Harris, Reed & Seiferth
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 It's important to keep in mind that the life of an RV tire cannot be measured by miles alone, nor can you always rely on tires that "look good."
Given the stop-and-go nature of many RVers, RVs often sit for extended periods of time in-between use. When they are in use, they are often subjected to heavy loads during extreme weather conditions such as high heat. Both situations can lead to tire damage and failure, which can quickly put a damper on any trip — or turn into a dangerous situation. The primary reasons for RV tire deterioration include the following: Ozone and UV Exposure Over time, RV tires are exposed to a great deal of UV rays and ozone poisoning. This can lead to cracks in the rubber, especially in a tire's sidewall. Though a tire's exterior may look just fine at first glance, further inspection may reveal small cracks on and within aging sidewalls that worsen with time. Improper Tire Inflation Under- and over-inflation can both lead to blowouts. To help prevent this, check the inflation pressure or your tires at least once a month, and always before starting a trip. Do this when tires are cold, as heat generated during driving temporarily increases air pressure. Never remove air from a hot tire, which may result in under-inflation when the tire cools. Excessive Load Weight and Uneven Weight Distribution Tires frequently subjected to maximum loads will wear faster, while tires that carry loads below their rated capacity can be expected to last longer. Be sure to load your RV evenly. Uneven load distribution leads to uneven tire wear. Tire Construction Tires of different constructions, such as radial and bias ply, as well as different sizes and stages of wear, can harm vehicle handling and stability. Use the same size and type of tire on all wheel positions. All RVs built since 1972 have a certification label that contains the following important information:
Tire Care Tips The most important thing you can do to extend the life of your tires is to inspect them regularly. The following tips will also help:
Need RV Insurance? In addition to RV tire care, make sure you have insurance coverage specialized for your RV. Check out our RV Insurance coverage options or get a quote.
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 Homes become vacant for many reasons. Maybe your home is for sale but you haven't found a buyer yet. Or you've purchased a new home but won't move in for a while. It could be a rental property that's between tenants. Whatever the cause, there are some insurance risks that you should keep in mind.
You may be thinking, why get vacant home insurance when you already have regular homeowners insurance? Well, most homeowners policies exclude or limit coverage if the home is vacant, so you'll need more specific coverage. Insurance coverage is extremely important for a vacant home, because there are lots of dangers that threaten vacant homes in particular. If you're debating whether or not you need a vacant policy, talk to your insurance agent! Here are some things to ask about: Cost Vacant home insurance typically costs more than regular homeowners insurance due to potential risks like weather threats, fires and vandalism. However, you may be able to get a discount by installing security systems around the house. Even if your insurance company doesn't provide a discount for extra security, it's a good idea that will make your home safer! Coverage Each vacant home insurance policy is different. Many cover damage caused by fires, lightning, wind storms, hail, vandalism and theft. Check with your insurance company to see what options you have. (Remember to ask if flood damage coverage is an option!) There are also different time lengths for policies. Many are 12 months long, but they could go up to four years, so find out what will work best for you. You'll also want to consider Liability coverage, which applies if anyone is hurt on your property and you're found legally responsible. Restrictions Many insurance companies have different definitions of what is vacant and what is unoccupied. Additionally, there may be a specific time length distinction for the type of coverage. Restrictions can also be based on the age or value of the home. Discuss these variables with your insurance agent to find the coverage that works best for you! Still not sure if vacant home insurance is for you? Contact our local agents to learn more and get a quote! Overall, don't be afraid to ask questions about insurance. Let us know if you have any questions in the comments.  Buying insurance can be a tricky purchase - but it doesn’t have to be. Simply put, some areas of your insurance policy will just require extra attention to avoid weaknesses in your coverage. Here are some of the major coverage mistakes we’ve seen here at our agency. Not Insuring Your Home For Replacement Cost
Do you think you only need enough coverage to insure your home for the amount you paid for it? If you said yes, well, that’s just not true! You need to be insured for the amount of money it would cost to REPLACE your home, not the amount of its actual cash value which will include a deduction for depreciation. Think of it this way: the total cost of replacing a home could be tens of thousands more than the house would have sold for on the market, cash value. So, what if a fire or tornado destroyed your home and you’re currently only insured for the cash value? You could be at risk! Buying The Cheapest Policy When you shop for insurance, do you settle for choosing whatever is the cheapest? Cheaper isn’t always better. And if you’re looking to save money, you have to be sure you’re doing it smartly. Start with a reputable company; you want to buy from a solid insurance carrier that you can trust to pay your claims. You’ll also want to be sure that you’re comparing apples to apples. If you’re buying for your home, ask yourself if the cheaper policy only insures your home for cash value instead of replacement cost (like above)? Does one company exclude leakage of water but not cover it? These are the details that can often be missed or worse, misunderstood. Buying Only The Required State Minimum Liability Insurance While each and every state does have a required minimum amount of liability insurance to drive, it’s often not sufficient or helpful when you’ll need it. Selecting only the minimum could leave you open to a suit, wage garnishment, or even worse, the potential loss of an asset, like your home. You’ll want to be sure you’re discussing different liability amounts with your agent to see what is necessary based on your income, net worth, and liabilities. A bonus? It won’t be near as much as you might think! Buying Life Insurance Through Work Many clients initially were telling me that they have life insurance through work and weren’t interested in purchasing their own coverage. Huge mistake. Why? Well for one, gone are the days where people are staying at jobs for 30+ years. On top of that, if you develop health problems and leave your current employer, you’re at risk for possibly not being able to solidify coverage again! Purchasing your own life insurance, which is extremely affordable, ensures that you are covered no matter where you are employed or what health concerns you might develop in the future. It’s the smarter choice, right? Not Using An Agent The ultimate solution to avoid all of these coverage mistakes? Work with an insurance agent! As agents, we have vast knowledge on the details and can always find coverage that’s right for your specific situation. It’s our job to discuss different liability amounts and ensure that the one you choose is high enough, to explain the difference between actual cash value and replacement cost and make sure that your home will be covered at the cost to replace it after a loss, to help you put your own life insurance policy in place so that you won’t be at risk to lose it when you change jobs, and to make sure that you aren’t buying an inadequate policy that doesn’t protect you. Call us today for a quote! Harris Reed & Seiferth Insurance Group Office: 561-768-8176 www.harrisreedandseiferthinsurancegroup.com  Welcome to our new insurance agency blog!
This is our very first post. We're not quite sure what we're going to write about here, but the plan is to create helpful content for customers and prospective clients about information that is relevant to you. We hope you'll come to view this as a top resource for keeping your family and your finances safe. Here are a few of the topics we may be writing about:
Stay Tuned! |
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