Safety

How Much Does Car Insurance Cost For a 16-Year Old in Maine?

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Parents of young teens often dread the day they start driving. They worry about their safety, the responsibility for others in the car or on the road, and the expense. Between insurance, gas, and maybe  buying another car, it’s expensive to have a teen driver.

teen driver by jamesstewartThe cost to insure a teen driver varies greatly, depending upon driving record, vehicle types, use of the vehicle, and coverage level. Rates and rules vary by insurance company, too. Most Maine insurers only require you to add a driver when they get their license, not their learners’ permit.

If everyone’s driving record is clean, your teen has a vehicle at their disposal most or all of the time, and that vehicle has comprehensive and collision coverage, expect to pay $1,500 to $2,000 extra per year to add a teenager to your policy. If they buy their own vehicle and insurance, it can cost more than that.

Strategies to Reduce the Cost of Car Insurance for Your Teen.

  1. Drop collision coverage on the vehicle.  Yearly savings: about $500 – $750.
    If your teen is the primary driver of a vehicle that is paid off, you can choose to self-insure collision damage for that vehicle.
    Downside:  If the vehicle is damaged in an accident, your insurance company will not pay to repair it.
    Surprising Fact: Teens may drive more carefully, knowing that if they’re in an accident, the vehicle may not be repaired or replaced.
  2. Have fewer cars than drivers. Yearly savings: about $1,000 to $1,500.
    If your child does not have a vehicle available for everyday use, they are considered an “occasional operator”. Most insurers charge a lower rate for these drivers.
    Downside: You have to share a vehicle, which can be inconvenient.
    Surprising fact: Many families start with this approach, and move to option #1 as the teen gains driving experience.
  3.  Get the Discounts You Deserve. Yearly savings: $50 to $100.
    Most insurers offer Maine auto insurance discounts for teens who are honor roll students or who complete a driver education program.
    Downside: none. Who doesn’t like saving money, or encouraging your teen to make good grades?
    Surprising Fact: Some insurers offer auto discounts for being a non-smoker, low-mileage driving, or displaying safe driving habits.

If you’re in the market for auto insurance in Greater Portland, get 5 free car insurance quotes online, or call Noyes Hall & Allen at 207-799-5541. If you live in another area, we recommend calling a local independent agent. Look for an agency that can offer you a choice from Maine’s best auto insurance companies, and provide professional local service.

 

Photo credit: Teen driver by jamesstewart is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Space Heaters: How to Stay Warm AND Safe

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It’s getting colder in Maine. With today’s high fuel prices, many of us try to delay turning on the heat as long as possible. For some people, that means using a space heater to “take the chill off”. As with any appliance, it’s important to know the associated hazards and best practices for avoiding them.

Fires and Burns

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that space heaters are involved more than 25,000 home fires every year, causing more than 300 deaths.The SPSC estimates that another 6000 people, many of them children, visit emergency rooms for burns from touching hot surfaces.

  • Check the wires, fuel lines and tanks often to make sure they’re in good condition.
  • Keep combustibles at least 3 feet away from space heaters.
  • Leave your space heater on the floor, unless it’s designed otherwise.
  • If you smell gas, turn off all controls, open a window, and leave the area.
  • Propane is heavier than air. Avoid electrical switches or appliances if you smell gas. And, of course, no smoking!
  • Do not use electric space heaters in wet areas, such as the bathroom.
  • Keep children and animals away from space heaters.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

CO is an odorless, colorless gas produced by incomplete combustion of gasoline, natural gas, propane, kerosene, coal or wood. Symptoms of CO poisoning include:

  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Headache
  • Fatigue
  • Weakness

Prolonged exposure can cause lack of coordination, confusion, loss of consciousness, and even death.

Modern space heaters (made after 1983) have sensors that automatically shut off the appliance if a reduced level of oxygen is detected. In addition, your best protection is a good, working CO detector.

If you have property in Maine, and have questions about home, renters or condominium insurance, our Portland area insurance agency can help. We’re locally owned, and represent many of  Maine’s best insurance companies. That means we can provide you with customized choices.  Contact a Noyes Hall & Allen agent for answers!

Here’s to a mild – and safe – heating season!

Do I Have to Wait for the Insurance Company Before Repairing Maine Storm Damage?

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Hurricane Irene visited Maine yesterday. Fortunately, the southern Maine wind damage was mostly limited to fallen trees and limbs – at least judging by our clients who contacted us to report an insurance claim.

The most common claim question today is “A tree fell on my house. Can I remove it, or do I have to wait for the insurance company to inspect it”? As this prior post explained, fallen trees aren’t always covered by insurance. But, if a tree lands on your home or other structure, your homeowners or business policy probably covers both the damage it causes and the cost to remove it.

Generally, it’s fine to remove the tree from your home or driveway to assess the damage and to  make temporary repairs to preserve your property. You don’t need to wait for the insurance adjuster to see it; they can usually tell what happened by the scars that the tree or limb left behind.

5 Things to Do if a Tree Falls on Your Property

  • Document the damage with digital photos or video.
  • Take action to preserve your property from further damage. Remove the tree from the structure, make temporary repairs, or move property indoors.
  • Save damaged property for the insurance company to inspect.
  • Schedule – but don’t begin – permanent repairs. Repair contractors are very busy after a natural disaster. The earlier you schedule your job with a reputable, experienced and insured contractor, the better the chance of your property being repaired faster. Do not start repairs until the insurance company has a chance to see your damage.
  • Report your claim. Noyes Hall & Allen clients can contact an agent to start the process.

If you have questions about Maine homeowners insurance, condo insurance, renters insurance or insuring your Maine business property, call Noyes Hall & Allen at 207-799-5541.

Identity Theft in Maine – Can Insurance Help?

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Identity theft has been a hot topic in Maine recently. It’s a nearly unavoidable risk in our digital age. Many of our clients have asked about “identity theft insurance”.  We’re not aware of any insurance that can prevent identity fraud from occurring, or pay for fraudulent charges someone may make on your account. Some of the insurers we represent do offer solutions that can help if your information has already been compromised.

Experts recommend using the  3 D’s” to help you reduce the chance of identity theft, and deal with it if it does happen: Deter, Detect and Defend.

DETER Identity Theft

  • Shred financial documents before you throw them away.
  • Don’t give out personal info to anyone unless you have initiated the contact and know who you are dealing with.
  • Lock personal information at home, especially if you are having work done at your house, or have roommates.
  • Choose complex passwords. Avoid birth dates or easily guessed numbers or phrases.
  • Don’t print your Social Security Number on checks,  carry your card in your wallet, or give it out unless absolutely necessary (insurance agents may ask for it to quote your home or auto insurance; it’s not required, but does provide the most accurate quote).

DETECT by Monitoring Your Accounts

  • Inspect financial statements for charges you did not make.
  • Check your credit report for information that seems incorrect.
  • Be alert to bills that do not arrive as expected.

DEFEND Yourself as Soon as You Suspect a Problem

  • Place a “fraud alert” on your credit reports. To place an initial 90-day fraud alert, call one of the three nationwide credit reporting companies:
    • Equifax:             800-525-6285
    • Experian:          888-397-3742
    • TransUnion:     800-680-7289
  • Close accounts that have been affected. Ask for written verification that the account has been closed and any fraudulent debts wiped out.
  • File a police report.

Identity Fraud Insurance in Maine

Your Maine insurance agency probably sells products that can reimburse you from expenses incurred to help you recover from identity theft.

 Identity Fraud Insurance May Pay for:

  • Cost of notifying merchants, credit agencies and lenders.
  • Lost wages and incurred daycare expenses for time you spend notifying authorities and lenders.
  • A “resolution service” to work with you through the process.
  • Fees for re-applying and re-issuing government-issued personal documentation.
  • Loan application fees for re-applying if your application was rejected because of incorrect credit information.
  • Attorney fees for defense of lawsuits from creditors, criminal charges, or contesting wrongfully incurred tax liability.

 

Identity Fraud Insurance Does NOT pay for:

  • Fraudulent charges on a credit card (these are usually wiped out by the lender, provided you notify them promptly).
  • Extra expenses you may incur because your credit was frozen due to suspected identity fraud.

Many of the insurance companies we represent sell Identity Fraud Expense Reimbursement coverage. To speak with an experienced Maine insurance agent, contact us at 207-799-5541.  For more information about identity theft, we recommend the FTC’s consumer web site.

 

How to Remove An Ice Dam From Your Roof

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After a few mild years, Maine is in the middle of an “old-fashioned winter”, which means plenty of snow and cold temperatures. Our Maine insurance agency is prepared for homeowners insurance claims for damage caused by frozen pipes, weight of snow, and ice dams.

What is an Ice Dam?

icicles_Ice_DamIf you have icicles hanging from your roof, there’s probably an ice dam behind them.  An ice dam is a ridge of ice that builds at the edge of a roof which prevents melting snow from draining off the roof. The melting snow above feeds the dam below. Draining water backs up behind the dammed ice. It flows into your attic through cracks and openings in your roof covering. From the attic it flows into your home, damaging walls, insulation and ceilings.

How to Prevent Ice Dams

Differences in temperature of various areas of your roof cause ice dams. The best prevention is a combination of insulation and ventilation. A well-ventilated attic keeps cold air circulating, maintaining a constant temperature. Proper insulation keeps the warm air in your home, allowing the ventilation to do its job.

Remove snow from the lowest 5′ of your roof with a snow rake if possible. Leave 2-3 inches of snow on the roof to prevent shingle damage. It’s safest to work from the ground. If you must get on a ladder, have someone to “spot” you. Make sure your ladder is on secure footing, and stay away from electrical lines.

How to Remove an Ice Dam

Raking Snow from RoofRemoving an ice dam is delicate and dangerous work. You should not attempt it yourself unless you are physically capable. You can damage your roof or injure yourself if you do it improperly.

  • Remove snow from your roof. If you DIY, use a “roof rake” and a push broom. If not, plenty of local contractors are available to do this for you.
  • If water is flowing into your home, you can ease the flow by making a channel through the dam with warm water. DO NOT use a sharp object to break the dam. You will damage your roof!
  • Some people use a thawing agent to help melt the dam. Some put the melting agent in nylon netting (womens’ hosiery in a pinch) to hold it in place over the dam. Others recommend against this,  saying that it can damage shingles.

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Ice Dams?

Many Maine homeowners policies cover interior water damage caused by ice dams. Typically not covered are the cost to remove the dam.

Ice dams do not usually damage a roof that’s in good condition. Once the ice melts, the shingles lay back down. If your shingles were in good condition, and ice damages them, your policy might pay to replace them. Policies and conditions vary.  Check with your agent or insurance company to be sure.

For answers to your questions about Maine homeowners insurance or Maine business property insurance , call 207-799-5541. Your personal or business insurance agent at Noyes Hall & Allen is ready to help.

Real Claims: Is Your Property Insurance Ready?

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In the last week of the year, everyone in the news, sports and entertainment world seems to present a “year in review”. We thought we would look at some of the claims our clients had in 2010. We’ll start with property insurance, in the hopes that it might help you manage risks and make decisions about your own Maine homeowners insurance or business property insurance.

When you report an insurance claim to Noyes Hall & Allen, we categorize them and engage your insurer for proper handling. Here’s a comparison of the property claims we initiated in the past 3 years. They give a good indication of the protection that your insurance provides.

Graph of property insurance claims for a Maine Insurance Agency

2010 – Four Strong Winds

If wind damaged your home, or tree limbs fell on your property last year, you were in good company. In a typical year, wind claims represent 10% of the total property claims reported to us. In 2010, it was 36%. From February to August to December, the coast of Maine was blasted by unusually strong winds.

2009 – The Water Was Wide

People usually think of fire insurance when they insure their property. But water damage is the most common property insurance claim in Maine. Normally, 35% of homeowners and business property claims report water damage. In 2009, it was almost double that amount. Frozen pipes, leaking pipes, ice dams, toilets, tubs and sinks overflowing – even burst washing machine hoses – are all covered by most Maine insurance policies. We saw them all in 2009. Fortunately, it was a quiet year for claims overall. The clear winter resulted in 15% fewer claims than usual.

2008 – Fire and Rain

Although 2008 brought a normal number of claims, we saw an unusual number of winter fires – typically the most expensive claims – and lightning damage from summer storms. Fire and lightning losses occurred at 3 times the usual rate.

What Deductible Should I Carry?

As these graphs show, property losses happen all too often. This means that you should choose a property deductible carefully. Pick the highest one that you can afford to pay out of pocket in case of a loss, in order to get the best insurance discounts available.

The table below shows the average cost of different types of insurance claims in our agency in 2010. Use this information to help you determine the best deductible for your budget.

Table of average property claims from Noyes Hall & Allen

For specific advice about your insurance situation, contact your Noyes Hall & Allen agent at 207-799-5541.

10 Quick Tips to Protect Your Halloween Visitors and Your Property

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Jack-o-lanternSunday is Halloween: the spookiest – and maybe most dangerous – night of the year.  Every year, we hear reports of accidents, injury, or property damage that occur on October 31. Here are 10 quick tips to keep your family and property safe.

Keep Visitors Safe

Kids’ costumes often reduce visibilty, and are bulky. In their rush for the goodies, trick-or-treaters also like to cut across yards instead of using the sidewalk.  Plan accordingly.

1) Remove the glass from your storm door, so the kids don’t have to back away as you open the door to pass out treats.

2) Keep your stairs and sidewalks free of loose or broken pieces and other irregularities.

3) Secure  electrical cords for your outdoor displays so they are not a tripping hazard.

4) Replace any burned-out outdoor bulbs before Halloween night.

5) Keep pets inside, and away from the door. Halloween is one of the most stressful nights of the year for dogs. Between the repeatedly ringing doorbell and the strange costumes, even the best-tempered dog can be on edge.

6) Drive more slowly and carefully than usual. Be extra alert for dashing children, who may be wearing dark costumes. And – of course – drive sober!

Protect Your Property

7) Park vehicles in the garage, if you have one.

8 ) Sit outside to give out candy. This allows you to keep an eye out for any trouble.

9) Turn on floodlights to illuminate your yard.

10) Keep jack-o-lanterns away from flammable material (especially childrens’ costumes)!

We wish you a safe and happy Halloween! But, if you need to report a claim on your auto insurance, homeowners insurance or business property insurance, contact Noyes Hall & Allen at 799-5541.

Vehicle Safety Ratings and Maine Car Insurance Costs

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New car shoppers have an updated tool to help them compare the safety of various vehicles, and earn car insurance discounts. The Department of Transportation announced yesterday their revised 5-Star vehicle safety rating system.

Mother secures baby in child car seat
Photo: USDOT

The 5-Star rating is much more difficult to earn under the new standard. Only 2 of  the first 33 vehicles crash-tested achieved the top score, compared to 99 that received 5 stars last year. The two vehicles were the BMW 5 Series and the Hyundai Sonata.

Crash test ratings are about more than manufacturers’ bragging rights. The safest cars can reduce your Maine auto insurance quote. Auto insurers offer discounts for anti-lock brakes, air bags, and other safety features.

Although many factors determine car insurance costs,  the price to protect two vehicles  with similar MSRP’s can vary depending upon those discounts. The Department of Transportation provides excellent auto safety information at safercar.gov.

You can get Maine auto insurance quotes from four competing insurers from Noyes Hall & Allen Insurance . For more information, Contact Noyes Hall & Allen at 207-799-5541.

Garage Fire Prevention – 3 Tips to Protect Your Home and Autos

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Two Southern Maine families were startled awake in the middle of the night by the smell of smoke, and the nightmare of a fire. Fortunately, no one was hurt in either case, but there was extensive damage to their properties. In each case, the fire started in a garage.

Fire damage is covered by Maine homeowners insurance. Damage to vehicles is not. To have vehicle damage covered, You need to purchase “other than collision” coverage on a Maine auto insurance policy. Hopefully, both of these families did have insurance to help them rebuild their homes and replace their vehicles. Of course, the best fire insurance is of all is prevention and avoidance. Here are a few tips to help prevent garage fires and to reduce damage if one should occur.

Fire Needs 3 Things to Exist
Fire  can not exist without oxygen, heat and fuel. If you can prevent those three from being together at the same time, you’ve greatly reduced your fire risk. Here are a few tips to help improve your chances.

Store Items Safely

  • Allow gasoline-powered tools to cool completely before putting them away. Store them a safe distance from combustibles. Remove remaining grass from mowers, line trimmers, etc. before storing them.
  • Never use grills, outdoor fryers, or any other cooking appliance in your garage.
  • Store combustibles away from any source of heat.
  • Use a metal cabinet with a closed door to store flammables like gasoline, wood finishes, spray paint or thinner.

Get Proper Safety Equipment

Fire Extinguisher
photo credit: www.usarak.army.mil

At a minimum, your garage should have a fire extinguisher. It’s also a good idea to have a smoke detector in the garage, especially if it’s attached to your home. Your town or city may have other codes or ordinances. Check with your local Code Enforcement Department.

Use Safe Workshop Practices

  • Sweep wood chips and sawdust immediately after cutting or sanding wood.
  • Seal paint cans and containers of finishes and solvents, and store them away from flammables, preferably in a metal cabinet.
  • Dispose of oily rags in a steel bucket with a closed lid. If you need to re-use them, you can also hang them on a line with good separation between them, far away from any heat source.

4 Things Every Maine School Volunteer Should Know

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Most schools couldn’t run without parents and grandparents who act as classroom helpers, dance chaperones, PTO officers, fund-raisers and field trip drivers. Volunteering is a great way to be involved in your children’s education, and to meet their classmates and their families. It can also expose you to liability. Does your insurance cover these activities?

Classroom Activities

School Volunteer
flickr photo by cambodia4kidsorg

  • While you’re volunteering in the classroom, the school’s insurance policy protects them against liability if someone gets hurt, provided you’re engaged in a school activity.
  • If you are sued individually, your homeowners or renter’s policy should pay to defend you against claims for bodily injury or property damage. Not every homeowners policy covers “Personal Injury” – such accusations as slander, libel, defamation of character or invasion of privacy. Make sure your policy has this coverage!

Outside the Classroom

Things are a little trickier here. Let’s say you’re a chaperone on a field trip to the county fair, and one of your students wanders away from the group and is hurt.

Students on a Field Trip
Flickr photo gingerbydesign
  • The school’s insurance policy will protect them against liability on a school-sanctioned event. Most policies will also protect volunteers, but you never know how much coverage the school district bought, or even if the premium has been paid to keep the policy in place.
  • Your homeowners liability coverage should again protect you if you’re sued for bodily injury or property damage (or personal injury if you took our advice above and bought that coverage). How much coverage do you need? We generally recommend a $500,000  liability limit, the most you can buy on most homeowners policies. You should also consider an umbrella liability policy to provide even broader asset protection.

What if you’re an officer in the PTO, or a fund-raiser? Some school policies will protect the PTO. Others do not. Before you join any non-profit board, you should find out whether your activities are covered. If not, your homeowners policy should protect you in the same way described above.

Two Big Holes

Your homeowners policy does not provide “errors and omissions” coverage (incorrect administration of the board) or “fiduciary” coverage (theft of money or property). All the more reason to make sure that the organization offers protection to you as a volunteer before you agree to serve.

Transporting Children

Child looking out a car window
flickr photo by woodleywonderworks

Most schools require proof of insurance before they’ll allow you to drive children to a school-sanctioned event. Their requirements may not be sufficient to protect you, though. It’s important to check on 3 coverages in your auto policy:

  • Liability – Too many people have liability coverage with “split limits” instead of “combined single limits”. A common split limit is $100,000 per person/$300,000 per occurrence for Bodily Injury, and $100,000 for Property Damage. Most people think that means they have  $300,000 of liability coverage if they’re at fault in an accident. Not really – unless 3 people are hurt, each with up to $100,000 of injuries. What they really have is $100,000 per person. By comparison, a $500,000 “combined single limit” policy has up to $500,000 to pay for Bodily Injury or Property Damage, no matter how it’s needed.
  • Uninsured Motorist – Although Maine mandates that drivers have liability insurance, many still don’t. And, the State minimum limits are a scrawny $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident. If someone who’s un- or under-insured hits you, your UM coverage protects you and people riding with you up to the limit you choose. Choose wisely!
  • Medical Payments – You don’t have to be in an accident for someone to be hurt in or around your car. It doesn’t even have to be your fault. A kid could slam someone’s finger in a door, or close a hatchback on someone’s head. Kids have even been known to engage in horseplay in the car – hard to imagine, isn’t it? Anyway, the kid’s family’s medical insurance should pay for those injuries, right? Yes – unless they’re one of the 45 million uninsured Americans. Then, they might sue you for their injuries. So, make sure you choose appropriate medical payments limits if you’re transporting other peoples’ kids – whether for school or not!