ATD Insurance

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

As the weather warms up, many of us are anxious to take the cycling paths. There are many risks to cycling, especially in urban areas, however. Contributing factors to bicycling accidents include streetcar and railway tracks, weather hazards and dangerous road surfaces.

Consider the following safety tips:

• Go over loose or slippery surfaces slowly. Turn corners carefully, keeping your bicycle as upright as possible
• Watch for cars approaching from the opposite direction that may turn left in front of you. Motorists often do no look out for cyclists.
• Avoid putting yourself in a position where cards can cut you off. Stay on the right edge of the traffic flow, but keep safely away from the curb.
• Establish eye contact with motorists at intersections. Be especially careful with drivers on the right, who may pull out in front of you.
• Your clothing should not flap in the wind as you ride. Secure your pant legs by using bicycle clips or tucking them into your socks so they do not catch in the chain.
• Bright, reflective clothing is best for riding both at night and during the day. A white or yellow helmet with reflective material on it is also highly visible.

You've heard of the proverbial "cloud with a silver lining?" Well, one silver lining after experiencing a flood in your home or business is being able to actually upgrade your property during damage repairs. According to the Insurance Institute of Property Loss Reduction (IIPLR), as the rebuilding process begins, homeowners should talk to their contractors about ways they can effectively upgrade or "retrofit' their homes or other property against flooding.

Here are a few general steps to consider:

• Install check valves and sewer traps to prevent backups;
• Install main breaker/fuse box and utility meters above the flood protection level;
• Raise machinery, equipment and other contents from basement level, or elevate above floor level;
• Landscape with native plants and vegetation which resist soil erosion
• Maintain or have access to a supply of sand and sand bags and materials for building dikes, such as plywood, lumber and plastic sheathing

Winter driving can present troublesome challenges for eve the most diligent of drivers. Snow and ice make driving more difficult and sometimes even dangerous. Special care must be given to your car before the winter season appears and extra caution must be used once winter has invaded the roadways.

When driving in the snow, do everything slowly and gently. Even if you maintain control of your car, not everyone else will. So, don't get lulled into a false sense of security. Remember, in the snow, tires just barely grab the road. Accelerate, turn and brake slowly and gently. To do this, you have to anticipate turns and stops, slowing down enough to make turns before you get to them, leaving plenty of distance between you and other cars.

Slippery roads - are the biggest hazard of winter driving - caused by ice, slushy snow or rain. Roads are especially slick following the first rain after a dry spell since oil and grease have built up on the roads.

Remember the distance it takes to bring your car to a stop on dry pavement. In winter conditions, allow at least three times that distance to reach a full stop and avoid skidding. This means your safe distance behind the car in front of you should be three times as far away from the stoplight or corner where you turn. Reduce the danger of skidding by driving more slowly and by pumping the brakes as you slow down for a turn rather than holding them down. Use low gears on slick surfaces, especially hills and curves. Test your brakes frequently and never tailgate.

If in spite of your precautions you find yourself beginning to skid, DO NOT BRAKE. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and gently turn your car in the direction you want your front wheels to go. Hitting the brakes or turning sharply will only lock you into a skid. If you can't get control of your car, it is better to steer into a snow bank or fence than to risk a collision in traffic.

Visibility- is another hazard of winter driving. In heavy snow, keep your lights on. Stop and clean your windshield and lights if necessary. Get off the road before you become stranded by worsening weather conditions.

If you get stuck in snow, avoid spinning your wheels- you'll only dig in deeper. Instead, shovel snow away from the wheel paths and pour salt, sand or cinders around the drive wheels to improve traction.

Key Safety Tips:

• Keep your car or truck in top shape
• Allow extra time and space on the road
• Listen to the weather forecast

Winter Car Kit:

• Flashlights with extra batteries
• First aid kit with pocket knife
• Necessary medications
• Several Blankets
• Sleeping bags
• Extra newspapers for insulation
• Plastic bags (for sanitation)
• Matches
• Extra set of mittens, socks and a wool cap
• Snow gear and extra clothes
• Small sack of sand for generating traction under wheels
• Small Shovel
• Small Tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)
• Booster cables
• Set of tire chains or traction mats
• Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag
• Bottled Water
• Snacks

Traditionally, motorists in small towns and rural areas don't perceive the risk of being in a crash as high. And compared to exposure rates of driving in urban areas with high volumes of traffic, they're right!

But when a crash does occur, the risk of injury is just as great whether you're on a lonely farm road or a 10-lane metropolitan freeway. In many ways the risk of injury is greater. On two-lane roads, high speed head-on collisions, the deadliest of all crashes, are more common on rural highways than on urban freeways or rural interstate highways.

A key to safe driving on rural roads is not to exceed the posted speed limit. On average, around 387,500 motor vehicle crashes occur each year on Ohio's roadways.

Here are a few tips for driving on rural roads:

• Rural roads are usually narrower than city streets. Drivers should take extra caution on rural roads where there are sharp turns, dips, and blind corners shaded by woods or fields.
• Learn to share the road with slow-moving vehicles like farm equipment and horse-drawn buggies.
• If you see a horse-drawn vehicle or slow-moving farm equipment in your path, slow down and prepare to pass with caution. Only pass when legal and safe. When passing on the left, the requires drivers to sound the horn to warn the driver that he is about to be passed; signal the intent to pass; pass to the left of the vehicle at a safe distance and return to the right side of the roadway only after your vehicle is safely clear of the vehicle you are passing; return to the right lane as soon as the pass has been safely completed and before coming withing 200 feet of any approaching vehicle.
• Always allow enough stopping distance between you and other vehicles.
• Remember that gravel roads have less traction, so applying the brakes hard or turning sharply may cause your vehicle to skid.
• Always allow enough stopping distance
• When driving in the snow, do everything slowly and gently. Even if you maintain control of your vehicle, not everyone else will. Do not get lulled into a false sense of security. Remember, in the snow, tires just barely grab the road. Accelerate, turn and brake slowly and gently. To do this, you have to anticipate turns and stops, slow down enough to make turns before your get to them, and leave plenty of distance between you and the other vehicles.

DEER CROSSINGS

With more than 31,000 motor vehicle collisions with deer reported statewide each year, safety advocates are urging motorists to drive with extra caution.

According to the Ohio Division of Wildlife, fall and winter are the peak seasons for deer-related crashes. More than a half million drivers are involved in crashes caused by deer. The fall is the height of Ohio's deer breeding season, so deer movement increases. November is the peak month, when the highest number of deer-vehicle collisions usually occurs.

Here are steps motorists can take to minimize their risks:

• Drive with extreme caution in areas with deer-crossing signs
• Highest-risk periods are from sunset to midnight, followed by the hours shortly before and after sunrise.
• If you see one deer on or near a roadway, expect that others may follow.
• After dark, use high-beams when there is no opposing traffic.
• Always wear your safety belt. If a collision with a deer seems imminent, focus on maintaining full control of your vehicle. The alternative could be even worse.

ROAD RAGE IS DANGEROUS!!

Road rage is described as any display of aggression by an operator of a motor vehicle.

In four years, the number of Ohio drivers and vehicle registrations increased by more than one million. With more drivers and vehicles sharing the roadways, the problem of aggressive driving continues to rise.

Are you an aggressive driver? If you do any of the following, you may be:

• Exceeding the posted speed limit
• Following too closely
• Passing on the berm
• Cutting in and out of traffic
• Failing to signal multiple lane changes
• Violating posted railroad crossing signs
• Passing a stopped school bus
• Displaying or using a weapon
• Carelessly driving through construction zones
• Failing to yield at ramps and intersections
• Using more than one parking space

What to do if you encounter an aggressive driver:

• Do not react to their provoking behavior
• Stay away from erratic drivers
• Use your horn sparingly
• Do not make obscene gestures
• Do not switch lanes without signaling
• Do not tailgate
• Do not block the passing lane
• Avoid eye contact with the other driver
• Call 1-877-7-PATROL for help

ICE DAMS

An ice dam is an accumulation of ice at the lower edge of a sloped roof, usually at the gutter. When interior heat melts the snow on the roof, the water will run down and refreeze at the roof's edge, where temperatures are much cooler. Eventually, the ice builds up and blocks water from draining off of the roof. This, in turn, forces the water under the roof covering and into your attic or down the inside walls of your house.

Once an ice dam forms, the potential damage can be serious. Take these steps now to avoid trouble later:

• Keep the attic well ventilated. The cooler the attic the less melting and refreezing on the roof.
• Keep the attic floor well insulated to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within the house.

This two-step approach decreases the likelihood that ice dams will form, or, at least, reduces their size.

As an extra precaution against roof leaks in case ice dams do form, install a water-repellent membrane under your roof covering. Talk with your local building official about minimum code requirements for ice dam protection.

Unfortunately, ice dams may be unavoidable if your home has recessed lighting near the roof. Heat generated from these lights melts snow, which then contributes to ice dam buildup. The only sure way to avoid this problem is to eliminate recessed light fixtures near the roof.

FREEZING PIPES

Frozen water in pipes can cause water pressure buildup between the ice blockage and the closed faucet at the end of a pipe, which leads to pipes bursting at their weakest point. Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are particularly vulnerable to freezing in extremely cold weather, where holes in your house's outside wall for television, cable or telephone lines allow cold air to reach them. To keep water in pipes from freezing, take the following steps:

• Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping to slow the heat transfer. The more insulation the better.
• Seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes with caulking.
• Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells to allow warm air to circulate around pipes (particularly in the kitchen and bathroom).
• Keep a slow trickle of water flowing through faucets connected to pipes that run through an unheated or unprotected space. Or drain the water system, especially if your house will be unattended during cold periods.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU ARE CAUGHT USING OR POSSESSING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL?

• If you are suspended or expelled from school for using or possessing drugs or alcohol, the superintendent may notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to suspend your driving privileges.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU MISS SCHOOL WITHOUT AN EXCUSE?

• If the Board of Education adopts a resolution for excessive absences and if you miss 10 consecutive days or 15 total days in one semester or term without a legitimate excuse, the superintendent will notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to suspend your driving privileges.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DROP OUT?

• Your school superintendent will notify the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the juvenile court.
• You will receive a "Notice of Suspension" letter from the Bureau stating that your driving privileges have been denied, suspended and/or revoked.
• You must send your temporary instruction permit or driver's license to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles within 20 days of the mailing of the notice of suspension.
• Your suspension goes into effect with the notification.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU BELIEVE AN ERROR WAS MADE?

• You may file a petition to request a hearing in the juvenile court
• You must notify the superintendent and the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that you filed a petition by sending them certified copies of the petition.
• If you fail to show an error was made, you must pay the court costs.
• If you prove an error was made, the court costs will be paid by the county treasurer.

WHEN IS THE DRIVING SUSPENSION ENDED?

• When you attain the age of 18, or
• When you provide evidence of a high school diploma or GED Certificate, or
• When you enroll in a school of equivalent education to the satisfaction of the superintendent, or
• If you are no longer habitually absent and complete at least one semester or term of school after the one in which your notification was given and you request the superintendent to notify the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, or
• In case of an expulsion or suspension due to drugs or alcohol, if you meet the requirements of the superintendent, or
• The superintendent informs the Bureau of Motor Vehicles that the person in question has received an age and schooling certificate, or
• The person has filed a petition in court and shown an error was made

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DRIVE UNDER SUSPENSION?

• The juvenile court judge may impose severe penalties to the juvenile offender who is caught driving under suspension.

SO WHY TAKE THE RISK......

• You'll continue to have driving privileges if you don't use drugs or alcohol and stay in school!

How much money do you keep on hand for emergencies? How much jewelry do you own? Do you own any guns? These are all questions that we asked you when we first wrote your homeowners insurance. What has changed since then? All property policies contain limitations on certain types of property. Look for the section in your homeowners policy titled, "Special Limits on Certain Property."

An example of a limited property item would be money. The typical policy has the following limitation on this category:

Limit - $200 - Money, bank notes, bullion, coins and medals and other numismatic property and precious metals including platinum, gold and silver, but not goldware or silverware

In this case, the policy would limit recovery to only $200 after the application of your policy deductible. In some cases, this amount of recovery would barely scratch the surface of the actual loss.

An insurance policy is written to provide coverage for the average policyholder. Most of us do not own collections, or keep large amounts of cash at our homes, and we probably would not want to pay a premium that would provide open-ended coverage for such unique items. While the policy provides limited coverage for special types of property, some consumers require higher limits with broader coverage than provided in the basic policy.

For the collector or owner of unusual property items, there is a solution. It is possible to amend your homeowners policy, by endorsement, to provide special coverage for unique items, including property, that is subject to limitations in the homeowners policy.

Each year, hundreds of tornadoes with wind speeds as high as 300 mph touch down in the United States. While April is the most common month for tornadoes to occur, this year some states experienced tornado activity as early as January.

Standard property policies cover wind damage caused by tornadoes Tornado damage to automobiles is covered under the physical damage "other than collision" coverage section of the auto policy.

Helpful Tips....

Before a tornado occurs, take these certain actions:

• Keep a weather catastrophe kit handy containing a battery powered radio, drinking water, flashlights and a first-aid kit as the bare essentials.
• Have a cell phone or other means of portable communication.
• Take a complete inventory of your possessions. Visit www.knowyourstuff.org, for a free software program that makes keeping your inventory up-to-date simple and offers an option for storing that information off-site.
• Have an evacuation and contact plan.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area:

• Move vehicles inside to protect them from potential hail
• Move lawn furniture and outside equipment inside
• Take a position of protection inside your home or business
• If you are in a mobile home, leave and go to a nearby, safe shelter.
• If in a vehicle, get to safe shelter. If no shelter exists lie flat in a low spot.

After a tornado causes damage to your insured property:

• Make sure everyone is safe, and summon emergency help if needed.
• Be prepared to provide an inventory of your damaged property.
• If it is safe, you may want to take photos of the damaged property to speed along the claim process.
• If possible, protect undamaged and repairable property. Board up broken windows and cover leaking roofs, but only if it is reasonably safe to do so and you are physically able.

An often-overlooked coverage that insurers automatically include in your homeowner policy is "premises medical payments". While policyholders generally don't ask us a lot of questions about medical payments coverage, it is no less important than any of your other coverages. Medical payments coverage provides payment for medical expenses, up to the policy limit should a guest get hurt on your premises, even through their own negligence.

The medical payments limit is usually $1,000, but higher limits can be purchased for a nominal amount. If your negligence contributed to your guest's injury and compensation is sought beyond the medical payments limit, the homeowner liability coverage would provide you with coverage including defense costs. Defense would be provided even if allegations of your negligence were considered groundless.

If you teenager has just gotten a driver's license, you have probably heard the words Miata, Mustang, and Camaro more than you care to admit.

The first years a teen spends driving are the most risky. Teen drivers have the highest death rate of any age group. While getting a driver's license is an important milestone in a teen's life, it can provide untold frustration and worry for parents.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Insurance Information Institute both advise that concerned parents can go a long way in protecting their teen driver by choosing a safe vehicle.

Avoid vehicles that encourage reckless driving. Teen drivers not only lack the experience, but may also lack maturity. Sporty or flashy cars encourage speeding and reckless behavior.

Choose a stable vehicle. Sport utility vehicles, especially the smaller ones, are inherently less stable than cars because of their higher center of gravity.

Pick a vehicle with good crash protection. Teenagers should drive vehicles offering state of the art protection. Crash statistics can be found at several Web sites, such as http://nhtsa.dot.gov.

Don't choose a small vehicle. While economical, small vehicles offer much less protection in crashes than larger ones.

HERE'S WHEN ITS TIME TO RE-THINK YOUR INSURANCE:

1. WHEN YOU'RE WITH A DIRECT WRITER if price, coverage and claims payment are important to you, remember that "captive agents" are not independent. They work for their Company first and for you second.

2. WHEN PREMIUMS INCREASE EVERY YEAR - Sure, prices can go up. But they can also go down. If you face "automatic" increases every year, either your agent is not able to change companies, or doesn't wish to.

3. WHEN YOUR AGENT DOESN'T "SHOP FOR YOU - You shouldn't have to call a half dozen sources to get the best coverage and competitive rates. Your agent should analyze your needs, and offer you options from which to choose.

4. WHEN AN AGENT DOESN'T OFFER YOUR "RISK MANAGEMENT" - Hints on reducing risk and installing safety devices (alarm systems, dead bolts, etc) should be part of the service. They can save you money, as well as grief

5. WHEN YOU HEAR FROM YOUR AGENT ONLY AT RENEWAL TIME - You deserve to be contacted periodically, not just when a premium is due. A mid-year review on most coverages (to be sure they are still current) should be part of the service.

6. WHEN YOU CALL AND IT TAKES FOREVER TO FIND YOUR FILE OR CALL BACK - When you call it's important! So whether your agent, a customer rep or a secretary answers, your account information should be immediately available. An important part of the service!

7. WHEN THERE'S NO "PERSONAL" CLAIMS SERVICE - Let's face it - when you have a loss, you don't want to talk to a recording or voice mail or an "800" number. You want and deserve a human voice and personal assistance for a fast, fair claim settlement.

8. WHEN YOU CAN'T GET ALL OF YOUR COVERAGE FROM A SINGLE SOURCE - Personal Lines and commercial coverages if you have a business, and life/accident and health insurance can all be under one roof. That way, no matter what protection you need, no matter what losses you suffer - you always know where to go.

9. WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR OWN AGENT OR CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE - Insurance is a service business and you're entitled to be served - not only by an agent, but by a customer service representative and a dedicated staff that cares about your important business.

10. WHEN YOU'RE NOT SO SURE ABOUT THE INSURER WHO PROVIDES YOUR COVERAGE - "Stability" should be the name of the game when it comes to your insurance company. If you don't recognize the name, or find that the company has a poor rating, it's probably a good idea to get a second opinion.

If your unmarried son or daughter is enrolled in high school, college, or technical school and has a cumulative "B" or better grade average, you could be eligible for an automobile policy discount of up to 20%

The holder of a Temporary Permit purchased at age 15-1/2 must have completed 50 hours of supervised driving, at least 10 of those at night, with a parent or legal guardian prior to getting a license. Parents or legal guardians must confirm the 50 hours in writing, under penalty of falsification.

Teens under age 16 who hold a Temporary Permit must be accompanied by a licensed parent, legal guardian or legal driving instructor seated next to them in the vehicle. If under the age 18, teens must have their Temporary Permit for a minimum of six months before obtaining a license.

New drivers must also observe the already-mandated driver education training in addition to the 50 hours of supervised driving. Driver Education course consist of 24 hours classroom instruction and 8 hours behind the wheel driving if you apply for your license before age 18. This program was designed to provide new drivers under age 18 with additional experience and skills when behind the wheel of a motor vehicle - SKILLS THAT LAST A LIFETIME AND SAVE LIVES.

Drivers under age 17 will not be permitted to operate a motor vehicle with more than one person who is not a family member in the vehicle, unless accompanied by the license holder's parent, guardian, or legal custodian. Studies conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have shown that one passenger doubles the risk of a crash among teen drivers, two passengers triple the risk, and three or more passengers increase the risk by more than six.

Drivers under age 17 are prohibited from driving between midnight and 6 a.m. unless accompanied by a parent or guardian with the same exemptions above.

Drivers between 17 and 18 years of age will be restricted from driving between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. unless the driver is accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Every 22 seconds a vehicle is stolen somewhere in the U.S. Thieves steal one million motor vehicles a year, with nearly one in seven left unlocked. It adds up to an estimated total economic cost of $7 billion including the value of the car and the cost of trying to find it.