Newsletter

We are full steam ahead; the Holiday rush has begun. Beyond getting the flu vaccine, there's a lot you can do to help your body weather the season. Allison Aiello, Ph.D., a professor of epidemiology at the University of North Carolina offer a few words to help us survive the Holidays.

• Get plenty of sleep.
• Alcohol use has been associated with an increased risk of certain cancers. If you drink, do so in moderation.
• As you prepare holiday meals, keep yourself and your guests safe from food-related illness. Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs (including their juices) away from ready-to-eat foods and eating surfaces
• Wash your hands at least three times per day.
• Before you attend a party or are sitting down to eat a big holiday dinner, make sure to fill up on plenty of water. Water fills you up and is good for you in just about every way.
• Depression and suicidality increase during the holidays. Watch for signs of depression among your friends and family.
• Take more walks. Physical activity is the clearest step you can take to benefit your health during the holidays and any time of year.
• Spicy foods boost your metabolism so enjoy hot peppers, hot sauce, cayenne pepper and the like when cooking your favorite dishes or vegetables.

Enjoy the season…Happy Holiday!

Personal Insurance Update

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and many of us are searching our favorite web pages for the best deals on the items that top this year’s wish list.  Last year, cyber Monday was the year’s single biggest day for shopping, generating over 2 billion dollars in sales.  This year, consumer experts predict an even bigger day.  However, this online activity is also a big day for cyber criminals.

We recommend that you have us review your personal insurance to make sure you have the right kind of insurance, including identity theft protection, to protect you and your family throughout the holiday season.

Holiday Cyber Safety Tips

• Use a credit card rather than a debit card.  It is easier to resolve issues.
• Make sure your computer has updated security software.  Verify that your antivirus software is up-to-date with the latest virus definitions, and that useful features like real-time scanning are enabled.
• Update your passwords and make sure they are strong.  Do not use 1234 as your password.
• Don’t open email advertisement for sources you do not know.
• Use only familiar websites.
• Check you statements to make sure charges are correct.
• Always log out of websites after your shopping is complete.  Cookies can often keep you logged into accounts even after you close the browsing tab, an obvious no-no.  Get in the habit of clicking the "log out" button.
• Try not to do your online banking on the same computer you use to shop online.
• An extremely important online shopping safety tip is to keep your personal information protected.  No store needs your social security number or your birthday.

The National Retail Federation predicts that 

• 51 percent of adults will do online browsing with their mobile devices to find gifts.  If you use your smart phone or tablet to shop, make sure that you are only browsing safe, well-known sites.

At Dave Reed Insurance we believe our greatest asset is the relationships we build with our clients and we are dedicated to being the right choice for all of your insurance and financial needs. We take pride in our ability to tailor a comprehensive package that maximizes your insurance protection while minimizing money out of your pocket.

We are heading into the holiday season and that means a new set of concerns for homeowners. First there are weather related concerns and then comes Halloween.

Did you know that the insurance industry can tell you what the most common claims are for each month? Insurance companies keep very accurate and detailed records of when claims occur and what kinds of claims occur in what season.

Common Claims That Occur In The Fall

• Rear-end collisions. These occur more in the fall due to changing weather and increased rain. If you’re following a car, leave at least four seconds of time between you and the car in front of you if going 45 mph.
• Water damage. Damage as a result of rain or freezing pipes, occurs more often between October and December than in any of the other months.
• Fires from candles, cooking, and fireplaces caused over 45% of the home fires in the fall months. According to Ready.gov, more than 2,500 people lose their lives in house fires each year, and another 12,600 are injured. 
• Theft from vehicles. From October through December, more cars are broken into at shopping malls, due to increased holiday shopping. Always place your packages out of light in the trunk when going back and forth from your car to the stores.
• Snow, ice and rain accidents. Winter weather, even in warmer parts of the country, creates increased hazards and accidents. 37% of all skidding and snow claims occur between October and December.
• Home burglaries increase about 33% during the fall. Keep your doors locked, use motion detectors, and turn on your home alarm.

In the next few days, we will be watching children scramble from house to house in search of the elusive Halloween treat.  However, keeping our kids safe as they are out Halloween night is always a concern. 

Safety tips for kids

• Never, ever, go into a house.
• Costumes should be short enough to prevent children from tripping and falling
• An adult or an older responsible child should always accompany young children. Even older children should go trick-or-treating with an adult, or with friends.  Never go out alone.
• Only go to homes with a porch light on.
• Plan costumes that are bright and reflective.
• Do not eat homemade food.
• Examine all candy.  If it has been opened, toss it out.
• Use a flashlight.

At Dave Reed Insurance we believe our greatest asset is the relationships we build with our clients and we are dedicated to being the right choice for all of your insurance and financial needs. We take pride in our ability to tailor a comprehensive package that maximizes your insurance protection while minimizing money out of your pocket.

College and pro football season is about to kick off, and that means many of us will also be enjoying the traditional tailgate parties. Did you know your homeowner’s insurance can cover your liability if you injure someone during a tailgate party? However, if you bought you insurance online in 7 minutes, you may not have the right personal insurance coverage.  Pre-game tailgating gives us the chance to bond with fellow sports fans over the grill and cold beverages, but it also presents a few hazards that shouldn’t be overlooked. Don’t let a great day be spoiled by lack of personal insurance. So call us today and we will gladly review your coverage.

Tailgating Safety Tips

• Keep food at a safe temperature while transporting from home to the game
• Keep foods separated in plastic bags
• When packing the cooler, be sure raw meat and poultry are wrapped securely and separately
• Don’t let food sit out for hours
• If you serve any fish/shellfish make sure your party guests don’t have allergies. Don’t use the same cook surface for fish and other meat.
• Even on cloudy days, you may have a need for sunscreen
• Drink lots of water
• Pack lots of ice to keep food fresh
• Try to monitor drinking; there is nothing worse than a drunk football fan
• If you use a grill, make sure you follow all manufactures safety instructions
• Don’t use a grill close to any vehicles
• Keep lighter fluid away from grill or heat
• Always have a fire extinguisher and first aid kit on hand
• If you use charcoal briquettes, cool them down prior to storage. A good method is to place them in a bucket of water.  

At Dave Reed Insurance we believe our greatest asset is the relationships we build with our clients and we are dedicated to being the right choice for all of your insurance and financial needs. We take pride in our ability to tailor a comprehensive package that maximizes your insurance protection while minimizing money out of your pocket.

 

Most cars are not designed for pets, but pets are often passengers in cars.  Remember, your personal auto policy will not cover injury to your family pet, so it is very important to make sure your pets are secured and safe while driving.

1. Keep your pet off your lap while driving, it is not only a distraction, but unsafe for your pet.
2. Never leave your pet locked in a car when it is hot outside.
3. Be sure to take water with you for your pet.  There are containers that are collapsible and spill proof.
4. Mats and liners help protect carpets and make cleanup easier.
5. Don’t allow your dog to put his/her face out the window.
6. Get your pet geared up for a long trip by taking him on a series of short drives first.
7. Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier.
8. Another option is a safety harness; these have become very popular in recent years.
9. For long trips, stop every couple of hours to let your pet take a break and have some water.

Some carmakers, including Subaru and Volvo, cater to animal lovers with special equipment packages.  These save you the trouble of locating components separately, can be included in your financing, and are covered by the manufacturer warranty.

At Dave Reed Insurance we believe our greatest asset is the relationships we build with our clients and we are dedicated to being the right choice for all of your insurance and financial needs. We take pride in our ability to tailor a comprehensive package that maximizes your insurance protection while minimizing money out of your pocket.