Personal Insurance Tips

Auto

Vehicle Safety and Maintenance

• Read your vehicle owner's manual to understand its maintenance needs.
• Maintaining your vehicle according to the manufacturers recommended maintenance schedule would go a long way in extending the life of your vehicle and spotting minor problems before they become major repairs.
• Have your vehicle checked by a qualified mechanic whenever you notice a change in braking or handling.
• Consider taking a recognized driver safety course.

Brakes:

Your brakes are obviously one of the most important components on your automobile. Proper care and regular maintenance is essential to protect both yourself and others from the potential harm caused by faulty brakes. Some signs that your brakes may be failing or require maintenance include:

• The brakes squeal, grind or bang when applied. If this occurs you should immediately have your brakes checked
• The car pulls to one side when you apply the brakes
• The brakes stick or a loss of engine power when you are driving. Your brakes may not be releasing properly which can lead to total brake loss.
• The brakes grab when lightly applied. This could be caused by loose or broken brake parts
• The brakes need a lot of pressure to work or the pedal needs to be near the floor before it works. This may be a sign that your brakes are worn and replacement is necessary
• The brake pedal, steering wheel or entire car vibrates when you step on the brakes

Child Restraint Safety

• It is important to install a child's restraint seat properly in order for it to be effective.
• Read the manufacturer's installation instructions thoroughly
• Many police departments have programs to help with proper installation

For tips and information regarding child seat safety please contact Transport Canada

Road Safety

Road safety is an important issue on today's crowded roadways.

• For statistics and information regarding road safety and its impact on social and medical costs please contact Transport Canada.

Airbags and Seatbelts

Airbags have been the topic of much discussion since they have become a standard feature with newer automobiles. For information and guidelines pertaining to use and safety issues of air bags please contact the following organizations:

• Transport Canada
• Canada Safety Council
• Insurance Bureau of Canada

Drinking and Driving

Drinking and driving has been the cause of many unfortunate accidents resulting in serious injuries and loss of life on our roadways. The following organizations can provide statistics and information pertaining to drinking and driving:

• Transport Canada
• Canada Safety Council

Cell Phones and Safety

• Cell phones can be valuable equipment in a car when you need to call for assistance. However, they can also be a distraction if they are used while driving, and many jurisdictions are considering restrictions on cell phone use while driving.
• For safety's sake, don't use your cell phone while driving. If you need to make a call, stop your car safely away from traffic before picking up the phone.

Preparing for Winter Driving

Canadians know that winter driving can be treacherous at the best of times. The following organizations can provide tips and information to help you prepare yourself and your vehicle for safe winter driving.

• Canada Safety Council
• Transport Canada

What to Do When You Are Involved in an Accident

Being involved in an accident can be a very stressful event. To help you protect both yourself and your interests, we have provided some basic hints:

• Call the police immediately, and an ambulance if necessary.
• Do not admit liability.
• Record details of the accident including date, time, and location, a description of the accident, any injuries, and any charges laid.
• Record details concerning the other party and vehicle such as owner's name and address, phone number, and vehicle year, make and model.
• It is very important to obtain the insurance information of the other driver. This includes the name of the insurance company and the policy number and the name of the broker or agent.
• Obtain a copy of the police report from the attending officer, as this will have the accident report number for future reference.

How to Prevent Vehicle Theft

Although you cannot ensure your vehicle will not be stolen you can take a few easy steps to prevent the likelihood of it happening, by making it more difficult for a thief to steal your vehicle and its contents.

• Always lock your vehicle
• Never leave your keys in the vehicle
• Turn off your ignition whenever you leave your car
• Avoid parking on the street
• Conceal items left in your car, keep things in the trunk and never leave money or compact discs in the open
• Whenever possible, park your vehicle in a well-lit, well-guarded, highly visible area.
• Ask your neighbours to watch out for your vehicle and do the same for them
• Install an anti-theft deterrent such as car alarms or an ignition disabler.

For tips and more information to help you avoid having your car broken into or stolen please contact the appropriate industry organization in your area (e.g. Vehicle Information Centre).

How to Prevent Vehicle Theft

Going on Vacation.

If you are going on vacation it is especially important to make your home appear inhabited. To fully protect your home you will need to enlist the help of trusted neighbours, family and friends. Here are some things that you can do:

• Stop all mail delivery.
• Arrange for a neighbour to cut the grass or shovel snow.
• Cancel all deliveries during the time you will be away.
• Maintain normal lighting patterns by using electronic timers.
• Ask a neighbour to put one of their garbage bags in front of your house on collection day.
• Leave a radio on, with a timer if necessary to simulate normal use.
• Ask a neighbour to park in your driveway.
• Arrange for neighbours to pick up flyers.
• Don't talk about your vacation plans with strangers or service people.
• Use your work address on your luggage tags so a potential burglar won't know where your empty house is.
• If practical, remove valuables from your home. Small valuables should be stored in a safety deposit box.
• Lock garage door.

Note: Before you leave, you should tell someone you trust:

• That you will be away
• How long you will be absent
• Whether or not you will have a house sitter
• The number where you can be reached

Anti-Theft Devices

• Theft of automobiles constitutes a significant economic loss to society. Theft of cars in 1994 cost Canadian consumers about $480 million in insurance premiums for unrecovered vehicles, damage to vehicles that were stolen and later recovered, and components stolen from vehicles.
• Several manufacturers have introduced features, in their vehicles, which are intended to reduce the incidence of theft. This pamphlet identifies the most common features and list the 1996 vehicles equipped with them.
• These devices tend to be either ACTIVE (i.e. explicit action is required to activate the feature) or PASSIVE (i.e. activated automatically with the locking of the vehicle). The devices listed in this pamphlet are passive unless noted otherwise.

The following features are identified in this pamphlet:

• Audible alarm system
• Fuel/Ignition/Electrical system cutoff
• Parts identification
• Security key system
• Price Range

Anti-Lock Braking System

• Anti-locking brakes (ABS) are designed to help drivers retain control of their cars by preventing wheel locking and skidding.
• The models shown have ABS as either optional or standard equipment. Where shown, primarily on pick-up trucks and multi-purpose vehicles, ABS is on the rear wheels only, which does not offer the same protection as when on all wheels.
• The trend for 1996 continues to show that ABS is being offered as standard rather than optional equipment. Almost all 1996 models are offering ABS as either standard or optional equipment.

The Safety Cushion

• A safety cushion can be determined very quickly and easily by using the time interval method. The time interval method is a formula for determining the distance between your vehicle and other traffic ahead.
• It is superior to other systems because it is self-adjusting for vehicle speed. To use it select an object ahead - an overpass, a traffic sign, or even a crack in the road.

Driver Improvement

When the vehicle you are following passes this object begin timing yourself by counting "one thousand and one, one thousand and two", until you pass the same object.

• Under ideal daylight driving conditions, never follow any closer than two seconds. Driving during less-than-ideal conditions will require an increase in this time creating a larger safety cushion.
• Extra attention and caution must be exercised if light, weather, road, traffic, vehicle or driver conditions are adverse.

Special Situations Loading

• Whenever a vehicle is towing an object, like a trailer, add 1 second following distance for every three metres (10ft) of additional length

Traction and Visibility

• When driving conditions become adverse, increase the following distance. Rain and fog can make roads slippery and reduce your ability to stop. So add more seconds to the original following distance, giving you enough time to react to other highway users.
• One of the most dangerous times to drive is when ice is at 0 degrees C (32 degrees F). For this condition keep especially alert and maintain a long following distance, as much as 12 seconds, behind the vehicle ahead. Or better yet, avoid driving altogether.
• While you may be able to handle your vehicle, allowing for other drivers' errors becomes next to impossible.

Tailgaters

• Slow down; make it easy for any tailgater to pass. If the driver does not pass, at least you have created a safer following distance for yourself.

Fatigue

• You may become increasingly tired when driving long distances. This slows perception and reaction time. In this case increase the following distance form 4 to 6 seconds
• And remember, pull off the highway and stop for a rest break every hour.

Choosing Your Car

• Research into vehicle safety has contributed to making newer cars in use in Canada much safer than ever before. Now, all models have shoulder seat belts. Models manufactured after 1989 have daytime running lights.
• Many of today's cars are designed to leave the passenger compartment intact at impacts up to 55 kilometres an hour. As research continues, new features that further improve the safety of cars are likely to be introduced.
• This pamphlet lists the 1996 models, which have anti-lock braking systems "ABS" and/or airbags. Automobile insurance companies consider these two features effective in preventing crashes and reducing personal injuries.
• In addition to vehicles equipped with ABS and airbags, we have identified 1996 model year vehicles equipped with devices intended to reduce theft. As vehicle theft increases in Canada, these initiatives can be an important consideration in the purchase of a new vehicle.
• This pamphlet was prepared based on information provided to Vehicle Information Centre of Canada (VICC) by sources that are believed to be accurate. VICC is an independent organization funded by Canadian auto insurers. Its member companies underwrite about 99% of car insurance in Canada.
• VICC collects insurance claim information about car accidents, theft and other events that lead to claims. VICC, then, analyzes the claim information by individual vehicle model and advises auto insurers on how cars should be rated for insurance premiums.

Home

Crime Prevention Tips

Burglary is always a crime of opportunity. Here are some interesting facts you should know about burglary:

• Studies show that most burglars attack during the daytime when dense bushes and trees protect them from view, and the building appears unoccupied
• One-third of burglars enter from the basement
• One-third of burglars force entry through a window or door
• One-third of burglars gain access from an unlocked/open door or window

To best protect your home, look at it from a burglar's perspective. What are the vulnerable parts? If you take a few simple and inexpensive steps to make sure your home is not an attractive target, you'll greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim.

Home Fire Safety

Are you prepared?

• Here are actions you can take to prevent or be ready for emergencies.
• Install a smoke detector on each floor and check the batteries twice a year. For example, New Year's Day and Canada Day.
• If you live in a high-rise, have duct tape handy to seal the doorway from smoke.
• Have your furnace inspected and cleaned every year.
• Hold a fire drill, showing everyone how to stay low and exit from the dwelling.
• Do not keep combustible materials, such as newspapers, after you have finished with them. Flammable liquids should be stored in a cool, ventilated place away from any source of heat.
• If you have a fireplace, have the chimney cleaned regularly.
• If you have a wood stove have it inspected for clearances and acceptability.

Home Security Checklist

Doors

• Entrance doors should have a solid core
• Doors should fit tightly into door jambs and strike plates must be secure
• Install a wide-angle peep hole
• If hinge pins are outside, they should be non-removable
• When closed, sliding doors need a metal bar to fill the inside track
• Locks on the inside of the door should be at least 40 inches from glass
• Locks should be replaced after you take possession of your new home
• Use deadbolt locks that extend at least one inch into the strike plate

Windows

• Metal windows need a lock or metal bar in addition to a catch
• Basement windows should be Plexiglas or have security bars
• Windows left open for ventilation should be secured
• Curtains or blinds should fully cover windows
• Air conditioners should be secured from the inside

Exterior

• Keep shrubs cut below window level
• Your house number should be easily visible from the street
• Make sure front and back doorways are well lit or spot lit
• Keep bicycles, lawn mowers, and other gear inside and out of sight
• Join a Neighbourhood Watch and Operation Identification, and display the decals on your front and back doors

Garage

• Keep your garage door closed and locked when not in use
• Remove vehicle keys and lock vehicles in the garage
• Have a light inside the garage

Around your apartment

• Open the lobby door only for people you know. Unknown or suspicious persons should be reported to the building superintendent
• Use your initials and last name to identify yourself on the lobby list
• If you are out, arrange for deliveries to be received by the building superintendent or a neighbour
• When moving in, have the superintendent change the locks
• Check the elevator before you enter it and stay near the control panel
• Do not go into laundry rooms alone
• Check your car before entering it
• Keep your car locked and remove any valuable portable items
• Do not store valuable items in an apartment locker

Alarms

• Alarms monitored 24 hours by a Central Alarm Station service are recommended and may qualify for an insurance premium discount
• Alarms should protect the full perimeter of your residence

While on vacation...

Your personal security

• Do not open the door until you confirm the person's identity
• If somebody asks to use your phone, have them wait outside while you make the call for them
• Do not give out personal information to telephone solicitors
• If you arrive home and suspect a break-in, leave and call the police
• Never indicate that you're not home on your telephone answering machine
• If you lose your keys, change your locks. Your policy has coverage assistance to replace lost/stolen keys

Household inventory

Here's how to prepare your inventory...

• Create a separate list for each of these categories or print this convenient form
• Furniture and appliances, listed room by room
• Clothing, listed for each person
• Computer equipment and software
• Books, tools, toys, bicycles, and other items
• Credit cards, and who to notify if they are lost or stolen

Also...

• Don't forget to list all items in your basement, garage and yard
• Keep the sales receipts for all major purchases. Keep your receipts at a different location such as a safety deposit box
• Update the lists as you purchase new items or dispose of old items
• Keep a copy of the inventory in a safe place away from home, like a safety deposit box
• Review your inventory annually, preferably 30-60 days before your insurance renewal and advise your broker of significant changes

An easier way to take inventory... simply videotape your belongings

• Be sure to record a detailed image of all the items you would include in the paper lists
• Remember to update the tape every year to include any new items
• Be sure to keep the video tape in a safe place away from home such as a safety deposit box

Tips for Outside Your Home

There are many things that you can do to the exterior of your house or in the yard to deter burglars and make it more difficult to force entry.

• Keep your shrubbery cut back so that it doesn't block windows and doors.
• Secure window air conditioners from the inside.
• Illuminate as much of your property as possible.
• Exterior doors should be solid, not hollow. Metal doors provide the best protection against forced entry.
• Use a fencing style that would not conceal a burglar's activities. Remember if you can't see out, others can't see in.
• Secure any glass that is less than 40' from a door lock. Either coat exterior glass with an acrylic or polycarbonate to strengthen, or replace with laminated or tempered glass.
• Door hinges that are on the outside should have a non-removable center pin that can't be tampered with.
• Install deadbolt locks.
• Dogs are great deterrents to burglars. Even a strategically placed "Beware of Dog" sticker can make a burglar think twice. Of course, vicious dogs are never a good idea. If your dog bites someone, you might find yourself in court. A dog that barks is better than one that bites.
• Place hinged security bars over basement windows. Remember to keep the key nearby for emergency exits.
• Pin sliding patio doors together when closed. Another easy security step is to drill a hole in the upper track and insert a screw that extends out into the runner to prevent the door from being lifted up and out of its track.
• Ensure that a burglar cannot access the roof from high trees or a ladder left outside.

What to do if Your House is broken into

What NOT to Do...

• Don't put up a nameplate outside of your house with your full name. A burglar can use this information to look up your number in the phone book and call to see if you are home.
• Don't leave a note on the door or in the mailbox telling a friend/family member that you aren't home.
• Don't leave spare keys in an obvious place such as the mailbox or under the front door mat. This makes it very easy for a burglar to rob your house quickly without forcing entry.
• Don't leave cash and handbags in view in your home.
• Don't leave any doors unlocked when you are at the other end of the house or in the yard.

Despite your best efforts, a burglar may still penetrate your home. If you return to find that your house has been robbed:

• Don't stay - Always think of your safety first
• Never confront a burglar or block the exit route
• Go immediately to a neighbour's home or nearby location and phone the police

Fuse and Circuit Breaker Maintenance

• The fuse is an electrical safety valve. If too much current passes through it, a wire inside melts and stops the flow of current. When a fuse blows, it's a sign of danger.
• Either the line has been overloaded, or there s a break in the wires along the wall (in an appliance cord, a switch or inside the wall). If you are blowing fuses again and again, don't just change them. You could have a fire waiting to happen. Call in an electrical contractor to look at your system and evaluate if you are overloading it. Unless you know what you're doing, don't try to solve a wiring problem yourself.
• Faulty wiring is an extreme fire hazard, and no work for an amateur. Never over-fuse, for example by replacing a 15-amp fuse with a 20-amp one to try to meet an added power demands. Because 20 and 30-amp fuses are more powerful, people assume that they are making a safe electrical move, but your wiring itself is incapable of accommodating that additional demand.
• Almost all the fuses in your fuse box should be 15-amp. If there's a 20 or 30-amp fuse already in there, don't automatically replace it with the same amp fuse when it blows. The previous homeowner may have replaced a 15-amp fuse with a 20 or 30 way back when, and the mistake kept being repeated.
• Don't overload a single circuit with too many appliances. Plug all appliances -- not just refrigerators and microwaves, but kettles and electric frying pans too -- directly into the wall, never into an extension cord.
• When you're renovating you electrical system, putting up major new lighting, or adding extra appliances to your circuits, don't forget to have you local power company or inspection authority check the work.

Power Bar Safety Tips

• It's not a status place to drink, a nutritious snack, or a piece of exercise equipment. But the power bar is a way to offer protection for your electrical equipment.
• The power bar, also known as a power strip or multi-outlet strip, is a bar with several outlets for plugs, providing a safer alternative to extension cords for electrical appliances or equipment.
• The power bar's main advantage over extension cords is that it protects you against power line surges. These surges are momentary over-voltages -- up to several thousand volts, lasting just a few millionths of a second.
• Power surges can cause severe damage to your electrical equipment, and be extremely harmful to computer equipment.
• A power bar with a circuit breaker, however, shuts off the power in the event of a surge or a brief line overload. Afterwards, you simply press the re-set button on the bar.
• Make sure that your bar has a breaker and re-set button Without those two items the bar is really just another extension cord, and offers no protection from power surges or overloads.
• Some power bars are intended for general use, and others for appliances and computers. Read the packaging carefully.
• As with any electrical cord, use the power bar only in a dry location.
• Cover any unused receptacles so that metal object can't be accidentally poked into the slots. Better yet, place safety prongs into the receptacles, especially if there are children around.
• When plugging any item into the power bar, never run the cord under a carpet or rug, or along a doorway. The wear and tear could fray the insulation and expose the bare wire, creating a fire hazard.
• When removing a plug from the bar, grip it firmly and pull. Don't yank on the cord.
• Inspect the power bar regularly for signs of wear, and replace it if it appears worn or broken.

Lighting For Safety

• A light bulb over the head is a sign of a bright idea. And the simple light bulb can be just that -- a bright idea for safety around the home, if it's burning at the right time and in the right place.
• Accidental falls are among the common types of home accidents, and the leading cause of injuries in the home. For stairways that are commonly dimly lit or dark -- such as the basement or cellar -- consider a motion-sensitive light.
• As soon as you reach the staircase, the light goes on, ensuring that you can see you way and helping to prevent mis-steps.
• There's nothing wrong with mood lighting. But the main lighting in a room should let you see what you're doing and where you're going.
• Use bulbs with sufficient wattage (but never more that the lamp or fixture is made for), and don't turn dimmer lights so low that you risk tripping over or bumping into unseen obstacles.
• At night, use a nightlight so you can find your way safely to the bathroom or down the hall while you're still adjusting your vision. Or simply leave the bathroom light on.
• Use a timer for your lights so that the home looks occupied when you're not there. With some timers, you can program your lights to come on at different times each day, so a would-be burglar can't detect any patterns.
• Keep the outside lights on at night. Burglars always prefer the darkness, because it hides their activities. a motion-sensitive floodlight outdoors can be especially useful in shining a spotlight on an intruder.
• The outside light also lets you see who is at the door when you look through the peephole, and helps you spot any intruders lurking nearby when you arrive home at night.
• Encourage your neighbors to keep their outside lights on too.
• Make sure that your street address is lit enough to be visible from the road. That makes it easier for the police, a fire truck, or an ambulance to find your house quickly in an emergency.
• Have a flashlight or candles handy in case of a blackout. Don't forget extra batteries and the matches.

Extension Cord Safety

• Fire departments and power companies like to warn homeowners about the dangers of spaghetti junctions or octopus wiring. That's when you create a maze of extension cords, plugs, and wires. The added load on your electrical system can cause a fire.
• The problem is evident around holiday time, when you string up tree lights. The lights may not look that powerful, but when you add them up, you may be unduly stressing your system. To avoid overloading, try a safe power bar, with several outlets and a circuit breaker.
• If you're short of outlets, it could be a sign that your wiring is outdated. Call an electrician to evaluate your system and to install new outlets.
• When using extension cords, make sure that the current rating (in amps or A) or your light string (or whatever else you're plugging in) doesn't exceed the extension cord's rating. If the product's current rating is higher than the extension cord's, the cord could overheat.
• Don't bunch mini Christmas lights together -- the excessive heat could melt the insulation and expose live wires. Metal tree ornaments could also pose a shock hazard if they make contact with frayed wiring.
• If you have an appliance with a polarized plug (one prong wider than the other) make sure the extension cord you use is also polarized. Avoid three-way plugs, the ones with receptacles for prongs on either side or the front. The extension cord you plug into it may not be heavy enough.
• It's important to keep extension cords out of the way so they don't become a tripping hazard. But don't wrap or bunch them together. Without enough space between them they can overheat and ignite nearby rugs, curtains, or paper. Never run cords under carpets or across doorways, where they can overheat or become worn.
• Check all cords and plugs for fraying, cracks, or loose connections. When in doubt, replace old cords.
• There is no set rule on how many extension cords you can link together. But the longer the cord, the greater the voltage drops; you may end up with insufficient power.
• Extension cords are usually appropriate only on temporary or portable pieces of equipment. That makes them fine for your Christmas lights, for example, but unacceptable for a refrigerator or other major appliance.