DeKok Insurance Group, Inc.

507-226-8121 [email protected]

Cell Phones & Driving

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Distracted Driving

 

Most of us talk on our cell phones while we drive. This convenient source of communication is great in a roadside emergency, but it has a few dangerous negatives. Here are some facts I learned and want to pass them on to you:

  • According to the University of Utah, a driver talking on his or her cell phone while driving has the same response time as a driver with a blood-alcohol
    level of .08.
  • People who use cell phones while driving are 4 times as likely to
    get into accidents where they are injured.
  • Carnegie Mellon found that driving while talking on a cell phone
    reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37%.
  • Police report that 25% of the reported crashes involve a
    “distracted” driver. While not all of these distractions are caused
    by cell phones, the majority are.

In a recent survey, 8 in 10 drivers supports some kind of cell phone and driving restrictions. 80% would apply a ban on all texting while driving. 80% would also support a ban on emailing while driving. Most of the respondents wanted varying degrees of other restrictions, and the majority believes such laws should apply to all drivers.

Jon

507-226-8121

[email protected]

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Graphic purchased at fotolia.com  © Igor S. – Fotolia.com

MetLife Auto & Home

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mlah-logo-black
One of the companies I represent is MetLife Home and Auto. It’s possible when I work up quotes for you, they will come in with the best policies and prices. As a consumer, it’s nice to know a little bit about the company who is covering your property.

In 1863, a group of New York City business men organized the National Union Life and Limb Insurance company. They started selling policies to Civil War sailors and soldiers to protect against wartime disabilities. In 1868, the company changed from a casualty business to focus on life insurance. They named their new endeavor, Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. By 1879, they began  selling industrial insurance door to door. These person to person meetings were so successful, that in 1909 Met Life had the largest number of life insurance in force in North America. They retain that position today.

They are now a global company with more than 90 million customers in more than 50 countries.

I work directly with MetLife Auto and Home and here is some information about their GrandProtect package: (They have others and when you call for a quote, I’ll see which would be the best policy/policies at the best price/prices for you.)

GrandProtect® personal insurance protection in one convenient package, with features that meet your asset protection needs and simplifies your complex insurance needs, including your home valuable items, autos, RVs, and boats, by offering one comprehensive policy package.

A GrandProtect policy may be right for you if you’re seeking:

  • A higher level of coverage that goes beyond our standard policies
  • Comprehensive protection for your property in one policy package
  • One deductible for any one loss, even if more than one type of property is
    damaged  (ask me about these details)
  • Simplicity of one bill for your personal insurance needs
  • All of your personal insurance written by one provider: MetLife Auto & Home

Call (507-226-8121) or email ([email protected]) to find out if a MetLife Auto and Home policy is the right policy at the right price for you.

Jon

Red darts target aim on white background.DeKok Insurance Group, Inc. Referral Program: When you tell your family and friends about your positive experience with my agency, and they call for a quote, I’ll send YOU a $20 Target gift card.

[tweetthis]Metlife Home & Auto #MetLife #GrandProtect[/tweetthis]

Travelers – A Repost With an Update

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I opened the doors to DeKok Insurance Group over 5 years ago. One of my goals was to be directly appointed with companies that would provide my future clients with the best policies at the best prices. Travelers is one of the companies that has done that this past year. They are one of the 15 companies I work with as an independent agent and the partership is serving my clients well.

I posted the folllowing information here last Februrary. I wanted to share it with you again today.

Jon

Travelers Insurance Company is over 150 years old and has Minnesota roots. In 1853, then secretary of the Minnesota Territory, Alexander Wilkin saw the need for a local company to provide insurance coverage in case of fire. He and 16 other St. Paul businessmen established the St. Paul Fire and Marine Company. In 1866, they expanded insurance protection to include all accidents. According to the Travelers website, two claims of interest from those days include a ticket agent who broke his leg while trying to stop a runaway horse, and a carpenter who broke his collar bone when after getting tangled up in his dance partner’s hoop skirt.

In 1969, Travelers issued the first policy for space flight, lunar exploration, and the Apollo Astronauts.

Thirty years later, Travelers (in a joint effort with Bond and Personal Ins) was the first to offer Identity Fraud Expense Reimbursement coverage.

Travelers is represented by over 13,000 independent agencies and brokerages nationwide and they have reps in every U.S. state, as well as in Canada, Ireland, and the U.K.

You can learn more about their history here.

Are you paying too much for your auto, home, or business insurance? Give me a call at 507-226-8121 and let’s see.

Jon

Snapshot from Progressive

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Snapshot DiscountSM

One of the companies I represent has a cutting edge program  I want to tell you about.

Snapshot is Progressives Pay As You Drive Program that  allows good drivers to save on their car insurance. Some drivers could save as much as 30% by driving less, in safer ways, at safer times of the day. Although  not available in all states, Snapshot is available in MN.

Once you enroll in the program, the Snapshot device will be sent to you in about 10 days. It’s easily plugged in to your car’s diagnostic  port (usually located below the steering column). After set-up  the device records the number of miles you  drive, the time of day you drive (how often you drive between midnight and 4AM  – what are often called “peak hours”), and how often you make sudden  stops or on the positive side: gentle braking. The other information gathered  is your VIN number and when you unplug and re-plug the device in. It does NOT  contain a GPS or monitor how fast you drive.

To see how you’re doing, you can track the information online.

One of the questions clients ask first is, “Will my  insurance rate go UP because of what the Snapshot records?” The answer is, no. It’s also important for you to know that Progressive doesn’t share any of  the collected data unless it’s required by the law.

You can cancel using the device at any time although  discounts will not be applied if you cancel early.

Your discount is applied about 30 days after you plug in the  Snapshot device. When you renew your policy, Progressive will finalize your  driving Snapshot and you keep saving as long as you stay insured with them.  There is a possibility that if you make significant changes to your policy, they will ask you to take a new snapshot of your driving habits.

Most cars manufactured after 1996 work with the Snapshot technology. If you want to track the use on more than one vehicle, Progressive  will send you one for each car.

One of my clients tried this program out and saved a significant amount on his insurance. He said it made him more aware of his driving habits and he believes he is a better driver after using the Snapshot for a short time.

Jon

507-226-8121

[email protected]

PIP – Personal Injury Protection

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What is PIP?

PIP stands for –  Personal Injury Protection  (known as No Fault insurance).

Personal Injury protection is required as part of your auto insurance in some states including MN.  In Minnesota, no fault coverage protects you and your dependants if you are injured or killed in any auto related accident weather you are at fault or not. The basic minimum limits cover your medical expenses up to the first $20,000, and non-medical expenses up to an additional $20,000 (work loss, ect.).  You can choose to increase these limits. Most people leave them at the basic limit if they have health insurance.

Here are a couple examples:

  • You are getting into your car on a icy winter day. You slip on the ice while getting in and are injured.
  • You are driving your child to school. Someone hits your
    car. Your child is fine, but you are seriously injured.  You spend a week in the hospital, can’t go to work, and you need help at home getting meals made and house
    work done.  Under this situation, The basic no fault insurance would cover your
    medical expenses up to $20,000. The at fault drivers Bodily Injury liability would pay for
    the rest (if they have high enough limits).

The non-medical limit would pay for part of your lost wages and to hire help doing domestic chores.

For more details feel free to call me at 507-226-8121 or email me [email protected].

Jon