Motorcycle Tire Safety

If you want to ride a motorcycle, then you need to know about tire safety. The only thing between you and total disaster on a motorcycle is the tires so make yourself an expert on them real quick.

For optimum performance and fuel economy, make sure your tires are not over inflated or under inflated. Keep a tire pressure gauge with you every time you go for a ride on your motorcycle. Adequate tire tread not only ensures tire integrity, it allows water to be channeled away from the contact patch, which helps maintain grip under wet conditions.  Using a quarter, ensure that when placed within the tread groove, the top of the tire does not extend below the top of Washington’s head.  If tread depth is 1-2mm it is time to replace your tires.  Wear on one side of the tread or flat spots in the tread may indicate a problem with the tire or vehicle.

Don’t overload your bike! It can place stress on the tires and cause poor handling and gas mileage, and get your wheels properly mounted and aligned. Improper mounting can cause accidents.

New tires should not be run at high speeds, or pushed into leans or hard cornering until after 100 miles. The most common motorcycle breakdown is for tire damage. Inspect your tires for excessive or uneven wear. Bald tires can cause skidding or blow outs. Motorcycle tires are often designed with reinforcements aimed at minimizing centrifugal growth. Check your motorcycle wheels and tires any time you experience an unusually bumpy ride (potholes, rocks, etc. It’s easier to check motorcycle wheels if you raise your bike using a lift or a center stand.

If you put in a claim against your NY motorcycle insurance policy because you wrecked your bike and it was due to negligent care and unusual wear and tear from it, your insurance claim may be denied as well.

Life Jackets

Image via Wikipedia

Like them or not, they are a must when boating. You may remember when you applied for your boat insurance in NY, the question “are life jackets kept on board?” You may have also seen people get ticketed on the waters for boating without them.

Life jackets are designed to protect persons in the unexpected event of a water accident, and lets face it, accidents happen all the time. That’s why we carry insurance. Life jackets also help your body retain heat if you should fall into cold water.  Life jackets, vests, and life preservers never should substitute for good judgment and adult supervision. That will almost guarantee an accident. When boating, make sure you always have enough life jackets on board for every passenger.

Life jackets, of course, must always be worn by toddlers on deck, or anyone that can not swim at all. Believe it or not, they even make life jackets and vests for your pets now.

Life jackets should be tested for wear and tear at least once per year, and stored out of direct sun light.

Finding The Right Commercial Auto Policy

Finding a good deal on commercial auto insurance is about more than finding the lowest rate, it’s about finding the best all around coverage to suit your company’s needs.
Understanding what coverages and service options are available is the first step toward making better, more informed decisions so that you and your business are properly protected. Here are some tips from the experts at Progressive to help you find the right coverage, service and price:

• Know the company you’re dealing with—and its reputation for handling claims. Understand that you may pay more for “cheaper” coverage in the long run if the company lacks experience handling commercial auto claims. In business, vehicles need to be on the road or you lose money. Insurance companies that don’t specialize in NY commercial auto insurance often don’t have their own claims representatives handling the process, so it may take longer to get vehicles back in service.
• Look for discounts. Before initiating a quote for a policy, gather your company’s loss and financial records. This information could help you save a lot of money. You may qualify for NY insurance discounts if you’ve carried increased liability limits in the past, if your employee base consists of experienced drivers or if your company’s credit rating is good.
• Don’t let your coverage lapse. Proof of prior insurance is important, so never let your insurance policy lapse. If you do, you will most certainly pay more for your next policy.
• Ask for referrals. Find out where colleagues in your business have found the best coverage and the best service. They may be able to refer you to an agent or company that really understands your business.
• Check driving records before hiring. If they’ll be driving a company vehicle, be sure to screen the Motor Vehicle Report (MVR) for every potential hire.
• Update the value of your equipment. If you’ve added, upgraded or phased out equipment, you’ll want your policy to reflect the true value of your fleet. This ensures you have adequate coverage where you need it and that you’re not paying for cover-age you no longer need.
• Check the options for managing your policy. See if you can handle routine tasks online and over the phone instead of having to visit an agency or mail in forms. It saves time—and in business, time is money.

Should cars warn when there’s a child inside on hot days?

At least 41 children have died already this year in hot cars, more than any previous year at this point. August was the deadliest month on record, according to the advocacy group Kids and Cars.

By http://www.insuranceheadlines.com/author/USATODAY.com.html

Should cars warn when there’s a child inside on hot days?

Are we that distracted as a society that people forget their kids in the car on a hot summer day, when the temperatures in a car can reach 140 degrees?

Safety advocates are now trying to get congress to force automakers to install warning systems to remind people, that their children or more important than their dry cleaning.

I know I sound cynical, but let’s try forcing parents to be more responsible instead of forcing car manufacturers to install idiot alerts inside the vehicles they make. I’m surprised NY law makers haven’t already found a way to pin this on the car insurance companies in NY yet.

Five home security tips to keep you safe from theft

•	Establish a security routine: Make sure that doors and windows are locked and alarm systems are turned on. Keep your car alarm key fob by your bed side at night. You can activate your car alarm in an emergency to draw additional to your home and ward off potential burglars.
•	Avoid giving information to unidentified telephone callers or announcing personal information in want ads or public notices, such as giving your address when advertising items for sale.
•	Notify police if you see suspicious strangers in your area.
•	Handle your keys carefully. Don’t carry house keys on a key ring bearing your home address or leave house keys with your car in a commercial parking lot.
•	Don’t hide your keys in a secret place outside your home. Burglars always know where to look.In addition, you can download free home inventory software from Hudson Valley Agents to help you keep track of your belongings. You can also browse through their online safety 1st store to see what kind of products can improve your home safety. These products may also reduce your insurance premiums so don’t forget to let your agent know if you have purchased any.

Winterize Your Vehicle

With an “Insurance Tune Up.” By Tim Dodge

With winter nearly upon us, now is the time to prepare for its harsh and unpredictable weather. A visit to the “car doctor” is essential, as well as updating insurance coverage–both home and auto. Recommendations from AAA Western and Central New York include the following winter driving preparations:

• A thorough inspection of your vehicle may be necessary to determine its winter worthiness. This mechanical check-up should include tires, windshield wiper blades, radiator, belts, and the battery, to name a few.
• Carry a “survival kit” in your car at all times, including a small bag of abrasive material (sand, salt, non-clumping cat litter); flashlight and extra batteries; small snow shovel, snow brush and ice scraper; windshield washer fluid; cloth or roll of paper towels; booster cables; blanket; protective clothing such as heavy gloves, scarf, warm boots; warning devices (triangles); first aid kit; drinking water and a granola or candy bar.
• Plan long trips carefully, and begin your journey by following weather forecasts. Also, conduct as much of your trip as possible in daylight, and reduce the risk of fatigue and unseen road hazards.
• Observe roadway conditions and laws, such as speed limits and icy pavement zones. New York state requires the use of seatbelts and prohibits hand held operation of cell phones while driving.
• Consider buying comprehensive physical damage coverage for your cars. This will cover damage caused by falling objects such as heavy icicles.

In addition to the many hazards that drivers must endure across New York state, winter can be brutal to homes and other properties. Make sure to update your homeowner’s or renters insurance coverage using these recommendations:

• Having enough insurance to cover the cost of replacing the home is essential. If you built a home for $200,000 three years ago and have since added on without changing your insurance, a loss will catch you short. In addition, by combining auto and homeowners policies, a Trusted Choice® independent insurance agent may offer a discount on the price you pay.
• To cover flood losses, talk to your agent about buying flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. Be aware that there is a 30-day waiting period from purchase to the start of coverage.
• To assist in proving a claim against the insurance company, it is important to keep an inventory of household possessions, receipts for the purchase of items, and/or a videotape or photographs of your belongings.

You can also visit the safety1st link at Hudson Valley Agents web site www.hvagents.com where you will find several safety products that may reduce the risk of damage to your car or home.

Candle usage, fires on the rise

The past decade has seen an increase in candle usage, with candles now flickering in seven out of ten households in America. It’s easy to see why: in addition to being relatively inexpensive, candles have a way of adding atmosphere and romance. However, experts report that home candle-related fires also have increased substantially during the past decade, and warn that magic moments can turn into tragic moments unless proper precautions and common sense are used from the start.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) almost 19,000 home candles fires were reported in 2001, resulting in an estimated 190 civilian fire deaths, 1450 civilian fire injuries, and more than $265 million in direct property damage. The trend has steadily decreased since then, down to 15,500 homes, 150 civilian deaths, and 1270 civilian injuries; but the direct property damage loss has climbed to over $539 million. Experts feel the trend will start to climb again as people start spending more time at home due to the much higher costs of fuel we are now seeing.

“People should always keep in mind that a lit candle is an open flame,” says Marty Ahrens of the NFPA. “That means that if left unattended, or used carelessly, candles have the potential for disaster. These days, many people are using candles as part of their décor, but from a practical standpoint, some home interior decorating ideas are completely unsafe.”

“Most candles fires are from simple carelessness,” said David J. Bonné, Vice President of Hudson Valley Agents in Walden NY. “A candle can be like a wolf, turn your back on it for one minute and it can really hurt you. However, a little common sense can prevent fires from occurring and save lives.”

According to the NFPA, the following tips can help consumers stay safe:

• Consider your children and pets! An adventurous toddler, a puppy’s wagging tail, or a cat jumping on the mantle can cause a lot of trouble. Never use candles where they can be knocked over by children or pets. Keep candles, matches, and lighters stored high and out of the reach of children, and never allow teens or children to have candles in their bedroom.
• Keep things on a level playing field. Make certain candles are placed on a stable piece of furniture, in sturdy holders that won’t tip over. Candles should fit into their holders securely and the holders should be made from materials that will not burn.
• Keep candles away from other combustibles. Candles can easily cause many objects to ignite. Wood paneling and paperwork are obvious targets, but even a curtain in front of an open window or drafty area can pose a hazard, given the right breeze.
• Avoid greenery. Greenery can catch fire and spread very quickly. Avoid using candles in floral arrangements.
• Quality counts! Fire is not the only candles related concern. Candles can damage a house when they “burn dirty,” which means that they put out smoke into the air, which will be drawn to-and stain-walls and ceilings. “It can make the room look as though it had been damaged by a fire in another room,” explains Mr. Bonné. “But unlike a fire, which is sudden and unexpected, this type of damage takes place over a period of time, and may not be covered under your homeowners insurance policy.” Always be sure to use name brand, quality candles.

Holiday candles usage is a special concern, because December is the peak month for candle fires in homes, with almost twice the average numbers of incidents reported. Of these fires, the leading type involves holiday decorations. “Many fires occur when items, such as greenery or other decorations, come into contact with a lit candle,” said Ahrens. Always consider fire safety when using candles as part of your holiday decorating.”

To help consumers avoid getting burned, Hudson Valley Agents has designed the 1st of it’s kind web portal designed to offer products that will help consumers avoid potential safety hazards and possibly reduce their insurance costs by giving additional discounts on their policies for having such products. “The uniqueness of this portal is that all your insurance safety related items are there under one roof so to speak,” says Mr. Bonné. “No more hunting and pecking around the web or in stores for these items, and they’re not cluttered in with other non-safety related items.” To find out more about these products go to www.hvagents.com . From there you can click on any of the safety links or learn more about insurance safety and hazard prevention by visiting the “insurance encyclopedia” in our resource center. You can also call our agency and speak to a professional anytime with any questions you may have.