JUSTINE Wedlock of Mansfield Insurance has been a local insurance broker for more than 20 years.

With many years’ experience in the insurance industry, she can help you with all your business, domestic, general, farm, motor, liability, professional indemnity and commercial motor insurance needs.

Temperatures have started to drop, like the autumn leaves around us, and this signals the start of winter.

Colder days and nights mean that we pull out our old electric blankets, dust off the heaters, and start using our fireplaces and wood heaters again.

What this can mean is that you may be unintentionally increasing your risk for an "accidental" house fire, particularly if flammable items are left too close to heaters, we get busy and forget the hearty stew on the stove, we light scented candles and leave them unattended, use the clothes dryer more and turn on our electric blankets or heated throws.

Prevention of an accidental house fire is the best form of insurance, but accidents can be just that - and fires can occur.

Insuring your home and contents is very important as it protects what may be your family's major asset.

The purpose of insurance policies is to place the insured back into a similar position before the fire event.

So how do you make sure you are insured sufficiently?

This is where Mansfield Insurance can help you.

Justine can help you determine what may be adequate sums insured, and also the type of insurance policy you may require.

With access to many different insurers, she is able to assist you with finding a policy within your budget that gives you peace of mind should an accidental fire (or other event) occur.

Contact Justine on (03) 5775 1146 or jwedlock@mansfieldins.net.au