Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Doh -- a deer!

We're nearing the peak of the deer-mating season, the time to be extra watchful for deer while you are driving.  In fact, about half of all deer-related crashes happen in October, November, and December here in Tennessee.

Tips to avoid deer-related crashes, courtesy of The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and the Tennessee Highway Patrol:

• When you see deer cross the road, expect more to follow.  Many times, the second or third deer crossing becomes the one that motorists hit.
• Be attentive and drive defensively constantly scanning the roadside, especially at dawn and dusk.
• Do not swerve to avoid contact with deer. This could cause the vehicle to flip or veer into oncoming traffic causing a serious crash. Swerving can also confuse the deer as to where to run.
• When you spot a deer, slow down immediately.  Proceed slowly when passing.
• If you do collide with a deer, never approach the animal.  They are powerful and can cause bodily harm to a human.  Report any deer collision, even if the damage is minor.

David Yates Insurance Agency
1881 General George Patton Dr., Suite 103
Franklin, TN 37067
Phone 615-778-1816  Fax 615-778-1817
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Wednesday, April 25, 2018

If you don't own the place you live, here's some must-know help...

Most of us have heard of renter's insurance, right? If you're renting at one of the major apartment complexes in Franklin TN and the surrounding area, your landlord/property manager probably required you to get a renter's policy with at least some basic amount of Liability coverage.


 But what if your landlord doesn't require it, or ...

 ...you're just living at a friend's house for a couple years while they are working at a job elsewhere?

...you live in a home owned by a family member who lives somewhere else.

 ...you just pay to stay in one room while the owner of the property also lives on site?

...maybe you don't even pay rent, so how could you be considered a "renter"?

Let's look at it another way. If you don't own the place you live, don't assume that, just because you live there, whatever insurance the owner of the building has in place covers you and your things. A policy written for the owner of a property, would generally be focused on helping the owner recover from a covered loss. The owner. NOT the tenant/occupant.  

 Without a renter's insurance policy, a tenant could well find themselves on their own to replace everything they've lost - AND might additionally be faced with the extra expense of having to find another place to live...all of which could easily tally up to far more than a minimal renter's insurance policy might cost for a year.

 AND...what if you were to be found liable for harm to someone, or damage to their property. What if you were the one who caused the fire that burned down the place you were staying? Sure, the home or apartment would be rebuilt, paid for by the landlord's insurance...but it might not end there. If you were negligent, the insurance company could sue you to recover what they spent on rebuilding.

 Whether the place you don't own, but do reside, is a house, apartment, or single room, whether you pay to stay there or not, can we just agree you most likely own something, need a place to live, and could possibly do some harm to someone or their property for which you could be held liable? All good reasons to make sure you have appropriate renter's insurance protection of your own.

 Good news: renter's policies are generally among the most economical of insurance policies, and many of them are flexible enough to accommodate as much or as little personal property as you wish.

We encourage our clients who are owners/landlords to make this a priority, too. After all, wouldn't you feel bad if your tenant were to find him- or herself homeless and property-less after a major claim...especially if that tenant is a friend or relative? Being clear on the front end about where the owner's coverage ends and the tenant's responsibility begins could save both parties headaches and expense down the line.

David Yates Insurance Agency
1881 General George Patton Dr., Suite 103
Franklin, TN 37067
Phone 615-778-1816  Fax 615-778-1817





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Friday, September 22, 2017

Leaf nothing to chance...


The autumn change of seasons can be spectacular. The thrilling colors and invigorating cooler temperatures  make it a favorite for many of us.  Whenever things are changing, though, it pays to be extra aware of our surroundings and take a little additional care.


Those vivid falling leaves, of course, are one of the most iconic features of the season. Each drifting crimson or gold masterpiece, on its own, likely doesn't pose much of a hazard...but a number of them together, plus a little rain, can be seriously slippery. This is something to look out for as we drive to and from all of the events of this busy season.  For those of us on whose properties leaves tend to collect, it's something that requires proactive and ongoing management.  If leaves accumulate on the roof or in gutters, they can, over time, damage your home. Leaves on your driveway, sidewalk, or yard could be a slip and fall risk for your family and guests, or could obscure the view of features or objects on your property that might cause someone to trip and injure themselves. In short, left unchecked, fall leaves could become a liability issue.  It is important for homeowners and business owners to be diligent in their fall landscape management efforts to keep conditions safe for all who come onto their property.

 And how about the dropping temperatures and shorter hours of daylight? Are you and your vehicles prepared?  Driving visibility is less in those darker hours.  Be careful, and make sure your headlights and signals are in good working order.  Many cars' headlights are on automatically whenever the car is running (we love this feature), but if your car's lights are strictly manual, don't be afraid to turn them on a bit early, as opposed to late, to help make sure the other day-into-twilight commuters can readily see you.   In addition to being ready for more dark-driving, your normal morning and evening commute may suddenly include a differently-timed blaze of sunrise or sunset, so take extra care (and maybe a good pair of driving sunglasses).

 Fall is a big season for sporting events and outdoor activities, which can mean more people out and on the move in places and at hours they might not be at other times of the year.  Add to that seasonal changes in animal behavior,  migration patterns, etc... deer, birds, pedestrians...all merit an extra measure of awareness and adaptability to help keep you and them as safe as possible.

 With the changing temperatures, frost on roads, bridges, overpasses can become a factor. Assure your tires and brakes are in peak condition, watch your speed, and allow extra following distance. Where possible, time or alter your route to accommodate seasonal changes.  As always, keep a close eye on tire pressure, too, which can be affected by a number of things, including fluctuating temperatures.

 It can be easy for many of us to be in a hurry as we hop in our vehicle to go wherever we are going. It may be tempting to ignore a bit of frost or condensation, or scrape just a strip so you can "mostly" see, but, no matter how short the jaunt, please don't EVER skimp at all when it comes to visibility! It's well worth the few extra moments to assure you have the full, clear view needed any time you are behind the wheel. Make sure you have a high-quality windshield scraper (or two) in each of your vehicles, and that the heating and defrost functions of your vehicles are performing optimally.

 It's easy to think now, on this summer-like first day of fall in Franklin TN and Middle Tennessee, that there's plenty of time to get around to these things, but we encourage you to be ahead of the game. 

 Fall is a season of change. Think ahead, prepare, and plan now so that, as this amazing season (that is so especially amazing in this part of the country) progresses, you'll be ready and free to fully enjoy it all as safely as possible.

 Happy fall!

David Yates Insurance Agency
1881 General George Patton Dr., Suite 103
Franklin, TN 37067
Phone 615-778-1816  Fax 615-778-1817

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Thursday, April 6, 2017

One final item on your spring travel checklist...

Thank goodness insurance is there to help with some of life's "unforeseeables," but wouldn't life just be simpler if we could foresee everything and therefore avoid the unpleasant stuff?  We like to plan for safety where we can, and the spring travel season brings a lot of extra subject matter to mind. You leave your home behind when you go on vacation, which has implications for your home, your stuff, and YOU...

First, your HOME:      
Most of us make a point of doing a thorough check before we leave to make sure everything that should be turned off, unplugged, or put away before we leave is, but how about making sure your home itself is in good shape for your trip?  Are the roof sound, the gutters clear, and the earth graded such that water flows away from the home? Are trees and bushes trimmed back so branches  are not likely to touch or fall on your home and would-be burglars don't find opportunities to hide? Are your heating/cooling systems on conservative settings so they don't have to work too hard while you're away, and have they been checked recently to make sure they are functioning properly with no shorts or worn parts?  Are the mail and paper stopped so as not to tip anyone off to your absence? How about some of those nifty light timers (UL-approved ones, of course!)? And, finally, have you designated a trusted neighbor, friend, or family member to look in on things while you're away?

 Next, that leave YOU and your STUFF, out in the world, taking a departure from the familiar:  
Make sure essential phone numbers are in your phone in case something comes up - your family doctor, credit card companies in case cards are stolen, perhaps the number for your insurer(!)...  
If travelling by car, don't forget to have an emergency kit along, just in case.   Also, you'll probably have more stuff in the vehicle than usual.  Do it the right way. Keep any valuables well-secured and out of sight (includes stashing any appealing tech-toys passengers may be using en route when you hit the gas station or rest area),  and don't load the passenger area with anything that might shift, lurch, or move abruptly out of position and injure a passenger in the event of a sudden stop.  If travelling with pets, keep their safety in mind, too, making sure they are secure in sturdy, approved, well-ventilated travel carriers. It may be tempting to let them roam freely so you can enjoy their company over the miles, but that could be a distraction for you and likely not in their best interest in the event of a sudden stop, etc.  (Here's an ASPCA link we linked with some more good thoughts for travel with pets - https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/travel-safety-tips )
...and (do we have to say it?) LOCK THE CAR.  Even if you're only stepping out for a few moments at a friendly-looking fruit and vegetable stand in the middle of nowhere.   You just don't know.   Hey, surely you've got the 4 extra seconds it takes to lock/unlock the door...you're on vacation, for goodness' sake!
As you draw near you destination, in addition to watching for favorite restaurants and attractions, keep an eye out for essentials in the area - drugstores, hospitals, and such.
So...out of the car, into the hotel room at last. Make sure to take a good look at that map inside the door so you'll know your escape route, if needed, and confirm any unexpected arrivals at your hotel room door with the front desk.  
Virtually infinite opportunities for relaxation and adventure await . Enjoy, but keep in mind you are outside of familiar territory.   Be extra watchful for other possible hazards while you're taking in the scenery, or looking for that street you want, and expect other drivers and pedestrians may be distracted.  Depending upon how different your getaway environment is from home,  there may even be cultural differences to consider. You may stand out as a non-local. There are opportunists out there, so beware. Many are the tales of tourists being "swarmed" by seemingly well-intentioned locals, then finding their belongings missing.  Keep your kids close and your essentials well secured - inside pockets and inner layers of clothing are great, and, where possible, toward the front of your body, the area of which most of us are most aware.
Make sure key friends and family members have at least a general itinerary, know where you'll be and how to get in touch with you, if needed.   As for the rest of us back here in Franklin TN and Middle Tennessee, we'll look forward to hearing about your vacation and seeing those photos  after you get back - no sense broadcasting that you'll be away in advance!
Hope you have a chance to get away for a bit of fun soon to make some great memories - safely!
David Yates Insurance Agency
1881 General George Patton Dr., Suite 103
Franklin, TN 37067
Phone 615-778-1816  Fax 615-778-1817


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Friday, June 17, 2016

Read before you leave Middle Tennessee for a summer vacation...


With gas prices starting their dramatic dip in 2014, and continuing into 2015, one consequence was  that the number of overall miles driven by U.S. drivers increased 3.5% in 2015 over 2014, as reported in a Federal Study.  

Nothing in this world is free -- unfortunately, another consequence soon emerged:  According to the National Safety Council, the biggest one-year percentage increase (+8%) in the number of traffic deaths in 50 years occurred from 2014 to 2015.

If that doesn't make you a little nervous, consider that 50% of drivers admit to reading a text message or e-mail while driving, so says an AAA report. 

Self-driving cars can't come fast enough!

David Yates Insurance Agency
1881 General George Patton Dr., Suite 103
Franklin, TN 37067
Phone 615-778-1816  Fax 615-778-1817
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Friday, May 27, 2016

Why is your home insurance policy more expensive in the Nashville-Brentwood-Franklin areas of TN?


It's always helpful knowing the context of a situation in order to better understand it.  Here's a homeowners insurance example.  Rates have been increasing industry-wide for the past few years, at least, in much of Middle Tennessee.  Part of that is a reflection of more homeowners claims occurring than expected. However, another significant component is the fact that building costs have risen dramatically in the Nashville metro area, including Franklin, Brentwood, Thompson's Station, Spring Hill, and Nolensville.


How does this impact your homeowners insurance premium?  Well, it's no secret that our entire area has been hot-hot-hot when it comes to people relocating here.  This has dramatically increased demand for construction crews to build homes, condos and apartments to house them, not to mention commercial buildings to cater to them.   When demand is high, this naturally causes the cost of labor and materials to go higher and higher.

Since insurance companies are in the business to make people whole after a loss, they pay to rebuild homes after disasters like tornadoes and fires.  If we know the price of labor and materials is going higher and higher, where will your insurance company get that extra amount from?  You guessed it, from you, and its other customers.  Maybe you've noticed the "Reconstruction Cost" amount on your homeowners policy has increased during the past few years, meaning your insurance company thinks it continues to cost more and more to rebuild your home in the event of a catastrophe, based on local variables, like construction costs.  That's just a consequence of living in a high-demand area.

On the other hand, who can forgot the recession in the late 2000's and beyond?  During that time, hardly anyone was building, and you could get excellent pricing for construction crews and materials, due to little demand.  During that time, some homeowners' Reconstruction Costs amounts on the policies actually decreased.  So the reverse can be true.

Of course, this is a pretty simplistic explanation of just one aspect of home insurance pricing.  A lot more is factored by those big black boxes at insurance company headquarters, to eventually determine your rates. However, I thought it might be helpful to give you a little context.

I'm always available to advise you on your personal and business insurance needs.  Thank you so much for your support as I celebrate completing my 10th year in the business! 

David Yates Insurance Agency
1881 General George Patton Dr., Suite 103
Franklin, TN 37067
Phone 615-778-1816  Fax 615-778-1817
dyates1@farmersagent.com

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Thursday, April 28, 2016

The hidden costs of "cheap" auto policies -- just ask your insurance agent these three questions...



Q:  Does my auto policy automatically cover a rental car if I decide to take one on vacation instead of my regular car?
Restrictive policies cover only the vehicles specifically listed on the policy.  Don't assume all policies are the same.  You may have to accept the additional expense of the car rental company's pricey insurance.



Q:  Does my policy allow "permissive use", or does it cover only drivers who are specifically listed on the policy itself?
Be sure you know if you can loan your car to a friend or other family member.  What if they crashed your car and your insurance refused to pay for it because it doesn't allow "permissive use"?

Q:  If I wreck and total my car, do you take depreciation out before you pay me, or do you give me a fair market valuation, similar to what car dealers in the area are charging?
How your insurance policy valuates your vehicle at claims time can mean a huge difference in dollars to you.  Watch out for the phrase "Actual Cash Value" in your policy.

Do you think the low-cost insurance purveyors are going to specifically point out these deficiencies in their policies?  Of course not.  You only learn about them after it's TOO late.  Now, you have no excuse, if you read this blog.

1881 General George Patton Dr., Suite 103
Franklin, TN 37067
Phone 615-778-1816  Fax 615-778-1817
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Doh -- a deer!

We're nearing the peak of the deer-mating season, the time to be extra watchful for deer while you are driving.  In fact, about half of ...