Schur Insurance Blog

Car crashes are the #1 killer of our nation’s teenagers¹. Each year, nearly 5,000 teens are killed in motor vehicle crashes² and nearly 375,000 are injured³.

That’s why we are committed to help keep them safe with tools, tips from experts, and information for parents of teen drivers to start that important conversation about teen driver safety.

And talking with your teen about rules of the road may not necessarily be easy, but it is important. As a way to get started, check out our exclusive Interactive Parent-Teen Driving Contract that outlines teen driver responsibilities and defines consequences you agree on together if they’re not met.

Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Laws

What more is being done? Graduated Driver Licensing laws are designed to help young drivers transition from novices and, gradually over time gain behind-the-wheel experience and driving skills within lower-risk conditions, to gain full driving privileges. 

Research studies have shown that strong GDL laws can reduce crash rates among 16 year-old drivers by almost 40%⁴. 

Safety First

More quick tips to keep in mind. If you’re buying a car for your teen, try to find one with a high safety rating. It can help keep your auto insurance premiums down, and increase your child’s safety on the road.

Here are some suggested rules you might want to use with your teen:

• Discuss when, where, how, and with whom your teen is allowed to drive.

• Limit the number of passengers in the car. Laughter, music, and cell phones can create serious distractions which increase with every additional passenger.

• Establish and enforce a curfew.

• Insist that your driver (and all passengers) wear seat belts at all times. They may not be cool, but seatbelts save lives. 

• Consider limiting or supervising your teen’s driving privileges during accident high-risk times (such as Friday and Saturday nights and the holidays).

• Set driving-area limits. If your teen wants to travel outside your town or city, require that he or she request your special permission.

• Prohibit driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Prohibit riding as a passenger with a driver who’s unfit to drive. Encourage your teen to call for a ride home if needed

• Create a no-cell zone. Talking on the phone is a dangerous distraction on the road for drivers of any age. Worse than that is texting while driving.

Join our effort to help reduce teen deaths and other distracted driver injuries by pledging not to text and drive. Download the X the Text Pledge now.

Can it make a difference? When you text and drive…

• It takes your eyes off the road on average of five seconds at a time.

At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field completely blind.

• It’s like driving after having 4 beers. It makes us 23 times more likely to crash.

• It results in car crashes that kill an average of 11 teens each day.

• It’s results in 330,000 distracted driving injuries every year.

Want to learn more and become more involved?  We recommend creating a Parent-Teen contract - a family partnership committing to safer driving. It’s our effort to help keep your teen drivers safer on the road.

Find out more about adding a teen driver to your auto insurance policy by getting a car insurance quote today (it’s easy!). Or, you can always give us a call at 630-369-0759 to get your quote over the phone.

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Web-based Injury Statistics Query and Reporting System (WISQARS) [Online]. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (producer). Available from: URL: www.cdc.gove/ncipc/wisqars.
² IIHS teenager fact sheet, available at www.ihs.org
³ NHTSA’s General Estimates System (GES) for 2007
⁴ Centers for Disease Control and prevention 2008.

One of the best ways to make a better Turkey is with a good Brine. Brining Turkey is a process of adding moisture and flavor to meat by use of a salt-water mixture. There are many ways to make a great brine and this turkey brine recipe is amongst the best I know. So, whether you are roasting, grilling, smoking, or frying your next turkey, start out with a good brine and make it so much better.

Caution: As your insurance agent I strongly encourage you to avoid frying your turkey. Many factors easily lead to fires or serious burns unless families take the precautions. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, “As with many U.S. holidays, fire incidence increases on Thanksgiving Day. This increase is troubling as it applies mostly to cooking fires in the family home.”

“Brining results in a turkey that is flavorful and juicy,” says Michele Anna Jordan, chef, syndicated food writer and author of the cookbook Salt and Pepper. “Salt’s natural ability to draw out a food’s true flavors and juices will ensure that your bird will retain its moisture during roasting.”

Salt comes in several forms. The right salt will enhance the natural flavor of a fresh turkey and help it remain juicy. One option is regular granulated table salt, which consists of small, hard cubes that dissolve slowly. Another option is kosher salt, which has crystals that are light and fluffy, much like snowflakes. Kosher dissolves easily, and if you use a kosher salt that does not contain the iodine often found in table salt, its taste is clean and pure.

Basically, you can brine with any salt you wish.

The Simple Solution

For maximum flavor, brining a turkey should begin the evening before it is roasted. By using a large stockpot you should have enough space for brining.

The general “recipe” for brining is one cup of kosher salt to one gallon of cold water. Fill the stockpot with the cold water, add the kosher salt and stir until the salt has completely dissolved. Once dissolved, the salt and water mix will stay suspended.

Leave the turkey’s legs in the “lock” position and remove the neck and giblets from the body and neck cavities. Next, place the turkey in the pot and cover it with a lid, towel or plastic wrap and place the pot in the refrigerator (if necessary, remove a shelf to accommodate the size of pot). There is no need to stir the solution or shift the turkey unless the brine doesn’t completely cover it. If that’s the case, turn the turkey every few hours to make sure each part is submerged at some point.

Roasting

When it’s time to roast the bird, remove it from the brining pot, pat it dry with paper towels, add stuffing and place in a shallow roasting pan with the breast side up. Average roasting temperature for a turkey is 325 degrees. Cooking time will depend on the bird’s size and whether or not it’s stuffed, but ranges from 13 to 25 minutes per pound. Check the turkey’s package recommendations for proper cooking time. When the turkey is done roasting, test it with a meat thermometer to ensure it is fully cooked. The thermometer should register 185 degrees in the thighs and 170 degrees in the breast.

Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. White meat cooks faster than dark meat so, chances are, when the dark, thigh meat finally reaches it’s optimal temperature of 185 degrees, the breast meat is also at least that hot, usually resulting in dry white meat. That’s why brining, which keeps the breast meat moist, is so important.

Brining ensures the breast meat stays succulent while the dark meat cooks.

The salt pulls out the turkey’s natural juices and the added water essentially steams the turkey breast.

Added Touches

Although brining should prevent your turkey from being dry you can do one step further to guarantee a tender turkey. Soak a tea or flour-sack towel in melted butter and place it over the breast of the turkey while it roasts. Take the turkey out thirty minutes before its scheduled finish time. Tent the pan with tin foil and leave the turkey on the counter to let the juices settle.

Brining is a simple solution for a stress-free holiday turkey.

Schur Insurance
3020 Reflection Drive, #104
Naperville, IL 60564

Phone 630.369.0759
Email info@schurinsurance.com

Web
schurinsurance.com
schurinsurance.com/blog

Naperville Sun Member of Sun-Times Media

Employees at Mary Schur’s Allstate agency at 3020 Reflection Drive, Suite 104, in Naperville, collected 56 women’s business suits from local residents as part of October’s National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The suits will be given to domestic violence survivors at Family Shelter Services of Wheaton to outfit them with confidence as they enter or re-enter the workforce and gain financial security.

Through its “Pass It On, Act and Learn,” the “Tell a Gal P.A.L.” campaign creates awareness and starts an open dialogue about domestic violence and how economic empowerment can provide a path to a safe future.

Visit www.clicktoempower.org.

To view article click here.

November 13, 2009

With September designated as Life Insurance Awareness Month (LIAM), fall is the perfect time for a life insurance review. LIAM is sponsored by the LIFE Foundation, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to help Americans make smart insurance buying decisions.

First, read about the 7 Wonders of Life Insurance. Then, before you contact someone to discuss your needs, go to our Life Insurance Needs Calculator to get a general sense of how much insurance might be right for you.

Once you’ve spent a few minutes on our site, you’ll be in a better position to have an informed conversation with Bob Kribbs our Financial Representative in the office or myself. We are here to help make your life the best possible.

Bob Kribbs can be reached at: (630) 363-7888 or bkribbs@comcast.net

Schur Insurance
3020 Reflection Drive, #104
Naperville, IL 60564

Phone 630.369.0759
Email info@schurinsurance.com

Web
schurinsurance.com
schurinsurance.com/blog

Getting ready to change your clocks back from daylight saving to standard time? Since a lot of routine maintenance on your car should also be done twice a year, this is an ideal time to prep your car for the harsh winter that’s coming. A cleaning of your car will help to ensure a safe and trouble-free Fall/Winter of driving.

Inspect your windshield wiper blades:

□   Check windshield wipers blades and replace the blade if it streaks or if over 1 year old. Consider using winter blades for tough ice buildups.

Check your tire pressure:

□   Check tires for wearing, balding or alignment issues. Check tire pressure at least once a month. Improperly inflated tires can reduce gripping when you need it the most.

Lights:

□   Check to make sure all lights are in working condition. With lower visibility in the winter, you want to make sure other drivers can see you.

Gas:

□    Keep your gas tank at least half full. This helps reduce moisture problems in the fuel system.

Brake pads and shoes:

□   Replace worn pads and have your brakes professionally inspected ensures immediate response in icy or slippery situations.

Get your belts and hoses checked:

□   Over the course of the year, your car’s belts and hoses have dealt with snow, salt and sand in the winter and extreme heat in the summer. Have them checked to make sure everything is running and connecting smoothly.

Replace your engine’s air filter:

□    The air filter is an engine’s number one dirt catcher. Not replacing the air filter regularly means your car’s gas mileage may be reduced.

Battery:

□   The cold temperature increases the battery workload and can take a toll. If your car cranks slowly when you start it, have that battery checked. Replace battery if it is more than three years old. Clean corrosion off the contacts. Be sure to avoid contact with battery acid, use gloves and eye protection.

 

 

Even though I miss the long, hot, lazy days of summer I secretly look forward to Fall.

While fall is the time of year when many people tend to get the blues I kick the blues away.  Here are some of the many ways that I stay blues-free.

Count Your Blessings: Whenever I would get into a rut, my mom would always say to me that things could be worse and I should count my blessings. I’ve passed that saying on to my kids and to myself when we’re facing a difficult day. That old advice from my mom really does work and perhaps there really is something to be said about remaining grateful for what is going right rather than merely focusing on what is going wrong.

Do Something for Others: One of my favorite sayings is by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others?” Every Wednesday morning I volunteer my time with the DuPage Senior Citizen Center to deliver hot meals to seniors at their homes. It’s just a little thing but it makes a difference to me and hopefully the people I help. Wednesdays are usually my best days—I think it’s probably from doing service.

Do Something for You: Allow yourself to take personal time when you need it. Whether it be a brisk walk, a yoga class, enjoying your favorite coffee drink, or watching your favorite football team, remember: if you are not for yourself who will be for you?

Although spring cleaning is heralded by every house and garden magazine, getting your home ready for fall and winter is equally important. The cold winter months can wreak havoc on your home—preventative measures can minimize the risk for damage, conserve energy and make it easier for you to welcome the warm weather again next year. The following checklist will take you through fall home maintenance from top to bottom.

Roof:

□      Check roof and around vents, skylights and chimneys for leaks.  

         Repair as necessary.

□      Repair roof shingles.

Attic:

□       Close vents to conserve heat.

Gutters:

□      Clean gutters and drain pipes so leaves won’t clog them and be sure they drain away from the house.

Fireplace:

□       Clean fireplace of ashes.

□       Check chimney for loose or missing mortar.

□       Have chimney professionally cleaned.

□       Make sure damper closes tightly.

Filters:

□       Remember to clean or replace filters once a month, or as needed.

□       Check and clean dryer vent, air conditioner, stove hood and room fans.

□       Keep heating and cooling vents clean and free from furniture and draperies.

Safety Equipment:

□     Ensure that all smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers are in good working order.

□     Replace batteries in appropriate devices as needed, or at least twice each year.

Air Conditioner:

□       Remove window air-conditioners, or put weatherproof covers on them.

Refrigerator:

□     Make sure your refrigerator door seals are airtight. Test them by closing the door over a dollar bill. If you can pull the bill out easily, the latch may need to be adjusted or the seal may need to be replaced.

□     If you have a coil-back refrigerator, vacuum the coils at least twice each year. Your refrigerator will run more efficiently with clean coils.

 Stock up! A full refrigerator uses less energy than an empty one.

Faucets:

□       Check for leaky faucets in kitchen and bathroom(s).

□       Replace washers as necessary.

Windows and Doors:

□     Seal drafty doors and windows. If you added up all of the small cracks where heating and cooling escapes from a home, it would be the same as having a window open. Replace seals as needed.

Storm Windows and Screens:

□       Take down screens (if removable type) and replace with storm windows.

□       Check and patch all door and window screens.

Siding and Paint:

□     Look for cracks and holes in house siding or paint.

□     Replace caulk if necessary. A carpet knife can work well for cutting away old caulking from house siding. Slice down alongside it from both directions with the hook-like blade, then use the knife to lift out the old caulk bead intact.

Basement:

□       Check basement walls and floor for dampness.

□       Be sure to clean dehumidifier regularly, if you have one.

Heating System:

□       Have heating system serviced.

□       Change filters.

□       Bleed air from radiators, if they do not have automatic air valves.

Hot Water Heater:

□       Drain hot water heater.

□       Remove sediment from the bottom of the tank.

Exterior:

□       Cut brush back from around your home.

□       Remove fallen leaves from concrete and wood surfaces to prevent staining.

□       Clean and store outdoor furniture.

□       Clean and store grill (unless you use it year-round).

□       Have pool drained and professionally serviced.

□       Drain outside faucets.

□       Cover outside spigots with foam covers or wrap with newspaper.

□       Drain and store garden hoses.

Schur Designated Premier Service

Mary Schur, owner of the Allstate agency located at 3020 Reflection drive in Naperville, has been designated a Premier Service Agency for 2009. Bestowed upon only the top performing Allstate agents in Illinois, this designation is being presented to Allstate agency owner Mary Schur for her commitment to putting the customer at the center of her agency’s work.

The Premier Service Agency Designation is awarded to agents who have consistently demonstrated excellence in delivering an accessible, knowledgeable and personal customer experience.

I get lots of people that come in or call my office and their number one objective is to reduce the cost of their auto insurance.  I am able to meet that expectation most of the time.  However, what I find is, people really do not understand auto insurance coverages and limits.  We really try to explain with every customer what liability is (when you cause damage to another person or vehicle or other property) what comprehensive coverage is (your vehcile is not moving and something happens to it– tree falls on it, it is stolen or vandalized) and collision coverage (when your vehicle is damaged in an accident and vehicle was moving).

A couple of tips are in order– the amount of liability coverage you carry should protect your personal assets from being exposed to loss.  Ugh!  That is insurance talk– if you have $200,000 net worth you should have that much in auto liability protection.  If you don’t have that much but may be growing into it– get the highest amount of liability protection you can afford.

Another important thought– comprehensive coverage (something happens to your vehicle) try to have the lowest deductible you can afford.  Windshield losses are the most typical– costs about $300 to get your windshield replaced, a $500 deductible will prevent you from getting insurance to pay for it.  The difference between a $0 deductible and $500 is very little, often less than $10.  And, this is the good news you do not get “charged” for the glass loss– your premium will not go up because of a glass or windshield loss. So– go with lower comprehensive deductible, higher collision deductible and as much liability coverage as you can afford.   Mary Schur