What's New
Six Signs That Your Injured Employee is being Treated by a Non-Employer Friendly Physician
2/7/2012Most states allow an injured worker to seek care with whatever physician the employee prefers. There are some rules to follow, but as long as the doctor cooperates there usually is not a problem.
Should you buy Flood Insurance?
1/26/2012Flash flooding can occur anywhere, regardless of whether your property is located within a defined "Flood Zone" area. A standard homeowner’s or business owner's policy does not cover flood damage. You must purchase a separate policy to have coverage for damage caused by "rising surface waters". Pipes bursting, leaking, or other water damage from internal water sources are generally considered to be covered causes of loss and are not considered "floods".
How Safe Is Your Winter Heating?
1/20/2012Is the chill of winter creeping in and around your house? The best defense is making sure your home’s heating system is maintained properly. Follow these tips for extra efficiency and warmth:
- Have a professional inspect your heating system once per year, before winter hits.
- Replace air filters often, per the manufacturer’s recommendation (the professional who inspects your heating system can tell you what’s best).
- Seal up air leaks and add insulation around the house.
- Clean registers and make sure they’re not blocked by furniture, carpets or drapes.
- Bleed trapped air from hot water radiators.
Six Tips for New Car Buying:
1/20/2012Are you going to buy a new car this year? Whether you’re looking for a family minivan, a sporty coupe or a fuel-efficient mini-car, here are six tips to factor into your research:
5 Winter Tips to Avoid Workplace Injuries
1/10/2012Winter is knocking at the door. Ice and snow will soon be on the doorstep. If your work environment involves a lot of transition between indoors and out, icy conditions present significant increased risks of bodily injury. The problems start as soon as employees pull into the parking lot. In most jurisdictions, Worker's Compensation coverage begins as soon as the tires of the employee's vehicle cross into the lot from the road that leads to it.
NHTSA Survey on Distracted Driving Attitudes and Behaviors Released
1/10/2012The highest number of auto accidents occur at speeds between 35-40 MPH and between the hours of 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM. The statistics illustrate the need to drive carefully during your daily routine in and around Winston Salem and the Triad. This time frame also indicates a correlation between high phone use times and traffic accidents.
5 Steps for Frozen Pipes
1/10/2012Homeowners often find an indoor swimming pool in their property when they haven’t taken proper precautions to prevent or deal with the possibility of freezing pipes. Here are some excellent ways to ensure large quantities of water get in your house!
Nine Reasons to Check Your Coverage...
12/14/2011As our lives change, so do our insurance needs. Letting us know about changes can ensure that you have adequate insurance coverage through our agency. Here are some examples of when to check your coverage:
Beware of Scammers Circulating Phony Checks
12/14/2011Dec. 8, 2011 - If someone you don’t know well gives you a check – or what appears to be a check from an insurance carrier – and asks you to send or wire some of the money back, DO NOT DO IT. It is a scam.
Study: Parents Still Struggle With Proper Child Safety Seat Use
11/10/2011
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Buckling up the right way on every ride is the single most important thing a family can do to stay safe in the car. According to the latest research released by the non-profit group Safe Kids USA, most adults aren’t using child seats correctly. Learn more about the key problems.
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Freezing Weather Tips...
10/31/2011Property damage caused by freezing weather occurs more frequently and creates greater damage than is commonly thought. When water freezes, its volume increases by approximately eleven percent (11%), and this expansion exerts tremendous force. This force is sufficient to break concrete or even steel! When even a small amount of water enters a structure and freezes, the resulting expansion further damages and weakens the structure, allowing more water to enter. The damage cycle continues until the source problem (the initial entry point) is repaired.
College Student in Your Household? Check Your Coverage...
10/11/2011With the new academic year under away, parents of college students should take time to review their insurance coverage. You’ll want to make sure your insurance covers your children when they’re away from home. It’s also a good idea to consult with our agency when any changes occur in your household.
Boat Theft Often Occurs in the Off-Season
10/11/2011
Boat Theft Often Occurs in the Off-Season |
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Keep your boat safe when it's ashore. Boat theft often occurs in the off-season. Once they’re stolen, most boats are not recovered. If you are a boat owner, learn some easy and effective ways to protect your craft from theft. |
Questions about Your Claim? We Can Help...
8/29/2011There are a few things you can do to help speed up your home insurance claim process.
You can file a homeowners insurance claim by contacting:
- Our agency; or
- One of your carrier's local offices
Ten Trouble-Free Tips for Travelers
7/18/2011Whether planning a summer excursion or just taking a drive, the best way to protect yourself, your passengers, your vehicle, and your home while you’re away is to plan for the unexpected.
Making Waves? Protect Your Boat...
6/1/2011Many people believe sailboats or powerboats are covered under their auto or homeowners policies. But, for most insurers, that isn't the case. Consider this:
- Typically, an auto policy won’t provide liability or physical damage coverage for a boat.
- Most homeowners policies provide a limited amount of coverage for physical damage to boats. They also restrict automatic liability coverage to low-powered boats.
Large, fast motorboats, yachts and personal watercrafts such as jet skis and wave runners require a separate boat insurance policy. Boat insurance offers coverage for things like:
- Bodily injury - for injuries caused to others, such as swimmers, jet skiers or other boaters
- Property damage - for damage caused to someone else's property
- Theft and vandalism - that can occur on land or in the water
- Medical payments - for injuries to the boat owner, family members and others who are injured
Study: 1 in 7 Drivers Are Uninsured
6/1/2011Even though most states require drivers to purchase auto insurance, a new study reveals that a large percentage of the population does not comply.
The Insurance Research Council (IRC) estimates that 1 in 7 U.S. drivers are uninsured.
“This forces responsible drivers who carry insurance to bear the burden of paying for injuries caused by drivers who carry no insurance at all,” said Elizabeth A. Sprinkel, senior vice president of the IRC.
In its study, Uninsured Motorists 2011 Edition, the IRC attributes the country’s economic downturn as a major factor in the increase of uninsured drivers. The estimated percentage of uninsured motorists had declined four consecutive years before it went up to 14.3 percent in 2008 and then dropped slightly to 13.8 percent in 2009.
Maintaining a Safe Workplace is Smart Business
5/5/2011Business owners have the absolute responsibility for the day-to-day health, safety and welfare of employees and worksite visitors. To make your work place safer, know the three common areas of risk: 1) People 2) Environment 3) Company
Barbeque Grill Safety
4/19/2011Each year about 1,000 fires/explosions occur in the U.S. with gas grills, causing injuries. Many of the accidents happen the first time a grill is ignited for the season or after the grill's gas container is refilled and reattached.
Tips on Pumping Gas Efficiently
3/26/2011As gas prices climbs toward $4.00 per gallon, it makes sense to try to maximize gas pumping efficiently when filling up your tank. Here are some suggestions from a client of ours that runs a tanker business:
Tips for Tax Time
3/25/2011The tax clock is ticking...are you hitting the snooze button? Whether you file your tax return early, or on the deadline day, do not gloss over over the details. Above all, be sure to protect your personal information. To help you, check out five tax tips below and learn more about Identity Recovery
Don’t Let a Tornado Topple You
3/21/2011There really is no place like home. And, no matter where you make your home, wind damage is a very real possibility. Each year, about 1,200 tornadoes with wind speeds as high as 300 mph touch down in the United States. Understanding your insurance coverage, and what to do before a tornado hits, should be top of mind at this time of year.
Erie Insurance Receives J.D. Power's 2011 Customer Service Top Honor
3/15/2011What does Erie Insurance have in common with top brands like Zappos, Ritz-Carlton and Southwest Airlines? Superior customer service.
But don’t just take our word for it. Check out the recent honor that ERIE received for customer service excellence.
As an ERIE Customer, you’ll be working with a company that you can trust. If something bad should happen, you’ll get the help you need to make things right.
Erie Insurance offers the protection you need and service you expect – all at a fair price. That’s why our agency works with ERIE.
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
3/8/2011“Our family is going on vacation next month, and we need to rent a car. Do we need to get the rental insurance? Or is it covered by our Auto Insurance policy? Oh, and did I mention we’re traveling to Canada? Help!”
Our Agents get asked – and answer - lots of questions, but the questions above is one of our most frequent. That’s why we’re here to help. Sure, you could spend extra time and energy trying to figure it out on your own, but with our professional Agents, you don’t have to.
Here are some of our most common questions – and the answers. If yours isn’t on the list, get in touch with us.
Snowbird and Vacation Smarts
2/8/2011Whether you’re flying south for the winter or just leaving for the week, make sure to prep your home while you’re gone. This will help you avoid damage and be able to come back to your home to find it just the way you left it.
Preventing Water Damage from Outside Your home
2/5/2011Devastation from water damage is not limited to the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry rooms. Leaking roofs, poor drainage, and clogged gutters/downspouts can also lead to significant water damage inside your house. Here some ways to prevent damage from external water sources:
Preventing Water Damage Inside Your Home
2/4/2011Water leaks can happen anywhere in your house, but they occur most frequently in your kitchen, bathroom and laundry rooms. Whether it’s a slow drip or a sudden burst, water leaks can cause extensive damage to your home and personal belongings.
Has your family ever completed a Household Inventory?
2/4/2011If your home were damaged or destroyed by a fire, theft, or natural disaster, would you be able to recall every item you own? In the event of a total loss, you will be expected to provide a list of all your personal property that was damaged, along with its estimated value. A Household Inventory can not only make it easier to settle your insurance claims, but can also help determine if you have the right type and amount of insurance for your home and its contents. Follow these simple steps to complete a Household Inventory.
Safest Rides on the Road
1/20/2011Automakers have stepped up safety. Ten new vehicles have joined the 2011 Top Safety Pick winners list from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for a total of 66 winners.
What steps do I take if I am involved in an Auto Accident?
1/13/2011Keep the Cold Out This Winter
1/3/2011On the heels of a record cold December, frigid weather will continue from coast to coast through January.
Wilson Insurance Services Inc. Representing Central Insurance
9/10/2009WILSON INSURANCE SERVICES INC is proud to announce they are now representing the Central Insurance Companies of Van Wert, Ohio.
"Jennifer, please accept my gratitude for everything you do for me as it relates to my insurance needs. You do an outstanding job and you represent Wilson Insurance Services very professionally. You are clearly a trusted advisor to me."
Read what others have to say.
What's New
Six Signs That Your Injured Employee is being Treated by a Non-Employer Friendly PhysicianMost states allow an injured worker to seek care with whatever physician the employee prefers. There are some rules to follow, but as long as the doctor cooperates there usually is not a problem.
Should you buy Flood Insurance?
Flash flooding can occur anywhere, regardless of whether your property is located within a defined "Flood Zone" area. A standard homeowner’s or business owner's policy does not cover flood damage. You must purchase a separate policy to have coverage for damage caused by "rising surface waters". Pipes bursting, leaking, or other water damage from internal water sources are generally considered to be covered causes of loss and are not considered "floods".
How Safe Is Your Winter Heating?
Is the chill of winter creeping in and around your house? The best defense is making sure your home’s heating system is maintained properly. Follow these tips for extra efficiency and warmth:
- Have a professional inspect your heating system once per year, before winter hits.
- Replace air filters often, per the manufacturer’s recommendation (the professional who inspects your heating system can tell you what’s best).
- Seal up air leaks and add insulation around the house.
- Clean registers and make sure they’re not blocked by furniture, carpets or drapes.
- Bleed trapped air from hot water radiators.