What to do in a winter accident

Nasty weather is NOT just around the corner.  It is here.  Do you know what to do in the event you get into an accident during these frigid months?  If you need a refresher, here are just a few things to get you through your accident troubles.

• Make sure everyone is safe.  The very first thing you should do in an accident is assess the situation and make sure everyone in your vehicle is all right.  Maybe you just slid off the road and are a bit shaken.  Take some deep breaths and calm down.  In the event there are injuries, be prepared to handle the crisis in as calm of manner as possible.  The calmer you can stay, the easier it is for everyone involved to stay cool.
• Make your calls.  There are a few people you are going to want to call right away.  If this is a multi-vehicle accident, or there are injuries, call 911 right away.  If this is something as simple as sliding into the ditch, then call your auto insurance agent to see if they can help get a tow truck sent to you.  If you cannot reach your agent, call the 800 number found on your insurance card for service.
• Bundle up for the long wait.  You should have some extra blankets or clothing in your car for these colder months.  Time to break them out.  While your auto insurance agent may be able to get you help, it's going to take some time for emergency crews to arrive.  Hypothermia is very dangerous, especially in colder climates.  Wrap up in some blankets and stay warm.  If you can safely keep your car running for heat, even better.

Winter may be pretty and white, but it's also a time to step up your accident handling plans.  Make sure your agent's or insurance company's contact info is current and readily available during these stressful driving times.  You never know when you may need it.

Don't be afraid to call your agent

It is always important to keep your insurance agent "up-to-speed" on any changes in your life. You may think them insignificant, but there are many things that happen which can affect your insurance policy and the premiums you pay. A lot of people think that, as far as the insurance company knows, no news is good news. Policyholders fear that if they contact their agent for any reason, they may be subject to a rate increase due to account review. While it is possible that your premium will go up, it is also possible that you are over-paying and your premium may go down. If you mileage to work has decreased (or been eliminated), it is true that you will save money. Annual mileage plays a big factor in rating a policy. As far as online courses and safety training discounts, ask your agent what is available. Every company is different, and there is no standard of 10% for completing such a course. It's free to ask and can be a simple way of saving money.

We want to hear from you.  As an agent, I want to be the source of insurance information for my policyholders.  If they have any question within the realm of insurance (or outside of it as well) I encourage them to call.  It is a level of service I expect from other institutions which I do business with, so I make it a point to deliver on it as well.  I am not only the guy who reviewed your insurance and offered you a better rate than a competitor, I am your risk manager.

Thinking about buying a car?  Call me.  I will tell you the impact of which type of vehicle you are considering.

Thinking of moving?  Call me.  I can explain all the rating factors that go into a home that may affect the premium.  I know that inground pool looks like a great feature for summer fun, but it also is an attractive nuisance and better have a locked fence around it.

Thinking of buying a motorcycle?  Call me.  I want to go riding with you.  But first, you should take a rider safety course to get a discount.

Remember to shop around

When I worked as a manager in the retail environment I got so used to the customer shopping around and finding the best price on a product.  It wasn't rare, in fact it was daily, when someone would point out the difference in the price of a product I sold.  Even when the difference was less than 1%!  The consumer did not want to pay a penny more than they needed to get the product they wanted.

Now, in insurance, it's completely different.  The consumer, or at least 90% of them, cares nothing about the competitive price.  This is made clear by the fact that they refuse to shop around for the best rate.  It can be argued that the lowest premium does not equal the best value, and I agree.  However, I am literally stunned when a propective client hesitates to switch insurance carriers to potentially save 10-20% on their annual premium when everything else is equal.  Coming from a retail background, this is mind-boggling (and quite frustrating).

I have come to learn of the intangible loyalty most insureds have with their carrier or their agent.  Most people don't want to switch their insurance and save money because that means they have to "break-up" with their current agent.  This is unpleasant to them and they avoid it.  Who wants to call someone to tell them they are taking their business elsewhere?  There are few other places in the consumer world where you have to do this.  It is to the point that the insured may not even know the agent who they are giving their business to.  They don't know what he or she looks like or where their office is.  I find this unsettling.  I believe everyone should have a strong and trusting relationship with their insurance professional.

I urge everyone to do more research and be more active in your insurance.  Shop around.  Ask questions.  Figure out who you want to give your business to and why.  Get the best value for your dollar and make sure it's with someone you trust to take care of you when you need it most.

Erie Insurance wins another award

I am an independent agent who represents several companies for property & casualty insurance.  I am proud to offer and represent Erie Insurance here in Wisconsin.  I am comfortable offering their products and services to my friends and family.  That is saying a lot, coming from an agent.  I am an Erie policyholder.  They continue to be a leader in the industry by sticking to their ideal of the Golden Rule:  Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.


Check out Erie's latest achievement - http://investor.shareholder.com/erie/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=515568