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Or at least our blog has.  The blog is now integrated into our main website, still using WordPress.

Main website: www.albionagencies.com

Direct to the blog: www.albionagencies.com/learning-center/blog

Please visit our updated website!

Cosigning student loans – do you need protection?

I wish I could take credit for this, but this idea came up in a conversation between one of my staff members and a client…

Have you cosigned a student or other loan for one of your children, or do you plan to? Would you be stuck with a really large debt if something happened to your child?

The case we’re working on involves parents who are about to cosign student loans for their daughter that will likely come to over $150,000. They’ve decided to look into life insurance covering their daughter so that they will be able to pay the loans in full in the event of an untimely death.

There are other advantages too. The daughter will be able to continue the life insurance if she chooses to, even if she develops a medical condition later on. And because we are insuring an 18-year-old, the rates are very low.

If you are in a similar situation, then we should talk.  Just give me a call at 589-4477.

We offer insurance products through Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Springfield, MA 01111-0001, and other companies.

Related posts:

• When should you think about life insurance?
• Life changes… has your insurance kept pace?
• It’s time: Take a look at long term care insurance

Drop by www.albionagencies.com or get in touch with me or Mike Pilon for more information on retirement and life insurance solutions for you and your family.

Albion Agencies, Inc. is a licensed insurance agent/broker only in the State of New York.

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to determine your specific insurance needs.

Insurance that fits your life.

Life insurance needs vary greatly from one family to another. To ensure that you have the right coverage, you should consider the amount of coverage, the type of life insurance, and the company that insures you.

How much coverage do you need? The amount of coverage you need depends on a number of factors specific to your family:  number of dependents, other assets, mortgage and other debts, benefits through work, etc.  We can help you determine the appropriate amount of coverage for you and your family.

What type of life insurance is appropriate? The two main types we offer are whole life insurance and term life insurance. Whole life provides coverage throughout your lifetime, and also builds cash value that can be used as a financial safety net. Term life allows you to purchase high limits at a low cost, but the coverage has no cash value and ends after the fixed term.  We often recommend a blend: whole life for a permanent insurance base, and term life to provide higher limits while you have dependents

Which insurance company is best? For life insurance, you need a financially sound company that will be there decades after you take out your coverage. We are proud to represent Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), which we highly recommend to meet the long-term needs of our clients.

If you would like more information, just call us and ask for our free guide, “Guaranteed to fit your life.”

We offer insurance products through Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Springfield, MA 01111-0001, and other companies.

Related posts:

• When should you think about life insurance?
• Life changes… has your insurance kept pace?
• It’s time: Take a look at long term care insurance

Drop by www.albionagencies.com or get in touch with me or Mike Pilon for more information on retirement and life insurance solutions for you and your family.

Albion Agencies, Inc. is a licensed insurance agent/broker only in the State of New York.

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to determine your specific insurance needs.

Conservative Savings… Or Lifetime Retirement Income?

Provided by Albion Agencies, Inc., which represents Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and other companies, courtesy of MassMutual

If you are approaching retirement, a key element of your retirement strategy may involve choosing the best way to secure a predictable source of retirement income; one that’s guaranteed to be there when you need it, for as long as you need it. As you explore ways to achieve your income goals, you may have considered a variety of conservative financial vehicles designed to protect your retirement nest egg, such as bank savings and money market accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs) or deferred fixed annuities.

Each of these investment vehicles is considered a conservative choice and each offers unique advantages. But only the deferred fixed annuity is specifically designed to provide guaranteed retirement income for your lifetime.*

All conservative accumulation products are not created equal

Let’s start with a few basics.

A deferred fixed annuity is conservative retirement vehicle that is designed to help you accumulate and protect your assets until you are ready to receive them as guaranteed income during retirement. Most deferred fixed annuities allow you to choose whether to receive guaranteed income for a specific period of time, or for your lifetime. Earnings accrue tax deferred until they are withdrawn, allowing your contract value to take full advantage of the impact of compounding interest. Once the annuity benefit is paid, the portion attributable to earnings is taxed.

Certificates of deposit are designed to be a savings vehicle, a conservative way to save and preserve assets when your investment horizon (the amount of time you expect assets to be invested) is relatively short. An example might be saving money for a down payment on a house. CDs typically are short-term vehicles and may not be as efficient at meeting long-term retirement needs. Although the interest from a CD can be used as income, it’s generally necessary to hold the CD until it reaches maturity before you can withdraw the funds without penalty. What’s more, any earned interest is taxable for the current year on an annual basis.

Insured vs. guaranteed – what’s the difference?

Both fixed annuities and CDs are considered low-risk financial vehicles because they guarantee a positive rate of return. However, these guarantees work in different ways:

• • CDs are generally backed by banks and are insured for up to $250,000 for each depositor by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).
• • Fixed annuities are guaranteed by the issuing insurance companies, with no maximum. They are not FDIC insured. Be sure to ask your financial professional about an insurance company’s ratings and financial strength if you plan to purchase an annuity, because payment of lifetime income is contingent upon the claims-paying ability of the issuing company or companies.

What if you need some of your money before you retire?

Many fixed annuities allow the contract owner to withdraw a certain percentage of the contract value (typically up to 10% on an annual basis or accumulated interest) without incurring any surrender charges, although tax penalties may apply. Amounts withdrawn in excess of the specified percentage are often subject to surrender charges or adjustments. These charges generally decline each year and expire at the end of a specified number of years. If withdrawals are taken prior to age 59 ½, a 10% federal income tax penalty may apply. Although some CDs may include interest withdrawal provisions, investors generally must wait until the CD matures to avoid early withdrawal charges.

Ask a trusted financial professional

Remember, not every conservative savings vehicle is the same. Fixed annuities offer many of the same features that make other conservative products so popular. In addition, fixed annuities offer other unique advantages that may be beneficial to you. Your financial professional can help you to choose the vehicle that best meets your retirement income objectives and investment needs.

© 2010 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company.

* Guarantees and payment of lifetime income are based on the claims paying ability of the issuing company.

Annuity products are issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Springfield, MA and its subsidiary, C.M. Life Insurance Company, Enfield, CT.

Related posts:

• When should you think about life insurance?
• Life changes… has your insurance kept pace?
• It’s time: Take a look at long term care insurance

Drop by www.albionagencies.com or get in touch with me or Mike Pilon for more information on retirement and life insurance solutions for you and your family.

Albion Agencies, Inc. is a licensed insurance agent/broker only in the State of New York.

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to determine your specific insurance needs.

Retirement Success Driven By Series of Good Decisions

Provided by Albion Agencies, Inc., which represents Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) and other companies, courtesy of MassMutual

What is the sign of a good decision?

It’s working with those who can help build your retirement plan – and confidence.

When planning for retirement, we all face similar questions. But each of our answers will be as unique as we are – based on where we are now and where we want to be later. Reaching those goals will require making a series of good decisions about what’s right for you in these key areas:

Income – How will you create income for life? How much of your income should you guarantee? What about inflation?

Liquidity – Will you have access to money as you need it?

Over the 20 to 30-plus years your retirement will span, no doubt there will be unexpected challenges – and opportunities – along the way. You’ll need assets readily available to handle the unexpected and still maintain your lifestyle.

Long Term Care – What will you do if you or a loved one can no longer live independently because of a chronic, long-term condition? Thanks to medical advances, people are living longer than ever in history. Plan now to help ensure your lifestyle isn’t jeopardized by long term care costs.

Legacy – What legacy will you leave?

For many, the thought of living well includes leaving behind a legacy of financial security. If this is important to you, you’ll also want to explore how to establish a sound estate plan. Fortunately, you don’t have to make these decisions on your own. Take the most important next step now: Contact your financial professional. The sooner you do, the more confidently you can look ahead towards a rewarding retirement.

© 2010 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company.

Insurance products issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111, and its subsidiaries.

Related posts:

• When should you think about life insurance?
• Life changes… has your insurance kept pace?
• It’s time: Take a look at long term care insurance

Drop by www.albionagencies.com or get in touch with me or Mike Pilon for more information on retirement and life insurance solutions for you and your family.

Albion Agencies, Inc. is a licensed insurance agent/broker only in the State of New York.

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to determine your specific insurance needs.

We have a new addition to the family!

I am pleased to announce the addition of MassMutual Financial Group to our family of insurance companies.

We have been looking for years for a quality life insurance company to complement the auto, home, and business insurance carriers that we represent. The top life insurance companies have traditionally worked through exclusive sales representatives rather than independent agents.That’s changing, and we’ve taken advantage of the opportunity to add what we consider to be the leader in permanent life insurance and related financial products.

Through MassMutual, we will be offering financial services, specializing in family protection and retirement planning. MassMutual’s products include:

• Whole-Life Insurance
• Term Insurance
• Long Term Care Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Deferred Annuities
• Immediate Annuities

More to follow on our new products and services…

Insurance products issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111, and its subsidiaries.

Related posts:

• When should you think about life insurance?
• Life changes… has your insurance kept pace?
• It’s time: Take a look at long term care insurance

Drop by www.albionagencies.com or get in touch with me or Mike Pilon for more information on life insurance solutions for you and your family.

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to determine your specific insurance needs.

Life changes…has your insurance kept pace?

Have you had any major life changes recently? If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, it’s a good time to get together with your insurance agent to review your coverages and needs.

Have you recently married or divorced? If you’re merging or separating households, you’ll need to update your auto, homeowners and life insurance. Multiple cars in a household can mean added discounts.

Have you had a baby? This is an important time to review your life insurance coverages to plan for your dependents.

Have you switched jobs or experienced a significant salary change? This is a good time to review your life insurance needs. If you had life insurance through your previous employer, you may need to replace lost coverage.

Have you done extensive renovations on your home? If you’ve added or renovated a room, you risk being underinsured if you’ve not discussed those changes with your insurance agent.

Have you decided to buy a retirement or vacation home? Research the availability and cost of insurance before you commit. Waterfront property or a mountain retreat have risks associated that can make insurance costly and difficult to obtain.

Have you acquired any new valuables—jewelry, electronic equipment, fine art, antiques? A standard homeowners policy may limit coverage for these items. Consider supplementing your policy with a floater or endorsement.

Are you approaching retirement? You may get a lower rate on your auto insurance. It’s also time to see if your life insurance needs have decreased. If you haven’t considered long-term care insurance, you should see if it’s right for you.

Related links:

• Homeowners Insurance – How much coverage do you need?
• Should your teenage children have their own insurance?
• Calculating your life insurance needs

For more information, drop by our website at www.albionagencies.com, or get in touch with me.

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to determine your specific insurance needs.

Your Home’s Value—When It Comes to Insurance

We often hear questions such as, “Why would I want to insure my house for $240,000 if it’s only worth $120,000, according to my property taxes?” The reason is that when you buy homeowners insurance you’re not insuring the market value of your home. You’re protecting yourself against financial loss if catastrophe would occur. Would it cost more than $120,000 to rebuild your home from scratch? The answer is usually yes.

That’s why it’s important to insure your home at the level it would cost to replace it—not its market value. Although it might seem like you’d save money if you insured your home for its market value, you could end up worse financially if disaster hits.

It might seem strange to think about. People are inclined to think in terms of value—how much is your car worth? How much did you spend on that coat? But when it comes to insuring your home, the current market value isn’t necessarily the most important aspect. Keeping yourself protected from financial disaster is.

As an Erie Insurance agency, we help figure out what coverage is right for you, depending on certain variables including location and recent improvements you’ve made to your home.

ERIE^® insurance services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York). Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.

Related posts:

• Should you take a higher deductible to save money?
• Homeowners Insurance – How much coverage do you need?
• 3 good ways to make a home inventory

For more information, drop by our website at www.albionagencies.com, or get in touch with me.

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to determine your specific insurance needs.

Have you looked into long-term care insurance?

It’s never too early to get some information on long-term care insurance, either for you or your parents. If you are over age 50, you really need to take the time to check it out and see if it’s right for your situation.

There are several advantages to buying Long-Term Care Insurance as early as possible.

First, you get valuable coverage right away.  A serious accident or debilitating illness can strike at any age.  40% of people who need long-term care are between the ages of 18 and 64.[1]

Second, you are more likely to qualify for preferred rates, and avoid the risk of developing a condition that would make you uninsurable later.  Your premiums are based on your age and health when you apply.

Finally, you will save substantially.  Not only will you get better rates when you are young and healthy, but your overall costs will be substantially lower too.

Even if you remain healthy, putting off buying coverage will typically result in a cost increase of 8-10% per year.  There are two factors that cause the premium increase: your age at purchase and the higher benefit you need because nursing home costs are rising at about 5% per year.  Once you buy coverage, your premiums are projected to remain unchanged, and your benefit rises automatically if you purchase coverage with inflation protection.

Have questions? We have a Free Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance in Western New York; just send me an email for your free copy (chris@albionagencies.net)

Related posts:

What is long-term care insurance?

Who pays for long-term care?

New York State Partnership for Long-Term Care

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to determine your specific insurance needs.

[1]America’s Health Insurance Plans, “A Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance,” 2004

What’s your “insurance score”?

Just like your credit score affects your cost of borrowing, your insurance score affects your insurance costs.

Most insurance companies are now using insurance scores as a major factor in determining rates for auto and sometimes home insurance.  The formulas, which vary by company, use information from your credit history to establish an insurance score for you.  Based on this score, you are assigned to a tier or rating group. The overall effect can be huge, with those in the worst tiers paying 2, 3, or even 4 times the premium that those in the best tiers pay.

Insurance scores are different than credit scores.  Insurance scores use only those factors from your credit history that show a direct correlation to future claim potential.  These factors typically include payment history, number and age of accounts, and overall activity. Insurance scores generally do not consider income, assets, or total debt.

Related: Improving your insurance Score

For more information, drop by our website at www.albionagencies.com, or get in touch with me.

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to determine your specific insurance needs.

New jewelry for Valentine’s day?

New Bling from Your Valentine? Make Sure It’s Covered

No one can put a price on sentimental value, but insuring your jewelry will keep it financially protected should it ever be lost or stolen. So, if you receive a gem for Valentine’s Day, here are a few things to help you understand and protect its value.

First, have it appraised. That can help you assign a dollar value to this meaningful item. Keep your receipt or appraisal with your home inventory records and take a picture of the item, too. If it’s not something you’ll use often, consider storing it in a safe or a safety deposit box.

Then, once you know the value, think about how the item will be financially protected.

If you’ve purchased homeowners through Erie Insurance, you probably have a $3,000 limit for the theft of specific types of personal items, automatically. If you own jewelry, watches, furs or precious stones that are worth more than $3,000 combined, or if you own any one item that’s worth more than $3,000, you may want to purchase additional insurance.

ERIE offers several options that can help you protect these valuables:

• Purchasing an expanded or enhanced endorsement. For an additional premium, you can increase your per item coverage limits from $3,000 to $5,000 for extra theft coverage. With this option, you can make a claim on any one item up to $5,000. The homeowners deductible applies.
• Purchasing a personal inland marine policy. You can add a personal inland marine endorsement to your Erie Insurance homeowners policy or purchase a separate personal inland marine policy from ERIE. These policies specifically cover expensive items such as jewelry, furs, watches or precious stones. This type of policy provides comprehensive coverage, including theft, misplacement or losing a valuable item. The policy can be purchased with no deductible. Or, for a reduced premium, a deductible can be applied.

Thinking about how to protect your belongings doesn’t have to be hard. Give us a call. We can help you review your coverage and determine if more coverage is needed.

ERIE^® insurance services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York). Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.

Related posts:

• Should you take a higher deductible to save money?
• Homeowners Insurance – How much coverage do you need?
• 3 good ways to make a home inventory

For more information, drop by our website at www.albionagencies.com, or get in touch with me.

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to determine your specific insurance needs.

2011 Top Safety Picks

Safest Rides

More than 60 models earn the 2011 TOP SAFETY PICK

Automakers have stepped up safety. Ten new vehicles have joined the 2011 TOP SAFETY PICK winners list from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for a total of 66 winners. One of them is the 2011 Ford Explorer, which joins, for the first time, previous and current Ford SUV winners: the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT. The all-new Ford Fiesta is the only minicar to earn the TOP SAFETY PICK in 2011.

What’s not on the list? Pickups. None of the small pickups the Institute evaluated qualified for this year’s award, and large pickups haven’t yet been tested.

The front-running automakers on the list are Hyundai/Kia and Volkswagen/Audi who each have 9 winners for 2011. Next in line with 8 awards apiece are General Motors, Ford/Lincoln, and Toyota/Lexus/Scion. Subaru is the only manufacturer with a winner in all the vehicle classes in which it competes. Subaru earns 5 awards for 2011.

Notably, for consumers looking to buy a fuel-efficient small car, General Motors provides a new award-winning option with the Chevrolet Cruze. GM built the Cruze—which has 10 standard airbags—including ones for the knees, to outperform the government’s minimum roof strength requirements and touts the achievement as a selling point.
If you’re buying a new car, keep safety in mind and check out the full list of winners. Also, give us a call beforehand and we can let you know how much your new car will cost to insure before you buy. We can help you learn which safety features can earn you a discount on your ERIE auto insurance, too.

2011 TOP SAFETY PICK Winners:

Large cars
Buick LaCrosse
Buick Regal
BMW 5 series (except 4-wheel drive and V8)
Cadillac CTS sedan
Ford Taurus
Hyundai Genesis
Infiniti M37/M56 (except M56x 4-wheel drive)
Lincoln MKS
Mercedes E class coupe
Mercedes E class sedan
Toyota Avalon
Volvo S80

Midsize cars
Audi A3
Audi A4 sedan
Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler 200 4-door
Dodge Avenger
Ford Fusion
Hyundai Sonata
Kia Optima
Lincoln MKZ
Mercedes C class
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen
Volvo C30

Small cars
Chevrolet Cruze
Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Kia Forte sedan
Kia Soul
Mitsubishi Lancer sedan (except 4-wheel drive)
Nissan Cube
Scion tC
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback (except WRX)
Toyota Corolla
Volkswagen Golf 4-door
Volkswagen GTI 4-door

Minicar
Ford Fiesta sedan and hatchback (built after July 2010)

Small SUVs
Honda Element
Hyundai Tucson
Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags
Kia Sportage
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan

Large SUV
Volkswagen Touareg

Minivan
Toyota Sienna

Midsize SUVs
Audi Q5
Cadillac SRX
Chevrolet Equinox
Dodge Journey
Ford Explorer
Ford Flex
GMC Terrain
Hyundai Santa Fe
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento built after March 2010
Lexus RX
Lincoln MKT
Mercedes GLK
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota Highlander
Toyota Venza
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90

ERIE^® insurance services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance  Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York). Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.

Related posts:

• Should your teenagers have their own insurance?
• Online defensive driving courses
• 9 ideas for saving on your auto insurance

Independent agents have access to more companies with a bigger variety of rating and payment plans.  Check us out at www.albionagencies.com, or get in touch with me for more information.

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to help you decide your specific insurance needs.

Happy New Year!

Making Good on Your New Year’s Resolve

Don’t drop the ball on your New Year’s resolutions. This year, try some resolutions that are easy to keep and will protect you and your family well into next January and beyond.

1. Don’t be a distracted driver – Many vehicle crashes are avoidable if you pay attention to the road. Inattentive driving accounted for nearly 6,000 crash fatalities and an estimated 515,000 injuries in police-reported crashes in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Distractions typically include talking, eating, grooming, attending to children, watching a video, reading, adjusting a navigation system and using a cell phone.
2. Keep your home warm – The temperature in your house should be at least 65 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing. According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), winter storms are the third-largest cause of catastrophe losses, resulting in about $1 billion in insured losses annually. The average water damage and freezing claim was $5,531 in 2007, the most recent year for which there are figures from ISO’s Property Claims Services.
3. Protect your home – Each year billions of dollars are paid out in homeowners insurance claims, with residential theft averaging over $1,800 in losses per burglary, according to I.I.I. Keep your yard well lit and put indoor lights on a timer. If you’re going on vacation, have mail and packages picked up and ask a trustworthy neighbor to keep an eye on things. Before the trip, invest in an alarm system — it’ll help keep your house safe and could earn you a discount on your coverage.
4. Check your coverage – Homeowners spend billions on additions, alterations, maintenance and repairs each year. Review your insurance coverage to include improvements, major purchases and increased rebuilding costs. If a new addition or gazebo, for example, is destroyed or damaged before you increase your coverage, then you may be responsible for the cost of repairing or rebuilding the addition. If you rent and don’t have renters insurance, talk to your agent as soon as possible.
5. Test the detectors – You’ve heard it before, but many families simply forget to test their smoke detectors. Make sure yours is in working order with new batteries and that one is installed on every floor and in every bedroom. Test them regularly. The National Fire Protection Association offers a free smoke alarm installation guide online. Also make sure that your home is equipped with at least one working carbon monoxide detector.  Properly working carbon monoxide detectors can help protect you and your family by providing an early warning before the deadly gas builds up to a dangerous level.

For more ideas on how to protect your home and family throughout the year, contact our agency. If you have questions about your insurance coverage, we can help with that, too.

ERIE^® insurance services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York). Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.

Related posts:

• Watch out for deer!
• Getting ready to use your fireplace or woodstove?
• 3 good ways to make a home inventory

For more information, drop by our website at www.albionagencies.com, or get in touch with me.

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to determine your specific insurance needs.

Safe Driving for the Holidays

A Little Holiday Cheer Can Go a Long Way

Remember: Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving

As party-goers celebrate the holidays with friends and family, Erie Insurance and Albion Agencies, Inc.  remind everyone to keep the party off the road. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, legal limits do not define a level below which it is safe to drive. Impairment due to alcohol begins at levels well below the legal limit. Buzzed driving is drunk driving.

During the month of December 2009, 753 people were killed in crashes that involved a driver or motorcycle rider (operator) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

NHTSA also said parents should be aware that young males were at particularly high risk, with nearly one-quarter admitting to riding with someone who should not have been behind the wheel in the past year.

NHTSA recommends these simple tips for a safe holiday season:

• Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin;
• Before drinking, designate a sober driver;
• If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation;
• If you happen to see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement;
• And remember, friends don’t let friends drive drunk. If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, or ride with someone who is, take away the driver’s keys and help them make other arrangements to get where they’re going safely.

How insurance works when your friend drives your car

In most states, and unless excluded by your policy, your auto insurance will extend to a friend who drives your car with your permission.

However, that’s not the case with rental vehicles. If you allow a friend to drive a vehicle rented to you, your personal insurance will likely not respond while the friend is driving the rental. You may want to list them as a driver on the rental agreement and purchase the optional insurance coverage through the rental agency. Or, even better, if you’re the one who is renting, be the one to drive.

For questions about how your insurance works in such situations, give us a call. And for more information on the dangers of driving drunk, visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org.

ERIE^® insurance services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York). Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.

Related posts:

• Should your teenagers have their own insurance?
• Online defensive driving courses
• 9 ideas for saving on your auto insurance

Independent agents have access to more companies with a bigger variety of rating and payment plans.  Check us out at www.albionagencies.com, or get in touch with me for more information.

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to help you decide your specific insurance needs.

Are You Ready for Winter?

The bliss and tranquility that often accompanies the proverbial “Winter Wonderland” could turn chaotic if you don’t follow the proper cold weather safety precautions. Do you know what to do if you get stranded in your car? What can you do to prevent ice storm damage? Here are some tips for preparing for and dealing with winter storm.

Before the storm:

• Know the winter terminology that may appear across the bottom of your television screen or on the local radio station.
  • Winter Storm Watch: Severe winter weather may affect the surrounding area.
  • Winter Storm Warning: Severe winter weather conditions are on the way. Take cover and be prepared.
  • Blizzard Warning: Blinding snow and dangerous wind chills are expected for several hours. Sustained winds of 35 mph are expected to sweep the area. A traveler’s advisory is issued if driving conditions are expected to be dangerous or slow moving.
• Winterize your car long before the first snowfall hits. Winter weather is unpredictable and may surprise you early in the season. Prepare or purchase a disaster kit for your car or truck
• Winterize your trees and bushes by trimming long branches. The ice and wet snow that accumulates on branches can cause damage to your home, car or neighbors.
• Salt and shovel walkways often.
• Drain your pipes if you go on vacation or experience a power outage to prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting.
• Make certain that each family member has a warm winter coat, gloves or mittens, hat or scarf and water-resistant boots.
• Keep your gas tank full in the winter months to protect your fuel line from freezing.

During the storm:

Be patient. Most deaths that occur during a winter storm are not caused directly by the storm, The three leading causes of winter storm related deaths are:

• Traffic accidents: Slow down and leave ample space between your car and other drivers.
• Heart attacks from shoveling snow: Consider hiring a professional snow removal service.
• Exposure to cold: Wearing hats and boots will help prevent hypothermia.

After the storm:

• Once the storm conditions subside, assess your home and property for ice and storm damage.
• Contact our office as soon as possible if you need to file a claim. After business hours, contact ERIE’s Extended Hours Claims Service at (800) 367-3743.
• Dry any wet building materials or contents promptly to avoid mold, mildew or further damage. These include materials and items such as carpeting, furniture, insulation and drywall.
• If you have access to a camera or video camcorder, document your losses. This will help speed up the claims process. Compile a list of damaged items.
• Hold off on permanent repairs until your ERIE adjuster approves your reimbursement.
• Keep all receipts related to repairs and temporary housing.
• Carefully brush the heavy accumulation of snow off your roof.
• Keep gutters clear, if possible, and shovel snow away from downspouts, basement window wells and stairwells.
• Beware of high water runoff and possible sewer problems as the snow melts.
• To prevent flooding, be sure your street storm sewer is clear of snow, ice and debris.
• Check your sump pump periodically to ensure that it is handling the amount of water from thawing snow. Auxiliary pumps are available at home centers. Wet vacs, fans and humidifiers can also help to keep the area dry if a sump pump fails.

When all is said and done, enjoy the Winter Wonderland. But remember to be safe and that Erie Insurance and our agency are here to help.

ERIE^® insurance services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York). Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.

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For more information, drop by our website at www.albionagencies.com, or get in touch with me.

The information in this post is general in nature, and geared toward insurance conditions in Western New York.  As always, you should speak with an insurance adviser to determine your specific insurance needs.