http://www.stoskel.com/blog/View Stoskel Insurance Associates's Website Blogen-uspostmaster@www.stoskel.comInsurance Website Builder - www.insurancewebsitebuilder.comurn:uuid:d4f222b1-d8ef-4f43-8261-4988cc9ba723urn:uuid:633e8c5c-fba7-459e-8911-1671a1f8156c<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/holiday-party-e-vite.jpg' align='left' />Thanksgiving marks the beginning of holiday season and for many that means party time. But hosts who serve alcohol should take steps to limit their liquor liability and make sure they have the proper insurance. &nbsp; Because you can be held legally ...Wed, 07 Dec 2011 07:19:58 -0600<img alt="" style="width: 223px; height: 168px; float: left; margin-right: 3px;" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/holiday-party-e-vite.jpg" />Thanksgiving marks the beginning of holiday season and for many that means party time. But hosts who serve alcohol should take steps to limit their liquor liability and make sure they have the proper insurance. <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Because you can be held legally responsible for your guests&rsquo; actions after they leave your party, hosts need to be particularly careful, while a social host is not liable for injuries sustained by the drunken guest (as they are also negligent), the host can be held liable for third parties, and may even be liable for passengers of the guest who have been injured in their car. <br /> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Before planning a party in your home, it is important to speak with your insurance agent or company representative about your homeowners coverage and any exclusions, conditions or limitations your policy might have for this kind of risk. Homeowners insurance usually provides some liquor liability coverage, but it is typically limited to $100,000 to $300,000, depending on the policy, which might not be enough.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>Whether you are hanging out with a small group of friends for cocktails or throwing a big family bash, remember that a good host is a responsible host, and needs to take steps to ensure guests get home safely if they have been drinking.</div> <div> <h2>How to Protect Yourself and Your Guests</h2> </div> <div>If you plan to serve alcohol at a holiday party the I.I.I. offers the following tips to promote safe alcohol consumption and reduce your social host liability exposure:<strong> </strong></div> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Make sure you understand your state laws. </strong>Before sending out party invitations, familiarize yourself with your state&rsquo;s social host liability laws. These laws vary widely from state to state. Some states do not impose any liability on social hosts. Others limit liability to injuries that occur on the host&rsquo;s premises. Some extend the host&rsquo;s liability to injuries that occur anywhere a guest who has consumed alcohol goes. Many states have laws that pertain specifically to furnishing alcohol to minors.</li> </ul> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Consider venues other than your home for the party</strong><strong>.</strong> Hosting your party at a restaurant or bar with a liquor license, rather than at your home, will help minimize liquor liability risks.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Hire a professional bartender</strong>. Most bartenders are trained to recognize signs of intoxication and are better able to limit consumption by partygoers.<strong>&nbsp;</strong></li> </ul> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Encourage guests to pick a designated driver</strong> who will refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages so that he or she can drive other guests home.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Be a responsible host/hostess</strong>. Limit your own alcohol intake so that you will be better able to judge your guests&rsquo; sobriety.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Offer non-alcoholic beverages and always serve food</strong>. Eating and drinking plenty of water, or other non-alcoholic beverages, can help counter the effects of alcohol.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Do not pressure guests to drink</strong> or rush to refill their glasses when empty. And never serve alcohol to guests who are visibly intoxicated.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Stop serving liquor toward the end of the evening</strong>. Switch to coffee, tea and soft drinks.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>If guests drink too much or seem too tired to drive home, call a cab</strong>, arrange a ride with a sober guest or have them sleep at your home.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Encourage all your guests to wear seatbelts as they drive home</strong>. Studies show that seatbelts save lives.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <div>&nbsp;For more information go to <a href="http://www.stoskel.com">http://www.stoskel.com/</a><br /> <br /> </div> <div>&nbsp;</div>urn:uuid:910c0981-e04b-4030-8ec6-65811eb2a089<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/WarningBadTexting2.jpg' align='left' />Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law on Wednesday a prohibition on texting while driving, although it will be four months before it takes effect. "There is no text message in the world that is worth the value of human life," Corbett said at the bill sign...Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:41:24 -0600<p><img alt="" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/WarningBadTexting2.jpg" style="width: 227px; height: 127px; float: left; margin-left: 3px; margin-right: 3px;" />Gov. Tom Corbett signed into law on Wednesday a prohibition on texting while driving, although it will be <strong>four months before it takes effect.</strong></p> <p>"There is no text message in the world that is worth the value of human life," Corbett said at the bill signing in a phone store in the Harrisburg suburbs. The bill makes it a primary offense, allowing police to pull over drivers they see violating the law. It carries a potential $50 fine.</p> <p>The law bans sending, reading or writing a text-based message from a wireless phone, personal digital assistant, smartphone, portable or mobile computer or similar devices. Corbett said there were 13,790 crashes and 66 fatalities in Pennsylvania last year that were caused by distracted driving.</p> <p>State police will be able to enforce the law by observation, interviewing drivers and passengers, and in cases where needed, obtaining a driver's cellphone records.</p> <div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /> Read more: <a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_766480.html#ixzz1dQIRQKxP" style="color: #003399;">Law signed to ban texting and driving - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review</a> <a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_766480.html#ixzz1dQIRQKxP" style="color: #003399;">http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_766480.html#ixzz1dQIRQKxP</a><br /> </div>urn:uuid:5af355a0-0e11-4ec0-aac5-9deda3e5d0aa<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/Teen%20driver.jpg' align='left' /> HARRISBURG -- Moms and dads, it looks like you're going to have to keep driving the car pool for a while, even after your teens get their licenses. The state House overwhelmingly gave final approval to legislation limiting the number of passengers i...Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:31:42 -0500<p><img alt="" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/Teen%20driver.jpg" style="width: 242px; height: 161px; float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 3px;" /> HARRISBURG -- Moms and dads, it looks like you're going to have to keep driving the car pool for a while, even after your teens get their licenses.</p> <p>The state House overwhelmingly gave final approval to legislation limiting the number of passengers in cars operated by new teenage drivers.</p> <p>Newly licensed drivers under age 18 can have no more than one passenger under 18 other than immediate family members unless a parent or legal guardian is in the vehicle. After six months, teens who have not been found at fault in a motor vehicle accident can transport up to three passengers who are under 18 and not immediate relatives. More than three passengers still would require a parent.</p> <p>The legislation also expands driver education requirements by increasing on-the-road training by 15 hours for a total of 65. Ten of those hours must be at night and five during inclement weather.</p> <p>The bill also makes it a primary offense to operate a motor vehicle with a young child who isn't in a car seat or a passenger under 18 who isn't wearing a seat belt. Right now, not wearing a seat belt is a secondary offense for all drivers, which means they can only be charged if they are stopped for another offense.</p> <p>Kids can con thier parents;&nbsp; "But it's different when there's a law. It's not just your mother to worry about, but Officer Jones in your rear-view mirror."</p> <p>Some lawmakers said the bill doesn't go far enough because it doesn't include a prohibition on using handheld cell phones while driving.</p> <p>Majority Leader Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods, celebrated passage of the legislation.</p> <p>"More may get done in the future, but do not underestimate the importance of putting this bill on the governor's desk," he said before the vote. "We are about to embark on the most significant safe teen driving measures that we have had before us."</p> <p>The Legislature's action will make Pennsylvania the 44th state to restrict the number of passengers young drivers can transport.</p> <p>"This will limit the number of distractions young drivers have," said Brian Newbacher, director of public affairs for AAA East Central, based in Pittsburgh. "Car crashes are the leading cause of death among this age group, and inexperienced drivers are more prone to peer pressure from passengers and inclined to take risks."</p> <p>The bill, Sponsored by Rep. Kathy Watson, R-Bucks, been working on the legislation for six years and, during that time, met many grieving parents who lost teenagers in car accidents.</p> <p>"To them, they want this law so other families don't have to go through what they do," Ms. Watson said.</p> <p>But, she said, her legislation does more than protect teenagers.</p> <p>"It's not just for families with kids. It's about all of us who share the road with teen drivers. This is good for everybody," she said.</p> <div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; border: medium none; text-align: left;"><br /> </div>urn:uuid:706a5c47-2a7d-4bd3-be46-a496fee37166<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/halloween-tricks-treats.jpg' align='left' />&nbsp; A few basic safety steps, along with up-to-date &nbsp;&nbsp; homeowners and auto insurance &nbsp; policies, can take some of the fright out of possible Halloween related damage. &nbsp; &nbsp;&ldquo;If you&rsquo;re worried about your home or ap...Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:04:45 -0500<strong><img alt="" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/halloween-tricks-treats.jpg" style="width: 168px; height: 154px; float: left;" />&nbsp; A few basic safety steps, along with up-to-date &nbsp;&nbsp; homeowners and auto insurance<br /> &nbsp; policies, can take some of the fright out of possible Halloween related damage. <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;&ldquo;If you&rsquo;re worried about your home or apartment being damaged by a small army of <br /> &nbsp; trick-or-treaters dressed like Zombies, Charlie Sheen, Snooki or Lady&nbsp; <br /> &nbsp; Gaga&mdash;anticipated to be the most popular costumes this year&mdash;call your insurance&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> &nbsp; agent, broker or company representative,&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;They can help explain your insurance coverage, suggest upgrades to your policy and even offer tips to keep your home safe this holiday season.&rdquo;</div> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li><strong>Your home or car is the target of mischief</strong><br /> Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies provide coverage for vandalism. There will be a deductible before your policy starts to pay, but if you suffer expensive damage to your home or possessions you will be financially protected. In the event that your car is damaged by mischievous trick-or-treaters, there is coverage under the optional comprehensive portion of your auto insurance policy. <br /> <br /> </li> <li><strong>There is a fire in your home</strong><br /> If a Halloween candle or electrically powered decoration causes a fire, any damage will be covered by standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. If the fire is significant enough to make your home unlivable, you would also be covered for additional living expenses, such as having to check into a hotel while your home is being repaired.<br /> <br /> </li> <li><strong>A trick-or-treater is injured on your property</strong><br /> If a trick-or-treater or Halloween party guest is accidently injured in your house or apartment, you would be covered under the liability portion of your homeowners or renters insurance policy, should the injured guest sue you. Standard policies also include no-fault medical coverage so that the injured guest could simply file their medical claim with your insurance company and avoid a lawsuit. Not everyone is familiar with this coverage, but it provides very important financial protection.<br /> <br /> </li> <li><strong>You crash your car into a tree to avoid hitting a trick-or-treater<br /> </strong>Of course, we know you will drive slowly and carefully, but if a group of excited trick-or-treaters darts in front of your car causing you to swerve and hit a tree, you should be covered. Accidents that do not involve another driver or pedestrian are covered under the optional collision portion of an auto insurance policy. If another car or person is involved in the accident, the liability portion of your auto policy would kick in.</li> </ul> <div>Some basic steps can make your home safe for trick-or-treaters, so you can avoid Halloween disasters altogether:</div> <ul style="list-style-type: square;"> <li>Remove all objects around the outside of your house that could cause children to trip or fall.</li> <li>Turn your outside light on so children will know they can visit your home.</li> <li>Keep candles, jack-o-lanterns, matches and lighters in a place that children cannot reach. Halloween candles with multiple wicks close to one another are hazardous and should not be used. When lit they can produce a single high flame or several large flames close together resulting in intense heat and the danger of igniting nearby materials such as curtains or window sills.</li> <li>Keep pets inside and away from trick-or-treaters and lit candles, especially if they are easily frightened or become over-excited in the presence of strangers.</li> <li>If using decorative lights indoors or outdoors, use lights certified by a recognized organization such as <a href="http://www.ul.com/global/eng/pages/">UL</a> (Underwriters Laboratories). Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires or loose connections. Discard damaged sets. Do not overload extension cords.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <div>It will be getting dark in much of the country by 5 p.m. on Monday, October 31, and because Halloween falls on a school day, many youngsters will be canvassing neighborhoods for treats after dark. Motorists need to remember that kids may be distracted by all the costumes and candy. So, drive slowly in residential areas and honk your horns on dimly lit streets to alert children who may not be paying close attention to vehicular traffic. And watch out for youngsters crossing against the light, darting out from between parked cars and walking in the street.</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <br /> </strong>urn:uuid:efbb40af-9471-45e2-95c4-2061422f12f1<img src='http://www.erieinsurance.com/eriesense/issues/Fall2011/images/RateLock_Logo_Lg.jpg' align='left' />Power to the People September 9, 2011 Life can be full of things that you just can&rsquo;t control&hellip; rising gas prices, untimely appliance breakdowns&ndash;even the weather. To feel more in control of things in your life, it&rsquo;s good to fo...Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:42:52 -0500<h1><strong>Power to the People</strong></h1> September 9, 2011<br /> <br /> <p>Life c<img width="152" height="233" alt="Carbon watch " src="http://www.erieinsurance.com/eriesense/issues/Fall2011/images/RateLock_Logo_Lg.jpg" style="float: left; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" />an be full of things that you just can&rsquo;t control&hellip; rising gas prices, untimely appliance breakdowns&ndash;even the weather. To feel more in control of things in your life, it&rsquo;s good to focus on things you <em>do</em> have control over. And now, that list can include your auto insurance premium.&nbsp; </p> <p>With ERIE Rate Lock^sm auto insurance feature, you can lock in your current insurance rate and be protected from rate increases &ndash; even if you file a claim or have a violation&ndash; until <em>you</em> add or remove a vehicle or driver or change your primary residence. ERIE Rate Lock is applied through the Rate Protection Endorsement, available in the District of Columbia, Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia or Wisconsin for both new Customers and current Customers making a change to a vehicle, driver, or their address. </p> <p><strong>Why lock my rate in? </strong></p> <p>When you have a fender bender or submit a claim, you shouldn&rsquo;t be punished with increased premiums, right? Everyone makes mistakes. The only damage should be to your car, not your insurance rates. </p> <p>ERIE Rate Lock offers you pricing stability during economic times that are anything but stable. As gas prices go up and up, you can feel good knowing your insurance premium will remain intact (up to three years in Va.), until you make a change to your policy. </p> <p>Once the endorsement is in place, if you add or remove a vehicle or driver, or change your primary residence, ERIE will re-rate your policy. </p> <p><strong>Especially helpful for youthful drivers and fixed income customers</strong></p> <p>With Rate Lock, you can lock in your insurance rate beyond our usual 12-month policy term. As a result, when you add a young driver to a policy, ERIE can build in the rates for that driver over several years, lessening the initial rate impact. (After all, wouldn&rsquo;t it be nice to have one less new gray hair over adding your young driver to your policy?)</p> <p>Plus, if you&rsquo;re on a fixed income, this endorsement will allow you to budget your annual auto premium knowing you won&rsquo;t have unexpected increases. </p> <p><strong>Tell a friend (or two or three)</strong></p> <p>If the idea of a little stability in these rocky times sounds good to you, be sure to ask your Agent about ERIE Rate Lock next time you are making a change to cars, drivers or your address.&nbsp; Then tell your friends and family who aren&rsquo;t insured by ERIE. They can take advantage, too, if they&rsquo;re smart like you and insure with us. Tell them to check out the company that locks it in. </p>urn:uuid:385943a1-9961-4a07-b395-2352fe8157a4<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/graduate.jpg' align='left' />&nbsp; Is Your Teen Going to&nbsp; College? &nbsp;&nbsp; College Student Insurance Needs &nbsp;The moment&rsquo;s come.The bags are unpacked, the bed is made, pictures are on the wall,&nbsp; and &nbsp;&nbsp; the snack-shelf is fully stacked. It&rsqu...Tue, 31 May 2011 15:56:31 -0500<h1><img alt="" height="233" width="233" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/graduate.jpg" style="float: left;" />&nbsp; <span style="font-size: 24px;">Is Your Teen Going to&nbsp; College?</span></h1> <a name="391"></a> <p><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp; College Student Insurance Needs</strong></p> <p><em>&nbsp;The moment&rsquo;s come.The bags are unpacked, the bed is made, pictures are on the wall,&nbsp; and &nbsp;&nbsp; the snack-shelf is fully stacked. It&rsquo;s time to say good-bye. And in your stomach, you feel an odd mixture of pride and joy, anxiety, and&hellip; sentimentality.Can this bright young college student who is positively vibrating with excitement REALLY be your little one who just learned to walk?</em></p> <p><em>It&rsquo;s hard to let go.</em></p> <p><em>But as a parent, you&rsquo;ve spent the last 18 years raising your child to be ready for these first steps into life in their own. And you did a great job &ndash; otherwise, they wouldn&rsquo;t be here.</em></p> <p><em>Still, you'll want to make sure they're fully protected as they sail off with their wishes, dreams and hopes.</em></p> <p><em>Stoskel Insurance can provide you with guidance on what insurance you'll need and what you won't need for this life altering event. Following are some points to consider when it comes to your college student's insurance needs:</em></p> <ul> <li><em>Auto Insurance </em></li> <li><em>Homeowner&rsquo;s or Renter&rsquo;s Insurance</em></li> <em> </em><em> </em></ul> <p><strong>Auto Insurance</strong></p> <p><em>You might think that if your student goes away to school and doesn&rsquo;t take a car, you can drop him from your auto policy and save some extra money. But what if he comes back for Christmas break and wants the car to visit friends? Or, what if he is away at college and his friends ask him to be a "designated driver" one evening?</em></p> <p><strong>If your student doesn't take a car to school, we recommend that you </strong>keep him listed on the policy for a number of reasons:</p> <ul> <li>He&rsquo;ll be fully protected if he returns home for a weekend visit and wants to drive.</li> <li>He will have insurance protection when he&rsquo;s driving a friend&rsquo;s car while away, and that vehicle isn&rsquo;t adequately insured.</li> <li>Even if he doesn&rsquo;t take a car to school, he&rsquo;ll be fully protected if he&rsquo;s hit by a car while walking or bicycling, or while being a passenger in somebody else&rsquo;s car.</li> <li>Keeping him on your auto policy maintains continuous insurance coverage, which may be beneficial when he gets his own auto insurance policy.</li> </ul> <p>You can also apply for the <em>AWAY at College Discount</em> if your child attends college 75 miles or more away from home.</p> <p><strong>If your student takes a car to school,</strong> she can still remain on your auto policy. In fact, she <em>should</em>, since it is usually much more expensive for young divers and students to have their own policy.Be sure to notify us about the new garaging address:Not only do insurance companies prefer that, but it may also save you money, particularly if your student attends college in a less populated area of the state.</p> <p>Full-time college students can usually remain covered on their parents&rsquo; auto policy if their primary address is the parents&rsquo; house, even if they attend college out of state. Make sure that the policy meets the minimum auto liability requirements for that state.</p> <p>If your student owns the vehicle and holds the title, they'll need their own auto policy.</p> <p>Stoskel Insurance specializes in properly insuring your college student. We will review your situation and make sure all coverage is current and adequate.</p> <p><strong>Homeowner&rsquo;s or Renter&rsquo;s Insurance</strong></p> <p><em>You've bought your daughter a brand new laptop computer and a printer as a going away present. She's going to the University of Washington as a full time student. Will these valuable electronics be insured from theft, vandalism or a fire?</em></p> <p><strong>If your child continues to live in your household, </strong>her belongings are covered under your policy.</p> <p>If your child stays in a dorm room on campus and you, the parents, have renter&rsquo;s or homeowner&rsquo;s insurance for your home, your insurance policy will extend to cover her belongings, up to a 10% limit of your personal property coverage.<br /> <br /> That means, if your renter&rsquo;s or homeowner&rsquo;s policy has a limit of $200,000 for personal property, there will be coverage for up to $20,000 for your child&rsquo;s belongings. Keep in mind that coverage is subject to your renter&rsquo;s or homeowner&rsquo;s policy deductible, usually $500 - $1,000.</p> <p>Check with us to make sure the personal property limit on your homeowner&rsquo;s policy is adequate. You might need additional coverage to insure expensive items like jewelry, musical instruments, or certain sports equipment.</p> <p>Please note: Will your child return home or travel abroad for longer periods of time as part of their college experience? If they leave their belongings in a dorm or fraternity / sorority house for more than 45 days, your homeowners policy will no&nbsp; longer cover those belongings. </p> <p>In that situation, it's important to either ship the belongings home during extended absences or temporarily store the items in a commercial storage facility.</p> <p><strong>If your college student lives in his or her own place off-campus, or shares an off-campus house or apartment with friends</strong>, things get a little trickier.You might have to set up a separate renter&rsquo;s policy for your student. That will not only cover his or her &lsquo;stuff&rsquo;, but also provide liability coverage in case somebody gets hurt in her place.In addition, many landlords have made renter&rsquo;s insurance a requirement of the lease. Renter&rsquo;s insurance policies are usually quite affordable, generally less than $15 per month.</p> <p>Depending on your child&rsquo;s particular situation, there might be some other variables that need to be considered.<strong>This is where an independent insurance agency (like us!) really comes in handy!</strong></p> <p>If your student is about to move into his or her own place, give us a call. We can help you navigate through the insurance-jungle and make sure you get the best value and protection for your money.<br /> <br /> <strong>We Can Advise You</strong></p> <p>Having a child go off to school is a rollercoaster ride.There is so much to think about, not to mention the whirlwind of emotions. Get yourself and your student the peace of mind you deserve when it comes to your auto and homeowners&nbsp; insurance protection. When life's emergencies are dealt with by a competent pro, it's one less thing to think about.</p> <p> </p> <p>Our team at Stoskel Insurance Services specializes in family protection plans. Our family oriented agency has helped thousands of clients get prepared for the changing insurance needs of new college students and their families, while making sure they get the best protection for their insurance dollar. We know where to look for and find the discounts!</p> <p> </p> <p>Contact us today for a free review of your and your student's insurance plan.</p> <p> <br /> <br /> <br /> </p>urn:uuid:6bd71561-e550-4320-8463-c3180be71185<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/Vday%20bling.jpg' align='left' />&nbsp; New Bling from Your Valentine? &nbsp; Make Sure It&rsquo;s Covered If you receive an expensive gem or a new Valentine&rsquo;s Day bauble, make sure you have the&nbsp; necessary insurance.&nbsp; While no one can put a price on sentimental value...Thu, 03 Mar 2011 14:14:57 -0600<h1><span style="font-size: 24px;"><img alt="" style="width: 165px; height: 165px; float: left;" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/Vday%20bling.jpg" />&nbsp; New Bling from Your Valentine?</span></h1> <h1>&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 24px;"> Make Sure It&rsquo;s Covered</span></h1> <p>If you receive an expensive gem or a new Valentine&rsquo;s Day bauble, make sure you have the&nbsp; necessary insurance.&nbsp; While no one can put a price on sentimental value, insuring your jewelry <br /> will keep it financially protected if it is lost or stolen.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong>&nbsp;What you should know about insuring your jewelry:</strong></p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Jewelry can be covered in a standard homeowner policy under your existing policy. Types of&nbsp; losses are&nbsp;theft, fire, windstorm,&nbsp; and vandalism. However, all policies have limitations. </p> <p style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><strong>Steps you can take for the right coverage:</strong></p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc;"> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; color: black;">Have jewelry appraised and keep a copy of the appraisal in case you need to file a claim.</li> <li style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; color: black;">Ask your agent about adding an endorsement to cover your new item.</li> </ul> <p></p> <ul> <li>&nbsp;It is always good practice to review your policy whenever you purchase new, expensive items.&rdquo;</li> </ul> <p>If you are an Erie Insurance Policyholder, you probably have a $3,000 limitation for the theft of personal items unless you have purchased an endorsement for the policy. If you own jewelry, watches, furs or precious stones that are worth more than $3,000 combined, or any one item is more than $3,000, you may want to purchase an additional endorsement on your existing homeowner's policy. </p> <p>Erie Insurance offers Policyholders various options to protect valuables. Those choices include:</p> <ol style="list-style-type: decimal;" start="1"> <li><strong>Purchasing an expanded or enhanced endorsement.</strong> For an additional premium, Policyholders can increase their coverage limits from $3,000 to $5,000 for extra theft coverage. With this option, the most a Policyholder can claim on <em>any one item</em> is $3,000 and the homeowners deductible applies.</li> <li><strong>Purchasing a personal inland marine policy.</strong> Erie Insurance Policyholders can add an endorsement to an existing homeowners policy or purchase a separate personal inland marine policy for expensive items such as jewelry, furs, watches or precious stones. This type of policy provides all risk coverage, including theft, misplacement or losing a valuable item. The policy can be purchased with no deductible; or, for a premium credit, a deductible can be applied.</li> </ol> <p>When you purchase an item with considerable value like jewelry, you should contact your Agent immediately. Find out how much coverage you have and if any additional coverage is needed.</p> Stoskel Insurance Associates<br /> 724.225.8344<br /> www.stoskel.comurn:uuid:88237c87-c291-4656-b4e9-2e9a07296a7a<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/TOP-BEST-CARS-Toyota-Corolla-2010-2.jpg' align='left' /> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Safest Rides &nbsp;More than 60 models earn the 2011 TOP SAFETY PICK &nbsp;Automakers have stepped up safety. Ten new vehicles have joined the 2011 &nbsp;TOP SAFETY PICK winners list from the Insurance Institute for Highwa...Tue, 08 Feb 2011 15:07:21 -0600<div class="WordSection1"> <div style="text-align: center;"> </div> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Safest Rides<img alt="" height="135" width="259" style="float: left;" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/TOP-BEST-CARS-Toyota-Corolla-2010-2.jpg" /></strong></p> <p><strong><em>&nbsp;More than 60 models earn the 2011 TOP SAFETY PICK</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;Automakers have stepped up safety. Ten new vehicles have joined the 2011<br /> &nbsp;<em>TOP SAFETY PICK</em> winners list from the Insurance Institute for Highway <br /> &nbsp;Safety for a total of 66 winners. One of them is the 2011 Ford Explorer, <br /> &nbsp;which joins, for the first time, previous and current Ford SUV winners: the Ford Flex and Lincoln MKT. The all-new Ford Fiesta is the only minicar to earn the <em>TOP SAFETY PICK</em> in 2011. </p> <p>&nbsp;What&rsquo;s <em>not </em>on the list? Pickups. None of the small pickups the Institute evaluated qualified for this year's award, and large pickups haven't yet been tested.</p> <p>&nbsp;<strong>The front-running automakers on the list are</strong> Hyundai/Kia and Volkswagen/Audi who each have 9 winners for 2011. Next in line with 8 awards apiece are General Motors, Ford/Lincoln, and Toyota/Lexus/Scion. Subaru is the only manufacturer with a winner in all the vehicle classes in which it competes. Subaru earns 5 awards for 2011.</p> <p>&nbsp;Notably, for consumers looking to buy a fuel-efficient small car, General Motors provides a new award-winning option with the Chevrolet Cruze. GM built the Cruze&mdash;which has 10 standard airbags&mdash;including ones for the knees, to outperform the government's minimum roof strength requirements and touts the achievement as a selling point.</p> <p>&nbsp;<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">2011 <em>TOP SAFETY PICK </em>WINNERS</span>&nbsp;</strong><strong> <strong></strong></strong></p> </div> <strong></strong><strong>Large cars</strong><br /> <div class="WordSection2"> <p style="margin-bottom: 4.6pt;"> Buick LaCrosse<br /> Buick Regal<br /> BMW 5 series (except 4-wheel drive and V8)<br /> Cadillac CTS sedan<br /> Ford Taurus<br /> Hyundai Genesis<br /> Infiniti M37/M56 (except M56x 4-wheel drive)<br /> Lincoln MKS<br /> Mercedes E class coupe<br /> Mercedes E class sedan<br /> Toyota Avalon <br /> Volvo S80</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 4.6pt;"><strong>&nbsp;Midsize cars</strong><br /> Audi A3<br /> Audi A4 sedan<br /> Chevrolet Malibu<br /> Chrysler 200 4-door<br /> Dodge Avenger<br /> Ford Fusion<br /> Hyundai Sonata<br /> Kia Optima<br /> Lincoln MKZ <br /> Mercedes C class<br /> Subaru Legacy <br /> Subaru Outback<br /> Volkswagen Jetta sedan<br /> Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen<br /> Volvo C30</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 4.6pt;"><strong>&nbsp;Small cars</strong><br /> Chevrolet Cruze<br /> Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control<br /> Kia Forte sedan<br /> Kia Soul<br /> Mitsubishi Lancer sedan (except 4-wheel drive)<br /> Nissan Cube<br /> Scion tC<br /> Scion xB <br /> Subaru Impreza sedan and hatchback (except WRX)<br /> Toyota Corolla<br /> Volkswagen Golf 4-door<br /> Volkswagen GTI 4-door</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 4.6pt;"><strong>Minicar</strong><br /> Ford Fiesta sedan and hatchback (built after July 2010)</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 4.6pt;"><strong>Small SUVs </strong><br /> Honda Element<br /> Hyundai Tucson <br /> Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags<br /> Kia Sportage<br /> Subaru Forester<br /> Volkswagen Tiguan</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 4.6pt;"><strong>Large SUV</strong><br /> Volkswagen Touareg</p> <p style="margin-bottom: 4.6pt;"><strong>Minivan</strong><br /> Toyota Sienna </p> <p style="margin-bottom: 4.6pt;"><strong>Midsize SUVs</strong><br /> Audi Q5<br /> Cadillac SRX<br /> Chevrolet Equinox <br /> Dodge Journey<br /> Ford Explorer<br /> Ford Flex<br /> GMC Terrain<br /> Hyundai Santa Fe<br /> Jeep Grand Cherokee<br /> Kia Sorento built after March 2010<br /> Lexus RX<br /> Lincoln MKT<br /> Mercedes GLK <br /> Subaru Tribeca<br /> Toyota Highlander<br /> Toyota Venza <br /> Volvo XC60<br /> Volvo XC90</p> </div> <br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" /> <p>&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:b2733d3e-9515-4e67-8953-3da06e84566d<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/plane.jpg' align='left' />&nbsp; Snowbird Smarts &nbsp; Winter got you down? Have you decided to fly south? We don&rsquo;t blame you! Whether you&rsquo;re flying &nbsp; south for the winter or just leaving for the week, make sure to prep your home while you&rsquo;re &nbsp; ...Sat, 15 Jan 2011 08:36:31 -0600<p><strong><img alt="" style="width: 223px; height: 137px; float: left;" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/plane.jpg" />&nbsp; Snowbird Smarts</strong></p> <p>&nbsp; <a name="OLE_LINK1">Winter got you down? Have you decided to fly south? We don&rsquo;t blame you! Whe</a>ther you&rsquo;re flying <br /> &nbsp; south for the winter or just leaving for the week, make sure to prep your home while you&rsquo;re <br /> &nbsp; gone. This will help you avoid damage and be able to come back to your home to find it just<br /> &nbsp; the way you left it. <br /> <br /> <strong>If you&rsquo;re going on a short trip: </strong></p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; list-style-type: disc;"> <li>Make sure windows and doors are securely locked. </li> <li>Leave an outside light on (a motion-sensored light is ideal). </li> <li>Put food away and clear out all crumbs so rodents and ants don&rsquo;t take up residence. </li> <li>Unplug small appliances and shut off computers to prevent fire hazards and save on electricity. </li> <li>Put lights on timers. </li> <li>Stop mail service or arrange for a trusted neighbor to pick it up.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;<strong>If you&rsquo;re going on a longer trip or closing down a vacation home:</strong></p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; list-style-type: disc;"> <li>Pour a 50-50 mix of antifreeze and water into drains if your home is in a freeze area. (Check with the sewer company first&mdash;it may have a nontoxic alternative.) </li> <li>Drain water from the plumbing system and turn off water at the main line if you&rsquo;re closing a home during the winter season. Complete this task to prevent a pipe from springing a leak, even if you don&rsquo;t expect pipes to freeze. </li> <li>Leave the furnace on low. In areas with high winter humidity, mold and mildew can grow, so you should leave the furnace on at a low temperature (55), rather than turning it off entirely. </li> <li>Bring in lounge chairs, umbrellas, grills, toys, garden hoses and other outdoor items.</li> <li>Store outdoor equipment in a locked shed. If your home has a satellite dish, disconnect it and bring it inside. </li> <li>Trim trees away from the house and clean out the rain gutters. Put shutters on windows if necessary. </li> <li>Cover your whole-house attic fan with heavy plastic if the house is idle in winter. Follow manufacturer instructions for outdoor air conditioner care and maintenance. </li> <li>Give a set of keys, along with your contact information, to a trusted local contact or hire a security company to check on your place occasionally. </li> <li>Hire a service or neighbor to&nbsp; remove snow if you will be gone for an extended period of time.</li> </ul> <p>Have questions? We can help you think about keeping your home safe and about how your homeowners insurance policies can protect your regular home or your vacation home. Give us a call. 724.225.8344</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:1e954bbe-94ab-40c9-8b17-f7736b7cfcb1<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/Thief.jpg' align='left' />&nbsp; What will the car thieves think of next? They peer through the windshield of your car or truck, &nbsp; write down the VIN # from the label on the dash, go to the local car dealership and request a &nbsp; duplicate key based on the VIN #. &nb...Thu, 30 Dec 2010 08:38:24 -0600<p><img alt="" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/Thief.jpg" style="width: 207px; height: 137px; float: left;" />&nbsp; What will the car thieves think of next? They peer through the windshield of your car or truck, <br /> &nbsp; write down the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle_Identification_Number"><strong>VIN #</strong></a> from the label on the dash, go to the local car dealership and request a <br /> &nbsp; duplicate key based on the VIN #.</p> <p>&nbsp; I didn&rsquo;t believe this e-mail, so I called Chrysler Dodge and pretended I had lost my keys. They <br /> &nbsp; told me to just bring in the VIN # and they would cut me one on the spot! I could even order the<br /> &nbsp; keyless device if I wanted!</p> <p>The Car Dealer&rsquo;s parts Department will make a duplicate key from the VIN # and collect payment from the thief who will return to your car. He doesn&rsquo;t have to break in, do any damage to the vehicle, or draw attention to himself. All he has to do is walk up to your car, insert the key and off he goes to a local chop shop with your vehicle.<img alt="" height="200" width="250" src="http://buyhomesinfo.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/VIN-Window-etching.gif" title="vin #" style="float: right;" /></p> <p>You don&rsquo;t believe it? It IS that easy. To avoid this from happening to you, simply put some tape (electrical tape, duct tape or medical tape) across the <strong>VIN Metal Label</strong> located on the dash board.</p> <p>By law, you cannot remove the VIN, but you CAN cover it so it can&rsquo;t be viewed through the windshield by a car thief.</p> <p>I urge you to forward this to your friends before some other car thief steals another car or truck.</p>urn:uuid:c46853d3-8345-4fa9-96c9-88e76d6bb003<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/car-thieves.jpg' align='left' /> &nbsp; While Americans are enjoying the holidays and most have time off from &nbsp; work, holidays are just another day at the shop for vehicle thieves. &nbsp; New Year's Day was once again the leading holiday for reported vehicle &nbsp; thefts...Thu, 30 Dec 2010 08:32:13 -0600<div> <div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; text-decoration: none; border: medium none; text-align: left;"> <p><img alt="" height="175" width="301" style="float: left;" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/car-thieves.jpg" />&nbsp; While Americans are enjoying the holidays and most have time off from<br /> &nbsp; work, holidays are just another day at the shop for vehicle thieves.</p> <div style="float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 8px; width: 300px;"> <div id="ox_ae582a65c5a870c15fcb2ba627b1106f" style="display: inline;"></div> <div id="beacon_5bf051bad9" style="position: absolute; left: 0px; top: 0px; visibility: hidden;"><img alt="" height="0" width="0" src="http://ads.wellspublishing.com/www/delivery/lg.php?bannerid=1589&amp;campaignid=851&amp;zoneid=1&amp;loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insurancejournal.com%2Fnews%2Fnational%2F2010%2F12%2F28%2F115956.htm&amp;referer=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.insurancejournal.com%2Fnews%2F&amp;cb=5bf051bad9" style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" /></div> </div> <p>&nbsp; New Year's Day was once again the leading holiday for reported vehicle<br /> &nbsp; thefts in 2009, while Christmas Day repeated as the holiday with the fewest&nbsp; <br /> &nbsp; reported vehicle thefts.</p> <p>&nbsp; For the 11 holidays reviewed in 2009, a total of 22,991 vehicles were <br /> &nbsp; reported stolen compared to a total of 24,676 reported for those same days<br /> &nbsp; in 2008, according to an <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/45986023/Holiday-Car-Theft-Analysis-NICB">analysis by the National Insurance Crime Bureau</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> &nbsp; (NICB).</p> <p>The holidays ranked by number of thefts reported to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) in 2009 were:</p> <ul> <li>New Year's Day 2,760</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Halloween 2,325</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Independence Day 2,207</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Memorial Day 2,207</li> </ul> <ul> <li>President's Day 2,204</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Labor Day 2,202</li> </ul> <ul> <li>New Year's Eve 2,189</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Valentine's Day 2,090</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Christmas Eve 1,851</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Thanksgiving 1,620</li> </ul> <ul> <li>Christmas Day 1,336</li> </ul> <p>The National Insurance Crime Bureau, headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., is supported by nearly 1,100 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations.</p> </div> </div>urn:uuid:c0acb45b-f5c9-46c1-9777-8a73fe2ab16f<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/distracted-driver-1.jpg' align='left' />&nbsp; Motorists in Wisconsin will now face up to a $400 fine along with four &nbsp; demerit points if they are found to be texting while operating a motor &nbsp; vehicle. The new law takes effect December 1 of this year. &nbsp;Distracted driving h...Thu, 02 Dec 2010 19:52:59 -0600<p><img alt="" width="346" height="230" style="float: left;" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/distracted-driver-1.jpg" />&nbsp; Motorists in Wisconsin will now face up to a $400 fine along with four <br /> &nbsp; demerit points if they are found to be texting while operating a motor<br /> &nbsp; vehicle. The new law takes effect December 1 of this year.<br /> <br /> &nbsp;Distracted driving has gained widespread attention as of late. The <br /> &nbsp;practice has been associated with thousands of deaths in the U.S. each<br /> &nbsp;year.<br /> <br /> &nbsp;Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent David Collins says motorists <br /> &nbsp;who are distracted are taking the lives of others into their hands.<br /> <br /> &nbsp;"Any lapse in attention to traffic or road conditions is a grave danger to you, your passengers and everyone else on the road," says Collins. "No attempt to multi-task in your vehicle, no phone call, and no text message is more important than a human life."<br /> <br /> Even if a motor vehicle accident doesn't end up taking a life, the emotional and physical damage can be substantial. A minor accident at the very least can require result in higher <a href="http://www.stoskel.com/automobile/car_insurance_quote.aspx">auto insurance</a> rates and a damaged vehicle requiring costly repairs. Motorists should pull over or wait until they reach their destination before answering a phone call or text message.&nbsp;</p> <div id="contact-editor"> <p>Feedback or questions? Email the editor <a href="mailto:giz@stoskel.com" class="ApplyClass">here</a>.</p> </div>urn:uuid:063626a7-0562-4c7c-bce3-81d4254655ae<img src='file:///C:/Users/PREFER%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png' align='left' />&nbsp; Congratulations To Everett G. McDonough for winning our&nbsp; &nbsp; Referral Rewards Program. Yesterday, Nov. 17th Everrett left our &nbsp; office with our grand Prize of a 42" Plasma Flatscreen TV!! &nbsp; Everrett left yesterday saying "I...Thu, 18 Nov 2010 09:29:08 -0600<img alt="" src="file:///C:/Users/PREFER%7E1/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png" /><img alt="" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/Everettt%20the%20winner%21_thumb.JPG" style="width: 366px; height: 264px; float: left;" />&nbsp; Congratulations To Everett G. McDonough for winning our&nbsp; <br /> &nbsp; Referral Rewards Program. Yesterday, Nov. 17th Everrett left our<br /> &nbsp; office with our grand Prize of a 42" Plasma Flatscreen TV!! <br /> &nbsp; Everrett left yesterday saying "I am 80 years old and I have never <br /> &nbsp; won anything my whole life!" Congratulations Everett, enjoy your <br /> &nbsp; new toy!!urn:uuid:2df6b2d6-c600-4b85-9928-06581293e5c2<img src='http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2743877537_fa17b3c697.jpg' align='left' /> Sunday, November 7, marked the end of Daylight Saving Time. That means as our clocks fell back at 2 am, we got an extra hour of sleep! &nbsp;Here are a few other things we suggest you do as Daylight Saving Time ends: Check the batteries in your smo...Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:06:04 -0600<p > Sunday, November 7, marked the end of <a target="_blank" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daylight_saving_time">Daylight Saving Time</a>. That means as our clocks fell back at 2 am, we got an extra hour of sleep!</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img height="239" width="235" alt="Clocks" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3256/2743877537_fa17b3c697.jpg" title="Clocks" class="aligncenter" style="float: left;" /></p> <p>&nbsp;Here are a few other things we suggest you do as Daylight Saving Time ends:</p> Check the batteries in your smoke detector(s). While they should technically be tested once a month, this is a good time to hit the button as you walk through the room.<br /> Check your carbon monoxide detector. Remember, the average lifespan of a carbon monoxide detector is two years. <ol> <li>Have flashlights stashed throughout the house? Check the batteries in those as well&mdash;they won&rsquo;t do much good in an emergency with dead batteries!</li> </ol> Live in an area with harsh winters? The end of Daylight Saving Time is the perfect opportunity to winterize your car. Stash a warm blanket, flashlight and snow scraper in your trunk. <ol> <li>Check for <a target="_blank" href="http://zomm.com/activate">ZOMM updates</a>. Make sure your ZOMM is up-to-date with the latest firmware so you&rsquo;re reaping the maximum benefits from it. <em>(Hint: there&rsquo;s one available now!)</em></li> </ol> <h4><a href="http://zomm.com/blog/updates/all-i-want-for-christmas-is%e2%80%a6zomm-1455/">All I Want for Christmas is&hellip;ZOMM!</a></h4> If a new phone is on your Christmas list this year, then you should probably add ZOMM to that list as well! ZOMM will make sure you never lose your phone again&mdash;it&rsquo;s the gift that keeps on giving. However, even if a new phone isn&rsquo;t on your list, ZOMM still can be. That&rsquo;s because ZOMM works with almost ANY cell phone out there, just as long as it has Bluetooth. ..<br /> <br /> http://zomm.com/blog/updates/protect-yourself-with-the-zomm-panic-alarm-1447/urn:uuid:1d2dcc62-5c09-4c26-8b82-e60e30e9af7d<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/distracted%20driver.jpg' align='left' />Next time you&rsquo;re driving and you take your hands off the steering wheel to reach&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;for your coffee, or cell phone, or GPS unit, consider this: distracted driving- related crashes killed 5,474 people and injured another 448,000 ...Fri, 22 Oct 2010 14:27:43 -0500<img alt="" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/distracted%20driver.jpg" style="float: left;" />Next time you&rsquo;re driving and you take your hands off the steering wheel to reach&nbsp;&nbsp; <br /> &nbsp;for your coffee, or cell phone, or GPS unit, consider this: <strong>distracted driving- related crashes killed 5,474 people and injured another 448,0</strong><strong>00 across the United States in 2009.</strong> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/811379.pdf">The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report</a> found that the proportion of overall traffic fatalities associated with driver distraction increased from 10 percent to 16 percent between 2005 and 2009, though the percentage remained unchanged between 2008 and 2009.</p> <p>Of those people killed in distracted-driving-related crashes, 995 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction (18 percent of fatalities). Of those injured in distraction-related crashes, 24,000 involved reports of a cell phone as a distraction (5 percent of injuries).</p> <p>In <a target="_blank" href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/opinion/os-ed-distracted-drivers-ray-lahood-020100917,0,2486899.story">a Sunday op-ed in the Orlando Sentinel</a> published on the eve of the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.distraction.gov/">second Distracted Driving Summit</a>, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said the numbers show that distracted driving remains an epidemic in America and, due to underreporting, are just the tip of the iceberg.</p> <p>The news comes as overall traffic fatalities fell in 2009 to their lowest levels since 1950. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nhtsa.gov/PR/DOT-165-10">Updated 2009 NHTSA figures</a> show that 33,808 people died in motor vehicle crashes in 2009, down 9.7 percent from 37,423 in 2008.</p> <p>The record-breaking decline in traffic fatalities occurred even while estimated vehicle miles traveled in 2009 increased by 0.2 percent over 2008 levels.</p> <p>Meanwhile, debate continues on the best way to tackle the distracted driving problem, in particular cell phone use. Laws, effective enforcement, public education, crash avoidance technology, or a combination of all of these?</p> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/09/engineering-alone-cannot-end-the-distracted-driving-epidemic.html">According to the DOT</a>, distraction laws and enforcement are raising public awareness and changing behavior, resulting in major declines in distracted driving in certain areas of the country.</p> <p>However, the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.iihs.org/externaldata/srdata/docs/sr4508.pdf">Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)</a> points out that while bans on driver phone use reduce phoning, they don&rsquo;t reduce crash risk. A better prescription for distracted driving might be crash avoidance features, the IIHS says.</p> <p>Which brings us to personal responsibility. The findings of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.chubb.com/corporate/chubb12441.html">a just-released Chubb survey</a> reveal an amazing disconnect between how people view the dangers associated with distracted driving and their own behavior behind the wheel.</p> <p>It found that more than half of U.S. motorists say they have used a cell phone while driving, but 90 percent say it should be illegal to do so.</p> <p>In a press release Raymond Crisci, vice president and worldwide automobile product manager for Chubb Personal Insurance, says:</p> <blockquote> <p><a target="_blank" href="http://www.chubb.com/corporate/chubb12441.html">We&rsquo;re hopeful that as people continue to become more educated regarding the hazards associated with distracted driving, they&rsquo;ll be less likely to engage in risky behavior.&rdquo;</a></p> </blockquote> <p>Good point. What do you think?</p> For related info, check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.iii.org/iu/auto-crashes/">an I.I.I. issues paper on auto crashes</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.iii.org/media/facts/statsbyissue/highway/">I.I.I. facts and stats on highway safety</a>urn:uuid:e10a5594-9475-4a10-bb54-4b4d079e908aAccording to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, each year there are an estimated 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions nationwide, causing damage, injuries and even death.&nbsp; Erie Insurance is the only insurance company using ten years&rsqu...Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:02:59 -0500<p>According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, each year there are an estimated 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions nationwide, causing damage, injuries and even death.&nbsp; Erie Insurance is the only insurance company using ten years&rsquo; worth of deer claims to perform an in-depth annual analysis of deer-vehicle collisions, pinpointing when and where collisions occur.&nbsp; </p> <p>&nbsp;By taking precautions, you can reduce your risk. </p> <ul style="margin-top: 0in; list-style-type: disc;"> <li>Watch your watch&hellip;and your calendar: <ul style="margin-top: 0in; list-style-type: circle;"> <li>Most deer-vehicle collisions occur in the months of October, November, and December, particularly during hunting season. </li> <li>The peak collision period is the first two weeks of November.</li> <li>Other high-risk times include the last week of October and the month of January. </li> <li>The highest-risk hours are between sunset and midnight and shortly before and after sunrise.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Be cautious: <ul style="margin-top: 0in; list-style-type: circle;"> <li>Stay awake, alert and sober, and always wear your seatbelt.</li> <li>Drive at a safe, sensible speed for conditions. </li> <li>Increase the distance between yourself and the vehicle in front of you, especially in wooded areas.</li> <li>Deliberately look for deer, particularly when driving during peak collision times.</li> <li>Be extra cautious in areas where deer commonly cross roads and where roads divide fields from forests.</li> <li>When driving at night, use high-beam headlights - which illuminate deer eyes - when there is no opposing traffic. &nbsp;</li> </ul> </li> <li>When deer are near: <ul style="margin-top: 0in; list-style-type: circle;"> <li>Slow down and blow your horn to urge the deer to leave the road &ndash; never rely on devices such as deer whistles, deer fences, and reflectors to deter deer.</li> <li>If the deer stays on the road, stop, put on your hazard lights, and wait for the deer to leave the roadway.</li> <li>Never try to drive around a deer while it&rsquo;s on the road.</li> <li>Never swerve your vehicle to avoid striking a deer - if a collision is imminent, hit it while maintaining full control of your vehicle.</li> </ul> </li> <li>If a crash happens: <ul style="margin-top: 0in; list-style-type: circle;"> <li>Keep your distance to avoid injuries. </li> <li>Keep an eye out for other deer, as they frequently travel single-file in groups. <strong></strong></li> <li>If the deer is blocking the roadway, contact the Game Commission or a local law enforcement agency.</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;If you do collide with a deer, report your claim as soon as possible.&nbsp; Either contact our office at 724.225.8344 during business hours,&nbsp; or call ERIE&rsquo;s Extended Hours Claims Service at (800) 367-3743 during nights and weekends.&nbsp; You can also submit your claim online at www.stoskel.com.</p>urn:uuid:0a75bebb-0cd9-4bda-89d2-3a96e4c52f6b<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/troy-polamalu-hair-490x325.jpg' align='left' />Troy Polamalu&rsquo;s Expensive Hair Polamalu and his $1 million locks--Image via Wikipedia The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported today that Steelers&rsquo; star safety Troy Polamalu&rsquo;s flowing black mane has been insured by Lloyd&rsquo;s ...Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:06:30 -0500<h1 class="post-title">Troy Polamalu&rsquo;s Expensive Hair</h1> <img alt="" height="162" width="245" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/troy-polamalu-hair-490x325.jpg" /> <div sizset="84" sizcache="5" class="entry"> <div class="zemanta-img"> <div class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Troy_Polamalu-vsRams-Dec-20-07.jpg"><br /> </a> <p class="wp-caption-text">Polamalu and his $1 million locks--Image via Wikipedia</p> </div> </div> <p>The <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10244/1084109-66.stm">Pittsburgh <em>Post-Gazette</em> reported today</a> that Steelers&rsquo; star safety Troy Polamalu&rsquo;s flowing black mane has been insured by <a href="http://www.lloyds.com/">Lloyd&rsquo;s of London</a> for $1 million. Polamalu (and his hair), of course, star in those <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqkgRkHY_FU">semi-entertaining television ads</a> for Head &amp; Shoulders shampoo, a product that Polamalu has supposedly used for most of his life. The insurance is being paid for by the shampoo&rsquo;s parent company, Procter &amp; Gamble.</p> <p>It&rsquo;s a great publicity stunt. According to the <em>Post-Gazette</em>, Polamalu is insured for on-the-field hair loss only. The possibility of anything horrible happening on the field seems remote. If <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVO93amUv7Y">Larry Johnson&rsquo;s tackle in 2006</a> couldn&rsquo;t do it, nothing can.</p> <p>Lloyd&rsquo;s has pulled these stunts before. They&rsquo;ve insured the legs of Betty Grable and the, um, behind of Jennifer Lopez.</p> <p>I actually own a piece of Polamalu&rsquo;s hair. A co-worker who knew I was a die-hard fan of the Black &amp; Gold gave it to me last year, with some joke about how &ldquo;they never would have done this with Terry Bradshaw.&rdquo;</p> <p>Apparently it was part of an earlier Head &amp; Shoulders promotion. Truthfully, I haven&rsquo;t even opened the package, and I doubt I ever will. (The prospect of finding one of those long curly strands in my soup is enough to keep it all in the package.) But I have to wonder. Now that there&rsquo;s been a price put on Polamalu&rsquo;s head, how much is the hair I own worth?</p> <p sizset="84" sizcache="5">Supposed strands of Abraham Lincoln&rsquo;s hair have been hot auction items ever since his assassination. A lock of Che Guevara&rsquo;s hair was once <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21476982/">reportedly</a> auctioned for $100,000.</p> <p sizset="85" sizcache="5">I&rsquo;m keeping it in the bag for now. If Polamalu can win a few more Super Bowls, maybe I&rsquo;ll get in touch with historical hair broker Louis Mushro</p> </div>urn:uuid:84a01970-87d2-4cff-a125-c760ac166494<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/lindsay-lohan-koi.jpg' align='left' />&nbsp; In all the commotion of Lindsay Lohan's fall from&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; grace, little attention has been paid to the impact her risky behavior will have on her insurance &mdash; auto, home, life, and health. But consumers can learn from her ...Sun, 08 Aug 2010 18:28:29 -0500<p style="text-align: justify;"><img alt="" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/lindsay-lohan-koi.jpg" usemap="#rade_img_map_1281309932017" style="width: 253px; height: 253px; float: left; border-width: 0px; border-style: solid;" />&nbsp; In all the commotion of Lindsay Lohan's fall from&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; grace, little attention has been paid to the impact her risky behavior will have on her insurance &mdash; auto, home, life, and health. But consumers can learn from her mistakes, according to the Insurance Information Network of California.</p> <div style="text-align: right;"> </div> <p style="text-align: justify;">Using Lohan's profile, ZIP code, vehicle model and current record of two DUIs and an at-fault car accident, IINC determined the average insurance premium difference she could pay for automobile insurance because of her risky behavior.</p> <p>A single, 24-year-old female who lives in Beverly Hills ZIP code of 90210 (she lives in a condo in West Hollywood) and drives a 2009 Mercedes SL550 convertible would have access to 100 percent of the insurers offering auto coverage in California, IINC said. With a clean driving record, Lohan would pay approximately $2,075 every six months for a full coverage policy. But because of the at-fault accident and two DUIs on her driving record, the six-month premium jumps to $7,408.90. Worse yet, she would only have access to less than 10 percent of the companies in California offering auto coverage because most of the major insurers in the state would not want to insure her. Instead, she would probably have to purchase coverage for bad drivers through the Department of Insurance, IINC said.</p> <p>Furthermore, her risky behavior also could affect the premium she would pay for life insurance, as some life insurers will pull a DMV record when determining a customer's premium, the association indicated.</p> <p>"Before we initially did the analysis, we thought her insurance would double," said Pete Moraga, communications specialist for IINC. But, the increase in her premium because of her driving record is 350 percent more because she made some bad choices, compared to if she had a clean driving record.</p> <p>"The big picture is that all of us can learn from her mistakes," Moraga said. "People don't always understand that what they pay for insurance is based on their own risk profile &hellip; and risky decisions we make in our daily lives will impact that cost."</p> <p>A DUI stays on a person's driving record for 10 years, for instance.</p> <p>Lohan might be able to afford paying nearly $15,000 for auto insurance, but for the general public, it's important to know that the decisions we make and risks we take will affect your pocketbooks, Moraga said. "If we take risks and make bad decisions, our insurance will be much more expensive."</p> <div style="overflow: hidden; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; border: medium none;"><br /> <br /> </div> <map id="rade_img_map_1281309932017" name="rade_img_map_1281309932017"> <area coords="196,110,199,111" shape="RECT" /></map>urn:uuid:8303f8e9-822f-4e6b-8b0a-0b8e67594f90<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My%20Documents/hawaii-rental-car.jpg' align='left' />&nbsp;Rental Car? We recommend: Buy the insurance Start your vacation off right and don&rsquo;t let surprise questions catch you off-guard at your destination.&nbsp; When it comes to rental-car insurance, our answer and easy and straight-forward:&nb...Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:31:41 -0500<strong><span style="font-family: georgia;">&nbsp;</span></strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><span style="font-family: georgia;">Rental Car? We recommend: Buy the insurance<img alt="" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My%20Documents/hawaii-rental-car.jpg" style="width: 185px; height: 148px; margin-right: 0px; float: right;" /></span></strong></span><br /> <br /> Start your vacation off right and don&rsquo;t let surprise questions catch you off-guard at your destination.&nbsp; When it comes to rental-car insurance, our answer and easy and straight-forward:&nbsp; <em><strong>Buy the insurance. </strong></em><br /> <br /> You have the option to purchase a &ldquo;Loss Damage Waiver&rdquo; (LDW) from the rental car company.&nbsp; If purchased, this waiver relieves you from financial liability for the loss of, or damage to the rental car and the parts and accessories that come with it. <br /> <br /> <em>We recommend buying the LDW for a variety of reasons:</em><br /> <ul> <li>&nbsp;If you cause damage to the rental car, the rental car company will likely require immediate reimbursement for the repairs.&nbsp; They won&rsquo;t wait until a claim is submitted and processed.&nbsp; That means, they will charge (and possibly max out) your credit card to get the car fixed as quickly as possible.&nbsp; They won&rsquo;t do that if you purchase the LDW.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>&nbsp;Not only that:&nbsp; A rental car company only makes money when they rent out their cars.&nbsp; If the car is &ldquo;on hold&rdquo; because it is in a repair shop due to the damage you caused, the rental car company may also charge you for &ldquo;loss of use&rdquo;.&nbsp; This is also covered if you buy the LDW.</li> </ul> <ul> <li>If you don&rsquo;t have collision / comprehensive coverage on your personal auto policy, there also won&rsquo;t be collision / comprehensive coverage available for the rental car.&nbsp; That means, you will be responsible of you don&rsquo;t buy the rental company&rsquo;s insurance.&nbsp; So &ndash; again.&nbsp; Buy the LDW.&nbsp; </li> </ul> <ul> <li>If you do have collision / comprehensive coverage on your personal auto insurance, your policy will extend, but you still have to pay the deductible.&nbsp; Also, you may face a rate increase at your next policy renewal.&nbsp; If you buy the LDW, there is no deductible, and no potential rate increase for your personal auto policy.&nbsp;</li> </ul> <em>Keep in mind:&nbsp;</em> Even if you buy the LDW, there are likely to be some exclusions, such as only listed drivers are covered, you are not covered if you when driving while intoxicated, or may not be covered on certain sections of road or off-road (such as the infamous road to Hana on Maui).&nbsp; So, take a moment to read the fine print. <br /> <br /> <em>As to your credit card:</em>&nbsp; Some credit cards will, indeed, extend to provide coverage for a rental car.&nbsp; But contracts vary from card to card, and some cards may only provide secondary or excess coverage, which requires you to file a claim with your auto insurance first.&nbsp; Call your credit card company to confirm coverage, before your rely on them.<br /> <br /> <em>Also</em>, please keep in mind that your personal auto insurance will only extend protection in the US and Canada.&nbsp; If you travel abroad to Europe, Asia or South America and plan to rent a car, it is best to purchase maximum liability limits through the rental company&rsquo;s coverage. <br /> <br /> <strong>How your homeowner&rsquo;s or renter&rsquo;s insurance can cover you even away from home Done! <br /> </strong><br /> Everything is packed!&nbsp; It was sure a chore, but definitely worth the trouble.&nbsp; You wanted to be sure to not miss a thing.&nbsp; After all, it&rsquo;s the trip you&rsquo;ve been saving up for a year:&nbsp; Two weeks at the sports resort, where you can ski on the glacier, golf, and lounge by the pool &ndash; all in one day!&nbsp; And you get two weeks of this fun! <br /> <br /> So of course, you packed your skis, your snowboard, the golf clubs, and your camera gear.&nbsp; And two weeks worth of clothes.&nbsp; Needless to say, everything is maxed out. <br /> <br /> As you are thinking about what you might be forgetting, the thought that something could get lost or stolen during your trip doesn&rsquo;t even cross your mind.<br /> <br /> But&hellip; what if?&nbsp; This is exactly where a homeowner&rsquo;s or renter&rsquo;s policy could come in handy. <br /> <br /> A homeowner&rsquo;s or renter&rsquo;s insurance policy doesn&rsquo;t only protect you and your &lsquo;stuff&rsquo; while you&rsquo;re at home.&nbsp; It also protects your belongings away from home.&nbsp; For example, if your ski gear was stolen right from the porch of the lodge while you&rsquo;re inside?&nbsp; It&rsquo;d be covered.<br /> <br /> &nbsp;If your camera slipped out of the bag and tumbled down 75 feet of rocky slope as you climb up that boulder? It&rsquo;d be covered.<br /> <br /> &nbsp;Even the stuff that you have in your car (on a road trip, or in everyday life) is covered by a homeowner&rsquo;s or renter&rsquo;s policy.&nbsp; And NOT by your auto policy, as you might expect.&nbsp; (We&rsquo;d like to take this opportunity to remind you:&nbsp; Please don&rsquo;t leave any valuable belongings in your car, and please always lock your car doors.)<br /> <br /> &nbsp;But there&rsquo;s more.&nbsp; A homeowner&rsquo;s or renter&rsquo;s policy doesn&rsquo;t only cover items.&nbsp; It also provides liability protection.&nbsp; And this is where it really counts!&nbsp; Because, if you accidentally damaged somebody else&rsquo;s property or, worse, hurt somebody, you could be held liable.<br /> <br /> And if you are held liable for medical expenses or loss of income &hellip;&nbsp; you could be in debt for the rest of your life. <br /> <br /> It can happen quite easily&hellip; Imagine, you decide to give the black diamond a try.&nbsp; A quarter of the way down, you finally admit it to yourself that you are in over your head.&nbsp; But now, there aren&rsquo;t very many options.&nbsp; You&rsquo;ve got to get down. <br /> <br /> And sure enough you fall, slide down on your back, and rumble straight into a woman who is waiting at the edge of the slope for her husband.&nbsp; She falls, too, and breaks her wrist.&nbsp; Not only that.&nbsp; She&rsquo;s a surgeon, and depends on her wrist and a steady hand to do her job&hellip;a very well-paid job, that she won&rsquo;t be able to do for at least a while.<br /> <br /> A homeowner&rsquo;s or renter&rsquo;s insurance policy can help you out.&nbsp; Please give us a call for more information.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong></strong></span>urn:uuid:82731395-9a0c-4c62-9593-3531797b976a<img src='http://www.stoskel.com/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/hulk.jpg' align='left' /> &nbsp;&nbsp; Hulk Hogan is mad! If only he&rsquo;d known about &nbsp;&nbsp; umbrella insurance! &nbsp; Hogan may be a world heavy weight champion, &nbsp; &nbsp; but he&rsquo;s going to need help from lawyers to&nbsp; &nbsp; wrestle his way out ...Fri, 11 Jun 2010 19:50:47 -0500<h3 data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;msg&quot;}" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message"><span style="color: #494429;"><img alt="" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px;" src="/img/%7Ewww.stoskel.com/My_Images/hulk.jpg" /></span></h3> <h3 data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;msg&quot;}" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message">&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="color: #c00000;">Hulk Hogan is mad! If only he&rsquo;d known about </span><span style="color: #c00000;"><br /> </span></h3> <h3 data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;msg&quot;}" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message"><span style="color: #c00000;">&nbsp;&nbsp; umbrella insurance! </span></h3> <h3 data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;msg&quot;}" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message">&nbsp; Hogan may be a world heavy weight champion, &nbsp; </h3> <h3 data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;msg&quot;}" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message">&nbsp; but he&rsquo;s going to need help from lawyers to&nbsp; </h3> <h3 data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;msg&quot;}" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message">&nbsp; wrestle his way out of this fight. </h3> <h3 data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;msg&quot;}" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message">&nbsp;&nbsp; The championship wrestler is suing his car insurance company, claiming it compromised his $30 million fortune in the near-fatal car c...rash caused by his son. </h3> <h3 data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;msg&quot;}" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message">Tampa Bay Online reported that The Hulk blames his car insurance company, Wells Fargo Southeast, for failing to tell him to increase his policy&rsquo;s liability limits as his fortune grew. He says he was underinsured. According to news reports, Hogan&rsquo;s teenage son caused a car wreck in 2007 that left a passenger in his car severely injured. </h3> <h3 data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;msg&quot;}" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message">The passenger&rsquo;s medical bills exceeded Hogan&rsquo;s policy limits of $250,000 per person and The Hulk had to use some of his own money to settle a lawsuit filed by the estate of the passenger. </h3> <h3 data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;msg&quot;}" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message">At first glance, you have to wonder why The Hulk is suing his insurance company when it paid out $250,000 to the injured passenger &ndash; his policy limit. He could have chosen higher liability limits. </h3> <h3 data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;msg&quot;}" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message">Better yet, he should have purchased an umbrella policy, which increases your liability limits. Umbrella coverage is relatively inexpensive. </h3> <h3 data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;msg&quot;}" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message">According to the Insurance Information Institute, it will cost you between $150 to $300 per year for an extra $1 million of coverage. So what&rsquo;s Hulk&rsquo;s beef? According to his lawsuit, his insurance company never advised him to increase his liability limits once he added teenage drivers to his policy &ndash; which poses a greater financial risk. </h3> <h3 data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:&quot;msg&quot;}" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message">The insurance company disputes this. According to Wrestling Inc., Wells Fargo Insurance Services said it offered to get a personal umbrella policy for the professional wrestler&rsquo;s family but the offer was rejected. It remains to be seen who the court believes. But his story is a good reminder about the importance of having appropriate liability limits. Hulk Hogan isn&rsquo;t the only one with assets to protect.</h3>