Time is passing quickly.

Hopefully, it will be warm soon and the snow will stop. All in all though, it hasn't been that bad of a winter.

We have a new service at Brownell Insurance. You can now chat live with one of our agents during our normal business hours or you can email us 24/7 and we will promptly get back to you as soon as we reopen. Please give it a try and let us know what you think.

Thank you for your valued business throughout the years and the opportunity to be your trusted insurance agency.

Rick, Marie and the entire Brownell Insurance Staff

Identity Theft - Are You At Risk?

You have just applied for a credit card and was shocked when you were turned down due to a low credit score. This is impossible because you've always paid your bills on time. Recently, a debt collector called to demand payment on a medical bill that you never saw a doctor for. In the mail you find a credit card that you've never applied for.

What's happening? You could be the victim of identity theft. Someone is using your personal information to obtain credit. But then the bills go unpaid, the company itself or a debt collection company contacts you to demand payment. As a result, your credit report is likely to be impacted and contain negative information about your bill-payment history. Your credit score has probably been lowered considerably, making it difficult or impossible to obtain new credit yourself. Let us help you before this unfortunate event happens.

You need to be well aware of the identity theft epidemic that is happening all around us. Thieves only need one single piece of personal information to steal your identity and turn your financial life upside down. According to the Federal Trade Commission there are nearly 10 million people, or five percent of the adult population, who become victims of identity theft each year. Identity theft costs victims an estimated $5 billion in out-of-pocket expenses from trying to reclaim their good credit.

With technology advancing every day, it is important to know what you can do to protect yourself before it is too late. Brownell Insurance and Travelers, the first company to offer identity fraud expense reimbursement insurance, recommend the following identity theft prevention tips:

• Check your credit report, which is available free once every 12 months at www.annualcreditreport.com from each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. If you suspect that there are any inaccuracies, call the bureau immediately. (Call Equifax at 800.685.1111; Experian at 888.EXPERIAN; or Transunion at 800.888.4213.)
• Protect your Social Security number. Do not use your SSN as an identifier at work, school or on your driver’s license. Request a new number to substitute as an ID if this is assigned automatically.
• Create passwords and PINs that are difficult for others to guess but easy for you to remember. Memorize the numbers to avoid having to write them down.
• Buy a shredder to destroy any financial and personal documents before throwing them away. This includes bills, statements and pre-approved credit card offers.
• Check your wallet: Do not carry your Social Security card, birth certificate, passport, or extra credit cards unless absolutely necessary.
• Never put outgoing documents that contain personal information in your mailbox to be picked up; drop them directly at the post office or a postal service mailbox.
• Be aware of your surroundings especially when using an ATM, entering PINs or making a purchase with a credit card. Scam artists can easily look over your shoulder, or even spy from far away to steal your information.
• Use caution when responding to, or clicking on, an unfamiliar or unsolicited email. It is very easy for someone to scam you by using a seemingly authentic Web address.
• Be aware of your personal information. Know where it is going and to whom if you choose to enter it online. Read each Web site’s privacy policy and check for the padlock icon on the bottom of the screen to help ensure your privacy.
• Avoid emailing personal or financial information to anyone. It is much safer to furnish this information over the phone, provided you are the one who initiated the call.
• Report any suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) immediately. For more important prevention tips visit the FTC Web site at www.consumer.gov/idtheft.

Travelers and other insurance companies offer identity fraud expense coverage as an endorsement to your homeowners, condo or renters policy. For only about $25 per year, this insurance provides $25,000 of coverage for expenses incurred due to identity theft including:

• Lost wages (up to $1,000 a week for five weeks)
• Reasonable attorney fees incurred, with prior approval
• Telephone, certified mailing and notary charges
• Loan re-application fees
• Daycare and eldercare expenses

In addition, our companies now offer resolution services that can provide you with the help you need in the event you become a victim of identity theft. A consumer fraud specialist will guide you through the steps of reclaiming your identity and repairing your damaged financial history, including ordering credit reports, alerting credit reporting agencies, enrolling you in six months of daily credit monitoring, and preparing dispute letters on your behalf.

Recovering as a victim of identity theft can be a long, expensive and very complex process. By adding identity fraud expense coverage to your policy, you can protect yourself from the out-of-pocket expenses associated with cleaning up your credit and feel secure in the knowledge that qualified fraud specialists will be there to help you through the process. For further information and quotes to add this benefit to your insurance coverage, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.

This article was written with information provided by Travelers Insurance.

Have you considered the impact burst pipes could have on your home?

Inconvenient doesn't come close to describing the situation you face if your pipes freeze. Hundreds of gallons of water will be sprayed into your home from just a small crack in your pipes. This water will damage everything in its path ... carpets, drywall, ceilings below - just to name a few. Your homeowners will most likely cover the loss but nothing makes up for the discomfort, disruption of daily routines, and loss of your precious items. To learn more on how to protect your home read on. To find out what your homeowner's policy covers, give us a quick call.

Frozen pipes are a very common occurrence during sub-zero weather here in New England. Piping tends to get placed well inside the interior walls but occasionally they also can be found in outside walls and attic crawl spaces. Many of us don't pay much attention to the location of water piping in our homes, and when temperatures drop a little below freezing, we can find ourselves paying the price of broken pipes. By taking precautions, you can save yourself the mess, money and aggravation frozen pipes cause.

Before winter hits:

1. Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember - the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.
2. Use heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables to wrap pipes. These products should be approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc. Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions.
3. Insulate to seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Check around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes for air leaks. The use of caulk or insulation will keep the cold out and help to keep the heat in. In severe cold weather, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to freeze pipes.
4. Disconnect garden hoses and, if possible, install an indoor shut off valve to drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This will reduce the chance of freezing the short span of pipe just inside the house.
5. Leaving a trickle of hot and cold water might be helpful to keep your pipes from freezing. Especially for faucets on the outside walls of your home, let warm water drip overnight. It is also important to leave cabinet doors open to allow heat to get to the uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.
   
   Once you've put these precautions in place, be sure to routinely inspect your plumbing. A frozen pipe is obvious if no water comes out of the faucet, but visually they can also be detected. Pipes with frost on the outside, those covered in ice, and ones that are bulging or appear to have small fissures are frozen. Once your plumbing begins to bulge, it is critical that the pipe be defrosted immediately, for the pipe bursting is imminent. If you have had pipes that have frozen in the past, these are obvious candidates for special attention.

If you need to go away:

1. Don’t set the thermostat in your house any lower than 55°F (12°C).
2. Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house frequently to make sure the heat is enough to prevent freezing or if you are going to be away for a period of time - shut off the water and drain the water system. Note that if you have a sprinkler system in your house, it will be disabled if you shut off its water supply.

If your pipes do freeze:

1. Act quickly and call a plumber. If no water runs when your faucets are open, your pipes are probably frozen. If you can see that your water pipes have frozen and burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house and leave the water faucets turned on until the plumber arrives.
2. Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame. Many home fires have been started with this practice. With a hair dryer and patience, you may be able to thaw a frozen pipe. Frozen pipes must be thawed as soon as they are discovered, for waiting only increases the likelihood of a cracked pipe.
3. Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water because you could be electrocuted.

Some Simple Steps to Safe Snowmobile Riding

During the winter months, snowmobile trails around New England are full of the sounds of the sport... the whizzing motors, the blowing snow, and skis carving a path through the snow. Snowmobile riding can be a very risky sport. Annually, numerous accidents and unfortunate deaths occur due to poor safety practices. Before you ride, remember the safety guidelines and learn how to properly use all the mechanical controls and safety devices of your vehicle. Enjoy Snowmobiling the Way It Should Be - Fun and Safe!

RIDE TO THE RIGHT: Only makes sense. Odds are good that an automobile traveling in the left hand lane of the road will sooner or later run into another car head on. Same goes for sleds. It is required by law that a snowmobiler operate to the right of center on the trail when approaching or navigating a curve, corner, grade or hill - why not just stay to the right, even on straight-aways.

RIDE SOBER: Don't drink and ride. Don't let anyone in your group drink and ride. Maine and New Hampshire have a tough snowmobile DWI laws. Restaurants, Inns, Lodges and Resorts welcome snowmobilers who want to have a few drinks with their friends. But please do it after you've finished sledding, not while riding. Be a good friend and lift the keys of a fellow snowmobiler, who thinks he's OK when he's not.

RIDE AT A REASONABLE SPEED: Speed on a Maine and New Hampshire snowmobile trail is measured on a standard of reasonable speed for the existing conditions. If you cannot control your sled safely at the speed that you are traveling in the current conditions - you're speeding. Slow down. Snowmobile clubs across the state host radar runs, hill climbs and races all season long. If you want to ride hard and fast, do it at one of these events, and take home a trophy to boot!

USE HAND SIGNALS: The consistent use of a simple set of standardized hand signals on the trails keeps movement orderly and predictable. These standardized signals inform other sledders of your actions and allow everyone around you to anticipate the need to slow down. The MSA has distributed thousands of copies of these hand signals over the past five years and reports from the trails are that signal usage is up significantly. This simple skill is one that every snowmobiler can learn and use to increase their safety on the trails.

RIDE DEFENSIVELY: You and your group can do everything right and still encounter a sledder who's doing everything wrong. Don't let their poor judgment or illegal behavior injure you. Always expect the unexpected from the sledder coming toward you. If there is a problem, you'll be prepared to respond and avoid a dangerous situation. And keep an eye out for 4 legged animals as well. Moose and deer live where you're sledding. Wildlife always has the right of way. If you come up behind a moose on the trail, stay far away and wait for the animal to lumber off. If any large animal shows an interest in the fact that you are on the trail, turn around and leave. Don't turn off your sled and follow animals on foot to get a better look. You may get a much closer look than you wanted.

These additional steps will protect you even further:

Carry a map and stay on the trails. Shortcuts can not only be hazardous if you don't know the area, sledders can get "turned around" pretty easily out there. Why bother heading out across unmarked open tracts if you have 13,000 miles of signed trails?

Don't snowmobile alone. If you run into mechanical trouble, you'll have someone along who can truck you back home; bury your sled, and there's extra hands to help dig out; take a wrong turn, and there's someone else to blame...

Take care crossing public ways - on busier roads, have a member of the group check for traffic and direct sledders across.

Let someone know where you're planning to go and when you plan to return. An itinerary form left with a friend, the motel staff etc., is invaluable if you actually run into trouble on the trail. If your return is delayed, contact the person aware of your trip plans if at all possible, to head off an unnecessary search effort.

Check weather reports before heading out. Ever been on a sled in a white out? Enough said.

Dress appropriately (layers) and wear a helmet. No one should operate a snowmobile without the protection of a helmet. A life saver in the case of an accident, your helmet will also keep you protected from the occasional tree branch "face slapper" and inclement weather.

Carry a basic repair kit. This will save you a lot of frustration if you have a spare belt, a couple tools, etc. with you. (An even better idea is to give your sled a good going over before every trip.)

Don't cross frozen bodies of water unless you are absolutely sure of ice thickness. Trails generally will not lead you across ponds or lakes unless there is no reasonable alternative. Bridges are provided to cross rivers and streams. However, you will find some places where you may cross water, such as marked passage on well frozen lakes - check locally for current ice thickness.

Don't overdrive your lights. Don't tangle with a wire, stump or rock on a fast machine in the middle of a cold, dark night.

Remembering these safety guidelines will help you to Ride Right in Maine and New Hampshire. Enjoy Snowmobiling the Way It Should Be - Fun and Safe!

So be smart -- use caution and common sense, and you’ll have a memorable and safe winter adventure on your snow machine.

Maine snowmobile laws can be viewed on line at: http://www.mesnow.com/SnowmobileLaws.html. Contact IF&W at 207-287-8000.

New Hampshire snowmobile laws can be viewed on line at: http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/OHRV/snowmobile_safety.html. Inland Fisheries Division fisheries@wildlife.nh.gov 603-271-2501 or 603-271-2502.

Contact our office for a free quote on the insurance for your snowmobile. Get discounts for multiple sleds or with home and auto packages.

Thank you to the The Maine Snowmobile Association for this great article.

Ask Marie!

This month's ???
When should I add my teenager to my auto policy?

Answer: It seems like just yesterday your baby was riding safely in the backseat. It seems like overnight, your teenager is taking down the road without you in your car to meet friends. You feel you have taught your child everything that you know about driving, but feel as though they were not listening. Panic sets in. Watching your child grow up and become independent can be a painful experience. Another painful experience is receiving your auto insurance bill once your youthful driver gets handed the keys.

Parents often have lots of questions about insuring a teen driver. When? What? Why? Where? And How? When should I add my teenager onto my auto policy? Why is a youthful driver so expensive to insure? What type of car and what type of policy should my new driver have? Where should I get this insurance? And how can I lower your premiums? We will attempt to answer all of those questions right here.

WHEN should my teenager be added to the insurance policy?
Some insurance companies can require you to list a teen with a driving permit on your insurance policy. In New Hampshire and Maine you are not required to, but it may not be a bad idea to let your insurance agent know and discuss the effect of that new driver on your insurance. Our insurance companies do not charge premiums until teens obtain their actual state- issued drivers license. This way, if your teenager gets into an accident after the license was issued, the insurance company is more likely to accept your claim. You may be responsible for the premiums dated back to the date the license was obtained in the result of an accident where the teen driver was not added to the policy. So to be on the safe side, make sure your teen driver is added to the policy no later than the day they are licensed. This is if you choose to add your teen to your personal insurance policy. Please note that if you wish to have them purchase their own policy, they need to own the vehicle and the costs will be much greater to be on their own. There are many discounts that they receive if they are included on your auto policies.

WHY is my teen so expensive to insure?
The obvious reason is that they are at higher risks for accidents and violations. They do not have the same driving experience as the older driver has and often make the wrong judgment calls. Young drivers are four times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident than any other age group. It is the leading cause of death for teens. Teenagers often have a feeling of immortality and are more careless with safe driving practices- wearing a seatbelt, not texting or using cell phones while driving and obeying traffic laws. Younger drivers often do not understand the financial hardship that accidents and violations can cause to others and themselves. Teen drivers also lack a positive driving record. As a result of these factors and the higher risk of accidents, usually teenagers pay higher premiums then their parents. Boys also pay more than girl drivers in premium due to the number of claims associated with youthful male drivers in the past.

WHAT type of car should my teenager have? WHAT type of policy should we consider?
Most insurance authorities suggest getting a less- expensive, used car. Not only will you save on the cost of the car, especially if you are paying cash out of pocket as opposed to an auto loan, you will save on the premiums. You have more flexibility as to your coverage decisions with an older car that is paid off. When you are financing a vehicle, your loan source will require you to keep comprehensive and collision insurance on the vehicle for the life of the loan. With an older vehicle, you are eligible to carry a liability- only policy. When adding a teen to your already existing policy, your teen driver will be a lot less expensive to insure if they are assigned an older, used vehicle, rather than being a secondary on a newer, more expensive vehicle. By adding your teen and their “new” car onto your policy, they will receive a multi- car discount which could save on the premium. While an old car may not be the teen's ideal mode of transportation, it will hold up well to the dings, dents, scratches, other “experience scars” your new driver may decorate the car with.

A new vehicle does have its advantages. Insurance companies do give discounts for cars with more safety features. Airbags, security systems, etc. are features often rewarded with a discount. If you decide to provide your teen with a new car, especially a sports car (Camaro or Corvette), consider how much this will cost in insurance.

Where should I get this insurance?
You should first look at your current insurance company to see how much it would cost to put your teen on your insurance policy. Another option you can consider is to have your teen purchase their own auto policy. You will need to weigh your options and see where premium money can be saved.

How can I lower your premiums?
Your premiums can be lowered by taking advantage of the many discounts available such as multi-car, good student, driver’s education and a good driving record. We can help you at Brownell Insurance Center to decide on the best policy for your particular situation. We have the ability to shop your insurance through several different companies. Give us a call - we are glad to help.

Our continued partnership is very important to us...

There are many other agencies that can provide insurance coverages to protect your family and business, but none of them offer the SERVICE you can expect from Brownell Insurance Center, Inc (BIC) and Brownell Financial Services Group, LLC (BFSG).

Our mission is to help you identify your business and personal insurance needs accurately and professionally. We will then diligently find the most cost effective solutions available to accomplish your insurance needs and goals. BIC/BFSG is committed to providing its clients with superior service for all of their insurance needs and treating all people with respect and understanding.

We thank you for your continued patronage and for telling others of our 'friendly' service.

Your referrals are the deepest form of flattery.

Sincerely,
Rick & Marie Brownell
Brownell Insurance Center

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