Swat, splat, bang. These are common sounds at my house. The reason for these sounds is mosquitos are invading us. I don’t recall them ever being this bad! Strong storms accompanied by heavy rain, and warm temperatures in Wisconsin at the end of August have caused the mosquito population to explode!

Last week’s blog identified areas of your property you should inspect after a severe storm. Some of those areas include roof, siding, outdoor structures, and fallen trees.

Severe weather can pop up in your neighborhood quickly. If severe weather strikes, your first priority should be taking cover and protecting your family. Unfortunately, the damage after severe weather can wreak havoc on your home and neighborhood. Common types of storm damage to your home can be caused by wind, water, or hail.

In just a few short days, our children’s alarm clocks will be ringing and hectic school schedules will become a part of our routine.

Going on vacation with your family can be exciting, but it can also involve a lot of planning, depending on where you’re going. While vacations can be busy, they usually offer much needed rest and relaxation.

One frequently-asked question we receive from our policyholders and agents is: Are rented vehicles covered by the personal auto policy?

If you’re like me, you carried around paint samples and fabric swatches for weeks before finally settling on the choices. Now that my room is coming together, I’m still in love with the color scheme I chose.

Surprises are great — but not when you’re closing on your new home. Even if a house passes a pre-close inspection, environmental hazards like mold, asbestos, radon, and lead may still be lurking. According to 2013 data from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, more than 30 million American homes pose “significant” health issues.

There is a lot we can do to ensure our family’s health and safety. In our daily lives, we can encourage healthy habits and identify potential safety hazards to avoid. Looking toward the future, we can seek home, vehicle, and life insurance in case of an emergency. While there are so many situations we can -- and do -- prepare for, there are plenty we overlook. A sudden disability, for example, is an occurrence that families rarely plan for, and it can be emotionally and financially overwhelming. It’s important to understand all that’s involved when a family member is disabled after an accident or is diagnosed with a physical impairment.