Gerald Brown: Allstate Insurance

During the colder months, animals search for comfortable places to live. One form of shelter is inside of vehicles. If an animal enters your vehicle, they can chew wires, seats, and interiors.... To keep this from occurring, It's best to park vehicles in a garage, place traps near the vehicle or drive it frequently. Is something like this covered by an auto insurance policy? Generally, auto insurance will cover the cost to repair or replace damage done to your vehicle by animals, as long as you carry comprehensive coverage.

Has it been awhile since we've reviewed your insurance program? Let's make sure you have the coverage you'll want as your life unfolds.

While most home-repair contractors are honest and provide quality work, how can you protect yourself when having work done to your home? Work only with established contractors who are licensed, bonded, and insured. Require references.... Check with your local Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against contractors you are considering. Avoid payment-in-full upfront. Never let work begin until the contract is finalized. Don’t sign a completion certificate until the job is completed and you are satisfied. Getting in a hurry isn't worth the potential grief!

During these times of government stimulus payments and the pandemic, fake check scams happen more frequently. The scammer’s goal is to get you depositing a counterfeit check into your checking account so that you can return a portion of the funds to them. Here are a few examples:... You get your first check for a new work-from-home gig, and the employer then requests money for supplies. You get a check for contest winnings which can only be claimed by sending in funds to cover taxes. A prospective buyer of something you are selling "mistakenly" sends you a check for an amount greater than the asking price and then requests the difference back. If you come upon any of these situations, do not deposit the check!

April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month. Allstate Benefits offers Critical Illness Insurance that includes coverage for Advanced Parkinson’s disease. We’re proud to partner with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research to raise awareness of resources that can help people better manage their Parkinson’s care. Call my agency to learn more. al.st/3rzuMkf

Our hearts go out to those affected by the recent tornadoes and flooding. Please know we are here to help you and your loved ones as we rebuild the community we all call home. To file claim today call 1-800-54-STORM or visit http://a.ll.st/rytdDN