December, 2021 | Boizelle Insurance Partnership

New Year’s Resolutions for 2022

The beginning of a new year presents the perfect opportunity to start fresh. Countless people all over the world use the end of the year to come up with their New Year’s resolutions. This past year has been a challenging one for many. As we reflect on everything that’s happened, we can use this new year to make sure we’re all putting ourselves in the best positions to be successful.

Exercise

Going for walks, running on the treadmill, lifting weights…anything you can do to keep your body moving. Movement is essential to maintaining good health. Yes, you can get rewarded for getting into better physical shape. Quitting smoking is also beneficial because it can help get you a lower rate for a life insurance policy.

Consider adding ERIE Auto Plus to your current auto policy

With ERIE Auto Plus you get:

• Diminishing deductible – maximum reduction of $500
• $10,000 death benefit
• Additional days of transportation expense coverage
• Increased limits for things like locksmith costs, personal items, sound equipment and non-owned trailers.

Create a home inventory for all of your possessions

If you experience a disaster like a fire or a flood, it’s possible that many – if not all – of your possessions would be either damaged or destroyed. Having a well-organized home inventory on hand can assist you in working with your insurance company to make sure your claim payment is maximized. Additionally, your insurance claim process will be much faster if you already have your inventory completed.

Time for an Annual Review

Just as would be the case if you were visiting your doctor for your annual checkup, it’s a good idea to approach your insurance coverage with the same importance. Have you made any significant changes in your life? Call our office at 301-948-2010 and ask to speak with one of our licensed insurance professionals. They will happy to answer any questions you may have related to your home, auto, life, or business insurance policies. Our agents can also review your current coverages to see if you’re eligible for any discounts.

10 Safety Tips For When You’re Riding With Uber

If we didn’t have access to a car, calling a taxi service is what we used to do. While we still have that option, times have certainly changed. Using rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft seem like common practice nowadays. While these services have made getting from place to place easier, have you ever wondered about the risks? Before someone drives for Uber, the company does put them through a screening process. But, there are also several steps you can take to ensure your safety while using the service.

Get your ride indoors

Instead of waiting outside by yourself while checking your phone for your ride’s arrival, wait inside until the app shows that your driver has arrived to pick you up.

Check Your Ride

Always be sure to check the make and model of the vehicle you ordered a ride from. The driver’s photo, the vehicle’s license plate number, and the make and model of the vehicle are all provided for you on the Uber app. Never get into a car where the vehicle or identity of the driver doesn’t match what is listed clearly in the app.

Ask the driver to confirm your name

Along with the Check Your Ride safety tips, it’s a good idea to ask the driver to confirm your name before entering the vehicle. Your driver will see your first name in their app. Your driver’s name shows up in your app, too. To be safe, ask your driver who they are scheduled to pick up. The driver may also ask you for your name to confirm the correct pick up and also to give them peace of mind.

Be a back-seat rider

Sit in the back seat. This will help to ensure your safety and that you can exit the vehicle on either side. Watch out for any traffic as before you exit the vehicle. Sitting in the back seat also gives both yourself and the driver some personal space.

Always wear your seat belt

Other than the fact that it’s the law, wearing your seatbelt is the most effective way to prevent injuries or death related to car accidents.

Share your trip information with your loved ones

While you are on route, press “Share trip status” in the app to share your driver’s name, photo, license plate, and location with a close friend or family member. This will give both yourself and those who care about you peace of mind knowing you’re safe. This also will give them a text message or push notification that helps track your trip and ETA.

Protect your personal information

Uber uses technology that allows you to keep your personal information secure by keeping it anonymous. Your pickup and dropoff addresses are also stored in a driver’s trip history. In select areas, the Driver app will also only show the general area in which a trip began and ended.

Follow your intuition

If you ever feel unsafe or uncertain about a particular car or driver, you can call 911 by using the Emergency Button located in the Uber app. The app allows you to share your location and trip details in real time with the 911 dispatcher. Always make sure that your phone is charged before accepting a ride with any rideshare service.

Be kind and respectful

Being kind and respectful of drivers and/or fellow passengers is a good way to keep them and yourself safe during your trip. Don’t look for trouble.

Give feedback about your trip

Any time you use Uber, once your trip is concluded, the app will ask you to rate your trip. By giving your feedback, you’re helping to keep Uber safe for other patrons. Uber has a response team that will follow up with you in case you have a safety issue while on your trip.

How Does a DUI Affect My Insurance?

How long does a DUI stay on my driving record?

Typically, a DUI will remain on your driving record for three to five years, depending on your state. Please keep in mind that a driving record is very different from a criminal record. A DUI could potentially stay on your criminal record for life. It is a very serious violation and should never be taken lightly.

Depending on the state in which you live, a DUI may be also be referred to as a DWI (driving while intoxicated, OMVI (operating a motor vehicle impaired, or OVI.

Insurance rates vary from person to person. When an insurance company considers coverage for a potential client, it bases its rates for that client based upon a number of factors. Some of those factors may include age and driving history. If a driver has a long history of claims, they are considered to be a higher risk client. Therefore, they would most likely be given a higher rate for their insurance coverage.

Several factors will dictate how much your insurance rate will increase in the event you get a DUI. These factors my include the amount of time passed since your DUI, your age, as well as your driving history.

The same goes for DUIs. Drivers who have DUI violations will have to pay a higher rate for their insurance. This is because the insurance company deems them a riskier client. In some instances, this particular person may even be denied coverage entirely. So, a situation like this is considered extremely serious.

If I’m in an auto accident while drunk, am I still covered under my insurance?

If you are ever involved in an auto accident while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you are still covered on your auto policy, up to the limits stated on your auto policy. This includes any damage that your car sustains, damage to the other person’s car, as well as any injuries sustained.

Once a DUI is removed from your driving record, you will most likely see a decrease in your auto insurance rate.

If you are ever issued a “DUI”, you’re likely jeopardizing your ability to retain your auto insurance. It is likely that your current carrier will drop you from their client list.

The moral of the story here really is that you should never drive a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, but if you are a current Erie Insurance customer, call 1-800-367-3743 if you have questions regarding your auto insurance, including questions regarding DUIs.

Fireplace Safety Tips

As temperatures drop, nothing makes us feel warm and cozy quite like a log in the fireplace with our family gathered closely around us. As we appreciate the comfort and warmth that a fireplace can provide for us, it is important to remember that playing with or close to a lit fire is dangerous for children. Please follow these helpful safety tips to ensure that your loved ones may enjoy time with family.

While the fire is burning, keep a window cracked open, so that fresh air can circulate into your living space.

Be sure to keep the damper or flue open before starting the fire. Doing this until the fire is completely extinguished will help draw smoke out of the house. To check the damper, look up in the chimney with a flashlight or mirror. Do not attempt to close the damper until the embers have completely stopped burning.

Use dry and well-aged wood. Wood that has become wet or green tends to cause more smoke and contributes to soot buildup in the chimney. When wood is dry, it tends to burn more evenly and produce far less smoke.

Smaller pieces of wood that are placed on a grate burn more rapidly and produce less smoke.

Make sure your fireplace is free of ashes left behind from previous uses of your fireplace. Levels of ash at the base of your fireplace should be kept to 1 inch or less. Thicker layers restrict the air supply to logs, thus causing more smoke.

Consult a professional to inspect your chimney at least once a year.

It is important that you inspect your chimney for any animal nests or other blockages. These can prevent smoke from escaping which can be dangerous.

Install safety screens in front of your fireplace to prevent possible burns to children. This includes gas fireplaces.

The area around your fireplace should be free and clear from any objects that could be flammable (i.e. furniture, drapes, newspapers, books, etc.). Having any of these items too close to a fire could spell disaster.

Never leave a room that has a fire going in the fireplace. Make sure it is fully extinguished before either leaving the room or before going to sleep or before leaving the house. Do not leave small children unattended in a room where a fire is burning.

Leave fireplace tools far out of reach of children. Additionally, remove any lighters or matches.

Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. These should be tested every month to make sure they are functioning properly. Batteries should be changed at least once a year. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous odorless, colorless gas, so you need to have working carbon monoxide detectors to make sure you and your family remain safe in the event of an emergency.

Keep a fire extinguisher close by.

Have a conversation with your children about the potential dangers of fire.