“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.

By Jonathan D. Salant | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
 
WASHINGTON — After more than a year of kicking the can downfield, Congress may finally be ready to extend and overhaul the federal flood insurance program so important to New Jersey.
 
At a hearing Wednesday, the new House Financial Services Committee chairwoman, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., backed changes to the program championed by U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, D-N.J.

The plan includes steps to hold down premiums, invest in construction projects designed to reduce the impact of the next storm, forgive a $20 billion debt that ballooned after Hurricane Katrina and then after Sandy, and develop new maps that accurately identify areas in danger of flooding.
​
Federal flood insurance is one of the few federal programs that benefits New Jersey more than other states. FEMA has paid $6 billion to property owners in the state from Jan. 1, 1978, through Sept. 30, 2018, behind only Louisiana and Texas, agency statistics show.
 
About 227,000 New Jerseyans have federal flood insurance. The Garden State bore the brunt of Hurricane Sandy.

Menendez said he would work with Waters on legislation, unlike in the last Congress where he found no support among most House Republicans for his measure.

His plan would have held down increases in flood insurance premiums, allocated funds to protect properties against water damage rather than just paying claims, and changed procedures in response to problems that surfaced when Hurricane Sandy homeowners sought to be compensated for damages.

Click here to read the full article and to stay on top of this topic. ​​

Suburban Brokers has called Fair Lawn, New Jersey home for over 60 years. We are proud to be part of the Fair Lawn and Bergen County Communities. We are also proud of our hard-earned reputation in the insurance industry. 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.

What's In Your Winter Survival Kit?​

If you drive in remote areas or are planning a long trip this winter, keep a winter survival kit in your car. While some of the items may be appropriate for your car all year long, these supplies can help you deal with winter weather.

Consumers may currently be thinking about how they can best protect themselves from cyber threats while shopping online during the holiday season, but insurers and risk managers are already looking ahead with hopes of mitigating threats that may emerge in the new year.

Recently, Experian® shared its sixth annual “Data Breach Industry Forecast,” which broaches such topics as cloud attacks and biometric hacking.

​“Hackers have become very nimble at outsmarting protection measures,” Michael Bruemmer, Experian’s vice president of Data Breach Resolution, said in a press release. “Our predictions look at where hackers may go next to exploit vulnerabilities, so companies can safeguard themselves against these future threats.”

​We now provide insurance for consumers and businesses for the following:

• Cyber Crime Coverage
• Reputational Damage Coverage from Cyber Event
• Computer Fraud and Funds Transfer Fraud

​Call me so we can discuss how to protect you and your business against cyber threats.

Have a safe and healthy New Year!

Travelers has teamed up with Amazon to offer smart home kits and valuable insurance and risk management information through the insurance industry’s first digital storefront: Amazon.com/Travelers.

The smart home kits, which will be offered at discounted prices for Travelers customers in participating states, are designed to help protect homeowners from some of the most common causes of loss. Discounted kit installation through Amazon Smart Home Services is also offered where available. The smart home kits include:

• Security cameras.
• Water sensors.
• Motion detectors with multi-sensor capabilities.
• A smart home hub that wirelessly connects a wide range of smart devices and enables them to work together.
• An Amazon Echo Dot.

Eligible Travelers home insurance customers will receive a discount on their policy with the purchase of a smart home kit.

Now you can get help managing your Travelers policies and get home safety and maintenance tips by simply asking Alexa on any Alexa enabled device. Travelers is proud to offer two new Travelers skills for Alexa - 
​Travelers Home Central Skill and the Travelers Skill. ​

For more information, visit Travelers Here or give me a call and I'll be happy to assist you at 201-796-1881. 

While we normally associate the beginning of the school year with more traffic in school zone areas, it’s also important to keep in mind the increase of traffic on highways and roads as well. In September, commute times typically rise due to commuting students and parents dropping off children at schools.
 
By exercising a little extra care and caution, and keeping these facts in mind, we can all keep ourselves and families safe.

Cyber Threats Continue to Increase

Recent data from the Federal Trade Commission found that millennials are reporting fraud a lot more often than other groups, with an average loss around $200. Seniors reported less frequently, but their average loss is $1,200.

 
64 percent of Americans have an online account involving health, financial or other sensitive data. As more and more people rely on the internet to do business and manage their personal lives, their information has the potential to become susceptible to a cyber breach.

Your home is full of cyber risks. Too many homeowners don’t realize this until it’s too late. Whether it’s your computer or mobile device, or your laptop or connected home technology, you need the right protection for the exposures that come with modern connected life.

What is a Personal Cyber Policy and why should individuals consider this coverage?
 
Personal cyber insurance policies will give insureds security in the case of a cyber attack, allowing them to file claims for ransom and extortion payments, identity theft fees, and data restoration expenses related to a personal cybersecurity breach.
 
With HSB Home Cyber Protection™, you can gain a suite of innovative cyber coverage for computer attacks, cyber extortion, online fraud and the breach of personal information of others involving smartphones, computers and connected home devices.

What are some actions you can take to help protect your data?

In addition to offering Personal Cyber coverage, be aware of what information you place online, and how to protect it. Many people have an outdated impression that hackers are just rogue individuals, typically working out of someone’s basement – this is no longer the case. Today, hacking is a full-time job and organized crime in the cyber world is a huge syndicate.

There are a few initial steps that consumers can take to protect themselves, including:

1. Personal Cyber Policy: This will protect clients against traditional identity theft, paying any direct monetary losses that are unrecoverable as well as any expenses to investigate and remediate. Policyholders also get the benefit of a specialist to help restore their credit report.
   
2. Install a password manager: Password strength and encryption are important, and using a password manager allows users to not have to rely on memory to remember passwords. The manager will also encrypt users’ information and automatically change his or her password every time they access a site.
3. Use available resources: The Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) can provide clients with a wealth of knowledge and act as a great educational resource for people needing help to navigate a cyber attack. And best of all, it’s free.

 
Personal cyber crime is not something that can be prevented. In fact, nearly two-thirds of Americans have experienced some form of data theft. 
 
Contact me if you wish to discuss your risks and we can come up with the best line of defense to protect you.

​Memorial Day marks the start of the summer travel season. From cross-country road trips to surfing at the beach, summer likely means fun travel and outdoor activities. However, even carefully planned trips can be disrupted by unforeseen incidents. Extreme sports, boating, and even pool parties – all carry some risk and liability.

​Whether you’re leaving home for a weekend getaway or a long road trip, be aware of what your policy covers while you’re away. Typically, your homeowners insurance will follow you, protecting you even while you’re not at home. Off-premises coverage means your belongings are covered anywhere in the world. If you’re staying at a hotel and your belongings are stolen, your policy will provide coverage, but the exact coverage depends on your specific policy. If you are traveling with high-priced items, it’s a good idea to insure them separately.

Not sure what your coverage is for summer travel? Give us a call and we’ll review your policies and help you fine tune coverage for your family and your business. 201-796-1881

Have a safe Memorial Day and enjoy your summer travels!

The average American will have 3 or 4 auto accidents in his or her lifetime!

In 2015 alone, more than 2.4 million people were injured and nearly 35,000 people died in 6.2 million crashes nationwide, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

The good news? Most car collisions aren’t deadly.

Check out some car accident statistics from DriverKnowledge.com:

• About 9 people are killed each day as a result of distracted driving.
• You are 23 times as likely to crash if you text while driving.
• 1 out of 3 people texts while driving.
• Wearing a seat belt reduces your risk of death by 45%.
• 1 in 7 people do not wear a seat belt while driving.
• People not wearing a seat belt are 30 times more likely to be ejected from the vehicle during a crash.

Having an auto accident or dealing with a catastrophe is stressful, but it’s important to stay calm and focused. The right steps will help keep you safe and prevent further stress.

You never have to manage a car accident alone. We are here to help you every step of the way. During business hours, contact us as soon as possible at 201-796-1881. We are always ready and willing to assist you.
​
Happy Spring and safe driving.

Black Ice - It’s slippery, hard-to-spot and potentially deadly. “The biggest danger is that you are at the mercy of your vehicle and the ice until your car passes over it,” claims Julie Lee, vice president and national director of AARP Driver Safety.

​Black ice forms most often when it’s raining, and air is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface, according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Andrew Mussoline. Low ground temperature causes the precipitation to freeze upon impact, thus creating ice.

Home and businesses that suffered flood damage from the first nor’easter might be invaded by the sea yet again. It’s helpful to have weeks or months between storms so proper damage surveys can be performed, and so measures can be taken to prevent flooding during future storms.

When storms come just days apart, it’s not so easy. Along the coast, residents are working feverishly to prepare their homes for nor’easter Quinn with hopes that the flooding won’t be as severe.

If you suffer any kind of damage and need to contact your insurance provider, visit the claims page on our website, or contact us during business hours at 201-796-1881. We are always here and ready to assist you. 

​Stay safe.