Ice Dams

One of the unfortunate side effects of winter weather is that it creates conditions that can cause damage to your home. One of these conditions is a buildup of snow which, when exposed to the warm air escaping from an attic vent can create cascades of ice coming down from the gutters and edges of your roof. This ice builds up in your gutters, and when the snow melts, the water cannot drain properly. This creates what's called an ice dam.

Ice dams can cause significant damage to walls, ceilings and insulation inside the home, as water seeps inside the structure and wreaks havoc. While masses of icicles dangling from the edge of a roof is the hallmark sign of an issue with attic ventilation, it takes very little moisture to form an ice dam.

Simple home maintenance can help prevent ice dams and subsequent damage to the interior structure. Making sure your attic has adequate insulation and sealing all potential heat leaks is the simplest and most effective way to prevent an ice dam before it starts. Once the dam actually forms, ice melt or snow melt socks, when placed on the roof line near the gutter, can help open up a channel to drain the excess melt safely away from the structure. Finally, making sure gutters and downspouts are clear of leaves, dirt and debris can assist in safely draining water away from your home.

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!