Protecting the jewels this Valentine’s day

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Well the most romantic day of the year is about to grace us with it’s presence again.  If you happened to be the lucky recipient of a small blue box on February 14, (besides calling all your friends & family to share the good news) you need to call your insurance agent.

Your insurance agent can give you advice about how to make sure your new jewelry would be replaced if it was lost or stolen.  Be sure you have a clear understanding of the terms of your insurance contact.  Most likely your agent will request a copy of the appraisal of the piece of jewerly.  You might be wondering why they need that?  A detailed description is especially important in insurance scheduling appraisals, since in case of a loss your appraisal will be all you have left to form the basis of your claim. 

Most people have REPLACEMENT policies, which give the insurance company the option of replacing the jewerly rather than making cash payment.  Therefore, the detail and accuracy of the description in the appraisal is very important.  The insured value is used to calculate the amount of your premium.  You will be charged a percentage of the insured value every year.  Under replacement policies, the insured value is used to set a ceiling on the amount that the insurance underwriter will spend to replace your jewerly.  The value for claims purposes will be determined at the time of loss.

Some tips!!!

Be sure to buy enough insurance so that you could replace the jewerly yourself, and don’t waste money on excess insurance.  For example if you bought a diamond for $10,000 with an appraisal for $20,000 and you used the appraisal as the basis for buying insurance, you will be paying double premiums!  In most cases this won’t affect the amount of your claims settlement in most cases.  Make sure the appraisal is NOT OVER INFLATED. 

Think about keeping very expensive, seldom-worn jewerly in a safe deposit box covered by low-cost vault insurance.  You will pay normal rates only when you take the jewerly out to wear.

Happy Valentine’s Day from your friends at American Insurance.

Don’t fire up your kitchen

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A couple of month’s ago I drew the short straw!  At the time it didn’t seem like a huge deal to be hosting Thanksgiving at my house, but as the days are getting closer I’m starting to feel a little faint.  I ran the idea of ordering the whole meal from Wegmans by my husband, but I got a big thumbs down.  There’s no doubt that some of the best holiday indulgences (turkey! cookies! cake!) are homemade.  I just wish they weren’t made in my kitchen!  If you are anything like me in the kitchen you will want to avoid burning the whole place down.

The kitchen is the most common origin for home fires and fire injuries, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Cooking is the leading cause. Burns are the third most likely cause of fatal home injuries, too, according to the Home Safety Council. (For kids, they’re the most likely cause of fatalities). And now, for the kicker: November and (especially) December are two of the most common months for home fires to occur.

I brought all these facts to my husband’s attention & he still wouldn’t let me call Wegmans.   So I’m going to follow these no-nonsense tips for keeping me, my family, and my home safe this Thanksgiving.

Protecting  The Fam

 

Keep the kids away.Consider cordoning off the stove area with colored tape to teach little ones to steer clear of this danger zone.

Roll up your sleeves and slip on long mitts. Loose clothing can catch fire while bare hands and arms are easily burned or scalded. Also, make sure to wear mitts when removing food from a microwave—things have a way of heating up more than you think in there.

The Heat Is Off

Not every holiday eat requires heat. For instance, take appetizers: no matter what your cultural and religious traditions are, there are lots of delicious cold options from which to choose. 

Use the back burners and angle pot and pan handles toward the back of the range. This greatly reduces the chance of accidents that could lead to injury.

Place hot foods as far away from counter edges as possible. Anywhere else makes it easy for kids to topple dishes.

If you have young children, ditch the tablecloths and placemats. It only takes one tug to spill hot liquids and foods.

Cap your tap water temperature at 120 degrees. “Faucet water that is too hot is a very overlooked source of scalds,” says Shannon McDaniel, spokesperson for the Home Safety Council. “It’s best to turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees. If your don’t have direct access to your hot water heater or don’t feel comfortable handling yourself, call your gas or electric company.”

Treat burns and scalds immediately. “Even a little bit of heat continues to burn the skin for 24 to 48 hours if it’s not properly treated,” says McDaniel. To cool a burn or a scald, run the affected area under cold water for at least three minutes. Don’t put any ice or lotion on the injury, and always call 911 if your condition is severe.

Protect The Homestead

 

Never, ever leave the kitchen while food is cooking.Leaving food unattended—even for just a minute—is the most common cause of kitchen fires.

Regularly peek into pots, pans and roasters. This will help you spot any potential flare-ups ASAP.

Keep a close eye when frying food. Grease fires are the most common kind of kitchen fires, so pay extra attention to anything in your deep fryer or frying pan.

Stay alert. Make sure to get a good night’s rest before a marathon cooking session and enjoy any alcoholic drinks after you power down the oven and stove.

Make sure your kitchen is clean and clutter-free. Grease buildup on ranges and ovens makes it easier for fires to start. Also, oven mitts, food packaging, towels and curtains can go up in flames if they’re close to heat sources.

Ensure smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are in good working condition. Test every alarm in the house and review the instructions on how to use fire extinguishers. 

Consider installing a home fire sprinkler system. Talk to your local fire department about having a home fire sprinkler system, which quickly quells or reduces the impact of a fire, installed in time for the next holiday season. (Added bonus: installing one often lowers your home insurance premium.)

 Review your home fire escape plan. If the worst happens, you’ll want to be prepared. Decide on a place where everyone will meet, post the plan on your refrigerator door, and do a walk-through with every person in your family. Also, remind everyone of these two life-saving rhymes: “get low and go” (the air near the floor is clearer and easier to breathe) and “stop, drop and roll” (what to do if you catch on fire).

Ohhh Deer

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It’s that time of year again….I took three claims this weeks from clients who hit deer.

Most deer – vehicle collisions occur during October, November and December.  Here are some tips to help keep deer off your dash and far from your car:

  • Stay alert & maintain a safe distance and speed
  • Use high beams when there is no opposing traffic
  • Be especially vigilant around dusk & dawn
  • Never try to drive around a deer or swerve to avoid hitting one
  • If you see one deer, there are apt to be more

Dana Temple formerly of Liberty Mutual

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We at American Insurance are so excited to welcome Dana Temple formerly of Liberty Mutual to American Insurance and Financial Services.  Dana graduated from University of Pittsburgh.  She has 5  years experience in the insurance industry and is licensed to sell Auto, Home, Commercial and Life insurance products.  Dana’s main focus is on providing her clients with the care and personal service that they deserve.  We think she will be a perfect fit at American Insurance!  Feel free to give her a call at 443-841- 4150 or 410-877-0017.

Falling Leaves

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Falling leaves may be pretty, but disposing of them can get ugly. Plus, options (or laws) for burning, bagging, and composting are different in each area. Here’s what to know:

Don’t burn
Many local governments are banning leaves and other yard trimmings from landfills, and you may be tempted to burn the leaves in your yard. Leaf burning, however, becomes a fire hazard that can lead to air pollution and health problems. The open burning of leaves produces particulate matter and hydrocarbons that contain toxic, irritant and carcinogenic compounds, such as carbon monoxide. Burning leaves is not recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—nor is it legal in most states.

Do bag
If you’ve got a lot of time and a strong back (who has either, right?), bagging leaves is one option. This moderate physical activity helps build upper-body and core strength and gives you the opportunity to get outside for some fresh fall air. Remember, sticks, rocks, pine cones, limbs and other debris should not be mixed with loose leaves. Also, check with your municipality or borough to see what, if any, weight limit or bag color has been specified for leaf-filled bags, Then, when they’re ready to go, put them at the curb on your regular trash collection day or as directed.

Try composting
Composting is an environmentally-friendly form of recycling that helps soil retain moisture and nutrients and increase fertility. When leaves are composted along with nitrogen-filled grass clippings, the resulting compost becomes organic fertilizer or mulch for flowerbeds, gardens or around shrubs. The EPA’s Web site offers a free detailed guide on how to create your own compost pile in your backyard. The most important thing to note is what can and cannot be composted. Stay away from meat trimmings and bones—they may attract pests.

What you need to know about the law
Laws for leaf disposal vary depending on where you live. Visit your city’s Web site or call your local public works department for more information.

Boo

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Make Your Halloween a Treat with Safety Tricks

 

While many parents routinely inspect the pounds of tempting loot brought home each Halloween, it’s important to keep in mind that candy tampering isn’t the biggest concern kids’ face on this increasingly popular holiday, its motor vehicles. 

Driving on Halloween night can be very distracting so remember to stay alert and keep your eyes on the road. Back out of driveways very slowly and move out of any side streets and alley ways carefully.  Use extra caution when traveling in busy neighborhoods and travel at a safe speed.

 

If your children will be going ‘trick-or-treating’ this year, make sure that an adult or older responsible youth will be supervising the outing.  Adults and children should carry flashlights and use reflective strips so that you are more visible to motorists. Always walk on the sidewalk and stay in well lit neighborhoods. Never allow children to walk in the street or in alley ways. Talk to children beforehand about safety, reminding them to cross the street at crosswalks and corners and to never cross between parked cars. Avoid cutting across yards or driveways and only approach well lit houses.

 

It’s also important to get your home and yard prepared before the ‘trick-or-treaters’ make their way to your house.  Start by removing items from the steps and walkways that could be tripped over such as toys, hoses, flower pots, or bicycles. Sweep wet leaves from the sidewalk, porch and steps to prevent slips and falls. If your town has ‘trick-or-treating’ hours at night, be sure to brighten the way by turning on all outside lights.  If you don’t regularly use your porch and outdoor lights, check them the week before to make sure they are working properly. Keep your pets inside and properly restrain them to ensure their safety and the safety of trick-or-treaters when you open your front door.

 

Boaters: Beware of Land Sharks

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Keep your boat safe when it’s ashore. Boat theft often occurs in the off-season. Once they’re stolen, most boats are not recovered. If you are a boat owner, learn some easy and effective ways to protect your craft from theft.

 

Five tips for storing boats safely

 

 

Boat Theft Often Occurs in the Off-Season

 

If you’re about to store your boat for the off-season, be sure it’s in a secure location. Many theft cases happen when the boat is ashore.

 

“There are an unbelievable number of cases in which the storage facility says they never received the boat and the insured says that they left the boat in front of the building,” says Gene Robertson, supervisor inERIE’s Corporate Security. “Many boat owners don’t discover that the boat is missing until they attempt to retrieve it at the start of the new season.”

 

Marine theft is a problem nationwide. From January to May, nearly 2,000 boats were stolen, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). In 2010, there were more than 6,660 boat theft cases. Less than half of those stolen were recovered.

 

Navigating Safety and Security

 

Whenever you’re storing your boat, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) recommends obtaining a contract from the storage facility that includes an employee’s signature. Other proactive steps to follow:

 

  1. Mark it: Mark your boat and equipment with the vessel’s Hull Identification Number (HIN). A 12-character serial number helps law enforcement agencies to recover stolen boats and equipment quickly. All motorboats, with very few exceptions, must display the registration number on the forward part of the boat.
  2. Keep records: Place registration and title papers in a safe location other than your boat.
  3. Take video or photographs: Take photos or videotape your boat, equipment and HIN.
  4. Secure the ship: Disable the boat and remove expensive equipment when not in use. When parking a boat on its trailer, use a trailer hitch lock.
  5. Buy insurance: Talk to your insurance agent about purchasing coverage for your boat and personal needs.

 

You should also be cautious when buying a boat. Carefully review the vessel and its ownership paperwork. To avoid problems, be sure to match the HIN listed on the title and registration to the one attached to the boat.

 

For more information about NICB or other fraud prevention tips, visit www.nicb.org. The site includes a printable Marine Identification Checklist and a Boat Theft Brochure.

 

Call us at 410-877-0017 to learn more about boat insurance coverage. Erie Insurance’s coverage helps protect your boat, boating equipment and accessories. It also protects you with liability and medical payments coverage.

 

 

 

 

Is Your Family Protected

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Is Your Family Protected?

You hope the worst won’t happen, but sometimes it does. Is your family financially secure? If you’re not sure whether you need life insurance, consider these seven benefits of life insurance and watch this video, A Legacy of Love.

 

Seven Benefits of Life Insurance

Life insurance can serve as the foundation of your family’s financial security. According to the Life and Health Insurance Foundation for Education (LIFE), life insurance can:

  1. Buy time – Allows loved ones to focus on their grief by helping to pay for the funeral and other final expenses.
  2. Provide a fresh start – Lets loved ones start with a clean slate by helping to pay off credit card bills, outstanding loans and even the mortgage.
  3. Generate income – Helps replace lost income for years to come so that surviving family members can continue to pay for life’s necessities.
  4. Offer flexibility – Gives a surviving spouse the chance to take time off from work or to switch to a job that offers a more flexible work schedule.
  5. Create opportunities – Can provide funding to start a business, or pay for schooling so surviving family members can train for a new career.
  6. Fund the future – Offers a way to fund longer-range goals, like a college education for the kids or a secure retirement for a surviving spouse.
  7. Leave a legacy – Gives parents the chance to leave future generations with the legacy of long-term financial security. (Watch the related video, A Legacy of Love.)

Interested in learning more? Schedule a time to talk to our agency. We can help ensure you have the right amount and type of insurance to protect the ones you love.*

More information about life insurance is at LIFE’s Web site, www.lifehappens.org. LIFE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping consumers make smart insurance decisions to safeguard their families’ financial futures.

Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.

Avoid the Five Biggest Insurance Mistakes

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Trying to Save Money? Avoid the Five Biggest Insurance Mistakes
With nearly one in 10 Americans out of work, and others forced to make ends meet with less money, many people are looking for ways to cut costs.

There are many ways to save on home and auto insurance. Be careful, though, not to make mistakes that could result in your being dangerously underinsured.

“When money is tight, it’s extremely important to be financially protected against a catastrophe with the right amount and type of insurance,” said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). “By taking a few simple steps, it is possible to cut costs and still be protected should disaster strike.”

According to the I.I.I., these are the five biggest insurance mistakes that people often make:

1. Insuring a home for its market value rather than for the cost of rebuilding. When real estate prices go down, some homeowners may think they can reduce the amount of insurance on their home. Insurance is designed to cover the cost of rebuilding, not the sales price of the home. You should make sure that you have enough coverage to completely rebuild your home and replace your belongings.

A better way to save: Raise your deductible. An increase from $500 to $1,000 could save you up to 25 percent on your premium payments.

 

2. Selecting an insurance company by price alone. It is important to choose a company with competitive prices, but also one that is financially sound and provides good customer service.

A better way to save: Check the financial health of a company with independent rating agencies. You should select an insurance company that will respond to your needs and handle claims fairly and efficiently.

Financially strong insurers like Erie Insurance have the financial wherewithal to ensure that  payment is made when it’s due.ERIEhas an A.M. Best rating of A+ (superior) with a stable financial outlook. Additionally,ERIEranks among the 50 top performing insurance companies, according to the Ward Group, which analyzes the financial performance of 3,000 property-casualty companies.ERIEhas also won awards for customer satisfaction and claim service by independent organizations.

 

3. Dropping flood insurance. Damage from flooding is not covered under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. Many homeowners are unaware they are at risk for flooding. Coverage is available from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), as well as from some private insurance companies.  Erie Insurance offers coverage through American Bankers.

A better way to save: All types of homes, including condominiums, are eligible for flood insurance. You can even purchase flood insurance to protect your contents if you rent your home. It’s a good idea to start the process as soon as you can because most flood insurance policies have at least a 30-day waiting period before they take effect. If you’re already living in a flood zone area, look at mitigation efforts that can reduce your risk of flood damage. Before purchasing a home, check with the NFIP to determine if it’s in a flood zone; if so, consider a less risky area.

 

4. Only purchasing the legally required amount of liability coverage for your car. In today’s litigious society, buying only the minimum amount of liability coverage means you are more likely to have to make out-of-pocket payments — and those costs may be steep.

A better way to save: The insurance industry and consumer groups generally recommend a minimum of $100,000 of bodily injury liability protection per person and $300,000 per accident. Also, consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage on older cars worth less than $1,000.

 

5. Neglecting to buy renters insurance. A renters policy covers your possessions and additional living expenses if you have to move out due to a disaster. Equally important, it provides liability protection in the event someone is injured in your home and decides to sue.

A better way to save: Look into multi-policy discounts. Buying several policies with the same insurer, such as renters, auto and life will generally provide savings.

 

For more information about how you could save money on your insurance policies, our agency.  We can answer your questions and review your insurance coverage needs.

 

Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.