If your home would be burglarized, affected by a storm or damaged by a fire, could you list everything you owned? For most,  the answer is probably not, and that’s why you need a home inventory. This list proves the value of your home’s contents, and impacts the payout your insurance company makes. Here are several easy ways to keep track of all your belongings.

Why do you Need a Home Inventory? 

Organize by Category

Organize by Room

Details to Include on Your List

Schedule Inventory Updates

Store Your Inventory List Wisely

By making a home inventory, you simplify the task of filing an insurance claim. Use these easy steps as you perform this essential task.

As always, Tracy-Driscoll is here to help review your home insurance policy to make sure that you have the coverage you need. Give us a call at 860-589-3434 so that you can discuss your home’s inventory with one of our insurance professionals.

Every state in the U. S. except for New Hampshire requires drivers to purchase insurance before they drive. Unfortunately, as many as one in five drivers do not purchase auto insurance reports the Insurance Research Council (IRC). If you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver, you get stuck with the financial costs. Protect yourself with these tips.

Purchase Uninsured Motorist (UM) Insurance

Uninsured Motorist insurance, also known as Uninsured Motorist Bodily Injury (UMBI) insurance, pays medical bills for you and your passengers after an accident. It can also reimburse you for lost wages or if you’re a hit-and-run accident victim or a pedestrian who’s hit by an uninsured driver.

Purchase Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) Coverage

Uninsured Motorist Property Damage insurance covers vehicle damage. It may also cover property damage depending on the state in which you live. In most cases, UMPD coverage will not cover hit-and-run accidents.

Purchase Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Protection

Sometimes, at-fault drivers do have insurance, but their policy includes low limits that are insufficient to fix your vehicle repair. Your UIM policy will pay the difference and fix your automobile.

Report Accidents

After an accident with an uninsured driver, you may be asked not report the accident or file an insurance claim. Resist the temptation to cut the driver a break. You could be stuck with any bills related to the accident, particularly since your insurance company will probably not pay the claim if you don’t report the accident.

Always document accidents and damages. Include who was driving both vehicles and who was at fault. Get the other driver’s name and phone number as well as his or her driver’s license number and the vehicle’s registration, plate number, make and model.

Give us a Call

You can’t control the type of insurance coverage other drivers purchase. However, you can make sure you have enough coverage to pay for medical injuries and damages if you’re in an accident. Give Tracy-Driscoll a call today at 860-589-3434 to speak with an insurance professional, who can ensure that you have the right amount of coverage for your needs.

Signing up for a new account somewhere is always a bit of a pain. You may have a basic password that you use for almost every account, but then this one says you need something that’s 16 characters long with three numbers, a capital letter and a symbol. How are you going to remember all of that, and how are you going to remember that this is one of the accounts where your password is Olympiu$998 instead of just olympius?

Although these password measures are intended to make your account more secure, they can have the opposite effect, simply because you need to write those complicated passwords down somewhere so that you don’t forget them.

Tracy-Driscoll wants to make sure you are more secure online. Follow the tips below so that you can to come up with new passwords, and remember them without having to leave a sticky on your monitor:

• Base your password on a secret. People can look up your date of birth, and they can ask you what your dog’s name is. Yet, they might not know the name of your first crush, how old you were the first time you stole your dad’s car, or which Backstreet Boys song you secretly listen to when you’re alone. If you base your password on personal information, make sure it’s not personal information that is available online or something that could be guessed easily.

• If you have to write your passwords down, don’t write them down in an unencrypted file on your computer, and don’t keep a list in your wallet. An encrypted file with a password that you can remember is a safe place to keep your codes, or you can stash them in a notepad somewhere private and secure, like a lockbox.

• If you like to use one password for everything, it is important to switch it up every now and then. Maybe you can’t remember a list of thirty two passwords for everything you have to log into online, but you should change that skeleton-key password once every six months.

• Of course, one of the easiest ways to keep all of your passwords safe is with a password manager. There are apps that can sync with a smartphone and with the cloud, and can even auto-generate passwords for you so that you don’t need to worry about it. Once you log into your password manager, it will log you into everything else for you.

By following these tips, your online passwords will stay secure. If you are looking to add another layer of security when you’re online, contact us at 860-589-3434 to learn about identity protection coverage.

Now that winters’ almost over, you’re ready to take a break and hit the open road. Is your vehicle ready for spring break travel?

1. Fill the Fluids

Windshield wiper fluid, coolant, oil and transmission fluids deplete quickly over the winter months. Fill them to the recommended level for your vehicle. Doing so on a regular basis will keep your car running well, and keep your repair costs down.

2. Check the Tires

After carrying your vehicle over rough winter roads, your tires tread and air pressure also needs to be inspected. You can easily check the tread of your tires by inserting a penny into your tire’s tread groove. Place the penny with Lincoln’s head upside down, and facing you. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, the tread depth of your tires is less than 2/32 inch and it’s time to replace your tires.

Make sure your tires are inflated to the proper pressure as recommended for your specific vehicle.

3. Replace the Wiper Blades

The wiper blades work extra hard all winter as they remove ice and snow from your windshield. Protect your view and safety when you replace the wiper blades.

4. Wash the Exterior

Salt and grime build up on your vehicle’s exterior and can cause corrosion, rust and damage. Wash off winter dirt with a high-powered hose at home or at the car wash. Reach the underbody, lower doors, roof and all exterior surfaces.

5. Clean Out the Interior

Food wrappers, mud and a dirty windshield create an untidy interior. Plus, salt residue can destroy the fabric on your vehicle’s floors and seats. Grab a trash can, steam cleaner and wash cloth as you clean out the inside of your vehicle this season.

6. Update Your Auto Insurance

Insurance requirements don’t change with the seasons, but double check your coverage as part of your prep for spring break travel. Make sure your coverage meets your needs and renew your policy if necessary. With the right insurance coverage from Tracy-Driscoll, you’ll have peace of mind wherever the road takes you.

Tracy Drisoll wants to wish everyone a safe holiday.

If you try to read your life insurance policy without an insurance agent, you’ll probably barely make it through the first page. Life insurance policies usually include a number of words that are difficult to understand. As always, Tracy-Driscoll is here to help you learn the jargon, so that you can make better sense of your life insurance policy and ensure you’re adequately covered.

Beneficiary – The person who receives the proceeds of a life insurance policy after the insured dies; primary, secondary and tertiary beneficiaries refers to the order in which beneficiaries receive the payout.

Medical Examination – The exam required before the insurance company can issue a policy, it’s usually conducted in-home by a licensed paramedical professional.

Nearest Age – An insurance company uses your nearest age when determining premium costs. For example, if you are 27 years and five months old, you would be claimed as a 27-year-old on the policy.

Non-Medical Term Policy – This type of policy does not require a medical exam. Your insurance company will ask applicants a few questions about your age and past physical health before making a decision on coverage options.

Preferred Risk – The applicant’s physical health, occupation and other characteristics indicate that he or she will live longer than other people of the same age.

Premium – Is the payment someone makes to pay for their life insurance policy.

Rider – Is an add-on to your policy that expands or waives a coverage or condition of the policy. Typical riders include Accelerated Benefits, Accidental Death and Dismemberment, Accidental Death Benefit, Disability Income, and Other Insured.

Smoker Ratings – Is assigned to applicants based on whether or not they have smoked in the past 12 months, which affects the policy premium.

Standard Risk – The applicant is entitled to insurance coverage without extra ratings or any special restrictions.

Sub-Standard Risk – The applicant has a physical condition, personal or family history of illness or disease, risky occupation or other dangerous habit that could shorten his or her longevity.

Term Life Insurance – Protects the insured for a set term and expires when that term ends.

Underwriter – The company that receives the premiums and accepts responsibility for the life insurance policy contract, the company employee who approves or denies claims or the agent who sells policies

Whole Life Insurance– Provides coverage until the policyholder dies rather than for a set term, also provides tax-deferred accrual of cash.

Now that you have a better understanding of the many terms that you’ll come across in your life insurance’s policy, Tracy-Driscoll wants to help you review it. Our insurance professionals want to make sure that you have the proper coverage for your needs. Did you know that you should review your policy at least once a year? Give us a call at 860-589-3434.

Carpooling or Rideshare

 Carpooling or rideshares are useful and effective with co-workers to save money on fuel costs or reduce your carbon footprint.  You or other parents might carpool with your kids to school, sporting events or activities.  Maybe you might even carpool with friends to the mall, book clubs or vacations.  No matter why you carpool, are you sure you have the correct coverage on your auto policy?

In most states your insurance policy must include bodily injury liability, whereas many of the other important liability coverages are optional and not required.  Accidents do happen, but did you know that passengers in your vehicle are not covered by your bodily injury liability coverage – scary, right?

Coverage to consider adding to your current auto insurance policy is medical payments coverage and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.  Medical payments provide coverage for you and anyone in your vehicle and will pay for medical treatments your passengers need after an accident.  Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage provides additional coverage when there is not enough provided.  This coverage goes into effect if you or any family members are injured while riding in a carpool driven by someone else.  After the driver’s policy limits are reached, your underinsured or uninsured coverage can pick up the difference.  Both coverages will provide for the passengers in your vehicle and while they are optional, they are just as important.  Contact your licensed insurance agent to discuss your individual coverage and make sure you are adequately covered.

Uber and other livery services

 Many personal auto insurance policies include a clause that voids liability coverage if you use your personal vehicle for livery or public conveyance. This means you can’t use the liability coverage on your auto insurance if your vehicle is in an accident while you rent it out or while you are operating as a taxi service.  This is especially important in today’s transportation as services such as Uber become more and more popular.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I’m sure you’ve heard of Uber, but just in case you haven’t let us give you a basic idea of what this service is.  Uber is actually an app that connects passengers to drivers; it is not actually a taxi service.  The only requirement for an Uber driver to be available on the app is to pass a DMV and background check as well as maintain their own vehicle and own insurance.  Here is the catch, remember earlier when I said your coverage is voided on a personal auto policy when used in livery or public conveyance, well, unless the Uber driver has an auto policy specifically designed for this type of service, they technically have no coverage.  So before you decide to take on a second job as a ride for higher in your personal vehicle, make sure you have the correct coverage on your vehicle.

Contact our licensed agents at 860-589-3434 to discuss the options available to you.

Texting while driving is a serious problem on America’s roads. Seventy-one percent of young people say they have sent a text while driving. As a result, thousands of people die every year in crashes related to distract driving.

APRIL IS DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH!

This post is to spread the word about DRIVING without DISTRACTION.  We’ve also taken a pledge to keep our phones off-limits when in the driver’s seat (even “stop-light-emails”, which always seem to outlast the red lights).

Get involved. Take back your drive… Make the Pledge & dedicate it to someone you can’t live without (including yourself! ).

http://www.distraction.gov/take-action/take-the-pledge.html

Tracy-Driscoll & Co., Inc. is an independent insurance firm with caring, energetic and dependable people and professionals. Tracy-Driscoll’s philosophy of service is uniquely dedicated to our policyholder’s needs. Our commitment is to the highest standards of excellence in all that we do, established on the firm basis of trust well-earned, individual and personalized service.

 We can handle all aspects of your insurance needs from homeowners and personal auto, small business coverage and professional liability, to life insurance and a health insurance program.  Also, we offer specialized programs for Day Care providers, Auto Dealerships and Auto Body Shops, Antique Auto owners and more.

One of our Personal Line Marketing Specialist said, “I like to make everything personal. I would say you’re buying an agency experience. It has to be a personal experience. We’re going to watch your policies, we’re going to take care of you, we’re going to understand what it is you have going on, what’s causing the increases, what you have going on in your life, what’s going to change over the next couple of years if for instance you have younger drivers that are getting licensed, basically what can be expected.”

As an independent agency, our main concern and duty is to represent our clients.  When you experience a loss, we will follow through to make certain that you receive prompt and fair payments of your claim. We only deal with the products offered by a select group of financially sound and reputable insurance providers. We always place your policy with the company offering the most appropriate coverage at the best available price.

We strive to eliminate possible shortfalls in coverage and to reduce the cost of your insurance program. We’re here to help ensure you have the protection you need. If you have any questions, contact our licensed professionals for assistance at 860-589-3434.

When buying a life insurance policy, you are doing it because the policy’s death benefit will provide financial support to your loved ones and why you choose a beneficiary. Once you understand what a beneficiary is, then you’ll decide who you want that to be.

Beneficiary Defined

A beneficiary is the person or entity who will receive the death benefits of your life insurance policy after you die. For example, if your term policy includes a $300,000 death benefit, your beneficiary will receive $300,000, if you die before your policy matures. If you don’t make the choice, your estate will make it for you.

Whom can you choose as a Beneficiary?

You have options on who can be your beneficiary. Some choices are spouses, child or other relatives, a trustee, entity, friends or caregivers. Also, more than one person can receive your death benefits.

A trustee oversees your estate and ensures the death benefits are handled appropriately.

An entity is your favorite charity, college or cause can be the recipient of your life insurance death benefit.

Specify the Beneficiaries

When choosing a beneficiary, be as specific, clear and include as much detail as possible to help the process go smoothly. Include the person’s full name and social security number to prevent conflict over who receives what. For example, if your beneficiary list includes “wife” but you get a divorce and remarried after your policy is issued, both your current and former wives can claim the insurance policy at the time of your death.

Your life insurance policy is a wise investment. Understand beneficiaries and update your policy often to ensure your wishes are met. Tracy-Driscoll would love to help you check and review life insurance policy. Give us a call at 860-589-3434 to speak with one of our insurance professionals.

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