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Insurance Resolutions for the Best Year Yet

Posted on Jan 11, 2018

It’s that time of year again. The holiday season is winding down and it’s time to think about how you want to refresh, renew and recharge for the New Year.  We’re talking New Year’s resolutions. Did you know that only 9.2 percent of Americans succeed in their resolutions out of the 41 percent that make them?  We’ll make sure you’re in the 9.2 percent with ideas for making lifestyle changes for you and your family (that don’t involve hitting the gym five days a week).

This year, put an insurance spin on your resolutions. We’ve pulled together simple tweaks and fixes to leave your home, car and family better protected in the New Year.

First up, The Top 5 Driving and Car Maintenance Habits to Break in 2018.

The Top 5 Driving and Car Maintenance Habits to Break in 2018

Whether it’s following a regular maintenance plan or making sure you’re prepared for an emergency, we’ve pulled together five driving and car maintenance resolutions for the New Year.

Procrastinating on regular maintenance. If you skimp on basic maintenance, your car can eventually quit or malfunction. If you’re on the road when it happens, you could lose control of your car, putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation. So, if it’s been awhile, get your car into the shop for an oil change. A mechanic can also check your vehicle’s filters, fluids, hoses and other key components. Also, ask about your vehicle’s maintenance schedule. Find out if any parts are wearing out before they break.

Neglecting your tires. Make sure your tires are properly inflated, not only does it add life to your tires, but they’re much safer on the roads, too. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), nine percent of automobile crashes are related to tire failure. Don’t ignore the alerts from your vehicle’s tire pressure monitoring system. If you have an older vehicle, get into the habit of eyeing the tires whenever you approach the vehicle.

Preparation is key. Breakdowns happen, but it’s being prepared that’s important. If you have comprehensive vehicle coverage with ERIE, you can add Road Service coverage to your policy for as little as $5 per covered vehicle. It’s having that peace of mind, knowing that if you’re stranded, you’ll have help. It’s also important to put together an emergency car kit. Include the basics like a cell phone charger, blanket and small first aid kit, and extras like granola or energy bars and bottled water. Find the full list of emergency car kit items on the Eriesense blog.

Add extra time, not speed. If you have the need for speed, now’s a good time to rethink this habit. In 2015, nearly 10,000 people died in crashes where speed was a factor. (That’s 27 percent of all fatal crashes that year, according to the NHTSA.) Try leaving a few minutes early, and if traffic isn’t cooperating with your plans, just take a deep breath and back off the gas pedal. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and there’s no prize for arriving first.

Safe keeping. Take a look at your parking habits. Even if you’re parked in your driveway, garage or street, an unlocked vehicle is an open invitation for burglars. An unlocked vehicle invites easy access to your house, especially if your garage door opener is easily accessible. Also make sure you remove all bags, purses and valuables from your vehicle. Don’t make these an easy target for burglars.

Ready for a bonus tip? Make sure your vehicle has the proper coverages for your specific needs. Talk to your AAI Insurance to make sure you’re on the right path from the start in 2018.

Up next, Five Home Improvement Tips to Make Your Home Safer.

Five Home Improvement Tips to Make Your Home Safer

It’s impossible to prevent every accident or disaster, but there are some simple steps you can take that will go a long way to protecting your biggest investment.

1. Know your shut-off valves. Few people know where the emergency shut-off valves are located for gas, water and electricity. Take a moment and find them, and make sure everyone in your house knows where to find them. Pro tip: give the water valve a practice twist, as these shut-offs can get jammed from years of not being used.
2. Check your washer and dryer. Worn out rubber hoses in your washing machine can burst, spilling hundreds or even thousands of gallons of water on the floor. If your rubber hoses are more than just a few years old, swap them out for steel-belted hoses. And over time, lint can build up in your dryer vent and spark a fire. Luckily, a quick trip to the hardware store can reduce your risk of these common causes of fire and water damage.
3. Plan ahead and find a friend. If you can’t afford a monitored security system, the next best thing is to give the appearance that someone’s home while you’re away. Install lamp timers, keep a radio turned on and tuned to a talk station, and when you’re on vacation, have a friend shovel your walkway or park their car in your driveway. Above all, keep lower-level windows and garage doors closed and all entrances locked.
4. Smoke detection protection. Every home should have at least one smoke detector on each floor and test the batteries twice a year. (Make it easy and do it right before you adjust your clocks in the fall and spring.) Smoke detectors last about 10 years. Each time you get a new one, use a permanent marker to write the month and year on the back.
5. Preparing for severe weather.  Whether your part of the country is prone to flooding, hurricanes or other natural disasters, take a look around and consider upgrades and simple maintenance to help minimize damage from wind and water. In tornado-prone areas, a safe room is always a smart addition to protect you and your family from the storm.

Wherever you live, make sure your home and your family are protected based on your specific needs. Contact your AAI Insurance to find out more about ERIE’s homeowners insurance.

Next, a checklist for protection in the New Year.

Are you covered? Here’s a checklist to make sure you’re protected in 2018.

The new year is a great opportunity to take stock of your insurance policy and make sure you have the proper coverage that fits your needs. Here are some insurance resolutions to consider as we begin 2018.

Take inventory. Home inventory, that is. A home inventory is a record of your belongings. Keep this document in a safe place for easy reference if anything is destroyed or stolen. You can download and print a home inventory list that will guide you through what to document and assess through the rooms of your home.

Protecting valuables. If you received a special gift this holiday season such as a collectible or piece of jewelry, make sure you have the coverage you need to protect these items.

Renters need insurance, too. If you don’t have renters insurance, make 2018 the year you purchase your policy. If you’re renting an apartment, you’re probably not fully covered by your landlord’s insurance policy. If there’s a theft or fire, you’ll need your own policy to cover stolen items or damages.

Your teen gets behind the wheel in 2018. If a teenager in your home is learning to drive, you will definitely need to add him or her as an insured under your auto insurance policy once they are licensed.

Life insurance for the unexpected. It’s not something we like to think about, but you should have enough life insurance* to cover final expenses if something were to happen to you. Get a rough idea of how much protection you should have by using ERIE’s Life Insurance Calculator.

No matter what the New Year brings, connect with your AAI Insurance. He or she can help you find the right coverage at the right price to fit your life.

*Erie Family Life insurance policies are not available in New York.
Insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described in this article. For additional coverage questions, consult your individual policy or talk to your ERIE Agent.