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Posted on January 15th, 2016 by admin

Frozen pipes can lead to big problems for homeowners, not the least of which is the increased likelihood the pipes will burst if left unattended. A crack as small as 1/8 of an inch can leak up to 350 gallons of water per day. Cracks also lead to structural damage to the home, and creating a huge risk of mold. These are the steps you can take to prevent pipes from freezing in your home: Identify Potential Problem Areas Pipes along the exterior walls of your house, in your basement or crawl space, or outside the home (swimming pool and/or…Read More

Posted on December 11th, 2015 by admin

Winter is coming. Few people understand the wicked ways winter can play havoc with safety than those who have experienced a New Jersey winter first hand. Even though you know the basics. It’s a good idea to review a few critical details as winter approaches and freshen up your approach to safe winter driving. First, a little preparation can help you avoid turning a potentially dangerous situation into one that is exceptionally dangerous. These are simple things you can do now to prepare as part of your winter driving checklist. Have your vehicle’s winterized before the season gets into full swing. If you…Read More

Posted on December 1st, 2015 by admin

Today is #GivingTuesday – we thought it would be appropriate to list out some of our favorite local charities.  If you live in Northern New Jersey and want to volunteer with your family this holiday season, here are some organizations to look into. Center for Hope and Safety Formerly called Shelter Our Sisters, the Center for Hope and Safety provides food, shelter and clothing for women and their children escaping domestic violence. Every year, volunteers donate more than 5,000 hours of service. Want to help out? There are many ways your family can get involved. Organize donations, help women and their children…Read More

Posted on November 11th, 2015 by admin

An up-to-date home inventory is an important tool for helping to piece together the inventory of your home in the event that a disaster or theft occurs and you need to file an insurance claim. There are many reasons it is necessary to not only create a thorough home inventory, but also to update it regularly. Why Do You Need a Home Inventory? It’s a straightforward question that baffles many homeowners and renters who have insurance. The bottom line is that insurance companies can’t simply afford to take your word for it. They have to take a “trust but verify…Read More

Posted on October 9th, 2015 by admin

According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 370,000 house fires broke out in 2013, resulting in more than 12,000 civilian injuries, 2,700 deaths and $7 billion in property damage. Don’t allow your home and family to become part of these statistics. Stay protected by following these seven simple fire safety tips. Install and Test Smoke Alarms Monthly You should have one of these devices on every floor of your home, including inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Shop for interconnected smoke alarms, where all devices sound when a single smoke alarm detects a fire. Test all smoke alarms monthly…Read More

Posted on September 21st, 2015 by admin

More American children die because of vehicle accidents than for any other single reason. One of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce this risk is by using child safety seats properly. Of course, following the rules also puts drivers in compliance with the new child seat laws that became effective on September 1 of 2015. Failure to comply with these new laws results in fines from $50 to $75. According to the State of New Jersey, the guidance for the latest New Jersey child seat laws comes from the recommendations of both The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration…Read More

Posted on August 27th, 2015 by admin

Keeping Teen Drivers Safe There is a reason that auto insurance companies consider teens a risky group of drivers to insure. Young drivers lack experience on the road. Some teens may not have matured enough to exercise good judgment. This isn’t just speculation. The U.S. Center for Disease Control, or CDC, says that car accidents are the #1 leading cause of death for teenagers in the United States. In order to understand how to keep teenaged drivers safe, it’s helpful to consider the primary risks. Consider these CDC stats about teen auto fatalities: Drivers between 16 and 19 years old…Read More

Posted on July 20th, 2015 by admin

Most people get the urge to buy life insurance after some major life event sparks a new sense of responsibility. A wedding, the birth of a baby, and the purchase of a house are three common examples of these kinds of events. It only makes sense for a spouse, parents, and homeowners to make sure that they can take care of their obligations even if they should unexpectedly pass away. However, not everybody who considers buying life insurance has just experienced a major life event. In order to decide if you really need life insurance, it’s important to think about…Read More

Posted on June 19th, 2015 by admin

There’s a new and growing trend to share rides and even houses. It sounds great and is spun as a way for housewives, college students, and even families to earn extra money. But, your participation in these types of programs has an impact on several things, including your insurance coverage. What is Ridesharing? The concept is called real-time ridesharing. What it is, is a service that provides one-time shared rides with very little notice. It is called many names, and while there is a company called Rideshare, there are other companies that offer the same, or very similar, services. Uber,…Read More

Posted on May 26th, 2015 by admin

From fitness trackers to smartwatches, wearable cameras, smartglasses, wearable blood glucose monitors, and biometric wristbands, wearable technology is changing the world in a number of amazing ways. There’s a whole new world of potential health and healthcare benefits waiting to be unlocked, thanks to the convenience of wearable technology. One thing is certain, the wearable technology market appears to be here to stay, at least according to the statistics below. Business Insider anticipates market growth of wearable technology to the tune of 35 percent per year reaching 148 million shipped per year by 2019. That’s up from 33 million shipped…Read More