Don’t cancel your insurance: protect your seasonal toys year-round

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As the summer season comes to a close, you may be tempted to cancel your insurance policies on your summer toys like motorcycles, RVs, boats, and ATVs. However, it’s important to consider the potential risks and expenses that could arise during the off-season.

While you may not be actively using these vehicles, they can still be vulnerable to damage, theft, or accidents that would require an insurance claim.

Here are some reasons why it’s advisable to keep your insurance policies in effect even when your toys are parked:

Comprehensive Insurance Claims: Even when your vehicles are securely stored, theft or vandalism can occur at any time. Without comprehensive insurance coverage, you would be responsible for covering the costs of repairs, repainting, or even replacing your toys out-of-pocket.

Additionally, catastrophic events like floods or fires can happen during the off-season, and having comprehensive insurance can provide the necessary assistance from your insurance carrier.

Liability Insurance Claims: Accidents can happen unexpectedly, even if your toy is safely parked. For example, someone at a party at your home decides to take a picture on your Harley and accidentally falls, damaging both themselves and your bike. In such cases, you may be held legally responsible for their injuries, even if you didn’t give them permission to use the vehicle. Without liability insurance, you would be liable for their medical bills and recovery costs.

Other potential claims scenarios to consider include:

  • A storm knocks over a tree onto your parked camper (Comprehensive claim).
  • Hail damages your vehicle (Comprehensive claim).
  • Your garage catches fire and burns your motorcycle, boat, or ATV inside (Comprehensive claim for the vehicle, not covered by home insurance).
  • Your RV or boat is damaged while parked in an off-season storage facility, and the responsible party leaves without providing their information.
  • A thief vandalizes your vehicle while looking for valuable items.

These examples demonstrate the various risks that can occur during the off-season. Some insurance carriers offer premium adjustments to reflect the high and low seasons of vehicle usage.

By keeping your motorcycle insurance, RV insurance, ATV insurance, or boat insurance in effect year-round, you not only avoid costly out-of-pocket expenses but may also be eligible for premium savings.

Speak with your insurance agent today to discuss the benefits of maintaining comprehensive and liability insurance coverage on your summer toys throughout the year. Don’t let the off-season leave you vulnerable to financial burdens.

Keep That Baby Safe! National Baby Safety Month

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September is National Baby Safety Month! Celebrate baby safety with these helpful tips for creating a safe living space.

Young Asian woman strapping a Asian baby into a carseat.

September is National Baby Safety Month. At this time of year, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) publishes information for parents about baby safety around the house.

While it’s impossible to protect your child from all potential injuries, you can dramatically reduce your child’s chances of injury. Knowing how household injuries occur is the first step to protecting your child. Once you’re aware of the potential for danger, you can take steps to reduce household hazards and keep your baby safe.

Baby Proof Your Home

From cleaning products to fireplaces, your house is probably full of hazards that can lead to injury. There’s an opportunity for baby-proofing in every room of the house. Baby-proof your home before your baby starts to crawl, so your house will be ready when your baby is. This is not a comprehensive list, but a few things to include:

  • Place baby-proofing locks on all cabinets and drawers your baby can reach
  • Put up baby gates to your bathrooms or baby-proof the hazards in the bathrooms individually (toilet, cabinets, bathtub faucet, etc.)
  • Place covers on unused outlets
  • Put up a baby gate to hazardous areas like staircases, the laundry or utility room, the kitchen, the home office, and the bedrooms of anyone who has not babyproofed their room.

There are a variety of baby-proofing checklists online. These checklists can be beneficial, as many adults do not think like babies or toddlers and should be informed of the many hazards that babies can get into around the house.

Focus on Safe Sleeping

Experts recommend that babies sleep on their backs, on a firm surface, in their own sleep space, or in a room with their parents. These safe sleeping recommendations and others help reduce the chance of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome).

Register Your Baby Products

Many companies provide parents with the opportunity to register baby products they purchase. If there is a product safety recall, registrations give the company the means to reach out and alert the parent. You can also learn more about which products are safe and which ones are not on the website for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Practice Safe Bath Time

Never leave your baby alone in the bath – not even for a few seconds. Babies cannot be trusted to sit up or lounge safely in the bathtub, and they can drown in as little as one inch of water.

Also, turn down your water heater to a temperature below 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid potential burns and scalds. Remember that even if you plan to check the temperature of your child’s bath water every time you fill the tub, accidents can happen, and toddlers can sometimes reach faucet handles to turn on the hot water themselves.

Car Seats

Read all safety instructions for a safe car seat installation. If you’re having trouble, the company you purchased the car seat from may have posted an official video tutorial on installing your car seat. Many police departments will also show new parents how to install a car seat – call your local police department for information.

One more thing: did you know that car seats expire? They do. If you’re using a car seat from a previous child, know when the expiration date is and replace the car seat if necessary.

Check With Your Child’s Doctor

Many pediatricians provide information about baby safety when asked. For more information specific to your baby, talk to your child’s doctor to find out what you can do to keep your baby safe at home.

Moving Trucks & Uhaul Type Insurance

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Insurance for UhaulsWhen you rent a moving truck, one of the common dilemmas is whether to purchase insurance from the rental company. However, the need for insurance depends on various factors, including the type of vehicle you rent and your existing insurance coverage. Let’s explore this topic further to help you make an informed decision.

Most rental car companies offer collision and comprehensive coverage, which is aimed at protecting the rented vehicle. In many cases, if you have a personal auto policy, it may already cover the usage of a temporary replacement vehicle, typically up to 12,000 gross vehicle weight (GVW). However, if the rented vehicle exceeds this weight limit, it would likely be excluded from coverage. Another factor to consider is whether the truck’s cab is separated from the bed, as this can also create an exclusion from coverage under most auto insurance policies.

When it comes to truck rental companies, they generally provide four types of coverage options:

Damage Waiver: This coverage protects you in the event of damage to the rented truck. If you decline this coverage, you become responsible for any damage to the vehicle, regardless of fault. It’s important to note that depending on the extent of the repairs required, you may also be held accountable for the loss of use of the vehicle.

Liability Coverage: This coverage comes into play if you cause damage to someone else’s property or injure another person while driving the rented truck. While your personal auto policy may provide some coverage, it’s essential to contact your insurance provider in advance to confirm the extent of coverage. Remember, each insurance company has different policies and requirements.

Cargo Coverage: It’s crucial to understand that your personal auto policy does not cover any cargo you are transporting in the rented truck. If you are carrying valuable items during the move, you might consider purchasing cargo coverage, especially if the value of the cargo is significant. However, if you are transporting items that are less likely to be damaged, such as a mattress, it might be wise to save your money and forgo this coverage. Ultimately, the decision depends on the nature and value of the items being transported.

Personal Injury Protection: This coverage, often referred to as no-fault insurance, can be utilized if you are involved in a motor vehicle collision, regardless of the vehicle you are traveling in. It provides coverage for medical expenses and other related costs resulting from the accident.

Please note that this article serves as general information and should not be taken as specific advice. Each insurance company operates differently, and coverage can vary significantly among carriers. To ensure that your specific situation is adequately covered, it is advisable to contact your insurance provider directly and speak with a licensed agent. They can provide personalized guidance based on your circumstances and clarify any concerns you may have about renting a vehicle.

Feel free to reach out to our office if you have any further questions. We are here to provide information and assist you, but it’s important to consult with a licensed insurance agent for comprehensive advice that aligns with your insurance carrier’s specific policies.