Hammered by Hail

You may not immediately think of hail as a danger to your car or home, but larger hailstones can shred roof coverings, scar automotive finishes and lead to water damage.

Research from the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) indicates that more than 75 percent of U.S.cities will experience at least one hailstorm each year.

Fortunately, impact-resistant roof covers can help reduce losses and associated property ownership costs.

Know your roof materials

When building or re-roofing, especially in hail-prone regions, IBHS recommends roofing products that have a Class 3 or 4 rating under the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) 2218 standard. The UL 2218 standard rates a roof covering’s resistance to impact.

The UL test involves dropping steel balls of varying sizes from heights designed to simulate the force of free-falling hailstones.

The four impact-level designations help you compare products: roof coverings that show themost resistance earn a Class 4 rating; and ones that have the least resistance earn a Class 1rating.

Keep in mind that while the UL 2218 standard is the best method to test impact resistance, it isn’t perfect and works better for some coverings than for others.

You can be proactive by consulting with your builder, roofing installer or insurance agent about which materials to use and what additional steps you can take to help your roof covering stand up better against hail and high wind. To cover all bases, you may also want to check your roofing materials for wind-resistant features and a fire-resistance rating.

When the storm hits

If a hailstorm is expected in your area, move inside immediately and stay there.

• Park vehicles in a garage or under a carport.
• Keep away from skylights, doors and windows in case hail shatters the glass.
• Close your drapes, blinds or window shades to prevent wind from blowing broken glass inside.

If you’re in a car, pull off the road preferably under a bridge or highway overpass and wait for the storm to pass.

Check your coverage

You should also review your homeowners insurance policy periodically with our agency to make sure you have sufficient coverage. If you do suffer property damage, report it immediately to our agency or Erie Insurance and make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. Call 704-987-9577 [Murray Insurance Management].

Shop Local

Local food. Local theater. Local products. We’re paying more and more attention to things that come directly from our own communities. Why shouldn’t your business auto insurance agent be local, too?

Everyone hates feeling like a number, and we promise never to make you feel that way.

We’re local. We live here in the same community that you do. We understand the unique dangers that face our town: how Main Streetcurves sharply to the left, making it dangerous for high-profile vehicles, or how slippery that hill outside of town can be in the winter. Our understanding makes it easier for us to help you avoid the accident in the first place — or how to fix things afterwards. ERIE’s local claims employees will help you get you back on the road.

We also know how important your company’s vehicles are to your business’ success: without them you can’t visit clients, deliver goods and perform other critical functions.

Don’t chance your business’ success on an Agent who treats you like a number, or someone in a far-off city. Our agency has earned a place of honor in the communities we serve. Let us help you, here and now. When it comes to your insurance Agent, shop local.

Call 704.987.9577 [Murray Insurance Management]

Superior Claims Service

Superior Claims Service

October-November 2011 Newsletter

Oct/Nov 2011 Murray Insurance Management Newsletter 19700-A West Catawba Avenue · Cornelius, NC service@murray-insurance.com · Phone: (704)987-9577 http://murray-insurance.com Steer Clear of Halloween Hazards Take a Halloween safety quiz and stay safe from scary surprises. Watch: After the Storm When the storm hit, ERIE helped Customers in their time of need. Saving Energy at Home How can you get a handle on your home's energy use? Try the Home Energy Yardstick. Young, Fabulous — and Insured Dorm dwellers or apartment renters should get schooled in insurance. Some policies may cost mere cents a day. Shop Local Everyone hates feeling like a number, and we promise never to make you feel that way. We’re local. We live here in the same community that you do. When it comes to insurance coverage for your home, business and vehicles, shop local. Contact our agency today. Study: Parents Struggle With Safety Seats Are your children buckled up correctly? A recent study reveals that many caregivers may not be using all of the safety seat features properly. To learn more about the study and help ensure your young passengers are safe on the road, read the article on erieinsurance.com. Storm Disasters Offer Important Lessons In communities up and down the East Coast, residents who suffered the brunt of storms this spring and summer continue to rebuild their properties. With its high winds, torrential rain and flooding, Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and other severe weather events serve as important reminders about being prepared for catastrophic storms. Review six preparation and insurance tips. This advertisement was sent by: Murray Insurance Management | 19700-A West Catawba Avenue | Cornelius, NC 28031 Erie Insurance Group | 100 Erie Insurance Place | Erie, PA 16530 ERIE® insurance services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York). Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Erie Family Life insurance not available in New York. Not all products are offered in all states. Policy issuance is subject to eligibility criteria. Equal opportunity insurer. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.

Don’t Let a Tornado Topple You

Tornadoes are one of nature's most powerful and destructive forces; an F5, the strongest and most violent of tornadoes, can level almost any house and its occupants. Thankfully, F5 tornadoes are rare. Most are weaker and can be survived. And now is the time to prepare for them if you haven’t already. Tornadoes are most common from late winter through mid-summer.

Here’s what to do before and during a tornado:

· Know where you can take shelter in the event of the storm. Practice a family tornado drill once a year.

· Prepare by gathering emergency supplies, including nonperishable food, water, medication, batteries and flashlights. Keep the emergency kit packed and easily accessible.

· Know the signs of a tornado: persistent winds, swirling dust or debris under a cloud base, loud continuous roar or rumble.

· Know the difference and help your children understand the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.

1. Tornado Watch: Current weather conditions could create a tornado, so be on the lookout.

2. Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted in the area. Seek shelter immediately and listen to the radio for further updates. A tornado warning is much more serious than a tornado watch.

· If a tornado is likely or known, take shelter indoors, preferably in a basement or interior first-floor room or hallway.

· Avoid windows and seek additional protection under large furniture or mattresses. This will protect you from flying debris.

· After a tornado has struck, stay out of heavily damaged homes or buildings. Keep clear of downed power lines, broken glass and other debris. Avoid lighting matches and cigarettes due to possibly ruptured gas lines. Try to stay calm. Help will arrive.

And remember, be prepared financially, too, before a storm ever hits. Don’t let nature blow away what you’ve worked hard to build. If you’ve made improvements to your home or purchased large ticket items, let us know. We can ensure they are properly insured. We can also help you review your Erie Insurance homeowners policy anytime so you’re aware of the coverage limits and can adjust them as needed. Give us a call. 704.987.9577 [Murray Insurance Management]

Fall Boat Theft: Boaters Beware!

Boaters: Beware of Land Sharks

Keep your boat safe when it's ashore. Boat theft often occurs in the off-season. Once they’re stolen, most boats are not recovered. If you are a boat owner, learn some easy and effective ways to protect your craft from theft.

>>Five tips for storing boats safely

Boat Theft Often Occurs in the Off-Season

If you’re about to store your boat for the off-season, be sure it’s in a secure location. Many theft cases happen when the boat is ashore.

“There are an unbelievable number of cases in which the storage facility says they never received the boat and the insured says that they left the boat in front of the building,” says Gene Robertson, supervisor in ERIE’s Corporate Security. “Many boat owners don’t discover that the boat is missing until they attempt to retrieve it at the start of the new season.”

Marine theft is a problem nationwide. From January to May, nearly 2,000 boats were stolen, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). In 2010, there were more than 6,660 boat theft cases. Less than half of those stolen were recovered.

Navigating Safety and Security

Whenever you’re storing your boat, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) recommends obtaining a contract from the storage facility that includes an employee’s signature. Other proactive steps to follow:

1. Mark it: Mark your boat and equipment with the vessel’s Hull Identification Number (HIN). A 12-character serial number helps law enforcement agencies to recover stolen boats and equipment quickly. All motorboats, with very few exceptions, must display the registration number on the forward part of the boat.
2. Keep records: Place registration and title papers in a safe location other than your boat.
3. Take video or photographs: Take photos or videotape your boat, equipment and HIN.
4. Secure the ship: Disable the boat and remove expensive equipment when not in use. When parking a boat on its trailer, use a trailer hitch lock.
5. Buy insurance: Talk to your insurance agent about purchasing coverage for your boat and personal needs.

You should also be cautious when buying a boat. Carefully review the vessel and its ownership paperwork. To avoid problems, be sure to match the HIN listed on the title and registration to the one attached to the boat.

For more information about NICB or other fraud prevention tips, visit www.nicb.org. The site includes a printable Marine Identification Checklist and a Boat Theft Brochure.

Call us at 704.987.9577 to learn more about boat insurance coverage. Erie Insurance’s coverage helps protect your boat, boating equipment and accessories. It also protects you with liability and medical payments coverage.

Ten Trouble-Free Tips for Travelers

It's about that time of year again.

Will you be one of the millions on the road this holiday season?

Safety is one of the most important things to consider as you pack your car and leave home. To help you get ready for your next road trip, the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC)recommends these 10 tips for travelers:

At home

1. Check all the locks before you leave home. Each door and window should have a sturdy lock.

2. Use motion-detection lights outside and trim hedges to reduce potential hiding places for burglars.
3. Set automatic timers on a few interior lights to give the impression that someone is home.
4. Ask the post office to hold your mail or ask a trusted friend or neighbor to collect it while you are away. Do the same with home delivery of newspapers.

On the road

5. Pay attention to your surroundings.
6. Pick well lit gas stations and always remove your keys and lock the car doors while you are pumping gas.
7. Protect your valuables (GPS, MP3 players, cell phones) by keeping them out of plain view in your vehicle and lock the doors even if you are stepping away from the vehicle for just a moment.

8. Take only the credit and other cards you will need. Leave the others at home, stored securely.

9. Never leave your hotel room unlocked, even to go to the ice or vending machine.

10. Don’t open the door at a hotel or at home to someone who you don’t know well or trust.

It’s important, too, not to forget the basics: buckle your seatbelt and keep your eyes on the road. Driving is a skill that requires your full attention to safely control your vehicle and respond to the events happening on the roads around you.

It’s good to have an insurance company that will be there if you ever have an accident or need to file a claim. To check on your coverage, contact our agency. We will review your current policies and help ensure that your car and home are properly insured. Call 704.987.9577