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No one liked taking tests in school: there was the studying beforehand, the stress during -- and the worst part -- waiting for results. But when you finally got that paper back with your grade scrawled on the top, you knew where you stood: what you knew, what you didn’t know and where you had to improve.

Most of us don’t sit down and take tests like this anymore, but it’s still important to know how we’re doing—especially if you own a small business like Serfass Insurance. We do our best to help clients like you every day. We try to make your life easier by offering the best possible coverage with the best possible personal service to back it up.

How are we doing? Are you getting the service you expect? Are we exceeding your expectations, or falling just a little short? We want to know. Click here to send us your thoughts, or pick up the phone and call us at 610-681-5785 anytime, and tell us: How are we doing?

If you feel we’re earning our A—thanks! The next time someone asks you “Hey, do you know anyone who can help us with our insurance?” maybe you’ll keep us in mind and tell them about Serfass Insurance. That’s the best test grade we could ever have.

“Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.”

An Ounce of Prevention

Turns out, your mom was right when she always said “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Whether you’re maintaining your home or your car, a few easy preventative steps can keep your home in tip-top shape, and your car purring like a kitten.

Home Maintenance:

• Clean up any water spills immediately to prevent mold growth. Exhaust fans can help draw out excess moisture as well.
• Even if you think you live in a safe town, lock your doors and windows at night and when you leave. It’s a tiny step that can keep you safe just in case someone with sticky fingers slides into town.
• Only you can prevent house fires. All right, it’s not exactly how the saying goes, but by making sure that your smoke alarms are in working order, and that you have fire extinguishers strategically located, you can greatly reduce your chance of serious house fires.

Auto Maintenance:

• Change your oil regularly. Oil keeps your engine lubricated, reduces friction and reduces nasty sludge from building up in your engine. Regular oil changes can keep your car running better for longer.
• Replace your windshield wipers every six months. If you see streaks on your windshield or hear strange squeaking sounds, it’s time for a new set of windshield wipers. A new set of wipers can significantly improve your vision during bad weather, which might make all the difference in the world.
• Rotate your tires. Your front and rear tires wear differently, and rotating them can help increase their lifespan and prevent blowouts. Every car is different, but many tire manufacturers recommend rotating your tires every 6,000-8,000 miles.

By following these simple steps, you can reduce your chances of car and home trouble, and save yourself time, hassle and money. Want another way to save those things? Bundle your insurance with ERIE. By covering your home and car both through us, you’ll pay less, and have the peace of mind of having just one insurance Agent to turn to whenever the need strikes. Call us to learn more.

“All insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described here; we can answer any questions you may have.”

Trying to Save Money? Avoid these Mistakes

With nearly one in 10 Americans out of work, and others forced to make ends meet with less money, many people are looking for ways to cut costs.

There are many ways to save on home and auto insurance. Be careful, though, not to make mistakes that could result in your being dangerously underinsured.

“When money is tight, it’s extremely important to be financially protected against a catastrophe with the right amount and type of insurance,” said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). “By taking a few simple steps, it is possible to cut costs and still be protected should disaster strike.”

According to the I.I.I., these are the five biggest insurance mistakes that people often make:

1. Insuring a home for its market value rather than for the cost of rebuilding. When real estate prices go down, some homeowners may think they can reduce the amount of insurance on their home. Insurance is designed to cover the cost of rebuilding, not the sales price of the home. You should make sure that you have enough coverage to completely rebuild your home and replace your belongings. 

A better way to save: Raise your deductible. An increase from $500 to $1,000 could save you up to 25 percent on your premium payments.

2. Selecting an insurance company by price alone. It is important to choose a company with competitive prices, but also one that is financially sound and provides good customer service.

A better way to save: Check the financial health of a company with independent rating agencies. You should select an insurance company that will respond to your needs and handle claims fairly and efficiently.

Financially strong insurers like Erie Insurance have the financial wherewithal to ensure that  payment is made when it’s due. ERIE has an A.M. Best rating of A+ (superior) with a stable financial outlook. Additionally, ERIE ranks among the 50 top performing insurance companies, according to the Ward Group, which analyzes the financial performance of 3,000 property-casualty companies. ERIE has also won awards for customer satisfaction and claim service by independent organizations.

3. Dropping flood insurance. Damage from flooding is not covered under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. Many homeowners are unaware they are at risk for flooding. Coverage is available from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), as well as from some private insurance companies.  Erie Insurance offers coverage through American Bankers.

A better way to save: All types of homes, including condominiums, are eligible for flood insurance. You can even purchase flood insurance to protect your contents if you rent your home. It’s a good idea to start the process as soon as you can because most flood insurance policies have at least a 30-day waiting period before they take effect. If you’re already living in a flood zone area, look at mitigation efforts that can reduce your risk of flood damage. Before purchasing a home, check with the NFIP to determine if it’s in a flood zone; if so, consider a less risky area.

4. Only purchasing the legally required amount of liability coverage for your car. In today’s litigious society, buying only the minimum amount of liability coverage means you are more likely to have to make out-of-pocket payments — and those costs may be steep.

A better way to save: The insurance industry and consumer groups generally recommend a minimum of $100,000 of bodily injury liability protection per person and $300,000 per accident. Also, consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage on older cars worth less than $1,000.

5. Neglecting to buy renters insurance. A renters policy covers your possessions and additional living expenses if you have to move out due to a disaster. Equally important, it provides liability protection in the event someone is injured in your home and decides to sue.

A better way to save: Look into multi-policy discounts. Buying several policies with the same insurer, such as renters, auto and life will generally provide savings.  

For more information about how you could save money on your insurance policies, contact our agency.  We can answer your questions and review your insurance coverage needs.

Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered

in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory

information.

Human Happens

You probably come to a full halt at stop signs, always use your turn signals and never speed through a yellow light. But even the best drivers all have one thing in common: we're all human, and humans make mistakes.

Maybe you forgot to look both ways before making that right turn on red, or you were following the car in front of you just a smidge too closely. It happens to the best of us. With most auto insurance companies, one human slip-up might be enough to send your premiums sky high. Luckily, Erie Insurance isn't like most insurance companies.

We offer two different types of accident forgiveness.  First Accident Forgiveness lets you off the hook for your first at-fault accident, with no surcharge. The second is called Feature 15. This special forgiveness means that after 15 continuous years of holding your car insurance with ERIE, you'll never get surcharged for another at-fault accident again. It's just our little way of rewarding your loyalty.

So keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel and your head in the game. We never want you to have an accident. But just in case you, we'll help get you back on your feet as soon as you can.

Call us today to learn about how accident forgiveness and other discounts and extras can save you money on your auto insurance.

“All insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described here; we can answer any questions you may have.”

Friend and Foe

Fire is man’s oldest ally -- and our oldest enemy. We use it for cooking, for warmth, for electricity and light, but sometimes, it can turn on us. More than 3,500 Americans die every year in house fires, and more than 18,000 are injured. Take the time to protect your family and your home from fire damage with a few simple tips:

• Electrical fires: A little common sense can go a long way in keeping your home safe from electrical fire. Don’t overload circuits, and immediately unplug any device that sputters, sparks or smokes. Don’t run cords under rugs or other flammable items.
• Kitchen fires: Fire cooks our food, but it can all too easily get out of hand. Make sure to never leave a pot on the stove unattended, and keep towels and other flammable items away from burners. Remember that if you have a grease fire, adding water to the flames will only make the problem worse. Keep an approved chemical fire extinguisher in easy reach.
• Smoke alarms: Having a working smoke alarm in your house can double your chances of survival in a fire. Test the alarm every month, and make sure it always has fresh batteries. A great way to remember to change the batteries is to change them when you change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time.

These few simple tips can keep you and your home safe from the ravages of fire. Call us today for more information on fire safety—and how you can receive discounts for being fire wise. We can also talk about bundling in your auto policy, and saving you even more money—and peace of mind.

“All insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described here; we can answer any questions you may have.”

Hit by an Uninsured Driver. Now What?

You try to do everything by the book, but not everyone does. You do your best to protect yourself and your vehicle with auto insurance, but uninsured drivers are out there every day. A 2011 study by the Insurance Research Council estimates that 1 in 7 drivers are uninsured. So chances are pretty good that you might wind up in an accident with a driver with no insurance. What happens now?

Luckily, you can protect yourself with Uninsured Motorist Coverage. This add-on policy is exactly what it sounds like: extra coverage that makes sure you aren't left holding the bill if you're injured in an accident with an uninsured driver. Expenses for injuries from car accidents can add up quickly, and without insurance, the financial hardships can be tough to overcome.

Another add-on is Underinsured Motorist Coverage. Some drivers meet the minimum state requirements for insurance, but the payouts are too small to help you in the case of serious injuries. That's where ERIE's coverage comes in, making sure that you get just compensation for your injuries—even if the other driver’s insurance isn’t sufficient to make that happen. 

We're just doing our best to look out for you. If you have any questions or are interested in adding uninsured or underinsured coverage to your policy, let us know, and we'll be glad to walk you through the whole process. Stay safe out there!

“All insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described here; we can answer any questions you may have.”

What to Do After an Accident

The screech of tires. The shriek of brakes. The tinkle of broken glass. These aren't sounds that anyone wants to hear, but car accidents are part of modern life.  How you react after an accident can make the process of getting back on your feet a lot easier. So keep calm and start picking up the pieces. Here’s a checklist to keep in mind:

ñ  Get out of the way--: If the accident happened in the middle of the street, move to the shoulder or another safe location to check the extent of damages.

ñ  Check for injuries: Are you okay? Your passengers? The people in the other car? Safety should be your number one priority. If you're in doubt, call 911.

ñ  Call the police if necessary: If there are injuries, extensive damage, property damage, or you need help moving your cars out of the roadway, call the police. Afterward, make sure you get a copy of their report.

ñ  Exchange insurance information: So you can make a claim, make sure you get the other driver's name, phone number, address, license plate number, make, model and year of the vehicle, and insurance number. No need to discuss who's at fault in the accident. The claims investigation will clear that up. 

ñ  Document: Take careful note of the scene. If you have a smart phone or camera with you, pictures can be a huge help. If there are witnesses, don't interview them yourself—just get their name and number.

ñ  Call your Agent: Call us any time, and we'll get the ball rolling on your claim right away.

And that's it—we'll take it from here. By keeping a cool head and following these simple steps, you'll have a great foundation to a quick, painless claim. Have other questions about what to do after an accident? We're always here to help.

“All insurance products are subject to terms, conditions and exclusions not described here; we can answer any questions you may have.”