Foremost® Insurance is helping your motor home and travel trailer customers get road ready this season with a free RV inspection from a participating Camping World® facility! We will be communicating this offer to customers in policy packets starting in August 2022.

To set up their free inspection, customers will need to visit CampingWorld.com to find the participating location of their choice. Once an inspection is scheduled and completed, customers will receive a form from the facility with the findings. If any repairs are recommended or found to be necessary, customers can then make another appointment to have them done at the same Camping World shop, or at the repair facility of their choice. All of this information will be communicated to the customer in detail in their policy packet. This program is just one more way Foremost Insurance is offering A Better Insurance Experience.®

If you have any questions, please contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Use insect repellent

Use Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered insect repellents with one of the active ingredients below. When used as directed, EPA-registered insect repellents are proven safe and effective, even for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

• DEET
• Picaridin (known as KBR 3023 and icaridin outside the US)
• IR3535
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE)
• Para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone

Tips for babies and children

• Dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs.
• Cover strollers and baby carriers with mosquito netting.
• When using insect repellent on your child:
  • Always follow label instructions.
  • Do not use products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD) on children under 3 years old.
  • Do not apply insect repellent to a child’s hands, eyes, mouth, cuts, or irritated skin.
  • Adults: Spray insect repellent onto your hands and then apply to a child’s face.

Tips for everyone

• Always follow the product label instructions.
• Reapply insect repellent as directed.
  • Do not spray repellent on the skin under clothing.
  • If you are also using sunscreen, apply sunscreen first and insect repellent second.

Natural insect repellents (repellents not registered with EPA)

• We do not know the effectiveness of non-EPA registered insect repellents, including some natural repellents.
• To protect yourself against diseases spread by mosquitoes, CDC and EPA recommend using an EPA-registered insect repellent.
• Choosing an EPA-registered repellent ensures the EPA has evaluated the product for effectiveness.
• Visit the EPA website to learn more.

Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants

Treat clothing and gear

• Use 0.5% permethrin to treat clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents) or buy permethrin-treated clothing and gear.
  • Permethrin is an insecticide that kills or repels mosquitoes.
  • Permethrin-treated clothing provides protection after multiple washings.
  • Read product information to find out how long the protection will last.
• If treating items yourself, follow the product instructions.
• Do not use permethrin products directly on skin.

Take steps to control mosquitoes indoors and outdoors

• Use screens on windows and doors. Repair holes in screens to keep mosquitoes outdoors.
• Use air conditioning, if available.
• Stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water.
  • Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers.
  • Check for water-holding containers both indoors and outdoors.

Source: cdc.gov

A lot of people are confused about what a classic car is, and how it is different from an antique or vintage car. We’ve heard the term “classic” used interchangeably to describe just about any old car that seems out of place among modern daily drivers. It’s not just age that determines whether a car is an antique or a classic. There are several terms and jargon people use when describing these cars.

If you are going to register your car, exhibit at car shows, find a mechanic who can handle your car’s unique problems, and apply for Classic Car Insurance, (link to https://www.lallisandhiggins.com/antique-automobile.htm) understanding the key differences between each type of vehicle is essential.

Classic vs Antique vs Vintage Cars

We have listed all three and their generally agreed-upon ages below:

• A vintage car is one that was manufactured between 1919 and 1930.
• An antique car is any car manufactured in 1975 or earlier (older than 45 years old).
• The classic car is a vehicle manufactured in the 1990s or earlier (at least 20 years old).

However, every state’s DMV, insurance company, and classic car club classify them differently. Classic cars are defined very broadly in California, and there is no differentiation between classic, vintage, or antique vehicles. The California DMV defines a Historical Vehicle as one that dates from 1922 or later, and is at least 25 years old.

Those with engines larger than 16 cylinders, manufactured between 1922 and 1965, get classified as Horseless Carriage. Modified cars and replicas don’t fit into either of these categories.

Insurance companies define classic cars according to their guidelines. Hagerty defines vehicles from 1900 to 1979 as Antiques or Classics. A car manufactured in 1980 or later is considered a collector car.

Classic Car Club of America is even stricter in defining classics. As classic cars, they are only accepted between the years 1915 and 1948.

How Old is a Classic Car?

“Classic car” is defined differently by different people. A classic automobile, according to the Classic Car Club of America, is one that was built between 1915 and 1948. For registration purposes, however, many states consider such cars to be antique or vintage vehicles.

In most cases, a classic car has to be at least 20 years old to qualify for insurance and registration. The car should have been kept to its original design and specifications if you intend to register it (and insure it). In other words, any restoration should stay true to the original design and construction, from the interior materials to the engine parts. This also means no modern touches are permitted.

How Old is a Vintage Car?

It is interesting because, in some ways, this category is very specific, but in other ways, it has the loosest interpretation. To be regarded as vintage, a car must have been manufactured between 1919 and 1930. It does not have to be in its original condition, however. They can be lifted, chopped, modded, or customized without losing their vintage status. The only prerequisite is an age range.

What Makes a Car an Antique

If you enjoy browsing antique car stores, you’ll find a lot of old junk mixed in with some treasures. Antique cars are different from other cars. The condition of an antique car can range from nearly original to nearly new, depending on the state.

Generally speaking, cars getting into this category are 45 years or older, but it can vary from state to state. In Michigan, for example, antique plates can be registered on vehicles that are over 20 years old. If the car or truck is not modified, it can either be considered vintage or antique.

Now that you know what classic, vintage, and antique cars are and you own one, you may be wondering how valuable it is. Here you’ll find a list of the top 10 classic car sites and everything you need to know about buying or selling a classic car. For more information, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

autostartransport.com

Safety Tips Swimming pools and spas are great places for family fun. It’s important to ensure everyone follows these simple safety steps to stay safer in and around the water.

1. Never leave a child unattended in or near water.
2. Teach children how to swim.
3. Teach children to stay away from drains.
4. Ensure all pools and spas - both in your backyard and any public pool you may visit - have compliant drain covers.
5. Install proper barriers, covers and alarms on and around your pool and spa.
6. Know how to perform CPR on children and adults.

Source: poolsafely.gov

Road trip season is finally here and before you start packing for your next trip, it's important to make sure you have the RV insurance coverage you're looking for.

Here are six frequently asked RV questions you can ask your agent or broker when you are deciding what type of policy to purchase for your RV!

Is my optional equipment covered?

Awnings, air conditioners, satellite dishes, LP tanks and bike racks can all be damaged, so ask if these things are covered by your policy. Be sure to discuss whether the coverage applies only to originally affixed equipment or if it includes equipment that you attach after purchasing your RV. A good policy will give you a set amount of coverage included with your comprehensive coverage, with the ability to purchase more.

Is my personal property inside the motorhome or travel trailer covered?

Chances are you are packing your camping, cooking and other traveling equipment for your trip, including golf clubs or other things for entertainment. You can typically choose coverage for these items as part of a package. The one thing to double check about personal property is sometimes your homeowner's policy can have exceptions regarding coverage for personal property in a motorized vehicle. The agents at Lallis & Higgins Insurance can help you figure out your best option.

What type of coverage is best for me—Replacement Cost or Actual Cash Value?

Replacement cost coverage protects your motor home from the effects of depreciation and usually isn't available with an auto policy. With a Replacement Cost policy, if your new-model motor home is destroyed within a certain period of time after purchase, the insurance company will replace it with a brand new one of similar kind and quality. If your motor home is destroyed and you only have an Actual Cash Value policy, which is typically what you'd get with an auto policy, you will only be paid the current value of your motor home.

How much does RV insurance cost and what payment plans are available?

Whether you want to pay in full or in installments, having the flexibility to choose is an important option. Talk to your agent or broker. Insurance companies offer many different plans such as one-pay, four-pay or twelve-pay options.

Is towing or roadside assistance available?

Towing and roadside assistance is a great coverage to have if your motorhome or travel trailer breaks down and can include towing, jump starts, roadside service, flat tire changes, fuel delivery and locksmith services. Specialized coverage is important and can exceed what you would get from an auto policy. You'll want to be covered 24/7 by experts who have the equipment and parts to help with a bigger vehicle like an RV. Ask if coverage extends to any vehicles you may be towing behind you.

What about special coverages for full-timers or vacationers?

Some insurance companies offer these special coverages, which may cover full-timers when they are parked and using their RV as a residence. You can also ask about vacation liability, which may cover you in case you are found responsible for someone else's injury in your RV while it's parked. Again, exclusions in your homeowners policy may play into what type of coverage you want to purchase for your RV, so take this into consideration when you discuss your options.

For more information, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Source: foremost.com

This comprehensive beginner’s guide is the ultimate resource for buying an electric scooter. You will learn about price classes, features to consider, tips for riding, maintenance, safety, laws, component parts, micromobility, and electric scooter history, and gain some tools that will help you with your buying research.

Electric Scooter Buying Guide

Don’t Make Your Vehicle an Easy Target

By the time you finish reading this paragraph, another vehicle will be stolen somewhere in the U.S. Vehicle theft is a big business, frequently run by organized crime rings that are out to make huge profits, and they are doing it at your expense. Vehicle theft is driven by money and greed – it is a dangerous business that victimizes everyone.

Help Put the Brakes on Vehicle Theft: Use the “Layered Approach” to Protection

Professional thieves can steal any car, but make them work for yours by using “layered protection.” The more layers of protection on your vehicle, the more difficult it is to steal.

LAYER 1: ALWAYS USE COMMON SENSE

• Lock your doors
• Remove your keys from the ignition
• Close your windows completely
• Park in well-lit areas

LAYER 2: USE A VISIBLE OR AUDIBLE DEVICE

• Audible alarms
• Steering column collars
• Steering wheel/brake pedal lock
• Brake locks
• Wheel locks
• Theft deterrent decals
• Identification markers in or on vehicle
• Window etching
• Micro Dot marking

LAYER 3: INSTALL A VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER

• Smart keys
• Fuse cut-offs
• Kill switches
• Starter, ignition and fuel disablers
• Wireless, ignition authentication

LAYER 4: INVEST IN A TRACKING SYSTEM

Put your vehicle on the radar screen by installing a tracking system that emits a signal to the police or monitoring service when the vehicle is reported stolen. Some systems employ “telematics” which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved, the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked by computer.

We all love spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with our furry companions, but being overeager in hot weather can spell danger. To prevent your pet from overheating, take these simple precautions provided by ASPCA experts:

• Visit the vet for a spring or early-summer checkup. Make sure your pets get tested for heartworm if they aren’t on year-round preventative medication.
• Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so give them plenty of fresh, clean water when it’s hot or humid outdoors. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun, be careful not to over-exercise them, and keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.
• Know the symptoms of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. Symptoms can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.
• Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heat stroke since they cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with the elderly, the overweight, and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.
• Never leave your animals alone in a parked vehicle. Not only can it lead to fatal heat stroke, it is illegal in several states!
• Do not leave pets unsupervised around a pool—not all dogs are good swimmers. Introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from his fur, and try to keep your dog from drinking pool water, which contains chlorine and other chemicals.
• Open unscreened windows pose a real danger to pets, who often fall out of them. Keep all unscreened windows or doors in your home closed, and make sure adjustable screens are tightly secured.
• Feel free to trim longer hair on your dog, but never shave your dog: The layers of dogs’ coats protect them from overheating and sunburn. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat. And be sure that any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets is labeled specifically for use on animals.
• When the temperature is very high, don’t let your dog linger on hot asphalt. Being so close to the ground, your pooch’s body can heat up quickly, and sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.
• Commonly used rodenticides and lawn and garden insecticides can be harmful to cats and dogs if ingested, so keep them out of reach. Keep citronella candles, tiki torch products and insect coils of out pets’ reach as well. Call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 if you suspect your animal has ingested a poisonous substance.
• Remember that food and drink commonly found at barbeques can be poisonous to pets. Keep alcoholic beverages away from pets, as they can cause intoxication, depression and comas. Similarly, remember that the snacks enjoyed by your human friends should not be a treat for your pet; any change of diet, even for one meal, may give your dog or cat severe digestive ailments. Avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products with the sweetener xylitol. Please visit our People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets page for more information.
• Please leave pets at home when you head out to Fourth of July celebrations, and never use fireworks around pets. Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma, and even unused fireworks can contain hazardous materials. Many pets are also fearful of loud noises and can become lost, scared or disoriented, so it’s best to keep your little guys safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area of your home.

For other ways to help, download and share our hot weather safety infographic to alert others of the dangers your pets may face during the summer.

https://www.aspca.org/

It feels like we blinked and boom - summer is here. It comes and goes as quickly as that, so I try to make every day count (especially living in the north!).

Here's some fun ideas to add to your summer bucket list to make it the most memorable year yet.

Have a picnic.

It only takes an hour or two and it's a fun, relaxing activity with a family or friend. If you can't find someone who is available, bring your furry friend along!

Spend the day at the beach.

Nothing beats the feeling of the sun on your face and the sound of waves in the distance. If you aren't close to a beach, go to a friend's pool or your city's pool for some water fun.

Go to an amusement park.

Take the kids and head to your local water park or amusement park to make some fun memories. You'll definitely take some fun pictures and have a lot of laughs!

Throw a BBQ at your house.

Have you always "talked" about getting together with your friends for dinner, but it never happened? Well, now's your chance! Grill up all of those savory foods you've been thinking about all summer and host a great evening at your place.

Go camping for a weekend.

If you're craving the outdoors, this one is for you. Pick a weekend to unplug from your life, and soak in the scenery and wildlife.

Stargaze.

Summer is the perfect time to go stargazing. Drive far away from the city lights to look at the many constellations and planets in the sky! Experts say the best places to stargaze are national or state parks.

Attend a bonfire.

There's no better way to end the night than with a warm fire and some roasted marshmallows!

Watch a movie at a drive-in theater.

It's rare to find a drive-in theater nowadays. If there's one located near you, go watch your favorite flick for a memorable experience.

Go to the zoo.

If you want to do a fun, affordable activity with your kids, this one is for you. They will love seeing their favorite animals up close, and depending on the zoo, they may offer some interactive exhibits for the kids.

Go on a mini vacation.

If you need some new scenery, planning a weekend getaway will be the perfect cure. Look up the nearest vacation town near you, book the hotel, start driving and don't look back! You'll thank me later.

Before you know it, the cold will be back (in some parts of the country), school will be in session…and you'll be thinking about the smell of that bonfire or how the sand felt between your toes.

Injury Prevention Jet Skiing cartoon Personal watercraft devices (PWC), such as jet ski's, can be an exciting water-based activity, but it can also be dangerous and precautions must be taken. In 2018, the US Coast Guard (USCG) reported 634 injuries attributed to a personal watercraft; 196 of those injuries occurred to children ages 19 and under. Injuries such as broken bones, concussions, sprains/strains and scrapes/bruises were most common. Of all reported accidents to the USCG, the main causes were operator inexperience, operator inattention, improper lookout, excessive speed and violation of navigation rules.

Jet skis are considered boats, and operators must obey all boating rules while on the water. Since January 1, 2000, all individuals who operate a personal watercraft must have completed a certified boater safety course.

Safety Tips

• Children under the age of 16 should not operate a waverunner.
• Take a safe boating course and have your child/children take a safe boating course.
• Always have a life jacket (or personal flotation safety device) on board for each passenger.
• Make sure that your life jacket and your passenger’s life jackets fit properly and support your individual weights. (See Life Jacket Safety Chart.)
• Never mix jet skiing and alcohol.
• Always make sure an adult is watching you and/or your child from the shore.
• When driving a jet ski with a passenger, make sure your passenger is ready to go before you start.
• When riding a jet ski when someone else is driving, make sure that you are holding on tightly. Inform the driver if your hands slip or if you are not ready to go.
• Never start your engine without attaching the cord that is connected to the start/stop switch or your key to your life jacket or wrist. If you fall off, the machine will automatically stop.
• Each rider should wear eye protection, a wetsuit (in colder weather), footwear and gloves.
• Always watch for bad weather conditions.
• Keep hands, feet, hair and clothing away from the pump intake.
• Never operate a jet ski in water that’s less than 24-inches deep.
• Know your water terrain.

Source: chp.edu