Thanks to an unusual convergence of market trends, ushered in by the pandemic and followed by other disruptive events, you may see a bigger change to the cost of your home and auto insurance than usual when it comes time to renew your policies this year.

​Insurance rates are based on what an insurer thinks it will cost to make you whole in the event of a loss – whether it’s roof damage during a windstorm or a vehicle totaled during a traffic accident. As you’ve likely noticed, pretty much everything costs more than it did even a few years ago.

If you’ve shopped at Home Depot or Lowe’s lately, you’ve certainly seen that the price tags on building materials have gotten pretty expensive. Last year, the cost of building materials rose 4.7%, reflecting a particularly strong uptick in prices on things like asphalt shingles (16.2%), concrete blocks (18.5%) and drywall (20.4%).

To make matters worse, the home-building industry is facing a shortfall of more than 300,000 skilled laborers, which is driving up construction-related labor costs. Combined with the high cost of construction materials and historically low housing inventory, this has been making home claims much more expensive for insurance companies.

Ongoing supply chain issues are driving a shortage of car parts and equipment, which were 22.3% more expensive at the end of 2022 than they were two years earlier. The overall cost of maintaining and repairing vehicles increased 18.4 % over the same timeframe – exacerbated by a growing shortage of car repair technicians.

The same issues depleted the supply of new and used cars during the COVID-19 pandemic, and inventories have not yet recovered. As a result, the average price of new cars has risen 20% since 2020, while used car prices have skyrocketed 37%.

Rising medical costs are another key factor. While the number of injuries and fatalities from car accidents has somewhat declined from its peak in 2021, the rising cost of medical care continues to drive higher claims costs. Between 2020 and 2022, the overall cost of medical care in the U.S. increased 6.8%

Keep in mind that savings come in many forms. The value of the coverage you choose today may save you more in the long run than the lowest possible premium.

Contact us to review your current coverage. We’ll help you explore opportunities for discounts that could offset higher rates when it comes time to renew.

Sources: National Association of Realtors, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Home Builders Institute, CoreLogic, Consumer Price Index, TechForce Foundation

​Unless you’re headed to a warmer climate for the winter, fall in Croton-on-Hudson, NY is the time to start preparing your RV for winter (as long as you’re done using it for a while, that is).

The elements can wreak havoc on your RV’s systems and exterior, but with these five RV winterization tips, you can take steps to protect your investment and make sure it’s ready to go in the spring. Before you get started, though, remember to always check the owners’ manuals for both your RV and any appliances inside — and follow those specific instructions.
​

1. Drain and blow out the water lines. Frozen water will do a real number on your RV’s water system. So, clear the lines and drain the tanks, and then add nontoxic (not automotive) antifreeze following the specifications in your manual.
2.  Clean the interior. You don’t want food to spoil and risk mildew on bedding and clothing, so remove all of it from your RV. You also want to get anything out that will attract animals and insects looking for a cozy winter home. After you clean the interior, open up the cabinets and fridge and leave them that way. Close your blinds to keep the sun out, too.
3. Then, tackle the exterior. Clean all surfaces, including tires (which should be properly inflated), and then put on an RV cover if you have one. Make sure awnings are dry before you roll them up, and close all the windows and doors.
4. Find a good place to park. After you’ve spent all this time getting your RV protected for winter, don’t park it somewhere unsafe, where a tree could fall on it or high weeds will attract insects.
5. Watch the battery. Actually, don’t watch it — disconnect it, particularly if you won’t be driving your RV for at least 30 days.

Bonus tip: While you’re not driving your RV, call us to discuss your insurance coverage. You may be able to save money on your policy if it won’t be on the road for an extended period of time.

So, you’ve decided to reward your graduate with a car (or help him/her purchase one, at least). That’s great! Adding a car to the family can make life easier for everyone — as long as it’s the right car.

Now, how do you figure out which car is the right car? Whether you’re shopping for a new or used car, here are a few things we here at DGA Insurance Agency would like you to consider.

It’s easy to find out which cars did well in crash tests (and which didn’t). Visit these sites for current and past ratings, and other useful tools:

• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has awarded Top Safety Picks since the 2006 model year.
• The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration site has ratings going back to 1990.
• The National Insurance Crime Bureau allows you to enter a car’s vehicle identification number (VIN) to find out if it’s been reported stolen or flagged as a salvaged vehicle.

​Sources such as Consumer Reports can give you a good idea of the experience other owners have had with the models you’re considering. Warranty coverage is included with new vehicles, of course, but also some used cars that have undergone a certification program. Depending on how your grad is going to use the car, you’ll want to look at mileage estimates and features such as all-wheel drive.

Buying used? It’s crucial that you get an inspection from a trusted repair shop. Get as much history on the car as you can, from owner records to a report from Carfax or a similar service. And, if you feel the sellers aren’t being forthcoming, walk away. Don’t let their problems become your problems.

Certain cars cost more to repair and maintain than others, and insurance costs can vary widely as well. We would be happy to help you determine the impact different models can have on the price of coverage. When you get further along in your search and have a few choices in mind, give us a call to get a few quotes!

When you find the right car, not only will your graduate be thrilled, you’ll look on with confidence – and pride – as your grad drives off toward the future.

Be sure to speak to your insurance agent or insurance carrier to add additional vehicles and additional drivers to your insurance policy.  Now may be a good time to shop your insurance with alternate carriers too. 

​Author Mark Twain once remarked, “In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours.” Spring weather can be as unpredictable as winter weather, if not more so. Preparing for the wind, water and hail that spring can bring can help you protect your business from weather-related losses.

These resources can help:

• Before Severe Weather Strikes … Are You Prepared?
• Steps You Can Take to Help Minimize Property Loss Due to Wind, Water and Hail
• 4 Tips to Prevent Surface Water Flooding
• Water Leak Sensors and Detectors

Questions? Contact your Utica National Risk Management representative.

​The information contained in this publication has been developed from sources believed to be reliable. It is an insurance risk management tool, provided with the understanding that the member insurance companies of the Utica National Insurance Group are not providing legal advice, risk management advice or any other professional services or advice. Utica National shall have no liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damages alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the use of this information. You are encouraged to consult an attorney or other professional for advice on these issues.

​Utica Mutual Insurance Company, its affiliates and subsidiaries, 180 Genesee St., New Hartford, NY 13413
© 2021 Copyright Utica Mutual Insurance Company

  January 20, 2021

We have seen an increase in catalytic converter thefts in 2020. These thefts have occurred in various states and with increasing frequency. Some of our insured businesses have suffered multiple crimes at one location.

Businesses with multiple vehicles parked overnight in unsecured lots are particularly vulnerable.

While we are seeing these crimes mostly with commercial autos, auto repair garages storing passenger cars have also been affected.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has also identified catalytic converter theft as an ongoing problem. They attribute this to many factors including increased value of salvage metal generally and certain rare metals found in catalytic converters in particular.

There are measures you can share with your policyholders to help prevent these crimes. Merchants Special Investigation Unit, along with our Claim Teams and The NICB, suggest the following:

• Ensure vehicles are secured (locked) at all times
• Secure vehicles in locked, gated areas or indoor garages
• Use security lighting that stays on or is motion sensitive
• Install cameras and recording devices in areas where vehicles are stored
• Security cameras should be HD for better quality of video
• Promptly report any thefts or attempted thefts to your local police

visit our website: www.merchantsgroup.com

Eastern Strategic Business Center
1393 Veterans Memorial Highway, Suite 401S
Hauppauge, New York 11788 

​New York, our country and world have been faced with a year that has been no picnic.  Vacations, weddings & gatherings or all kinds have been paused for what seems like forever!  As the 2020 Holiday season approaches we wanted to share some fun socially distant ideas that you and your family can all participate in.  Make it more fun and facetime your friends, family and loved ones and share the joy virtually! 

2021 is soon approaching, remember 1/1/2021 is the first blank page of a 365 page book.  Write a good one.

Happy Holidays!

From all of us at DGA Insurance

​The first significant snowstorm of the season in New York remains on track for midweek, and now, preliminary snowfall projections have just been released based on the latest forecast models.  The time frame for Westchester County for the storm is late Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 16 into early Thursday morning, Dec. 17. "There is increasing potential for a significant winter storm Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning with heavy snow, strong winds, and coastal flooding," the National Weather Service said in a Hazardous Weather Outlook statement issued early Monday morning, Dec. 14.

A Nor’easter is a storm along the East Coast of North America, so called because the winds over the coastal area are typically from the northeast. These storms may occur at any time of year but are most frequent and most violent between September and April. Some well known Nor’easters include the notorious Blizzard of 1888, the “Ash Wednesday” storm of March 1962, the New England Blizzard of February 1978, the March 1993 “Superstorm” and the recent Boston snowstorms of January and February 2015. Past Nor’easters have been responsible for billions of dollars in damage, severe economic, transportation and human disruption, and in some cases, disastrous coastal flooding. Damage from the worst storms can exceed a billion dollars.

Nor’easters usually develop in the latitudes between Georgia and New Jersey, within 100 miles east or west of the East Coast. These storms progress generally northeastward and typically attain maximum intensity near New England and the Maritime Provinces of Canada. They nearly always bring precipitation in the form of heavy rain or snow, as well as winds of gale force, rough seas, and, occasionally, coastal flooding to the affected regions. The heavily populated region between Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Boston, the “I-95 Corridor,” is especially impacted by Nor’easters.

The U.S. East Coast provides an ideal breeding ground for Nor’easters. During winter, the polar jet stream transports cold Arctic air southward across the plains of Canada and the United States, then eastward toward the Atlantic Ocean where warm air from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic tries to move northward. The warm waters of the Gulf Stream help keep the coastal waters relatively mild during the winter, which in turn helps warm the cold winter air over the water. This difference in temperature between the warm air over the water and cold Arctic air over the land is the fuel that feeds Nor’easters.

Weather forecasters at NWS local forecast offices around the country and at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction near Washington, D.C., monitor conditions conducive for Nor’easters, especially during the fall and winter. When they see conditions are favorable in the upcoming days, forecasters may issue winter storm, blizzard, high wind and coastal flood watches to alert the public that some of the worst effects of Nor’easters might be possible. If conditions are imminent, those watches are changed to warnings.

If you are confronted with property damage during a storm, it is best to notify your agent or carrier as soon as possible.  This will ensure you are responded to in a timely manor.  It is always advisable in the event of a liability claim (slip and fall) to report to your carrier immediately.

1. Call any emergency services if needed (police, fire department, restoration company)
2. Take reasonable measures to prevent further damage
3. Take photos and preserve any damaged property
4. Make a list of damaged items
5. Call your carrier or agent

What is a Nor'easter? (weather.gov)

Preliminary Snowfall Projections Released For Potentially Major Midweek Nor'easter | Cortlandt Daily Voice

What alarms and sensors do you need in your Westchester County, New York  home? The answer is different for everyone. But, whatever your situation, today’s technology has you covered with options including online monitoring and more. Here are some common alarms, including two everyone needs to have, and three many people should at least consider:

1. Smoke alarms
   No matter where you live — house, condo, apartment — you need smoke alarms. Place one in every room where people sleep, and at least one on each level of your home. Consider alarms that work for both flaming and smoldering fires (they’re different), as well as an interconnected system so that all alarms sound when one detects smoke.
   
2. Carbon-monoxide (CO) detectors
   Here’s another must-have. CO — a deadly, odorless gas generated by the burning of fuels such as wood, natural gas or propane — kills hundreds of people a year in the U.S. You should have at least one CO detector on every level of your home, even if you only have electric appliances and heat sources. Your state may even require you to have one.
3. Natural gas detectors
   These alarms usually detect CO and propane leaks, so consider one if you have natural gas appliances in your home. You also need one for your RV or trailer if you use propane to fuel your cooking or heating. 
4.  Water alarms
   Leaks from appliances or pipes can do extensive — and expensive — damage to your home if they go undetected. Water alarm systems typically use sensors placed near appliances or other trouble spots to alert you when they sense moisture.
5. Security systems
   Whether you want a do-it-yourself system or one that is professionally monitored, you’ve got more options than ever before. You may even be able to check in on your home from wherever you are using your smartphone.

When you’re making these important decisions, here’s one more important thing to consider: Some of these alarms could qualify you to save on your New York homeowners insurance! Please give us a call to learn more.

​According to the National Weather Service, there is a potential for heavy rainfall and strong winds in New York for Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam Counties, as well as the remainder of the state and surrounding areas. There is a Tornado Watch, Tropical Storm Warning, Flash Flood Warning, Coastal Flood Warning, Coastal Flood Advisory & a High Surf Advisory.

1. Secure any outdoor items (tables, chairs, umbrella's)
2. Place gardening/landscaping supplies and moveable plant containers near or inside a structure
3. Check gutters and roof drains to be clear of debris
4. Be sure overgrown trees and shrubbery are trimmed away from structures
5. Attach shutters or use plywood to cover windows from flying objects
6. Check to be sure sump pump, generator and any other emergency equipment to help are in full operation and fueled up
7. Be sure to fill your automobile with gas prior to the storm
8. Be sure flashlights have batteries and a back up supply is available
9. Put together a disaster supply kit that includes water, food, first aid, a whistle and any necessary medicines
10. Be sure you also include supplies for your pets!
11. Charge electronics such as cell phones
12. Stay off the roads!  Unless there is a medical emergency avoid unnecessary travel
13. When possible, put vehicles in a garage or park in an area that would reduce potential debris damage
14. Create a home inventory checklist.  Simply take your cell phone and video the outside of your property, and inside of each room in the interior.  This will help compile an electronic list of inventory of your belongings in the event of a loss

For a complete hurricane preparedness guide with tips and a checklist, visit www.FEMA.gov

If you have a homeowners claim - a first report can be submitted by clicking here.  We can also be reached by phone or email by clicking here.

Please stay safe!