Tag Archives: summer

Prevention Tips, Recreational

5 steps to deter motorcycle theft

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Summer is motorcycle riding season but also bike theft season. According to National Insurance Crime Bureau, of all thefts, less than half are recovered. The NICB study indicates there were 22,403 motorcycles recovered, a 42 percent recovery rate in 2020. Rick Drewry, our Senior Training Specialist for all-things Collector Car & Motorcycle, has several easy tips to help prevent your motorcycle from being stolen. 

  1. Lock it. Take the key out of the ignition which prevents your motorcycle from starting. Then lock the front fork lock, which will lock the front suspension. Locking the front suspension will push your bike in circles if someone tries to steal it. 
  2. Park under a well-lit area. If you stop for dinner while traveling, make sure your motorcycle is within sight. You could even ask for a window seat so you’re able to see your motorcycle.
  3. Trailer the motorcycle to your destination. Back the trailer up to a secure wall. If you have a ramp, the wall will keep it from opening up if someone tries to steal the motorcycle out of the trailer.
  4. Bring important documents. Keep your registration and insurance card in your purse or wallet, but not in the motorcycle. Keep your title at home.
  5. Keep track of accessories. Take photos or have a list of all your accessories in case there is a theft.

Don’t let motorcycle theft ruin your summer. Stay one step ahead with these tips to keep your two-wheeled beauty safe and sound.

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Sources:

https://www.nicb.org/news/news-releases/motorcycle-thefts-surge-30-percent-2020

Prevention Tips, Residential

11 safety tips every pool owner should know

Days are getting longer, temps are rising, schools are closing. For people who own pools and hot tubs, that means two things: more time in the water, and more need for precautions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of more than 4,000 people accidentally drown every year. 

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Days are getting longer, temps are rising, schools are closing. For people who own pools and hot tubs, that means two things: more time in the water, and more need for precautions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an average of more than 4,000 people accidentally drown every year. 

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Recreational

5 steps to cleaning your collector car

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Proper car maintenance and cleaning of your collector car are not optional—they are vital to ensuring you preserve your vehicle’s allure and value. Follow these 5 steps to give your ride some much needed TLC before you head out for the season’s collector car shows and parades.

Step 1: Paint

  • Get the most of your paint by applying a ceramic coating to provide a protective coating that can last years

Step 2: Jambs

  • Pay attention to the door jambs and the jambs inside the hood and the trunk
  • Clean door jambs thoroughly and apply wax
  • Avoid letting dirt and leaves build up in those areas

Step 3: Weatherstripping

  • Treat the rubber seals for the door and the trunk to keep them from getting hard and brittle, so they last longer and seal better

Step 4: Engine Compartment

  • Check if the engine has oil build up, use an engine degreaser to remove the residue before cleaning the engine compartment
  • Spray the engine compartment down with a multipurpose cleaner and wipe everything dry using old towels
  • If using water to spray off the engine, avoid getting the distributor or coil wet

Step 5: Interior

  • Vacuum and shampoo the carpet
  • Clean the seats with the appropriate cleaning solution for vinyl, leather, or cloth seats
  • Take the time to use a soft paint brush or toothbrush to clean the dash and get all the dust and dirt out of the small crevices
  • Chemically clean hard surfaces like the dash, door panels, and center console
  • Apply a protective coating to hard surfaces
  • Clean the glass thoroughly

Pay attention to small details when cleaning your collector car. Doing a thorough cleaning inside and out and maintaining the car regularly will make the upkeep easier and your ride more enjoyable. 

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Prevention Tips, Recreational

5 things to know before you get back on the water

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Summer is right around the corner—and that means it’s time to take the boat out of winter storage. Although there will always be risks, some marine losses can be avoided if boat owners (and agents and underwriters!) know a few warning signs. Here are 5 tips to help navigate toward a ship-shape voyage:

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Prevention Tips, Residential

5 window safety tips

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Everyone loves a warm summer breeze coming in from the window. Maybe you’re working or relaxing, or simply enjoying the nice weather. However, it’s always important to remember window care is about more than just keeping them shiny.

  1. Always lock your windows before going to bed

It’s a good idea to make locking your windows part of your nighttime routine. Just like locking the doors, a sturdy lock on a window can prevent unwanted intruders.

      2.   Don’t rely on screens for anything other than bugs

Just because your window has a screen doesn’t mean it’ll catch anything that falls out of it—including pets and children. Screens are meant to keep bugs out.

      3.    Keep furniture or steady objects away from the windows

Cats, small dogs, and children are adept at climbing on things. Even if your window is far away from the ground, it’s best to make sure no loved ones are able to climb up and potentially fall out.

     4.    Trim bushes and branches near ground-level windows

Intruders tend to look for places where they can hide easily. Trimming any bushes or branches  near the window makes it a much less sneaky spot for anyone trying to stay stealthy.

     5.    Consider replacing windows

Make sure you know how old your windows are and if they need any maintenance. This could be especially important if you live on or near a coastline that sees a lot of hurricanes or strong storms.

Windows are one of the many joys of owning a home—but are also consistently overlooked. Stay safe with these window tips.

For informational use only. Not applicable to all situations.

Sources:

https://www.americanwindowcompany.com/

https://ibhs.org

https://todayshomeowner.com/

Other, Recreational

5 tips to summer-ize your watercraft

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Summer’s just around the corner and the water’s calling! Time to make sure your watercraft is shipshape. Derek Wolfe, one of our senior watercraft underwriters, offers 5 favorite tips for preparing your vessel. Here’s how to get ready for a season full of fun.

  1. Check the battery. Your wet cell battery probably lost water over the winter. Charging it when it’s low on fluid can invite all sorts of unpleasant surprises—from engine control issues to electrical shorts, even fires. Before you drop it in the boat or on charge, make sure it’s topped off with distilled water.
  2. Show your trailer some love. We could do an entire blog on prepping your trailer. Let’s just say it needs as much affection and attention as your boat does. To keep wheels rolling smoothly, your brakes working well, and protect your boat from scuffs:
    • Pack and lubricate wheel bearings and seals.
    • Bleed brake fluid to keep it clean and free from water and rust.
    • Check trailer bunks for deteriorated wood or worn-out carpet that needs replaced.
  3. Inspect the hoses. Look for deteriorated or dried out hoses, splits or cracks, or foul odors coming from your black or gray water tanks. Even a minor water, fuel or exhaust leak is a problem. While you’re down there, double-check and tighten your hose clamps.
  4. Replace trailer tires. Between summer sun and winter storage, trailer tires may be ripe for replacement long before the tread wears out (usually every 3 years). To see if it’s time, check for any cracks, splits and tread separation. Or just check the date code stamped near the mounting ring.
  5. Protect the top deck. Not all damage happens below the water line. Sealant can shrink and crack over time, loosening fittings and creating gaps in the fiberglass deck. Rainwater loves gaps. Left untreated, it’ll find its way into the cabin, hull and deck. Simply loosen the fitting, apply a high quality marine sealant with UV protection, and tighten it back up.

Of course, if you’re not sure about anything, you can have it inspected or serviced by a qualified marine technician.

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Prevention Tips, Residential

6 wildfire evacuation preparation tips

While wildfire season often occurs during the summer, a wildfire could start at any time if the conditions are right. With how unpredictable and fast the wildfires are, surviving begins with being prepared to evacuate. Here are 6 evacuation tips to keep in mind when fire, or any natural disaster threatens.

1. Know where to go. Have a destination in mind, and know how to get there. Let family and friends know your plans and how to reach you. Don’t just rely on your GPS, take a map as well. Keep the car fueled and ready to go.
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Recreational

5 tips for weathering the storm

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Boating season. Full of sunshine, fresh air, good times … and sometimes storms. Severe weather not only puts a damper on the fun, it can do real damage to your boat or yacht. Luckily, proper storage and a few preventative measures can help it weather the storm.

If you’re storing your watercraft on land, check out these 5 tips to secure it for smooth sailing all summer long. Make sure to share these tips on your social networks for all the boaters in your life.

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For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Recreational, Residential

The ultimate lake house safety guide

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Nothing screams summer like packing up the car and heading down to the lake house. Living by the water provides a constant source of entertainment. But while swimming, boating, and hanging out by the fire can be a ton of fun, they also pose numerous safety risks. If you own or visit a waterfront property, check out our ultimate lake house safety guide to help keep your family safe on and off the water.

Water Safety

  • Keep an eye on kids. Supervision is key to protecting kids at the lake. Watch young kids around the water, no matter how far from danger they may appear.
  • Learn to swim. If you plan on taking a dip, be sure everyone with you knows how to swim. Enroll children in swim classes before heading down to the lake.
  • Swim cautiously. Choose your swimming location carefully. An ideal location is clean, relatively still, and out of the way of watercraft or wake, such as a designated swimming area.
  • Watch where you jump. Avoid jumping or diving into water from elevated surfaces such as cliffs or bridges. Murky water can conceal dangers such as jagged rocks or submerged tree branches.

Boating Safety

  • Know your state’s rules. Over half of U.S. states require some sort of education or license in order to operate a boat. Figure out where you’ll be boating and that state’s requirements before you hit the water.
  • Wear a life jacket. Everyone on board should be wearing an appropriate life jacket approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, even strong swimmers. Make sure the life jacket is the correct size and properly fastened.
  • Be aware of carbon monoxide. Boat engines release carbon monoxide while running. Avoid closed-off and poorly-ventilated areas of the boat and never hang out on top of a swim platform while the engine is running.
  • Stay sober. Not only is operating a boat while intoxicated dangerous, it’s illegal. Don’t boat under the influence. 

Bonfire Safety

  • Check the weather. Avoid having a fire in windy conditions. Strong winds can blow sparks and hot embers towards you and nearby surfaces. 
  • Choose a safe location. Build your bonfire a safe distance away from combustible material, including any structures, brush, or low-hanging trees. Be sure to clear the surrounding area of any flammable debris such as leaves or tree branches. Also be sure to follow all applicable laws and ordinances.
  • Avoid accelerants. Accelerants such as gasoline or lighter fluid should never be put on a fire. The safest way to start a fire is with small kindling and paper.
  • Be prepared to put it out. Always have a way to properly extinguish the fire or a fire nearby. This could be a garden hose, a bucket of water, or a fire extinguisher, depending on how the fire was built.

For informational purposes only and may not be applicable to all situations.

Recreational

Our top 5 tips for collector car maintenance

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Seasonal tips for taking care of your collector car aren’t hard to find. There are plenty of get-ready-for-spring or prep-for-storage articles out there. But what about those blissful months in between, full of joyrides and evening drives? What about the all-the-time preventive care that can keep your baby on the road and out of the shop?

Whether you’re taking it for a spin or taking it to a show, protect your collector vehicle every day with these essential maintenance tips.

  1. Keep it clean: Classic cars need to be kept clean at all times. The entire car should be washed often—this means the exterior, undercarriage and even the seating area. Grab a bucket and a rag and get to work!
  2. Maintain fluid levels: Keeping fluids in your car is possibly the most important thing you can do. Check and maintain oil, brake fluid, windshield wiper fluid and radiator coolant to prevent overheating and keep your car running smoothly.
  3. Inspect hoses: When temperatures rise, hoses can get brittle and break. The hose itself is typically not an expensive part—but a busted one can be expensive or dangerous. (For example, if a leak shoots fuel onto the distributor, you could have a fire on your hands.) Keep up with the maintenance schedule and replace hoses when needed.
  4. Check wires: Your wiring should be tucked away all nice and neat. Be sure it’s not resting on the exhaust manifold or the header.
  5. Store it right: Proper storage will protect your car from the elements and slow down the aging process. Your car needs a dry environment with a stable temperature so it doesn’t degrade.

These preventive maintenance tips can help keep your collector car running smoothly so you can preserve it for generations to come. Enjoy the drive!

For informational purposes only and may not be applicable to all situations.

Prevention Tips

Mid-year insurance checklist

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With the year halfway through, summer is the perfect time to take a step back and reflect on the past few months. Take this opportunity to evaluate any changes you’ve made throughout the year that may warrant an update to your insurance policy.  To help you out, we’ve compiled a checklist so you can make sure your policy and property are ready for whatever the rest of the year holds.

Be sure to share this checklist on your social networks:

CS_N_18125_Mid-YearInsuranceChecklist_FINAL

For information only. Not applicable to all situations.

Coverage is subject to policy terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, underwriting review, and approval, and may not be available for all risks or in all states. Rates and discounts vary, are determined by many factors and are subject to change. Policies are written by one of the licensed insurers of American Modern Insurance Group, Inc., including American Modern Home Insurance Company d/b/a in CA American Modern Insurance Company (Lic. No 2222-8).

Residential

Your guide to summer maintenance

The first day of summer is almost here! Time to start tackling some those home care projects on your list. Home improvement stores are full of warm-weather ideas for sprucing up your space—but first, let’s take care of some essential maintenance. Here’s a list to get you started.

Please share this maintenance guide with your customers to help keep their homes safe and sound this summer.

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