Agents receive Farm Certification

Jim Runnebaum, Bryan Schmitz, Brenda Niehues and Tim Aberle of SBS Insurance are now Farm Certified Agents.

What is a Farm Certified Agency?

- Professional designation that helps farmers recognize insurance agents who have made a commitment to protecting agriculture.

- A training program that means farmers can depend on a Farm Certified agent to conduct farm risk assessments, educate them about potential exposures and provide professional, highly personalized service.

Nancy Daeschner and Mindy Sudbeck will receive this certification within the 2010 year.

Please stop by any of our agencies to talk with a Farm Certified Agent.

Happy Thanksgiving!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and give thanks to all that God has provided to us, ranging from the relationships we have with family and friends, to the employment and material goods we are blessed with. Thanksgiving also ends up usually being a time of eating way too much food and packing on a few extra pounds! (can we say a precursor to a New Year’s resolution!!)

We are sure that you all have much to be thankful for this year and have some great Thanksgiving memories/traditions. We have shared some of ours below.

I AM MOST THANKFUL FOR,….

“my family and just as important, real friends who are always there and accept us as we are and I thank God for both.” - Ruth Kellenberger

“my beautiful, healthy, loving family and being employed. “ – Andrea Groth

“for my family and friends. I feel very blessed everyday to have them in my life.” – Mindy Sudbeck

“the family and friends that we will be spending Thanksgiving with. After a recent death in the family it makes you realize how valuable the time we have together really is.” – Bryan Schmitz

“all of the blessings we enjoy in this great country.” – Cynthia Strahm

MY FAVORITE THANKSGIVING TRADITION/MEMORY,….

“is watching football, especially if it is a game good enough to keep me from dozing off from all the turkey I just ate!” – Andrea Groth

“is fighting with the nieces and nephews to see who has to do the dinner dishes after lunch.” – Bryan Schmitz

“was getting out the Christmas tree [Thanksgiving] evening and having the grandkids decorate the tree,…even when all the decorations ended up on one side.” – Ruth Kellenberger

“is playing board & card games from after lunch to the early hours of the next day.” – Tim Aberle

“is seeing my extended family that I don’t see very often. The food isn’t bad either!” – Mindy Sudbeck

From all of us at SBS Insurance, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

WINTER ARRIVES WITH A BANG!
After nearly perfect fall weather, winter arrived with all its pride and glory Monday. Snow can present some very challenging driving conditions for even the most seasoned driver, but by following some simple steps and using a good amount of common sense, you can decrease your chances of ending up in the ditch or in an accident.

Kansas Department of Transportation has provided the following news release regarding Winter travel.

Know Before You Go During Winter Travel Season

Know before you go. It’s advice that could save your life during the winter driving season in Kansas.

The Kansas Highway Patrol and the Kansas Department of Transportation offer the following suggestions for your safe winter travel. First, prepare your vehicle. Extreme temperatures can be hard on vehicles. Check the fluids, ensuring that the radiator is winterized, that the gas tank is over half-full, and that there is plenty of windshield washing fluid. Check belts, hoses and brake systems for excessive wear. Have the exhaust system checked; small leaks can allow carbon monoxide to enter the passenger compartment. Check tire treads for adequate traction, and replace windshield wiper blades if they are ineffective.
Keep a survival kit that includes at least the following:
- An ice scraper and shovel
- Non-perishable food
- Jumper cables and flashlight
- A first aid kit
- Matches and candles or flares
- A towrope or chain
- Sand or kitty litter for traction
- Extra clothing or blankets
Before you travel find out the latest weather-related road conditions by going to the KDOT web site at www.kanroad.org and clicking on “Road Conditions.” A statewide map will be displayed showing weather-related information on primary routes in the state. Below the state map you can click on links that will take you to regional map information. These maps show more routes, including all Kansas, U.S. and Interstate designated routes in the region. You may also obtain the latest information by calling KDOT’s toll-free Road Condition Hot Line at 1-800-585-ROAD (7623).

Once you’re on the road, be sure to allow extra time for delays and slower traffic speeds. Buckle up and properly secure children in safety seats. Increase the distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead of you because inclement weather significantly increases your stopping distance.

Accelerate and brake gently when driving. A light foot on the gas is less likely to make wheels spin on ice and snow. Braking is best accomplished by pumping the pedal, unless your vehicle has an anti-lock braking system (ABS). If it has ABS, it is very important that you understand how to use it. Read the owner's manual and practice using it correctly. Make turns slowly and gradually, especially in heavily traveled areas.

Visibility is very important. You must be able to see out, and other drivers must be able to see your vehicle. Clean frost and snow off all windows, mirrors and lights.

If your vehicle loses traction and begins to slide, steer into the swerve, or in the direction you want to go. Anticipate a second skid in the opposite direction as the car straightens out.Motorists that become stranded in a winter storm should not panic. Stay in the vehicle, keep fresh air circulating through a downwind window, run the motor sparingly, turn on the dome light and stimulate circulation and stay awake by moving arms and legs. If you have a cellular phone, call a Kansas Highway Patrol dispatcher by dialing *HP (47) or *KTA (582) while on the Kansas Turnpike.

Hopefully this provides you good winter driving information that will help keep you safe this winter.

SBS INSURANCE AGENCY

Welcome to SBS Insurance Agency’s new blog. This blog is intended to provide you the consumer with informative blog entries discussing different insurance coverage’s and insurance information in the news that could affect you and your policy (whether it is national or local). We will also have entries to share with you some agency tidbits, community involvement activities and miscellaneous odds and ends.

At SBS Insurance, we know the communities we serve and our agents have roots deep in each of these communities. All of our licensed agents have grown up in our communities that support us. As a business we take pride in watching our customers and communities succeed and grow. SBS Insurance is a Trusted Choice® independent provider with offices in Seneca, Bern, Sabetha and Hiawatha. We work with many reputable insurance companies that offer the best coverage at the most competitive price.

We hope that you find our blog not only informative but also humorous and fun to visit. Please feel free to comment on our posts and sign up to receive email notifications when new entries are posted.