If you’ve caught any TV news or browsed any online news recently, then you’ve probably viewed the shocking scenes of the Costa Concordia – the cruise ship that wrecked off the Tuscany coast after running aground. 

Actually, the news of this incident has found its way to our own back yard.  It has been reported that there were 126 Americans aboard that cruise ship – all looking forward to a great vacation.  According to local and national news outlets including CBS/Baltimore, Anna Figueredo and her daughter were among those passengers and were two of the last to be evacuated by lifeboat.  Anna and her daughter are safely back home in Silver Spring, MD, now; but it is undoubtedly a trip they won’t forget -- one without the good memories they had hoped for.

Here in the MidAtlantic region of the country, maritime commerce and pastimes are a part of our culture.  The use of our many waterways and coastline is pivotal for our commercial and recreational survival.  So seeing the cruise ship on its side in Italy emphasizes to us the risks of boating accidents, regardless of the size of the vessel – from giant cruise ship to small fishing craft or pleasure boat. 

On our local waters, running aground has been known to be caused by the build-up of silt, sand and stone (often called shoaling) and often caused by storms and resultant heavy currents. But the Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that there are also thousands of recreational boating accidents per year with contributing factors including traveling too fast for water or weather conditions, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, failing to follow boating rules and regulations, carelessness and inexperience.

While the recreational boating season might be months away, it will be here before you know it.  It might be wise to prepare now to see that your boat is ready and you are prepared to be a responsible boater this year.  The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers free advice and boating safety courses. In fact, upon request, the auxiliary will conduct a comprehensive Courtesy Marine Examination (CME) of your vessel, and  they award a CME decal “Seal of Safety” to all boats meeting the standards.  Learn more about the CME.

Have you checked your boat insurance coverage recently?  If not, perhaps it’s time to sit down with one of our experienced agents who can help you determine whether you have the proper coverage and are receiving the best rates possible.  Just contact us at your convenience to discuss your boating insurance.

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Dοеѕ vehicle size impact auto insurance rates? Of course it does and for several reasons.

Not High Performance - Fewer Violations

With fuel economy being a huge concern in this day of ever rising gas prices, smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles are very popular. Typically, these vehicles that highlight economy are “family cars” with smaller engines. These models are not deemed high-performance, don’t move as quickly as their flashy, sporty counterparts and are much less likely to be involved in moving violations. Thus, they tend to provide the benefit of lower insurance rates.  Just how fuel efficient can a smaller car be?  According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you could save as much as $1,400 in fuel costs each year by choosing the most efficient vehicle that meets your needs.

More Emphasis on Safety Features

Many of the best of the cars marketed for “family use” emphasize safety features in addition to smaller engines and smaller frames. New models will likely have standard shoulder-and-lap belts in all outboard seating positions, child safety seat top-tether and lower LATCH attachments in the rear seats, front air bags for driver and passenger as well as side air bags. Consumer Reports indicates that contemporary safety-oriented designs and equipment may offer the smaller auto an advantage in avoiding an accident. Because of this emphasis on safety, often consumers could see lower auto insurance rates. 
 

Auto Theft Less Common

Another advantage for owners of smaller cars: auto theft is less common. Although the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reports that the 1994 Honda Accord, 1995 Honda Civic and 1991 Toyota Camry are the top three most-stolen cars in recent years, the bulk of vehicles reporting the most thefts are the larger and more expensive SUVs and pickup trucks. These three smaller models aside, smaller “family” cars are usually less desirable targets for thieves. This could translate into further insurance savings for their owners. 
 
It is obvious that size does matter when it comes to automobile efficiency and economy. We can make the case that smaller "family cars" are more economical to fuel and maintain, safer to operate, easier on the environment, often less likely to be stolen, and could offer a considerable break in insurance costs. 
 
Perhaps you are shopping for a new car, or maybe you are just curious about how your vehicle compares when it comes to insurance rates, a brief meeting with your local insurance agent will give you the facts that you need.
 
Here at Patterson Insurance Management Inc, we have the expertise to help you to find the best insurance coverage at the best rate for your particular budget and needs. Why not contact us today?

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See the EPA's Green Vehicle Guide

If your home or business has suffered some sort of significant damage, perhaps from fire or, as many did during the recent east coast weather phenomena -- from the earthquake in Virginia to tropical storm Lee (and don't forget Hurrican Irene), then you are probably in the process of scheduling repairs. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warns to be careful when choosing contractors for repair jobs. Otherwise, you could find yourself a victim still again.

Be wary of any so-called "Contractor" who appears at your door and offering to take care of your repairs and asking you to sign a contract immediately.  Check very carefully before using a contractor who seeks jobs by going door-to-door or handing out flyers. If this "contractor" requires a large up-front deposit or asks for full payment in advance, then be skeptical.  Why? If your "contractor" turns out to be an unscrupulous scam artist and you have paid a large amount up front, chance are that they will begin the job but then disappear before the work is done.

It should raise a red flag in your mind if a contractor wants to do initial, temporary repairs at a large cost before getting on with the permanent repairs.  The Insurance Information Institute (III) reminds us that the insurance settlement paid to you will typically be intended to cover all repairs for a given loss -- both initial temporary repairs if/as necessary and permanent repairs. So, if you use a large part of your settlement funds on a temporary fix, then paying for the permanent repair job may be impossible.

See more advice from III: Beware Crooked Contractors (Video).

Then how can you be sure that you are working with a reputable, honest contractor before you sign any contract to have repair work done?  Your best assurance will come from working with a contractor you already know or who has been recommended by someone you trust who has first-hand sknowledge of their work. In fact, you might try asking your insurance agent who will likely be able to refer someone who is reliable. You might also check with your local building/trade associations for a referral. If you must work with someone you don't know, then be sure to check references.

Whether you are a disaster victim or simply a business owner or homeowner whose property needs repairs, if you will be working with contractors, consider the following tips:

• Look into the contractor’s reputation with the local builder/trade organizations or the Better Business Bureau. In particular, you’ll want to know whether the contractor’s record shows complaints filed.
• Get it in writing!
  • Require a Certificate of Insurance from the contractor, assuring that the firm has active coverage for workers' accidents or injuries through workers compensation and disability insurance. Otherwise, you could be liable for such accidents on your property.
  • Ask for a written job estimate that includes all the work you expect the contractor to do. It should also show taxes or other fees. In some cases, a contractor may charge you for the estimate.

  • Obtain a written contract and don't sign a contract that is not specific and comprehensive -- showing all tasks to be performed, all associated costs and payment schedule.

  • Ask for a written guarantee that lays out exactly what is guaranteed and includes any restrictions or stipulations, and be sure it includes a stated duration for the guarantee.

• Be sure to establish with your contractor just whose responsibility it is to obtain all permits and licenses related to your job.

• Make your payment by check or credit card, but never pay with cash.
• Be sure to read carefully any contract cancellation clauses. You should be able to cancel a contract within a specified number of business days of signing.

If you have a property damage loss, whether due to storm damage or something else, be sure to contact your insurance agent as soon as possible to discuss your options and receive assistance.

Here at Patterson Insurance Management, Inc, we have helped many of our policyholders recover from losses with as little discomfort as possible.  Why not contact us at your convenience to discuss how to be best prepared for damage to your home or commercial building.  

Once again, it is the time of year to “fall back” to end Daylight Savings Time and return to standard time. So it's a perfect time to remember to change your smoke alarm batteries.  Adopting the habit of changing smoke alarm batteries either at the end or the beginning of Daylight Savings Time will keep your family safe and help you to avoid homeowners insurance claims by protecting your home from fire and smoke damage.

Everyone knows the value of a reliable smoke alarm. However, having smoke alarms in your home isn't enough. The smoke alarms must actually work if you are to have effective fire protection.  Here at Patterson Insurance Management Inc, we're all about your safety.  We encourage you to get into the habit of doing a quick check of your smoke alarm each month to ensure that they are working properly, and to change the batteries in each smoke detection device at least once a year to ensure that their batteries are fresh and strong. 

If Neglected, Smoke Alarms Could Stop Functioning

Smoke alarms could fail to detect smoke and fire for several reasons.   If they have not been replaced in some time, they might outlive their usefulness, especially if they are more than 10 years old. However, more commonly, these alarms don't work because their battery is dead or because the smoke alarm has been disconnected or is missing its batteries.  In fact, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) warns that about two-thirds of home fire deaths in 2005-2009 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

The Smoke Alarm Might Fail to Remind You

Why not just wait until the smoke alarm's beeping alerts you that your smoke alarm batteries need to be replaced.  That's a bad idea for many reasons such as…

• You might not even know that your alarms are not working if you are not at home during time from when the beeping alert begins until your smoke alarm batteries go totally dead. This leaves your family and your home unprotected against fire.
• If you don't have replacement smoke alarm batteries ready when the beeping alert occurs, you might be tempted to just stop the beeping by removing the batteries or disconnecting your smoke alarm. Of course, this dangerously diminishes your protection from a fire until you remember to replace the batteries and get your smoke alarm working again.

Replacing Smoke Alarm Batteries

• If your smoke alarm is giving you frequent nuisance alarms, then it’s time to replace the entire smoke alarm unit. Don’t be tempted to just disconnect the battery to stop the nuisance alarms

• Install the correct type of replacement battery as recommended in the manual or label on your smoke alarm, and follow all directions. Avoid using rechargeable batteries in your smoke alarm because manufacturers of smoke alarms advise against them.

• Almost all smoke alarms batteries should be replaced each year, including those in hard-wired smoke alarms with battery backup. The only exceptions are hard-wired smoke alarms without a battery backup and smoke alarms that have a 10-year battery that cannot be replaced. In the latter case, you would replace the complete smoke alarm every 10 years.
• Remember to change the batteries in your carbon monoxide alarm at the same time that you change your smoke alarm batteries.
• Take the opportunity to clean your smoke alarm at the time that you change the batteries each year.
   
• More About Home Smoke Alarms from the NFPA (Video) 
• Smoke Alarms: Installation and Maintenance Tips
• Smoke Alarm Types: Ionization vs. Photoelectric