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A Routine Car Maintenance Checklist for Spring

Apr 29
Posted by admin in Educational, MO Auto Insurance, Tips and Advice

It is no secret that Missouri road conditions have drastically changed since earlier this year – this means your car may be due for a good tune-up. With spring in full swing, now may be a good time to tackle a routine car maintenance check. Fortunately, our agents at ABS Insurance Agency are here to help you. We have put together a quick checklist for you!

The Checklist:

  • Check the battery – if your battery is weak, you may not be going anywhere this spring!
  • Check the brakes – strong brakes are a safety necessity. Winter weather, salt on the roads and the likes may damage your brakes, so it is always best to check.
  • Check all belts and hoses – If either of these are broken, your car may break down sooner than later.
  • Inspect and/or replace your tires – Tire pressure is affected with the change of weather. Be sure to fill them. Also, look to see if they are worn-down.
  • Test the A/C – It would be a shame if it wasn’t working on the hottest days of the season!
  • Check oil & fluid levels – Top off all fluids for a fresh spring start.
  • Clean air filters – This will ensure that you are breathing in CLEAN air once the A/C starts up.
  • Clean out interior AND clean exterior – A fresh ride is a good ride!

What are you waiting for? Print out this checklist, grab a pen and get to crossing off! If you prefer to have a professional do the work, do not hesitate to contact a local repair and auto body shop.

Whether you tackle this list yourself or pay a professional to do it, your car will be happy and ready for those spring joy rides.

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10 Spring Cleaning Tips for Homeowners

Apr 22
Posted by admin in MO Home Insurance, Tips and Advice

Spring has sprung, which means spring cleaning should be in the near future for homeowners. Sure, it may not be the most fun task but you are sure to feel refreshed and ready for warmer weather once you de-clutter and clean your home from top to bottom. No idea where to begin? No problem! Our agency is here with 10 spring cleaning tips.

#1: Start by stripping all those beds! Out with flannel sheets and in with cotton.

#2: Clean curtains/blinds/shades – or better yet, replace wintery ones with light and airy ones.

#3: Have your carpets cleaned professionally or tackle this project yourself. If you have hardwood floors, do the same.

#4: Clean out the pantry to rid of expired items.

#5: Clean out all closets and drawers. Move all winter gear into the attic or basement. A reorganized closet will be a breath of fresh air, and may make choosing an outfit MUCH easier (especially for the ladies!)

#6: Create a different mood in your home or change the theme. The spring is a good time to go with a “lighter” mood and look. You can paint the walls if you want a major change, or simply change your throw pillows for a minor change.

#7: Clean that bathroom from top to bottom. Make it shine!

#8: Clean all the windows in your home to let the sun shine through – yes, even the harder to reach ones.

#9: Dust and/or replace light bulbs and light fixtures in your home.

#10: Last but not least, give your insurance agent a call to update your homeowners insurance policy for the new season. It is always a good idea to “check in!”

Are you ready to get your cleaning on? Follow the tips above by making a to-do list. You can even print this article and check off as you go through. Do whatever works best for you. We will be glad to know that we could be of assistance to you!

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LOCAL EVENT: Year of the USO Motorcycle Raffle

Apr 15
Posted by admin in Events, Motorcycle insurance

Need some weekend plans, motorcycle enthusiasts? We have just the event for you!

The Motorcycle Raffle is an exciting time of year for riders across the state of Missouri. This year, the event is raffling off a 2013 Harley Davidson Street Glide. To attend this event, you must purchase a ticket for $10. Once you have entered, you will have to wait until November 9th to attend the drawing – and hopefully be a big winner!

To kick off this event, there will be a party this weekend! There will be live music, food, drinks and much more. This year is extra special, too. It marks 10 years of the largest annual fundraising effort to support our troops and the USO of Missouri.

If you are interested in attending the kick-off party, check out the details below:

When: Saturday, April 20th, 10:00AM – 5:00PM

Where: Gateway Harley-Davidson, 3600 Lemay Ferry Rd., St Louis, MO, 63125

Tickets: Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 314-845-9900 or online!

For more information on this event, check out the event page, here.

At ABS Insurance Agency, we ALWAYS want to support the local community and especially our troops. We are also always there to support riders in the state. We do so by providing motorcyclists with the right coverage. Learn more about our motorcycle insurance solutions, today!

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LOCAL EVENT: St. Louis Workplace Wellness Symposium

Apr 08
Posted by admin in Community Involvement, Educational, Events

Calling all St. Louis residents! Tomorrow morning, the American Heart Association will be hosting its first ever St. Louis Workplace Wellness Symposium. This event will be designed for human resource and worksite wellness directors, in order to educate and help them explore how companies can foster and encourage healthy behavior in the workplace.

There will be a variety of topics discussed at this event. An expert panel will discuss:

  • Harnessing the Influence of Leadership and Management
  • The Impact of the Affordable Care Act
  • Finding Your Partner in Wellness

Below is a list of details for those interested in attending:

When: Tuesday, April 9th, 2013

Where: Ameren Missouri – 1901 Chouteau Ave, St. Louis, MO

Time: 7:30AM – 12PM

THIS IS A FREE EVENT! What is better than that? Just register tonight and enjoy a day of free and informative knowledge. For more information, do not hesitate to check out the official website, here.

At ABS Insurance Agency, we believe that health and safety in the workplace should always be a priority. By practicing safety and wellness, your employees will not only enjoy their work environment, but you may also be reducing the risk of an accident or injury. Fewer injuries and issues, the lower your business insurance and/or workers compensation premium will be in the long run.

To learn more about workplace safety, contact our agents!

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Monday Morning Recipe: Black Sesame-Pear Tea Cake

Apr 01
Posted by admin in Tips and Advice

Are you in the mood for a refreshing and tasty treat? Spring is in the air – why not celebrate with a spring-inspired baked good? We have just the recipe for you. Have you ever had a Black Sesame-Pear Tea Cake? It may be time to try it out!

Ingredients:

  • 1 stick of unsalted butter (maybe more)
  • 1 1/2 cups AND 2 tbs of flour
  • 1 cup almond flour
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 2 tbs AND 1/2 cup black sesame seeds
  • 1 1/3 cups AND 2 tbs sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1 ripe and firm Bosc pear (must be peeled, cored, and cut into cubes)

To make this cake, follow these instructions:

  • Preheat the oven to 325 F.
  • Prepare a metal loaf pan by buttering it.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk 1 ½ cups flour, almond flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt and 2 tbs sesame seeds.
  • Grind the remaining sesame seeds (half cup) in spice mill to form a thick paste. This should take about 2 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat ½ cup butter and 1 1/3 cups sugar.
  • Add sesame paste and continue to beat mixture.
  • Add egg and egg yolk and continue to beat until fluffed.
  • Turn down the speed and beat the flour mixture into the mix in THREE additions – alternating with buttermilk in TWO additions.
  • Add the pear and remaining flour to the batter.
  • Add batter to pan and sprinkle with 2 tbs sugar.
  • Bake for about 1 hour and 40 minutes, or until tester comes out clean. If your loaf pan is small, check after 45 minutes.
  • Cool and serve!

Whether this is just for you or your family and friends, all are sure to enjoy this pound cake – it is quite refreshing for the start of spring!

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Recipe: Lemon-Buttermilk Bundt Cake

Mar 25
Posted by admin in Tips and Advice

Between Spring beginning, Easter and Passover, it is safe to say that some light baking is expected around this time of year! What is better than a refreshing dessert?

This week, our agency has a delicious Lemon-Buttermilk Bundt Cake recipe to share. It’s simple!

Preheat oven: 350 F

Bake time: 60-70 minutes

You will need:

  • 2 sticks of unsalted butter at room temperature
  • 3 cups of flour
  • 1 tablespoon of baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons of kosher salt
  • 2 and 1/2 cups of sugar
  • ½ a cup of fine lemon zest (may be around 8 lemons)
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 cup of buttermilk
  • 3/4 cup of apricot preserves
  • 1/4 cup of lemon juice

To make:

  • First, use very little butter and flour in the Bundt Pan and set aside.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk baking powder, salt and flour.
  • In a large bowl, combine sugar and lemon zest and rub together with your fingertips until well blended.
  • Add 1 cup of butter to lemon/sugar mix and beat on high until light and fluffy.
  • Begin to add eggs to mixture, 1 egg at a time – beating between additions!
  • Reduce speed to low and add the dry ingredients – in 3 additions – alternate with buttermilk in 2 additions (beginning and ending with dry ingredients!)
  • Add the batter into the floured/buttered Bundt pan.
  • Bake until golden brown (60-70 minutes.)
  • Let cool while you begin to make the glaze.
  • TO MAKE GLAZE: Combine preserves and lemon juice in a small saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer while stirring occasionally.
  • Glaze will be reduced to ½ cup after 6 minutes or so.
  • Strain glaze and pour the smooth glaze over cooled cake.
  • Cool and enjoy.

Whether you bake this cake for the holidays around the corner or simply for fun, you are sure to enjoy it. Ready, set, bake!

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10 Tips to Protect Your Eyes on the Jobsite

Mar 18
Posted by admin in Workers Compensation Missouri

Did you know that this month is Workplace Eye Wellness Month? Now that you are aware, it’s a good idea to focus on eye safety at your place of business! Depending on the environment that you work in, you may need to take extra safety measures or possibly less. Whichever the situation, it is still great to know of the basics. If you work a “blue collar” kind of job, the following tips may pertain to you much more!

This week, our agency has put together 10 tips to protect eyes on the jobsite:

#1: Before all else, identify hazards on the job site.

#2: Take the time to select the right eye protection for tasks and jobs.

#3: Always make sure eye protection is in good condition. If not, replace it!

#4: Train all employees on how to properly wear eye protection. Each and every person’s eyewear must fit right and stay in place.

#5: Minimize hazards, such as ridding/fixing unstable objects that could fall.

#6: Have an eye-wash station in a common area, close by.

#7: Have a sink/wash station in place to keep employees’ hands clean – make sure workers know not to rub their eyes with dirty hands!

#8: Make sure all employees clean eyewear regularly from debris/dirt/bacteria.

#9: Provide consistent safety training, seminars, etc.

#10: If a sharp object, debris or foreign object is affecting an employee’s eye, he or she must seek medical attention immediately.

Spread the word about the above tips and you may notice a decrease in workplace injuries in the future. As a business owner, it is important that you do all that you can to reduce risks and accidents. Of course, the more incidents that occur, the more workers compensation claims there may be on your record. Did you know that your premium will suffer from multiple workers compensation claims? It’s better to pass along these tips now to avoid future accidents, claims and rising costs later!

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What Our Agency Can Teach Your St. Louis About Worker’s Compensation

Mar 15
Posted by admin in Missouri Business Insurance, Workers Compensation Missouri

While you may have a lot of things going on at your business, you need to take into account the importance of certain aspects of your company. Being a business owner requires many daily tasks and responsibilities, and it’s often difficult to fit in everything. Often, you’ll find yourself neck deep in checking financial reports, making phone calls, checking on employees, etc. But as a leader, it’s sometimes best to take a couple steps back and listen to what others have to say in order to get some advice when it comes to worker’s comp.

Even as a St. Louis business owner, you’re not expected to be doing every single thing yourself. While employees all do separate and unique jobs, it’s no telling that their combined efforts, paired with your leadership, is what makes the company move. In order to keep these workers happy, productive, and respectful of the organization, you ought to be considering reviewing your current benefits plan so your employees know you have their back. With small businesses like yours will have a more dedicated crop of employees who will not be worrying about future injuries and ailments that put them out of work. With workers compensation insurance, your employees can receive coverage for:

•    Lost income/wages
•    Medical expenses
•    Rehab costs
•    Death benefits
•    And more…

Our agency makes it easy for companies and employees to get the protection they need if they ever experience an injury that leaves them out of work. With workers comp, employees will stick with your company and churn out work fit for a king. Contact us today for more information!

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Trying to get healthy before the warm weather sits in? We may have answers for you!

Mar 08
Posted by admin in St. Louis Insurance, St. Louis News, Tips and Advice

Trying to get healthy before the spring and summer sneak up on us? Staying healthy is not an easy thing to do, and many Americans find it increasingly difficult to not only work out regularly, but also stick to a balanced and nutritious diet that is low in fat. Personal health has become an issue in the U.S., so why not take the summer to get your body back on track? Here some summer health tips courtesy of ABS Insurance:

  • Eat more berries: A healthy food we associate with summer is fruit, and your body can never have enough of it. To improve your diet, consider blending together a cup of strawberries, blueberries or blackberries and making a smoothie. Berries are rich with anti-oxidants!
  • Eliminate stress: Did you know that working in the garden or yard can help you get rid of some stress? Putting in some quality work either outside or inside will give you a sense of accomplishment. Who wants stress in the summer, anyway?
  • Get some exercise: Whether it’s going for a walk, bike ride or a hike, getting outside and doing any physical activity will help burn some calories and also get some sun.

The possibilities for good health are endless during the summer, so make sure you’re getting what you need! If you have any more questions, feel free to contact our St. Louis insurance agency with any questions.

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Worker’s Compensation for All St. Louis Business Owners

Mar 08
Posted by admin in Workers Compensation Missouri

Owning a business is a rewarding and fulfilling venture with many possibilities for success. However, it does come with its challenges, especially the safety and welfare of your employees. The workplace is a very common area for people to get injured, and having the right workers compensation insurance is important for every business owner, no matter how large or small. Here are some frequently asked questions about workers compensation insurance.

What is worker’s compensation coverage?

Worker’s compensation coverage supplies insurance for employees that sustain injuries while on the job. Coverage includes paying for medical treatment and salaries in the event the employee is out of work for an extended period of time. Other expenses covered include lost income, rehab costs, death benefits, and more.

Who needs worker’s compensation coverage?

Any industry besides construction with four or more employees, full-time or part-time, you are required to carry worker’s compensation coverage.

Why Does My Business Need It?

Without a reliable coverage policy, you’re putting yourself and your business at risk from a potential lawsuit stemming from an employee on-site injury.

If you have any more questions about compensation insurance, feel free to contact our St. Louis insurance agency today. Worker’s compensation is a vital coverage policy for all companies—large or small. We don’t want you going on without proper coverage and care.

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