The Little Red Umbrella

You may have seen it recently in a commercial featuring a scruffy dog fretting over his bone:  the little red umbrella.  But what is it? 

Aside from the logo of The Travelers, a major insurance company, it’s a symbol for umbrella insurance, which is what my mom calls “Sleep Easy Insurance”.   It gives you an extra layer of protection over your other insurance policies.  Umbrella policies “kick in when policyholders reach the limit on the liability coverage in their home or auto policies.”

I know what you’re thinking: “Could that happen?”  Yes, it could.  A son or daughter could be involved in a car accident, causing you to be sued, a friend or their child could be injured in your swimming pool or bitten by your dog, or a passerby could simply trip and fall on your sidewalk.

As The Hartford, another major insurance company, puts it, “Today, anyone can be sued, and million-dollar judgments are becoming more common.  And, alarmingly, any amount exceeding your standard liability policy would fall to you.”

That’s where a personal umbrella policy comes in.  It protects you from claims you could be held liable for beyond your auto and homeowners policy limits.  Coverage starts at $1 million, and is relatively inexpensive – as low as $200 a year.  That’s a low price to pay for peace of mind.

Brandi Smith

Source:  The Hartford’s Extra Mile: Winter 2011, “Umbrella Insurance” p. 4

Winter Driving

While snow and ice aren’t common in the Ark-La-Tex, there are times when winter weather heads our way, as last week’s snow reminded us.  The safest course of action during such times is to stay at home, but for those of us who have no choice but to venture out onto slippery roads, here are some driving tips for less than ideal winter driving conditions:

-          Wear sunglasses. You might want to keep a pair in the car just in case the sun is reflecting off the snow.

-          Be extra cautious of pedestrians and other vehicles in intersections.

-          Allow extra time for braking and increase the distance between you and the car ahead of you.

-          Reduce your speed and don’t exceed the posted limit.

-          If you start to lose traction, don’t panic. Take your foot off the gas and gradually reduce your speed. Accelerate again slowly once you feel traction is regained.

-          If you start to skid, steer in the direction of the skid. Remember, steering can be more important than braking on slippery roads.

Source:  hartfordauto.com/tips