ASJ Insurance & Financial Services Inc. (623) 243-4000

Archives May 2012

Biking with a passenger

Anyone who has ridden a motorcycle knows that it can be exhilarating and fun. And there are times when a biker may want to travel with a passenger. Riding with a passenger can be a great experience for both the driver and the passenger, but it is important that the proper preparations are made to ensure your safety.

The most important thing to remember when considering riding with a passenger is that both of you must be comfortable. You should be an experienced motorcyclist and comfortable with your skills and your bike before adding a passenger to the mix. If your riding companion is scared or nervous, it can make a big difference in the way they react, which can affect the bike’s handling. The passenger must be able to relax and work with the driver. The passenger should also be alert and act as another set of eyes and ears out on the road. The first step in making a passenger feel comfortable is a prepared driver.

Start by making sure your bike is capable of carrying two people. You may need to adjust your suspension to accommodate the extra weight, so check your owner’s manual before heading out. Be sure you have a seat that can comfortably accommodate two. In addition, talk to your passenger about what their responsibilities are out on the road. Don’t assume they know.

 

Before Riding

  • Protective Gear – Make sure your passenger knows that they need to wear a helmet, jacket, gloves, boots and long pants if they are going to be riding with you. The proper attire can help reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accident.

 

  • Mounting – Explain to your passenger that the rider mounts first, gets the bike pointed in the right direction and has the bike completely under control before the passenger mounts. The passenger should always mount and dismount the bike from the left side by first putting a foot on the peg and then swinging the other leg over the seat. They should try to keep their weight as evenly distributed as possible.

 

  • Feet on the Pegs – Once on the bike, it’s important that the passenger keep both feet on the pegs at all times, unless the driver indicates otherwise. If the rider takes their feet off the pegs, it can throw off the distribution of weight and cause the bike to tip. In some states, the law requires foot pegs for passengers, so make sure you know what the guidelines in your state are before you head out.

 

During the Ride

  • Practice – Let your passenger know that their added weight can cause the bike to handle differently. Find a large parking lot or a straight section of road and take the time to practice braking and stopping so both you and your passenger can get used to the feel of it.

 

  • Braking – Weight distribution will change as the bike comes to a stop. The quicker the braking, the more sudden the change in weight distribution. As you come to a stop, your passenger will automatically lurch forward. To minimize the effects of the shift in weight, make sure your passenger keeps their feet on the foot pegs and holds on to the driver around the waist, at the hips or by the belt. As the driver, you should leave plenty of time for braking to avoid abrupt stops.

 

  • Leaning – Instruct your passenger to lean with the bike while turning or around corners. They should lean gently and avoid sudden movements. The passenger should hold on to the driver and move with the movement of the bike and driver. If your passenger has never ridden a cycle before, you should not take any high-speed turns until they understanding leaning and can do it properly.

 

  • Turning – When turning, it is important that the passenger move with the driver and help maintain the stability of the bike. Again, this is best accomplished by having the passenger hold on to the driver, counterbalance to keep the weight evenly distributed and avoid any abrupt movements.

 

  • Stop Often – Be sure that both you and your passenger have ample opportunity to get off the bike, stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery. It will help keep both of you alert and make he ride more enjoyable.

Riding with a passenger can be safe and fun if you provide these tips to your passenger, talk through their responsibilities and yours, and practice until you’re both comfortable before heading out on the road. If your passenger moves in synch with the bike and the driver, maintains evenly centered weight distribution, holds on to the driver and is relaxed and comfortable, you can have a great time riding. But remember, it all starts with a prepared driver who is confident and in control.

Before heading out on the road, alone or with a companion, you should also make sure you have the right insurance policy to protect you from the unexpected. The companies of the Foremost Insurance Group have been providing specialty insurance programs for over 50 years and they have the experience and expertise to offer a superior motorcycle insurance policy. A Foremost policy offers things like Safety Apparel Coverage, Optional Equipment Coverage, Towing and Roadside Assistance including Trip Interruption Coverage, flexible payment plans and money-saving discounts. Foremost has specially-trained claims representatives that handle only motorcycle and off-road vehicle claims – it’s not just one of the things they do, it’s all they do. We have the experience and expertise to handle claims quickly and fairly.

For more information about a specialized Motorcycle insurance policy from Foremost, call (877) 275-2201 or visit www.asjinsurance.com. Foremost can offer with the Motorcycle program or any of our other specialized programs for off-road vehicles, mobile homes, motor homes, travel trailers, personal watercraft and boats!

Do you really understand your insurance policy?

Most everyone has some type of insurance policy containing the terms below. Familiarize yourself with each section.

 

The common sections of most policies include the following:

 

  • Declarations. The Declarations Page is basically the first page(s) of the policy package. It “declares” who the insured is and what time period the policy covers. It also provides general information including address, description of what’s insured, coverages and limits.
  • Definitions. This section defines certain keywords in an insurance contract. It’s important to read these definitions, because your personal definition of a certain word may be different from the policy’s definition. If you still come across wording you don’t understand, log on to the Insurance Information Institutes site at www2.iii.org/glossary.
  • Coverages. The coverage area describes the specific insurance provided by listing what property is covered and for what perils. Many insurance contracts provide comprehensive coverage, meaning everything is covered unless it’s specifically listed as excluded. Be sure to read this section carefully so you know whether your policy is listing a peril as covered or not covered.
  • Exclusions. The exclusion portion describes what coverage limits exist or how coverage may not apply depending on how the loss occurs.
  • Limits and special limits. This section explains how much the insurer pays for particular losses or types of property. So, while something is covered, it may only be covered for a specific dollar amount or for a limited percentage of the entire loss.
  • Conditions. This area basically lists the ground rules of your policy. It tells you what the insurer’s responsibilities are, and what your responsibilities are as the customer. This includes information on how to cancel your policy and subrogation.
  • Endorsements. Endorsements are optional coverages you can add to a standard policy.

 

Foremost® offers policies to provide the coverages you want.

Not everybody insures vacant, landlord and rental property, but Foremost does. Foremost provides specialized coverage with a program that can be easily customized.

Still not sure what your policy provides? Call me @ 1-877-275-2201 or visit www.asjinsurance.com to discuss your coverage and find out how to get a flexible package

Product availability is based on authority and all products may not be available in all areas.

 

This does not constitute legal advice. For a complete list of the specific landlord and tenant laws in your state visit http://www.landlordassociation.org/statelaws.html, or for legal advice, speak with a real estate attorney.

Personal watercraft Have fun, but put safety first (PWC)

Personal watercraft have become more and more popular on the waterways. And no wonder. With the adrenaline rush of instant acceleration, skimming over the water and waves at brisk speeds, coupled with the ability to turn like any other watercraft, personal watercraft can be a blast. There are stand-up and sit-down models with various engine sizes ranging from 550 c.c. to 1494 c.c., which can generate speeds up to 70 m.p.h.

 

While riding a personal watercraft is an exhilarating experience, the operator and passenger have to have fun safely.  Personal watercraft are involved in a lot of accidents because of their speed. It’s no surprise that in the event of the accident, injuries can be catastrophic because you’re completely exposed. There’s no cabin to protect you.

 So before you power up, consider these DO’S and DON’TS:

• Before you buy, remember that there is a learning curve. Start with a lower powered personal watercraft and progress to the more powerful models as your ability and experience increases.

• Ask your personal watercraft retailer to provide you with an instructional how-to video.

• Learn safe operation from an experienced and safe operator.

• Give the personal watercraft some throttle and lean in the direction of your turns, otherwise it is very likely you will lose control and fall.

• Don’t jump wakes, you may jeopardize yourself and other boaters.

• Wear personal flotation devices, and provide them for passengers.

• Do give right of way to sailboats, commercial and fishing vessels.

• Give wide berth, stay aware of other watercraft, be courteous, and above all, be safe.

 To learn more about personal watercraft safety, contact the U.S.Coast Guard, local marine patrol, state boating authorities, U.S. Power Squadron, or the American Red Cross. You may get additional information by calling the Personal Watercraft Industry Association at 1-407-629-4941.

ASJ Insurance & Financial Services Inc. can help you protect your water toys. We offer insurance through many companies and help you compare and save with one phone call. You can reach us at 877-275-2201 or www.asjinsurance.com

Protecting Your Motorcycle Against Theft

According to National Insurance Crime Bureau statistics, motor vehicle thefts are on the rise, and among the vehicles being targeted are motorcycles. It’s one thing to have your property stolen, but if it is something you love and have become attached to, that is a different story altogether. And only 25% to 30% of motorcycles are recovered after theft. Thieves steal motorcycles to resell the whole bike or to strip it down and sell the parts. The fact that motorcycles are small and relatively easy to move makes them particularly vulnerable to theft. Smart thieves will find a way to steal your bike if they really want it, but there are things you can do to protect your investment and make your motorcycle less appealing to a thief. You can make it bothersome for them to try to steal it. There are several relatively simple and inexpensive ways to help protect your motorcycle from ending up in the back of a thief’s van. One of these methods alone might not be enough to deter a determined thief, but using more than one – or better yet, several – of these methods just might make the difference in whether a thief stops at your house or keeps going. Keep Your Bike Out of Sight The best bet is to keep your motorcycle in a locked garage. For some people, this might not be an option. If you have to keep your bike parked outside, start by keeping it in a well-lit area and out of direct view from the street. It should be covered with a plain cover that is free of logos or brand names. If the thief can’t tell by the cover what type of motorcycle is underneath, they may be more inclined to pass it over. In addition, you should keep the cover locked to the bike with a cable lock. However, this won’t prevent a thief from picking up the whole bike and taking it, cover and all. That’s why it is important to use this in conjunction with other security measures. Lock Your Bike to a Stationary Object Even if you have your bike in a locked garage when not in use, it is a good idea to also have it locked to something immovable. One method would be to cement a steel eye to the floor to put a chain or cable through. When using a chain or cable lock, be sure to loop it through the frame or another stable part of the bike. When you’re out riding and leave your bike parked outside, always use your steering lock – this is your first step of defense. In addition, you should use two or more locks of different types. If possible, park your bike where you can see it and check on it periodically. Make Good Lock Choices When choosing locks, it’s not a good idea to spare expense. Choose good locks. Types of locks include serpentine link locks, u-locks and chains. Record key numbers and then file them off the locks if they are stamped on them. Locks attached to your bike should not touch the ground. If a lock is lying on the ground, it is easier for a thief to use a hard item to pound the lock until it breaks. Even if you keep your motorcycle in a locked garage, it’s always a good idea to look around to make sure you’re not providing a thief with the tools to dismantle your locks. There are usually a lot of tools in a garage and with time and determination, a thief will be able to remove the locks from your bike. Other Devices There are several new mechanical devices that can help ensure you’ll find your bike where you left it. Many dealers are now selling motorcycles with alarms as a standard feature, as well as similar anti-theft devices. An alarm alone is not an effective deterrent, but in combination with other methods, a wailing alarm is liable to make a thief think twice. Even if your motorcycle isn’t equipped with an alarm, you can get stickers that say that there is an alarm installed and put them on your bike. You can also purchase anti-prying devices, pick-resistant mechanisms or you can install one or more kill switches to make the motorcycle impossible to start. Common Sense The best way to protect your motorcycle from theft is to use common sense. Don’t leave the keys in the ignition or anywhere within close proximity to the bike. Make sure that you choose the safest places possible to park or store your bike. And don’t lock your bike down to something that can easily be moved or broken and assume it’s still going to be there when you come back. Insure Your Investment In addition to being confident that you are doing what you can to protect your motorcycle, it’s important that you have the right insurance. You need an insurance policy that offers the coverage’s that are important to your specific bike and lifestyle. If you think your motorcycle is adequately covered when you add it through an endorsement on your homeowner’s policy, chances are you’re mistaken…a lesson that you don’t want to learn first-hand come claim time. Important things to look for when choosing a specialized insurance policy for your motorcycle are things like: • Safety Apparel Coverage to protect your investment in helmets, leathers, gloves and any other clothing designed to minimize injury in the event of an accident. • Optional Equipment Coverage for chroming, custom painting, side cars or anything else that was not included as standard by the manufacturer. • Optional Towing and Roadside Assistance in case your bike breaks down and can’t be ridden when you’re away from home or you run out of gas, get a flat or have mechanical issues. • Optional Replacement Cost Coverage on bikes purchased new and insured within 30 days. • Flexible payment plans so you can choose the plan that best fits your budget. • Deductible and coverage limit options. • Premium discounts. The Foremost Insurance Group of companies provides all of these important coverage’s and more in our specialized Motorcycle insurance program. Foremost has been in the specialty insurance business for over 50 years and we understand that you want to protect your investment. Foremost has specially-trained claims representatives that handle only motorcycle and off-road vehicle claims – it’s not just one of the things they do, it’s all they do. We have the experience and expertise to handle claims quickly and fairly. For more information about a specialized Motorcycle insurance policy from Foremost, you can call 1-877-275-2201 Or visit www.asjinsurance.com and see what Foremost can offer through the Motorcycle program or any of our other specialized programs for off-road vehicles, mobile homes, motor homes, travel trailers, personal watercraft and boats!