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Negligent Driving

Text messaging, talking on a cell phone, styling hair, watching a movie, writing a grocery list, nursing a baby or putting in contact lenses: Secondary activities have become an everyday occurrence behind the wheel of American motorists. A growing shift in focus from the roadway to a multitude of other tasks impairs the ability of modern drivers, and the U.S. traffic statistics mark this drastic change.


Facts about Distracted Driving:


Distracted driving is the number one killer of American teens. Alcohol-related accidents among teens have dropped. But teenage traffic fatalities have remained unchanged, because distracted driving is on the rise. (Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm Insurance Study and NHTSA Study)


While over 90% of teen drivers say they don't drink and drive, nine out of 10 say they've seen passengers distracting the driver, or drivers using cell phones. (National Teen Driver Survey)


Brain power used while driving decreases by 40% when a driver listens to conversation or music. (Center for Cognitive Brain Imaging at Carnegie Mellon University Study)

More than 80% of drivers admit to blatantly hazardous behavior: changing clothes, steering with a foot, painting nails and shaving. (Nationwide Mutual Insurance Survey)

Drivers on mobile phones are more impaired than drivers at .08 BAC. (University of Utah Study)


An estimated million people each day chat on their mobile or send text messages while driving. (The Herald)


Safety Tips

In the event of an emergency, are your home or business address numbers visible to emergency responders? Help your Fire & Police Department, along with the ambulance find your address quickly. By ensuring your home or business have its numbers posted, and that they are clearly visible from the street. Day and night!

Follow these general hints to help ensure your numbers are visible:
1) Use numbers at least 4 inches high
2) Use numbers that contrast the color of your home or business
3) Ensure that trees or shrubs do not block the view of your numbers; trim back as necessary
4) Provide lighting to numbers during evening hours to ensure visibility
5) Check to see if your numbers are indeed visible, by viewing them from the middle of your street
6) Make certain the street signs are also clear of snow and ice



Please make sure your home is easy to locate in the event your family does have an emergency.


Your auto Insurance should be tailored to meet your needs. Normally, clients either buy “Liability Insurance only” or “Full coverage”.




It is very common for consumers to look at their bottom line. With the rising cost of living it is only natural to look for ways to cut back on household expenses. In Insurance you get what you pay for. It is important to be familiar with your policy and what it does or doesn’t cover.
Liability Insurance involves decisions like whether or not to purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, towing, and medical coverage. All very important coverage that must be considered.

"Full coverage" a slang term primarily means Liability Insurance and physical damage coverage ONLY for your auto(s). Again there are also optional coverage’s to consider and commonly left off to trim cost, however presumed that all and everything is covered and not noticed until after a loss.

*Comprehensive (prices vary according to the value of the car and theft statistics)
*Medical payments (prices vary, minimum of $10,000 is recommended)
*Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (20-30% of accidents are involved with someone uninsured)
*Towing ($2 per car per six months)
*Rental Car ($15-$20 per car per six months)
*New Car Replacement (only available in Your Choice policies)
*Custom equipment (prices vary)
*Sound system Coverage (prices vary)
*Accident Forgiveness (Offered by our premium policy’s, save 5% at renewal)
*Deductible rewards (Offered by our premium policy’s)

Don’t get caught feeling under insured after a loss. Call and review your coverage today!

Insurance Tips


One way to reduce your auto insurance premium is to hike the deductible on your collision coverage and skimp on your liability coverage. Sometimes this can make sense, but often it's not worth the extra risk.


Bodily Injury Liability:

This coverage, which is required in most states, compensates the driver of the other car and its passengers in the event you get into an accident. It also covers the passengers in your car. The main consideration here is protecting your assets against lawsuits that arise from auto accidents. "But I'm a careful driver," you say. It doesn't matter. You can get sued even if the accident is not your fault.
Bodily injury liability is sold in standard increments that designate both how much coverage you have per person in an accident, with an additional limit per accident. For example, if you buy bodily injury worth $100,000/$300,000, each of the people you injured could be compensated $100,000, but only up to $300,000 per accident.
How much coverage you need is a function of what assets you have to protect. If you make $30,000 a year and rent your apartment, $50,000/$100,000 should suffice. But if you make more than $75,000 a year, own a house worth $150,000 and have $40,000 in mutual funds, you should consider at least $100,000/$300,000 of coverage.
In most cases the cost of increasing your Liability limits is very minimal.
One more option: If you have substantial assets, buy $300,000 in bodily injury on your auto policy and $300,000 on the liability portion of your homeowners policy. Then spend another $150 to $300 for a $1 million umbrella policy, which covers you against all manner of liability claims. Should you want still more coverage, the cost for an additional $1 million in coverage is minimal: It's typically $75 to increase your coverage to $2 million, and then $50 for each million after that, according to the Insurance Information Institute.


Property Damage Liability:

This coverage will pay for the repair and replacement of the other guy's car or property in the event of an accident. If you total some body's Lexus, do you have enough coverage to cover the damage?
You're better off with a minimum of $50,000 for each vehicle you own. And to be truly safe, you should have a total of $100,000 coverage.


Uninsured or Under insured Motorist:

This coverage pays for medical and funeral costs for you and your family in the event you get in an accident with either a hit-and-run driver or a driver who doesn't have enough auto insurance. These policies usually cover bike and pedestrian accidents, too. Given the prevalence of uninsured drivers nationally, this coverage is essential. On average, it costs less than $40 a year for $100,000 worth and will make up for anything your medical insurance doesn't cover. In Alaska 20-30% of accidents fall in the uninsured motorist category, not something to go without!


Collision and Comprehensive:

Collision reimburses you for the full cost of repairs or replacement of your car after an accident. Comprehensive covers you in the event your car falls victim to a natural disaster, vandalism or theft. With either coverage, the lower the deductible you choose, the more the policy will cost you. We recommend that you always choose the highest deductible you can afford ($1,000 is fine). After all, the purpose of insurance is to protect you against big losses, not to make you whole to the last dollar. If you have an older car, you might drop this coverage altogether.
Collision and comprehensive — which can account for 30% to 40% of your total premium — are cash-value coverages. That means if your car is damaged, the most you'll recoup is the Kelley Blue Book value, which declines precipitously as your car ages. Here's a good rule of thumb: If the cost of your collision and comprehensive is more than 10% of your car's Blue Book value, it probably makes sense to drop these coverages and save a tidy sum. With most cars, you should approach this limit as the car turns five years old. Understand, however, that if you eliminate the coverages, you'll have to foot the repair bill if you get in an accident that's your fault, or if the car is totalled or stolen.


Extras:

Consider rental-car reimbursement, which pays a paltry $15 or so a day while your car is in the repair shop after a collision. Not only is the reimbursement small, the odds you'll need it are remote. The chances are at least even that the other guy will be at fault, and his insurance will pay the full cost of this.

Want to Save Money This Winter?

If you plan to park those summer toys when the snow flies, make sure to call! Many items, such as motor homes and motorcycles have reduced coverage available for the winter lay-up. They will be covered for perils such as fire, theft, vandalism, falling objects, at just a fraction of the normal cost.
These items won't be road legal while they are on the reduce winter coverage, so make sure those keys are put safely away. Also, remember to call us in the spring when you are ready to hit the road again. Helpful reminders can include a note on the steering wheel, or a taped to the ignition key.

10 Expensive Mortgage Mistakes


Most advice columns tell you how you should do things. But there are all kinds of things you shouldn't do, either. Here are 10 frequent financial mistakes that consumers routinely make -- and you should avoid.


Don't Choose the Wrong Mortgage: Home loans are no longer the lifetime obligations they used to be. Still, you don't want to be saddled for even a short period of time with the wrong one. Investigate all your options, then lay your choices side-by-side and do the math, making sure to compare worst-case scenarios. Be sure to look at initial interest rates, future interest rates and payments (if different), and the possibility of prepayment penalties.


Confuse "Pre-Approved" and "Pre-Qualified" with a Loan Commitment: According to one school of thought, however, when you are "pre-qualified," the lender is making an educated guess about how much you can borrow based on information you've provided. When you are "pre-approved," the lender has verified everything you have told him or her and is offering to lend you up to a given amount at current interest rates -- under certain conditions. Whether pre-qualified or pre-approved, final clearance and a check at closing -- a loan commitment -- are subject to an appraisal satisfactory to the lender, good title, a last-minute credit check, and other verifications. When meeting with lenders, always ask how they define each term and what additional steps will be required to obtain a loan.


Have Too Much Credit: Excessive credit is almost as bad as no credit or even bad credit. Even if you pay your bills on time, lenders tend to focus just as much on how much credit you have available to you as they do on timeliness. So being up to your ears in car loans and credit cards is a sure way to be turned down for a mortgage. Postpone any big ticket purchases until after you buy your house.


Lie on Your Loan Application: Exaggerating your income on a mortgage application or putting down other untruths can be a federal offense. Lenders rarely prosecute liars. But if they find out later, they can call your loan due and payable. Don't ever sign your name to a loan application that is not completely filled out, either. Loan officers have been known to stretch the truth to get a client approved, but it's the borrower who ends up paying the price, often in the form of monthly loan payments he can't afford.

Hide If You Can't Make Your Payments: The worst thing you can do is ignore phone calls and letters from your lender when you are behind on your payments. Lenders have many options at their disposal to help keep borrowers from losing their homes to foreclosure. But they can't do anything for you unless they can talk to you about your difficulties. Lenders are the enemy only if you give them no other choice.


Skip a Home Inspection: Failing to make your purchase contingent on a satisfactory home inspection could be a costly mistake. Independent home inspectors examine houses from stem to stern. They'll be able to tell you whether the roof and/or basement leaks, whether the mechanical systems are in good shape and how long the appliances should last. They can't report on things they can't see, but at least their trained eyes are better than yours. So don't pass just to save $300-$400; that's money well spent.


Hire Just Any Agent to Sell Your House: All real estate agents are not the same. You want to look for those who specialize in your neighborhood and are top producers. Ask your candidates how they plan to market your house, what you can do to make the place more attractive to prospects and how much you should ask. If you don't like any of the answers, looks elsewhere. And above all, stay away from relatives. Unless Aunt Bessie or Nephew Nick fit the description above, keep looking.


Fail to Check Out a Remodeler: Never, ever hire a contractor who knocks on your door or says his prices are good for only a few days. Reputable remodelers don't solicit door-to-door, and they don't cut prices just because they happen to be in your neighborhood. Check out a potential contractor thoroughly by calling several of his past clients, your local better business bureau, his bankers and suppliers, and your local consumer affairs agency.

Pay Too Much Upfront: If a contractor asks for more than a third of the contract price as a down payment, chances are something's wrong. At worst, he's a scam artist who has no intention of returning after he cashes your check. At best, he's undercapitalized and can't afford to purchase materials on his own. Or, in between, he could be using your money to pay workers on another job. Never give a contractor cash, either.


Burn Your Mortgage: It's a wonderful feeling when you make your last house payment. After all, the place is now yours, all yours. Many people celebrate by holding a mortgage burning party. But they torch the original document. Don't. Make a copy and burn that instead. Keep all your loan docs in a safe place.

Roundabouts

The largest myth:
Is the roundabout like a 4-way stop?


Not really. The main similarity is that both roundabouts and 4-way stop intersections do not have signals. The differences include: 4-way stops yield to the right, roundabouts yield to the left --like a right turn on red-- because the circulating traffic comes from that direction. At 4-way stops, each direction gets a turn in order. At roundabouts, each driver chooses a safe gap to enter and no driver “gets a turn.”

For more frequently asked questions and Animations:
http://www.alaskaroundabouts.com/Dowling/index.htm

Auto Accident Reporting Checklist

If you have ever been in a car accident, the feeling of your heart racing and your adrenaline pumping, it is difficult to think clearly about the event and the things you need to do immediately following an accident. It is very important to document thoroughly to ensure that the claims process is handled as quickly and smoothly as possible. Even if there is police involved, the accident report filled by the policy officer may take days and may not have all the necessary information. We have a check sheet available to pick, or mail that will conveniently fit in your glove box.

Basic Information
Date
Time
Location
Weather conditions
Your Driving Speed
Road Speed Limit
Travel direction

Other Driver’s Basic Information
*Make certain the driver is the vehicle’s registered owner.
Name
Address
Home, Work and Cell number
Drivers license number
Make, Model, Year of car
License plate number
Vin Number (vehicle identification number)
Business card
Email

Other Drivers Insurance Information
*exchange of ID card make this step easy
Insurance company name
Address
Phone Number
Policy Number

Passenger or Witness Information
Name Address
Home, Work and Cell number
Plate number if applicable

Police and Emergency Personnel
Division (example Fairbanks, Anchorage, Alaska State Trooper)
Name
Badge Number
Phone number

Don’t Forget to…
Write a description of any damage on your car
Take photos of car’s damage, and placement of vehicles (cell phones or digital camera). Perhaps take far away photos of the vehicle's and skid marks. Then take close photos of the license plates and vin numbers to have these to refer to.

If the police is involved they will provide a Alaska Motor Vehicle Crash Form 12-209. This form should be filled out when involved in any auto accident. If there were no police to assist in the accident the form can be found online (link below) or at any law enforcement post. The state requires this report only over a certain dollar amount, however if one party involved fills one out and one does not, the one that failed to fill will automatically get their license suspended. To prevent this frustrating and time consuming issue from occurring it is advisable to fill one out, maintain a copy and follow up by calling the DMV in Juneau at 907.465.4361 and confirm the information was complete and properly logged. If the accident was minor and is apparent the other party is at fault, they were sited by the police for example for failure to yield, and their Insurance is active, we recommend contacting us during business hours for us to document in your file and give advice. We will not file a claim unless there is a chance the other party’s Insurance has lapsed or the other Insurance company attempts to place blame on your behalf. Calling during business hours is considered reporting to your Insurance provider but without filling an actual claim it prevents loss of possible benefits or rewards to your account. Even filling a claim for a not at fault accident can cause a loss of a discount or accident forgives reward.
http://www.muni.org/iceimages/APD1/crash209.pdf

Great money saving Tips for Insurance

Have you been carrying the same coverage amounts you've had for years? We can help, evaluate whether it's to your benefit to change them to reflect your current situation.
We may also be able to help save money with our discounts. Are you a safe driver? Does your teenager have good grades? The answers to these questions and others may save you money. Are your coverage limits outdated? Alaska requires we buy a certain minimum (50/100) but that's not enough for people with assets to protect. The policy should be large enough to cover the value of your home, investments, and some of your future earning power, so a big court judgment wouldn't end up crimping you for lifestyle.
Do you have occupational discount? Many jobs now offer up to 15% savings! What about short annual mileage? If one of your vehicles is driven less than 7,000 miles a day that will save $!
What about your coverage? Is your car 10 plus years old and worth less than $7,000 and the Insurance is $800 a year? making some adjustments will save $400 a year, just ask how.
Safe driver discount is up to an additional 20% to qualify would mean you've had continuous standard auto liability Insurance for the past three years (or more) with no accidents and no chargeable violations during this time.
Defensive driver discount, over 55 of age and a completed accident prevention course will save 5%.
Resident student discount and Good student discount are available for teen drivers under the age of 24, savings up to 30%.
Accident forgiveness is the insulation against your rates going up for having an accident. Not available with almost every company unless with the carrier for a minimum of five years, and we offer in our Gold and Platinum day one!
Deductible rewards reduces your deductible the day you sign up by $100 and an additional $100 ever year the policy goes accident free! (savings up to $500)
Safe Driving bonus is 5% reduction in your Insurance every six months the policy goes accident free! (Platinum) Wouldn't it be great to know your rates will go down every six months?
Sign up for auto draft and lock in the good payer discount 4%
Multiple policy discount 5-10% savings on each policy! The more policies with a carrier the more power a customer has.

Moose Accidents Rise


There were 236 Moose accidents reported to the Alaska State Troopers in 2006 including 2 fatalities. The average cost per Accident is $8355.92. The highest risk months are August and September when the cow comes into her breeding cycle, when the game of catch me if you can is well under way. With the large amount of movement comes the chance of finding moose on roadways where not commonly found. Statistics have increased year to year from 1996 with a total of 84 to last years staggering 236. Consider Comprehensive coverage. Usually very inexpensive and covers a broad number of perils including animals or moose. Commonly when a car reaches 10 years of age it is not worth keeping "full" coverage. There is an alternative, a middle of the road coverage, remove Collision only and keep the comprehensive for a minimal cost. Other covered items would be glass, falling object, theft, vandalism, fire, wind and hail. Call for more information.

Wildfire Risk

We are using stricter policies for inspecting wildfire risk before issuing new or renewed Homeowners Insurance.

Under the new standards, which took effect May 21, inspectors in Alaska will start measuring flammable vegetation around a home, examining fire protection and water sources in an area and requiring that certain flammable items, like wood piles, be moved away from insured structures.

We have inspected structures itself in the past, but this is the first time we are kind of turning our back to the structure and looking at the surrounding area.

The move is part of nationwide changes to increase inspection standards based on specific regional threats, like hurricanes in the Gulf coast, earthquakes in California and wildfires in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

Homeowners that cannot or will not remedy the situation will be denied coverage.
This is not a situation where we are actively looking to go and deny people Insurance, we are looking to better minimize our exposure. At the same time, it helps people take steps to mitigate and protect themselves from wildfire exposure.

The new standards are not unique to just Alaska. This program began in California almost a decade ago, and has similar programs in Arizona, Idaho, Washington and Oregon.

Starting in 2000, a database was developed of wildfire activity in Alaska to help answer an increasing number of public inquiries about the likelihood and nature of fires in given areas around the state. According to those figures, a 2004 wildfire northeast of Fairbanks that burned almost 540,000 acres damaged 52 structures including 16 homes and 12 businesses, while a fire last summer along the Parks Highway that burned more than 130,000 acres damaged three homes and 14 outbuildings.

By comparison, a Georgia wildfire last month that burned 20,000 acres forced more than 1,000 people to evacuate the area and destroyed 13 homes, and a recent wildfire in Florida burned around 120,000 acres and forced 730 families to evacuate their homes.
Criteria being used:
1. Homes must have a 100-200 foot clearance dependant on the Fuel Hazard Rating (Low is sparse brush under two feet tall, Medium is under two feet tall brush or over two feet with little or no dead brush or trees, High is brush over two feet tall with large amounts of dead material)

2. Homes with wood shingles/shake would need to replace roof material prior to renewal or new business.

3. Homes can not be within 100 feet of a home with wood shingles/shake type roofing material.
Firewood must be stacked a minimum of 30 feet from the home. Firewood stacked under decks, eaves, canopies, overhangs etc are unacceptable.
4. Home must have access road/driveway with 16 foot or greater clearance.

So if building a home is your summer project, please ensure that the material for your roof is metal or composit rather than wood. Wood is typically costly and rarely used in Alaska so this is of little concern. Add to your summer projects to remove any fire wood piles near your home.
Here are some useful websites:
Alaska's Smokejumpers: http://www.alaskasmokejumpers.com/
US Fish and Wildlife Service: http://www.fws.gov/fire/program_statistics/2004/wf_alaska.shtml

"Why do I need Insurance, I'm just renting?"

You may not own the building, but tenants have just as much at risk in the event of a loss. Most people do not realize that their Landlord’s Insurance will not cover to relocate a tenant, or reimburse for any damage to a tenant’s property.
Ask yourself:
What if there was a fire in the building?
Where will I live?
How much will it cost to replace all my belongings?

Protecting yourself is more affordable than most people realize.
For as little as $1.50 per week we can help protect you against:
Fire
Theft
Vandalism
Water Damage*
Liability
…and more!

Having renters Insurance can also provide a 5% discount on Auto Insurance.


Please call or come see us for more details. Also if you have rental property we can organize some information for your tenants or give advice on how to offer this coverage.

Flood Insurance?

When your home is flooded, it can lead to financial ruin if you don't have the proper insurance. And note this: A basic homeowners policy won't cover your flood damage! You need flood Insurance — a special policy backed by the federal government, with cooperation from local communities and private Insurance companies.
Most Americans neglect to purchase protection. Only about one-quarter of the homes in areas most vulnerable are insured against flood loss, according to the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA). In those areas, flooding is 26 times more likely to occur than a fire during the course of a typical 30-year mortgage. That means that you're six times more likely to be damaged by a flood than a fire.

Flood Insurance in general does not take effect until 30 days after you purchase of the policy So, if the weather forecast announces a flood alert for your area and you run to purchase coverage, it's already too late. You will not be insured if you buy a policy a few days before a flood.

Outside of fire, flooding is the most widespread natural disaster. Floods are caused by storms, melting snow, hurricanes, and water backup due to inadequate or overloaded drainage systems, dam or levee failure, etc. According to the NFIP, two adjacent properties have to be under water to call the situation a flood. In a rural area, at least 2 acres must be submerged.

Preferred risk policy: Low-rate flood insurance policy (available for just over $100 a year) for people living in flood zones of minimal and moderate risk (zones B, C, and X).

Special Flood Hazard Area: The most hazardous flood zones are V (usually first-row, beach-front properties) and Zone A (usually, but not always, properties near water). A being the most common in Alaska near lakes, streams, sloughs, and even dry slough beds.

To find out which zone applies to you. You can go to your town hall or city hall, where employees responsible for issuing building permits in your area have access to flood zone maps. Or obtain any Elevation Certificates that have been performed or hire a certified Engineer.

A zones - are subject to rising waters and are usually near a lake, river, stream or other body of water. Flood insurance is mandatory in all A zones, where premiums can be about $595 to $3,000 annually because of the high potential of flooding.
X zones -These are minimal-risk areas where flood insurance is not mandatory. Homeowners in X zones (which are labeled B and C zones on older maps) pay as little as $306 annually. In certain cases, property owners may qualify for the $100-a-year preferred risk policy.

Strict exclusions of coverage apply in any basement. A basement is defined as any area that is below grade on all four sides. In some cases, sunken living rooms can be defined as a basement. Building coverage in basements is limited to systems that service the building, such as electrical boxes, heat pumps and air conditioners. Contents in basements are not covered with a few exceptions such as washer, dryer, freezer and the food in it.

Please call or email for further information or pricing.


Diagrams of lowest flood guild
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/e-resources/ebooks/records/eeh6024.html

Listings of Communities Participating in NFIP:
http://www.fema.gov/cis/AK.pdf

Examples of an Elevation Certificate
http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/elvinst.shtm

or

http://www.fema.gov/doc/nfip/elevcert_template.dot

Chip Repairs


We all have experianced the sudden rock chip that sends our heart racing! We are one of the few companies that still offer repairs at no cost! Yes we waive the deductible on Comp if it can be repaired! It is easy, call 1800-626-4527 with your policy number and the network will issue a P.O. number and pay to repair up to four chips each occurance. Again we are making certain the things that matter most are our priority!

Tips for Buying Earthquake Insurance


We live in a quake-prone region, the best way to protect your investment in your home is to buy Earthquake Insurance.

The decision whether or not to buy EQ Insurance is an individual, financial decision. Key factors to research and consider are:

A. pricing
B. the amount of equity you have in your home,
C your proximity to a fault zone
D the age and style of construction of your home and foundation.

Policies with 10% to 15% deductible are now available. Deductible is subtracted off the settlement amount rather than out of pocket. The price and high deductibles for EQ policies has led many people to avoid buying the product, but remember; If you live in a quake-prone region, going "bare" with no insurance means you have a 100% deductible…you'll bear the entire risk yourself.

Don't assume that FEMA, the SBA and/or private charities will bail you out with funds to rebuild after a major disaster. FEMA has very limited funds and strict eligibility criteria. SBA loans are modest and must be repaid. Private charities are being severely stretched by an ever-increasing demand for their services.
Coverage’s to consider

A. contents
B. replacement
C. building code
D. additional living expenses

For current earthquake Activity click here:
http://www.aeic.alaska.edu/Seis/recenteqs/

Accident Awareness

Being able to respond when an accident does happen, can be just as important as avoiding one. The first step we always recommend, is obtaining an accident report. An accident report may be required by the state of Alaska under the following conditions:

1) Someone is injured
2) Someone is killed
3) The damage to the vehicle(s) involved appears to be $2000 or more

Accident reports, if required, need to be submitted within 10 days of the accident. If a police officer responds to the scene of the accident, he or she should be able to provide the proper form. The form is also available at any police station, as well as online at:
http://www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/accreptapp/index.shtml

O.O.P.S. !

Many of us have been fortunate enough to avoid the claim process. So what happens when an accident does occur? Let "O.O.P.S." lend a hand.......

Obtain insurance information - from all parties involved.
Obtain an accident report - available at any police station.
Phone your agent - we are here to help!
Seek an estimate - lining up a body shop can help the claims process along.

Home Inspection?

Thinking about buying a home? Whether it's new, or new-to-you, it's a major investment, and the more information available, the easier it is to make a quality decision. One way to be sure you have all the information is to find a qualified, certified inspector. From the soundness of the foundation to the durability of the roof; the most reliable, all-around opinion would be from a Professional Engineer. Because Professional Engineers are regulated by the state in which they operate, their qualifications and accountability are assured.

How do I find an engineer for a home inspection?
Check the local phone book; only licensed Professional Engineers will have the "P.E." designation after their name. It may also be on their brochures, business cards, and advertisements.
If an inspector has already been arranged by the prior owner or a lending institution, ask to see a license, stamp, or seal. A proper seal should be issued by the state and contain a license number.
As with any service provider, check references. A qualified engineer should be happy to provide a list of clients.
There are also organizations that represent Professional Engineers, such as the National Academy of Building Inspection Engineers.
Website: http://www.nabie.org/

Parent-Teen National Survey

• Nearly 6,000 young people die in car crashes annually.
• Another 300,000 teens are injured in car crashes each year.

These numbers are unacceptable. As a parent, there is a lot you can do to protect your teen as a driver or, equally important, as a passenger in a car. Believe it or not, teens say their parents have the strongest influence on their driving behavior. Your teen values your guidance when it comes to driving. Take an active role in this important milestone, read and share this Web site, spread the word and perhaps even save a life.
http://www.allstate.com/Community/PageRender.asp?Page=teensafedrivingParentResearch.html

Traveling through Canada?

Geography:
Area: 9.9 million sq. km. (3.8 million sq. mi.); second-largest country in the world.
Cities: Capital--Ottawa (pop. 1.2 million).
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2089.htm
Medical Coverage:
The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical Insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and if it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. U.S. medical Insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased.
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1470.html
Current Road Conditions:
This road report is updated as conditions change and contains the most recent information available. Road construction, weather conditions and hazards.
http://www.gov.yk.ca/roadreport/
**Proof of Insurance**:
Proof of auto insurance is required. U.S. auto Insurance is accepted as long as an individual is a visitor in Canada. U.S. insurance firms will issue a Canadian Insurance card, which should be obtained and carried prior to driving into Canada. Please call or stop by the office for this little yellow card!
Speed limit:
Unless otherwise posted, the maximum speed limit in Canada is 50km/hr in cities and 80km/hr on highways. On rural highways, the posted speed limit may be 100km/hr (approximately 60 miles/hr).
DUI or DWI:
Americans with a DWI record must seek a waiver of exclusion from Canadian consulates in the United States, which requires several weeks to process.
Radar Detectors:
It is illegal to take automobile radar detectors into Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, the Yukon or the Northwest Territories, regardless of whether they are used or not. Police there may confiscate radar detectors, operational or not, and impose substantial fines.
Firearms and other laws:
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1468.html

4.86 Earthquake today!

If you were woke up this morning by the 4.86 quake this morning you weren't alone!
Here is a website that to see the current activity.
http://www.aeic.alaska.edu/Seis/recenteqs/

We do offer Earthquake Insurance…
When considering earthquake Insurance, ask about the deductible options, and weigh the cost as well.
This type of coverage requires a full payment and must be paid by check… call or email for more information.

Buried in Bills?

Our Easy Pay Plan automatically withdraws your Insurance payments from your checking or savings account. This would qualify for 4% discount, plus another 3% on the new Your Choice Auto program. To fill out an application and an authorization form, go to our online Customer Care Center at www.allstate.com or call our office!

Winter Driving Tips

Record snowfalls can make for beautiful scenery, but not so beautiful driving conditions. Here are few safety tips to consider when driving during an Alaskan winter.

>Always leave plenty of space between you and other vehicles on the road
>Don’t get too close to the edge of the road, snow build up can pull you into snow banks and railing
>The brakes are not always your friend - leave yourself plenty of time for a gradual stop
>Use your turn signal – giving other drivers notice of your intentions is not only courteous, it can prevent an accident

Homeowners covers everything.. right?

One of the most common misconceptions about Homeowners Insurance is that it will cover recreational vehicles, such as snow machines, ATVs, and even boats. But the truth is, Homeowner’s Insurance is not meant to cover any motorized vehicles (with some limited exceptions). Snow machines, ATVs and boats are all designed for use away from the home. Yet, they are not approved for highway use, so they do not fit under auto insurance either. So a special “Recreational Policy” was designed to cover this unique risk.

The coverage options for your ATV, boat or snow machine are similar to those of your auto policy; offering coverage for fire, theft, vandalism, collision, and even liability.

Tired of the Pesky credit card offers????

Call 1888-5 optout(1888-567-8688) and asked to be removed from mail solicitations! It is very simple and will eliminate all the credit card offers!

Discounts for your young driver

Save 10% on a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher. Also add an additional 10% with the completion of the Teen Smart Program.
(discount code AA)

http://www.adeptdriver.com/teens_insur_gen_allstate.php

Liability Limits???

The State of Alaska requires you have liability limits of $50,000/$100,000/$25,000. But what does that mean to you?

“The Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) recommends that you have $100,000 of bodily injury protection per person and $300,000 per accident.”
If you had an accident and were found at-fault, you would have to have Insurance to cover the injuries of the other party (or parties) involved at $50,000 per person, up to $100,000 total per accident. Think that’s a lot of coverage? The average broken arm costs about $5,000. Also is $50,000 enough for the loss of a life?

Alaska only requires $25,000 for damage to other people’s property. Cost of the average truck or SUV: $35,000-40,000. That is why we make a habit of quote $50,000. The price difference? About $2-3 every six months…literally pennies of month!

For more information, check out:http://www.iii.org/individuals/auto/b/howmuchcoverage/

Why an Inventory is so important!

Do you know what's in your house? Most people do not realize just how much stuff they actually own. We recommend taking the time to do an inventory of all your personal belonging. This may seem like an overwhelming task at first, but it can be easily done in a matter of just a few hours. With video and digital camera's readily available to everybody, it is easy to schedule a time to walk through your home and make a very effective inventory. Once you have done that, find a safe place OUTSIDE the home to keep it. Even fire-proof safes can reach dangerously hot temperature that can damage or even destroy sensitive materials such as pictures and memory cards (common in most digital cameras).
If the time ever comes to make a claim, an adjuster will not write a blank check. An adjuster that will ask specifics such as, the make, the model, value and quality of all the items that were lost or damaged by a covered peril... Both a homeowners and a renters policy have set amounts of coverage for your contents, if the list of items that are assembled on a list from memory are of a less than set amount, that will be the amount of coverage provided. With an inventory, you can avoid the headache of trying to remember and the heart ache of disappointing claim coverage. With high dollar items, such a guns or electronics write down the serial numbers Don't forget to make copies of the irreplaceable things as well (Childhood photos, negatives, or digital clips...) A claims adjuster has preset amounts for the basics, he won't be as concerned about the normal household goods such as socks, sheets, and towels unless the amount and or quality exceed the average. If you have collections or unique items, highly document them as well, as they may not be found in the average home, and not automatically covered. Your home is unique, help us help you put it back together.
(Katherinehood@allstate.com)

Top 5 most expensive cars to Insure.

When looking for a new car, I always advise to get a quote on two or three cars during the early phase of shopping. Don't fall in love with a particular car, because dealers know and will have you on the path to finance. Before you know it you 've signed the dotted line! Just call or email with the particulars of a couple of serious considerations and we will provide you with the hard numbers (vin numbers are mandatory for an exact rate).

Cars to be cautious of:
Neon
Escort
Cobalt
Focus
Cavalier

One of the most common questions I get, is "why are these cars so expensive to insure"? It seems strange to think a Dodge Neon (valued at $15,000) can cost double the insurance of a Ford Expedition (valued at $30,000+) but it is a fact! Cars like the Neon are often very attractive to the newly licensed, as they are inexpensive, economical, and very cute. However, this group of young, inexperienced drivers have the highest rate of accidents, as a result, the cars they drive often get stuck with the statistics of being high risk for insurance claims.

What about trucks? They are listed below, starting with the least expensive (insurance wise).....
Ford
Chevy
GMC
Toyota
Dodge

When shopping for safety try to envision the Geo Metro verses the GMC Suburban in a head on collision. While the smaller cars may offer better fuel economy it is still is advisable in Alaska to have a “safe” vehicle. The majority of the motoring public have full size, SUV or ¾ ton pickups. Next time you are at a stop light look around you, are you looking at everyone’s bumper or are you eye level with those around you? Of course we would not tell you what to buy, but there is no feeling like the feeling of making a well-informed decision.
(katherinehood@allstate.com)

Home Insurance Claim

How do you know when to file a claim??? So many inquiries come through the office asking if one thing or another is covered. The first test is, does the damage that has occurred even meet your deductible? I am a avid believer in high deductibles, and most policy’s carry $1,000 for a very good reason… so lets say the damage is in excess of $1,000 but just barely, there is not only the deductible to consider but the loss of the claim free discount (15%) for four years. So on a homeowner’s policy that the annual premium is $700 the loss of the discount will be a total of $420. So my rule of thumb is $2,000 a very minimum to even consider placing a claim on your homeowner’s policy. Then there is the consideration of is this loss even covered… with my company the rules are set in the homeowners policy, however if it isn’t sudden and accidental there is a high probability it isn’t covered. The policy is not designed to cover, slow, gradual, wear and tear, or maintenance. One last thing to consider is your homeowners policy is really designed to provide coverage in the event of a large loss not the small ones… if there is more than one loss in a three year period there is high likelihood of significant rate changes… we pride ourselves in this office to know the products we sell inside and out.. If there is a question of coverage please ask us! If we do not know the answer we will find it! Also know that calling in after hours or claims does open a claim id number and even if there is $0 paid out in a claim it is very likely to loose your claim free discount.. it is an inquiry…
(katherinehood@allstate.com)

Renting a car? do you buy the extra Insurance?

Depends on the carrier you are with... my company pays for the damage to the car and the damage to the other parties car, with a active auto policy in Alaska with at least liability coverage, up to the limits on the policy.

Great news right!? yes and no

If there is a claim filled on rental car it is nice to know there is no deductible (liability does not have a deductible) however depending on your longevity with the company, a loss of a discount, loss of deductible reward, loss of safe driving bonus, or even worse a claim surcharge may be as a result.

My company does not pay for loss of use either. Loss of use is were the rental car is unable to be rented for the time of repairs... this would be a cost I have seen be anywhere from 100 dollars and up, I have seen customers that have negotiated with the rental companies so this really isn't a huge deal.

What do I recommend>??? If the car is being rented for a day or two, purchase the Insurance.. it is worth it! However if the contract is for days, or weeks then I would suggest waiving the Insurance for the cost is exorbitant in most cases equal to the cost of the rental.

ALWAYS inspect the car< rule of thumb> go around the car a minimum of two times and look at ever panel, bumper, door and especially the windshield. Rental car companies are very infamous for sending bills out for dents, or a rock chip (they charge to replace the whole windshield) we have processed many claims that our clients are certain the damage was there prior to renting, however that is very difficult to prove or fight when you are 4,000 or so miles away! So ALWAYS inspect and get a copy of the inspection in hand prior to leaving the rental lot.

Renting in Mexico??? all of the above is void.. we only cover rentals in US, Canada.


Here are some discount codes:
Alamo 93689
Avis B769700
Budget T464300
Enterprise AMCAB1
Hertz 440284
National 5707746

(katherinehood@allstate.com)

How to save money on Insurance.

Its simple! to name a few... high deductibles, have an agent review your account at least annually, have all policies with one carrier, ask for discounts or how to obtain them, stick with the large carriers, don't over insure, ask for job discounts...
(katherinehood@allstate.com)