Thursday, December 25, 2008

Happy Holidays!

Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday today.

We wish you a very safe and wonderful holiday.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

How to Apply Chains

If you're a Seattlite, I thought I'd warn you before you venture out in the snow.

I attempted such a feat on Sunday out of pure desparation for getting some butter and flour to make some Christmas Cookies. My initial thought was to bus it! Well...unfortunately I wasn't aware of it but buses weren't running at a regular schedule or pace. I ended up walking and gave up to take a bus home (right past the store).

My suggestion is to get yourself some good chains if you can find them. This is a VERY helpful video from WSDOT on applying your chains:

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

How to Remove Ice from your Driveway

First, it's smart to prepare for ice and snow by using markers to mark the perimeter of your driveway to avoid damage to the vegetation.

There's a nifty product you apply about 1 1/2 to 2 hours before the snow hits which acts as an "anti-snow agent". Essentially this reduces snow accumulation and therefore the formation of ice. One gallon of this liquid product protects 1000 square feet and lasts about 2 weeks. The product is called Bare Ground and can be used from 35 degrees to -20. Anything above 35 degrees F will cause a slippery surface.

Other options are to shovel the snow before it becomes ice or laying down heavy plastic over small areas before the storm.

When it comes to chemicals...

Sand does not remove the ice, however it does provide traction. You may even want to use a pick to chop up ice, shovel it, and then spread the sand out evenly over remaining icy spots.

Rock salt aka sodium chloride is probably the most well known product to remove ice. It is inexpensive and usually readily available. Keep it mind it does damage vegetation and can damage metal and concrete.

CMA or Calcium Magnesium Acetate is a low toxicity product that's safe for vegetation, concrete, and metal. However, it is one of the slower working products and more expensive too.

Potassium Chloride is OK for plants and concrete but is not very effective. It also will work only to the lowest temperature of 12 degrees F.

Calcium Chloride is fast acting and effective to -25 degrees F. It will likely cause damage to concrete, vegetation and metal and tends to leave an oily residue.

Magnesium chloride is also one of the best known products. If followed as directed, it will not harm vegetation, metal, or concrete. It will usually leave an oily residue.

With possibly the next few days being a snow storm over in the Seattle area, take care and do as little driving as possible!

Thank you to, Associated Content

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Our November Graduate Results!

We had 44 total grads for the month of December for a total of 533 for the year.

Our top 10 savers:
Trevor G. - Federal Way $1051 SAVED!
Gwendolyn T - Seattle $839
Tracey P - Des Moines $594
Pedro S - Federal Way $519
Jordan K - Renton $464
Donjanique B - Bellevue $431
Charles J - Federal Way $427
Reyes G - Renton $420
Alfonso L - Federal Way $420
Jose A - Kent $403

We saved our Sav-on Graduates an average of $256 -- that's 30% savings off their current policy. Congratulations Graduates!

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Safe Holiday Decorating Tips

It seems like there's always one house in the neighborhood that goes all out during the holidays. You might have a neighbor like that in your neighborhood, or maybe it's you! But even decorating for the holidays can be dangerous. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission around 10,000 people are seen in emergency rooms every year as the result of burns, falls, shocks and cuts they received in the midst of holiday decorating.

Evergreen trees are a mainstay in many homes over the holidays. And while they are beautiful, the CPSC says trees can easily become fire traps.
According to a recent survey by the Commission dried out trees start more than 200 fires each year - some of which are fatal. But there are a few things consumers can do to avoid a tragedy during the holiday season.

The freshest trees are the least combustible, so live trees should have green needles that are difficult to pull from branches, don't break when bent and don't fall off if the tree is tapped on the ground. The tree's bottom should be sticky with resin. All trees - live or artificial - should be kept away from fireplaces, radiators and high traffic areas in the home.

Holiday lights, while adding to a festive holiday atmosphere, can also be a source of house fires. Opt for newer lights that have been tested by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as the Underwriters Laboratory (UL). Holiday lights should have thick wiring, and should be devoid of broken or cracked sockets, loose connections and frayed or bared wires. If lights are going to be used outdoors, they should be marked as such. Avoid extension cords unless they are specifically designed for lighting use.
Never use electric lights on a metallic tree, as this can pose an electrocution hazard.

Finally, while Santa likes stockings hung at the chimney, he asks that it be done with care. A screen should be placed around the fireplace to keep sparks from coming into contact with decorations, furniture or other flammable items. It is also not a good idea to burn wrapping paper or plastic materials in a fireplace. And fire salts, which are used to
produce colored flames, must kept away from children. The CPSC says they
contain heavy metals which can cause gastrointestinal problems and vomiting if eaten.

Holiday decorating accidents don't have to ruin anyone's fun this year. By keeping in mind these simple tips, the season can be truly joyous for all.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

5 Secrets to a Perfect Turkey

The “Cook's Illustrated” test kitchen has roasted thousands (yes, thousands) of turkeys over the years and has figured out where turkey preparation often goes wrong. Here are the most common mistakes — and how to avoid them.

Defrost early
A frozen bird that hasn't fully defrosted is a disaster. Don't try to speed up the process on the counter — it's just not safe. A turkey must defrost slowly in the refrigerator. Plan on 1 day in the fridge for every 4 pounds of turkey. A 16-pound turkey needs 4 days to thaw.

Brine if necessary
If you don't buy a kosher or self-basting bird, you really should brine the bird a day in advance. Place the turkey in a bucket filled with cold water and salt. Use 1/2 cup table salt for every gallon of water. (Two gallons of water should cover all but the largest turkeys.) After 12 hours in the refrigerator, rinse and pat the turkey dry. The salt seasons the bird and helps it retain moisture as it cooks.

Baste before roasting
Brushing butter or pan drippings over the bird as it cooks is a messy proposition and actually makes the skin less crisp. To promote browning, brush the bird with melted butter before it goes into the oven.

Roast upside down
To prevent the breast meat from drying out, roast the turkey upside down in a V-rack set inside your roasting pan for the first hour. This shields the breast meat from direct heat and causes juices in the bird to run down into the breast. After an hour, flip the turkey breast side up so the skin on the breast can brown.

Ignore the thermometer
The plastic pop-up thermometers in most turkeys are designed to pop when the bird is overcooked. Instead, use an instant-read thermometer to measure the progress of your bird.


A big thank you to MSNBC. You can read the entire article by going to: www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21836561/

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Does smoking affect AUTO insurance??

We got a really interesting question from one of the kids at the driving school last week (for more details, check out the 11/12/08 post on our teen blog www.savon-teendriver.blogspot.com). A young woman asked "I heard that smoking can make your insurance higher?" I replied that I'd never heard of anything like that...we certainly don't have any companies that surcharge for smoking (unless it's a life insurance policy which is a whole 'nother ballgame). But I decided to look into it...

I found that some companies do surcharge for a home policy...which makes sense. A smoker runs a higher risk of burning down the house. I'm sure you've heard stories in the news about a house or apartment catching fire and the cause was a lit cigarette. You also have to take into account that smoking inside your home will lower its value and the value of your possessions (due to the smell and damage caused by the smoke) which, in turn, could affect your premium of a renters or condo policy.

And evidently, auto premiums can be higher for smokers due to the fact that smokers tend to be more reckless drivers.

Again, I've never run into this problem with any of our companies we represent and I was unable to find out what states this affects. Has anyone else heard of this?


Thank you to www.ampminsure.org

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Cell Phone Use Polls

PEMCO Insurance Company released some information today regarding the new cell phone laws.

Findings show that before the law went into effect 60% of respondents said that talking on a cell phone while driving should be a primary offense. Three months have passed and this number has dropped to 50%. At this time it is a secondary offense-- which means you must be violating another law (i.e. speeding, tailgating, running a red light, etc...) before being charged with the cell phone law.

The study was conducted in September by FBK Research.

You can see how your answers stack up with the research by going to http://survey.pemco.com

Thursday, November 6, 2008

October Graduate Results!

We had 57 total grads for the month of October for a total of 489 for the year.

Our top 10 savers:
Donna G - Tacoma $2327
Frenton D - Federal Way $1200
Gail D - Everett $808
Juan S - Burien $795
Mark C - Seattle $694
Alyson S - Everett $544
Alejandro R - Everett $508
April A - Seattle $452
Lawrence H - Renton $421
Semsudi C - Everett $379

The average saving was 26%! Congratulations Graduates!!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Mike Kriedler elected for 3rd term


Democrat Mike Kriedler has been re-elected for his 3rd term as Washington State Insurance Commissioner.

He won with 57 to 43 percent against Republican John Adams.

Sav-on Insurance Agencies is happy to have Kriedler in office again.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Calls For Cora!


Sav-on Insurance will support Cora as our annual "Christmas Family". The support has already started however with Calls For Cora program this month.

Make a call through our bilingual (Spanish and Engligh) call center this month and Sav-on will donate for each call made to the family's benevolent fund.

Cora was diagnosed with Wilms Tumor in her kidney late June of this year. She's currently undergoing 6 months of chemotherapy. She's a wonderful little girl and a shining star to the family.

Please call our call center at 206-249-0552 and don't forget to tell us to donate to Team Cora!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Get yourself a Bluetooth

Right before the handsfree cellphone law went into effect, I did a little shopping at my local Radio Shack and bought myself a Bluetooth. Boy am I glad I did! I LOVE my Bluetooth! If you haven't gotten one yet or if you're looking to purchase a new one I've compiled a list of suggested Bluetooth ear pieces.

Plantronics Voyager 510S Bluetooth® Headset

WindSmart provides wind-noise reduction technology, noise-cancelling microphone, 33-foot range, switch between cell phone and your landline wirelessly
Rating:
Cost: $229.99 with RadioShack, $299.95 on Plantronics website


BlueAnt® Z9 Dual-Mic Bluetooth® Headset with Voice Isolation

This is the one I have. It's tiny but you don't have to shout for the other party to hear you. It has some quick and easy buttons and it has a lot of features. The sound quality is excellent on both ends. It comes with a wire to hook it up to the net for updates. The best part? I can use it for a couple days without having to charge it! NOTE: It differs from their other similar headset. Make sure it's the voice isolation set.
Rating:
Cost: $89.99 with RadioShack


Motorola Wireless Headset H375 for Bluetooth-Enabled Cell Phones

Comfortable fit, button dedicated to on/off, compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled phones, good headset for cost
Rating:
Cost: $44.99 with BestBuy


Jabra - BT2040

You never have to charge it because it runs on AAAA batteries, but many complain that the batteries run out quickly. LOW cost at only 20 bucks.
Rating:
Cost: $19.99 with BestBuy

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Text while driving? THINK again!

Reaction time is slowed down by about 35% while texting compared to 12% when drinking and driving (at the legal limit). Texting also worsens steering control by 91%. We all know the perils of drinking and driving, but who would have thought something as innocent as sending a text?

Texting is illegal in only 4 states, including Washington. But most believe it should be illegal in all. According to a recent poll by Daily Fuel Economy Tip, when asked "Do you think it should be illegal to text while driving?”
  • 78% said texting while driving should be illegal
  • 19% said texting while driving should not be illegal
  • 3% said they were unsure or had no opinion


Do you think before you text?

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Why Life Insurance?

There are two types of insurance, Term insurance (also known as Term Life) and Permanent Insurance. Term is initially the most affordable type of insurance and is designed to pay for a specific benefit during a term. For instance, you may decide you only want coverage until your children graduate from college or until a debt is paid off (such as a mortgage). Permanent insurance is designed for lifelong protection.

But now you may be wondering "why do I need life insurance?" There are many reasons one may desire a life insurance policy, but it all boils down to not wanting to leave a debt or burden behind after passing away.

Life insurance can be used to guarantee income to your family for everyday expenses, pay off the remainder of a mortgage or debt, or pay for your final expenses to make funeral arrangements as simple as possible for loved ones after passing.

Life insurance can even be used to supplement retirement, cover expenses of raising children, pay for children's education, preserve your estate, or safeguard your home mortgage.



More questions? Give us a call at 1-888-867-2866 and speak to one of our life insurance specialists.

Friday, October 3, 2008

Rebecca Pell named Employee of the Quarter!

Rebecca Pell was named Employee of the Quarter for her outstanding efforts from July though the end of September.


She was gifted with a certificate of achievement and a $50 gift certificate!


Here's one of her the many nomination e-mails for her:
A big THANK YOU to Becki. She helped with the deposit yesterday and when I came in this morning she had already printed out the accounting sheets for the agents and matched up all of the receipts. She knows that I'm trying to get things done before going on vacation and am busy with the training classes too. I really appreciate all of her help!

September Graduate Results!

Each month, Dana Hays and Rebecca Pell of our exclusive Graduate Department scour through hundreds of client renewals in search of those qualifying for Preferred rates. It's the cornerstone of our company-- the Smart Driver Plan.

These are September results!

We were able to graduate 50 total clients from high risk rates to low-cost preferred. A total of 432 for the year.

The average savings this month was 26%.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Sav-on Facebook and MySpace!

Sav-on is now on Facebook and MySpace! They are both under construction for the most part, however any comments or messages sent will be received immediately on either.

Check out our 15 and 30 second commercials shown on the Spanish channel Univision and our pictures from our latest even from Fiestas Patrias! And check back for future photos from our upcoming events!

www.myspace.com/savoninsurance
Sav-on Facebook

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Sav-on Teams Up with Enterprise Rental Car

Brr! This cold weather reminds us that Winter is fast approaching. And we at Sav-on Insurance know that whether it's cold, rain, fog, or snow today, the season for accidents is also fast at hand!

As a special service to our clients, Sav-on Insurance will be teaming up soon with Enterprise Rental Car Agency just in time for this chilly time of the year to provide our clients with discounts lower than any you will find on the Enterprise website!

Check back for updates as we welcome Enterprise Rental Car into the Sav-on Family or keep checking on our website (www.sav-on.com) to get those low rates when you need them most!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Fiestas Patrias @ Puyallup Fair

Fiestas Patrias is the biggest holiday in Mexico which celebrates independence from the Spanish in the late 19th century. The official day in Mexico falls on September 16th but many of the locals gather to prepare for it September 15th when the President of Mexico re-enacts the original event by ringing the bells of the National Palace in Mexico City. The event is said to draw up to half a million spectators. Then, on the dawn of the 16th, the Mexican Independence Day, the national military parades through Zócalo and passes by Hidalgo Memorial. Learn more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grito_de_Dolores.

Each year Sav-on takes part in Fiestas Patrias by setting up a booth with some great giveaways and a free raffle at the Puyallup Fair! This year the Fiestas Patrias fair day fell on September 14th.

This year the turn out was great and so was the weather. Our new game wheel had people lining up to see what instant prizes they could win (which included movie tickets and $5 coupons to Taqueria Rinconsito!) No one left our booth empty handed!

Lucky winners of our free raffle won one of three Chivas soccer jerseys, one of two Pemco remote controlled cars valued at over $100, and a great Pemco bag which is the perfect size for a laptop!

Thanks to everyone that came by our booth and thanks to our Special Agents who made the day possible.


The morning crew


You can see more pictures from the Puyallup Fair event by going to our MySpace at www.myspace.com/savoninsurance and viewing our “Pics”.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Welcome to the SAV-ON blog!

We will periodically add insurance information, the latest insurance reports and event photos of interest to you.

Please check back regularly!