DeKalb County Insurance, Inc.

10/13/2026

Most homeowners or drivers have some form of homeowners and auto insurance; however, their coverage might not be enough to protect them in the event of a major claim.

When a serious accident or unexpected lawsuit exceeds what your existing policies can cover, the gap between what you owe and what your insurance pays becomes very real, very fast. That’s where umbrella liability coverage comes in.

Umbrella liability insurance covers costs that would otherwise come straight out of your pocket. With relatively low annual costs, this comprehensive coverage can be one of the most affordable ways to fully protect what you love.

So, if you’re curious about whether umbrella insurance makes sense for your situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We are here to help you run the numbers and see what makes sense.

10/08/2026

October is Fire Prevention Month, serving as a good reminder that fire safety is not something to put off until an emergency happens. In the United States, one home structure fire is reported every 96 seconds, serving as a sobering reminder of the importance of fire safety.

So, that said, our team wanted to share a few practical tips worth reviewing this season:

⚫ Know the leading causes - Cooking and heating are the two leading causes of home fires in the United States. Never leave cooking unattended, keep flammable materials at least three feet from heat sources, and check electrical cords regularly for damage or fraying.

⚫ Check your smoke alarms - Test them monthly, replace batteries annually, and fully replace any alarm that is 10 or more years old.

⚫ Have an escape plan and practice it - Plan two ways to escape from every room, make sure all windows and doors open easily, and designate an outdoor meeting place.

⚫ Know how to use a fire extinguisher - Remember the acronym PASS: Pull the pin, Aim low at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle slowly, and Sweep the nozzle side to side. If you are not confident, get out and call 911.

⚫ Build safer daily habits - Never leave portable heaters or fireplaces unattended, keep matches and lighters locked away from children, avoid overloading outlets, and turn off all appliances before leaving the house or going to bed.

Fire prevention is a shared responsibility, and a little preparation goes a long way. If you have further questions about fire safety, we encourage you to reach out to your local fire station.

And if you have any insurance questions or needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We are here to help you.

10/08/2026

Locally owned & independent since 2011, DeKalb County Insurance, Inc. serves Tennessee and other select states. We offer Auto, Home, Life, Business & Medicare insurance with multiple carriers, personalized service, and a team you can trust.

10/07/2026

🏆 We’re Honored to Be Named Best of the Best!

We are incredibly grateful to the people of DeKalb County for your votes, your trust, and your continued support!

We’re proud to announce that DeKalb County Insurance, Inc. has been named Best Insurance Agency in DeKalb County in the Smithville Review’s Best of the Best 2026!

And we’re especially excited to congratulate Julia Vanderpool, who was named Best Insurance Agent in DeKalb County! 🎉

These awards mean a lot to our entire team because they come from the people we’re fortunate enough to serve every day.

Thank you, DeKalb County! We’re proud to call this community home and honored to continue serving you with Auto, Home, Life, Business, and Medicare insurance.

Thank you for choosing DeKalb County Insurance, Inc!

Locally owned & independent since 2011, DeKalb County Insurance, Inc. serves Tennessee and other select states. We offer Auto, Home, Life, Business & Medicare insurance with multiple carriers, personalized service, and a team you can trust.

10/06/2026

As the days get shorter, deer become much more active and are more likely to cross roadways — especially around dawn and dusk. For businesses with employees on the road, this seasonal increase can pose real safety risks and lead to vehicle downtime.

With that in mind, our team wants to share a few reminders to help keep your drivers, passengers, and business vehicles protected this fall.

So, if you're not sure what your current commercial auto policy includes or would like to review your business vehicle coverage this fall, feel free to reach out. We'd be happy to answer your questions and help you understand your options.

09/24/2026

Theft prevention is top of mind for many homeowners. Not only can it be deeply unsettling for your space to be invaded, but burglary can also represent significant financial losses for homeowners.

The good news is that a few simple prevention tips can go a long way toward protecting your home. Swipe for more.

While these tips can help deter burglars, they cannot fully prevent theft or mitigate the effects of a home invasion. That’s why it can also be crucial to ensure your homeowners insurance not only includes theft coverage, but that the coverage fully protects your home and belongings.

That said, if you have questions about your homeowners coverage and how it can help protect you in the event of theft, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We are here to help you.

09/23/2026

09/22/2026

Can you believe there are only 100 days left in the year? Before the final stretch gets away from you, it is worth pausing to ask one simple question: has your life changed this year?

A new car, a home purchase, a career change — these are the kinds of milestones worth celebrating. They are also the kinds of changes that can quietly create gaps in your insurance coverage if your policies have not kept up.

Here are some of the most common life events that can affect your coverage:

✅ You bought a new home or renovated your home. A new home purchase or extensive renovations require coverage that reflects the property's true replacement cost, not just its market value.

✅ You purchased a new car. Purchasing a new car is a change that always merits a check-in about your insurance coverage, especially if you purchased a car worth more than the vehicle you were previously driving.

✅ Your family or household situation changed. Marriage, divorce, welcoming a new child, adding a teen driver, sending a child off to college, or welcoming an adult child back home are all changes that can affect your auto and homeowners coverage.

✅ You’ve acquired new valuables or heirlooms. If you’ve recently obtained or inherited new jewelry, art, or other collectibles, it may be worth reviewing whether these items would be fully covered under your current homeowners policy.

✅ Your income, assets, or career changed. A promotion, a new job, a side business, or an inheritance can all increase your financial exposure in ways your current coverage may not reflect.

If any of these sound familiar, our team would love to take a few minutes to review your policies together and ensure everything still aligns with where you are now. It's a simple conversation that can make a real difference.

Feel free to reach out anytime. We are here to help ensure your coverage keeps up with your needs.

09/21/2026

🚧 TEMPORARY OFFICE ENTRANCE 🚧

We’re currently doing some construction at our office and for everyone’s safety, please use the side entrance when visiting us for the time being.

The front entrance is temporarily unavailable due to the ongoing construction.

We’ll post an update as soon as it is safe and convenient to begin using the front entrance again.

Thank you for your patience and understanding while we make improvements to our office! We appreciate you!

09/15/2026

The transition into fall is the ideal window to take stock of your home and address small issues before they become expensive ones. A few hours of attention now can prevent thousands of dollars in damage later. Swipe for a few key areas to focus on.

We hope you found this seasonal checklist helpful! If you would like to get recommendations for trusted, local providers that can be of assistance, please feel free to reach out. And as always, if you have any questions or any other needs our team can assist you with, just give the office a call. We are here to help.