MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013
The time you spend in fall to prepare your home for the winter season can save you money in heating bills and costly repairs. Seasonal household preparations involve so much more than the outdoor work that people typically associate with autumn.
There are equally important preparations to take care of inside the house. If you’re willing to take the extra time to inspect those hidden areas for potential problems, you’ll be able to relax in the comfort of a warm, properly insulated and well-sealed home.
Add these helpful suggestions to your to-do list of seasonal preparations.
♦ Have Your Home’s Heating System Inspected
An $80 to $100 investment (the cost of the inspection,) may save you considerably more on winter utility bills. Doing this before you need to heat will also ensure that you don’t have to wait for a repair person on a miserably cold day. When they inspect your system, they will make sure it runs properly, and that the filters are clean.
♦ Reverse the Fan Blade Direction Switch on Ceiling Fans
Doing this will produce an updraft. This forces warm air down, something that is especially helpful in homes that have high ceilings. It may even allow you to turn the thermostat down enough to result in lower heating costs throughout the winter months.
♦ Clean Out Your Gutters and Downspouts
You may want to hire a professional to clean out your gutters and make sure that the downspouts aren’t blocked. If autumn is typically very rainy, you don’t want your gutters so clogged with leaves and other debris that the gutters are incapable of catching the rain. If you get a lot of snow throughout the winter, the gutters will catch water from melting snow that accumulates on the roof, preventing it from pooling there.
♦ Have Your Roof Professionally Inspected
A roof inspection will make sure that the shingles are intact, that none have curled, and that there is no flashing corrosion. The roofer will also make sure that there are no leaks that could allow cold air or water to enter.
♦ Inspect Carbon Monoxide, Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers
Replace batteries in your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors. Have your fire extinguisher professionally checked, if you purchased it recently. If you have an old one, look for the expiration date. It may be time to replace it.
Make sure you’ve updated your homeowners insurance, especially if your circumstances have changed. If you’re new to Northern Virginia area, contact PMA Insurance Services to get an instant quote today at (703) 449-1327!
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013
Teen drivers have the highest fatal crash risk of any age group. Per mile traveled, they have the highest involvement rates in all types of crashes, from those involving only property damage to those that are fatal. The problem is worst among 16 year-olds, who have the most limited driving experience that often results in risk-taking behind the wheel. Learn what parents can do to educate teenage driver.
Crash Risk Factors
- Driver error
Compared with crashes of older drivers, those of teenagers more often involve driver error.
- Speeding
Excessive speed is a factor in higher crash rates among 16-year-old drivers.
- Single-vehicle crashes
More fatal crashes of teenage drivers involve only the teen's vehicle. Typically, these involve high speed and/or driver error.
- Passengers
Fatal crashes among teens are more likely to occur when other teenagers are in the car. The risk increases with every additional passenger. In 2003, 59 percent of teenage passenger deaths happened in vehicles driven by another teenager.
- Alcohol
Although this is a problem among drivers of all ages, it's actually less of a problem for drivers ages 16 and 17. In 2003, the estimated percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers of this age who had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) at or above 0.08 percent was 16 percent — down 60 percent since 1982.
- Night driving
This is a high-risk activity for beginners. Per mile driven, the crash rate for teenagers driving at night with passengers is 4 to 5 times more likely than teenagers who drive alone during the day. (Source: National Safety Council , 2005)
- Low seat belt use
Teenagers generally are less likely to use safety belts than adults. In 2003, 57 percent of 16- to 20-year-old passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not wearing safety belts. (Source:National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2005)
Teen drivers have the highest fatal crash risk of any age group. Per mile traveled, they have the highest involvement rates in all types of crashes, from those involving only property damage to those that are fatal. The problem is worst among 16 year-olds, who have the most limited driving experience that often results in risk-taking behind the wheel. Learn what parents can do to educate teenage driver.
Crash Risk Factors
- Driver error
Compared with crashes of older drivers, those of teenagers more often involve driver error.
- Speeding
Excessive speed is a factor in higher crash rates among 16-year-old drivers.
- Single-vehicle crashes
More fatal crashes of teenage drivers involve only the teen's vehicle. Typically, these involve high speed and/or driver error.
- Passengers
Fatal crashes among teens are more likely to occur when other teenagers are in the car. The risk increases with every additional passenger. In 2003, 59 percent of teenage passenger deaths happened in vehicles driven by another teenager.
- Alcohol
Although this is a problem among drivers of all ages, it's actually less of a problem for drivers ages 16 and 17. In 2003, the estimated percent of fatally injured passenger vehicle drivers of this age who had blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) at or above 0.08 percent was 16 percent — down 60 percent since 1982.
- Night driving
This is a high-risk activity for beginners. Per mile driven, the crash rate for teenagers driving at night with passengers is 4 to 5 times more likely than teenagers who drive alone during the day. (Source: National Safety Council, 2005)
- Low seat belt use
Teenagers generally are less likely to use safety belts than adults. In 2003, 57 percent of 16- to 20-year-old passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not wearing safety belts. (Source:National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2005)
If you have any questions regarding teen driving and insuring your teenager, give PMA Insurance Services a call at (703) 449-1327. Locally serving Fairfax, Chantilly, Loudoun and the rest of the DC Metro area!
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013
We provide help for landlord/rental home insurance. If you are renting your stickbuilt or mobile home, we have many options to insure your rental dwelling. At PMA Insurance Services, we specialize in insurance for landlords.
As a landlord, there are many coverages to consider when insuring your investment. A fe w examples are:
1 Basic, broad, or special form coverage
2 $500, $1000, $2500, or $5000 deductible, which one to choose
3. Personal property coverage
4. Loss of rents
Give us a call at PMA Insurance Services at (703) 449-1327 or email at info@pmabenefits.com . We have over 20 companies for your home, auto, and business insurance, including Safeco, Travelers, Hartford, Metlife, Kemper, Progressive, GMAC, Utica National, Foremost, and ASI.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2012
PMA Insurance Services can help. Chances are, you have never heard of SR 22 or FR-44 auto insurance. SR22/FR-44 auto insurance is a
necessary step toward getting your license back. It carries a specific set of conditions that you won't find in any other auto
insurance policy and not all carriers provide it. Contact us today for a fast, free quote. (703) 449-1327.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2012
It's that time of year and you are probably trying to make sense of your benefit options at work. Most employers will provide a few options on the health plans available. Premium costs are still increasing and with Healthcare reform, there is no guarantee they will plateau or decrease. If your employer offers an HSA and you have never considered it, this might be the year. A High Deductible HSA Plan most likely will be less expensive and you might find it that it actually works better for you if you are not a high utilizer of the healthcare system. Remember, all Preventive care services that meet the requirements of federal and state law, including certain screenings, immunizations and physician visits are now covered at 100% on all your plans. HSA's are not for everyone, but you should seriously take a look at it if it is available.
If your company needs assistance with their Employee Benefits including the health plan, do not hesitae to contact us at (703) 449-1327.
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