Tim Olson - Risk Advisor, First MainStreet Insurance-United Prairie

02/09/2026

Important reminder to please test or replace your carbon monoxide detectors. Ultimately, have one in the utility room near your furnace and at least one in the living area of your home. If your current detectors are a few years old, replace them. Remember, unlike smoke, you can't smell carbon monoxide.

12/14/2025

A timely reminder with these temps: If you're traveling for Christmas to Grandma's, or leaving home for any amount of time, please turn off the main water supply line coming into your home. It's a good habit any time of year, but especially in this cold. If your furnace goes out for any reason, pipes can freeze and burst in just a few hours. Also, if your thermostat has batteries, please replace them.
Don't come home to a skating rink indoors. Avoid a claim.

11/24/2025

Ring cam alert at 4 am, guy running through yard in jacket, shorts, bare feet. Prints in drive at 5:30. Timely reminder to always lock your doors.

11/03/2025

My annual reminder that when we turn back the clock, we turn open the cover on every smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in your home and REPLACE THE BATTERY. Most are powered by 9-volt or AA batteries. If your detector is more than 10 years old, its recommended to replace it.
It's an easy task to forget. Please don't let the day end without addressing this if you haven't already.

08/30/2025

07/13/2025

Wise words here:

When the corn is high, STOP at the corners.

Even if you don’t have a stop sign... STOP at the corners.

Even if you know the other direction has a stop sign... STOP at the corners.

Whether you’re walking, riding a bike, driving an ATV, driving a vehicle, or any piece of farm equipment... STOP at the corners.

Corn is TALL and it blocks all visibility at intersections. Watching for dust flying up during the day or headlights when it is dark just isn’t enough... STOP at the corners.

NEVER trust that whoever might be driving from the other direction will stop. TOO many people have been hurt or killed in accidents at blind corners during the peak of growing season.

Life is precious and being in a hurry just isn’t worth it. Please take the extra time and always ALWAYS stop at the corners.

05/31/2025

You cannot imagine what it was like calling my client to tell him his home was being destroyed by fire recently. Please see me for an insurance review NOW to confirm you have sufficient coverage limits to start over if a catastrophic claim such as this ever occurs. It's unimaginable until you witness it. [True story, actual photo. Home was located where smoke cloud appears. Destroyed in approx 1.5 hr in 30+ mph winds. Used by permission of client.]

04/22/2025

If you drive by and don't see the old UP Insurance signs on our building, we haven't gone anywhere. Our name change became official on April 1 and we're anxiously awaiting the arrival of our new First MainStreet Insurance signs to arrive. Snick's Signs took down our old signs yesterday and is preparing new signage for all sides of the office.

03/14/2025

Dad, why do women live longer than men?

Son…this…

01/29/2025

Please replace the batteries in your THERMOSTAT regularly. Just as important as replacing batteries in your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector, if you have a battery-operated thermostat (which basically every model the past 15 years is), it's critical to replace the batteries every year. If you're away from home and the batteries die, the furnace quits, temp drops in your home, pipes freeze and burst and result in major water damage.
Submitted and surveyed this claim today. Devastating for a homeowner.

01/19/2025

Timely reminder in this ridiculous cold: If you venture out to the store or other errand with your pet in tow over the next few days, before you get out of the vehicle, take the keys or put your window down at least far enough to get your arm in to unlock the door. A pal (not me, I swear) took his dog for a ride to the tree dump, left the truck running, got out and "click" - the dog locked the doors. No cell and no spare key. Actually, this tip applies year-round in all temps.
Arizona and Florida insureds disregard and enjoy your weather. Regardless of the temp, it's better than -7degrees in MN.