Category: Uncategorized

Missouri’s weather can change in an instant, making preparedness essential. From strong winds to damaging hail, severe thunderstorms can bring serious risks to homes, farms, and businesses. At Lincoln County Mutual Insurance Agency, we want to ensure you have the knowledge and coverage needed to protect your property, family, and livelihood.

Recognizing Severe Weather

Severe thunderstorms bring high winds, lightning, and hail, all of which can cause costly damage to homes, farm buildings, and vehicles. Hail size is often measured by comparison to everyday objects:

• Non-Severe: BB (1/8 inch), Pea (1/4 inch), Marble (1/2 inch)
• Severe: Quarter (1 inch), Walnut (1 1/2 inches), Golf Ball (1 3/4 inches)
• Significant Severe: Egg (2 inches), Tennis Ball (2 1/2 inches), Softball (4 1/2 inches)

Wind and hail can result in roof damage, broken windows, dented vehicles, and destruction of farm equipment such as tractors, combines, and other farm implements. Homeowners insurance and farm personal liability coverage can help protect against these costly events.

What to Do During Severe Weather

At Home:

• Seek shelter in an interior room on the lowest floor.
• Stay away from windows and doors.
• Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.

In a Vehicle:

• Avoid driving during severe thunderstorms.
• If caught in a storm, pull over in a safe location and remain inside the vehicle.
• Park under cover if possible, such as a garage or carport, to reduce hail damage.

On the Farm:

• Secure farm equipment and livestock ahead of time.
• Move ATVs, UTVs, and farm vehicles into barns or storage areas.
• Check that your farm insurance policy covers wind and hail damage.

Protecting Your Property

Before a storm hits, take proactive steps to safeguard your home and business. Homeowners insurance policies vary, so talk with your agent and understand the type of coverage you have. Is it a replacement cost policy or an actual cash value policy? It’s important to understand the difference. If you own rental property or multi-family dwellings, check that your coverage accounts for potential storm damage. Commercial auto and fleet insurance can protect business vehicles from hail-related losses.

Severe weather is unpredictable, but being prepared can make all the difference. At Lincoln County Mutual Insurance Agency, we provide comprehensive insurance solutions for homes, farms, businesses, and personal property across Missouri, including Lincoln, Warren, Pike, and Montgomery counties.

We are here through all the seasons and all the reasons you need us. Contact us today to review your homeowner insurance policy, farm liability, or business insurance to ensure you’re fully protected against Missouri’s wild weather.

Jeff Davis, Agent
636.528.8242 or 636.290.6052
[email protected]

Cathy Filsinger, Agent
636.528.8242 or 636.290.6049
[email protected]

Winter in Missouri brings crisp air, snow-covered fields, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun. Whether you’re sledding down a hillside, clearing snow from your driveway, or riding a snowmobile across the countryside, winter adventures come with risks. Fortunately, having the right property and casualty insurance coverage allows you to enjoy the season worry-free.

1. Sledding on Your Own Property

The Fun: There’s nothing quite like the thrill of racing down a snow-covered hill in your own backyard, laughing with family and friends.

What Could Go Wrong: A rough landing could lead to an injury, or someone could accidentally crash into a tree or fence, causing property damage.

Insurance Protection:

• Homeowners Insurance may cover medical expenses if a guest is injured while sledding on your property.
• Umbrella Insurance may provide extra liability protection if an injured guest sues for damages.

2. Sledding at a Friend’s Place

The Fun: Sledding at a friend’s farm or a neighbor’s large property can offer bigger hills and more excitement.

What Could Go Wrong: If you or your child is injured on someone else’s land, medical costs could become a concern.

Insurance Protection:

• Personal Liability Coverage on the property owner’s Homeowners Insurance may help cover your medical expenses if you are injured.
• If you’re the property owner, Umbrella Insurance may provide added protection in case of a lawsuit.

3. Snow Plowing Your Driveway or Gravel Road

The Fun: In rural Missouri, keeping your gravel driveway or private road clear of snow is essential. Many folks also lend a hand by plowing a neighbor’s drive.

What Could Go Wrong: Hitting an unseen object under the snow could damage your plow or vehicle. If you clear someone else’s driveway and they slip and fall, liability issues could arise.

Insurance Protection:

• Auto Insurance with Comprehensive and Collision Coverage may help pay for vehicle or plow damage.
• Commercial Liability Insurance is essential if you plow driveways for extra income.
• Umbrella Insurance may offer additional liability protection if someone claims you caused their injury.
• Personal policy could have coverage, but be sure your equipment is covered off-premise if you plan to help neighbors or on public roadways.

4. Snowmobiling Across Fields & Trails

The Fun: Riding a snowmobile through open fields and wooded trails is a thrilling way to enjoy Missouri’s winter landscape.

What Could Go Wrong: Accidents with fences, trees, or other snowmobiles could lead to injuries or property damage. Theft is also a concern for expensive snowmobiles.

Insurance Protection:

• Inland Marine Insurance may cover damage or theft of a snowmobile, whether at home or while transporting it.
• Liability Coverage may protect against damages if you hit another person’s property.

5. Sliding Off the Road & Hitting Someone’s Property

The Fun: Winter road trips to visit family and friends often include scenic drives through snowy countryside.

What Could Go Wrong: Hitting black ice or losing control on a gravel road could send your car into a fence, barn, or another vehicle.

Insurance Protection:

• Auto Insurance with Property Damage Liability may cover damage to someone else’s fence, building, or vehicle.
• Collision Coverage may help pay for repairs to your own car.
• Umbrella Insurance may provide extra liability coverage if damages exceed standard limits.

Enjoy Winter, Stay Protected

Rural Missouri winters offer plenty of fun, but being prepared for unexpected mishaps ensures you can fully enjoy the season. With the right homeowners, auto, umbrella, and inland marine insurance, you can stay covered no matter what winter brings. Your agent should always be your top resource for coverage questions. Not all policies are built the same as no one has “one size fits all” needs.

Need a policy review or coverage for winter risks? Contact Cathy Filsinger or Jeff Davis at LCM Insurance Agency, Inc today to discuss your options!

Do you know an outstanding Missouri Class of 2025 high school senior or current college student attending, or who plans to attend, a post-secondary School?

(Including but not limited to: two-year, four-year, or any trade school)

This year MAMIC will award several $1000 high school scholarships and one $1000 college scholarship to outstanding students living in Missouri attending any post-secondary school.

We are looking for some great 2025 candidates to be our annual scholarship award recipients!

Important things to know about the MAMIC Scholarship Program:

1. Any student living in Missouri, attending any post-secondary college, community college, or trade school, is eligible to apply, even if the school is out of state.
   The student does not have to be affiliated with a MAMIC Mutual member and does not have to attend a Missouri Post Secondary School.
2. We will only accept MAMIC.net online applications.
   Paper applications will not be accepted.
3. The MAMIC Scholarship application deadline is March 1, 2025.
   Applicant must submit an online application, transcript, release form, and photo by 10:00 pm March 1, 2025 to qualify. Any incomplete applications will automatically be disqualified.
4. Please help us spread the word by forwarding this information and the below link to your customers, friends, and area schools and school counselors.
   The more people that know about the Scholarship Program, the more students we can reward.

It’s summer time and the best time to be hanging out around your pool with your family and friends. While pools can be so much fun for everyone, they can also be very scary. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, on average, 350 children under the age of 5 drown each year in a pool. Ensure your pools is safe for everyone with the help from these safety tips:

Install a fence around your pool and keep it locked when an adult is not present
Stay away from pool drains
Know how to preform CPR on children and adults
Never leave a child unattended in or near water
No running
Never swim alone
Teach children how to swim

Before taking your boat out this summer, double check that you have all of the required safety devices before heading out on the water. Visit the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website to brush up on your boating laws and responsibilities to avoid a ticket while on the water.

Required by the Coast Guard
A life jacket that fits every person on your boat
A throwable flotation device
A fire extinguisher
Visual signaling devices, such as flares
Sound signaling devices, such as a horn or whistle

Extra supplies in case of emergency
First aid kit
Oars
An orange flag – to be displayed when a person is in the water
A cell phone or boat radio to call for help, if needed
Anchor

Side by sides have become a very popular recreational activity. Is your side by side insured? We offer some great UTV policies to protect not only your machine, but also you and your passengers in case of injury. Give us a call to discuss your options!

Do you own a lawncare company? Do you have commercial general liability insurance? If you answered no to the second question, give us a call! We offer affordable general liability policies to protect against injuries to your clients and damage to their property.

Summer is right around the corner which means BBQ season is near too. Keep yourself safe this grilling season with these safety tips:

Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house
Clean your grill regularly
Check for gas leaks
Keep decorations away from your grill
Keep a fire extinguisher within a couple steps of your grills
Never turn on the gas while your grill lid is closed
Never leave your grill unattended
Never use your grill in your garage or under a porch

Did you know that Spring is the best time to buy or sell a house? The experts say that Spring brings out the most buyers because the longer days and warmer weather make people want to get out and look at homes. They also say that many buyers start searching in Spring expecting to close no later than the Summer. This gives families an ample amount of time to get acclimated to their new neighborhood and school district before the start of the new school year. If you are searching for a new home, we would be happy to give you a quote for insurance!

Traditionally, April 15 is tax day. However, the IRS has announced that they have pushed the federal income tax filing due date back to May 17, 2021. If you have been putting your taxes off, you still have one more month to get them done!