Wallin Insurance Blog

Why Renters Insurance Is Important for Both Tenants and Landlords 🏠

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 16:24:25 GMT

Renters/Tenant Insurance is important for the landlord and the tenant.

If you rent an apartment or home, you may assume the landlord’s insurance policy covers everything inside the property. However, a landlord’s insurance protects the building itself, not the tenant’s personal belongings or liability.

This is why renters insurance is so important. It provides financial protection for tenants while also helping landlords reduce risk and avoid costly disputes. For a relatively low cost, renters insurance offers valuable coverage that benefits everyone involved in a rental agreement.

What Does Renters Insurance Cover?

Renters insurance policies typically include three key types of protection:

1. Personal Property Coverage

One of the main benefits of renters insurance is protection for your personal belongings. This includes items such as:

Furniture
Electronics
Clothing
Kitchen appliances
Personal valuables

If these items are damaged or destroyed by a covered event—such as a fire, certain types of water damage, or theft
—renters insurance can help pay for the cost to repair or replace them.

Without renters insurance, tenants would have to replace these belongings entirely out of pocket.

2. Loss of Use Coverage

Another valuable benefit that is often overlooked is loss of use coverage.

If a covered event—like a fire—forces you to temporarily leave your apartment or rental home, this coverage helps pay for additional living expenses while repairs are being made. This may include:

Hotel stays
Temporary housing
Additional food expenses
Other necessary living costs

Loss of use coverage ensures that tenants have somewhere to stay while their home is being restored.

3. Liability Protection

Renters insurance also includes liability coverage, which protects tenants financially if they are held responsible for property damage or injuries.

For example, if a tenant accidentally causes damage to the rental property and the landlord files a claim or lawsuit, liability coverage may help cover:

Property damage costs
Legal fees
Settlements or judgments

This protection can prevent tenants from facing significant financial hardship after an unexpected accident.

Why Renters Insurance Benefits Landlords

While renters insurance primarily protects tenants, it also provides important benefits for landlords.

If a tenant accidentally causes damage to the property—such as a fire or water leak—the tenant’s liability coverage may help cover repair costs. This can reduce financial disputes between landlords and tenants and help resolve claims more quickly.

Additionally, if a tenant has loss of use coverage, they have financial support for temporary housing if the property becomes uninhabitable. This reduces pressure on the landlord and allows repairs to be completed without additional complications.

Because of these advantages, many property owners now require renters insurance as part of the lease agreement.

Affordable Protection for Renters

One of the best things about renters insurance is that it is usually very affordable, especially considering the level of protection it provides. For a relatively small monthly cost, tenants can protect their belongings, cover temporary living expenses after a loss, and gain liability protection.

At the same time, landlords benefit from reduced risk and fewer potential conflicts if a property loss occurs.

Final Thoughts

Unexpected events like fires, water damage, or accidents can happen at any time. Renters insurance provides a simple and affordable way to protect both tenants and landlords from the financial impact of these situations.

If you rent your home or apartment and would like to learn more about renters insurance coverage options, contact us today!

Big News: We’ve Been Named the Best Insurance Agency in the Twin Tiers!

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 22:00:36 GMT

We have some exciting news to share, and it’s all thanks to YOU!

We are thrilled to announce that we have officially been voted the #1 Best Insurance Agency in the 2025 Best of the Twin Tiers Community’s Choice Awards!

A Win for Our Community

To us, this isn’t just a trophy for the shelf. This award is a reflection of the trust you place in us to protect what matters most—your homes, your families, and your businesses. Being recognized as the top agency in the Twin Tiers is a huge honor, especially because the winners are chosen by the local community.

Knowing that our neighbors took the time to nominate and vote for us means the world to our entire team.

Why We Do What We Do

The insurance world can often feel like a maze of paperwork and fine print. Our goal has always been to be your friend in the business that guides you through it. Whether we’re helping a first-time homebuyer find the right coverage or standing by a client during a difficult claim, our mission is to provide the "best" service long before we ever won the "best" title.

This recognition serves as a reminder of why we opened our doors in the first place: to provide peace of mind to the hardworking people of the Twin Tiers.

A Message from Our Team

"We are incredibly humbled by this win. Our team works tirelessly to treat every client like family, and seeing that effort recognized by our community is the best reward we could ask for. Thank you to everyone who voted!" — Peter Wallin, Agency Owner

Looking Ahead

Winning this award doesn’t mean we’re slowing down. If anything, it motivates us to work even harder to maintain the high standards you expect from us. We are committed to continuing our tradition of personalized service, expert advice, and community involvement throughout 2026 and beyond.

Thank you again for your support, your trust, and for making us the Best of the Twin Tiers!

Keeping the Cheer and Protecting Your Gear: A Holiday Insurance Guide

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 18:33:25 GMT

The holidays are a season of magic, but for home and auto insurance, they are also a season of increased risk. From the glow of your Christmas tree to the icy highways on your way to Grandma’s house, a few simple precautions can ensure that your only memories are happy ones. Most homeowners insurance policies cover fire damage, but preventing a claim is always better than filing one. To keep your home safe, ensure your live tree is watered daily—a dry tree can become a fire hazard in seconds. Additionally, inspect your holiday lights for frayed wires and avoid overloading outlets. If you’re hosting, don’t forget that liability coverage is your best friend; keep your walkways shoveled and salted to prevent "slip and fall" accidents that could lead to a claim.

If your holiday plans involve a road trip, your auto insurance should be just as prepared as you are. Winter weather and increased holiday traffic make for a tricky combination on the road. Before you leave, check your tire pressure and fluid levels, and ensure you have AAA or that your policy includes roadside assistance—it’s a lifesaver if you end up with a dead battery or a flat tire in the cold. Keep in mind that "smash-and-grab" thefts often spike during the shopping season. To stay protected, never leave gifts or valuables in plain sight in your car. Your comprehensive coverage typically handles theft, but keeping your packages tucked away in the trunk is the best way to ensure they actually make it under the tree.

As you wrap up your preparations, take a quick moment to review your coverage limits with us. If you’ve purchased high-value gifts like jewelry, art, collectables, or high-end electronics, they may need some extra coverage (often referred to as a "rider") to be fully covered beyond the standard personal property limits. We want you to enjoy every moment of this beautiful season with total peace of mind. Merry Christmas and warmest wishes for a safe, joyful holiday! May your home be secure, your travels be smooth, and your heart be light.

When Something Happens, Contact Us First!

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:25:35 GMT

Accidents and unexpected events happen — whether it’s a fender bender, a burst pipe, storm damage, or a business interruption. When they do, your first call should always be to our office.

At Wallin Insurance, we’re here to guide you through every step of the claims process. We’ll help you understand your coverage, report your claim properly, and make sure everything moves as smoothly as possible.

Why You Should Contact Us Before Filing a Claim

We’re on your side. We can review your policy and explain how your coverage applies before you file, so you’ll know what to expect.

We can save you time and stress. Our team can help you decide if it makes sense to file a claim — or if there may be a better option.

We coordinate with your insurance company. We’ll make sure the claim is reported accurately and followed up on promptly.

We know your policies — personal and business. From home and auto to commercial property and liability coverage, we’ll ensure your claim gets the attention it deserves.

For Our Business Clients

Running a business is hard enough — the last thing you need is confusion during a claim. That’s why we’re here to help you with:

Property damage claims (such as fire, theft, or storm losses)

General liability claims if someone is injured on your property

Workers’ compensation incidents and employee injury reporting

Commercial auto accidents involving company vehicles

Business interruption claims when operations are affected

We’ll help you get back to business quickly — with clear communication and local support every step of the way.

We’re Here When You Need Us Most

If you experience damage, loss, or an accident — whether personal or business — contact Wallin Insurance first. We’ll help you report the claim, answer your questions, and advocate for you throughout the process.

At Wallin Insurance, you’ve got a friend in the business — and friends are always here to help.

�� Call us at 607-734-8799

�� e-mail us at info@wallininsurance.com

Why You Shouldn't Buy Insurance Based on Price Alone

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:26:49 GMT

When it comes to insurance, it’s tempting to shop around for the lowest price — after all, who doesn’t want to save a few dollars each month? But insurance isn’t like buying a gallon of gas or a cup of coffee. The cheapest policy might save you a little upfront, but it can cost you much more in the long run. Coverage limits, exclusions, and customer service vary greatly from one company to another, and a bargain policy may leave you uncovered when you need it most.

A good insurance policy should give you peace of mind, not just a smaller bill. That means choosing a plan that’s tailored to your specific needs — your home, your car, your lifestyle, and your risks. A knowledgeable local agent can help you understand what’s included (and what’s not) so you don’t find out the hard way after a claim. At Wallin Insurance, we take the time to make sure you’re properly protected, not just “barely covered.”

Another key difference between cheap insurance and the right insurance is service. When something goes wrong — whether it’s a fender bender or storm damage to your home — you want a team that answers the phone, knows your name, and helps you through every step. As an independent agency, we work with multiple carriers to find the right fit for your budget and your coverage needs. We’re also your advocate when it’s time to file a claim, not just a voice on the other end of a 1-800 number.

At the end of the day, buying insurance isn’t about finding the lowest price — it’s about finding the right protection and a trusted partner. At Wallin Insurance, you’ve got a friend in the business who’s here to help you make confident, informed decisions so you’re covered when it matters most.

Why Buying Your Insurance Locally Makes a Difference

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 15:24:14 GMT

When it comes to protecting your home, car, or business, the coverage you choose is important—but so is the person behind it. Buying insurance locally isn’t just about convenience; it’s about building a relationship with someone who truly understands your needs. At Wallin Insurance, you’ve got a friend in the business, and here’s why choosing a local agent matters.

1. Personalized Service You Can Count On

A local agent knows the community and the unique risks that come with it. At Wallin Insurance, we take the time to get to know our clients personally—understanding your lifestyle, your priorities, and your concerns—so we can recommend coverage that fits your life. When questions arise or claims need attention, you can call us directly and speak to someone who knows you, not just a faceless hotline.

2. Quick and Easy Claims Assistance

When the unexpected happens, speed matters. Our local agents guide you through the claims process quickly and efficiently, helping you get back on your feet without unnecessary stress. Being right here in your community means we’re invested in helping our neighbors—our clients—every step of the way.

3. Support Local Businesses and Give Back

Working with Wallin Insurance means supporting a local business that actively gives back. We proudly support a variety of charities, including delivering Meals on Wheels to community members in need. Choosing us isn’t just about insurance—it’s about contributing to a stronger, more caring community.

4. Tailored Advice You Can Trust

We don’t just sell policies—we build relationships. At Wallin Insurance, we help you understand your options, identify discounts you may not know about, and make sure you have the right coverage for your specific situation. That personal guidance is something you won’t get from a big online insurer.

5. Peace of Mind

Knowing there’s a friendly, familiar face to turn to when life throws the unexpected your way is invaluable. With Wallin Insurance, you’ve got a friend in the business—someone who truly cares about protecting your home, family, and future.

Final Thoughts

Insurance is more than just a policy—it’s protection for what matters most. Choosing Wallin Insurance means personalized service, faster claims help, and the confidence of working with someone who genuinely cares about you and our community. And remember, with Wallin Insurance, you’ve got a friend in the business.

Why you should bundle your home and auto insurance.

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 20:22:45 GMT

Why You Should Bundle Your Home and Auto Insurance

When it comes to protecting the things that matter most, like your home and your vehicle, having the right insurance coverage is key. But did you know that combining your home and auto policies with the same insurance company can provide significant benefits? Bundling is one of the easiest ways to save money and simplify your insurance experience, all while ensuring you have strong protection in place.

One of the biggest advantages of bundling is the potential for cost savings. Many insurance companies offer discounts when you purchase multiple policies through them. These savings can add up quickly, making it a budget-friendly way to secure the coverage you need. Plus, it’s a smart financial move to maximize value without sacrificing quality protection.

Bundling also adds convenience. Instead of juggling multiple policies, payments, and renewal dates with different companies or agents, everything is streamlined. This makes managing your coverage easier and less stressful, especially when it comes to filing a claim. With just one agency handling your policies, you’ll also have a single point of contact for questions or assistance, saving you time and frustration.

Lastly, bundling can help ensure better coverage coordination. When one insurance agency oversees your insurance portfolio, they can identify gaps or overlaps in your protection. This holistic approach helps ensure that you’re fully covered in the event of an accident, natural disaster, or other unexpected event. At an independent insurance agency, we can compare multiple carriers to find the best bundling options for your unique needs, giving you peace of mind and the best possible value.

Eldridge Park is Our Neighbor

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 15:23:53 GMT

We Have a Mural to Prove It

Welcome to Eldridge Park —Elmira’s beloved, family-friendly destination has a wonderful welcome mural. Thanks to Elmira Infinite Canvas and Wallin Insurance Agency, a stunning mural greets visitors at the Westside Entrance, celebrating the park’s history and local charm.

Created by local artist Chris Eldred, the mural highlights many familiar sights: ducks and fish from the pond, the iconic carousel horse, and even the famous dragon paddle boats. A colorful heart sits behind the mallards, symbolizing the love and joy the park has brought to generations of families. The bright backdrop captures the valley’s landscape and the calm waters of Eldridge Lake, making it a true reflection of the community spirit.

Eldridge Park has been a gathering place for over three centuries, and we at Wallin Insurance are proud to support its tradition. Despite challenges in recent years, the park continues to provide a welcoming space filled with engaging activities for all ages. This mural is one of many projects through Elmira Infinite Canvas that aim to fill our city with artistic warmth and pride.

Take a Defensive Driving Class to Save on Car Insurance in NY

peter@wallininsurance.com (Peter Wallin) — Wed, 05 Mar 2025 19:26:02 GMT

Fun, easy, online and can save you money on your car insurance!

Auto insurance companies are facing unprecedented rate increases due to inflation and the increasing cost of repairs. One of the most simple ways to assure your auto insurance rate is providing the best value is to take a defensive driving course - which is available to you online !

For residents of New York, the Improv Traffic School is currently offering their top-rated, fully-online defensive driving course for under $30, making it easier and more affordable than ever to both become a better driver, and save on auto insurance premiums. Some benefits of taking the course include:

A guaranteed reduction of up to 10% on insurance rates - The certificate is recognized by all New York State auto insurance companies.

Reduction in points on your license - For people with points attached to their driving record, the Defensive Driving Course can help eliminate those marks on your driving history.

A fully online learning environment - The course can be completed from the comfort of your own home, with an instant awarding of your certificate upon completion.

No final exam - Anxious test-takers, worry not. The Improv School’s course is content-oriented, making the focus more about taking in information than being able to reiterate the contents of the class. The course is designed to benefit you.

If your defensive driving certificate is near its expiration date, now is the perfect time to renew without going out of your way. For folks who have previously completed a Defensive Driving Course, the Improv School also offers a 3 Year Renewal Course in order for you to retain your discount.

If an online course does not sound like the right choice for you, there is a classroom-style Defensive Driving Course for your consideration. The classroom-based course offers all of the same benefits as the online equivalent, including the reduction of up to 10% on your insurance rates.

Whether you’ve been seeking a way to lower your premiums, or simply desire to improve your driving habits, learning more about defensive driving strategies is a simple and efficient way to start.

Your Roof - Show it Some Love

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 19:22:11 GMT

Updating your roof might save you money on your insurance

Insurance companies are watching your roof. Why? Because:

Rising Costs: The price of roof repairs and replacements has climbed significantly because of inflation and supply issues.

Labor Costs: Skilled labor has become more expensive, adding to the overall cost of roofing work.

Material Quality: Today’s roofing materials don’t always last as long as older ones, so they may need replacement sooner.

Storm-Related Scams: Unfortunately, some contractors target homeowners after hailstorms with exaggerated estimates or too-good-to-be-true offers. Insurance companies are wary of these situations and their impact on claims.

While many people believe roofs should last 20-30 years, insurance providers are now looking at roofs on a 13-15 year timeline. But here’s some good news: if your roof is new, some insurers offer a discount on your home insurance! However, once your roof reaches the 13-15 year mark, these discounts may be removed, and rates can increase.

As your agent, our advice is to keep an eye on the age and condition of your roof to make the most of any discounts and avoid any surprises with your insurance rates. Regular maintenance, including removing mold, leaves, and tree limbs, helps prevent deterioration and reduces the risk of future claims.

Let us know if you have questions or want to chat about your options.

Wallin Insurance is an independent agency located in Elmira, New York.

Safeguarding the Road: Why Listing a Youthful Driver on Your Car Insurance Policy is Crucial

peter@wallininsurance.com (Peter Wallin) — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 17:33:25 GMT

So your teenager is getting their drivers license? Congratulations! Sort of...

The newfound independence of a new driver comes a crucial responsibility – ensuring that they are properly listed on car insurance policies. While it may seem like an added expense or a bureaucratic hassle, there are compelling reasons why this step is of paramount importance.

First and foremost, listing a youthful driver on a car insurance policy is a legal requirement here in New York State. Driving without proper insurance coverage not only puts the driver at risk but also jeopardizes the safety of others on the road. Legal consequences aside, insurance provides a financial safety net in the event of an accident, covering damages to vehicles, medical expenses, and other potential liabilities. Without proper coverage, both the youthful driver and their family could face significant financial hardships.

I've seen far too many car accidents where the young driver is not properly listed on their parents policy. Failing to list drivers on the insurance polcy can have severe consequences. In the event of an accident, insurance companies may deny coverage if they discover an undisclosed driver – leaving the policyholder and their family personally responsible for all damages and expenses. It's a risk that is simply not worth taking.

Also, once the insurance company becomes aware of the youthful driver, they will most likely go back to the acutaly date the license was obtained and send a bill for the correct insurance price that is owed. Almost every insurance company will do this. If you try to outsmart the company and purchase new insurnace elsewhere they will still send you a bill for the back-premium.

In conclusion, listing a youthful driver on a car insurance policy is not just a legal obligation but a critical step in safeguarding both the driver and their family. From legal compliance to financial protection and the accumulation of a positive driving record, the benefits far outweigh any initial inconvenience. It's an investment in safety, responsibility, and peace of mind on the unpredictable journey that is life on the road.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your own situation, please feel free to reach out to me at Peter@WallinInsurance.com

Choosing the Right Insurance Agent

peter@wallininsurance.com (Peter Wallin) — Tue, 05 Dec 2023 16:00:20 GMT

The Independent Agent is your best option

Choosing the best method to purchase your insurance should be evaluated carefully. By now you probably realize it’s more than simply placing a phone call where “in fifteen minutes you can save fifteen percent.” There is also more to getting the proper coverage than just going online and filling out a form. The truth is, it’s much more complicated than that, and you don’t want to make a mistake.

There are several ways you can obtain quotes and eventually buy your insurance. I will describe the choices available to you:

Online and “800” Companies

These are direct-sale companies like Geico, and other online companies that tease you into getting a quote. They have very clever marketing philosophies (where they spend millions of advertising dollars each year) and emphasize that insurance is all about saving money. They have highly-trained sales representatives who sell their product via phone, mail or the internet. They are well-scripted and well-versed to try to sell you, usually the first time to contact them. Sometimes their prices are appealing, but the process happens so quickly that you really don’t know what coverage you are getting.

It also is worth noting that the quote you obtain online may vary significantly from what an insurer will offer you when you actually make the purchase. We actually have people who left our agency and purchased insurance online, only to come back to us a short time later after realizing their mistake.

Captive Agency

These are sales agents who represent one insurance company, like State Farm, Allstate or Nationwide. In some cases they are considered employees or have exclusive contracts with annual goals and targets set by their company. To their credit they are usually well trained and familiar with the neighborhood where they are located. But, because they are “captive,” they are limited in their ability to offer choices and specific products to suit every one of your needs. They often have sales quotas they are required to attain in order to keep the insurance company they work for happy.

Independent Agency

Independent agents represent several insurance carriers, giving you optimal choices on finding the best policies and a fair price. They are called independent because they generally have no restrictions to sell for just one carrier. No quotas or sales requirements. They have the freedom to form relationships with many insurance carriers which gives them the ability to locate policies that will best suit your needs. Independent agencies truly work on behalf of the client, not the insurance company.

This is the kind of expertise you get when you deal one-on-one with an independent agency. Agents can evaluate your unique circumstances and then tailor coverages to meet your specific needs.

Safeguarding your home: Preventing Frozen Pipes

peter@wallininsurance.com (Peter Wallin) — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 19:21:12 GMT

Take Care This Winter!

As winter blankets our surroundings with a serene layer of snow, homeowners and landlords must shift their focus to a potential threat that often lurks behind the scenes—frozen pipes. As an insurance agent, I've seen too many claims that could have been avoiced with just a bit of attention to this matter

The plummeting temperatures that make us reach for cozy blankets and hot cocoa can wreak havoc on our plumbing systems, causing pipes to freeze and, in some cases, burst. The consequences of frozen pipes extend beyond inconvenience, making prevention a top priority for both homeowners and landlords.

One of the primary reasons to guard against frozen pipes is the costly damage they can inflict on a property. When water freezes inside pipes, it expands, exerting immense pressure that can lead to cracks or ruptures. The aftermath includes water damage to walls, ceilings, and floors, as well as potential harm to valuable possessions. Repairing the aftermath of burst pipes is not only financially burdensome but can also be a logistical nightmare, disrupting the day-to-day life of inhabitants.

Landlords, in particular, bear the responsibility of ensuring the habitability of their rental properties. A frozen pipe bursting can quickly turn into a tenant's nightmare, resulting in property damage and potential disputes. Proactive measures such as insulating exposed pipes, sealing gaps in walls, and maintaining adequate heating can save landlords from legal and financial complications down the line. It's not only about providing shelter; it's about ensuring a safe and comfortable living environment.

Another critical aspect of frozen pipe prevention is the preservation of personal comfort. Cold showers, disrupted heating systems, and the inconvenience of dealing with plumbing emergencies can turn the winter months into a season of stress rather than relaxation. By implementing simple yet effective measures such as insulating pipes, maintaining a consistent indoor temperature, and allowing faucets to drip during extreme cold, homeowners can ensure a warm and comfortable living space throughout winter.

In conclusion, the importance of preventing frozen pipes in homes or rental properties during wintertime cannot be overstated. The financial, legal, environmental, and personal comfort implications make it a top priority for homeowners and landlords alike. By investing time and resources in preventive measures, we not only safeguard our properties but also contribute to a more sustainable and enjoyable living experience during the coldest months of the year.

Watch Out for DEER!

peter@wallininsurance.com (Peter Wallin) — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 10:48:58 GMT

Watch out for Deer in the Autumn Months

As the leaves start to change and the crisp air of autumn settles in, the roads of New York (NY) and Pennsylvania (PA) transform into a picturesque landscape. However, this season also brings an increased risk on the roads - deer activity peaks during these months. It's crucial to understand the importance of safe driving practices to prevent collisions with these majestic creatures. In this blog post, we'll delve into why driving safely, especially when deer are around, is of paramount importance in NY and PA.

Deer Behavior

Autumn is mating season for deer, commonly referred to as the rut. During this period, deer become more active and unpredictable, with a singular focus on finding a mate. This heightened level of activity significantly increases the chances of encountering them on the road. Furthermore, deer are crepuscular creatures, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk. These times coincide with peak commuting hours, amplifying the risk of collisions. By understanding these behavioral patterns, drivers can anticipate and take necessary precautions.

The Alarming Statistics

The statistics surrounding deer-related accidents are staggering. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, over a million deer-vehicle collisions occur in the United States annually. In states like NY and PA, which are known for their rich biodiversity and dense deer populations, these numbers are even higher.

In 2020 alone, New York reported over 50,000 deer-related accidents, resulting in 14 fatalities and countless injuries. Similarly, Pennsylvania recorded over 90,000 deer-related crashes, with 13 fatalities and over 1,200 injuries. These figures highlight the severity of the issue and underscore the importance of safe driving practices in deer-prone areas.

Defensive Driving: A Crucial Skill

Defensive driving techniques are invaluable when navigating roads frequented by deer. This approach emphasizes anticipating potential hazards and taking proactive measures to avoid accidents. Maintaining a safe following distance, especially at dawn and dusk, provides crucial reaction time in case a deer suddenly darts onto the road. Additionally, scanning the roadside for any signs of movement and being vigilant for deer crossing signs can help you stay alert and prepared. Always remember that the unexpected can happen, and being prepared for it can make all the difference.

Proper Use of High Beams

Using your high beams can be an effective strategy to spot deer from a greater distance. They illuminate a larger area, providing better visibility in low-light conditions. However, it's important to remember to dim your high beams when approaching oncoming traffic to prevent blinding other drivers.

Avoiding Swerving Maneuvers

In the event that a deer suddenly appears on the road, instinct may tell you to swerve to avoid a collision. However, this can often lead to more dangerous outcomes, such as losing control of your vehicle or colliding with another vehicle or obstacle. Instead, brake firmly and steer straight to reduce the chances of a severe accident.

Awareness of Deer-Crossing Zones

Both NY and PA designate areas known for high deer activity as deer-crossing zones. These areas are typically marked with appropriate signage. Exercise extra caution when entering these zones, and reduce your speed to increase reaction time.

Conclusion

Driving in NY and PA during the autumn months offers a breathtaking view of nature's vibrant palette. However, it also presents unique challenges, particularly when it comes to sharing the road with deer. By understanding their behavior, adopting defensive driving techniques, and remaining vigilant, we can significantly reduce the risk of accidents. Remember, when it comes to driving in deer country, safety should always be the priority. Safe travels!

Take a Defensive Driving Class to Save on Car Insurance in NY

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 18:18:00 GMT

Fun, easy, online and can save you money on your car insurance!

A guaranteed reduction of up to 10% on insurance rates - The certificate is recognized by all New York State auto insurance companies.

Reduction in points on your license - For people with points attached to their driving record, the Defensive Driving Course can help eliminate those marks on your driving history.

A fully online learning environment - The course can be completed from the comfort of your own home, with an instant awarding of your certificate upon completion.

No final exam - Anxious test-takers, worry not. The Improv School’s course is content-oriented, making the focus more about taking in information than being able to reiterate the contents of the class. The course is designed to benefit you.

Whether you’ve been seeking a way to lower your premiums, or simply desire to improve your driving habits, learning more about defensive driving strategies is a simple and efficient way to start.

Spousal Liability for NY Drivers

peter@wallininsurance.com (Peter Wallin) — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 13:16:02 GMT

Spousal Liability for NY Drivers

What does this new law mean?

Effective August 1, 2023, New York Insurance Law requires insurance companies to provide supplemental spousal liability insurance, unless the named insured elects to decline and refuse such insurance in the insured’s policy. What is interesting to note is that this coverage actually began over two decades ago (the year 2002) as an option (very rarely used) but it really has not been brought to light until this new law requiring insurance companies to automotically add it to every policy.

Here's what this means: A spouse who is a passenger in a car can now sue their other spouse if they are injured as the result of an auto accident.

Many insurance carriers (Erie Insurance and Progressive) have chosen to add this coverage at no additional charge to their clients. Other companies will begin to place a charge on this but you can choose to opt out if you wish.

What happens if you are not married? Well, for many the coverage will remain on your policy at no additional cost. If you ever get married in the future the coverage could apply.

All in all, I believe that the media may have blown this issue out of proportion. They portrayed it as insurance companies coercing people to have coveage they might not actually want to need. In reality, it's a good coverage to have at no or very minimal cost.

Please contact us if you ever want to discuss in more detail.

How much insurance should you put on your home?

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 11:04:00 GMT

Here's how to Insure your Peace of Mind

No matter how big or small, your home is your castle. It is probably the biggest investment you will ever make. So you owe it to yourself to fully understand what a home insurance policy is—and what it is not. Our wonderful country allows us to freely choose where we live. It’s up to you to make location choices, which are often based on neighborhood preference, proximity to work or family, or a specific school district. In addition, homes come in all shapes and sizes. Once you find the one that suits you best, it’s important to secure your investment with a homeowners insurance policy that you fully understand.

Choosing Your Policy

A homeowners insurance policy is composed of six parts, and they are relatively simple to understand:

• Coverage A—Dwelling

• Coverage B—Detached Structures

• Coverage C—Personal Property

• Coverage D—Loss of Use

• Coverage E—Liability

• Coverage F—Medical Payments to Others

Knowing what each coverage part means will allow you to be better prepared when making your decision on the amounts of insurance you need.

Coverage A—Dwelling

This is the amount of insurance on the home itself. If there is a fire, wind storm, lightning strike, or ice buildup on the roof, this insurance will pay. Insurance companies have sophisticated computer pro grams to help determine the amount of coverage needed to replace your home. This is a number based on either the total square foot or the number of rooms in the home, as well as the type of construction (wood frame or concrete) and other factors like age and distance to the nearest fire hydrant.

Don’t get confused with the “market resale value” or “appraisal value” of your home and think that’s the amount of insurance you should purchase. You may be making a big mistake if you ever suffer a major claim, because these valuation figures may not be a good indicator when it comes to repairing or replacing your property.

There are many issues to consider when determining the insurance amount you should obtain. Your insurance agent may suggest limits higher than you might think. Here’s why:

• If there is destruction to your home (fire, smoke or water damage, etc.), there can be substantial cleanup costs that need to be performed before rebuilding begins. I’ve seen expenses as high as $50,000 just to tear down walls, insulation, flooring, etc., not to mention that smelly smoke that penetrates ceilings and attic rafters. The rebuilding begins only when the structure is totally clean of the damage.

• Contractors sometimes escalate their charges because they may have to hire emergency crews to work over time to prevent further damage (like mold and freezing pipes).

• The cost of materials may be higher than they would be for a contractor building a new home, where a con tractor has time to shop for the best prices on wood, plumbing fixtures, lighting, and kitchen cabinets.

I strongly suggest you consider insuring your home for 80–100 percent of REPLACEMENT COST based on the insurance company calculations. If you suffer a loss, your insurance company will pay the amount it would cost to repair or replace your home without deducting anything for depreciation. So, pay the premium for this coverage and you will be glad you did when you are not forced to cough up big dollars out of your own pocket if you are hit with a major claim.

Some insurance companies offer a Replacement Cost Guarantee, which will provide coverage above your actual dwelling limit on your policy. In other words, if the cost to rebuild your home turns out to be higher (see the bulleted items above), your insurance will pay the extra amount. That’s an incredible feature you should consider. There is also a valuation option called ACTUAL CASH VALUE. Here’s where home repair costs are depreciated based on the age and dwelling condition. Anyone can purchase this option, but be prepared to receive only a partial payout if you suffer a loss.

More often than not when there is damage to a home, it is not severe (although I’ve seen more than my share of homes burn all the way to the ground). In these circumstances of partial losses, like a kitchen fire, you will be glad you purchased a replacement cost policy and not an actual cash value policy. You get what you pay for, so wouldn’t you prefer to have the entire cost of repairs (replacement cost) instead of the potential to only have some of it paid by your insurance policy (actual cash value with depreciation)?

TRUE STORY: Bob accidently left a pot on the stove while he went outside to do some chores. A short time later the kitchen was on fire. By the time the fire de partment arrived, the entire house was full of smoke. Although the dwelling itself was relatively undamaged (just the kitchen) the cost of cleanup, repairing, and repainting was more than $300,000. That’s no exag geration. Thankfully, a guaranteed replacement cost in surance policy was in place. Bob said afterward: “I will forever be indebted to my insurance agent for selling me the right insurance policy.”

When you are purchasing home insurance, or even reviewing your existing policy, it’s important to know what replacement cost is compared to actual cash value. Yes, it costs more to insure your home for a higher amount than you might expect, but, trust me, it’s worth it! Remember: You are protecting the biggest asset you own—your home.

To anticipate inflationary increases, most insurance companies offer policies that automatically increase the amount of insurance periodically. Regardless, you should review your policy each year to make sure your coverage is keeping pace with inflation.

Coverage B—Other Structures

This is insurance for all buildings and decks (not touching the house), fences, in-ground pools, and other structures that are on the property. The amount of coverage is usually 10–20 percent of the dwelling amount, and it comes as part of the policy at no additional charge. So, if you insure your main dwelling for $200,000 you would also get $20,000–40,000 on other structures. Once again, there would be coverage for fire, lightning, and wind and ice damage. (Note: This amount can be increased for a very small additional premium.)

I usually compare this option to purchasing a McDonald’s combo meal, where the French fries are included with your hamburger. It’s a good deal! You say you don’t want this coverage because you don’t have a detached garage, shed, or pool? Well, your circumstances may change in the future, where an addition is made and you forget to tell the insurance company. Coverage is there for you now and in the future. (Enjoy the fries!)

Coverage C—Personal Property

Here’s where you insure the contents of your home—your personal belongings. Coverage applies for circumstances like a fire, or smoke or water damage. You are also covered for theft or vandalism (up to a certain percentage, even if items are stolen out of your car or off your property (at a storage unit, for example).

Once again, purchasing this insurance is like getting a fast food combo meal. The policy automatically provides a certain amount of insurance, which is generally a percentage of the dwelling Coverage A. Most policies provide between 50 and 75 percent of the dwelling coverage for personal property.

Example: If the dwelling amount is $200,000, the amount of personal property would be $100,000 to $150,000.

I like the fact that the calculation is already made for you. It is often very difficult and time consuming to take a com plete inventory and try to put a valuation on all your stuff (furniture, clothing, kitchenware, and all those holiday dec orations in the attic). In most cases the amount provided by the insurance policy is adequate. If for any reason you want to increase this amount, you can do so at a minimal cost.

Your personal property is valued on either a REPLACE MENT COST basis or ACTUAL CASH VALUE (depreci ation), similar to Coverage A—Dwelling. Here’s an example:

Example: You have a refrigerator that is 10 years old. You originally paid $700 for it. It is ruined in a fire. A replacement cost insurance policy would provide money to buy you a brand-new refrigerator (like kind and qual ity) even if the cost is now $1,200. That’s awesome! If you had chosen an actual cash value policy, the refrig erator would be depreciated based on age and wear and tear. You might be lucky to get $350 for it.

My recommendation: Buy the replacement cost option.

Coverage D—Loss of Use

Your house is damaged to the extent you cannot live there. It might take three, six, or even nine months to rebuild. This part of your insurance policy would pay for your costs to live elsewhere, such as a hotel or rented apartment. Coverage here includes the additional costs you incur for eating meals at restaurants because you cannot cook at home (or in a hotel). Costs of utilities may also be paid for.

The amount of insurance is either a stated amount, some times up to the full dwelling coverage, or an amount of time of actual expenses incurred, such as 12 months.

Coverage E—Liability

What happens if someone (a non-resident of your home) gets hurt on your property? And it’s serious? You could get sued. Liability insurance provides coverage for defense costs, lawsuits, and court settlements. Examples include:

• A trip and fall on your driveway.

• A slip on ice on your porch step.

• An injury or drowning in your pool.

• An injury on your trampoline or swing set.

• You hitting a golf ball (while on a golf course away from home) and a bystander getting hit in the head.

• Your child playing in a Little League game and acci dently hitting someone with a bat.

Liability insurance is comprehensive protection for you. Most insurance policies provide coverage starting at $100,000. The cost to increase this to $300,000 or even $1,000,000 is not that much. I suggest you consider as much coverage here as possible. (I also suggest purchasing personal umbrella coverage as part of your entire insurance plan.)

Coverage F—Medical Payments

This is insurance for simple medical bills for people (non-residents) who get hurt on your property or because of an accident. It’s not a serious issue where the liability cover age (potential lawsuit) is needed, but it pays as needed. This is not health insurance; it is coverage when an accident hap pens. Emergency room visits are most common. Coverage here is usually in the $5,000–10,000 range.

Other Important Coverage Options There are several types of insurance coverages you might want to consider. Please note that many of the options I dis cuss below may not be automatically included in your policy. There may be additional charges to add the following:

Sewer and Drain Backup

You can add coverage to your insurance policy to cover sewers, drains, sinks, and toilets that accidentally back up into your home. This is certainly not a pleasant situation, but you will be pleased when a claim is paid. Oftentimes a professional emergency restoration contractor needs to be hired to help with the cleanup.

TRUE STORY: Rosie lived in a ranch home in an up scale neighborhood. One frosty January afternoon she suddenly realized that all of her sinks and toilets were backing up with gray sewage. An underground sew er in the street had malfunctioned. The sewage was rushing in so fast that it soon accumulated 3–4 feet in her lower-level basement. This was not her fault. She had no control over the municipal septic system. But she was a victim. The cost for cleanup and total renovations to her wall, floors, and bathrooms was enormous. Thankfully she had sewer and drain cov erage. Her Loss of Use (Coverage D) paid for her to live elsewhere while repairs were made to her home. Several of Rosie’s neighbors had similar smelly water issues in their homes. Some had this coverage; some did not.

Building and Ordinance

This is insurance for when your local municipality changes a code in its building laws stating that certain upgrades are to be made if there is damage to your home and repairs are needed. Sometimes a home is “grandfathered,” meaning no changes will be required to a property unless it is destroyed or extensively damaged.

TRUE STORY: A client had a major house fire. Before the rebuilding plans were approved by the town code officer, the homeowners were required to move their entire basement foundation further from the road. They learned that once the house was damaged they were no longer in compliance. The additional cost was $110,000. Other true examples where this coverage was needed: The width of a fireplace liner needed to be increased and the spindles on a wooden staircase in side a home that was built in 1977 (code was accept able back then, but not now). Building and ordinance coverage from a homeowners will pay for this type of upgrade.

Jewelry

Most insurance policies provide a limited amount of coverage for jewelry (usually $1,000). If you have a valu able diamond ring or family heirloom, consider adding this rider for better protection. You may be required to provide an appraisal from a jeweler.

Fine Arts and Collectables

Coverage can be obtained for expensive pieces of art, pic tures, grandfather clocks, etc. You can also insure sport card collections and coins.

In-Home Business

Oftentimes homeowners can get some insurance coverage when they work from home or own their own “home based business.” Furniture, computers, sales samples, and inven tory are all examples of items that can be covered. Liability insurance can also be provided if clients come to your home.

Identity Theft

This is one of the fastest-growing crimes in our society today.

With Internet scams and credit card thefts, thieves get access to your Social Security number and other key factors about your identity and then they try to become you! They rack up thousands of dollars on credit cards and siege bank accounts.

For just a small premium you can add coverage that assists with legal fees incurred to recover your identity.

***

The staff at our agency always enjoy having conversations with new home buyers and existing homeowners who want to review their policy. We don’t intend to scare them (or you) with doom and gloom, but we are faced with real claims every day. We take great pride in being experts in home insurance products.

Money-Saving Ideas

• Combine your auto insurance and home insurance with the same company.

• Choose higher deductibles. Because the average home owner submits a claim only once in 15 years (Source: Insurance Information Institute), you can save money by choosing a higher deductible. For example, it may save you about $30 when you increase from a $200 to a $500 deductible, but over 15 years that equals $450 in savings.

• Install smoke alarms, dead bolt locks, and security sys tems that alert local fire and police.

• Know that the rate for replacement cost option on your dwelling can actually be less (per thousand of coverage) than actual cash value—and you’re getting more coverage.

• Try not to submit small claims. Don’t treat your insur ance like a maintenance policy; you may pay for it with higher prices and surcharges in the future. (Insurance companies often look at past claims when determin ing your current price and eligibility.)

• Establish and maintain a good credit score. Actuar ial data has shown that homeowners with high credit scores not only pay their bills on time but historically do not submit claims as often as those homeowners with poor credit scores.

• Keep your house well maintained. The better kept house usually qualifies for an insurance company’s most competitive rate. They all want your business.

What Should You Do in the Event of a Claim?

Your home is a valuable asset, but it can also be vulnerable to many types of claims. If there is an incident (fire, wind damage, tree fall, water damage, etc.) it’s important to protect your property from further damage. You should take immediate action to fix the property (broken pipe, fallen tree, etc.) if it looks dangerous. Take pictures of the scene to show the insurance representative.

Report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible. You can even do this online (see www.WallinInsurance.com) to get the process started imme diately. A claims adjustor will be assigned to your claim and will work with you to create a plan to repair or replace your damaged property.

If the claim involves an injury, a liability claims specialist will assist you throughout the process. It is vital to obtain an accurate account of the incident that occurred to assist you in the event of a lawsuit.

Do I Need Service Line Coverage

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 16:35:00 GMT

Service Line Coverage can be affordable!

Many homeowners don’t realize they are responsible for repairing
or replacing the underground piping and wiring located on their
property if damaged, items such as sewer pipes, septic lines
,power lines, and well water piping. These are usually out of sight
and out of mind ... until they break
.Most homeowners policies do not cover damages to underground
piping and wiring. Losses can be high when considering repairs
,excavation, and damage to outdoor property
.Service Line Coverage provides payment for physical damage
to covered service lines that is the direct result of service line
damage such as leaks, breaks, tears, ruptures, collapse or
rarcing of a covered service line. Damage can be caused by external

events or environmental conditions, such as tree root invasion,
deterioration, and freezing.
Service Line Coverage can be affordable. Contact our office today
to see how easy and affordable it is to protect yourself from service
line damage costs

CYBER INSURANCE

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 16:17:00 GMT

Safeguarding Your Digital World: learn more about Cyber Event Coverage

In an age where digital threats loom larger than ever, we want to ensure that our valued policyholders are equipped with the best defense. That's why we're pleased to inform you that Cyber Event Coverage is now available as an add-on to your home insurance policy with Erie Insurance.

Why Consider Cyber Event Coverage?

Protect Your Digital Identity: In the face of the fastest-growing crime in America—cybercrime, including a 20% surge in identity theft last year—we understand the importance of fortifying your defenses. Cyber Event Coverage provides an extra layer of protection against extortion threats, ransom demands, and unauthorized use of your financial accounts.

What Does Cyber Event Coverage Include?

1. Identity Theft and Personal Cyber Event Coverage ($30,000)

Reimbursement for Data Recovery and System Restoration: Swiftly recover lost data and restore your computer systems with financial assistance.

Reimbursement for Cyber Extortion Payments: Receive coverage for up to $2500 in the event of inadvertently paying a ransom.

Notification Assistance: Ensure transparency by promptly notifying those affected by a cyber attack.

Professional IT Forensic Experts: Access the expertise of IT professionals to navigate the complexities of cyber events.

2. Additional Features of the Erie Insurance SELECT Home Insurance Policy

Our commitment to your well-being extends beyond cyber threats:

Underground Utility Coverage: Up to $25,000 to cover damages related to underground utilities.

Sewer and Drain Backup Coverage: Protect your home from potential damages caused by sewer and drain backups.

Stolen or Misplaced Jewelry: Coverage with a $3000 limit per item and a $10,000 maximum coverage for precious jewelry.

Computer Coverage: Replace stolen or damaged smartphones and computers with a $100 deductible.

Enhance Your Protection Today

At Wallin Insurance , we believe in empowering our clients with the tools they need to navigate the digital landscape securely. Cyber Event Coverage, along with the additional features of the Erie Insurance SELECT Home Insurance Policy, meets our Agency Minimum Standards, offering you enhanced protection without compromise.

Take charge of your digital security—contact us today to add Cyber Event Coverage to your policy. Strengthen your shield against cyber threats and ensure your peace of mind in an increasingly digital world. Your protection is our priority.

Time to Start Thinking SPRING in the Elmira Area

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 18:58:00 GMT

Few Things are Finer Than Spring In Our Neck of the Woods!

Spring is on the way! Believe it or not, the winter months of snow and frigid air will soon fade into those wonderfully warm spring days. As the weather surely thaws, you should as well! The Elmira area has plenty of offerings for you to consider as you start getting out of the house regularly again; check out these spring time activities:

Explore the various Maple Festivals – Heralded by many as the signal that spring is truly starting, maple festivals celebrate the fresh harvest of maple syrup from the many maple trees that grow across the state. Extending from the Elmira area throughout the extent of the Catskills and Western New York, many tree farms celebrate throughout the last two weekends of March with plenty of fresh maple treats. This is also the ideal time to stock up on fresh, real, local maple syrup for your pantry for the coming year – breakfast never tasted better than when topped with local maple syrup!

Visit Mark Twain’s Writing Study – As many area residents know, Mark Twain spent many summers writing on his 200 acre estate just outside of Elmira. Now, his writing cottage is located just adjacent to Elmira College’s campus. Beautifully preserved and open to the public, the single room cottage can be found just a short walk from a Mark Twain exhibit in the neighboring building. As the climate encourages the greenery around the cottage to bloom again, the setting grows into a beautiful setting for the quaint and storied building.

Get your history on at Newtown Battlefield – The location of the 1779 Battle of Newtown is just down the Chemung River from downtown Elmira. This site hosted a pivotal battle during the Revolutionary War – the area is now a state park, hosting the critical position on Sullivan Hill, which is marked with a white granite pillar. Whether you’re interested in the history of the area or just need a good place to get out and explore nature a bit, the Newtown Battlefield State Park is the perfect springtime destination.

Support Local Businesses – This last year has taken an incredible toll on small businesses and the springtime is the perfect time to help support those businesses in recovery. As COVID becomes less of a threat with vaccines rolling out, be sure to spend time at local restaurants when outdoor dining becomes a viable option once again. Locally-funded clubs and sports teams will also be looking to bolster their cash flow as production season rolls back around as well. Everyone has a part in keeping Elmira the wonderful city that it is.

The entire team here at Wallin Insurance is excited for the coming spring season, and we hope that you are too! The Elmira area plays host to so many wonderful opportunities for springtime fun, we hope you get the chance to get out and experience a taste of maple syrup or develop a new writing habit from the power of Mark Twain. As always, should you have any questions about insurance and what coverage you may need – we’re here to help! Please feel welcome to contact us any time .

3 Things to Consider When Purchasing Life Insurance

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 16:30:00 GMT

Life Insurance is Important, Knowing What to Ask About it is Also

The past year has shown us all how unpredictable life can be – especially the factors that are out of your control. The best thing that you can do is be prepared. Life insurance coverage helps to keep you and your loved ones prepared for anything, but making the right decision in your coverage options can feel overwhelming. While you’re exploring all the proper options for your life insurance coverage, consider these 3 things important to the process:

Understand the difference between Term and Whole Life – The two paths which you can take with life insurance fall into Term and Whole or Universal. Both have a specific application when it comes to providing coverage for your assets. Term life is a policy which you take out for a specific period of time – oftentimes these periods are for the span of time which your children are in school or for the lifetime of your home’s mortgage. Whole or Universal policies last from the moment you take out said policy until the end of your life. Whole life insurance is typically taken out with the intent to help cover the cost of a funeral or replace lost income for a dependant. Typically, term policies are more attractive to younger policyholders in good health.
Know if you have other goals for your policy – Life insurance policies can provide further benefits to your financial portfolio beyond potential payouts. In some situations life insurance policies can be qualified for use as collateral for loans – this is typically only the case for a policyholder who has a positive credit history, but adding a life insurance policy can help secure personal loans. Similarly, whole policies can provide benefits similar to that of a savings account. These policies have a cash value which grows over time, not unlike other long-term investments with tax-exemption. If you’re interested in diversifying your options when it comes to financial reinforcements, consider building the utility into your life insurance coverage.
Know your beneficiary and their needs – While considering your beneficiary for your life insurance policy, consider what they need. If your beneficiary is listed as a business which you own, provide a written plan for how the awarded assets are to be distributed throughout the business. If your beneficiary is a child, assure that they are not a minor – oftentimes, minors are wholly unable to claim their intended awards. Contrary to popular belief, naming your estate a beneficiary for your life insurance policy can carry with it heavy tax implications. After determining which entity is best fit to receive the benefits of your policy, know how to structure your policy so that the payouts to that beneficiary will be most helpful.

The basics of building a life insurance policy may be straightforward enough, but don’t take the workload upon yourself – we’re here to help! Our dedicated team at Wallin Insurance has the experience and care needed to assure that not only is your insurance package affordable, but complete. If you have any questions or need some guidance in taking out your life insurance policy, please contact us . Our goal is to give you the coverage you need.

Tips for Avoiding Distracted Driving

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 17:39:00 GMT

Eyes on the road, mind on the driving

If you have homeowners insurance, you have protection
against traditional theft. For example, if your laptop is stolen
,that is covered under homeowners insurance. But you ar
enot protected against cyber attacks such as cyber theft
,cyber extortion, cyber bullying, data breach from you
rpersonal devices and online fraud. The immediate cost
sof a cyber attack are significant and the long-term cost
scan be devastating. Cyber liability insurance offer
sseveral mitigation measures and high limits to cover th
ecosts of a breach. Please reach out to us if you are intereste
din having a conversation about protecting your identity

The History of Making New Years Resolutions

Thu, 14 Jan 2021 17:29:00 GMT

4000 years is a long time to prepare to get started!

“New year, new me”, or so the saying goes. Each new year brings with it a wave of self-improvement and healthy-habit changing in order to make this year better than the previous. While the new year gives you an excuse to start your new calendar, why do we set resolutions every year, even if many fade away within months of the goal setting? New Year's Resolutions may seem like a modern development, but the history of the “new year, new me” mentality stems from near pre-history.

The first recorded New Year’s resolutions began cropping up in ancient Babylon where, at the beginning of each sowing season, a celebration would be held in honor of what the civilization saw as the new year. Their 12-day festival, known as Akitu, would signal not only an opportunity to appoint a new king, but an opportunity to every citizen to set resolutions for the coming year. These resolutions were backed by the belief that, if they adhered to the goals they set, their gods would positively reward them. If an individual failed to meet their goals, their favor from the gods would decrease in a way which could only be repaired by the coming year’s resolutions.

The New Year date as we know it was established in ancient Rome by Julius Caesar who set the beginning of the year January 1st, in honor of the Roman god Janus. This two-faced god was believed to look both forward to the future and backward into the previous year. Should the Romans set and adhere to their goals, much like the Babylonians, the gods would be pleased.

What many people practice as New Year’s celebrations in modern times was more or less established by the founder of the Methodist Church in 1740. John Wesley established the precursor to watch night services, the covenant renewal service. Held on New Year’s Eve or Day, the covenant renewal service was designed to reaffirm one’s convictions to God, reestablish the presence of scripture in one’s life for the new year, and help set positive goals which were favored by God. Despite the tradition’s methodist roots, many churches now practice watch night services around the New Year’s holiday in order to do many of the same things that clergyman Wesley sought to do nearly 300 years ago.

The New Year as we know it has many ties to the more religiously-oriented days of yore, but remains a largely secular observance in the current era. Despite many resolutions losing their godly connotations, nearly 50% of Americans set new year’s resolutions for themselves for the sake of personal betterment. Many resolutions have evolved into weight loss or fitness goals, but more pious goals which remain popular include learning a new hobby, spending more time with family and friends, and ridding oneself of bad habits. Despite these good intentions and generations of practice, only about 8% of Americans report adhering to their goals for the entirety of the new year.

No matter your dedication to a new year’s resolution, each New Year’s holiday brings an opportunity to reflect and grow into your best self. As we move through the month of January and beyond, if you’re feeling that conviction to your resolution slip, remember you have 4,000 years of ancestors cheering you on.

Christmas and New Years Events in and Around Elmira NY

Sun, 13 Dec 2020 18:51:00 GMT

Let's Make the Christmas Season 2020 the Happiest Ever!

Given the challenging circumstances facing the country and world during the year of 2020, Christmas probably feels a little different for your family this year, but it’s still the Christmas season. Many people have elected to engage in digital celebrations and socially-distanced get-togethers, but the Elmira region is boasting in-person events for the holiday season. If you and yours are looking for a little holiday cheer, check out these Elmira-area Christmas and New Years events!

Amy’s Annual Xmas Eve Run – The ultimate get-you-out-of-the-house Christmas celebration, this annual event can help you prepare for your important task of eating Santa’s cookies later in the day. Taking place on Christmas Eve at 8:30AM, the 4 mile run will begin at the Hendy Avenue School and is sponsored by the Southern Tier Running Club. If your family’s been feeling the cabin fever, get up and out this Christmas Eve to enjoy the brisk challenge of the annual run!

Corning Museum of Glass Events – There are nearly too many holiday opportunities at the Corning Museum of Glass from which to choose – so plan a day for a longer visit! With live glass-blowing demonstrations nearly every day and plenty of refurbished exhibits for the season, the CMoG offers plenty of warm holiday feelings. Opening every day at 9AM the museum hosts multiple exhibition spaces as well as a cafe for light fair and seasonal sweets. With social media-friendly exhibitions, discounts for area residents and veterans, and reduced rates of admissions for SNAP benefits collectors, there’s everyone at the Corning Museum of Glass.

New Year’s Eve Bash at the Sayre VFW – Need a classic send off for the year that no one can wait to be rid of? The Sayre, PA VFW is putting on just that send off. For $30 per ticket, you can enjoy a prime rib dinner, music, drinks, and a midnight toast this New Year’s Eve. All tickets are being sold in advance and will not be available night-of. Reach out to the VFW staff via their Facebook page or phone number, (570) 888-2321.

Check out the Christmas House – Much like the Corning Museum of Glass, the Christmas House is open every day leading up to Christmas Eve! Located on historic Maple Avenue in the heart of Elmira, this Victorian Mansion has become one of the most photographed sites in the Southern Tier. A local favorite, the Christmas House boasts seasonal displays and a gift shop option for visitors throughout the year, but features a special magic as Christmas draws closer.

We can make the Christmas Holiday Season the best ever with the Elmira area is playing host to multiple events, traditional and otherwise, which will help keep spirits merry and bright. Take advantage of the opportunities our community is providing us to have a save, healthy, and exciting Christmas and New Year’s season this year!

Home First Aid Kit Must Haves

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 17:20:00 GMT

Always Be Prepared!

There’s no place like home… And lately you’ve been asked to spend a lot of time there! Whether you’ve been fully bunkered down or finding time to get out for some fresh air, staying safe in your home is more important now than ever. From paper cuts to kitchen burns, having first aid treatment options readily available is a must – check out these most important home first aid kit ingredients.

The Common Items: Most homeowners have basic first aid items either in a kit or in a medicine cabinet. The easiest items to find will include:

Band-aids
Antibacterial ointment
Gauze pads
Aspirin
Sterile alcohol wipes

While these items are often easy to find in your household, getting them organized and keeping them stocked in a proper kit is important.

A well-stocked first aid kit will have 50 Band-aids, an unopened tube or 10 packets of antibacterial ointment, 3 individually wrapped gauze pads, 20 doses of acetaminophen or ibuprofen, and 20 alcohol wipes. Because these items are likely to be used the most in your first aid kit, they are the most important to keep stocked.

The Less Common Items: There are plenty of items that many people are aware that they should have, but consider less important to keep stocked than the common items above. Some of these important, but less considered items include:

Cold compress
Athletic tape
Tweezers
Oral thermometer
Non-latex gloves

The above items may fall into the category of “over-prepared” in some minds, but each plays a vital role in the case of home emergencies. Non-latex or nitrile gloves are especially overlooked in many first aid kits, but remain essential to proper wound care. Alongside tweezers, nitrile gloves help assure that puncture wounds are kept sterile while treating them at home.

In order to properly stock your first aid kit consider 3 instant cold compresses, 1 roll of athletic tape, 2 pairs of tweezers (in case one becomes soiled before treatment is completed), 1 oral thermometer, and 2 pairs of non-latex gloves.

"Many first aid kits are designed to be used for home accidents, but should be prepared to handle home emergencies such as power outages, flooding or other natural disasters, or more severe injuries..."

The “Completely Prepared” Items: Many first aid kits are designed to be used for home accidents, but should be prepared to handle home emergencies such as power outages, flooding or other natural disasters, or more severe injuries which need home treatment while waiting for professional help. Items that may help prepare for such events include:

Emergency blanket
Burn gel
Hand-powered flashlight
Hydrogen Peroxide
Metal finger splints

There are plenty of other items which fit in the category of “I hope I never need this”, but the above five items are some of the most commonly overlooked pieces of the home first aid kit puzzle.

To be prepared have 1 emergency blanket for each member of your household, 1 bottle or 10 doses of burn gel, 1 hand-powered flashlight, 1 bottle of hydrogen peroxide, and 3 metal finger splints.
Building a home first aid kit and keeping it stocked can feel daunting or unnecessary, but being prepared for accidents which are sure to happen can provide you and your family a peace of mind like few other things can. If you’re unsure of your current kit’s stock, or feeling as though you may need more than you have, consider refilling as soon as possible! For more ideas or tips for a well-stocked home first aid kit, refer to world health groups such as the Red Cross for guidance.

Important Steps When Preparing to Buy Your First Home

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 11:00:00 GMT

It's an exciting time and preparation is the key to a great experience!

For many people, buying a home is the final dive into adulthood – home and property ownership assures that you can build a family on a homestead that is truly yours. While the payoff of owning a home knows nearly no bounds, the process can be tricky and at times downright intimidating. Between choosing location, navigating mortgages, and attempting to properly schedule the move of a lifetime, it becomes important to be as organized and prepared as possible for your home buying experience. If you find yourself in the market for a home but don’t know where to start your preparations, consider the following steps to ensure that your experience is as easy as it is rewarding.

Develop an understanding of your credit - One of the first steps you can take when searching for a home is to know what kind of financing you can secure to help pay for your home. While your other factors play into your eligibility for a home loan, your credit score is one of the biggest factors that a bank will consider when you apply for a mortgage. If you’re unaware of your current credit standing or do not know what to do in order to bolster said score, consider free resources such as CreditKarma to begin your research.

Understand your assets - Credit scores will play a major role in determining your mortgage eligibility, but being able to make your down payment is a critical factor for many home-buying deals. Banks and other financing companies will want to see how much money you have in your savings account, what sorts of assets you possess (such as your car, investment accounts, company stakes, etc…), and how much income you earn in order to determine your mortgage qualification. Before you begin your home search, understand what assets you will have to leverage against a potential mortgage and know which assets you’re willing to put up in the case of foreclosure.

Ask how much home you need - While some real estate markets can make it tricky to buy over-sized homes, others can make it just as hard to find a home that is of adequate size for your household. Critically analyzing how much space your family will require helps set better guidelines for your house-hunting search beyond just specific homes that may be of interest to you, as many neighborhoods host curated home sizes and amenities. Learning more about the type of home you want may also show you what kind of neighborhood you desire as well!

Find a trustworthy real estate agent - Finding a shopping partner from outside of your personal circle is invaluable in finding the right home for you. Real estate agents offer unbiased opinions of home opportunities that are tailored to your exact requirements. While family may push or pull you towards or away from certain locations and neighborhoods, a good real estate agent will provide you the opportunities which you truly desire.

Remember your homeowner’s insurance - One of the easiest aspects of the homebuying experience to forget is insurance. When you do finally find your dream home, you’ll want and likely need to protect it with a hearty insurance policy. Different property types may require different types and totals of coverage, so be sure to consult your insurance agent as you begin to search for your new home. You’ll want to be sure that not only is your new home covered from damages, but that your possessions receive an extension of that coverage, no matter what type of home you move into!

If you or someone you know is beginning their search for a new home and could use some help navigating the realm of homeowners insurance, consider us at Wallin Insurance. Our team of homeowners insurance experts is here to help understand policies and aid in selecting the correct type and amount of coverage for your new home!

Keeping Your Home Safe From Crime

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 12:57:00 GMT

Simple Steps Can Make an Important Difference

The world is facing nearly unprecedented stress, making everyday life feel a little less everyday. These trying times are making home comfort even more important. With the world stresses pressing further into the households of average Americans, ensuring that your home is protected is critically important. Consider the following steps to keep your home safe from crime.

Take simple steps – Keeping your home protected from the worst can start with simple, regular routines. While there are more advanced steps to take, protecting your home can start with strategies as simple as;

Locking the doors – Making a regular habit of locking your doors at home throughout the day is a major step in preventing break-ins and vandalism. While many folks keep their doors locked overnight or when they leave their homes, sometimes it is necessary to keep main entrance-ways locked even while you or your family are home.

Leaving lights on – Similar to keeping doors locked whenever possible, leaving lights on can help fend off intruders. While energy conservation is necessary to reduce and maintain a healthy carbon footprint, keeping the air of occupancy even when you are not home or while you are asleep will help deter bad occurrences in your home.

Protecting your valuables – Investing in a safe or other secure holding area for your valuables will seriously aid in preventing losses in the event of an intrusion. If your valuables are out of sight from the windows and prying eyes, intruders may lose interest targeting your home. If a safe is not an option, consider having an inconspicuous storage area somewhere in your home.

Maintain property boundaries – Most break-ins and vandalisms are crimes of opportunity – maintaining a healthy fence line or hedge row can greatly reduce the chances of crime befalling your property. For properties without nearby neighbors, establishing your property line may be especially challenging, but even just a close-fit fence to your home’s perimeter can help keep your family and valuables safe.

Build community – Especially in the face of the world-wide pandemic, community bonding is important to maintaining safe neighborhoods. Having neighbors who are friends will help keep added eyes on your property, while also helping assure that the neighborhood is in good standards with each other. While the challenge of social distancing is hard to overcome when building new relationships, giving away gift packages to community members or hosting “drive-in style” movie nights on your street can help build morale and safety in your area!

Accurately insure your property – In the case that the worst happens, it is important to keep your property and valuables properly insured. If you’ve recently added value to your property or invested in additional features or purchased especially valuable personal property, you should consider updating your insurance coverage. While some valuables will not fall under your homeowners insurance, coverage extensions are simple to add into your existing policies.

Keeping your home safe from crime is incredibly important. If your home insurance isn’t as updated as your home, reach out to your insurance agent as soon as possible! We at Wallin Insurance wish all the best to you and your household and are here to help protect your home alongside you.

Tips for a Safe Halloween in 2023

Mon, 12 Oct 2020 19:08:00 GMT

This year has been a wild ride no matter which way you look at it. With many states and municipalities rolling back on reopening as the weather cools down, Halloween plans seem to be as muddled as they could ever be. How do we get to enjoy the season while remaining safe? While there are plenty of ways to get your Halloween candy fix while staying safe, consider the following steps to be safe on the upcoming trick-or-treating evening.

Before all else, check your local and state regulations - There are cities that are fully restricting trick-or-treating activity and others have just placed moderate boundaries on how Halloween activities can be handled. It is important to celebrate within the bounds of your town or city’s regulations for the safety of your family and those around you. Head over to your municipality’s government website for important updates about mandates and regulations; your city may even have some COVID-safe activities if you’re looking for things to do!

Stock up and stay in - The most simple and safe option to enjoy Halloween in the age of COVID is to stay in. Thankfully, grocery shopping is a relatively safe task so long as the store enforces mask policies – take a quick trip and grab a couple bags of your favorite candy! The possibilities are nearly endless at home; you can keep the evening low-key or go on a Halloween-themed cooking blitz. After all, there is no place like home!

Host a movie marathon - Keep it small, but make it good. While you may have to keep your group under 10 people (check your local regulations!), you can still have an excellent night of fright-filled film. Get a group of friends and family together – even just your household counts – and put together a marathon together that everyone can enjoy. Many standard television channels curate marathons this time of year and some air ad-free, so if you’re having trouble finding content-appropriate movies for everyone in the house, consider accessing your TV guide function and choosing from the list.

Reach out to local farms for information - In many places large-gatherings are prohibited, but many small farms and rural businesses that typically host haunted hayrides and corn mazes are adapting to the local and state restrictions by offering those services by appointment and with certain size restrictions. If you find yourself with a small group of interested family members or friends, give your favorite corn maze a call. The business is sure to love to hear of your interest and you’re likely to get a day-long experience full of classic Halloween fun.

Be sanitary - If your local government is allowing trick or treating on Halloween night and you’re set to go collect candy – be smart. Keep hand sanitizer available and use it after each contact with a foreign surface, namely door handles, other people's hands, and handrails on staircases. If your costumes already have masks, ensure that those masks meet health guidelines for proper ventilation and virus restriction, if your costume is mask-free then add a mask! Whether it’s the default paper medical mask or something more stylized to match your outfit, masks are vital to your safety this Halloween season. For added safety, wash your earning before opening the packages to dig in – a simple spray disinfectant should do the job!

No matter what activities are your preference this Halloween season, it is vital to remain both vigilant and safe. Stay masked up, clean, and most importantly healthy – while Halloween is supposed to be scary, the risks we take should be calculated this spooky season. Want to protect your Home, Family, and Automobile from risk? Give us a call today to review your insurance coverages - 607.734.8799

A Few Fall Driving Tips for Elmira Area

Thu, 24 Sep 2020 16:00:00 GMT

Fall is Beautiful in the Elmira Area - Stay Safe While Enjoying It!

Autumn in the Chemung Valley is among the most beautiful in the country. While life-long residents of the area are already pros at autumn driving through Elmira, tips and tricks for a better driving experience are never a bad thing! Whether a resident or a visitor, consider the following strategies when driving around Elmira in the fall months.

Watch for deer - Autumn time comes with a lot of changes in the Chemung Valley; perhaps the most important change is the increased activity that the area sees in the local deer population. With many deer reaching maturity and all deer bulking up for winter, many drivers will see more deer along roadways and especially highways. Deer are most active at dusk and dawn, meaning that drivers should stay particularly vigilant to avoid collisions with the creatures.

Be cautious of fog - Similar to the increased danger of deer on area thoroughfares, fog becomes a nuisance during the fall months as well. While many fall days see fog at the beginning and clear skies later in the day, misty rains can simulate foggy driving conditions. Be sure to check your vehicle’s fog lights regularly, but especially as autumn moves into the Elmira area.

Be prepared for driving in lower-light - Weather and wildlife conditions aside, fewer daylight hours mean more hours driving in low-light conditions. As the days shorten, dusk and dawn fall closer onto commuting hours. Combined with the threat of fog and wildlife accidents, it is vital to assure that your headlights are functioning and that any prescription eye lenses are up to date in preparation for driving in the fall.

Look out for back-to-school traffic - With schools back in session, it’s important to be aware of children crossing the street during the morning and afternoon. Additionally, area colleges will add cars to the road on routes that may otherwise be less populous during the summer months. While most drivers are aware of and prepared for the additional traffic, less experienced drivers may find themselves unprepared for the added road strain as autumn moves in.

Enjoy the view - The southern tier is among the most beautiful places in the country for autumn viewing, enjoy it! While nearly any vantage point from area roads will provide stunning shades of red and orange, consider visiting the Harris Hill Overlook just outside of Big Flats right off of Route 17. If you find yourself with a free weekend, consider driving portions of Route 17 to enjoy the fall scenes, and if you know of any backroad ways through the Elmira area, share it with your friends!

Autumn is a stunning time of change across Chemung county. It’s important to appreciate and enjoy the natural beauty that Elmira provides us, but equally as important to take care to ensure that you’re driving as well as you can as the days get shorter and the wildlife become more active. Check your car’s lights and your own eyes before you head out on the road, and make the most of the coming fall months!

Check Out Our Historic Elmira Themed Building Mural

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 11:14:00 GMT

Eldridge Park Inspired Our New Artwork

Welcome to Eldridge Park! Elmira’s premier family-friendly, open-air space where, thanks to Elmira Infinite Canvas and the Wallin Insurance Agency, the park has received a beautiful new welcome at the west-side entrance. The freshly finished mural boasts a multitude of local favorites from Eldridge Park’s history.

Local artist Chris Eldred spent the majority of August working on the Eldridge-dedicated work of art. As you turn into the park from College Ave, you’ll notice Chris’s work which features a pair of ducks and a fish resident of Eldridge pond, a carousel horse, and a dragon. A dragon?

Yes, a dragon.

The dragon paddle boats at Eldridge Park deserve some time to shine along with their carousel animal partners, right? As the mural suggests with it’s large, multi-colored heart (positioned perfectly behind the friendly mallards), the park’s commitment to being a source of love and comfort within the community deserves to be felt by all members of the park’s culture.

Alongside the mural’s colorful characters is a sunny backdrop of the gentle slope of the area’s valley and the placid waters of Eldridge Lake. And in case you’re not quite sure where you’re headed, Chris was kind enough to include an era-appropriate sign pointing you in the right direction!
Eldridge Park has been a staple of the community throughout the past three centuries and we at the Wallin Insurance Agency are honored to have played a part in the park’s storied history. While the past six months have been difficult for entertainment spaces, Eldridge Park has remained committed to providing a welcome space with engaging activities ready for you and your family. For more information about the Elmira Infinite Canvas project, please visit their website . The Eldridge Park mural is just the latest in a series of projects that aim to bring artistic life and warmth to Elmira and surrounding communities.

Surprising Facts About Elmira NY

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 18:14:00 GMT

The Queen City is Full of Surprises!

The Queen City – Elmira, New York – was incorporated in the year 1864 within the township of Chemung. Now the biggest city in the current Chemung County, Elmira has developed a storied history as the seat of the central Southern Tier. From the birthplace of Mark Twain to acting as the gateway to New York City and Albany for freight from the rest of Western New York, Elmira is a little city with a huge heart – let’s take a look at what makes this gem shine.

Many people know that Elmira is home to the great American poet, Mark Twain, but Elmira has also been the birthplace to many famous folks. The current governor of Massachusetts, Charlie Baker, was born in Elmira in 1956. The world-renowned fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger is also an Elmira native who graduated from the Elmira Free Academy in the mid-70s. Elmira also boasts as the birthplace of Ernie Davis – the first ever African-American to win the Heisman trophy for his performance as a collegiate football player.

On top of the list of notable people born and raised in Elmira, the city has a long-standing history as a manufacturing and transportation hub. During the height of the rail era, Elmira was a vital stop along the New York and Erie railroad. Beginning in the early 1800’s, the New York and Erie railroad was built through Elmira in order to connect Buffalo, Albany, New York City, and Syracuse to the city. These railway connections not only made Elmira a critical muster point during the civil war, but provided the city with limitless manufacturing possibilities.

Currently home to Anchor Glass Container Corporation, Elmira’s glassware manufacturing facility was originally owned and operated by the Thatcher Glass company in Elmira Heights, on the northside of downtown. Thatcher Glass is credited in American history with revolutionizing the way that milk gets stored and delivered – some relics of the business are stored at the Corning Museum of Glass! Two businesses that were founded in 1905 that are still manufacturing under the same name in Elmira are Hilliard Corporation and Kennedy Valve. Hillard produces operational parts for motor vehicles in both commercial and personal use capacities, while Kennedy Valve boasts world recognition for their production of sewage systems; most notably their fire hydrants.
Beyond the city’s history as an economic hub in the Southern Tier, Elmira also boasts over 20 parks including Eldridge Park which, in 2006, restored and reopened a classic carousel from 1890! Eldridge Park also hosts a fishing lake and multiple other family-style attractions. For rail enthusiasts looking to connect with the historical Lackawanna Railway, a 2.5 mile tract of the former railway has been converted by the city into a walking trail which continues outside of city limits down to the neighboring town of Loman. Elmira’s Brand Park features a collection of sports fields and the city’s only remaining bandstand which is active each summer with a city-sponsored concert series!
The city of Elmira is a longstanding staple of Southern Tier culture, and Wallin Insurance is proud to serve our historical community. With the city’s history so rich, we hope to help the city that we serve flourish in an even brighter future!

Important Family Changes to Discuss with Your Insurance Agent

Sat, 15 Aug 2020 14:35:00 GMT

Family Changes Can Mean Insurance Changes

Your family life is important. Insurance is designed to protect the things that you cherish the most – meaning that when your family changes, your insurance structure may need to change as well. While family changes often come with their own set of challenges, adjusting your coverage after a marriage/divorce, the loss of a covered family member, or the birth/adoption of a child should be simple. Whether you’re considering a change to your family or have recently made a change, continue reading below to see what types of changes may affect your insurance coverage and why.

Inception or termination of a marriage or domestic partnership - There are a few different ways that these changes can affect your policies.

When considering your automotive coverage, chances are good that you will need to have the person being added or removed correctly accounted for as it regards them being an authorized operator of your vehicle. Your car insurance rates may be impacted.

Your homeowner’s insurance is most likely to be affected if the person being added or removed possess items that require additional or special coverage. The original value of your homeowner’s policy is likely to remain unchanged.

Life insurance is a relatively direct relationship pending the type of policy you have – because there are so many variations of life insurance, it’s always best to discuss with your agent if you have any family member changes in your household.

Children, dependents, and legal wards - Dependents under your insurance policies can bring great change – be sure to alert your insurance agent to any changes to the status of children and legal wards.

Automotive insurance is likely to be the most affected by changes to qualified dependents. When offspring reach driving age and become permitted or licensed to drive they should be added to your automotive policy. In some cases, this leads to a significant raise in automotive premiums because of the learning curve associated with young drivers. Thankfully, as with adults, there are courses and qualifications that children can earn in order to merit a decrease in insurance premiums.

Homeowner’s insurance is likely to remain unchanged with the addition of legal dependents; again unless the dependent is bringing items that require additional coverage beyond your base policy.

As discussed above, it’s always best to discuss your Life insurance policy with your agent due to the variations of life insurance available to ensure you and/or any dependents are properly covered.

Death and loss of life - Loss is always hard for a family. Some insurance types require modifying after the loss of life of someone who was covered.

Automotive coverage, as an example, needs the deceased person removed from the active drivers. Homeowner’s policies will also need the deceased removed from the policy in the event of claim so your carrier doesn’t issue a check you cannot cash.

As a general stipulation, filing a life insurance policy claim with most policies needs to occur within 90 days of the death being claimed. Your agent should work alongside you to assure that your policy is paid in full to you in a timely manner.

Keeping your insurance records accurate and extended to everyone who needs coverage is vital to the health of a family. No matter what the situation is, your insurance agent should be eager to help you receive as many benefits as possible. If you would like help navigating the changes to your insurance that follow changes to your family, give us a call at 607.734.8799.

Lending Your Car to a Friend is Not a Wise Idea

Sat, 25 Jul 2020 15:02:00 GMT

Good Friends are Wonderful - Them Driving Your Car May Not Be.

You have probably been there before – a good friend has found themselves without a car and has somewhere to be. Renting a vehicle may not be an option and their family vehicles are out of the question, so they come to you to ask if they could borrow your car while you’re not using it. Whether you say yes or no in that situation is ultimately your decision, but before making that decision you should consider plenty of factors that extend beyond your relationship to the person looking to borrow your car: many of those factors revolve around your insurance coverage.

The complications that follow letting someone who is not on your insurance policy are innumerable – in short, if an accident occurs with your car while someone else is behind the wheel, chances are good that you will be found liable for any damages caused. Thankfully, your insurance should cover the expenses, but that coverage of your friend’s incident is likely to affect your rates for future coverage. An increase to your rates is more likely than not, but does depend on the terms of your insurance package.

Some packages, however, will not fully cover accidents caused by a driver of your car who is not listed in the terms of your insurance contract. There are often exceptions to this lack of coverage if the friend who was behind the wheel lives with you or has been explicitly added to your policy prior to their instance of borrowing. There is also precedent set for degrees of coverage based on the length of the borrowing period. According to the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for the Insurance Information Institute, Jeanne Salvatore, “... [S]ay I borrow your car to go pick up milk, and as long as permission has been verbally granted, you’ll typically be covered.”

For a FREE INSURANCE QUOTE please call us at 607.734.8799

The primary takeaway from all of the potential coverage is that car insurance typically follows the car – not the driver. No matter what kind of insurance your friend may have, if they are behind the wheel of a car that you insure, your insurance will take the brunt of the financial burden. This is not a steadfast rule, however, and it may be the case that your friend’s insurance will follow them no matter which car they are driving.

Beyond the nuance behind are you covered and how much coverage you’ll receive from your insurance company, there is the issue of when your insurer will pay out. In the case of a driver-caused incident involving your car, but driven by a person who is not on your policy, most insurers will only pay out for damages after the driver is found legally responsible. While you may be able to find policies that pay out in advance of a legal ruling, being stranded with a bill for an accident which you did not cause is a daunting thought for everyone.

Ultimately the decision to allow someone else to drive your car is your decision. Know the risks of handing the keys off, though, as chances are good that if something happens to the car, driver, or anyone else on the road as a result of the other person’s driving, you will be faced with the bill. Even if your insurance covers the damages, your rate has potential to increase and you may not get your reimbursement until months later.

Is Your She Shed Properly Insured?

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 11:14:00 GMT

Let the Stress Melt Away Knowing You Are Properly Insured

The age of extra space is upon us – while having in-home oasis will never go out of style, giving yourself some extra space outside of the house is now all the rage. Barns are a great storage room, but the average homeowner won’t need all that space, nor the desire to maintain an additional home-sized structure, so we turn to the shed. Stylish, compact, and the perfect place to retreat without leaving your property. “She sheds” in particular are growing in popularity as a respite space for escaping the chaos of a family home.

But for everything that your she shed gives you, are you giving it the same care back? When bad weather or other misfortune hits your property, will your favorite idyll be covered? Let’s take a look at the steps that you can take to properly insure your she shed.

The most effective step you can take in assuring that your she shed is covered by your homeowner’s policy is to document it. This is especially true of new constructions. While most municipalities have specific requirements for building permits that small structures may not meet, getting a building permit in order to build your new shed is the first vital step. From that permit you can then better report the structure to your insurance agent.

Most homeowner’s policies will include coverage for “other structures” which covers all buildings on your property that are detached from your home – this can include sheds, detached garages, floating porches, and gazebos. In many instances, the other structures clause will cover all of your additional structures for ten percent of your total homeowner’s policy. Meaning that if you have a $400,000 policy out on your home, all other structures can be claimed for up to $40,000 without any changes to your policy. As with most insurance structures, you can take out additional coverage on specific possessions, including your shed.

As with all considerations of a homeowner’s policy, individual items stored in your shed may not qualify for protections under your current policy. Things like linens, some pieces of furniture, and paper products are more susceptible to the elements than the traditional hardware stored in sheds (e.g. lawnmower, garden shears, weed-whacker...), making them less likely to be compensated for in the case of the loss of your she shed. If you invest highly in your furniture or other furnishings for your she shed, be sure to seek additional coverage.

In order to accurately gauge what kind of additional coverage you may want to take out on your home oasis you may also consider calling an appraiser out. While sheds can be hit or miss on adding value to your property as a whole, an appraiser will be able to quantify a value of one specific structure for you – providing you with accurate information to take to your insurance agent.

Your she shed is your space to relax completely – Take care of it like it takes care of you. Ensuring that your insurer is fully aware of exactly what your investment in the shed is will help them to know what kind of policy will best fit covering your “other structures”, including the potential need for additional coverage. If you’re ready to explore your coverage options, give us a call at 607.734.8799.

Why is Car Insurance Mandatory in New York State?

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 18:34:00 GMT

Massachusetts and Connecticut were first, but New York followed close behind

While not every state requires automotive insurance, many do. New York is one state that requires car owners to have insurance, and was one of the first to implement legal requirements for coverage. New York requires drivers to be covered with “...$25,000 for bodily injury to one person, $50,000 for bodily injury to all persons, and $10,000 for property damage in any one accident.”1 These are the minimum requirements for automotive coverage on New York state-registered vehicles, but drivers are at liberty to opt into higher-coverage packages.

Why do so many states require automotive insurance? Massachusetts and Connecticut were the first states to introduce compulsory laws for automotive coverage, but New York quickly fell in line with the trend. The prime motivation behind compulsory automotive coverage is to prevent those found to be at fault for accidents from defaulting on reparative payments. If every driver on the road has coverage for accidents, then there is less to worry about in the instance of a driving error or other incident.

Different types of coverage are codified for different reasons in New York State and it is important to understand what different types of insurance cover and how it protects everyone on the road.

Perhaps the most important type of insurance coverage in an automotive insurance package is the liability coverage. The origin of insurance lies in what has evolved into liability coverage; the essence of which includes coverage for bodily injury and property damage if you are found to be at fault of an accident.

On top of liability insurance, New York also requires PIP (Personal Injury Protection) coverage of no less than $50,000. The PIP law provides that all parties involved in an automotive accident must file a claim with their own insurance company, regardless of who is at fault, this assures that all parties are quickly reimbursed after an accident.

While there are many other types of automotive coverage that your provider is likely to offer you, the base policy must have the minimum coverages previously mentioned . This mandated coverage may seem steep for every person who drives on a New York registration, but New York does also offer discounts on policies that makes it more affordable for the driver, but still lucrative for insurance companies to cover all drivers in the state. For more information about what discounts you may qualify for, check the New York State Automotive Insurance FAQ page .

Ultimately, the reason behind compulsory automotive insurance in New York is to protect every driver on the road equally. Before compulsory laws, accident suits were often left to be defaulted on by those found responsible. As with many other states, New York’s insurance minimums provide a level of certainty to everyone on the road that if there is an incident involving a car those affected will be compensated.

If you are looking for automotive insurance or guidance on how to optimize your current coverage, consider giving us a call at 607.734.8799—we at Wallin Insurance would love to help!

Ask about our FREE book to provide additional information as well!

1 “FAQs: Automobile Insurance.” Department of Financial Services. New York State. Accessed June 29, 2020. https://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumers/auto_insurance/auto_insurance_faqs .

The Importance of Independent Insurance Agencies

Tue, 05 May 2020 12:47:00 GMT

Your Independent Insurance Agency is An Important Part of Your Community.

In the market for an insurance package? The options for insurance agencies can seem boundless, with each agency claiming to have the best deals for your situation, how can you begin to review your options? One of the first considerations for anyone searching for insurance should be whether to do business with an independent agency or a single-company (captive) agency.

Captive agencies are bound to a single insurance company. While a captive agent may know their company very well, while you’re searching for a quote for a new insurance policy, it is likely they can provide you with only one quote.

Independent agencies can represent dozens of highly rated insurance companies. That allows the agent to explore a wide range of options for each individual policyholder they represent. In contrast to a captive agent, independent agents can present you with multiple quotes from several of the companies with which they work.

Captive insurance agencies may be driven by quotas that are set by the company which they represent. While many independent agencies also have some degree of sales-goal set by each company they represent, the agent will still have your best interests in mind while shopping on your behalf. If a certain insurance company’s goals aren’t met by an independent agency, the impact is minimal if that company severs the partnership with the agency. As independent agents have plenty of other options to showcase to prospective or returning customers. This is not the case should a captive agent fall short of the quotas set, as recurring shortfalls on quotas may result in the agent being fired as a representative of the company, causing customers to need to find a new agency to continue their coverage.

In addition to the flexibility and increased insurance options provided by an independent agency, you can see the impact of your business with an independent agent more directly. When an insurance agent is captive to one company, less of the money that you’re spending on the insurance package you’ve chosen is going to that agent. While a captive agent may take a commission on the insurance you’ve selected, they are likely salaried - independent agents, on the other hand, typically rely on sales commissions thus providing a more direct contribution to the local business environment, instead of upwards into the pockets of upper management of insurance companies.

The personalized care that an independent insurance agency will provide to you will ease the stress that buying insurance can cause, whether you’re shopping for personal or business coverage.

Ready to start shopping with your local independent insurance agency? Give us a call at 607.734.8799, we look forward to helping you!

What Business Insurance is Important for My Small Business?

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 14:17:00 GMT

There are several types of small business insurance you should consider.

Have you ever wanted to launch a business start-up? Have the perfect business plan and all your assets in line? Or, maybe you already have your business lifting up off the ground, but don’t know where to go next. Before diving in too deep, remember to protect the assets of the business you’ve dedicated your energy towards - insurance is a critical step in assuring that your enterprise is prepared for potential business-busting problems. But where do you begin when considering business insurance? Let’s explore critical commercial insurances for your small business.

General Liability Insurance - Much like in the realm of home and auto coverage, liability insurance is vital for most business owners. Liability coverage protects your business from risks like business-related medical expenses suffered by your customers for mishaps on your business property and the cost of lawsuits and settlements. The necessity of having a general liability package cannot be overstated. Liability insurance is the most broadly needed coverage for businesses.

Professional Liability Insurance - Professional liability insurance is designed for customer-facing businesses. If you are venturing into a business that works directly with customers, then there is a chance that your product or service will be the impetus of a lawsuit. Professional liability insurance helps protect your business from financial loss in the face of some of those lawsuits, namely malpractice and negligence, as well as coverage against loss caused by general errors.

Home-Based Business Insurance - Many small businesses begin their operations out of the founder’s home - or sometimes the garage. If your enterprise is like so many others, consider purchasing home-based business insurance. A home-based business insurance package can sometimes be added onto your existing home-owners insurance policy in order to offer small-scale coverage on any equipment used that is stored at home, as well as a degree of third-party injury coverage should a client be injured at your home while there on business.

Commercial Property Insurance - Much like your home and its contents should be protected in the case of damages, if your business has commercial property it also should be covered. Most property policies protect against damages from vandalism, theft, and fire, but there are more extensive packages that also include coverage against flood, hail, and other storm damages as well.

Product Liability Insurance - All businesses big and small that deal with manufactured goods should have a product-oriented package. No matter how careful you are in the assembly and delivery of products made, there is a chance that something will go wrong in the process, and that flaw may be the source of loss for your business. Product liability coverage will help protect against those losses - even insofar as covering any damages caused by incomplete or insufficient product instructions upon customer use.

While there are some insurances required of small businesses in New York, such as worker’s compensation insurance, unemployment insurance, and disability insurance, there are many more coverage types that are important to have for your small business to be properly protected. Be sure to consider all of the products and services that your business provides and consider what your biggest risks will be. When you’re ready to properly protect your small business, give us a call at 607.734.8799, we are here and ready to help protect your dream.

Practical Tips for Home Cyber Security

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 16:27:00 GMT

Keeping Your Home Computer Safe From Cyber Security Threats is Important

Cyber security is on the forefront of a lot of business’s strategies, as threats and protections both grow exponentially more effective. While personal information may not feel as sensitive as some high-risk corporate information, personal cyber attacks are a constant risk. Whether it be for banking or personal information, identity theft affects someone new every 2 seconds globally. What can you do to protect yourself from falling victim to a cyber attack? Thankfully there are a lot of options, most of which are straightforward and effective.

Keep personal information stored on your computer minimum. Facebook stores basic information like your name, birthday, and current place of residence, but did you know that your web browser may be storing similar information? Be mindful to not allow your browser to store your security question answers or credit card information unless you’re certain your computer is completely secure. If a browser requests to store information and you are on a shared computer, select “no”. Additionally, do not store your banking or credit card account information on your computer’s harddrive. While old fashioned, keeping your sensitive information written in a notebook and stored somewhere out of the way is effective against cyber attacks.

Change your passwords frequently. Many password-secured websites will prompt you to change your password every 3 to 12 months, but some common websites such as Twitter and Facebook do not automatically prompt you to update your password unless a threat has already occurred. The best strategy is to be preemptive and update your password every 3 to 6 months.

Install malware protection. There are plenty of free and effective anti-malware softwares available online. These programs work by monitoring your computer for malicious downloads from the internet that may install a virus that would skim your information off your computer. These viruses sometimes hide in otherwise safe programs that you intended to download and the malware protection will scan each download you install before allowing the new software to run, catching the virus before it has a chance to spread.

Be aware of phishing scams.

Phishing is when someone reaches out, whether it be via email, private message, or other digital media, while impersonating an authority or organization which you may be connected to for financial or other reasons. Most commonly the phisher will impersonate your insurance or utility company and demand immediate, direct payment on an overdue bill. Sometimes using the threat of utility shut off or legal action, the hope of the phisher is to elicit fear from their target and to gain personal or banking information. Should you receive an email or personal message of that nature and you’re unsure whether or not the notification is genuine there are some steps that you can take to verify:

Check the sender’s email or other identification
Call the authority that claims to have reached out via a number provided by that authority, not a number provided by the suspicious email
Do an internet search about people who have been phished with a similar situation
Verify the claim against your own records

If those steps do not feel like enough, there are also services that provide home cyber security solutions. These services range widely from information backups and monitoring, to password generators, phishing alerts, and data insurance. Using such services will incur a cost, but when it comes to personal information any and all security it may be worth the investment.

Have you thought about how your insurance coverages may help in the case of a cyber security attack? It may be time to give us a call here at the Wallin Insurance agency to discuss your coverages. Please dial us at 607.734.8799

3 Reasons to Plan a Review of Your Family's Insurance

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 15:35:00 GMT

Count on us to help you keep your family's insurance policy up-to-date

Many people here in the Elmira area work hard to make sure that their family is healthy and safe, which is why the demand for affordable insurance plans that provide adequate protection in the case of an emergency is always consistent. No one wants to be in a situation where their partner and/or kids are left in a dire situation and struggling financially. Of course, there are some family insurance plans that are different than others. Many individuals, based on their age, health, and financial status, may have different needs, standards, and expectations.

We know that it isn’t always easy to select all the insurance plans that are correct for your family, and the process can often be extremely confusing. You also might have a current insurance plan, but are curious about what other options exist. Here are three reasons to plan a review of your family’s insurance policies.

Find Out Your Insurance Details To Remain Aware

Another important reason to review your insurance policies is to make sure that you are securing the correct protection for the premiums that you are paying. Sometimes simply paying our required insurance premiums becomes habitual and automatic. Perhaps the premiums are even deducted directly from your bank account. As time goes by and our circumstances change it is a good idea to be sure that those premium payments are still providing the insurance value that you need. A professional insurance agent like those here at the Wallin Insurance agency can help you determine that your hard earned dollars are providing the insurance protection that you require.

Most insurance policies require you to pay deductibles, so it’s important to remember all aspects of your family’s insurance plans before committing to anything. Some websites also offer an annual estimated insurance cost, which might be a better option for any long-term financial planning. You might want to review your family’s insurance plans to remain aware of exactly what they cover.

You Are Making More Money Now

You might have decided that it’s time to take another look at your family’s insurance plans since you are making more money than ever before. Let’s say that you own a business that was failing for several years, but it is now making more money than you ever believed was possible.

If you are making significantly more money, it may be time to strengthen your family’s insurance protection since money might play less of an issue now.

It Might Be Time To Adjust

You might not have thought much about life insurance or adequate auto insurance in your 20s, but we all know that impactful situations tend to pop up decades down the line. You might be realizing that your lifestyle is changing, and that you should consider adjusting your insurance policies since you may face more health issues or differing driving situations than you did earlier in your life.

You may also want to adjust your family insurance plan after a major life event, such as a marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.

At the Wallin Insurance Agency we recommend a thorough review of your family’s insurance policies at least every couple of years. If it is time to make sure that your family has the insurance protection that they need and you are getting all of the money saving discounts you deserve give us a call today at 607-734-8799, we LOVE to help!

What Are The Benefits Of Renter’s Insurance?

Sun, 23 Feb 2020 14:33:00 GMT

Renters Insurance is an affordable protection for apartment living.

There are many young professionals that have to think about insurance more than ever before - whether it’s home insurance, car insurance, or life insurance. Millennials also favor experiences over ownership, which is one of the reasons that many of them in the United States choose to rent. It’s also another reason why you might want to start taking renter’s insurance seriously.

There are various benefits to renter’s insurance - it might be about peace of mind to some. To others, it might be a way to make sure that their belongings can be replaced after a robbery or theft of some kind. Here are some other benefits of having renter’s insurance.

Peace Of Mind

It doesn’t matter whether you’re single or have a large family - your belongings matter to you. Why shouldn’t you protect your furniture and jewelry? You may have also developed an emotional connection to your things, as well.

Ultimately, renter’s insurance can provide real peace of mind. It can be reassuring and invigorating to know that your possessions are protected. You might be worried about your electronic devices, or some jewelry that you inherited. Either way, working with an independent insurance agent you can find policies that fit your needs.

Renters Insruance Not A Burden

There are some insurance policies that are quite expensive. Renter’s insurance really isn’t that costly, especially when you consider that it can help you in a dire situation where there aren’t many options left.

You don’t have to save up for months in order to afford renter’s insurance, so it’s not a huge financial decision that could haunt you for years. In fact, the annual premium for renter’s insurance is usually between $120 and $190 .

Potential Accidents

One of the reasons that insurance is so important is because it can help you when you need it the most. For some, it’s about having some financial cushion while their claim is processing. Others might want to make sure that their guests are protected - which is exactly what can be covered with renter’s insurance.

If your guest has an accident of some kind, renter’s insurance can help with the financial liability. While it’s ideal that no one ever be injured in a place that you are renting, renter’s insurance can prove useful in these situations. You can even purchase a policy that covers any legal costs as well.

Pet Problems

You can even purchase a renter’s insurance policy that can cover injuries if your dog happens to bite a guest. Ideally, your dog won’t bite anyone, and no serious injury will ever occur - but if you are worried about the chances of that happening; renter’s insurance can actually help.

Temporary Items

This fact might not be advertised that much - but “renters insurance” actually counts for everything that is in your possession. This means that policies can cover objects that are not even yours, and that you are borrowing from someone else! That fact might not apply to everyone, but there are some that might find this comforting.

Let’s say that you are a professor and a friend of yours lent a very valuable rare book of some kind. There might also be a situation with a friend or family member where you borrowed some expensive jewelry or lavish high-fashion clothes. Renter’s insurance can protect you in case there was a theft or other loss in these situations.

If you are interested in learning more about protecting your possessions and financial stability in the case of an unforeseen liability claim call us here at the Wallin Insurance Agency 607.734.8799. We can help you find just the renter’s insurance policy you need.

3 Questions You Should Ask Your Insurance Agent

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 15:28:00 GMT

Knowledge is Power - The Power to Insure Your Future!

Whether you are buying a home or car or simply looking for a new policy, it’s a good idea to slow down and take the time to ask your prospective agent a few questions. Plenty of errors can slip through the cracks if you don’t take your time when shopping for home and auto insurance. Here are a few questions to ask before you sign on the dotted line.

How Much Insurance Do I Really Need?

Insurance is an essential part of everyday life here in the Elmira area. Whether it's for your home or auto it’s a necessity. For example, if you are taking a loan out for a new home, it is required by your mortgage lender or if you own and drive a car it is required by the state. But how much Insurance do you really need? Is an important question to ask your local independent insurance agent.

The bare minimum may suit some, but most need additional types of coverage that the minimum policies do not include. So it’s important to understand the types of coverage insurance policies provide. How do you determine how much insurance you really need? The Balance offers these tips.

If you are buying insurance to protect something that would not really impact your life, or that you can handle yourself using savings, then you probably don't need that insurance.

If you are buying insurance to protect your livelihood, your living conditions, or your family's financial stability because you would not be able to have the same kind of financial compensation otherwise, then you are probably making a good choice in buying the insurance.

What Discounts Do I Qualify For?

No doubt there is a lot of chatter when it comes to discounts for home and auto insurance. Commercials for various big name companies blast viewers with all the discounts they have available. Most insurance companies will have a few ways you can get better rates, and some are common and well known, while others are carrier specific. You may not qualify for every discount, but you can make sure you are getting all the applicable discounts on your policies. All you have to do is ask.

What Insurance Companies are Available to Me?

Insurance agents that only sell products for one company are known as captive agents, while independent agents like us here at the Wallin Insurance Agency have access to multiple insurance carriers and products. This question will help you determine whether they are a captive or independent agent. There are pros and cons to each type of agency, but with an independent agent you may have more options for your particular situation. The more carriers an agent works with the more choices you have when it comes to your coverage. This is especially helpful to ensure you are getting the best possible rate.

The Takeaway

At Wallin Insurance, we are transparent with all prospective and current clients. It's always a good idea to ask upfront to be clear on the services we provide.

Hundreds of people can visit our agency each year to discuss their insurance. Although it's relatively simple to give a quote and talk about prices, it's sometimes difficult to explain the coverages. Yet, to make the proper decision about what to buy, it's worth it for you to understand all of the components of insurance fully.

Our message is simple: "We Help You Find Good Insurance." Call us today at 607.734.8799 or stop into see us.

The Difference Between Term Life Insurance and Whole Life Insurance

Mon, 03 Feb 2020 18:51:00 GMT

Term Life Insurance and Whole Life Insurance each have benefits

There’s a good chance that you’ve heard about the importance of insurance, because life throws us variables that we simply cannot predict. No one wants to pass away knowing that their family is financially unstable. However, you might not be aware of all of the nuances involving insurance.

There are some very real differences between term life insurance and whole life insurance. It’s important to make sure that you truly understand these differences before purchasing a policy. Here are some facts about both term life insurance and whole life insurance that should help you get a clear view of how different they are.

Differences In Time

The main difference between whole life insurance and term life insurance really isn’t that complicated. As you may have been able to deduce from the title, whole life insurance gives you life insurance coverage for your entire lifetime. As a result, whole life insurance is typically more expensive.

Term life insurance lasts for a specific period of time. The “term” might be five, ten, or fifteen years, for example. Of course, there are longer term life insurance policies that last for twenty and thirty years, as well. Term life insurance may also become more expensive as you age. If you decide to change your mind about the type of insurance you have purchased, you can sometimes convert a term life insurance policy into a whole life insurance policy.

Betting On Your Future

Some people might feel as though a term policy is best for them because they believe that they will be able to increase their income dramatically in a decade or two. Let’s say that you are a musician, and choose to purchase a term life policy. Let’s say that within ten years you become significantly successful. You would be able to self-insure at this point, or might consider a whole life insurance policy for estate planning.

If you are in your 80s or 90s, however, you might be ready to plan your estate. There may be little point in you purchasing a term life insurance policy if you are already trying to get your affairs in order. In this case, a whole life insurance policy makes the most sense.

Long-Term Goals

You might have different motives for purchasing life insurance. For example, some might purchase life insurance because they started a family and want to make sure that their loved ones are financially stable when they pass away. Another fact about term life insurance is that it’s a bit more flexible - you can cancel a policy and shop for a new one at any given time. However, the premiums might vary in terms of cost.

However, you might also be someone who is already well-off. In this way, a whole life insurance policy can actually be used to pay the estate tax after your death, so that your assets can be passed on accordingly. It can basically be used as a savings vehicle, but it might not be the best choice for those who are not financially stable.

Have more questions about different types of life insurance and what is best for your specific situation? Stop by and see us today or feel welcome to give us a call 607.734.8799.

Safe Driving Tips for Elmira NY Drivers

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 21:13:00 GMT

Be prepared for safe driving in all the New York State seasons

As we brace to trudge forward through the winter months here in Elmira, it's essential to be prepared for whatever Old Man Winter throws at us. While it's always best to stay off the Western NY roads during inclement weather, it may not be an option. The next best thing is to be prepared.

Focus on the Road

During the winter months, it is crucial to focus only on driving. In some situations using actions like voice-controlled features, adjusting the radio, or eating can be a distraction.

Don't Be in a Hurry

Travel at the speed limit or below at all times. Stopping for three full seconds at stop signs is the best way to avoid cutting off other drivers or being cut off.

Tell Someone

Before taking heading out in bad weather, always let someone know where you are going and when you plan to be back.

The Weather Can Change Instantly

If you have to get out, double-check your vehicle is equipped with the proper equipment for driving in these conditions, such as workable windshield wipers, antifreeze, and snow brushes.

Know Where Your Stuff Is

Be sure you know where essential documents like your insurance card or driver's license are in the event of an accident.

Have a Working Knowledge of Your Vehicle

Know how to perform minor fixes to your car, like changing a flat tire and jumpstarting your battery. Having the knowledge to get yourself out of a minor jam can save you from hours of waiting for help in cold miserable weather.

In addition to following the above driver safety tips, Emira drivers should also carry a roadside emergency kit. According to edmunds.com , the following items are a must!

Jumper cables. Or you can carry a small, portable, lithium-ion battery with jumper cables. Usually, these batteries will also recharge computers and cell phones. Prices for these batteries range from $60-$120. If you go the battery route, though, make sure to keep it charged.
Flares or triangle reflectors. LED flares are also an option worth considering.
A quart or more of motor oil
A gallon of coolant
First-aid kit
Blanket or space blanket
Flashlight and extra batteries
Tool kit with screwdrivers, pliers, adjustable wrench, pocket knife
A can of tire inflator and sealant such as Fix-a-Flat
Tire pressure gauge
Paper towels
Spray bottle with washer fluid
Ice scraper
Pen and paper
Granola or energy bars
Bottled water

The Takeaway

At Wallin Insurance, we want all of our clients to be safe during the harsh winter months. It's always a good idea to review your auto insurance coverages to be sure there are no gaps, and that you are adequately protected in the case of a weather related accident.

Our message is simple: "We Help You Find Good Insurance." Call us today at 607.734.8799 or stop into see us.

A Short History of Elmira NY

Thu, 16 Jan 2020 19:39:00 GMT

We are hometown proud!

Known as "The Queen City," Elmira, NY, has always been a place rich in history. Originally named the Township of Chemung, the village officially changed its name to the Town of Elmira at a town meeting at Teal's Tavern. Legend has it the town was named after the owner's daughter, you can still enjoy a cold brew and tasty food today on Elmira’s Southside!

A Town on the Forefront of Industry and Education

Connecting commercial centers in Rochester and Buffalo with New York City and Albany, Elmira became a major transportation hub by the late 19th century. Helping to make this possible was the Chemung Canal completed in 1833, connecting Elmira and Corning and the Erie and New York Railroads.

Another noteworthy part of Elmira's history is the crucial role it played in the Underground Railroad, thanks to its proximity to Canada. Here are a few other notable Elmira institutions.

Star Gazette 1828

The first Gannett newspaper. It was founded as the Elmira Gazette in 1828 and became an evening daily in 1856. Frank Gannett bought a half-interest in the paper in 1906 to begin what would eventually be Gannett Co., Inc. The following year, he merged the Elmira Gazette with a competitor, the Evening Sun, to form the Star Gazette.

Star Gazette Online

Chemung Canal Trust Company 1833

Since October 22, 1883, Chemung Canal Trust Company has provided continuous, progressive financial and credit services to the area.

Chemung Canal Online

Elmira College 1855

Founded in 1855 as Elmira Female College, it was the first college in the world to grant a baccalaureate degree to women, equal to those given to men. Elmira College is known as the "mother of women's colleges." Elmira College became co-educational in 1969.

Elmira College Online

H. Strauss Clothier 1858

Eight years after Elmira was incorporated, H. Strauss Clothier opened.

H Strauss Online

ID Booth and Booth Electrical Supplies 1875

Irving D. Booth started his "heavy hardware" business in 1875. Today, ID Booth is a fifth-generation family-owned business.

ID Booth Online

Kennedy Valve 1877

Daniel Kennedy started making gate valves in Manhattan. In 1907, Kennedy Valve continued to develop rapidly, and a larger, more modern plant was built on a 20-acre site in Elmira, NY.

Kennedy Valve Online

FM Howell 1833

Founded in 1883, Howell originally manufactured wooden cigar boxes and later became a high-quality printer of cigar box labels, cigar bands, and menus for hotel restaurants steamship lines and railroads.

Howell Online

Hardinge 1890

In 1890, Hardinge began the manufacture of industrial use Super-Precision and general precision turning machines.

Hardinge Online

Hilliard 1905

Founded in 1905, The Hilliard Corporation has evolved from a one-product business into a special-applications engineering company serving customers worldwide.

Hilliard Online

St. Joseph's Hospital 1908

It all started in September of 1908 when the Sisters of St. Joseph of Rochester, along with several key community leaders, saw the need for a new hospital in Elmira.

St Joseph's Online

Gerould's Pharmacy 1921

Established in 1921 as a pharmacy, Gerould's is now one of the largest suppliers of medical equipment and home health care items in the entire Southern Tier of New York and the Northern Tier of Pennsylvania.

Geroulds Online

Clemens Center 1925

The Clemens Center first opened on December 21, 1925, as a 2,500 seat vaudeville and silent film house. Described as "the largest and most magnificent theater between New York City and Buffalo."

Clemens Center Online

Treu Office Supply 1938

The roots of retail go back many generations in the Treu family. Adam Treu was the Vice President at Macy's Department Store in New York City. His son, Harold L. Treu, founded HL Treu Office Supply in downtown Elmira in 1938. Today, Treu Office Supply is a third-generation family-owned business.

Treu Office Supply Online

The Takeaway

At Wallin Insurance Agency, we are proud to be a part of the fabric of the town of Elmira, NY. Our insurance experts are here to help you find the coverage you need. Whether it is for your home, auto, or business, we are committed to finding the right coverage for your situation and budget. Want to start a conversation? Call us at 607-734-8799.

Are You Covered When You Lend Your Car to Someone?

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 18:45:00 GMT

Tips from ERIE INSURANCE

If you own a car, chances are you’ve let a friend or family member borrow it at least once. After all, there are plenty of reasons to hand over the keys. Maybe you needed a relative to pick up your kids from school. Or you’re helping someone get to work after their car broke down. But did you know that in the event of an accident… it’s your auto insurance policy that typically would have to pay? “By far, the number one misconception about loaning out your vehicle is that if you let your neighbor borrow your car, an accident should go on his insurance because he was the one driving,” said Dave Freeman, vice president and regional underwriting officer at Erie Insurance. “But in private passenger auto insurance, the coverage typically follows the vehicle, not the driver.” Let’s break it down.
DOES MY CAR INSURANCE COVER OTHER DRIVERS? If you’re an ERIE customer, insured drivers include:

Resident relatives : Most ERIE personal auto policies provide coverage to the named insured, their spouse or domestic partner and any other resident relatives. So if someone is a member of your family and lives in your home, they’re automatically an insured under your policy unless excluded.
Domestic partners: If someone lives with you but isn’t a relative, they are not named insureds under your policy. However, if you’re living with a domestic partner, they can be added to your policy as a named insured but only if your relationship is the long-term, committed type – you share domestic responsibilities and have joint financial obligations. All you have to do is call your agent and let them know. They’ll send out a short driver questionnaire and check your partner’s driving record to determine eligibility. Related: What Insurance Do You Need When You Move in Together?
Someone with permissive use: If you loaned out your car to a friend or neighbor, your ERIE policy generally will cover them – as long as you gave your permission. If they are a regular and repeated user of the car, they should also have coverage. The only exception is if a driver has been specifically excluded on your policy.

Finally: If someone else is regularly driving your car, it’s important to let your agent know. Chances are, anyone you let borrow your car will fall into one of these three categories. But just because someone is covered doesn’t mean loaning your car is risk-free.
LOANING YOUR CAR: CONSIDER THE PROS AND CONS Here’s the good news: If the driver falls into one of the three categories above, and the loss is covered under the terms of your policy, your insurance can help pay for the damage – even if you weren’t the one driving. But here’s the tricky part: Depending on the situation – and the specifics of your policy – you might get stuck paying a surcharge on your auto insurance premium for an at-fault accident, even if you weren’t the one driving at the time. (Every policy is different, so ask your ERIE agent if this applies to you.) Related: What Determines the Price of My Auto Insurance? According to Freeman, most people don’t think about these ‘what if’ scenarios before lending their car. “When you loan someone your car, you’re putting your name out there as a responsible party,” he explains. “You’ll be protected within the limits of your auto policy, but there’s always a chance of something happening that exceeds them.” For instance, if your neighbor runs a stop sign and causes significant injuries and property damage, you could be responsible for paying any amounts owed above the limits on your policy. That means you could be sued for your neighbor’s negligent actions because they were using your vehicle. Liability in these situations varies by state, so check with your ERIE agent if you have specific questions. And then, there’s the question of what actually constitutes “permissive use.” For example, maybe your daughter goes off to college and lets her friend borrow a car that’s in your name – but you, as the named insured, didn’t give permission. Is her accident covered? The answer could vary based on case law in each state. Related: Whose Insurance Pays When My Friend Crashes My Car? If you do have to file a claim, rest easy. Your ERIE agent can help you understand the ins and outs of your policy, and our award-winning claims service gives you prompt and personal attention to get back to normal. “At ERIE we look for a reason to pay a claim, not a reason to turn one down,” said Freeman. “We want to find a way to pay your claim if the coverage is available. After all, that’s why you bought a policy.” So here’s the moral of the story: Always make sure you understand your liability before loaning out a vehicle.
And if you have any questions, your best course of action is to talk to us. We’re your trusted insurance advisor, and are always ready to help you get the coverage – and personal attention – you deserve.

Do I Really Need That Insurance?

Tue, 16 Jul 2019 20:37:00 GMT

Travel? Pet? Smart Phone? Rental Car? When does it make sense to buy?

Have you ever heard someone say, "I'm insurance poor! I pay so much money for insurance and I really don't know if I need it or not."

Well, as an insurance agent for over three decades I will attempt to offer some advice. I appreciate the fact that a lot can go wrong in our busy lives - from renting cars to taking pets to the vet to buying high-priced appliances. There's insurance (ok, call it extended warranty if you want) for just about everything. The decision to buy the insurance can sometimes be a daunting decision. Let me offer my advice:

Rental Car Insurance

Buy: If you don't have a car and have no existing car insurance. Also, buy if you are traveling to a location (like Europe) where your existing insurance may not cover you.

Don't Buy: If you live in a state (like New York) where your personal auto insurance provides liability and property damage. No need to buy the extra insurance at the car rental counter even if the car rental rep gets pushy. If you live in another state contact your insurance carrier to be sure before taking your next trip.

Pet Insurance

Buy: If you would do anything for your pet, even if it's a $15,000 treatment for cancer or other life threatening surgery.
Don't Buy: If you are unlikely to opt for expensive medical treatment, even if it is a life-threatening issue. I personally feel pet insurance can be expensive. You really need to budget a set amount of money each year regardless of whether you buy insurance or not. Having a pet is costly. There really should not be many surprises. Plan for the unexpected. It's like raising a kid!

Extended Coverage / Warranty Protection

Buy: If you're covering a high-value portable device (such as a smart phone) and you're prone to losing or breaking gear. Beware that most protection plans carry a deductible which needs to be paid before coverage applies.
Don't Buy: If your budget can handle replacing a phone or other electronic device without a serious financial challenge. Keep old phones as backups. Electronic devices lose their value fairly quick (about 3 years), so you don't want to pay for insurance if your phone is worth a minimal amount. Appliances like refrigerators or washing machines usually carry a manufactures warranty for the first few years. It gets expensive to add coverage beyond this early period. I usually steer clear of these extended plans. It seems like appliances don't last more than 8-10 years anymore (unlike the ones in the "good-old days"), so you may just need to plan accordingly.|

Travel Insurance

Buy: If you're paying for an expensive trip that is non-refundable, specifically lengthy cruises or all-inclusive destinations. Be sure to read the fine print for what is considered insurance and what is not. Sometimes these are tricky situations as you may have to prove a certain medical issue or catastrophic event. Personally, I like some of the new Trip-Flex benefits some airlines are offering where you can change the dates of your trip without incurring additional expenses.
Don't buy: If your flights or trips are relatively minor or if you book using a credit card that gives you free cancellation insurance. I rarely purchase travel insurance for domestic trips that are short in nature.

Homeowners Insurance Riders Covering Valuables

Buy: If you have individual pieces of jewelry, collectibles, or art that is worth more than $2500. A typical home insurance policy provides some coverage, usually $1000 - $2500. You would need to have appraisals showing value of each item as this is used to determine the cost of insurance.
Don't Buy: If you have a home insurance policy that provides higher limits of coverage. Some policies today provide up to $10,000.

What is UMBRELLA Insurance and Why do I need it?

Thu, 13 Jun 2019 19:02:00 GMT

Be sure you are properly protected

What would you do if you were sued? Think about it. It can be a very scary time of your life where uncertainty and frustration can cause havoc on your peace of mind. I’ve seen dozens of lawsuits over the years. The dollar amounts requested by personal injury attorneys and their clients can be very high, often $1 million or more.
Here’s a few examples: - A neighbor who was visiting a homeowner fell down the basement stairs and suffered a serious back injury. - While driving his car just after dusk, a man struck a pedestrian on a bicycle who suffered life-threatening injuries. - A young driver lost control and rolled her car over an embankment. Several of her passengers were severely injured. - A drowning in a pool. - A trampoline injury. - A boating accident where the operator did not see the individual on a jet ski nearby.
Yes, I do mean to scare you with these examples. They happen to real people just like you and me. And the effects can be life changing - not just to the victim, but to you!
We discussed previously that you should carry at least $300,000 liability on all of your insurance policies (auto, home, motorcycle, boat, seasonal property, etc.) An umbrella is actually an extra layer of insurance that sits on top of these policies, giving you much more coverage. What happens here is this: if you are sued your underlying insurance will pay up to the policy coverage limit. Then, the umbrella policy takes over.
Features of an umbrella policy - An umbrella protects YOU, your relatives and anyone you give permission to use your vehicles or watercraft. - Coverage for legal expenses and court costs, even if the allegations against you are untrue. - Coverage if you serve on a non-profit board of directors. - Coverage if your family holds a wedding at a local park or facility and you are required to sign a contract. - Coverage If you drive a company car. - Coverage If you rent a car.
You can purchase umbrella policy (also called a personal catastrophe liability insurance) at a very reasonable cost. A $1 million policy will cost about $150-200 a year. And it’s not that much more if you want $2 million or more. Umbrellas are not just for wealthy people, they’re for anyone who owns a home or other assets. Let your insurance work on your behalf to help defend you and pay claims, knowing that some lawsuits take years to settle.
Money-Saving Idea - I strongly suggest you purchase an umbrella policy. Perhaps you raise the deductibles on your cars, homes and other insurances to $500 or $1000. You can probably save enough money to pay for the entire umbrella. You may be responsible for minor claims that don’t meet your deductible, but the peace of mind you receive by knowing you have good insurance when a major claim occurs is well worth it.

Understand Your Insurance if you sit on a Non-Profit Board

Mon, 20 May 2019 10:58:00 GMT

It's vital to know if insurance covers you for your volunteer activities

Do You serve on a non-profit board in your community? Organizations include religious corporations, public-benefit corporations such as museums, hospitals, schools, recreation clubs and civic groups. While the officers may be paid employees of the organization, the board of directors commonly serve as volunteers. You are trying to do the right thing by offering your time, talent and treasures to assist the improvement of the organization.
How does insurance work if a problem occurs, like a lawsuit? What if there is an accusation of wrongdoing? Examples include an accusation of mismanagement of funds or if you are misquoted by your local media. What kind of protection do you as a board member have?
There is risk in nearly every activity, for instance, a board member may be held responsible for wrongful acts, whether intended or not. In fact, a Directors and Officers (D&O) survey revealed that nonprofits are twice as likely to be sued than public or private organizations. WHY? According to Dan Corbin, Director of Research at Professional Insurance Agents Association (PIA.ORG) the reason is quite simple: “Many times volunteers have plenty of passion, but they may lack the expertise and resources needed to avoid errors in the performance of their duties.”
Most non-profit organizations are founded as a Section 501 (c) (3) for the purpose of IRS and charitable reporting. A director or officer of a nonprofit should abide by three fiduciary duties:

The duty of care, which requires members to act reasonably with regard to the management of the nonprofit's affairs
The duty of loyalty, which prohibits members from using their position to further their own personal interests
The duty of obedience, which requires members to run the organization in accordance with charters and bylaws, and to follow applicable laws.

Where is the insurance? While volunteers and directors can be held personally responsible for their wrongful acts, there are ways to get protection. As a board, they should discuss this topic and fully understand how insurance coverage works.
D&O Insurance While General Liability insurance provides coverage for the organization if there is a physical injury (like a trip and fall) a Directors and Officers policy covers the actions of the board. It is often a separate policy that can be purchased on an annual basis. This policy pays when allegations are proved against the organizations. Legal defense expenses are also covered.
A D&O policy is highly recommended to provide protection against an individual board member or the entire board. The non-profit organization can purchase insurance that provides coverage for the paid and nonpaid members or the organization.
Personal Insurance As a volunteer on a board there is coverage that can be extended from personal insurance. An auto insurance policy will cover accidents when used in the course of volunteer work (like driving for Meals on Wheels). Hme insurance will respond to injuries or property damage. An umbrella policy will add a layer of protection for lawsuits. Involving offenses like libel, slander and invasion of privacy. It is highly recommended that an umbrella be purchased for any individual who serves on a nonprofit board.
Bottom line While it is admirable to serve on a volunteer board, the possibility of a lawsuit exists. The best way to protect yourself is to be educated about the insurance policies that are available. Contact an insurance agent who has specific knowledge about working with nonprofit board.

Book "Insure Your Peace of Mind"

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 18:28:00 GMT

Revised and Updated 2019

It was time for an update. I wrote this book in 2016 to share with my insurance clients. I distributed over 5000 copies and got rave reviews. The idea was simple: Educate them!

In early 2019, just a few short years later, I felt the need to create an updated edition. So much has changed that I wanted to discuss:

Updates in my book:

Cyber crime is a real issue! It's not going away.
Identity theft continues to be a growing concern.
The flood insurance industry has changed and now there are private insurance companies offering coverage.
New enhancements on home insurance to help with water backups in basements as well as utility line service coverage for broken or damaged underground pipes.
How to properly put a value on property.
Statistics on insurance claims.
New information on Life and Disability Insurance.
Why Dave Ramsey endorses Independent Insurance Agents

You should read this book if:

- you are a newly licensed driver
- you own a home or rent an apartment
- you own cool toys like a motorcycle, boat, or recreational vehicle
- you have children or are looking to start a family
- you haven't reviewed your existing policy in 3 or more years
- you had an unpleasant experience in the past like an unfair claim
settlement or poor customer service
- you are looking to better understand your coverages
- you are looking to save money - you are looking to truly find peace of mind

- you want a better relationship with your insurance agent.

Insurance today
Not only is life complicated, but so is insurance. It is chock-full of rules, unfamiliar terms and acronyms that can really frustrate people.
I keep this book simple! I deliver easy-to-understand explanations of all the things you need to know about personal insurance. Whether you’re a newly licensed young driver, a married couple buying a home, or a retired couple looking to protect their assets, this book will help.
I've been in this business since 1987. More than half my life. Probably longer than some of you have been alive. I must be honest with you: times are more complicated today than ever. Here's why:

There are more lawsuits. You see that attorneys advertise more than anyone else. (Just watch one episode of Judge Judy and notice the commercials). Accident victims are drawn to the possibility of a large insurance payout.
Driving distractions. Texting while driving, XM Radio and Pandora in our cars can take eyes off the road. Add increased deer population (there are fewer hunters today than in years past) and never-ending road constructions to all of the obstacles we must be aware of.
Natural disasters are on the rise. Turn on the National news. It seems there are more floods, hurricanes and ice storms than ever before. In fact, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) there have been an average of 108 natural disasters declared in the last 5 years (2013-2018), whereas 20 years ago the average was 51 per year (1989-1994). I never heard of “Polar Vortex” until just a few years ago. But it’s real, and so are broken pipes in homes because of freezing.
House fires. I’ve personally seen more scary house fires than I care to admit. And honestly, most of them are caused by human error. Cigarettes, space heaters, leaving a stove burner lit, and overwhelming electrical sockets beyond their capacity.
Cyber liability and identity theft are the fastest growing crimes in our world today. These concerns didn't exist 10 years ago. Now there are scams happening with stolen credit card details, retail stores computers being hacked and customer data taken, not to mention the passwords and personal information on our online banking. These issues are real! I see them every day.
Why have I written this book? Back when I was a teenager and I got my first car my dad said “Congratulations! Now go see Mr. Migliore, our insurance agent. He will explain to you what type of auto insurance you need and what it will cost you.” From that point on I had my own insurance even though I didn’t understand it very well. In today’s world, more often or not, I see many parents handling the insurance for their kids. I really don’t think these young drivers understand coverages and costs. Then, as they enter their 20’s and even their 30’s and buy their own car, home, motorcycle, etc., they really don’t have a clue This book is set forth in an easy-to-digest manner. Sort of a "Welcome to Insurance 101" guide intended to give you peace of mind. By fully understanding all the different types of insurance you will be able to construct your own insurance plan that provides solid coverage and a reasonable price.
The pages that follow were not written by some corporation or professor of finance looking to show their textbook knowledge of legal terms. Instead, it is written by me, an independent insurance agent. I own my own business and I see clients just like you every day. I am on the scene of a house fire, a major flood disaster, I speak to people who have just suffered a car accident and I attend funerals for those whom I have provided a life insurance policy. I am a real insurance agent. I have written this book using my personal experience to help my clients better understand the features and benefits of their policies. I want them (and now you) to be aware of the variety of options available and to help make proper decisions about overall financial protection. I have studied this industry for over 3 decades. I have a master’s degree in insurance management and have several letters after my name on my business card. More importantly, what I have learned the most is that this is a people business. People helping people in time of need. Bad things (house fires, car accidents, lawsuits) happen to good people. My job is to provide insurance knowledge to you so you can be sure to buy the right policy - and from the right person.
Money Saving Ideas Each chapter in this book will include a few tips for you to control the price you pay for coverage.
Proper Coverage Recommendations Yes, saving money and keeping your total insurance costs reasonable is important. However, I will go on record by suggesting levels of coverage for you to consider. While each person has a different situation, it is important to not get caught uninsured or underinsured. I will offer my hard-earned advice on what you should really consider for your own insurance plan.
True Stories I will share true stories of claims cases and situations where insurance was proper or improper. They are real stories that I have personally seen myself. These examples will offer critical advice to you as you further evaluate your own situation and make proper decisions.
My main objective for writing this book is to give you the best insurance knowledge so you can make an educated purchase now and in the future. I ask you to read and review the chapters in this book often and then share your increased knowledge with your family and friends.
Here’s to “insuring” that you will truly discover the peace of mind you covet! For a FREE COPY of my book, send me an email: Peter@WallinInsurance.com or call my Elmira, NY office at 607-734-8799.

Never Plug Your Space Heater Into A Power Strip

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 17:00:00 GMT

Fires can be avoided using these tips

It's cold outside! During the winter months it often feels so chilly inside your home you think the best thing to do is crank up the space heater. I admit it does provide a nice source for heat. But before you plug in that dusty old space heater, you 'll want to follow this safety tip: don't use extension cords and power strips. As an insurance agent who has seen dozens of home fires throughout the years, I strongly suggest you pay careful attention with your portable space heaters. These units are not designed to handle the high current flow needed and can overheat or even catch fire due to the added energy flow.

From 2009 to 2013, heating equipment were involved in an estimated 56,000 reported U.S. home fires — accounting for 16 percent of the total, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFP) . In those fires, 470 people died, 1,490 were injured, and $1 billion in property damage was reported. "Nearly half of all home heating fires occurred in December, January and February," the NFP said. "Space heaters, whether portable or stationary, accounted for two of every five of home heating fires."

If you're planning on using a space heater this winter, follow these five safety tips compliments of Wallin Insurance Agency:

Turn space heaters off and unplug them when you go to bed or leave the room.

Keep space heaters three feet away from anything that can burn.

Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire. Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater.

Place space heaters on level, flat surfaces. Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture, or carpet, which can overheat and start a fire.
Install tamper-resistive smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas and test them once a month. We have partnered with the American Red Cross to assist homeowners, tenants and landlords to receive free alarms and important escape plan education

Home Insurance Claims

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 14:23:00 GMT

Top Causes of Claims Revealed

What Are the Most Common Homeowner's Insurance Claims?
I am willing to bet you don't know the top causes of home insurance claims. The good news about this is the fact that most homeowners only experience a claim about once in every 15 years, according to the Insurance Institute of America.

To see which claims are most common, it’s wise to look at averages over a period of several years, to correct for events like major storms that can impact claim filing. Between 2011 and 2015, these were the most common events that triggered homeowners insurance claims. #1: Wind & Hail (35% of Claims) This is the category hurricane and tornado destruction fall under, so it’s no wonder it comes in first for frequency. Think about it: when major wind events roll into town, they often do a lot of damage – enough that repairs are greater than an insurance deductible, so it makes sense to make a claim on your policy. For our local clients here in Elmira we are fortunate not to see major storms like other areas in the country. But we do get our share of wind, hail and micro-bursts.
But while wind and hail account for more than a third of all homeowners insurance claims, they’re actually not the most expensive, coming in at only $8,313 per claim on average (number four overall). Read down and you’ll see that this makes wind and hail about a fifth as expensive as fire damage (shudder).

#2: Water Damage & Freezing (29% of Claims) When pipes burst or appliances leak, serious damage can result.
In addition to being common, these claims are somewhat expensive, ranking third overall and coming in at about $8,861 on average.

#3: Fire and Lightning Damage (23% of Claims) While fire and lightning rank only third for frequency, they tend to be the most expensive claims, with a whopping average price tag of $43,983. The good news? We take time to give you adequate amounts of insurance to protect against fires, so coverage for fire claims is easy to find. The bad news, obviously, is that fires can destroy a lot of property fast (hence the high cost of claims).

#4: Non-Theft Property Damage (7% of claims) Miscellaneous property damage can take a million forms: a tree falling through your roof, a baseball shattering your window, a trash truck backing into your brand-new garage. Because of the sheer variety here, the average cost of these types of claims isn’t too informative. But for the record, it’s $5,048.

#5: Liability (4% of Claims) Let’s all be glad liability claims are rare, because they tend to be expensive. As a refresher, liability refers to your duty toward other people. So when a guest is injured or has their property damaged while visiting your home, you may have liability for their medical costs or the costs to repair or replace their property. Liability claims rank number two in average cost, coming in at $22,100.

#6: Theft (3% of Claims) Rounding out the top six most common homeowners insurance claims is theft. Coming in at just three percent of all claims, with an average claim cost of $3,990, theft is the smallest of the big guys, you could say. If you’d like to reduce your risk of theft even further, consider installing a home security system. Some insurers even offer premium discounts for doing this!

Mitigate Your Risk to Save Your Home & Your Money Homeowners don’t want bad things to happen to their houses because they’re expensive, sad, and a pain to deal with. Insurance companies also don’t want bad things to happen because bad things cost them money. That’s why a lot of insurance carriers offer lower premiums for homeowners who mitigate their risk. Risk mitigation might involve…

Having a smoke alarm with new 10-year tamper-resistive batteries.
Having a fire extinguisher located in a convenient place in your home.
Living near a fire department.
Having a home security system.
Having a carbon monoxide detector.
Maintaining plumbing and sprinkler systems.
Avoiding open flames when cooking.
Using electrical outlets as directed.

One important note, though: while safety and security updates are almost always wise, they won’t all lead to an insurance discount. If you’re considering higher-end upgrades with an eye on premium savings, check with our agency first.

Protect Your Pipes From The Winter Freeze

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 12:25:00 GMT

Tips to help protect your plumbing

One of the greatest dangers I see in the winter is the risk of freezing as temperature drops. Homeowners and Landlords want to keep their utility costs down so they lower the thermometer. While this may save a few dollars on heating costs, they are allowing the opportunity for pipes to freeze. The result can be costly. Pipes (copper, iron and plastic) will not just freeze, they will burst causing major water damage.

A crack in a pipe as small as 1/8 inch can spew up to 250 gallons of water per day, causing flooding, serious structural damage and the potential for mold.

This article features tips from AAA on how to best prepare your home or rental property.

Preventing Frozen Pipes:

Make sure everyone in your family (or tenants) knows where the water shut-off valve is located and how it works
Insulate pipes in your crawl spaces and attic.
Seal gaps around pipes that allow cold air inside. You could also look for air leaks around electrical wiring, clothes dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out
Disconnect Garden hoses. If possible, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance that pipes inside the house will freeze.
If a freeze is expected, consider allowing warm water to drip slightly overnight, preferable from a faucet on an outside wall. Even a slight trickle may keep your pipes from freezing.
Where there is a possibility of a freeze, don't turn down the thermostat at bedtime. Instead, maintain he same setting day and night. Drops in temperature, which are more common at night, could freeze your pipes.
Open cabinet doors. This will allow heat to reach insulated pipes located under sinks. My wife and I do this quite often!
If you're going on vacation, consider maintaining minimal heat (55 degrees or more) to prevent freezing.

Recovering From Frozen Pipes:

If you turn on your faucet and nothing comes out, your pipes are likely frozen
You may be able to use a hair dryer to thaw a frozen pipe. Begin by warming the section of the pipe closest to the faucet, then work your way out to the coldest part of the pipe.
Never use a hair dryer or any electrical appliance around areas of standing water. You could be electrocuted.
Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame. This could cause a fire. I've seen this happen right here in Chemung County.
If water pipes have already burst, turn off the water shutoff valve in the house and leave the water faucets turned on and call a plumber.
If the damage looks severe, report a claim to your insurance company.

Prevention is the key to protecting your property. As your insurance agent, I want to be able to help in any way possible. It starts by making sure you fully understand your policy, like coverage amounts and deductible amount. While my goal is to not have you suffer a claim in the first place it's important to know how the claims process works in the event of a pipe freeze.

For more information contact me at Peter@WallinInsurance.com or visit our website or Facebook page.

Top Causes of a Home Fire

Mon, 19 Nov 2018 11:49:00 GMT

Most Cases Involve Human Error

A house can easily catch fire from the misuse of appliances and heating equipment to smoking in bedrooms. I have personally seen fires from each of the 10 causes below right here in our community. You can take measures to avoid fire in home and ensure the safety of your family. Below are some of the most common causes and some tips to take precautions.

1. Cooking Equipment Pots and pans can overheat and cause a fire very easily if the person cooking gets distracted and leaves cooking unattended. Always stay in the room, or ask someone to watch your food, when using a stove.

2. Heating Keep portable heaters at least three feet away from anything that could easily catch fire such as furniture, curtains, laundry, clothes and even yourself. Have your furnace inspected once a year to make sure it is working to safety standards.

3. Smoking in bedrooms Bedrooms are best to be kept off limits for smoking. A cigarette that is not put out properly can cause a flame, as the butt may stay lit for a few hours. It could burst into flames if it came into contact with flammable materials, such as furniture. Did you know that fires started in the bedroom or lounge make up 73% of all house fire fatalities?

4. Electrical Equipment An electrical appliance, such as a toaster can start a fire if it is faulty or has a frayed cord. A power point that is overloaded with adapter plugs can cause a fire from an overuse of electricity. A power point extension cord can also be a fire hazard if not used appropriately. Double check the appliances and power points in your home.

5. Candles Candles look and smell pretty, but if left unattended they can cause a room to easily burst into flames. Keep candles away from any obviously flammable items such as books and tissue boxes. Always blow a candle out before leaving a room.

6. Curious Children Kids can cause a fire out of curiosity, to see what would happen if they set fire to an object. Keep any matches or lighters out of reach of children, to avoid any curiosity turned disaster. Install a smoke alarm in your child’s room and practice a home escape plan with your children and family in case there was a fire. Teach kids understand the "Stop, drop and roll" drill as well as knowing their address if they needed to call 911.

7. Faulty Wiring Homes with inadequate wiring can cause fires from electrical hazards. Some signs to see if you’ve bad wiring are: 1) Lights dim if you use another appliance; 2) For an appliance to work, you have to disconnect another; 3) Fuses blow or trip the circuit frequently. Have a licenced electrician come and inspect you house, or contact your landlord if you have any of the above occurrences.

8. BBQs BBQs are great for an outdoor meal, but should always be used away from the home, tablecloths or any plants and tree branches. Keep BBQs regularly maintained and cleaned with soapy water and clean any removable parts. Check the gas tank for any leaks before you use it each time. It's best to store your outdoor grill several feet away from your home or garage.

9. Flammable Liquids If you have any flammable liquids in the home or garage such as gas, propane or kerosene, keep them away from heat sources and check the label before storing. Be careful when pouring these liquids.

10. Lighting Lamp shades and light fittings can build up heat if they are very close to light globes. Check around the house to make sure. Lamp bases can become a hazard if they are able to be knocked over easily, and so should be removed if they are. Check that down lights are insulated from wood paneling or ceiling timbers.

Used Car Dealers - A Tale of 2 Clients

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 11:21:00 GMT

How to keep your insurance rates low

I've found that the best way to pay low rates for dealer insurance is by NOT having registered cars listed on your policy. Instead, you should just have your dealer tags insured on your policy and only use these tags in the course of business.

Here's the story of two clients of mine - one had a bad experience, one has had a good experience:

Meet Roger: Roger is a car dealer who has several registered cars listed on his insurance policy, in addition to his 2 dealer tags. He allows his wife to use one of the registered cars and come to find out his teenage son is using another car. Well, guess what happens? His wife suffers an accident while on a bridge. The cars in front of her have slowed down due to road construction. She cannot brake in time and strikes the vehicle in front of her. The accident is her fault. A short time later, the son is involved in a car accident while driving to school. The result is that the insurance company outright canceled the entire insurance policy. Roger's rate for insurance tripled from $4,000 a year to over $12,000 as he had difficulty finding new insurance. The fact that he allowed personal use vehicles on his dealer insurance policy turned out to be very expensive for him.

Meet Dave: Dave has been in business over 40 years. He's been a client of mine for 20 of them. He has 2 dealer tags on his policy and no registered cars for personal use. His personal cars (for family members) are insured on a separate auto policy. Dave uses his dealer tags sparingly, for client test drives and trips to the car auction. He has never submitted a claim to his insurance company. In looking over his insurance rates these past 20 years, they have hardly changed. In fact, he is paying almost the same price for insurance now as he was when he first bought insurance from me. The reason? No claims submitted.

Which if the above examples have done a better job managing their business? Which one do you think the insurance company likes better?
The answer, of course, is Dave!

My point? Don't try to save a few dollars in insurance costs by having registered cars listed on your dealer policy. You really aren't saving money as the competition for insurance rates on personal-use cars is fierce. Trust me, shop around for rates and you'll be surprised. If you allow family members or friends who are not regular employees of your dealer business to drive cars that are listed on your insurance, you are doing yourself harm. This is why insurance carriers really do not allow this practice. They will cancel you or raise the rates considerably.

So, my advice is this: Treat your dealer insurance like gold! It can be the difference between your bottom line profit or loss. You can control this!

Please contact me if you have any questions. And if you would like a quote on PERSONAL INSURANCE, click here:
https://www.wallininsurance.com/request-an-auto-quote .

"Insure Your Peace of Mind" - Book by Peter Wallin

Mon, 16 Jul 2018 10:47:00 GMT

I've been in the insurance business since 1987. I've worked with thousands of individuals, families and business owners to better understand their insurance - from pricing to claims service. Many think that it's very complicated and at times I must admit they are right. For years I've seen the industry complicate things by using confusing language and definitions, and then send policies to clients who simply cannot understand the jargon, much less the coverage.

My book - "Insure your Peace of Mind" is designed for YOU, to help you better understand the important terms so you can make informed decisions about your particular program. I give sound advice and recommendations - which many agents in the industry do not do - and I back it up in writing .

Here's my book by chapter:

Chapter 1: Auto Insurance - Understanding mandatory and optional coverages so you can make a proper decision, more than just cheap
cheap insurance.

Chapter 2: Home Insurance - Learning the difference between Replacement Cost and Actual Cash Value so you know what happens to your
home if it is destroyed by fire or other major peril.

Chapter 3: Renter's Insurance - As a tenant, you need to protect your things as well as liability if you are sued.

Chapter 4: Motorcycle, RV and Boat Insurance - Take care of your toys!

Chapter 5: Flood Insurance - We've seen major disaster in the Unites States in recent decades. Be sure you know what is covered and what
is not
Chapter 6: Landlord Insurance - As an investor in rental property you want to cover yourself for both the building and liability

Chapter 7: Umbrella Insurance - This is a layer of protection above your underlying limits to give you maximum liability protection om the
event of a lawsuit against you.

Chapter 8: Life Insurance - If you die this coverage provides for your beneficiaries. Here I discuss term vs. permanent insurance.

Chapter 9: Disability Insurance - If you live but become disabled you may need to protect your income.

Chapter 10: Long-Term Care Insurance - If you need assistance with daily living or need to move into an assisted care facility.

Chapter 11: Choosing the Right Insurance Agent - Understanding the best way to buy your insurance and from whom.

Chapter 12: Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions - Tips and money-saving ideas from a real independent insurance agent

To receive your FREE Book, send an email to Peter@WallinInsurance.com or visit my website: https://www.wallininsurance.com/Peter-Wallin-Author .

Rated 5-STARS on Amazon!

"I love how easy this book is to read."

"...Wallin does a fantastic job of explaining things and

even giving some great tips on saving money..."

"The ideas I read in Peter Wallin's book this

morning I put into practice this afternoon with

great results."

Pedestrian Accidents on the Rise

Sun, 01 Jul 2018 18:07:00 GMT

SUV's have become the reason for increased concerns

Since 2009 accidents involving pedestrian fatalities have risen by 81 percent in the United States. This is an alarming fact as presented by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. I have to wonder why this trend has occurred and what we can do about it.

As an insurance agent in Elmira, New York, I have seen my share of single-car accidents where a walking pedestrian or bicyclist is injured. In one case, a client of mine was involved in an accident where he struck a man riding a scooter. Apparently the driver claimed she did not see the scooter as he rode right into her vehicle. The man on the scooter was killed.

I have talked to drivers of cars I insure who claim the person was crossing the street and walked directly into them as they approached an intersection. I also remember a situation where my client was driving at dusk when a person walked across the street and was struck and killed. It was later determined that the pedestrian was drunk, whereas the driver of the vehicle was not.

While these situations are very unfortunate there is a growing trend that there has been an increasing number of fatal accidents involving pedestrians where a certain vehicle type is involved. A Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV).

A recent article from the USA Today made front page news as it confirmed the number of pedestrian accidents have increased at an alarming rate. Almost 6000 people were killed in 2016 alone and the majority of them occurred with an SUV. The reasons sited is the increase in the number of SUV's that are now on the road. SUV's are a constant factor in the increase and account for a steadily growing proportion of deaths.

Facts about SUV's

They now make up 60% of all new vehicle sales in the United States. There are more SUV's on the road now than ever before. Ford Motor Company recently announced it will stop making sedan vehicles as they see the this trend continuing in years ahead.
SUV's have higher front-end builds compared to a regular sedan. When a pedestrian is struck by an SUV the impact on a human body is much more serious (hit in midsection) and would likely kill a person whereas a sedan more likely will strike a person's leg.
Federal proposals to factor pedestrian into vehicle safety records have stalled in recent years (According to USA Today).
A rising tide of fatalities have occurred in urban areas that kills minorities as a disproportionate rate.

And then there's speeding
For vehicles that travel less than 20 mph there's only a 5% chance of a pedestrian fatality. At 30 mph the percentage increases to 45%. At 40 mph the percent goes to 85%. So, the faster one drives, particularly in urban neighborhoods, so more likely a serious accident can occur.

What's up with Pedestrians?

Distractions - they may be texting while walking, or using earplugs and cannot hear oncoming traffic.
They may not be obeying traffic signals and crosswalks properly. There's still plenty of jaywalking occurring today.
Even if they don't die, there may be serious injuries. Attorney's pounce on opportunities and start lawsuits that take years to settle.

The bottom line is that SUV's can be dangerous. As a driver I suggest you take it slow in urban areas and pay close attention to intersections and crosswalks. As a pedestrians we all have to deal with numerous distractions, road conditions and confusing cross walks. Be careful and drive safely. And as an insurance agent I'd hate to see you be involved in a terrible ordeal that can change your entire life.

For more information about how accidents involving fatalities can affect your insurance rate, please contact me at Peter@WallinInsurance.com.
To get a quote for insurance, complete our online form: https://www.wallininsurance.com/request-an-auto-quote .

Car Accidents Are More Frequent In Summertime

Mon, 25 Jun 2018 10:49:00 GMT

Why are there more accidents during warmer months?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration most auto accidents occur during the month of August. The next busiest months are September and July. To me it would seem logical that there would be more car accidents in the winter months, with all the ice, snow and other hazardous conditions. But the more I look at it, the more it makes sense that the summertime poses the biggest challenge to our driving.

In my insurance agency I am involved in assisting clients with their claim each and every day. I am always hopeful that there are no serious injuries when I first talk to a client who just suffered an accident. It just seems fascinating to me the number of accidents that occur. So I started to compose a list as to WHY there are so many fender-benders and bang-ups during the summer months.

Here's 6 Reasons why:

More cars are on the road. In the summer months there is simply more traffic. Vacationers, local congestion and the little old lady who only seems to come out during the nice weather.
More road construction. Potholes are being filled, entire lanes are shut down for repair, and new expansion and shoulder work is being performed.
Distractions like texting, calling, eating and scanning the radio are taking away the focus of the driver. There's so much to pay attention to while driving that one small distraction is all it takes to not avoid an accident.
People drive faster in Summertime. In winter there can be more challenging road conditions - like ice and snow - which forces most cars to drive slower and with care. In summer cars tend to go faster and even exceed the posted speed limit in many cases.
Deer and other animals are all over. We often think deer come out only in the Fall, but they are just as common in the summer, especially at dusk.
Alcohol. More drivers, more cars means more alcohol related accidents.

I've been in the insurance business for 31 years. I see numerous claims being reported every day in the Summer months, much more than in winter months. I urge you to be careful and be safe!

If you would like more information on car accidents and a free brochure on how to report a claim to the insurance company please contact me at Peter@WallinInsurance.com. For a quote on auto insurance in New York or Pennsylvania visit www.WallinInsurance.com .

Please take a look at my 3 minute video that explains these 6 reasons in more detail. Don't worry. I'm not driving. I'm actually pulled to the side of the road away from any distractions.

While Golfing You Hit Someone With Your Ball

Mon, 18 Jun 2018 11:38:00 GMT

Do you have insurance for your GOLF GAME?

If you want to skip all this reading and go straight to getting a quote, Click below
https://www.wallininsurance.com/request-a-homeowners-quote

You're enjoying a nice day on the golf course. Well, sort of. You have been struggling with your slice. And then it happens: Your next shot is your worst one yet. It curves so bad it heads toward a group of golfers in the next fairway. You scream 'FORE," but one of them gets hit. OUCH!

Are you responsible for injuries? Well, the answer could be YES! Because of your negligence (you could not control where your ball landed) you may be held liable for injuries to the injured party.

This is another good reason to carry homeowners or tenant Insurance with high limits of liability. It will cover negligent acts like this golf course event. Even when you are away from home this insurance follows you. Your actions here were not intentional, but you were negligent nonetheless.

You might also want to consider adding an umbrella liability insurance policy that adds an additional layer of protection here.

For more information or to get a quote on home, tenant or an umbrella policy, send me a note to Peter@WallinInsurance.com or click this link:
https://www.wallininsurance.com/request-a-homeowners-quote .

Landlords Should Require Tenants to Carry Insurance

Sat, 09 Jun 2018 11:07:00 GMT

Protect yourself against a negligent tenant

Note: If you want to skip all the reading and go straight to getting a quote, Click HERE
https://www.wallininsurance.com/homeowners-insurance

Scenario: Your tenant starts the fire that ruins your building. Your insurance will pay for the damage to the structure. That's a good thing. But let's back up a bit. Let's determine What started the fire?

If the fire is started by the actions of your tenant - like careless cigarette smoking or leaving a grease pan on the stove - you may be able to take action against them to collect from their mistake.

It's called subrogation. If the insurance company and fire investigator determine that the fire was the result of a negligent action of the tenant there may be actions that can be taken to require the tenants' insurance policy to pay for damages. Your insurance will probably pay for the cost of repairs first, but then get reimbursed by the tenants insurance policy.

I cannot stress how important this can be. Why? Well, why should you have to be responsible for the careless actions of your tenant? Why should your insurance company have to pay the claim? And certainly, why should the price of your insurance increase due to the actions of your others?

Here's the solution: Place a requirement in your lease that requires your tenant to carry renters insurance. It's fairly simple. They purchase a policy for a relatively inexpensive amount (about $120-150 a year) and they show you proof that they have paid the premium for the annual term. Every year when you renew your lease, you obtain the updated insurance.

To get a Quote for Renter's Insurance, Click here.
https://www.wallininsurance.com/homeowners-insurance

Landlords Should Protect Their Income

Sat, 26 May 2018 20:16:00 GMT

#AskAnAgent: What is Loss of Income Coverage?

As a landlord you have a lot to think about with your property: upkeep of the unit, finding good tenants, and paying the mortgage and property taxes. And if there is an unfortunate fire or other destruction of the property, tenants may be forced to vacate the property. Oftentimes the municipal code inspector will not allow the tenants to return until proper repairs have been made.

During this time, the landlord may suffer a loss of income as rents are typically not paid while the tenant is away. Obviously, having no rental income can be financially devastating.

Fortunately, there is an insurance coverage that can be purchased to protect the lost rental income. This is a valuable component that can greatly assist the landlord during the time (which can be lengthy) that repairs are being made to the property.

Loss of Rents Coverage (also called Business Income) is often listed as part of a package insurance policy. Be sure you carry this type of program. This policy covers the building, general liability as well as the Loss of Rents Coverage. The cost is fairly minimal but you want to be sure you carry a sufficient amount to cover at least 12 months of potential lost income.

Tree Falls Down - Whose Insurance pays?

Sat, 26 May 2018 19:53:00 GMT

Insurance agent answers questions on claims

Note: If you want to skip all the reading and go straight to getting a quote. Click here:
https://www.wallininsurance.com/request-a-homeowners-quote

What happens when a tree falls and hits your home? What happens when a tree from your property falls and hits a neighbor's home? Who owns the Tree? Does it really matter?

These are the questions we want to answer BEFORE THE TREE FALLS.

Here it is in a nutshell: If the tree falls and hits your home, YOUR own home insurance will pay the clam for property damages (less your deductible). If your tree falls and hits a neighbor's home, THEIR home insurance would pay, because the claim happened on their property. So, ultimately, each property owner is responsible for damage to their own property regardless of who owns the tree.

Always be sure to do your best to manage the risk here. If there is an existing tree on your property you may want to:

remove the tree (eliminate the risk) if it is located close to your home, garage or other structure, or
trim the tree (reduce the risk)

If the tree is on a neighboring property you can communicate with the property owner your concern of a possible fall due to high winds or heavy rain. You may ultimately still be responsible for costs if the the tree hits your home, but perhaps the neighbor will take action prior to an incident.

To Get a quote on your HOME Insurance, click here
https://www.wallininsurance.com/request-a-homeowners-quote