Hodgkiss Insurance Brokers

Burglaries are prevalent in today’s society despite the anti-theft measures developed and utilized. On any given day, in the US, 5,800 burglaries are reported. The best means of prevention is to ensure that your theft-system is activated regardless of the time spent away from the home, even if it’s only ten minutes. Although the majority of burglaries are committed by people you know, it is wise to be cautious of individuals that come to your doorstep. People in uniforms are, sometimes, not who they say they are. They will try to lead you away from the home while their companions ransack the home. In these types of cases, it is not outside of reason to request their ID. Ensuring the safety of your residence, family, and self is a top priority. Be safe, cautious, and protect your home.

Apartment scams are not uncommon, and people may fall victim to such a crime. It’s easy to say, It won’t happen to me. I’m smarter than that. However, those that were scammed had said that to themselves too. It’s not until we’re in the situation of having to find an apartment, faced with possible time restrictions, that we begin to feel eager and frustrated. This eagerness and frustration causes one to become more trusting of others whether we realize it or not. In spite of... this, there are many resources that can be accessed to educate an individual of the red flags in regards to apartment scams. Such red flags include: paying before signing a lease, rent is offered below market, landlord is eager to rent, there is an evident sales pressure, and the landlord or property owner has a convenient excuse to not meet or show the apartment. Luckily, there are steps that can be taken that will prevent an incident like this from happening. Reliable, trusted third party resources can help individuals in finding and closing deals on apartments. Also, steps that anyone can take to avoid being scammed consist of basic research and finding market rates, obtaining contact information of the landlord and property owner, demanding a written lease, talking with current tenants, and refusing to pay in cash. Be safe and take all the necessary precautions when apartment hunting. See more

As Memorial Weekend draws near, and the barbequing season is just around the corner, it is paramount to take necessary precautions to prevent disasters from occurring. Though it may seem like common sense, grills should be kept away from your home and deck railings. The grill should be placed clear of eaves and overhanging branches. Also, be sure to clean the grill of any grease or fat buildup. Remember to never leave a grill unattended, and turn off the gas after each use. And, last but not least, safely enjoy the upcoming holiday with those you love!

Teen driving has become a major problem within the United States. In 2013 alone, 2,524 teen drivers and passengers were killed. This is more than 50% due to not wearing a seatbelt and speeding. Mercury insurance (http://drivesafe.mercuryinsurance.com/) has designed a challenge for teens and parents to take to prevent these accidents and deaths. If you or anyone you know with a teen driver should take this challenge as a means to protect those you love.

Maintaining your car’s fluid levels is essential to keep the car running smoothly. But how often are we supposed to check them? It’s a good question that many of us may not have the answer to. The following will show the suggested time frame in which one should check certain fluids: Oil; every 3,000 5,000 miles or 6 months, transmission fluid; every month, brake fluid; once a year or every two years, and coolant; every 30,000 miles or 2 3 years. Also, a friendly reminder that checking the tires pressure will help with saving gas!

Mark your calendars for San Marino Day on April 5th, 2016, from 4pm to 7:30pm, as the event will be held at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. There will be a variety of food and beverages, musical entertainment, displays, exhibits, and other family activities. Also, Raffle and Silent Auction. The event is entirely FREE, what’s not to love about that? Reservations are requested, and can be made online or by email to [email protected]

Telephone scams are a common occurrence. During this tax season, IRS scams, specifically, tend to increase. When called, the impersonator will state that they seek immediate payment for back taxes. There is another telephone scam that disguises itself as Edison, a company we all deal with. It too asks that you make a payment. This scam has become crafty enough to create fake telephone lines and recordings. When you call back as instructed, the recording will state, Hello. Th...ank you for calling Southern California Edison Disconnection Department. It is yet another trick that makes the call feel legitimate. Both the IRS and Edison have reported publicly that they will never call you, or do business over the phone. If you experience any calls, such as these, it has been asked that you write down the number and report it to the authorities to prevent the crime from continuing. See more

It’s late at night or early in the morning, and you get a call. On the other end it is your grandchild, and they say that they have been arrested and need money to be bailed out. They plead you not to tell mom or dad, and you assure them you won’t. You head over to the local CVS, and purchase a cash-card. You wire the money over to your grandchild. And that’s when it happens, you have been scammed. This particular one is referred to as the Grandparent Scam. It may seem as tho...ugh you couldn’t fall for something such as this. However, thanks to the internet and social media, criminals can acquire personal information about their targets, which makes the impersonations that more believable. An easy tip to avoid this from happening to you is to resist the urge to act immediately, and call that grandchild or another family member to ensure that the call is legitimate. See more

NEVER use WATER to put out a cooking oil or grease fire in your kitchen! Pan fires are the largest cause of fire-related injuries in the home (Video) - Video ...by The Slow Mo Guys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbgdRR4yj8Y Here's what to do instead: https://www.facebook.com//vb.10038189679/528390453991814/

Water damage is a frequent insurance claim. Some of the causes being washing machine hoses and water heaters. You can reduce the risk by draining water heaters (also potential combustion if not done), and changing washing machine hoses every five years. Steel-jacketed hoses are preferred over rubber hoses. Don't forget to clean drains, trims branches from the roof, and clean your gutters!

Reminder: DO NOT leave any valuables in your car. Even if items are believed to be covered, whether under the seat(s) or in the trunk, they are not safe from theft. These things can happen very quickly. Think ahead, and don't let this happen you.

Hodgkiss Insurance Brokers supports our 2016 Olympians with Liberty Mutual. Go Team USA!