Cold Cold Cold Alert

I am sure that there are not many people out there that do not like the cold as much as I do!  I am cold from November through April...I just know that this year maybe there can be a few things that I do to help eliminate the coldness from following me in to my own home!  Not only that, I am sure it will save us money on our Power bills through these cold months ahead.

 Window Insulation Film:You can buy window insulation kits from a hardware store. Kits usually include plastic shrink film that is applied to the indoor window frame with double-stick tape, then heated with a hair dryer to shrink the film and remove any wrinkles. Pros: Cheap and effective. Cons: Gives windows a cloudy, shrink-wrapped look.


 Rubber Weather Sealing:You can buy strips of self-stick rubber weather sealing at a hardware store. Cut long strips down to fit your window dimensions, then peel and stick to the frame to close any gaps and keep out drafts. Pros: Cheap, effective, minimal alterations to appearance of windows. Cons: When you peel away the rubber strips, they can damage paint or leave a sticky residue.

Okay I am just listing two ideas because they are cheap, effective and easy to do.  I am all for easy to do and if it works who cares what it looks like through the winter.  If you have to repaint in the spring I am sure it will be a wash for the money you will save on your power bill anyway.

I know I sound like a baby when I complain about the cold but there is no reason for me to complain if there is something out there that I can do to warm me up!! Safe, cheap, effective! 

Just remember if you are using space heaters to keep warm, do not leave them unattended and never leave them turned on if you are leaving your home to go out.  Get your renters insurance policy in place so if an accident happens with your fire place or heating device you will not be left completely out in the COLD!!!

Happy Winter Everyone!

Holidays Approaching

Today I was out shopping and noticed there were a whole lot of people out there doing the same thing I was.  Standing in lines, looking at our watches, wondering where we are going next and reading our lists to make sure we got everything we were after.  I notice a lot of people buying their cold winter clothing and I got chills just thinking about it.  The ice scrapers for our cars, the rock salt for the sidewalks, the sand bags for the back of the pick ups.  Gosh, didn't I just do this not to long ago.  Oh yeah!! That is the fun of living in the beautiful Northwest....Chills are now going up and down my spine thinking about it.  Let's get prepared and make sure that if anything unfortunate happens we are completely ready for it.  Check your homeowners or renters policies and make sure they are covered for ice storms or fires that are caused by Christmas lights or fireplaces.  Make sure you have your fire place checked and cleaned so the smoke goes up and not down.  Make sure your sidewalks are always shoveled and protected with salt for anyone who may pay you a visit.  Make sure if you need snow tires for your car you get them before it is to late.  Drive slow and contact your friendly insurance agent to make sure you are covered completely for any mishaps.  It is our pleasure at Schrader & Murphy Insurance to make sure you are all happy and well insured so please call us and let us assist you.  If we are not your agent, stop by anyway and we will be glad to explain to you what you do have in coverages and if you are in need of anything further to protect you.  Until we meet again have a safe holiday season and get your check list out!

Uninsured Drivers

Have you ever wondered how many drivers out there have no auto insurance?  Do you cringe at the thought of one of those drivers hitting you on the road and not being able to be compensated for their negligence?  Well, I have been researching this for a few days now and it is astounding how many drivers actually drive without insurance.  In the U.S. 13.8% of drivers have no car insurance even though the state they live in may require drivers to carry it.  That is 1 in every 7 drivers!  Not only that the number of drivers without insurance is higher then the unemployment rate!  Imagine that!  Who do you think pays for those drivers that are uninsured?  Yep, you guessed it right!  All of us insured drivers are paying for those that are not insured.  Doesn't seem right.  It also appears that most people responsible enough to carry car insurance also have uninsured motorists coverage so they can be protected by those who do not have it.  This is a good thing if you are worried about you being compensated for somebody elses mistakes.  It only costs about 12-15 dollars a month more for uninsured motorists on your vehicle so why not add that to your coverage and protect yourself from those who won't.  You can call us anytime at Schrader & Murphy Insurance to get a quote on adding this to your policy.  Just thought you might like some friendly advice and a chance to possibly protect yourself better in case you get caught up in the middle of an accident with one of those uninsured motorists.  Take care now and drive defensively!

5 STEPS TO TAKE AFTER AN ACCIDENT

It is that time of the year again where the weather is going to play a major role in your driving habits.  I have listed what things you need to do in case you have been in an accident and the order that they should be taken place.  I suggest that everyone slow down and drive safely.  Look out for the animals and for the children that are crossing the roads.  Keep these things in mind.

If you're ever in an accident, it's easy to forget what to do right away. Follow these five steps to ensure the safety of you, your passengers and everyone else involved:

1. Call the Police. Even for small accidents, call 911. Police will help redirect traffic and document the incident.
2. Avoid Additional Damage. Move your car from the roadway as soon as possible to prevent additional collisions.
3. Get the Right Information for the Insurance Process. You'll need the other driver's name, license, phone number, insurance information and license plate number.
4. Document the Accident. From taking pictures of the damage and the overall accident to interviewing witnesses and taking down their information. The more accident evidence you can gather for the insurance claim, the better.
5. File an Accident Report. File a state vehicle accident report (available at police stations and DMV websites) to help speed up the claims process.

BBQ Time Again

This Friday September 16th, also known in Mexico as Independence Day, we are going to have another one of our famous FREE BBQ'S to contribute in  the celebration!  Everyone and your friends are invited to partake in this FREE BBQ that Schrader & Murphy Insurance is hosting!  FREE SAUSAGES, chips, soda's and a chance to win many gift cards!!  Walk, run, drive to 6718 NE FOURTH PLAIN BOULEVARD, Vancouver, WA to partake in this fun filled  event!! If you have any questions about it please call our Vancouver office and ask anyone that answers the phone!  360-433-0571.  Visit our website to obtain a free quote at www.SchraderandMurphyInsurance.com!  We can help you with all of your insurance needs!!

Schrader & Murphy's FREE BBQ success

To everyone that attended the FREE BBQ at our Downtown Schrader & Murphy Insurance location, thank you for making it a huge success!  I cannot even begin to tell you how much we enjoy sponsoring these events for the public!  We are able to meet so many people all who are very thankful  that we reach out to our Community and offer FREE lunches and dinners for anyone that wants to participate.  There is no catch to the phrase "FREE BBQ"!  We ask for nothing in return.  We at Schrader & Murphy Insurance just want to give something back to the Community during these touch economical times. We will continue to provide these FREE BBQ'S to the public for as long as we possibly can.  The next one will be at our Vancouver Schrader & Murphy Insurance location on September 16th from 11-5 and the one following that will be in the Tri Cities location at our Kennewick Schrader & Murphy Insurance location  on September 30th.  Everyone is invited so start spreading the word!  We never run out of our delicious sausages and chips and beverages so you will never be sent away hungry!  Just show up and you will be able to partake in the fun that is had by all and the great food that we serve!! See you soon!

Earthquake Insurance

I know that there may be some of you out there curious about Earthquake Insurance since we are now hearing the word "EARTHQUAKE" quite a bit these days.  Well the first question you ask is  What is earthquake insurance?

It provides coverage if your home is damaged by an earthquake. Your standard homeowner and renters policies will not cover earthquake damage. Earthquake insurance is a separate endorsement you must buy and add to your homeowner or renters policy.
An earthquake endorsement generally excludes damages or losses from floods and tidal waves – even when caused or compounded by an earthquake. However, if you experience a loss due to a landslide, settlement, mudflow, or the rising, sinking and contracting of earth, your endorsement may cover it if the damage resulted from an earthquake.   NEXT

How earthquake coverage works

Unlike most homeowner or renters policies, earthquake insurance is designed to cover catastrophic damage. Insurers normally sell it with deductibles equaling 10 to 25 percent of the structure’s policy limit.
This limit works much like the deductibles on your auto insurance. The insurance only pays for damages that exceed the deductible. However, unlike car insurance, some earthquake policies treat contents and structure separately. You may have a separate deductible for each of the following:

• the contents
• the structure
• unattached structures like garages, sheds, driveways or retaining walls

Not all policies are alike. You should compare the coverage differences between companies to get the coverage that fits your needs.

We can always give you good advice if you call any of our offices at Schrader & Murphy Insurance and you will learn if this is something that you should consider purchasing .  Call 877-777-6600 and speak to any of our friendly agents to achieve peace of mind!

For any other of your personal insurance needs go to our website at www.SchraderAndMurphyInsurance.com and get an instant free quote.

Carpooling Tips From our Friends at GMAC Insurance

Here are some tips from our friends at GMAC Insurance on carpooling for the upcoming school year!  Yes, can you believe that, it is back to school time already!! So read on and see if  you can learn anything that may be helpful for you and prevent any unwanted tickets or fender benders.

Five Back-to-School Carpooling Tips

It's time to go back to school! Consider these valuable back-to-school carpooling tips as you pile the kids in the car and take them to school.

1. Meet with your fellow carpoolers. Get to know your fellow carpoolers to gauge how responsible of a driver they are. Use that time to establish some ground rules in terms of pick-up and drop-off times so everyone is on the same page.
2. Make sure all passengers are buckled-up. Before driving away, make sure all adults and children in the car have a fastened seatbelt. Never let kids share a seatbelt and never transport children in the cargo area of a pickup truck, station wagon, or van.
3. Keep your eyes peeled. Avoid situations where you'll have to back up in areas where young children are walking or playing. Also, make sure children get into their house once you drop them off before driving away. Always pay attention to your surroundings in the car.
4. Don't play parent in the car. When you are driving carpool, your most important responsibility is driving. When children begin acting out, don't try and solve behavior problems while driving. If the problem is affecting your driving, pull the vehicle over at a safe place to deal with the issue.
5. Pay attention to school guidelines on carpool lines. All schools have different systems in place to manage their carpool lines. Be observant of your school's system and abide by their speed limit and drop-off and pick-up locations and times.

I hope this was beneficial to all of our fellow carpoolers out there.  Have a great school year everyone!

Article of Importance From Our Friends at GMAC Insurance

I think all parents should read this informative article from GMAC Insurance.  Let us know what you think about it in the comment section of our website at http://www.schraderandmurphyinsurance.com/.

According to the GMAC Insurance National Drivers Test, what restrictions are parents putting on their teenage drivers to help them be safer drivers? Sixty-four percent of parents are imposing the "no mobile devices while driving" rule. About 50 percent of parents implement a driving curfew. About 35 percent of parents allow their teenagers to drive only locally and restrict them from driving on any highways. Thirty-two percent of parents don't allow their teenagers to drive with friends in the car. Twenty-two percent of parents allow their teenagers to drive only if a parent is with them. Only nine percent of parents don't impose any driving restrictions on their teenage drivers. The top five distracted driving habits are: 1.  Using a Smart Phone 2.  Eating 3.  Adjusting GPS 4.  Selecting a song from IPOD 5.  Driving Barefoot Keep an eye on your teen drivers and look for these bad habits that seem to be widespread among our teen population!

Schrader and Murphy Upcoming BBQ's

I am so happy to say that we at Schrader and Murphy Insurance are going to be able to host our fun filled FREE BBQ'S once again!!  The first BBQ is going to be on August 19th at our Spokane Valley location.  The address is 12801 E Sprague Avenue.  We are located next to the Department of Licensing on the right and Subway on the left.  Show up between 11-5 and receive a FREE BBQ lunch on Schrader and Murphy!! Okay,  if you are hungry for a second FREE BBQ lunch the following week on August 26th come to our Downtown location at 910 W Boone right next to Taco Bell on the left and diagonally across from the Spokane Arena.  The time to show up for that one is also 11-5 all day!! If you are up for a road trip or you live in the Portland Vancouver area you can show up at our Vancouver location on September 16th at 6718 NE 4th Plain Blvd from 11-5 and partake in the FREE BBQ lunch we are hosting there.  It is for everyone that has heard of us or not heard of us, everyone that has friends and family and everyone that likes FREE LUNCH!!!  We are so excited to host these BBQ's for all of our friends and family that live in the Community as a thank you for just being there for us to make this happen!  I will surely let you know the outcome of all of the events and I will keep you reminded close to all of the dates.  Check out our facebook page for reminders too!!! I will see all of you soon...

How to save money on your auto insurance

Someone sent me this article on saving money on your auto insurance and I think it is good advice for anyone trying to save money these days.  It always pays to get good advice from people you know in the same situation. Anyway, here it is http://finance.yahoo.com/news/First-Person-How-I-Lowered-My-ac-204033640.html?x=0..

Take Me Out To The Ball Game!

It's Schrader & Murphy Night at the Spokane Indians game!  How much more fun can it be.  Beautiful weather, $1.00 hot dogs, ice cream and sodas and lots of friends and family in the group!  Schrader & Murphy Insurance agency loves to enjoy events that support the community and bring  family and friends together.  In these hard economic times  where else can you take your family of 4 out for a night of fun and food for under $30.00?? Hard to find!  We are all looking forward to the fun to be had this evening!!  I know reporting back will be all good things and well, GO INDIANS!!!

Youngest and Oldest Drivers seem to have more good driving habits

2011 GMAC Insurance Study Shows Youngest and Oldest Drivers Least Distracted

Unexpected results from the Distracted Driving Study from GMAC Insurance shows that the least experienced and youngest drivers are the least likely to have distracted driving habits. Apart from selecting songs on an MP3 player, teen drivers are far less likely than drivers ages 18 to 34 to engage in all other non-driving related activities. Not surprisingly, drivers over 60 years old are far less likely than young adult drivers to engage in any distracted driving habits.

• Fifty-seven percent of young adult drivers say they eat while they drive, as opposed to only 39 percent of teen drivers and 38 percent of drivers over 60 years old.
• About 30 percent of young adult drivers admit to adjusting their GPS, while only four percent of teens and only 13 percent of drivers over 60 years old admit to doing the same.
• Only 28 percent of young adult drivers say they have completely eliminated using their smart phones to text, email, and make calls. That's opposed to 75 percent of teen drivers and 72 percent of drivers over 60 years old who say they have stopped using their mobile devices completely while driving.

Free BBQ's are coming back

After contemplating on what we need to do about having our free BBQ's we decided that instead of ceasing the opportunity to serve lunch to our community we are going to do it more often.  We are now busily getting the correct gear and license requirements to sponsor our BBQ's and we will be hosting several more free BBQ's before the summer is over.  It seems that when you are trying to help out the community you always have so many hoops to jump through, but we are willing and able to do all the jumping it takes to serve our customers and our community!  Spread the word that we are back and Schrader & Murphy Insurance will be having those free BBQ's after all!

FREE BBQ GOT SHUT DOWN

We had the 4th BBQ for customer appreciation on Friday and it was turning out to be the most successful one so far this year.  The location of this one was at our newly relocated branch on 910 W Boone.  This office is located in the downtown area closer to the courthouse and all of the government offices.  In some ways it is a perfect location with all of the attorneys offices and the bails bonds offices to partner with for our type of client.  Schrader & Murphy Insurance does cater to the individual with multiple tickets, dui's, accidents and the younger drivers that have difficulty obtaining decent insurance rates elsewhere.  So, location wise, this is a perfect fit for our office.  Except for the fact that we had our 8th annual FREE CUSTOMER APPRECIATION BBQ and with giving away about 120 sausages, chips, cookies, and sodas in the first two hours a friendly visitor from the Health Department walked by and saw that we were having a FREE FOOD TO THE PUBLIC  PARTY and shut us down!  Apparently after having these occasions for 8 years we were informed we needed to have a permit, which cost $480.00 to give free food away to the community.  Now which part of this makes sense?  We pay for the food, supply everything for the ocassion, introduce our friends and neighbors of the community to our business and now they want us to pay an additional fee to enjoy a fun summer BBQ in our parking lot!!! Wow!  We ended up getting fined $175.00 for the ordeal and after two hours and 4 promised hours left we could do nothing about it.  We lost a possible 50 new clients due to the shutdown and we had to turn people away left and right.  Just does not seem right!  You try to do something good for the Community and you are penalized for it!  Good grief can't the government go somewhere else and make their money?  Apparently Not!! Watch for the next free BBQ in the coming weeks.  We will be abiding by the Heath Departments rules and we will go forward with a bigger and better event to make up for the pure disappointment of this party.  SCHRADER & MURPHY INSURANCE is there for the community and we will be back stronger than ever.

continuation on Renters Insurance

the final chapter of this story, of course is going to be a positive outcome for the insured.  The Apartment Complex accepted the offer from the Insurance Company and there was no charge whatsoever to the tenant, aka the insured.  The insured did not lift a finger to do any of the clean up with his personal belongings or the apartment's mess that was made due to the fire and smoke damage.  All, I can say as far as advice goes is do not let yourself be put in to a position where you will have to do all of the clean up on your own.  Don't go without Renters Insurance for one more day!  Purchase your Renters Insurance today!  Contact Schrader and Murphy Insurance at any of our locations and they will help you through this painless process now!

continuation on Renters Insurance

So for about $12.00 a month my friend paid for his renter's insurance.  The insurance company that he was insured with, Safeco Insurance, did a fine job of handling the claim with the insured.  The problem was the apartment owner who did not seem to excited about letting the insurance company pay for the damages.  He would rather have the tenant have to pay for them and therefore they could charge an inflated amount and make a ton of money in the process.  The insurance company advised the owner of the apartment complex that they could fix the damages to the kitchen including obtaining the cabinets, installation and repairs to the smoke stained walls.  This would cost them $2800.00.  The owner said it would cost them $4500.00 and they would not negotiate.  Well, the insurance company had the manpower and the supplies to handle the project but it took the owner of the apartment complex close to 2 months to finally agree to the offer from the insurance company, but not before I stepped in and explained where I was coming from.  I will continue this story on my next post!  Until then, go and purchase renters insurance and visit our webpage at http://www.schraderandmurphyinsurance.com/!

The Importance of Renters Insurance

A friend of mine was involved in a fire in his apartment kitchen and it became somewhat of a nightmare for him.  Even though he had renters insurance, and a Safeco renters policy at that, he was still in a world of hurt with learning the ins and outs of filing a claim and then dealing with the apartment complex he lived in.  It appears that not very many people carry renters insurance that live in apartments and that is a definite advantage to the apartment complex.  You might think differently, but after you hear my story you sill see why.  to be continued...

Sunshine

Today is a sunny day out here in Spokane Washington.  A good day to be selling boat insurance or motorcycle insurance.  Schrader & Murphy Insurance has all of your insurance needs too....Instant insurance is issued with no hassels. 

Have Tattoo will travel

Can't wait to get me a tattoo this week of a yellow rose! It will look so hot when I go on my cruise 45 days from now.  I am going to have it done on my shoulder in the back area of it.  So, scared but so excited too! The tattoo symbolizes my father who passed away on April 19th.  He owned a nightclub called the Yellow Rose!  So many good memories of that place.