Some of the most important things to have here include:

  • Smoke detector
  • Food for 3-5 days
  • First Aid kit
  • Fire extinguisher

Bedrooms

All of the bedrooms need to be prepared for disaster as well. You want to make sure to have:

  • Emergency lighting
  • Shoes near the bed
  • Emergency escape ladders for bedrooms not on base floor
  • Extra blankets

Closets

In all of the closets, and you want to have backup batteries as well as battery-operated lanterns or flashlights. In one main closet, you should also have a 72 hour kit in the event of an evacuation so that you can keep your family dressed, fed, and warm.

Front Entry

Your front entry should always be well lit and there should be a strong deadbolt and lock on the door. This can help to minimize burglary and break-ins.

In Every Room

Every room of the house should have some kind of emergency lighting nearby. It’s also a good idea to have smoke alarms near all of the rooms as well.

On Every Floor

Every floor needs to have a fire extinguisher.

Pick up the phone and call one of the independent insurance agents at Fuhriman Insurance Agency today where we can talk to you about coverage options and more in Boise. An affordable policy may be a phone call away.

 

 

Ways To Improve Your Rental

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As a renter, there are not many things that you can do to improve a property. This is simply because you do not own it and cannot make any permanent changes without approval from your landlord. There are a few ways you can make improvements to the property without making permanent changes. These improvements can make the home reflect your personality more while you live there. Follow these tips to make your rental more appealing!

  • Add a mirror to a room that may feel small. Adding a large mirror in a corner of a room can really open up the space. This will need to be a mirror that you can stand up on the floor so you do not make any actual changes to the rental. 
  • Use a colorful rug to hide ugly flooring. Sometimes in rentals, you do not get brand new carpet or flooring before moving in. If you do not like the look of the flooring, cover it up with a rug of your choice.
  • Add some plants to bring life to the property. It is amazing what a few plants can do to the look and feel of a room. If you want some more life in a room, add some plants, even if they are fake.
  • Consider painting a wall or two. You will want to check with your lease but if you can paint the walls, as long as you repaint them the generic color upon move-out, do it! You may want to consider just painting an accent wall for a few rooms.

If you are renting a property, you should be insured. If you do not currently have rental insurance, contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency serving Boise, ID, to get a quote for a policy that fits your needs.

Bicycle Safety Tips For Motorists

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Bicyclists face serious risks on the Gem State’s roads. They can easily suffer life-threatening injuries when traffic accidents occur. Boise motorists help to prevent such disasters when they follow these tips:

1. Always slow down if bicycles are present. A rider may unexpectedly enter your lane to avoid another vehicle’s door, a patch of sand or broken glass in the shoulder. Exercise patience; don’t insist on passing a bike when there isn’t enough room.

2. Don’t honk your horn to say hello to a familiar bicyclist, warn riders of your presence or urge them to move over. This can startle or distract cyclists just long enough to trigger harmful mistakes.

3. Keep in mind that Idaho stop sign laws allow riders to slow down and yield rather than completely halting their bikes. Bicyclists must stop for red lights but aren’t required to wait until they change color.

4. Remain alert when you travel through residential neighborhoods. Young children on bikes might not use enough caution when they enter the street. Kids don’t always understand the consequences of risky behavior.

5. Never travel with an unrestrained dog in a truck bed or a car with open windows. Some canines will jump from vehicles to attack cyclists. If you’re near a road, always use a leash when leading a dog from your car to a building.

6. Leave at least three feet between your vehicle’s mirror and a bike’s handle bar when passing. Increase the distance if you’re driving quickly or passing a child on a bicycle.

It’s also crucial to carry sufficient auto insurance. Fuhriman Insurance Agency has served Boise motorists for over five decades. Call us today to get a no-obligation quote or do so on our website, too.
 

Safe Riding in Boise: Motorcycle Deer Season Tips

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Boise, Idaho has a large amount of wildlife in it’s untamed surrounding Rocky Mountain environs, so motorcycle riders must learn to always be on-guard when they are out on the road. Animals can unexpectedly dart out into the road which could cause an accident at any time, resulting in damage and minor injury at the very least, if not much worse. While this is a problem year-round, deer season is an especially dangerous time, as deer tend to be more prevalent than any other time of year. Hitting one on a motorcycle is dangerous, so there are a few things that motorcyclists should concentrate on when riding in Boise, Idaho during deer season.

First, don’t go way over the speed limit, even if you know the roads. This is because you may have to suddenly slam on the brakes if a deer runs out in front of your bike and excessive speed may not allow you to stop in time. Second, always wear a helmet. While this is state law anyway, many riders don’t wear helmets, endangering themselves in general but even more so when they have to stop when avoiding hitting a deer. Third, make sure you have a good insurance policy during deer season that will cover both you and your bike in the event you hit a deer. The Fuhriman Insurance Agency will cover you and your motorcycle on this front, as they serve the greater Boise, Idaho area. And last, make sure you know the warning signs when there are more deer that may cross the road. As deer travel in groups, watch out for others following close behind who might dart out in front of you. Just because you avoided one, doesn’t mean there aren’t more crossing nearby.

Why Motorcycles Are Stolen

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Having a motorcycle is more than a means of transportation. It is a way of life. So, if your motorcycle is stolen, it is a punch in the stomach. That is why you need to understand why motorcycles are stolen and what you can do to prevent this from happening. If your bike is stolen in Boise, less than a third of motorcycles are recovered. This is because most are moved out of state or sent to chop shops. At Fuhriman Insurance Agency, we are also motorcycle owners and want to make sure you never have to deal with this kind of a situation. Of course, our motorcycle insurance can protect you, but it is always best to skip out on this issue all together. 

Easily Hidden

When parking your motorcycle, you might first think to hide simply it away. The problem with this is if someone sees the motorcycle and wants to steal it, nobody is going to see them taking it. It can be easy money when stolen. That is why you need to park the bike close to a point of entrance and by security cameras. 

Not Locked Down

Most motorcycles are not locked down. It might not seem to be the coolest thing to do, but if a bike isn’t locked down through the wheel, a skilled thief knows how to bypass the steering lock and, more or less, roll the bike out and take it. That is why you need to lock the wheel down whenever you park the bike. It makes it less of a target and harder to steal. 

Easy Money

The main reason motorcycles are taken is because it is easy money. A bike can be chopped and sold for thousands of dollars. So, protect your bike to avoid this kind of issue. 

Is It Wise to Use an Independent Insurance Agent?

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If a person is shopping for insurance, it’s imperative to take into consideration the many avenues that can be traveled down. For one, the person can go through an agent that specializes in only one brand of insurance, and while this can be advantageous for various reasons, an independent agent almost always proves to be of more value. Mostly because this type of agent has the ability to shop through different brands of insurance, meaning your insurance needs can be met not only quickly but in a more affordable manner, as well. Here’s a look at two reasons it’s smart to use an independent insurance agent. 

Better assistance when making a claim

Have you ever went to make a claim with your insurance agency only to realize that the process is completely time-consuming? Probably so. With an independent agent, though, you can make a claim with the agent you have been working with, and it’s because of this that he will likely already know the specifics of your policy. By knowing the specifics, this allows him to make the claim right the first time around; this will speed up the time that it takes for you to receive compensation that is owed to you. 

Always on the search for better policies

Independent agents also help you stay ahead of the game by recommending policies that can better meet your needs. Since the agent is tied down to a specific company, this allows him to continually shop for policies that are more affordable and of better quality. 

To learn more about the benefits of going through an independent agent, contact Fuhriman Insurance Agency today.