Out with the old, in with the new!

When was the last time you looked closely at your oil tank?

Does it look more like this?                                                            

Or like this?

The McCurdy Group has recently upgraded our oil tank, and we would like to encourage you to consider doing the same. Did you know that when fuel oils leaks, it has the potential to ruin concrete floors, wood support beams, and even beneath floors and walls. If the area is saturated with fuel oil, demolition and removal can be your only option. And if the fuel oil leaves the house though cracks in the floors, drain tile systems, or sump pump, an environmental investigation may be necessary to check for soil and ground water pollution. The fuel oil can also cause damage to anything that is being stored near the tank.

If your tank look's questionable, you can call River Air HVAC at 774-230-6880. They did a wonderful job replacing our tank, and will be able to help you too.
If you are worried about a leak in your fuel tank these damages may be covered under your homeowners policy or the coverage may be available for purchase, you should contact your insurance agent.

Cyberbullying: More Than Words Can Hurt You

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me."

We tell our children this so they won't react to other kids calling them names. The truth is that words can hurt, not physically, but emotionally and psychologically. Nowadays schoolyard bullying doesn't stop at school. With texting, cell phones, uploaded videos, and other social media these ever-more vicious attacks can be almost non-stop. Some of these cyberbullies even create websites specifically targeting a single victim.

Teenagers are online in one form or another nearly around the clock. Thus a cyberbully can reach their target anytime and the attack can be viewed by a much larger group of the victim's peers and even go viral. Websites and videos can eventually be pulled down but the damage has already been done and easily reloaded. A more pernicious aspect is some cyberbullies use anonymous emails or fake screen names to try to hide their tracks so the source can't be identified. This emboldens the bullies even more as they don't fear retaliation or punishment. Sadly law-enforcement is reluctant to get involved unless an actual crime is committed or there is a threat of physical harm.

As horrible as the idea of your child being a victim of cyberbullying, imagine if your child was the bully or falsely accused of being the bully. Civil lawsuits usually follow, psychological counseling is often recommended for both the victim and abuser. Even if the accusation of cyberbullying turns out to be groundless reputations have been ruined.

Contact your insurance agent to see if you have liability coverage, that could help you if you get sued. It is important to talk to your children and employees to help avoid a stressful situation for your family or workplace. No one wants to go though this, so be sure to think before you post, tweet, or upload. Once it's on the internet, it's there forever.

Car-deer collisions are surprisingly more frequent than you might think. Nationally, about 1.5 million people are involved in deer collisions each year and more than a hundred people die as a result.

According to AAA, almost seventy percent of car-deer accidents occur during October through December when deer are most active, but this doesn’t mean that motorists can let down their defenses in other seasons. Historically, the majority of the car-deer accidents happen between 5:30 and 7:30 a.m. or between 5:30 and 8 p.m.—the hours that coincide with dawn and dusk as well as the times that most cars are on the road.

SAFETY TIPS:

·If you see one deer, slow down. Chances are there is another close behind. Be especially careful in heavily wooded areas, where deer are more prone to dart out in front of the car.

·Also, use your high beams whenever possible. It will give you a larger field of vision and you’ll have more time to react to animals in the road ahead. It might also help you spot deer at the side of the road before they run across the highway.

·The best defense is to be prepared. Wear your safety belts.

·Be extra alert on two lane roads near dawn and dusk. Be particularly alert near deer-warning signs.They are placed at known crossing areas.

Police departments say swerving to avoid a deer is sometimes more dangerous than hitting one. Severe collisions with trees or other cars—or rollover accidents—might result. If you swerve, or skid to a stop, there’s a chance the deer might panic and dart into the path of another vehicle, or back into the path of yours.

So what should you do if a crash with a deer is unavoidable? Brake firmly, keep both hands on the steering wheel, stay in your lane, and sound your horn. In the case of the ’Cuda driver, a firm foot on the brake pedal as soon as the deer was in sight might have given the animal that extra bit of time to get out of the way.

The jury is out on deer whistles, which claim to alert animals that a car is nearby. Some drivers swear by them, claiming they stop deer in their tracks. Others swear at them, asserting they do nothing but panic the deer into stampeding across the road. Then there are yet others who doubt they work at all, saying that the deer don’t hear the whistles until it’s too late.

In the event of a car-deer collision, you will find, as this client did, that such accidents are covered under the comprehensive portion of an automobile policy. Some insurance carriers claim up to one third of all comprehensive losses result from deer collisions.

In instances where you swerve and avoid the animal but end up colliding with something else, such as the ditch, the collision portion of your policy would also apply. Keep this in mind when you set your collision deductible.

And watch out for moose! They usually inflict five times the amount of damage to the vehicle than a deer does. In 1985, the winter in Alaska was particularly bad. By March 13th, 1985, there had been 165 train-killed moose, and on that night, a single moose on the tracks derailed a train, engine, and five coal cars.

Essential tips to avoiding deer car collisions

·Watch out at dawn and dusk

·High beams on when possible

·Slow down!

·Brake, don’t swerve

·Honk the horn

The Snowbird’s Guide to Winterizing Your Home

Before we know it will be that time of year to pack up and go south for the winter to escape the New England winter’s fury. Here are some tips to start thinking about before you leave for securing your home while you’re gone:

•Turn the heat down but keep it high enough so that you won’t end up with frozen pipes that could burst

•Set programmable timers for the lights and television so that it appears that you are still living in the home

•Lock all windows and doors, including the inside garage door to the house, and place steel bars in slider doors

•Give a trusted friend or neighbor a key and ask them to check the house periodically

•Arrange to have the snow cleared from your sidewalk and driveway

•Ask your neighbor to park in your driveway periodically

•Add motion-detecting security lights outside

•Make sure your gutters are cleaned to prevent ice damns damage while you’re gone

Driving Safety

One in three children and young adults that are in auto accidents are seriously injured or killed every year in America. It doesn’t matter how good a driver you are, no one can predict an accident. If you have children, make sure that they are properly restrained.

For infants and children eight years old and younger or at least fifty-seven inches tall should be in a federally approved child safety seat. Anyone over eight years old and fifty-seven inches tall should be wearing a seat belt. In Massachusetts, the fine for not complying with the safety seat rule could be fined $25 and their insurance will increase but more importantly it could save a life.

-Check Your Car Seat. Did you know that 73 percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly? Before you hit the road, please take 15 minutes for an at-home car seat checkup using the Safe Kids downloadable checklist (http://www.safekids.org/sites/default/files/car-seat-checklist.pdf). The checklist offers ways to make sure your car seat is right for your child and that the seat is installed properly. These tips are important because we know that when used correctly, child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent.

-Use Booster Seats. Safety in the car goes beyond your little ones. Kids who have outgrown a forward-facing harness seat are not ready for a seat belt or front seat yet. They are safest in a booster seat that enables the adult seat belt to fit properly. Even when children have outgrown booster seats, they are safest in the backseat until the age of 13.

- See more at: http://www.safekids.org/blog/what-parents-need-know-safe-summer-travel#sthash.bKsa52Nx.dpuf

Why Should I Get An Umbrella Policy If I Have The Homestead Act?

Many people ask why they should have a Personal Umbrella if they already have the Homestead Act on their home. Many people underestimate the “coverage” that the Homestead Act provides. As of March 16, 2011, the Homestead Act will provide “up to” $500,000 of the equity in their homes for a judgement that is made against the homeowner so that residence is not jeopardized by creditors. Homeowners that purchased their Homestead prior to March 16, 2011 have the limit at that time of purchase. This sounds great, right? Maybe not so good, here’s the “catch”. In order for the Homestead to pay out; there has to be an actual judgement made against the homeowner. This does not include legal fees, it’s just the judgement. If you cannot pay the legal fees in order to protect yourself, what good was that Homestead? What if you’re falsely accused and no judgement is made? The Homestead doesn’t provide coverage at all. The Personal Umbrella provides legal fees and the judgement (up to the policy limits and exclusions) whether you’re innocent or guilty.

Is There Coverage For My Company Car On My Personal Umbrella Policy?

Under the standard Personal Umbrella Policy there is not coverage afforded for the company car that you may be driving on a regular basis unless you are using that car for personal use AND you have “Use of Other Vehicles” endorsed to your Personal Auto Policy and also have that vehicle listed on your Umbrella at the time of a loss. The vehicle also cannot be “owned” by the named insured. Now if you happen to take the company car that is “not provided to you for your regular use” and happen to have a loss while you’re running “personal” errands, then the Umbrella Policy would afford coverage automatically. If that same scenario were to happen with the company car that was provided to you for regular use; you would need to have that vehicle endorsed to your Auto & Umbrella policies in order to have coverage. This is a tricky situation to say the least, so please contact our agency if you have any questions.

Replacement Cost vs. Market Value

    How many times have you looked at your Homeowner’s policy and thought that the coverage on your house was way too high? And that you could never sell your house for that amount.

     With the housing market being what it is, people think that the coverage on their homes should reflect the market value -- but you couldn’t be more wrong. The difference between market value and replacement cost is that market value reflects what a home can be sold for but replacement cost is what a home can be re-built for. Do you see the difference?

    With the cost of services and materials, you want to make sure that you have enough coverage to rebuild your home in case of a loss. Some may say that they would never rebuild their house the way it is now, but let’s consider the problems with that theory if you have a loss and the home is not completely destroyed. For example, say your home is insured for $160,000 but it should be insured for $200,000 and you have a kitchen fire that resulted in $50,000 worth of damage. The fact is, the insurance company will only pay you $40,000, less your deductible. That means that you’ll have to write a check for that remaining $10,000 in order to get your kitchen back in working order.   

    The reason behind this is in the numbers.  Because you have only insured your home for 80% of its value, you will only receive payment for 80% of the loss.  If you have questions about replacement cost, contact your insurance agent.

Passing on the Right

How many times have you seen a vehicle passing another on the right and wondered if that was legal? Well, there are special circumstances when this is actually legal but many people don’t follow the guidelines. It can only be done when the road is clear and is wide enough for two or more lines of motor vehicles AND:

-The vehicle you are passing is making, or is about to make, a left turn.
-You are driving on a one-way street.
-You are driving on a road where traffic moves in one direction (such as a multiple lane
Highway).

Needless to say, passing on the right is very limited and not allowed on all streets and in all situations. Before you pass another vehicle on the right; think of these guidelines to make sure it is ok to do so and safe. Patience is not only a virtue; it could save your life.

Kids Going Away to College

Well it’s that time of year again to prepare for our kids to go back to school and if you are sending them away to college, you have so many things to think about. If you child is not going to be commuting and will be living on campus you need to consider a few things.

Does my homeowner’s or tenant’s policy cover my child while they’re away at college? Well that depends…does your child live in a dorm or do they have their own apartment? If they’re in the dorm room then they would have 10% of your Personal Property coverage limit from your policy BUT if they have their own apartment; then they will need a tenant’s policy for coverage.

Most students have computers that they will be taking with them, do you have that computer scheduled? The basic homeowner’s policies don’t cover the computers if they are dropped, lost, or are damaged by that glass of soda that may get spilled on it. Scheduling that computer will give you peace of mind which is something that is in short supply in these times of change.

Think Twice Before You Switch!

We hear it all the time on the radio and television, “Big savings on your auto and home insurance.” In these difficult economic times, we’re all looking for ways to save money and insurance is a place to start. But there are some things that we need to consider… Just because we can get a lower rate with another carrier doesn’t mean that changing companies is a good idea. Do you have the same coverages or did the new company give us lower limits of insurance? We also need to consider company loyalty because the longer you are with a particular company, the more likely you are to receive a credit for being with them a long time. And if you’ve been with one company for years, they are more likely to stay on your policy if you’ve had a loss or two (remember those tornadoes, snow storms, and ice storms that we had back-to–back in our area a few years ago?). If you are considering changing insurance companies, please discuss your concerns with your Insurance Agent before you make any changes that could affect your future.

Safe Stopping Distance

Did you know that it takes 292 ft to stop your car if you’re driving 60 MPH on the perfect road surface? Throw in some messy weather and all bets are off. In order to be able to stop safely, you need to keep some things in mind: It takes about three-quarters of a second to react to a situation and step on the brake pedal. You should always make sure that your brakes are in good working order and that the thread on your tires are good. Other braking tips are:

• Warn pedestrians, bicyclists, or other drivers of possible trouble. Brake early and gently when preparing to stop or turn.

• Do not let your foot rest on the brake pedal while driving. (This is called riding your brakes.)

• If your vehicle has antilock brakes, never pump the brakes. (In 2010, 89% of new cars and 99% of new light trucks have antilock brakes.)

• Always slow down near a curve or an area where you cannot see clearly ahead.

Health Conditions That Are Dangerous for Driving

Before you get behind the wheel of your vehicle, you should always be aware of your physical and/or health condition. Driving has become so complicated because as drivers; we need to be aware of other dangers that may cause us to make a quick decision and react even quicker. You need to be at your best before you get behind the wheel to drive. You shouldn’t drive if:
• You have vision or hearing issues. Make sure that your eyes and ears have been checked. Also remember to wear sunglasses on sunny days.
• If you’ve been drinking alcohol. Your judgment and reaction time could be affected with the smallest amount of liquor that is consumed.
• If you’re taking medications, whether prescribed by your doctor or over-the-counter, that makes your drowsy.
• If you’re under the influence of any illegal drug.
• When you’re tired.
• When you are upset because anger and depression can cause you to drive carelessly.

Avoid Running Out of Money During Retirement

Many people have no idea how much money they will need to retire and/or think that they have plenty of time to plan for it. Before you know it, you’re about to retire and feel completely unprepared. Do you know how much you need to have available at your retirement? You need to consider your life expectancy and how much money you’ll need to maintain your lifestyle (which includes inflation). See your personal Financial Planner today to discuss what you’ll need to be able to have a retirement that is as stress-free as possible.

Should I Change My Homeowners Insurance Policy if I No Longer Live in It?

A homeowner’s policy is a homeowner’s policy, right? Wrong! If you are planning on moving out of your home and having someone else live in it; you need to contact your Insurance Agent Professional before you do so. The homeowner’s policy covers “owner occupied” homes so once someone else is living in it, the policy is no longer valid. Your property now needs a rental property policy in order for you to have the proper coverage.

Safe Summertime Travels with Kids

Summer time usually includes traveling time for so many families across the country. If you're planning on a road trip with kids, here are a few tips to help you travel safely over the summer:

Check Your Car Seats. Did you know that 73 percent of car seats are not used or installed correctly? Before you hit the road this season, please take 15 minutes for an at-home car seat checkup using the SafeKids downloadable checklist. The checklist offers ways to make sure your car seat is right for your child and that the seat is installed properly. These tips are important because we know that when used correctly, child safety seats can reduce the risk of death by as much as 71 percent.

Use Booster Seats. Safety in the car goes beyond your little ones. Kids who have outgrown a forward-facing harness seat are not ready for a seat belt or front seat yet. They are safest in a booster seat that enables the adult seat belt to fit properly. Even when children have outgrown booster seats, they are safest in the backseat until the age of 13.

- See more at: http://www.safekids.org/blog/what-parents-need-know-safe-summer-travel#sthash.bKsa52Nx.dpuf.

Safety Tips for Walkers

It’s a beautiful day outside and you decide to go for a walk to get some exercise and fresh air. Have you taken the time to go over your safety plan first? Many people just go for a walk and never even think about what they need to do to stay safe. Here are some tips to have a safe walk:

  •Wear bright/light colored clothing and reflective materials.

  •Carry a flashlight when walking at night.

  •Cross in a well-lit area at night.

  •Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars or other obstacles before crossing so drivers can see you.

  •Always walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.

  •Stay sober; walking while impaired increases your chance of being struck.

  •Don't assume vehicles will stop; make eye contact with drivers; don't just look at the vehicle. If a driver is on a cell phone, they may not be paying enough attention to drive safely.

  •Don't rely solely on pedestrian signals; look before you cross the road.

  •Be alert to engine noise or backup lights on cars when in parking lots and near on-street parking spaces.

  •Don't wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while walking so that you won’t be distracted.

 Following these few safety tips could save your life. Go out there and enjoy a walk but make sure that you do it safely.

Safe Distance Around Other Vehicles

Did you ever wonder what the safe distance is between your car and the one in front of you? Well, according to the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles, it’s the 2 second rule. 

The rule goes as follows: Pick an object in front of you, like a sign post or a tree. When the vehicle in front of you reaches that object, count out "one one-thousand, two one-thousand…..". If you reach the object before you count two, you are too close. Slow down until you’ve put enough distance between you and the other vehicle.

The two-second rule is a minimum safe distance for good road conditions and moderate traffic. Count three or four seconds for added safety and when traffic allows. Keep more space behind a motorcycle and heavy equipment (for example, dump trucks, tractors) than you would for another vehicle.  You never know when someone is going to stop abruptly, so it’s a good habit to make sure you’re not following another vehicle too closely.

Long Term Care Insurance

The use of long-term and home health care are on the rise because of medical advances and people living longer. If you think that Medicare will provide coverage for nursing home or at-home care, you could be shocked to know limited that coverage is. Medicare will pay for a short nursing home stay if you’re hospitalized for at least three days prior to your need for skilled care. Medicare will pay for the first 20 days, but you will be responsible for $148 a day for days 21 through 100. After that, Medicare coverage runs out. Medicare also provides limited coverage for home–health services: only when your doctor states that it’s medically necessary. Medicare Supplement Plans may provide more coverage but it is not extensive.  Long-term care costs can cripple a family if they don't plan ahead.. To prepare for long-term care issues, speak to your Financial Planner for options that are available to protect your future.

Grave Marker Insurance

With the Memorial Day holiday just around the corner, we often visit our deceased family members' plots in the cemetery.  Did you know that your homeowner’s policy covers your relative’s grave markers or mausoleums? Unfortunately, vandalism and theft happen to grave markers and even though your homeowner’s policy won’t cover your emotional upset, it will cover the damage to the grave markers anywhere in the world. The standard Homeowner’s policy pays up to $5000 but check with your Insurance Professional to see what your particular policy covers. 

Should I Contact My Agent If I’ve Made Changes to My Home?

Have you put an addition on your home or updated your kitchen or bath? Should make changes to your insurance policy? The answer is yes. A simple kitchen update from laminate counter tops to granite, installing new cabinets, or adding that jetted tub that you’ve always wanted could increase your home’s value considerably. If you’ve made any updates or added any square footage to your home, please contact your Insurance Agent to discuss whether or not you have adequate coverage to cover all the changes that you’ve made.

Disability Insurance, Who Needs It?

Have you ever thought that you'll never need disability insurance?  According to the Social Security Administration, one in four 20-year olds will become disabled and unable to work before they reach the age of 67. In 2012 alone, 650,000 workers became disabled. I don’t know about you but those figures astound me. You may think that Worker's Compensation will cover you if you become disabled, but did you know that 90% of long-term disability claims are due to illnesses and not work-related accidents? You’re never too young to be concerned about disability insurance; if you work, you need it. Long-term disability payments may not replace your income 100% (it’s typically around 60% of your income) but can you imagine if you’re disabled and you have no money coming in?  Even if you have coverage through your employer, you should talk to your Financial Advisor to make sure that you have the appropriate coverage to help protect your future.

Changes to your Home Deed

If you’ve made any changes to the deed to your home, make sure to contact your insurance agent to inform them of the change. Often times we don’t always think to contact our agent if we’ve paid off our mortgage, re-financed our mortgage, added our son or daughter to our deed, got married and added your spouse to the deed, or divorced and removed a name from the deed. Any changes such as these require a change to your Homeowner’s Policy to avoid issues at the time of a claim. If you’ve made changes that affect your deed, please contact your insurance agent to discuss those changes so that your homeowner’s policy can be updated accordingly.

Aggressive Drivers

We’ve all seen them.  They cut people off, run red lights, tailgate, weave through traffic, make rude gestures, and are dangerous to everyone around them.

What can you do when confronted by an Aggressive Driver?

• Attempt to get out of his/her way.
• Do not challenge that person.
• Avoid eye contact.
• Ignore rude gestures.
• Wear your safety belt. It will  protect you in a crash.
• If you simply cannot get away from the aggressor, attempt to drive to the closest police station

Even if someone else is being aggressive towards you, do not react to them so that you can get home safely in the end.

Safety Tips for Walkers

It’s a beautiful day outside (finally!) and you decide to go for a walk to get some exercise and fresh air.  Have you taken the time to go over your safety plan first? Many people just go for a walk and never even think about what they need to do to stay safe. Here are some tips to have a safe walk:

     

• Wear bright/light colored clothing and reflective materials. 
•   Carry a flashlight when walking at night.
•   Cross in a well-lit area at night.
•   Stand clear of buses, hedges, parked cars or other obstacles before crossing so drivers can see you. 
•  Always walk on the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
• Stay sober; walking while impaired increases your chance of being struck.
•  Don't assume vehicles will stop; make eye contact with drivers; don't just look at the vehicle. If a driver is on a cell phone, they may not be paying enough attention to drive safely.
• Don't rely solely on pedestrian signals; look before you cross the road. 
• Be alert to engine noise or backup lights on cars when in parking lots and near on-street parking spaces.
• Don't wear headphones or talk on a cell phone while walking so that you won’t be distracted.

Following these few safety tips could save your life. Go out there and enjoy a walk but make sure that you do it safely.

Smoke Detector Safety

Did you know that almost two-thirds of all house fire deaths are the result of having no smoke detectors or improperly working detectors? Many of us install smoke detectors and never give a second thought to maintaining them.

 ·         Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.

·         Save manufacturer's instructions for testing and maintenance because they may have specific instructions for that particular smoke detector.

·         Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. It’s a good idea to make a habit of changing the batteries at the same time each year; such as when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time, when you set up your Christmas tree, or your birthday. Put it on your calendar, whatever it takes for you to remember to replace the batteries. If an alarm “chirps”, warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.

·         Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond properly.

·         If cooking fumes or steam sets off nuisance alarms, rather than taking out the battery to finish your cooking, replace the alarm with an alarm that has a "hush" button. A "hush" button will reduce the alarm’s sensitivity for a short period of time. This will avoid forgetting to reinstall the battery after you’re done cooking.

For more information on smoke detector safety and other fire prevention tips; please go to National Fire Prevention Association’s website at: http://www.nfpa.org.

Long Term Care Insurance

The use of long-term and home health care are on the rise because of medical advances and people living longer. If you think that Medicare will provide coverage for nursing home or at-home care, you could be shocked to know low limited that coverage is. Medicare will pay for a short nursing home stay if you’re hospitalized for at least three days prior to your need for skilled care. Medicare will pay for the first 20 days, but you will be responsible for $148 a day for days 21 through 100. After that, Medicare coverage runs out. Medicare also provides limited coverage for home–health services only when your doctor states that it’s medically necessary. Medicare Supplement Plans may provide more coverage but it is not extensive.  Long-term care costs can cripple a family if they’re not prepared. To prepare for long-term care issues, speak to your Financial Planner for options that are available to protect your future.

A Vacant Home, Doesn’t My Homeowner’s Policy Still Cover It?

Say you purchase and move into a new home but your old home still hasn’t sold.  Or you have inherited a house and cleaned out all the contents.  Should you be concerned about the homeowner’s coverage on these homes? YES! The moment that you move everything out of the home, that home is no longer occupied and your homeowner’s policy needs to be changed.

After 30 days of being vacant, the following coverages are no longer available:

• Vandalism
• Malicious mischief
• Glass

After 60 days of being vacant, the following coverages are also removed:

• Fire
• Lightening

Can you see where these vacant homes are vulnerable?  If you have a home is vacant for any reason, please contact your Insurance Agent to discuss your options before a loss occurs.

Speak to Your Insurance Agent about Home Improvements

Did you know that you may be able to save money on your homeowner’s insurance if you’ve updated your home? If you’ve updated your electric service, roof, or heating system, you may qualify for a more competitive rate. If you’re not sure if you qualify, contact your Insurance Agent to review your account.  Other improvements such as updating your kitchen or putting on an addition will probably increase the value of  your property and you should certainly discuss this with your agent to be sure your homeowner's policy has adequate limits.

It’s always good to review your personal account with your Insurance Agent from time to time to make sure that your home and auto policies are up to date and any questions can be discussed. Not only could your rate be affected, but you may discover that you don’t have coverage for something that you thought was all set.

Air Bag Safety

Air bags and seat belts save lives every day and here are a few things you should know to make sure they work properly. Their purpose is to cushion occupants during a crash and provide protection to their bodies when they strike interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window. Modern vehicles may contain multiple airbag modules in various side and frontal locations of the passenger seating positions; the airbag is designed to only inflate in moderate to severe frontal crashes. 

Airbags are normally designed with the intention of supplementing the protection of an occupant who is correctly restrained with a seat belt. Be sure to use your shoulder and lap seat belt; air bags are not a substitute for seat belts. 

According to research conducted by Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, children exposed to air bags during a crash are twice as likely to suffer a serious injury.  Children younger than 13 years are safest when placed in the back seat of a vehicle, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Other air bag safety rules to follow include:

• Never place an infant in a rear-facing child safety seat in the front seat with an air bag. In a crash, the air bag comes out of the dashboard with its force directed at the back of the infant's head if riding in the front passenger seat.
• The rear seat is the safest place in the car for children younger than 13 years. If you don’t have enough room in the back of your car to safely transport the number of children who need to travel safely, please visit a car seat check in your area where a trained expert will help evaluate your situation. You may need to arrange to use a safer vehicle with enough back seat positions to keep all the kids safe.
• All passengers ages 13 and older need to wear a lap and shoulder belt when riding in the front seat. Air bags are designed to work with the lap and shoulder belt to protect the occupant in the event of a crash.
• To keep your older child (age 13 and older) safe in the front seat:
• Move the front seat as far back as possible from the dashboard
• Teach your child not to lean forward to change the radio dial or to insert CDs
• Insist that your child sit upright against the seatback, with the seat belt snug at all times

What If You Disagree With a Claims Adjustor?

If you’ve had a claim and disagree with the claims adjustor, you have the right to discuss your concerns with the adjustor.  You need to be prepared to show the adjustor why you disagree with them; you can’t just say that you think you should get paid more for your claim. If you have an auto accident, for example, and think that the adjustor’s figure is not enough to replace your vehicle, research the book value on Kelly Blue Book at kbb.com.  Make sure that you input all of the correct information on your vehicle. If the book value is different from what the adjustor is offering, provide that documentation to them. Sometimes you may have better information than the adjustor.

If you have a homeowners claim, get estimates from 2 or 3 licensed contractors for comparison. When you’re in the middle of a claim, you may be upset and may not realize the true value of your home or vehicle.  Taking these steps can reassure you that what you’re being offered is fair and correct but if not, make sure you have the necessary documentation to back up your position.

Auto Safety Kits

In today’s world, we all spend an enormous amount of time in our cars and may not even think about having a car safety kit in case of an emergency. Having a well planned safety kit in your car could save your life, especially in winter weather. You can purchase a ready-made kit or you can make your own but either way you should have one in all of your vehicles. Your kit should include at least:

• Blankets or sleeping bags
• Flashlights with extra batteries
• First aid kit
• A knife and some healthy non-perishable food (trail mix, peanut butter, crackers, etc…)
• In a large plastic container with a cover, store paper towels and other sanitary items and an empty coffee can (or other waterproof container) to keep water-proof matches and a candle to melt snow for drinking water.
• Sand or cat litter for tire traction and a shovel.
• An auto emergency tool kit with basic tools, jumper cables, ice scrapers, etc…
• A compass and road maps (what if your GPS or cell phones aren’t working?)
• Extra clothing in case your clothing gets wet or you need to layer your clothes to stay warm

Fire Extinguisher Safety

A portable fire extinguisher is great to have in every home to prevent a house fire from spreading and causing devastating damage.  But they have limitations that all consumers need to be aware of. The standard, all-purpose fire extinguisher is meant for small fires that are confined to a small area and not spreading rapidly, such as a fire in a waste basket.  If a fire is growing quickly, it’s safest for the residents to get out of the house immediately and call 911 and not try to battle the fire themselves.

All homes should have an all-purpose extinguisher that is light enough for the users to be able to use easily. Also make sure that the extinguisher carries the label of an independent testing laboratory to make sure that it’s up to code. Make sure to read the instructions before you have a fire so that you’re familiar with how to use it. Local fire departments and fire equipment distributors offer demonstrations on how to use fire extinguishers but if that isn’t available, remember the word PASS:

  - Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle
    pointing away from you, and release the locking
    mechanism.
  - Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
  - Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
  - Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

Ordinance or Law

If you have a home that is 15 years or older, you need to think about a special coverage for your home. The coverage is called “Ordinance or Law” and it covers you at the time of a loss if you have to make updates to your home because the building codes have changed since your house was built. This applies even though the changes have nothing to do with your loss. For instance, if you have a loss and your town ordinance requires that you replace all the wiring in your house, your coverage may not be enough for this without the Ordinance or Law coverage being added to your policy.  Your homeowners policy coverage will pay for the damage according to the limitations and exclusions of your policy but there is no coverage to repair or replace what is not damaged but is simply not up to code anymore.  That's where Ordinance or Law kicks in. If you are not sure if you have this coverage, please contact your Insurance Agent to discuss your options.

Are Solar Panels Covered on a Homeowner's Policy

Many people now use solar panels and wonder if the panels are covered on their Homeowner’s Policies. The answer would be yes BUT.   We need to consider where the panels are installed in order to make sure that they have the appropriate coverage limits.  If they are installed on the house, they are considered part of the Dwelling limit but if they’re installed on the lawn and not connected to the home itself, they could be considered Other Structure or Personal Property Coverage depending on the company’s view. In any case, you need to make sure that you have enough coverage to handle a loss. There are also situations where the electric company pays you for supplying energy back to them; this would be considered a business and needs special attention. There are some carriers that offer the liability and physical coverage to protect this new “business” exposure. It’s best to discuss your needs with your Insurance Agent Professional to have the peace of mind that your interests will be covered.

Have You Paid Off Your Home or Auto?

If you’ve paid off your mortgage or car loan, did you know that you should inform your insurance agent? Most people don’t know to do that until they have a claim and have to deal with the insurance company and bank to rectify the situation. If you have a loss and the bank is still listed on your home or auto policy, the claim check has to be written out to you AND the bank which leads to more work for you at a time that you don’t need the extra hassle. Once you receive the documentation that you have paid off the bank loan, get a copy to your Insurance Agent so that they can have the bank or lender removed from your policy to avoid having to deal with this at the time of a claim.

Wood and Pellet Stove Safety

The heating season is here and it’s time to think about wood and pellet stove safety. Wood stoves and pellet stoves need to be cleaned every year or when there’s 1/4” creosote buildup on the chimney walls. The more often you use the stove, the more often you’ll have to clean it. Make sure to clean the ash and dispose of it in a fire-proof container before each use. Also be aware of the fuel limitations of your stove. Most wood stoves are meant to burn wood only. Do not burn driftwood, trash, treated wood, artificial logs, or any product containing zinc, sulfur, lead, or plastics as they will damage the catalytic combustor. Burning trash in a wood stove is dangerous for its potential to start a chimney fire, and also because the trash could contain plastics or other elements which emit harmful gases.

If you’re thinking about installing a wood or pellet stove for the first time, make sure to have a professional install it.  Also make sure that it’s inspected and you get proof of that inspection certifying that the stove is up to code and safe for your family. If you would like more information on this matter, go to the National Ag Safety Database at http://nasdonline.org/document/333/d000132/proper-installation-operation-and-maintenance-of-a-wood.html.