How Safe Is Your Heating?

The right way to use alternative heating sources when fending off old man winter….

The best defense may be maintenance of your home’s heating system. But, if you decide to give alternative heating a try, make safety a top priority.  The Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) suggests: 

• Look for products tested by Underwriters Laboratory (UL).
• Buy models with automatic shut-off features and heat element guards
• Maintain a 36-inch clearance between the heater and combustible materials, such as bedding, furniture, wall coverings or other flammable items. 
• Do not leave a heater unattended.
• Check every electrical cord for fraying and cracking.  If one looks worn, replace it before using.
• Install carbon monoxide detectors in several parts of the house.
• Replace batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at least twice a year and make sure to test them as well.

Other safety suggestions:

•  Never use a kerosene heater indoors.
• Never use electric or gas stoves (ovens) to heat the home.  They are not intended for that purpose and can cause fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.
• If using a wood fireplace, have inspected annually by a professional chimney sweep 
• When using a gas fireplace, keep the glowing embers and logs clean; inspect and clean the air circulation passages and fan; avoid obstructing the vents.

Visit us online at www.tiains.com or contact us at one of our three locations for more information.

Snowmobile Registration & Insurance

It’s almost that time of year again! Time for snowmobiling.  Here is some helpful information from the NYS Office of Parks and Recreation and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Display of Registration:

Registration numbers are permanently assigned to a snowmobile when it is registered for the first time.  These numbers stay with the machine from owner to owner until it is destroyed or permanently removed from the state.  DMV provided registration number decals must be displayed on both sides of the cowling of the sled at all times.  The cowling is defined as the forward portion of the sled surrounding the engine and clutch assembly.  Any display position behind the sled cowling (tunnel or seat area) or on the windshield is illegal and could result in an expensive citation for violation of the registration law.

Insurance Requirements:

All snowmobiles operated on any part of a roadway or shoulder of a highway in NYS must be covered by minimum liability insurance.  NYS Parks law requires snowmobilers to carry liability coverage in the minimum amount of $25,000 for an accident involving one person, 50,000 for an accident involving two or more persons, and $10,000 property damage from one accident.  These are bare minimum limits of insurance and are not recommended .   Proof of Insurance must be carried by the snowmobiler and must be displayed upon request of any magistrate, law enforcement officer, or anyone who has suffered personal injury or property damage as a result of the snowmobilers actions.

Trailers and Trailer Registration:

Trailers manufactured specifically for snowmobiles are usually the best choices.  Your tow vehicle should be big enough and have enough power to handle the trailer easily or you will put yourself and your snowmobiles in a very dangerous situation.  All trailers operated on NYS public highways must be registered, inspected and display a license plate with an annual validation tag.  The vehicle used to tow the trailer must be insured.  You must provide the DMV with all required items to receive a valid registration and license plate for your trailer.  Custom built trailers must meet all equipment requirements of section 375 of the vehicle and traffic law and must be assigned a VIN number by the DMV.  Contact your county’s weights and measures office for local weighing stations.

Snowmobile  insurance is generally fairly inexpensive and something we can do quickly.  Visit us on the web or give us a call at one of our three offices for a quote!

For more information about what is needed to register your sled visit : http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/

What's Your Insurance IQ?

Think you know all you need to know about Insurance?  According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) the majority of Americans believe they are smart about insurance, but a deeper look at the issue tells a different story.  How insurance savvy are you?

Test your knowledge with these questions :

1. Auto rates are the same in every state.

A. True                 B.   False

2. What factors can affect your auto insurance?

A. Your age and marital status

B. Where you live and how you use your vehicle

C. Your accident history and safety features on your car

D. Your credit based insurance score

E. All of the above can affect your policy, depending on the type of coverage and the state in which you live

3. If you have personal auto insurance, will it always cover a rental car?

A. Yes B.  No

4. If you let a friend drive your car and he or she is at fault in an accident, does your personal auto policy cover damage to the other vehicle?

A. Yes, coverage typically extends to the permitted user of the car.

B. No, my friends insurance covers it.

5. What kind of insurance provides coverage if a person is injured in an accident and decides to file a lawsuit?

A. Liability coverage associated with auto and homeowners insurance

B. An Umbrella Policy

C. A personal Catastrophe Liability Policy

D. All of the above

6. What type of life insurance is less expensive, but only lasts a particular length of time?

A. Term life B.   Whole Life

C.    Universal life D.  All of the above

7. In general,, how much life insurance should I have?

A. Half your annual salary B. Two times your annual salary

B. 5-7 times your annual salary D.  10 times your annual salary

8. If you operate a small business out of your home, will your homeowners policy automatically cover any damage to your equipment (computer, supplies, etc.) and any liability exposure associated with the business?

A. Yes B.     No C.     It may provide limited coverage

9.    A flood has recently left several inches of water in your house.  Does your homeowners insurance cover the damages?

A. Yes B.    No

10. Can your insurance help if someone has stolen your identity of your credit card?

A. Yes B.  No C.   Maybe

Answers:  1-b, 2-e, 3-b,4-a,5-d,6-a,7-c,8-c,9-b,10-c  

Want to know more visit us on the web or contact us at one of our three locations.

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!

Times Have Changed

Times have changed and we have learned a lot over the past several decades (we hope).  Here is a look back at some of the print advertisements were published in the past.

"Gee, Dad, you always get the best of everything…even Marlboro" is just one of the many slogans the cigarette brand has used over the years - this one from the 1950's. My favorite, "Before you scold me, Mom…maybe you’d better light up a Marlboro".  Hopefully again we are a little wiser now.. Please don't smoke but especially around children.  Especially in the car or house. More slogans like this can be found here.

Now hopefully parents try to not to give soda to a baby... but apparently this is something most parents have learned fairly recently!  This advertisement was sponsored by "The Soda Pop Board of America" - this actually was a reproduction created in 2002 by RJ White as a joke.

This also is from the 1950's - a time where advertising and comments were very sexist.  It was believed a woman's place was in the kitchen.  Here is a food blog that talks more about this ad and more.

This ad is for a Kenwood Chef Mixer, but in the larger print at the top the sexist ad really jumps out at you.  The rest of the ad which is not shown here is equally amusing, it can be found here.

The first advertisment in the USA was placed in 1789 and was a tobacco ad in a newspaper.  Today, we have learned about the dangers and long term affects of cigarette smoking and in 1997 censorship of these types of advertising began with banning outdoor, billboard, public transportation and advertising to youth.  In 2010 the Tobacco Control Act was signed placing even more restrictions. More on tobacco advertising can be found here.

You don't find ads portraying 'betty homemaker' anymore either.  Now you see working women, and ways to improve your life, more equality among gender and roles displayed through advertising.  Here is a blog on this topic I enjoyed. 

and lastly.. I will leave you with this one...in honor of domestic violence awareness month:

Visit us on the web:  http://www.tiains.com

and let us "Save you a buck" on your car insurance!