Forward Mutual Insurance Company

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Featuring H&H Insurance Services

Ryan Davis, H&H Insurance Services, Waukesha, WIForward Mutual is proud to feature our independent agency H&H Insurance Services, Inc., as a top producer for Grinnell Mutual, our reinsurer. Locally owned by Dave Johnston and Vera Pyawasay, this multi-line agency has served southeastern Wisconsin since 1979. Their areas of expertise are Personal, Commercial and Individual Life, all of which they personalize to their customer’s needs.

“Forward Mutual offers versatility in writing business,” says licensed agent Ryan Davis, who has been with H&H Insurance Services for 17 years and offers Forward home and farm insurance to his clients. “Forward has a great group of people to work with.”

Are you looking for home or farm insurance in the Brookfield and Waukesha areas? Call Ryan Davis at 262-717-3300 and learn how a Forward Mutual policy can protect your property.

By the Minutes: Accounting Over the Years

By HOWARD WIEDENHOEFT

Forward Mutual recently held its annual policyholders meeting and, as is done every year, CEO and President Lois Wiedenhoeft and our CPA discussed its financial report. While often referred to as dry subject matter, an accounting of the year’s financial activity is an important story of the mutual’s strength and security.

Here is a bit of accounting history and changes along the way

[Read more…] about By the Minutes: Accounting Over the Years

Getting to Know Our Office Staff

Sharon, Office Assistant for Forward MutualFor the past eight years Forward Mutual has been blessed to have Sharon Wolff welcoming customers to our office. As office assistant, Sharon answers the phone, receives mail, prepares deposits and so much more, all in keeping a smooth and efficient office.

“Forward Mutual offers the customer a friendly, knowledgeable environment with a small town closeness,” says Sharon. “I like working with a small company that feels like family. It’s such a friendly atmosphere.”

Sharon has lived in Watertown all her life. She and her husband Roy have two children and four grandchildren. In their free time they enjoy riding their Harley Davidson motorcycles and touring the countryside. They also do a lot of volunteer work for their motorcycle chapter, raising funds for breast cancer research. Sharon enjoys gardening and visiting their families in San Francisco, CA and St Paul, MN.

We at Forward Mutual love having Sharon at the front helm, and appreciate the friendly service she offers our customers!

By the Minutes: Introducing Agents to the Mutuals

Forward Mutual's bylaws

By HOWARD WIEDENHOEFT

In 1967, when Wisconsin legislature passed Assembly Bill 296, it allowed town mutuals to write packaged insurance policies and liability insurance. Yet the new law created many issues that were not addressed in it’s statues, such as surplus, advanced premium, unearned premium, and agent licenses. These issues also were not covered in Chapter 202, the state law governing town mutuals since 1937. The state moved to address these issues and codify the town mutual statue with Chapter 612. To rectify this, in 1973 legislature repealed Chapter 202 and replaced it with Chapter 612. Chapter 612 is still in effect today, with the last revision in 1997. [Read more…] about By the Minutes: Introducing Agents to the Mutuals

Five Ways to Keep Melting Snow Out of Your Basement This Spring

home downspout in spring

Spring’s sunshine and warmer temperatures quickly melt piles of snow and ice, which is great but…where does all that water go? It goes down the path of least resistance, which is why it’s important to inspect your downspouts, window wells, basement, garage, and sump pump to prevent melting ice and snow from entering your home.

Our reinsurance company Grinnell Re has information to help keep melting snow out of your basement.

  1. Check your downspouts
    Where do your downspouts drain? If they drain just beyond the foundation wall, consider purchasing some extensions so they drain 5 to 6 feet away from your home’s foundation instead of saturating the soil near the house or entering window wells and cracks. Also check the downspout for clogs that may prevent water from flowing through the spout.
  2. Look at the foundation
    Where do utility lines enter the foundation? Make certain all entry points are properly sealed with caulk. Also check for cracks on the wall and floor where water may seep into the basement.
  3. Seal window wells
    Consider installing tightly sealed covers over window wells so water doesn’t accumulate in the window well. The perimeter of those windows should be tightly caulked and sealed. Do not seal basement windows used as emergency egress points.
  4. Check your garage door
    Make sure the garage door closes tightly against the concrete floor of the garage. Are the seals around the door and at the bottom in good condition? Look for cracking or dry rot. That’s a good indication that the seals should be replaced.
  5. Grade your soil
    To prevent basement and garage flooding next spring, place soil around your home’s foundation this summer. Properly grading the soil will help to divert water from the foundation.

IF WATER ENTERS YOUR GARAGE OR BASEMENT

In spite of your efforts to caulk cracks and replace door seals, you may still have water enter your garage or basement. The best way to prevent that water from damaging your home is to have a sump pump in good working condition.

Test the pump before you need it to make sure the battery backup is fully charged.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Contact Forward Mutual if you have questions regarding water prevention or damage. Also follow Grinnell’s Front Porch blog for more great information on keeping your home and your family safe (and dry).

This article is reprinted with permission from Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company. The information included was obtained from sources believed to be reliable, however Forward Mutual, Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company and its employees make no guarantee of results and assume no liability in connection with any training, materials, suggestions or information provided. It is the user’s responsibility to confirm compliance with any applicable local, state or federal regulations. Information obtained from or via Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance Company should not be used as the basis for legal advice or other advice, but should be confirmed with alternative sources.