Tit for Tat - E. C. Moran Insurance News http://www.ecmoran.com Fri, 18 May 2012 17:11:17 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2-ppt (info@mypapit.net) http://www.ecmoran.com/themed/ecmoran/img/template/header-logo.gif http://www.ecmoran.com http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/motorcycles-are-you-ready-to-ride BIKE CHECK- 1. Check tires - They are the most important part of a bike. If the engine quits, bike rolls to a stop. If a tire quits, trouble !. Check the surface of the tires, looking for cuts in the rubber or foreign objects. Check the tire pressures with a good gauge. If a tire is low every time you check it, even after adding the proper amount of air each time, there is a slow leak. Fix it before it becomes a fast leak. 2. Check the controls. Cables are quite strong and rarely break, but lo... Kevin Wentworth Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/do-you-have-a-home-inventory This article, while written by a Florida commissioner so there may be coverage differences, brings home the message that we should all have an off-site copy of our belongings.. read here: ... according to a February 2012 survey from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), more than half of Americans don't have a home inventory of their possessions, putting them at risk for inadequate home insurance coverage, should severe weather strike http://www.naic.org/Releases/2012_doc... Kevin Wentworth Tue, 20 Mar 2012 03:30:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/our-roots-in-1896-first-30-years Patrick Moran 1833-1904, came to America from Ireland, settling in Thomaston, Maine. He was a tailor by trade, and his son Edward Carl Moran worked alongside him for some years. In 1896, Edward Moran decided to open up an insurance agency, in the back room of the P. Moran & Co tailor shop at 306 Main Street. He walked daily to and from Beechwood Street in Thomaston for most of his years at the business. He was a very sociable person, and would stand on the doorstep and greet everyone when he had a... Kevin Wentworth Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/drivers-missing-car-insurance-savings More than 70 million drivers in the U.S. potentially are leaving car insurance savings on the table by not taking advantage of usage-based insurance programs that reward drivers who drive safely and during safe times of the day.    More and more carriers are providing usage-based or mileage-based insurance options, including telematic systems or devices that monitor insureds’ driving and mileage habits. Progressive Insurance, a pioneer in the field which sells its own usage-based product... Kevin Wentworth Thu, 08 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/outside-oil-tank-it-protected You can protect your home and property from expensive oil spills by doing some fairly easy fixes.  If your tank is outside, is it protected from falling ice and snow? Is it on a slab so that it will not tip as the ground thaws and freezes. For more information please go to the State of Maine's site:   http://www.maine.gov/dep/rwm/homeowner/homeheatingoil/index.htm Kevin Wentworth Fri, 02 Dec 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/top-20-excuses-driving-using-cellphones The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, a Canadian auto insurer, released last week a list of top excuses from local motorists when they were caught using handheld cellphones while driving. The insurer compiled the information with help from the local police department. 1. This is a bogus law. 2. It was my boss on the phone – I had to answer it. 3. I wasn’t using it – I just like to hold it. 4. Sorry officer, I didn’t see you trying to pull me over because ... Kevin Wentworth Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:30:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/fire-protection-got-escape-plan How to work with your children to make a fire escape plan, from NFPA so that you are prepared in an emergency! http://www.nfpa.org/assets/files//FPW11/FPW2011EscapePlan.pdf Kevin Wentworth Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/pay-as-you-drive-save Safe and Low Mileage drivers can save up to 30% with the new SnapshotSM discount from Progressive. A business traveler who parks her car a the airport several days a week. A city-dweller who only drives on the weekends. A retiree who no longer commutes several hours in stop and go traffic. A defensive driver who avoids hard braking and late night driving. All are less likely to be involved in a car accident so shouldn't they pay less for insurance? E. C. MORAN on Main Street in ROCKLAND thinks... Kevin Wentworth Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/buying-a-car-protect-yourself How does the vehicle rate in the safety testing department - who should you listen to?http://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/sorting-out-the-vehicle-safety-testing-programs.html  The National Insurance Crime Bureau has a web page where you can search the NCIB's database using the Vehicle's Identification number to find out whether it has been declared an unrecovered stolen or salvage vehicle:                                           https://www.nicb.org/theft_and_fraud_awareness/vincheck  Ask to s... Kevin Wentworth Wed, 03 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/go-with-flo-ec-moran To participate go to E.C. Moran’s Facebook page and “Like” us.  Then send us an email to : FindFloInMidcoastMaine@gmail.com detailing where Flo was visiting that day.  Make sure you give a full description of the site where Flo is shown.  Include the place ”name”, town and location details, along with  your full name.  One entry per day.  All correct entries will be entered into the weekly drawing for a $20 gift certificate to a local business.  At the end of eight weeks... Kevin Wentworth Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/maine-bans-texting-while-driving Maine recently became the 33rd State in the country to ban texting while driving.  LD736 includes: sending electronic messages including texts, emails or instant messages from a mobile device while driving. The law goes into effect in September, and there is a minimum fine of $100.  In addition to the fine, violators could possibly see an increase in their auto insurance rates.      Kevin Wentworth Mon, 20 Jun 2011 09:30:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/fact-vs-myth-auto-insurance Following are five insurance myths heard by some of the more than 13,000 claims people at Progressive, one of the country’s largest auto insurance companies: Myth: I bought “full coverage” so everything’s paid for. Reality: There is no such thing as “full coverage.” In most states, only liability insurance is mandatory. There are a lot of other coverage options out there, so select what you need and can afford based on your personal situation.   Myth: I ne... Kevin Wentworth Wed, 04 May 2011 12:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/insure-your-passions "One of the best ways to make sure possessions are fully protected is to document them with a home inventory. Now, creating a home inventory is easier than ever thanks to myHOME Scr.APP.book, a new iPhone® application from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The free myHOME Scr.APP.book app lets users quickly photograph and capture images, descriptions, bar codes and serial numbers, and then stores them electronically for safekeeping (see video demonstration). The app... Kevin Wentworth Thu, 28 Apr 2011 17:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/progressive-snapshot-safe-driving-saves We are excited to offer you the new "Snapshot" discount program through Progressive. It can offer you up to 30% discount, and cannot raise your premiums. In exchange you agree to install a driving monitor for 6 months, to check on the hours your drive and your braking (no gps). So, if you are willing to do this, your insurance is discounted based on your good driving.. read the article and ask us for further info! ............... Snapshot gives drivers an incentive to drive less, helping them ... Kevin Wentworth Fri, 22 Apr 2011 17:30:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/when-to-get-an-insurance-review Having a good relationship with your insurance agent is important, and you should always ask your agent to look at requoting your insurance when a significant lifestyle change happens or when you notice larger than normal increases in your premiums.　 Your independent insurance agent can review your policy and premiums with a number of companies to see if you still have the best fit for you. It may be that the best insurance for you last year may not be the best choice anymore.　 Insurance... Kevin Wentworth Tue, 15 Feb 2011 12:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/practice-what-you-preach The snow had accumulated on my roof and the ice had a firm grip all around my house. I knew I had to do something about it …. and soon. I was dreading having to try and find equipment and get myself up on the roof. So it was great on Monday night when I opened up Village Soup and one of the first things that caught my eye was a small blurb off to the side by Daggett Builders stating "Need Help Removing Heavy Snow & Ice From Your Roof?" I thought this must be fate. I emailed them not expecting... Kevin Wentworth Fri, 04 Feb 2011 16:30:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/snow-load-alert From The Loss Control Department of The Hanover Insurance Group SNOW LOAD ALERT:   - PROTECT YOUR ROOF The unprecedented snow load on roofs in the Northeast has led to some building damage and collapse. According to reports from several localities, schools, churches, commercial and residential buildings, carports and awnings have been affected. As the next in a series of winter storms moves into the region, property owners and residents should be aware of the weight loads these storms m... Kevin Wentworth Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/frozen-pipes-ruin-more-than-your-day   An average of a quarter-million families have their homes ruined and their lives disrupted each winter, all because of water pipes that freeze and burst. Recovering from frozen pipes is not as simple as calling a plumber. An eighth-inch (three millimeter) crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons (946 liters) of water a day. Both plastic (PVC) and copper pipes can burst. By taking a few simple precautions, you can save yourself the mess, money and aggravation frozen pipes cause. Before the... Kevin Wentworth Mon, 24 Jan 2011 05:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/five-biggest-insurance-mistakes 1. Insuring a home for its real estate value rather than for the cost of rebuilding. When real estate prices go down, some homeowners may think they can reduce the amount of insurance on their home. But insurance is designed to cover the cost of rebuilding, not the sales price of the home. You should make sure that you have enough coverage to completely rebuild your home and replace your belongings. A better way to save: Raise your deductible. An increase from $500 to $1,000 could save up to 25... Kevin Wentworth Fri, 19 Nov 2010 07:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/heating-tips-from-nfpa Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fire deaths. Almost half of home heating equipment fires are reported during the months of December, January, and February. Some simple steps can prevent most heating-related fires from happening. Safety tips   Download these NFPA safety tips on home heating(PDF, 634 KB).  Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater. Have a thre... Kevin Wentworth Fri, 05 Nov 2010 20:30:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/memic-ranked-at-top-by-p-c-insurers MEMIC ranks as best in P/C insurancePORTLAND, Maine – A nationwide survey of 7,800 insurance agents ranked MEMIC as the top insurer in the property-casualty insurance industry on a range of measures including customer service and overall ease of doing business. Massachusetts-based research firm Deep Customer Connections (DCC) released its annual survey on which insurance agents ranked 200 property casualty insurance companies in October. According to DCC, MEMIC finished in a virtual tie for... Kevin Wentworth Mon, 01 Nov 2010 16:00:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/buckle-up-to-protect-your-children Nationwide Crash Data Driver restraint use is the strongest predictor of child restraint use. A restrained driver is three times more likely to restrain a child. Nationwide Observational Research When a driver is buckled, restraint use for children (birth to 15) is 87% When a driver is unbuckled, restraint use for children (birth to 15) is 24% Seat Belts are the best protection in a car accident. Failure to wear a seat belt contributes to more fatalities than any other single traf... Kevin Wentworth Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:31:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/life-saving-advice Fasten Your Lap Belt... Make sure the belt is worn snugly over the lower part of your pelvis. If the belt is allowed to ride up across your stomach, it will be pushed against your intestines, liver or other internal organs in a crash. Injury to these vital organs can be fatal. Sit up straight. Slouching causes the lap belt to ride up. A belt that is worn too loosely could allow you to slide under it in a crash. Check your lap belt several times during a trip, even a short one. Make sure i... Kevin Wentworth Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:28:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/no-seatbelts-it-costs-too-much Adults who don't buckle up often put children at risk as well since they frequently don't ensure their child passengers are buckled up. Plus, because children mirror adult behavior, these adults send children a deadly message that it is all right not to wear a seat belt. Research shows that if a driver is unbuckled in a crash, 70 percent of the time children riding in that vehicle are unbuckled as well. Conversely, when a driver is buckled, 94 percent of the time children riding in that vehicle are... Kevin Wentworth Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:24:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/airbag-safety-info Q.  What is the proper use of air bags? A.  Always buckle your lap/shoulder safety belt. Air bags are designed to work with — not instead of — safety belts. Make sure that everyone in the front seat is properly buckled up and seated as far back from the air bags as is reasonably possible.  Unrestrained older children and adults sitting in the front seat can be seriously injured and even killed by a deploying air bag or by hitting the dashboard during a crash. Children under age 1... Kevin Wentworth Thu, 18 Feb 2010 14:19:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/why-safety-belts To understand the value of safety belt use, it's important to understand some of the dynamics of a crash. Every motor vehicle crash is actually comprised of three collisions. The Car's Collision The first collision is known as the car's collision, which causes the car to buckle and bend as it hits something and comes to an abrupt stop. This occurs in approximately one-tenth of a second. The crushing of the front end absorbs some of the force of the crash and cushions the rest of the car. As a ... Kevin Wentworth Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:25:00 +0100 http://www.ecmoran.com/blog/view/driving-on-ice HANDLING SKIDS - FRONT WHEEL DRIVE: The biggest problem facing most winter drivers is skidding on slick, icy or snow covered roads. It is possible to steer out of a skid! Once you feel your car begin to skid, slowly remove your foot from the accelerator, until you feel your wheels regain traction control. (Do not attempt to brake!) As your vehicle's tires grab the road, slowly turn the steering wheel in the direction you want your front wheels to go. REAR WHEEL DRIVE: When you begin to spin, remove... Kevin Wentworth Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:17:00 +0100