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
Thursday, March 4, 2010
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
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Road Trip
My wife and I just drove to Myrtle Beach and back - about 2,200 miles round trip. Here is a summary of what we saw:
A guy with a folded newspaper in his steering wheel - reading doing about 70 MPH; too many people to count on their cell phone; could tell MANY people were texting (looking down at their lap - repeatedly); drivers do NOT slow down in construction zones; too many white crosses to count in the medians and side of the roads (2 of them with construction hats on top of the crosses); 2 people pulled over by police after they went past us doing at least 90 MPH; weavers - these are people who with either 2 or 3 lanes available - weaving through traffic going way too fast; too many speeders to count - every hour; tailgaters; 1 very bad accident (3 cars) in the mountains - I'm sure the cause was too fast in HEAVY rain; 1 guy eating a sub sandwich & talking on a cell phone driving very eratically - probably trying to steer with his knees.
A great trip but a little scary when you consider a LOT of people do not have much respect for driving and the damage and injury a car going 70 MPH can cause.
When will people learn???????????????
A guy with a folded newspaper in his steering wheel - reading doing about 70 MPH; too many people to count on their cell phone; could tell MANY people were texting (looking down at their lap - repeatedly); drivers do NOT slow down in construction zones; too many white crosses to count in the medians and side of the roads (2 of them with construction hats on top of the crosses); 2 people pulled over by police after they went past us doing at least 90 MPH; weavers - these are people who with either 2 or 3 lanes available - weaving through traffic going way too fast; too many speeders to count - every hour; tailgaters; 1 very bad accident (3 cars) in the mountains - I'm sure the cause was too fast in HEAVY rain; 1 guy eating a sub sandwich & talking on a cell phone driving very eratically - probably trying to steer with his knees.
A great trip but a little scary when you consider a LOT of people do not have much respect for driving and the damage and injury a car going 70 MPH can cause.
When will people learn???????????????
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Driving and Texting
Here is a great article about DRIVING AND TEXTING. It is not illegal in Wisconsin yet. Talk to your state legislature representatives if you feel strongly about this issue. Most people who text look away from the road an average of 5 seconds at a time. At 55 miles per hour that is roughly the length of a football field.
Driving and texting DO NOT MIX..............
SEE:
http://www.itwire.com/content/view/26589/1066/1/0/
Driving and texting DO NOT MIX..............
SEE:
http://www.itwire.com/content/view/26589/1066/1/0/
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Water Backup & Sump Overflow claims
The City of Whitewater has experienced a couple of Sewer Backup claims this summer. The City's insurance company has denied the claims because "there is no negligence on the part of the City." A homeowner's policy has many option available to add to the policy. They include but are not limited to: 1. Scheduled Jewelry 2. Identity Theft 3. Replacement Cost on the Dwelling 4. Replacement Cost on Contents 5. Inflation Guard coverage 6. Scheduled list of collectibles 7. Earthquake Coverage 8. Water Backup and Sump Pump overflow 9. etc
There are no set standard rules for Water Backup and Sump Pump Overflow. Every company has developed their own set of rules, limits, and premiums. WE RECOMMEND EVERY HOMEOWNER CONTACT THEIR INSURANCE AGENT AND ASK ABOUT THEIR SPECIFIC COVERAGE. Questions like the following would be helpful: 1. Do I have Water Sewer Backup and Sump Pump Overflow? 2. What is the coverage limit? 3. Are there optional higher limits of coverage and what are they? 4. What is the premium I am now paying for this coverage? 5. What are the premium options for the higher coverage limits 6. What is the current deductible for this coverage.
The largest claim our agency has paid for this coverage was $25,440.83 and the loss date was 6-24-2008. As in all insurance claims, this issue needs to be addressed BEFORE you have the claim. Feel free to call us at 262-473-3930 with any of your questions. We would be more than happy to help.
There are no set standard rules for Water Backup and Sump Pump Overflow. Every company has developed their own set of rules, limits, and premiums. WE RECOMMEND EVERY HOMEOWNER CONTACT THEIR INSURANCE AGENT AND ASK ABOUT THEIR SPECIFIC COVERAGE. Questions like the following would be helpful: 1. Do I have Water Sewer Backup and Sump Pump Overflow? 2. What is the coverage limit? 3. Are there optional higher limits of coverage and what are they? 4. What is the premium I am now paying for this coverage? 5. What are the premium options for the higher coverage limits 6. What is the current deductible for this coverage.
The largest claim our agency has paid for this coverage was $25,440.83 and the loss date was 6-24-2008. As in all insurance claims, this issue needs to be addressed BEFORE you have the claim. Feel free to call us at 262-473-3930 with any of your questions. We would be more than happy to help.
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