Parking Lot Accidents and the Holidays

The holiday shopping rush is a busy time for consumers and businesses alike. As storefronts, shopping malls and shops see foot traffic reach its annual peak, the parking lots that serve these establishments see a major increase in activity. With inclement weather affecting our area this time of year, parking lots can be the scene of avoidable car accidents.

According to Business Fleet, 14% of all reported auto accidents in 2007 took place in a parking lot. 80% of all bumper scratches happen during parking, and parking lot accidents can average around $1,500 per claim, which can cause insurance rates to rise. Narrow lanes, hurried drivers and blind spots can turn a trip to the store into a headache for drivers who find themselves involved in a collision. While some accidents by nature are not avoidable, there are simple steps to avoiding parking lot collisions that you can take.

• Check your mirrors and back out slowly. In parking lots, cars and pedestrians are constantly moving. It is imperative to check all mirrors before leaving any parking space.
• Clear your vehicle of snow, ice and other visual impairments. Having a fully clear field of vision can decrease the chance of you not seeing another driver backing out or pulling into a space near you.
• Take your time. Don't be in a rush to pull out of a spot. Back out slowly, checking mirrors and looking back through your rear windshield. Proceed at all times with caution.
• Park away from the front door. While this may not seem like an appealing option during a Chicagoland winter, parking away from the front door-and away from the majority of the traffic in a parking lot-can help you avoid a collision with a pedestrian or vehicle.

Also remember, if you do have an accident, don't panic. Either call the police to have them fill out a report, or exchange information with the other driver and then contact your agent right away to discuss your options. Following those simple steps, however, may drastically reduce your chances of being in a parking lot accident this holiday season.

Winter Weather Is Here!

It's that time of year again; the time of year when snow, sleet and ice begin to be weekly challenges for drivers in our area. Simple steps can help you avoid accidents and other weather related trouble as winter takes hold.

• Slow down and increase your following distance when in traffic. If a driver in front of you has to brake suddenly, you need to make sure you have enough space to stop safely and avoid losing control of your vehicle due to slick conditions.
  
• Clear your car completely of snow and ice. This will make sure your field of vision is clear of any obstructions. Carry an ice scraper in your car and give yourself plenty of time to allow your car to warm up, and to scrape and sweep the snow away from window, headlights, windshields and your hood.
  
• Carry an emergency kit in your trunk. In the event you are stranded for any length of time, an emergency kit can help you wait for help to arrive. Ideally, the kit should include flares, warm clothing including a blanket, extra gloves and hats, and jumper cables.

Winter in Chicagoland can seem like it lasts an eternity, but by planning ahead and driving slowly and safely, you can make it through safely without incident to your destinations.

Deer Mating Season Is Here-What Does This Have To Do With Insurance?

As the seasons change here in the Chicagoland area, the hazards on the road change right along with them. From ice and snow in the winter to construction hazards in the summer, there's always something to look out for on the road. This time of year, deer mating season begins, and with it comes along the need to watch out in wooded or lightly populated areas.

Deer mating season typically runs from late October through December, but mid to late November is the peak, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Cook and Lake counties are both in the top ten in reported collisions annually, and with fewer wooded areas as a natural habitat, deer can be flushed out onto roads where they can be difficult to spot, especially at night.

After dusk and near sunrise tend to be the times where deer are most active, so it's important to watch the road at all times and maintain a safe speed, especially in wooded areas or areas with light populations. Some tips to help you stay safe:

• The single best way to avoid an accident is to be aware of the surroundings. Pay attention to deer crossing signs, and scan the roadsides for the “eyeshine” of deer (reflection of headlights in the deer’s eyes).


• At night, use high-beam lights when appropriate. This may allow the deer to be seen a few seconds earlier, giving the driver enough time to avoid an accident.


• Deer often use woodlots, fencerows, field edges or areas near water. Extra caution is needed when these habitats are close to roadways.


• Slow down around curves in areas where deer are known to occur.


• Slow down and prepare to stop if a deer is along the side of the road. There are likely more deer nearby. Deer will often follow one another single file across a road. Trying to cross through the middle of such a group often results in deer colliding with the side of the vehicle.


• Be prepared for the unexpected. Deer may stop in the middle of the road or decide to double back to the side of the road. Hard pavement such as concrete or asphalt provides poor traction for the hard and sharp hooves of deer. They may even fall down.


• If there are deer near the road, and there are no vehicles close behind, slow down, honk the vehicle’s horn in short bursts and flash the headlights.


• If deer are near the road, tap the brakes or use the emergency flashers to alert other drivers. Prepare to safely stop if the deer move toward the roadway.


• If there are deer on or approaching the road, do not slam on the brakes or swerve sharply to avoid the deer. It is instinctual to do this, but doing so may cause a loss of control of the vehicle and a more severe accident.


• Never tailgate! Always leave plenty of room between vehicles. Many severe deer vehicle accidents are caused when another vehicle becomes involved.
  

If you do happen to hit a deer, make sure you inform the police at once. Make sure you don't attempt to move or attend to the injured deer in the roadway, as this could put you at risk . Call your insurance agent right away so they can begin the process of having your car looked at and repaired.

Finally, if you enjoy venison and know a butcher in your area, the state does allow motorists to "claim" a deer hit on the road for purposes of consumption. So should this unfortunate incident occur, you can at least feel comforted by this silver lining.

Bundle Your Insurance To Save Money

Financial austerity is big these days. Governments, companies and individuals are looking for new and innovative ways to cut their costs and trim their budgets. For individuals looking to save money-especially ahead of the holiday season-one simple way to save hundreds of dollars a year is to have your home and auto insurance with the same carrier.

Insurance companies typically offer deep discounts on both home and auto when bundled together. Aside from making things logistically easier-you only need to make one phone call to discuss your policy coverage-it's a simple and quick way to trim unnecessary costs from your budget.

Don't throw money away! If you have only one of your home or auto with us, call us today!

Our New Location Is Open!

Havlic & Associates is excited to announce that we have a new location from which to serve our clients! On September 1st, we opened our 2nd location at 3075 Sanders Rd Ste G1E in Northbrook, IL. This is an exciting time, and we look forward to being able to provide the same outstanding products and dedicated service to clients both new and old.

Our staff is still available to assist six days a week, from 8am to 5pm in our Northbrook location by calling 847-402-7500, or from 9am to 5pm by calling our Vernon Hills location at 847-680-7500. Our new location should be able to offer our clients additional flexibility and accessibility to our staff, should the need be new services or questions about their existing coverage.

If you are in the Northbook area, stop by our new office and say hello! If you are looking for top notch service and excellent rates, stop by for a quote!

The Importance Of A Home Inventory

When a disaster strikes your home, many things will go through your mind. Where to stay, who to call, and how will my insurance company take care of me will likely be in the front of your mind in the immediate aftermath of a severe loss to your property. One thing you will not necessarily be considering is how to account for your possessions that may have been lost or damaged. To counter this, we recommend a full household inventory, to be updated once annually.

While most people are able to recall the major items in their home-what kind of television or computer they have, the brand of appliance or where they bought their couch-the majority of the items you have in your home may not be simple to recall. Books, CD's, DVD's and clothing tend to be major line items that can add up to large amounts of money, and are not as easily remembered as larger items. Other items like kitchenware and decor can also be expensive to replace.

During a home inventory, it's best to go room-by-room with a legal pad and a digital camera. You can go room by room, taking pictures of the larger items and writing down basic information on the smaller items. You can assign a basic value for media items like books, DVD's and CD's, which can serve as a basis for settling out a loss. If you like, you can also list titles, which can determine exactly how much value you have in these items. For the larger items, along with the photo, you may want to write down model and serial numbers.

Once completed, you can call your agent to discuss how best to proceed. After determining the appropriate amount of coverage for your personal property, your agent should be able to keep a copy of your photos and inventory in your file at the office, meaning in case of loss, your records will be kept safely and soundly where they can be sent to the adjuster when necessary.

Taking the time to inventory your personal property can save you time and headache at a time where you may have a lot on your plate. Don't delay-take the time today!

College Apartments & Renters Insurance

Back to school is approaching fast, and for those of you with children away at college or university, you may have questions about how best to insure their possessions while away. Theft is usually the main concern that parents have. Thinking about how much it would cost to replace a laptop or musical instrument can add to the parental anxiety that usually accompanies a child going away.

While possessions in dormitories and residence halls are generally covered under a parents' property policy, when the student moves into an apartment with roommates, renters insurance is strongly recommended. Aside from providing coverage for their clothing, computers, iPod and other personal possessions, renters insurance provides them with critical coverage for their personal liability.

According to the NFPA, in 2006 fire departments responded to 4,290 fires in campus housing. These fires caused an estimated $29.1 million dollars in property damage. Since two-thirds of all college students live in non-dormitory housing, the need for these students to protect themselves financially is critical.

In years past, most college students went without any form of insurance to protect themselves in the event their unit was damaged due to fire. Thus, if the student's apartment was damaged, landlords could file suit to collect damages and the student could find themselves with a judgement against them for thousands of dollars.

In recent years, more and more apartment complexes are requiring their tenants to carry renters insurance with liability coverage. However, not all college campus apartments carry this requirement. The onus then falls on the parents to make sure their student is fully protected while living in off campus housing.

The good news is that renters insurance is extremely affordable. For premiums usually less than $1 per day, you and your student can rest more easily, knowing that they are correctly covered and protected.

Making sure your student carries renters insurance can help with the short term concerns of how to replace possessions, and also help avoid the long term financial consequences of fire or other unintentional property damage.

Beating The Heat Safely

The recent weather in our area has featured high humidity, high temperatures and abundant sunshine with little rain. With summer at its height, people around our area are looking for ways to beat the heat. Swimming pools, dog parks, trampolines, boating and other outdoor activities are popular ways to enjoy the summer.

Swimming pools in particular are popular ways for families to beat the heat. With swimming pools, however, it is important to keep safety in mind at all times. According to the CDC, in 2007 there were 3,443 accidental drownings in the United States, which averages out to about ten per day. At least one out of five fatal drowning victims are children aged 14 and younger.

Following simple safety steps can help prevent tragedy. If you have a pool on your property, be sure to secure access to the pool via a fence with a lock or other pool barrier. Keep the area well lit at night, with safety and rescue gear available nearby, and make sure to never allow young children to swim unattended or near the pool unsupervised. Keep your pool area clear of balls and other toys, as this can prevent children from entering the pool area unsupervised, or leaning over the water to grab a ball.

If you take your children swimming, make sure to not rely on air-filled or foam toys as primary sources of safety gear. Most swim toys such as noodles and water wings are not designed to be safety flotation devices. Life jackets for younger children are recommended. If your child is preschool-aged, an adult should be within reach of a child at all times. Older children should have a swim buddy and never swim without adult supervision. Adults, when supervising, should not engage in distracting behavior such as mowing the lawn or playing cards. Finally, enrolling your child in formal swim lessons can teach them both how to swim, and how to act responsibly and safely around bodies of water.

If you have a swimming pool, make sure to protect yourself. Talk with your agent about ways to prevent risk ,and properly cover yourself in case of accident. By engaging in simple safety steps, you and your family can avoid risk and injury to yourselves and others, and safely enjoy summer weather.

The Importance of Policy Reviews

One of the most common concerns consumers of any service have is cost. Customers deserve and demand quality products and services at market-competitive prices, and one of the most important jobs of an insurance professional is to strike a balance between benefit and cost.

The most effective way to ensure that you are receiving both from your insurance package is to schedule a full policy review with your agent. Sitting down in person and reviewing the current setup, and discussing important life events such as birthdays, graduations, and retirements in order to identify possible necessary changes can save you and your family time, stress, and money.

During a policy review, an agent will discuss current coverage and suggest adjustments that can prove critical should the unexpected occur. Additionally, if you and your family are looking to trim the budget, your agent can look closely at your discounts, to make sure every possible option is explored.

Policy reviews can ensure that you and your family have the coverages you need at a cost you can afford. Don't leave yourself with a coverage gap! Call your agent today and schedule a time to meet and discuss your policies!

The Benefits Of Working With An Agent

The insurance marketplace has become an extremely competitive environment over the past decade. The emergence of carriers that conduct their business almost exclusively via call center or Internet has highlighted the need for agencies to demonstrate their value in new ways.

While the premium difference one can occasionally see by choosing an online-based carrier is one factor to consider, working with a local agent can provide substantial benefits beyond simply premium costs to you and your family.

Local agents can be helpful with the claim process. A good agent can walk you through the process step-by-step, keeping you informed of your options and addressing any questions or needs that arise. Given that an insurance claim is the biggest moment of truth you can have with a carrier, there is significant value in dealing with the same person throughout, rather than a call center team.

Additionally, the relationship with a local agent can assist during aspects of the billing process as well. An involved local agent can identify discounts that could help save you money, can identify potential rate changes and work with you to find solutions that both fit in your budget and provide proper coverage for you and your family.

Finally, working with a local agent can provide you peace of mind. A local agent is able to know you and your family beyond a policy number, and is able to know your family's unique needs. They can grow with you and your family, and you can rest assured knowing that when you call to ask a question, file a claim, or pay a bill, you are more than just a number on a screen.

If You Are Involved In A Car Accident...

...Here are some tips:

-Do not admit fault!

-Call the police! Having the police issue an incident report and information exchange form can be immensely helpful during the claim process. It can also ensure that the facts of the accident are recorded by a third party.

-If you feel hurt in any way, shape or form, seek medical care. Remember, cars can be fixed quite easily in time, but taking risks with your health is not the best course of action!

-Contact your agent. Explain what happened and be prepared to write down claim information, such as the claim number and your adjuster's name and contact information. Make sure you provide multiple methods of contact, so as to simplify the claim process.

How The Housing Market Affects Your Insurance Coverage

One of the more common questions we field from our clients is in reference to the amount of coverage to carry on their homeowners insurance. According to the Chicago Sun-Times on May 25th, home values in Illinois have decreased over the past two years, and only recently began to experience their first increase in value. With the loss in market value, people everywhere are looking to save money where they can, and attention often turns to the amount of coverage clients carry on their home.

One thing to keep in mind when evaluating a homeowners insurance policy is that there is not necessarily a correlative relationship between a home's market value, and the cost to rebuild a home. Remember that homeowners insurance primarily covers the construction cost of a home due to a named peril. An insurance company calculates the replacement cost of a home based on factors such as construction quality, materials used, square footage and the type of home. We use those metrics as well other factors to determine what it would cost to rebuild your home in the event of a catastrophe.

The market value of a home, however, is not entirely based on concrete measurables. It can factor in location, school district, the size and value of the lot, and the local economy. One could take the same home, put it in ten different towns or cities around the area, and likely have ten very different market values. The reconstruction cost, however, will not have as much variance to it, as the cost of building materials won't vary too greatly between, say, Wilmette and Gurnee.

The best course of action when trying to determine the appropriate amount of coverage for your home is to consult your agent. We can always run through our cost estimators and work with you to find an amount of coverage that you can be comfortable with, and one that will protect your greatest investment.

Prom Season and Teen Driving

Spring means prom season time and along with prom season comes the need for families to be aware of the risks that young drivers face. Statistically, Springtime is the most deadly month for young drivers, with the months of May and June being the highest risk times. Additionally, Saturday-the usual night chosen for proms by schools in the area-is the highest risk day of the week, with the majority of incidents taking place between 9pm and 6am.


When you add in all of the external factors that can raise the risk of accident during prom season-distraction from passengers, risk of alcohol and fatigue, it becomes extremely important that parents stress safety during prom. Here are some tips for parents to keep in mind when discussing the responsibility of safe driving:

• Celebrate the accomplishment of getting a drivers license, but also discuss the responsibility that comes with it.
• Be parental! Provide guidelines, establish rules, and uphold the consequences for breaking the rules.
• Don't rush the learning process. Be patient and allow your teen plenty of time to acclimate him or her to driving at different times of day, and in different conditions.
• Practice what you preach! Leading by example is a powerful tool. If your teen driver sees you driving responsibly, under control and within the rules of the road, this sets a positive example for him or her to follow.

There is, of course, no substitute for experience on the road, but laying a solid foundation of driving fundamentals for your teen can make a massive difference.

Distracted Driving

Nearly everyone these days has a cell phone, and regardless if you primarily use the phone to talk, or to text, one thing that is for certain is that using the phone while driving is an extremely risky proposition.

Roads, especially in our area, are busy at nearly all times of the day, so its wise to stay focused on the task of driving instead of answering a call or a message. Various institutions have been studying this issue for the past several years. Here are a few facts regarding distracted driving:

• Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37% (Carnegie Mellon)
• Nearly 6,000 people died in crashes involving a distracted driver, and more than half a million were injured. (NHTSA)
• The younger, inexperienced drivers under 20 years old have the highest proportion of distraction-related fatal crashes. (NHTSA)
• Drivers who use hand held devices are four times as likely to have a crash serious enough to injure themselves. (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
• Using a cell phone while driving-either hand-held or hands-free-delays a driver's reactions as much as having a BAC of .08%. (University of Utah)

There is enough evidence in academia to show a direct causation between distraction and risk of serious accident. Remember, when in the car, your first and most important priority is to operate the vehicle safely.

Between endless road construction, animals, weather and other drivers, there are plenty of hazards on the road without adding a degree of difficulty for yourself. Remember to stay focused-it could save your life!

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Water and Basements

With Springtime approaching, it's important to take a fresh look at your homeowner's insurance coverage to make sure your finished basement is covered appropriately.

With the ground saturated from a Winter's worth of snow melting, and with Spring showers exacerbating the level of moisture in the ground, it's extra important to make sure that if you have a backup sump system in good working order and that you have coverage on your homeowner's policy for sump backup-just in case!

Don't let your finished basement become a soggy nightmare! Call your agent for a full policy review today. Remember-a phone call today can save you money tomorrow!

Rate Increases: A General Primer

Trying to discern why your insurance rates have increased can be a very tricky proposition. Here are some of the more common reasons why rates can change from one renewal to the next:

• Recent claim activity
• A discount you were receiving changing
• General rate changes in the state you reside
• Changes to the structure of the policy, or different cars or additional drivers

When a rate increase happens, the best thing to do is to work with your agent! He or she may be able to identify opportunities for additional savings through new discounts and changing deductibles or coverages.

Rate increases are certainly not ideal, but with good communication with your agent, they can often be mitigated.

Welcome To The Havlic Insurance Blog!

Welcome to the official Havlic Insurance blog!

Over the coming weeks and months, we're going to be bringing you some exciting content! Be ready for informative articles discussing insurance questions and needs, claim facts, planning and preparedness tips, and much more!

We will also be providing video content which we hope will demostrate how Havlic Insurance & Associates is the right fit for you and your family!

Please feel free to post comments, questions or feedback at all times-the more communication we have, the better we can serve you!