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Insurance exists to protect your assets. Trying to get by with the bare minimum can be very shortsighted and dangerous.

When it comes to auto insurance, the insurance industry and consumer groups generally recommend a minimum of $100,000 of bodily injury protection per person and $300,000 per accident.

Why? Because accidents may cost far more than the minimum limits mandated by most states.

Think about it: summertime usually revolves around things like grilling, fireworks, camping, and lazy afternoons in the hot sun.

What else does it mean?

Burns from those grills, firework explosions, tick bites…you see where we’re going here.

With the cost of health care steadily going up, it’s become ever more important to lower your risk for accidents and other health issues.

And don’t worry: this doesn’t mean you have to avoid all the good stuff this summer. Here are some easy ways to prevent these summer health issues…

Let’s think about grilling for a minute. There’s nothing better than burgers and hotdogs cooked on the grill, right?

But, grills are more dangerous than you might think. According to Consumer Reports, over 5,000 people went to the emergency room in 2007 because of grill related injuries (source: http://blogs.consumerreports.org/home/2008/07/grilling-safety.html).

What can you do to avoid that costly trip?

• Never grill in an enclosed area like the garage. Always pull your grill into an open area.
• If you’re cooking with charcoal, never spray the grill with lighter fluid after the fire has been lit. Flames can often follow the fluid back to the container that’s in your hand.
• Keep the grease pan empty. Grease easily catches on fire, and can cause flare-ups.

Mosquitoes, ticks, horseflies, bees…now that it’s summer all of nature is out in full force.

And, don’t underestimate these little bugs; according to MSNBC, they send over 500,000 of us to the emergency room each year with potentially fatal allergic reactions (source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19979406/).

So, how can you have fun outside without getting eaten alive?

• Think bug spray. If you’re uncomfortable with the chemicals used in traditional bug spray (like OFF), there are several organic brands that use natural ingredients, like EcoSmart (link: http://www.ecosmart.com/).
• MSNBC suggests spreading a 3 ft. layer of wood chips between your yard and the woods. Ticks can’t cross the chips, so this will keep them out of your yard.
• Also, make sure there is no standing water in your yard. And, this includes your gutters. Standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Now let’s take a look at fireworks. Who doesn’t love fireworks?

They make all of us feel like kids again. But, fireworks are incredibly dangerous…

According to the Center for Disease Control (source: http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/fworks.htm ), 2006 saw over 9,200 people in the emergency room over firework related injuries. There were 11 deaths.

Fireworks are a great addition to any celebration, but it’s vital that you use them safely. Here are some tips:

• The CDC reports that more injuries occur with sparklers than rockets. Surprised? We sure were. Watch children carefully when they’re using sparklers. And never light, or combine, more than one sparkler at a time.
• Never try and re-light a firework that didn’t go off. The National Council on Firework Safety (source: http://www.fireworksafety.com/) recommends waiting 20 minutes, and then soaking it in a bucket of water.
• Always have a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water close by in case of an emergency.

With all the exciting, fun things that we do during the summer months, it’s no surprise that accidents can increase as well. But all it takes is a little prevention to dramatically lower our risk…

All of us here at United Insurance Agency wish you safe, healthy summer fun.

• For an Auto Insurance Quote
• For Auto Insurance Coverage Information
• For Other Insurance Needs

http://www.pageinsurancelive.com/

Call us TODAY at (208) 522-5151.  We can save you hundreds of dollars on your Auto Insurance coverage in Idaho Falls and surrounding cities in Eastern Idaho (Ammon, Ucon, Shelley, Iona).

• Don’t leave the scene.
• Call for medical assistance if there are injuries. Provide basic first aid.
• Call a law enforcement officer if needed. Get the officer’s name and police station address. Ask when the accident report will be filed, its case number and how to get a copy.

Remember, it’s also important to write down the following information about the accident:

• Date and time.
• Street and city.
• Weather and road conditions.
• Direction and speed you and other drivers were going.
• How the accident occurred.
• Record the license plate, driver’s license and insurance information numbers of each driver

This information based on an article published by the Better Business Bureau

• $25,000 for injury or death of one person

• $50,000 for injury or death of two or more people

• $15,000 for property damage

With punishments for those individuals that do not obey the law.

It is an infraction punishable by a fine of seventy-five dollars
($75.00) for any person to violate the provisions of this section for the
first time. A second and any subsequent conviction for a violation of the
provisions of this section or the provisions of section 49-1232 or 49-1428,
Idaho Code, within a period of five (5) years shall be a misdemeanor,
punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by
imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six (6) months, or both. The
department shall notify any person convicted of a violation of this section of
the penalties which may be imposed for a second and any subsequent conviction.

Remember, these are just the minimum requirements. If you have a loan on your car, your lender may also require comprehensive and collision insurance as part of the loan agreement. Including higher minimum coverage requirements.

• Bodily Injury Liability
• Property Damage Liability
• Personal Injury Protection
• Collision
• Comprehensive Physical Damage
• Uninsured or Under insured Motorist

Bodily Injury Liability

Helps pay your legal defense costs and claims against you if your car injures or kills someone. This covers family members living with you and others driving with your permission.

Property Damage Liability

Helps pay your legal defense costs and claims against you if your car damages another person’s property. This does not cover your property (including your auto).

Personal Injury Protection

Helps pay your medical expenses from an accident, as well as others riding in your car. This also pays for you or your family members injured while riding in another person’s car or while walking.

Collision

This pays for repairs for damage to your car. Damage caused by a collision with another vehicle or any other object, regardless of who was responsible.

Comprehensive

This pays for damages to your car resulting from theft, fire, hail, vandalism, or a variety of other causes.

Uninsured/Under insured Motorist

This pays for injury or property damage related costs to you or your family members and guests in your car caused by an uninsured, or under insured motorist, or hit-and-run driver.

The Coverage you need In Idaho Falls

Remember, as an Idaho Falls Insurance agent I can help you find theIdaho Falls Auto Insurance coverage you need to protect you and your family members.

The Swine Flu is receiving significant international attention. Now, the World Health Organization has raised the Pandemic Threat Level to 5 (out of 6!)

I wanted to share these tips with you.  Please pass them on to those you love….

• Stay informed. Visit the CDC for the latest reliable information.
  http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.

1. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
2. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
3. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
4. Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, face masks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.