Prepare your home for the cold months ahead and avoid unnecessary insurance claims…
Author: Bieritz Agency
Replacing your Smoke Detector Batteries
Bieritz Insurance Reminds Residents to Replace their Smoke Detector Batteries
COOPERSTOWN, NY (10/03/14): Bieritz Insurance Agency, a local business providing full spectrum insurance products and services, is reminding area residents to replace their batteries on smoke detection devices in their home.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms, and the risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms. There is no doubt that smoke alarms save lives. To help keep your family safe, stop in at the Bieritz Insurance Agency during the month of October and pick up a free 9v replacement battery for your smoke detector (while supplies last).
Typically, smoke detectors should be tested monthly and if they do not have a lithium 10-year (long life) battery, their 9v alkaline batteries should be replaced once each year. Smoke alarms that are hardwired into a home’s electrical system will usually have a back-up battery that needs to be replaced each year as well. In addition to changing your batteries, any smoke detector unit should be replaced every ten years.
Bieritz Insurance Agency, 209 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY
Bieritz Insurance Agency Inc. is a local Independent insurance agency that represents over 20 companies. Bieritz Agency has served the community as the only locally-owned and operated, independent agency for over 24 years. Bieritz provides quality service, excellent prices and products that are in the client’s best interest! Free quotes are available through both Cooperstown and Morris offices. Contact Bieritz at (607)547-2951.
Live Insurance Awareness
There is useful information in this video. If you should have any questions – please give our team a call!
What We Sell
Bieritz Agency offers a multitude of insurance products, many of which you might not be aware of. We created the attached flyer to let you know about the breadth of services we offer. Our team is always happy to help you with a quote – contact us today!
For a printable version in pdf format, click the image below!
Homeowners Insurance – Video Information
Buying a new home or looking into changes in your homeowners insurance? Watch the video for a great overview of Homeowners Insurance from the Insurance Information Institute. Please call us if you have any questions or if you would like a free quote!
Why Shop Around for Insurance?
A client-contributed article from Susan O’Handley
I have been working with the Bieritz Agency over the last few years as a consultant for website and marketing support services. On occasion, I would receive a gentle reminder from Steve to consider switching to Bieritz, or at the very least letting them provide a quote for us. Although I had meant to do this (I believe in supporting local businesses and my clients whenever possible), insurance is one of those things that’s easy to push off to a later date, and when our policies came up for renewal, we just renewed them and forgot all about switching.
Until recently. On the heels of another gentle reminder (never a high pressure push), I decided to just go ahead and send our current policies over for a comparable quote. I am very glad I did! To begin with, we ended up saving close to $250 on our auto insurance policy with the same coverage – so we are already ahead.
Information that came back to us on our homeowners policy came as a bit of a surprise. After reviewing our policy, we learned that we were underinsured for the replacement value for our home and were also paying extra money for a low deductible option. Beth Spence, the Bieritz Agency Manager, provided us with several options, all of which gave us better coverage and terms for literally a few extra dollars.
When we purchased our home as first-time buyers over 10 years ago, we never gave the insurance a second thought. I don’t recall shopping around for quotes at that time (closing on your first home is what I consider a whirlwind experience), and since it is tied into our mortgage payment, it was something that just automatically renewed each year – never really needing attention. I assumed that the coverage was complete and that it continued to meet our needs.
Thankfully, we have never had a claim on either policy (knock on wood), but I am glad that we found out about our home policy now instead of being surprised in a time of need by having too little coverage. I encourage friends and neighbors to review your insurance policies and send them over to Bieritz for review! Even if you don’t wish to switch companies/brokers, take the time to review your policy with your family and agent. Like us, you might find yourself in for a surprise.
The Bieritz team lives up to their reputation of first-class customer service, with responsive and helpful interactions – they are indeed ‘Your Hometown Insurance Specialists’! Give them a call today and see if they can assist you with your policies.
What Determines the Price of My Auto Insurance Policy?
The cost of Auto Insurance can be affected by a number of different factors. Check out the full article at the link below and give us a call if we can help you with your policy!
The average yearly auto insurance premium is almost $800, but there is wide variation around this average. Many factors can affect your premium. Not all companies use all of these factors, and some might use factors not listed here…
Read the Full Article Here from the Insurance Information Institute
Preventing Boat Theft (Video)
Here’s a helpful video from the Insurance Information Institute about how to protect your boat from theft:
Insuring Your Summer Toys
After a long winter, we bet you are more than ready for summer and all of the things you can do to take advantage of the warmer weather. The pool is open and your boat or jetski is in the water, all ready to enjoy for the season. Think for a moment and consider your insurance. Are you prepared for the possibility of an accident?
Summer ‘ toys’ can include an RV (recreational vehicle) for your summer travel or an ATV (all terrain vehicle), a PWC (personal watercraft) like a jet ski or waverunner or boat, or even things like a golf cart, a motorcycle, a trampoline, swingset, pool, and even a bicycle. Insurance helps to protect you from the risks associated with injuries and damages when using these items.
The first step is to review the types of insurance available for your summer recreation toys. Consider physical damage for your property as well as liability insurance. Many policies include property damage to others and coverage that reimburses you or a guest for hospital or doctor bills.
For property damage, estimate the value of each item and how much you would lose without insurance. For items like an RV or a boat, this can be a considerable loss. You can choose a high liability limit and add an umbrella policy to your coverage. For liability, you can add extra coverage to your homeowner’s policy or include summer items on an umbrella policy to extend your liability coverage. Each carrier is different with what summer toys can be included, so be sure to check to make sure each addition is allowed.
For items that carry significant risks, like trampolines, check with your carrier to make sure this coverage is allowed or included on your homeowner’s policy. Some carriers prefer not to absorb the risks associated with trampolines and may cancel or decline to renew your policy if they learn you have one on your property.
Insurance helps to protect you in the event of an accident, but your first line of protection is to always take safety precautions when operating your summer toys. Taking measures to preventing accidents helps keep your premiums low by minimizing the number of claims you need to make. Insurance protects your purchase, yourself and your guests as well.
Please contact our office to further discuss your insurance needs. Have a wonderful and safe summer and enjoy those toys!
National Safety Month – Summer Safety
June is National Safety Month, so our team has decided to provide resources from the National Safety Council to help improve some general safety practices for all our friends and clients.
This week, we are featuring information and resources about summer safety.
Everyone enjoys a little bit of summer fun, but it’s always important to monitor the weather conditions in extreme heat—especially if you plan on being outside.
National Safety Month – Distracted Driving
June is National Safety Month, so our team has decided to provide resources from the National Safety Council to help improve some general safety practices for all our friends and clients.
This week, we are featuring information and resources about distracted driving.
Using a cell phone while driving makes it four times as likely that you’ll crash – while using handheld or hands-free devices.
View Facts about Distracted Driving Here
Provided by The National Safety Council
Employers have realized the dangers of cell phone use while driving and are taking action by passing policies to prevent cell phone distracted driving. The National Safety Council recommends policies prohibit both hands-free and handheld devices and apply to all employees.
EMPLOYERS: Download a Cell Phone Policy Kit from the National Safety Council HERE
This free kit helps employers reduce crash risk. It has all the materials you need to:
- Build leadership support in your organization for a cell phone policy
- Communicate to employees the crash risks and the need for a policy
Provided by The National Safety Council
Visit us next week for information about Summer Safety!
National Safety Month – Be Aware of Your Surroundings
June is National Safety Month, so our team has decided to provide resources from the National Safety Council to help improve some general safety practices for all our friends and clients.
This week, we are featuring information and resources about being aware of your surroundings.
Today, there are always multiple things vying for your attention. However, a lack of focus on the task at hand can lead to tragedy, especially in riskier situations…
View the information sheet HERE.
Visit us next week for information about the myths of distracted driving!
National Safety Month – Slips, Trips and Falls
June is National Safety Month, so our team has decided to provide resources from the National Safety Council to help improve some general safety practices for all our friends and clients.
This week, we are featuring information and resources about Slips, Trips and Falls.
Falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries in the United States, accounting for approximately 8.9 million visits to the emergency department annually (NSC Injury Facts 2011).
Adults 55 and older are more prone to becoming victims of falls, and the resulting injuries can diminish the ability to lead active, independent lives. The number of fall deaths among those 65 and older is four times the number of fall deaths among all other age groups.
Please take a few moments to review the information below.
Slips, Trips and Falls Information
Slips, Trips and Falls Fact Sheet
Fall Proofing Your Home – Checklist
Visit us next week for information about being aware of your surroundings (and potential hazards) in the workplace and at home!
How is Motorcycle Insurance different from Auto Insurance?
Here’s a quick video from ehowfinance about the differences between these two types of insurance.
Motorcycle Safety Video
To go along with our message to motorists this week – here’s a helpful video from GEICO about Motorcycle Safety.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
In recognition of May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, Bieritz Insurance Agency would like to reach out to all of our Otsego County motorists and motorcyclists alike, encouraging them to “share the road” in order to reduce motorcycle deaths and injuries. Motorcycles are among the smallest and most vulnerable vehicles on the road, putting riders at greater risk of death and serious injury in a crash. In fact, according to the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are 30 times more likely than occupants of cars to die in a crash, and 5 times more likely to be injured.
The latest statistics from NHTSA display this tragedy in stark numbers. Motorcycle deaths have increased every year for 14 of the past 15 years, except in 2009, which saw a decline. In 2012, 4,957 motorcyclists died on America’s roads, accounting for 15 percent of total highway deaths. Motorcycle crash-related injuries also increased from 81,000 in 2011 to 93,000 in 2012.
One way we can decrease the number of fatalities and injuries, and make the roads safer is if we work together, motorists and motorcyclists alike. Adhering to the following rules will improve highway safety for everyone.
Drivers should:
- Be on the lookout for motorcyclists at all times;
- Signal all lane changes and turns, and constantly check mirrors and blind spots before proceeding;
- Be fully focused on the task of driving and being in control of their vehicles at all times; and
- Never drive impaired by alcohol or drugs.
Riders should:
- Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed;
- Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and use reflective tape and gear to be more visible. (NHTSA estimates helmets saved the lives of 1,617 motorcyclists in 2011) and
- Never ride while impaired or distracted.
Additional information about motorcycle safety can be found at www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/Motorcycles. Please join us in reaching out to other motorists and motorcyclists this month to encourage safe driving every day of the year.
Be safe!
Bieritz Insurance Agency
Cooperstown, NY – 607-547-2951
Morris, NY – 607-263-5170
Video: Auto Insurance 101
We’ve added a new video to our playlist! Learn about how Auto Insurance works in this video.
Car Features That Can Lower Auto Insurance Premiums
Cars manufacturers are building cars with new features all the time and some of these can make your vehicle safer to operate. Safety features can help you save money on your car insurance. If you find yourself in the market for a new car this Spring, here are some things to consider. Check with our agents to learn if these features can save you dollars on your annual premium – the savings may be worth the additional cost.
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Automatic or Adjustable Seatbelts (with pretensioners)
Automatic seatbelts mean that the passenger is more likely to use them and adjustability will make them more comfortable and thus more likely to keep them on. Seatbelts save lives and reduce injury. -
Daytime Running Lights
These make your vehicle more visible to other drivers. Better visibility prevents accidents. -
Antilock Brakes
An Antilock Braking System allows for better control in rain or snow or on unpaved roads. They don’t prevent skidding, but they help to prevent loss of control. -
Traction and Stability Control
A Traction Control System (TCS) or Electronic Stability Control (ESC) work similarly to antilock brakes, but they help to maintain traction in the event of a skid. -
Extra Air Bags
In addition to driver and passenger air bags, other air bags (side, curtain and rear) can be standard or extra depending on the vehicle, and can earn you extra savings on your premiums. -
Anti Theft Device
These usually qualify for savings since having one prevents attempts from theft. Just knowing there is a system equipped is enough of a deterrent to theft in most cases. -
Night Vision System
Some dashboards are capable of indicating heat signatures (from deer or other animals) within a 300meter range of the vehicle to help prevent accidents at night. -
Drowsy Driver Warning System (Lane Departure Warning)
This is a program in your vehicle that senses if/when you change lanes without using your directional and beeps to wake you up. Using your directional helps other drivers know what to expect from your vehicle and prevents accidents as well. -
Adjustable Headrests
If adjustable, headrests should be raised high enough to almost reach the top of the head, rotated forward to be close to the back of the head, and they should lock in place to give firm support in the event of a crash. -
Car Safety Rating
There are many things that effect the safety rating for a vehicle, but some of the basics include the size of the car, the type of vehicle, the type of engine and more. For information on safety ratings for vehicles, check the following links: Kelly Blue Book and Consumer Reports and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety -
Safe Bumpers
These are bumpers that exceed the federal bumper standards for low speed crash protection. -
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (most cars built after 2007 have these)
Sensors within the tire send an indication of an “underinflation event” when the PSI falls to below an acceptable range. Underinflated tires offer a less stable ride, negatively impact your gas mileage and are prone to possible blowouts. -
Driver Safety Record
Not a vehicle feature, but something that can certainly affect your premiums. If you have a safe driving history or if you have taken a refresher driver safety class, make sure you tell your agent! Indicate this for other drivers as well.
10 Spring Cleaning Tips
Yes, of course we mean insurance!
Spring is officially upon us which means that it is Spring Cleaning Season. As we go through our homes and yards and closets, we should take the time to review other areas of our lives as well – like our insurance policies. You may be paying for items that are no longer necessary or you may need additional protection. Did you perhaps gift a piece of jewelry and not update your homeowners policy? Here are a few things to keep in mind.
Auto Insurance:
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Are there any new drivers in the house? Make sure they are listed on the policy
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Have you paid off your car loan? – If so make sure you have notified your agent and have had the lien holder removed.
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Do you qualify for any discounts? Many carriers provide discounts for having AAA, good student discounts, or low mileage discounts.
Home Insurance Policy (house, condo or even renter’s):
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Do you have enough dwelling coverage? Is there enough to get everything back if there is a total loss
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Make sure the replacement value is not higher than your coverage limits
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Contents Coverage – have you acquired any expensive jewelry or electronics?
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Check your liability coverage – have you added a pool or a trampoline? Did you get a new dog? Withholding this information could put in danger should a loss occur.
Multiple Policy Discounts:
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Also remember, many carriers offer discounts for having both your Home and Auto with a single carrier, this can often save you 20% on your home and 10% on your car.
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If you are a renter, consider a tenant’s policy to protect your belongings, often times the discount you will receive for having two polices will pay for this.
Best Rates:
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Finally – remember that each insurance carrier has its own rates for every driver or home category, so it benefits you to explore your options. At Bieritz, we work with over 20 companies so that we can provide you with the coverage you needs at the best rates available. Call us today at 607-547-2951.
March 13 is World Kidney Day
National Kidney Month this year is bringing attention to Chronic Kidney Disease. Take a look at the infographic below to learn some of the facts about this silent killer. Then, on March 13 (World Kidney Day) – start your day off with a glass of water to show that you take care of your kidneys.
