Preparing Your Farm for the Summer

Farm owners in Little Falls, MN typically look at the calendar with a sigh of relief when winter is ending. You’re happy to be shedding the bulky winter coats and looking forward to spending time working on the farm in warmer weather. However, summer on the farm comes a lot of preparations, many of which include making sure the winter didn’t cause too much damage to the farm, your home, and the outbuildings. Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. has put together a few tips to help you prepare your farm for the summer.

Inspect Outbuildings

The first and one of the most important things to do when preparing your farm for the summer is to inspect all of the buildings on your property including outbuildings, barns, and your home. Winter weather can do significant damage to roofing materials, windows, doors, insulation, and siding, so it’s essential that you check for leaks; both water and air, which can lead to increased energy costs. Preparing the buildings on your property for summer means assessing damages and allowing yourself enough time to make repairs.

Check Irrigation System

As a farm owner, the irrigation system is typically an important feature for ensuring the crops and lawn has access to plenty of water. The freezing temperatures can wreak havoc on the irrigation system, so it’s important to ensure all aspects of the system survived the winter intact. The first thing to do is to remove the freeze caps from faucets and turn the water on. If there is only a trickle of water, it may due to an issue with the pipes, such as a crack that is causing water to leak. If you notice any issues with the irrigation system, it may be best to contact a professional to do a comprehensive inspection and a maintenance tune-up on the system.

The key to keeping your farm operating at full function is the equipment, including tractors, animal feeding equipment, and lawn equipment. It’s important to inspect and clean each piece of equipment before use. Be sure to check the fuel to make sure water hasn’t gotten into the tanks, fill all fluids, and perform required maintenance tasks.

Residents of Little Falls, MN interested in learning more information about farm insurance or upgrading current policies should contact Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc.

Health insurance terms that you need to know

To say that most people do not understand much about health insurance is a gross understatement. The language is confusing and as often as not, the choices that are made may or may not be right for the person purchasing it. Cost is a major determining point but choosing the least expensive policy only to find out it offers little coverage is counterproductive.  How is anyone without extensive knowledge of insurance language to understand what to look for in healthcare policies? One thing you can do is to count on the experienced staff at Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. in Little Falls, MN to help you by explaining what each carrier has to offer you. 

What is a network?

There is not one network. Each insurance company has contracted with healthcare providers to offer services at a set agreed-upon price. When you choose an insurance carrier it is important you check who is in their network. Hopefully, your preferred doctors and other providers are in the network. If they are not you must decide if you are willing to change doctors or pay more for your service. 

Drug formulary

Not all drugs are covered by insurance. The formulary is the list of covered drugs for your chosen provider. Both generic and brand name drugs may be included and they are placed in tiers that determine the monthly cost. 

Deductible

The deductible is the dollar amount of expenses paid out of pocket before the insurance begins coverage. High deductible policies are less expensive but may not be the perfect choice for you. 

Copay

A copay is your portion of a service, the amount you pay when service is provided. Almost all services have copays. 

Choosing health insurance is confusing and stressful. At Hanneken Insurance Agency Inc. in Little Falls, MN we want to take the stress out of the process for you. Give our office a call to set up an appointment to discuss your health insurance needs.