Have a Safe New Year's Eve

Being the insurance geeks that we are we want to wish you a SAFE New Year's Eve celebration and a Happy New Years! Be sure to make good decisions as you celebrate from one year to the next.

As for the Fey Insurance Services office we will be closing at noon on Dec 31st and will also be closed all of New Year's Day. As always, you can reach us by email or interact with us via our website http://www.feyinsurance.com/.

Lights On Ohio Drivers!

On Friday, January 1, 2010 a new law goes into effect in Ohio requiring that you turn on your lights when your wipers are on in rain, snow or fog. Failure to do so could result in a ticket and a $100 fine. A new state of Ohio law, which took effect this year, included the mandatory lights-on provision, but it allowed law enforcement to issue only warnings for six months. On Friday, the 1st of January 2010, the warnings will be replaced by tickets. The law requires drivers to turn on their headlights anytime the windshield wipers of the vehicle are in use because of precipitation.

To be safe, turn on your lights anytime there is precipitation of any sort of the windshield.

The violation is a secondary offense meaning a motorists cannot be stopped or cited only for failing to turn on their lights, but it can be tacked on to another violation such as a speeding violation in the new year.

There are two other motor vehicle laws included. One requires drivers to change lanes or slow down when there is a tow truck along the side of the road. Failure will be a third-degree misdemeanor with up to $300 fine plus court costs. The second change is to increase the speed limit for trucks from 55 mph to 65 mph on most Ohio interstates.

Elderly Drivers a Possible Danger on the Road Too

Back in 2005, Boston Senator Brian A. Joyce attempted to pass Senate Bill 1914, aka an Act to Promote Safe Driving. But in the end there was very little support. No audience attended the legislation in October for Joyce's bill, but there were many people at a hearing the same month for stricter teen driving standards.

Although teen driving is an issue, Joyce sees the issues with elderly driving too.
In 2001, AAA found in a study that drivers over 65 were 25 percent more likely to get in an accident than middle-aged drivers. Seniors were more prone to intersection crashes and can have troubles making left turns, driving in heavy traffic or at night.

Seniors have the second highest crash death rate per mile next to teenagers, according to AAA. The association’s Web site projects that by 2020, there will be more than 40 million licensed drivers over 65 in the United States, up from 18.9 million in 2000.

Happy Holidays from The Fey's!

Christmas Day is only a couple of days away. We at Fey Insurance Services hope you have a safe and wonderful Holiday with your family and friends. Our office will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. However, you can always reach us via email. Another way to get a hold of us is through our website at http://www.feyinsurance.com/. Our revamped website allows you to request policy changes, pay bills and report claims 24 hours a day.

Again, from our family here at Fey Insurance Services to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Christmas Party Photos

Some photos from our Christmas party compiled by our very own Jose Terrazas. Thanks Jose!

Olive Way Closed For Tunnel Preparation

Wondering why the Olive Way exit has been closed for months?

The long-awaited light rail is underway! U-Link (University Link) will connect downtown Seattle, Capitol Hill, and the University of Washington.

Then in early 2011, tunnels will be created working south from Capitol Hill. When the Pine St. area is reached, the ground under I-5 will need to be prepared.

The Olive Way exit will be closed for approximately one year.


Get all the details on SoundTransit.org

Traveling Over the Holiday?

Many of you will be leaving home and travelling for the Holidays. Typically people will turn back their heat to conserve energy and save money. But turning your thermostat lower than the mid 60's could be like turning the heat off if we get a real cold spell. Low or no heat could cause your water pipes to freeze and that could be real problems for your house and personal property. So, if you are planning on being away from home for a period of time consider the following: (1) keep adequate heat in your home by leaving your thermostat in the mid 60's, (2) consider turning your water off at the main water valve and draining your pipes by then turning on facets and flushing toilets, (3) have a neighbor check on your house while you are way, and (4) if the service is offered, notify your local police department to keep an eye on your home as they patrol your town. Have a wonderful Holiday Season!

2010 Fey Calendars

The 2010 calendars should be waiting for you in your mailbox over the next couple of days. If you wish to have a second, third or fourth please let us know. We have a few extra in stock. We also have our wall calendars still available so please feel free to call or just stop by and pick some extra ones up. We always like to have a reason to have you stop by the office and chat.

24/7 Access to Fey Insurance Services

With the help of our IT department we have stepped up the capabilities of our website. If you are a Fey Insurance Services customer you can now go into our website and click on "Customer Tools" and have 24/7 access to our agency. From the "Customer Tools" link you are able to either make policy change requests, pay your insurance premiums or report a claim. So often nowadays people remember that they needed to call us late in the evening. Now they can go to http://www.feyinsurance.com/ and either make that policy change request that they forgot to call in or submit a payment that is due that day.

Visit our new site today!

15 Tips to Shopping Online, Securely this Holiday

1. Make sure you have installed and updated antivirus, anti-malware and personal firewall software on your computer. Your operating system and Internet browser should be updated with the latest security
   patches.
   
2. Only shop on secure sites. To see if a Web site is secure, look for “https” in the address bar. Also, there’s usually a small yellow padlock logo at the right of your Web browser address bar. If you double-click on the lock, a digital certificate of the Web site will appear. It’s a good idea to review these certificates on the sites that you are not familiar with.
   
3. Make sure that you enter the correct URL. There are cases where hackers have purchased misspelled domains.
   
4. Shopping Web sites have no reason to ask for your Social Security number, or passwords to your e-mail or bank accounts as part of the buying process. Never provide them.
   
5. If you suspect a Web site is not what it claims, leave it immediately. Do not click any buttons on the site, run any content or download any software.
   
6. Use different “strong” passwords (those that are more secure) for online retailers and your personal e-mail accounts. A strong password is composed of numbers, upper- and lower-case letters and symbols. For example, a password like “3dogz$$!” is a better option than “1006.” The longer and more unique the password the better, but make sure it’s also something you can remember.
   
7. Before purchasing anything on a Web site, read site reviews or blog comments by other people. Use sites such as Pricegrabber.com or Froogle.com (Google shopping) for comparing prices and to read users’ reviews of the retail Web site.
   
8. Retailers may try to lure you into saving your personal information on their Web site in return for more convenience or better deals. Don’t do it. So
   many Web sites have had their customer databases breached by identity thieves lately that it’s just not worth the risk.
   
9. Read each Web site’s return and privacy policy before making your purchase.
   
10. Be aware of phishing e-mail scams that include Web site links advertising incredible deals. Rather than clicking on them, type the link of known sites by
    hand into your browser.
    
11. Use credit cards for online purchases, not debit cards. That’s because debit cards automatically deduct money from your bank account. Try to use cards with low credit limits to minimize the damage in case someone steals your information to take over the account. Or, use a “one-time” credit card number from payment processors such as PayPal.
    
12. Do not send your payment information via regular e-mail; these communications are not secure.
    
13. As a general rule, uncheck boxes advertising “additional offers.” These services are sometimes offered for a low initial fee that later increases to a
    high, recurring charge on your credit card.
    
14. Save records of all your purchases either in an electronic document or on paper.
    
15. Don’t forget to power off your computer completely
    when you are finished using it.

10 Auto Winterizing Tips

CarMax's automotive service technicians offer these ten winterizing tips:

1. Check your anti-freeze. The best ratio of anti-freeze to water is 50/50. The No. 1 cause of engine-related breakdowns is cooling system failure. To prevent those breakdowns, have your cooling system flushed every two years.
   
   
2. Replace your windshield wiper blades twice a year. Fill the windshield washer reservoir with freeze resistant wiper fluid (plain water and standard windshield washer fluid will freeze) and keep an extra gallon in the trunk.
   
   
3. Check your battery. If the battery is more than three years old, have a technician test its capacity. Have the alternator tested at the same time. Make sure the battery terminal ends are corrosion-free.
   
   
4. Check your tire pressure. Check the pressure when the tires are cold, and set the pressure to the car manufacturer's recommendations for your specific tires. When the weather turns cold, the air inside the tire will contract and the pressure will drop.
   
   
5. Look at the tread depth on your tires. Put a penny headfirst between the treads. If you can see the top of Lincoln's hair, it's time to replace the tire.
   
   
6. Check your spare tire. Make sure it has the proper air pressure and tread depth and that all the proper tire-changing equipment is in the vehicle.
   
   
7. Make sure your lights, heater and defrosters are working properly.
   
   
8. Check all rubber hoses and belts to ensure they are not damaged. Coolant hoses wear from the inside out. Inspect for heavy cracks or chunking in the belts. Alternatively, have a professional inspect all hoses and belts.
   
   
9. Have your car's brake system checked. If you haven't had the system inspected in the last six months, have this performed.
   
   
10. Assemble a winter emergency kit for the trunk of your vehicle. It should include a blanket, extra boots and gloves, an ice scraper, windshield washer fluid, jumper cables, a first-aid kit, flares, a small snow shovel, a flashlight, kitty litter (for traction when stuck in snow) and bottled water.
    "It's a good idea to have a full gas tank," Damon said. "You never know when you will be caught in a storm or need to change routes."

Along with following these tips, it's also important to read your owner's manual and follow the manufacturer's recommended service schedules. Not only will these tips keep you safe in the winter months but they can also improve your vehicle's mileage while also preventing future repairs down the road.

GPS Devices Help Burglars

GPS systems have made life much easier for drivers to find where they are going. Unfortunately it has also made life much easier for burglars to track down your house. Recently a 23 year old was caught burglarizing homes in northwest Ohio and Michigan. He would break into vehicles that had GPS devices in them while they were parked at restaurants and cinemas. He would then steal the GPS device along with the garage door remote. Later he would use the GPS device to locate the home and then gain entry in the home by using the garage door remote. The young man had struck ten home prior to being caught.

Fey Insurance's recommendation for individuals that own detachable GPS devices is to never leave the device out in the open when you are not in the car. Even if you are just going in for dinner at a restaurant or for grocery shopping, we suggest you hide the device in your glove compartment or take it with you when you leave the car. A second suggestion is to use a nearby location as your "home" and not your actual home address. This way the burglar would not be able to track down your exact house if they did happen to steal your GPS device and garage door remote.

Only 1-in-4 Have Flood Coverage

With only 1-in-4 homes covered in the Green River Valley, WA area, insurance commissioner Mike Kriedler is urging residents to purchase now, especially with the 30 day waiting period.

“Recent work on the Howard Hanson Dam has lowered the risk of catastrophic flooding in the valley. That’s the good news,” Kreidler said. “But the risk of flooding is still significantly higher than normal. Getting this relatively low-cost coverage can protect against major losses.”

FEMA will be revising their flood zone in the Green River Valley and these maps will likely broaden the area considered high-risk. These new maps take effect in September 2010.

Many don't realize that renter's can get contents-only coverage starting at only $39 for the year. However, we are suggesting that they consider building coverage too in case the building does not have a master policy for flood.

Kriedler adds, “renters shouldn’t assume that their apartment owner’s insurance will cover their losses, because it generally doesn’t,” said Kreidler. “A flooded apartment can easily lead to thousands of dollars in damages. Renters have to protect themselves, too.”


Log on to our website: www.sav-on.com for a quick quote or call us 1-888-867-2866.

Home Security Systems

On a daily basis you see ads on TV for home security systems. We at Fey Insurance highly recommend the installation of a Home Security System to add additional protection for you and your family. Insurance will work to put your property back in place after a fire or burglary, but a Home Security System will work to prevent or minimize the effects of that fire or burglary. If you are interested in such a Home Security System, please call us and we will tell you our opinion of the various manufacturers and what features to consider. For example battery backups are usually included in Home Security Systems, but we would also recommend cellular backups for your system in the event your normal phone service goes down or even disabled by a potential burglar. We would include carbon monoxide detectors in your system especially if you have a natural gas furnace or hot water heater. Central station monitoring is preferable to systems that go directly into a police or fire dispatch. Both are considered superior to a system that only sounds a local alarm in your home. There are discounts on your Homeowner policy for the installation of a Home Security System. Please call us to review those discounts. But the most important reason, in our opinion, to install such a system is for additional security for your family and peace of mind that you are doing everything to protect your family and your property.

PEMCO Addresses Car Maintenance

PEMCO Insurance issued a news release today, December 1, that shows Washingtonian drivers understand changing their oil and filter can prevent costly breakdowns. The PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll, conducted by FBK Research, shows that 53% said changing the oil and filter is the single most important step they can take, more important than regular tune-ups, changing air filters, changing the transmission fluid, back-flushing the radiator, or responding to the check-engine light. PEMCO’s network of auto shops agrees.


Thank you PEMCO

FREE Santa Photos!

Come in for your FREE photo with Santa. Please bring a donation for Northwest Harvest (non-perishable food items or monetary donations). Limit one per family please.

Hosted by SAV-ON Insurance
22815 Pacific Hwy S
Des Moines WA 98198
Sunday, December 13th
11am and 2pm

Protecting Your Stored or Classic Vehicle Against Mice

What’s the best way to keep mice out of my car while in storage during the winter?

First, try to store your car in a location that is free of rodents. Second, remain vigilant in visiting, cleaning, and running your vehicle as often as possible. Many collectors suggest surrounding the outside of the car with mothballs placed a few inches apart. Mice hate the smell and usually will not walk through this "barrier." And just to be safe, consider putting shaved pieces of Irish Spring soap on foil or in small open containers inside the vehicle. The odor from the soap is less objectionable than that from the mothballs, but will still help you deter the rodents. You can also consider one of the electronic deterrent devices available for your garage, but the ultimate protection may just be a "car cocoon" device (www.classiccarcocoon.com), which completely encloses the vehicle and can assist with controlling moisture as well.


Thank you to Hagerty Insurance Company

Donate to Local Charities by Voting

Our friends over at McClain Insurance have done something extra special this year! Vote for your favorite local charity and PEMCO NW Profile.


Check out their website McClainThanksgiving.com to place your vote. They will donate $2 for every vote among 8 fantastic charities until December 15th.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

We at Fey Insurance Services want to wish you and your families a Happy Thanksgiving. May you use this time of year to count your many blessings and be thankful for all that you have.

We will be closing at noon today and will reopen on Monday November 30th. You can still reach us via our website (http://www.feyinsurance.com/). From our website you can go to "Customer Tools" and submit any policy changes you need or under the"Our Staff" link you can find one of our Fey Insurance Services representative's email address and email them directly. We check email several times a day even when the office is closed.

Again, from us here at Fey Insurance Services to all of you, Happy Thanksgiving.

Flood: Get The Facts

Living in a low-risk flood area doesn't guarantee no or little flooding. Just like living in a high-risk area doesn't always mean that there will be a lot of flooding! But either way, flooding damage will almost always mean a lot of damage...and we know a lot of damage means a high cost of repairs.

In 2008, flood damage in the United States exceeded $1.8 billion with paid flood insurance claims averaging $27,974.

Flooding destroys your walls, floors, furniture, electrical system...and your savings! And the effects of a flood will remain long after the water is gone.

Heavy rains, clogged or inadequate drainage systems, and broken water mains can cause flooding putting your home and belongings at risk. Flood insurance is the only way to protect yourself from the financial devastation that even a small amount of water can cause. Don't take it from us, use FloodSmart.gov's interactive tool to find out what a little or a LOT of water can do to your home!


And then contact us!!
Call: 1-888-867-2866
info@sav-on.com
Request Flood Insurance Quote

Flood Insurance Facts

Flood insurance had its fifteen minutes of fame after the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005. During this time period the media was making everyone well aware that flood insurance is not part of your typical homeowner policy. Today that is still the case and with this post I would like to point out a few more facts about flood insurance.

Flood insurance is run through a government program called FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). You can purchase it through insurance agency such as Fey Insurance Services but the backing is from FEMA. Typically it takes 30 days for a new flood insurance policy to go into effect. The one exception would be for a mortgage closing where flood insurance is required. So you need to plan ahead. Hearing about a big rain on the nightly news and calling your agent the next day will not work. Many people think of flood insurance when they think about what is stored in their basement. Flood insurance will only cover things such as furnaces, water heaters, washers, dryers, air conditioners, freezers, pumps and utility connections. Everything else you store down there (old cloths, furniture, carpet, TV, etc) is not covered unless those items are on the first floor of your house and the flood reaches that level.

In some cases flood insurance is required in order to get a loan. If your home or a home you are about to purchase is in a 100 year flood plain (meaning at least once every 100 years your location is under several feet of water) you will be required to purchase a flood insurance policy to close on your loan.

Feel free to get in touch with a Fey Insurance Services representative to learn more facts about flood insurance or to get a quote today.

Construction in Des Moines

Midway Sewer District and Highline Water District will be replacing about 2 miles of under-sized and aging water mains in an area between Pacific Hwy South and 20th Ave S between S 248th St and S. 252nd St. Also, all sewer mains and laterals in approximately the same location will be replaced to improve system reliability and reduce inflow and infiltration into the sewer system. After replacements, all affected roads will be resurfaced with new pavement.

Construction is anticipated to be completed late this year.

Worker's Compensation issues for Ohio Business Doing Business in States Other Than Ohio

If you own or operate a business in Ohio, you are most likely carrying Ohio Worker's Compensation Insurance through the State of Ohio's Bureau of Worker's Compensation. If you pay an employee more than $160/quarter, you are required by law to do this. If your business takes you or your employees to other states, you need to be aware of the specific state's Worker's Compensation requirements. Depending on the circumstances, your Ohio Worker's Compensation may protect you and your workers in other states under the terms of Ohio's Worker's Compensation laws. There may be a problem, however, in Kentucky, for example where their Worker's Compensation governing bodies and laws do not recognize Ohio's Worker's Compensation Policies. In that case you may need to buy Worker's Compensation in the state where you or your employees are temporarily working. Many of these new issues are evolving as states scramble for revenue because of the current recession, so before going into other states on business, please check with that state's Worker's Compensation authorities to see if you need state-specific Worker's Compensation in addition to your coverage in Ohio or any other state.

FYI, Homeowners Policies DO NOT Cover Flooding

Your regular homeowners policy does not cover flooding. But a flood insurance policy does.

• Flooding is the #1 natural disaster.
  
• Flood damage is not covered by most homeowners insurance policies.
  
• 25% of flood claims are filed by people living in low-to-moderate risk areas.
  
• In high-risk areas, 1 in 4 homes will experience a flood over the course of a 30-year mortgage.
  
• Only 2 inches of water in your home can cost $7,800 or more in damage. (Can you guess what 1 foot would be? Find out the cost with this interactive tool from FloodSmart.gov.)
  
• Disaster assistance- if it's available- is usually a loan you must repay with interest.
  
• Flood insurance is mandatory if you live in a high-risk area and have a mortgage from a federally regulated lender. Check with your lender for details.

Aren't those enough reasons to protect yourself from flood?
If you haven't already, now is the time. Call us 1-888-867-2866, e-mail us, or request a flood quote from the web today.

Flood insurance rates are all federally regulated by FEMA which means, it's the same cost anywhere you go. So why not shop with the Agency that cares, the agency you trust?

Remember, all flood insurance policies have a standard 30 day waiting period!


Thanks to FloodSmart.gov

Specialty Items Coverage

We are only a few weeks away from the Friday after Thanksgiving. This means that soon people will be flooding the malls trying to take advantage of the big Holiday sales. It is during this time of year that we like to always remind people that there is limited insurance coverage in all homeowner policies for things such as jewelry, guns, furs, coin/stamp/baseball card collections and silverware. No matter who your homeowner insurance company is they will only pay out a max of $1000 to $2500 for the items I just listed. The reason they do this is they feel these types of items are best covered under a scheduled personal articles policy. A scheduled personal articles policy allows you to specifically schedule items like rings, silverware, hunting rifles, coin collections, etc, for a certain value (based on a certified appraisal or sales receipt). If you currently have or are getting ready to purchase items such as these please call or email your Fey Insurance Services representative. They will help make sure these valuable items are best covered.

What to do Following a Car Accident

Car accidents are always a scary thing, even low impact accidents. Sometimes it can be difficult to stay focused on what you need to do right after an accident occurs, especially if you are injured. Obviously the most important thing to do after an accident is to move yourself and if possible the vehicles out of harm's way. Once you have done that make sure to exchange names and contact information. This is key. Now a days the police tell you to just give them the contact information and then wait for the police report to get the other party's information. This approach can causes a major delay for you and the other parties involved. Police reports, depending on the location of the accident, can take up to 10 days. That means that you will have zero information on the other party until that time. If you were not at fault in the accident it is going to be their insurance that takes care of you and your damages. Their insurance company won't be able to get a hold of you for up to 10 days because they won't know how to contact you until they get your information from the police report. If, however, you had exchanged information at the scene of the accident then you or your insurance agent would be able to call the other party and give them your information which would greatly expedite the whole process. So, even if the police officer tells you not to worry about the other parties information be sure to try and get at least a name and phone number.

Veterans & Military Personnel? Enter CARSTAR's Contest!

All veterans & military personnel are invited to come in to Bob Bjorneby’s CARSTAR Federal Way Collision & place their name in an appreciation drawing for gift certificate for dinner at the Space Needle and one night’s accommodation at the Westin Hotel in downtown Seattle.

No Purchase Necessary
(must show military ID or proof)

Drawing to be held November 30th, 2009.

Note: this drawing is being held in partnership with Federal Way, Des Moines and Kent CARSTAR stores. CARSTAR employees and immediate family members are not eligible.

Bob Bjorneby's CARSTAR Federal Way Collision
1750 So. 327th St
Federal Way WA 98003
Phone : 253-874-9330

Cincinnati Insurance Company Billing Options

For our clients that have Cincinnati Insurance Company policies they have some new billing options. To help with budgeting they have a pay plan called "Electronic Funds Transfer" (EFT). This is where Cincinnati Insurance Company will automatically withdraw your premium directly out of your checking account each month. Call a friendly Fey Insurance Services representative today to setup this option.

Also, Cincinnati Insurance Company has online billing. You can go to http://www.cinfin.com/ and setup a login. This is found in the top right of the webpage. Once you have done this you can pay bills online at your convenience. Note that you should talk with your Fey Insurance Services representative prior to setting this up. They may need to activate this option for you.

Mind the GAP

Every time you step off the Tube in London's Underground you hear a women's voice in her perfect British accent reminding you to "Mind the gap". It is a good thing too. At some stops on the Underground there is a pretty big gap waiting for you as you exit and if you got caught in one of those monsters you could be in some trouble. The same is true for the gap that occurs in leases and loans on cars. Normally over time a vehicle's value depreciates faster than the loan or lease can be paid off. This is commonly referred to as being "upside down" on your loan or lease. If during this "upside down" period you total a vehicle in an accident there is going to be a gap between what the insurance company will pay you (actual cash value of the car) and what you still owe on your loan or lease. The good news though is there is insurance that covers this gap and it is appropriately named GAP insurance.

GAP insurance coverage helps pay for the difference between actual cash value of the car and what is owed on the loan or lease. One thing to keep in mind though, GAP insurance from personal auto insurance companies does not cover the cost of warranties or other add on charges that might have been included in the loan or lease.

So for an example, you totaled your vehicle and the insurance company is going to value your car at $5000 but your loan was still $7000. Let’s also say that of the $7000, $500 of it is because of the warranty that you had purchased. Therefore, the insurance company (if GAP insurance was on your policy) would give you $6500 ($7000 due on the loan minus the $500 warranty cost) instead of $5000.

Chance of Flooding Decreased, Residents Jubilant but Vigilant

ELLEN M. BANNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Sandbags are lined up around the Green River to prepare for potential flooding.


The Army Corps of Engineers has been working hard to make secure adjustments and repairs on the Howard Hanson Dam and good news arrived last Friday...the chances of flooding have been lowered from a 1 in 3 chance to a 1 in 25 chance!

Since January, they've pumped a half a million gallons into the damaged abutment to hold back water during days of heavy rain. This last Thursday, Corps of Engineers Col. Anthony Wright said that it is, indeed, doing it's job. The grout bonded with earthen materials to slow seepage enough that he was able to increase the capacity of the reservoir behind the dam of about 33% to about 50% of its normal capacity.
Therefore, reducing the risk of causing forced flooding in the Auburn valley region to about 1 in 25 with an overall risk of 1 in 33 with the sandbags and other security features to be installed.

Col. Wright maintains, however, that if we again experience Pineapple Express (a series of storms carrying heavy moisture from the subtropics) like we did in January, he would have to cause flooding by releasing water from the dam.

The new numbers are are fantastic improvement, but residents are still staying on guard.

King County Executive Kurt Triplett stated "the new percentage sounds great, but the reality is we had just that type of storm event 10 months ago. I'm definitely going to be sleeping easier..., but we're not out of the woods."

When the dam is fully restored with a concrete wall built within the abutment, there will only be a 1 in 140 chance of flooding. This could be 3 to 5 years away.

Use of Credit Score in Insurance

Here is a message from Dan Kelso of the Ohio Insurance Institute in Columbus:

There's no need to create a "fear factor" when it comes to the use of insurance scores. The Ohio Department of Insurance regulates it, having established a credit insurance rule in 2003. This rule provides consumer protection as it pertains to insurer use of credit and prohibits insurers from using insurance scores as the sole determinant in underwriting or rating decisions.

Before calling for an overhaul to Ohio's process of determining insurance premiums, consumers should weigh The Blade's Oct. 28 guest editorial against their pocketbooks. Ohio has some of the lowest premiums in the country. Our average homeowners insurance expenditure is tied for fifth lowest at $530. The U.S. average is $804. Ohio's $654 average auto premium is 13th lowest, well below the U.S. average.

The Dallas Morning News editorial cited California and Maryland as states to emulate. Consumers are worse off in these states. California's average auto insurance premium is $843 and Maryland's is worse: $949. California's homeowners insurance averages $937 and Maryland's is $721.

States envy Ohio's affordable and competitive market. Consumers benefit from the fact that we have more auto and homeowners insurance carriers than in all but two states.

While the use of insurance scores is greatly misunderstood, the majority of insurance consumers pay less for auto and homeowners insurance with its use.

This isn't on the minds of Ohioans. ODI complaint data shows only 47 related to homeowners insurance costs in 2008. Complaints on auto insurance rates have been declining since 2002 with only 43 last year.

Ohioans aren't penalized by the use of insurance scoring models. In fact, comparing our premiums to states highlighted in the editorial, we should leave well enough alone.

Identity Theft: A Fast Growing Crime

Identity theft is becoming a major concern as it has become one of the fastest growing crimes in America. Victims face the task of notifying and communicating with creditors, debt collectors, law enforcement agencies, financial institutions, national credit bureaus and others in an attempt to restore their good credit standing. The cost of all of this can mount up.
You can add Identity Theft coverage to your Homeowner Policy to provide protection for these costs in the event you are forced to reclaim your identity and financial status. The additional premium is minimal.
One of our fine insurance companies is even providing Advocacy Services which gives you access to a qualified personal advocate to provide you with useful information and guidance to address the theft of your identity quickly.
What is identity theft? Identity theft is the unlawful use of another person’s identifying information, such as name, address, phone number or Social Security number to obtain credit fraudently from banks or retailers, steal money from existing accounts or open new accounts
for financial gain, apply for loans or other similar fraudulent activities.
Reclaiming your identity and restoring a damaged credit record following identity theft can take a considerable amount of time and expense.
The advocate that one of our leading insurance companies uses, provides easy access to a qualified person to assist you with the paperwork, telephone calls and other tasks required to address your situation quickly.
In addition, identity theft insurance will pay up to an amount ($25,000 with some companies subject to a $250 deductible) for expenses such as notarized fraud affidavits, certified mail and long distance telephone calls to law enforcement and credit rating agencies, loan application fees when required to reapply for a loan denied due to identity theft, reasonable attorney fees to defend against lawsuits, to remove wrongly entered criminal or civil judgments or to challenge the accuracy or completeness of information in your consumer credit report. It will also cover lost wages at $250 per day up to $10,000 when you take off work to meet with law enforcement agencies, legal counsel or similar related activities (included within the $25,000 limit of insurance).
Please contact us about this additional protection to your Homeowner Policy now.

New Radars and Gauges to Fight Flooding

More rain gauges and an experimental weather sensor will be installed in the Green River basin to help boost the odds that federal officials can predict which storms might lead to flooding.

These systems, which are already used in California, measure water vapors in the air and wind speed and direction several miles above Earth's surface. Forecasters may be able to use this information to better predict whether impending storms will have enough rainfall to cause flooding within 24 hours in advance.

The new rain sensors are not foolproof, though, Colman said. They are still experimental, and one of the weather service's most difficult tasks, technologically, is gauging how much rain will fall during a given storm.

"But if before we were calling for 2-4 inches of rain and this lets us refine that to say 2-3 inches ... even removing that bit of uncertainty will be helpful," Colman said.


Thank you to Seattle Times.

Fact vs. Fiction: Uncovering auto insurance myths

Like a teenager eager to try a new video game, playing before reading the rules, many drivers buy insurance without really understanding what they’re buying.
In the rush to feel “covered,” they can skip the details. That can lead to frustration.
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 need three estimates before my wrecked vehicle can be repaired.
Reality: Not necessarily. Very few insurers actually require this, although some might. If you decide to use a shop that’s in an insurance company’s “network” of pre-approved shops you may just have to get an estimate from that shop.

Myth: My insurance premium always increases if I’m involved in an accident.
Reality: It depends. Your rate can increase, decrease or stay the same. The information about your accident is combined with other information about you, your car and your driving history to determine your rate.

Myth: If I lend my car to someone and he/she crashes it, I’m covered.
Reality: Not so fast. If you or your friend don’t have optional physical damage coverages, damage to your vehicle generally won’t be covered.

Myth: If I buy a new car, my auto insurance company automatically knows; and my new car is covered.
Reality: No. Most insurance companies require that you notify them or your agent within a specified number of days. Generally, you have 30 days to add the new vehicle to your policy.

To learn more, contact a friendly Fey Insurance representative.

This ad is to remind people we can also help them with Progressive Insurance products. Also, we have found more often than not going through an agency is a cheaper way to buy Progressive Insurance products. Give us a call.

H1N1 Tips

Here's a great e-mail regarding Swine Flu...if you haven't gotten it, it's going around! (The e-mail, not the flu :))

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you need to eat or bathe).

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt).
H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to #3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga "asanas" to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (i.e. citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can.
Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

SAV-ON Halloween Contest Update

Our original Dopey was out sick, but we had a great stand in...meet Kid's Club Secretary, Donny!



When the Evil Queen found out where Snow White was hiding, she came to drop off an apple.
Careful Snow White!








AND NOW THE RESULTS!

The Des Moines office as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs first place, the "Best Costume" trophy, and pizza next week!

The Kent office won 2nd place, the "Most Original" trophy and will also be enjoying pizza next week.

And Normand in our Lynnwood office gets a consolation prize for his awesome rendition of Jack Sparrow; a McDonald's Big Mac Meal!!


Have a safe and Happy Halloween! For tips on trick or treating, check out our latest newsletter.

Halloween Office Contest!

In the spirit of Halloween, 3 offices compete for the pizza lunch!
Which is your favorite??

Kent Office





Des Moines Office





Lynnwood Office






Bellevue Office
Freeze, POLICE! .... Somebody isn't insured with SAV-ON ...

Ohio Workers' Compensation for Your Home or Business

If you are in the State of Ohio and employ at least one employee to whom you pay $160 or more in a three month period, you are required to carry Ohio Workers’ Compensation. Your employee could be with your business or simply a babysitter or person you hire to mow your grass.
In Ohio you buy Workers’ Compensation from the State’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation. Their website address is www.ohiobwc.com or you can call them at 1-800-OHIO-BWC.

Unfortunately your Homeowner Policy Personal Liability cannot help you in situations where you are paying the employee more than $160 in a quarter, so we highly recommend that you purchase an Ohio Workers’ Compensation policy if you are in this situation.
Workers’ Compensation pays for injuries to your workers and includes not only medical expenses but loss of income benefits, too.

The website at www.ohiobwc.com is actually very helpful. If you decided you need to buy a policy, you can do it all on-line including paying for the coverage and printing out a temporary policy to show you have the protection.

Please feel free to contact one of our friendly agents if you wish to learn more about workers’ compensation.

Catastrophe Liability Protection

How much liability protection do I need to carry to protect me and my family? Unfortunately there is no simple formula which you can use to calculate how much liability insurance you really need. With your home or a commercial property, there are computer programs which will help determine the construction replacement cost of the building, but there is no such program in the area of third party liability claims. Some insurance companies claim they make you “legal” for less, but in Ohio, for example, that means bodily injury limits of $12,500 per person/$25,000 per accident and property damage limits of $7,500. Any kind of serious accident will wipe out those limits in a heartbeat. As a bare minimum, we recommend no less than $500,000 in Personal Liability and $250,000/500,000/100,000 in Automobile Liability, but higher limits are available and recommended. This is where the Umbrella Liability Policy comes into play. These policies are written in increments of $1,000,000 with $1,000,000 being the lowest limit you can purchase. Limits of $1,000,000 to $5,000,000 are usually available, and higher limits are also available depending on the circumstances. Please contact us, and we will prepare a quotation for your review on this very important catastrophe liability protection.

Homeowners, Time to Winterize!

Conduct a Roof Inspection: A professional roof inspection can identify roof damage while it still costs hundreds, instead of thousands, of dollars to fix. This inspection should also tell you the condition of your attic ventilation, key in preventing the formation of destructive ice dams. If you simply can't come up with the $200-$300 fee, at the very least conduct your own visual inspection to look for signs of wear-and-tear.

Make it Green: The most energy-efficient roof really depends on your location. Metal roofing works best for warmer climates, but an upgrade to roof insulation is universally green and a great idea before winter hits.

Clean your Gutters: Probably the most common and least neglected task of the bunch, don't take your gutter cleaning for granted. Proper cleaning involves more than just throwing easy-to-reach leaves out of the channel. Flush your downspouts and keep an eye out for any signs of gutter deterioration.

Make it Green: Retrofit your gutters to collect rainwater and snow melt next spring and summer to aid your lawn irrigation.

Insulate and Seal Windows: If you don't already have double-pane windows, it's time to jump on the bandwagon. With heating costs, few home improvements pay for themselves as quickly as replacement windows. If you simply can't afford it, use thick plastic covers or blankets to help out in the meantime. And regardless of the number of panes, take a look at your window frame. It may need new sealant.

Make it Green: Truly green windows are more than just double-paned. Different glazes will allow you to use daylighting techniques, and window treatments will allow you to block the heat gain of next summer's mid-afternoon sun.

Seal and Inspect Doors: Some homeowners pay so much attention to their windows that they forget their doors. Take a look at your entry door for air leaks and use weatherstripping to help seal the joints. Take a look at your garage door, too, for both insulation and home security value.

Make it Green: A new wood door for the entry, garage, or both will increase your home's curb appeal and it's insulating R-value simultaneously.

Evaluate the Furnace/Heating System: This one has a ton of upside. Catching problems with your heating system before winter hits almost always saves a bunch of money and will give you some time to plan for a replacement system, if necessary. If nothing else, at least change the filter, no matter the age or condition of your system.

Make it Green: For replacement systems, start with the big ideas first. Get an estimate for geothermal heating and cooling. If that doesn't pan out, take a look at split-system heat pumps or furnaces with an Energy Star label.

Winterize Your Landscaping: Just because you'll be spending most of the winter indoors doesn't mean all your maintenance is on the home itself. Properly close your swimming pool, winterize your sprinkler system, and prepare your garden for next year's planting.

Make it Green: Take the winter to grade your personal landscaping conservation practices. Is it time to start composting? How much water would you save with a fully-automated sprinkler system? Is there a good spot to plant a new tree in the spring?

Miscellaneous and Emergency Preparation: For most homes, winter means the looming possibility of snow and/or ice storms. A back-up generator is a great idea, but still no substitute for an emergency kit, complete with food and water, a reliable radio, and first-aid kit. Investing in a snow blower isn't a bad idea, either, especially for older homeowners who are vulnerable to heart problems.

Make it Green: Don't worry about saving the planet, until you've first saved yourself and your loved ones. Still, a back-up generator will, among other things, help make sure plumbing lines don't freeze and burst. After all, burst pipes harm both your household and your local environment.


Thanks to ServiceMagic.com

As a proud representative of Progressive we want to make sure our Progressive personal auto clients are up to date with the discounts that are available to them. Below are a few ways to capitalize on the discounts that Progressive is offering:

1. Paid in Full: This discount is given if you pay the full six month premium upon renewal. The discount is based on your premium so it differs per client.



2. Electronic Funds Transfer: This is where Progressive withdraws your monthly premium directly out of your checking account. This method of paying is cheaper in fees than paying by check each month.



3. Paperless Option: Progressive offers clients the option of receiving their policy and bills via email instead of through the US Postal Service. A discount will be applied to the client's personal auto policy if they choose this method.

Travelers TV Ad

This is our agencies favorite Travelers TV Ad. It makes us proud to have them as part of our agency. Enjoy!

Cost Savings Ideas

There is constant talk today about cutting costs. Here are two options that might help you save a few dollars on your insurance in this rough economy.

1)Raise your deductibles:

A typical homeowner policy has a deductible of $500 and a typical auto insurance policy has $100 for comprehensive and $250 for collision deductibles. One way to help save a few dollars on your annual insurance bill is to increase your homeowner deductible to $1000 and your comprehensive and collision deductibles on your auto to $500 each. Note that when you do this you bring a little bit of the financial risk back on yourself. A good rule of thumb to help figure out if the deductible change is worth the risk is to take the savings you will get for increasing your deductible and multiply it by three. If that number is larger than the difference between your old deductible and your new deductible in my opinion you are taking on an appropriate amount of risk for the savings.

2) Drop physical damage on your old vehicles.

If a car is 10 years or older it is probably worth researching whether you should have comprehensive and collision coverage on your car (many people know this as "full coverage"). Two ways to help you decide if dropping comprehensive and or collision from your car is worth it are:
1. The Insurance Information Institute says that if your car is worth less than 10 times the amount you pay annually for comprehensive and collision coverage it isn't worth keeping the coverage.
2. Another way to analyze if it is worth keeping the coverage is to take the premium you pay for collision and add it to your deductible amount. That is the total amount that it costs you to insure your car. (i.e. Your annual collision premium is $250 and your collision deductible is $500. If you total your car you will have paid $750 ($250 in premium and $500 in deductible) before you received any money from your insurance company) If in your mind it isn't worth spending that kind of money to save your vehicle if it was totaled than you might want to consider dropping that coverage.

My Tree, Their Vehicle... Whose Insurance?

About a year ago I received a call from my neighbor. He sounded as if something was wrong; “Where are you” he asked? I informed him that I was away from home at the moment but was there something I could help him with. “Yeah, you can come get your huge tree limb off my SUV!” I immediately turned around and headed home. Once I got there I saw what is pictured here in this blog post. Because of heavy winds my huge front yard tree had dropped a limb and totally smashed the top of my neighbor’s vehicle. He and I spent the whole next day cutting away at the tree limb so that we could eventually tow his car to a body shop.

Now my neighbor lives next door to an insurance man so he was already well versed in whose insurance takes care of the damages to his SUV but for those of you that are not as privileged to live next to an insurance man I thought I would explain. Even though it was my tree that caused the damage my homeowner policy would not be involved in paying for the damages. In order for me to be responsible I would have to be negligent in some way but since it was an “act of God” (wind) negligence could not be pointed at me. Therefore, the coverage for the damage to his vehicle would fall under his personal auto policy. More specifically it would be his comprehensive or “other than collision” coverage. Since this coverage usually has a deductible (the amount the policy holder has to pay out of pocket before the insurance company takes care of the rest) I offered to help pay the amount he would have to pay out of pocket. I was not required to do this but since I like my neighbor and it was my tree, I felt it was the right thing to do.

There is, however, one situation that could have made the tree limb fall my fault. If for some reason my neighbor felt that my tree was unhealthy and dangerous he could compose a letter and “send receipt” a letter to me (meaning upon delivery I would have to sign a document stating I had received the letter). In the letter he would have to state that he felt my tree was in danger of falling and causing damage to his property. If that had been the case and my neighbor had sent me the letter he could have had grounds that I was negligent. This in turn would cause my homeowner policy to pay out for his damages and not his personal auto policy.

By the way, my tree is very healthy so there is no need for my neighbor to write a letter.

Fey Insurance Announces New Blog

The ways of communication are constantly changing. Mail has been largely replaced by email and in some cases email has been pushed aside by tweets or Facebook postings. Since we here at Fey Insurance Services are dedicated to communicating with our customers in the fashion they most prefer we have decided to step into the blogging world. We hope to use this blog as a way to broadcast insurance information and advice to our customers and to the public as a whole. In our firm's mission statement we state that "Fey Insurance Services is an independent insurance agency dedicated to consulting, protecting and servicing our clients...". This blog will assist us in the "consulting" side of our mission statement.

Our posts will consist of: insurance news that individuals and businesses would find useful, news about the insurance companies that we represent, insurance coverage advice, insurance trends and hopefully a few fun facts or thoughts.

We hope you all find this blog of use and please come back and visit often.

Flood Insurance, Time is Running Out!

For people that wait too long for a flood insurance policy, you may be in for a rude awakening when companies stop offering it!

With the high volume of policies being issued, companies are starting to see that they could be in for some catastrophic financial losses.



Attention homeowners, renters, & mobile owners! Flood is not included in your regular policy. Flood works a little differently and we're always here to explain how flood coverage, exclusions, and deductibles work.



It's also VERY important to remember that there is a 30 day waiting period for flood policies. Which essentially means that if you take out your policy on 10/20/09, your policy will not go into effect until 11/20/09. Any flood occurring before that date will not be covered.



So just call us or e-mail us for a quote TODAY! You will be surprised at how inexpensive flood coverage can be.



For Flood Quotes & Questions

E-mail: info@sav-on.com or call 1-888-867-2866

Career Changes & Children Likely to Prompt Women to Purchase a Car

For women, purchasing a car can often be triggered by major life events, particularly changes in employment and family, according to a recent survey conducted for CarMax, Inc. (NYSE: KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars.

Sixty percent of women surveyed indicated that a change in their career, whether it was a new job (37 percent) or retirement (23 percent), would be most likely to initiate the purchase of a vehicle. However, for women between the ages of 18 and 34, forty-one percent responded more likely to purchase a car when they become pregnant or welcomed another child into the family, a similar percentage as those surveyed who chose “new job” in the same age group.

“Many personal factors affect women shopping for a car,” said Donna Wassel, Southwest region vice president of CarMax. “Changes in family and employment create an opportunity to evaluate your current driving situation. If a car purchase is right for you, shopping at a no-hassle, no-haggle car retailer such as CarMax can make the experience a fun and enjoyable one.”

The following are the results of the recent poll that asked women: Of the following life events, which is most likely to prompt you to purchase a car?




The survey was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of CarMax. The national sample consisted of more than 500 U.S. women, aged 18 and older who were interviewed online August 17 through August 19, 2009.

Holiday Hosts Need a Personal Umbrella

Nearly 29 million American s will plan to host a party between Halloween and the Super Bowl. More importantly, over 21 million of those party hosts do not have Personal Umbrella Insurance, leaving them open to lawsuits and potential financial ruin.

If a party guest drinks, drives and causes an accident, the hosts can be held responsible. The high dollar value of jury awards combined with skyrocketing health care costs means one lawsuit can easily exceed the liability limits provided by the average homeowner policy.

SAV-ON has multiple companies which offer Personal Umbrella policies to cover you in the event of such a claim.


Call us today at 1-888-867-2866, e-mail info@sav-on.com, or request a Quik Quote!
For only 50 cents a day, you won't regret it!

Thank you to Mutual Insurance Company!

Energy Efficiency Improvements Tax Incentive

The $8,000 New Home Buyer Tax Credit (along with the Cash-for-Clunkers) may have dominated the headlines recently, but some energy efficiency Tax Credits offered by the federal government could be even more useful for the average homeowner. You may be eligible for a tax credit equal to 30 percent of the cost of materials (up to $1,500) for certain products purchased between January 1, 2009 and December 31st, 2010.

Click below for the rating specifications for eligible energy efficiency products or request the document from us: info@sav-on.com.


Thanks to Prudential

PEMCO news release offers water-damage tips

PEMCO Insurance issued a news release October 1, that reveals Washington residents’ perceptions of the most-frequent causes of homeowner claims. The PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll, conducted by FBK Research, shows that only 14% of people correctly identified water leaks as the leading cause of homeowner claims, while more than one-fourth incorrectly believe bad weather causes most claims. The news release also offers tips on how to prevent common leaks, such as with ice-makers, dishwashers, washing-machine hoses, and outdoor faucets.

CarMax Advises How to Avoid Flood-Damaged Cars

In the wake of recent flooding, CarMax, Inc., (NYSE: KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars, is advising consumers on how to avoid purchasing flood-damaged vehicles.

"Consumers should be aware that some businesses and individuals may try to sell salvaged and flood-damaged cars without revealing the vehicle history," said Jason Day, Atlanta region vice president of purchasing for CarMax.
Flood-damaged cars that are not structurally or mechanically sound could be repaired, re-titled, and sold to unsuspecting buyers."

CarMax’s purchasing team offers these ten tips for identifying a vehicle with possible flood damage. If any of these signs are identified, ask further questions to determine if flood damage occurred:

Check for a moldy smell inside the car and feel the carpet for dampness

Be suspicious of an older car with a brand new interior or carpeting

Check for rust under the brake or gas pedals

Look for dirt or rust under the dashboard and floor mats

Inspect the bolts and screws under the seats for evidence of rust

Check the undercarriage for excessive rust

Check inside the trunk under the carpet and in the spare tire well area for rust, dirt or sand

Look for corrosion, water marks, or a thin brown line on the exterior of the vehicle

Check to see if the electrical system works

Check the VIN number with AutoCheck or Carfax to see whether a flood claim has been filed or a salvage title has been issued on the vehicle

Buying a Car is a Hassle For Women

Buying a car is a hassle for women, according to a recent poll conducted for CarMax, Inc. (NYSE: KMX), the nation’s largest retailer of used cars.
When asked about their last car buying experience, a fourth of the women who responded felt a quick and effortless transaction was most missing, according to a new survey of more than 500 women. Fair, low pricing and having a trustworthy salesperson were also cited as the other top factors missing when buying a vehicle.

“Now more than ever, women want a car buying experience that is straightforward and fair,” says Donna Wassel, Southwest regional vice president of CarMax. “Finding a car retailer with low, no haggle pricing that offers an easy transaction with integrity can help take away the hassle.”

The following are the results of the recent poll that asked women: Thinking about the last time that you bought a car, which of the following was most missing?

Results of the Survey
A quick, effortless transaction - 25%
A fair trade-in value - 19%
A trustworthy salesperson - 15%
Low, fair pricing - 13%
A reasonable finance rate - 13%
Respect - 2%
I have never bought a car - 13%


CarMax offers the following tips for women car shoppers:

1. Go online to research vehicle types, makes, models, options, features, and prices. Visit websites such as carmax.com to search thousands of cars, see actual prices, view multiple photos, obtain vehicle history reports, read customer reviews and more.
   
2. Print out fact sheets or information about the vehicles you are interested in, and have them ready when you step onto the lot.
   
3. If you plan on selling your car, bring key paperwork items with you, including title and registration for your current vehicle, your driver’s license, and insurance card.
   
4. If you have been pre-approved for a car loan, bring the approval letter with you.
   
5. Find a car retailer and salesperson you like and trust by asking friends and family for referrals.
   
6. Try a retailer that offers no-haggle prices and a la carte pricing on each part of the car buying transaction – the vehicle price, the extended service plan, the trade-in, and the financing.
   
7. Think about selling your car separately from your car purchase. You can bring your car to CarMax for an appraisal – it’s fast, free and convenient.
   
8. Have confidence in your car shopping abilities. You have done your research and are prepared to make a smart car buying decision.
   
9. Do not hesitate to ask lots of questions—as many as you need so that you understand exactly what you are paying for.
   
10. Be prepared to walk away if you are unhappy with your car buying experience.

The survey was conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs on behalf of CarMax. The national sample consisted of more than 500 U.S. women, aged 18 and older who were interviewed online August 17 through August 19, 2009.

Seattle: Best Fall Destination

MSN named Seattle as one of the 14 best Fall destinations!

It’s true that Seattle gets rainier in the fall, but it’s still an enchanting city to visit in autumn; be sure to leaf-peep in the Washington Park Arboretum. If it does rain, Seattle’s renowned arts scene has plenty to keep you occupied, with fall openings in theater, opera and fine art. Also delightful: Hotel rates are down 20 percent this fall from a year ago, while airfares have dropped 13 percent. (MSN)

Take a stroll through Discovery Park or hike Mount Rainier! Whatever your fancy, see the top 10 Best Seattle Park Attractions for more fun jaunts this Seattle Fall!

One that didn't make the list (and a personal favorite of mine), is the somewhat hidden Parsons Gardens (see photo) located on Queen Anne hill on the corner of 7th Ave. W and W Highland Dr.

Flood Resources

The time will soon be here when the Green River will likely flood. Now is the time to prepare (and to purchase flood insurance!)

The following are some helpful websites if the day comes. SAV-ON will continue to update on the flood watch and provide information or tips as necessary.

Want more details on the Green River flooding? Read our prior post 4 Major Seattle Cities at Flood Risk


FEMA Map Service Center
Plug in your address and view a map for flood zone information.

King County iMAP Interactive Mapping Tool
More user friendly but limited to King County residents. Choose Stormwater from the drop down box and get detailed information regarding flood risk. Most detailed but longest to load. You can also use the Parcel Viewer version which is quicker but requires your parcel number.

FEMA Map Viewer
Plug in your address and view a map for flood zone ifnormation! Very user friendly and provides information for the entire country.

How To Prepare For a Flood
Quick information from King County and a few resource websites and phone numbers.

Important Phone Numbers for Flooding (King County)
Important phone numbers and resources regarding flood information. Limited to King County.

Are You At Risk For Flooding?

How do I get a copy of the National Flood Insurance Plan (NFIP) map for my area?

Call the FEMA Map Service Center at 1-800-358-9616. If you are looking for information regarding a specific piece of property it is important to know the community number and panel number. Less specific maps for counties, cities or towns do not require this information. Each map is $.50 and each order is $2.50 for shipping and handling.


From FEMA.gov

Unemployment Rate Rises Again

The unemployment rate has risen back to 9.2% here in Washington State after seeing a drop in rates in July, to 8.9%, (originally calcuated at 9.1%).

Washington lost about 8000 agricultural jobs last month after gaining 11,800 but the biggest decline was seen in professional and business services with a loss of 2500 jobs.

Retail trade and education and health services were also down 2400 and 1800 jobs, respectively, but government saw growth of 1800 new jobs, leisure and hospitality with 800, transportation, warehousing, and utilities, up 700, and construction with a gain of 200 jobs.

Economists say that the small gain in construction is a first since January 2008.

More than 319,000 people in Washington are still looking for work according to the Employment Security Department.

Last year at this time, Washington's unemployment rate was 5.4%. The state lost 126,100 jobs from August 2008 to August 2009, a 4.2 percent decrease. Nationally, employment declined by 4.3 percent over the past year.

However, Washington state's unemployment rate is lower than the national rate, which was 9.7% for August.


Thank you to KIRO News

New Spanish Commercial Airs this Month!

Our latest commercial to air this month on a few Spanish channels. Here's the sneak peek! Marque ya!

Uncovering the Common Cold

With Summer going strong, the word "cold" may not be what you expected to see this month...Did you know that getting a cold is actually quite common, even in warm weather? Whether they hit you in Winter or Summer, colds are such an exhausting fact of life that we can't help but wonder: why haven't they come up with a cure?

Well, the most common answer is that there is no cure available, but the reality is that what we term a "cold" may refer to any one of hundreds of different varieties of disease. Some are contagious viruses, some are infections and some are influenza (the flu).

Since it can sometimes be difficult to pinpoint the source, here are some helpful tips for you...

What DOES NOT cause a cold:

Being cold--no proof that winter or cold or rain makes us more susceptible to getting a cold.

What MAY cause a cold:

Lack of sleep. In many tests it has been shown that those with less than 7 hours of sleep were more likely to catch a cold.

Lack of Vitamin D. There have been studies that show that colds can be associated with low levels of Vitamin D.

What TREATMENT WORKS:

Well, none actually.

There are plenty of drugs and cures that aim to make you feel better but these medicines treat your symptoms to make them less noticeable.

There is no known medicine that can reduce the length of an infection.

Antibiotics have no effect on a common cold.

The best thing to do is to wash your hands frequently and to avoid those who knowingly have a cold. The virus often comes in through your nose and eyes, so avoid touching your face as much as possible.

All of us here at Sav-on Insurance Agencies wish you and your family continued health.

PEMCO news release addresses politeness while driving

PEMCO Insurance issued a news release today, September 10, that reveals Washington drivers’ perceptions of how polite – or aggressive – their fellow motorists are. The PEMCO Insurance Northwest Poll, conducted by FBK Research, shows that women drivers consider themselves more polite, male drivers consider themselves more aggressive, and Western Washington drivers consider themselves slightly more polite than do Eastern Washington drivers. Also, it's amusing to note that all drivers see themselves as more polite than "the other guy," saying they witness other drivers being erratic or rude nearly 10 times as often.

Fake Air Bags Lead to Death

A lengthy KIRO Team 7 Investigation exposes a widespread, dishonest and deadly secret: You may not know if your car really has airbags until it's too late.
Investigative Reporter Chris Halsne discovers something no federal or state agency has ever attempted: how often phony airbags play a role in killing drivers.

Vik Lim is the Van Gogh of fake airbags. Our undercover investigation discovered his shop specializes in repairing wrecked car interiors, cutting out previously deployed airbags, then gluing the shells back together.

Read the remainder of this shocking article, Fake Air Bags, Fatal Consequences

When are Booster Seats Required?

"Age 4 to 8, unless they're 4-feet 9 inches tall," State Patrol Trooper Cliff Pratt said. "Anything 4 feet 9 inches or taller should be in a safety belt."

In a booster seat, the "shoulder belt should cross the shoulder and the chest," Pratt said. "It should never be under the child or behind the back. The lap belt should rest low across the lap or upper thigh area, not across the stomach."

RCW section 46.61.687 has more details, available here.


Thank you to the Seattle PI's "Seattle 911"

SAV-ON Proudly Sponsors Youth Sports Teams

SAV-ON is proud to support the local community and youth sports teams. Enjoy the team photos!


Co-Owner Rick Devitte proudly stands alongside the Des Moines Bulldogs Basketball team!



The Des Moines Dragons Baseball team are all smiles!










In addition to being active in the community, all 6 SAV-ON locations offer Northwest Harvest drop boxes all year round! Thanks to the Kent office for recently donating another full box!