Trusted Regina Insurance experts at Campbell and Haliburton Insurance  have been in the community for over 50 years. They know it is customer service and knowledge that counts when you are in need of an insurance company in Regina. Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH.ca, dedicated insurance brokers in Regina can assist you with finding the plan that works best for you. In their latest Trusted Regina Insurance Tip, they share 10 things to know about buying insurance online in Regina.

10 Things to Know About Buying Insurance Online from Campbell & Haliburton

But what about buying insurance online?

That model has worked well in the past, and for many of us, it continues to be our preferred means of choice.  There is something very comforting about talking with a professional who knows and understands our needs.

A growing number of us though, are looking for something different. Many of us turn towards the online option: banking online, ordering groceries online, doing our Christmas shopping online, and even shopping for cars online. So why not purchase home insurance online too?

Campbell & Haliburton Insurance, myCH.ca has launched a new online platform. This enables our customers to purchase some of the more common insurance products online from the comfort of their own homes. Are you looking for home insurance, tenant insurance, or condo insurance? No problem, we’ve got you covered! Most customers can obtain a quote and even have their policy issued instantly online. Are you a landlord needing insurance for a rented dwelling? You can do that too!

10 Things to Know About Buying Insurance Online from Campbell & Haliburton

But this is new and we get that. You have questions, we have answers! We have compiled a list of “Top 10 Questions About Buying Insurance Online”.

10. "How Does Buying Insurance Online Actually Work?

It’s actually quite easy! You simply go to our myCH online landing page and click on the “Get Started” link. You will be asked to enter some basic information about yourself, and your home. Don’t worry, none of it is too difficult or complicated. After all, we are in the business of making this as easy as possible for you! We use some neat state-of-the-art software that does some quick behind-the-scenes calculations which then provides you with a quote in real-time! You can customize it and make any changes that you need. Once you are ready to complete it, click on the purchase button, and voila! Your policy is issued.

9. "That Does Sound Easy - But, I'm a Bit of a Technophobe."

No problem! We have a live chat feature that is fully operated during regular business hours. If you have a question at any point along the way, just type it into the chatbox and one of our brokers will answer it right away! We don’t use automated chatbots, only real people, the best people! Suppose, you want to purchase a policy at 3:00 a.m.? You can certainly do so! The online tool is available 24/7. Our agents, however, are not. They need their sleep. But rest assured the next morning someone will get back to you and answer any questions you may have!

8. "Can I Make Changes Down The Road?"

Absolutely! If at any time, you want to take a look at your policy or make changes, you can do that within your own self-serve pocket account. Simply log into your pocket account to view or make changes to your policies!

7. "I Did This Online, But Can I Still Call in if I Have Questions?"

Yes, most definitely! You can either chat, email, call or stop by the office! We will accommodate whatever is the most convenient for you. Just because you purchased online doesn’t mean that you can’t call in! At Campbell & Haliburton we are available Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

6. "How Can I Pay?"

We’ll make buying insurance online as easy as possible for you. Do you want to pay monthly or once per year? Both are options. Credit card? No problem! Directly from your bank account? Yes, you can do that too! To keep you as safe as possible, all of the payments are made through a secure payment portal.

5. "Is Online Legit?"

Buying insurance online is completely 100% legitimate and completely above board. We made sure of this before we launched it! At present, there are a couple of different insurance companies that are available through this platform: both SGI CANADA and Exhale Insurance are set up to provide quotes. We hope to have some of our other partners on board in the coming months. Stay tuned!

4. "What About My Business? Can I Purchase Online Insurance?" 

Yes and no. At present this platform is only available for home, condo, and tenant insurance. But we can certainly assist you with your business! Just call or email Campbell & Haliburton, we would be pleased to assist you with whatever you need.

3. "My Insurance Situation is a Little Unique. Can You Still Help Me?"

Most certainly we can! Most home and tenant policies can be done online. But then there are some things that don’t quite fit into that box. Perhaps you are running a business from your home, or operating an Airbnb*? Or even breeding magical unicorns? No problem! We’ve seen just about everything that there is to see and can insure most of it. (Okay, we are having some difficulty in obtaining unicorn insurance, but hopefully someday soon!) Just because it can’t be done online doesn’t mean we can’t do it at Campbell & Haliburton! Likely we can. Just contact us by phone or email and we’ll see what we can do!

*If you are doing any sort of home business or renting out any portion of your home including Airbnb, we recommend that you contact us right away.

2. "What About Car Insurance?"

Not at present. We are hopeful that you will be able to purchase an extension auto policy through this platform soon! But for now, if you need an auto insurance quote please contact us and we can assist you with whatever you need.

1. "Can I Get a Puppy if I Buy Insurance Online?"

Sure! Why not? We recommend that ALL of our clients get puppies! Oh, wait. Did you mean would we give you a puppy? No, sorry, we can’t. But we would love to see pictures of any of your pets!

If you don’t have an insurance broker and want to talk to someone who is truly passionate about your rental dwellings, contact us at Campbell & Haliburton Insurance. We would love to talk to you.

- Daryl Arendt, Office Manager & Licensed Insurance Broker

Our Trusted Regina Insurance Agents at Campbell & Haliburton have your best interests and safety in mind and our commitment to customer service is one of the pillars of our business. We also know insurance inside and out, so please contact us for all of your insurance needs and we will be more than happy to help ensure what you value most is protected. >

Campbell & Haliburton's doors opened in 1957.  Since then, they have seen run-away inflation, recessions, and now, a global pandemic.  Through it, all their doors have remained open as they are committed to providing outstanding service to you.  No matter what the next years and decades bring they have committed to continue to stay open to serve you.

They offer many different insurance policies to protect the most important areas of your life including:

• Home Insurance
• Auto Insurance
• Condo Insurance
• Tenant Insurance
• Farm Insurance
• Commercial Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Travel Insurance

Campbell & Haliburton is a Trusted Regina Insurance Broker

Active Electric Regina Electricians get it right the first time, delivering all electrical services including installation, upgrade, and repair solutions. Active Electric are your TRUSTED REGINA ELECTRICAL EXPERTS

Active Electric Tip About How To Reduce Your Electrical Bill

Few people enjoy spending money unnecessarily but many of us spend money on our electrical bill that could have been saved by making a few simple changes.  Many of us are using more power than ever, with kids back and forth from an online school or you working possibly from home.

That is why Active Electric, has provided these easy-to-follow licensed electrician tips for lowering your electric bill.  Active Electric is passionate about keeping our clients safe and saving them money on electrical services, which is why they offer a variety of residential and commercial electrical services. Reducing electricity usage has the added bonus of being good for the environment, so you can save money and feel good about doing it!

Tips to Conserve Electricity

While there are some big changes that you can make to your home that will save on electricity, like upgrading to energy-efficient appliances or installing solar panels, there are also many smaller changes and tricks that can be employed to conserve energy. Some tips to reduce energy usage include:

Switch to LED Lighting

LED bulbs use much less power and last longer than conventional light bulbs and they are available in a variety of colours and styles.

Optimize Operation of Dishwashers and Laundry Machines

Most electrical providers decrease the cost of electricity during off-peak hours, like early morning or nighttime. Running heavy power-using appliances during this time, rather than at peak hours, can save you a lot of money. Also, only run these appliances when you have a full load to reduce the time that they are operating.

Keep Your Thermostat Steady

Drastic increases or decreases in temperature create an unnecessary electrical strain. Keep your thermostat steady within two or three degrees.

Use a Thermal Wrap on Your Water Heater

Water heaters are one of the biggest consumers of electricity, so insulating your water heater to prevent heat loss will reduce electricity expenditure.

Clean and Replace Filters

Air filters on appliances and ventilation gather dust and debris and the more clogged they get, the more power it takes to get air moving. Clean the filters on your dryer, furnace, fridge, and air conditioner to help them use less electricity.

Turn Off the Lights

Just turn off the lights every time you leave a room. Leaving any electrical device or light on when you are not in the room is wasteful.

Insulate Doors and Windows

A lot of heat can move through doors and windows, even when they are closed. Be aware of open doors or windows and install the proper weather stripping and insulation to minimize heat loss.

Read a book or get outside

What we do for entertainment can have a massive effect on our electricity bills. A television consumes more electricity than a reading lamp. Pursuing hobbies that do not use as much electricity will also typically help you to stay healthier!

Dust N Shine Cleaning Services is a TRUSTED REGINA MAID AND CLEANING SERVICE.

 6 Things You Should Clean More Frequently

Staying Covid, cold and flu-free this season comes down to a few simple tactics: 

1. First, get a flu shot. 
2. Second, steer clear of co-workers who hit the office sniffling and coughing. 
3. And third, know the places where viruses and bacteria tend to hang out and how to properly clean these things—so you can drastically reduce your odds of accidentally buying yourself a week in bed with body aches and a fever. 

1. A Shared Computer

Anything that gets a lot of direct contact with hands and fingers tends to have a scarily high concentration of germs, and all it takes for you to contract something is touching the mouse or keyboard and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth. Even if it’s only used occasionally by one or two people in your household, wipe it down before each use with an alcohol-based towelette designed for cleaning electronics, says Gerba.

2. The Refrigerator Door

Whether it’s in your home or the one in the office break room, this handle gets a lot of play all day, says Gerba. And if there are even microscopic bits of food on it, bacteria and viruses can feed and multiply. Once a week (or daily if someone in your household is sick), rub a disinfectant wipe up and down the entire length of it, especially in any tiny grooves. “A disinfectant spray works too, but studies show that the disinfectant from the wipe stays on the surface longer, so it’s more effective,” says Gerba. “With a spray, we tend to wipe it away quickly with a paper towel rather than let it sit and kill bugs.”

3. The Inside of Your Car

Run a disinfectant wipe over your vehicle dashboard weekly, which accumulates germs thanks to the heater or AC blowing them there, says Gerba. Cup holders are also germ hangouts, thanks in part to the food residue you can’t even see. “If you have a child car seat, wipe that down, too, because kids are always sick and touching various parts of it,” says Gerba.

4. Your Remote Control

You’ve heard reports that these are crawling with germs in hotels. But even in your own house, it’s one of the germiest surfaces, says Gerba. Everyone touches it all the time, especially when they’re eating, and that leads to bacteria and virus growth. Give it a wipedown weekly with an alcohol-based electronics cleanser.

5. Your Purse

Not only are you constantly touching the handle or strap, but you end up leaving it on a dirty restroom floor or store counter more than you think, and these areas have huge germ traffic. When you bring your bag into your house, you risk spreading anything you’ve picked up to yourself or family members. Spray or wipe it daily (or whenever you use it) with a fabric-safe sanitizing spray and paper towel, and hang it on a hook when you’re home so microbes can’t be tracked through the rest of the house.

6. Your Cell Phone

Considering all the handling it gets via germy, food-laden hands and fingers, and the fact that food helps bugs thrive, it’s a miracle this device doesn’t actually grow mould. It’s begging for a weekly cleansing with an alcohol-based cleaner meant for digital devices, suggests Gerba

Contact Dust N Shine for your free estimate today!

Dust N Shine Cleaning Services is a TRUSTED REGINA MAID AND CLEANING SERVICE.

Active Electric are Trusted Regina Electricians and they get it right the first time, delivering all electrical services including installation, upgrade, and repair solutions.

Active Electric are your TRUSTED REGINA ELECTRICAL EXPERTS

Experiencing Power Outages?  Active Electric Shares A Tip on Why You Should Install a Generator

When most people think of generators, they tend to think about things such as construction sites and those who are turning to off-grid solutions for everyday living. The fact is, however, that more and more people are choosing to install generators in their homes and businesses.

A generator will power your home through power outages caused by storms, other weather, or man-made problems.  Generator installation is on the rise, be a part of the community and be prepared.  Below are a few reasons home generators can be a practical, cost-effective solution at your home or business.

Emergency Preparedness

Storms not only have damaging wind and rain that can knock down power lines, in some cases, but they also spawn tornadoes that can do even more damage to the power grid.  Power generators ensure you have access to electricity in emergency situations. Storms, rolling blackouts, and damage to power lines are just a few of the things that can come about when you least expect them. Having a power generator in place before these problems occur means you never have to worry

Furthermore, if a disaster were ever to occur, scrambling to find a power generator may be the last thing you want to do.

Backup Power For Home Appliance & Medical Devices

When the power is out, appliances shut off. Usually, worst-case scenario is having to reset clocks and power devices back on when electricity becomes available. Some appliances however have consequences. Food storage for instance can constitute a problem if refrigerators and freezers become inoperable for any substantial amount of time, as many items can spoil in just a few hours at room temperature.  

A much more serious reason to have a power generator on standby is the need for home medical devices. Equipment such as a CPAP machine for those suffering from sleep apnea, electrical hospital beds and chairs for those with mobility issues, heart monitors, dialisis machines and more are all dependent on electricity without fail. When you depend on one of those, you cannot tolerate the risk of a power outage.

Using a generator in a storm can preserve food, it can keep damaging mold from growing in your house from a lack of air-conditioning. A generator can let you operate pumps to keep your home from succumbing to water damage from flooding. It can allow your business to keep running during a power outage and prevent profit losses.

In cases where these devices are present, it is a good idea to have a power generator on standby that is dependable and will not let you down. This is a situation where you will want a professionally installed system that you know you don’t have to worry about.

Safety and Security

As many security experts in Regina will tell you, one of the first things many home intruders often do with the increasing presence of home cameras and security is cut the power of a home. In the absence of backup power or batteries, this will not only turn off the lights but shut down cameras and alarms preventing anyone home or away from that there may be an intruder.

Permanent power generators that automatically turn on with power loss can mitigate these concerns, and ensure continued security and monitoring in the event of a blackout or loss of power.

What type of generator do you need?

If you are only interested in keeping a refrigerator going and perhaps a few small appliances, a portable generator is the best. If you have a home or business and want to keep the air conditioner and all the electric powered items going, then a stationary (standby) generator is best. This generator should be installed by a licensed electrician to ensure it works correctly when a power outage occurs.

Portable Generators

These types of generators are much less expensive than their permanent counterparts. However, they are completely dependent upon your presence.

You have to manually start the generator and, if you have to use it for any length of time, monitor the gas consumption. 

Furthermore, a portable generator must be no closer to your home than ten feet, because of the carbon monoxide emissions. At the same time, you will want to house it in an enclosure that keeps it safe from the elements but also allows for free movement of air.

If you are using a portable generator in an emergency situation, it’s likely that it will only be able to power the most important appliances in your home. They simply are not big enough to handle the brunt of everything from appliances, televisions, lighting and everything else. Plan to downplay your energy output if you will be depending on a portable.

Permanent Placement Generators

You can find these in many different sizes, but all in all the expense will be more. The main reason for this is that you are paying for more peace of mind. Should you need to leave your home for vacation or business for a few days, you can rest assured your generator will take care of any random power outages. 

They are very quiet, much safer than a portable generator and, should you decide to sell your home, they can bring about 50% of their original cost in the sale.

The downside to permanently placed power generators is that they need maintenance every two years. However, with that maintenance, the reliability can be determined, and if there are needs such as medical equipment involved, the peace of mind is absolutely priceless.

If you are considering a home generator, and need assistance with electrical or infrastructure to ensure the safety and reliability of your investment, feel free to contact us for cost estimates and recommendations. 

If you are ever uncertain about a potential electrical issue in your home please contact Active Electric and one of their qualified professionals would be happy to help.  They also provide Free quotes! 

ACTIVE ELECTRIC are TRUSTED REGINA ELECTRICIANS -  Check out his listing here in REGINA ELECTRICIANS on the Regina Directory of excellence!