Why Insurance Agents Worry About Their Clients..Road Trips!

As the holiday season approaches more and more individuals and families will be hitting the highway traveling to visit family and friends.  We want to make sure you take every precaution to stay safe while traveling near and far. 

There is some basic maintenance that should be done to your vehicle to be sure it gets you to and from where you need to be.  Like checking your battery, oil, coolant and other fluid levels.  Check your tire pressure, air filter, and be sure you have a spare tire. Most importantly, get those repairs done if needed. You may think this is silly but when loading in any potential passengers and all the extra belongings you should also check your vehicles load capacity.

There are some things  you need to do to be sure you have everything you need.  Make sure your latest insurance Identification Card contains accurate information and is located in your glove box with a copy of your registration.  We normally give our insurance handy plastic holders to keep these important documents in. It also lists our contact number on the back in case you need to reach us on the road.  You should also make a quick call to be sure you know what coverages you have, like towing, rental reimbursement and in some cases trip interruption.

Lastly there should be some things you should have on hand in the event of an emergency. Buy a road atlas or map, GPS or cell phone technology is great when they work.  Have a backup plan just in case.  Be sure your electronic devices are fully charged, like your GPS or cell phone.  A GPS may help so that you are aware of any detours.  Buy snacks, bottled water and a first aid kit, including any regular medications.  You should also have a blanket during this time of year.

Here is an infographic for easy visual reference about the things I mentioned an a pre-filled list for easy packing!  Have a safe trip, a fun holiday and most importantly feel free to contact us with questions.

Automobile Insurance—Top five questions

What auto coverage do I need? 

New York Law requires all vehicles to carry a minimum amount of liability insurance in the amount of $25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to two or more persons (Uninsured motorists protection subject to the same minimums), $10,000 for damage to property of others, and $50,000 for Personal Injury Protection (PIP), also known as No-fault. This minimum coverage are applicable to any one accident. However, depending on your individual situation, it is advisable that you consider increasing the amounts of your liability coverage depending on your needs and the assets you would like to protect.

What optional coverage should I consider purchasing?  

You may consider purchasing Comprehensive and Collision coverage to protect against theft or damage to your vehicle. Insurers also offer other valuable coverage to protect you and your family, such as Additional PIP and Supplementary Uninsured/Underinsured Motorists (SUM). It is recommended that you review the Insurance Department’s Consumer Guide to Automobile Insurance, located in the Automobile Insurance Resource Center, for more general information about auto insurance. You may also consult with the producer or insurer to help determine the types of coverage that are ideal for you.

Does my policy protect me for liability against a lawsuit from an injured spouse?  

The standard auto policy does not automatically provide coverage for an insured against liability due to death of or injuries to a spouse. However, an insured may purchase Supplemental Spousal Liability, which does provide coverage for an insured against liability due to death of or injuries to a spouse.

What effect does my credit history have on my insurance?  

Many insurers consider consumer credit information as part of their underwriting process and, for those that do, your credit history may have an affect on the premium charged. However, insurers are prohibited from rejecting an application for insurance solely on the basis of credit information and from using credit in any way to terminate a policy or increase the premium on a renewal policy. Insurers are required to disclose the use of credit information to their policyholders.

What discounts are available?  

While all insurers are required to offer certain mandatory discounts (such as for vehicles equipped with air bags, anti-lock brakes or daytime running lights, or for taking a DMV approved Accident Prevention Course), many insurers have a wide range of other discounts that may also be applicable to you. Ask the insurer or producer about the discounts offered by the insurer to see if you qualify or could qualify for any of the available discounts.

 For more visit us on the web or contact us at one of our three locations.  You can also visit the insurance department online.

Cell Phone Safety - Driving Home the Importance

These days, it’s hard to find someone who does not have a cell phone.  Cell phones can be invaluable for those business professionals who spend a lot of time out of the office, or for anyone who wants the added peace of mind knowing they can call for help in an emergency.

Are there laws limiting the use of cell phones while driving?

New York state prohibits the use of cell phones while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway. Violators charged for using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle can face a fine of up to $100. Hands-free cell phones, however, are permitted.

In 2013, several changes have been made to the law.  Now you can face up to 5 driving points. If you are a probationary or junior driver you could be looking at a suspension for 60 days and if it happens a second time revocation.  The maximum fines have been increased to $150 for 1st offense,$200 for 2nd offense, and third $400 and lets not forget the surcharge...$93.

Familiarize yourself with your phone

Be sure you review all the literature that comes with your phone.  Understand how to use its many features—including speed dial, re-dial and hands-free options.

Many manuals are available for free online.

Be aware of your surroundings and road conditions

If you find yourself in hazardous driving conditions-whether traffic-or weather-related—let your voice mail system pick up the call.  A few minutes of paying attention, and pulling over in a safe location, could make a huge difference in your safety and the safety of those around you..

Are there laws limiting the use of portable electronic devices used for text messaging or transmitting electronic data while driving?

Effective Nov. 1, 2009, New York state prohibits the use of electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway.

Portable electronic devices include hand-held cell phones, but also include PDAs, laptop computers, pagers, broadband personal communication devices and electronic games.  Violators charged for using an electronic device while operating a motor vehicle can face a fine of up to $150.

Stay calm on the phone and on the road

Don’t use driving time to engage in stressful or emotional conversations.  They can distract you from driving safely and sensibly, even if you are using a hands-free phone.

Cell phones can be an invaluable business tool or your lifeline in a real emergency.  But, remember, when you’re behind the wheel, your most important responsibility is safe driving.

There are new penalties that just went into effect for commercial drivers effective October 28, 2013 - click here for our free report : FREE REPORT FOR MOTOR CARRIERS & COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DRIVERS

For more information visit us on the web at www.tiains.com or contact us at one of our three locations.

Reprinted in parts with permission from PIA Management Services Inc.

Teens Behind The Wheel

Tanner Insurance Agency, Inc. cares about you and your family.  With a new teenage driver in the household, we would like you to consider some important facts so you can help your teenager become a safe driver.

The Statistics:

Young drivers, in the age group 16-20, have one of the highest fatality rates of all drivers.  In fact, motor vehicle related injuries are by far the leading public health problem among teenager today.  In 2005 in the US 5,288 teenagers died from crash related injuries, and 61% of teenage passenger deaths occurred in crashes which another teen was driving.

Five Principal Reasons Contributing to Teen Driving Problems:

1. Distraction
2. Speeding
3. Drinking
4. Seat Belts
5. Weather

What’s A Parent To Do?

• Choose vehicles for safety,  not image.  Ensure the car has airbags and anti-lock brakes

• Provide new drivers with plenty of supervised driving practice, even after they have their license. Including night driving and hazardous road conditions

• Mandate safety belt usage

• Restrict number of passengers.  Crash rates increase sharply when a teen has passengers especially other teens.

• Emphasize that safe driving requires your teen’s full attention. Distractions like text messaging will greatly increase their risk of motor vehicle related injury

• Discuss and reinforce responsible driving behavior with teenagers.

Download our FREE Parent - Teen Driving Contract - Click Here

Visit us at www.tiains.com  or contact us at one of our three locations.

Want to Save Money on Gas?

Gas is expected to reach $5 per gallon by next summer.  Wow!!! Here are some tips that might come in handy.

4 Tips on Pumping Gas

Our source for this article is an individual with about 31 years experience in the petroleum industry.  He was kind enough to share some actions to take that will help you get more out of your money.

1. It is wise to buy gas or fill up your vehicle as early in the morning as possible, or when ground temperatures are still cool. Be advised that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below the surface.  The cooler the ground the more dense the gasoline.   When it gets warmer liquid expands.  As a result, buying in the afternoon or in the evening is not recommended.  A gallon might not actually be a gallon.
   
   
   
2. When you're filling up your car, you should not squeezed the trigger of the pump to a fast mode. Triggers have 3 speeds (low, medium, and high).  He advised that one should be pumping on the low mode,  thereby minimizing the vapors that are created while pumping gas.  All hoses at the pump have a vapor return.  If you are pumping on the fast rate, some of the liquid that goes back to your tank can become steam.  Those vapors are being sucked up and back into storage tanks, so in retrospect., you are getting "bang for your buck".
   
   
   
3. One of the most important tips is to fill up when your gas tank in HALF FULL.  The reason for this is the more gas you have in your tank the less air occupying its empty space.  Gasoline evaporates faster than you can imagine.  Gasoline storage tanks have an internal floating roof.  This roof serves as zero clearance between the gas and the atmosphere, so it minimizes the evaporation.  Unlike service stations, petroleum stations make sure that every truck that is loaded is temperature compensated so that every gallon is actually the exact amount.
   
   
   
4. Finally, never fill up your vehicle when there is a gasoline truck filling up the storage tanks.  When the tanks are filled up, the bottom is being stirred up.  You will pick up some of the gunk that was lying quietly at the bottom.
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   Visit us on the web or contact us at one of  our three locations maybe we can save you some money on your auto insurance too!
   
   
   
   

CARS & DRIVING TRIVIA

I came across these facts about cars and driving and thought it was very interesting to say the least!  I hope you enjoy reading them also.

• On average there is about 3,000 feet of electrical wiring in every car.
• If you drove at 100mph for four years you would still not cover every stretch of road in the USA.
• Car airbags explode at 200 miles per hour.
• On average a human being spends two weeks of their entire lives waiting for traffic lights to change.
• The first person to be killed in an auto accident in the United States was Henry H. Bliss, a 68-year old real estate broker.  On September 14, 1899, in New York City, Mr. Bliss stepped from a streetcar, turned to assist a woman passenger, and was  hit by a cab.
• The 1st automobile racetrack in the US was the Indianapolis Motor Speedway which consists of 3 million cobblestones.
• In 1916, 55 percent of the cars in the world were Model T Fords, a record that has never been beaten.
• In 2003, 17,013 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in the United States.  This amounts to one death almost every half-hour.
• The city with the most Rolls Royce’s per capita is Hong Kong.
• The first product Motorola started to develop was record player for automobiles.  At the time, the most known player on the market was the Victrola, so they called themselves Motorola.
• Since the 1970’s microchips have doubled in power and halved in price.  If the same thing happened to cars than a Rolls Royce would do 100,000 miles to the gallon and would only cost you $41.00 for a brand new one.
•  Petroleum companies report profits of $1500 per second, $90,000 per minute, $5,400,000 per hour, $129,600,000 per day, for a grand total of 11.68 billion in income during the second quarter of 2008.

      At Tanner Insurance Agency, Inc. we have been in business for 29 years, we specialize in business insurance but also write auto, home and life insurance.  Check us out on the web or contact us at any one of our three locations.

Bizarre Driving Laws

Following are a list of some, lets just say "different" laws on the books by state.  For all my fellow New Yorkers please find an appropriate place to change into your bathing suit while in Sag Harbor. 

Alabama: Illegal to Drive While Blindfolded.

Alaska:  Illegal to tether a dog to the roof of a car

Arkansas:  Illegal to blare a car horn where ice cold  beverages or sandwiches are served after 9pm.

California:   It is illegal in Eureka CA to use the road as a bed.

It is illegal in Chico CA to plant rutabagas in roadways.

It is illegal in Glendale CA to jump from a vehicle at 65mph.

It is illegal in Hermosa Beach CA to spill your margarita on any street.

Connecticut:  Hunting from cars is illegal even in deer season.

Georgia:  It is illegal in Dublin GA to drive through playgrounds.

Illinois:  Beware if you own a bicycle in Galesburg, IL.  There is a no tolerance law for “fancy riding”.

Iowa:  In Mt. Vernon IA it is illegal to throw your Red Ryder onto the highway.

Kansas:  In Derby KS it is considered a misdemeanor to screech your tires while driving.  This act could cost you 30 days in jail.

Kentucky:  Make sure your canine does not have a weird fetish for tailgate lights or trailer hitches while in Ft. Thomas KY .  You’ll be fined if your pet molests a vehicle.

Maine:  In South Berwick ME you will be ticketed if you park in front of Dunkin Donuts.

Maryland:  Using profanity from a vehicle is Rockville is considered a misdemeanor.

Minnesota:  In Minnetonka MN if you drive a truck that leaves mud, dirt or sticky substances on any road you will be considered a public nuisance that is harming the peace, safety and general welfare of the town.

Nevada:  It is illegal to place a bench or chair in the middle of the road.

New Jersey:  New Jersey residents are required by law to honk before passing.  It is illegal in Blairstown NJ to plant trees in the middle of the street.

New York:  Be sure to enter your vehicle sartorially content while in Sag Harbor, NY  Officials have made it illegal to disrobe while in your car.

North Carolina:  It is illegal to play in traffic, Illegal to drive on sidewalks and  It is illegal to drive through a cemetery unless you are there to dig a grave or bury someone—so if you just want to visit the grave of a loved one bring binoculars!

Ohio:  In Canton OH  people wearing roller skates cannot share the streets with cars. 

Oregon:  In Oregon you can be ticketed if you leave your car door open longer then deemed necessary.  You will receive a class A traffic violation if you use your car on an Oregon highway to prove your physical endurance.

If you opt for driving on a sidewalk while in Oregon, be sure not to attract the wrath of the law by not yielding to pedestrians.

Rhode Island:  In Scituate RI, it is illegal to drive with beer in your vehicle even if it is unopened.  So in other words, if  you are a beer delivery driver your in trouble.

South Carolina:  It is illegal to store trash in your vehicle due to rat problems.

West Virginia:  Virginia may be for lovers, but West Virginia is for meat lovers.  Officials in the Mountain State have deemed it perfectly legal for anyone to scavenge road kill.

For more fun information about the lighter side of driving check out Http://www.dmv.org/funstuff

Visit us on the web at www.tiains.com

Winter Driving Safety Tips

Some say it is going to be a rough winter.  I have lived in NY all my life (which is over 4 decades) and so I am used to it.  However, not all of us are.  Here is some advice for those not experienced in driving in the winter snowy months.  The best advice for driving in bad weather is not to drive at all if you can avoid it.  If you have to drive make sure your car is prepared, and you know how to handle road conditions.

Start With A Checkup:

· Check ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses, and belts

· Change and adjust spark plugs

· Check air, fuel and emission filters

· Inspect the distributor

· Check the battery

· Check tires for air, sidewall wear, and tread depth

· Check antifreeze levels and the freeze line

Necessary Equipment:

An emergency situation on the road can arise at any time and you must be prepared.  In addition to making sure you have the tune up, a full tank of gas and fresh antifreeze you should also carry the following items in your trunk:

· Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod-type jack, tow and tire chains

· Shovel, bag of salt or kitty litter, woolen blanket

· Jumper cables, tool kit, non perishable food items, hard candy etc.

· Working flashlight and extra batteries, two flares

 If You Become Stranded:

· Do not leave your car unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help, and are certain you will improve your situation.

· To attract attention, light two flares and place one at each end of the car at a safe distance away.  Hang a brightly colored cloth from your antenna.

· If you are sure the car’s exhaust pipe is not blocked, run the engine and heater for about 10 minutes every hour or so depending upon the amount of gas in the tank.

· To protect yourself from frostbite and hypothermia use the woolen items and blankets too keep warm.

· Keep at least one window open slightly. Heavy snow and ice can seal a car shut.

· Eat a hard candy to keep your mouth moist

For more safety  information visit the National Safety Council website at http://www.nsc.org

We offer discounts for reduced use vehicles as well - those vehicles only driven during winter or summer months.  Visit us on the web at www.tiains.com for a free quote or contact us at one of our three locations!

The Car Accidents You Don’t Think About

Every year, tens of thousands of children are rolled over, caught in power windows, and even unintentionally left in vehicles to die.  But these incidents are preventable as they are upsetting.  This is what every parent needs to know now.

· Never leave children alone in the car.  A recent survey by the National Safe Kids Campaign found that 20% of parents ages 18-24 considered it ok to leave kids unattended in a car.  What’s more 1/2 the parents surveyed said they don’t always lock cars parked at home.  Kids ‘N Cars, a San Francisco-based non profit, has compiled more than 1200 cases in which kids were injured while left alone in cars.  Besides putting a car in motion, children have also been burned by lighters, injured by windows, and trapped in trunks.  One in four cases was fatal.

· Store your car keys in a secure place.  Children pay close attention to what you do and know full well what those keys are for and how to use them.  Keep your keys inaccessible to your kids.

· If you have a trunk, use it.  Most people don’t understand the violence of a crash, If you are going 35 miles per hour and get in a crash, everything in your car is still going 35 miles per hour until it hits something.  That something could be you or your child.  Partners for Child Passenger Safety says that 15% of kids in a collision come into contact with things inside the care.  These include loose object, other occupants, even dogs. Store all loose objects even groceries or clothes in the trunk.

· Use a booster seat.  Only 5% of kids who should be in belt-positioning booster seats are actually using one, says principal investigator of Partners for Child Passenger Safety.  But standard seat belts are not designed for kids, and lap belts alone have the potential to be even more harmful.  A child who is restrained only by a lap belt (or who has pushed the shoulder belt behind his back because its uncomfortable) often gets injured when his head slams into his own knees or the back of the front seat. For seat belts to operate properly, a child over 40 pounds must be in a booster seat, which elevates him enough so the belt crosses his shoulder and hips in the right place.  Kids generally need that seat until they weigh 80 pounds.

· Don’t breastfeed while in the car.  Children who are unrestrained in a car become projectiles in a crash and are often ejected from the vehicle says SafetyBeltSafe USA, a public-service group based in CA.  A child is going to hit something or someone in the car or worse you could crush your own child as you try to hold on to him. If your child is hungry or fussy, stop driving and find a safe place to park before you calm her.  Don’t try pulling over on the highway shoulder, collisions occur there all the time, find a rest area or parking lot.  Never sit in the front seat holding your baby, and never put an infant car seat in the front seat.  If your air bag discharges your child could be killed.

For more tips: http://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/safety/car

Visit us on the web www.tiains.com

Strange Claims

Anything can happen to anyone at anytime and here’s proof.  Here are what we think the top 5 strangest claims:

1.)    A property owner in Spain, rented his home to vacationers.  In this particular case it was a group of young people in their 20’s for two weeks.  When he returned to the property he found sand and water emulating the sea inside his home.  The young people gave the explanation that the beach “hadn’t lived up to their expectations”.  If this had been in NY and insured on a landlord policy, this most likely would have been an excluded claim.  When you rent your property to others it is considered the cost of doing business in most cases and would not be covered.  Our advice, screen your tenants and collect a security deposit.  This along with strange holiday home claims can be found here: http://www.yourmoney.com/your-money/news/2270071/top-ten-weirdest-holiday-home-insurance-claims

2.)    A man was driving around in his pickup truck and had his shotgun riding, well, shotgun. Arriving at his destination, the man grabbed his gun and hopped out of the cab. Unfortunately, he lost his grip and the gun discharged. The man wasn't sure if he'd fired the gun while grabbing for it or if it went off by itself as it hit the ground.  The gun was loaded (with buckshot - which spreads into lots of little bb type bullets) and luckily, the man was uninjured, the truck's interior wasn't as fortunate. The entire cab of the truck suffered extensive damage. In order for an event such as this to be covered you need comprehensive coverage (also called OTC, or Other Than Collision). This and several other Weird Auto Insurance Claims can be found here: http://money.howstuffworks.com/personal-finance/auto-insurance/5-weird-auto-insurance-claims.htm#page=4]

3.)    This one is really hard to understand how anyone would actually submit a claim for this, but in the UK a man was using the flashlight function on his cell phone while assisting his cow during calving.  Yup, you guessed it, the phone somehow disappeared!  It did however eventually turn up later but was damaged beyond repair.  I heard the mobile phone insurance company paid in full for this claim.  You may want to confirm whether the misplacing of your phone is a covered peril.  Read about this and more mobile insurance claims here:  http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/10/25/top-10-bizarre-mobile-phone-insurance-claims-revealed_n_2015370.html

4.)    I have read that this next one is a really common complaint.  A woman was traveling and relaxing under a coconut tree when a coconut fell and hit her on the head and she needed to go to the hospital for treatment of the injury.  This actually ended up being very costly. There were CAT scans, blood work, monitoring etc. Luckily for her the insurance company paid the hospital fees but no out of pocket expenses.  Read this and more weird travel insurance claims here:     http://worldtravelbuzz.com/top-10-strangest-travel-insurance-claims/

5.)    Crime doesn’t pay … A customer tried to sue a Virginia Cracker Barrel Restaurant for $500,000 settlement after ‘discovering’ a mouse in her soup.  The chain and its insurance carriers investigated the claim and found the mouse could not have been droned & cooked in the soup because it had no soup in its lungs.  The court case actually went to trial and the jury believed the only way the mouse could have gotten there was if the person deliberately put it there!  The woman was arrested for fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion and was sentenced to a year in prison. Read this and more at: http://listverse.com/2013/01/06/top-10-bizarre-insurance-claims/

If you want to know if your insurance would cover any of these particular instances please give us a call to discuss or check us out on the web www.tiains.com.

Want to save money on your car insurance?

Everyone wants to save money on their car insurance.  There are thousands of factors that figure into how much someone pays for their car insurance.  Your driving record, location, claims history, and how long you have been insured are just to name a few. Here are a few tips and discounts usually available:

1)      Defensive Driving:  This discount saves you 10% on the liability and collision portion of your insurance for 3 years and it doesn’t matter who you have your car insurance with!  If you take the course you get the discount.  If you have more than one vehicle you get the discount PER vehicle.  If you have more than one driver on your policy and they take the course they get the savings too!  Great way to save!  You can now also take the course online.  Instead of sitting in a classroom most of the day, go to http://www.tiains.com and sign-up it costs less than $40 and you can start and stop it at anytime and have up to 30 days to complete!

2)      Multi-policy Discount:  If the company you have your car insurance with sells home, mobile home or renters insurance and you take out one of these policies with them, it is very likely that you will receive the multi-policy discount. Erie Insurance offers the multi-policy discount on the home, renters or mobile home and the auto so that’s double the savings!  Go to http://www.tiains.com and ask for a free Erie quote to see how much you can save.

3)      Youthful Drivers:  Do you have a youthful driver on your policy?  Erie insurance gives THREE discounts to youthful drivers if they are insured with you on your auto policy.  The driver training discount if they took drivers education. The youthful longevity discount, if you and your inexperienced operator are claim and violation free. There is a 16 minute video the youthful drivers can watch online or in one of our three offices from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Lastly, the college student discount available for part-time or full-time college students away at school with out a vehicle.

4)      Multi-vehicle discount: If you have more than one vehicle and insure them together you may be eligible for a multi-vehicle discount.  With Erie and with some other companies a snowmobile, four-wheeler, classic car, dune buggy, RV or utility trailer, all qualify!

5)      Senior Discount:  Most car insurance companies offer senior discounts for drivers over 55.

6)      Car Equipment Safety:  Most car insurance companies offer discounts for factory installed air bags, anti-theft devices (like alarms) and anti-lock brakes on all four wheels.

7)      Safe Driver Discount: Some carriers offer safe driver discounts for no tickets, accidents, or claims in the last 5 years.

We are independent agents and can shop around for you with all 7 of the auto insurance companies we work with – many of them offer property coverage as well.  Go to www.tiains.com and get a free quote!