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Since 1950, Cox Insurance Associates has provided insurance solutions for families and businesses. We offer homeowners, car insurance, personal insurance and business insurance solutions that exceed expectations.

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Cox Insurance honored as Western National Circle of Excellence Agency

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On March 7, 2019, Cox Insurance was announced as a Circle of Excellence agency by Western National Insurance.

The Western National Circle of Excellence recognition is announced annually to spotlight an elite group of partners who have excelled based on performance and growth over the past six years (2013 – 2018). An agency must also demonstrate that they meet high standards of professional excellence and integrity in order to be considered for this recognition.

Cox Insurance provides Home, Auto, Liability and Commercial insurance that exceeds expectations. For a personalized quote, please contact us here.

Ice dams: What you need to know

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During extreme winter weather, we receive a lot of inquiries regarding damages caused by ice dams.

What you should know

  • What is an ice dam?
    An ice dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof and prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. When water backs up behind the dam, it can leak into a home and cause damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas.
  • What causes ice dams? 
    Three things are required for an ice dam to form: snow, heat to melt the snow, and cold to refreeze the melted snow. The heat from inside the home rises through the ceilings and into the attic. Without sufficient attic ventilation, heat collects under the roof deck, melts the snow on the roof, and refreezes before dripping off the roof. As this process continues, the layer of ice at the eave gets thicker; eventually causing a “dam” that traps the melted snow behind it and creates a pool of water.
Courtesy of thesilverlining.com
  • Ice dams can lead to different types of damage. Water from the melted snow pools and eventually backs up onto the roof surface. The pool of water can creep under the shingles and into the home causing interior water damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, and other areas. Sometimes the ice dam can cause damage to the roof covering as well. The water can also continue to re-freeze, causing gutters to potentially collapse from the additional weight.

Insurance Coverage

  • Insurance coverage related to ice dams is dependent on the extent of the damage and differs by carrier. The damage caused by the ice dam is typically a covered claim (subject to your deductible); however, the removal of the ice dam itself may or may not be covered. If there is coverage for the removal of an ice dam, it is usually limited to the area that is causing the damage, not the entire property.  Any future preventative measures (like increasing your attic insulation) are a great idea, but those costs are generally NOT covered by insurance.
  • Prevention is always the best defense! Many of the ice dam situations we encounter are often not significant enough to warrant a claim. It’s best to try to avoid the problem.
  • Every situation is different. Coverage scenarios will vary by carrier and the conditions and specifics of each property. Individual carriers will determine if and what coverage is available.   

TAKE ACTION

A few things you can do to potentially lessen the damage caused by ice dams:

  • Use a roof rake and push broom to remove snow from your roof. Caution: never climb on your roof without proper safety equipment. When in doubt, hire a professional!
  • Place ice melting “pucks” on the problem areas of your roof to speed up the melting process. These can be found at your local hardware store. Use with caution and read the reviews carefully.
  • Hire a professional ice dam removal company. If your situation is significant, an ice dam removal company will use a heat source to take care of your problem. This can be a very expensive process so do your research about the various options or consult with a trusted contractor.
  • Increase your ceiling/roof insulation to cut down on heat loss. The best long-term solution is to make your ceiling air-tight so no warm air can flow from the house into the attic space.
  • Pro tip: make sure all your venting and ridge caps have good air flow so heat can escape your attic. If they are covered due to ice or snow, they likely are trapping heat in which could lead to further damage.  If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, always consult a trained professional.

Questions?

We’re happy to help! Contact the Cox Insurance team with any questions. Stay warm and safe!

Cox Insurance provides Home, Auto, Liability and Commercial insurance that exceeds expectations. For a personalized quote, please contact us here.

Jewelry, Art & Collectibles Insurance

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Whether it’s a wedding ring, expensive artwork, or a family heirloom, it is important to make special considerations to insure these valuable items.

What you should know

  • Your basic homeowner’s policy only includes LIMITED COVERAGE for jewelry, art, and collectibles.
    An extension (“rider”) or separate policy is often recommended. 
  • Appraisals are essential.
    Antique jewelry and collectibles can be insured as long as their characteristics, qualities, and value can be determined.
  • Valuable jewelry should be appraised every 5 years.
    The value of your jewelry will change due to fluctuations in precious metal prices and changes in fashion trends.
  • Jewelry insurance is the best investment you can make post-purchase. 
    It is relatively inexpensive and generally costs between $1-$2 for every $100 it would cost to replace (i.e. a $5,000 ring would cost $50-$100 annually to insure).

TYPES OF COVERAGE

  • Itemized Coverage
    A description and dollar amount is assigned to a specific item.
  • Blanket Coverage
    Used to cover a collection of smaller miscellaneous pieces. This allows flexibility and can help control expenses but puts a cap on maximum payment per item.

NEXT STEPS

  • Have your jewelry or collectibles professionally appraised.

  • Contact your Cox Insurance advisor to discuss your options for adding an extension (“rider”) to your homeowner’s policy or purchasing a separate policy for advanced coverage.

Cox Insurance provides Home, Auto, Liability and Commercial insurance that exceeds expectations. For a personalized quote, please contact us here.

2018 Associate of the Year Awards

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Congratulations to our 2018 Associate of the Year – Jodi Gritz and our Award of Excellence recipient – Tadd Landry! These peer-evaluated awards are given annually to individuals who provide a great experience for our clients through hard work and a positive attitude. 

Cox Insurance – 2018 Minnesota Family Business Finalist

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In November 2018, Cox Insurance was honored as a family business award finalist at the Twin Cities Business Minnesota Family Business award ceremony.

The award recognizes family-owned, family-run businesses who have found diverse ways to provide for their employees, give back to their communities, and confront challenges and changes. Twin Cities Business described Cox Insurance as a company that has maintained a “strong but flexible transition plan” and recognized that “both family and non-family staff share in shaping the company’s collaborative, customer-focused culture.”

Representing the third generation of ownership, Taylor Cox and Hanna Cox Connor accepted the award on behalf of the organization.