Elaine Warner, CISR- Insurance Agent

05/24/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember the heroes who never came home—and honor the legacy of courage they left behind. 🇺🇸

04/22/2026

Come join me tonight at Malted Vinyl if Impact100 is something you’ve ever been curious about learning more about. It’s an incredible group of motivated women wanting to make a difference and just be good humans. It’s a cup-filler 💗… so come check it out!

If you’ve been curious about Impact100 Little Traverse Bay , we’d love to have you join us!

Harbor Brenn Insurance Agencies is hosting the April Social today at Malted Vinyl from 4–6 PM.

Enjoy light appetizers, a cash bar, and the chance to connect with current members while learning more about how to get involved.

Stop by, say hello, and see what Impact100 is all about—we’d love to meet you!

04/14/2026

Filing a claim? Here’s what to expect next:

At Harbor Brenn, we’re here to walk with you through the process—because let’s be honest, claims can feel overwhelming. Here’s a quick guide to working with your adjuster:

📞 You’ll hear from an adjuster
Once your claim is submitted, an adjuster is assigned. You should hear from them within 1–2 business days. These timelines can be longer if we are in a catastrophic event situation.

Before you connect with your adjuster, try to have:
• Your policy number
• Photos or videos of the damage
• A quick summary of what happened
• Any receipts or estimates (if you have them)

🗣️ Tell your story clearly
Be honest and detailed—what happened, when, where, and who was involved.
The more clarity, the smoother the process.

📅 Keep a simple claim log
Track calls, emails, and documents. It helps avoid confusion and keeps things moving.

🧾 Hold off on major repairs
Unless it’s to prevent further damage (like tarping a roof), wait for the adjuster to review.
Always keep receipts for emergency fixes.

💬 Stay in touch
If anything changes—new damage, delays, unexpected costs—keep your adjuster (and us!) in the loop.

If something feels unclear, call us. We’ll step in, explain, and advocate for you every step of the way.

📞 231-347-8113
✉️ [email protected]
📲 231-487-6050

04/08/2026

Real-world practice > Google interview tips

Elaine Warner, loved spending time at Boyne City High School helping students sharpen their interview skills (and maybe calm a few nerves along the way).

Big futures start with small conversations—and we’re grateful to be part of it.

03/13/2026

Lately I’ve been reminded—again—how important it is to have a plan in place for the people you love.

So many families work hard their entire lives to build something… a home, savings, a business, property, vehicles, investments. But without the right protections in place, those things can quickly become complicated, delayed, or even lost when something unexpected happens.

Two things I see overlooked far too often are trusts and life insurance.

A properly structured trust can help protect your assets, keep your affairs private, and make things much easier for your family if you are no longer able to manage things yourself. Instead of leaving your loved ones navigating court processes and legal headaches during an already emotional time, a trust can provide clear direction and protection.

And life insurance isn’t just about replacing income. It can help cover final expenses, protect a family home, provide stability for a spouse, or ensure children and grandchildren are taken care of the way you intended.

None of us like to think about the “what ifs.” But the truth is, the most loving thing we can do for our families is make sure they are protected and not left vulnerable.

If you’ve built a life you’re proud of, it’s worth taking the time to make sure it’s protected for the people who matter most.

Planning ahead isn’t about fear — it’s about love, responsibility, and peace of mind. 💝

03/09/2026

💙 Sponsorship Sunday Spotlight 💙

This week, we are grateful to recognize Harbor Brenn Insurance Agencies for their generous sponsorship of Impact100 Little Traverse Bay.

As a trusted business serving Northern Michigan, Harbor Brenn Insurance Agencies understands the importance of strong communities and the organizations that support them. Their partnership helps make it possible for Impact100 Little Traverse Bay to continue bringing community together to create meaningful change across Emmet and Charlevoix counties.

Because of sponsors like Harbor Brenn Insurance Agencies, Impact100 Little Traverse Bay can remain 100% volunteer-run, ensuring that 100% of every member’s $1,000 donation goes directly to local nonprofits. Sponsorships help cover events and operational needs so that every member contribution can stay exactly where it belongs — supporting the incredible nonprofits serving our community.

We are grateful for this partnership and for businesses that believe in strengthening Northern Michigan through generosity and community impact. 💙

✨ Interested in sponsoring Impact100 Little Traverse Bay?
If you or your business would like to support community-driven philanthropy and a transparent model of giving, we would love to connect.

Thank you, Harbor Brenn Insurance Agencies, for being part of our story.

CollectiveGiving LocalImpact NorthernMichigan EmmetCounty CharlevoixCounty PhilanthropyInAction

01/23/2026

When thinking about your aging future and the legacy you want to leave behind, it’s worth slowing down and thinking carefully about how your kids are listed as beneficiaries.
This might sound a little counterintuitive, but naming your children directly on everything isn’t always the smartest move.

➡️ One strategy many families use is placing assets into a properly structured trust and naming their children as beneficiaries of that trust. When assets are titled correctly, a trust can help heirs avoid or minimize probate — which can be time-consuming, expensive, and about as fun as a root canal.

With the right planning, assets held in a trust can transfer more smoothly and privately after your passing — often without unnecessary delays. It’s actually pretty slick when done right, and this is absolutely a “get a pro involved” situation.

➡️ Let’s also talk about life insurance, because this piece gets overlooked way too often (and this is something i can help you with! ✅ ). A policy with appropriately calculated coverage can help take care of things like a remaining mortgage, final expenses, or other debts — so your loved ones aren’t forced to sell property or scramble financially during an already emotional time. This happens ….. often …. but is avoidable.

This isn’t “one-size-fits-all” advice — it’s about planning ahead, understanding your options, and making sure your wishes are carried out the way you actually intend.

💡 Estate planning + insurance = protection, clarity, and peace of mind for the next generation.
(And yes… future-you will be very glad you handled it.)

01/22/2026

🌨️ Weather Watch 🌨️

Out of an abundance of caution, our physical office will close at 4:00 PM today, Thursday, January 22, due to the weather. Agents will still be available remotely and can be reached at 231-347-8113. Agent extensions and emails can be found here: https://harborbrenn.com/about-our-agency/meet-our-team/

Be sure to watch our social channels for updates on Friday, January 23, regarding office hours.

Thanks for your understanding—and please stay safe out there! 💙

01/20/2026

🚨 Insurance Nerd Alert 🚨

I genuinely love what I do, and I take my job seriously—because insurance matters most when life doesn’t go as planned.

Lately, I’ve noticed that insurance shopping often focuses almost entirely on price and quick email quotes. And while price absolutely matters (trust me, I absolutely get that), insurance works best when there’s also a real conversation involved.

Coverage, deductibles, exclusions, claims handling, and carrier strength aren’t the most exciting topics—but they are incredibly important. Those details can make a huge difference when something happens, and that’s where guidance and honest conversations really help.

I see people reach out to multiple agencies at once, which makes total sense when you’re doing your homework (we should always should look out for ourselves!). However, a quick “thanks, we went another direction” once you’ve decided is always appreciated as it doesn’t leave anyone guessing or wondering “what’s next”.

Transparency matters. When agents can review full coverage details, we’re able to give better advice and more accurate comparisons. Guessing never benefits anyone. Knowing your current carrier information (limits, deductibles, and current rate) is absolutely beneficial – my promise is to give you a comprehensive policy for a competitive price.

Insurance isn’t a one-size-fits-all product or a quick online checkout. It’s a service built on trust, communication, and understanding your individual situation.
Yes—price matters. But protection, clarity, and peace of mind matter too.

I’m here because I care about my clients. I ask questions. I value open conversations. And I want you to feel confident in what you have. That’s the part of this job I take most seriously—and why I truly love what I do.🩷

(ALSO..... yes, this is a real photo. Yes, this is Jaco Beach. Yes, we are all dreaming of being somewhere warmer today! I thought it would cheer us all up!)

01/16/2026

Our office will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr Day on Monday, January 19th. In the event of a claim emergency, please dial 231-347-8113 and follow the prompts, or visit our website at www.harborbrenn.com. Our office will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, January 20th.