ATD Insurance

Small boats are sure to become even more popular as gasoline prices hit an all-time high, because of their affordability and ease of use. Many owners of small crafts have a false sense of security, believing there is little trouble they can get into because of the simplicity of their boat. However, the U.S. Cost Guard reports that of the 474 drowning deaths in 2006, 42 percent involved boats smaller than 16 feet in length.

The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety has these tips to encourage boaters and anglers to be more proactive in their use of life jackets.

• Stow life jackets so they are easily accessible
• Make sure children are properly fitted and know how to put on their life jacket
• Maintain life jackets in good condition

Many boaters have argued they would wear life jackets if they were more comfortable. New comfortable vest designs have become available and affordable. These life vests afford complete freedom of movement. You can even get a life preserver that is a fanny pack style. Some of these flotation devices will inflate automatically when they hit the water while others require a cord to be pulled manually. Neither of these styles restrict an individual's ability to fish or operate a boat.

The Coast Guard reports that while most of us are aware of the importance of suiting up with our life jackets, when we are facing inclement weather, most accidents occurred when conditions were calm. Citing the trend of wearing seatbelts and the resulting safer automobile operation, officials hope that wearing a life jacket will decrease waterway drownings dramatically.

Questions about insurance coverage for your trees and other landscaping seldom come up until after a claim and your 80-year-old oak tree is no longer in its usual vertical position. The most common cause of loss for trees and shrubs are wind and lightning. The weight of ice or snow is also a frequent cause of loss.

Coverage for trees and shrubs is limited in property policies due to the inability to provide protection from their high susceptibility to damage by Mother Nature. Typically, a tree would not be covered for its actual loss caused by wind, but if there is resulting damage to an insured structure, then there is coverage for damage to that structure, the structure's contents and the cost to remove the tree from that structure. For the loss of the tree itself, coverage is usually limited to around $500, but only for the perils of fire, lightning, explosion, theft, aircraft, vehicles not owned by the resident, and vandalism and malicious mischief.

The next most frequent question we get concerning tree damage is, "What if the tree is located on my neighbor's property?" It doesn't really matter if the tree is on your property or someone else's. If it falls on your house or other insured building structure and does damage, you should file a claim. You may seek monetary reimbursement from your neighbor if it is determined that the tree was in poor condition. If successful in recovering this money from the neighboring property owner's insurance company, you can be reimbursed for your deductible.

In the event that your automobile is damaged from this claim event, the comprehensive portion of your auto policy is where coverage would be found, and payment will be subject to your auto deductible.

Whether you are buying or leasing your car, there may be a major exposure gap if your car is totaled in an accident early in the lease or loan period. Your lease or loan obligation at that time may be substantially more than the actual cash value of the car, which is what your insurance company traditionally pays for.

With GAP coverage, we will pay your total existing financial obligation on the car, over and above your physical damage coverage, should you have a total loss. It eliminates this major coverage gap, whether you are leasing or buying your car.

For millions of students nationwide, the school day begins and ends with a trip on the school bus. Unfortunately, each year many children are injured and a few are killed in school bus accidents. Most of these occur when children are outside the bus. For safety's sake, please remind your children to:

• Always be at the bus stop on time

• Avoid running, roughhousing, or other behavior that can lead to carelessness

• Wait for the school bus to come to a complete stop before entering or leaving

• Cross the street at least ten feet in front of the bus so the driver can see you

• Wait for the driver's signal before crossing and NEVER walk behind the bus

And drivers, of course, should recognize THEIR responsibility when approaching a school bus that has stopped.

Riding the school bus can be a new and exciting experience for many children. Follow these guidelines and it will also be a safe one.

Water damage to your home or business is an unfortunate experience. Here are some ways to mitigate water damage before it becomes even more serious.

Water damage can happen in many different ways, including:

• leaking pipe
• sewer back-up
• ruptured water supply line
• storm damage

Once water damage has occurred, it is extremely important to stop the source of moisture and contact your agent immediately to help set the claims process in motion, as necessary.

The most important thing you can do when confronted with water damage in your home or business is to follow the 4 C's of water damage handling:

1. Control or eliminate the source of moisture;
2. Call your agent to report the water damage claim;
3. Work with your claim rep to commence the drying and repair process;
4. Contact your claim rep immediately if you notice development of any mold or mildew.

Through proactive handling of water damage claims, you can help minimize the damage and reduce the possibility of mold developing from the damage, which is an extremely destructive and undesirable consequence.