Head Out to Sea Without Injury

Water sports, relaxing in the sun and splashing in the water are great ways to make memories with family and friends. Sea lovers must be careful near the marina and dock, though, to assure that their getaways are safe ones. If you are hitting the opening waters this season, don’t forget these safety tips!

Dock Safety

• Use forward and reverse at an idle speed when docking and moving your boat near the marina.
• Have bumpers, mooring lines and boat hooks ready before docking.
• Keep all body parts in the boat until you have come to a complete stop.
• Tie the line that holds the boat against the wind first when docking.
• Dock at a marina that has stand pipes, fire extinguishers, good lighting, surveillance cameras and security measures in place.
• Always wear personal flotation devices when on the water, especially those than cannot swim and children.
• Do not swim near a marina since boaters cannot see you when they are trying to dock.
• Wear non-slip shoes on the boat and dock.
• When leaving your boat, turn off any portable heaters on board.
• Keep your boat in good condition with all equipment meeting safety standards established in your area.
• Assure that the marina has the proper power voltage for your boat.
• Add fuel to portable tanks on the dock only; never on the deck of your boat.

To avoid a potential fire onboard, inspect fuel hoses and containers on a regular basis to prevent the escaping vapors from going into bilges. Also check the wiring and all appliances on deck for damage frequently.

As a safety precaution, keep fire extinguishers on deck and fit smoke detectors to the cabin.

For more information regarding boat safety and your insurance, contact your agent.

Roadway Safety Driving Tips

You share the road with cars, buses, motorcycles and pedestrians every day on the job. Therefore, safety for yourself and other individuals on the road is in your hands. It is necessary that you comply with speeding laws, following cautions and passing procedures to ensure that you and those around you are safe. 

Driving

• Always follow the posted legal speed limit.
• Be especially mindful of your speed when passing a school where children are present, when going through an intersection marked “school crossing” or when passing a safety zone occupied by pedestrians.
• In addition to obeying the posted speed limit, also obey the “reasonable and prudent” speed limit.

– This means that you should not drive faster than the conditions allow.

– In rain, fog, ice, snow and heavy traffic, you should reduce your speed to avoid an accident.

– Slow also when crossing an intersection or railway crossing, going around a curve or passing through construction zones.

Following

• Maintain at least a four-second following distance behind other vehicles.
• Allow more space and time depending on weather conditions and traffic congestion.
• Never follow too closely. It takes 400 feet for a large truck to come to a complete stop. 

Passing

• When attempting to pass another vehicle, signal ahead of time to alert your intentions.
• Ensure that you can see the vehicle’s headlights in your mirrors before pulling back in front of it.

Be cautious while passing during rough weather conditions. For more ways to drive safe this winter season, contact your auto insurance agent.

Maintain Your Distance – Don’t Tailgate

Picture this: You are driving to an important appointment, or work, and get stuck behind a driver going a few miles per hour under the speed limit. What do you do?

Many drivers, some who are feeling impatient and others who do not realize they are doing it, follow the vehicle in front of them too closely. While this situation may be commonplace, it puts both you and the drivers in front of you in danger. 

Understanding the Danger

Tailgating is an extremely dangerous practice. If there is a collision ahead, if the road is slick, or if traffic becomes heavy, everyone on the road should be prepared to stop. However, if you do not leave sufficient space, even if you are paying close attention, you will not have enough room to. 

Two-Second Rule

Almost 10 percent of all accidents are caused by tailgating. To avoid joining those ranks, always follow the two-second rule. 

If you are driving on a normal road in good weather conditions, there should be at least a two-second buffer between your vehicle and the one in front of you.

Here is how to calculate your distance:

• Pay attention to the vehicle in front of you as the driver passes a fixed point such as a mile marker or a sign post.
• Once the vehicle passes that point, count until you pass that same point (“one thousand and one, one thousand and two…”). Should you reach that point before counting to two seconds, then you know you are following too closely. Slow down and try the test again with a new fixed point. 

Inclement Weather

If road conditions are not good or if you are driving in bad weather, you should increase your distance even further. Conditions like rain, ice and snow not only make roads slippery, they also greatly reduce visibility, so you may not see a hazard farther in front of you to react in time. 

Gas Mileage

A common misconception is that tailgating can increase the gas mileage of a vehicle, similar to when racecars “draft”; however, this is not the case. Racecars drive at speeds of 200 mph and must use a lot of energy to cut through the air. When racers ride close to the vehicle in front of them, they use less energy due to their speed. However, driving at speeds of 60 mph does not require nearly the energy to maintain the speed, and therefore, tailgating is not beneficial. 

Speak Up

If you have any doubts about safety on the road or any other safety issue, contact your supervisor. Your safety is first priority. 

Almost 10 percent of all accidents are caused by tailgating, even in Michigan. To avoid joining those ranks, always follow the two-second rule. 

For more information on how this affects your auto insurance, contact your agent.

Divorce and Your Insurance

While going through a divorce, you need to reassess your finances. To start, you should:

• Review all insurance policies in place during the marriage
• Decide which policies you still need
• Decide how health insurance for all family members will be provided for
• Decide what additional coverage is needed

The Basics

Health Insurance – Health Insurance coverage should be covered in the final divorce decree. Who pays for what should be clearly stated so that there is no confusion. If you have children, it is imperative that an agreement is reached as to who will provide coverage. Usually whoever had the coverage for the children prior to the divorce will continue that coverage. Who is responsible for unreimbursed medical expenses should also be addressed.

If you had medical coverage through your spouse’s employer-sponsored health plan, you may be allowed to continue that coverage for up to 36 months under COBRA. If you do qualify, coverage is not automatic. You must contact the employer within 60 days of the divorce and complete the necessary paperwork. If you do not qualify, you should consider a standard health insurance policy or, at a minimum, a policy that would protect you in the event of a major medical emergency.

Life Insurance – You should review your Life Insurance policies and make sure that they still meet your needs. You may also want to change beneficiaries at this time. Make sure that your ex-spouse carries coverage and that you are named as a beneficiary if you depend on their income for support. Check with your attorney before making any beneficiary changes. Now might also be a good time to increase your policy. Who carries Life Insurance, the amounts of the insurance, named beneficiaries, and accrued cash values should all be provided for in your divorce decree.

Disability Insurance – This pays a monthly benefit in the event that you become disabled and are unable to work. If alimony or child support is ordered, it’s especially important if the payer has no other sources of income to continue to make those payments. Consider what your needs would be in the event that you became disabled. We can help you determine specifically what type of insurance and the amounts you need to best protect your interests.

Homeowners and Renters Insurance – These policies protect your residence and the contents from damage or theft. If one spouse remains in the residence, they will want to make sure that they change the Homeowners Insurance policy to their name only and review their coverage. As a single parent, we recommend Replacement Cost coverage, which will reimburse you for what it would cost to replace an item. Also, opting for a higher deductible will help you save money on your premium.

Automobile Insurance – Automobile Insurance covers damage to your vehicle and damage that you may cause with your vehicle. Inform your insurance agent if you are separating or divorcing. Separate policies may be required if you and spouse are not living under the same roof. When you divorce, you will need to remove your spouse from your insurance policy. As a single person, you may now find options like towing, rental reimbursement, and roadside assistance beneficial.

Umbrella Insurance and Long-Term Care Insurance are additional coverages you may want to consider.

Helpful Tip – Avoid post-divorce credit problems by closing all joint accounts.

Don’t make the mistake of overlooking your insurance needs when going through a divorce. The lack of adequate insurance for yourself, your children, and even your spouse can lead to financial ruin.

Contact your insurance agent to discuss some important things to consider when going through this stressful time.

Proper Temporary Wiring

Even though it will only be used for a limited time during a project, temporary wiring needs to be installed correctly. To ensure worker safety, OSHA requires certain practices for dealing with temporary wiring.  Your insurance company requires all employees to follow applicable OSHA standards, and thus, requires you to adhere to the following.

Installation Requirements

When installing temporary wiring, follow these guidelines established by the OSHA standard:

• Wiring systems cannot be installed in ducts used to transport dust, loose stock or flammable vapors. Wiring also cannot be placed in ducts used for vapor removal or for ventilation of commercial-type cooking equipment.
• Any noncurrent-carrying metal parts that are meant to serve as grounding conductors must be bonded to ensure electrical continuity and the capacity to conduct safely any fault current that may be imposed on them.
• Flexible cords or cables (extension cords) cannot be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure. They also cannot be concealed behind walls, ceilings or floors.  

Usage Restrictions

Temporary wiring systems for electrical power and lighting of 600 volts or less may be used as follows:

• During remodeling, maintenance, repair or similar activities to structures or equipment.
• For a period of no more than 90 days for decorative Christmas lighting, carnivals or other similar purposes.
• For experimental or development work.
• During emergencies.  

Inspecting

Since temporary wiring is often more exposed than permanent wiring, it is important to regularly inspect temporary installations to ensure that they are in proper working order. When inspecting temporary wiring ask yourself:

• Is wiring in good condition and firmly secured?
• Is this wiring capable of safely carrying the amount of current that is required?
• Is there a circuit breaker to prevent overload?
• Are all wires grounded properly?
• Do all conductors have the proper insulators?
• Are temporary light fixtures guarded properly?
• Are switches clearly labeled as to what they control and what positions are on and off?  

Removal

All temporary wiring must be removed as soon as the project that requires it is completed.

For more advice on temporary lighting throughout the year and during the holidays, go to your local home improvement store.  For any questions regarding how this affects your home insurance, contact your agent.

Candle Safety Considerations

Candles provide a warm ambiance for an intimate dinner, a sparkling decoration for a birthday cake or a nice aroma of cinnamon during the holidays. Ambiance aside, candles can be a fire hazard if they are left unattended or placed in areas of the home in which they can start other objects on fire. Your best bet? Learn to use candles safely.

Candle Safety Tips

The cardinal rule is that candles should only be for adults to use since they are a major fire hazard. If you enjoy candles, here are some other safety tips that illuminate some ways to enjoy them safely:

• Always blow out candles before leaving the house, going to bed or when leaving the room in which a child or pet is present.
• Do not allow children to light candles in their bedrooms unsupervised.
  • Never light candles when you are under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. These substances may inhibit your ability to decipher when you are using candles in a hazardous manner.
  • Do not place candles on a Christmas tree or on evergreens during the holidays since they could start the limbs or pines on fire.
  • Use nonflammable, stable candle holders or hurricane glass holders to hold candles and protect open flames.
  • Place candles on a stable surface where they cannot be knocked over easily, blown down or reached by children and/or pets.
  • Place candles away from flammable items such as drapery, sheets, towels and carpeting.
  • Do not throw away a candle in the trash to extinguish and/or dispose of it. Instead, blow it out and then wet the wick before tossing it out.

Practicing candle safety is just one of the many ways to protect your home and its contents. To make sure you are covered, no matter the mishap, contact us today.

Since matches and lighters are a major fire hazard in addition to lit candles, keep these items in a cabinet out of a child’s reach. Teach your children that candles, matches and lighters are not toys and should be used only by an adult who knows how to use them safely.

For more information on candle safety and your home insurance coverages, contact your agent.

Liabilities of Renting Your Home

Perhaps you’re considering renting out your home for extra income while away for an extended period of time or for a big event nearby that’s causing the demand for lodging to increase. Though this seems like an ideal solution for families with extra room to spare, it can also pose liabilities. If you are considering renting out your home, take the following considerations to heart.

Renting To-do’s

• Draw up a rental agreement that defines the terms of the rental, including restrictions, liabilities and occupancy guidelines.
• Ask for references from potential renters, especially those that will stay for awhile.
• Request a security deposit to be refunded if there is no damage to your home.
• Advise Oakland Companies that you plan to rent out your home and ask about how this may affect your current coverage.
• If are renting for a long period of time, consider hiring a “property manager” to look out for your house while you are away.

Protecting Your Personal Property

• Set aside a locked place in your home to house personal items such as clothing and valuables.
• Take valuable items to a locked storage facility, a family member’s home or a bank vault.
• Change alarm codes after you are done renting.
• Provide keys to only one door of your residence so that you have to change only one lock after the renters leave.
• Photograph and videotape all areas of your home before the rental takes place in case damage occurs while you are away.
• Tell your neighbors that you are renting and ask that they watch over your home.
• Ask your telephone company to block long distance phone calls from your landline.
• Have your mail forwarded or held until you return.
• Provide your contact information for both the renters and your neighbors in case of an emergency.
• Provide the renters with a list of service providers, such plumbers and electricians, in case of a water leak or furnace failure.

Checking the references of potential renters is vital when determining if you will open your home to strangers. If you uncover any red flags while checking their references, do not agree to rent your home, even if you are afraid of hurting someone’s feelings. Your first priority should be to protect yourself and your property. If you have any questions regarding your home insurance, contact your agent.

Save Money and Energy: Electronics

If you live in a typical American home, chances are your appliances and home electronics are responsible for about 20 percent of your energy bills. Here are some ways you can reduce electricity use in your home and save money.

High Energy Appliances

The following is a list of appliances that generally use up a lot of electricity. Please note this list is not exhaustive.

• Washers and dryers
• Dishwashers
• Refrigerator and freezer
• Room air conditioners
• Water heaters
• Computers
• Home audio equipment (speakers, stereo system)
• Televisions
• Video players and VCRs

While you can’t do a lot about the energy consumption of some of these appliances, such as your refrigerator, you can do something about how much energy you use with your other appliances.

Power-Controlling Devices

Appliances older than 1990 use more electricity than newer appliances. If you have an old appliance in your home, you can easily reduce the amount of electricity it uses by installing a power-controlling device, which applies and regulates the correct amount of power to the appliance’s motor. For more information, visit www.energysavers.gov.

Turn off Your Computer

Computers eat up a lot of energy when they are left on for long periods of time, such as overnight. Most computers have a feature known as sleep mode, which consumes less energy if your computer is on – but you should still shut down your computer if you’re not going to use it for more than two hours.

Reduce Standby Power

Many appliances use electricity even when they’re turned off; that electricity is known as standby power. While this power is necessary for some appliances, like your refrigerator, it can add up on your energy bill. A simple fix is unplugging those appliances you don’t use often, such as your VCR or printer.

You can also plug a group of appliances into a power strip – this reduces the electricity they draw from using many outlets at once. An example would be grouping your computer, monitor, printer and speakers.

Did You Know…?

While unplugging your appliances saves on standby power, plug things you use all the time into a power strip. Frequent plugging and unplugging can cause frayed wires and plugs, which poses an electrocution risk.

Look for other ways to save on your energy bill by talking with the helpful staff at your local home improvement store.  For any questions regarding your home insurance, contact your agent.

 

Prepare Your Home for Frigid Temperatures

As the weather starts to cool in the autumn months, many homeowners tackle winterizing projects to ensure that their homes are weather-ready for cooler temperatures. The best way to undertake these projects is to start by taking a walk around your home and assessing what needs to get done. Consider inspecting the following areas:

• While on the roof, examine your chimney for missing mortar, cracks and structural problems, as damage in your chimney or fireplace can lead to dangerous carbon monoxide buildup in your home. Also ensure that your damper is working correctly and has a tight seal. Your chimney cap should be snug as well.
• Remove clogs in your gutter and check for any water damage. Consider consulting a professional for guidance on how to prevent ice dams (water backup in cold temperatures).
• Check your doors and windows for missing weather stripping. Also make sure that door sweeps are not damaged and are aligned properly to block drafty air.
• Cover window-mounted air conditioning units if you are not going to remove them entirely. Fill in the gaps on the sides of the unit with insulation board and caulk. If you have central air, cover the unit loosely.
• Turn off the faucets outside of your home and cover them with a commercial cover or two old socks wrapped tightly around the faucets; seal with duct tape.
• Inspect the foundation for cracks and gaps to prevent animals from entering your home.
• Look at your home’s siding for missing pieces.
• Make sure your exterior light fixtures are working properly and are sealed tightly to the mounting.

It is very important to keep your home safe during these blistering months. Year-round maintenance is critical to your home insurance policy to avoid the need to file a claim. For more information on your winter preparation and your insurance, contact your agent.

Filing an Insurance Claim? Watch What You Say!

Filing Claims 101: All You Need to Know!

Many people are flustered when they file an insurance claim given that claims typically follow devastating events like car accidents, illnesses or home fires.

To help you file a claim in Michigan with ease, below is some useful information you need to make the best of this trying experience.

Navigating an insurance claim can be quite tricky if you are unsure how to approach it. Consider the following recommendations to increase the chance that your claims will be processed successfully. Better yet, put these tips in your wallet or post them on your fridge.

When you are involved in an automobile accident

• Do not apologize to other drivers involved or admit fault under any circumstances.
• Describe what occurred to law enforcement and to your insurance company. If you are unsure, leave it to the authorities.
• Always contact your insurance company immediately after an auto accident.
• Do not talk to the other driver’s insurance company; let your company represent you throughout the ordeal.

 When your home is flooded

• The term flood in the insurance world refers to water damage resulting from an overflow of a nearby stream or river. Even if your sump pump did not work and you have 6 inches of water in your basement, you are not dealing with a flood.
• Making references to the wrong terms can cause claims to be denied or elongate the process.
• Review your Homeowners Insurance policy to determine what it covers with regard to water damage.
• Do not guess how accidents occurred. An insurance investigator will determine the exact cause of the claim in question.

When you have a health care claim:

• Avoid calling procedures experimental, investigational or a clinical trial. The claim may be denied if the treatment is seen as unnecessary.
• Do not sign any medical record releases. It is illegal for an insurance company to access your records without your consent, and they should not need them to process the claim.

The most important thing to remember when filing a claim is that the less you say the better. Do not speculate and do not judge; simply give the facts and the insurance company will take care of the rest.

Feel free to contact your agent for assistance throughout the claims process.