In the recent years, there have been natural disasters and sudden emergencies that many of us are not prepared for. Have you thought about what you would do in case of emergency? Where would you go? How would you get in touch with friends and family? Most importantly, do you think if there were a disaster, would you be prepared at this moment, are you ready?

Step 1 of being prepared is to plan ahead. Step 2 is to practice your preparation. Follow these steps to prepare for any emergency:

1. Arrange an Evacuation Ahead of Time

• Set a place you and your family can go in event of an evacuation. It is best to have more than one place to go and be sure to keep phone numbers and addresses handy in your home if you ever need them.
• Create different routes to your safe location. The best way you know may not be available if you need it.
• If you are separated from your family, designate a location where you can all reconvene.

2.   Create a Home Inventory

• It always helps to know what you have so you can have enough insurance to cover your possessions. This is always help the your claims process.
• Having a list of your home possessions will allow you to organize and list your possessions. Also having digital images of your valuables will help show the condition of your stuff.

3.    What to Take

• Medicines, prescriptions and first aid kit
• Bottled water
• Clothing and bedding (sleeping bags, pillows)
• Flashlight, battery-powered radio and extra batteries
• Special items for infants or elderly or disabled family members
• Computer hard drive or laptop
• If you have a pet, bring their food and other items for pets (litter boxes, leashes)

4.   Bring Important Document

• Insurance policies
• Prescriptions
• Birth and marriage certificates
• Passports, Drivers license and Social Security cards
• Wills, deeds and recent tax returns
• Bank, savings and retirement account numbers

5.   Take the Ten-Minute Challenge

In the end to find out if you are really prepared, if you planned and practiced, you should be able to gather everything listed and be on the road safely in 10 minutes. By planning ahead, you’ll be able to gauge how much more practice you may need or if you need to rethink your plan. For more information on home insurance or to get an estimate on how much proper coverage costs, get a free New York City Home Insurance quote today.

Renters often do not think about getting individual coverage for themselves. It is important to realize that renter’s insurance is different from homeowner’s insurance that your landlord will have. Renter’s insurance policies will include coverage for personal contents and possessions, damage of property that will allow you to live somewhere else and liability coverage.

Most renters will wonder about opening a policy when it is too late. Renter’s insurance is more affordable that homeowners insurance. Ask your agent for more details or get a free New York City Renters Insurance quote today.

Before the cold winter weather ensues:

• Insulate the pipes in your home including crawl spaces and your attic. The more insulation used, the better the chance of your pipes will be protected.
• Seal any leaks that allow cold air insure your home. Use caulk or insutlation to keep out the cold and heat in (Plus, this will help you save on heating costs). Even the tiniest of openings can cause pipes to freeze if it’s just that cold outside.
• If possible, shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets.

When the temperature drops:

• A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing.
• Allow heat to reach un-insulated pipes under sinks and appliances.

What to do if you go away:

• Set the thermostat in your to at least 55°F (12°C).
• Ask a friend, neighbor or family member to check on your house.
• Shut off and drain the water system. (If you have fire protection sprinklers, this will deactivate when the water is shut off).

If your pipes freeze:

• Don’t chance anything.
• If you turn on your faucets and nothing happens, leave the faucets on and call a plumber.
• If you notice that your water pipes are frozen and did burst, turn off the main shut off valve, leave the faucets turned on.
• Do not try to thaw a pipe by any means of fire or open flame. You could burn your house down rather than just have water damage.

Remember to drive safely in parking lots too! Fender benders can easily happen in parking lots. Always be conscious to look for yield signs, stop signs or even other drivers who are not paying attention to those signs. Don’t forget to watch out for other drivers cutting through parking lanes to find the quickest exit. Another thing to remember when driving in parking lots is to be mindful of wandering pedestrians. If there is high traffic, people tend to zip out in front of cars in order to rush to their own.

Parking lots are not always the safest places to drive. Always keep in mind to look out for pedestrians in a rush and cars that are driving recklessly. Be safe!

As a renter, you are opening an insurance policy on your personal possessions rather than your residence or property. Renter’s insurance protects the items you own. If there is an emergency, you can receive aid for a temporary living situations or assistances with your damaged goods. Renter’s insurance covers liabilities or damage you may cause to the owner’s property. If you are an renter, looking into Renter’s Insurance policies could save things you never thought you could save.

If you are wondering how much Renter’s Insurance will cost for you, get a free NYC renter’s insurance quote today.

Remember, the company you enroll with should be an established and trustworthy.  Since there are many companies vying for your business, it is important to examine the quotes you are receiving from each insurer to make sure the premiums are the same coverage to accurately compare. As we all know, price is usually our first priority. After you research various prices, keep in mind to look over the customer reviews made by current and former clients as well as online reviews. They will help you find out how each company will handle your business and claims. This will narrow down who you would like to open an insurance policy with.

Finding auto insurance can be difficult. Once you find a reputable agent to help you, ask questions. They are there to help you and will be able to decipher what is the best option for your car coverage. You may be able to save some money when you customize your insurance to the value of your car. Each policy is tailored to the individual and their needs.  Your agent will be help you with your questions and needs.  Get a New York City Auto Insurance Quote today.

Your insurance agent can kept you update to date on any changes in your business that could affect your insurance needs. Protecting your business and property is extremely important so be sure to ask questions and research how you can improve safeguarding your commercial property.

The most important things you could do to protect yourself from any germs especially Swine Flu is to wash your hands often! Guard your sneezes and coughs by doing so into a tissue or in your arm to limit the spread of germs. Remember to eat, exercise and stay hydrated. If you do not feel well, stay home and call your doctor for a check up if your symptoms persist.

Taking care of ourselves is the most important we can do. Your flu shot from last year will not protect you this year and you will need the H1N1 vaccine to protect you from the swine flu this year. The following links will help you learn more about H1N1, how to protect yourself and vaccinations.

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=103523454

http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm

On ice or snow

• Remember bridges and overpasses freeze first, take caution, slow down and avoid sudden changes in speed or direction.
• Keep windows clear.
• Keep your speed steady and slow — but not so slow that your car gets stuck in deeper snow.
• Use your brakes cautiously. Abrupt braking can cause brake lock-up and cause you to lose steering control.
• To make Antilock Brakes work correctly, apply constant, firm pressure to the pedal. During an emergency stop, push the brake pedal all the way to the floor, if necessary, even in wet or icy conditions.
• If you get stuck in snow, straighten the wheels and accelerate slowly. Avoid spinning the tires. Use sand or cinders under the drive wheels.

In high winds

• It is best not to drive a trailer, van or other “high-profile” vehicle in high winds
• If driving in high winds, use extra caution near trailers, vans or vehicles carrying lightweight cargo.

When it rains

• Slow down. Roads usually prove more slippery than they would seem.
• Turn on your lights. Use the defroster or air conditioner to keep windows and mirrors clear.

Don’t forget yearly winter weather maintenance can help prepare you for wintry weather. Replace windshield wipers, tires if needed, check your brakes and top off all of your vehicle fluids.  Safe driving is not only important for keeping yourself out of harm’s way, it also helps you avoid accidents and keep your auto insurance rate low.  Click here to get a free New York City Auto Insurance Quote today.

For more information:

http://www.aaaexchange.com/main/Default.asp?CategoryID=3&SubCategoryID=55

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10839538/

http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/holiday.htm

https://www.nysdot.gov/programs/driver-safety

Buick Rendezvous 4WD

In today’s day and age, trying to keep one’s vehicle up and running is extremely expensive. Gas prices alone will put a huge hole in your wallet. If that doesn’t financially destroy you, insurance costs definitely will! There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting an automobile. That’s why I’ve taken the liberty of providing you with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s list of the ‘10 Least-Expensive Cars to Insure:’

1. Ford Five Hundred 4WD (now the Ford Taurus)
2. Buick Rendezvous 4WD
3. Buick Lucerne/Buick Rainier 4WD/Honda Odyssey
4. Ford Freestyle 4WD/Subaru Outback 4WD
5. Buick Rendezvous/Honda Pilot
6. Chrysler Town & Country LWB
7. Honda Pilot 4WD
8. Buick LaCrosse/Chevrolet Uplander/Ford Escape/Volvo V70
9. Dodge Grand Caravan/Ford Freestyle 4WD
10. Ford Explorer 4WD/GMC Sierra 1500 4WD/Toyota Highlander/Toyota Sienna

Buick Rainer 4WD

As you can see, mostly everything on this list can be classified as a “family car.” They are generally used by parents to transport their kids to and from school or friends houses, and are rarely on the parkway during rush hour. Therefore, these cars are usually driven with a lot more caution than other types of cars. They are relatively medium sized cars (not as big as an Escalade, and not as fast or sleek as a sports car). To insurance companies, this means fewer accidents!

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, younger drivers rarely buy such cars as minivans or the Buick Lucerne. They are generally driven by an older demographic, which means that most of the owners of these “family cars” have a house with a driveway or garage to park it in. This means much less theft! Overall, the cars on this list are the cheapest to insure because they are deemed to be driven by a demographic of people that provide their vehicles with safety and care.