INSURANCE AWARENESS

BY ALAN PLAFKER, PRESIDENT & CEO
MEMBER BROKERAGE SERVICE LLC
A MELROSE CREDIT UNION SERVICE ORGANIZATION


Vacation homes—are you covered?

A vacation home is supposed to be a place where you can escape everyday cares. However, if it lacks adequate insurance coverage it could cause quite a headache.

If your vacation home is unoccupied for most of the year the lack of monitoring actually may cause certain risks to be higher than with your regular home:

• Burglars have no inhabitants to worry about;
  
  
  
• Vandals have an easy target; and
  
  
  
• A preventable fire could spread.

Often, a homeowners insurance policy can provide liability coverage if someone is injured on your property. When shopping for a policy it’s important to keep in mind the distinct characteristics of the vacation home. Simply buying the same coverage you have on your first home could leave you with a policy that’s full of holes:

• Is your vacation home on or near a body of water?
  
  
  
• Is it in an area that sees hurricanes, earthquakes or harsh winters?
  
  
  
• Is it located deep in a forest?

These are the things to consider when comparing policies. Even after buying a policy, purchasing additional coverage may be a good idea for houses in high risk areas. Always remember that flood insurance is not covered by standard homeowners policies.

If your vacation home or condo is part of an association a master insurance policy may be in place to cover certain things already. Inquiring with the association about what is, and what is not covered can save you some cash when you’re searching for a policy. Also, check with your agent or our office to see if you may be able to save money with a multi-policy discount. Other markdowns often are available for home improvements like winterizing, fire prevention efforts, security alarms, etc.

If your second home is out of sight, out of mind, it could come back to bite you. Taking the steps to protect yourself with an insurance policy will keep you safe, secure and able to enjoy truly worry free vacations.

Remove snow/ice from your car

We’ve all done it. It’s morning, and you’re running late. Having spilled coffee on your pants and blown through ten minutes looking for another pair to swap out you skid to a stop where you parked your car last night. In your car’s place is a snow and ice lump. You don’t have any more time to waste. You brush off the windows and take off trailing snow behind you.

But, it’s not as innocent as that. The snow and ice blowing off your vehicle doesn’t just drift harmlessly out into nothingness. The crystal debris that you’re in too much of a hurry to remove can fall from your car and …

• land on a plowed or treated roadway causing a new hazardous condition;
  
  
  
• cause a “whiteout” of snow reducing your visibility or visibility to drivers immediately behind you;
  
  
  
• or fly off of your vehicle in sheets and hit a car behind you causing property damage or a potential accident.
  

In particular, snow and ice left on the hood, windows and roof, can become a deadly projectile creating a hazard for everyone on the road. Think and act responsibly in the few moments it takes to clear ice and snow from your vehicle; you could prevent a crash or even save a life.

Did you know…

Windshield damage is the most frequently reported insurance claim. The biggest cause? Debris kicked up from the road. If you don’t have glass coverage on your auto policy you may want to consider adding it. The following steps are recommended if your windshield is damaged:

1. Don’t delay repairing it. The longer you wait to repair the windshield the more likely it won’t turn out as well cosmetically or structurally.
   
   
   
2. Use a temporary fix. Temporarily seal the break with tape at the point of impact. This will help prevent moisture from seeping into the break, but it won’t prevent the crack from spreading.
   
   
   
3. Keep it clean and dry. Moisture can make the crack expand. It’s important to keep the damaged area as clean and dry as possible.

Temperature changes and other stresses can make a small break become larger. This could mean the difference between repairing or replacing the windshield. Most cracks can be filled, but depending on the size and location of the crack, repair may not be your best choice. For example, the repair option usually isn’t recommended for damage located in your line of vision because, even after it’s repaired, the crack may not disappear completely.

When trying to decide on fixing or replacing the glass take into consideration the effect each may have on the structural integrity of your vehicle. An improper glass repair or replacement could put your safety and that of your passengers and other drivers in jeopardy.

If you have a crack in your windshield give your agent a call. Your agent will help you through the claims process.

Texting while driving

Driving is dangerous. According to data compiled from the National Vital Statistics Report it is the leading cause of accidental death in the United States. And, what’s more, every year brings new distractions to the driver seat: radio, satellite radio, GPS consoles, DVD players, cell phones and more. A recent examination of Fatality Analysis Reporting System data from 1999 through 2008 by University of North Texas Health Science Center researchers uncovered a disturbing, if understandable, trend:

• Distracted driving is a growing public safety hazard. Specifically, the dramatic rise in texting volume since 2005 appeared to be contributing to an alarming rise in distracted driving fatalities.
  
  
  
• The report’s authors recommend “[l]egislation enacting texting bans … paired with effective enforcement to deter drivers from using cell phones while driving.” And, to varying extents, most of the northeastern states have done exactly that.
  

New York state was the first to pass a hands free driving law back in 2001. Talking on a hand-held cellular telephone while driving was prohibited with few exceptions:

• When the driver uses a hands-free mobile telephone which allows the user to communicate without the use of either hand.
  
  
  
• When the purpose of the phone call is to communicate an emergency to a police or fire department, a hospital, physician’s office or ambulance corps.
  
  
  
• When operating an authorized emergency vehicle in the performance of official duties.

In 2009, the state addressed the emerging issue of texting while driving with a far more comprehensive law. The new law prohibits all drivers from using portable electronic devices—cell phones, smart phones, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, pagers, electronic games, etc.—while driving. The penalty for a violation is a fine of up to $150. It is a secondary law; in order to be ticketed for the offense a driver must be pulled over for some other primary offense—speeding, disobeying a traffic signal etc.

Driving is dangerous enough. Don’t make it worse by driving distracted. Wherever you are, regardless of the laws in place, do yourself and your fellow drivers a favor. Wait until your vehicle is parked before making calls or sending text messages.

Let your agent know about the changes in your life

You’ve heard the old saying: The only sure thing in life is change. Please keep your agent up to date on any change of circumstances in your life that may affect your insurance. Staying in touch keeps you adequately covered. Let them know if you recently:

• married; retired; separated or divorced;
  
  
  
• reduce your commute to work;
  
  
  
• add another room to your house;
  
  
  
• quit smoking;
  
  
  
• made an expensive purchase that may need additional coverage; or
  
  
  
• added safety features to your house or car.
  

Your professional insurance agent is looking out for you. Call him or her if any changes have occurred in your life.

For more information talk to your insurance professional or the author of this article.

Your Professional Insurance Agent…
We want you to know about the insurance you’re buying.

Alan Plafker is President of Member Brokerage Service LLC, a Melrose Credit Union Service Organization. He is a licensed Insurance Broker and serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the PIANY (Professional Insurance Agents Association of NY), serves on the Board of CIBGNY (Council of Insurance Brokers of Greater NY), and was appointed to the New York Independent Livery Driver Benefit Fund Board of Directors. His Agency insures thousands of polices for TLC Insurance as well as many policies for all types of insurance. You can reach him in his Briarwood, Queens office at (718) 523-1300 ext. 1082, or visit the website at: www.MemberBrokerage.com