SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2023
As kids head back to school, traffic patterns can undergo a big change. School buses are back in neighborhoods picking up their passengers, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to school before the bell rings, and busy parents are trying to drop their kids off before work. It’s a good time to remember to slow down and pay attention when kids are present – especially before and after school.
Sharing the Road with Young Pedestrians
According to research by the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, and they’re walking. They are hit by the bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. A few precautions go a long way toward keeping children safe:
- Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic
- In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection
- Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign
- Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas
- Don’t honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way
- Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
- Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way
Sharing the Road with School Buses
If you’re driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.
- Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children
- If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop
- The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus
- Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks
Sharing the Road with Bicyclists
On most roads, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles, but bikes can be hard to see. Children riding bikes create special problems for drivers because usually they are not able to properly determine traffic conditions. The most common cause of collision is a driver turning left in front of a bicyclist.
- When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist
- When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass
- If you’re turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals
- Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this
- Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods
- Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars
- Check side mirrors before opening your door
By exercising a little extra care and caution, drivers and pedestrians can co-exist safely in school zones.
Originally posted by our carrier partner Progressive Insurance Connect
Posted 5:43 PM
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2023
Everyone can benefit when landlords ask or require their tenants to secure proper renter’s coverage. As an agent, you have a very important role to educate your clients of the benefits of securing this protection. Doing so can help you build long-term trust while providing the security that BOTH landlords and renters need! Many renters don’t understand why they need homeowners (renter’s) insurance. Some don’t even know if they have it or not. In fact, there are many reasons why renters don’t purchase renters coverage. Let’s review the myths driving the choice not to secure renters coverage, so you can help dispel some of these myths when reviewing coverage with your clients:
Myth #1: Coverage is Expensive
Renters or contents insurance is quite inexpensive. A typical Renters Policy is only about $100 per year. Many companies also offer a multi-policy discount if you bundle your Car Insurance and your Renters Insurance with the same company. This sometimes results in an annual savings on your Car Insurance of more than $100.
Myth #2: Exposure is Already Covered
Many renters believe their personal property is covered by the landlord, when actually the apartment or building owner’s coverage is only for the building itself and the common areas for the apartment owner’s liability.
Myth #3: Coverage is Unnecessary
Many uninsured tenants are younger adults who may not realize the high value of their clothing, furniture, computers, smart phones, valuable jewelry, and music collections.
Myth #4: Coverage is Narrow in Scope
The renter’s policy covers loss in the event of a destructive fire or another major type of loss. If a covered loss makes the apartment unit uninhabitable, the insurer would pay for the necessary hotel costs until the insured moves into another apartment.
If you are a Landlord, talk to your tenant about the importance of having a Renters Policy.
If you are a Renter and don't already have a Renters Policy, give us a call today.
Content for this article taken from original article "Reminder to Landlords and Tenants" from Lititz Mutual Insurance Company.
Posted 11:43 AM
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1, 2023
Here are a few tips to help you protect your home while you're away.
Step 1: Find Someone To Check In
The first and most important thing is to have someone you know and trust check your home regularly. Start looking for this person as soon as your travel is scheduled. This isn’t something to scramble for at the last minute.
Make sure the home is checked at least once every few days. If the person can stay in your house, even better!
Have your mail/newspapers collected (a neighbor can do this too if your check in person can’t make it every day)
Arrange checks for leaks or other maintenance issues.
Bring a gift for the caretaker! Checking in on a property is a lot of work; they will appreciate the thanks.
Step 2: Travel-Proof Your Home
Go down this list before you leave.
- Connect a few lights to a timer and set them to go on every day after dark. This will keep your house from being totally dark – a sure giveaway that no one is home.
- Don’t close all your blinds and shutters, unless this is something you normally do.
- Don't post your out of town status on social media.
- As you’re walking out of the house, follow these steps to cover your last-minute safety needs.
- Don't turn the heat down below 55 degrees. Never turn the heat completely off during the winter; if the temperature drops, you risk frozen pipes.
- Lock the house. That includes pet doors, garage doors, and windows that might normally be left open.
- Throw away any perishables if you’re going to be gone more than 3 days or so. You don’t want to come home to a rotting mess in the fridge!
--Content used in this post was originally published by Mamoth Restoration & Construction and is used with their permission.
Posted 12:59 PM
SATURDAY, JULY 1, 2023
Firework Safety Tips for July 4th
4th of July is a day where we celebrate the thirteen colonies claiming their independence from England and more commonly a day where friends and family gather for food, music and beautiful firework displays across the country. Many of us will also purchase consumer based fireworks to celebrate on our own, however these certainly come with risks.
Did you know that according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2014 Fireworks Annual Report by Yongling Tu and Demar Granados, fireworks cause a yearly average of 18,500 reported fires and resulted in over $21 million dollars in direct property damage in 2013.
Fireworks are also a leading source of emergency room visits each and every year on the 4th of July. Check out some injuries by the numbers below.
Firework Injuries:
- Sparklers accounted for roughly 28% of all emergency room firework injuries.
- More than 33% of firework injuries are to the hands or fingers.
- Children 5-9 years of age were 2.4 times as likely as the general public to be injured by fireworks.
- Males account for 74% of firework injuries
- Only 6% of firework injuries are caused by public displays
Fireworks cause an average of 18,500 fires per year.
4th of July Safety Tips
Firework Safety:
- Sparklers burn at 1200°F – Don’t point them at yourself or others.
- Never light fireworks in hand; only light fireworks while they are placed on the ground.
- Never attempt to light multiple fireworks at once.
- Never allow young children to handle sparklers.
- Never light any fireworks that appear damaged or torn.
- Don’t take apart fireworks or attempt to make your own.
- Always keep a fire extinguisher and water source nearby in case of emergency.
- Never dispose of used fireworks in trash cans until completely cool.
Grill Safety Tips:
The 4th of July just isn’t the same without sharing some amazing BBQ with your friends and family. Be sure to check for the following before throwing those steaks, burgers and dogs on the grill.
- Always check your grill’s hoses for cracks and leaks.
- Never grill indoors or near surfaces that can catch fire.
- Keep the grill at least two feet away from decks, siding and other surfaces.
We wish everyone a very happy and safe 4th of July celebration.
originally published by Mammoth Restoration http://mammothrestoration.com/
Posted 9:08 PM
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2023
School bells have rung for the last time, summer is upon us and many Pennsylvania families are turning their thoughts to family vacations. Here are some frequent questions we get each year from families looking to rent a car on vacation.
Q: I'm going on vacation and plan to rent a car. I've been told my personal auto policy will cover the rental vehicle. Is this true?
A: The majority of auto insurance companies will extend coverage from your personal auto policy to a rental vehicle. With most policies, coverage pays for actual repairs to the rental car, but you remain responsible for your policy deductible. In addition, the rental agreement often makes you responsible for "additional" items, and that’s where many issues can arise.
NOTE: If your personal auto policy does not include physical damage coverage, the rental car will not be covered if it's damaged. In addition, if you rent a car outside of the United States, coverage may not be extended.
Q: I've also heard that if I use my credit card to pay for the rental vehicle, the rental vehicle will be covered. Is this true?
A: Many, but not all, credit card companies offer rental insurance, and will pay for damage to a rental car if you pay for the rental vehicle with that card. However, the coverage will be secondary to your personal auto policy. In other words, your credit card company may pick up certain things that your personal auto policy does not cover, such as your deductible. It is best to check with your specific credit card company to see what coverage may be provided.
Q: If my personal auto policy covers my rental car, and if my credit card covers my deductible, doesn't this mean I'm fully covered?
A: While your personal auto policy and use of a credit card may provide adequate coverage, they frequently fall short.
The rental car company may come after you to pay certain fees such as towing, loss of use (the period the rental car is out of service for repairs), diminished value (wrecked and repaired cars are viewed as less valuable than undamaged, factory originals) and administrative fees. All of these fees may be tacked on by the rental car company in the event of an accident, and all of which you can be held liable for. By signing the rental agreement, the renter is always responsible for any loss or damage to a rental vehicle, regardless of who is at fault.
Q: Would it be wise to purchase the "extra insurance" offered by the rental car company?
A: A loss damage waiver (LDW), sometimes called a collision damage waiver, purchased from a rental car company essentially takes the place of your own collision and comprehensive insurance, letting you and your insurance company off the hook if you wreck the rental car, or if it's stolen or vandalized. In exchange for purchasing the LDW, the rental company agrees to "waive" claims against you for damages in the event of an accident. But, your LDW coverage could become void if the accident was caused because you were speeding, driving under the influence, or the accident was the result of a reckless act or error on your part.
Before renting, familiarize yourself with your insurance options by:
* Contacting a Rutt Insurance agent and finding out if you have enough coverage under your existing policy; and
* Contacting your credit card company to find out if it offers rental car coverage, and what the restrictions and limitations may be.
If the two coverage methods mentioned above seem inadequate for your needs, you may wish to consider the purchase of a LDW.
Q: Are there any other options?
A. Because of the prohibitive cost of purchasing Loss Damage Waivers from rental car companies, many people choose to forego the purchase and take the risk of being hit with fees. Realizing the need for a more affordable solution some companies specializing in travel insurance have begun offering Rental Car Insurance. Companies such as Allianz Global Assistance, are now offering a more affordable alternative to the Loss Damage Waivers offered by many rental car companies.
Q: What should I do?
A: Making such a personal decision about your options is yours - and yours alone under the law. As your independent insurance agent, we will do our best to help explain your options. Our agency's job is to help provide you with information on these choices so you can make the best informed decision for you and your family.
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