How big is the problem of teen drunk driving?  Well, teens are involved in 40 percent of all alcohol-related fatal car crashes!  Staggering statistic=pretty big problem. Because of their inexperience, many teens may not realize they are too impaired to drive, or they may be afraid to call home for a ride.   At all levels of blood alcohol concentration, the risk of being involved in a crash are greater for young people than for older people.

There are many organizations committed to teen drunk driving awareness and prevention, including one that Foremost sponsors called Project Save Our Children, (future blogs to come).  Even though these organizations are diligently working to educate teens about the dangers of drunk driving, it is also up to parents, guardians and peers to lead by example.

Alcohol seems to be the drug of choice among youth. Why? It’s relatively inexpensive and readily available.  Regardless of the reason, a teen that drinks often drives while under the influence. Here are some tips that parents and guardians can use to lead by example:

• Whenever your social plans involve alcohol, make plans so that you don’t have to drive after drinking.  If you have adolescences, you’ll be giving them a good example of what to do when they grow older.
• If you’re hosting a party where alcohol will be served, remind your guests to plan ahead and designate a sober driver.
• If your teen is planning to attend college, check out the campus drinking culture.  According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), nothing affects health, safety, and academic performance more than a culture of excessive drinking.
• Explain to your teen the importance of a designated driver.  Appointing a “DD” (one member of a group agrees to drive and remain sober for the night) has helped save countless lives.

What should you do if you suspect a teen has a drinking problem and still gets behind the wheel?  Intervention is a serious undertaking that should be entered into carefully. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism has some helpful steps to create a successful intervention.

Stay safe on the road and in your automobile. Your safety is number one to us. For peace of mind on the road, contact Central Agency Insurance to talk about a auto insurance policy.

If you drive a new Ford you should be aware that certain models have recently been recalled. The company announced today that problems with the seat back and head restraint mean that several of its 2010 models do not meet federal safety requirements. Car owners should expect letters in May and the company has made a commitment to fix the problem in over 30,000 manufactured vehicles

Keeping up with recall news is critical. It’s also important to make sure that your vehicle has adequate coverage. If you aren’t sure about your coverage or your monthly rate call us, your local insurance agency, today and together we’ll make sure that you’re protected well.

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If there is one thing that people everywhere can discuss, it’s the weather. From mudslides in California, to blizzards in DC, conditions in February have been far from normal in many parts of the country. Even Canada has been having abnormal weather, with higher temperatures in Vancouver putting some of the winter games on hold.

So what can you do when the weather takes a turn for the worse? Make sure that your homeowners policy is adequate to your situation. Most types of weather-related damage should be covered, provided that common sense preventative steps have been taken. Most homeowners policies do not cover flood damage. If you need to file an insurance claim because of damages, be sure to contact your local agent as soon as possible. In good seasons and bad, we’re here to help.

With one semester remaining in the school year, many college students are already looking ahead to life after dorm rooms and lecture halls. For these students, some good news is being reported by the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

For the first time in more than a year more employers are interested in increasing (instead of decreasing) the number of college graduates that they hire. The executive director of NACE calls this a “positive sign” but reminds us that “we’re still not where we were two years ago, in terms of recruiting activity.”

During such uncertain times it’s important to make sure that college students protect what they do have. It is now common for students to bring expensive electronics and laptops to college, besides other valuables. Are college students’ personal belongings protected while they are away at school? A parent’s homeowners insurance should cover a student’s personal belongings. Be careful though, as your specific policy may set limits on how much coverage applies to items being kept outside of the home. For more information contact us today and we’ll help you find out how much coverage might be necessary.
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A proposed bill in the House was recently amended in committee. While many consumer groups are cheering the intent of the bill, which would establish a new Federal regulator called the Consumer Financial Protection Agency, some are worried that recent exemptions have watered down the bill dangerously.

The big debate at issue is whether car dealers should be subject to the same type of regulation as mortgages, credit cards, student loans and a host of other financial products. Consumers should be aware that whatever form the final bill takes, it probably won’t bring decisive change immediately. As with any agreement, be sure to read the fine print and ask plenty of questions.

As your local insurance agency we want to be there for you after you purchase your next car or home. If you are looking for sincere, quality coverage of your assets, call us today.
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This October saw a surprising rise in sales of existing homes, giving economic forecasters reasons to be cautiously optimistic. The overall decline in home prices, combined with an extension of the first-time home buyer tax credit, has helped to fuel the highest number of sales since February 2007.

Sales of foreclosed homes have risen slightly, but some are cautioning that this “sales spike” could decline in December before picking up again next spring.

If you are looking to insure a new home or better protect your existing property contact us, your local insurance agency. No matter what turns the value of your house takes, we will be there to help you.
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Is your family ready for flu season? Studies of flu vaccines delivered in 2008 show that children, having the greatest risk for infection, are the least likely to actually receive flu shots. This year however, fears about the H1N1 strain are causing greater concern about flu season in general.

In some areas of the country traditional flu vaccines have been running short, but officials and pharmacies are still committed to producing and distributing vaccines to as many people as possible.

If you and your children haven’t been vaccinated yet, consider taking the time to visit a local clinic or pharmacy. Like insurance, taking steps to prevent a problem is often easier than facing that problem after it hits home.
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Yesterday The National Center for Healthy Housing released a report on the “State of Healthy Housing.”

The non-profit’s study found that over the last ten years housing conditions may actually be on the decline due to the recent housing bubble and crash. The study also confirmed the troubling divide in housing quality across the US. Metropolitan rental properties consistently ranked lower in the study in terms of overall health and upkeep.

Are you doing your part to keep your home healthy and safe? Are there repairs you could do today that would significantly improve the cost of insuring your home? Talk to us, your local agent about the benefits of keeping your home healthy and sound.
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The Credit CARD Act signed into law this May is going into effect today. What does this mean for consumers?

The new law offers some protection to consumers by requiring a 45 day advance notice of any changes in interest rates or fees. Payments won’t count as late unless a bill was sent 21 days prior to the due date.

Still, experts warn that consumers need to be wary of changes in their credit-lines. How much you are allowed to borrow through your credit card may impact your overall credit score and companies are still able to alter credit limits without notice.

The best advice anyone can give about credit cards is to read the fine print. Make sure you understand the terms of any credit card offer and make informed choices about how much credit card debt you take on.
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Being aware of a health problem before it occurs is usually a good idea, for individuals and communities.

That’s why the US government is hard at work testing out vaccines for the H1N1 virus (aka the “swine flu”) and hopes to have them ready by mid-October. The vaccine is built and tested like a traditional flu vaccine.

The current testing will help to determine the safety of the vaccine for adults, and eventually children and the elderly. Watching out for health problems before they start is a shared responsibility. If you’re worried about your health insurance coverage talk to us, your local agent, today; we can point you in the right direction.
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