Free Home Inventory Software.

With Thanksgiving now past its time to prepare for winter.

Did you know that January is National "Get Organized" month? Don't be a turkey, its time to get organized.

If one of your New Year's resolutions was to get organized why not start with a home inventory?
Now that the cork's officially been popped on holiday festivities, millions of Americans are eager to get a head start on all those well-intentioned resolutions they made. Getting organized is often one of the top five goals people aspire to at the start of a new year.
For those who are looking for a more orderly 2009, making a comprehensive home inventory is a vital first step. If you already have a home inventory, the New Year is a great reason to update - especially since many families recently received expensive new Holiday gifts. The home inventory can be a vital tool in the event disaster strikes, such as fire or theft.
Tornadoes, hail, fire and theft can impact area homeowners without any notice and with devastating consequences. An accurate and up-to-date home inventory can not only help you organize your home right now, but also help make the recovery process easier on you and your family should disaster strike.

Six Steps to a Home Inventory

•1. Whenever possible, make sure your home inventory list includes photographs or videotape of belongings. If you have a home video camera, take periodic videos of each room in your house. Focus on individual items in each room. Take additional video of smaller items like jewelry, silver, and related valuables or keepsakes. The same recommendations apply if you're using a conventional camera. Be sure to be thorough when taking pictures of your belongings.

•2. Include with any picture or video home inventory list, a detailed, written account of what you own. Be specific in your written inventory. Whenever possible include make, model, serial numbers, receipts and date of purchase for all items in your home inventory.

•3. If you don't have pictures, a written home inventory list is better than no inventory, but make sure you are as detailed as possible.

•4. Store your home inventory list somewhere away from your home. If you have a bank safety deposit box, keep your list there. If you don't have a safety deposit box, ask a friend or relative to keep your inventory list in a safe place. Lists and information in an electronic format can also be emailed to trusted friends or relatives for safekeeping. Allstate recommends, wherever you store your home inventory list, make sure the location is far enough away from your home it won't be lost in the same event that may destroy your house. However, make sure your home inventory list is kept close enough so that it is easily accessible to you when you need it.

•5. Be sure to update your home inventory after any major purchase or gift. You should be updating your home inventory periodically anyway, but make special effort to do so after any major purchase, holidays, or birthdays.

•6. If time permits, share your home inventory with your insurance agent so that he or she can help you decide if your coverage meets your needs.

I can tell you first hand that having a home inventory can save you quite a bit of work should you experience a loss. I have worked with clients who have lost everything and the process of trying to reconstruct what possessions you have accumulated over many years is very difficult? Do you know how many shoes, screwdrivers and Christmas ornaments you have?
If you aren't ready to itemize everything I also suggest walking thru your house with a video camera and tape everything. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure so why not get organized today.

So where is the free home inventory software? Here you go... If you would like to learn more please drop me a note at deanakey@allstate.com or give me a call at 877-232-9899.

Winterize Your Home & Save...

Many winter-related disasters can be prevented if you take a few simple steps to protect your home from freezing temperatures, snow and wind. With the weather still mild, autumn is the perfect time to winter-proof your home, says the Insurance Information Institute.Standard homeowners policies cover winter-related disasters such as burst pipes, ice dams, and wind damage caused by weight of ice or snow, as well as fire-related losses. Coverage for flooding is available from the National Flood Insurance Program, but can be purchased through your insurance agent or of course, me. Winter-related damage to cars is generally covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy.You may be surprised to know that over 10 percent of all catastrophic losses are the result of winter storms and the average homeowners claim for water damage and freezing is $3,098.To prepare for winter, I have put several tips together for you.

Outside your home
Clean out gutters. Remove leaves, sticks and other debris from gutters, so melting snow and ice can flow freely. This can prevent ice damming - a condition where water is unable to drain through the gutters and instead seeps into the house causing water to drip from the ceiling and walls.

Install gutter guards. Available in most hardware and home stores, "gutter guards" prevent debris from entering the gutter and interfering with the flow of water away from the house and into the ground.

Trim trees and remove dead branches. Ice, snow and wind could cause weak trees or branches to break - damaging your home or car, as well as injuring someone walking on your property.
Repair steps and handrails. This may prevent someone from falling and seriously being injured. Broken stairs and banisters can become lethal when covered with snow and ice.
Seal cracks in holes in outside walls and foundations. Use caulking to protect water pipes and make sure that skylights and other roof openings have proper weather stripping to prevent snowmelt from seeping in.

Inside your home
Keep the house warm. Set the thermostat for at least 65 degrees, since the temperature inside the walls, where the pipes are located, is substantially colder - a lower temperature will not keep the pipes from freezing.

Add extra insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. If too much heat escapes through the attic, it can cause snow or ice to melt on the roof. Water can then re-freeze, causing more snow and ice to build up. This can result in a collapsed roof, and can contribute to ice damming. Ideally, the attic should be five to ten degrees warmer than the outside air. Well-insulated basements and crawl spaces will also help protect pipes from freezing. You may also consider insulating unfinished rooms such as garages to keep pipes from freezing.
Have the heating system serviced. Furnaces, boilers and chimneys should be serviced at least once a year to prevent fire and smoke damage.

Check pipes. Look closely for cracks and leaks and have the pipes repaired immediately. Wrap exposed pipes with heating tape.
Install an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing system. This will protect them against increased pressures caused by freezing pipes and can help prevent your pipes from bursting.

Make sure that smoke and fire alarms are working properly. Residential fires increase in the winter, so it is important to protect your family with working alarm systems. Also, consider installing a carbon dioxide detector, since a well sealed home can trap this toxic gas.
Learn how to shut the water off and know where your pipes are located. If your pipes freeze, time is of the essence. The quicker you can shut off the water or direct your plumber to the problem, the better chance you have to prevent pipes from bursting.
Hire a licensed contractor to look for structural damage. If damage is discovered, have it repaired now rather than waiting for a problem to occur. Also, ask about ways to prevent water damage due to snow-related flooding. Plastic coatings for internal basement walls, sump pumps and other methods can prevent flood damage to your home and belongings.

If you are going to be away for an extended period, take special care. Turn the water off and/or have the water system drained by a professional to keep pipes from freezing or bursting. Also, hire someone to check your home on a regular basis. If there is a problem, it can be fixed quickly - lessening any damage. Activity at your home will also reduce the likelihood that it will be burglarized.

As an insurance guy, I see these types of claims every day. If you take a little extra precaution you can prevent many of these winter related issues. Wouldn't you rather be making snowmen this winter?
That's all I have to say about that.
Bull

Winter Driving Tips

With snow and colder temperatures on the way, I thought you may enjoy the following safety tips for driving in extreme winter weather conditions.
1. Reduce your speed
Snow and ice greatly increase the stopping distance for all vehicles. Even four-wheel drive vehicles need to adjust to hazardous road conditions. Not knowing when you are about to encounter black ice, the best driving advice to those that must be on the road is, slow down.
2. Maintain your car and check that the:
Tires don't show excessive signs of wear
Battery is fully charged
Wipers are working and windshield fluid is full
Cooling system is in good working condition
3. Prepare for the unexpected and carry:
A flashlight
Jumper cables
Blankets
First-aid kit
A shovel
A cellular telephone
Additionally, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that the following steps be taken when a vehicle stalls:
Stay with the car
Put a bright marker on the antenna or in the windows
Clear the exhaust pipe, if you can run your car
Run your car just long enough to remove the chill
That's all I have to say about that. Drive safe.
Bull

A Few Things You Should Know About Social Security

A Few Things You Should Know About Social Security
Here is a list of a few things you should know about Social Security. I get questions quite often regarding Social Security and thought you may find the following helpful.
1. Your payments will be bigger if you wait until your full retirement age.
You can start taking Social Security payments as soon as you turn 62, but your benefits will be reduced 20 to 30%. That's a big chunk, especially if you expect to spend many years in retirement. You might consider working a bit longer or relying on your retirement savings to help cover your living expenses until you can receive full benefits.

What's Your "Full Retirement Age?"
If you were born in...
It's...
1937 or earlier
65
1938
65 + 2 months
1939
65 + 4 months
1940
65 + 6 months
1941
65 + 8 months
1942
65 + 10 months
1943-1954
66
1955
66 + 2 months
1956
66 + 4 months
1957
66 + 6 months
1958
66 + 8 months
1959
66 + 10 months
1960 or later
67



2. You can work while getting Social Security.
As long as you're 62, you have the option to take Social Security. If you earn more than $13,560 a year between age 62 and your full retirement age, your benefit payments will be temporarily lowered, based on how much you earn. Say you earn $10,000 over the limit. Your benefits would be reduced by $5,000. If you make $20,000 over the limit, they would be reduced by $10,000. (The limit gets updated each year.) The good news is that you don't actually lose out on those benefits. Instead, your payment amount is recalculated so that you receive more money later on. It's another way working in retirement can help stretch out your income over time.

3. Your payments won't start automatically.
The two rules above mean it makes the most sense for you to tell the Social Security Administration when you're ready to start receiving monthly benefits. You can do that over the phone (1-800-772-1213), in person, or through the Social Security online application.

4. Your benefits could be taxed.
Only a third of Social Security beneficiaries end up paying taxes on their benefits. It all depends on the earnings listed on your income tax return. If you file with more than $25,000 as an individual (or $32,000 jointly), you'll have to pay federal income taxes on your benefits. The rules for state income taxes vary from state to state.

5. Your payments can help your family, too.
Let's say your monthly benefits turn out to be three times as much as your spouse's. (It's a common scenario, especially in families where one spouse paused their career to stay home with the kids.) If she waits until her full retirement age to start getting benefits, her payments will be raised so they equal half of yours.After you die, your spouse will get either your monthly benefit check or hers-whichever is more. And if you have disabled children, kids under age 19, or elderly parents who depend on you for at least half their income, they could receive "survivor benefits."
If you need any help understand Social Security and how to prepare for your retirement please give me a call at 630-232-9811 or drop me a note at deanakey@allstate.com

The Bull Pen: But She Doesn't Work.

The Bull Pen: But She Doesn't Work.

Rescue Rider?

Often I am asked questions about the Rescue Rider program. I have put the following information together to help folks better understand what our program is all about. Let’s face the facts. Motorcycle accidents and fatalities are a major concern. "Our nation’s greatest traffic highway safety challenge is motorcycle fatalities," says U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, noting that biking deaths are rising while other vehicle fatalities are declining” According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2007, 5,154 people died in motorcycle crashes, the highest level since NHTSA began collecting data in 1975. The 2007 figure represents a 6.6 percent from 4,837 the previous year.
Motorcycle crash fatalities have increased every year for the past 10 years. Motorcyclists were 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled in 2006 and eight times more likely to be injured, according to NHTSA.

We created the Rescue Rider program to recruit, educate and organize bikers in support of each other, our communities and our nation. We do this by helping provide bikers with the tools & training needed to provide emergency assistance in times of need.
The Golden Hour: In the world of emergency care, the “Golden Hour” is defined as the time period of about one hour in which the lives of a majority of critically injured trauma patients can be saved if definitive trauma care intervention is provided. This principle of rapid intervention can also be applied to non-trauma patients such as those having a heart attack or a stroke, in which time to treatment dramatically affects a patient’s outcome.

Training: Rescue Riders must have training to be able to provide assistance. We recommend that our volunteers complete Accident Scene Management (Basic & Advanced) and CPR certification where available. In those areas where ASMI training is unavailable we recommend Red Cross or American Heart Association First Aid training.

Tools: We recommend that Rescue Riders find a permanent place on their motorcycles to carry a “first responder” kit and tools to help secure an accident scene. Unfortunately many qualified volunteers are unable to provide emergency care without the appropriate tools. Rescue Riders should carry a first aid kit that contains materials that coincide with your training and comfort level. We have created a “first responder” kit for you to use or if you prefer you can purchase a kit from the vendor of your choice.

Cost: There is no cost to join or participate in the Rescue Rider program.
Good Samaritan Status: In today’s litigious society, there can be a reluctance to help our in emergency situations. Fear of liability for any misstep can paralyze even the most helpful Good Samaritan. The truth is that each state has laws or regulations to protect the general public from liability during rescues or rescue attempts.

Good Samaritan laws are meant to protect those who come to the aid of others for no other reason than kindness. Good Samaritan laws only help if the rescuer (or would-be rescuer) is acting without any expectation of reward. In other words, if you are getting paid to rescue then you aren’t a Good Samaritan. Paid rescuers are expected to do their jobs correctly and can be held accountable for mistakes. The best way to protect yourself from possible liability when helping others is to always act on behalf of the victim. The statutes in Illinois and most states in the Nation allow you to provide emergency medical assistance within your training and comfort level and be protected from prosecution.

Duties & Expectations: As a Rescue Rider, you are acting as a Good Samaritan. Your participation is defined by you. Many Rescue Riders complete training and ride as they always have. If you would like to be a more active Rescue Rider volunteer we support many area events and rides at the request of the event/ride organizers. Our leaders broadcast Rescue Rider support missions at the Rescue Rider group on the http://www.illinoisblogspot.com/ site. For those of you who desire to be actively involved in the Rescue Rider program we invite you to join us as a Regional Coordinator. Regional Coordinators reach out to area events, rides and organizations to offer Rescue Rider support. Once an event is identified as a good fit with our organization, Regional Coordinators post the Rescue Rider support missions and coordinate the efforts of our volunteers.

I hope this helps you better understand our program and what we do. Now that the weather is turning colder, the Rescue Rider training programs really heat up. Many of you prefer to spend warm sunny days riding so the majority of our training programs are held October thru March. If you would like to learn how to provide emergency medical assistance as a Rescue Rider, I invite you to enroll for one of our upcoming Rescue Rider sponsored Accident Scene Management classes. For a limited time you will be able to enroll in our classes at a reduced rate courtesy of the law firm of Hupy & Abraham and the Allstate Foundation. Tuition for both Basic and Advanced courses typically cost $55 each. As a result of the generosity of our sponsors your cost to train is reduced to only $30 until we exhaust our grant funds.
For an updated listing of classes please e mail Teresa McClelland at tjm911rn@aol.com. Teresa is our National Director of Training and she will be happy to assist you. Until next month, enjoy the ride.

Welcome back to the Bull Pen. Are you a channel surfer? Do you ever feel that even with 300 channels there is nothing “good” on television? Steven Wright once said “Don't you wish there were a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence? There's one marked 'Brightness,' but it doesn't work”. Recently I was on one of my channel surfing safari’s and found a show about people who have won the lottery. You would think this is a “rags to riches” story. To my surprise it was more of a “rags to riches to rags” saga. The show profiled people like William "Bud" Post who won $16.2 million in the Pennsylvania lottery in 1988 but now lives on his Social Security. After winning the lottery, Post’s former girlfriend successfully sued him for a share of his winnings. It wasn't his only lawsuit. A brother was arrested for hiring a hit man to kill him, hoping to inherit a share of the winnings. Post even spent time in jail for shooting a gun over the head of a bill collector. Post eventually filed for bankruptcy & now he lives quietly on $450 a month and food stamps.

To many, winning the lottery is an American Dream. The American Dream to me is to own a 65 panhead and a 47 Indian Chief. To me, the Panhead was the last truly classic “old school” bike that was manufactured by Harley Davidson. My two shovelheads were crap but that’s probably more due to the AMF/Harley years. The lines of the 47 Indian Chief are the pinnacle of classic styling and flair that you would expect from Americas first Motorcycle Company. As you can probably tell, I am a big fan of both Harley & Indian. I want one of each….

In case you didn’t know, Indian designed their first bikes in 1901 two years before the start of the Harley Davidson legacy. Indian was not only the first American motorcycle, it was the world's best-selling bike and, having introduced the first V-twin motorcycle to the world in 1907, the most technologically advanced. Harley-Davidson 1910 models, by contrast, were all singles, producing five horsepower or less.

Indian Motorcycles were originally manufactured under the corporate banner of the Hendee Manufacturing Company, which later reincorporated as the Indian Motorcycle Company. Not a bad move is you ask me. Riding an Indian just sounds cooler than riding a Hendee…
Much like Harley Davidson, Indians and their riders were bound by emotional ties unusual in relationships between bikers and their machines. Thousands of Indian fans flocked to dealerships throughout the country at annual Indian Day celebrations, while riders and prospective riders were warmly welcomed at the Indian’s manufacturing plant affectionately nicknamed “The Wigwam” decades before official tours were offered to the public.
It was a sad day for Indian enthusiasts when Indian ceased manufacturing “Americas First Motorcycle” in the early 1950s. A company in Gilroy, California began manufacture in the late 1990s of motorcycles under the Indian name after they purchased the trademark. The motorcycles have been known as the Gilroy Indians. However, the company folded in 2003.

So is there a happy ending? I hope so. In July 2006, under new a management team and corporate structure Indian reopened their doors for business. I may not be able to find a “cherry” 1947 Indian Chief but starting in 2008 new Indians began to roll off the line at the new “Wigwam” manufacturing facility in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. I recently had the opportunity to check out some of the new 2010 Indian models and all I can say is these are flippin bad ass… Check out the classic lines of the Bomber. I want one of these in my garage. These scooters aren’t cheap so I better sell a buttload more motorcycle insurance to make my dream a reality. Get the hint??

Initially, Indian motorcycles will have a limited production run until their dealership network expands. On that front, my old friend Bob Marchello and his partner Matthew DiVenere are reintroducing Indian Motorcycles to the greater Chicago area by opening Indian Motorcycles of Chicago. You can check out the new 2010 models at their new dealership located at 474 Ridington Drive, in South Elgin IL. Good luck Indian Motorcycles, it’s great to see the return of a classic.

Switching Gears

The history lesson is over. Now it’s time to help make history. Many of you know about the Rescue Riders. In five short years we have grown to over 2000 volunteers nationally. That’s quite an accomplishment for an all volunteer organization. Our volunteers have provided emergency assistance to quite a few fellow bikers from coast to coast. To celebrate and raise some much needed dough, we are throwing one heck of a party and you are invited. The proceeds from this year’s event will also benefit the children from Mooseheart’s Child City School. We will be hosting FrightoberFest on October 17th and have one great day planned for you. Festivities start with a poker run followed by a music festival with an amazing lineup of bands. The Miller Girls & Jager Girls will be on hand to help quench your thirst and to top it off there will be a costume contest. I am torn between showing up as an Amish person or sticking with my French maid costume. If you have an idea for future editorials or you would like to reach me please call me at 630-232-9811 or drop me a line at deanakey@allstate.com. Until next month, enjoy the ride.

Welcome back to the Bull Pen. Can you feel it in the air? That’s right, it’s Sturgis time. While writing this month’s article I am counting down the days until we once again blast off for Sturgis. Oliver Wendell Holmes once said “We do not quit playing because we grow old, we grow old because we quit playing”. I couldn’t agree more Ollie.
Past memories of twisting the throttle as we race thru the needles highway, Spearfish Cannon and the badlands put a smile on my face. There is just something magical about the black hills of South Dakota. Most bikers consider Sturgis the center of the world. We may be a bit biased but next to Sturgis is Belle Fourche which is actually the geographical center of the United States of America, designated in 1959 and noted by an official marker and sheepherder's monument called a "Stone Johnnie". I once knew a guy whose nickname was Johnny Stone but that’s a whole different direction that I want to go this month…
Weekend riding seems to help take the edge off from the past week but there really is no substitute for a long road trip to free the spirit. I slip in my ear plugs, fire up my scooter and can feel the effect that each mile has on my road to recovery. By the time I return from my Sturgis pilgrimage, I am full of energy, optimism and a fully recharged spirit. Are you with me?

Now let’s switch gears

Brother can you spare a dime? This was a commonplace saying in the great depression. Today we have many of the same conditions which brought our great nation to its knees in the 1930's. During this period President's Hoover & Roosevelt developed government programs like the "New Deal" to help return America to its economic health.
While our current economic stimulus and bailouts are taking a vastly different approach there are some elements which may benefit you. You may be surprised to know that motorcycles are considered qualified vehicles in Section 1008 of the Economic Stimulus Package. The intent of including motorcycles as qualified vehicles was to encourage Americans to "go green". It's no surprise that motorcycles are more fuel efficient than autos so the move does make sense.
The new law guarantees that anyone who purchases a new motorcycle, light truck, new car or recreational vehicle, Feb. 17 through Jan. 1, 2010, will deduct state and local sales taxes as well as any excise tax charged in the purchase. In order for citizens to obtain the tax deduction, the bike must be less than 8,500 pounds in gross vehicle weight and cost less than $49,500. The buyer must also make less than $125,000 in gross taxable income and $250,000 for joint filers. However, the deduction is phased out for taxpayers with modified adjusted gross income between $125,00 and $135,00, and $250,00 and $260,00 in case of a joint return.
If motorcycles aren't your thing, this provision also applies to qualified cars and trucks. Heck, even folks buying motor homes get a break. Even though motor home sales have slumped, a tax provision for motor homes is included, which allows a portion of the sales or excise tax paid on the purchase of a new motor home to be deducted.

The deduction is attributable to taxes applying to the first $49,500 of the purchase price. Individuals with an adjusted gross income of up to $125,000 and joint filers with an adjusted gross income of up to $250,000 are eligible for the deduction.
So what does this mean to you? Let's assume you just bought a new Road King for $20,000. If you were not trading a vehicle you would pay sales tax on the total. If you are trading a vehicle you only pay sales tax on the "difference". So using our example, you just shelled out $20,000 and fork out an additional $1500 for sales tax (7.5%). Our friends in Chicago would pay $2000 thanks to the efficiency of Cook County. So now that you have shelled out this money what's next?

Thanks to the new Economic Stimulus Package you can deduct the amount you paid in sales tax on a new qualified vehicle from your gross income. Let's do the math to see how this impacts you. For our example let's say you made $100,000 in 2009 and your tax rate is 32%. By reducing your income by $1500 you just pocketed $480. It's not a whopping sum but as my grandpa would say, "it's better than a stick in the eye".
Times are tough for everyone so a few extra bucks is always good news in my book. I recently bought a new 2009 Street Glide and I damn sure will be deducting my sales tax..... Heck, now I can buy some more bling for my scooter.

So there is the good news. You are now one step closer to getting that new scooter. Now to make sure that you get the best deal and coverage on your motorcycle insurance you need to call me. I can customize a plan for you that protects you, your family and your new scooter. If I can help you please call me at 630-232-9811 or drop me a line at deanakey@allstate.com. Until my next edition, ride safe and often. Until next month, enjoy the ride.

Motorcycle Insurance FAQ

Welcome back to the Bull Pen. Can you believe the summer is already half over? How time flies. This year’s riding season has been brutal to our biker brothers & sisters. We have seen more accidents and fatalities this year than we have as long as the pointy heads have been keeping track. For that reason I wanted to share with you some information that I hope you never need.
At the risk of sounding self serving I am going to write about your motorcycle insurance. Your motorcycle insurance is like a parachute. You don’t really appreciate it until you need it. I hope you read on and understand how your policy can protect you, your family and your property.
Are you ready? Well then, let’s get started. As consumers, we have been conditioned to compare insurance based upon price. If you have seen the Progressive Insurance television commercials Flo tells us all how you can save money. Let me say that even though I think Flo is a “hottie” I want you to focus on your individual needs first and then look at the price. Let me break down some of the key components in your policy.

Bodily Injury/Liability: This is the portion of your policy that protects your liability when you cause harm to another individual. If you are in an accident and it’s your fault, you are protected up to the limits of your policy. Quite often I talk to bikers who have $20,000/$40,000 of liability protection. This means if you harm another person, your policy will pay up to $20,000 per person and $40,000 per accident on your behalf to the injured person or persons. A few years back I was hit head on by a minivan which left 60 staples in my head, broke my collar bone and all of the ribs on my right side. My medical bill was $14,000 and I did not stay in the hospital overnight. I share this with you to demonstrate how quickly your liability can add up.
Uninsured/Underinsured Liability: Many folks ask me what this is. In a nutshell, this is coverage for you. Unfortunately Illinois only requires motorists to carry a minimum of $20,000 of liability coverage. Some states do not require motorists to carry any liability insurance. If someone injures you and they do not have insurance or sufficient insurance coverage to pay for your damages, your Uninsured/Underinsured coverage can pick up the slack. This is one of the most important elements of your policy and very often overlooked.

Property Damage: This is the protection you have if you damage other folk’s property. Most of you carry $50,000 of property damage on your policies. What this means is that if you cause an accident and a BMW hits a Corvette, all you have to repair or replace their vehicles is $50,000. Don’t get caught in this trap. All motorcyclists need at least $100,000 of property damage. The good news here is that it typically costs less than $20 years to upgrade from $50,000 to $100,000 so don’t delay. I often hear the objection, how much damage can my bike cause to another vehicle. You don’t even need to make contact with another vehicle to be at fault. If you are ticketed and two vehicles collide you are responsible to repair or replace their vehicles. I have personally seen $100,000 property damage claims where the bike was not damaged but the operator was found to be at fault. Don’t let this happen to you.

Guest Liability: Do you ever take passengers for rides? If you do you should have Guest Liability Coverage. These levels are typically consistent with your Bodily Injury and Underinsured/Uninsured coverage. This component of your policy covers your liability when carrying a passenger. In other words, if you are in an accident and your passenger is injured, you could be sued for damages. If your policy provides this coverage you are protected up to the limits of your policy. Now for the scary part. Many motorcycle policies do not provide this coverage. If you don’t have this on your policy, ride solo.
Collision: This is the component of your policy that pays to replace or repair your scooter. You choose the deductible that fits your budget and your motorcycle will be repaired or replaced up to the market value of your bike. Now if you are like me you have probably added some bling to your scooter along the way. What happens if your bike is wrecked? Read on.

Optional Equipment: If you are riding a stock bike skip to the next section. If you have upgraded your bike you need optional equipment coverage. Most insurance agents mess this part up. Here is how optional equipment coverage works. Let’s say that you added a Mustang seat ($650) Bassani Exhaust ($850) and Custom Wheels ($2000) and a Baker six speed transmissions ($2500). Your agent may tell you that you need $6000 of optional equipment coverage. Sorry to tell you this but if you took that advice you are paying too much. In calculating the correct dollar amount of Optional Equipment coverage you need we need to determine the difference between your upgrades and the original stock components. Let’s assume your bike is damaged in an accident. You already have coverage to repair/replace your stock components less your deductible. If your policy will already pay for a stock exhaust ($350) and stock wheels ($1000) and stock transmission ($1450) all you need to do is cover the difference which in this case would be $3200. Many policies already include some coverage for Optional Equipment so if your policy covers $1000 of optional equipment already, add the $2200 and you are covered. If you have custom paint or engine upgrades you typically want to cover those at the full value of the upgrades.

Comprehensive: This component of your policy typically covers you for incidents that occur when you are not riding your scooter. There are a few exceptions to this but that’s another topic in itself. If your scooter is vandalized, damaged by hail etc your comprehensive will pay to repair or replace your vehicle less your deductible.
Rider Protection: This is an Allstate exclusive. A few years ago the pointy heads at Allstate asked me to help them design a new motorcycle policy. My reaction was why are we offering what everybody offers? Let’s reinvent motorcycle insurance. We did. Most motorcycle insurance companies offer much of the same “stuff”. Up to now, none of the motorcycle insurance companies offered protection for the rider. Our new Rider Protection package will pay you if you are injured and cannot work as the result of an accident. The payments will continue as long as you are unable to return to work. In addition, we can also include $15,000 of life insurance if the worst happens. As bikers, we all like to think that we will never be in an accident or worse but having been in several myself, I can tell you this does happen more than we would like to think.
So what do I recommend you should carry in terms of coverage? It really depends on your needs. Are you married? Do you have children? A mortgage? Your policy should fit your needs. Don’t hope you are covered, know so. My name is Dean Akey and I sell motorcycle insurance. I enjoy working with fellow bikers helping you protect what matters most. If I can help you with your insurance please drop me a note at deanakey@allstate.com or give me a call at 877-232-9899. I would love to hear from you. Until next month, enjoy the ride.

Over the weekend I received the letter below. Casey shared with me that his wife Michelle is still in the hospital but should recover. I want to thank Casey for writing this letter and sharing with us all the importance of being prepared. Casey hopes as do I that his letter will help all of us recognize the need for our program and how we collectively need to support each other. We are all quite thankful that Michelle was given a second chance. Will you or someone you love be as fortunate? Please join the Rescue Riders and Ride for a Reason. You can learn more about our program at http://www.rescueriders.org/.

Dean,
I contacted you about a year ago on the Rescue Riders. As I was just coming into a sitting board seat for the local POW*MIA organization I decided that I didn't have enough time. God I wish I would've kept going.
My wife was in a terrible motorcycle accident while we were riding with a few of our friends the day before Mother's Day. She is still in the hospital after surgery on her spine and a closed head injury. Her passenger almost lost her foot. I felt so helpless sitting there protecting her spine while we waited for the ambulances to arrive. (40 minutes in the middle of Wyoming) I didn't have anything better than a Band-Aid and sun block to help.
I have just purchased your Trauma PAC and some other supplies. I will never again be without supplies or training to take care of someone in need. I have my CPR card and am signed up for EMT training. I've been involved in Radiology for over 20 years, but need to bone up on emergency medicine.
Thank you for starting this program. As someone that could've benefited from having the proper equipment and help onsite I think it is a wonderful idea. I ride with several healthcare workers and I'm going to try to get them all interested.

Casey Jackman RT(R)(MR) Casey & Michelle Jackman
Director of Radiology
Mountain View Hospital
2325 Coronado Street
Idaho Falls, ID 83404

God Speed Anita

In a split second it was over… How could this happen? Anita Zaffke was enjoying some quality two wheel time in Lake Zurich IL Saturday afternoon, May 2nd and noticed the light was turning red. Zaffke stopped and waited for the light to change so she could resume her ride. The light never did turn Green for Zaffke.
Zaffke was struck by Lora Hunt, 48 who admittedly was painting her nails at the time she hit Zaffke with her Chevy Impala. According to Lake County Sherriff Mark Curran, Hunt conceded that she was not paying attention and did not see the motorcycle stopped in front of her.
Zaffke was wearing a helmet and reflective vest when struck. The impact was so violent that it threw Zaffke and her Honda Shadow about 200 feet up the road. Think about it, 200 feet is the height of a 20 story building. Zaffke died about an hour later at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington IL. In just a split second Hunt took away everything that Zaffke was and could be. For Anita Zaffke, life was over.

The Lake County State’s Attorney is investigating the accident and will decide if criminal prosecution is warranted. Unfortunately, under existing statutes, proving felony vehicular homicide may be a difficult case to prosecute based upon the existing definition. State Rep. William Black (R-Danville) sponsored the "negligent vehicular homicide" bill which would carry a penalty of up to 3 years in prison. Black introduced the bill this year after a bicyclist in his district was killed by a motorist downloading ringtones to a cell phone. Under the proposed law, distracted drivers who cause deaths would face a prison sentence as well as a $25,000 fine and revocation of their driver's license for at least one year upon conviction.
This tragedy has renewed the debate in Illinois whether a momentary distraction amounts to criminal behavior, comparable to drunken driving.

Let’s face the facts. Motorcycle accidents and fatalities are a major concern. "Our nation’s greatest traffic highway safety challenge is motorcycle fatalities," says U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters, noting that biking deaths are rising while other vehicle fatalities are declining”. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2007, 5,154 people died in motorcycle crashes, the highest level since NHTSA began collecting data in 1975. The 2007 figure represents a 6.6 percent from 4,837 the previous year. Motorcycle crash fatalities have increased every year for the past 10 years. Motorcyclists were 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled in 2006 and eight times more likely to be injured, according to NHTSA.
Zaffke’s accident is a fairly rare occurrence. According to the NHTSA, Only 5 percent of motorcycle fatalities were struck in the rear. 78 percent of the motorcycles fatalities involve two vehicles were struck the impact is in the front. So what can my 7.1 million biker brothers and sisters do to help address this epidemic? As bikers we need to be seen and heard. I hope you join me in supporting legislation like the negligent vehicular homicide bill that would allow us to effectively prosecute those who do us harm.

I would also ask you to join me in developing your skills to provide emergency medical assistance to the victims of accidents. What we do immediately after an accident until professional emergency response personnel arrive can and does save lives. I invite you to visit the Rescue Riders http://www.rescueriders.org/ and ask yourself if you are ready to “Ride for a Reason”.
If you are, I am happy to share with you that the Rescue Rider program once again has received grant support from the Allstate Foundation and the law firm of Hupy & Abraham. This support will help train another 500 Rescue Riders this year. Please visit the Illinois Blog Spot http://www.illinoisblogspot.com/ for details on how our new grants can help pay for your training.

Well, that’s it for this month. When I am not sharing my wisdom with you via my Thunder Roads editorials or running the Rescue Rider program, I run an insurance agency West of Chicago. For the past two years I have been working with the Allstate “pointy heads” to reinvent motorcycle insurance. I am happy to share with you that starting June 11th, Allstate will roll out our newly designed motorcycle insurance policies. As a lifelong biker myself, I wanted to create a policy that not only protects your possessions and liability but also you. Our new policy is the first ever to pay you should you have an accident which keeps you from working for as long as you are disabled. That’s right, protection for the rider… It’s a first so if you want the best policy in the industry there really is only one choice… Allstate.. I enjoy working with fellow bikers helping you protect what matters most. If I can help you with your insurance please drop me a note at deanakey@allstate.com or give me a call at 877-232-9899. I would love to hear from you. Until next month, enjoy the ride.

Passing The Torch

Welcome back to the Bull Pen. If you don't remember me, my name is Dean Akey and I will be your guide for another fun filled edition. Are you ready? OK then, let’s get started…
It has been said that four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul. Riding always has been a spiritual journey for me. My journey started twenty five years ago with Laverne. Laverne was my 1979 Harley Sportster. Since Laverne, I have had quite a few more spiritual relationships. Betty, my 2001 Road King has been the longest and quite honestly the most spiritual of all of the relationships I have had over the years.

Betty has served me well over the years taking me across country more times than I can remember. She was with me when I was hit head on by a minivan on a crisp Sunday morning. I was in Plainfield and was hit on a single lane metal grate bridge. The accident left me with a broken collar bone, ten broken ribs and a head that looks like something out of a horror movie. The insurance folks wanted to throw in the towel on Betty but I would not hear of it. I was lucky to be alive and Betty took the lion’s share of the damage to protect me. I figured if I am still here that Betty should be as well. Betty and I began to heal together and we both returned to the road once again. Of course she looked much better than I did. Every time I threw my leg over Betty, I would stroke her tank and ask her to once again help me complete my journey. Over time I would give Betty presents like the thirteen guardian bells that adorned her handle bars. Those were Betty’s earrings. The color matched Iron Braids that were on her clutch and break levers were her long flowing hair. Over time Betty started to show signs of getting “tired”. I didn’t really notice much as I always saw Betty as something more than a motorcycle. She was as beautiful to me as any motorcycle ever made. I was and still am in love with my girl.
We had a connection that I am sure many of you have with your trusty scooters. I could tell by the sounds or feel if there was anything wrong with my girl. I believe the key to any lasting relationship is being dialed into the needs of your partner.

You may be surprised to know but in addition to being Editor of Thunder Roads, I am also an Ordained Minister. I don’t hold a position in a church but do have quite a strong relationship with my God. My God and my soul mate Eileen, who is my bride of nineteen years, helped me realize that it was time to make the change. The wonderful folks at Zylstra who originally introduced me to Betty in 2000 and had built her over the years to my specifications understood my attachment and actually did an amazing job helping me. Tiny, Zylstra’s GM was more of a grief counselor for me than I could have hoped for. I took delivery of my fourteenth motorcycle and decided to name her “Black Betty”. If you are wondering why I chose the name Betty let me explain. Betty was named after the 1940’s pinup legend Betty Page. To me Betty Page was beautiful before you could buy beautiful and she didn’t know it.

My wish is that Betty’s next relationship is as wonderful as ours has been and I wish her well. Betty and I had in common our restlessness and love of the open road. Now my attention is focused on building my new relationship with my new 2009 Street Glide “Black Betty”.
Black Betty & Betty Betty & Black Betty You may notice from the pictures of Betty & Black Betty that I have dedicated my new scooter to the Rescue Riders. Thanks to the generosity from the law firm of Hupy & Abraham and Allstate Insurance Company, we have trained over 500 volunteer Rescue Riders in Illinois & Wisconsin. These fellow bikers have the training and tools to help victims of accidents. In 2009 we will be training more Rescue Rider volunteers so stay tuned. If you would like to learn more about the Rescue Riders please visit our website http://www.rescueriders.org/.

Well, that’s it for this month. When I am not sharing my wisdom with you via my Thunder Roads editorials or running the Rescue Rider program, I run an insurance agency West of Chicago. I enjoy working with fellow bikers helping you protect what matters most. If I can help you with your insurance please drop me a note at deanakey@allstate.com or give me a call at 877-232-9899. I would love to hear from you. Until next month, enjoy the ride.

America Needs Heroes, Not Zero's

Welcome back to the Bull Pen. If you don't remember me, my name is Dean Akey and I will be your guide for another fun filled edition. Are you ready? OK then, let’s get started…
It seems to me that the tail has been wagging the dog for far too long. Let’s face it; a majority of our elected officials have simply lost touch with us, their constituents. Our elected officials need to remember that they were “appointed” and not “anointed”. In the past few months we have seen more zero’s than in any time in history. Those zeros came from us and went for pork laden stimulus packages, an omnibus spending bill with close to 9000 earmarks which totaled over $5 billion dollars and the list goes on….

Enough is Enough… America Needs Heroes, Not Zero’s…
I want to introduce you to Dave Zein. Dave served as a Wisconsin State Senator from 1986 – 2006 and has been a “man of the people” both in and out of office. Dave earned a Purple Heart while serving our country in Vietnam as a Marine.
Impressed yet? Read on. Dave holds 109 long distance riding records. As a legislator from 1986 to December 1, 2006 Dave logged 1,327,500 total miles on two wheels. Now you may be thinking, did this guy ever work? You bet he did and I wish other elected officials worked as tirelessly as Dave does.

In addition to being a riding machine, Dave initiated the first major veteran's monument that recognizes motorcyclists...Wisconsin Veterans Tribute, Cadot, Wisconsin.
Dave also helped coordinate the largest object left at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. (a handmade custom Harley, 1998) and was inducted into the National Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museums at Anamosa, Iowa, Pickerington, Ohio and Sturgis, South Dakota. When not riding, Dave has run 11 marathons (26.2 miles each) carrying a 3X5 USA flag on a pole to honor fallen veterans and as a reminder of POW/MIA's.
Dave’s accomplishments are legendary but here is one that will blow your mind. While Dave has logged over 2 million miles in the saddle close to half of them were on his 1991 Harley FXRP. On April 4th, Dave will hit 1 million miles on his trusty scooter. That’s 1 million miles on one motorcycle. This will be a world record.

To celebrate this true American hero and honor his accomplishments there will be a “Landing Party” at Hal’s Harley Davidson, (one mile south of I-94 at the Moreland Road exit) New Berlin, Wisconsin, on April 4th at noon. The party is being hosted by the law firm of Hupy & Abraham. Hupy & Abraham has sponsored Dave and his attempt to set this world record. You also probably have heard of Hupy & Abraham as their generous support has helped put close to 500 new Rescue Riders on the road in Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota in the last year. Many thanks to Hupy & Abraham for all you do to help the biker community.
Our friends from the Patriot Guard Riders will be lining the streets and waving flags as the procession arrives to honor this milestone and show appreciation for all that Dave has done for veterans and bikers over the years.

Did I mention that Dave is a Rescue Rider? Dave will be dedicating his landing to Wisconsin based Accident Scene Management who have trained over 10,000 bikers nationally in emergency response and the Rescue Riders. Please come out and join us at Hal’s to celebrate this world record and honor a true American Hero. I hope to see you there.
On March 15th, Dave celebrated his 60th birthday. When asked about aging Dave said, “Age is a figment of the imagination. We really don't get old, we get wiser, but our soul is always young." I couldn’t have said it any better my friend.

Well, that’s it for this month. When I am not sharing my wisdom with you via my Thunder Roads editorials or running the Rescue Rider program, I run an insurance agency West of Chicago. I enjoy working with fellow bikers helping you protect what matters most. If I can help you with your insurance please drop me a note at deanakey@allstate.com or give me a call at 877-232-9899. I would love to hear from you. Until next month, enjoy the ride.

Let Freedom Ring

Welcome back to the Bull Pen. If you don't remember me, my name is Dean Akey and I will be your guide for another fun filled edition. Are you ready? OK then, let’s get started.

It was February 6th and I fired up my trusty scoot “Betty” to ride in a funeral for Ed Ufland. Ed was the past President of the Blue Knights where I serve as Chaplain. Ed had lost his battle with cancer and was a wonderful man & lifelong biker who will be missed by many. The weather was a balmy 9 degrees when I departed for work and even considering the circumstances, I couldn’t have had a bigger smile on my face. It was great to be on two wheels again. After getting into work and wiping the frozen boogers out of my moustache I got to thinking that another riding season has begun. What a wonderful feeling to be back in the saddle.

It has been said that only a biker knows why a dog sticks its head out the car window. I would definitely enjoy the wind rushing thru my hair if I had any. Even without hair I love the feeling of freedom from when I ride. Freedom is something that universally ties all bikers together. Speaking of freedom, have you ever heard of Representative Karen A. Yarbrough (D) of the 7th District? If you are a biker and live in Illinois, you will. You see, on February 10th, Representative Yarbrough introduced House Bill 925 to the 96th General Assembly. House Bill 925 if passed amends the Illinois Vehicle Code to require every operator and passenger on a motorcycle, motor driven cycle, or motorized pedalcycle to wear a helmet that meets federal safety standards. That’s right, mandatory helmets are coming to Illinois should Representative Yarbrough get her way.

Now, not all Illinois Bikers are passionate about this topic. If you are now is the time to reach out to your State Representative and share your thoughts. If you don’t know who your State Representative is you can search for your Representative at the following link. http://www.elections.il.gov/DistrictLocator/SelectSearchType.aspx?NavLink=1

In addition to contacting your State Representative, you may want to join ABATE
A.B.A.T.E stands for A Brotherhood Aimed Towards Education. The mission of the members of A.B.A.T.E. of Illinois is to preserve the universal right to a safe, unrestricted motorcycling environment, and to propose and advocate actions that can be taken by elected and appointed officials to protect and conserve the natural resources of the State of Illinois, and ensure through professional management that sustainable use, recreational opportunities and enjoyment of these new resources is available for this and future generations.

ABATE makes every effort to influence State, National, and Worldwide political actions in favor of motorcycle rights. In addition, ABATE conducts programs to educate drivers, seniors, legislators, and motorcyclists. You can find a local chapter at http://www.abate-il.org/. Please stay tuned to Abate for the latest developments on this issue and let freedom ring.
The debate on motorcycle helmets continues to evoke great emotion from all of us bikers. It is my belief that as bikers, we, and not our government should be allowed to decide this issue.
If you would like to share your opinions and meet other bikers, please join the Chicagoland Bikers group on Facebook. The Chicagoland Bikers group is open to everyone and has some great features like your favorite rides, biker friendly establishments and the latest biker related events.

Well, that’s it for this month. When I am not sharing my wisdom with you via my Thunder Roads editorials or running the Rescue Rider program, I run an insurance agency West of Chicago. I enjoy working with fellow bikers helping you protect what matters most. If I can help you with your insurance please drop me a note at deanakey@allstate.com or give me a call at 877-232-9899. I would love to hear from you. Until next month, enjoy the ride.

I'm Really Pumped About This Root Canal

Lets face it, everyone has their Achilles heel. What I mean by that is everyone has something that they absolutely dread. For me it's the dentist. For others it may be talking to insurance agents, accountants, Realtors or lenders. There are countless things that people dread. My question is, what do you do to help your clients overcome this fear on their terms?
As I mentioned, I have always dreaded my dentist appointments. Maybe it goes back to some bad experience that I had as a kid or maybe I am just a wimp. Either way, I just knew that when it was dentist time I was always looking for excuses to put it off. Fortunately for me I found a dentist that "Caters to Cowards".
This dentist treated me on my terms and what a wonderful change. Now let me be forthright. If you pump enough Nitrous Oxide into someone it's damn near a certainty that you will have an enjoyable experience.

So what is my point here? We all reach out to existing & prospective clients in hopes of earning their trust and developing a long term relationship. Are you placing your clients needs above all others? Take a moment and look at what stereotypes exist for folks in your industries and ask yourself if you are part of the problem or part of the solution.
If you constantly strive to serve the needs of your clients on their terms you are part of the solution so please keep up the good work...

My name is Dean Akey & I sell insurance on your terms. If I can help you please drop me a note at deanakey@allstate.com or call me at 630-232-9811.

A Few Things You Should Know About Social Security

Here is a list of a few things you should know about Social Security. I get questions quite often regarding Social Security and thought you may find the following helpful.
1. Your payments will be bigger if you wait until your full retirement age.
You can start taking Social Security payments as soon as you turn 62, but your benefits will be reduced 20 to 30%. That's a big chunk, especially if you expect to spend many years in retirement. You might consider working a bit longer or relying on your retirement savings to help cover your living expenses until you can receive full benefits.

What's Your "Full Retirement Age?"
If you were born in...
It's...
1937 or earlier
65
1938
65 + 2 months
1939
65 + 4 months
1940
65 + 6 months
1941
65 + 8 months
1942
65 + 10 months
1943-1954
66
1955
66 + 2 months
1956
66 + 4 months
1957
66 + 6 months
1958
66 + 8 months
1959
66 + 10 months
1960 or later
67



2. You can work while getting Social Security.
As long as you're 62, you have the option to take Social Security. If you earn more than $13,560 a year between age 62 and your full retirement age, your benefit payments will be temporarily lowered, based on how much you earn. Say you earn $10,000 over the limit. Your benefits would be reduced by $5,000. If you make $20,000 over the limit, they would be reduced by $10,000. (The limit gets updated each year.) The good news is that you don't actually lose out on those benefits. Instead, your payment amount is recalculated so that you receive more money later on. It's another way working in retirement can help stretch out your income over time.

3. Your payments won't start automatically.
The two rules above mean it makes the most sense for you to tell the Social Security Administration when you're ready to start receiving monthly benefits. You can do that over the phone (1-800-772-1213), in person, or through the Social Security online application.

4. Your benefits could be taxed.
Only a third of Social Security beneficiaries end up paying taxes on their benefits. It all depends on the earnings listed on your income tax return. If you file with more than $25,000 as an individual (or $32,000 jointly), you'll have to pay federal income taxes on your benefits. The rules for state income taxes vary from state to state.

5. Your payments can help your family, too.
Let's say your monthly benefits turn out to be three times as much as your spouse's. (It's a common scenario, especially in families where one spouse paused their career to stay home with the kids.) If she waits until her full retirement age to start getting benefits, her payments will be raised so they equal half of yours.After you die, your spouse will get either your monthly benefit check or hers-whichever is more. And if you have disabled children, kids under age 19, or elderly parents who depend on you for at least half their income, they could receive "survivor benefits."
If you need any help understand Social Security and how to prepare for your retirement please give me a call at 630-232-9811 or drop me a note at deanakey@allstate.com