Teen driver safety has always been a top concern for parents and communities nationwide. Now, a new company is taking proactive steps to address this issue head-on.

How's My Teen Driver is proud to announce its launch as a dedicated and innovative solution for enhancing the safety of teenage drivers. How's My Teen Driver was started by two fathers of driving aged teens in an effort to promote safe driving habits. Being worried for their own kids, these two dads delved deep into understanding the unique challenges and risks associated with young drivers on the road. With the mission to promote responsible driving habits and reduce accidents among teenage drivers, this Idaho-based startup is set to revolutionize the way parents and guardians monitor and support their teen's driving experience by relying not on new technology, but something as simple a bumper sticker. HMTD’s unique approach to teen driver safety offers parents real time, community-sourced information on their teen’s driving habits. How’s My Teen Driver relies on community members, dubbed Road Guardians, to report dangerous or commendable driving habits anonymously by telephone or online. That information then gets passed onto the subscriber of the service.

When I started researching HMTD, I was shocked to find out that according to the NHTSA, motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of injury and death amongst teenagers in the United States,” said Andrew Fullmer, CEO and co-founder of How’s My Teen Driver.

The number of vehicle-related teen deaths increase year over year despite investments in technologies such as family tracking apps and cars embedded with automated driver assistance. Technology notifications often drown themselves in white noise and information can get lost. “You wouldn’t send your kids out on a field trip without a guardian, so it would make sense that our kids shouldn’t be on the road by themselves either. Road Guardians are people in the community that recognize that we all play apart in ensuring the safety of our most vulnerable on the road,” said Fullmer. How’s My Teen Driver picks up where technology fails by harnessing the power of community because there is no substitute for a Guardian who cares.

Subscribers of the How’s My Teen Driver service receive a bumper sticker kit that can be placed on their teen’s vehicles. The cost is $20 for enrollment and $8 monthly. “When someone see the How’s My Teen Driver sticker on a car, the Road Guardian network is visually activated. A bumper sticker on a teen's vehicle is a simple way to tell the community when to take extra precautions and pay more attention,” said Matt Carter, the COO and Co-Founder of How’s My Teen Driver." We understand that allowing your teenager to hit the road for the first time can be a nerve-wracking experience for parents. How's My Teen Driver aims to ease those anxieties by engaging the watchful eyes of the Road Guardians network. In the absence of a parent, if a bumper sticker can activate that network and save a life, we can all share in that success," said Carter. For more information on How’s My Teen Driver, please visit www.howsmyteendriver.com

This is not a paid endorsement, but an announcement of a new option now available to parents. Used with permission. 

As kids head back to school, traffic patterns can undergo a big change. School buses are back in neighborhoods picking up their passengers, kids on bikes are hurrying to get to school before the bell rings, and busy parents are trying to drop their kids off before work. It’s a good time to remember to slow down and pay attention when kids are present – especially before and after school.

Sharing the Road with Young Pedestrians
According to research by the National Safety Council, most of the children who lose their lives in bus-related incidents are 4 to 7 years old, and they’re walking. They are hit by the bus, or by a motorist illegally passing a stopped bus. A few precautions go a long way toward keeping children safe:

• Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic
• In a school zone when flashers are blinking, stop and yield to pedestrians crossing the crosswalk or intersection
• Always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign
• Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas
• Don’t honk or rev your engine to scare a pedestrian, even if you have the right of way
• Never pass a vehicle stopped for pedestrians
• Always use extreme caution to avoid striking pedestrians wherever they may be, no matter who has the right of way

Sharing the Road with School Buses
If you’re driving behind a bus, allow a greater following distance than if you were driving behind a car. It will give you more time to stop once the yellow lights start flashing. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children.

• Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children
• If the yellow or red lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended, traffic must stop
• The area 10 feet around a school bus is the most dangerous for children; stop far enough back to allow them space to safely enter and exit the bus
• Be alert; children often are unpredictable, and they tend to ignore hazards and take risks

Sharing the Road with Bicyclists
On most roads, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as vehicles, but bikes can be hard to see. Children riding bikes create special problems for drivers because usually they are not able to properly determine traffic conditions. The most common cause of collision is a driver turning left in front of a bicyclist.

• When passing a bicyclist, proceed in the same direction slowly, and leave 3 feet between your car and the cyclist
• When turning left and a bicyclist is approaching in the opposite direction, wait for the rider to pass
• If you’re turning right and a bicyclists is approaching from behind on the right, let the rider go through the intersection first, and always use your turn signals
• Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children especially have a tendency to do this
• Be extra vigilant in school zones and residential neighborhoods
• Watch for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars
• Check side mirrors before opening your door

By exercising a little extra care and caution, drivers and pedestrians can co-exist safely in school zones.

Originally posted by our carrier partner Progressive Insurance Connect

Everyone can benefit when landlords ask or require their tenants to secure proper renter’s coverage. As an agent, you have a very important role to educate your clients of the benefits of securing this protection. Doing so can help you build long-term trust while providing the security that BOTH landlords and renters need! Many renters don’t understand why they need homeowners (renter’s) insurance. Some don’t even know if they have it or not. In fact, there are many reasons why renters don’t purchase renters coverage. Let’s review the myths driving the choice not to secure renters coverage, so you can help dispel some of these myths when reviewing coverage with your clients:

Myth #1: Coverage is Expensive

Renters or contents insurance is quite inexpensive. A typical Renters Policy is only about $100 per year. Many companies also offer a multi-policy discount if you bundle your Car Insurance and your Renters Insurance with the same company. This sometimes results in an annual savings on your Car Insurance of more than $100. 

Myth #2: Exposure is Already Covered

Many renters believe their personal property is covered by the landlord, when actually the apartment or building owner’s coverage is only for the building itself and the common areas for the apartment owner’s liability. 

Myth #3: Coverage is Unnecessary

Many uninsured tenants are younger adults who may not realize the high value of their clothing, furniture, computers, smart phones, valuable jewelry, and music collections.

Myth #4: Coverage is Narrow in Scope

The renter’s policy covers loss in the event of a destructive fire or another major type of loss. If a covered loss makes the apartment unit uninhabitable, the insurer would pay for the necessary hotel costs until the insured moves into another apartment.

If you are a Landlord, talk to your tenant about the importance of having a Renters Policy.

If you are a Renter and don't already have a Renters Policy, give us a call today.

Content for this article taken from original article "Reminder to Landlords and Tenants" from Lititz Mutual Insurance Company. 

Many of us enjoy traveling away from home throughout the year, whether it's for an annual vacation, an upcoming holiday, a honeymoon, or to see the family.  Our trips can take us across the country or across the globe.

Your Homeowners policy covers your home and contents while you're away, but did you know the items you take with you are covered as well?  They're covered anywhere in the world! 

If your golf clubs are stolen, your luggage is lost, or you experience a hotel theft, your Homeowners policy may cover the loss.  There is a policy deductible and limits to high value items like jewelry, cash, precious metals, and guns so be sure to reach out to our agents to find out what's covered, if you have enough coverage, and if you need to take additional action to receive coverage.

Your personal liability coverage limit also follows you around the world.  Personal liability covers claims made against you for accidental bodily injury you cause to other people or property damage you cause to other property.  If you unintentionally break a window or kitchen appliance in your rental home or accidentally hit someone with your golf ball while golfing, there is coverage on your Homeowners policy.

Whether you're traveling across town or across the Atlantic Ocean, your Homeowners insurance follows you there.  Happy traveling!

Originally published by Goodville Mutual Casualty Company