By: Anne Kaiser
Robert Feest & Asssociates Insurance Agency has been proud to serve individuals, families and businesses since 1995, and are licensed in Wisconsin, Arizona, Michigan and Minnesota. Located in Elm Grove, Wisconsin, at 850 Elm Grove Road Suite 18, the agency serves as a hub for varied insurance needs.
Through Robert Feest’s individualized approach to high-quality, customer-focused service, diverse insurance plans are offered at a centralized location. This creates greater ease in the process of obtaining varied insurance, all through a trusted local provider.
Robert Feest & Associates Insurance Agency utilizes and serves as a representative for a meticulously selected group of 20 insurance companies, each with a solid reputation for quality and satisfaction. The agency is a proud member of several professional business organizations as well as the Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Feest and his associates thoughtfully consider insurance options and tailor these to the specific needs of each individual or business customer. Feest offers each client competitive insurance policy pricing and outstanding customer service. Customers’ questions are promptly answered by a convenient, personal, in-house staff. These knowledgeable professionals are happy to assist clients with questions related to insurance policies and any subsequent changes as well as related billing questions.
According to Robert Feest, “With the arrival of spring, there are many issues to deal with. Melting snow, spring rainstorms that cause flooded basements and roads, hail and windstorms that tear up roofs and uproot trees…This is where a lot of the very important endorsements you can add will provide coverage, after you pay your deductible.”
Spring is an ideal season for property owners to assess the trees on their properties, paying particular attention to those located close to dwellings. Before deciduous trees leaf out, homeowners and arborists can better view and assess any branches that may have broken from the weight of snow and ice. Broken or dangling tree limbs can pose dangers to pedestrians below as well as to any dwellings close to the damaged tree. In addition, any aerial wires near broken branches may be at greater risk of toppling if the broken branches fall from the tree.
Feest explained, “Spring is a good time to inspect your trees in and around your yard for existing damage. Have dead trees and large branches cut down and removed. Make sure no large branches are extending over your roof, patio or fencing. Try to avoid parking your car under large trees as well. Depending on your policy, there may be coverage for cutting up downed trees and debris removal.”
Wisconsin winters can create a variety of hardships for homeowners, with buildup of snow and ice creating strain on roofs and downspouts, leaving cracks in driveways and damaging foundations and home exteriors over time. Through proper long-term care strategies, the beauty and functionality of homes can be maintained and even improved as new, increasingly durable materials become available.
Homes of all ages and styles benefit from proper insurance coverage, allowing owners to prepare for and successfully navigate unforeseen natural weather events such as heavy rainfalls in warmer weather that lead to basement flooding or damage to roofs from ice buildup over colder winters. Feest recommended, “Always be aware of what is happening on your property, such as mysterious puddles of water on the basement floor, stains on ceilings resulting from a leaky roof or damaged plumbing.”
Proactive steps, such as utilizing and maintaining properly functioning gutters and directing downspouts away from the foundation of a home can help mitigate some of the possible damage caused by heavy rains. “Make sure your downspouts are not clogged and extend at least ten feet from your home foundation,” Feest noted. “Proper grading around your home can also direct water away from it.”
“Flood insurance is not covered on a home policy and may or may not be available in your area, depending on your flood zone,” Feest explained. He encourages his customers to “always make sure you have sewer and drain backup coverage with at least a $25,000 limit, including a battery backup in case the power goes out.” Feest sometimes recommends homeowners invest in a “good-size Generac Whole-Home Generator.” He noted that though this can be expensive, property owners will be glad to have a generator for situations when power outages shut off use of essentials such as “lights, refrigerator and sump pump.”
Feest additionally noted that “Sewer and Drain backup coverage is extremely important if you have a rec room in the basement with drywall, carpeting or wood floors, furniture, and theater rooms…” For homes with recreational spaces in a finished basement, Feest recommended a minimum of $25,000 of coverage, with coverage up to $100,000 available. He noted that to this insurance, “Service line coverage, Cyber and Identity Theft, Equipment Breakdown, scheduled Jewelry and many other endorsements can be added for an additional cost.”
For those times when even well-prepared homes experience damage, having the proper insurance coverage can help relieve some of the stress as well as financial and logistical burdens on the homeowner.
Collaborating with a knowledgeable insurance provider such as the Robert Feest & Associates Insurance Agency can allow home and business owners to achieve the best outcome for the long-term support, maintenance, and protection of their property over time.
Robert Feest
Robert J. Feest Insurance Agency
262-641-0644
www.RFeest.com
This article is from the
EY May 2026 Issue