Winter Storms Ahead: Are You Ready?

We admit it: as insurance agents, our picture of winter isn’t exactly cozy. Winter storms mean traffic snarls, hillsides turning to sheets of ice, and cars sliding around like hockey pucks. Cold temperatures can cause pipes to burst, frost swells and many other types of damage. In addition, heating your home with fireplaces and decorating with holiday lighting can increase the risk of fire.

Winter Safety Precautions

To help reduce weather-related hassles this winter, keep the following safety tips in mind:

·       Winter-proof your car with good snow tires or chains, new wiper blades, antifreeze, and emergency road supplies.

·       Keep your attic cool to help prevent ice dams. Insulate the attic floor and make sure it is well-ventilated.

·       Never overload circuits with holiday decorations.

What to Do When a Winter Storm Hits

·       If you do not have to drive, stay put. If you must drive, make sure you’ve winterized your car and have a full tank of gas.

·       When the air is cold, keep bath and kitchen cabinet doors open so warm air can circulate around pipes. If pipes do freeze, let them thaw normally, as they’ll be less likely to burst.

 

·       If the power goes out, make sure to never leave candles or fires burning unattended. If you use a portable generator, follow the instructions in the user manual and do not use it indoors.

Know What Your Insurance Covers

At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency in Littleton and Lisbon, NH, we want to help you rest easy, and you will be more relaxed knowing that you have protection in the event that a winter storm damages your property. Remember that your insurance policy will cover repair or rebuilding costs, but your deductible will apply. Check your policy to confirm what specifically is covered as well as the deductible you have chosen.

For additional information about winter storm protection and to review your coverage, give us a call at 800-427-3975. For additional safety tips and useful resources, please read our other blog posts, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.   

Fire Pit Safety Tips

Use Caution When Playing With Fire, Even in the Backyard

 

It’s a great feeling to hang out with friends and family around a blazing fire in your backyard in New Hampshire, especially on chilly fall evenings — unless, of course, that fire blazes a little too much.

A fire pit can be a wonderful addition to your home, but it’s important to remember that all fires are potentially dangerous. So before you sit down to make s’mores, review the following fire pit safety tips to help you keep that fire in the pit and away from everything else:

 

Is it legal?

·        Before building or buying a fire pit, check the regulations in your area to learn about restrictions.

·        Your fire pit may be legal, but a fire might not always be. Monitor and follow community burn bans.

·        Be respectful. Nothing can extinguish the good vibes of a nice fire more quickly than police complaints from smoked-out neighbors.

What kind of pit do you want?

·        You can buy a fire pit or build one. If you choose the latter, there are plenty of resources online to help you design it. Don’t dig a hole just anywhere and throw some rocks down; put some thought into it and you’ll have a better, safer spot to enjoy.

·        If you want convenience, a propane model might be right for you. These types of fire pits produce less smoke and have an adjustable flame. 

Before your start building your fire:

·         First, ensure that the area under and around your fire pit is clear of flammable materials, and keep the pit itself at least 10 feet from any structures.

·         Before you start the fire, make sure you have a fire extinguisher or a garden hose handy.

 

Ready to build your fire? Here’s what to do:

·        Choose hard, seasoned woods. Sparks from softer woods like cedar can increase the danger of igniting something nearby.

·        Don’t use liquid fuels, even lighter fluid, to get your fire going. It’s also not a good idea to burn paper, cardboard, leaves, garbage, etc.

·       If you have a metal fire pit, don’t overload it and always use the included safety screen.

Put the fire out completely:

·        When you’re done, spread out the ashes and let them cool off for a bit. Then gently pour water or sand over them. Stick around for a little while to watch for flare-ups.

 

At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency in Littleton and Lisbon, NH, we want you to have plenty of nice, warm nights — without getting burned. Here’s to making memories around the fire!

 

For additional safety tips and useful resources, please read our other blog posts, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. 

 

This article provided courtesy of Safeco Insurance.

4 Ways to Save Money on Insurance

Making Smart Savings Choices: 4 Common Ways to Save Money on Insurance

In today's unpredictable economy, many people are doing everything they can to stretch their dollar, which sometimes includes altering insurance coverage to dangerously low levels or eliminating it altogether. Although this may seem like it will help at the time, it could leave you in a financial predicament in the event of an unexpected accident down the line. If you’re looking for ways to save money on insurance, consider the following four options instead:

1. Contact your agent to make sure you’re receiving all of the discounts and credits for
   
   which you qualify.  Most insurance companies offer a variety of credits and discounts that can translate into significant savings — without endangering the level of protection you need for your home, cars and other valuable assets. Furthermore, if you purchase multiple policies through the same insurance company, you’ll typically receive additional discounts. Own a motorcycle or boat? You could qualify for another discount if you’ve completed an approved safety course. Have a good student on your policy? Families with drivers who earn good grades in high school or college may qualify for another auto insurance discount.
2. Increase your deductible. Only a small percentage of homeowners report claims in any given year, so increasing your deductible to lower your premium could pay off.
3. Explore specialty lines coverage options.  If you own any vehicles you only use seasonally, such as a classic car or RV, you can typically reduce your coverage to liability during the off-season, having full coverage in place only when you are actually using the vehicle.
4. Pay in full. Depending on your financial circumstances, you may be able to make one full payment instead of partial ones and receive the pay-in-full discount, which most insurance companies offer.

Two Mistakes to Avoid

When it comes to your insurance, knowing what not to do as you look for cost savings is equally important. Be sure to avoid the following two scenarios:

1. Carrying only the minimum state-required amount of uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your auto insurance policy, or canceling it entirely. According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC)*, the correlation between the percentage of uninsured motorists and the unemployment rate is high — when the economy is struggling, more people go without insurance, so it’s crucial to ensure that you have coverage in the event of an accident with one of these uninsured drivers.
2. Ignoring renters insurance. This type of coverage tends to be overlooked regardless of the economy’s state. What many people fail to realize is that landlords’ policies generally only cover the structure, not the individual renter’s contents. By opting to not secure this coverage, you would be forced to replace furniture, clothing and other personal property out of pocket in the event of a loss.

Saving money is important, but so is making sure that what you’ve got is protected. At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency in Littleton and Lisbon, NH, we’ll take the time to ask you the right questions to ensure that you receive all of the credits and discounts for which you are eligible, without compromising the comprehensive coverage you need. Just give us a call at 800-427-3975 or contact us online at www.hunkins-eaton.com to see how much we can save you!

*Insurance Research Council, January 21, 2009

Five Ways to Get Your Car Stolen

Five sure-fire ways to get your car stolen

Most people would say their car is one of the most valuable assets they own — if not the most valuable. However, despite knowing its value, some people make it downright easy for thieves to drive off in their pride and joy. At Hunkins & Eaton, we don’t want you walking out your door to an empty driveway or leaving the mall or grocery store only to find some broken glass left behind in your parking space, so be sure to avoid the following five mistakes:

       1.     Leave your car running ... and unattended. Here in New Hampshire with our freezing winter mornings and our stifling summer afternoons, many residents prefer to start their cars ahead of time and allow them to warm up or cool down for a few minutes. Although understandable, this can be dangerous, so if your car is running, you should always be in it, even if you’re just running to the ATM or dropping off some mail.

2.       Keep a spare set of keys inside the car. According to law enforcement agencies, this is a great way to turn a car prowler into a car thief. Suppose someone is already attempting to break into your car to steal a phone, or a laptop, etc.; what do you think he/she is going to do upon finding a set of keys?

3.       Put valuables in plain sight. Seems simple, but we’ve all made this mistake. You’ll just be in the store for a second, after all, so who cares if you leave your smartphone on the front seat? Or items from your other errands in the back seat? Be smart — if you have to leave items in your car, put them in the trunk, or at least hide them as best you can, before you arrive at your next destination.

4.       Leave your car unsecured. The best thieves can work wonders with a window that’s left open even just a crack, and even the worst thieves can steal a car that’s been left unlocked with no alarm set.

5.       Assume nobody would want to steal your car. Think your car is too old or too undesirable for a thief to bother? Scrap metal is worth money, so never assume that your car is safe — even if you think it’s just a “junker.”

Keeping thieves away helps keep everyone’s insurance costs down, so avoiding these mistakes will not only save you hassle, but it will save you money as well. So stay safe - not just on the roads, but also in the parking lots!
 

Contact Us!

At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency in Littleton and Lisbon, NH, we can work with you to make sure you've got the auto insurance coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 800-427-3975 or contact us online at www.hunkins-eaton.com. It’s our job to make sure that what's important to you is fully protected!

Content provided by Safeco Insurance.

Firework Safety Tips

For many of us, the Fourth of July is a time to enjoy the company of family and friends, having fun and creating memories, regardless of whether you’re home or away. However, for some families, this holiday can turn into a nightmare. Unfortunately, every year homes in New Hampshire are damaged by wayward fireworks and thousands of people are injured in accidents. At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency, we want your holiday to be fun, but also safe. Keep the following firework safety tips in mind to help you protect yourself, your family, and your property on July 4th.

Protecting yourself and your loved ones

• To minimize the risk of injury, don’t use consumer fireworks. Attend a public display conducted by professionals instead.
• If you’re set on using consumer fireworks, always follow the instructions. Do not attempt to re-light “duds” or create homemade fireworks.
• Never let children handle or light fireworks. Even sparklers, which burn at more than 1,000 degrees, can cause third-degree burns. Kids under the age of 15 account for approximately 40 percent of fireworks injuries, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
• A responsible adult should always be present when children - even teenagers - are around fireworks. More than half of fireworks injuries occur among those younger than 20 years old.

Protecting your property

• According to the National Fire Protection Association, the best way to protect your property is to not use fireworks at home.
• Remember, fireworks can cause grass fires and other types of blazes as well. Make sure you light fireworks in a safe area, away from homes, buildings, and any types of combustible material. Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of emergency.
• Look out for tree limbs or bushes that could catch fire. Trimming vegetation to keep it away from your home is a good idea in general, but it’s especially important on the Fourth of July, as it could help prevent a fire.
• If your gutters have accumulated leaves, pine needles or other flammable material, be sure to clean them out before using fireworks near your home.
• Finally, if you won’t be home on the holiday, ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your house if others in your neighborhood will be using fireworks.

With some common sense and planning, the Fourth of July can be both safe and enjoyable for everyone. Whether you’re staying at home or going away for the holiday, we hope you have a wonderful time celebrating our independence!

For additional safety tips and other useful resources, please read our other blog posts, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. 

 

Motorcycle Safety Tips

Share the road safely with these 10 motorcycle safety tips

For many motorcyclists, riding offers a freedom that driving a car just can’t match. But the best riders also know that motorcycles require more focus to operate and don’t provide the same protections as cars in the event of a collision. Furthermore, the best riders take great care in all situations, whether they’re in heavy traffic, stuck in the rain or just taking a quick ride on a perfect day.

 

On the other hand, if you’re new to motorcycling, or if your safety habits could use improvement, don’t worry! Reviewing the following 10 motorcycle safety tips is a great place to start.

 

First things first

 

         ·     Wear proper safety gear, especially a helmet, regardless of how short your trip may be.

 

·        Make sure other motorists can see you at all times. Make it easier for them by wearing reflective clothing, always using turn signals (and perhaps hand signals as well) and keeping your headlight on.

 

·         Even when taking the above precautions, stay alert and assume that other drivers don’t see you, especially at intersections and when making lane changes or passing another vehicle.

 

·         Be patient. Don’t tailgate, and if someone is tailgating you, move out of their way and keep your distance.

 

·         As with operating any type of vehicle, never ride after drinking or taking any medications that could impair your abilities.

 

Riding at night

 

·         Again, make sure you’re visible, particularly at dusk. Consider upgrading your headlight or adding other lights to your ride if you plan to be on the road in the dark often. Is your bike black? What about your clothing? Remember that both will make you more difficult to see at night.

 

·         Your vision needs to be clear, so keep your visor or goggles clean and free from scratches. If you don’t use face or eye protection, consider it.

 

·         Carry a flashlight or other emergency gear with you so a mechanical problem doesn’t leave you stranded — and invisible — on the side of a dark road.

 

Inclement weather?

·         Keep rain and cold-weather gear handy. Not only is riding more enjoyable when you’re warm and dry, but it’s also safer.

 

·         Use extreme caution when it first begins to rain, as the roads are most slick at that point. Pull over and wait if necessary. It’s better to be late than to ride in unsafe conditions.

 

We wish that all of your rides could be on sunny days with wide-open roads, but we know that’s not going to happen, so think about safety every time you start up your bike!

 

For additional motorcycle safety tips, visit the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or the American Motorcyclist Association. And don’t forget about motorcycle insurance! Remember to give us at Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency in Littleton, NH, a call at 800-427-3975 or click here to visit us online when you need to get coverage for your bike.

 

You can also find us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. 

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Avoiding distractions while driving could save your life

You’ve seen them on the roads, you might know a few of them, and you could even be one yourself. Distracted drivers in come in all shapes, sizes, ages and experience levels. Even if you’re not one today, you could become one at any moment — in the time it takes you to answer your cell phone or check the kids in the back seat.

The National Safety Council has designated April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month, or the perfect time to reassess your habits behind the wheel and make improvements that could make the road a safer place for everyone. If you or someone else you know thinks you can drive just fine while talking on your phone, consider this statistic: more than 450,000 people were injured in crashes that reportedly involved distracted driving in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Among those people, more than 5,000 died.

Distractions on the road come in many forms, according to www.distraction.gov, a U.S. Department of Transportation website. The three main types of driving distractions are:

Visual – taking your eyes off the road

Manual –taking your hands off the wheel

Cognitive – taking your mind off what you’re doing

Use the following tips to help avoid all three of these kinds of distracting behind-the-wheel behaviors:

·         Put your phone in silent mode and store it away from the front seat or in a purse or bag to help reduce temptation.

·         If you have a passenger in your vehicle, ask him/her to answer your phone or return text messages for you.

·         If a call or a text can’t wait, pull over in a safe spot before using your phone.

·         Although it may seem obvious, finish shaving, eating, and/or applying makeup before you get in the car!

·         If you’re emotional, wait until you’ve calmed down before hitting the road.

·         Avoid road rage. You’ll be happier and safer.

Although you may feel like you can handle it in the moment, it’s never the right time to multi-task when you’re on the road. Focusing solely on your responsibilities as a driver will help you ensure that you arrive at your destination safely.

At Hunkins & Eaton Insurance Agency  in Littleton, NH, and Lisbon, NH, your safety is our priority. For additional safety tips and other useful resources, please read our other blog posts, and connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.