Driving Safety Tips

Posted on by TheSph3r3

Driving next to a big rig on the highway may seem a little daunting to some drivers. In fact, there are more that 250,000 accidents a year between passenger vehicles and semi trucks, with 70 percent of crashes being the fault of the smaller car. Make sure to keep these tips in mind when driving next to trucks to help keep the road a safer place.

  • Size of the rig. Since semi trucks are larger than normal cars, they have larger blind spots, need more time to maneuver, and require more time to stop.
  • Passing a truck. Make sure to pass on the left side to maximize you visibility and pass at the fastest speed possible while still making sure to obey all traffic laws.
  • Getting passed by a truck. Slightly reduce your speed to allow the truck to pass as easily as possible.
  • When a truck is backing up. Never pass a truck that is backing up. You may enter a blind spot of the driver, increasing your risk of getting hit.
  • When a truck is turning right. Many trucks have to swing left before they can make a right turn. This does not allow them to see cars directly beside them. Never try and pass a wide turning truck on the right.
  • Avoid bright lights. When driving next to a truck, avoid turning on your bright lights. The large side mirrors reflect more light than passenger vehicles, which can impair the driver’s vision.

Knowing how to safely drive next to semi tucks can help ease any worries you have while on the road. When it comes to choosing the best auto insurance policy to make sure you are protected in the unfortunate case of any accident, contact the insurance professionals at All Nevada Insurance.

Staying Safe This Fourth of July

Posted on by TheSph3r3

The 4th of July holiday is the perfect time to spend with family and enjoy the summer weather. With all the fun activities that go on during this time, it is easy to not pay attention to potential safety issues. Keeping these Fourth of July safety tips in mind can help make sure that you and your family stay safe during the holiday.

  • Keep all pets inside during the hottest part of the day to prevent any heat related illnesses. Also make sure to keep them inside during any firework shows to stop them from funning away.
  • Make sure to keep hot food hot and cold food cold. With people arriving at different times to your 4th of July party, it is easy to get any types of food born illness if the food is not kept at the right temperature.
  • Drink responsibility. You are more at risk of getting injured if you are intoxicated and handling fireworks. Make sure to have sober adults to handle the fireworks.
  • Douse grilling coals when you are done. Leaving coals smoldering can lead to a fire starting. Make sure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving the grill unattended.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Fireworks and grills can both start sudden fires. Make sure to protect your property by keeping a fire extinguisher handy at all times.
  • Keep fireworks away from children. Children should never be allowed to light fireworks and should always stand at a safe distance when they are being lit.
  • Review fireworks laws. Many cities do not allow fireworks to be lit, which may include sparklers. Make sure to research your city’s fireworks law to make sure you are not breaking any laws.

When it comes to making sure your home is protected from any possible accident this 4th of July, contact the insurance experts at All Nevada Insurance to get the most comprehensive homeowners insurance policy.

Is Your Backyard Properly Insured?

Posted on by TheSph3r3

Having a pool or trampoline in your backyard may lead to many fun backyard activities. Pools and trampolines can cause some issues when it comes time to find the best homeowners insurance policy. Although it is not impossible to find companies that will insure homes with pools and trampolines, there may be a few roadblocks. Making sure you have the proper backyard coverage can help save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in the unfortunate event of an accident.

Typical homeowners insurance policies cover personal liability, such as if a person gets injured while enjoying your pool, but it does not usually provide coverage if any damage is done to your pool. Most damage to in-ground pools consists of cracking of the concrete due to any movements in the ground, which are not covered by standard homeowners insurance policies. Typical personal liability insurance will cover any medical costs that are associated with an injury sustained at your pool. It will also cover the cost of defense if you are sued following an injury. Most insurance companies have special rules and guidelines about insuring a home with a pool; such as there must be a fence surrounding the pool. Make sure to check with your insurance company to make sure you have the proper pool coverage for your needs.

From the perspective of an insurance company, trampolines are an “attractive nuisance,” meaning that people always want to use them, even if they know the dangers. That is why many insurance companies have trampoline exclusions. Many homeowners insurance agency will not insure a home if it includes a trampoline. Make sure to check with your insurance companies before buying a home with a trampoline.

To find the most comprehensive homeowners insurance policy, contact the insurance professionals at All Nevada Insurance.

Car Maintenance Tips for the Summer

Posted on by TheSph3r3

Summer is there perfect time to take a vacation with the family and drive somewhere to enjoy the warm summer weather. It is important to make sure that your car is running its best before heading out on the road though. Following these 5 car summer maintenance tips will ensure that you and your car make it to your destination safely.

  1. Check your tires. Tires are one of the most overlooked parts of a vehicle, but also one of the most important since they are the only part of the car that touches the road. Make sure your tires are inflated to the proper pressure to reduce any pressure on the sidewalls of your tires, which could cause a blowout in the hot summer weather.
  2. Change the oil and oil filter. It is recommended that your change your oil every 3,000 miles or three months. Having clean oil will help prevent your car from overheating while driving.
  3. Check hoses and belts. Make sure that belts and hoses do not have any cracks, and that the hoses are well connected and do not have any holes. Keeping everything connected and running smoothly will help reduce the chances of your car overheating.
  4. Maintain your air conditioning. Getting stuck on the road in hot weather with no air conditioning is not something to look forward to. Make sure to take your car to a certified auto body shop before heading out on the road if your air conditioning is not able to stay at a steady cool temperature.
  5. Replace your windshield wipers. The summer months are prone to sudden thunderstorms. Make sure you have wiper blades that do not leave streaks and effectively clean your window to ensure you are ready for any sudden weather changes.

Most importantly, make sure you have the most comprehensive auto insurance policy to protect you and your vehicle from any unfortunate incidents. Contact the insurance professionals at All Nevada Insurance to get a quote on an auto insurance policy today.

What about the Survivor

Posted on by TheSph3r3

If you are a two income family, or more importantly, a one income family, what happens to your household income when you are gone?  The obvious answer is it decreases, or if you don’t bring in any money, then it remains level.  Either way, the expenses don’t change much, however the responsibilities of the survivor do increase without a partner to share daily tasks.  Therefore, even when income remains level, the survivor may find maintaining a household a difficult task.

Some spouses may have to return to school to obtain training.  Others may luck out and find a job right away, but even then, it often takes two to three years for the spouse to get the household income back to where it was prior to the loss.  These are important factors to consider when thinking about your financial security.  Investments are a wonderful thing, but a strong insurance policy can really make a big difference.  It is all about protecting your standards of living and your family’s financial well-being.

Funeral Costs

Posted on by TheSph3r3

If you check around you will easily find the cost of the average burial.  You may be surprised what it costs these days to have even a simple funeral.  In our own personal experience, it has been about $10,000.  Some numbers claim as high as $15,000, while others say as low as $5000.  Either way, the cost is quite absorbent.  There are two strong ways to defer these costs.  Pre-arrange and pre-pay the bulk of you funeral (many funeral homes offer payment plans), or take out life insurance to cover these burial costs.

Keeping the Road Safe for All

Posted on by TheSph3r3

Driving next to a semi truck on the highway may seem intimidating for some people who are driving smaller vehicles. It can also be daunting for those who are driving the semi. It is important to remember these road safety tips to make sure everyone stays safe while on the road.

  • Keep the truck driver in mind. Driving a semi truck is not an easy way to make a living. They have to think much more far in advance when they need to make a lane change or slow down. They are also required in many states to move over if there are emergency vehicles with their lights flashing on the shoulder. Make sure you give them enough room to make any moves that they need to.
  • Move on by. Avoid driving right next to a semi truck. Either speed up to pass them or slow down to stay behind them. The side of the truck is a large blind spot for truck drivers. Keep in mind that if you cannot see the truck driver’s eyes, they cannot see you.
  • Accelerate or brake. If you are passing a truck, do it fast. They may need to change lanes to do to a problem in the road ahead that you cannot see, and if you take your time passing, it will not allow them to get over. If you notice a truck with its turn signal on, stay behind it until it changes lanes.

Keeping these safety tips in mind while on the highway can lead to the road being a safer place for everyone. When it comes time to find the most comprehensive auto insurance policy to make sure you are protected in any unfortunate accident, contact the insurance professionals at All Nevada Insurance. They will help you find the perfect policy to fit all of your needs.

Paid Mortgage

Posted on by TheSph3r3

A home is one of the biggest investments that most people will ever make.  However, unlike most other big investments, your home is one of the few that may cost you substantially more than what you initially invested into it (considering all of the extra money you pay out due to the interest on the loan).  There are several strategies in lowering these extra costs; consequently you will be paying off the loan faster.

Since interest is based on time, you can actually cut back the total cost of your loan by paying more often, even without paying more money.  In other words, pay half of your regular mortgage payment every two weeks rather than the entire amount once a month.  This reduces the principle more often so the total interest generated is less.

Another sure way to reduce the duration of your mortgage is to pay extra each month.  An extra $50 each month can make a noticeable difference in your loan duration.  Another way is to add an extra payment at the end of the year (13 payments throughout the year versus 12 payments).  This lumps a large amount into one payment, unlike the smaller payments over a longer time, making this method less desirable to most people.  To find out more check out the monthly loan calculator on www.erate.com/mp_cl.shtml

Las Vegas Summer Fun Line-Up Starts with Comics, Art and MMA

Posted on by TheSph3r3

Las Vegas is certainly known for its casinos, but there is no shortage of things to do around the city that provides fun for every age. The desert heat can make you just want to hit the nearest pool, but keep these events in mind when you are exploring all Las Vegas has to offer this summer.

  • Comic book fans can reunite at the return of Amazing Las Vegas Comic Con June 20th-22nd. The three-day event gives everyone a chance to meet their favorite comic book creators and celebrities. Come dressed as your favorite character and enjoy the exhibitors hall, video game arena, and plenty of parties.
  • All art lovers can meet for First Fridays at Arts Factory where more than 100 artists will have their work on display. The event is held on the first Friday of every month and is free and open to the public. Check out your favorite art medium in the downtown Arts District and enjoy food, drink and shopping as well.
  • Interested in mixed martial arts? Join the thousands of attendees that will be at UFC Fan Expo held at Mandalay Bay taking place July 5th and 6th. There will be over 150 vendors, fighter autograph and training sessions, as well as a chance to interact with icons from the MMA industry. The event will also include martial art tournaments, contest, and live performances of Las Vegas talent. Tickets are $45 for Saturday, $40 for Sunday or go both days and get the combo package for $60.

Casino shows, circus acts, and city festivals will also be taking place all summer long. Mark your calendars for endless fun in the city this summer.

For more information about insurance coverage in Nevada please contact All Nevada Insurance located in Las Vegas.

Vegas Real Estate Upgrades that Pay for Themselves

Posted on by TheSph3r3

You don’t have to be a real estate expert to spot one of the most dominant trends in today’s industry. Simply browsing the front page of Pinterest or spending a few minutes channel-surfing will tell you that renovations are on every homeowner’s wish list this year. 

The housing crisis lowered mortgage rates to unprecedented levels, which was bad news for those with underwater mortgages but brilliant news for interior designers, contractors and real estate agents whose clients were interested in flipping these homes for a profit. 

According to the former president of the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors (GLVAR), Vegas homeowners have caught onto the nationwide trend. ?Certain upgrades offer particularly high returns on your investment, such as:

  • Kitchen upgrades that incorporate modern appliances/fixtures
  • Bathroom upgrades that replace outdated plumbing
  • Room additions (bedroom, bathroom, den, etc.) that increase total square footage

While modernizing an essential room is a surefire way to elevate an otherwise functional home, there are some smaller updates, upgrades and flourishes that also stand the test of time and pay for themselves in the long run. Less expensive Vegas home renovations that retain their original value include:

  • Fresh paint (usually replacing dark shades with lighter shades, to open up spaces and avoid outdated trends)
  • New carpeting
  • New countertops
  • Tile accents
  • Brushed aluminum accents

Whether you’re buying and selling a property right away or just looking for practical ways to spruce up your longtime residence, it’s important to make sure your investment is a sound decision. Some people succumb to the temptation to spend thousands on extensive renovations while ignoring structural issues altogether. Others fixate on small details that add up, rather than addressing entire rooms that need to be updated.

Make another sound real estate decision. Learn about homeowners insurance coverage in Las Vegas, Nevada, by contacting All Nevada Insurance today.