I am often asked: "How much does smoking affect my Life Insurance premium?
If you smoke, you will pay at least 50% more for both Life and Health Insurance. It has been proven smoking creates long term problems for your health. Learn more about the affects of smoking at the following site: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/index.htm
Ron Binning
ron@binningdickens.com
www.binningdickens.com
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Friday, October 15, 2010
Deer Claim Accidents
Wisconsin is full of White Tail Deer and with November fast approaching, we will see more and more of them on our roadways. BEING SAFE IS A LOT EASIER IF WE PLAN.
Deer have a pattern of behavior so if you see deer on the route you travel, you will see them again. Here are some ways you can protect yourself from a vehicle/deer accident:
1. High risk periods are from sunset to midnight and around dusk. Slow down at these times.
2. Use HIGH BEEM lights whenever possible. Watch for the reflection of their eyes and silhouettes. When spotting them, brake firmly BUT STAY IN YOUR LANE.
3. Deer are unpredictable. Sometimes they stop for the bright lights, sometimes they run. Brake, check the rearview mirror and if necessary and safe, stop if you have to. Blow horn.
4. If you see one deer, almost certainly there will be more. Proceed slowly.
Remember to be safe and alert whenever you get behind the wheel. No cell phones and no texting and be on the alert for the White Tail Deer.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance
Whitewater WI 53190
Deer have a pattern of behavior so if you see deer on the route you travel, you will see them again. Here are some ways you can protect yourself from a vehicle/deer accident:
1. High risk periods are from sunset to midnight and around dusk. Slow down at these times.
2. Use HIGH BEEM lights whenever possible. Watch for the reflection of their eyes and silhouettes. When spotting them, brake firmly BUT STAY IN YOUR LANE.
3. Deer are unpredictable. Sometimes they stop for the bright lights, sometimes they run. Brake, check the rearview mirror and if necessary and safe, stop if you have to. Blow horn.
4. If you see one deer, almost certainly there will be more. Proceed slowly.
Remember to be safe and alert whenever you get behind the wheel. No cell phones and no texting and be on the alert for the White Tail Deer.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance
Whitewater WI 53190
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Winterizing your Car - We do live in Wisconsin
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/accidents-hazardous-conditions/car-winterizing-tips1.htm
This is a great site providing 10 tips on what you should do to winterize your car. October is almost here and that means December, January, & February are not far behind. It is always better to get ready for winter than it is to be "stuck" in winter.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance
ron@binningdickens.com
This is a great site providing 10 tips on what you should do to winterize your car. October is almost here and that means December, January, & February are not far behind. It is always better to get ready for winter than it is to be "stuck" in winter.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance
ron@binningdickens.com
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Wisconsin Auto Insurance Law
As most of you know, Wisconsin's new Auto Insurance State law went into effect June 1, 2010. The state law increased minimum Bodily Injury limits to $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident. Property Damage was increased to $15,000, Medical Payments increased to $10,000, Uninsured Motorist was increased to $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident, and Underinsured Motorist was increased to $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident.
EVERYONE now must carry auto insurance and EVERYONE must now carry proof they have auto insurance. If you are a client of ours and you do not have a copy of your insurance in your car, call us at 262-473-3930 and we can mail, email, or FAX the proper documents to you.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance
www.binningdickens.com
EVERYONE now must carry auto insurance and EVERYONE must now carry proof they have auto insurance. If you are a client of ours and you do not have a copy of your insurance in your car, call us at 262-473-3930 and we can mail, email, or FAX the proper documents to you.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance
www.binningdickens.com
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
TEXTING Ban for Motorists in Wisconsin
When using COMMON SENSE, it is hard to believe the WI State Legislature felt compelled to pass legislation banning texting while DRIVING. Common sense says while driving you should NEVER take your eyes off the road. I you do, BAD THINGS WILL HAPPEN!!!!
Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that 80% of crashes and 65% of near crashes involve driver distraction. Use of cell phones and texting was a principal distraction. At 55 MPH, for every second you take your eyes off the road you travel 27 yards. In 4 seconds that would be 108 years. (A FOOTBALL FIELD) How long does it take to cross the center line - maybe a second or two. The car traveling the other direction has no more than a 4 to 5 foot separation.
What could be so important to text when the resulting effect could be your lose of life or that of others on the road? It all comes down to common Sense. DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE! As of 12-1-2010 it will be against the law in Wisconsin. Too bad it does not go into effect TODAY.
Ron Binning
ron@binningdickens.com
www.binningdickens.com
Research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that 80% of crashes and 65% of near crashes involve driver distraction. Use of cell phones and texting was a principal distraction. At 55 MPH, for every second you take your eyes off the road you travel 27 yards. In 4 seconds that would be 108 years. (A FOOTBALL FIELD) How long does it take to cross the center line - maybe a second or two. The car traveling the other direction has no more than a 4 to 5 foot separation.
What could be so important to text when the resulting effect could be your lose of life or that of others on the road? It all comes down to common Sense. DON'T TEXT AND DRIVE! As of 12-1-2010 it will be against the law in Wisconsin. Too bad it does not go into effect TODAY.
Ron Binning
ron@binningdickens.com
www.binningdickens.com
Monday, April 5, 2010
Wisconsin Mandatory Auto Insurance Law - 2010
As of June 1, 2010, the Wisconsin Mandatory Insurance Law goes into effect. Check this link for "everything you needed to know" about this change: http://oci.wi.gov/faq/auto.htm#finresp
BRIEF SUMMARY:
1. Increased limits -
BRIEF SUMMARY:
1. Increased limits -
- minimum $50,000 per person/$100,000 per accident - Bodily Injury
- minimum $15,000 - Property Damage
- minimum $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident - Uninsured Motorist & Underinsured Motorist.
2. Fines for NOT carrying Auto insurance in Wisconsin:
- Can be up to $500
3. Insurance Card - MUST BE CARRIED IN THE CAR OR IN YOUR WALLET/PURSE to verify you carry insurance withe the proper limit of liability.
Call Binning & Dickens Insurance with all your insurance questions.
Ron Binning
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Motorcycles and SPRING
It feels like Spring is here in Wisconsin as I write this on April 3rd. Spring in Wisconsin is represented by Daffodils, Robins, Greening of the grass, and MOTORCYCLES.
Some guys drive their cycles like they are on a Lemans Road Course, weaving in an out of traffic and seeing how fast they can go. But the majority are responsible drivers either trying to get to work or enjoy a beautiful day on the bike.
Often the challenge for us driving in our cars is to WATCH for those bikes. 70% of all Motorcycle accidents happen at intersections and a high percentage of those are caused by drivers in their cars NOT SEEING the motorcycist.
Remember - enjoy Spring and watch for those BIKES.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance
www.binningdickens.com
Some guys drive their cycles like they are on a Lemans Road Course, weaving in an out of traffic and seeing how fast they can go. But the majority are responsible drivers either trying to get to work or enjoy a beautiful day on the bike.
Often the challenge for us driving in our cars is to WATCH for those bikes. 70% of all Motorcycle accidents happen at intersections and a high percentage of those are caused by drivers in their cars NOT SEEING the motorcycist.
Remember - enjoy Spring and watch for those BIKES.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance
www.binningdickens.com
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Crossing the Street
I was riding in my car yesterday and heard this radio ad; "If you are a pedestrian and you are texting and about to cross a street, STOP, look both ways before proceeding. The LIFE you save might be your own!"
As ridiculous as it sounds, it clearly is a message that needs to be heard by those who are addicted to this technology. The feeling of being "WANTED" or "CONNECTED" has clearly exceeded all common sense. Whitewater is a college town and both the City and the University have installed crossing lights and hired crossing guards so "college kids" can cross the street.
Extend this technology to behind the wheel and you can see major problems ahead if this "craze" is not reeled in.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance
Whitewater WI
As ridiculous as it sounds, it clearly is a message that needs to be heard by those who are addicted to this technology. The feeling of being "WANTED" or "CONNECTED" has clearly exceeded all common sense. Whitewater is a college town and both the City and the University have installed crossing lights and hired crossing guards so "college kids" can cross the street.
Extend this technology to behind the wheel and you can see major problems ahead if this "craze" is not reeled in.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance
Whitewater WI
Saturday, February 13, 2010
House fires and pets
HOUSE FIRES AND PETS: You wonder how these two topics are related? The last 2 years there have been two house fires in the Whitewater area where the pet owners have tried to keep their pets warm (January in Wisconsin) by using a HEAT LAMP. In both cases MAJOR fires developed, one a TOTAL loss and the other major damage. One fire was caused by a heat lamp on an "ouside porch" and the other fire caused by a heat lamp put in a wood box on the house's deck. A few years ago another fire was caused by a heat lamp put into a dog house that was built onto the garage. That fire also totally destroyed the house.
The moral of the story: Any attempt to create supplemental heat during the winter needs to be treated with caution. Examples of heat lamps, space heaters, and wood burning stoves have all proved very dangereous when used improperly or left unattended.
Don't let this happen to you and your family.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance
Whitewater WI 53190
The moral of the story: Any attempt to create supplemental heat during the winter needs to be treated with caution. Examples of heat lamps, space heaters, and wood burning stoves have all proved very dangereous when used improperly or left unattended.
Don't let this happen to you and your family.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance
Whitewater WI 53190
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Woodburning stoves
It's January in Wisconsin and that means high HEAT bills. Woodburning Stoves are making a comeback. What you should know BEFORE you buy one:
1. Call you insurance agent 1st. Find out what the INCREASE in premium will be for the new stove.
2. Have it installed by a Professional. He will know about the chimney requirements, placement of the stove, setbacks from the walls and floor, non combustible materials needed, etc.
3. All chimneys and stoves should cleaned at least once a year by someone who know what they are doing. As the Professional Installer for recommendations.
4. How do you dispose of the ashes? A METAL CONTAINER DESIGNED FOR THE PURPOSE IS MANDATORY. Ashes can stay HOT for up to 2 days. Do not use cardboard boxes, paper bags, or plastic bags to dispose of the ashes. Do not put them in your garage either.
Our office has paid claims because these steps were not followed by homeowners.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance
Whitewater WI
1. Call you insurance agent 1st. Find out what the INCREASE in premium will be for the new stove.
2. Have it installed by a Professional. He will know about the chimney requirements, placement of the stove, setbacks from the walls and floor, non combustible materials needed, etc.
3. All chimneys and stoves should cleaned at least once a year by someone who know what they are doing. As the Professional Installer for recommendations.
4. How do you dispose of the ashes? A METAL CONTAINER DESIGNED FOR THE PURPOSE IS MANDATORY. Ashes can stay HOT for up to 2 days. Do not use cardboard boxes, paper bags, or plastic bags to dispose of the ashes. Do not put them in your garage either.
Our office has paid claims because these steps were not followed by homeowners.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance
Whitewater WI
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
2009 Wisconsin Traffic Crash Facts
As we enter 2010, it is always interesting to read and compare how Wisconsites did on the roads as compared to other years. Speeding (or too fast for conditions) still lead the way in cause of accidents. Alcohol consumption is the 2nd leading cause of fatalities on our roads.
In 2009 the State Department of Transportation has recorded 542 fatalities on WI roads. That compares to 585 in 2008, 737 in 2007, and 712 in 2006. In 2002 there were 805.
Anne McCartt of the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety said, "The poor economy likely is pushing roadway fatalities down since people are driving less. As the economy improves, we expect highway fatalities to increase again."
"Distracted Driving is another leading cause of accidents in WI. Radios, cds, cell phones, blackberrys, texting, etc all contibute to taking your eyes off the road.
Everyone these days seem to be in a hurry. Too bad some of them are in a hurry to die.
Drive smart - drive safe.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance Services
In 2009 the State Department of Transportation has recorded 542 fatalities on WI roads. That compares to 585 in 2008, 737 in 2007, and 712 in 2006. In 2002 there were 805.
Anne McCartt of the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety said, "The poor economy likely is pushing roadway fatalities down since people are driving less. As the economy improves, we expect highway fatalities to increase again."
"Distracted Driving is another leading cause of accidents in WI. Radios, cds, cell phones, blackberrys, texting, etc all contibute to taking your eyes off the road.
Everyone these days seem to be in a hurry. Too bad some of them are in a hurry to die.
Drive smart - drive safe.
Ron Binning
Binning & Dickens Insurance Services
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