Password Protected

Posted on by

Do you worry about someone hacking into your computer and stealing your private information? Many of us bank, manage credit cards, report our income taxes online, and use social media websites. All of these sites are password protected and that means we’re all aware of the importance of keeping our passwords to ourselves or sharing with others in a secure fashion.

The key is creating unique and secure passwords.  Try using these tips when creating your passwords.

  • Don’t use real words, but rather letters and numbers that have meaning to you, such as a phrase or acronym. For example, you could use an acronym representing something you think about often or were involved with in the past. Then pair this with a number that is associated with that experience, but that others wouldn’t necessarily know.  Let’s say you were involved for 22 years with a charitable organization.  A possible password could be Charit22.  Just make sure you haven’t posted your charity experience on Facebook!
  • Use a special character in place of a letter that is relatively easy for you to remember. Examples are * $ # ^ & < >.  You can even use the same special characters to replace the same letters across all your passwords making it easier to remember.  For instance, $ could always replace the letter S.
  • Change your passwords at various intervals, such as every six months. Change them immediately if you have ANY suspicion that a password has been compromised.
  • Never click on a link in an e-mail that takes you to a website where you key your user name and password, even if the e-mail is sent by the website and you know it’s probably a valid link. Always, always, go to the website directly in your browser by typing in the location or using a trusted bookmark. The e-mail could be fraudulent and not really link you to the website you think it will (such as a credit card website), but instead to a “fake” website where a hacker could easily steal your information.

Another key security measure is to store your passwords securely. One technique is to save your passwords in a password protected document. Print this document periodically and save it in a secure location in your home away from your computer.

What are some techniques you use to create and remember secure passwords?  Feel free to share your tips – just be sure to be general enough in your explanation so no one can figure out what your password might be!

Pump Up Your Sump Pump Maintenance

Posted on by

Do you ever think about your sump pump?

If you’re like me, probably not. It’s one of those appliances most people install and then forget about. The expectation is that it’ll be there to handle its job when needed.

Its job, of course, is to remove excess water from the basement.

However sump pumps, just like everything else, can’t do the job without proper maintenance. Here are some quarterly and annual maintenance tips to consider performing on your sump pump.

Every three months you should:

  • Clean the pump inlet screen.
  • Check the power cord and make sure the cord is connected to power.
  • Pour a bucket of water into the sump to raise the float and make sure the pump turns on, adjusting the float if required.

At least once per year you should:

  • Remove the pump from the sump to inspect and clean it.
  • Clean out the sump.
  • Check the owner’s manual to see if the pump bearings require grease or oil. If you do not have the manual, look it up on the Internet using the manufacturer and model number of the pump. Otherwise, contact the manufacturer to get a replacement copy.
  • Replace the pump in the sump.
  • Check the electrical cord and make sure the cord is connected to power.
  • Pour a bucket of water into the sump to raise the float and make sure the pump turns on, adjusting the float if required.

A little time invested now will help your sump pump do the job that it was designed to do later should excess water become a problem for your home.

Three Ways to Shuttle the Kids with Confidence!

Posted on by

While many of us are glad school is in session, the countless extra-curricular activities that go hand-in-hand with the school year are in full gear. From football practice to French Club, each day brings new opportunities for parents everywhere to practice our favorite avocation—family shuttle service operator. And if your family is like my family, you’re probably shuttling not just your own kids but your kids’ friends as well.

While we’re mostly concerned with just getting our brood and their belongings sanely and safely from home to activity and back again, have you ever thought how those additional passengers would be covered by your auto insurance policy in the event of an accident? For instance, if you were held liable as a result of an automobile accident in which one of your kids’ friends got hurt, would your policy provide coverage for that child?

Fortunately, most personal automobile policies will provide coverage for injuries that occur to non-family vehicle occupants as a result of an accident that is your fault. Keep in mind though, that serious injuries often mean tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills. Plus, the more people injured in the accident, the greater the cost. It’s not uncommon for a serious automobile accident to exceed several hundred thousand dollars in bodily injury expenses.

So how can a family shuttle service operator best protect him or herself from the financial risks of their avocation?

1. Purchase high limits of liability on your auto policy. Coverage is available in most states up to $250,000 for each person and $500,000 for each accident. A high-limits policy ensures you’ll have the coverage you need in case the worst happens.

2. Consider a Personal Umbrella Policy. Did you know that for less than a dollar a day (in many cases) you could purchase a $1 million umbrella policy which provides additional coverage above and beyond the basic auto and homeowner’s policies?

3. Talk to your advisor before you load up. Don’t assume you’re covered. Let’s say you rent a 20-passenger van to take your teenager’s tennis team to an out-of-town tournament. The fact is, your personal auto policy may not provide coverage depending on the vehicle’s weight. Or let’s say you’re a coach, teacher, or volunteer who has regular access to the school’s vehicle in order to transport your team. The personal auto policy won’t provide coverage for vehicles you don’t own but are available for your regular use. It’s always safest to consult with your advisor first—when in doubt, give your advisor a shout!

How You Can Help Speed Up The Claims Process

Posted on by

When you need to file a claim, your insurance company wants to reach a fair and quick resolution as much as you do. Here are a few tips that you can follow to help speed up the claims process.

Prompt notice. Report the claim or an incident that may result in a claim to your insurance advisor as soon as it happens. The information will be fresh in your mind and you’ll be able to assist with any questions the adjuster may have.

Mitigate your damages. If you need to patch a roof or have a temporary repair done to prevent further damage, go ahead and do it. Your adjuster and insurance carrier will thank you.

Complete a personal contents inventory. If there was a fire and you lost everything, an inventory of your personal contents would speed up the claims process.

  • Have a written inventory of the contents of your home.
  • Go around your house room by room and take photos of your contents. A video camera works great for this!
  • Store your inventory and photos or video in a safe place. This could be somewhere away from your premises, such as a safe deposit box. If you store the information on your premises, make sure it’s in a fire/waterproof safe.
  • Keep receipts of higher priced items, which will help the adjuster replace your damaged or missing contents with items of like kind and quality.

Notify the police when necessary. If you are involved in an auto accident or you are a victim of a theft, notify the police immediately and file a police report. The report will provide information about the parties involved and possible witnesses to the accident. In the case of a theft or vandalism situation, most insurance companies like to have a police report before they issue payment for the loss.

Keep Medical Payments Coverage and Keep the Peace

Posted on by

Have you ever had a friend at your house and they tripped on a step and got hurt? Accidents happen, often by no fault of yours. That’s why it’s important you carry medical payment coverage on your insurance policy.

Most homeowners policies include a small limit for medical payment coverage. Medical payment coverage is what it sounds like - a no-fault limit of insurance available for medical bills that accumulate because someone was hurt while on your property.

When someone you know gets hurt at your house, it’s nice to be able to offer them money toward their bills. Sometimes it’s someone you don’t have a connection to. The immediate thought at that point is usually, ”It’s not my fault! Why is my insurance paying?” That’s where this coverage comes in. Think of it as a “peace offering.”

It’s not a pretty situation when someone gets hurt on your property and they think it’s your fault. Having medical payment coverage allows your claims adjuster to offer something to help them out. Telling someone there isn’t any coverage usually results in them finding a lawyer and filing a liability claim. A liability claim stays open much longer and costs more money.

The moral of the story? Medical payment coverage is good protection to have on your policy.

When to drop collision coverage on your older vehicle?

Posted on by

There are no set rules. But there are considerations if you’re deciding whether or not an older vehicle still needs collision coverage.

What is your vehicles actual cash value?
www.nada.com or www.kbb.com are website sources you can use to determine the actual cash value.

Remember to be realistic when evaluating your vehicles current condition, as it can make a big difference in the vehicles value.

How much do you pay for collision coverage?
Look at the declaration page of your policy to see how much the collision portion is costing you. If your vehicle is worth $2,500 and you are paying $500/year for collision coverage, you are paying 20% of your vehicles value to carry collision coverage. You also have to factor in your deductible. If you have a $500 deductible and the $2,500 vehicle is a total loss, the most you could recoup is $2,000.

What services or options would you forfeit if you drop collision?
Some policies don’t allow you to purchase rental reimbursement or towing coverage unless you have collision coverage, as well.

What is my deductible versus the actual cash value of the vehicle?
If your vehicle is only valued at $1,000 and you have a $1,000 deductible, it wouldn’t make sense to insure the vehicle for collision. You don’t want to pay for insurance that’s not going to benefit you if a loss occurs.

Each situation is different. You have to think about your risk tolerance and your ability to purchase another vehicle if this one is deemed a total loss. If you have the savings to do it, then perhaps you don’t need to keep that collision coverage. If you don’t have the savings and you need the insurance settlement for the actual cash value of the vehicle to purchase another vehicle, then you may want to keep the collision coverage.

Rising Homeowners Insurance Rates

Posted on by

Notice an increase in your homeowners insurance premium? While it doesn’t make it any easier, it’s important to know you’re not alone. Most homeowners insurance companies across the nation are increasing the price they charge to protect your home and its contents. 

Why, you ask? In a word: weather. Just in the period between April and June of 2011, catastrophic weather events caused $15 billion in property damage across the nation, making the second quarter of 2011 the most-expensive second quarter on record for catastrophe-related weather losses. 

Consider this volatile weather recap from 2011:

  • During the first half of 2011, wind and hail caused over 20,000 National Weather Service severe weather reports.
  • Ice and snow pounded many areas of the country in late winter. The 2011 Groundhog Day blizzard affected a huge chunk of the nation from the Gulf states to the Great Lakes region and continued all the way up the East Coast into the Northeast.
  • Severe tornado outbreaks in the spring of this year affected many areas of the country, notably in Joplin, Missouri, and Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
  • Wildfires in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas, fueled by drought conditions, destroyed thousands of homes during the year.  
  • Hurricane Irene, which formed in August in the tropics, made landfall in North Carolina, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York and caused record losses. 
  • Earthquakes in various places have occurred in areas not normally thought of as earthquake-prone, most recently in Oklahoma and Virginia.

Catastrophic weather events drive up the demand for labor and materials, which in turn increases reconstruction and repair costs. So while market value (the price your home is worth on the market) in many areas of the country is declining, the replacement cost (the amount you need to insure your home to be fully protected) continues to rise.

While weather events are out of your control, there are some steps you can take to lower your premium:

  • Increase your deductible
  • Inform us of newly installed alarm systems, roof or other major improvements, and if you’ve recently paid off your mortgage – all can lead to premium discounts

Resolve To Be A Healthier You

Posted on by

The New Year has arrived and with it our good intentions.  We resolve to lose weight, quit smoking, get organized, go to the gym, you know the drill. Unfortunately, by the time February rolls around, the resolutions are a distant memory and feelings of failure begin to set in. Sound familiar? ??

This year, try something different.  Resolve to be a healthier you.  Set small goals.  Simple goals.  Realistic goals.  For instance, instead of resolving to go to the gym 5 days a week for 45 minutes, set a smaller goal to move more.  Then make a plan for how you’re going to get there. For example, for every 60 minutes spent sitting, get up and move for 5 minutes.

Resolve to be a healthier you for all of 2012, not just the first few months of the year.  A healthier version of yourself is not only a benefit to you, but also to your family, friends, and coworkers.  When you take care of yourself, you will feel better, happier, and moreproductive. 

Here are some suggestions for how you can Resolve To Be Healthier in 2012:

  • Get An Annual Physical – Make an appointment with your Primary Care Physician today.
  • Eat Better – Incorporate more fruits and vegetables in your diet and eat less processed food.
  • Move, Move, Move – If you aren’t exercising regularly, try getting some activity throughout the day.  If you are exercising, challenge yourself by increasing the intensity, duration, or frequency of your workouts.
  • Drink More Water And Less Regular/Diet Soda – Every cell in your body needs water. Your brain is 90% water. Our bodies don’t run well on soda!
  • Reduce Stress – Stress causes misery and health problems. Make a plan to find happiness, health, and harmony in life.
  • Take Small Steps To Improve Your Health Throughout The Year – You’ll find some of those large resolutions of the past are being met along the way!

New Year’s Eve Safety

Posted on by

New Year’s Eve is a night of festivities to celebrate the coming year. Our advice is always to make safety a priority. Whether you’re staying in and celebrating with friends and family, or traveling to a party or city bash, following a few tips can keep you safe and sound when the clock strikes midnight, ringing in the new year!

  • If you’re driving, be aware of your surroundings. New Year’s Eve is notorious for drunk driving, and the best way to keep you and your loved ones safe, is to know where you’re at and be alert while behind the wheel.
  • If you’re drinking, don’t drive. Have a designated driver or call a taxi. If you’re hosting a party, provide a bowl where guests can put their keys before the party begins. This way, you can ensure no one leaves your home intoxicated. Remember: buzzed driving is drunk driving.
  • Use caution when burning candles, incense or oil burners. Extinguish them before you turn in or before you leave the room.
  • Be sure smoke alarms are working and batteries are fresh. If you are hosting a New Year’s party, this is as essential safety measure.
  • If you’re attending a party in a larger city, or where there are crowds, travel with a group or in pairs. With the festivities in full force, the last thing you want is to get lost in the midst of thousands of people and have to ring in the New Year by yourself.
  • If you are setting off fireworks, be sure to practice proper safety precautions. Let off fireworks in a field or other open area where homes and power lines are out of site. Have a fire extinguisher nearby and never try to re-light a firework that did not go off when first lit. Be sure pets and children are at a safe distance away and always have an adult present.