Where are your mirrors facing?

I went racing this weekend and was reminded how important it is to have your mirrors adusted correctly. MOST PEOPLE DO THIS WRONG!! Here is a good site to show you the correct way. I have discovered that adjusting my mirrors while at a stop light when I am in the middle lane works the best. Please check this out it may save your life:


http://lifehacker.com/5865502/adjust-your-car-mirrors-property-to-avoid-accidents

Life saving stuff here!

If you have watched the news here in Greenville, NC you have seen the story of the "Mansion Fire" (http://www.reflector.com/crimerescue/fire-probe-handed-police-1003263). The good news is that no one was injured. The suprising news was that there was only one smoke detector.

While I was at a new insureds home yesterday they asked how many smoke detectors were enough. My answer was "Lots!"  Here is what I found on a government web site http://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pyfff/smkalarm.html.  If you don't want to go here, my personal rule of thumb is in every bedroom, in hall ways, in the kitchen, near any probably source of fire (gas logs, furnace, etc.)  Perhaps this is over kill but I don't want anybody dieing in my house because they didn't here a smoke alarm.

Speaking of detectors, I had some law suit papers cross my desk yesterday involving a rental property not having a carbon monoxide detector. IF YOUR HOME USES IN FOSSIL FUELS YOU NEED A CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR! That means if you have any gas appliences or heat with oil or gas you need one.  Carbon monoxide poisioning is a real threat.  Here is info on where to put one of those: http://www.checkthishouse.com/4822/where-to-install-carbon-monoxide-alarm-co-detector-locations.html

You can buy smoke and carbon monoxide detectors almost anywhere but here is a quick link if you want to buy right now http://www.firstalertstore.com/store/start.asp?category_id=1.

Ok, people be safe out there.

Homeownership!

I deal with folks buying new homes everyday, it is gratifying to help them achieve the "American Dream".  Unfortunately,  with the economic downturn, we have seen our share of foreclosures and short sales.  
Perhaps our "American Dream" has lost touch with reality.  Due to the recent hurricane and fears of future hurricanes homeowners insurance rates are going through the roof with all carriers.  Why, in a large part because of roofs.  In our small office we paid out over $2,000,000  during Hurricane Irene with most of that being for roofs. Honestly, a lot of those roofs we replaced should have been replaced by the homeowners years ago but do to our culture/economic/tax system/government programs alot of us have homes that , if we are fortunate enough to be able to afford the 30 year mortgage payment, we can't afford to maintain.

Here is an interesting editorial that speaks to this subject as well as a couple of others.  http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2011-06-30-lessons-for-America_n.htm


Hope my Libertarian tendencies don't offend anyone!

Cruise Questions?

I've had some questions lately about what is covered under odd circomstances.  I think the recent cruieship disaster has brought this on.  If you have a NC Homeowners policy you don't have to worry, your belongs are covered worldwide.  If you have a theft or loss while traveling in Europe you are covered just like here at home.  Of course there are limitions, for example jewery has an limit for theft if it isn't scheduled.

Erie's HE-7 policy has higher limits on the base policy than the HO-3 that State Farm, Nationwide, Allstate, and Farm Bureu sales, call us for details on that.

Here is a little segment you might want to view regarding cruise safety:

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/video/6684758-travel-expert-mark-murphy-offers-cruise-safety-tips/

Thanks to our insured Malia Fredrickson with Clear Water Travels

	http://www.clearwaterstravel.com

  for sharing.

Some good Automotive web sites.

I guess I am in the middle of winter malaise, so I have spent a lot of time this week on some automotive web sites.  If you are a gear head like me here are some you might like.

http://www.hagerty.com/classic-car-articles-resources/Magazine
We proudly sell Hagerty and their online magazine is free to everyone!


http://smokymountainrider.com/?p=3998

An excellent article on motorcycle riding.  I buy motorcycle maps from this site, they really add to the riding experience

http://www.pqbnews.com/news/137449228.html
It's amazing how little things can add greatly to your driving safety.  Thanks to http://www.interstateglass.com/ for sharing this.

Lastly, I have been following the World Rally Championship closer now that we have a Mini Countryman and  Mini has a factory team in this series.  Mini became a force to be reckoned with in the Sixties when they won this event.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-IcJxxe ... ata_player

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkh8_Mdp ... ata_player


Have fun on a rainy day!

I've never heard of your companies.

I was leaving church yesterday when someone approached me in the parking  lot and said they needed to talk to my about insurance.  This was not somebody I insure and I really don't like talking insurance at church.  I tried to  just give them my business card and get on my way (I have a problem with people trying to sell their wares while at church, but that's just me) but they wanted to talk.

They quoted a friend who said I "was really good" but they had a quizzical look on their face as they said "but I've never heard of your companies."

I hear that a lot.

Why?

Well, Allstate spend approximately 500 million a year advertising (http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20110625/issue01/306259984/allstate-misses-the-turn-as-rivals-reinvent-auto-insurance)  I imagine Gieco, Progressive, State Farm, & Nationwide are in the same ball park.

Let me explain how insurance works.  For every Dollar that a company brings in they have to pay for expenses and claims and have something left over for a profit or they get skewered by their stock holders or go out of business.  So, were does that advertising budget come from?  That initial dollar, but they still have to pay to run the business, underwriters, janitors, adjusters, electricity, etc.  Guess what the biggest expense an insurance company faces?  Claims, industry wide about 65% of revenues in a good year.  Wonder where that 500 mil is coming from.

One of my companies , Auto-Owners (http://www.auto-owners.com/) feels they can afford to pay 68% on claims because they don't have that big advertising budget that the others do.

So, do you want to pay for Dennis Haysbert and Mayhem or do you want your company to have more money left over for claims?

Where's your $1000?

Sure, a lot of people are between a rock and a hard place with finances right now; but, while our country is building itself back up and regaining fiscal strength -- what are you doing?

As we've told you before, Cline Hall Agency is proud to be an "Endorsed Local Provider" of Dave Ramsey.  Many of Dave's biggest lessons come from following his "Seven Baby Steps", which explain seemingly simple steps to put ourselves and our families on sturdy ground when dealing with our cash flow and/or debt.  The first baby step Dave drills home is having $1000 in your "Emergency Fund" bank account.  Have you taken this first step?  Now, this can't be in your checking account where the Bon Jovi tickets suddenly become an emergency, or Valentine's Day last minute plans drain out the $1000 quickly.  This account is for emergencies more so along the lines of your sudden need for new tires, or a trip to the dentist which isn't covered under you health plan.  Or maybe even an unexpected accident, and the $500 deductible you'll need to pay to fix your car.

Of course, a lot of you learned of your need for a saving account long ago -- but what about the rest?  Get it going!  Emergencies happen, we've all experienced this.  There truly is an ever-present sigh of relief when you don't have to cringe for every unexpected expense because you know your emergency account is in place.  So, if you're not there-hop on it!  It doesn't take long.


For more information on these baby steps check our Dave's explanation: http://www.daveramsey.com/new/baby-steps/


Call or visit us, as always!