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Fire Up the Grill—Not Your Home!

July 4, 2017

A Personal Insurance and Safety Update

In 2016, 17,200 people went to emergency rooms because of barbeque related accidents. Sixteen percent of home structure fires involving a grill were caused during ignition because something flammable was too close to the grill. Twenty percent of all reported grill fires were a result of leaks or breaks. Gas grills account for more home fires overall than do charcoal grills. Emergency rooms see the use of gasoline on a charcoal grill as the most common error associated with burn cases.
You might think you know all you need to know about barbeque safety and grilling, but here are some reminders. We want your grilling experience to be fun and safe for the entire family.

General Grilling Safety

Never barbeque inside, in a garage, on the roof, or on a second story deck.
Never leave your grill unattended.
If you are using a charcoal grill, let the lighter fluid soak into the coals a few minutes before lighting them so that any vapors have time to evaporate. When you do light the coals, stand back.
Do not use lighter fluid on hot coals.
Open the grill lid before you light it
Do not wear loose fitting clothing.
Keep an extinguisher outside or close by.
Make sure you use the grill 10 feet away from your house.
Use the grill close to a water source.
Do not let raw meat sit out too long without being chilled or cooked.
Always wash your hands before and after handling food.
Do not over-indulge in alcohol while barbecuing.
Always wash your hands before and after handling food.
Do not over-indulge in alcohol while barbecuing.

These Claims Were All Covered!

May 24, 2017

Auto Insurance

Auto insurance plays an important role in society. It protects you from liability and covers the damage in the event of an accident. Remember each auto insurance policy is different, and if you purchased your auto insurance online you may not have proper coverage. Claims will be paid based on your individual auto policy terms and conditions. Check out these interesting claims.

Auto insurance claims

A teenager drove the family van into the swimming pool; he pushed the gas rather the brakes.
An elderly man filed a claim after neighbors witnessed his wife drive through their garage door, through the living room and into their camper trailer, pushing it into the home's septic tank, resulting in the entire carport collapsing.
During a cold spell a few families of mice took up residence inside a Mazda 3 which was parked in a warm, toasty garage. It cost $7400 to dismantle the car and replace the seats and carpeting.
One day, a dog discovered a raccoon in his owner’s garage. The dog scared the raccoon and caused him to climb to the nearest safe place-- the roof of the dog-owner’s Lexus. While the raccoon and dog both suffered some damage, the biggest casualty was the Lexus. The entire body of the car was covered in claw and scratch marks, requiring a complete body makeover.
The owner of a 1961 Ford was working in the garage when his 10-point mounted buck fell off the wall and directly onto his precious car.

All these claims were subject to policy terms and deductibles.

Auto Insurance Coverage

According to www.iii.org. Auto insurance protects you against financial loss if you have an accident. It is a contract between you and the insurance company. You agree to pay the premium and the insurance company agrees to pay your losses as defined in your policy. Auto insurance provides property, liability, physical damage and medical coverage.
Many people don't fully understand what their auto insurance policy covers and excludes. To avoid making costly assumptions, it pays to know what's included in your policy. We are here to help answer all your insurance questions.

Update Your Home and Business Insurance To 3.0

April 26, 2017

An Insurance Update

Advancement in technology minimizes your risk and lowers your cost of insurance. Your persoanl insurance is part of a new wave of technology that is taking the country by storm. The insurance industry calls this the “Internet of Things” (loT). There are many good articles relating to this issue and we have provided a link: The Internet of Things: Groundbreaking Tech with Security Risks.

The ways in which technology helps your business can be defined by one word, “Connectivity.” We are all connected in so many ways now, and this can help reduce your risk. “For example, the sensors in smartphones and smartwatch devices are already helping healthcare providers to diagnose illnesses and monitor wellbeing. Black box telematics in cars can assist insurers in informing policyholders how safe their driving is and helping shape their insurance rates.

Ways in Which loT Helps You

Smart devices are connecting your homes in dozens of ways, including home security, heating, lights, and appliances. These allow you to manage your home from anywhere, and detect a fire or other hazard.
Automated claims systems are able to help your business analyze employee injuries, which leads to the development of advanced safety programs.
Using smart vehicles allows employers to monitor commercial drivers, which can lead to safer drivers.
Parents are able to use smart devices in personal autos to monitor teen drivers. Some auto insurance companies are offering these devices as an incentive to lower premiums based on actual driving indicators.

At Martinez & Associates Insurance Services 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.

Flood Season Is Here…Are You Covered?

March 15, 2017

A Flood Insurance Update

Winter will soon be over, and the arrival of spring rain can lead to major flooding. In the past 5 years, all 50 states have experienced floods or flash floods. Flood insurance cannot be purchased during a flood. There is a 30 day waiting period once the application is processed. Therefore, it is a good idea to start thinking about flood insurance right now.

According to w ww.floodsmart.gov, the official site of the National Flood Insurance Program, at least 25% of businesses that shut down after a flood never re-open. According to the same source, only a very small percentage of homeowners buy flood insurance.

Many business owners and homeowners are under the mistaken impression that their insurance policies cover them for damages arising from floods. While your personal insurance and/or business insurance policy may cover water damage, flood coverage is excluded. Just like homeowner’s flood insurance, commercial flood coverage must be purchased separately in a dedicated policy.

Flood insurance policies cover physical damage to your property and possessions. You can refer to the Summary of Coverage to help you better understand your policy and coverage. (Read More)

At Martinez & Associates Insurance Services 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.

2017 Insurance Buying Tips

February 2, 2017

Now that 2017 is here, it may be time to consider reviewing your personal insurance program. Most people don’t take time to review exposures, options, or their current economic condition before making their insurance purchase. We want to help you, so we prepared these insurance buying tips for 2017.

1. Don’t buy insurance through the internet – Call our agency and let us provide outstanding service along with competitive pricing.

2. Maintain good credit - Regularly check your credit score, since a low score may impact your premium.

3. Review your auto limits – If you have limits of less than $100,000, that won't even cover the medical bills in a serious accident. The minimum liability coverage that anyone with any assets or income to protect should be carrying is $500,000 to $1 million or more.

4. Maintain a home inventory – Having an accurate account of your personal property can provide for greater recovery in the event of a loss.

5. Bundle your insurance – Combine your auto, home and umbrella policies with one insurer to receive greater discounts.

6. Set the right deductible - A higher deductible reduces your premium, but you have to pay more out of pocket in the event of an accident. If you have a good driving record and haven’t had an accident, you may want to gamble and opt for a higher premium. The reward for this risk could be up to a 40% savings.

7. Consider Identity Theft – Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the U.S.

8. Buy from a financially strong company – Your insurance is only as good as the company who stands behind the policy. The insurance company should have an “A+” rating or higher.

9. Call us today and let us help protect what is important to you.

At Martinez & Associates Insurance Services 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.