Life, Home, Car and Cost Savings Edition!

LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR LIFE

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Would you feel safe riding in a car with a drunk driver at the wheel? If not, you might want to think twice the next time you reach for your cell phone while driving. Researchers from the University of Minnesota found that talking on a cell phone while driving impairs one's ability even more than driving while intoxicated.

Drivers are four times as likely to crash when using a cell phone, even when the device is hands-free. In fact, more than 1.6 million car crashes are caused by cell phone use every year. Driver distractions, such as cell phone use, are a leading factor in fatal and serious injury crashes, and that's why the National Safety Council has designated April as Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

It is often assumed that the brain can handle two tasks at once, but it is simply not true. Our brains process one task at a time. Driving while distracted forces the brain to constantly shift focus from one task to another. A distraction of even a few seconds can be the difference between a tragedy and a near miss.

Make a concerted effort to put the cell phone away when you are on the road this month and encourage your loved ones to do the same. Doing so will help make the road a safer place for everyone.

LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR HOME
Be Prepared for Spring Flooding

According to FEMA, flooding is the nation's most common natural disaster: Just a single inch of water from flooding can cause costly damage to your home. Floodwaters have the power to damage not only your home and sense of security but also your financial future. How can you protect your most important investment? What are your flood options?

A standard homeowners policy does not cover damages from flooding. A separate flood policy is needed to cover things such as:

• Structural damage
• Furnace, water heater and air conditioner 
• Flood debris clean up 
• Floor surfaces (carpeting and tile)

You can also purchase a flood insurance policy to cover the contents of your home, such as furniture, clothing and artwork.
Flood insurance means you'll be reimbursed for covered losses. Call your AOGF agent at 518-793-3444 to learn more about flood insurance.

LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR CAR
Spring is here, which means classic car owners around the country are bringing their rides out of hibernation for another fun-filled summer. While it may be tempting to just uncover the car and drive, there are some important steps to take to make sure your baby is ready to go.

• Batteries slowly lose their charge over a cold winter in storage, so take some time to fully charge it before starting the engine.
• Make sure all fluids are properly filled, including gas. Giving the vehicle an oil change is also recommended.
• When first starting the car, let it idle for a while to get it up to operating temperature. 
• Wash and wax the vehicle and then take it for a quick cruise around the area to ensure everything is working properly, including lights, brakes and turn signals.
• Finally, make sure your classic car insurance policy is current. Classic car policies are much different than your typical auto policy and need extra attention to guarantee your vehicle is properly insured.

If additional information is needed on any of the above, call an agent or stop by the AOGF office.


*Information courtesy of Zywave, Inc.

*The information, principles, suggestions and examples contained in this newsletter are general in scope and have been developed from sources believed to be reliable. This is not legal advice nor has any attempt been made to interpret any codes, laws, standards or regulations. Associates of Glens Falls, Inc. or any of its employees accepts no responsibility for the correctness or completeness of this material or its application to specific factual situations.