Well, it is that time of year again, that we start getting more phone calls about collisions involving a Deer. A large insurance company said it recorded 42,844 accidents involving Deer between July 2008 and June 2009 in Illinois alone. That puts Illinois at a rank of 31 on the national list for the likelihood of Deer-vehicle accidents. Of 2.3 million accidents involving Deer nationwide, West Virginia gad the highest rate, while hawaii is the lowest ranking state for such acciidents. Deer are not native to Hawaii, but were introduced there. As always, use precaution when driving at dusk when Deer crashes are more prevalent.

This is the time of year that many families reflect on their financial situation as well as the Life Insurance Planning. It is a critical piece of the families planning strategy to make sure the family is protected in the event of the passing of a loved one especially when your are financially dependent on them. When asked, many people respond that they have their life insurance at work, and tend to shrug off the need to have more. In reality many people have a $25,000 group policy that does to go very far to cover the cost of raising a family. I urge everyone to sit down and analyze their situation, and determine if the family is well protected in the event they are no longer around to provide for them.

Every year, careless use of barbecue grills is the cause of hundreds of fires.  The resulting property damage can be widespread and expensive! Careless grilling costs millions of dollars and, tragically, can also cost people their lives.

"Even a moment of carelessness with a barbecue grill can cause a situation that is costly and dangerous," says Allstate agent Phil Rutledge.  "However, understanding the causes of common grilling accidents and taking the appropriate safety precautions help people avoid dangerous situations during the outdoor cooking season."

The following tips from the Allstate Insurance Company can help everyone enjoy their barbeque grills safely:

ALWAYS:

• Be sure your grill is sturdy and stable, especially if it stands on legs.  Take special care on a combustible surface.
• Place your grill so that sparks and smoke won't fly toward buildings, furniture or people.
• Prevent burns and protect your clothing with a heavy apron and potholder-type gloves.
• Use only enough charcoal to last for the time it is needed.
• Properly attach your ash catcher when using a kettle grill.
• Douse the coals thoroughly with water after grilling.
• Transport, store and use propane gas cylinders in an upright position only.

DON'T

• Barbecue in a confined space; if possible, don't grill on balconies and decks of apartments and condominiums.
• Use gasoline, kerosene, alcohol or a cigarette lighter to start a fire.
• Add more starter fluid to an existing fire.
• Leave a grill unattended once the coals are lit.
• Move outdoor barbecues indoors.  Smoldering charcoal can build up lethal concentrations of carbon monoxide.
• Discard used briquettes in a cardboard carton or any other combustible container.

For more information on grilling safety or other safety topics, contact Allstate Agent Phil Rutledge at 847-382-7580.

Prom season means thousands of suburban teens will be out and about hitting the highways to get to dinners, dances, and parties.  Beginning in 2008, the state imposed several restrictions on teen driving.  Here, based on figures from the Secretary of State's Office, is a look at some of those restrictions and how many Illinois teens have been busted for violating them.

RULE:  A moving violation conviction before age 18 generates a Secretary of State warning letter to the parent and teen driver.

RESULT:  Last year, 10,939 letters were sent out to the parents of 16 and 17 year old drivers.

RULE:  Cell phone use while driving is prohibited for drivers younger than age 19, except in emergencies.

RESULT:  In 2009, 55 teen drivers were convicted of violating this provision.

RULE:  Driver's licenses for 16 and 17 year olds are only good during certian hours.  Their statewide license curfew is 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., Friday and Saturday.

RESULT:  Last year, 19 teen drivers with instructional permits and 88 licensed teens were convicted in violating this provision.

RULE:  For the first 12 months that a teen as a license, only one person younger than 20 can be a passenger.  After the initial year, the limit increases to one passenger in the front seat and the number of seat belts in the back seat.

RESULT:  A total of 487 teen drivers violated these provisions in 2009.

RULE:  Under state law, parents can revoke their teenagers' driver's license at any time for any reason, until the driver turns 18.  Parents can do so by contacting the Illinois Secretary of State's office.  Driving privileges will not be reinstated until the driver turns 18 or the parents authorize it.  Last year 70 parents canceled their teenagers' licenses.

SUSPENSIONS:  In 2009 a total of 1,202 16 and 17 year old drivers had their licenses suspended, included 294 in Cook County, 95 in DuPage County, 80 in Kane County, 79 in Lake County, 24 in McHenry County and 76 in Will County.

Now that the holidays are over, and we are settling in to the new year, many of us are reflecting on recent family gatherings, and maybe have a concern about an older relative. A parent, older sibling, or other family member may just seem a little more frail and maybe a little more susceptible to a fall or injury that might keep them from taking care of themselves without help. The reality is that as our society ages, the "Baby Boomers" born in 1946 will be 65 next year. Almost 75% of these Boomers have at least one living parent, step parent, or parent in law. In 2000, 4.3 million people were over age 85, and the number is projected to be 6.9 million in the year 2020. Strokes are becoming a leading cause of the need for Long Term care assistance  by the older segment of the population. 

The former first Lady Rosalynn Carter once said " There are only 4 types of people in this world: those that have been caregivers, those who currently are caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers" That pretty much covers all of us. 

In closing, I would ask you to scroll down and read my Blog from September 2009 "Long Term Care, and emotional purchase" 

More and more in the landscape of today's insurance marketplace, people are willing to raise their deductibles as a way to lower premiums. It really makes sense to assume a greater risk to save money in premium dollars. Just today I spoke to a customer that saved $200 a year by raising the deductible by $500 or from a $500 to a $1,000 deductible on their Home Insurance policy. In just a few years you already save the difference even if you have a claim. Also, not putting in smaller claims helps to avoid premium increases and claim surcharges.  

SHARPEN YOUR AWARENESS OF DEER ON THE ROAD AND AVOID POTENTIAL COLLISIONS

Now that we're in the thick of deer season (October though December) more deer-vehicle collisions happen during these months than at any other time of the year.  With sizeable movements in the deer population this season, many of these beautiful animals unfortunately wind up on roadways big and small-posing sudden hazards to unsuspecting drivers.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, more than 1.5 million deer-vehicle collisions happen each year, resulting in 150 deaths, tens of thousands of injuries and than $1 billion in damage to vehicles.  "Not only are more deer on the move, more of their habitats are becoming smaller," said Allstate agent Philip Rutledge.  "Drivers need to be extra careful this time of year to avoid hitting a deer, especially when driving near wooded areas."

Allstate Insurance and the Insurance Information Institute offer the following tips for avoiding deer-vehicle collisions:

• Be especially attentive from sunset to midnight and during the hours shortly before and after sunrise.  These are the highest risk times for deer-vehicle collisions.
  
• When driving at night, use high beam headlights when there is no oncoming traffic.  The high beams will better illuminate the eyes of deer on or near the roadway.
  
• If a deer "freezes" in your headlights, turn your lights off and then back on.
  
• Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path, but stay in your lane.  Many serious crashes occur when drivers swerve to avoid a deer and hit another vehicle or lose control of their cars.
  
• Be especially cautious when driving on two-lane and rural roads.
  
• If you see one deer cross, slow down and watch for others to follow.
  
• Glance continuously from the road to roadside, looking for movement where roads are bordered by fields or natural habitat. 
  
• Heed deer crossing signs and reduce speed in deer "hot spots".

Many deer collisions happen on busy highways near cities, so it's important to stay alert in urban as well as rural areas when behind the wheel.

For more information on this and other safety topics, contact Allstate Agent Phil Rutledge at 847-382-7580 

A recent survey by LIMRA International shows that one third of adults in the U.S. have no life insurance.  Those with coverage, the study also showed, have far less than most experts recommend for a secure financial future for their families.  For most consumers, buying life insurance can be a tough decision, and myths about life insurance can confuse and delay consumers from purchasing a policy, potentially forcing their families to make financial sacrifices.

One of the many benefits of life insurance is to help protect loved ones who depend on you financially.  To determine how much life insurance you need, assess your current and future financial obligations and the income that your loved ones count on to meet those needs.

Life Insurance provides more than a tax-free cash payout upon death; it also helps provide peace of mind that your loved ones will be covered.

Common myths about life insurance.

• Myth:  I am single.  Most single people don't have a pressing need for life insurance because no one depends on them financially.  However, there are exceptions -- for instance, if you're providing financial support for aging parents or siblings.

• Myth:  I don't work.  Stay-at-home parents often make significant financial contributions to a family's budget by providing such things as childcare, transportation and housekeeping services that could add up to tens of thousands of dollars a year.  Could a single surviving spouse afford to pay for these servies on his or her own?

• Myth:  Group life provides all the coverage I need.  Group life insurance is a great component of a life insurance program.  However, the coverage offered is not always enough to take care of your beneficiaries and usually offers limited coverage options.  Group policies are generally  non-transferable once you leave your current job.

• Myth:  A permanent policy is better than a term policy.  The kind of coverage that's right for you depends on yourunique circumstances and financial goals. 
  The term policy generally offers the greatest coverage for the lowest initial premium.  A permanent policy may work best ifyou anticipate a need for long-term protection.

 As always, my staff and I are always available to handle question regarding any of your insurance needs

As the landscape of insurance has been changing over the years, my clients have been understanding the advantage of using higher deductibles on their Homeowners Insurance. In the last several years the midwest has sustained hail storms and flooding that we had not seen in many years. As a result, Homeowners Insurance premiums have increased significantly. My clients have found a great advantage in raising the deductible to $1,000 or even higher. In this way, the small claims do not get filed, which also ultimately can result in claim surcharges and the loss of claim free discounts. The savings on the Homeowners Insurance can also be a few hundred dollars a year by raising the deductible by $500, from $500 to $1,000. It only makes sense, as in a few years you save the difference even if you do have a claim. Many of my clients have been insured with me for 25 and 30 years and never had a claim on their Homeowners Insurance. As always, call your agent on advice, and how your particular situation could be improved with the use of higher deductibles.

Recently one of my clients traded in a Honda Accord for a Honda Civic thinking they would save money. When I changed cars on the policy we realized the 6 month premium would go up $100 rather than go down. Some smaller cars are less expensive to purchase, but more expensive to insure because of average repair cost as well as the high percentage of claims we have that are attributed to that type of car. We are more likely to have more claims on a Honda Civic if the type of person that buys that type of car has a greater likliehood of having an accident....for example teen drivers. Hybrid cars are especially more expensive to insure because of repair costs involved on that type of vehicle. As always, check with your insurance agent for a price quote before purchasing a car.