R&R Insurance Blog

An estimated 30 million natural Christmas trees are sold anually in the United States. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that there is an estimated annual average of 210 home structure fires that begin with Christmas trees. Based on data from 2002 through 2005, these fires caused an average of 24 civilian deaths, 27 civilian injuries, and $13.3 million in direct property damage per year.

Forty-nine percent of Christmas tree fires spread beyond the room of origin.

The moisture content of each tree can play a dominant role in determining the fire hazard each tree represents. Properly maintaining a cut Christmas tree is important to retaining a high moisture content in the needles of the tree to limit accidental ignition and prevent rapid flame spread. A tree which has dry needles can readily ignite with a flaming source and generate heat release rates that are capable of causing flashover in residential scale rooms. Trees that have been watered properly, and maintain pliable, green needles are harder to ignite than dry trees with needles that break easily when bent and fall from the tree when the branches are shaken.

In addition to keeping the tree extremely moist by watering daily, The American Red Cross offers these common-sense tips to avoid holiday fires:

• Decorate Christmas trees only with laboratory-approved lights
• Unplug Christmas tree lights when leaving home or going to bed
• Do not decorate metal trees with lights
• Do not decorate trees with candles
• Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible material
• Place trees away from heat sources and exits
• Make sure chimneys are inspected before the holidays and cleaned if necessary
• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from bedding, clothing, furniture, drapes and anything else combustible. Use equipment that is approved for indoor use. Turn space heaters off if you are not available to monitor this equipment. Remember, children anywhere near space heaters must be supervised at all times.

Christmas trees that glitter with lights and tinsel symbolize the joyous spirit of the holiday season, but we must not forget the potential fire hazards that can be a tragic part of this time of celebration. Wisconsin residents, contact knowledgebroker Kori Cumley for fire safety tips or a quick quote on home and auto insurance.

Tis' the season to be jolly! R&R will fill up Dan Wolfgram's van with toys to be donated to Toys for Tots per the number of fans we have on Facebook. Dan has been gracious enough to volunteer his van for this use. Dan is the Vice President of Personal Lines.

Want to help us reach our goal? Here's how it works:

• 500 fans = Front seat is filled up - DONE!
• 750 fans = Front & back seats are filled with toys
• 1,000 fans = Entire car is filled with toys

Toys will come from R&R and from employees, but donations are welcome! You can drop off toys at any of our 4 locations - Waukesha, West Bend, Menomonee Falls, & Beaver Dam!

Photos will be taken periodically and updated on our Facebook page to show the progress! Help us reach our goal by liking our Facebook page (and share it with your friends)! Be sure to check our page to see how the van is filling up!

The total 2011 weather related claim damage in the U.S. is $35 billion (not including hurricane Irene), according to a new report issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association. Although Wisconsin didn’t have any hurricanes, we had another “bad claims” year due to excessive hail, water, wind and ice dams. Here are some recent headlines from the past few months:

• American Family Catastrophe Claim Losses Surpass $1 Billion.
• S&P Lowers Outlook on Allstate and Subs to Negative; Affirms Ratings
• Hartford Q3 Profit Falls on Natural Disasters
• Erie Indemnity Posts $47M Q3 Profit, Down 13% From Last Year
• State Auto Financial Reports Loss of $58.7M in Q3

I will often hear clients object about insurance companies making money. I always tell them that profitable insurance companies keep rates stable. Based on the headlines above, many people can expect to see some relatively significant rate increases in 2012 with some insurance carriers. Here’s the great news: despite the poor claims year Wisconsin had, the carriers R&R Insurance represents are NOT on this list. We expect the rates for our clients to remain relatively stable, and anticipate the average rate increase to hover around 6-8% this year. This again is excellent based on what is happening in our market and nationally.

Ideas for minimizing rate increases:

1. Knowing that you shouldn't submit smaller claims reinforces having a higher deductible - go as high as you can afford if you were to have a significant incident. You will see larger premium savings by carrying larger deductibles.
2. Make sure that R&R is insuring everything for you. Having your auto with us and your home with another agency does not get you the best rates. Plus, coverage on separate policies can be duplicated or omitted by doing this.
3. Opting for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to have your payments spread out over 12 months can also help with the premium cost.

More ways to save money on your home and auto insurance. If you like these money saving tips, we have a lot more in our e-newsletter, sign up for our e-newsletter today!

Wisconsin residents, if you are not a client with R&R Insurance right now, consider getting a proposal from us. We represent multiple insurance companies and can find the best program suited for you at a great price.

As always, feel free to share this with your friends, relatives and coworkers. Please contact one of our knowledgebrokers here at R&R Insurance should you have any questions at all. Thank you everyone for your business! Have a safe and happy holiday season!

Ted_Story

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Brandy_Why

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Commercial Pieces

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Jay Zahn
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John Brengosz
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John_Age_Of_Building

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John_Distracted_Driving_Policy

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John_Driver_Selection

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John_Housekeeping

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Mike Geldreich
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Nancy McMurry
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It's smart to keep an emergency kit in your trunk, especially during winter months. Here are some items we'd suggest putting in your emergency kit:

• a blanket
• extra boots and gloves
• an extra set of warm clothes
• extra water and food, including hard candies (sucking on a hard candy will prevent your mouth from getting too dry)
• an ice scraper
• a small shovel
• a flashlight
• windshield washer fluid
• windshield wipers
• flares
• jumper cables
• a tool kit
• tire chains
• a tire gauge
• a spare tire with air in it
• tire-changing equipment
• a first-aid kit
• paper towels
• a bag of abrasive material such as sand, salt or non-clumping kitty litter, which can provide additional traction if a tire gets stuck in snow
• also, keep the gas tank as full as you can to prevent the gas lines from freezing

Wisconsin residents, contact knowledgebroker Kori Cumley for money-savings tips on personal insurance or a quick quote on home and auto insurance.

Even Wisconsin residents used to winter's cold and freezing temperatures can benefit from a few winterization tips. Here are 10 simple ways to get your car ready for winter and stay safe.

1. Get the right kind of oil change.
2. Replace your windshield wiper blades so you can see clearly.
3. Give your battery a little TLC. Make sure your battery’s posts and connections are corrosion-free and that your battery has all the water it needs.
4. Examine your belts and hoses for wear & tear.
5. Check your tire pressure.
6. Think about switching to snow tires.
7. Check the status of your four-wheel-drive system and be sure it’s working correctly.
8. Get the antifreeze mixture just right. It should be a 50-50 mix of antifreeze (coolant) and water inside your radiator.
9. Prepare an emergency kit and store it in your trunk during the winter months.
10. Know what to do if you get stranded. Don’t wander away from your car unless you’re completely sure about where you are and how far away help is.

Wisconsin residents, contact knowledgebroker Kori Cumley for money-savings tips on personal insurance or a quick quote on home and auto insurance.

Here are 13 ways to make sure you are getting the best value on your auto policy:

1. Drive safely

Accidents, especially accidents where you are at fault, may increase your insurance premium for 3-5 years. If you get into a minor accident, especially one in which yours is the only vehicle involved, you may want to pay out-of-pocket instead of reporting a claim—the amount you pay in accident surcharges can be more than the vehicle repairs if the claim is just a few hundred dollars.

2. Avoid tickets

Speeding tickets and other moving violations can drive your rates up substantially and these, like accidents, usually affect your insurance for 3-5 years.

3. Raise your deductible

Deductibles are what you pay towards a loss before your insurance policy kicks in. By requesting higher deductibles, you can lower your costs substantially. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage cost by 15 to 30 percent. Going to a $1,000 deductible can save you 40 percent or more.

4. Before you buy a car, compare insurance costs

Before you buy a new or used car, check into insurance costs. Car insurance premiums are based in part on the car’s value, the cost to repair it, its overall safety record, and the likelihood of theft. Many insurers offer discounts for features that reduce the risk of injuries or theft. Some companies also offer discounts for hybrid vehicles.

5. Reduce coverage on older cars

Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverages on older cars. If your car is worth less than 10 times the premium, purchasing the collision and/or comprehensive coverage may not be cost effective.

6. Idle vehicle? Reduce coverage during winter months

If you have vehicles that you don't use during the winter months or for long periods of time during the year, you can save some money by removing the liability from them while they are idly stored. By carrying comprehensive only during these times, your vehicle is still covered for theft, fire, vandalism, etc. Your liability coverage can be added back on when you decide to use the vehicle again.

7. Package your auto & home policies together

Some companies that sell auto, homeowners and umbrella coverage will take 5 to 15 percent off your premium if you bundle two or more policies from them. Luckily, R&R Insurance represents numerous companies that do just that!

8. Maintain a good credit record

Establishing a solid credit history can cut your insurance costs. There is a statistical correlation between certain aspects of a person’s credit rating and the number of insurance claims the person might be expected to file. Insurers are increasingly using credit information to price auto insurance policies. Check your credit record on a regular basis and have any errors corrected promptly so that your record remains accurate. See improving credit rating.

9. Stay insured

Never let your insurance policy lapse. You may find it difficult to obtain insurance if your policy expires, and your insurance may be more expensive than it was before. Customers who let their insurance expire—even for a couple days—are statistically higher-risk, and insurance companies often charge extra for this.

10. Take advantage of low mileage

If you don't drive very far to work, or if you carpool, make sure this is accurately indicated. Underwriting will take into consideration how much time you spend behind the wheel. Be sure to keep this updated if you change jobs.

11. Hold a longer policy

There may be a price penalty attached to 3- or 6-month policies, so the longer your policy term, the better your rates will likely be.

12. Stay with the same insurer

If you've kept your coverage with a company for several years, you may receive special pricing for being a long-term policyholder. Typically insurers like to see loyalty for at least 3-5 years.

13. Last but not least, ask!

You could get a discount if you take a defensive driving course. If you belong to a professional association, from dental hygienists to fire fighters, you could be eligible for a discount. JUST ASK.

Wisconsin residents, be sure to contact knowledgebroker, Brandy Enger, for the best valued personal lines insurance in Wisconsin! We'll ask the right questions to ensure you are getting every discount available to you.

In an article by Jacob Hannah for USA TODAY, he states that nearly 9 out of 10 teenage drivers have engaged in distracted-driving behaviors such as texting or talking on a cellphone even though most of them know that their actions increase their risk of crashing.

The survey by Seventeen magazine and auto club AAA highlights the difficulty of the nation's efforts to stop texting while driving, especially among young drivers.

"Teens do continue to drive distracted even when they recognize the dangers," says William Van Tassel, manager of AAA's driver training programs. "Driving is the first real adult responsibility, but let's face it, they're still teens whose brains aren't fully developed."

The online survey of 1,999 teens ages 16-19, conducted in May 2010, found that 84% were aware that distracted-driving behaviors increase their crash risk; yet 86% have engaged in those behaviors, including texting and talking on cellphones, eating, adjusting radios, driving with four or more passengers and applying makeup.

Almost 6,000 highway deaths each year involve distracted driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says.

"Everybody has heard the message that distracted driving can raise your crash risk," Van Tassel says. "They're getting the message, but their personal experience may influence them in the other direction."

That's what happened to Cheyenne Tontegode, 18. She was a passenger in a car driven by a friend last year in their hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska, and both girls were texting, Tontegode says.

"She was either texting somebody else, or I was showing her something on my phone," she says. "I looked up and saw that we had started to get over into the other lane. I called her name. She looked up, overcorrected, and we hit an SUV head-on."

Tontegode, who wasn't wearing a seat belt, was in the hospital for 10 days. One of her legs was cracked in 14 places, and she had broken ribs and glass in her eye; her friend was hospitalized for 14 days, she says.

She says she had gotten the texting-while-driving message before the crash.

"Well, yeah. Of course you hear it. You hear it all the time from adults," she says. "But people don't think about it until it happens to them, unless they get the message from another teen. If it happens to another teen, then I think they listen."

Tontegode says she now wears her seat belt "all the time," and her friend "only texts when she's at red lights. The minute it turns green, she puts her phone down and doesn't look at it again until the next red light."

The survey indicates that focusing solely on texting while driving will not eliminate distracted driving among teens. The top three behaviors that respondents had participated in: adjusting a radio/CD/MP3 player (73%), eating (61%) and talking on a cellphone (60%); 28% had sent a text message.

Among the survey's findings:

• Drivers ages 18-19 are more likely to engage in distracted driving than those 16-17.
• Teens gave researchers startling reasons why they engage in distracted driving: It takes only a split second (41%); they don't think they'll get hurt (35%); it makes driving less boring (22%); and they're used to being connected to people all the time (21%).
• Teens driving their own vehicles are more prone to distracted driving than those who share an automobile with others. For instance, 20% of teens who share vehicles had texted while driving, compared with 35% of teens with their own cars.

Useful links for parents of teenage drivers:

• For more information on distracted driving and Wisconsin's ban on texting
• R&R has developed a driving contract you can use with your own kids
• Travelers tips for teen drivers
• West Bend Mutual beginning teenage drivers
• Video: Young Drivers - The High Risk Years

Wisconsin residents, contact knowledgebroker Kori Cumley for more information.

Rental car insurance is always a sticky issue because of the differences in rental car company contracts and the wording of your personal auto policy. Since each rental company has different verbiage in their contract, and each car insurance policy is a little different, we'll be talking generalities below and leave it up to you to find out the specifics for your situation.

If you have a personal auto policy, you may have coverage that extends to your rental car. Most car insurance policies have wording that provides physical damage coverage to any 'non-owned auto' which is defined as any private passenger auto, pickup, van or trailer that is not owned by you or any family member and is being operated by you or any family member (this is not exact wording). A rental car fits into the definition of a non-owned auto, so physical damage coverage would apply either primary or excess if you carry physical damage coverage on any of your own vehicles. If you only carry liability coverage on your personal auto policy, there would be no physical damage coverage provided when you drive a rental car.

Very important note: If you noticed in the definition of 'non-owned auto', there was no mention of truck, jet ski, 4-wheeler, motorcycle, etc. Your personal auto policy does not provide coverage for these types of vehicles. So the next time you rent a U-Haul truck or other vehicle that does not meet the definition of 'non-owned auto', make sure you check with your insurance company to see if any coverage applies.

You may also want to contact your credit card company to see what rental car coverage is available if you charge the full rental cost to your credit card. Many cards provide some limited coverage on an excess basis, which could offer some additional protection.

In summary: Should I purchase the rental car loss damage waiver?

1. If you have physical damage coverage - not needed

2. If you only have liability or comprehensive coverage - definitely, yes!

Wisconsin residents, contact knowledgebroker Kori Cumley today for more information on rental car coverage!

A good student discount is a reduction of auto insurance premiums for a young driver who falls into the “good student” category of the insurance provider. The definition of a good student varies from one insurance company to another. Here are a few of the requirements to be labeled a "good student":

• Ranks in the upper 20 percent of his or her class
• Has a B (3.0) grade point average (GPA)
• Dean’s list or honor roll

A discount for a good student is based on the premise that good students are better drivers. Statistics have shown that students with higher grade point averages (GPA) tend to be more responsible when operating an automobile.

Underwriting guidelines vary on the percentage for the good student discount. On average it is 10 to 15 percent and is compiled into an overall rate - it does not show as a specific line item on your policy.

There are other student discounts to ask about as well. Some insurance companies offer discounts if your child is in college without a vehicle, or if your child has a graduate degree.

Wisconsin residents, contact knowledgebroker, Kori Cumley to make sure your policy is taking full advantage of every discount available to you!