Nasty Road Conditions, Stay in but if you must go out....

Whether it’s rain, snow or ice, the best strategy for dealing with nasty road conditions is to stay home. Unfortunately, it’s not always possible to stay off rainy, icy, or snowy roads so if you do have to drive, slow down, heighten your focus and adopt a defensive driving strategy.
Here is some info that may help you stay safe on the road in bad weather:

• About your brakes — Many people tend to slam on the brakes at the first sign of trouble. Result: The wheels may lock up causing you to lose control of your vehicle and slide into surrounding traffic. If you begin to slide and your car is equipped with an anti-lock braking system (ABS) — most late model vehicles are — gradually apply pressure to the brakes. If you don’t have ABS, pump the brakes slowly until they grab. Fight the inclination to slam on your brakes.
• About your headlights — Driving in fog and snow is dangerous and often difficult. If you have fog lights, use them. Don’t use your high beams as they may reflect moisture and may make it more difficult to see. Always use your regular headlights, and if your vision is impaired, find a safe spot and pull off the road.
• About your eyes — Precipitation may affect your focus and concentration as your eyes may become fixed on the repetitive motion of the falling rain or snow. Keep your focus on the road ahead but keep your eyes moving — check your rear and side view mirrors to keep track of what’s coming up behind you and alongside.

More space, more time
Give yourself a space cushion — room in front of you, behind you and next to you. This allows you more time to react if the car in front of you stops suddenly or if an accident occurs around you. If you are on a multiple lane highway, try to keep a lane between your car and the cars next to you.
Remember, if you’ve got a choice, opt for the safer one and stay home.

Joel McKinnon Farmers Insurance 875 Blake Ave SW New Phila, OH 44663(Driving Directions) Phone: (330) 339-3431 Fax: (330) 339-3478 http://www.farmersagent.com/jmckinnon Connect with Me:

Planning for the Year Ahead: Review Your Insurance Policies

As the New Year is upon us and we are making resolutions, promise yourself to review your insurance policies so you know where you stand. Too often, we only look at our insurance policies when we first get them in the mail. For example, we forget to update our coverages when we remodel our homes, or when our children begin to drive. Not having a regular insurance checkup can lead to complications later on.

So, while we are making other resolutions, let’s resolve to sit down with us and get an insurance check up. At Farmers we call it a Farmers Friendly Review. A Farmers Friendly Review is our way of helping you design an insurance program to meet your ever-changing insurance needs. There may be events in your life, such as a change in marital status, the birth of a child or the purchase of a home that could affect your insurance coverage. So when you have your meeting, be sure to review:

• The members of your family included on your auto insurance and make sure ages match.
• The amount of your deductible/coverage in case of an accident.
• Do you have rental car insurance, and for how much?
• What perils are covered in your homeowners insurance? Do you want to add flood or earthquake coverage, both of which are not covered under standard homeowners policies.
• The amount of your deductible for your homeowners insurance.
• Whether or not you need additional insurance for jewelry, guns or collections.

Also, be sure to talk to us to understand the replacement cost of your home as this number often gets confused with the market value of your home.

Make that appointment today call 330-339-3431 to talk about which options you feel are best for you.

McKinnon Insurance - New Philadelphia, Ohio 4663

330-339-3431

WWW.FARMERSAGENT.COM/JMCKINNON