R&R Insurance Blog

Insurance companies benefit when drivers don't have accidents and don't make claims. Conversely, they lose money when their customers have accidents and make claims. The insurance company wants to rate a driver as accurately as possible so they can correctly predict your driving patterns and how likely it is you will make a claim. If you are a higher risk for the insurance company, they will charge you more premium.

The following are reasons you could be charged more for your auto insurance:

• Buying a new car - it's worth more than your old car and will cost more to replace. Don't assume higher premiums are only associated with sports cars. If the new vehicle is more likely to be a stolen model, you could be getting charged more!
• Commuting Long Distances - The risk is greater for the insurance company that you have an accident if you are on the road more frequently, especially during rush hour traffic!
• Moving - Risk is determined by the zip code you live in and city residents typically have more people; more people mean more accidents.
• Marriage Status/Age - You are in a higher risk category if you are a younger driver and again when you are a seasoned driver. The same thing is true if you're unmarried.
• Broke up with Your Auto Insurance - If you've gone without insurance in an effort to save money, your premiums will be higher when you seek out insurance again. Insurance goes up even if you've been without insurance for just over a month.
• Law Breakers - if you've gotten a ticket or had an accident, your insurance premiums most likely will be higher. Insurance companies typically check your record whether you are a new or an existing customer. So the cleaner your record the less they will charge you!

Wisconsin residents, insurance rates are going to change based on certain factors, so if you' d like a free review of your current coverage, please contact knowledgebroker Kori Cumley.

Anything that diverts your attention away from the main task of driving is a distraction. Basically, anything that takes your eyes/mind off the road or your hands off the wheel. This includes cell phone usage, eating, talking, listening to disruptive music, applying make-up, tending to children and navigation systems.

Not Just Texting – Any Cell Phone Usage Can be Deadly

Research has shown that the distraction caused by a phone conversation is the same for hands-free or hand-held cell phones. Even more distracting is the act of text messaging. Now illegal in most states (including Wisconsin), texting takes a driver’s eyes off the road an average of 4.6 seconds out of every 6 seconds. At 55 mph, this translates into 120 yards without looking at the road.

Manage Your Distractions

• Recognize that driving requires your full attention.
• Ask a passenger to place a call for you and, if possible, speak in your place.
• Do not compose, send or read text messages while driving. In Wisconsin, texting while driving is illegal.
• Ask passengers to help with directions or adjust dashboard controls.
• Secure loose items in the vehicle so they don’t become projectiles or distractions in a sudden stop or crash.
• Avoid intense, complicated or emotional conversations when driving.
• Pull over to care for children.
• Stop to eat or drink, rather than trying to eat or drink while driving.
• Get plenty of rest.
• Program your GPS prior to starting your trip.
• Allow plenty of time for your trip.

R&R offers a free Stop The Distraction Campaign Kit for Wisconsin Schools and families in an effort to help prevent distracted driving. Contact us for your free kit if you are located in Wisconsin. 800-566-7007.

Cyberbullying is still a topic that schools and parents continue to wrestle with. According to Francisco Negron, Chief Counsel for the National Association of School Boards, “Until the Supreme Court takes up this issue, the law still lags behind  the reality of how we live.”  See what districts around the country are doing to take a stand against cyberbullying.

The Cyberbullying Research Center estimates 20 percent of students admitted to cyberbullying someone.  The most common forms of cyberbullying is posting mean comments and spreading rumors online.

Where does the responsibility lie?  With the parents?  With the principals?  Today, the standard is that a principal can take action only if it causes a "disruption" in a school environment.  Example: a cruel text is sent on a cell phone that results in a fight in the school cafeteria.

This leaves a lot of gaps in responsibility and lawmakers are stepping up to develop discipline procedures.  Schools and officials are doing their best to hold students accountable.  Below are some interventions in an attempt to fill the gaps:

• Legislation: 49 states have anti-bullying laws (up from 20 in 2003)
• Technology: educate kids where they spend their time - in social media platforms
• Prevention: incorporate social and emotional skills in to curriculum and daily school life

Read more about how to protect yourself and your children on social networks.

According to Kiplinger, there are five medical conditions that will affect your life insurance rates the most. But it's the rankings that will most likely suprise you!

1. Heart disease - is the number one condition that will affect your life insurance rates!
2. Diabetes - will cause higher premiums but if it is manageable with medication your rates will be lower.
3. Cancer - the  type and severity will affect the bottom line.
4. Obesity - weight is taken into consideration because it does affect other health conditions.
5. Pulmonary disease - life long asthma will also increase life insurance rates.

Whether or not you have a condition, we'd like to have the opportunity to assist you with your life insurance needs and we make it as easy as 1, 2, 3!  Wisconsin residents, please contact us today for a free review of the protection we are able to offer!

While furniture, clothing, and electronics are covered under your homeowner's or renter's policy;  jewelry, works of art, valuable collections (coins, etc.) may not be covered up to their full value depending on the type of loss and endorsements included in your policy.  That means, that unless it is specifically scheduled on your policy, the beautiful necklace your husband gave you last Christmas, if lost, may not be replaced by your insurance company.  These items are considered luxury or collectibles by insurance companies and are only covered for a minor dollar amount (often around $1,000) for loss by theft on most standard policies.  You may have no coverage at all if they are simply lost or misplaced.  As anyone who owns a nice engagement ring or a pair of grandma's diamond earrings knows, $1,000 is not usually enough to cover one piece let alone a few if you are fortunate enough to have them.

Through your existing insurance policy, you can schedule your items to cover the cost of your prized valuables.
Surprisingly, coverage isn't as expensive as you would imagine! Coverage is usually available between 30 cents and a $1.50 per 100 dollars of appraised value.

Say you want to insure $10,000 worth of jewelry, the policy could be less than $100 dollars a year! Knowing that your precious valuables will be covered in their entirety from theft, flood, or mysterious disappearance (losing a diamond from your engagement ring) is well worth the money spent.

Wisconsin residents, if you are interested in finding out what other items you may want to consider scheduling other than jewelry (fine art, guns, hearing aids, bikes silver, musical instruments, etc.), please contact us.

Everyone likes a good deal! You also need to make sure you are getting good quality before you just fall for the price. We have a few tips to help you be a savvy shopper:

• Make a list ... and stick to it!
• Check price-comparison sites, such as PriceGrabber or Shopzilla to get a manageable number of prices on products! PriceGrabber says it includes merchant ratings to help consumers filter out questionable stores.
• Remember to ask for a price match. Major retailers like Wal-Mart, Target, Home Depot will match competitor's prices if you can show the circular ad!
• Plan out big purchases.  If you can wait a little while, track the prices of the item and grab a great deal when it comes around.
• Find online coupon codes that apply discounts when you check out (like Retailmenot.com)!

Once your new purchases are home, make sure you log it in your personal home inventory.

Wisconsin residents, contact a R&R knowledgebroker to ensure all aspects of your home are properly covered.

You will never be younger or healthier than you are today. That's the reason to start planning now when you have the most options. The average age for new individual long-term care insurance applicants is 57; an age when many are able to qualify for good health discounts. This discount reduces costs and remains even if your health changes.

Incorporating long-term care insurance into your financial plan can help you protect your assets and reduce the burden of care that would otherwise fall on family members.

Why now? Because changes in health happen and can make it impossible for you to obtain coverage.

Contact a knowledgebroker to start planning for your long-term care.

Are you trying to save money or clear up the clutter from this holiday season? These tips are sure to help!

• Create a color-coded filing system. Use a different color for each family member and organize a pocket for bills that need to be paid sorted by date (it's not a bad idea to write the due date on the top, so you don't forget to pay it on time!) . You can then move them to the appropriate file once they've been paid.
• Use your cell phone. Take pictures of schedules, lunch menus, and grocery lists.
• Go paperless. Did you know some of our companies will give you a discount for moving to this option? They also may offer you a discount if you opt to have it electonically withdrawn. If you are already going to make the payment and pay an installment fee - why avoid the headache of remembering to pay the bill and the fee by electing this option!! The same is to be said if you're going to pay in full, you may get a discount!
• Consolidate with binders. Binders keep everyint sorted neatly. If you make it simple to locate you'll use it properly and make use of the system.
• Set a date in your calendar. One a week or once a month or whatever it takes - put aside hte time to get organized and maintain your filing systems!

You may think the reason you pay for homeowner's insuranceis so that you can take advantage of it whenever you need it. But, it's not that simple! According to a CBS Moneywatch article, it's not only the fact that on renewal your homeowner's premiums will likely go up, but instead you could be non-renewed and may have a hard time finding replacement coverage with another carrier. Insurance companies use a database called Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange or CLUE which makes claim information available to most insurance companies.

According to J.D. Howard, an executive director of the Insurance Consumer Advocate Network, “We always counsel people not to make a claim unless the cost of the repair is three times their deductible.” So for example, if you have hail damage to your roof that can be repaired for $1,000, and the deductible on your policy is $500, it’s probably better to pay for the repairs out of pocket. “The insurance company sees too many small claims as a homeowner using his insurance policy to pay for upkeep on his house,” Howard says.

Ultimately, if you need to use your insurance and submit a claim, do it. Also, consider a home deductible that matches the amount you'd be willing to pay out of pocket at the time of a claim because it could save you some money. Why carry a $250 deductible if your not going to make a claim for anything less than $5,000?? You can save some premium up front by adjusting your deductible to a higher amount, and by talking to an independent agent.

You may believe the reason you pay for homeowner's insurance is so that you can take advantage of it whenever you need it