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This Month's Feature:

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Your Identity Belongs to You. 

 Protect It! 

The Federal Trade Commission  (FTC) estimates that as many as 9 million Americans will have their identity stolen this year.  Once they have your information, thieves can open accounts in your name, purchase utilities for their own house, use your social security number to get a job, file a fraudulent tax return, and so much more.  The damage can be immediate and is usually difficult to repair.

There are many ways a thief can access your identity.  Here are a few:

• Looking through your trash
• Stealing a purse or wallet
• Lying about who they are to a company with whom you do business (bank, utility company, etc.)
• Diverting your bills to a different address by filling out a change of address form
• Skimming your credit/debit card numbers using a special machine
• Calling you directly and pretending to be a company with whom you do business
• Finding you online

The smartest way to protect yourself from identity theft is to prevent it from happening to you.  However, if your identity is stolen, you'll be able to lessen promblems by acting quickly:

1. Call your credit card companies immediately.  Explain what happened, and ask where to send a copy of the police report.
2. Call and report to the police.  Make several copies of the police report.
3. Complete a FTC Theft Affidavit and FTC report (call 1-877-ID-Theft to request the forms.)
4. Call your bank.  They can place an alert on your Driver's License number and Social Security Number, and freeze your account.
5. Call fraud units of credit report agencies: Experian, Equifax, and Transunion.

Fortunately, identity theft protection is available as an endorsement on most homeowners' policies at a small cost.  For example, Safeco offers Identity Theft Protection for $12 a year to homeowner policyholders.  The coverage reimburses certain expenses associated with identity recovery.  Customers can also get guidance on how to protect themselves from ID theft before it happens and may receive assistance with identity restoration.

If you're interested in learning more, call Theresa Dosenberry at 888-765-7150 or email tdosenberry@cleewilliamsinsurance.com.

Bicycle Safety Tips - Getting There Safely is Everyone's Business!

In a recent cycling survey, the top concerns raised about cycling were related to cars and pedestrians including distracted drivers, the speed of cars, getting “doored” (riding into the path of a suddenly-opened door) or pedestrians stepping out in front of the cyclist.¹

DID YOU KNOW?

• Nearly 50% of all trips made by Americans are less than three miles, which for many could be done on a bicycle.
• Bicycle commuting increased more than 150% from 2004 to 2009.
• In all 50 states, a bicycle is considered a vehicle on the road and the cyclist is considered a vehicle "driver".  Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists, must follow the same rules regarding traffic signs and signals, and musgt ride in the same direction as traffic.
• Every day, 140 cyclists are killed or injured in the U.S.   

TIPS FOR GETTING THERE SAFELY WHEN YOU’RE THE CYCLIST

• Wear a helmet.  A properly fitted helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85%.
• Be visible.  Wear bright, reflective clothing. For night riding, use a white front light and a red rear reflector, as required by law.
• There’s safety in numbers.  Whether riding for exercise or for your commute to and from work, make the effort to join up with other cycling enthusiasts. Not only will the ride be more enjoyable, you’ll increase your visibility.
• Always ride with traffic and obey all signs and signals.  Cyclists traveling against traffic put themselves at higher risk. They are unexpected, can’t see or follow traffic signs and signals, and are breaking the law. Whether in the road, in a bike lane or on a sidewalk, ride with the flow of traffic.
• Scan ahead.  Look for obstacles in the roadway and learn to avoid them without swerving into traffic.
• Be wary of the door zone.  Ride an arms-width out from parked cars on the road and watch for drivers or rear-seat passengers who may be inattentively exiting their vehicles, putting cyclists in the path of an open door.
• Pack the iPod away.  Ride focused using your eyes and ears to help keep you safe. Look and listen for traffic, sirens and other sounds around you.

GOT KIDS?

• Set a good example by always wearing a helmet.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children be at least one year old before riding in a bike seat or trailer to allow adequate development of neck muscles.
• If taking  your kids for a ride in a bike seat or a kid's bike trailer, make sure they are properly secured and wearing a helmet with the right fit.  For information on correctly fitting a bicycle helmet, see the National HIghway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) publication "Easy Steps to Properly Fit a Bicycle Helmet."
• Teach kids to ride predictably - in a straight line, signaling any changes in direction.

For more information on kids and safe cycling, see the NHTSA publication “Kids and Bicycle Safety.”

¹The association of pedestrian and bicycle professionals, Women’s cycling survey, 2010

² 2009 Bicycle Commuter Study

Founded in 1989, the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) is an employer-led public-private partnership dedicated to improving the safety and health of employees, their families, and members of the communities in which they live and work, by preventing traffic crashes that occur both on and off the job. For more information on NETS, visit http://www.trafficsafety.org/.

See the full article here.

A Few Tips for the College-Bound

College is expensive enough without the added cost of unexpected accidents or theft not covered by your insurance policy.  If you have a student heading away to school, below are a few tips to help you get the most out of your coverage.

Homeowners (this varies by state)

• Personal Property:  Most homeowners policies will cover personal property for up to 10% of your total policy while your child is residing at school (a $100,000 policy equals $10,000 in coverage).  Not all types of damage are covered, so read your policy carefully.  Some items such as jewelry or expensive electronics require special coverage.  Renters insurance is strongly recommended. 
• Liability Coverage:   General damage to a dorm room or apartment is not usually covered.
• Documentation:  Creating an inventory of the items your child is taking to school is a good idea.  Use photographs and keep receipts.

Auto (this varies by state)

• Car Stays Home:  Keep your child listed on your auto policy if they will still drive your car while at home on school breaks.
• Car at School:  Make sure to notify us if your child will be taking a car away to school.  In most cases, if the car is registered to you and listed on your policy, it will be covered.
• Driving a Friend's Car:  Students are generally covered if they are listed on their parent's policy and are not regularly using the vehicle.  The coverage would be secondary.  The insurance for the friend's vehicle would be the primary coverage.
• Discounts:  A full-time student meeting certain academic requirements can quialify for a good student discount.  Distant student discounts may also be available.  Drivers under 21 who have completed driver's education may also get a discount.

If you’re interested in learning more, please contact us.  We can walk you through the steps necessary to ensure you have the right coverage.  We're here to help!

Safety in bicycle riding is acquired through use of the appropriate equipment and proper bicycling technique.

Equipment:

• A well maintained and adjusted bicycle, with particular emphasis on adequate brakes and tires.
• Good light and reflectors when traveling at times of darkness. Bright clothing.
• A helmet to protect against head injuries, the most common serious injury suffered by bicyclists.
• A rear view mirror attached to the helmet, glasses, or handlebars is important to permit evasive action without doing it blindly.

Bicycling Techniques:

• Most bicycle riding is done on roads and streets shared with motor vehicles. For your safety and the safety of others, obey the rules of the road as if you were driving a car -- stop at stop signs, red lights, and signals before turning or changing lanes.
• Always ride on the right side of the road. Stay in single file as far to the right as practical. It's both dangerous and illegal to ride on the left side of a two-way highway.
• Be extremely cautious when traveling through intersections. Be aware of traffic around you, and be prepared to brake quickly.
• Avoid traveling along the side of cars when passing through intersections -- they may turn in front of you without warning.
• When riding in a central business district, use extreme caution when passing parked cars, as occupants may not see you when opening doors or pulling out of parking spaces.
• Keep your hands on the handlebars at all times. Riding with no hands does not permit you to stop or to avoid the ever present hazards -- dogs, potholes, broken glass, cars, etc.
• Yield to all pedestrians. They can't foresee a dangerous situation as well as you can and may be inattentive. Besides, a bicycle is required by law to yield to pedestrians.
• Remember, your bicycle is a small, inconspicuous vehicle. It is not easily seen on crowded streets and will seldom attract attention on its own. At all times, do everything you can to make sure you are noticed.

We are licensed in the following States:
AZ, CA, CO, NV, OR, WA