July 27, 2023
Driving comes with many responsibilities. Topping the list is safety, which is why many states, including New York State, offer incentives for drivers to remain vigilant and comply with road safety rules through defensive driving courses.
There are many private companies and organizations throughout Westchester County and surrounding areas that offer both in-person and online DMV-approved defensive driving classes. The courses run for six hours and provide information and techniques for safe and lawful driving.
Benefits of taking a defensive driving course:
Insurance Discount: Upon successful completion of the course, a defensive driving discount (in New York) will be applied to the base rate of your current liability, no-fault and collision insurance premiums that will be good for three years. After the discount expires, you can retake the defensive driving course to secure your discount for another three years.
Point reduction: In addition to your discount, the defensive driving course can reduce up to four points on your driving record. The number of points applied to your license depends on how many moving violations you have. The number also dictates how close you are to losing your license. For example, in New York, your driver’s license might get suspended if you get 11 points in an 18-month period. It’s important to note that while points may be removed from your license with a defensive driving course, these incidents/violations are still on record with your insurance company, which can result in surcharges.
Become a safer driver: Every time you hit the road, you never know what to expect – accidents, bad weather, aggressive drivers. By completing a defensive driving course, you’re better equipped to handle whatever comes your way with more confidence. These defensive driving skills will help keep you and others safe on the road.
Let Rey Insurance help pave the way for savings
The team at Rey Insurance is always working to help save you money. While there are many defensive driving courses available throughout the area, we recommend the six-hour course offered by My Improv. Be sure to use our special promo code, LAURA10, to save $10 on the cost of the course. Find out more about how Rey Insurance can handle all of your auto insurance needs. Visit us or call 914-631-7628.
July 6, 2023
Westchester County and much of the New York tri-state area are known for their suburban landscapes, where homes of every description can be found. Home ownership offers many benefits, giving you and your family a sense of stability and security. Home ownership also comes with certain responsibilities — to keep your property safe for anyone who might venture onto it.
Mail carriers, neighborhood kids, friends, vendors, passersby – any one of a number of people come on to your property for different reasons. Should an accident occur, an injury may ensue and quite possibly, a lawsuit as well. Protect yourself against this scenario by taking preventative steps to reduce the risk of accidents happening.
The first step is to know the areas that present the highest hazard, so that you can get the proper insurance coverage. These include walkways, stairwells and swimming pools. Assessing, preparing, and repairing these areas on a regular basis can help mitigate potential liability.
Tips that will help keep your property safe from accidents:
Walkways
- Keep walkways free of any clutter, spills, or objects
- Routinely check for sidewalk cracks, uneven surfaces, or leaking rain gutters that empty onto the area. Make any necessary repairs right away.
- Make sure that the walkway is well lit in every area so that all walking paths are clearly visible, even at night.
- Improve the surface of highly trafficked areas to make them slip resistant. This could mean putting down rugs, non-slip mats, or even coating the walkway with a slip-resistant coating.
- Keep your dog leashed to avoid it biting, attacking or unsteadying your visitor
- Shovel your pathways after a snowstorm
Staircases
- Have a sturdy handrail on one or both sides of the stairs, made of material that is easy to grip. Any existing or newly installed handrails should be firmly secure and not loose.
- Make the landing at the bottom and the top of the stairs slip-resistant by adding no-slip mats, carpeting (if they’re indoors) or coating with a non-slip coating.
- Be sure there is plenty of lighting to illuminate the steps.
- Remove any clutter from the steps and the landings.
- Routinely check the stairwell for spills, hazards, and anything that can facilitate tripping and falling.
Swimming Pools
- In New York State as in many states, any outdoor residential swimming pool must have a barrier or fence that will completely surround the pool and prevent unsupervised access.
- Install self-closing gates and childproof locks.
- Remove anything around your fences and gates that could easily be used to assist someone in climbing over.
- Keep your pool deck and surrounding areas clear of clutter.
- Lock up any pool chemicals to prevent accidental poisoning. Most chemicals used in pools are extremely toxic and can be deadly.
Rey Insurance:
Despite your best efforts, accidents can happen. That’s where personal liability insurance can help. Typically a component of your homeowners insurance policy, it acts as a safety net to help you avoid paying out of pocket should an accident occur on your property. The independent agents at Rey Insurance are experts homeowners insurance and will help you choose the limits for your liability coverage. Find out more by visiting reyinsurance.com or call 914-631-7628.
