Imagine just for a moment what your town would look - and feel like - without its small businesses. They're quite literally the heartbeat of your community, providing infinite character and charm at every turn: The cozy coffee shop on the corner with the best espresso around; The novelty bookstore that carries all the classics; The karate studio all your siblings went to, and now your kids frequent; The antique shop that houses all the beautiful history and enchantment of the past you admire so much today; Your uncle's bar and grill that doesn't know an empty seat on Game Day. The now wildly successful hair salon your best friend from high school only ever dreamed of opening. Without a doubt, these local shops and the brave people who run them leave a lasting impression on your town and all who visit.

Like clockwork, when this time of year rolls around, the importance of community involvement and giving back takes center stage. But what if the blending of those two concepts could guide our actions all year round? See, the beautiful thing about community betterment is that it's needed - and made possible - every day thanks to generous people willing to volunteer their time and voice to the causes that so desperately need one.

It's no secret that COVID-19 related closures and restrictions have impacted our country's many small businesses in numerous challenging ways. The global pandemic has thrown one too many hurdles in the path of nearly every small business owner, constantly testing their ability to profitably adjust their business model and keep their passion alive month after month. Although all business and economic stimulation are positive during this time, small businesses offer a crucial aid to local, state, and national economies.

Farming isn't one of those straightforward professions that any average Joe can tackle. Simply put, it's hard work - like really hard work. Operating a farm is beyond intimidating and challenging, yes, but arguably one of the most necessary and rewarding jobs on the planet. In all honesty, if you farm, please stop reading for a minute and give yourself a pat on the back.  

Ah, Spring: You bring us warmer weather (at least in the afternoon hours), pretty flowers, and green grass - a welcome sight after enduring months of drab scenery and freezing temperatures. While it's no secret that spring can be a beautiful thing about 80% of the time, the remainder is often spent enduring some of the year's most damaging storms.

As Midwest natives, we know by now that this area we call home is no stranger to sporadic, volatile storm patterns. Therefore, as property owners in a very bipolar-weather region, the only way to cope with the inevitable each year is to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Before jumping into our list of the best precautionary measures to help you and your property survive storm season, let's quickly look at what a typical Midwest storm season can involve. Plus, we'll assess the risks that follow as a result. 

What's on your "hot list" to read this week? If we had to guess, we'd bet your insurance policy probably didn't make the cut. After all, it's filled with confusing terms that can be rather intimidating to even the most seasoned reader. However, there are several important terms in your policy you should become familiar with that have the power to impact your coverage in a big way: Depreciation, Actual Cash Value (ACV), and Replacement Cost Value (RCV).

It's the American Dream: Buying a home, putting down roots in a place you love, and building long-term equity to be proud of. Luckily for today's American Dreamers, choosing to take the home-buying path is more attainable and affordable than ever before.

We take notice when you take care. At Cornerstone, we believe proactive homeowners and drivers deserve to be rewarded for their safe habits. That's why we carefully crafted a long list of unique policy discounts designed to bring out the best in every CNI policy. Check out all the ways you can save at CNI.

The long road ahead doesn't have to be scary. Enjoy the ride with an auto policy armed and ready for any unexpected pit stops in your journey.

Fact: Floods are the number one most frequently occurring natural disaster in the United States, and the most costly, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

This statistic probably comes as no surprise, given the Midwest's many notorious flooding disasters over the years. But flooding events affect every part of the country, and uninsured homeowners in low-to-moderate risk areas are often unprotected against severe losses, leaving them with expensive out-of-pocket repair costs.

Much like parents try to prevent scrapes and bruises on their kiddos, homeowners do the same when it comes to their property. Nobody wants to see a big, blaring ouchie on their home, especially the kind that isn't budget-friendly to fix. But we all know by now that life (and Mother Nature) is highly unpredictable.

While we may not be able to control every weather event or issue to pop up at home base, we can control how well we plan for them. Keeping the three most common homeowners insurance claims in mind, let's jump into the most effective preventative measures every property owner can take to minimize or altogether avoid the damage of an unwanted what-if.