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March 2013 Newsletter
Archived Newsletters
DUI - THE TICKET IS ONLY THE START
It begins innocently enough. A hard day at work. A stop to relax on the way home with friends. A
couple of drinks. Then the drive home - but you never get there.
Every year police arrest more than 1 million people for driving under the influence (DUI). If all they
get is a ticket, they're lucky. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA), 10,228 Americans died in drunk driving accidents during 2010 (accounting for 31% of
all traffic fatalities in that year). The good news: Annual drunk-driving fatalities have fallen by
more than half from 21,113 in 1982, the year that NHTSA began keeping statistics). Thousands
more suffered injuries - some permanently disabling.
That's quite a price to pay for a few drinks. However, many drunk drivers were "fortunate" enough
to only get a ticket. No problem? That seems to be what thousands of repeat offenders think.
Instead of thanking their lucky stars that they caught a break and swearing never to put
themselves behind the wheel after drinking again, they go right back to their old habits.
That's one reason more and more states are increasing the penalties for DUI, regardless of
whether there was an accident. These include higher fines, loss of driving privileges, mandatory
attendance at alcohol-treatment programs, and/or jail time. All of these penalties usually increase
with each offense. We'd be more than happy to explain to you, and your kids, that with the first
DUI you can start kissing reasonable Auto insurance premiums (and possibly your ability to get a
policy at all) goodbye.
Why take the chance? Preserve your life, limbs, loved ones, driving record, and insurance
affordability by being a smart driver. If you're going to drink, take a cab home, or have a
designated driver. Set a limit of how much you'll imbibe and stick to it -- or attend alcohol-free
social events.
A word to the wise.
CAR CARE MEANS COVERAGE CARE
Everyone knows that taking good care of your car is good idea. A
well-maintained vehicle is safer, more dependable, and more
valuable. However, did you know that careful maintenance can
also save you money on Auto insurance?
For example, experts recommend replacing your wiper blades every 6,000 miles or six months. If
your wipers leave streaks and smears, you're ready for a replacement set. But also consider how
unsafe it is to drive your car without clear vision. Every year motorists have accidents because
they fail to see oncoming traffic or a car that stops in front of them.
While you're thinking about a clear windshield, what about that nonfunctioning defroster you've
been meaning to fix.
Don't forget about seat belts. Thousands of vehicle occupants every year suffer injuries because
they don't wear their belts. Are all of your belts functioning properly -- even those in the back
seat? Not only are unbelted rear seat passengers highly susceptible to injury, but 80% of fatalities
among front-seat passengers wearing seat belts resulted from collisions with unbelted back seat
passengers, according to a University of Tokyo study.
Taking preventative maintenance measures such as these, together with safe driving habits, will
help curb highway accidents, reducing injuries and saving lives --not to mention lowering the
number (and cost) of Auto coverage claims. That's why insurance companies offer premium
credits to drivers who take care of their vehicles. For more information on saving money by
keeping your car safe, just give us a call.
REASONS TO CONSIDER UMBRELLA INSURANCE
Umbrella insurance policies can be an important feature of
personal financial plans. They provide additional insurance that
takes over when a claim uses up all of a Homeowners or Auto
insurance coverage. They even cover some losses that Home
and Auto insurance do not cover, though the policyholder must
pay a small deductible for them. They provide insurance
amounts as low as $1 million and can provide $5 million or more. Despite the large amounts, they
are not just for wealthy people. Here are five (actually six) situations where Umbrella policies are
vital:
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Auto insurance: A man is late for work and speeding on the highway. He loses control on
icy pavement and strikes another car in the driver’s side. The other driver suffers serious
injuries. Hospitalization, follow-up care, medicine, rehabilitation and pain and suffering
tally up to $900,000. The at-fault driver has an Auto insurance policy that covers
$250,000 for injuries to any one person. If he has an Umbrella with a $1 million limit, it will
pay the remaining $650,000.
Another Auto insurance scenario: The policyholder’s son loses control on a highway
overpass. His car plunges off the overpass and lands on a row of vehicles for sale in a
Lexus dealer’s lot. Six vehicles are damaged to the tune of $150,000. His father’s Auto
insurance covers $100,000 in property damage from any one accident. If he has an
Umbrella, it will pay the remaining $50,000.
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Homeowners insurance: A homeowner has insurance that covers her liability for bodily
injuries to others, up to $300,000 per accident. A neighbor who has three children under
age 10 drowns in her swimming pool. His estate sues her for $1.5 million. Her
Homeowners insurance will pay $300,000; if she doesn’t have an Umbrella, she is
responsible for the remaining $1.2 million.
Boats: A man has a Boat insurance policy that covers his liability for injuries to others up
to $300,000 and an Umbrella policy with a $2 million limit. He loans his boat to a friend
for the weekend. The friend takes it out on a lake with three buddies and a case of beer.
He becomes intoxicated and plows into another boat late at night. The survivors and the
estates of the deceased sue the driver and the boat owner. The court finds the owner
20% liable for the $5 million judgment. His boat policy pays $300,000 and his Umbrella
pays $700,000.
All-terrain vehicles: A man’s grandson from out of state visits him for the holidays. He
takes the boy out for a spin on the ATV he bought the week before, but the boy bounces
off and suffers critical injuries. The man bought coverage for the ATV under his Auto
policy, but the most it will pay is $100,000. The boy’s medical care will cost $750,000. His
grandfather’s Umbrella policy will pay $650,000.
Personal injury: A woman loudly repeats a rumor she heard about one of her neighbors.
The neighbor sues her for defamation of character and wins $500,000. The woman’s
Homeowners insurance does not cover defamation, but her $1 million Umbrella does.
After she pays a $250 deductible her Umbrella pays the rest.
Severe accidents like these can and do happen to people every day. When something like this
happens, an Umbrella policy might be all there is to keep the person responsible from financial
ruin. One of our insurance agents can explain coverage details and provide estimates of the cost.
The relatively low cost could be well worth the peace of mind should a catastrophic accident
occur.
MARCH SPOTLIGHT
Steve & LaVonne Farner – Ames, Iowa
Tyler & LeAnn Farner and Family
Steve & LaVonne Farner are in their third decade of
being clients at Severson Insurance. It is a privilege
to be able to service long-time Ames residents and
business owners such as the Farners. Tyler and
LeAnn Farner are Steve and LaVonne’s son and
daughter-in-law and are also long time valued friends
and customers. Being in business since 1937 and
being a third generation insurance agency it is
rewarding to serve our multi-generation customers.
We appreciate the Farner’s patronage and look
forward to insuring the next generation of the Farner
family!
Emerhoff’s Footwear
Emerhoff’s Footwear was established in 1941 by
Emerhoff Peterson. This iconic family owned business
is located at 215 Main Street in Ames, Iowa and is
owned and operated by Emerhoff’s grandson, Mark
Peterson and great grandson Mike Peterson.
Emerhoff’s Footwear offers a wide variety of quality
casual and dress shoes for both men and women. The
staff at Emerhoff’s offers an extensive knowledge of
all footwear and takes the time to measure and fit
shoes properly to your feet. Emerhoff’s Footwear is
open Monday – Saturday from 9:30 to 5:30 and open
till 8pm on Thursdays. Visit their website at
www.emerhoffsfootwear.com. When you visit the
store, please mention that Severson Insurance sent
you down and take 15% off your purchase (valid for
the month of March, 2013)! Our sincerest thanks and
appreciation to Emerhoff’s Footwear and the
Peterson’s for providing outstanding products and
service to the Ames community and trusting Severson
Insurance to assist with their insurance needs.
TO OUR TRUSTED FRIENDS AND CLIENTS
REFERRAL REWARD PROGRAM
Our business is built on customer service, competitive rates, and sustained by referrals. Please
forward this newsletter out to your family, friends, and acquaintances, and trust us to provide the
same outstanding service and rates that we offer to you. Receive a personalized “Thank You”
and a $20 Visa gift card for every new client that you refer to our agency that we write a new
insurance policy for. Please tell your referral to inform us that they heard about Severson
Insurance from you. This is our way of saying “Thank You” for trusting us to insure your family,
friends, and acquaintances!
CONNECTIONS
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QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?
Please call 515-232-7203 to speak with one of our insurance professionals if you have any
questions or comments regarding your current policies and coverage or if you are interested in
learning more about home, auto, umbrella, business, or life insurance policies. We are here to
serve you, happy to help, and we always want to improve!
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