Hey, You are probably doing this wrong!

When I started racing I found out I was doing this little thing wrong.  Adjusting my rear view mirrors! I just always tried to avoid hitting my Dad's car when I backed out of the driveway and thought the blind spot was somthing everybody had.  Everybody always talks about it, right?  " I almost hit a car that was in my blind spot"

It doesn't have to be that way!  Check this out:http://boingboing.net/2011/12/13/adjust-a-cars-sideview-mirro.html
Have a safe Christmas!

Watch out for deer!

A few years ago a hit a very large dog while riding my motorcycle at 55 mph. It did not turn out well. Not for the dog, the motorcycle, or me.  That incident has done a couple of things for me.  I am even a bigger advcocate of ATGATT (all the gear all the time) as I wasn't wearing a full face helmet I would not be typing this to you today.  Secondly, I very, very, let me say it again, very cautious while driving this time of year due to deer.  After hitting a dog I don't want to mess with a deer!  I now don't ride my motorcycle at night this time of year.

If you are not familiar with deer, they are a bit diffent than humans that the poet tell us in spring a young man's heart turns to love.  In fall the young deer's heart turns to love so they are all running after or away from a deer of the opposite sex!  The last thing on their little minds if you are riding or driving down the street.

Here is a little info from Erie on the subject:  http://auto.erieinsurance.com/deer-car-crashes.aspx  I'll even add this from UNC ( who will run into a big gobbler http://www.hokiesports.com/ this Thursday) http://www.hsrc.unc.edu/safety_info/animal_vehicle/safety_tips.cfm

Ok, lets be safe out there!

Are you getting insurance through work @ a discount?

Do you think you are getting a good deal on insurance because you work at ECU, or drive a Hyundia and a company has contacted you and told you you get a discount for that?  Well here is what Consumer Reports says about that:  http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine-archive/2011/july/money/this-insurance-deal-might-cost-more/overview/index.htm

What I see happening is that the initial premium is very attractive, making it appear that you are getting a discount. But, have you ever heard how to boil a frog? Put him in cold water on the stove and slowely turn up the heat, he won't notice!  That's what happens to the premiums as you renew. 

Just thought you might want to know.

Art's website

For those of you that don't know Art Ingraham has moved back to Wisconsin and is working with AAA insurance.  They are lucky to have him!  He is doing a great job with the whole internet social media thing, as he did for us.  Here is his website:  http://my-insurance-guy.com/ 

Check it out and say hello

Hurricane Claims Phone numbers

If you have had a claim due to the Hurricane do everything possible to SAFELY secure your property.  If you have to buy tarps, lumber, etc to secure things save your receipts.

Here are some numbers that might be useful

FOR TARPING AND EMERGENCY FIXES:
 BT Manning 252 714 8849
Greg Jarman 252 560 0002
Tommy Bell 252 341 1901

ROOFING

East Carolina Roofing & Coating   252 746 6483 cell 252 916 4149

Jeff Walker Roofing 252 355 8111  cell 252 531 9691

BROKEN GLASS

Interstate Glass 252 830 2800

INSURANCE COMPANIES WE REPRESENT

ERIE    1 800 367 3743
             1 800 533 3982
             1 800 458 0811

AUTO OWNERS   1 800 660 2303

GMAC INTEGON 10800 468 3466

FOREMOST  1 800 527 3905

SAFECO  1 800 332 3226

PROGRESSIVE  1 800 274 4499

NCJUA  1 800 662 7048

Hopefully the Cline Hall Agency will be available by phone so you can call us first at 252 756 5200 for guidance but if we are not available feel free to file your claim directly with the company.

I HATE these conversations!

I bet a week doesn't go by that one of our insured's calls in and says that their shower has been leaking and they have to replace the floor under it.  They said the plumber said to call and see if insurance covers it. 

I think the plumbers just want to get out deflect the heat after they have given the estimate!  Unfortunately this is not covered.  If a leak occurs over the course of "weeks, months or years" it is excluded from coverage. A leak that is "sudden and accidental" is covered.  If your water line springs a large leak goes into your floor causing your floor to bow then that is a good indicator that it is something that will be covered.  If it is something like a slow leak that seaps through the tiles of around a pipe fitting it is probably not going to be covered.

So what can you do?  Well here is a web site that gives a little advice on finding leaks before they become a problem  http://planetgreen.discovery.com/home-garden/check-water-leak.html.  

I guess the moral of the story is to be proactive and look for problems before they look for you!

Good Neighbors, Good Hands, and Umbrellas?

In my newletters, blogs, and everyday conversation I am always mentioning the problems we have in Eastern NC with Homeowners Availability.  Well, it seems we are in for another round of rate increases, cancellations, and forced deductibles.

Here is where it most recenty started,  NC House Bill 1305 (http://nc.iiaa.org/Linked%20Documents/Raleigh%20Report/Implementation%20of%20House%20Bill%201305.pdf).  Long story short, it makes the insurance companies doing business in NC responsible for 1 B (with a B)illion of looses on the coast in the event of a large hurricane.  This is on homes they DO NOT insure, but is in addition to homes they insure.  Because of this the companies are scrambling to maintain future profitablity.  While I don't know what is going on with every company we are seeing some of the following:

• Consent to Rate (CTR) letters. The insured has to sign in order for the policy to be renewed.  The insured is agreeing that they will pay a higher premium for the coverage than the state allows with out notice.  My understanding State Farm is doing this on all homes, other companies are doing it on a selected basis such as claims history.
• Mass cancellations.  Allstate is cancelling all Homeowners policies if the client does not have other coverge and then placing with another carrier. The also have CTR on most policies.
• Separate Wind and Hail Deductible.  Even in interior counties like Pitt some companies are implementing a separate deductible for Wind and Hail (that is where Hurricanes fall under but can also apply to just a random wind storm) My understanding is that Travelers is going with a 5% deductible in Pitt county.  If you have a 250,000 home and a loss you have a 5,000 deductible!
• Rate increase!!!! We have seen up to 40% with several companies.  Don't get me wrong, all companies will be going up, but to what extent is the question.

So, what is the solution?  First you need to find out what is going on with your own policy. Look at last years policy compared to this years.  We have heard some really fuzzy math when some agents have explained the percentage of increase.  Next,  why not check with an independent agency that can offer you some options.  If you are looking for one we would love to see if we can help.  Check us out at www.clinehallagency.com

A Little Dave Ramsey Story

I was meeting with a family that came to our agency through our affiliation with Dave Ramsey (http://www.daveramsey.com/home/) and they had a great story to share. The mom was at a yard sale and saw a Dave Ramsey Financial Peace CD set for $5 dollars, she wasn't familiar with Dave Ramsey but was pretty sure she could put these on Ebay and get more money. She did negotiate the price down to $2. To make sure the CD's were ok to sale on Ebay she and her husband listened to them while driving to Florida on Vacation. It ended up changing their lives! They never sold them on Ebay but now loan them out to friends. Now they have saved $500 on their insurance through our agency!

If you want a review in your area from a Dave Ramsey Endorsed Local Provider go to this site: http://www.daveramsey.com/elp/insurance/

Call your North Carolina Lawmaker to reduce your Auto insurance premium.

There is a hidden cost in your NC auto premium.  It is the Clean Risk Allocation Surcharge.  Basically a tax levied on you to help the bad drivers who are insured in the NC Reinsurance Facility ( similiar to Assigned Risk in other states) pay for their insurance.  

Here is a website that goes more in depth;  http://www.insurancefederationnc.com/message/45/

If you want the condensed version:

Over time, SB477 also would eliminate a surcharge paid by all North Carolina drivers to cover the annual shortfall attributed to drivers in the Reinsurance Facility who are known as “clean risks.”  Though this “clean risk” surcharge is not disclosed to drivers, it averages 5-7 percent of a driver’s premium and has ranged as high as 10 percent.

Bottom Line: go to http://www.ncleg.net/ and find who your representatives are and notify them you would like this bill passed.  Well that is if you don't want to help other folks pay for their bad driving habits that is!

Why you need to be careful with Insurance Agents.

My Mother in Law passed away in February.  She was a wonderful woman in many ways, one of which was she was a great saver. She had money squirrelled away in annuities and several different life policies.  The problem was she used different agents and companies for each thing she did.  She also went with an agent because she trusted them.  Well as Ronald Reagan said, "Trust but verify".

I have spent untold hours tracking down policies because either these folks and/or their companies are no longer around. In one case on of these trusted individuals took such advantage of her I refuse to meet him face to face as I am worried what I might say to the guy!

I said all that to say this:  Your insurance program is one of the most important things in your family's life. Don't entrust it to just anybody.  Work with a local person who works with reputable companies.  I truly believe an independent agent is your best source for insurance because they can work for you, not the company.  Check out the company you are working with on http://ambest.com/ for their rating.  Check out the company website and make sure there are more agents in the area in case your agent is no longer there when you need the coverage.

Of course, if you are in North Carolina, we would be happy to see if we can be of help. Give us a call (252 756 5200) or go to our website www.clinehallagency.com .