Month: May 2016

Keep Your Car Going Strong

Posted on by Martinson Agency

Keep Your Car Going Strong

May 25th, 2016 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

The car is arguably our most used possession. It’s what gets us to the corner store, to the workplace and to the far reaches of the country on those annual family road trips. In order to keep it our most reliable possession, it’s important to give it some tender loving care – beyond having the oil changed every 3,000 to 5,000 miles.

The following are five things that you probably aren’t doing to keep your vehicle going strong:

Check Tire Pressure Regularly

When it’s cold outside, you’re probably pretty good about keeping tabs on your tires, understanding that cold air causes the pressure to diminish. But the winter isn’t the only time you should be doing a visual check; it ought to be done monthly, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association, simply because tire quality and pressurization varies, largely depending on how often you drive and the kind of roads you frequent. Ensure that each is at the proper PSI level to improve mileage and evenness of tread wear.

Rotate Your Tires

Speaking of evenness, there’s little to speak of when you don’t rotate your tires. You’ve probably already heard that you should rotate your tires every so many miles. Are you actually doing it? You really should start if not because it can not only lengthen the life of your tires, it can also make your daily commute go much more smoothly – in the literal sense of the term. Whether it’s moving the back wheels to the front wheels or diagonally across from the other, aim to get this completed after compiling 5,000 to 8,000 miles.

Clean Your Headlights

Mother Nature has its own natural cleanser in rain, but it takes more than a heavy shower to keep your headlights shining as brilliantly as they did when you first took your car out for an evening stroll.  Because most headlights are made out of polycarbonate, generic glass cleaner or soapy water are both safe to use and effective, according to Popular Mechanics magazine.

Schedule A Tune-Up

Due to time constraints, many of us don’t address potential car problems until they present themselves, often first manifested via the dreaded “check engine” light. By this point, however, what was a pending issue is now a full-fledged one, as the typical check engine repair costs an average of $387, according to data from CarMD. To stay one step ahead, take your car in for a tune-up on a quarterly basis to a trusted auto body shop. The professionals there should be able to diagnose whatever issues may be boiling just below the surface.

Clean Battery’s Terminals

Your car doesn’t get very far without its battery – something you’ve no doubt realized on those bitterly cold days when the engine won’t turn over. In part due to the variations in temperature, the terminals over time become encrusted with a white powdery residue that can diminish connectivity. To prevent this from happening, take a peek under the hood now and then to see if the residue has developed. If so, remove the cables from the terminals and get rid of the crusted corrosion with a wire brush.

Don’t leave your insurance to luck! Call today us today!

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

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The Outdoor Chef’s Guide To A Safe Grilling Season

Posted on by Martinson Agency

The Outdoor Chef’s Guide To A Safe Grilling Season

May 18th, 2016 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

Grilling season is about to commence and it is important to know that even the smallest detail can cause your barbecue to be memorable for all of the wrong reasons. The following is a list of grill safety tips for all of you ‘Grill Master’s’ out there.

  • Keep your grill at least 15 feet from your home. Grills should also not be used underneath wooden overhangs. This will prevent a flare up from causing a house fire.
  • Clean your grill on a regular basis. Grease and fat provide more fuel for a fire. By allowing these things to build up on your grill you are increasing your risk of flare ups.
  • Do not leave your grill unattended. Fires can rapidly grow in size. Make sure you keep an eye on the grill at all times.
  • Never turn on the gas while the lid is closed. This could cause the gas to build up inside, and when ignited, the lid could blow off and cause injuries.
  • If the flame goes out, turn the grill and the gas off and wait a minimum of 20 minutes before re-lighting it.
  • After you are finished with the grill, make sure you close the gas valve on your grill.

Nearly 9,000 home fires a year involve grills, according to a National Fire Protection Association report. By keeping these simple tips in mind we hope that you will have a fun but safe grilling season. Please contact the Martinson Agency in Chaska, MN today with any questions that you may have!

Don’t leave your insurance to luck! Call today us today!

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

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Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems

Posted on by Martinson Agency

Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems

May 12th, 2016 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

Working for a living may be less than thrilling, but it makes the finer, more enjoyable things in life possible. And thanks to a more robust economy, businesses are helping out with that by increasing their employees’ salary, according to a recent poll.

Aiming to both retain workers and reward staff members for all their hard efforts, 8 in 10 businesses intend to increase compensation levels for employees this year, a recent survey from CareerBuilder revealed. Additionally, two-thirds will do the same for new hires.

“While employers have been more willing to pay a premium for high-skill labor, they now have to pay more competitive wages for entry-level positions,” explained Matt Ferguson, CEO for the online job search engine. “Workers are gaining leverage.”

Whether it’s buying a second car, or splurging on an all-new vehicle straight from the showroom floor, more money in your pocket can bring more opportunity to improve your standard of living. At the same time, however, it also brings a greater risk of liability, be it in the form of theft, an accident on the roads or a crash out on the water aboard a newly purchased boat.

In short, when your assets grow more expansive, so do your insurance needs. That’s because the more valuable your belongings are, the more it can cost to replace them should they be damaged, lost or stolen.

You can figure out how much coverage you should buy by performing a home inventory – something few of us have done before. Nearly 60% of consumers have not made up a formal list of the items they own, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

You’ve worked hard to get where you are. Make sure your assets are protected with the proper insurance package. For assistance, speak with your local insurance agent at the Martinson Agency in Chaska, MN.

Don’t leave your insurance to luck! Call today us today!

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

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The Penalties and Consequences of Driving Drunk

Posted on by Martinson Agency

The Penalties and Consequences of Driving Drunk

May 5th, 2016 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

With just about everyone carrying a smart phone these days, you can understand why distracted driving has garnered so much attention. And for good reason, as according to government data, nearly 3,200 people were killed in 2014 in collisions where multitasking was to blame.

However, equally worthy of the public’s awareness is a behavior that leads to even more senseless deaths: driving impaired.

It’s estimated that 10,000 people per year are killed in alcohol-related car crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That’s the equivalent of 1 every 51 minutes.

“Intoxicated driving offenses have fallen 80% over the last 40 years.”

Believe it or not, the rate has gone done over the years. Between 2007 and 2014, for instance, the proportion of drivers whose blood-alcohol levels were above the legal limit fell 30%, based on NHTSA estimates. And since 1973, the first time analysis was done on drunk driving prevalence, offenses have decreased by almost 80%.

All 50 states have ignition interlock laws Part of the reason for the decline stems from a national crackdown on the illegal activity. Today, all 50 states require at least some drunk driving offenders – typically those who’ve been caught more than once – to install ignition interlocks in their motor vehicles. These prevent drivers from operating their automobiles when under the influence. Since states first passed ignition interlock laws, nearly 1.8 million attempts at driving drunk have been avoided, according to numbers from social services organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Texas, Arizona, West Virginia and New Mexico have some of the stricter ignition interlock laws in the country, with added legislative efforts being made in other states as well.

Other major deterrents to drunk driving are the consequences that can result, none more significant than potentially being involved in a crash that could cause death or injury. Based on analysis from NHTSA, drivers whose blood alcohol level tests above 0.08 are four times more likely to crash than sober drivers. The chances are 12 times greater with an alcohol level of 0.15, twice the legal limit.

Drunk driving penalties can cost thousands

“The punishment for driving drunk varies depending on the state and gravity of the offense.”

Then there are the financial ramifications, which vary depending on the part of the country that it takes place. For example, in the District of Columbia, penalties after a first offense may include 180 days license suspension, not to mention a $1,000 fine. If caught a second time, the fine more than doubles to between $2,500 and $5,000. License revocation may also increase to a full calendar year.

The consequences related to auto insurance are equally damaging. Because drunk driving is a risk to safety, your premiums are bound to rise substantially. You may also be required to obtain special forms mandated by states before being allowed to drive again or register your car.

Dame Helen Mirren put it best – and rather bluntly – in a commercial at this year’s Super Bowl: If you drive drunk, stop it. The stakes are too high, the consequences too severe.

Don’t leave your insurance to luck! Call today us today!

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

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