Category Archives: Boat Insurance

New business..

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We did something a little different this year…we had a booth at the Adult Entertainment Expo in Vegas.  Okay, I know it sounds wild, and really,  it was wild, but from a business marketing plan it worked for us. We were the only insurance agent with a booth. We promoted “toy” insurance for cars, boats, aircraft etc.  We are also working on product liability, commercial general liability, personal life insurance and more.  Specialty insurance products are what we do.

While it might not have been exactly what we anticipated, it was successful.  It was also fun and an experience of a lifetime.  Both my kids (don’t worry, they are 22 and 24) and my partner (and spouse)  helped develop the marketing plan and work the show.  Since they are all involved in the business they had an input into how we would work this event. Question we are always asked…Would I go back?  Yes.

Anyway, if you or anyone you know, needs “toy” insurance or anything else that is unusual, give us a call. We like the specialty markets.

SkySmith….the Next Generation

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“Insurance… The final frontier…
These are the voyages of the SkySmith Enterprise.
Its continuing mission:
To explore strange new risks…
To seek out new life; new civilizations…
To boldly go where no one has gone before!”

As many of you know, our roots run deep in insurance and before that, the real backbone of our civilization, family business. Our son, Zach, joined our agency in January 2011. He graduated from Iowa State with an Art degree and had gone back for a 2nd degree. Right after the January semester started, he hit a brick wall, figuratively speaking, and decided he was done with his college career….so he needed a job with us until he could find something he really wanted to do.

Sometime, in the Spring, he said, ”you know, it’s really not that bad working for you.” Duh, I thought and a lot of mental mumbling that I won’t share with you here.

Now that the leaves have fallen and snow is breathing down upon us, I think it is time to announce he is staying and has found his place in our agency. Actually, since the day he started, he has been exerting his influence and his personality. For this Generation, some of it is even good. Stay tuned for his art work and how we have updated our image and marketing at almost every level.

Would appreciate your thoughts and comments as you see the transformation unfold here……

New “Boating Simulator” Lets You Boat Anytime

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NEWS From BoatUS

Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
BoatU.S. Press Room at http://www.BoatUS.com/pressroom

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com
BoatUS Foundation’s Virtual Boating Experience is the Next Step in Boater Education

ANNAPOLIS, Md., May 2, 2011 – A new downloadable BoatUS Boating Simulator, provided by the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water aims to use animation, simulation and video to keep boaters on the virtual “water” anytime – and teach them how to navigate through congested and sometimes treacherous waters.

The Boating Simulator’s interactive boating experience – complete with throttle, shifter and chartplotter – makes learning fun. “Research shows that most people use visual cues when learning and when you combine it with active participation, comprehension and retention increase,” said BoatUS Assistant Director of Boating Safety Ted Sensenbrenner. “Simply put, you learn while you’re having a great time driving the boat.”

The Simulator, which utilizes your keyboard, mouse and arrow keys to operate, is free to download at www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/games. During the game’s voyage, players must use all of the tools at their disposal to navigate around aids to navigation as well as shallow water and other vessel traffic. Along the way you could be penalized for violating speed zones, approaching too close to another vessel or navigating out of bounds.

This is the third interactive video game offered by the BoatUS Foundation that puts new or seasoned boaters alike behind the helm of a virtual boat. The first two games, DockIt! and NavigateIt!, teach docking and navigation skills respectively. All BoatUS Foundation games are provided at no cost at www.BoatUS.com/Foundation/games and BoatUS membership is not required to play.

For the Boating Simulator, a standard home PC with Windows XP or newer and a DirectX 9.0 compatible video card is required. Simply follow the on-screen instructions and prompts to download to your computer.

About the BoatUS Foundation:

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by the half million members of BoatUS, it provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America’s waterways and keeping boating safe for all. To make a tax-deductible donation to this 501(c)(3) nonprofit, go to www.BoatUS.com/foundation.