Tag Archives: insurance

Boat Slip Selection

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Finding the perfect boat slip

 

If you’re an avid boating enthusiast and you’ve tired of the typically exhausting practice of hauling your boat to and from your favorite body of water like intercoastal waterways, waiting in lines at launch ramps and winching it in and out every time you boat, it may be time to consider renting a boat slip.

 

Marina boat slips vary from one another, but all of them offer many advantages to boaters who spend a lot of time on the water. Some of their many benefits include:

  • Convenience. It is much easier and more time-effective to dock your boat than to put it in and pull it out every time you go boating.
  • Security. Marinas are generally very safe, protected by locked gates. Some marinas also offer 24/7 security via cameras or guards that patrol the marina grounds.
  • It’s ready when you are. When your boat is docked, it’s always waiting for you when you’re ready to go.
  • Onsite amenities. Most marinas have shops containing boating supplies and snacks, restrooms, shower facilities, restaurants and bars. They also tend to be surrounded by pleasant outdoor areas.
  • Community. By having a slip in a marina, you reap the benefits of being a member of a social community.

While the advantages are numerous, boat slips are also notorious for being costly. Here are a few pointers for finding the best deal possible on a boat slip rental:

 

  • Shop, shop, shop. There is no substitute for good, old fashioned bargain hunting, so invest time in shopping. Go talk to personnel at a variety of marinas in your area to start price comparing.
  • Use the Internet. Websites like pickaslip.com allow you to do detailed searches for slips on a wide variety of popular bodies of water in the United States.
  • Advertise. Put up a flyer on community boards at marinas, coffee shops, and anywhere else you have the opportunity; include what you’re seeking and how much you want to pay. You can also advertise in your local newspaper classifieds and on popular buy/sell websites like craigslist.org.
  • Talk it up. Tell everyone you know what you’re looking for so they can help you spread the word.

 

If you think it’s time you start enjoying more time on the water and less hauling a boat to and from the water, we at Atlass Insurance Group wish you good luck in your search for the perfect slip!

 

General Home Security Options

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Keeping your home secure

 Everyone wants to keep their home safe from burglars or intruders, but not everyone wants to have an alarm system installed. There are plenty of people who prefer the do-it-yourself route, whether it’s home improvement or home security.

 And nowadays, there are more options than ever when it comes to home security, so we at Atlass Insurance Group want to help you sort through those options with a few tips.

 Do-it-yourself options

The widespread availability of electronic tools means that homeowners can set up their own monitoring systems if they choose, without the help of a home-security company.

  • Cameras: Smaller and more inexpensive than ever, cameras can be placed nearly anywhere on the exterior of your home and monitored from inside wirelessly — or set to record footage for review later. Available software even allows you to point your laptop camera in a particular direction (say, at the front door) and check the images from a remote location.
  • Lights: Motion-detecting floodlights are an excellent deterrent to thieves, because they don’t want to be seen. Make sure they’re installed near entryways, and that they aren’t easily reached from the ground. And using timers for interior lights is a good way to give the appearance that your home is occupied.
  • Alarms: Vibration alarms are available for windows, alerting you if someone is trying to get in. Similarly, other monitors can be installed near doors and programmed to sound if a person comes within a set distance. Some even emit barking sounds to make it appear that a dog is in the house.

 

Even if you aren’t interested in installing security equipment around your home, there are a number of things you can do to increase safety:

  • Keep your home locked. It sounds simple, but you’d be surprised how many people leave windows or doors unlocked. Make sure that sliding doors and windows have extra security, such as a track lock or dowel in the track.
  • Don’t leave a key outside. If you need to provide access to your home while you’re away, leave your key with a trusted neighbor or friend.
  • Watch the landscaping. Thick shrubs and bushes around your porch or yard can give thieves a good place to hide. Keep them well-trimmed and ensure that problematic areas can be illuminated with your outdoor lighting.
  • Use common sense. If you’re going away on vacation, cancel your newspaper and other deliveries. Ask a neighbor to keep watch, and park a car out front. Don’t post publicly on social media or leave a message on your answering machine or voicemail indicating that you’ll be away for an extended period.

 Burglars really do consider deterrents such as alarms, cameras, dogs, etc., when looking at targets, according to a study released by the University of North Carolina.  So a small investment in security can make a big difference!

It’s a great time for a home inventory

If your home was burglarized, would you know what was missing? A home inventory is a crucial tool to help replace everything that was lost.  

Contact Us!

 At Atlass Insurance Group, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at 800-959-3313 or send us a note at [email protected]. We want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what’s important to you is protected!

 

Content provided by Safeco Insurance

Progressive Offers New Coverage for New Jersey Boat Insurance

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Boat customers should not leave the dock without our new Propulsion Plus® coverage. Propulsion Plus® provides coverage for the outdrives of outboard and sterndrive motors in the event of a mechanical breakdown, including those caused by wear and tear. This industry-leading coverage can bring peace of mind and protection from costly repair bills for your customers.