A Guide to Safe Winter Driving

With our first real snowfall of the year on the ground it's official...winter is here!  After last year's long cold season, we should be used to driving in the snow, right?  But we could all use a refresher course in preparing for, and driving on, our icy, slippery roads.  Here are a few things to help you survive the season as a good winter driver.

Winterize your Car - Before even thinking about going out on those snowy roads, make sure your vehicle is ready.  Here are a few things to prepare:

• Routine maintenance and tune-up - get your entire vehicle checked for worn hoses and belts, correct type of oil and other simple repairs.
• Check your battery - make sure it's got enough charge left to start on those especially cold days.
• Inspect your tires - make sure you have enough tread to handle the snow and that they are properly inflated.  Consider switching to snow tires for the winter.
• Check your cooling system - make sure you have enough anti-freeze and that there are no leaks.
• Check your windshield wipers and fill the windshield fluid - keep some extra fluid on-hand just in case you run out.
• Fill your gas tank regularly - prevents freezing.
• Floor mats - make sure they are not going to get in the way of operating the pedals.
• Emergency Supplies - pack an ice scraper, shovel, jumper cables, flashlight, blankets, sand or kitty litter, emergency flares or markers and extra water/food for longer trips.

Driving Tips - Make sure you have the right mindset and preparation when heading out on the roads.  Things to think about:

• Give yourself enough time - leave early if you have to and expect longer-than-usual driving time.  Reduce speed and be patient.
• Drive defensively - no matter how good of a winter driver you think you are, that person in front of you, behind you, or next to you may not be as skilled.  Expect slipping and sliding and keep your distance.
• Plan your travel - know your route in advance, make sure someone not with you knows where you are going, check the weather and heed travel warnings.
• Safe driving habits - seatbelts, no distractions, be rested, dress warmly.
• Have an emergency plan if you break down or get stuck - stay with your car, keep a cell phone and charger handy, know who to call, mark your car for other drivers to see, don't run your car in place for extended periods with the windows up or in an enclosed space to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.

Of course, if you can avoid traveling in the worst weather do it.  It's always better to be safe than sorry.  Protect yourself and your loved ones.  Enjoy the season!

Tips on Shopping for Homeowners Insurance

Shopping for Homeowners Insurance can be quite confusing.  And many people don't understand that not all homeowners policies are created equal.  With home insurance premiums on the rise, price is certainly a factor to consider.  But you also want to make sure that your most valuable possession is going to be properly protected in your worst case scenario...a total loss.  An insurance policy is worthless if it isn't there when you need it.  There are a few important things to consider when reviewing your options.

Dwelling Value - In most instances, your dwelling value should be an estimate on what it would cost to rebuild your home, at today's prices, if that were needed.  Note that this value may be completely different from your home's market value or tax value.  Each insurance company uses it's own software to calculate reconstruction cost.  The more details they gather and enter into their software about your home, the more accurate the dwelling value.  Be careful, because you don't want to be under insured if you ever have to rebuild your home.

Deductible - This is probably your biggest area to reduce your premium.  The lower the deductible...the higher the premium.  And vice versa.  Your homeowners insurance is not designed to be a maintenance policy.  It's for the big stuff.  Problems with your home will happen that may or may not be covered by insurance.  You don't want to file a claim for every little problem that arises with your home.  Your premium could increase with too many claims and you soon might become too risky/expensive to insure.  Weigh your deductible options and choose the one with the best value that is still within your budget if something were to happen.

Limitations - Every policy will have special limits on certain types of property that they will insure and also on different types of perils, or causes of insurance claims.  These limitations can make a big difference in understanding and selecting your home insurance and can often be overcome with endorsements (additions) to your policy.  Here are some of the most common limitations:

• Special Property

• Jewelry
• Firearms
• Collectibles
• Antiques
• Art
• Electronics
• Perils
• Wind & Hail
• Sewer & Drain
• Water Damage
• Theft

The bottom line is that price matters, but protecting your home properly should be the most important thing for you.  You've worked hard for it.  So take the time to understand your policy and find an agent that your are comfortable working with and will help you through the process.

Why Life Insurance?

As a full-service insurance agent, I've been taught that life insurance is the most important policy we can sell.  Yet it's the policy we sell the least.  We sell tons of auto and home insurance.  But not nearly as much life insurance.  Why is that?

The most obvious reason is that for the most part, we're not legally required to have it.  You can't drive without auto insurance and you can't carry a mortgage on a house without homeowners insurance.  But unless you have some individual legal obligation (eg. child support/divorce), you don't have to have life insurance.

Life insurance is also an uncomfortable subject.  Nobody likes to think about death.  And selfishly, many people don't want to pay for something that's not going to benefit them personally.  "I'll be dead, what do I care?"  And at one time, I felt the same way.

Until a couple months ago, when my father died unexpectedly.  And I was not ready - psychologically or financially.  He did not have life insurance and now I not only had to deal with the loss of a family member, but also was stuck with a bill. 

Death is the ultimate game-changer.  The loss of life has a ripple effect on everyone even remotely attached to the deceased - but especially the immediate family.  How would your death affect the people around you?

Here are some of the considerations and expenses to think about when it comes to your life insurance needs:

• Final Expenses - funeral and medical bills
• Loss of Income - will my family be able to support themselves without me?
• Debt - mortgage, credit cards, loans
• Education - can my children afford college without me?
• Legacy - donation to church or charity, family inheritance

Nobody wants to die.  But last I heard, nobody has avoided it yet.  Life insurance is for the living.  How do you want to be remembered?