Month: June 2014

Take Precautions in Severe Weather Driving

Posted on by shasha insurance

Severe weather can strike at any time of the year. It is not always possible to avoid driving during dangerous weather conditions.  However, being a cautious driver can mean the difference between getting home safely and standing along the side of the road waiting for a tow truck.

Snow and Ice

Winter often brings frozen precipitation, in one form or another.  Ice and snow cause driving challenges for most of us, but we can all be safer on the road by following a few key driving tips. The first rule of thumb is to take the time to properly de-ice and clean your windows. An extra 5 minutes defrosting and scraping all your windows will enable you to see others and use defensive driving skills. Once your windows are cleared, and you are on the road, keep your speed slow and consistent. In deep snow, travel at a speed fast enough to keep your momentum going but slow enough to maintain control of the vehicle. Road signs usually warn us that bridges freeze before roads. Therefore, slow down before crossing bridges and overpasses and avoid sudden changes in speed or direction.

Use extra care when braking in winter weather conditions.  Braking should be slow and deliberate. If you brake too quickly or abruptly, your brakes may lock-up, causing you to lose steering capability. Anti-lock brakes will help to keep you from losing steering control in a quick braking situation. To engage anti-lock brakes, push the pedal to the floor and hold; do not pump the brakes. Ice and snow do not change the application of your anti-lock brakes – push and hold the brake pedal to avoid losing steering control. If these safety tips fail and you find yourself stuck in the snow, straighten your wheels and accelerate slowly. Try to avoid spinning your tires and, if necessary, use sand or cinders for added traction under the drive wheels.

Fog

During foggy conditions, stay to the right side of the road and turn on your low-beam headlights. If you cannot see the edge of the road, it may be safest to pull over. If you make the decision to pull off the road, be sure to pull to the far right, off of the traffic lane, and turn on your hazard lights.

Wind and Rain

Wind and rain present special challenges for drivers. If you have a high-profile vehicle such as a trailer or motor home, consider staying off the roads until the winds die down. The beginning of a rain storm is the most treacherous time to be on the road, as water mixes with road oils and dirt to create a slick surface. Be careful to avoid hydroplaning by slowing down and maintaining traction between your tires and the road surface. Turn on your lights to allow your vehicle to be seen by other drivers and use your defroster or air-conditioner to improve visibility.

Severe thunderstorms can result in tornados and hail. In the car, monitor your news radio station. If you see a tornado, the safest place to be is outside of the car. Pull over and find a ditch or other low-lying area where you can lay face down and protect yourself from flying debris. In a hailstorm, pull under an overpass or bridge to seek shelter while on the road. When a hurricane is in the forecast, head inland to high ground well before the storm approaches land.

By exercising caution in severe weather driving conditions, you can save yourself the headache of sliding off the road, having an accident, or suffering even greater damage to yourself and your property.

Common Sense Tips to Avoid a Home Burglary

Posted on by shasha insurance

When driving down a street at night looking at houses, you are most likely drawn to the house with exterior lighting, neatly trimmed landscaping, and lights on inside. That’s because the house looks inviting and well cared for. Now imagine a burglar is driving down the same street. The things that drew you to the previous house are the same things that will turn that burglar away, looking for better opportunities.  A property with no exterior lighting, overgrown landscaping, and possibly no one at home, invites criminal activity.

It is important to note that burglary is a preventable crime. Common sense dictates some of the steps you can take toward making your home safer and less attractive to burglars. The following are some general tips you should incorporate into your routine that can make the difference between the burglar stopping at your house or passing it up for another one further down the road.

The first line of defense between you and a burglar is to properly secure your home. Make sure your yard, driveway, and all entrances to your home are well-lit. Consider the use of lights on a timer or photocell, which turns lights on automatically at dusk and shuts them off at dawn. Trees and shrubs around windows should be cut back so you don’t give a burglar a place to hide while preparing to enter your home.

If you are going to be away from home for a period of time, leave a light on. Lights left on indoors, especially those on a timer that turn on when it gets dark and shut off at bed time, can be a large deterrent to a burglar. The goal is to make it look as if you are home.  Ask a neighbor to pick up your newspapers and bring in your mail. Along the same lines, if you will be gone for an extended period, arrange for your lawn to be maintained. Permitting your grass to grow high or get dry is a sign of neglect and can invite unwanted attention. If you have a garage – use it. Parking inside your garage on a regular basis makes it more difficult for a burglar casing your home to know whether or not you are really there.

Burglars will usually spend about five minutes trying to get inside your home. Make that task as difficult as possible by doing the obvious – lock your doors and windows! If you forget to lock your back door, this can be viewed as an invitation by a burglar looking to get in to your home quickly. In addition to the obvious, avoid spring bolt locks. It takes only a credit card to push open the bolt and allow access to the inside. Deadbolt locks should be installed on all exterior doors. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has established testing and ratings for deadbolt locks. Grade 1 locks are the best, with Grade 3 locks being easier to penetrate. Look for Grade 1 locks when shopping for a deadbolt. A key lock or pin-type lock work best for patio door, or any door with glass that could be easily broken to access a knob on a deadbolt. Heavy-duty strike plates should also be used to prevent a burglar from successfully kicking in your door.

When purchasing a new home, make sure all locks have been changed. Also, think about calling a reputable locksmith who can advise you on proper locks for doors and windows. Carefully preparing your home, including adequate locks, lighting, and regular maintenance, can make the difference between a burglar deciding to make a stop at your house or to keep driving.

Earthquake Protection – Do You Need Coverage?

Posted on by shasha insurance

When the threat of earthquakes arises, most Americans think only about California, or more recently Haiti.  For many years, the San Andreas Fault Line has been the recipient of much of the press concerning earthquakes in the U.S.  Furthermore, predictions concerning the ultimate cataclysm believed by many to eventually be centered there have given it a mythical stature unrivalled by fault lines elsewhere in the country.

Despite all the focus on the San Andreas Fault, California does not have a monopoly on earthquakes. The New Madrid Fault Line, centered in Missouri, has been cited by the U.S. Geological Survey as being a potential source of a significant earthquake threat.  The USGS also notes that earthquakes in the central and eastern parts of the country usually have a broader range than their western counterparts.  One such earthquake along the New Madrid Fault Line in 1811 rang church bells as far away as Boston, Massachusetts, about 1,000 miles away from the epicenter!  More recently, in April 2003, a quake measuring 4.9 on the Richter Scale hit Alabama.  A year earlier, a slightly more powerful quake hit Plattsburgh, NY.   In January 2002, a 5.0 quake hit Evansville, Indiana.  These quakes all shook neighboring states and caused significant damage to businesses, homes and infrastructure in and around their epicenters.

Although none of these quakes equaled the intensity and resulting damage caused by the Northridge Earthquake of 1994, they do serve to support the idea that it may be wise to consider adding earthquake coverage to your property policy even if you are not located in close proximity to a known fault line. 

Since earthquake insurance is generally an elective coverage, it may prove to be beneficial to do a quick review to determine whether or not it is a covered peril.  Also, look at any scheduled property endorsements or personal property floaters to see if specific items are covered for earthquake-related damage regardless of whether or not the earthquake coverage endorsement has been purchased.   If the answer is “no” to any of these questions and you would like to obtain a quote, contact your agent for details.

Stay Cautious on Deadliest Driving Days

Posted on by shasha insurance

With more than 34,000 car crash fatalities in the U.S. annually, there’s no question that driving can be dangerous any day of the year. However, research shows that holidays are often the deadliest days to be behind the wheel.

Read on to find out which holidays you may want to steer clear of the roads:

Turkey Day = High-Risk Roads

It turns out that Thanksgiving Day is the most lethal driving holiday. As a matter of fact, 502 people died in car accidents on Thanksgiving Day in 2008-that’s a whopping 400 more car-related deaths than the typical day. The vast majority of these fatal car crashes occurred at night.

Believe it or not, that number is down from previous Thanksgivings. The DOT started tracking traffic fatalities in 1982, and the 26-year average of Thanksgiving Day deaths had been 556. Some experts say fatalities dropped partly because sky-high gas prices kept many drivers off the road.

It’s no wonder why Thanksgiving ranks as the most fatal driving day. According to the National Safety Administration, Thanksgiving weekend is the most traveled holiday period of the year, and nearly 90 percent of Turkey Day trekkers travel by car. Although the DOT has not yet released 2009 Thanksgiving stats, some experts predicted fatalities would be higher because lower gas prices would lead to more drivers on the road.

Eat, drink and be merry-but don’t drive

One reason holiday driving is so hazardous is because many drivers enjoy a few too many festive drinks before they hit the road on these special days. Based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, nearly half of all traffic fatalities on New Year’s Day are alcohol-related-the highest number of any holiday.

Other hazardous holidays

Based on DOT research, the following are the top five most dangerous holidays for drivers heading out the highway:

#1: Thanksgiving Day
Number of Fatalities in 2008: 502
Average Number of Annual Fatalities Since 1982: 567

#2: Labor Day
Number of Fatalities in 2008: 487
Average Number of Annual Fatalities Since 1982: 544

#3: July 4th
Number of Fatalities in 2008: 491
Average Number of Annual Fatalities Since 1982: 542

#4:  Memorial Day
Number of Fatalities in 2008: 425
Average Number of Annual Fatalities Since 1982: 508

#5:  Christmas Day
Number of Fatalities in 2008: 420
Average Number of Annual Fatalities Since 1982: 414

Buckle up

If you’re planning to hit the road on one of these holidays (or any other day) be sure to buckle up. According to The National Safety Commission, more than two-thirds (or 67 percent) of car occupants who died on Thanksgiving 2008 were not wearing their seat belts.

Many states have more stringent seat belt laws these days for this very reason. In most states, law enforcement officers can pull you over and cite you simply for not wearing a seat belt-regardless of whether you’ve broken any other traffic laws. In recent years, the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) has sponsored a nationwide “Click-It-Or Ticket” campaign on Thanksgiving weekend. This is all the more reason to stay buckled up on holidays-and every other day.

Slow down

Another thing you can do to protect yourself on the road is to watch your speed. Speeding one of the most common causes for traffic crashes. That’s because when you speed, you have less time to react to an emergency on the road. Plus, high speed increases the crash force of a collision.

While you should remain particularly vigilant on these high-traffic holidays, it’s important to buckle up, watch your speed and keep your eyes on the road every time you hit the road. After all, holidays aren’t the only days when car crashes occur. So, drive safely-on holidays and every day.

What Can You Do to Lower Your Homeowner’s Insurance Premiums?

Posted on by shasha insurance

There are several steps you can take to ensure you are getting the best homeowner’s insurance rates possible for the coverage you need:

  • Before purchasing a home, it is wise to learn about its insurance loss history.  If there have been past losses, be sure to closely inspect the home to determine if proper repairs were made.  The CLUE and A-PLUS databases enable insurers to check the claim history of the property as well as that of the homeowner. 
  • Raising your deductible is a great way to reduce your premiums. Higher deductibles on your homeowner’s insurance could produce savings of 25 percent or more.
  • Consider upgrades to your home. Do you need to modernize your heating, plumbing and electrical systems to reduce the risk of fire and water damage?  Are there upgrades you could make that would reduce the risk of damage in windstorms and other natural disasters? You may be able to save on your premiums by adding storm shutters, reinforcing your roof or buying stronger roofing materials. Older homes can be retrofitted to make them more capable of withstanding earthquakes. If you do make home improvements, be sure to make your insurer aware of the changes.
  • Improve your home security. You can typically get premium discounts of at least 5 percent for installing a smoke detector, burglar alarm or dead-bolt locks. Some companies will cut your premium by as much as 15 or 20 percent if you install a sophisticated sprinkler system and a fire and burglar alarm that signals the police, fire department and other monitoring stations. These systems are not inexpensive and not every system qualifies for a discount. Before you buy such a system, find out what kind your insurer recommends, how much the device would cost, and how much you would save on premiums.
  • Buy your home and auto policies from the same insurer. Some companies that sell homeowner’s, auto and liability coverage will take 5 to 15 percent off your premium if combine policies with them.

Maintain a good credit rating. Most insurers use credit-based insurance scores to determine homeowner’s and auto coverage premiums. All else being equal, a person with a good credit score will pay much less for insurance than someone with a lower score. 

What You Don’t Know about Car Insurance Can Cost You

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Without a solid understanding of the car insurance market and how it works you could end up overpaying for the coverage you need. Buying car insurance is different from buying many other forms of insurance, and insurers consider a number of factors when determining the premiums you will be required to pay.

The Credit Score Trap

One of the most surprising aspects of car insurance is that something totally unrelated to your driving ability may affect your premiums. Among the criteria many insurers use to determine rates, is your credit score. A low credit score could translate into higher premiums.

To avoid unpleasant surprises you should obtain a copy of your credit report before you start shopping for car insurance. Doing so can give you a heads up about any errors on your report and allow you to correct them before a potential insurer sees them.

Where You Live Can Affect Your Rates

Where you live can also have a profound impact on how much you will have to pay. Auto insurers use a number of statistics to determine regional rates, including the number of car thefts in a given area and the number of dangerous intersections that have been identified within a given radius. All of these statistics play a role in determining the premiums drivers in those areas will pay. While moving to another city or state to get cheaper car insurance may not be an option it is important to be aware of how geography can affect car insurance premiums.

Your Education and Your Job

Many drivers are also surprised to find out that their levels of education and occupation can also have an impact on their car insurance rates. While it may seem silly to charge higher premiums to those with less education, studies commissioned by the industry have shown a correlation between educational level and insurance claims. The same correlation seems to exist for those in particular industries and occupations.

Auto Recalls Spur Drivers to Evaluate Auto Insurance Coverage

Posted on by shasha insurance

With news of recent car recalls reverberating throughout the automotive world, auto owners are scrambling to make sure that their cars are safe. The recalls are serving as an eye-opener to many, and those folks are recognizing that now is the perfect time to re-evaluate an old auto insurance policy and to make sure that it is still providing positive value. Whether an accident occurs as a result of some sort of mechanical failure or due to a bad decision, the proper insurance policy will help drivers stay afloat even with a difficult situation.

Prior to renewing any existing policy, examine your current situation and figure out exactly what your needs might be in the near future. The times are changing and change has become a certain reality for many individuals. If you are moving in the near future, changing jobs, or doing something else that might impact your driving, then you’ll need to evaluate your options. Additionally, many people are seeing changes to their current policy because of either adding or removing a child from their policy.

With or without a major life change, it’s important to take a look at your own situation every year. Don’t just renew the policy because it is easy or convenient. Often, there is a better deal available, if you just take the time to look.

The key to cost cutting

This can be done in a number of different ways. Some people cut insurance costs by picking up discounts for safe driving and for driving less. Others cut costs by shopping around and finding a lower cost insurer. Others keep their costs low by choosing a car that warrants a lower insurance premium. These things are all important, and they are factored into the equation when insurance companies calculate your premiums.

Searching for the right provider

Today’s insurance industry is fierce, and this is a positive for you. The more competition there is, the more likely you will be to get both a good deal and acceptable terms. When shopping around for insurance, understand that while a few carriers dominate the market those are not your only choices. Certainly rates should play a major part in your decision, but you should also consider customer service when evaluating offerings.

There are so many auto insurance options available today that finding a solid combination of good rates and excellent service shouldn’t be too big of an issue.

Thinking of Buying a New Car? Be Sure to Consider Insurance Costs

Posted on by shasha insurance

If you are in the market for a new car you have probably looked at the reliability ratings, fuel economy statistics and safety tests. But have you looked at the insurance rates for the car of your dreams? If not you may want to take a step back and consider what that new car will cost to insure. Before you sign on the dotted line it is a good idea to contact your car insurance company for a premium quote. Some cars are surprisingly expensive to insure, while others are surprisingly affordable. The key is to find out how much the premiums on your proposed vehicle will be before you commit to buying.

If you are currently driving an older vehicle it’s likely that you no longer carry full comprehensive and collision coverage on it. When shopping for a new vehicle consider that you will be upgrading to full coverage, which translates into higher premiums by itself. Be sure to factor these higher insurance costs into the equation when determining what kind of car you can afford. Many drivers just look at the monthly payment for the car and forget about the cost of insurance, regular maintenance and other important expenses. By comparing insurance rates on the vehicles you are considering you can avoid those unpleasant surprises and keep your transportation budget in check.

One good strategy is to narrow your choice of vehicles down to three or four by using the typical criteria – reliability ratings, government crash tests, cost of ownership and the like. After narrowing the field, contact your agent to determine how much it will cost to insure each vehicle. You may not be able to get an exact figure without the vehicle’s VIN number, but your agent should be able to at least give you a ballpark figure. You can then use those figures to determine the true cost of ownership for each type of vehicle you are considering. Depending on how the numbers work out the cost of insurance may be enough to tip the scales in favor of one model over another.

Shopping for a new car can be fun and exciting, but it is also serious business. That is why it is so important to consider all of the factors, including the monthly payment, the total cost of the car, the cost of ongoing maintenance and of course the cost of car insurance. By understanding all the factors that go into the price of that car and its operating cost you will be able to make an intelligent and informed decision.

Drive Less to Save a Bundle on Car Insurance

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If you’re like countless other consumers across the nation, you’re probably pinching some serious pennies right now. In these tough economic times, everyone is searching for creative ways to save a few bucks. Here’s one way to hang onto your dollars: consider walking to work or the store instead of driving. Not only will you save on gas and get some exercise-you also may qualify for a valuable discount on your car insurance.

Drive less, save more

Many insurers offer what’s called a “drive less, pay less” plan for drivers who rack up lower than average mileage on their cars each year. Depending on your insurance company, you could save up to 18 percent if you drive less than 7,500 miles a year. However, these plans are available only in certain states. If you’re looking to beef up your wallet, ask your insurer if you may be eligible for this low-cost coverage.

How does it work?

The “drive less, pay less” plan varies with each insurance company. While some insurers will take your word for it on how many miles you drive each year, others require proof.

Then there are those insurers who offer even greater discounts-but they closely monitor their drivers. For example, at least one insurer requires an OnStar subscription to be on the drive less plan. Although an OnStar subscription costs about $19 a month, you could save as much as 54 percent on your car insurance if you drive less than 15,000 miles a year under this plan. If you conduct a quick cost benefit analysis, you may find it’s well worth the extra $19 a month.

Another insurer offers an option to install a small, wireless device in your car to monitor your mileage as well as your driving habits. While it may be a little strange to know that “Big Brother” is always watching, you could save loads of cash with this plan.

Pay-As-You-Drive (PAYD)

Another low-cost car insurance plan that’s gained a lot of attention in the past year is Pay-As-You-Drive (PAYD). According to the Brookings Institution, PAYD can save consumers an average $270 per vehicle. However, while PAYD is popular overseas, it is not widely available in the U.S..

The Brookings Institution also points out the PAYD could save taxpayers up to $50 billion a year. If more drivers enrolled in this type of car insurance plan, everyone would drive considerably fewer miles. That would translate into fewer cars on the road each day, which cuts down on traffic congestion, car accidents, traffic related hospitalizations and emergency services-all things that cost taxpayers loads of money.

Green-friendly car insurance

Not only are these drive less, pay less car insurance plans good for your pocketbook-they’re also better for the environment.  Some experts say if PAYD were offered in all 50 states, it could reduce total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2 percent. That adds up to a monstrous 99 million tons of CO2 per year.

If you want to steer clear of overpriced car insurance, ask your insurer if they offer a “drive less, pay less” plan. If not, you may consider switching to a company that does offer these low-cost plans.

Understanding Your Auto Insurance Policy’s Rental Car Coverage

Posted on by shasha insurance

When your car gets damaged in an accident or stolen, the repair or recovery cost is only part of the story. Going without one while your car is being repaired can be a significant hardship. Without another vehicle available, your only recourse may be to rent one. The good news is that you may be able to buy insurance that will pay some of the cost of a rental; in fact, your policy may already include it.

The standard Personal Auto Policy includes a coverage called Transportation Expenses. If you have purchased Collision coverage on your car and that car is damaged in a collision, this coverage will pay for “temporary transportation expenses.” The same applies if you have purchased Comprehensive coverage; if the car is damaged by something other than a collision, the policy will cover these expenses. The policy pays up to $20 per day, up to a maximum of $600. This coverage also applies to a vehicle to which you do not ordinarily have access, such as a friend’s car or a rented pickup truck.

Time limitations apply. If your owned or borrowed car is stolen, coverage begins 48 hours after the theft and ends when you are able to use the vehicle again or when the insurance company pays you for the loss. If the cause of loss is something other than theft, the insurance pays the expenses incurred more than 24 hours after you lose use of the vehicle. Finally, the insurance stops paying at the end of the period of time reasonably required to repair or replace the vehicle.

Some examples will illustrate how this works.

  • John has both Comprehensive and Collision coverages on his sedan. On Tuesday at 10 AM, a frayed wire in the engine catches fire, resulting in major damage to the car. The car is in the shop for 15 days, so he rents a replacement for $35 per day. His insurance will pay $20 per day, starting with the expenses he incurs after 10 AM on Wednesday. If 15 days is a reasonable time for these repairs, the company will pay for days 2 through 15.
  • John gets his sedan back. A month later, it breaks down. This time, he borrows his neighbor’s car. While he is driving this car, a deer runs in front of him; the ensuing collision badly damages the car. Because he has Comprehensive coverage, which applies to collisions with animals, his insurance again will pay $20 a day for him to rent a replacement while the shop fixes his car.
  • He gets both cars back and returns his neighbor’s car. A week later, he walks out of a store to find an empty space where his car should have been. He reports the theft to the police and his insurance company. The company will pay $20 per day, starting 48 hours after he discovered the car missing. It takes 35 days for him to find a replacement car; his insurance pays $600 (the maximum) for his rental costs.
  • Concerned about how much his insurance premiums will go up, he drops the Collision coverage on the replacement car. A month later, a bee stings him while he’s driving and he plows into a highway sign. This time, the company will not cover his rental costs because he had not purchased Collision coverage.

Not all auto insurance policies are the same. Some may pay more than $20 per day for rental costs, but they will pay only if the insured vehicle is stolen. Others cover theft only and pay less than $20. Check with your insurance agent to find out what coverage you have. If it’s not what you would like, ask the agent if you can purchase additional coverage.