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While preparing your Thanksgiving turkey in a turkey fryer can be a timeless tradition, it’s important to keep cooking safety measures in mind to protect yourself, your guests, and your home. After all, the U.S. Fire Administration states that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.

Don’t let your next holiday gathering become another statistic. Use this guidance to ensure turkey fryer safety and enjoy a stress-free Thanksgiving.

As with any cooking tool, it’s important to take caution when using a turkey fryer, as it can be extremely dangerous. Here are some tips to consider when frying a turkey.

• Stay in the area where you are cooking. Leaving the turkey unattended may cause the fryer to overheat, resulting in a fire.
• Use your turkey fryer on a level surface. Anything that might cause the fryer to tip over may result in a hot oil spill.
• Thaw your turkey before cooking. Water from still-frozen turkey can cause the oil to bubble or splash over the pot.
• Keep small children and animals away from the fryer while it is in use. There is a great risk that a child or pet could run into the fryer, knocking it down and causing serious injury. A safe distance of three to 10 feet away is recommended.
• Have safety equipment ready. Use oven mitts, goggles and an apron while cooking. Having a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency, and keep flammable items away from the fryer.

Keep it Outdoors

For your safety, only use a turkey fryer outside and away from your home. Never use a turkey fryer in a garage or on a porch. Also, be sure to keep some distance between yourself and the fryer as you monitor it—you wouldn’t want to accidentally get splashed with hot oil.

For more home safety guidance and homeowners insurance solutions, contact us today.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice.

Remember the “good old days” when there were only three tiers of prescription drugs in a health plan formulary? In today’s market, most plans have five or six tiers, and it has become harder for consumers to understand the multiple tiers and how to use their plan efficiently.

Let’s take a few minutes to discuss prescription plans and how to use them to our advantage.

What Is a Formulary?

A formulary is a list of prescription medications that your health insurance plan covers. It is also commonly referred to as a prescription drug list. Formularies are typically organized by drug categories and include both brand-name and generic medications. If a drug is on the formulary, it means your plan will help pay for it; however, how much you pay depends on the tier the drug falls into.

Tiered drugs may also be identified as preferred or nonpreferred in the tier. The plan favors preferred drugs due to their cost-effectiveness and clinical value, resulting in lower out-of-pocket costs. On the other hand, nonpreferred drugs, while not on the preferred list, are still covered but at a higher cost because they are more expensive or have alternatives.

Some formulary medications are covered at 100%, meaning there is no out-of-pocket cost for you. For others, you may have a copayment, which is a fixed amount you pay for medication. Your plan determines the copay. You may also have to pay coinsurance, a percentage of the medication’s cost, which can add up to higher out-of-pocket spending.

What Are Tiers and How Do They Work?

Many health plans use a tiered system to organize the drugs in their formulary. Each tier represents a different level of cost sharing between you and your insurance provider. Generally speaking, the higher the tier, the higher the cost of the medicine.

Depending on their strength, type, or purpose, medications are typically categorized into tiers, ranging from generics to the most expensive medicines. Your health insurance plan may split up prescription drugs into three-tier, four-tier or even five-tier groupings. Furthermore, keep in mind that some health plans also require prior authorization or step therapy for certain drugs, meaning you may need approval before the plan covers the medication, or you may need to try a lower-tier drug first.

These levels generally range from generic drugs to brand-name drugs to specialty drugs. Here’s a breakdown of what each term generally means:

• Generic drugs have the same active ingredients as brand-name drugs and are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for safety and effectiveness. You’ll usually pay the lowest copayment or coinsurance for Tier 1 drugs.
• Brand-name drugs are medications sold under a proprietary, trademarked name given by the pharmaceutical company that developed them. Despite having the same active ingredient, the brand-name and generic drugs can vary by strength, uses, form, administration and labeling. Generic drugs typically become available after the patents for brand-name medicines expire.
• Specialty drugs are high-cost medications used to treat complex or chronic conditions, such as cancer or autoimmune diseases. These drugs also often require special handling, administration or approval. These generally cost the most and are at the top of the tiered lists.

According to KFF’s 2025 Employer Health Benefits Survey, 84% of covered workers are in a plan with three, four or more tiers of cost sharing for prescription drugs. Two-thirds (60%) of those covered by employer-sponsored plans have four or more tiers, which was the most common. As such, the next subsections outline how tier grouping may look and what medicines are in each level.

3-tier Plan

1. Generic drugs
2. Brand-name drugs, including preferred and nonpreferred options
3. Highest-cost drugs

4-tier Plan

1. Low-cost generic and brand-name drugs
2. Higher-cost generic and brand-name drugs
3. High-cost, mostly brand-name drugs that may have generics available in Tiers 1 or 2
4. Highest cost, mostly brand-name drugs

5-tier Plan

1. Preferred generic drugs
2. Nonpreferred generic drugs
3. Preferred brand-name drugs
4. Nonpreferred brand-name drugs
5. Highest cost, including most specialty medications

Keep in mind that this is generally how the tiers can be explained. Each health plan will have its own tiered system and description for each category, so it’s important to review and understand your health plan’s specific formulary.

What if My Prescribed Drug Isn’t Listed?

If a drug you’re prescribed isn’t listed within any tier, it may mean that it’s not covered under your insurance plan. In this case, it may qualify for a discount through your insurance’s drug discount program, or you’ll have to pay the full price for the medication. You can avoid surprises at the pharmacy by checking your plan’s formulary in advance before filling a prescription.

If you’re prescribed a drug not covered under your plan, you can ask your prescriber if there are other options available.

Where Can I Find My Formulary?

Most insurance providers offer a searchable formulary tool on their website. You can log in to your member account and look up medications by name to see their tier, coverage status and any restrictions. Alternatively, you can call your insurer using the phone number on your member ID card. Your copay or coinsurance values for each tier may also be listed on your insurance card.

Also, during open enrollment, your employer may provide a summary of your prescription drug coverage, including a link or PDF of the formulary.

Conclusion

Prescription drug formularies and tiers are designed to strike a balance between access to necessary medications and cost control. By familiarizing yourself with your plan’s formulary and understanding how the tiers work, you can make more informed choices about your prescriptions and manage your healthcare expenses more effectively.

If you like to discuss prescription drug formularies further, please get in touch with Mike Holley, Vice President of Life & Health for Dimond Bros Insurance at mike.holley@dimondbros.com

This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice.

The top source of fires in American homes comes from fuel-burning appliances—such as a wood-burning stove. That’s why it’s vital to follow proper precautions when using your wood-burning stove. Consider the following guidance to ensure safe operation of your stove—keeping you, your family and your home protected against the risk of a fire.

• Read instructions for your wood-burning stove and follow them carefully.
• Inspect the firebrick liner in your stove, if you have one. Should the liner shows signs of wear, replace it immediately and do not use the unit until the liner is replaced.
• Don’t use flammable or combustible liquid (e.g., gasoline, kerosene, or lighter fluid) to start a fire.
• Burn wood recommend by the manufacturer only.
• Don’t burn plastic, wood or garbage that has been painted or treated with chemicals.
• Be sure to have properly maintained smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and an approved multipurpose fire extinguisher in your home.
• Never close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. Doing so will cause the fire to heat up which will force toxic carbon monoxide into your house. Take extra care when disposing of hot ashes. Remember that these embers may remain hot for several days.

Prioritize Routine Inspections and Maintenance

Solid fuel units (including wood-burning stoves) tend to require significantly more upkeep than other heating systems. Failure to conduct regular inspections and maintenance could lead to development of cracks, leaks, warping, baffle gaps or creosote buildup in your wood-burning stove—all of which can cause a fire.

With this in mind, be sure to have your stove inspected at least once every year by a qualified professional for potential problems, and make repairs as needed. In addition, conduct monthly maintenance practices of your own to keep your stove in good (and safe) condition.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice.

What is it?

A wind/hail deductible refers to the amount a policyholder must pay out-of-pocket for a covered claim resulting from wind, hail, rain, or similar events, as defined by the insurer. This deductible is separate from any other applicable deductibles.

Why do Wind/Hail Deductibles Exist?

Due to the increasing frequency and severity of weather-related damage claims, insurance providers are introducing specific wind/hail deductibles on property to help manage costs and maintain financial stability. A higher deductible can also help in lowering premiums, as the business is taking on more risk.

Types of Deductibles

Understanding the types of deductibles applicable to wind and hail damage is important for commercial property owners.

• Dollar-based Deductibles: A fixed dollar amount that you pay out-of-pocket for a covered insurance claim before your insurance company pays the rest. For example, a $5,000 deductible means $5,000 is the insured’s responsibility of a covered claim.
• Percentage-based Deductibles: Wind/Hail deductibles are often a percentage of your property’s insured value. For example, a 3% deductible on a $250,000 policy would require you to pay $7,500 before insurance covers the remaining repair costs. The percentage typically ranges from %1 to %5, but can be higher in high-risk areas. A minimum deductible may also apply.

Many policyholders mistakenly believe that percentage-based wind/hail deductibles are calculated from the total loss amount. In reality, they are typically based on the insured value of the property. The method used to determine this value can vary depending on the specific insurance policy.

These deductibles may be applied in different ways, including:

• Per-building: A separate percentage is applies to each building.
• Per-location: A single percentage is applied to the total value of all buildings at a specific address.
• Per-occurrence: The percentage applies to each qualifying weather event.

Managing Large Wind/Hail Deductibles

If a high wind/hail deductible is a significant financial risk for your business, you can inquire about the following option:

• Deductible buyback policy: A separate insurance policy that allows you to reduce your high percentage deductible to a more manageable amount for an additional premium.

As a business owner, it’s essential to safeguard your physical assets and ensure operational continuity during a loss. Gaining understanding of wind/hail deductibles can help you plan ahead, minimize disruptions, and be financially prepared to meet deductible obligations.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice.

Halloween celebrations can come with a range of fun activities and lead to lasting memories for your children. However, these festivities can also carry serious safety risks. That’s why it’s important to have precautions in place to protect your kids from the risk of Halloween-related injuries or accidents. Keep reading for an outline of Halloween safety tips for your kids.

Costume Precautions

• Do not let children wear baggy or long costumes, as they are difficult to walk in and can be tripping hazards.
• Purchase wigs, costumes, and accessories that are fire-retardant.
• Select face makeup and paint that is labeled as non-toxic and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent allergic reactions.
• Place reflective tape on your children’s costumes and candy buckets if they are going trick-or-treating at night.

Trick-or-Treating Safety

• Remind children to stay on the sidewalk and look both ways before crossing the street.
• Do not allow children under 12 years old to go trick-or-treating by themselves.
• Remind children to never approach or get into a car with a stranger offering them candy.
• Once your children get home, inspect their candy to ensure it’s safe to eat.

Pumpkin Carving Tips

• Only carve pumpkins on a flat surface with adequate lighting, such as a kitchen table.
• Use a pumpkin-carving kit that includes tools appropriate for the task.
• Place lit jack-o’-lanterns away from flammable objects, such as sheets and curtains.

Trick-or-Treating in Busy Areas

In addition to these tips, make sure you take extra precautions when your children go trick-or-treating in busy areas. If you live near busy roads, consider only allowing your children to trick-or-treating during the day, or accompany children of all ages to keep them safe among fast-moving motorists.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice.

Farming is a complex business that extends beyond planting crops or raising livestock. Farmers face daily challenges such as unpredictable weather, shifting markets, and equipment issues. Farm insurance serves as both a safety net and a tool to maintain operational strength.

However, simply having a policy is not enough. Understanding your coverage is essential. Client education and risk management ensure your insurance supports your daily, not only during a crisis.

Why Client Education Matters

Many farmers carry insurance, but few truly understand the details of their policies. This can lead to gaps in coverage or missed opportunities for better protection. For instance, are you covered for loss of income due to prolonged power outage? What happens if a worker gets injured off-site? Do you have coverage for cyber threats—yes, even farms are being targeted? Does your policy cover the rental of machinery if yours is damaged in a claim? Do you have coverage for your crops if combustion causes a field fire in the middle of harvest?

Insurance literacy means maintaining open communication with your provider and asking informed questions. Well-informed clients make better decisions, which can determine how quickly you recover from setbacks.

Your provider should offer regular policy reviews, updates on changes in the industry, and breakdowns of coverage options in plain language.

The Role of Risk Management

Insurance is reactive and helps after a loss, but effective risk management can reduce the likelihood of needing to file a claim.

For example, implementing proper equipment maintenance schedules can reduce the risk of breakdowns. Installing security systems or lighting around barns can deter theft. Even something as simple as training seasonal workers on safe machinery use can prevent costly accidents.

Making the Most of Your Insurance

To protect your farm, treat insurance as an integral part of your operational strategy, not just an annual requirement. Consider these steps:

• Schedule a policy review with your agent at least once a year.
• Ask questions about exclusions, emerging risks, and specialty coverage options.
• Request a risk assessment to identify areas of vulnerability.
• Stay informed about changes in the agricultural industry that might affect your coverage needs.

The more informed you are, the better prepared you will be. Choosing an agency committed to ongoing education and guidance is essential.

Conclusion

Farm insurance is evolving, and your approach should evolve as well. With the right education and a strong risk management plan, you are not only protecting your farm, but also investing in its future.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice.