Summer isn’t officially over yet, but the cooler days (and much cooler nights) have definitely arrived.  And with them comes the grand display many of us have been waiting for: the fall parade of colours! 

I recently journeyed out with some friends to endeavor upon a 19km hike in beautiful Algonquin Park.  After trekking many hours, tripping over many roots, stumbling over all the rocks and boulders, and climbing a whopping 310 foot promontory, we were finally blessed with a magnificent view that included all that nature could throw at us. 

This got me thinking about seasonal home maintenance and what could happen if I hesitate to perform some simple upkeep on the eaves troughs and gutters before the inevitable cold snap rears its head. 

For example, the last time I checked my rain barrel (yes, I’m an eco freak), I noticed a buildup of pine needles that had been flushed down the downspout and gathered atop the mesh screen keeping debris out of my precious reclaimed water.  I was surprised at the accumulation.  Add to these needles the leaves that are soon to give way to gravity’s pull, and you’ve got yourself the makings of a water backup.  Add another element – sub-zero temperatures – and you’ve got much worse; potential water infiltration and water damage. 

So, here are a few simple tips on preparing your home for the season and weather ahead, borrowed from the CMHC website.  If you’re not able to perform these maintenance duties yourself, consider hiring a professional to do it for you.  Make safety your number one priority!

By Shannon Donnelly, Marketing and Communications, Moore-McLean Insurance Group

This exceptionally hot summer has had a lot of us toying with the idea of investing in permanent refreshment and summer enjoyment – a pool!  What could be better than slipping into the cool blue waters in your own backyard?  Add in the BBQ, a few friends and some music and it’s an instant party any time you want! 

But pools can bring with them more responsibility than most are willing to take on.  They can sometimes even lower the resale value of your home as many prospective buyers simply aren’t interested in the added work and cost of maintaining a pool…

• weekly chlorine treatments
• time spent scrubbing the pool
• the cost of heating the water
• the electricity to pump and circulate
• repairs to ripped liners and cracked concrete… 

The list goes on and it all adds up to time and money. 

But that’s not the only area of responsibility.  Because of their inherent danger and associated risks, pools bring about a new level of liability, and several municipalities even require that you have a permit and special fencing, gates and locks to keep out unwanted waders.  As a general rule of thumb, any pool or body of water deeper than 36″ requires a security perimeter fence and permit.  Check with your local bylaw office for rules specific to your neighbourhood.

Then, of course, there’s the insurance.  In addition to adding to the overall replacement cost of your home, a pool will increase the chances that the liability portion of your insurance may be needed if someone is hurt while using your pool.  The added costs for pool coverage vary from insurer to insurer, but all will require that you report the installation of a pool as it represents a change in the material risk of your policy.  Speak to your broker about shopping around for the best coverage.

So what if your pool suffers damage over the winter?  Say, for example, a cracked foundation or damage to the pumping system…?  These damages are generally not covered by an insurance policy as they are deemed wear-and-tear problems.  Typically, only when and if damage is caused by a peril that your policy covers will the insurance policy be activated.

So, before you pick up your shovel and start digging a hole for your new pool, consider digging through your insurance policy, your municipal bylaws and your chequebook.  And, of course, speak to your broker to ensure you’ve got a policy in place that protects you and your property.

Canadians who vacation without travel insurance are taking an expensive risk that they won’t be sick or injured while away.

According to a travel insurance study, conducted last month by Pollara and involving a random sample of 1,000 Canadian adults, extra medical costs could put a real damper on travel fun.

Costs related to breaking a leg while travelling in the United States could run as high as $20,000, and treatment for decompression sickness in Thailand can be as much as $40,000, notes a statement from a leading insurance provider.

Coverage is sometimes available under the terms of a credit card, a workplace extended benefits program, or other plan, but Canadians need to be certain that the coverage in place is adequate and sufficient enough to cover the high costs of medical services in other countries.

Forty percent of study respondents reported that, at some point in their lives while traveling, either they required medical attention or a travel companion did.

That situation is not a good fit with the study’s other findings, which conclude that six in 10 respondents do not regularly purchase travel insurance before traveling. Only half knew that those travelling outside of Canada without medical insurance are responsible for covering the vast majority of medical expenses themselves.

When purchasing travel coverage, be sure to:

• get enough insurance (including for medical and dental coverage, air ambulance and airfare and lodging expenses for a family member);
• understand who pays (a traveller may need to pay for medical care up front); and
• read the fine print (ensure any issues are clarified with the insurer before leaving home).

Not only is speeding dangerous, irresponsible and foolish, it’s also very costly.  But a speeding ticket alone is not the expensive part.  Consider the impact demerit points will have on your insurance rates.

Just 10 km/hr over the posted limit can earn you more than a fine and can haunt you for a considerable amount of time.  It’s important to understand how demerit points affect your driving record and the price you pay for insurance. 

Insurers typically consider the number of offences on your record and the severity of the offences, not necessarily the number of demerit points, when determining the rate you pay for insurance.  However, demerit points do affect your insurance rates.  Here’s why:

• Insurers generally categorize convictions as ‘minor’, ‘major’ or serious.  Major and serious convictions tend to lead to higher rates than minor convictions.
• Some insurers will offer discounts if you are conviction-free and have a clean driving record.  A ‘minor’ ticket may not ipact your insurance rating, but may indeed mean you lose your discount.         
• Infractions that result in the accumulation of demerit points are not necessarily considered serious convictions by insurers. For example, making an improper left turn can result in two demerit points, but it is considered by insurers as only a minor conviction.
• A major or serious conviction, regardless of the associated demerit points, will result in losing any conviction free discount and a significant increase in your insurance rate. As an illustration, failing to obey a school crossing sign is classified as a major conviction and result in three demerits and a 15% surcharge on your annual premium rate with some insurance companies. Careless driving or speeding in excess of 50 km per hour over the posted speed limit are both serious convictions and either one of these will not only earn you six demerits, but also a 100% surcharge on your insurance rate.

One speeding ticket will normally not increase your rates, but a second ticket will put you in jeopardy of a rate increase.

If you pay any speeding ticket without fighting it, the conviction will be on your driving and insurance record for three (3) years.

Depending upon the insurance company a second or third traffic ticket can result in a dramatic insurance increase. If there is an accident or any other claim made, expect rates to be increased dramatically. If you have too many tickets, or claims the insurance company may refuse to renew your policy, or they can put you into Facility Rating. “Facility Rating” means high risk insurance rates of thousands of dollars per year, for at least three years, or until you have a clean record.

A couple speeding tickets on your record could cost you thousands of dollars.  Many people look at the cost written on the speeding ticket and say why would I pay someone to fight for more than the cost of the ticket? Well, the answer is because the insurance implications could cost you thousands of dollars more.  Insurance rates do not go up or down by twenty or thirty dollars per year, they increase by hundreds or thousands of dollars. Not just for one year but for up to six years.

Many times police officers give the driver a “break” by dropping the speeding ticket down to just a fine of fifty dollars or less, with no demerit points. Many drivers feel that they are getting a break from the officer and that their insurance will not be affected. The truth is that insurance companies do not count or care about demerit points. Your insurance company counts “convictions”.

If you pay a speeding ticket, even one with a small fine on it, your insurance company will put a strike against your insurance rate.  If you get two or three tickets, regardless of wheather or not they carre demerit points, your insurance rates will be affected.  Consider fighting a speeding ticket in an effort to keep your record clean and your insurance rates low.

Demerit points and your driver’s license

• The Ministry of Transportation in each province sets a limit on the number of demerit points you may acquire before your license is suspended.
• In Ontario, once a fully licenced driver accumulates six demerit points, a warning letter is sent. Once a driver accumulates nine demerit points, the Ministry may require that he be interviewed and plead his case as to why his license should not be suspended. At 15 or more demerit points, the driver’s license is automatically suspended for 30 days.

So while insurers don’t look specifically at demerit points when settling their rates, accumulating them is certain to cost you in the long run. For this reason, all drivers are well advised to steer clear from breaking the rules of the road and avoid tickets altogether.

This past Tuesday brought more than an impressive storm to Taber, Alberta.  Four twisters were reported in the area and one touchdown was confirmed by Envirnoment Canada.  Although the tornado caused damage to trees and buildings, thankfully no one was hurt. 

So what would YOU do if a Tornado was imminent?  I started pondering this myself and realized that in no way would I be prepared for a twister and its aftermath if my home were in its path of destruction.  Yes, I’d head to the basement and gather my family in the most fortified corner I could find, but what then?  Assuming we did indeed get hit but survived unharmed, would we be prepared for what came next?

So, what would one need in the aftermath of a twister?  Ahhh… yes, flashlights, of course!  Where are my flashlights?  At present, they’re not in the basement.  Strike one for me.  It hardly makes sense to have them scattered all over the upper level but not where I’d be stationed while riding out the storm.  I might survive, but the hunt for my scattered belongings would be futile.  Mental note:  keep some flashlights downstairs.

What else… water.  Yup, simple H2o.  Lots of that in the faucets, but would I be able to ‘tap into’ that supply in an emergency?  Probably not.  Okay, gotta keep some water bottles in the basement near the flashlights.

Hmmm… food, of course.  I don’t know about your kids, but mine are hungry 24/7.  Peanuts and chocolate are relatively non-perishable.  I’ll be sure to pack up a few Mars bars with the water and flashlights.

So here I am realizing very quickly that what I really need is an emergency kit.  We’ve heard it before, but how many of us have actually compiled some essential items to get us through the worst of a disaster? 

Don’t wait for a storm to hit you.  Get to work now and prepare an emergency kit for your family. 

Here are a few essentials that should be in your kit:

• Water.  Have enough for each member of the family – including pets – for a period of 72 hours.  And remember, water isn’t just for drinking.  You will need water for washing and maintaining a minimal degree of personal hygiene.  Two litres per day per person is the standard.
• Food. Again, keep the 72 hour rule in mind.  Choose small yet nutrient- and energy-packed items such as chocolate bars, nuts, and canned goods. 
• Manual can opener.
• Flashlights – lots of them!  Consider investing in crank operated flashlights and radios.
• Batteries for any necessary electronic devices.
• Extra keys for your home and automobiles.
• First Aid kit.  Consider purchasing a comprehensive First Aid kit from a pharmacy.  They often come with tips on administering First Aid and other valuable information.
• Money.  Cash in small amounts and denominations. 
• Special items for specific needs.  Medication, baby formula, equipment for those with particular medical or developmental needs. 

Some other items to consider:

• Clothing.  Especially footwear. 
• Sleeping bag, blankets and other heavy textiles to keep you warm and dry.
• Pet food.
• Garbage bags.  They come in handy for protecting from moisture and can be used to shield you from rain.
• Toilet paper and personal hygiene items.
• Reading glasses.
• Scissors, Swiss army knife, utensils.
• Whistle or blow horn.
• Hand sanitizer.
• Important family documents such as wills, birth and marriage certificates, insurance policies, etc.
• Games, books and toys to keep kids preoccupied and calm in stressful times.

Store the items in a large and easily accessible waterproof container, and include an empty backpack or two so that you can transport the items easily if necessary.

The Canadian Red Cross has developed a disaster preparedness kit to take the guess-work out of preparation.  For more information on this, visit their website.

With improved flexibility and rates up to 40% below retail, you’ll be right on your game! You now have 2 options to choose from – bulk purchase or single purchase – to make your Hole-in-one coverage work for you. As always, purchases include free signage tailored to your event(s), yardage variant for different skill levels or genders, choice of prize and payment options. For more information on the Hole-in-one program or other prize indemnity policy, contact us at holeinone@mooremclean.com or 1-888-404-0000. 

TECHNICAL ASSISTANT – COMMERCIAL INSURANCE

________________________________________

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION:

Prime Directive: Internal Customer Support Processing Commercial Insurance transactions

Processing new, renewal and change documents and their corresponding documents

Updating Agency Manager system with client policy data

Invoicing as directed by Account Manager

Updating claims information on the Agency Manager system, including open and closed claim notices

Scan and attach documents as directed

Other duties as assigned

________________________________________

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Professional, friendly and courteous in all interactions, whether with co-workers or customers

Team player adaptable to a changing environment

Perform well in a busy operation, remain calm under pressure

Good organization skills, ability to prioritize

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Detail oriented

Ambitious

________________________________________

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum college diploma,

Successful completion of Business Administration an asset

Excellent keyboarding and data entry skills

Familiarity with MS suite of products

Insurance related experience would be an asset

________________________________________

 JOB IS LOCATED IN BRAMPTON

Interested candidates are asked to submit a cover letter and resume by email to: insurance@mooremclean.com

We thank all those interested, but only those meeting our criteria will be contacted.

Well, it’s pretty much official; the 2012 cottage season has begun!

The recent Victoria Day long weekend marked the start of what promises to be a hot, dry summer.  All the better for boating and hanging out on the dock. 

But the lack of rain can be a curse as much as a blessing, and brings concern to Cottage Country Fire Departments throughout Ontario. 

Muskoka’s fire danger rating has just been escalated to ‘Extreme’, meaning that an all-out fire ban is in effect.  This means that NO fires of any type are permitted, including fires for cooking or warmth, and NO fireworks allowed. 

Cottagers are reminded that the Muskoka Fire Season runs from April 1st to October 31st each year.  The rating is verified daily and updated whenever the rating changes. 

Even when the rating and danger level are reduced, Municipal By-laws remain in place to limit the type and size of fires permitted.  For example, the Bracebridge Open Air (Outdoor) Burning By-law is as follows:

ALL FIRES:
Must not be larger than 2 metres (6.5 ft) in diamater or height.
Must not be closer than 2 metres (6.5 ft) to flammable materials.
Must not be closer than 5 metres (16.5 ft) to any forest, woodlot or structure.

Setting or permitting a fire of any type during periods of dry conditions, drought or high winds or when prohibition agains open burning has been declared by the Chief Fire Official or his designate is stricgly prohibited.

Setting or permitting a fire to burn that causes (through sparks, smoke or unpleasant odour) discomfort, irritation, nuisance or danger to any person residing in the general area of the fire is strictly prohibited.

CAMPFIRES:
Campfires for cooking or warmth purposes are permitted throughout the year in all four fire zones at any time of the day or night.  Under no circumstances may camp fires be used as a method of burning yard waste (leaves, pine needles, grass or green wood).
Campfires must be fuelled by dry wood only and must be supervised at all times.
There must be an adequate supply of both tools and water for all campfires.
The tools and water must not be removed until such time as the fire has been completely extinguished.
Campfires for warmth and cooking are NOT PERMITTED WHEN A FIRE BAN HAS BEEN DECLARED.

SLASH PILE FIRES:
A slash pile involves the burning of natural materials such as brush, trees, yard waste and vegetation (other than grass) including leaves.
Slash pile fires are only permitted in fire zones 2, 3 and 4 (rural areas) between the period of November 1st and March 31st only.
No slash piles are permitted between the period of April 1st to October 31st.
As with campfires, slash pile fires must be supervised at all times and there must be an immediate accessible and adequate supply of tools and water available to extinguish the fire if necessary.

The information above is only a summary of the Open Air Burning By-law.  The full text of the By-law is available at the Town of Bracebridge website,  By-law 2008-039 or you can obtain more information by contacting Bracebridge Municipal Law Enforcement Department at 705-645-5264.

May 7, 2012

IBC offers tips for Emergency Preparedness Week

TORONTO — May 7, 2012 — It is Emergency Preparedness Week, a reminder that everyone has a role to play in being prepared for an emergency.  This week Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) encourages Canadians to follow some simple steps so you will become better prepared.

“Our industry has seen first-hand the devastating impact that disasters can have on individuals, families and communities,” said Ralph Palumbo, Vice-President, Ontario, IBC.   “Insurers will be there to help when disasters strike, but a little preparation can go a long way to minimize the impact of an emergency.”

One of the prime reasons to be “emergency-savvy” is that it could take emergency workers some time to reach you. According to Public Safety Canada you should be able to take care of yourself and your family for a minimum of 72 hours.

These tips will help you to become better prepared to face a range of emergencies:

• Know the risks in your region. Be better prepared by identifying the most common hazards specific to your region.
• Make a solid emergency plan. Having a plan will help you and your family know exactly what to do in case of emergency.
• Have an emergency kitwith basic supplies. Be prepared to be self-sufficient for at least 3 days.
• During an emergencyknow what to do and who to call in different circumstances.
• Learn who does what during an emergencybecause we all have a role to play.
• After an emergencyknow what you need to do.
• Always keep a home inventory of your possessions including receipts, photographs or video footage in advance and be prepared when disaster strikes.

(Source: Insurance Bureau of Canada and Public Safety Canada)

Gas prices continue to be a hot topic across the country.  You may not have control over the cost of gas, but you DO have some say over how you use it.  Here are a few ideas to reduce consumption and ease the strain on your wallet.

• Reduce your average speed:
  Despite a posted limit of 100km/hour on most highways, motorists average 120km/hr.  This equates to a 20% increase in fuel consumption and costs you 20% more on gas.  Slow down and smell the savings.
• Relax for the duration of the ride:
  Alternating between accelerating and hitting the brakes doesn’t just increase wear and tear on your vehicle; it also results in an increase in fuel consumption by a whopping 25%!  The kicker: it only saves you about 2.5 minutes on your trip.
• Reduce the weight drag:
  Is your vehicle a storage unit?  For every additional 100 pounds in your vehicle you are reducing the mileage you get by about 2%.  Clean out your car and start saving money.
• Idle not:
  It’s a waste of fuel, a source of pollution and fast becoming completely socially and politically unacceptable!  Idling your vehicle gets you nowhere and costs money.  Idling for just 10 minutes a day can result in an increase of annual fuel costs by 5%.
• Check your tires:
  There’s a reason your vehicle or tire manufacturer recommends a certain level of tire pressure; it makes your vehicle operate more efficiently!  Measure your tire pressure monthly and adjust according to specifications.