You might already know that home fires cause more property damage and deaths in the United States annually than hurricanes, tornadoes or floods. Perhaps you are also aware that most home fires start from home heating equipment. But there are likely some newer facts about how fire spreads during a home fire that you did not know.

According to Jeff Rossen (of the TODAY Show), his research concludes that the time you have to escape a house fire today is 3-4 minutes compared to 17 minutes in 1985. Check out Rossen’s report – complete with video proof, and learn the reason.

To learn more about home fire safety including steps to take to avoid a fire, what to do if a fire breaks out and what to do just after a fire, visit the American Red Cross Fire Safety website. You will also find checklists for fire safety and developing a fire escape plan.

In “Protect Yourself From Home Fires”, ErieSense.com offers fire prevention safety tips about home heaters, electrical hazards and kitchen hazards as well as advice on selecting fire alarms and protecting your possessions.  Read the entire article to learn how to best protect yourself and your family from home fires.

Relates to: Home insurance, homeowners, renters, condominium, fire prevention, fire safety, house

The Daniel Howley Insurance Agency in Rockville, MD, is a full-service insurance agency offering auto/car insurance, homeowners insurance, business/commercial insurance and life insurance to all of Maryland (MD) and Virginia (VA) since 1969. Our experienced insurance agents welcome your inquiries and are glad to discuss your coverage needs at any time.

Ol’ Man Winter can take his toll on your home and business unless you take steps to protect your buildings from snow and ice damage.

Heavy snow accumulation can do damage even as it melts. Here are a few things to consider:

• Blowing snow will typically accumulate on the leeward side of many roofs and should be removed to avoid damage to your roof. If you are unsure, consult a roofing contractor. 
• Melting snow can result in costly moisture damage. See that snow is removed from outside stairwells, windows, and walls.
• When snow melts on the roof and water runs down and refreezes at the much cooler roof's edge, it may cause damage to your roof. This is often caused by a warm attic. To be sure the attic stays cold in the winter, check the insulation level.

Insurance Tip

Well before damage occurs, be sure that your home is protected adequately with home owners insurance. Why not call your insurance agent for a policy review if you have any question.

The world’s favorite irrational number, known as Pi (3.141592653) has a “day” devoted to it. That’s right, each March 14th, we devoted geeks celebrate Pi Day – 3/14 – make sense? If that’s not irrational enough, then how’s this: this year on 3/14/15 at 9:26:53 a.m. we don’t just get to match the first three digits of Pi but all TEN digits. If that’s not grand enough to impress you, then consider that this is the only moment in this century when that occurs.

If that still doesn’t pique your interest, then maybe you’d rather know about the new infographic by the Insurance Information Institute (III.ORG) showing 10 irrational insurance figures and facts.

One of the III’s irrational insurance facts relates to the use of motorcycle helmets: even though the use of a helmet has been proven to be 37% effective in preventing deaths among cyclists and about 67% effective in preventing brain injuries, the use of a motorcycle helmet is not universally required in the U.S. In fact, use of a helmet by a rider is only mandated in 19 states and D.C.

You’ll find the other nine Irrational Insurance Facts and Figures just as interesting. You can find the infographic, “Irrational… Any Way You Slice It – Pi Day by the Numbers” on the III.ORG website.

Tags: motorcycle insurance, helmets, motorcycle helmet

We are always glad to help with any insurance questions or needs, here at the Daniel Howley Insurance Agency in Rockville, MD.  Why not contact us to discuss your options for motorcycle insurance or perhaps to review your current policy to be sure you have the best coverage at the best rate for your circumstances.

Ol’ Man Winter has not been kind to us. Even though we welcome the end to ice and snow and the polar vortex they rode in on, we now must deal with the dreaded potholes they have left in their wake. Now, that same ice and snow has left us dodging potholes as we drive on our roads.

Potholes are more than just a nuisance. If your vehicle hits a pothole, you could be left with major damage and large repair bills. So would that repair bill be covered by your insurance? The answer is a strong “Maybe”. If your auto insurance policy includes the optional Collision coverage, then the damage to your vehicle sustained by hitting the pothole would typically be covered up to the limits of your policy and after the Collision deductible has been met.

But sometimes the damage is not limited to just your own vehicle. Potholes might cause you to lose control, and you might hit another car or perhaps even a pedestrian. Damages to the other car or the pedestrian are not covered by your Collision coverage but by your Liability coverage.

Auto Insurance Tip

Before you set out on pothole-damaged roads, check with your insurance agent to be sure that your auto insurance policy includes the Collision coverage to protect you as well as to check on your Liability coverage limits in the event you need them.

Find out more about what auto insurance policy typically covers.

Here at the Daniel Howley Insurance Agency, we can answer all your insurance questions. Why not sit down with us to review your coverages and policy limits to be sure you are protected just in case you need it.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, Maryland’s highest ranked area on the NICB’s Hot Spot list of vehicle thefts is the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson area, ranking 93rd with 6,736 thefts in 2012.

Now Maryland is offering assistance to its residents who want to take steps to protect against auto theft. Any Maryland resident who is concerned about the rate of vehicle theft in their area and who does not typically drive their vehicle between 1AM and 5AM may now take advantage of the state’s “Watch Your Car” Program. This program is aimed at preventing vehicle theft and apprehending auto thieves.

To participate, you would register your vehicle for this program with the Maryland State Police. You will then receive decals to be placed on both the front and rear windows of the vehicle. Having these decals in place gives officers permission to stop the car to verify whether the driver is the actual owner or an owner-authorized driver. The “Watch Your Car” program is free public service administered by the Maryland Vehicle Theft Prevention Council; and, once registered, you may opt out at any time.

Learn more about the Watch your Car Program. 

Auto Insurance Tip

What sort of insurance protection do you have in the event your car is stolen? If you don’t know the details, you will want to check with your insurance agent to be sure that your vehicles are fully covered for theft and other claims by your current Auto Insurance policy. Auto theft can happen to anyone even if precautions are taken.

Here at the Daniel Howley Insurance Agency in Rockville, MD, we pleased to answer all your auto insurance questions and assist you with a review of your policy to be sure that you have the coverage and rates that best benefit you. Why not contact our office at your convenience to speak with a professional insurance agent who can help?