Why Do You Need an Umbrella Policy?

An Umbrella policy provides liability coverage beyond the limits of your auto and and homeowner's insurance.  An Umbrella policy kicks-in once you have exhausted the liability coverage under your home or auto policy.  For example; if you have a homeowner's policy with a $300,000 limit of liability and a $1,000,000 umbrella policy, you would have a total of $1.3 million in liability coverage.  Why would you need so much coverage you ask?  Even if your net worth is less than $1,000,000, in the event of a claim resulting in a lawsuit you could be ordered to pay based on your current assets as well as future earnings. An umbrella can also cover your defense costs.

Parents of youthful or inexperienced operators may want to consider purchasing an Umbrella policy.  Have an inexperienced driver in your household can substantially increase your liability exposure.  As a parent and policyholder you can be held liable for injuries or property damages caused by your teenage driver.  It's important to have adequate coverage for a serious accident.

An Umbrella policy can be an inexpensive way to cover your assets.  The cost of an Umbrella policy can vary per risk, however someone who owns one home and two cars might pay an average of $150 for a $1,000,000 Umbrella policy.  Additional limits of $2,000,000 and up are available with most carriers for an additional premium of approximately another $100 per million.  If you break the annual premium down $12.50 per month seems like a small price to pay for an additional $1,000,000 worth of liability coverage.

OH DEER! BEWARE!!!

The annual cost of deer-vehicle collisions in the United States is almost $4 billion. A 2010 study by State Farm Insurance and Fortune magazine predicted there would be 1.1 million such crashes before 2010 ended.

Though the mating season from October to December brings the most crashed, Bambi and his pals are crossing the roads throughout the year.

Pennsylvania had the highest number of crashes last year at 102,165, followed by Michigan with 101,174. Among the 35 states where at least 7,000 deer-vehicle collisions occur per year, New Jersey and Nebraska posted the largest increase, 54 percent. In all the states, crashes increased by more than a third from the previous year.

Some drivers avoid roads through forests and areas of heavy brush where deer can appear suddenly. Others drive at a reduced speed to give them more time to stop and the deer more time to cross.

 

At night, using high-beam headlights allows the driver more time to spot a deer.

Be aware of deer crossing signs and believe them. Deer generally use the same routes each day to find water, food and their resting places. They are most active from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Deer travel in groups so when you see one deer, there could be several others coming behind it.

Brake, don’t swerve. Swerving to avoid a deer can cause a more serious crash, such as into an oncoming car in another lane, or swerving off the roadway and into a tree or a utility pole. The goal is to maintain control of the vehicle

Information provided by our friends at Standard Mutual

For more information visit http://www.marsinsurance.com/

Household Tips for Handling Gasoline

Most accidents occur in the summer months due to an increased use of gasoline for farming or recreational purposes (i.e. bonfires, burning leaves, boating, yard work, etc.). A lack of understanding of the explosive nature of gasoline by the general public seems to contribute to both its improper storage and misuse as a solvent, engine primer or fire starter. Gasoline burns decrease markedly in the winter months.

Most injuries associated with these products occur in the home, however, where the improper use and storage of gasoline and other flammable liquids can result in both personal injury and property damage. Knowing how to prevent these injuries can protect you and those you love from a devastating burn injury. The first step to ensure a safer home environment is to increase your awareness and identify potential hazards. The next step is to make the necessary changes in behavior and your environment. Change in the environment and modifying high-risk behaviors involves eliminating the cause of the problem, thereby reducing the risk.

Here are some helpful tips from the American Burn Association on how to handle gasoline with care in household situations:

• Don't smoke, use matches or other ignition sources anywhere around gas. Gas vapors can travel far from gas containers in enclosed areas.



• Use gasoline only in well-ventilated areas.



• Turn off equipment and let it cool before filling the gas tank.



• Never use gas to start the charcoal on a grill. Use a proper charcoal starter.



• Store gasoline in approved containers in a cool, well-ventilated area such as a shed or a garage that is not near the house. Keep only a minimum amount on hand.



• Never use glass or plastic bottles for gasoline storage.

According to a 2000 report by the National Fire Protection Association based on 1993-1998 data, the following are the gasoline-related annual estimates:

Community Fire & Burn Prevention Programs Gasoline Safety Campaign
• Over 140,000 fires, including 120,000 in vehicles (most of them unoccupied, fortunately).
• Over 6,000 residential fires.
• About 500 deaths.
• Thousands of hospital emergency room visits.
• Nearly $500 million in direct property damage costs from gasoline-related fires.

(Source: The U.S. Home Product Report, 1993-1997, Flammable or Combustible Liquids, National Fire Protection Association, Fire Analysis and Research Division, Quincy, MA, August 2000).

Additional information is available from the American Burn Association at http://www.ameriburn.org/

Remember, SAFETY FIRST!!

Keep following Mars Insurance for future blog posts on safety tips, insurance information and general need to know information.

Travelers just announced apps for Smartphones

Travelers just introduced its first mobile applications for iPhone® and BlackBerry® smartphones. The new mobile tools provide auto accident assistance for iPhone and BlackBerry smartphone users.

Auto Accident Help on iPhone. Designed for both Travelers’ customers and non-customers who have just been in an auto accident, the Auto Accident Help application for iPhone is now available through iTunes.

The accident reporting tool is free to download and easy to use. Accident Help is a guide that walks consumers through the steps to take when they are in an accident, and enables users to create and email an accident report, including guidance on what photos to take and what information to record. Additionally, Travelers' customers have the added advantage of starting an auto claim process directly through this application.

Immediately after an accident, it is natural to feel unsure about what steps to take....Travelers has addressed this in the new mobile application....How is that for staying in contact with consumers' needs?

Ask us to quote your coverage with Travelers.