Chaska Insurance

Car Safety for Pets

Posted on by Martinson Agency

Car Safety for Pets

June 11th, 2015 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

Summer has officially arrived in Minnesota and that means that road trip season is upon us! Car safety is important this time of year and often times we forget our four-legged friends. Many just assume that cats and dogs roaming free in your vehicle is an accepted practice and while it may not be against the law, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider these important safety tips while traveling with your pet.

1. “DO NOT let your pet sit on your lap” We’ve all seen it. And sure its cute. Sure, the car next to you may look over and wave. But it isn’t safe. And it shouldn’t happen. Not only does this put you and other drivers at risk, but it puts your animal at risk as well.

2. “Consider a pet carrier for cats and smaller dogs” Many times smaller animals can be more distracting while on the road because they can move though out the vehicle quicker and fit into smaller spaces. Using a pet carrier restricts the freedom your pet has while providing comfort at the same time.

3. “Use a travel barrier” A travel barrier works great for animals of all shapes and sizes.  This is a simple option that keeps your pet in the backseat. Most barriers are adjustable so you can customize it to meet you and your animal’s needs. Don’t forget to turn on A/C in the back to keep your buddy cool and comfortable throughout your trip!

4. “DO NOT leave your pet in the vehicle on a hot day” This is another that seems obvious and yet something that happens all too often. Your dog or cat doesn’t have the freedom of turning on the A/C if they start to overheat so don’t put them in this position. You have options. Have a fellow passenger stay with the dog while the vehicle is left running. Take the dog out of the vehicle while you are making a quick stop. If you must leave the animal alone for a moment, make sure that the windows are left open enough for proper air flow. But please, make it quick!

5. “Remember: Not all animals enjoy car rides” Sure, some animals love going for a car ride. But please remember that not animals feel the same. They may become fearful, anxious or car sick and all of these issues can lead to distracted driving. If you own an animal that hates the car, please avoid long road trips. Obviously, some situations are unavoidable and in this case be sure to make your pet as comfortable as possible before you hit the road.

Traveling can be an enjoyable experience for your family and your pet this time of year. Just please consider the safety of not only your family, but the safety of others on the road as well. Make sure that before you hit the road this summer, your pet is comfortable and relaxing in a safe place.

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

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

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Progressive Boat & Personal Watercraft Insurance

Posted on by Martinson Agency

Progressive Boat & Personal Watercraft Insurance

June 5th, 2015 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

Did you know that Progressive is America’s #1 insurer of personal watercraft and one of the nation’s leading boat insurers? With Progressive’s boat insurance coverage, you can breathe easy knowing you have top of the line coverage for your boat or personal watercraft. Progressive has a range of specialty coverages to ensure that your boat or watercraft is insured properly.

Broad Acceptance:

Progressive provides specialized insurance coverage for boats and personal watercraft. Their program can cover 95 percent of all boats on the water today including fishing boats, runabouts, personal watercraft and boats up to 50 feet in length and $250,000 in value.

Available Coverage Options:

  • Total Loss Replacement – replaces your boat with a brand new one of similar make and quality.
  • Disappearing Deductibles – reduces the insured’s deductible by 25% at each claim free renewal.
  • Replacement Cost Fishing Equipment – coverage for up to $10,000 for tackle, rods and reels.
  • Replacement Cost Personal Effects – protects your personal items including clothing, cameras, smart phones ect.
  • 24-Hour Roadside Assistance – covers trailer and tow vehicle, even if tow vehicle IS NOT insured with Progressive.
  • Emergency Towing and Labor – provides on-water towing service.
  • Wreckage Removal Coverage
  • Property Damage Liability – includes coverage for fuel spill cleanup.
  • Medical Payments – includes coverage for water-skiers.

Competitive Rates & Discount Availability:

Progressive has fantastic rates for new boats as well as married and mature operators. As a Progressive customer you will benefit from the following available discounts as well; Homeowner discount, Multi-Policy discount, Original Owner discount, Responsible Operator discount, Safety Course discount, Claim Free discount, Paid In Full discount and MORE!

When insuring your boat or personal watercraft make sure to consider Progressive’s specialized coverages. Obviously your specific needs vary based on a number of factors and not all of these coverages or discounts apply to your specific situation. This makes working with a licensed insurance agent even more important. Don’t take an unnecessary risk, call Martinson Agency in Chaska, MN today!

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

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

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The Rules of Calling Shotgun

Posted on by Martinson Agency

The Rules of Calling “Shotgun”

May 21st, 2015 — Martinson Agency LLC — Chaska, MN

Calling “Shotgun” is the act of claiming the front passenger seat of a car for yourself. Since this is the most coveted spot, this list of rules has been created to ensure that Shotgun can be acquired in a fair and equitable manner by any passenger of the automobile (except the driver, of course).

Section I: Making The Call

  1. The shotgun caller must be in clear sight of the car (even if the driver isn’t).
  2. “The Deed” – Any activity that directly precedes the ride, ex. stopping for food, visiting a friend ect. Accepting this concept is important because it establishes a shotgun-calling time frame that ensures everyone has an equal opportunity to start calling.
  3. When simultaneous shotgun is called, a footrace will follow. The first person to touch the passenger door handle wins.
  4. Shotgun must be called outdoors. If the deed takes place indoors, the deed is “done” only after you have left the building in which the deed took place.
  5. Once shotgun has been called for the front seat then back left and back right can be called. This leaves the slowest person to travel in the middle.
  6. Anyone calling shotgun much have shoes on. This prevents opportunistic people from running outside and calling shotgun, then having to go back inside- slowing down the journey.

Section II: Duties and Losing The Privilege

  1. First and foremost, the shot gunner must be awake for the duration of the journey and engage the driver in conversation to keep him/her awake.
  2. If the shot gunner attempts to open the door just as the driver is unlocking it and jams the lock half open so that driver needs to unlock again, the shot gunner forfeits their position. This is known as Shotgun Suicide.
  3. The shot gunner is responsible for all gate opening, food ordering and question asking. They are in essence the copilot and therefore the enforcer of behavior in the vehicle and exacter of slaps, punches, water spraying and bag throwing at the passengers in the back. (Only when the vehicle is stopped of course. SAFETY FIRST!)
  4. The shot gunner is responsible for tending to the driver’s text messages. Driver’s text messages pertaining to the final destination or that day’s plans must take precedent over all of the shot gunner’s texts. Any abuse of this power will result in a one-month ban from riding shotgun.
  5. The shot gunner does not have the right to correct the driver of their navigation skills or driving ability.
  6. The driver is, of course, the controller of music. But if they feel the road requires their full attention, duty is passed to the shot gunner. Putting on crap music or allowing for silence when the iPod finishes a song will result in demotion to the dreaded back middle seat.

Section III: No Contest

  1. If the regular driver of the vehicle is unable to perform their duties, then they are automatically given shotgun.
  2. If one of the backseat passengers is seriously ill (flu or worse) or has had a recent life event that deserves sympathy (ex. pet died), then this person should be offered shotgun. Known as the “pity rule”, and can only be used once per illness/event.
  3. If passengers are picked up separately and you are the first, you are automatically given shotgun. You retain this position unless you lose (see Section II) or any other Section III condition is met.
  4. If only one person knows the way or has a smartphone with GPS, then they are deemed designated navigator and automatically given shotgun.
  5. If one of the potential occupants of the vehicle is dressed (convincingly) as a pirate then they are given automatic shotgun. In the event of more than one pirate being present, a sword fight shall determine the successful shot gunner. This is known as the Pirate Rule.
  6. When traveling with a couple, one member of said couple MUST take shotgun. No one wants to chauffer two of their mates whilst they are in the back all over each other.

Section IV: Driver Powers

  1. Once shotgun has been called the driver has the option to yell “reload”. All previous calls of shotgun are void and the contest restarts. This is helpful when the driver really doesn’t like the shotgun winner. *Note that a shotgun has only two barrels so a reload can only be called once.
  2. The driver may declare “Survival of the Fittest” prior to any shotgun call. The passenger seat will be decided by whoever can take it by force.

Section V: Concluding Notes

  1. “Shotgun” overrules Dibs, Baggsies and other inferior terms.
  2. If someone asks, “What’s Shotgun?” after it has been called then they have to walk, regardless of distance.

Article courtesy of www.distractify.com (http://distractify.com/abby-s-marino/rules-for-shotgun/?v=1 )

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

Phone: (952) 314-4400

Email: jphagen@aibme.com

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