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tips on insuring your brand new car

12/6/2017

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You just bought a brand new car. What concerning insurance?
We admit that buying insurance for your new car is not quite as exciting as buying the car itself, however it just may be your most important purchase. Why? Well, first of all, it’s typically needed either by your state, your lender, or both. more important, however, is that the financial protection auto insurance provides.


Auto insurance coverage options.
The type and amount of insurance everybody needs is unique. You possibly understand collision coverage, that pays for damage once you cause a collision with another vehicle or an object, and comprehensive coverage, which pays for repairs once your car is damaged by something you can’t control, sort of a fallen tree.

Other coverage options aren’t as well-known, however can be crucial once it involves protecting both your car and yourself.

You should purchase as much personal liability (PL) and uninsured driver (UM) coverage as you'll be able to, because each will shield you from having to pay large due repair and medical bills. And once you've got basic liability coverage, increasing your limits won’t cost you way more at all.

Don’t skimp on property damage (PD) coverage, either. It’s pricey to exchange a new vehicle, and if you're at fault during a crash, not having enough insurance will expose you to extra financial risks.

Other coverage options to consider are rental reimbursement and towing/roadside assistance. Even new cars break down sometimes! you may also need new car replacement coverage, which is able to pay for a brand-new car in case of a complete loss, or gap coverage, that pays the difference between the worth of your car and what you owe on your loan. each are smart options if you owe additional on your car than it's value.

How do i buy insurance right away?
Don’t worry if you've got insurance on your current car, you’re fine to drive your new car home, though you decide it up once business hours. Your current auto policy can extend coverage for variety of days, depending on the state where you live. this provides you time to contact your local independent agent or insurance company to add the proper coverage.
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Be careful, however, because this extended coverage in most cases are going to be the exact coverage that you presently have - which means you may be driving a brand-new 2017 car with insurance based on your damaged 1999 model. It’s always a decent idea to call your local independent agent before picking up your new car, simply to be safe. 

You’ll need to inform your lender (if you have one) know about your insurance, too. They’re taking the risk by financing the vehicle, so they will want proof you have coverage. They don’t want to be left holding the bag if you total the car, after all.

You don’t need to do it on your own.
It may be just as hard to decide on the right insurance coverage because it is to choose the right car. That’s where your independent agent comes in! call us, email us, even text us. we are the consultants - we deal with these issues on a everyday.

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UNDERSTANDING THE Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) MANDATE

11/2/2017

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WHAT IS AN ELD?
 (ELDs) plug into a truck’s diagnostic
port to record driving time and Hours of Service data to
prevent violations. Some things to know about ELDs:
• Records movement of vehicle, miles driven, and engine hours
• Drivers create an account to enter their status: on/off duty, etc.
• ELDs must have capability to send raw data during inspection
and be certified with FMCSA
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WHAT IS AN ELD COMPOSED OF?
ELDs have two major components. One is the actual device that
needs to be plugged in, since, per the rule, logs need to be
integrally synchronized with the vehicle engine.
The other is the vendor software that displays on a screen
(i.e. smartphone, tablet, etc.). The software allows truckers to:
• Create a driver account
• Enter their duty status
• Edit/finalize their driving logs

WHO MUST COMPLY?
Generally, truckers who are currently required to keep paper logs will
need an ELD. This would include most truckers who operate across state
lines and have a radius of operation greater than 150 miles.
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WHO IS EXEMPT FROM THE ELD MANDATE?
There are a few exemptions for who is required to comply with the
ELD mandate. The most notable exemptions include vehicles older
than model year 2000, short-term truck rentals, drivers who conduct
drive-away-tow-away operations, and drivers who do not keep paper
logs for more than eight days out of every 30-day period.
For a complete list of exemptions, see here:
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/faq/what-exceptions-are-allowedelectronic-logging-device-rule

WHAT TYPES OF ELDS ARE AVAILABLE?
There are two types of devices:
• Cab devices with a built-in display
• Bring your own devices that connect with a trucker’s smartphone,
tablet, etc.
Both types make tracking hours of service easier and more accurate
than paper logs, and also provide vehicle inspection reports.
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Halloween Food Safety Tips

11/1/2017

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Even though it’s not an official holiday, Halloween is far
beloved by kids and adults alike. What can be a lot of fun
than trick-or-treating, apple bobbing, or costume parties?



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To make sure treats are safe for kids, follow these
easy steps: 

  ​Snacking:   kids shouldn’t snack on treats from their goody bags whereas they’re out trick-or-treating. provide them a light meal or snack before they head out – don’t send them out on an empty stomach. Urge them to wait till they get home and allow you to examine their loot before they eat any of it.
Safe treats: Tell kids not to accept – and particularly not to eat – anything that isn’t commercially wrapped. examine commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an uncommon appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that appears suspicious.

Food Allergies: If your kid has a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. don't allow the kid to eat any homemade goods he or she might have received.
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Choking hazards: If you have got terribly young kids, take care to get rid of any choking hazards like gum, peanuts, hard candies, or tiny toys.
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​Bobbing for apples
is an all-time favorite Halloween game. Here are a few of ways to say “boo” to bacteria which will cause food borne illness.
Reduce the number of bacteria that may be present on apples and other raw fruits and vegetables by completely rinsing them under cool running water. As another precaution, use a produce brush to get rid of surface dirt.
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Try this new spin on apple bobbing from FightBAC.org: Cut out several apples from red construction paper. On eachapple, write activities for kids, like “do five jumping jacks.” Place a paper clip on every apple and place them in alarge basket. Tie a magnet to a string. Let the kids take turns “bobbing” with their magnet and doing the activity written on their apple. give kids a fresh apple for participating.
If your idea of Halloween fun is a party at home, don’t forget these tips:
Beware of spooky cider! unpasteurized juice or cider can contain harmful bacteria like salmonella. to remain safe, always serve pasteurized products at your parties.
No matter how tempting, do not taste raw cookie dough or cake batter that contain uncooked eggs.
“Scare" bacteria away by keeping all perishable foods chilled till serving time. These include finger sandwiches, cheese platters, fruit or tossed salads, cold pasta dishes with meat, poultry, or seafood, and cream pies or cakes with whipped-cream and cream-cheese frostings.
Bacteria can progress on you if you let foods sit out too long. Don’t leave perishable goodies out of the fridge for over2 hours (1 hour in temperatures higher than 90°F).
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5 Pumpkin Carving Safety Tips: Following these 5 steps will help keep you free of injury this Halloween

10/30/2017

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​Carving this fall favorite is risky as a result of pumpkins can be both slippery and hard. So, for example, if your knife sticks in the rind, then dislodges suddenly as you tug it out, you may accidentally slice your supporting hand. you can additionally cut yourself if the knife handle becomes slick with pumpkin pulp, and your hand slides down the blade.
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​Here are 5 pumpkin carving safety tips to use this year:

1. Use the proper Tools
Instead of the knives in your room, use the specialty tools in a pumpkin-carving kit—readily found on-line and in convenience stores and designed for pumpkin carving safety. These tools can saw through rinds, poke holes, and scoop out innards without being razor-sharp. The instruments also are typically small, which makes them easier to control than most knives and easier to use when creating intricate cuts.

2. Carve Your Pumpkin With Its top On
“That way you won’t be tempted to place your hand inside and cut toward your hand,” advises Elkowitz. He conjointly recommends holding the highest of the pumpkin to stabilize it and cutting along with your carving instrument's blade pointing down. 

Better still, Elkowitz says, rather than removing the highest of the pumpkin to scoop out the insides, cut a hole within the bottom. If you are employing a candle within your pumpkin, you'll then place the graven pumpkin on high of the lit candle—rather than awkwardly reaching within the pumpkin to lightweight the candle. 

3. Keep Things Clean, Dry, and Bright
For pumpkin carving safety, work in a clean, dry, and well-lit space, keep your hands and tools clean and dry, and take it slow.

4. Don’t Let kids Carve
Children 14 and younger shouldn't do the actual carving, says Elkowitz. Instead, for pumpkin carving safety, have them draw the pattern with a marker and clean out the pulp and seeds with their hands or a spoon—but ensure an adult does the actual cutting.

It’s necessary to supervise older teens, too. Elkowitz notes that adolescents usually become patients as a result of parents assume they’re responsible enough to be left on their own to carve pumpkins.

5. know first aid
If you or a family member gets cut while carving a pumpkin, apply direct pressure to the injury employing a clean, dry cloth. If bleeding does not stop in 15 minutes, get to an emergency room or urgent-care clinic.
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7 tips to Make Halloween Safer for Your Pet

10/26/2017

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  1. Don't feed your pets Halloween candy, particularly if it contains chocolate or xylitol (a common sugar substitute found in sugar-free candies and gum);
  2. Make sure your pet is properly identified (microchip, collar and ID tag) just in case s/he escapes through the open door while you are distracted with trick-or-treaters;
  3. Keep lit candles and jack-o-lanterns out of reach of pets;
  4. If you plan to place a costume on your pet, ensure it fits properly and is comfy, does not have any pieces that may simply be chewed off, and does not interfere along with your pet's sight, hearing, breathing, opening its mouth, or moving. Take time to get your pet familiar with the costume before Halloween, and never leave your pet unsupervised while he/she is wearing a costume;
  5. Keep glow sticks and glow jewelry far from your pets. although the liquid in these products isn't likely toxic, it tastes really bad and makes pets salivate excessively and act strangely;
  6. If your pet is cautious of strangers or has a tendency to bite, place him/her in another room throughout trick-or-treating hours or provide him/her with a secure hiding place;
  7. Keep your pet inside.
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6 Halloween Safety Tips for Property Managers

10/25/2017

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Here’s a glance at some things that property managers should be addressing so as to ensure Halloween burst without a hitch:
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How to prepare for Halloween
  1. Keep walking paths well-lit (and clean): It gets dark earlier this time of year, which may make it tough for trick or treaters to see where they’re going. You’ll need to not only ensure that any walking paths are free from leaves and different debris, but also that they’re well lit. Well lit walking paths are safer and will help put trick or treaters relaxed. Parking lots and common areas should even have adequate lighting installed.
  2. Keep pets indoors: Pets, uncommon situations, and high-energy activity don’t usually mix. while several pets could also be perfectly fine with trick or treaters going door to door in unusual costumes, it’s best to play things safe. Property managers should advise renters to keep their pets inside their homes throughout high traffic hours. This way, there’s no risk of a pet behaving unpredictably and probably scaring or injuring anyone.
  3. Check smoke detectors: Jack-o’-lanterns want candles, and with candles comes the danger of fire. despite how careful renters may be, accidents still happen. That’s why it’s always a decent idea to check smoke detectors before Halloween and replace batteries as necessary. Failure to do so might lead to a fire, or worse yet, an injury or fatality.
  4. Recommend flame-less candles: Speaking of jack-o’-lanterns and candles, why not suggest flame-less candles to your tenants this year? They still perform the ultimate end goal of illuminating the decoration and don’t come with any of the fire risks. If you would like to take things a step further, maybe you can even provide flame-less candles to tenants that they'll pick up in the office space of the complex if they’d like.
  5. Check door locks: Halloween is meant to be all concerning fun and candy however that doesn’t mean that your renters shouldn’t take extra preventative measures to keep their belongings safe. After all, trick or treating means that there’s bound to be lots of people milling about the complex for candy. Noting this, we’d suggest that you ask renters to check their door locks and make sure that they're still working as they should, simply in case somebody tries to enter their property during trick or treating hours. On the same note, property managers should also consider making any vacant units on their property look “lived in” in an effort to discourage any break ins.
  6. Remind renters of property rules: Finally, always make sure that you’re constantly reminding renters of any rules that you’ve set for your property. send a notice reminding them of set trick or treating hours, for instance. remind them of any curfews. And if you have any decoration rules, make sure to issue a reminder about that, as well. Do whatever you've got to do to make sure a fun, safe Halloween for all.
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11 Maintenance Tips to help you prepare for the coming Winter

9/28/2017

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While spring is a common time for many homeowners to spend some additional attention on maintenance and maintenance, autumn is simply as important a season for getting ready your home to face up to the possibly harsh winter weather and temperature conditions that may await you. By creating maintenance a part of your annual fall routine you'll be able to determine potential issues before they arise, and help prepare your home and property for what Mother Nature needs to provide.
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Following are some home maintenance tips from our Risk management professionals to assist you prepare for the approaching winter:

1. Have your heating system clean and inspected annually by a professional technician.

2. Replace your furnace filter in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

3. Insulate water pipes in areas exposed to freezing temperatures.

4. Check gutters for damage and make sure they’re securely attached to the house.

5. Clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating. This can be especially necessary throughout the autumn season once leaves might collect in gutters.

6. Check and repair caulking around doors and windows that show signs of deterioration.

7. Have your chimney cleansed and maintained by a professional.

8. Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and area under and behind the dryer. Take away lint and dust which will have accumulated inside the dryer in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendation.

9. Check electrical outlets for loose-fitting plugs or receptacles. Make sure to not overload electrical outlets.

10. Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible. Make sure that it's fully charged and prepared for operation.

11. Examine your smoke detectors. ensure you've got a smoke detector in every bedroom or sleeping space and also, a smoke detector within the hallway outside every sleeping space. You must also ensure you've got at least one smoke detector on every floor of your home, as well as your basement. Take a look at them monthly, and change the battery annually or as required.

The steps you are taking throughout the autumn will facilitate protect your home and property from a lot of potentially expensive damage and emergency repairs within the colder months to come.
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ELD Mandate: Top 5 Things You Should Know

9/26/2017

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Change is coming to the trucking industry with the Electronic Logging Device (ELD) mandate taking effect in
December. Many large fleets have already converted from paper travel logs to ELDs. But, many truckers have told us that a fear of the unknown with having to adopt new ways of running their business, new technology, and additional costs are preventing a large number of owner-operators from making the switch. In fact, some are considering early retirement or changing professions. The mandate continues to be challenged but it’s unlikely that it will be overturned, revised or delayed. This change brings a great opportunity to talk with your truck customers and share what you know about the mandate. As their trusted insurance advisor you can help them make an informed decision—and possibly save some of your best business from leaving the industry.

COUNTRYWIDE MANDATE EFFECTIVE DEC. 18, 2017
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) will require many commercial truckers to use an ELD effective Dec. 18. Generally, truckers who are currently required to keep paper logs will need an ELD. This would include most truckers who operate across state lines. Trucks that are older than model year 2000 are exempt. For more details on who is affected, visit the FMCSA website.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU AND YOUR CUSTOMERS
Overdrive reported that many truckers are apprehensive about switching to an ELD due to additional costs and feeling an invasion of privacy. There's widespread concern that a significant number of drivers may choose to get out of the business, leading to a shortage of tenured truck drivers and changes in the market.

ALL ELDS ARE NOT THE SAME
ELDs can be permanently attached to a truck (cab device) or can be a hand-held device (smartphone). Both types make tracking hours-of-service easier and more accurate than paper logs, and also provide vehicle inspection reports and gauges featuring key engine stats. All ELDs must be certified with the FMCSA to be compliant. For additional information on compliant ELDs, visit the FMCSA website.

GET AN ELD PRIOR TO THE MANDATE
We recommend truckers get an ELD well in advance of the deadline. Drivers who switch early will have time to adapt to the learning curve and become well-versed on how to use it correctly when the mandate takes effect.
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6 Tips for Weekend RV Trips

8/11/2017

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Weekend RV trips might seem a bit overwhelming at first. Getting stuff packed during the work week, and then getting that same stuff put away before Monday morning can wear you out just thinking about it.

But we know that if you do it right, weekend escapes can feel both adventurous and refreshing. Just follow our six simple rules for the weekend warrior.
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​1. Use your vacation days. Seriously.
  • Study after study tells us that Americans are terrible at using their paid vacation time, and that’s not good for health or productivity. Even though it may be challenging to take an entire week off, see if you can manage a Friday here or there.

2. Limit travel time.
  • Try to find a close-to-home retreat where you will feel miles away from the hectic demands of life even though you only drove a short distance. Also avoid travel routes that get congested on Fridays and Sundays. There is nothing that will dampen your camp mojo more than sitting in hours of traffic to and from the campground.

3. Keep food preparation simple.
  • The number one stress for many people is planning food for a weekend getaway. We use a simple weekend menu that includes items like cereal and oatmeal for breakfast and cold cuts for lunch. We usually plan for dinner out on Saturday. Just because you are camping doesn’t mean you have to cook!

4. Prepare incrementally throughout the week before your trip.
  • If you do a few tasks each day, you can be ready to go on Friday without any last-minute stress. Make the RV beds on Tuesday, pack the clothes on Wednesday, stock the food on Thursday. Remember to plug in your RV refrigerator 24 hours in advance so it is cold enough for your food. We set a reminder on our phones, since that is an easy detail to forget!

5. Splurge for a late check out.
  • Most campgrounds set check out time between 11:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. But if someone isn’t arriving on your site that same day, they are happy to let you check out later for a small fee. This means you can schedule an outing or just enjoy a lazy Sunday morning at the campground. We just make sure we are on the road by 3:00 p.m. and home before dinner.

6. Establish SWAT team Sunday back at home.
  • It’s all hands on deck when we arrive home after a weekend getaway, and that means that we can have the camper unpacked and the house pulled together in just about an hour. If you kept your packing simple, then all you have to do is unload the refrigerator, throw in a load of laundry, and order the pizza.
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How to prevent Drowsy Driving

8/9/2017

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As you may have experienced, sleepiness can make it harder to concentrate during lectures, to get your class work done, or to retain information that you’ve studied. Similarly, driving while drowsy will make it harder for you to concentrate on the road or to process what you're seeing. ​
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Effects of Drowsiness

Drowsiness will affect you in several different ways, including:
  • 1. Decreased alertness and slowed reaction time
  • 2. Impaired vision and judgment
  • 3. Difficulty with processing and remembering information
  • 4. Increased aggression and frustration
These can translate into dangerous behaviors on the road. Many people will tell themselves that they will be able to handle the drive and push through the sleepiness. However, most people cannot tell when they are about to fall asleep, and may not be aware that they are drowsy until they have already dozed off. For your safety, the safety of your passengers, and of those on the road, make sure that you are fully alert and prepared for your drive before heading out.

Safe Driving Tips
  • 1. Get at least seven hours of sleep before you head out on the road
  • 2. Travel with someone who will stay awake and keep you alert during the drive
  • 3. Avoid driving long distances at night
  • 4. Drink a cup of caffeine
  • 5. Pull over to take a nap
  • 6. Find passengers who can take turns driving with you;
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lastly, Watch out for warning signs of drowsiness, including: difficulty keeping your eyes open or head up, repeated yawning, and trouble focusing; pull into the next rest area to take a nap or find a place to sleep for the night.
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