Ways to Reduce Your Motorcycle Premiums
Ways to Reduce Your Motorcycle PremiumsBuying insurance coverage for your motorcycle can be expensive as bikes present a higher risk than automobiles. They’re more susceptible to accidents caused by bad weather and poor road conditions. They are also less visible to other drivers, and less stable than cars. Want a competitive quote; contact us at
www.loudoun-insurance.com or at NOVA Insurance Group (tel: 703-263-7800). We're centrally located at the Chantilly (20151), Fairfax County / South Riding (20152), Loudoun County border.
In spite of this, you want to be sure you have sufficient coverage for your bike, because you‘ve likely invested a lot of money in it. To help you find the best coverage for the best rates, the Insurance Information Institute offers the following tips:
Get seasonal coverage - Most bikers aren’t road warriors who consistently ride their bikes all year long. If you store your bike for several months out of the year, there's no need to fully insure it. Many insurers offer seasonal policies that cover your bike for six to nine month periods of actual usage.
Take a motorcycle-safety course - Some states require these courses before they'll issue a motorcycle license. Even if your home state doesn’t require it, you may be eligible for a 10 to 15 percent discount on your policy for completing one. Before signing up for a program, it’s a good idea to contact your insurer. Some companies only recognize certain programs. If you've been riding for a while, you might be able to get a discount for taking a refresher course.
Increase deductibles - A deductible is the amount of money you have to pay before the coverage kicks in. The higher your deductible, the lower your premiums. When choosing a deductible, make sure you can afford to pay out-of-pocket for any costs that are incurred before your insurance kicks in.
Ask about multiple bike discounts - If you've got more than one bike, or live with someone else who rides, you can usually get a discount. Likewise, it might be worthwhile to insure your motorcycle with the same company that covers your car. Call us at NOVA Insurance Group (
www.south-riding-insurance.com) 703-263-7800.
Install anti-theft devices - If you financed your bike, you've probably taken out comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive protects against theft, fire, and other damages not caused by an accident. Some companies offer a discount on comprehensive coverage if you utilize an anti-theft device.
Maintain a good driving record - Insurance companies analyze your driving history to determine rates. How you drive a car usually indicates how you'll ride a motorcycle. If you've only recently obtained a driver's license, you might want to wait a year or two before getting a motorcycle. If you maintain a good driving record, your rates will be lower once you're considered an "experienced" driver.
Ride with a group - Membership in a motorcycle club, such as the American Motorcycle Association, BMW Motorcycle Owners of America, Harley Owners Group or Retreads can also save you some money on your the insurance premium.
Labels: Fairfax Insurance, fairfax-motorcycle-insurance, Loudoun Insurance, loudoun-motorcycle-insurance, South Riding Insurance 20152, south-riding-motorcycles
U.S. Coast Guard Safety Initiative Asks You to Boat Responsibly
U.S. Coast Guard Safety Initiative Asks You to Boat ResponsiblyAs boating season approaches, the U.S. Coast Guard is once again expressing concern over the continuing increase in boating fatalities and injuries, and plans to step up its safety education for boaters. Statistics show that for the second consecutive year boating fatalities increased (710 deaths in 2006) as did the number of reported injuries. The reports also reveal some other disturbing facts:
Two-thirds of all fatalities were due to drowning and 90 percent of the victims were not wearing a life jacket. Simply put, over 50% of boating deaths could have been prevented if the victims had worn a life jacket.
Alcohol was the leading contributing factor in approximately one-fifth of all boating fatalities.
About 70 percent of all boating fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.
The most reported type of accident was a collision with another vessel. (Talk to
www.south-riding-insurance or
www.loudoun-insurance.com for a comprehensive Boat Insurance Policy). However, capsizing and falls overboard are the most reported types of fatal accidents and accounted for the vast majority (59 percent) of all boating fatalities.
Overall, operator inattention, carelessness/reckless operation, excessive speed and passenger/skier behavior are the leading contributing factors of all reported accidents.
Here are some simple tips boat owners and their passengers can take to insure their safety while enjoying recreational boating:
Wear your life jacket - As evidenced above, wearing a life jacket is the single most important thing you can do to ensure your safety on the water. And it doesn't matter how great of a swimmer you are, you should still wear a life jacket!
Take boating safety courses - Boat owners, operators and passengers should complete courses offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and others. The Coast Guard Auxiliary encourages everyone who might be put in a position of having to take command due to incapacity of the owner/operator to take a basic safety course. Here at NOVA Insurance Group, we can provide you some additional info. materials.
America’s Boating Course (ABC) is a new electronic, basic boating course produced through a partnership between the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons®. It’s available online at
www.AmericasBoatingCourse.com and on CD-ROM.
Get a free Vessel Safety Check - Boat owners are encouraged to take advantage of free safety checks offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. It’s your best way to learn about potential problems that might put you in violation of state or federal laws, or — worse — create danger for you or your passengers on the water. Vessel Examiners issue no citations. And there are no penalties for not successfully completing a Vessel Safety Check.
Don't drink and boat - In the marine environment — motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind, and spray intensify the effect of alcohol and drugs. These “stressors” cause fatigue — and dramatically affect a boat operator’s coordination, judgment, vision, and reaction time.
Levels of blood alcohol or medications that would have little impact on land can potentially cause a much greater degree of impairment for the operator of a boat. So never boat under the influence!
The complete 2006 Boating Statistics report is available from the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Auxiliary and Boating at
http://www.uscgboating.org/statistics/boating_statistics_2006.pdf.
Labels: Boat-Insurance, Fairfax-Boat-Insurance, Fairfax-Boats, Loudoun-Boat-Insurance, Loudoun-Boats, South-Riding-Boat-Insurance, Virginia-Boat-Insurance
Outstanding Loudoun Insurance - Allstate Regional Champion's Award
Allstate Loudoun Insurance Award!
Khalid Umerani of Chantilly (Fairfax County and Loudoun County Insurance) has been recognized by Allstate Insurance Company for high standards in customer satisfaction, customer retention and financial service sales. Umerani has achieved the distinctive
Allstate Regional Champion's award, which is Allstate's symbol of outstanding achievement. Khalid Umerani can be reached at 703-263-7800.
Dulles South - Loudoun Insurance Press ReleaseLabels: allstate-loudoun allstate-fairfax allstate-insurance-loudoun loudoun-insurance-allstate loudoun-insurance chantilly-insurance allstate-virginia virginia-allstate
Endorsement or Separate Policy - What's the Best Way to Insure Your Motorcycle?
Endorsement or Separate Policy: What's the Best Way to Insure Your Motorcycle?
As the weather warms up, more and more riders will be hitting the streets with their motorcycles, here in South Riding 20152, Stone Ridge 20105 and Brambleton 20148. Whether you’re a weekend rider or a hardcore road warrior, you want to be sure your valuable bike is covered for any contingency.
As a motorcycle owner, you are faced with the decision of whether to insure your bike by adding an endorsement to your auto insurance policy, or by buying a separate policy. It’s important to understand the differences between the two so you can choose the option that best suits your needs. Remember, different insurance companies offer varied coverages and policy types, whether it's Fairfax or
Loudoun County Insurance your'e obtaining!
An endorsement is a document that is added to a basic policy either at the time the policy is purchased, or during its term, which becomes part of the policy and increases the coverage provided by that policy. If you insure your motorcycle by adding an endorsement to your Fairfax or Loudoun auto insurance, you will only have one insurance bill to pay to cover both your car and your bike.
However, there are certain disadvantages to insuring your motorcycle this way. In most cases, you cannot customize your insurance with an endorsement. You are locked in to the same coverages, limits, and exceptions for your bike that apply to your car. That’s why it is important to discuss with your insurance agent what a motorcycle endorsement covers and how it's covered before you add it to your auto policy.
Your insurer may offer you the choice of purchasing separate coverage for your motorcycle. While motorcycle insurance does vary by state and insurance company, one thing remains the same; your driving history and credit score may impact your eligibility. Riding a motorcycle is a higher risk activity than driving a car; if you have a number of tickets or accidents on your driving record, you may be considered too high a risk for the insurance company to extend separate coverage.
If you qualify, there are certain advantages to having a separate policy. Because these policies are created specifically for motorcycles, they offer more coverage options. For example, a motorcycle policy allows you to choose higher liability limits than you have on your auto insurance.
One of the great things about owning a bike is the ability to personalize it, but many of these customizations aren’t covered unless you purchase a separate motorcycle policy. Typically, a basic motorcycle policy will extend coverage for custom parts and equipment up to a specific limit, such as $1,000. If your custom accessories or parts are worth more than the basic policy limit, it's a good idea to purchase additional coverage to cover those parts in case they're ever damaged. Also, be sure to ask for a list of the specific custom parts that are covered, and any exclusions that may apply.
Keep in mind that although you will be paying a separate premium for motorcycle insurance, you may qualify for discounts, here at
NOVA Loudoun Insurance Group. Many insurers offer discounts for multi-motorcycle policies, mature drivers, and insuring both your auto and motorcycle with the same company. In some instances, you can receive a discount for attending safety training programs, or for becoming a certified motorcycle safety instructor.
Labels: fairfax-motorcycle-insurance, fairfax-motorcycles, loudoun-motorcycle-insurance, loudoun-motorcycles, motorcycle-insurance, south-riding-motorcycles, virginia-motorcycles
Understanding and Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Understanding and Preventing Carbon Monoxide PoisoningA chill is in the air, signaling that it's time to make preparations for winter. One preparation you should incorporate into your yearly routine is to check your carbon monoxide (CO) detector and make your home safe for the winter.
http://www.south-riding-insurance.com/Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, invisible gas that is created by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels such as gas, wood, propane, and oil. Carbon monoxide does damage by replacing oxygen in bloodstream, leading to suffocation. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning vary from flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea, and dizziness, to more severe symptoms such as difficulty breathing and unconsciousness. Carbon monoxide poisoning can result in death.
The good news is that you can prevent carbon monoxide from ever becoming a threat to you and your family. Routine maintenance of your home heating and cooking sources, as well as vehicles and generators, can make the difference in your exposure to carbon monoxide. The U.S. National Safety Council states that of deaths involving unintentional poisoning by gas or vapors, more than one-third involve motor vehicle exhaust and more than one-fourth involve heating or cooking equipment.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends installing carbon monoxide alarms in your home. It is critical that you follow the guidelines to ensure safe and proper usage of the alarms.
o Only purchase an alarm that is listed by a qualified, independent testing laboratory.
o Many alarms need replacing within two to five years. Make sure to note the date you installed your alarm so you can comply with the manufacturer's suggestions for replacement.
o If you purchase a battery-powered alarm, examine the type of batteries required. Some alarms have special battery packs designed to last approximately two years, while others may need to be changed yearly.
o Locate the alarm in a central location outside each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
o Keep your local fire department's number for carbon monoxide calls with your other emergency numbers for quick access.
o Test the alarms once every month to ensure they are in good working order.
If your carbon monoxide alarm should go off, leave the building immediately. Leave the doors open when you leave and turn off heating and cooking equipment. Call your local fire department and following an all-clear, have all your equipment inspected by a qualified technician. And lastly, get medical attention as necessary. Do not ignore signs of carbon monoxide poisoning, even if they appear to be minor. By following these tips, you can ensure your safety from carbon monoxide throughout the winter and year-round. (
http://www.loudoun-insurance.com/)
Labels: Aldie 20105 Homeowners Insurance, Aldie 20105 Property Insurance, Brambleton Homeowners Insurance, Brambleton Property Insurance, Stone Ridge Homeowners Insurance, Stone Ridge Property Insurance
Factors to Consider Before You File a Claim
Factors to Consider Before You File a Claim
Most of us have had insurable homeowner's or automobile losses at one time or another and wondered whether or not to file a claim. The two questions that run through one's mind during such trying times are fairly uniform - If I file a claim will my insurer raise my rates? Or - will they drop me like a hot potato?
Often, small claims under $500 may not affect your individual premiums if they are few and far between. Insurers vary, however, in their underwriting of accounts with losses, particularly "at-fault" losses. Two or three claims a year on a given policy will signal to most insurers that you are a problem insured. To complicate matters, you need to consider the effect of even one claim on your ability to obtain insurance elsewhere. Some companies take a long hard look at any applicant who has had claims with their current or previous carriers in the past three years. For our clients living in Chantilly 20151, South Riding 20152, Brambleton / Ashburn 20148, and Aldie / Stone Ridge 20105, we always engage in a meaningful discussion before proceeding further with filing a claim.
Consumer watchdog groups have been critical of one method used by most insurers in the underwriting process for personal lines applicants - the use of a shared database called CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange). This database is tapped by insurers not only to investigate the person or persons behind the application, but in the case of homeowner's insurance, the property as well. Participating insurers report all claims, large and small, even ones not resulting in a payout. Realtors hate this system because it often signals problems with properties that they feel unnecessarily complicate a home sale. You need to know that your record is affected by the reporting of the claim much in the same way that your credit is affected by late payments or financial default. South-Riding-Insurance and Loudoun-Insurance are equally affected by this database.
So when should you file a claim with your auto or homeowner's insurance? Common sense says if the repairs cost less than the deductible, you're better off paying for the repairs on your own. With this in mind, you may even want to consider taking a higher deductible on your insurance to lower your rates. Take the money you save on the lower rates and deposit it into a savings account. In the event you are involved in an accident, you will have the money for the repairs even if the cost is slightly higher than your deductible.
If you have an automobile accident and there is another car involved, or there is someone else in the car with you, you definitely need to let your insurance company know about the accident - regardless of deductible or repair costs. Same with a third party slip and fall in your home. This protects you and your insurance company, as you can never be certain if the other driver, additional passenger or any other third party will decide to file a claim at a later date. When someone else is involved, it is important to get your side of the story on record with your insurer and, in many cases, the police as well. Keep in mind that each claim scenario is different and has different implications for you as an insured. If your windshield cracks as a result of a stone hitting it on the highway, your insurer will consider it an "act of nature" and will not assign fault to you as the driver. On the other hand, if the damage is only slightly higher than the deductible and the claim comes close on the heels of another recent and more serious claim, you may do well to bite the bullet and pay the difference out of your own pocket. We, at NOVA Insurance Group (in South Riding, VA 20152) can help you assess the likely costs and benefits of filing a borderline claim. It is important to note that policy language varies from company to company with respect to your responsibility to report a claim, i.e. information needed, timeliness of reporting, etc. Read the policy carefully and consult with your agent any time a significant property loss occurs and/or a threat of legal action or actual lawsuit develops. Do not let indecision or carelessness prejudice your ability to rely on the coverage you may one day desperately need.
Labels: Ashburn homeowners insurance, Ashburn Property Insurance, Brambleton Homeowners Insurance, Leesburg Homeowners Insurance, Leesburg Property Insurance, Stone Ridge Homeowners Insurance
Using a Cell Phone While Driving Is Similar to Driving Under the Influence
Using a Cell Phone While Driving Is Similar to Driving Under the Influence
A 2005 study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that drivers who use cell phones while driving were four times more likely to get involved in an accident. It also concluded that accident risk wasn’t affected by whether the driver was using a hand-held phone or a hands-free phone. Reference cell-phone restrictions, in Virginia (including Loudoun county - South Riding 20152, Stone Ridge / Aldie 20105 and Ashburn / Brambleton 20148; and Fairfax county - Chantilly 20151), there is currently no hand-held ban, except drivers younger than 18, and school bus drivers.
www.south-riding-insurance.comNew research from Carnegie Mellon University shows that just listening on a cell phone while driving is enough to distract a driver. In this study, 29 volunteers used a driving simulator while inside an MRI brain scanner. They steered a car along a virtual winding road, driving at a high, fixed rate of speed. They were tested while driving undisturbed, and while driving and trying to decide whether a sentence they heard was true or false. The researchers measured activity in 20,000 brain locations, each about the size of a peppercorn.
After a thorough analysis of the data, the researchers were able to conclude that:
When the drivers were tested while listening to the sentence to see if it was true or false, they lost 37 percent of the normal activity of their brain’s parietal lobe. This is significant because this area of the brain is the one motorists rely on the most when driving. The parietal lobe assimilates all the information the body receives from the senses, and uses it to determine how near/far perceived objects are. There was also a decrease in the activity of the occipital lobe, which assimilates visual information.
When the drivers were tested while listening, they lost their ability to control the car. They not only were unable to stay in their lane, but they frequently hit objects such as guardrails. These are the kinds of driving errors most closely associated with motorists who drive while under the influence of alcohol.
www.loudoun-insurance.comLabels: 20151 Auto Insurance, 20151 Car Insurance, 20152 Auto Insurance, 20152 Car Insurance, Chantilly Auto Insurance, Chantilly Car Insurance
