According to the National Safety Council, teen crashes spike in September, especially during the times when school begins and lets out. This is the result of teens heading back to school. The NSC also states that half of all teens will be involved in a car crash before they graduate from high school. These are some scary statistics, but you can help prevent crashes involving teen drivers by taking these precautions:

Choose a safe vehicle for your teen driver. IIHS even lists the best used vehicle choices for teens here.
Enroll your teen in a driver's education course. Driver's Ed may even be a requirement for your teen to get a driver's license in your state.
- Teen drivers who complete a driver's education course may be eligible to reduce auto insurance premiums! For this Driver Training discount, teens will need both classroom and on-the-road training.
Enroll your teen in a defensive driving course. This type of course is a great compliment to a driver's education course.
Talk to your teen about distracted driving. Distracted driving occurs when you use a cellphone at the wheel, but it also occurs when you daydream or eat at the wheel. Make sure your teen is aware of common distractions and how to avoid them.

To further decrease the chance of an accident, be sure to have your teen follow these rules every time they drive:

Minimize distractions.
- Turn off your cellphone (or put it out of reach and sight) to keep from reading or answering texts / calls.
- Avoid driving with passengers. Passengers, especially other teens, can be a major distraction to any driver.
Turn on your headlights to increase your visibility. This will allow you to better see your surroundings, and others will be able to better see you.
Follow the speed limit. Speeding not only increases your risk of getting a ticket, but it is a major cause of many accidents.

Resources

www.nsc.org/learn/NSC-Initiatives/Pages/teen-driving.aspx

This blog entry is created for informational purposes only. Any viewpoint or sponsorship of outside parties involved in the blog entry does not necessarily represent Goodville's stance as a company. The blog should not be used as a substitute for professional advice.

Two Goodville Staff Members Earn CPCU Designation

September 28, 2016

On September 17, 2016, two Goodville Mutual staff members were honored for earning the CPCU designation. Our President and CEO David Gautsche and Phyllis Knape, Product and Compliance Support, attended the 2016 CPCU Conferment Ceremony in Honolulu, Hawaii. This Ceremony honors the tremendous effort and dedication these two displayed in attaining this designation.

The Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation is highly respected within the property-casualty insurance world. It is awarded by The Institutes, and to earn the title, professionals must meet requirements in education, ethics, and experience. Candidates study topics including insurance law, risk management, and accounting. Once a candidate achieves the designation, they are considered subject matter experts in their field.

Goodville has an ongoing commitment to grow the knowledge and skills of our staff, and we are proud of this enormous accomplishment by David and Phyllis. This is a great step in the development of their professional careers. Congratulations to you both!

Tips for Protecting You and Your Belongings on Campus

September 01, 2016

Did you know that, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, the most commonly reported on-campus crime is burglary? Motor vehicle theft comes in at third place. As you’re heading to college, you should consider taking these steps to protect yourself and your belongings from crimes on-campus:

Leave your high-value belongings at home.
Document the belongings you do bring to college. Take pictures.
Purchase a safe for your room.
Lock your room every time you leave.
Lock up your bike and your vehicle every time you leave them unattended.

Theft isn’t the only risk to your belongings on-campus; personal property can be damaged by fire as well. Follow these on-campus fire prevention tips from The Center for Campus Fire Safety:

Check for working smoke detectors in your room.
Know your campus policy on candles, decorations, and use of kitchen appliances.
Plan an escape route and keep the path clear.
Clean the lint trap on your dryer after each use.

In addition to taking these precautions, be sure to check if you are sufficiently covered for unplanned losses on-campus. In many scenarios, a college student is covered by a parent’s homeowners’ policy for personal property, personal liability, and medical payments. If not, you may need to invest in a renter’s insurance policy. For automobile coverage, the student could be covered by a parent’s personal auto policy.

Reach out to your independent agent to discuss on-campus coverage. Be sure to bring up coverage amounts too, because you don’t want to find out your belongings exceed the limit after a claim is reported.

Resources

http://nces.ed.gov/programs/crimeindicators/ind_22.asp

http://www.campusfiresafety.org/Portals/0/Documents/CFS%20For%20Students/Checklist-Poster.pdf

Reminder: Hurricane Safety Tips

September 29, 2016

Did you know hurricane season continues through the end of November? According to The Weather Channel website, the statistical peak in the Atlantic Ocean for this year’s hurricane season came on September 10, but there are still two more months left in the season. Be prepared and refresh your memory on hurricane safety tips.

Take these precautions to protect you and your family from potential storms:

Be aware of any incoming severe weather in your area:
- Check if your local community has an alert system for emergencies, and sign up if available.
  - According to the National Weather Service website, some people will receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) automatically if their phones are WEA-capable. These alerts include extreme weather warnings and local emergencies. Read more on WEA messages here.
- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio for continuous information from the National Weather Service. To find out how, read here.

Follow these tips to prepare your home or business for an incoming storm:

Have necessary supplies ready if you lose power and water. These could include batteries, flashlights, first aid materials, and copies of important documents. For a more in-depth checklist of supplies, check out the Red Cross website here.
Purchase a generator for use during power outages.
Trim loose limbs and remove damaged trees susceptible to wind damage.
Fill your vehicle with gas.
Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.
Secure all loose items on the exterior of your home:
- Tie down or put away any items that could be picked up by wind, i.e. bicycles, lawn chairs, etc.
- Secure and clear rain gutters / downspouts.
- Close and board up all windows and doors.

Understand your Coverage

It is important to know that standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. Be prepared for water damage caused by hurricane flooding by visiting the National Flood Insurance Program website at www.FloodSmart.gov.

Resources

weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/hurricane-season-peak-half-over-september-2016