ATD INSURANCE

Do you ever feel like no one is listening to you? Do you ever wonder if anyone has your best interest at heart? In the background, that is exactly what we try to do everyday as your insurance agent. Daily, we address issues for individuals and businesses that ultimately affect each of you.

Throughout the year, we deal with dozens of specific issues that affect, if not all, then a significant proportion of our clients. Most of what we do in this respect remains rather transparent to our clients, and it is not always possible for us to speak with each of you and share those results.

The phrase, "can you hear me now" is not something we really want to hear as it indicates that we may not have been listening closely enough. You can rest assured that we try to always have our ear to the rail and fingers on the pulse of what is important to our clients.

You can help. If there is any issue you would like to address with us, just give us a call or make an appointment, and we will be more than happy to address your concerns.

The high cost of home heating and the current recession have led many Americans to search for alternate sources of home heating. Many of these sources of heating may be acceptable if appropriate safeguards are used. However, be aware these supplemental heating devices are responsible for thousands of home fires each year.

Wood Stoves: Wood stoves cause more than 4,000 residential fires each year. Carefully follow the manufacturer's installation and maintenance instructions. Look for solid construction, such as plate steel or cast iron metal. Check for cracks and inspect legs, hinges and door seals for smooth joints and seams. Use only seasoned wood for fuel, not green wood, artificial logs or trash. Inspect and clean your pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions. Cleaning more often may be necessary. Be sure to keep combustible objects at least three feet away from your wood stove.

Electric Space Heaters: Buy only heaters with the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) safety listing. Check to make sure it has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over. Space heaters need space; keep combustibles at least three feet away from the heater. Always unplug your electric space heater when not in use.

Kerosene Heaters: Buy only UL-approved heaters and check with your local fire department on the legality of kerosene heater use in your community. Never fill your heater with gasoline or camp stove fuel; both flare up easily. Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene. Never overfill any portable heater and never fuel the heater when it is hot. Use the kerosene heater in a well-ventilated room. Kerosene heaters pose perhaps the worst exposure, largely due to improper use and the fact they contain a highly flammable liquid - not to mention potentially dangerous fumes.

Fireplaces: Fireplaces and wood stoves regularly build up creosote in their chimneys. They need to be cleaned frequently and chimneys should be inspected for obstructions and cracks to prevent deadly chimney and roof fires. Check to make sure the damper is open before starting any fire. Never burn trash, paper of green wood in you fireplace. These materials cause heavy creosote buildup and are difficult to control. Use a screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs, and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks. Do not wear loose-fitting clothes near any open flame. Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed. Store cooled ashes in a tightly sealed metal container outside the home.

Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. Always remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.

As most people today know, credit history is a big deal when it comes to getting the best insurance rate. So, it stands to reason that your insurance premium payment history would also be looked at critically.

An insurance company's ability to cancel a policy once it is fully in force is very limited. There is no question: if you fail to get that payment in on time, your policy will cancel. And, what if you have an accident before the company receives your payment? You will not have coverage.

Insurance companies no more want to cancel your policy than you want it canceled. The only way an insurance company can manage the tens of thousands of transactions experienced daily is with help of automation. The computer is non-judgmental. There is no one there to look at how long you have been insured with the company, or how good your claim history has been. And, every time a cancellation has to be sent out, there is an associated cost. Then when you do pay late, there is additional cost to reinstate the policy. These unnecessary transactions are much like small claims. Companies are increasingly taking a dim view of late payment cancellations are frequently are refusing reinstatement.

It is a good practice to pay that premium upon receiving your premium notice. Insurance companies have some many payment options available that, you should have no problem finding a plan that will work for you.

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 #4 - 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

Winter brings out the two distinct types of drivers; those who treat the ice and snow with gentleness and care, and those who don't seem to distinguish between winter and summer driving! There is really no trick to being a good winter driver if you and your car are prepared. Consider the following:

• Make sure your car is ready for winter by having the engine tuned and proper tires mounted before the snow arrives;
• Carry emergency equipment in your vehicle, including a snow shovel, battery jumper cables, a bag of sand or traction pads, a towing cable, flares, a complete set of warm clothing and boots, blanket, and a few candles to keep you warm if the engine will not start;
• To get your vehicle moving if it is stuck in snow or ice, rock the vehicle back and forth gently;
• Ice is a major hazard during winter driving, particularly "black ice', a think layer of ice that is often invisible Any sudden turns or acceleration on black ice can mean disaster;
• Remembers that ice forms first and melts last on bridges and overpasses, where cold air gets underneath, causing the temperature to drop faster than anywhere else;
• Keep your car's windshield washer fluid tank full. Winter slush can temporarily blind you, especially when you are following vehicles.

Winter weather is just around the corner in many areas, but a few simple steps can help you stay cozy indoors and save on heating costs, as well:

• Insulate open spaces - insulation is one of the most efficient and economical ways to reduce home heating costs. Check your local building codes to make sure your home is properly insulated. In most homes, insulation should be added to the attic and outside walls.
• Check doors and windows - precious heat can be lost through doors and windows. Storm windows and doors can cut heat loss in these areas by almost half. Double-insulated and triple-glazed windows are also effective heat-loss barriers.
• Seal up air leaks - you can also reduce air leaks by using inexpensive caulking around the windows, doors, and electrical outlets. Adding weather stripping to the tops and bottoms of windows and doors will help prevent drafts and heat loss.
• Put the wraps on your pipes - Wrapping your water heater and pipes can save energy by reducing heat loss. Special insulation for hot water pipes, especially where they're exposed in garage or basement areas, is also recommended.

Sledding is a fun activity for kids of all ages. However, safety is of paramount concern, especially when children are involved. The American Academy of Pediatrics offers the following safety tips:

• Keep sledders away from motor vehicles
• Children should be supervised while sledding
• Keep young children separated from older children
• Sledding feet first or sitting up, instead of lying down head-first, may prevent head injuries
• Consider having your child wear a helmet while sledding
• Use steerable sleds, not snow disks or inner tubes
• Sleds should be structurally sound and free of sharp edges and splinters, and the steering mechanism should be well lubricated.
• Sled slopes should be free of obstructions like trees or fences, be covered in snow not ice, not be too steep (slope of less than 30 degrees), and end with a flat runoff.
• Avoid sledding in crowded areas.

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.

TIPS FOR SURVIVING EXTREMELY HOT WEATHER

A heat wave is defined as three or more days of temperatures 90 degrees or higher. Most summers you can count on at least one heat wave, so remember these tips for surviving extreme heat in good health:

• Slow down. High heat and humidity put stress on your body as it tries to regulate internal temperature.
• Exercise early in the morning or in the evening after the sun goes down.
• Drink plenty of water all day - at least eight glasses a day, or two to four glasses an hour (16-32 ounces, or one to two quarts) if you are working or exercising in extreme heat.
• Increase salt intake to replace salt lost in sweat (if you're on a low-sodium diet, check with your doctor first).
• Dress in lightweight, light-colored clothing which reflects heat, and wear a hat to keep the sun off your head.
• Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day. If you can't, get out of the sun occasionally and take a break in a shady, cooler place.

Pay attention to your body. Early warning signs of heat stress include:

• headache
• heavy perspiring
• high pulse rate
• shallow breathing

If you experience any of these symptoms, sit down in a shady, cool location and drink water. If symptoms persist, seek medical attention.

A recent study by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) determined the use of credit scores by automobile insurance companies has a strong relationship to the risk of loss of a driver. The FTC found that use of credit in the underwriting process increases the availability and affordability of insurance for most consumers. This finding is supported by similar studies conducted by the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI). "Using credit information makes underwriting and pricing more accurate, and results in many consumers paying less for their automobile and homeowners insurance policies, " said June Holmes, interim CEO for PCI.

Insurers have found the use of credit scores, when combined with other underwriting tools like driving record and driver age, help insurers better predict who the most profitable policyholders will be, and apply the best rate to those drivers. The use of credit scores in auto underwriting has also me insurers more confident to take on high-risk drivers. Insurers now feel they have an objective and statistically sound way to qualify those drivers and feels sure they are collecting an adequate premium. So, while the cheapest rates cannot be offered to all drivers, those drivers that most deserve the best rates can feel confident they are paying a fair price associated with their underwriting characteristics, and drivers with less positive underwriting characteristics can be more confident in finding auto insurance available to them.