Don’t wait until after you have a loss to check your insurance—review your homeowners or renters’ policies to be certain you have the right coverage in the event you're hit with a destructive storm.

This hurricane season insurance checklist can help you understand your coverage and whether it’s adequate to repair or rebuild your home, if necessary, and replace your belongings. Most importantly, know that we are here for you, and we are happy to review your policy with you to ensure that you are structurally and financially prepared.

This Infographic from The Insurance Information Institute will provide you with 10 tips to protect your home and finances when storms blow into town.
 
Additional resources covering What to do Before a Tropical Storm or Hurricane, are provided by the National Weather Service. They have multiple checklists and free resources to assist you as well as How to Prepare for Hurricane Season from the Insurance Information Institute.

More resources for Hurricane Preparedness include:
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Tidal Basin
Insurance Information Institute
State of New Jersey Department of Health – Hurricane Readiness
 
Making insurance decisions can be complicated. Our agents are here to find the policy that is right for you. Whether it's homeowners, car insurance, business, life or health or any other insurance you may need, Suburban can find the best solution for you. Give us a call at 201-796-1881.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving has become a deadly epidemic on our roads. Cell phone use — specifically, texting, talking, and social media use — has become the most common distraction.

Other risky actions include adjusting the radio or GPS, applying makeup, eating and drinking. By driving distracted, you’re robbing yourself of seconds that you may need to avoid a close call or deadly crash.

Share these tips to help keep others safe. For more on ways to reduce distracted driving, check out Every Second Matters, Travelers’ conversation starter on reducing distracted driving risk.
 
As always, Suburban is here to assist you with all your insurance needs. Give us a call if we can help at 201-796-1881.

Travelers understands that many individuals and businesses are facing a significant financial burden due to COVID-19. To help ease that burden, Travelers is expanding billing relief for all U.S. customers across Business Insurance, Bond & Specialty Insurance and Personal Insurance.
 
Effective immediately, they are suspending cancellation and nonrenewal of coverage due to nonpayment through May 15, 2020. They will not charge interest, late fees or penalties during this period, providing policyholders extra time to pay their premiums without risking cancellation.

We encourage you to visit their dedicated COVID-19 site on Travelers.com where you can find details on this billing relief plan and a helpful FAQ section.
 
You may also contact a Travelers billing representative, who can help answer any questions.
 
•For U.S. Personal Insurance, call 1-800-842-5075.
 
•For U.S. Business Insurance and Bond & Specialty Insurance, call 1-800-252-2268.

As always, Suburban is here to assist you with all of your insurance needs. Give us a call if we can help at 201-796-1881.

With Valentine’s Day coming up and Christmas and New Year’s just passed, now is a good time to insure the gifts you received from loved ones.
​
Does your homeowners policy fully protect your expensive items?

You may think that a homeowners insurance policy provides adequate coverage for all of your valuables, but policies may provide limited or no coverage for certain items – including generally expensive items – that are damaged or stolen.

From jewelry to collectibles, you might have more valuables than you realize. It’s time to rethink your coverage.

• Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Jewelry and Valuable Items?
• Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Engagement Rings and Wedding Rings?
• How to Add Engagement Ring Insurance or Wedding Ring Insurance
• What Does Jewelry Insurance Cover?
• How to Insurance Jewelry and Other Valuable Items with Travelers

Your need to insure valuable items is something we can help you with. If you purchase additional coverage for high-cost items, it is a good idea to understand its limits and exclusions.

When you bundle your car and home with Travelers you could save up to 15% on your home insurance. There may be additional savings when you purchase other policies like boat, umbrella insurance or a personal articles floater.

H​ave you winterized your home or car yet? Here are some important tips to prepare your home and automobiles for the cold weather and to save money on heating bills.

At Home

It’s good advice for any time of the year: Give your home a thorough once-over and complete the maintenance tasks that can prevent you from having to make expensive repairs later on. This includes:

1. Check your home's heating and air conditioning system.
2. Paint, caulk and seal exterior wood.
3. Seal your masonry and hard surfaces.
4. Check your drainage.
5. Clean your gutters.
6. Clean your chimney and order firewood.
7. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
8. Shut down the pool and the sprinkler system and drain outside faucets.

Decorating your Home, Office or Yard
 
For many, the winter holidays are a time of joy, celebration and tradition. Decorating your home, yard or office is a fun, festive way to celebrate the season. A little planning can help you enjoy your display all season long. Click here for some tips from Travelers to help keep your family and friends safe around your decorative displays.

​For Your Car - On the Road
Cold Weather Essentials

• Check the battery, tires and tire pressure
• Check all fluids, including antifreeze
• Keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, jumper cables, ice scraper
• Keep a flashlight, blankets, portable phone charger, first-aid kit, extra batteries and water and non-perishable snacks

Your car is an investment to protect - and you and your loves ones should be protected at all times! Click here to see our Winter Driving Safety Tips.
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Want more tips before the upcoming new year? Check out all of our topics.

Need to discuss your coverage? Reach out anytime.

​All the best for the holidays and a Happy New Year!

“This year’s campaign works to celebrate people of all ages who learn about home fire escape planning and practice, bring that information home, and spur their families to action,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “From young students who learn about the campaign at school to parents who attend a community event like a fire station open house - all of them truly are heroes because they’re taking steps to make their households much, much safer from fire.”

“Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” also focuses on what a home escape plan entails and the value of practicing it. These messages are more important than ever, particularly because today’s homes burn faster than ever. Carli notes that synthetic fibers used in modern home furnishings, along with the fact that newer homes tend to be built with more open spaces and unprotected lightweight construction, are contributing factors to the increased burn rate.

“People tend to underestimate their risk to fire, particularly at home. That over-confidence lends itself to a complacency toward home escape planning and practice,” said Carli. “But in a fire situation, we’ve seen time and again that advance planning can make a potentially life-saving difference.”

A ​home escape plan includes working smoke alarms on every level of the home, in every bedroom, and near all sleeping areas. It also includes two ways out of every room, usually a door and a window, with a clear path to an outside meeting place (like a tree, light pole or mailbox) that’s a safe distance from the home. Home escape plans should be practiced twice a year by all members of the household.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week and “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!,” along with a wealth of resources to help promote the campaign locally, visit fpw.org.

Don't wait until disaster strikes to find out about fire safety.

Car insurance can be expensive, but you can reduce your premium by understanding how it works and how to find the best discounts.

With so many insurance companies to choose from, policyholders benefit from the fierce competition between insurers over attracting and retaining new clients.

You don’t have to wait until your policy is up for renewal to ask about discounts. If you discover you can get better rates and discounts, move your policy to another auto insurance carrier right away.

Your car insurance rates take into consideration many factors. Companies look at how much coverage you want to buy, then calculate how much to charge you based on the likelihood it will have to pay that amount. When you compare quotes, you are supplying the information the carriers need to do the math. Each question represents a way to gauge potential risk.

Are your insurance rates set by law? Yes and no. Car insurance rates are regulated by states, but if companies observe state laws, they are free to charge what they wish.

How is my car insurance rate set? You are sorted first into an individualized group – say, married drivers in your zip code over 25. Then the company calls up the pricing for that group. It adjusts for any negative factors, such as traffic violations or a pattern of claims. It considers the value of the car are you are insuring and the frequency of claims. Finally, any discounts you qualify for are subtracted from the price, and your quote is returned.

What affects the auto insurance rates quotes I receive?

• Who you are
• Your record
• What and how you drive
• How much coverage you want
  
  

Which factors affect car insurance the most?

• Your zip code
• Your age
• Your driving record
• Your credit
• Your previous insurance coverage

Being a ​great driver, operating a vehicle with the best safety features, and having a child with impressive grades can all help you save money. Note that car insurance discounts may vary by state, vehicle, driving record, credit history, and other factors.

Finally, make sure you get what you need. It’s easy to focus on the bottom line and go for the lowest premium. That’s not always in your best interests. Make sure you understand what coverage you have and what your potential out of pocket expenses will be in the event of a loss. Also, make sure you carry good liability coverage, not the minimum state requirement. Many people are under-insured by not understanding that if you cause bodily injury or property damage to others that you are responsible for the damages, even if they exceed your insurance policy limits.

It doesn’t matter how good a “deal” is if you get insufficient service. We can help you do the homework to find the best insurance that provides the coverage you need at the right price.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend.

July 4th is a big deal in America. The 4th of July and spectacular fireworks displays go together. Fireworks are beautiful, but they can also be dangerous and in some cases, illegal.
 
If someone using fireworks accidentally starts a fire, they may not be able to turn to their insurance company for reimbursement.

​Most home insurance policies provide several different types of protection – each with varying payout limits. There are different types of accidents. If an insured shoots-off illegal fireworks and sets fire to their house, it may not be covered. Most policies exclude damage resulting from illegal acts. However, should fireworks accidentally spark leaves in the gutter, insurance may cover the damage.
 
What if the fireworks malfunction injuries someone? This also could be covered under a  homeowners’ insurance section for medical payments to others. Similarly, liability payments could cover fireworks that accidentally damage someone else’s property.
 
Consider the consequences before using fireworks.

​Cars can be stolen at any time of the day. Some cars are also much more likely to be stolen than others. According to USA Today, while expensive exotic cars may seem like the most efficient way to a large payout for a criminal, common cars like Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Chevrolet and Ford pickups are by far the most stolen vehicles in America. This is especially true of older models without modern security features.

The Garden State has it’s share of stolen vehicles as noted in the stats below:

• Metro area with most car thefts: Trenton
• Vehicle theft rate: 203.6 per 100,000 residents
• Total vehicles stolen in 2017: 763
• Most stolen car in New Jersey: Honda Civic

 
Click here to see stolen cars by state.
 
Make sure you are less susceptible to car theft with these helpful prevention tips from Foremost Insurance Group:

Park Safely 
The best bet is to keep your vehicle in a locked garage. But for some people, this may not be an option. If you keep your vehicle parked outside, start by parking it in your driveway. If your vehicle is front wheel drive, park front end first, and if your vehicle is rear-wheel drive, back into your driveway. This makes it harder to thieves to tow your vehicle. If you park in the street, park in a well-lit, highly trafficked area, but make sure you're following the posted rules. Turning your wheels towards the curb, using your emergency brake, and parking in between other vehicles can also make it harder for your vehicle to be towed away.

Theft Deterrents
While locking your vehicle or leaving it in a well-lit area can certainly help prevent auto theft, you may want to increase your peace of mind by purchasing an anti-theft device. Many different types are available, and it's easy to find one that fits your budget and needs. Some of the more common anti-theft devices include:

• Electronic security systems
• Steering wheel and column locks
• Ignition kill switches
• Fuel kill switches
• Immobilizers
• Locks for the floorboard, gear shift, tires/wheels or hood
• Vehicle tracking systems

If Your Vehicle is Stolen 
Unfortunately, vehicles are stolen all the time in this country. If you become the victim of auto theft contact the police first. Make sure you know as much of the following information as possible:

• Year, make, model, and color of your vehicle
• License plate number
• VIN
• Approximate time of the theft
• Location where the vehicle was parked
• Names of eyewitnesses (if there are any)

Next, inform your insurance company that your vehicle was stolen. Have your policy number on hand when you call.

Insure Your Investment 
In addition to being confident that you are doing what you can to protect your vehicle; it's important that you have the right insurance. Not all automobiles are the same and neither are all automobile policies. You need an insurance policy that offers the coverages that are important to you when you're behind the wheel.
 
Doing Business with Your Insurance Company 
When you have a loss, it's an inconvenience, and you want it to be taken care of quickly and efficiently by adjusters who are courteous, helpful and knowledgeable. 
 
We have relationships with dozens of top-rated insurance companies, allowing you to get the best price with the correct service. At Suburban, we can offer the right coverage with the personal touch you would expect from your neighborhood insurance agency.

Now that Spring is officially here, the warm weather draws us outdoors as much as possible. Everyone loves the feel of the wind in your face, the spray of the water off the boat, and the peacefulness that comes from being out on the open water. Follow these safety tips to make sure that your day on the water doesn't turn into a day of tragedy. Boating safety starts with you.