Dream Quote:

Everything man made you see in the world was once just a dream. Every where you look is proof that dreams come true.

Teen Safety: what you need to know

Today I want to talk about teen safety on the road. Unfortunately, teens are much more likely to get into an auto accident than an adult driver. Here is what I found as I researched the situation:

National Teen Driving Statistics

• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among 15- to 20-year-olds.
• 16-year-olds have higher crash rates than drivers of any other age.
• 16-year-olds are 3 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than the average of all drivers.
• 2,739 drivers between the ages of 15 and 20 died in motor vehicle crashes in 2008, down 13.7% from 3,174 in 2007 and down 20.2% from 3,431 in 1998.
• About 2 out of every 3 teenagers killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2008 were males (IIHS).
• Drivers ages 15-20 accounted for 12% of all drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2008 and 14% of all drivers involved in police-reported crashes.
• 63% of teenage passenger deaths in 2008 occurred in vehicles driven by another teenager. Among deaths of passengers of all ages, 19% occurred when a teenager was driving (IIHS).
• 81% of teenage motor vehicle crash deaths in 2008 were passenger vehicle occupants.
• The number of drivers ages 15-20 involved in fatal crashes totaled 5,864 in 2008, down 16% from 6,982 in 2007 and down 26% from 7,987 in 1998.
• In 2006 (latest data available) crashes involving 15- to 17-year-olds cost more than $34 billion nationwide in medical treatment, property damage and other costs, according to an AAA analysis.
• In states with GDL programs that include at least five of the most important elements, there was a 20% reduction in fatal crashes involving 16-year-old drivers.
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, in 2008:
  
  • Hand-held cellphone use was highest among 16- to 24-year-olds (8% in 2008, down from 9% in 2007).
  • 37% of male drivers ages 15-20 who were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time.
  • 55%, or 2,014, of the 3,678 occupants of passenger vehicles ages 16-20 who were killed in crashes were not buckled up.
  • 31% of drivers ages 15-20 who were killed in motor vehicle crashes had been drinking some amount of alcohol; 25% were alcohol-impaired, meaning they had a blood alcohol content of 0.08 grams per deciliter or higher.
• Statistics show that 16- and 17-year-old driver death rates increase with each additional passenger (IIHS).

Here is American Family's answer:

Teen Safe Driver Program

Teens are more than 9 times as likely to get in a car crash than an adult.

Handing over the keys to your teenage driver is one of the most difficult things you'll ever do as a parent. And while teens may drive safely when their parents are in the car, crash rates increase dramatically when parents are not present.
The Teen Safe Driver SM Program uses innovative technology and parent feedback to help teens become safer drivers. As a result, the program can help dramatically reduce risky teen driving behavior. And the best part is it’s absolutely free for automobile insurance customers of American Family Insurance!

On average the Teen Safe Driver SM Program reduces risky driver behavior by 70% according to an independent review by the University of Iowa.

Here’s how it works:

• A small audio/video recording device installed behind the rearview mirror of the car driven by your teen.
• When triggered by erratic vehicle movements, such as extreme braking, acceleration, cornering or a collision, the device provides a video clip of what occurred the 10 seconds before and after the event.
• The recorded event is sent wirelessly to analysts, where it is reviewed and scored and coaching tips are offered.
• Each week parents and teens are encouraged to review and discuss the results, which they access through a secure Website.

This man had an outstanding dream. What's yours?

Dreams Quote:

"Never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us."

- Wilma Rudolph, was the first American woman to win three gold medals in track and field during a single Olympic Games, despite running on a sprained ankle at the time.

Topic: Why Renter's Insurance?

So today I chose a topic that seems to be confusing to many people: Renter's Insurance. If you are one of the hundreds of people that doesn't quite know what renter's insurance is good for, don't be embarassed. It is easy to figure that you pay ENOUGH in rent, and surely the landlord already pays for insurance, so why should you have to pay TOO??

Well the answer is many tenants have no idea the risk that they are liable for, even when their landlord has perfectly good coverage. Under the owner's policy, NONE of your belongings are covered. Also, say that pesky old swing in your backyard ends up breaking while your neighbor's child is swinging on it and they decide to take you to court for a broken ankle. Wouldn't it be great to have some coverage for those incidents that we can't control?

So what does renter's insurance cover exactly? First of all, you will have to calculate how much you would estimate what it would take for your total belongings to be replaced. Typically this number is anywhere from $16,000 to $90,000. Then, on every renter's policy that we have, our clients have a $300,000 liability coverage that covers you in the event that someone gets injured on your property. You will also recieve medical coverage for every person in your household that gets ill or injured due to something that happens in your home.

 

Renters Insurance

You’ve built a home out of your apartment and filled it with all the things that make up your life. If these personal possessions were damaged, destroyed or stolen, would you be able to replace them?

How Much Renters Insurance Do You Need?

For a general guide of how much renters insurance coverage you may need, use this chart. Match the general quality of your possessions – economy, standard or luxury – with the number of rooms (not including bathrooms) in your home.

	2	3	4	5
Economy	$23,300	$26,200	$29,000	$31,800
Standard	$34,100	$38,200	$42,400	$46,400
Luxury	$39,600	$44,700	$49,200	$55,100

	6	7	8	9	10
Economy	$34,600	$37,500	$40,300	$43,100	$45,900
Standard	$50,600	$54,600	$58,700	$62,900	$67,100
Luxury	$63,100	$70,200	$76,300	$81,900	$87,200

Soo cute!

Hello Idaho Family!

I am very excited to get to know each of you as this blog gets rolling! Please make yourself at home and feel free to browse as I post tips about how to better protect yourself from winter risks, road risks, coverage myths, and many other uncommon insurance tips. Please contact me with questions if there is an insurance issue you would like me to discuss on this site. Enjoy!

Is Your Home Prepared for Winter?

If you live in a region where the temperatures drop below freezing, here are some tips to help protect your home during cold spells.

Keep Freezing Pipes from Bursting

Frozen water in pipes causes pressure to build and could result in the pipes bursting at their weakest point.
Pipes in attics, crawl spaces and outside walls are particularly vulnerable to this concern, especially when they're subjected to extra cold air coming through utility line holes.
Follow these tips to help keep your pipes from freezing:

• Fit exposed pipes with insulation sleeves or wrapping. The more insulation the better.
• Use caulking to seal cracks and holes in outside walls and foundations near water pipes.
• Disconnect garden hoses and turn off the water supply to spigots.
• Keep cabinet doors open during cold spells to allow warm air to circulate around pipes, especially in the kitchen and bathroom.
• Allow a slow trickle of water to flow through faucets connected to pipes that run through an unheated or unprotected space. (If your house is going to be vacant during a cold spell, consider draining your water system.)

Protect Your Roof from Ice Dams

When your home's heat melts snow, water runs to the edge of your roof (where the temperature is cooler) and freezes. Over time, this ice can build up, preventing drainage and forcing water into your attic or walls.
How can you avoid ice dams, or at least reduce their impact?

• Keep your attic well ventilated. The cooler the attic, the less melting and refreezing on your roof.
• Keep your attic floor well insulated to minimize the amount of heat rising through the attic from within your house.
• If possible, eliminate recessed lighting near your roof. Heat generated from such lighting melts snow, which then contributes to ice dam buildup.