ATD Insurance

Do you ever feel like no one is listening to you? Do you ever wonder if anyone has your best interest at heart? In the background, that is exactly what we try to do everyday as your insurance agent. Daily, we address issues for individuals and businesses that ultimately affect each of you.

Throughout the year, we deal with dozens of specific issues that affect, if not all, then a significant proportion of our clients. Most of what we do in this respect remains rather transparent to our clients, and it is not always possible for us to speak with each of you and share those results.

The phrase, "can you hear me now" is not something we really want to hear as it indicates that we may not have been listening closely enough. You can rest assured that we try to always have our ear to the rail and fingers on the pulse of what is important to our clients.

You can help. If there is any issue you would like to address with us, just give us a call or make an appointment, and we will be more than happy to address your concerns.

The high cost of home heating and the current recession have led many Americans to search for alternate sources of home heating. Many of these sources of heating may be acceptable if appropriate safeguards are used. However, be aware these supplemental heating devices are responsible for thousands of home fires each year.

Wood Stoves: Wood stoves cause more than 4,000 residential fires each year. Carefully follow the manufacturer's installation and maintenance instructions. Look for solid construction, such as plate steel or cast iron metal. Check for cracks and inspect legs, hinges and door seals for smooth joints and seams. Use only seasoned wood for fuel, not green wood, artificial logs or trash. Inspect and clean your pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions. Cleaning more often may be necessary. Be sure to keep combustible objects at least three feet away from your wood stove.

Electric Space Heaters: Buy only heaters with the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) safety listing. Check to make sure it has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over. Space heaters need space; keep combustibles at least three feet away from the heater. Always unplug your electric space heater when not in use.

Kerosene Heaters: Buy only UL-approved heaters and check with your local fire department on the legality of kerosene heater use in your community. Never fill your heater with gasoline or camp stove fuel; both flare up easily. Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene. Never overfill any portable heater and never fuel the heater when it is hot. Use the kerosene heater in a well-ventilated room. Kerosene heaters pose perhaps the worst exposure, largely due to improper use and the fact they contain a highly flammable liquid - not to mention potentially dangerous fumes.

Fireplaces: Fireplaces and wood stoves regularly build up creosote in their chimneys. They need to be cleaned frequently and chimneys should be inspected for obstructions and cracks to prevent deadly chimney and roof fires. Check to make sure the damper is open before starting any fire. Never burn trash, paper of green wood in you fireplace. These materials cause heavy creosote buildup and are difficult to control. Use a screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs, and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks. Do not wear loose-fitting clothes near any open flame. Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed. Store cooled ashes in a tightly sealed metal container outside the home.

Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. Always remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.

As most people today know, credit history is a big deal when it comes to getting the best insurance rate. So, it stands to reason that your insurance premium payment history would also be looked at critically.

An insurance company's ability to cancel a policy once it is fully in force is very limited. There is no question: if you fail to get that payment in on time, your policy will cancel. And, what if you have an accident before the company receives your payment? You will not have coverage.

Insurance companies no more want to cancel your policy than you want it canceled. The only way an insurance company can manage the tens of thousands of transactions experienced daily is with help of automation. The computer is non-judgmental. There is no one there to look at how long you have been insured with the company, or how good your claim history has been. And, every time a cancellation has to be sent out, there is an associated cost. Then when you do pay late, there is additional cost to reinstate the policy. These unnecessary transactions are much like small claims. Companies are increasingly taking a dim view of late payment cancellations are frequently are refusing reinstatement.

It is a good practice to pay that premium upon receiving your premium notice. Insurance companies have some many payment options available that, you should have no problem finding a plan that will work for you.

Many of us have owned a used car that at best is a disappointment, and at worst a nightmare. A used car can have so many problems hidden to the typical consumer eye including accident damage, counterfeit title and poor maintenance leading to a failing mechanical condition. It would be nice to have the inside scoop before you lay down your hard-earned cash.

Luckily, there a few warning signs that, if needed, will result in a greater confidence when making your next used car purchase.

Warning #1 - No Service Records: The only way to be sure the previous owner (s) were vigilant caretakers of your prospective purchase is to see written service records. If there are no service records, you really have no way of knowing if the vehicle has been cared for properly. Always check for a windshield sticker showing when the next oil change is due and if the date is past due, ask the seller why.

Warning #2 - Vehicle Accident History: You can probably lift the hood and look for leaks and general cleanliness. The result of such inspection might give rise to some concerns about general maintenance, but nothing replaces a careful inspection by a qualified mechanic. There is a cost for a pre-purchase inspection, but it might be the best money you ever spent. At worst, if the care is a junker you can walk away avoiding a tragic mistake. If the inspection points out any acceptable deficiencies, you can use the report to get a better price on the vehicle.

Warning #4 - The problem Title: Both AutoCheck and CarFax reports will show any title deficiencies. If a car has received extensive water damage it might have a flood title, and a vehicle that has been declared a total loss by an insurance company will have a salvage title. Most people will want to walk away from cars with either of these type of titles. You can reduce your chance of a fraudulent title by contacting the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Pay close attention by any signs of tampering, either on the title or the serial number plate on the automobile