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~Alex Hastings~
Hastings Insurance Solutions LLC
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5 Things You Didn't Know Were Covered
by Auto Insurance
When it comes to fender benders, keyed cars and windshields damaged by stray rocks, you know your auto insurance policy has you covered. But did you know that your policy may also cover more unusual circumstances? Below are four such circumstances.

When rodents make your car their new home: Rodents can decide to make a new residence under your hood. This can lead to interfering with the operation of your vehicle. Especially if your vehicle is parked for a lengthy period of time, you should check to see if you have an "other than collision" clause that covers any rodent-created damage.

When potholes cause issues: Pothole accidents are categorized as collisions by many auto insurance policies. If so, the damage caused by a run-in with a pothole will be covered by your policy. However, That does go through claims as an 'At Fault Accident' so might not be worth claiming if its minimal damage

When your child's car seat is part of an accident: During crashes, various parts of your vehicle can be impacted in a severe manner. One less obvious point of impact may be your child's car seat. After an accident, it may be damaged, and it's a good idea to replace it. Your auto insurance policy may cover the cost of replacement.

When your furry friend needs care: Dogs love their owners' cars, and if your dog is ever injured as a result of an accident, your auto insurance may cover the vet bills.

If you experience any of these issues, call or email our office to determine whether your policy covers them.
Restoring Biodiversity: Tiny Forests Have Mighty Impact
When it comes to boosting biodiversity and creating green spaces, the West has taken inspiration from the East. Utilizing the methods of one of Japan's most respected botanists, organizations in Europe are creating tiny forests that thrive amidst urban landscapes.

Holland's Tiny Forest Initiative and Urban Forests, based in France and Belgium, have taken a sustainable leaf out of Akira Miyawaki's book to create small but mighty woodlands in their local areas. In 1970, Miyawaki discovered that the trees around his homeland's religious shrines tended to be native species, but he later found that only 0.06 percent of Japanese forests were made up of indigenous trees.

In response, he pioneered a method of restoring native forests on deforested or degraded plots of land. The Miyawaki Method created more than 1,700 forests throughout Asia, a staggering 96.7 percent of which developed resilient ecosystems in less than 10 years.

The method serves as a blueprint for volunteers in Europe, who plant clusters of indigenous seedlings that grow to become fully fledged and biodiverse ecosystems. Even in areas as small as a tennis court, these tiny forests restore soil, preserve water and air quality and attract flora and fauna. Since these small green spaces grow 10 times faster and are 30 times denser and 100 times more biodiverse than the conventional

The small-scale patches of greenery aren't just pleasant spots for insects and small mammals but for people, too, often serving as meeting places for local communities.
White Bean and Tuna Salad
For when you don't feel like cooking, this healthy protein-packed salad is perfect for a light meal in warmer weather.

Serves 4
Ingredients
• 2 6-oz. cans tuna packed in oil
• 2 bunches watercress, tough stems removed and leaves chopped (about 2 quarts)
• 2 15-oz. cans white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon drained capers
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
• finely chopped parsley to garnish (optional)

Place tuna (with oil), watercress, beans, red onion, capers, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Toss gently to combine.

Garnish with parsley if desired and serve.

Note: The oil in the tuna counts as part of the dressing. If there is less than 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil per can, add extra oil to make up the difference.
How Landscaping Can Lower Your Premiums
You can add beauty and value to your property with properly maintained landscaping, while poorly maintained or neglected landscaping can decrease both. Landscaping can have the same effect on your premiums. Here are some ways landscaping can lower premiums.

Trim your trees. Cutting and trimming your trees can lower your insurance premiums by reducing the risk to your property and others around you. Branches that are too close to your home can destroy roofs, damage siding and break windows. Dead branches pose a risk if they fall. They could cause property damage or personal injury.

Stop burglars. Landscaping can lower risk and thus potentially lower your insurance premiums by being a well-placed barrier to entry to your home. Trees or bushes in the right place, such as in front of easily accessible windows or other entry points, can serve as an effective barrier to thieves. Eliminate hiding places by keeping large bushes and trees neatly trimmed.

Watch the water. Landscaping can help lower your insurance premiums by acting as an effective barrier to floods and water damage. Place the right amount and kind of landscaping (such as trees, flowers and grass that crave and absorb water) so it does not reach any part of the structure and cause water damage that can then take thousands of dollars and months to repair. Avoiding such risks can potentially lower your homeowners insurance premium. Similarly, make sure the land is graded properly so that water can drain from it. Think about drainage, or better yet, consult with a professional with experience in land grading whenever you add or remove landscaping to protect your property from disaster.

Contacting our office today can help you make the right decisions so your landscaping choices not only improve the outside of your home but makes sense for your bottom line as well.
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5 Tips to Get Started with Slow Fashion
There are no two ways about it: fast fashion and the manufacturing of clothing come with a considerable carbon footprint.

According to the World Economic Forum, the fast fashion industry produces 10% of all humanity's carbon emissions and introduces 500,000 tons of microfibers into the ocean each year. But fear not! You can lessen this impact by adopting slow fashion practices, which advocate for people, the environment and animal-friendly manufacturing. This Earth Day, see how you can incorporate slow fashion into your wardrobe. It's not as difficult as it may seem! Follow these helpful tips to get you started.

Will you still wear it tomorrow? Whether you're buying eco-friendly clothing brands or not, ask yourself if you'll wear the item a minimum of 30 times. If the answer is yes, go ahead. If not, you may not even remember it a few weeks later.

The sustainable switch. If you do decide to shift to ethical brands, you'll be able to find out all the necessary info online. Try to gravitate toward brands that only design a certain number of collections each year and use sustainable materials such as bamboo, modal and hemp.

Think ahead. While sustainable fashion can cost more than regular mass-produced clothing, try to think of it as an investment. Go for quality instead of quality. Your eco-friendly garments will undoubtedly last a lot longer.

Get thrifty. Secondhand clothing gives perfectly usable and oftentimes very fashionable clothes a new lease on life. If you're looking for higher-end products, check out vintage boutiques in your area. They're likely to have online shops, too.

Pay it forward. In the same train of thought, donate your unwanted clothes. Every time you want to buy a new piece of clothing, donate something from your wardrobe to a secondhand store and avoid future storage overload
This newsletter and any information contained herein are intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial or medical advice. The publisher takes great efforts to ensure the accuracy of information contained in this newsletter. However, we will not be responsible at any time for any errors or omissions or any damages, howsoever caused, that result from its use. Seek competent professional advice and/or legal counsel with respect to any matter discussed or published in this newsletter.
                                                                 

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