A special offer for our Ohio Mutual homeowner clients! Ohio Mutual will provide a complimentary SimpliSafe home alarm system and cover the cost of the first two months of service. There's no contract so service can be canceled after two months, or service can be continued for a monthly fee. The promotion ends on December 15, 2021.
Contact us to learn more.
A special offer for our Ohio Mutual auto customers! Download the free Ohio Mutual 9&3 Smarter Driving app and save 15% on your auto insurance simply for activating the app. The app provides feedback to Ohio Mutual on your driving, but this information will NOT negatively impact your premium.
Contact us to learn more.
As a member of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce, Wallace & Turner is serving as a sponsor of the 2021 Annual Dinner being held Thursday, October 28, 2021 at the Champaign Aviation Museum. The evening will feature a social networking hour from 4:30 – 6 pm and dinner & entertainment beginning at 6 pm.
The Champaign Aviation Museum is a 501 c (3) non-profit dedicated to preserving aviation history for current and future generations in Urbana, Ohio. The museum and its volunteers are currently restoring a B-17 Flying Fortress back to flying status. The museum has several aircraft including, a B-25, B-17, C-47, A-26 and a Fairchild F-24.
National Trail Parks and Recreation District hosted Chalkfest 2021 featuring local chalk artists in downtown Springfield, food trucks, kids activities and more on October 2. Producer Myles Trempe served as a judge to select winners.
Mark your calendars for October 1, 2022 for the 5th Annual Chalkfest!
Congratulations to Partner Patrick Field on being recognized as a Ridgewood School Honorary Alumni at the 2021 Alumni Dinner on September 24. The evening included music and outdoor dining with dinner served proudly by Ridgewood’s Student Council.
Author and alumni Tim Noonan's book "Ridgewood School: The Little School in the Woods at 100" was also on display. You can learn more about the book in the Springfield News-Sun feature article from a few years back: https://bit.ly/3kYS0Ah
Wallace & Turner Insurance is proud to represent The Cincinnati Insurance Company for 70 years! Personnel from Cincinnati Insurance presented a plaque honoring the anniversary to Partners Patrick Field and P.J. Miller as well as WT staff at a celebration event held at Mother Stewart’s Brewing on September 16, 2021.
Operating locally in Springfield, Ohio since 1870, Wallace & Turner provides personal insurance, commercial insurance and life & health coverage. As a member of the Ohio Insurance Agents, we represent top-rated insurance companies.
About The Cincinnati Insurance Company
Operating since 1950, The Cincinnati Insurance Company stands among the nation's top 25 property casualty insurer groups based on net written premiums. The group markets business, home and auto insurance products through a select group of independent insurance agencies in 43 states and the District of Columbia. The Cincinnati Life Insurance Company subsidiary actively markets life and disability income insurance and annuities in all states except New York.
The Springfield Rotary Club hosted its Seventh Gourmet Food Truck Competition on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Veterans Park. There was a large crowd all day, food trucks served amazing food and this year, the Rotary Club added an eleven by seventeen-foot Jumbotron to view the Ohio State game.
Wallace & Turner served as an event sponsor to support children and adults with disabilities getting needed social, emotional and/or financial assistance as well as insuring that an impoverished child in Africa gets a meal once a day and is able to drink safe, clean water. The proceeds from the event benefit the Rotary Club’s college scholarships, services to people with disabilities program, international project in Lesotho, Africa, high school and college youth rotary clubs, dream soccer tournament for disabled children, grants to teachers of multi-handicapped classes and other charitable projects in the community.
Winners included:
Hunger Paynes took the $10,000 Grand Prize!
Runner-up went to Greek Street Food Truck
Fetty's Street Food earned 3rd Place
The Wicked Lobstah proved to be People's Choice
Attracting over 10,000 guests each year, the competition continues to grow and thrive as Springfield’s must-taste event of the summer. While the competition is a great community event, it’s also a major fundraiser that supports the Rotary Club’s charitable programs. In the first five years of the competition alone, over $100,000 was raised for Springfield Rotary’s causes from the support of the community. This includes services to people with disabilities, which has increased the number of individuals served by more than 70 percent since the inaugural competition in 2014.
Local chef judges determined winning dishes based upon a combination of flavor/taste, presentation/visual appeal and creativity/originality. The all-Springfield-based panel included:
Micah Berner, owner of Cecil and Lime
Chef Lisa Freeman, head chef and co-owner of Le Torte Dolci Bakery
Chef Clayton Horrighs of Speakeasy Ramen
Doug McGregor, chef and owner of Seasons Kitchen
Chef Troy Wheat of All Seasons Catering in Springfield
Read the event recap here.
Fun day at the United Way of Clark, Champaign & Madison Counties Golf Scramble on September 10, 2021. Producer Ben Galbreath got the men’s longest drive and Commercial Lines Account Manager Lisa Miller got the women’s! Shout out to our golfing partner, Champion City Kings GM Ginger Fulton - an amazing golfer! Wallace & Turner served as the Event Sponsor. Learn more about the 2022 United Way Campaign here: https://www.uwccmc.org/campaign
As part of the Ghost Walk on Main, Health & Life Agent Colleen Corrigan will have a booth at this spooktacular haunted history walk through Uptown Centerville on Thursday, October 14, 2021. Stop by and say hello and ask your pressing health insurance questions.
Ghost Walk on Main tour groups will be led by a storyteller guide. Learn and be entertained by local history, hear spooky stories, and enjoy refreshments and drinks compliments of HOCWT businesses. This is a 1.8 mile walking tour so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. Participants must be age 21 or older.
Proceeds from this event benefit Friends of Washington-Centerville Public Library, Centerville-Washington History, and a named charity by HOCWT. The ticket price is tax deductible.
Learn more here.
Whether you’re renting, buying, or building a home, natural disasters are something to consider when it comes to your insurance coverage. Common natural disasters in the U.S. include:
Hurricanes
Tornados
Floods
Wildfires
Hail damage
Earthquakes
And more
A standard homeowners insurance policy may cover a wide variety of situations, e.g. wildfires, wind, hail, though some natural disasters such as flood and earthquake will need to be added to your policy. To avoid expensive out-of-pocket costs in the face of a natural disaster, you’ll want to add protection for items lost due to fire, flooding and other damages. It’s worth noting that flooding and earthquakes are the most underinsured natural disasters.
Generally, most natural disasters are not covered by a basic home insurance policy. For those who live in flood-planes, like the southern coast, or in the midwest where tornadoes are common during summer, you’ll want to consider purchasing additional coverage to insure a specific type of natural disaster. Living in a high-risk area for any natural disaster also means that you will most likely be paying more for your general policy to help make up for some of the increased risk.
Wind damage caused by hurricanes and tornadoes are generally covered by home insurance policies, but flooding damage is not. Flooding is the major cause of costly hurricane damage, making it necessary to add in flood coverage to your policy. Hurricanes are some of the costliest natural disasters in the U.S. and can cause billions of dollars of damage. It’s critical to understand what your policy covers, as there are many claims that are disputed based on how wind and flood damage are defined by individual insurers.
Tornadoes don’t generally cause a large amount of flooding, but talk to your insurance agent to see if they recommend it for your location.
Because flooding can occur due to a handful of situations, flood coverage is not always handled the same way. Various sources of flooding can include:
Rivers
Excess rain
Plumbing issues
Storms
Remember that most, if not all, homeowner policies exclude flood-related damage. Flood damage can be so costly and extensive that it’s a smart add-on. Don’t let flooding damage put your finances under and open your house to mold and other health risks. All types of natural disasters can cause costly damages, but flooding is especially nefarious.
Wildfires are becoming increasingly common in the U.S., making the need for wildfire coverage more critical than ever. Standard policies in high-risk areas typically cover the damage that happens to your home and belongings. Keep in mind that some insurers do not offer wildfire protection in high-risk areas. If you are in a high-risk area, make sure that you understand what if you’re covered, what is covered, and how much is covered.
Insurance can be complicated and it’s essential to understand what is protected under your policy and isn’t. When you live in a high-risk area—whether it’s for hurricanes or tornadoes or wildfires—you’ll want to be familiar with your coverage, additional add-ons to protect your home, and speak with your agent to know what will happen in the event of an emergency. Don’t let a natural disaster wreck you financially due to not understanding your policy’s coverage.
Questions about flood insurance or other natural disaster coverage? Contact Wallace & Turner at (937) 324-8492 in Springfield, (937) 652-8492 in Urbana, or info@wtins.com.
Guest post authored by David Cruz
Second Harvest Food Bank of Champaign Clark & Logan Counties is hosting its first annual Harvest Breakfast on September 3, 2021 with keynote speaker Feeding America CEO, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot. She will discuss national food insecurity trends and how food banks have positive, long-lasting social impact on the communities they serve. This event will also highlight Second Harvest’s collaborations with local medical and health organizations to improve the health of food insecure individuals in Champaign, Clark, and Logan Counties. Wallace & Turner is serving as a sponsor.
The Harvest Breakfast will be held at Hollenbeck Bayley Creative Arts and Conference Center with doors open at 8 am for networking and breakfast and the program from 8:30-10 am. For complimentary registration, click here.
Selecting the right insurance company can feel overwhelming – there are so many options and you want to make sure you’re working with someone that will be there for you when the unthinkable happens. While price and coverage are essential considerations, what about customer service? When you have a question or a claim, you want to be able to speak with someone that knows your situation and you’re not “just an account number.” Have you considered financial strength? You also want to be certain your insurance company can pay and settle your claim fairly.
The following are a few tips to help guide your decision and ensure you have a smooth experience protecting your family and assets.
Financial Strength
Financial ratings of insurance companies describe how financially stable they are, meaning their ability to meet ongoing insurance policy and contract obligations. There are five main ratings companies – A.M. Best, Fitch, Kroll Bond Rating Agency, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s – and they consider a variety of criteria to determine financial health, including how well the business is doing financially, can it withstand increased claims and vulnerability to natural disasters. Every rating agency has its own methodology, so ratings may vary somewhat among insurers.
This rating information is important to be aware of when you’re seeking insurance coverage because in the instance of a claim, you want to know the insurance company will be able to pay. Wallace & Turner has worked with top-rated insurance companies such as Westfield Insurance and The Cincinnati Insurance Companies for decades and has a proven track record of financial stability.
Reputation
Hearing first-hand what customers’ experience with an insurance company has been can be one of the most helpful ways to determine credibility and responsiveness. People often focus on cost when purchasing a policy, but when it comes time to file a claim, they may regret not having considered feedback from current or past customers which provides insight into how the company operates.
An insurance company’s website can give you a good sense of their professionalism, but go beyond this in your research – look at Google reviews, Facebook reviews, LinkedIn testimonials and other online resources such as the Better Business Bureau. Also, your state insurance department can tell you if the company has had consumer complaints about its service.
However, keep in mind that people are often more likely to head online to rant about a one-time bad experience rather than spend time to post about a positive experience.
Customer Service
Insurance can be complex so it’s critical to work with a company that will spend time from the outset explaining your options and tailoring a policy that best fits your needs.
This is especially true if you ever have a claim and need timely assistance. Find out if the company has a designated customer care center or in-house claims department. Many companies offer 24-hour claims reporting and will even text with customers to ensure they are being helped in a timely manner. You don’t want to have an accident or loss and end up sitting on hold for hours or not receiving a call back for several days.
Digital Capabilities
Rather than going in to your insurance company’s physical office, many would prefer to pay their bill or file a claim digitally. Also, in rare circumstances like the COVID pandemic, you want to know that your insurer can quickly pivot to continue serving you remotely.
Talk with the prospective insurance company about their options for paying bills online, managing your policy via an app, or even creating a digital home or business inventory. These are all benefits that can make your insurance experience seamless. Moreover, if you’re not as comfortable with technology, it’s equally important that your insurance company isn’t strictly online/digital and you have the opportunity to sit down face-to-face and ask questions or update your policy.
Expertise
Yes, cheap insurance is great for your wallet, but it doesn’t mean you have the right coverage for your needs – which becomes problematic come claims time. Unfortunately, many people look for a policy with a lower premium and they don’t realize this doesn’t cover them for a major accident. Rather than focusing on price alone, choose an insurance company that will take the time to help you understand coverage options and create a tailored policy.
Look at the company’s website and social profiles to see what their professional designations are and if they are providing educational resources to clients. This demonstrates their credibility and willingness to share their expertise.
To speak with a Wallace & Turner insurance agent in Springfield, Ohio or Urbana, Ohio, click here.
Expertly reviewed by Wallace & Turner Team Members
Wallace & Turner is an award-winning independent insurance agency with offices in Springfield, Ohio and Urbana, Ohio. Since 1870, we have worked with top-rated insurance companies to provide auto, home, business, life and health insurance.
Author Martin Manuel held a public signing event for his book “Manuel Strong: The Life and Legacy of James and Florine Manuel,” which tells the story of his parents’ life in hopes that he can inspire others and offer an alternative perspective to negative stereotypes of African American families. Martin is one of 17 children born to James and Florine Manuel. The family moved to Urbana from Springfield in 1966, and they overcame adversity and faced hardships as they strove to raise their children in love and faith.
Wallace & Turner Insurance hosted the book signing with comments from former Partner Mike Trempe who spoke on the agency’s relationship to the Manuel family. Wallace & Turner Founder Harry M. Turner sponsored the Turner Baseball Team which was coached by James Manuel, and Jim Story of Wallace & Turner. Trempe and Manuel’s son Sherman, were players on the team that went on to be City and State Champs.
Pictured in team photo: Harry Turner (Far Left), James “Jinx” Manuel (Beside Harry), Jim Story (WT), Sherman Manuel (Son of Jinx, holding sign), Mike Trempe (WT, with glasses above Sherman).
Wallace & Turner is a proud sponsor of the 180th Champaign County Fair in Urbana, Ohio from August 6-13, 2021. The Fair will feature a Demolition Derby, Queen Contest, 4H and FFA Boys and Girls of the Year, Pig & Calf Scramble, rides and more.
View the schedule and fair book here. We’ll see you at the Fair!
Wallace & Turner served as a sponsor of the Clark County Fair which ran from July 23 - 30, 2021, located at 4401 South Charleston Pike, Springfield, OH 45502. Events included Junior and Senior shows, outstanding food including the famous grilled pork chops, and a 25 ride midway. This year’s theme was All American Flair!
Wallace & Turner served as a hole sponsor for the Champaign County Chamber Annual Golf Outing on June 23rd at the Urbana Country Club. Producer Ben Galbreath played with a foursome and the team shot a 64.
The Champaign County Chamber of Commerce advances the business and community interests of Champaign County and its trade area.
Wallace & Turner hosted a picnic lunch for WellSpring, following the organization’s Restorative Day of Art at the Springfield Museum of Art. WellSpring is a a private rehabilitation facility located in Springfield, Ohio, specializing in the treatment of addiction and mental health.
In support of local businesses in downtown Urbana, Ohio, Wallace & Turner is serving as the sponsor for June Second Saturdays. The event takes place now through October 2021 with extended hours for shopping and dining, entertainment, food trucks and more!
Learn more here.
Wallace & Turner is organizing pre-game meals for the Champion City Kings players and coaches throughout the summer and would appreciate your support!
Click the link to volunteer for a specific date: https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/9w6dql
Questions? Contact lmiller@wtins.com
P.J. Miller - Partner
Why must you inform your car insurance company when you move residences?
Your rate or cost of coverage is partly due to your “territory," or residence location – city, state, etc. If you’ve moved out of state, your auto insurance company might not operate in your new state. That could cause your policy to not be eligible on the renewal date and you would need to secure other coverage.
Your new state might require evidence of insurance for that particular state and might require that to be done within a certain number of days.
Also, so your billing gets to you – don’t let your payments lapse and then your coverage is canceled!
If you are a college student going to school out of your home state, what does it mean for your car insurance if you take the car with you?
Typically, if you take your car with you, you might not receive a discount. That usually applies when a college-age student doesn’t have the car with him/her and leaves it at home with the parents.
More cautionary than technical, the student should be reminded that allowing others to operate the vehicle could jeopardize the policy and coverage. Plus, it creates a mess come claim-time with a college-age student giving another student “permission” to drive the non-parental vehicle – usually, permissive use of the vehicle has to come directly from the Named Insured, the policyholder/parents.
How much time do you have to change over your car insurance when you move out of state?
This is subject to the new state, so always check the guidelines, but it could be as soon as 90 days. Otherwise, it should be done as soon as possible or by the next renewal date. States have different guidelines as to the minimum standard of coverage and even though your policy would usually automatically “convert” to the new state required minimum or as close to your existing equivalent, it’s always good to be aligned with your new state coverage. For example, the new state might be a “No-Fault” state and when you change over to the new coverage, there will most likely be differences in coverage for you to select from.
Questions about car insurance coverage? Contact Wallace & Turner at (937) 324-8492 in Springfield, (937) 652-8492 in Urbana, or info@wtins.com.
