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We have really enjoyed some of the messages we get from our Facebook page. We are always receiving newsletters and other helpful tips and are more then happy to pass them along to aid in keeping you and your family safe. So for those of you who have missed it. Here is a summary of some of the helpful Facebook posts by Team ATD members…

• Do you own a vacation home? Do you leave your primary home for a long period of time to go down South for the Winter? What do you do to insure that your home is protected from water damage or fire? Please look under our discussion tab for a basic checklist when leaving your home for a period of time…More here on Facebook
• As if slippery sidewalks and snow covered cars aren’t bad enough during the winter, you face another potential headache: ruined carpets and water damage to your ceilings and walls from leakes caused by ice dams or bursting pipes. You can avoid the resulting aggravation and expense by taking several basic steps to prev…More here on Facebook
• Why Take the Risk?….. Stay in School….. Teenagers under the age of 18 will continue to have driving privileges if they stay in school! Please read our article under our discussion tab to see how a teenager can loose his driving privileges if they are caught with drug/alcohol possession in school, excessive ab…More here on Facebook
• Do you have a teenage child ready to get his or her temps? Have you thought to yourself, do i need to add my child to my insurance once they get their temps? Alot of us have already gone thru this process but for some of us who have not, we have some answers for you…. As we all may know, in the State of Ohio, a…More here on Facebook

So there you have some great tips from Team ATD, need help? We are here to answer your questions, call, email, Facebook us, or just stop in; we’re right here for you.

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The explosion in the deer population has lead to a continuing increase in deer-car collisions. This trend will only increase as the deer population grows and urban habitats continue to encroach upon rural environments.According to the National Safety Council, there were 530,000 animal-related accidents in 2003 and these collisions resulted in 100 deaths and 10,000 injuries.

The average cost per insurance claim for collision damage is $2,800, with costs varying depending on the type of vehicle and severity of damage. When you factor in auto claims involving bodily injury, the average rises to $10,000.

Defensive driving tips to avoid hitting a deer:

• Be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise. These are the highest risk times for deer-vehicle collisions
• Drive with caution when moving through deer-crossing zones, in areas known to have a large deer population and in areas where roads divide agricultural fields from forestland. Deer seldom run alone. If you see one deer, others may be nearby.
• When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic. The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of deer on or near the roadway
• Slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away
• Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane. Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.
• Always wear your seat belt. Most people injured in car/deer crashes were not wearing their seat belt.
• Do no rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences and reflectors to deter deer. These devices have not been proven to reduce deer-vehicle collisions.

If your vehicle strikes a deer, do not touch the animal. A frightened and wounded deer can hurt you or further injure itself. The best procedure is to get you car off the road, if possible, and call the police.

Contact your insurance agent or company representative to report any damage to your car. Collision with an animal is covered under the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy.

Many of us have owned a used car that at best is a disappointment, and at worst a nightmare. A used car can have so many problems hidden to the typical consumer eye including accident damage, counterfeit title and poor maintenance leading to a failing mechanical condition. It would be nice to have the inside scoop before you lay down your hard-earned cash.

Luckily, there a few warning signs that, if needed, will result in a greater confidence when making your next used car purchase.

Warning #1 – No Service Records: The only way to be sure the previous owner (s) were vigilant caretakers of your prospective purchase is to see written service records. If there are no service records, you really have no way of knowing if the vehicle has been cared for properly. Always check for a windshield sticker showing when the next oil change is due and if the date is past due, ask the seller why.

Warning #2 – Vehicle Accident History: You can probably lift the hood and look for leaks and general cleanliness. The result of such inspection might give rise to some concerns about general maintenance, but nothing replaces a careful inspection by a qualified mechanic. There is a cost for a pre-purchase inspection, but it might be the best money you ever spent. At worst, if the care is a junker you can walk away avoiding a tragic mistake. If the inspection points out any acceptable deficiencies, you can use the report to get a better price on the vehicle.

Warning #3 – The problem Title: Both AutoCheck and CarFax reports will show any title deficiencies. If a car has received extensive water damage it might have a flood title, and a vehicle that has been declared a total loss by an insurance company will have a salvage title. Most people will want to walk away from cars with either of these type of titles. You can reduce your chance of a fraudulent title by contacting the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Pay close attention by any signs of tampering, either on the title or the serial number plate on the automobile.

The insurance industry has a long history of commitment to safety and dedicates millions of dollars in research every year to support this effort. The topic of distracted driving has gotten much attention recently and the industry
is working collectively with safety advocates, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, cell phone providers, celebrities, and policymakers to end this dangerous practice. But more must and can be done.

If you have teenage drivers we urge you to take the time to talk to them about putting down the phone while driving!

One of the questions we hear often is “Why don’t you quote online?”. The reason is simple, your security!

We are very serious about protecting our customers information. We will not risk third-party applications handling private information or having it sent from server to server unsecured over the internet. We can accurately quote you right over the phone, or you can email us and arrange to have your information securely handled by one of our professional customer service representatives. We have a very powerful in house network which allows us to securely find you the best rate from one of the many companies we represent. Our network sits behind not one, but two firewalls with state of the art virus and malware detection.

We take great pains to keep your information secure and protected from all manner of threat.

That, and we still believe in doing things with a handshake. You will never have to dial through a maze of button pressing only to be greeted with an automated voice at the end. Our customer service agents pick up the phone starting with your first call! You’ll always have access to help.

That is the Team ATD difference. Contact us and find out how we can get to work for you!