How To Drive Distraction Free

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drivers are distracted by secondary activities 30% of the time while driving. Whether eating, smoking, drinking, talking, or fiddling with any of the dozens of electronic gadgets in the car, this behavior can be dangerous.

Get Anything Nice for Christmas? Insure it

If Santa left a new TV, video game system or other pricey gift under your Christmas tree this year, you may need to update your home or renters insurance coverage.

The electronics salesman at Wal-Mart or Best Buy will tell you every single detail about the new Toshiba big-screen lightning-fast laptop, but he won't tell you that you probably don't have enough insurance to replace it if it's damaged or stolen.

Is Someone Trying to Collect from Your Car Insurance by Staging a Car Accident?

If you become a victim of car insurance fraud, you pay. Not only will you pay higher premiums because you may acquire a costly claim, but, as with any car accident, you and your family could pay with your lives. It is important to learn more about fraud protection so you can protect yourself from others who may choose you to be a part of their next car insurance accident fraud scam.

Don't Forget Your Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Don't Forget Your Carbon Monoxide Alarms

More than 400 people are killed each year in the United States from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The American Medical Association reports that carbon monoxide poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States.

Why Every Policyholder Needs Umbrella Insurance

Today, lawsuits are everywhere. Lawyers are awarding larger amounts of money than ever. New York Homeowners, auto, and watercraft policies have a limit on liability insurance. If an unfortunate accident should happen that is your fault, do you have enough liability insurance from your current policies to cover your costs for negligence? Since no one can predict how much a judge may award the injured person, umbrella insurance is not just for the wealthy anymore, but a needed protection for every policyholder.

Insure Your Boat In and Out of the Water

Millions of Americans take to the water each year during boating season, traveling the coastlines, rivers, lakes and canals all over the country. The watercraft range from simple rowboats to jet skis to small motorboats to luxury yachts. Boat owners spend significant amounts of money buying and maintaining their boats.

Shun Those Cell Phones While Driving

More than 20 percent of injury crashes in the United States involve reports of distracted driving, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of those killed in distracted-driving related accidents, 18 percent involved the usage of a cell phone. Another study indicates that using a cell phone while driving, whether it is a hand-held or hands-free device, delays a driver's reactions as much as having a blood alcohol concentration at the legal limit of .08 percent.

A Growing Threat—Roots and Sewer Lines

Ever drive down the street and see a front yard with a trench that looks like someone is dredging a channel from the front door to the street? While a select few may be installing an expensive irrigation system, most are having the sewer line replaced. This line consists of a pipe that runs from the home to the mainline under the street. The lucky among them have undertaken this project on the advice of a proactive plumber who warned of the consequences of backup or leakage due to cracked or clogged pipes. The unfortunate majority have already experienced those consequences.

Should You Raise Your Minimum Car Insurance Liability Limits?

First, What is the Purpose of Your Car Liability Insurance?  Liability car insurance is one part of your car insurance policy. It is meant to protect you if you are found liable or responsible for something. Take for instance you damage someone's car in the parking lot when opening your door. Your car liability insurance will cover the damage to their car.

Physical Hazards In The Home

Accident Anytime-Cleaning Projects

Physical hazards in the home are also a large part of emergency room visits and New York homeowners insurance dollars that are greatly preventable by a small amount of prevention efforts. Take some time to do this Physical Hazards Home Accident Anytime-Cleaning Project to make your home safer:

More Drivers Seek Car Insurance Advice on Facebook, Twitter

More Americans are relying on social media for car insurance advice

Social media networks are quickly becoming a primary source for New York insurance for automobile, home, business and life as well as advice and shopping tips.

A survey from the Gartner research firm suggests that more consumers trust online commentary and reviews from other users. “The majority of consumers rely to some extent on social networks to guide them in their purchase decisions,” said the research firm.

Reduce Your Exposure to Mold Losses

Mold can be defined as a growth of minute fungi forming on vegetable or animal matter, commonly as a downy or furry coating, and associated with decay or dampness. Growth of mold may begin with or become exacerbated by water damage that is inadequately repaired. Increasingly, airtight building construction (for purposes of improving energy efficiency) and the recirculation of contaminated air can contribute to the growth of mold as well.

Mold claim costs have increased dramatically over the years. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the typical mold claim costs between $15,000 and $30,000, compared to only $3,000 to $4,000 for an average New York homeowners claim. Part of this reason is the additional living expenses component of the claim. Frequently, a home owner must temporarily move out of the home due to necessary and major remediation work.

Active mold is fuzzy, velvety, or slimy, and is orange, green, black, brown, pink, or purple in color. If you suspect you have a mold problem in your home, here are some tips to consider.

·      Check the inside and outside of the dwelling for leaks and any visual evidence of contaminants since plumbing leaks are a primary cause of mold in New York homes. This task includes investigating the attic and basement to closely check for dampness and discoloration. It is important that the source of the leak be repaired as quickly as possible.

·      If there is a slight amount of mold, used a detergent solution to remove it. Wear a mask, safety goggles, and rubber gloves while performing this task.

·      For larger amounts of mold or resistant mold, contact a qualified specialist in the area of mold remediation.

·      For moderate or major damage to property, also contact C.H. Edwards, Inc.

·      To mold-proof your New York home, dehumidify your basement during the warm months. Eliminate standing water, and frequently clean and replace furnace filters.

·      Regularly check the condition of your roof and exterior finish for any places where water might enter your home.

If mold is suspected of causing an illness, consider the following recommendations.

·      Contacting an environmental consultant may be necessary. You should ascertain the credentials of this consultant and contact the references provided. In addition, it is wise to select a consultant who does not perform the actual remediation work or have an interest in a company that does.

·      If symptoms persist, a physician who specializes in occupational and environmental medicine (rather than a family practitioner) should be consulted. The specialist is often able to more easily isolate the cause.

Covering the Gaps in Your New York Homeowners Insurance

Earthquake Insurance, Flood Insurance, and Mudslide Insurance

In insurance, a peril is an exposure to an event that may cause damage to your home. New York New York homeowners insurance covers the most common perils one would probably be exposed to in owning a home. Fire, lightning and internal explosion (like a furnace exploding) are examples of perils covered on most New York homeowners insurance policies. However, that one may want coverage for other perils.

Helping You Get Back Home After a Catastrophe

As we recover from the recent catastrophic weather event that struck the area, we urge you to keep following important safety tips in mind.

• Listen to the radio or television for storm recovery information or instructions.
• Move to high ground, avoid rising waters and do not walk or drive through any floodwaters.
  

Staying Safe in a Hurricane or Windstorm

A hurricane is a very powerful, rotating tropical storm that produces fierce winds, torrential rains and towering waves. Hurricanes develop over large bodies of warm water – including parts of the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea – and move generally northward. Although the southern and eastern coastal regions of the U.S. are most vulnerable to the most devastating effects of hurricanes, inland regions can be impacted by the storm’s remnant rains and winds.

Don't Become an Auto Theft Victim

Every 30 seconds, a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States. Using Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics, the National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that annual property losses from these thefts are approximately $5 billion. Although technology and aggressive law enforcement actions have lowered the auto theft rate in recent years, you should still be cognizant of this loss exposure. The following tips may prove helpful in reducing the chances that your vehicle or property in it may be stolen.

Tips On Pumping Gas

Only buy or fill up your New York automobile or truck in the early morning when the ground temperature is still cold. Remember that all service stations have their storage tanks buried below ground. The colder the ground the more dense the gasoline, when it gets warmer gasoline expands, so buying in the afternoon or in the evening....your gallon is not exactly a gallon. In the petroleum business, the specific gravity and the temperature of the gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, ethanol and other petroleum products plays an important role.

What You Need to Know About Your Title Insurance Company

Your Title Insurance Company Will Make Sure You Keep Your Home

Purchasing your New York home is an important decision. However, how does one know that the property they purchased has a clear title? Because unknown problems can be hidden in the history of a property's title, homeowners pay a title insurance company for title insurance.

The Stimulus Bill and COBRA Benefits

How the COBRA Premium Subsidy will Help More Get COBRA Benefits  The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law by President Obama on February 17, 2009, is a $787 billion stimulus bill. One of the many provisions of the bill is to directly provide relief to millions on the COBRA plan or ex-employees who need COBRA coverage. This "COBRA stimulus plan" will provide enrollees a COBRA premium subsidy along with providing COBRA benefits to ex-employees who denied coverage.

Disability Insurance: Policy Information, Choices, Savings, and More

Disability insurance can replace a portion or all of your income if you become disabled and cannot perform your job. 

·    Will Social Security Pay if I Become Disabled? Yes, you can collect Social Security benefits if you become disabled but is very difficult. In order to collect Social Security benefits due to a disability, your disability must be severe enough to prevent you from doing any kind of work, not just your current job. In addition, the disability would need to be classified as permanent.

Maintain a Robust Credit Score

One factor in determining the premium of a personal auto policy or a New York homeowners policy has nothing to do with your driving record or claims history—it is your credit record. According to Conning and Company, an insurance research company, more than 90 percent of insurers use an insurance applicant's credit history—his or her insurance risk score—to slot him or her into a certain program.

The Next Generation IPhone

~ contributed by Sage Creamer, Social Media Intern

Nothing gets the rumor mill going like credible new details about the next gen iPhone. While the iPhone 5 isn't expected until 2012, the latest buzz is that one of the next iPhones will have a curved screen that is reminiscent of the iPod nano. Research says that users felt a curved screen enabled a more natural touch-interface experience. Some of the other rumors big and small like a purported augmented reality chipset that will be part of a future iPhone too. While there are no definitive facts confirmed by Apple regarding the iPhone 5, we still have the iphone 4 to fall back on.

Auto Insurance Company Rate Quote Comparison Worksheet

Looking for low-cost auto insurance Comparing auto insurance quotes and rates is one of the best ways to find low-cost auto insurance. This worksheet is designed to help you compare online auto insurance quotes and get recommended auto insurance coverages.

Don't Underestimate Your Exposure to Natural Catastrophes

Americans tend to be an optimistic bunch—which is typically a good quality to possess. A key exception, however, concerns our impressions that we are very unlikely to ever experience a devastating natural disaster. As you know, 2011 has already proven to be one of the very worst for natural catastrophes in decades. This reason alone should cause you to systematically consider your exposure to natural disasters and take sound action to mitigate these types of losses if one were to occur. Here are a few ideas for properly handling your exposure to natural disasters.

He'll be back !

Just not until the storm blows over. Arnold Schwarzenegger is putting his Hollywood comeback on indefinite hold as he continues to face intense heat over his admission of having fathered a secret child. It means we are going to have wait a long time. Moreover, the 63-year-old actor is not getting any younger.

Schwarzenegger, who remains in hiding since dropping the bombshell earlier this week (and just days after announcing his separation from Maria Shriver), today instructed his agents at the Creative Artists Agency to hit the pause button on all the various movie and TV projects in the works.

The 2011 Royal Wedding

~ contributed by Shannon Galaway, Social Media Intern

Friday, April 29, 2011, was one of the most talked about events of the year took place. In London, England Kate Middleton and Prince William were wed at the Westminster Abbey. At 4 a.m. eastern standard time, millions of people in the U.S. woke up to watch the royal event. The people of London, England gathered around the church to watch the couple arrive. Everyone's biggest question was what was the dress going to look like. Kate wore a white simple gown with a full skirt  and lengthy train that was designed by Alexander McQueen Creative Director Sarah Burton.

Class Trip to Riverhead Correctional Facility in Riverhead New York

~ contributed by Sandra Costanzo, Social Media Intern

A few weeks ago I had went on a class trip to the Riverhead Jail. On this trip we were given a tour of the jail including holding cells and the medical office. After we were given a tour we then went to the chapel so a few inmates could talk to us. Through out this trip I had learned so much. I had learned that making a bad choice and ending up in jail can happen to anyone and can happen extremely easily. 

Royal Wedding Update

~ contributed by Sage Creamer, Social Media Intern

While the royal wedding is hours away, the Internet is on fire with news about the big day. CNN's The Royal Wedding: Unveiled notes that Canadian company 2 For Life has released a "Royal Wedding 2011" iPad app including Will and Kate's "interactive back story"; 2 For Life's president describes the app as a "keepsake" Pretty much completely unsurprisingly, this is not the only royal wedding app out there. Social Times notes that Yahoo! has launched its own royal wedding site, which, among other things, will "hold the 'Live It Up Like Royalty' sweepstakes, allowing users who sign the Guestbook or Like Shine from Yahoo! on Facebook to vie for the grand prize of a trip to Las Vegas. A dozen anchors NBC has assigned "to weigh in on Bravo's watch what happens love: royal wedding spectacular.  More than 20 hours of combined coverage from NBC and MSNBC will be aired on the day of the wedding"

Lady Gaga Plays Nassau Coliseum

~ contributed by Shannon Galaway, Social Media Intern
This past Saturday Lady Gaga stopped at the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island to do a show during her Monster Ball Tour. Fans from all over the country came to see her exciting sold out performance. People of all ages were there. There were people in their teens all the way up to senior citizens! As all divas do, Lady Gaga came out an hour late and started her show at 10pm. Fans anxiously waited for their Mama Monster to come out and perform. Thousands of Little Monsters came dressed in caution tape, huge sparkly dresses, and crazy hair.

Lady Gaga's opening act was Semi Precious Weapons, an alternative band from New York City. Lady Gaga said that she was and still is a big fan of them. After an agonizing 45 minute wait, Lady Gaga opened with "Dance in the Dark." The show begins with her and her crew in Brooklyn and throughout the show, they venture through different cities to make it to the Monster Ball. During the show, one lucky fan received a phone call from Lady Gaga during "Money Honey." This lucky fan got to speak to Lady Gaga on the phone and meet her after the show. Gaga performed one of her newer singles "Born This Way," but arranged a piano version where she sat on the piano and played with her hands and feet! She then finished with "Bad Romance" and "Born This Way."

Fans say that when you hear Lady Gaga sing you can hear the passion in her voice. She never lip syncs and is always true to herself. She truly loves all of her fans and appreciates every one of them. By just looking around at Lady Gaga's concerts, you can see that she has made significant impacts on her fans. Lady Gaga will be around for a long time.

Getting Coverage With a Suspended Drivers License

It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle with a suspended driver’s license in most states. For this reason many providers will not offer you car insurance coverage while your license is suspended. However, if the reason for your suspended driver's license isn't extreme, you might be able to work with an auto insurance company.

Apply for a Hardship License

In some instances you might be able to contact your DOT and request a hardship driver’s license. The license allows you to drive your motor vehicle to and from work. The license can also be used to drive to and from school.

12 Ways to Save on Your Homeowners Insurance

There are many ways to save with your homeowners insurance. You can print this list to use while shopping C.H.Edwards, Inc.

1. Car/Home Discount: Insuring your car and home with the same company often will give you a package discount. This is a good tool to use when shopping around. Usually the agent can tell you what percent the discount is for insuring your car and home together.

American Idol Upset

~ contributed by Shannon Galaway, Social Media Intern
Last week on the 'American Idol' result show, America was shocked and angered by the results. The bottom three seemed to shock everyone when they saw that Pia Toscano, Stefano Lagone, and Jacob Lusk had received the least amount of votes that week. It then came down to Stefano Lagone and Pia Toscano. Many thought that Stefano would be eliminated. Although Stefano is very talented, he was the weaker performer when it came between him and Pia.

New Postal Rates Effective 4/17/2011

	First-Class Mail - Retail						Proposed			1.13.11
	LETTERS				FLATS				PARCELS
	Weight Not				Weight Not				Weight Not
	Over				Over				Over
	(ounces)				(ounces)				(ounces)
	1	0.44			1	0.88			1	1.71
	2	0.64			2	1.08			2	1.71
	3	0.84			3	1.28			3	1.71
	3.5	1.04			4	1.48			4	1.88
					5	1.68			5	2.05
	Postcard	0.29			6	1.88			6	2.22
					7	2.08			7	2.39
					8	2.28			8	2.56
					9	2.48			9	2.73
					10	2.68			10	2.90
					11	2.88			11	3.07
					12	3.08			12	3.24
					13	3.28			13	3.41
	Additional Ounce (Letters and Flats)					0.20
	Additional Ounce Rate (Parcels)					0.17
	Nonmachinable Surcharge (Letters only)					0.20