Theodore & Associates - A Relation Company
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Team
    • History
    • Summerville office
    • Why an Independent Agent?
    • Featured Carriers
    • Trusted Choice® Pledge of Performance
    • Introducing Health, Life & Employee Benefits
    • Our Columbia Office Has Moved!
    • Midlands Green Business
  • REQUEST A QUOTE
  • INSURANCE
    • Vehicle Insurance >
      • Auto Insurance
      • Motorcycle Insurance
      • Classic Car Insurance
      • Boat & Watercraft Insurance
      • Motorsport & ATV Insurance
      • RV and Mobile Home Insurance
    • Property Insurance >
      • Homeowners Insurance >
        • How Much Home Insurance is Enough?
      • Renters Insurance
      • Condo Insurance
      • Landlord Protection
      • Flood Insurance
      • Earthquake Insurance
      • Personal Umbrella Insurance
      • Pet Insurance
      • Home Warranty
    • Business Insurance >
      • Condominium Homeowners Association Insurance
      • Cyber Liability Insurance
      • Business Owners Insurance
      • Commercial Property Insurance
      • Commercial Umbrella Insurance
      • General Liability Insurance
      • Commercial Auto Insurance
      • Workers' Compensation Insurance
      • Surety Bonds
      • Specialty Insurance
    • Health, Life & Employee Benefits Insurance >
      • Individuals >
        • Health Insurance
        • Short Term Health Insurance
        • Dental Insurance
        • Vision Insurance
        • Life Insurance >
          • How Much Life Insurance is Enough?
        • Disability
      • Employers >
        • Group Health Insurance
        • Group Dental Insurance
        • Group Vision Insurance
        • Group Life Insurance
        • Group Disability Insurance
        • 401(k)
        • Worksite Marketing Plans
      • Seniors
    • Insurance FAQs
  • ONLINE SERVICES
    • Pay My Bill
    • Manage My Account
    • Report a Claim
    • Applications
    • Customer Reviews
    • Social Media
    • Blog
    • Flood Claim Information
    • Helpful Links
  • CONTACT
COLUMBIA:803.799.9979 SUMMERVILLE:843.871.3950
Visit RelationInsurance.com
THEODORE THURSDAYS
blog

5 Simple Tips for an Awesome Family Road Trip

6/11/2020

0 Comments

 
Whether you and your family are driving to the zoo, the lake, or visiting relatives, you are part of the American tradition of the road trip. Part of the appeal of a road trip is all the fun along the way. So, to make sure you’re prepared for your spontaneous adventures check out these tips:

1. Take your vehicle in for maintenance
Oil changes, tire rotations and brake pad replacements are all great ideas before your big trip. Tell the mechanic about your road trip plans and approximately how many miles you plan to travel in your vehicle. They may be able to spot potential issues before you leave to avoid a problem on the road.

2. Review your auto insurance policy
It’s a good idea to review what your auto insurance covers before you hit the road. Things like road trouble service and rental car coverage may be important to know if they are included on your policy.

3. Check the weather at home and your destination 
In the days before your trip, you’ll probably watch the weather forecast for your destination and route. However, it’s also a good idea to check the upcoming weather for your home.
The last thing you want is to come home and find that a tree has fallen on your house, or that your basement has flooded. See what the forecast says and ask a neighbor to check on your house once a day, especially if there’s bad weather. Be sure you leave them a reliable contact number.

4. Renting a vehicle? Make sure it's covered
If you decide to rent a vehicle for your road trip, contact your local insurance agent to learn about rental car coverages. Most rental companies will ask if you want to purchase insurance for your rental car. But, you may not need it. Your independent agent can check your existing auto policy for any coverages that may apply and can discuss coverages you may be able to add. One coverage to ask about is rental gap coverage.
Unless you've read the fine print on the rental contract you probably haven't heard of this coverage. Your local insurance agent will know and can help you feel confident signing your rental agreement. 

Rental Gap Coverage: Let’s say you crash your rental car and it’s worth $20,000, but the rental company decides to sell it for $10,000 instead of fixing it. Without rental gap coverage, you are responsible for the difference.

5. Arrange roadside help before you go 
Roadside trouble service can be a vacation saver and you don't have to be a member of an auto association to get it.

​If you have any questions whatsoever, call Theodore & Associates today and we'll get you road trip ready!
0 Comments

How to Keep Your Trees Healthy and Upright

10/24/2019

0 Comments

 
They’re trees. And as with so many things in life, proper maintenance is critical. Keeping your trees healthy will allow you to continue to enjoy them and their benefits — one of which is providing enough oxygen for four people every day!

Maintenance also will reduce the risk of a tree falling on your home or your car (or even worse, someone else’s home or car).

Here are some tips from the National Arbor Day Foundation to help keep trees healthy, identify warning signs and address problems. A healthy tree that you care for properly — and regularly — is far less likely to become a hazard. Remember, prevention is key!

Inspect your trees often This applies to all seasons! The sooner you spot a problem, the sooner you can take corrective action — and potentially save your tree. Check trees regularly each year, and have a qualified arborist inspect them annually.

Plant the right species Brittle trees can produce weak limbs that fall and injure people or property. Examples include Silver Maples, Lombardy Poplars, Box Elders, and Willows.

Prune the right way, at the right time Trees should first be pruned when they are young, and then at regular intervals as they age. Make the cut outside the branch collar, and never allow trees to be topped.

Plant in the right place Don’t plant trees that will grow to be large close to your home or under power lines.

Learn to spot problems According to the National Arbor Day Foundation, there are several key things to consider when evaluating your trees for potential issues.
  • The tree’s history: Has it been topped? Have branches broken? Have large limbs been lost unexpectedly?
  • Branch quality: Dead limbs are dangerous — they can fall easily and are a big red flag. Take prompt action. If you see branches that cross or rub, prune as soon as possible, because that can lead to weak spots.
  • Appearance: Vigorous trees can be determined by the amount of leaf cover, as well as the color, size and condition of its leaves. If a tree’s trunk is forked, that’s a signal of weakness.
  • Decay: If you see cavities, disfiguration or fungi on the trunk, large branches or roots, this may indicate decay. It doesn’t automatically mean that a tree is a hazard, but it means you should closely monitor it. If there’s a large amount of sound wood surrounding internal rot, for example, the tree may still be safe.

​If you have a dead or dying tree, it should be promptly removed unless it is in an area where structures or people won’t be threatened. And have an expert do the job — bringing down a large tree is extremely dangerous, and accidents can result in severe damage, injury, and even death.

The law typically holds the owner responsible for damage or injury caused by a defective tree. So don’t forget about them when you’re working in the yard or examining your landscaping. Keeping your trees healthy can limit the potential for disaster — in addition to keeping your space beautiful and vibrant.
0 Comments

prepare for warmer weather with these home maintenance tips

4/10/2019

0 Comments

 
“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”

That’s a quote from author Hal Borland — but another favorite saying might be even more appropriate for this time of year: “Be prepared.”

After all, warmer weather brings plenty of risk to go with its beauty. If you aren’t ready, you could find yourself with more spring cleaning than you bargained for after heavy rains, hailstorms, and other hazards.

Here are five things you can do to get yourself and your property all set for the season.
  1. Give your home’s exterior a check-up. This includes your roof, gutters, downspouts, and even your paint. Look for shingles that have come loose, or spots where any have blown away. You’ll want to get those fixed as soon as possible, before moisture starts getting in. Gutters and downspouts should be clear of debris, and if winter weather has worn your home’s paint down in spots, touch it up because exposed wood can lead to rot. Don’t forget your windows, either. Give them a good cleaning, and while you’re at it, make sure the screens are intact and the seals are still solid.
  2. Prepare for extreme weather. The maintenance tips above will help with that, but it’s important for you and your family to be as ready as your home. Make sure you have an emergency survival kit and a disaster plan so everyone knows what to do when something unexpected happens. Learn about what to do both before and after heavy rains, hail, flooding, and tornadoes whether you think you’re at risk or not.
  3. Get your outdoor appliances and tools ready. Now is the time to get your air conditioner serviced, so it’s operating perfectly when the weather heats up and you really need it. It’s a good idea to clean out the grill, too. Take care to check for cracked or leaky lines if you cook with gas. A little love now will go a long way in the coming months for yard tools like lawnmowers and hedge trimmers.
  4. Don’t forget your home’s interior — including the attic. Yes, spring is the time when everybody vows to clean out the junk and get organized. If that’s on your list, good for you. At the very least, you should check on a few things inside, even if you aren’t tackling a deep clean. Look in the attic for any issues, such as moisture or signs of wildlife who got in to escape the winter cold. Clean up any droppings and seal up any openings. Around the rest of the house, see if you’ve got air leaks, which can drive up your energy bills. And don’t forget to change your smoke-detector batteries when the clocks spring forward!
  5. Make this the year you do a home inventory. You’re taking steps to protect your home, which also helps to protect all of the stuff inside it. But what if something happened and you lost everything? Would you remember everything you had? Spring is the perfect time to do a home inventory — while that doesn’t protect your stuff, it does make replacing your possessions a whole lot easier after a disaster. If you’re handling spring-cleaning duties, take some time to jot down some notes and take pictures of your stuff. If you’re not quite in spring-cleaning mode, try starting an inventory anyway; you just might be inspired to get organized!

To learn more, check out Safeco Insurance®.
0 Comments

    Archives

    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018

    Categories

    All
    Absense
    Act
    Adult
    Advantages
    Agency
    Agent
    Aggresive
    Air
    Airline
    Alarms
    Alcohol
    Alert
    Amount
    Appearance
    Appliances
    Appraisal
    Assistance
    Auto
    Automatic
    Automobile
    Autumn
    Awareness
    Bad
    Barn
    Batteries
    Beach
    Belongings
    Beneficiary
    Benefits
    Bicycle
    Bike
    Biking
    Bill
    Bite
    Boat
    Boating
    Bracelet
    Budget
    Building
    Burn
    Business
    Business Income
    Buy
    Buying
    Cancel
    Cancellation
    Car
    Carbon Monoxide
    Carrier
    Cars
    Carshare
    Case
    Cash
    Caught
    CDC
    Celebrate
    Check
    Checkup
    Child
    China
    Christmas
    Claim
    Claims
    Clean
    Cleaning
    Cloud
    CO
    Cold
    Commercial
    Common
    Communication
    Commute
    Company
    Comprehensive
    Computer
    Concerns
    Contagious
    Coping
    Corona
    Coronavirus
    Cost
    Coverage
    Covered
    COVID
    COVID19
    Create
    Creek
    Cyber
    Cyber Liability
    Cybersecurity
    Dad
    Damage
    Dams
    Dark
    Deadline
    Death
    Decay
    Decorations
    Deducation
    Deductible
    Definitions
    Destruction
    Diamond
    Disability
    Disability Insurance
    Disadvantages
    Discounts
    Disease
    Distance
    Dog
    Drive
    Driver
    Driverless
    Driving
    Earthquake
    Easy
    Emergency
    Emotional
    Employee
    Employees
    Employer
    Employers
    Enrollment
    Equity
    Event
    Exterior
    Facemask
    Facemasks
    Facts
    Fall
    Falling
    Family
    Father
    Father's Day
    Faucet
    Financial
    Find
    Fire
    Fire Department
    Fixes
    Flame
    Flameable
    Flames
    Flashlight
    Flood
    Flooding
    Food
    Football
    Freeze
    Freezing
    Fryer
    Furnishings
    Future
    Gap
    Garage
    Gas
    Gear
    Gift
    Give
    Glossery
    Group
    Gutters
    Health
    Healthy
    Heat
    Heavy
    History
    Holiday
    Holidays
    Home
    Homemade
    Homeowner
    Homeowners
    Homeownership
    Homeowners Insurance
    Hot
    House
    Hurricane
    Hygiene
    Ice
    Ideas
    Illness
    Improvement
    Income
    Increase
    Indemnity
    Independent
    Individual
    Inexpensive
    Infection
    Innovation
    Inspect
    Inspection
    Insurance
    Interior
    Internet
    Inventory
    Jewelry
    Job
    Kid
    Kit
    Kitchen
    Laid-off
    Lake
    Liability
    Life
    Life Insurance
    Life Jacket
    Lightning
    Lights
    List
    Local
    Long Term
    Long-term
    Loss
    Lower
    Maintenance
    Map
    Materials
    Medical
    Mental
    Misconceptions
    Misunderstanding
    Money
    Motorcycle
    Natural Disaster
    Necklace
    Night
    Nighttime
    Ocean
    Online
    Open
    Organization
    Outside
    Oven
    Owner
    Package
    Pandemic
    Party
    Pay
    Pedestrian
    Peril
    Period
    Perishable
    Personal
    Pet
    Plan
    Plans
    Poison
    Policy
    Pool
    Porch
    Possessions
    Power
    Premium
    Preparation
    Prepare
    Prepared
    Presents
    Prevent
    Prevention
    Property
    Protect
    Protected
    Protection
    Purchase
    Rain
    Rate
    Rental
    Rental Car
    Resistant
    Resources
    Respond
    Ride
    Rideshare
    Ring
    Risk
    Risks
    River
    Roadtrip
    Safe
    Safety
    Sanitary
    Sanitize
    Santa
    Satisfaction
    Save
    Security
    Service
    Share
    Sharing
    Shed
    Shelter
    Shelter In Place
    Shop
    Short Term
    Short-term
    Shut Down
    Sick
    Sleet
    Slow
    Small
    Snow
    Social
    Solutions
    Special
    Special Event
    Species
    Spread
    Spring
    Storm
    Summer
    Sun
    Supplies
    Support
    Surfaces
    Survival
    Swim
    Switch
    Tailgating
    Tax
    Technology
    Temperature
    Temperatures
    Term
    Terms
    Thankful
    Thanksgiving
    Thaw
    Thunder
    Tips
    Tornado
    Toxic Free
    Tradition
    Travel
    Tree
    Trees
    Trip
    Turkey
    Twister
    Umbrella
    Underinsured
    Underwriter
    Uninsured
    Unsafe
    Upright
    Utilities
    Vacant
    Violent
    Virus
    Visible
    Warm
    Warmer
    Warning
    Watch
    Water
    Watercraft
    Weather
    Website
    Wedding
    Wheels
    WiFi
    Wind
    Winter
    Work
    Workplace
    Yearly

Columbia
3020 Devine Street
Columbia, SC
​29205
803.799.9979
Summerville
204 N. Gum Street
Summerville, SC 29483
843.871.3950
Home
About
​
​Contact
Request a Quote
​Insurance
Online Services
Picture
© 2020. RELATION INSURANCE, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Privacy Policy | Disclaimer
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Team
    • History
    • Summerville office
    • Why an Independent Agent?
    • Featured Carriers
    • Trusted Choice® Pledge of Performance
    • Introducing Health, Life & Employee Benefits
    • Our Columbia Office Has Moved!
    • Midlands Green Business
  • REQUEST A QUOTE
  • INSURANCE
    • Vehicle Insurance >
      • Auto Insurance
      • Motorcycle Insurance
      • Classic Car Insurance
      • Boat & Watercraft Insurance
      • Motorsport & ATV Insurance
      • RV and Mobile Home Insurance
    • Property Insurance >
      • Homeowners Insurance >
        • How Much Home Insurance is Enough?
      • Renters Insurance
      • Condo Insurance
      • Landlord Protection
      • Flood Insurance
      • Earthquake Insurance
      • Personal Umbrella Insurance
      • Pet Insurance
      • Home Warranty
    • Business Insurance >
      • Condominium Homeowners Association Insurance
      • Cyber Liability Insurance
      • Business Owners Insurance
      • Commercial Property Insurance
      • Commercial Umbrella Insurance
      • General Liability Insurance
      • Commercial Auto Insurance
      • Workers' Compensation Insurance
      • Surety Bonds
      • Specialty Insurance
    • Health, Life & Employee Benefits Insurance >
      • Individuals >
        • Health Insurance
        • Short Term Health Insurance
        • Dental Insurance
        • Vision Insurance
        • Life Insurance >
          • How Much Life Insurance is Enough?
        • Disability
      • Employers >
        • Group Health Insurance
        • Group Dental Insurance
        • Group Vision Insurance
        • Group Life Insurance
        • Group Disability Insurance
        • 401(k)
        • Worksite Marketing Plans
      • Seniors
    • Insurance FAQs
  • ONLINE SERVICES
    • Pay My Bill
    • Manage My Account
    • Report a Claim
    • Applications
    • Customer Reviews
    • Social Media
    • Blog
    • Flood Claim Information
    • Helpful Links
  • CONTACT