Losses due to dog bites topped 1 Billion dollars in 2010. There were 34 known fatalities due to dog bites during this same period.

 These figures have made your insurance companies sit-up and take note. In fact, many of our underwriters will now exclude coverage due to damages caused by canines.

 If you own any of the following breeds of dogs, we strongly recommend that you check out your insurance policies to see if there are any excluded coverage:

*Pit Bulls                          *Rottweilers

*German Shepherds    *Doberman Pinchers

*Chows                              *Akitas

*Canary Dogs                  *Hybrid Wolves

Some other forms of exotic pets fall into a “prohibited animal” category.  

You may also contact our insurance agency for further information. It used-to-be that insurance companies would give a dog ‘one bite’ before denying coverage. Today, you may be faced with liability and no coverage to back you up.

We look forward to taking your questions on this issue.

Have you ever been a passenger in a motor vehicle when the driver was texting or dialing a phone number? How safe did you feel?

Despite a texting ban in 35 or more states, a study found that 71 percent of us use hand-held electronic devices while driving…either phone calling or texting. A large majority of Americans support the texting ban.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 90 percent of those surveyed feel unsafe, as a passenger, while the driver is texting or emailing.  The study also finds that nearly half of the drivers 21 to 24 have done texting or emailing while driving. This is a 50 percent increase over the past year.

No matter what you may think, any distraction is a hindrance to safe driving. Texting is one of the greatest distractions affecting insurance rates and your safety.

Has purchasing insurance really come down to a price-only consideration? Is customer service dead as an influencer in our purchasing habits? Our point-and-click society today demands immediacy. But, are our lives so truly uniform that we will totally avoid the need for professional help and advice?

For the average policyholder, the purchasing transaction is a promise to put them back into the same shape they were prior to a calamitous event. And, I’m sure you’ve heard people say that all insurance policies and companies are the same…..aren’t they?

Well no THEY are not…and no YOU are not. A wise man once said, “Education is what a fellow gets reading the fine print…and Experience is what he gets by not reading it.”

Is effective underwriting discipline, responsiveness, claim service, risk management and loss control worth spending 10 to 15 percent more on your insurance? Talented customer service is a proud feature at Thomes Insurance Group. Our staff is well educated and professional in every transaction.

Thomes Insurance conducts each transaction with attention to detail. And, we can be as-responsive-as necessary in our point & click society.

The trusted relationship we’ve fostered for 77 years with our clients is still our modus operandi today. We’ll be there for you.

Fall time is a very good time of year to check out or update your life insurance.

We will not spend a lot of time expounding on the reasons why adequate life insurance is important. Suffice to say that most of us are under-insured. The average funeral today is close to $15,000!

With the advent of employer sponsored retirement planning in the 80′s and 90′s, many of us have done fairly well with making sure there will be enough resources when we retire. So, cash value life insurance may be avoided in many instances. Term insurance is very inexpensive. Generally one can obtain a stable (level) premium for 10,20 or 30 years.

Visit with independent insurance agents for the best deals on life insurance. We have 4-5 life insurance companies and can pattern a policy that will fit your needs.

Now is a good time to wrap up those 2011 New Year’s resolutions that address our financial needs. At Thomes Insurance Group, we are ready to complete a life insurance application for you. It is painless and may be done in 15 minutes!

Speaking of financial needs; Wills are important too. And, we have staff that can help you update or begin your last will & testament.