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2015-resolutions Did you know that almost half (45%) of American adults make New Year’s resolutions each year, but over half (54%, based on 2014 data) of those will not see their resolutions through past the 6-month mark. If you usually make such resolutions, you’ll be glad to know that – even if you fall short of your goals – statistics show that those who make explicit resolutions are ten times more likely to attain goals in their life than those who do not (according to ProactiveChange.com).

There is no shortage of online advice to help you keep your New Year’s resolutions. You likely know all the usual tips: Write it down… Be accountable… Be specific… Go public with your plans. So we have rounded up what we feel was 2014’s best advice – tips that we believe are more helpful and not so cliché.

Make your Efforts Really Count

In their “9 Ways to keep your New Year’s resolutions”, Bankrate.com advises not to make “cheap resolutions” but to focus on only one or two goals that you really want to reach and forget about what other people want you to accomplish. They also offer a very sound suggestion for automating your efforts, and they offer some valuable examples to get you started.

Clearly Declare Your Resolutions

International Business Times offers an unforgettable way to visualize your goals with a Vision Board in their “5 Tips To Make Lasting Changes In 2014”.

Don't be too Hard on Yourself

ErieSense.com, in their article, Seven Tips to Help Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick”, recommends “mini-resolutions” – taking small bites of a big goal to assure success. And, if you’re a person who responds better to penalties than rewards, they suggest a unique automated disincentive that you won’t want to ignore.

Insurance Tip: Don't Guess at Your Coverage

No matter what you resolve to change in 2015, the start of this new year is just the right time to sit down with your insurance agent to review your policies and discuss any new insurance needs. Whether it is auto, home, life or business insurance, knowing that you have the best coverage in place to meet your needs gives you the peace of mind you need to pursue all other resolutions.

Here at the Daniel Howley Insurance Agency, we are always readyvto help you explore your insurance options so you can make the right decisions about your coverage. Why not arrange a policy review or contact our office at your convenience?

too-late-to-protect-pipes There is no doubt that winter is upon us. We try to stay warm while arctic blasts bring freezing temperatures to the region along with severe cold weather and even some snowfall resulting in icy conditions from melting and freezing. Such extreme weather can damage homes, and one major risk is frozen water pipes.

Even if you didn’t take steps to protect your pipes before winter set in by applying heat trace tape and insulation, draining hoses and outdoor pipes, sealing cracks, etc, there are still things you can do to try to prevent frozen water pipes in your home. This article from ErieSense.com (February, 2014) offers advice to help during this severe winter weather. See: “I didn’t freeze proof: can I still protect pipes?”

A Few Chilling Facts About Frozen Pipes

The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety offers the following tips to keep in mind when it comes to frozen pipes.

Frozen water pipes are one of the biggest risks for homewners when the temperature drops below 32 degrees, and approximately 37% of all frozen pipe failures occur in a basement.
When a water pipe freezes, it could burst; and an opening of just 1/8-inch in a pipe could typically cause 250 gallons of water to escape in a day’s time.
A water pipe that ruptures due to freezing can lead to as much as $5000 in water damage.

Worst Case Frozen Pipe Scenario…

If, despite your best efforts, your pipes freeze, the Insurance Information Institute offers this advice:

If you discover that pipes are frozen, don’t wait for them to burst. Take measures to thaw them immediately, or call a plumber for assistance.
If your pipes burst, first turn off the water and then mop up spills. You don’t want the water to do more damage than it already has.
Make temporary repairs and take other steps to protect your property from further damage. Remove any carpet or furniture that can be further damaged from seepage.
Make a list of the damaged articles.
Call your agent or company as soon as you can. An insurance adjuster doesn’t need to see the spill before you take action. However, he or she will want to inspect any damaged items.
Save the receipts for what you spend—including additional living expenses if you must leave your home until repairs are completed—and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Homeowners Insurance Tip

The Insurance Information Institute tells us that standard homeowners policies will usually cover most of the kinds of damage that result from a freeze. For example, if house pipes freeze and burst or if ice forms in gutters and causes water to back up under roof shingles and seep into the house. You would also typically be covered if the weight of snow or ice damages your house. They advise checking with your agent or company so you’ll be sure what your policy covers.

Here at the Daniel Howley Insurance Agency, we are always glad to assist you when you have insurance questions or wish to discuss your insurance coverage. Why not contact our office at your convenience or arrange for a no-obligation policy review right here online?

make-it-a-safe-halloween Are you one of the many that looks forward to Halloween all year. Maybe you start planning months in advance. This spooky holiday is among the most festive and fun-filled. But the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that Halloween is the most dangerous night of the year for kids walking the roadways. So, if you or your children will be out and about, there are some precautions to heed.

ErieSense.com warns of “Halloween safety dangers, like tripping and fire hazards” but suggests that “you can lower the risks of something bad happening with a few precautions”.

Read the entire article for a list of tips to help keep your Trick or Treaters safe and happy.

Homeowners Insurance Tip

If you are expecting visits by trick or treaters or perhaps hosting a Halloween party at your home, you will want to be sure your Homeowners Insurance policy offers you the full protection you will need in the event of an accident on your property. The time to confirm that your coverage is in place is well before the event. So act now, by contacting your insurance agent for a policy review.

Tags: homeowners insurance, Halloween, safety, home accidents, liability insurance

Here at Daniel Howley Insurance Agency, we are a full service insurance agency, offering auto/car insurance, homeowners insurance, business/commercial insurance and life insurance to Rockville MD, all of Maryland and Virginia. Our experienced insurance agents welcome the opportunity to discuss your coverage needs and questions at any time.

college-bound-how-does-that-affect-insurance With the new semester beginning soon, will you have teens headed to college? If so, then you know that there is a never-ending list of things to do before they’re ready for campus life. One item that is often overlooked is insurance coverage. Will they be taking their car to school? Will they live in the dorm or in an off-campus apartment? These are just two of the items that might affect your auto and homeowners insurance decisions.

In “Back to College Q & A”, ErieSense.com offers “answers to a few of the most common questions that parents of college students have” and offers tips to keep your students’ car and belongings safe and protected.

Read the entire article to learn what you need to know about auto insurance and homeowners insurance protection for your college students.

Inurance Discount Tip

If your college student is young, unmarried, attending college full-time away from home with no use of a vehicle, then you might be eligible for a discount on your Auto Insurance policy. In fact, other multi-policy discounts might also apply. Be sure to contact your insurance agent to discuss your options and assure that you have the right coverage in place before you send your teen off to school.