http://www.manlafins.com/blog/View Mantsch-Lafaro Insurance Agency's Website Blogen-uspostmaster@www.manlafins.comInsurance Website Builder - www.insurancewebsitebuilder.comurn:uuid:4b1200b0-f25e-4458-b7fc-1a7e597c23d7urn:uuid:bde3c8c2-bc84-4095-b37d-415639a03adcDrivers who text or e-mail on the road are an even bigger danger than previously thought, according to a new study by the Texas Transportation Institute. Some scary stats revealed: A driver&rsquo;s reaction time is doubled (from 1-2 seconds to a...Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:51:13 -0600<p>Drivers who text or e-mail on the road are an even bigger danger than previously thought, according to a new study by the Texas Transportation Institute.</p> <p>Some scary stats revealed:</p> <ul> <li>A driver&rsquo;s reaction time is doubled (from 1-2 seconds to at least 3-4 seconds) when distracted by reading or sending a text message.</li> <li>Texting drivers were more than 11 times more likely to miss a flashing light altogether.</li> <li>Also, texting drivers were less able to safely maintain their position in the driving lane or to maintain a constant speed.</li> </ul> <p>How big is the problem? Well, U.S. Transportation Department statistics suggest that distracted driving contributes to as much as 20 percent of all fatal crashes, and at least one in five motorists has admitted to texting while driving.</p> If the risks aren&rsquo;t enough, consider this: texting while driving is banned in 34 states and the District of Columbia, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, and seven more states ban texting while driving for specific groups (such as those under 18 or bus drivers).urn:uuid:2a5f3d29-6dca-4ed1-a99b-523eac98c6e1Winter is here. Heating season is upon us. Wood burning devices cause thousands of fires each year. If you or your insureds have a wood burning stove or are thinking of getting one to reduce your heating bills, here are some tips to keep you safe and...Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:13:03 -0600<p style="line-height: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">Winter is here. Heating season is upon us. Wood burning devices cause thousands of fires each year. If you or your insureds have a wood burning stove or are thinking of getting one to reduce your heating bills, here are some tips to keep you safe and warm this winter.</span></p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc;"> <li style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">Any wood burning stove or furnace should be factory made and tested by a recognized testing organization (U.L. , ITS, Applied Research Labs, etc.) </span></li> <li style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">Unless the stove label allows for any other clearance, radiant stoves (one metal wall around the fire) should have at least 36&rdquo; of clearance to any combustible wall. Any circulating stove (two metal walls separated by circulating air space) should have at least 18&rdquo; of clearance to any combustible wall. The charging area or door side must always have at least 36&rdquo; of space. </span></li> <li style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">Unless the floor below the stove is concrete or mortared masonry, the floor needs to be protected by sheet metal or UL listed stove board. </span></li> <li style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">Stove pipes between the stove and the chimney need to have at least 18&rdquo; of clearance to any combustible wall. </span></li> <li style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">Any time the stove pipe passes through a combustible wall, floor or ceiling there must be either 18" of clearance to any combustible material by use of a noncombustible thimble or a UL listed pass through device must be in place. </span></li> <li style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">The chimney should be in good condition and either be a masonry chimney with a flue tile or stainless steel liner or be a UL listed metal chimney designed for wood burning. </span></li> <li style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">The chimney should extend at least 3 feet above the point where it passes through the roof and at least 2 feet higher than any portion of the roof within 10 feet of it. </span></li> <li style="line-height: 11pt; margin: 0in 0in 3pt;"><span style="font-family: times new roman; font-size: 16px;">Any chimney requires regular inspection and cleaning. This cleaning should take place as often as necessary but no less frequently than 2 times per year.</span></li> </ul>urn:uuid:6ec89022-723f-4ab8-85bb-97916605c4d8The best defense when fending off Old Man Winter may be maintenance of your home&rsquo;s heating system. But, if you decide to give alternative heating a try, make safety a top priority. The Institute for Business &amp; Home Safety (IBHS) suggests:...Tue, 29 Nov 2011 12:17:49 -0600<p style="text-align: left;">The best defense when fending off Old Man Winter may be maintenance of your home&rsquo;s heating system. But, if you decide to give alternative heating a try, make safety a top priority. The Institute for Business &amp; <br /> <br /> <strong><em>Home Safety (IBHS) suggests:<br /> </em></strong><br /> &loz; Look for products tested by Underwriters Laboratory (UL).<br /> <br /> &loz; Buy models with automatic shut-off features and heat element guards.<br /> <br /> &loz; Maintain a 36-inch clearance between the heater and combustible materials, such as bedding, furniture, wall coverings or other flammable items.<br /> <br /> &loz; Do not leave a heater unattended.<br /> <br /> &loz; Check every electrical cord for fraying and cracking. If one looks worn, replace it before using.<br /> <br /> &loz; Install carbon monoxide detectors in several parts of the house. </p> <p><strong><em>Other safety suggestions:<br /> </em></strong><br /> &loz; Never use a kerosene heater indoors.<br /> <br /> &loz; Never use electric or gas stoves to heat the home. They are not intended for that purpose and can cause fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.<br /> <br /> &loz; If using a wood fireplace, have it inspected annually by a professional chimney sweep.<br /> <br /> </p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;">Go to </span><a href="http://www.disastersafety.org/"><em><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;">disastersafety.org</span></em></a><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: 13px;"> for more.</span></p>urn:uuid:6c576780-b38a-4b4f-be15-29c88ac86c55<img src='http://www.erieinsurance.com/Eriesense/issues/Winter2011/images/Turkey_Lg.jpg' align='left' />Thanksgiving turkeys cooking in the fryer, chestnuts roasting on an open fire.&nbsp; But have you considered what to do, if your festivities go haywire? So you&rsquo;re hosting the annual holiday feast at your house this year. You&rsquo;ve already ...Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:43:34 -0600<a><img width="190" height="257" style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px;" alt="Carbon watch " src="http://www.erieinsurance.com/Eriesense/issues/Winter2011/images/Turkey_Lg.jpg" /></a>Thanksgiving turkeys cooking in the fryer, chestnuts roasting on an open fire.&nbsp; <em>But have you considered what to do, </em><br /> <em>if your festivities go haywire? </em> <p>So you&rsquo;re hosting the annual holiday feast at your house this year. You&rsquo;ve already bookmarked your favorite stuffing recipe, polished the silver and dusted off the turkey fryer. </p> <p>Stop right there. </p> <p>Take a minute to read these simple safety tips to prevent yourself - or any of your guests - from getting hurt. </p> <ul> <li><strong>Step away from the fryer. Literally. </strong>&nbsp;Although turkey fryers cook a mean bird, they can catch fire easily. If you plan on using one, keep these simple facts&nbsp;in mind and maintain a safe distance while it&rsquo;s cooking. <strong></strong></li> <li><strong>Hazard-proof your home. </strong>Before your guests arrive,<strong> </strong>remove floor rugs that could cause someone to fall, clearly mark steps and low walls and place gates at the top of stairwells for the wee ones. Don&rsquo;t forget about outside, either.<strong> </strong>Keep your walkways shoveled and salted so guests don&rsquo;t slip and fall on the ice. </li> <li><strong>Protect your property. </strong>Hunting season is from Thanksgiving until New Year&rsquo;s. If you allow hunters onto your property, be sure you know what&rsquo;s covered on your homeowners insurance policy.<strong>&nbsp; </strong></li> <li><strong>Find the kitchen fire extinguisher. </strong>Without making any assumptions about your cooking ability, double check to see if your smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are in working condition. It also doesn&rsquo;t hurt to review the family fire escape plan.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li> </ul> <p>Fast-forward to the day of your holiday party. In the midst of the pre-mealtime mayhem, keep these kitchen tips in mind: </p> <ul> <li><strong>Keep your sleeves rolled up. </strong>It&rsquo;s a drag when you dip a loose sleeve into the gravy, but it&rsquo;s even worse if said sleeve gets too close to a burner and catches fire. The same rule applies for dish towels.<strong></strong></li> <li><strong>Remember the oven mitts. </strong>No one in their right mind wants their skin to be scalding hot.<strong> </strong>Make sure everyone wears oven mitts when removing hot food from the oven and microwave. </li> <li><strong>Utilize stovetop space.</strong> Whenever possible, put pots and pans on the backburner and turn handles toward the back of the range. This will reduce your chance of accidental spills.</li> <li><strong>Consider the kids.</strong> Use non-stick placemats instead of tablecloths at the kids&rsquo; table, so accidental tugs and pulls won&rsquo;t spill hot food or drinks. You may also want to tape off the area around the stove to avoid curious little fingers from getting burned</li> </ul>urn:uuid:31f7c21e-c6d2-424e-9dfb-059a95fbdde4Many times we struggle with coming up with strategies to help us succeed in our career.&nbsp; I want to challenge people by proposing the notion that the first step toward success in your career is as simple as following the Golden Rule: treat others...Sun, 02 Oct 2011 11:51:25 -0500<p>Many times we struggle with coming up with strategies to help us succeed in our career.&nbsp; I want to challenge people by proposing the notion that the first step toward success in your career is as simple as following the Golden Rule: treat others as you would want to be treated.&nbsp; This could pertain whether you are an employer, employee or provider to a client base in your industry. </p> <p>As an employee, there is a basic expectation that you show up to work on time and not leave early.&nbsp; But what we chose to do while we are on the job, and level of effort we put into our work, is more discretionary.&nbsp; I propose this can be applicable to the Golden Rule.&nbsp; By using this example of how we spend our work hours, let's suggest the employee looks at the situation as if they were the employer?&nbsp; Would that person want to compensate an employee who chooses to spend their time on the job doing things such as surfing the web, engaging in social media, or spending significant time emailing or calling family or friends?&nbsp; </p> <p>For employers, would you want to be given positive reinforcement for performing a job well done if you were the employee? From the perspective of being an employee, would you want to be criticized for making an honest mistake, a mistake that the employer could be just as apt to make?&nbsp; Would you want to be acknowledged only for the times you make an error or fail to meet an expectation, to the point of feeling belittled and inept at performing your job?</p> <p>&nbsp;As a service provider, if you were the disgruntled client calling in with a complaint, would you want to be treated with un-compassion, impatience and indifference?&nbsp; Wouldn't we always be hopeful that we would be greeted as a preferred client when we call our provider, or stop into their location.&nbsp; Would we not want to feel like our problems and concerns were our provider&rsquo;s problems and concerns?&nbsp; Would we not want to have the impression that priority was being given to these issues, and would we not want to see these issues or requests resolved in a timely manner?</p> <p>&nbsp;Obviously, being trained and educated to optimally perform functions of your job is critical to job success, but couldn&rsquo;t we argue the following the Golden Rule creates a great foundation to build from, using these knowledge and job skills? </p>urn:uuid:c8761c6f-93e3-46a4-a5a0-32d87f170204<img src='http://www.erieinsurance.com/images/Quote/GetQuoteHoriz.gif' align='left' /> Click Here for an Erie Quote ! For anyone who hasn't reviewed their Auto Insurance protection lately, feel free to contact us for a coverage and cost comparison. Erie Insurance is the 13th largest automobile and homeowners insurer in the United Sta...Mon, 19 Sep 2011 09:41:17 -0500<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.erieinsurance.com/Applications/ExpandedQuote/default.aspx?AgentNumber=AA1333" target="_blank"><img width="170" height="41" style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;border: 0px;" alt="Erie Insurance Get a Quote Online" src="http://www.erieinsurance.com/images/Quote/GetQuoteHoriz.gif" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.erieinsurance.com/Applications/ExpandedQuote/default.aspx?AgentNumber=AA1333">Click Here for an Erie Quote !</a><br /> <br /> For anyone who hasn't reviewed their Auto Insurance protection lately, feel free to contact us for a coverage and cost comparison. Erie Insurance is the 13th largest automobile and homeowners insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written, and the 19th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. For a regional company that only sells in 11 states plus DC, and has never spent money on advertising, their reputation for Service is supported by their #'s.<br /> <br /> </p>urn:uuid:5c042dbe-dce1-4145-8a65-da8263435d91It takes a truly kind and compassionate heart, especially for a fairly new business owner, to volunteer her time and resources to give thanks to those who keep us protected. Please keep the Ye Ole Sweet Shoppe in mind the next time your sweet tooth s...Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:08:20 -0500It takes a truly kind and compassionate heart, especially for a fairly new business owner, to volunteer her time and resources to give thanks to those who keep us protected. Please keep the Ye Ole Sweet Shoppe in mind the next time your sweet tooth starts getting a craving for the best cookies downtown! <br /> <br /> "Erie cookie shop to salute local police, fire departments Talk about a sweet idea: The Ye Ole Sweet Shoppe at 402 State St. will be delivering cookies to area firemen and police officers Friday in recognition of the 10th anniversary of 9/11. This is the third year in a row the shop has done this. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a small gift of thanks for such a huge sacrifice,&rdquo; store owner Lea Yadeski said. Those receiving cookies will include the Erie police, the Lawrence Park Police Department, the Wesleyville Police Department, the Millcreek Police Department, and firefighters at Central Station, South Central Station, Engine 8 Station, Engine 11 Station, Engine 6 Station and Engine 13 station." Posted: September 7th, 2011 at Goerie.comurn:uuid:942db2db-bc41-47d3-9d08-4896c82b52ad From the vantage point of many, Irene&rsquo;s blow was softer than anticipated. Nevertheless, the tropical storm left a trail of broken bodies&mdash;24 deaths have been reported&mdash;tree limbs, and frayed power lines in its wake, compounding an al...Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:27:38 -0500<div class="article-content page current"> <p>From the vantage point of many, Irene&rsquo;s blow was softer than anticipated. Nevertheless, the tropical storm left a trail of broken bodies&mdash;24 deaths have been reported&mdash;tree limbs, and frayed power lines in its wake, compounding an already record-setting year for catastrophe loss.&nbsp; Indeed, I.I.I. President Dr. Hartwig&rsquo;s pre-weekend storm loss projections will likely ring true, as preliminary figures point to between $2 to $3 billion&mdash;further inflating the year's $18 billion in insured damages across the nation.</p> <p>But for millions of East Coasters and the property and casualty (P&amp;C) carriers that insure them, the scramble for exit routes amid paralyzed transit systems and post-evacuation inconveniences pale in comparison to the potentially massive implications of flooding, as heavy rains battered already saturated grounds.&nbsp; In an interview on NPR&rsquo;s &ldquo;All Things Considered,&rdquo; Dr. Hartwig explained that the affected areas are not accustomed to dealing with hurricanes. Moreover, unless residing in a flood plain, many homeowners likely will have not purchased flood insurance.</p> <p>Standard homeowners&rsquo; policy coverage excludes loss resulting from surface water or groundwater entering the dwelling, and that does not bode well for residents with wet basements and sullied personal possessions. Outside those walls, crippled tree limbs pose a hardship for homeowners as well.&nbsp; &ldquo;To begin repairing the roof, the actual tree must be removed from the premises [on which it toppled],&rdquo; explained Christine Barlow, associate editor of FC&amp;S&nbsp;at the National Underwriter Co. "This is included in the cost to repair the dwelling. However, removing downed trees from the property itself is restricted to a $1,000 limit, with $500 maximum per tree. In a large storm, the insured runs out of debris removal funds quickly."</p> <p>Is that a reasonable estimate? It depends. Barlow said roof repairs may necessitate negotiation on both sides, and, yes, out-of-pocket expense for the unlucky homeowners.&nbsp;&nbsp; &ldquo;Matching issues are quite common when repairing and/or replacing roof shingles,&rdquo; Barlow said. &ldquo;Even if only a portion of the roof was directly damaged by the loss event&mdash;in this case, say, wind gusts from Irene&mdash;restoring the roof to its pre-loss condition may involve replacing other areas so that homeowners are not left with a roof of disjointed shingles.&rdquo;&nbsp; Diana Reitz, CPCU, editorial director of business compliance department reference&nbsp;division at the National Underwriter Co., added that the matching issue is of pronounced importance to condominium owners or others subject to rules set forth by a given homeowners&rsquo; association.</p> </div> <div class="article-content page"> <p><strong>A Mighty Wind</strong></p> <p>To recap, if Irene&rsquo;s winds blew off the roof of a house or a commercial property, then coverage would be triggered and thus applied. However, determining if the loss event was wind-driven water or wind/water itself may revive issues that persisted in Katrina claims handling.&nbsp; Many opt out of flood insurance altogether, but that premium&mdash;even if seemingly exorbitant&mdash;is still much cheaper than if a storm surge crashes into a house and then the homeowner must begin the arduous task of replacing soggy drywall and ripping out carpet.</p> <p>&ldquo;We see a lot of policyholders who are not living close to the ocean and erroneously assume they are not at risk,&rdquo; said Barlow and Reitz. &ldquo;You have to also weigh the risks of overflowing rivers, streams, lakes, and surface water several inches deep.&rdquo;&nbsp; &ldquo;Matching issues are quite common when repairing and/or replacing roof shingles,&rdquo; Barlow said. &ldquo;Even if only a portion of the roof was directly damaged by the loss event&mdash;in this case, say, wind gusts from Irene&mdash;restoring the roof to its pre-loss condition may involve replacing other areas so that homeowners are not left with a roof of disjointed shingles.&rdquo;&nbsp; Diana Reitz, CPCU, editorial director of business compliance department reference&nbsp;division at the National Underwriter Co., added that the matching issue is of pronounced importance to condominium owners or others subject to rules set forth by a given homeowners&rsquo; association.</p> <div class="article-content page current"> <p><strong>A Mighty Wind</strong></p> <p>To recap, if Irene&rsquo;s winds blew off the roof of a house or a commercial property, then coverage would be triggered and thus applied. However, determining if the loss event was wind-driven water or wind/water itself may revive issues that persisted in Katrina claims handling.&nbsp; Many opt out of flood insurance altogether, but that premium&mdash;even if seemingly exorbitant&mdash;is still much cheaper than if a storm surge crashes into a house and then the homeowner must begin the arduous task of replacing soggy drywall and ripping out carpet.&nbsp; &ldquo;We see a lot of policyholders who are not living close to the ocean and erroneously assume they are not at risk,&rdquo; said Barlow and Reitz. &ldquo;You have to also weigh the risks of overflowing rivers, streams, lakes, and surface water several inches deep.&rdquo;<br /> <br /> <br /> August 29, 2011&nbsp; By <a href="http://www.propertycasualty360.com/author/christina-bramlet">Christina Bramlet, PropertyCasualty360.com</a></p> </div> </div>urn:uuid:1de84f86-7564-4fca-b21a-5d623bc87b95Well, it's official! The National Insurance Crime Bureau released its list of the 10 most stolen cars, and the #1 stolen car is the 1994 Honda Accord! This is followed by the 1995 Honda Civic at #2, both consistently the top 2 since 2000. The 1991 To...Thu, 04 Aug 2011 11:01:08 -0500<p>Well, it's official! The National Insurance Crime Bureau released its list of the 10 most stolen cars, and the #1 stolen car is the 1994 Honda Accord!</p> <p>This is followed by the 1995 Honda Civic at #2, both consistently the top 2 since 2000. The 1991 Toyota Camry came in at #3, the 1999 Chevy Silverado PU #4, 1997 Ford F-150 PU #5, 2004 Dodge Ram PU #6, 2000 Dodge Caravan #7, 1994 Acura Integra #8, 2002 Ford Explorer # 9 and 1999 Ford Taurus at # 10. A number of these vehicles make the list because of the value of their parts.</p> <p>If you own one of these vehicles, make sure you are carrying the Comprehensive coverage which protects you from a theft loss.</p>urn:uuid:d821eb84-abc9-4239-bb3a-80c8530e03da&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Even though most states require drivers to purchase auto insurance, a new study reveals that a large percentage of the population doesn&rsquo;t oblige.&nbsp; The Insurance Research Council estimates that 1 in...Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:32:04 -0500<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Even though most states require drivers to purchase auto insurance, a new study reveals that a large percentage of the population doesn&rsquo;t oblige.&nbsp; The Insurance Research Council estimates that 1 in 7 U.S. drivers are uninsured.&nbsp;&nbsp; &ldquo;This forces responsible drivers who carry insurance to bear the burden of paying for injuries caused by drivers who carry no insurance at all,&rdquo; said Elizabeth A. Sprinkel, senior vice president of the IRC.&nbsp; In its study, Uninsured Motorists 2011 Edition, the IRC attributes the country&rsquo;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.<br /> <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /> Problem varies by state<br /> </span></strong>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Release in April, the IRC study also confirms that the magnitude of the uninsured motorist problem varies from state to state. The study examined data collected from nine insurers, representing approximately 50 percent of the private passenger auto insurance market in the U.S.</p> <p>The five states with the highest uninsured driver estimates:</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc; margin-top: 0in;"> <li>Mississippi (28 percent) </li> <li>New Mexico (26 percent) </li> <li>Tennessee (24 percent) </li> <li>Oklahoma (24 percent) </li> <li>Florida (24 percent) </li> </ul> <p>The five states with the lowest uninsured driver estimates:</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc; margin-top: 0in;"> <li>Massachusetts (4.5 percent) </li> <li>Maine (4.5 percent) </li> <li>New York (5 percent) </li> <li>Pennsylvania (7 percent) </li> <li>Vermont (7 percent) </li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The variation in uninsured motorist statistics could also be attributed to how states verify insurance coverage. For example, Pennsylvania verifies insurance coverage each year with vehicle registration, but Ohio verifies coverage after an accident has occurred, not at the time of vehicle registration. Ohio has nearly twice as many uninsured drivers as Pennsylvania, according to the IRC study.<br /> <br /> </p> <p style="margin-right: 12.25pt;"><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">ERIE</span></b><b><span style="text-decoration: underline;">&rsquo;s offerings<br /> </span></b>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So what are the available coverages and their differences? Here&rsquo;s what you should know:</p> <ul style="list-style-type: disc;"> <li style="margin: 0in 12.25pt 0pt 0in;"><b>Uninsured motorist coverage (UM)</b> protects insureds who are injured by drivers who aren&rsquo;t currently insured. </li> <li style="margin: 0in 12.25pt 0pt 0in;"><b>Underinsured motorist coverage (UIM)</b> provides a similar function if the driver&rsquo;s insurance coverage isn&rsquo;t sufficient to pay the insured&rsquo;s damages for bodily injury. </li> </ul> <p style="margin-right: 12.25pt;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Erie Insurance&rsquo;s UM/UIM coverage offerings and pricing vary from state to state, depending on regulatory requirements and business considerations. Some states also require insurers to offer uninsured motorist property damage coverage designed to repair or replace vehicles damaged in collisions with uninsured motorists. To prevent financial hardships in the event that you are in an accident with an uninsured motorist, contact our agency about adding uninsured coverage to your auto policy. Considering the risks, it could be worth the additional premium you pay. Call 814-866-5528<i><br /> <br /> *Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered in all states. Go to </i>erieinsurance.com<i> for company licensure and territory information.</i></p>urn:uuid:b45948da-13f2-4cda-8ad7-ec6ef3dbb9f4Will you be one of the millions on the road this summer? Safety is one of the most important things to consider as you pack your car and leave home. To help you get ready for your next road trip, the National Crime Prevention Council&nbsp;recommend...Thu, 21 Jul 2011 13:21:17 -0500<p>Will you be one of the millions on the road this summer? <br /> <br /> Safety is one of the most important things to consider as you pack your car and leave home. To help you get ready for your next road trip, the National Crime Prevention Council&nbsp;recommends these 10 tips for travelers:<br /> <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><br /> At Home<br /> </strong></span>1.&nbsp;Check all the locks before you leave home. Each door and window should have a sturdy lock.<br /> 2. Use motion-detection lights outside and trim hedges to reduce potential hiding places for burglars.<br /> 3.&nbsp;Set automatic timers on a few interior lights to give the impression that someone is home.<br /> 4.&nbsp;Ask the post office to hold your mail or ask a trusted friend or neighbor to collect it while you are away. Do the same with home delivery of newspapers.</p> <p>&nbsp;<strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">On the Road<br /> </span></strong>5.&nbsp;Pay attention to your surroundings.<br /> 6.&nbsp;Pick well lit gas stations and always remove your keys and lock the car doors while you are pumping gas. <br /> 7.&nbsp;Protect your valuables (GPS, MP3 players, cell phones) by keeping them out of plain view in your vehicle and lock the doors even if you are stepping away from the vehicle for just a moment.<br /> 8.&nbsp;Take only the credit and other cards you will need. Leave the others at home, stored securely.<br /> 9.&nbsp;Never leave your hotel room unlocked, even to go to the ice or vending machine.<br /> 10.&nbsp;Don&rsquo;t open the door at a hotel or at home to someone who you don&rsquo;t know well or trust.</p> <p>It&rsquo;s important, too, not to forget the basics: buckle your seatbelt and keep your eyes on the road. Driving is a skill that requires your full attention to safely control your vehicle and respond to the events happening on the roads around you. </p> <p>It&rsquo;s good to have an insurance company that will be there if you ever have an accident or need to file a claim. To check on your coverage, contact our agency.&nbsp; We will review your current policies and help ensure that your car and home are properly insured. Call 814-866-5528<br /> <br /> <i>*Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered </i><i>in all states. Go to </i>erieinsurance.com<i> for company licensure and territory </i><i>information.</i></p> <p style="margin-left: 0.25in;"><i></i></p>urn:uuid:dbf8775f-cc5b-41eb-8d42-4d507a99aa27<img src='http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/282601_221731734528654_102635076438321_514639_7491803_n.jpg' align='left' />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbs...Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:35:27 -0500&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <img alt="" width="538" height="720" class="spotlight" aria-busy="true" aria-describedby="fbPhotoTheaterCaption" style="width: 224px; height: 224px;" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/282601_221731734528654_102635076438321_514639_7491803_n.jpg" /><br /> <br /> <p>Don&rsquo;t let this hot weather get the best of you! Be sure to keep yourself hydrated. If you are planning on being outside, try to avoid the sun when it&rsquo;s at its hottest between the hours of 11 AM and 3 PM.&nbsp; Keep an eye on small children and elderly to make sure they&rsquo;re not overheating.&nbsp; If you have to perform physical activities in hot weather, drink plenty of fluids, such as water and sports drinks, but avoid alcohol, cafffeine, and tea which may lead to dehydration. <br /> <br /> Symptoms of heat exhaustion include profuse sweating, weakness, nausea, vomitting, headache,&nbsp;lightheadedness, and muscle cramps.&nbsp; While many cases of heat exhaustion statistics are not lethal, about 175 to 200 people die from heat stroke each year in the United States.&nbsp; If there's a major heat wave, the number of deaths can increase to over 1500 people.</p> <p>&nbsp;Be Careful, and remember, there&rsquo;s also always popsicles, a dip in the pool, and frozen smoothies to make a hot day cooler and more enjoyable!</p>urn:uuid:df8f32f7-709b-4cd5-8b09-691502a6ef27<img src='http://www.erieinsurance.com/images/Quote/GetQuoteHoriz.gif' align='left' /> Click Here for an Erie Quote ! For anyone who hasn't reviewed their Auto Insurance protection lately, feel free to contact us for a coverage and cost comparison. Erie Insurance is the 13th largest automobile and homeowners insurer in the United Sta...Tue, 28 Jun 2011 16:01:02 -0500<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.erieinsurance.com/Applications/ExpandedQuote/default.aspx?AgentNumber=AA1333" target="_blank"><img width="170" height="41" style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;border: 0px;" alt="Erie Insurance Get a Quote Online" src="http://www.erieinsurance.com/images/Quote/GetQuoteHoriz.gif" /></a></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.erieinsurance.com/Applications/ExpandedQuote/default.aspx?AgentNumber=AA1333">Click Here for an Erie Quote !</a><br /> <br /> For anyone who hasn't reviewed their Auto Insurance protection lately, feel free to contact us for a coverage and cost comparison. Erie Insurance is the 13th largest automobile and homeowners insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written, and the 19th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. For a regional company that only sells in 11 states plus DC, and has never spent money on advertising, their reputation for Service is supported by their #'s.<br /> <br /> </p>urn:uuid:e487888d-f4ff-44d9-8ffa-fffc32b6255b<img src='http://www.manlafins.com/img/~www.manlafins.com/HailDamage.jpg' align='left' /> June 21, marked the first day of summer, and the end of a treacherous storm season throughout the United States.&nbsp; With some &nbsp;of the most violent weather events in recent history, this spring has left its mark in our area, and especially on...Thu, 23 Jun 2011 08:34:51 -0500<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" src="/img/~www.manlafins.com/HailDamage.jpg" /></p> <p>June 21, marked the first day of summer, and the end of a treacherous storm season throughout the United States.&nbsp; With some &nbsp;of the most violent weather events in recent history, this spring has left its mark in our area, and especially on our property.&nbsp;&nbsp; In particular, the recent hail storms have left dents covering the roof and hood's of countless vehicles.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> When finding a body shop to repair the damage from hail, one of the best techniques used is Paintless Dent Repair (PDR).&nbsp; This technique uses specialized tools to massage the metal back into its original shape from behind each dent.&nbsp; The dent becomes smaller as the technician works inward from the other edges.&nbsp; Eventually, the dent disappears.!</p> <p>One major reason to use Paintless Dent Repair is to preserve the factory finish on your vehicle.&nbsp; No other method can match the quality and color of the original paint job.&nbsp; Also, there is no risk of incorrect color matching, clear coat fading, peeling, overspray, or any other problems and delays often associated with old-fashioned bodywork.&nbsp; <br /> <br /> If your vehicle has been damage by hail, Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) is your way to go! &nbsp;</p>urn:uuid:b5cc581f-fba7-46af-a1c5-074f6e0b8322Recent activity for tornados has been on the rise.&nbsp; Here are some statistics: &nbsp; January - 29 tornadoes were reported, of which 16 were confirmed.&nbsp; February - 61 tornadoes reported, of which 63 were confirmed.&nbsp; March - 95 tornadoes...Tue, 31 May 2011 13:58:35 -0500<p>Recent activity for tornados has been on the rise.&nbsp; Here are some statistics:</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><b>January - </b>29 tornadoes were reported, of which 16 were confirmed.&nbsp; <b>February - </b>61 tornadoes reported, of which 63 were confirmed.&nbsp; <b>March - </b>95 tornadoes reported, of which at least 57 were confirmed.&nbsp; <b>April - </b>875 tornadoes reported, of which at least 660 were confirmed.&nbsp; <b>May - </b>148 tornadoes reported, of which at least 79 were confirmed.&nbsp; Based on preliminary totals, that set a new all-time monthly record, breaking the previous record of 542 in May 2003 and more than doubling the old record for April (267 in 1974) in Alabama, the monthly respectively. </p> <p style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Safety Tips:</strong></span>&nbsp; Seek shelter under a sturdy table in the basement.&nbsp; If no basement is available, go to a first floor small interior room or a room on the opposite side from a tornado.&nbsp; Stay away from windows. In schools, churches, and shopping center, go to a designated shelter away from outside walls, glass, and large rooms (mall, auditoriums).&nbsp; Get under a table or counter or in a restroom or small storeroom.&nbsp; <strong>DO NOT GO TO YOUR PARKED CAR!</strong>&nbsp; In motels, lie down in the lowest level interior hallway away from glass.&nbsp; Dive under a bed or pull a mattress on top of you as last resort.&nbsp; In a vehicle, drive away at a right angle to the storm movement.&nbsp; <strong>DO NOT GET CAUGHT IN YOUR VEHICLE!</strong>&nbsp; Abandon your vehicle and lie in a ditch or culvert or under a low bridge.&nbsp; <strong>Underground </strong>and <strong>under a table</strong> are the watchwords.&nbsp; People who get under something usually survive.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">&nbsp;</p> <p style="text-align: left;"><strong>Keep in mind:</strong> &nbsp;The insurance peril &ldquo;wind&rdquo; includes coverage for tornadoes.</p>urn:uuid:200a912d-55df-4b8f-ae03-796a791f69b0<img src='http://www.manlafins.com/img/~www.manlafins.com/Bob.PNG.png' align='left' /> Having the opportunity to volunteer, as a "trusted advisor"&nbsp;for the Penn State Behrend High School Symposium for financial literacy and college success was an extremely rewarding opportunity.&nbsp; Too many times young adults do not have the i...Wed, 25 May 2011 19:12:23 -0500<p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" width="413" height="285" src="/img/~www.manlafins.com/Bob.PNG.png" /></p> <br /> Having the opportunity to volunteer, as a "trusted advisor"&nbsp;for the Penn State Behrend High School Symposium for financial literacy and college success was an extremely rewarding opportunity.&nbsp; Too many times young adults do not have the insight or educational tools to make the right financial or educational decisions early in life.&nbsp; Due to the efforts of Penn State Behrend , creating a symposium for various high schools in the area to attend, many young students had&nbsp;an educational experience that opened their eyes to the resources available and an understanding of the proper decisions to make when it comes to finances, financial decisions and educational opportunities.&nbsp; The choices to have a Dj present to created a music environment the kids could identify with, and&nbsp;made this educational experience that much more entertaining and memorable.&nbsp; Kudos to the college for such a creative and thoughtful effort to help the younger generation of today get a better jump-start in life.&nbsp; A big thanks&nbsp;for allowing our Agency, in conjunction with Erie Insurance, to be part of this process as a "trusted advisor"!urn:uuid:13b26ab0-8ed9-4e50-a22a-cb5229cf3a0cDo you carry enough Auto Liability coverage???Thu, 19 May 2011 09:28:09 -0500Do you carry enough Auto Liability coverage???