Driving On Icy Roads

With winter weather finally here, here are some tips for making sure you're driving safely no matter what nature throws at you on the roads this winter:

-Make sure your tire treads are in good shape. As a general rule of thumb, if you place a penny in the tread, and can see Abe Lincoln's head, it's time to replace your tires! Having worn out treads can greatly reduce your car's ability to remain stable on an icy road.

-Make sure you can see. This one seems fairly obvious, but people sometimes do forget to clear off snow and ice before driving. Make sure you give yourself enough time in the morning to clear your car so that your field of vision is not impeded. Additionally, replace your windshield wipers! They should be replaced at the beginning of winter and the beginning of spring.

-Don't rely on technology. Newer model cars might offer electronic stability control, but there is never a substitute for simple care and attention to the road. Always give yourself space between you and any other cars on the road, and always drive at speeds appropriate for the conditions.

For more tips like these, check out http://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/driving-on-snow-and-ice-10-safety-tips.html. Remember to drive slowly, and safely wherever your travels take you!

The Fatal Four

The Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the busiest travel days of the year, and with more motorists on the roadway visiting family or shopping for holiday gifts, the potential for fatal accidents is quite high. Local law enforcement will also be stepping up their enforcement of the so called "fatal four" violations that can lead to deadly accidents, which are:

-Talking on cell phones
-Texting while driving
-Seat belt violations
-Driving under the influence

Aside from the possibility of getting a very expensive ticket, committing one of these four violations can place the safety of you and your loved ones in jeopardy. Please be mindful of yourself and others while driving this holiday weekend.

From all of us here at Havlic Insurance to all of you, please enjoy a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

Deer Season!

It's a subject we've touched on here at the Havlic Insurance Blog in the past, but deer mating season is upon us. This mean having to watch out for our four-legged friends darting in front of us at night.

The Daily Herald has a great article about deer and driving on their website here: http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20111026/news/710269822/

Remember, the best advice is often the advice most frequently given; drive slowly and alertly, and focus on the road and not the radio, your phone or anything else! A split second can make a difference!

October is Fire Prevention Month!

Here are some fantastic smoke alarm tips, courtesy of safekids.org!

1. Put a smoke alarm on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area, and in every bedroom.


2. Smoke alarms can be battery-operated or electrically hardwired in your home and are available at a variety of price points.


3. If you have hearing problems, use alarms with flashing strobe lights and vibration.
   


4. Test smoke alarms every month. Replace batteries once a year, even if alarms are hardwired.


5. Test your smoke alarms at night to see if your child will wake up and respond to the alarm. Children sleep more deeply and may not wake up. If your child does not wake up to the alarm, try an alarm where you can program your voice to alert him or her.


6. 
   

   Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings since smoke rises. Ceiling-mounted alarms should be installed at least 4 inches away from the nearest wall. Wall-mounted alarms should be installed 4 to 12 inches away from the ceiling.



7. 
   

   Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years



8. 
   

   Consider installing both ionization alarms, which are better at sensing flaming fires, and photoelectric alarms, which are better at sensing slow, smoky fires, or dual sensor alarms.

If you would like to learn more about fire prevention and safety, please visit http://www.safekids.org/safety-basics/safety-resources-by-risk-area/fire-burn-and-scalds/fire-prevention-tips-1.html

How To Save Money With Your Teen Driver

One of the most common questions we get is "How can I save money on my insurance premiums?". This questions is especially relevant to parents of newly licensed drivers. The cost to insure a teen driver can sometimes be an eye-opening experience. There are, however, ways to make sure that you're maximizing your savings opportunities at every turn.

Talk with your agent about discounts for honor roll students. Many insurance policies will give a discount for students who maintain a "B" average or higher on their high school or college reports. Additionally, if you have a college student away at school a great distance away from your home, speak with your agent about potential discounts for this, as well. Finally, discuss with your agent what types of safety and education courses allow for discounts on your policy as well.

Remember, making sure that your teenager is insured on your policy can potentially save thousands in a claim situation. Making sure you're taking advantage of any available discounts can make actually insuring them a more affordable proposition as well!

Back To School Means...

...Lots of things! From school supplies to clothes shopping, college and NFL football, crisp fall afternoons, and more free time to take care of the items on your to do list, fall is finally here! Back to school is the perfect time to sit down and review all of the ways we can help protect you and plan for your family's future.

Call us or stop by our office today. In less than an hour, you can make sure that everything you work so hard to have is fully and completely protected. Our professional experts can show you ways to save money and give you more coverage for your dollar, to protect and care for the ones you love.

Don't hope you have the right coverage, and don't wait until it's too late-call us to schedule your personal protection review at 847-680-7500 today!!

How Is Water Covered?

Water can be one of the most damaging things to occur to a home. Whether or not it's a roof leak, a burst pipe, or a sump pump failure, it's important to note how water is generally treated with respect to a homeowner's insurance policy

• Water from a pipe or roof leak, depending on the cause and how long since the event began, is typically covered on a homeowner's policy no differently than any other event. It's important to file claims as soon as the damage is noticed, as the length of time since the event began can in some circumstances affect how a company evaluates and treats damage claims.


• Sub-surface water backing up from a pump, sewer or drain is typically not automatically covered on a homeowners policy without an additional rider to add coverage for these types of events. If you have a finished basement space, or use your basement for storage, it's very important to discuss how your policy can cover this sort of water event.


• Surface water that comes in from a window well, or through another entry area due to heavy rain or an inability of a storm sewer outside to keep up with the volume of water is typically only covered under a flood insurance policy, which is a standalone insurance policy underwritten by the National Flood Insurance Program.


• Water which seeps in through a wall or basement floor is typically not covered under any policy available.

Now, every situation is different, so it is very important to discuss with your agent all of the details about how water entered your home. Communication and clarity can help avoid confusion and coverage issues.