Preventing Boat Theft

Boats are easy targets for thieves.  Boat theft costs the insurance industry and customers about $40 million per year. Boats frequently sit in your driveway, at a marina or in a yard unattended and are attractive to professional thieves or people just walking, driving or even boating along.  Thieves that target boats often come by water.  Every year there are thefts of small outboards from marinas with good security.

Often the damage done by thieves trying to get into a boat exceeds the value of items stolen.  Most thefts involve items that can be easily disposed of for money, like stereos, CD players, televisions, tools, dinghies and small outboards.  Thieves rarely steal the marine electronics because they are harder to resell and generally require another matched component to operate. 

So, what can you do to prevent theft of your boat or equipment?  One thing to keep in mind is that most thefts occur when you are away from your vessel—at night, during the week, particularly after a long holiday weekend or during the off-season.  These are the times when you should be more vigilant.

The boating world is a lot like a small rural town where most people leave their doors unlocked.  Most boats are equipped with minimal locks that are easily broken, opened, or bypassed.  The first mistake boat theft victims make is to refuse to believe that it has happened to them.  When a boat is stolen, owners often assume it must have been moved by marina personnel or borrowed by a friend, wasting valuable time.  Time is of the essence when a boat is stolen.  Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately.  The longer a theft goes unreported, the more difficult it becomes to recover the boat.

Trailerable boats are easy marks for theft.  Many owners do little to lock their trailers.  Anyone with a trailer hitch can easily steal the boat and be gone in seconds.  Trailers should be locked to either your vehicle or a permanent object such as a tree or pole.

The more precautions you take to prevent theft, the better.  Make these simple steps part of your routine.

Locks work.  Thieves are quick operators.  The more time and trouble it takes a thief, the more likely they will be discovered or move to another vessel.  Lock your outboard, sterndrive, trailer, and hatches.  There are special lock nuts for outboards and sterndrives to prevent their theft.  Replace all the locks that come with the boat with security-type locks. Remove easily transportable electronics from your boat when you are going to be away for some time. Alarm systems rarely work well on boats because of their propensity for false alarms and the remote locations of marinas.  People often ignore an audible alarm.  Alarms must alert the marina, an alarm service or you to be effective.

Never leave the original registration on your boat.   Make this part of the equipment you bring to the boat each time you plan to take it out on the water.

Engrave stereos and electronics with your driver’s license number.  This makes them harder to resell and easier to trace. You can prevent personal belongings from “walking off” your vessel by putting your name or the name of your boat on cushions, fishing gear and other loose items in permanent marker. Do not leave your valuables in plain sight.

Keep photographs and videotape of your boat in a safe place at home.  Photos can be particularly helpful in the recovery of a boat. Include with your home records a list of everything normally kept on the vessel including serial numbers, photos, manufacturers, and the boat’s HIN.  All of this will make it easier if you need to file a claim and can help you recover your boat and/or belongings in the event of a theft. 

Do not leave a key aboard.  Thieves know all the hiding places.  If you must, leave keys with the marina. When you are out boating for the day and are going to be away from your boat, take the ignition key with you.

Anything you do to make your boat less attractive to thieves will decrease your chances of becoming a victim.  But, in the event you are a robbed, there are several steps you should take:

1.         Contact the law enforcement authorities immediately.   Provide as much detail as possible about your boat and trailer, including the HIN & VIN, registration numbers, engine and outdrive serial numbers.  It’s a good idea to keep all of these numbers at hand, preferably in your wallet.  If you do not have these numbers with you, get them to the authorities as soon as possible.  The first 24 hours are the most critical for recovery.  Delay is your enemy. 

2.         Be persistent with law enforcement.  Make sure that all your information is entered in the NCIC (National Crime Information Center) system as soon as possible.

3.         It is important that you become involved in the effort to recover your boat.  Contact marinas, gas docks, restaurants, etc. where your boat may put in.  If possible fax or e-mail them a photo, preferably within 24 hours.

At ASJ Insurance & Financial Service Inc.we can help you insure your toys with the right coverage and affordable/competetve premiums. Please call us at 877-275-2201 or visit our website www.asjinsurance.com to request a quote. 

Engine Exhaust Manifolds

Marine engine exhaust manifolds and risers must be inspected and replaced regularly or they can fail and cause catastrophic damage to the power plant. Risers and manifolds are the part of the engine that allows exhaust gases and cooling water to be discharged from the system during operation.

Manifolds and risers are water-jacketed, which means the water chamber is separated from the gas section by a dividing wall. Over time, hot exhaust gases and raw cooling water, especially salt water, corrode the chamber allowing the water to enter the dry side of the part. When this happens, the water can fill the engine, causing all kinds of damage that can put the engine out of commission permanently. The failure often occurs when the engine is running, which means the misdirected water enters the cylinders when the pistons are moving. Because water does not compress, the connecting rods, push rods, and engine block end up distorting and breaking. Sometimes the damage is so severe that the block is not even suitable as a core for rebuilding. To prevent damage of this magnitude, many manufacturers recommend replacing risers every three years and manifolds every five years. Although changing these parts this often may be may be questionable, inspecting them often is not.

One telltale sign of impending failure is rust around the manifold to riser joint. This joint will often leak during operation, because the water passages are partially obstructed and cannot handle the volume of water that is pumped through the engine. Another sign of a failing riser is an engine that overheats. Many boat owners spend a lot of time and money replacing water pumps, exchangers, and thermostats only to find that their engines still overheat. A competent marine repair facility can pressure test manifolds and risers to check for leaks. Visual inspection is also valuable.

If you take good care of your manifolds and risers, you’ll save money, and maybe even your boat, in the long run.

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

Life Insurance & its Hiddden Benefit

It can’t be stressed enough that any life insurance policy should be considered as a financial investment. Just as all other assets, there is a value behind your policy. Not only is there a face value (typically, what will be paid upon the insured’s death), but also a lesser value paid by the buyer that will be given in order for the face value to be collected once the insured person passes away.

Selling rights to life insurance policies was a major concept that first began in the late 80s, during the AIDS epidemic. Certain patients were left unemployed, while others simply needed a way to come up with excessive funds for the necessary medical treatment. For these patients, selling their life insurance policy was a prime opportunity to give anyone with AIDS money instantly.

Buying life insurance policies became a huge fad, because many believed that most of these sellers only had a short period left to live.

Once AIDS went from being a definite death sentence to a chronic, not necessarily fatal disease for those in the United States, the market for patients looking to raise fast cash also diminished.

After the AIDS pandemic declined the market for buying life insurance policies did not completely disappear. In fact, it opened up doors for a new market, which just so happened to be those approaching their 70s. Even today there currently remains a major market of interested buyers.

The sale of a life insurance policy can be known as two different things. A viatical settlement, which means that the insured is not expected to live over two years or simply a life settlement.

The minor difference comes in terms of tax consequences.

Life insurance experts such as Gloria Grening Wolk, the author of “Cash for the Final Days”, suggests that if you chose to sell your life insurance policy at any age that you don’t go with the first one who makes an offer.

Just like buying a house, you should shop around to see what others are willing to give you for the same product.

A financial planner in Newton, Mass., Jonathan D. Pond, suggests that selling a life insurance policy before one dies can definitely make sense in some circumstances.

“If you really need the cash, it’s certainly worthwhile to consider,” said Pond.

Pond generally instructs his clients looking to make money to always look around for other sources of income such as home equity loans, reverse mortgages, and the surrender or loan value of whole-life insurance policies.

It is important to realize that on a typical policy there is a substantial amount saved as a death benefit, so even if you choose to sell your policy, the policy’s holder may not be able to receive as much cash as a potential buyer would. The individual payment depends on factors such as age, gender, health, life expectancy, type of policy and its specific cash value.”

If you have any questions regarding life insurance or wish to purchase a policy which would build cash value over the years please contact ASJ Insurance & Financial Service Inc. at (602) 212-1048 or visit their website at www.asjtermlifeinsurance.com to get an instant term life insurance quote.

ASJ Insurance & Financial Service Inc. work with many leading top rated insurance companies like The Hartford, MetLife, Lincoln Financial, ING, West Coast Life, Ohio National, Lincoln Benefit Life, AXA Equitable, Pacific Life, American General and many other companies. The experts at ASJ Insurance & Financial Service Inc. will work with you to guide you and get you the best possible price.

Californians Come Together to Save Childrens Public Health Insurance Plan

In light of the significant number of poor children about to be dropped from a current publicly endorsed health insurance program, California’s lawmakers have come to together and voted to levy a tax on insurance companies to help continue the program, which would have otherwise been cut completely in order to comply with the state’s budget.

The bill was a last minute success thanks to both the Schwarzenegger administration and support of the Democrats. Both parties came together, with help from local insurance companies. The bill’s passing is hoped by many to be a step in the right direction and a model for a similar bill to be passed at the federal level.

The program is properly titled, Healthy Families, and currently insures nearly 700,000 needy California children, whose parents earn slightly too much for them to be considered for Medicaid coverage. The program was set to be eliminated as part of the $175 million reduction plan made by the state of California’s lawmakers and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Although, the Democrats and Republicans have failed to see eye to eye lately in terms of the hot topic of health care reform, the two parties came together for a unanimous bipartisan budgeting agreement and comprised the necessary two-thirds vote in order to pass the bill. The bill was voted in favor of, 27 to 8.

Republican state senator Dave Cox said, “In this particular situation, I didn’t see this as a tax increase.” Cox helped pass the bill, yet he was one of the many angry Republicans who fought against various other tax increases.

“To have 600,000 or 700,000 kids walking around without coverage would have been a disaster. It was just the right thing to do,” Cox said.

The insurance program had been denying enrollment since July. They had accumulated a hefty waiting list of 71,000 children. Already $196 million in debt, the program was preparing to drop 600,000 more.

Since the bill did in fact pass, Gov. Schwarzenegger has enlisted a group of health insurance companies that already participate in the state’s Medicaid program.

If you are looking for a free health insurance quote for the state of California and/or Arizona, please visit ASJ Insurance & Financial Service’s website  http://www.asjhealthinsurance.com/ or give them a call today! 1-877-275-2201

Factual information in this blog was obtained from Health Insurance News.

Life Insurance

If you haven’t already, it’s not too late to formulate a realistic resolution for the New Year, and why not make this year’s one that can save you money as well? We are recommending taking a few easy steps towards lowering your life insurance premium. Interested? You should be. After all who wouldn’t want to qualify for lower life insurance costs?

Here are some tips offered by the insurance experts at ASJ Insurance & Financial Services Inc.

First off, if you use any type of tobacco products…quit. This is the single most cost-effective step any life insurance customer can take. Not to mention your health care provider and loved ones will thank you for this as well. Generally, after about a year you will be able to reap the benefits of non-smoker rates. This will be well worth the efforts you will put to quit smoking.

 Next, hit the gym. Not only will losing weight lower your number on the scale, but it will also drop your monthly life insurance premiums. Also, weighing less normally assists in lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol as well, this in turn will also help you bring down your life insurance premiums.

Getting regular medical physical exams from your medical provider will not only keep you healthy, but also help to detect any potential problems you may have. Early detection can immensely deter any lengthy medical issues, which could not only raise your life insurance premium, but in some cases even result in you being declined coverage all together. As a customer of life insurance, you want to always keep your body in the best shape possible. Remember, that you are a product. If you have a dozen minor and/or major health issues you are going to be viewed as a risk to your insurance company. You may very well even be a risk that insurance company is not willing to take.

Another major step towards achieving lower premiums is ridding your driving record of traffic tickets, accidents and hopefully you never had a driving under the influence citation in other words DUI citation. As you can see, all other aspects of insurance including auto and health are considered when underwriting your life insurance policy. After all, both of these factors greatly affect your safety and life expectancy. The cleaner your driving record is, the lower your life insurance premium will be. It’s that simple.

Lastly, do what you can to lower your stress levels. Stress is a major problem we all face and often can even be reason enough to trigger health problems. Being over all relaxed and healthy will help you be a better, safer driver and keep your health issues at ease.

Many of these individual resolutions make up some of the main bad habits many Americans try to kick every year, so why not combine them all and do what you can to lower your life insurance premiums? Your wallet and your body will only thank you in the long run. If you’re interested in life insurance quotes, feel free to visit ASJ Insurance & Financial Services Inc.’s Life Insurance website today for an instant quote:

http://www.asjtermlifeinsurance.com/

Or, feel free to give them a call at 602-212-1048 or toll free 877-275-2201 to talk with a licensed professional to review your current coverage or consult about getting a new life insurance policy. You’re only a call or click away.