Sewer Back-up & Water Damage.

Currently, Water Damage Losses cost insurers more money than any other type of loss. With more and more apartments, strata's and townhouses appearing, losses are increasing every day.

What do insurers do? Should they increase rates to offset the cost of the claims? Or, should they increase deductibles to mitigate the losses and keep the little ones from hurting the overall bottom dollar?

At this time, insurers seem to be choosing to impose higher water damage deductibles without generally increasing rates. Good for the larger corporations, big strata's or big apartments but harder on the individuals.

Keep an eye on your coverages and your deductibles, you never know which one you will need to use first.

Spring Break Travel

“Travelling over spring break? Don’t forget your travel medical insurance – contact us for a quote”

ICBC's top five tips for buying a used vehicle - February 9, 2011

No. 1 — Find the right model for you: There are many different makes and models of vehicles on the market to choose from. You'll be considering how it looks, colour, comfort and hopefully, its safety features. You'll also want to decide if you need the vehicle primarily for commuting, work or family; and consider other aspects like fuel efficiency, comparable prices, resale value, insurance costs and the reliability of the model. Research your options for buying the vehicle — can you buy it outright or would it be better to lease?
No. 2 — Know who you're buying from: Buying from a registered dealer can give you additional peace of mind and you can also check their business record with the Better Business Bureau. If you decide to purchase a used vehicle privately, make sure you're taking some extra steps to avoid being taken advantage of by a curber (people who sell vehicles without a dealer's licence, which is a requirement of the Vehicle Sales Authority). A sure-fire way to tell if you're dealing with a curber, and not a legitimate private seller, is to search whatever source you're using — whether it's craigslist or the classifieds section of the newspaper — and see if their number is listed with another vehicle. If you go ahead with a private purchase, we also recommend that that the seller accompanies you to an Autoplan broker's office to complete the transfer of ownership.
No. 3 — Take a history lesson: A vehicle history report can tell you a lot about the car you're thinking of buying, like whether it's been in a major crash and subsequently written off and rebuilt, has any liens on it or if it's flood-damaged. A vehicle's status is one of the most important pieces of information about a vehicle. ICBC's Vehicle Claims History report may include all you need to know but if you want a more detailed report, have specific concerns about the vehicle's history or if its registration shows it was imported from outside of B.C., we recommend the CarProof Verified B.C. report. This will give you details on all ICBC claims, plus information from insurers and vehicle databases across Canada and the U.S. You can compare the two reports on icbc.com.
No. 4 — Give it your own inspection: Since 1981, every vehicle has been manufactured with a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) — a unique combination of 17 numbers and letters used to identify it. You should confirm that the VIN on the dashboard matches the vehicle registration form. Check for signs of tampering with the VIN, like loose or mismatched rivets, scratched numbers, tape, glue or paint. You should also inspect the odometer for signs of tampering — look to see if the numbers are aligned and that the mileage is consistent with the condition of the vehicle (a car travels an average of 25,000 km per year).
No. 5 — Bring in the professionals: After you've done your own homework and taken the vehicle for a good test drive on local roads and on the highway, it's time to get a professional inspection done by a qualified mechanic. If you're not sure who should inspect the vehicle then BCAA's standard vehicle inspection is a good choice. Their 143-point visual, instrument and performance inspection is very thorough.

Moving?

Have you or are you about to move? Don't forget to change your address on both your car insurance papers and your driver's license. We can do both for you here at the office. Drop by with your papers and drivers license and we can help you out in less than 5 minutes.

Tips for a crime free Christmas

1. Don’t leave presents in full view on the back seat when out shopping. These can be tempting to thieves. Lock them away out of sight in the trunk.
2. Always lock your car and make sure windows are closed, even if you’re away from your vehicle for just a few minutes. Use a steering lock if possible.
3. Never leave your keys in the ignition while your vehicle is unattended, even for a few minutes. Opportunistic thieves will often steal cars that have been left with the engine running to defrost the windows.
4. Don’t leave any valuables in the glove compartment. Take bank cards, mobile phones and satellite navigation systems with you. These items are on a car thieves’ shopping list.
5. Make sure you park in a well lit area or in an attended car park.

Have a safe and happy holiday season!!

Lack of snow tires does not automatically void coverage.

While ICBC recommends the use of snow tires in snowy conditions, and driving without proper winter tires may not be the safest decision, it does not affect a customer's eligibility to make a claim and it does not void the driver's insurance (although it could lead to ticketing by law enforcement).

In the event of a claim, the act of not having or using the appropriate equipment doesn't automatically mean a driver will be deemed at-fault. However, drivers involved in a crash who were not using snow tires or chains when appropriate may be deemed negligent, and could lose their discount and face higher insurance premiums on their next renewal.

New rates take effect Monday

Adjusted Basic and Optional rates go into effect Monday, Nov. 1.