Confessions of a First Time Renter: 7 Things to Help You and Your Pet Have a Paw-some Move!

Meow!....Meow!....Meow!

That's how my feisty, food - and attention-loving cat Olivia wakes me up every morning for her breakfast...at 6a.m. Good thing I never bothered buying an actual alarm.

Early mornings aside, having a pet to come home to and keep me company is really nice, especially since I live alone. In fact, finding a pet-friendly place was one of my must-haves when I was looking for a place.

Before I moved her in, however, I had to make sure I had everything I needed to make her feel right at home. Besides forgetting to buy a kitty litter scooper initially (only mildly necessary), everything went off without a hitch.

Here are the seven things that I kept in mind before, during and after moving my kitty in.

1. Get the okay. Your obvious first step is to clear your potential pet with your landlord well before signing a lease. Since my building allows me to have up to two cats at no extra charges, I just notified my landlord of my intent to get one.
2. Get the essentials. On the drive to pick up Olivia, I stopped for some supplies. Friends and family had given me a litter box and bowls for food and water. All I needed to get was some food and kitty litter. It's a good idea to also pick up things like flea treatment, hair ball remedy, a brush and nail clippers (if you're comfortable or used to trimming claws yourself) so these things are on hand. You might also consider one of those calming collars that can help reduce a pet's anxiety as they adjust to a new place.
3. Make her comfy. To help her settle into her new home, I also picked up a kitty bed, treats and toys. Ironically enough, her favorite toy is one that I made myself and didn't cost a dime. (Who'd have thought an old golf putter and some yarn would come in handy?)
4. Safety first. Before I drove anywhere with my feisty feline, I made sure I had a safe way to transport her. For both their safety and yours, pets should be secured anytime you take them in your vehicle.
5. Update her info. Let your vet know that you've got a pet on the premises. It's also a good time to update your furball's microchip, if he or she has one. Olivia does not - so I just let her vet know she'd moved from my parents house to mine.
6. Give her time. Every pet is different, so let them settle in on their terms. Olivia had lived with my parents for almost 12 years - so it was no surprise that a new space was scary for her. She spent the first afternoon hiding under a chair. Now, she's queen of the castle.
7. Socialize thoughtfully. This is more for those who already have a pet and are introducing a new one. be aware that your furry friends might not take to each other right away. Make sure there's enough space to split them up until they get used to each other, if necessary.

Taking these steps will help you and your furry friend to have a positive experience during their "move-in-day" and for many days to come.

Today's insurance tips and ideas brought to you by ERIE Insurance.

What Happens if my Neighbor's Tree Falls in my Yard?

Trees can be tricky, but for the most part homeowners are responsible for what falls into their own yard. So if your neighbor's tree falls in your yard, your homeowners insurance would typically help cover the cost of removing the tree and remedying the damage it caused, after your deductible.

The same is true in reverse: If a tree on your property falls in your neighbors yard, your neighbor should file a claim with his or her insurance company.

In most cases, neighbors are able to work things out without too much trouble. If there's ever an issue, you can rely on your claims adjuster to help straighten everything out.

The Claims Process

If a tree falls on your house, make sure to take some photos. Then call your claims adjuster, who will evaluate the damage and explain how your homeowners coverage comes into play. It's recommended that you call your claims adjuster before you contract to have the tree removed.

Sometimes trees fall on cars. If it's not safe or possible to remove the tree from the car yourself, you should call a professional to remove it. (Again, talk to a claims adjuster first and take a few photos of the fallen tree on your car.) Depending on the damage, both your homeowners and the optional comprehensive coverage you may have under your auto policy could provide coverage for the loss. 

Preventing Tree Damage

Preventative measures matter when it comes to trees. Start by looking for signs of distress such as dead limbs, cracks in the trunk or major limbs, leaning to one side and branches that are close to a house or power line. Mushroom growth on the roots or bark can also signal trouble.

"A homeowner should be concerned about the health of their trees," says Gary Sullivan, Vice President of Property Subrogation Claims at ERIE. "The best thing to do is to regularly have large trees trimmed." (The Tree Care Industry Association lists accredited tree care professionals.)

To learn more and to ensure you have the right coverage for your home, contact an ERIE Insurance Agent in your community - like us! 

Today's insurance tips and ideas brought to you by ERIE Insurance.

Stuff to Store? Read These Self-Storage Tips

If you're like me, you sometimes look around and wonder, "How did I accumulate all this stuff?!"

Thankfully, we're not alone. Nearly 11 million households have items in a storage unit. That represents a 65 percent increase from 10 years ago.

Whether you're about to get married and combine households, a parent looking to free up space or a retiree looking to downsize, a storage unit may be just what you need. But before you start throwing things in boxes to haul off to your local storage facility, consider these self-storage tips.

• Is the facility clean? Before you store your belongings in a storage unit, make sure that it is well-maintained. Ask if routine cleaning is performed on empty units. Also ask to see an empty unit to make sure it is mold and dust free.
• Is it climate-controlled? Based on where you live, you may want to consider a climate-controlled facility. Many items are susceptible to pests and extreme temperatures. For example, leather, wood, wicker, electronics, musical instruments and photographs could be severely damaged if exposed to humidity or frigid cold. Keep in mind that some items should never be put in a storage unit including medications and medical supplies; combustible, flammable, hazardous or toxic chemicals; and weapons, ammunition or construction equipment. Many facilities have rules governing acceptable items. Use common sense when deciding what to store.
• Is it accessible? Does the storage area offer drive-up access? Or will you be lugging boxes up flights of stairs? Depending on what you're storing, that information could be very important. Also, take a look at when and how often you'll need to access your items. Some facilities provide access only during certain hours of the day and limited access on weekends. If you'll be making regular visits to retrieve items, it's best to make sure you have easy access.
• Is it safe? One of the most important self-storage tips is to consider the safety of your unit and the facility as a whole. In addition to a lock - which you should always have on your unit - some facilities offer extra security like video surveillance or password-protected gates.

Another way to make sure your itemsare protected is to insure them. Although most homeowners policy cover personal property in a storage unit, it is good to contact someone to make sure you have appropriate coverage. This is especially important if you have pricey items like jewelry and artwork that may need to be covered separately with an inland marine policy.

Today's insurance tips and ideas brought to you by ERIE Insurance.

13 Ways to Help Others This Winter

Even if it's been a relatively mild winter, it can feel like winter will never end. And while the harsh weather is inconvenient for many, it can be a major issue for the elderly, disabled, sick and homeless in your community.

If you're of able body and kind heart, you may wonder how you can help your neighbors in need. Here are 13 ways to show you care this season.

1. Shovel your neighbor's walkway and/ or driveway. It lets them come and co with ease - plus, it's often the law.
2. Brush the snow and ice off their car. (Here are some tips to make it easy.)
3. Clear snow off of the street signs, storm sewer grates, fire hydrants and mailboxes if they're covered with snow. It benefits everyone's safety.
4. Check on your elderly neighbors before and after a bad snowstorm or cold snap. (bonus points if you bring soup!)
5. Leave hand warmers in your mailbox for the mail carrier.
6. Offer to pick up a neighbor's groceries or prescriptions. We all know how hard it is to drive on black ice or in a blinding snow storm.
7. Offer to get a neighbor's mail if it's at the end of a long drive or on a country road.
8. Bring over a baked good or have your kids draw pictures for a neighbor. (Preferably beach scenes!)
9. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or food pantry. They tend to be at capacity in the winter as people seek relief from the cold temperatures.
10. Donate to a coat drive.
11. Donate money to a heating assistance program - often times, you can do so when you pay your heating bill.
12. Volunteer for Meals on Wheels or another program that helps the homebound.
13. Donate an old (but still working) snow blower or a shovel to a neighbor in need.

Doing any one of these kind deeds could make a world of difference to someone - and studies show that it will benefit you as well!

Today's insurance tips and ideas brought to you by ERIE Insurance.

6 Reasons that Shouldn't Hold You Back from Buying Life Insurance

What are the real reasons holding you back from getting life insurance? Are you like the majority of Americans who don't have it, but say that they know they need it?

A study by the financial and insurance organization LIMRA shows that 6 in 10 Americans have life insurance - yet 30% of them feel they need more.

Does this ring true for you? If so, maybe it's because of one of these reasons. *

1. It's too expensive. Cost is the number one reason people don't have life insurance. Yet another LIMRA study shows that 80 percent of consumers think life insurance costs much more than it actually does. Life insurance is probably more affordable than you think - and there are lots of ways to bring the price into your comfort zone.
2. I have a health condition. The good news is that having a health condition doesn't automatically disqualify you from getting life insurance. If you overcame a serious condition in the past or if you are managing a condition with the help of a medical professional, you can still be covered.
3. I don't have any kids. There are many reasons people with no children still need life insurance. Just a few include providing for a financially dependent spouse or another family member, having the money to pay for a funeral or being able to pay off a loan that has a cosigner. Life insurance can also help you leave a gift to a religious, educational or charitable organization near and dear to your heart.
4. I don't work outside of the home. If you stay home to care for kids or other family members, it may take hiring someone to replace all that you do. And that could be pricey. so definitely consider buying life insurance as a way to cover those additional expenses.
5. I'm not sure what I need. Most people aren't - but we are here to help! Erie Family Life offers options like term insurance that's designed to last for a specific period of time and permanent plans designed to last a lifetime. Your agent can recommend one that works with your life and budget.
6. I don't have the time. Life is busy, which is why Erie offers e-signature on life insurance policies to make the process easy and convenient. Erie LifeSense can also provide up to $90,000 worth of coverage in about 15 minutes. There are no doctors visits or complicated forms - just a simple application with only a few medical questions.

Life Insurance probably isn't something you want to talk about, but it really is too important to put off. When it comes to life insurance, the only wrong choice is doing nothing at all.

Today's insurance tips and ideas brought to you by ERIE Insurance.

Work Zone Driving Safety Tips for Motorists

Across the nation, nearly 1,100 people die and more than 40,000 people are injured each year as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones, according to the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA). SHA offers these tips for driving safely in work zones:

1. Slow down. Speeding and aggressive driving are major contributors to work zone crashes.
2. Expect the unexpected. Normal speed limits are often reduced, traffic lanes are often changed, and people are often working on or near the road.
3. Don't tailgate. Keep a safe distance between you and the car ahead of you (use the 3-second following rule). The most common crash in a highway work zone is the rear-end collision.
4. Obey road crew flaggers. The flagger knows what is best for moving traffic safely through the work zone. A flagger has the same authority as a regulatory sign, so you can be cited for disobeying his or her directions.
5. Keep a safe distance between you and the construction workers and their equipment.
6. Pay attention to the signs. The warning signs are there to help you and other drivers move safely through the work zone. Observe the posted signs until you see the one that says you've left the work zone.
7. Stay alert and minimize distractions. Dedicate your full attention to the roadway, avoid changing radio stations, and do not use your cell phone while driving.
8. Schedule enough time to drive safely to and from your destination. Check radio, TV or online for traffic information before you leave. Expect delays when road-work is ongoing, and leave early so you can reach your destination safely and on time.
9. Keep up with the flow of traffic. Motorists can help maintain the traffic flow and posted speeds by merging as soon as possible. Don't drive right up to the lane closure and then try to cut in line.
10. Be patient and stay calm. Work zones aren't in place to inconvenience you. Remember that the work zone crews are working to improve road conditions for you and make your future drive time safer and easier.

For more information on work zone safety, go to: http://www.safezones.maryland.gov/workzonesafety.html or http://www.marylandroads.com/OC/Workzone.pdf

Today's safe driving tips brought to you by Chesapeake Employers Insurance.

Five Ways to Stay Safer on the Road

In addition to avoiding the most common driving distractions, take extra precautions to avoid cell phone distractions:

• Let it roll. Incoming calls to voice mail, that is.
• Do it later. If someone calls you while they’re driving, ask them to call you back later and hang up.
• Pull over. If you must talk or text, pull off the road first.
• Lead by example. If you want your children to drive safely, show them how it’s done. A Consumer Reports survey found that almost half (48 percent) of young drivers had seen their mom or dad talking on a cell phone while driving, and 15 percent saw their parents texting.
• Know your state’s driving laws. Several states have banned texting while driving. Distraction.gov lists the laws for individual states.

Today's insurance tips and ideas brought to you by ERIE Insurance.