Insurance Tips

Should you wish to obtain information on a series of helpful insurance tips we have assembled, please click on the links shown below. For further information regarding the insurance coverage we provide, our staff is available to assist you at your convenience.

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Vehicle Theft Protection

Although you can never ensure that your vehicle will not be stolen, there are several preventative measures you can adopt to protect your vehicle and its contents.

Always lock your vehicle
Remove the keys from the vehicle
Turn off your ignition whenever you leave your car
Avoid parking on the street
When leaving your vehicle take steps to conceal its contents. Place contents in the trunk and refrain from leaving money or compact disks in view
Whenever possible, park your vehicle in a well-lit, well-guarded, highly visible area. You can also ask your neighbours to watch out for your vehicle when you are not present
Install an anti-theft device such as a car alarm or an ignition disabler

To obtain more preventative measures for the potential theft of your vehicle and its contents, you may contact the appropriate industry organization in the area.

Vehicle Safety and Maintenance

Read your vehicle’s owner’s manual to understand its maintenance needs
To extend the life of your vehicle and to prevent potential mechanical issues, ensure that you maintain your vehicle according to the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule
Have your vehicle checked by a qualified mechanic whenever you notice a change in braking or handling
Consider enrolling in a recognized driver safety course

Brakes

Your brakes are one of the most important components on your automobile. Proper care and regular maintenance is essential to protect both yourself and others from the potential harm caused by faulty brakes. Some signs that your brakes may be failing or require immediate maintenance include:

The brakes of your vehicle squeal, grind, or bang when applied
The car pulls to one side when you apply the brakes
The brakes grab when lightly applied. This could be caused by loose or broken brake parts
The brakes need a lot of pressure to engage or the pedal needs to be near the floor before the brakes function. This may be a sign that your brakes are worn and replacement is necessary
The brake pedal, steering wheel, or entire vehicle vibrates when you step on the brakes

Child Safety Restraints

It is important to install a child’s restraint seat properly in order for it to be effective. Read the manufacturer’s installation instructions thoroughly. Should you need assistance many police departments have programs to help with proper installation. For additional tips and information regarding child seat safety please contact the following organizations:

Road Safety

For statistics and information regarding road safety and its impact on social and medical costs, please contact:

Transport Canada

Airbags and Seatbelts

For information and guidelines on vehicle air bags and seat belts, please contact the following organizations:

Drinking and Driving

The following organizations can provide statistics and information on drinking and driving:

Transport Canada
Canada Safety Council

Cell Phones and Safety

It has been established that the use of cell phones while driving can be a major distraction, and many jurisdictions are considering restrictions on cell phone use while driving. In Ontario, the law states that persons shall drive a motor vehicle while holding or using a hand-held wireless communication device or other prescribed device that is capable of receiving or transmitting telephone communications, electronic data, mail or text messages. For safety’s sake, don’t use your cell phone while driving. If you need to make a call, stop your car safely away from traffic before picking up the phone. For more information on cell phones and safety, please contact:

Transport Canada
Canada Safety Council

Preparations for Winter Driving

The following organizations can provide tips and information to help you prepare yourself and your vehicle for safe winter driving:

Canada Safety Council
Transport Canada

Vehicle Accident Procedures

To help you protect both yourself and your interests, we have provided some basic hints should you find yourself involved in an accident:

Call the police immediately, and if necessary, an ambulance
Do not admit liability
Record all details of the accident including the date, time, location, accident description, injuries, and any charges that may have been laid
Record details of the other party including the vehicle owner’s name, address, phone number; along with the vehicle year, make, and model
Obtain the insurance information of the other driver, including the name of his or her insurance company, policy number, and the name of the insurance broker or agent
Obtain a copy of the police report showing the accident report number from the attending officer at the accident scene
As the above suggestions may not fit all vehicle accident situations, be sure to contact your insurance broker for more information

Safe Driving Quiz

In order to determine your safe driving knowledge you may wish to take one of the Safe Driving Quizzes provided by the Canada Safety Council.

General Commercial Crime Prevention

Ensure that all exterior doors have deadbolt locks with a minimum one inch bolt into the strike plate
Secure exposed exterior door hinge pins to prevent their removal
Protect all ground floor glass through the use of bars, metal screens, or burglary resistant glazing materials
Install a burglar alarm system that is monitored offsite. We recommend that the system be certified by Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC)
Continually check for unsafe work conditions and practices, and take prompt corrective action
Provide a complement of serviced, multi-purpose fire extinguishers on your premises and instruct all staff in their proper use

Computer Equipment Protection

Clamp or lock PCs to desks/work stations. Security kits are available at nominal cost
Back up data and programs on a regular basis and store them offsite in a secure location
Laptop computers are portable and easy targets for theft. Do not leave them unsecured or unattended
Maintain records of serial numbers for all of your computer equipment

Business Interruption Prevention

To prevent costly interruptions to your business operations, you may consider employing the services of a professional accountant to:

Prepare financial statements
Perform an annual audit of your books
Maintain a list of secondary suppliers should your primary supplier suffer a loss
Be prepared with a plan of action in order that you may continue to service your clientele while your premises are being repaired after a loss
Consider investigating the availability of temporary premises that will allow you to maintain your business in the event your business facilities are compromised
Take steps to reduce the physical and moral hazards of your business
In case of damages to your business premises, duplicate your business records and store them off-site

Contractors Loss Prevention

Focus on pre-job and pre-task planning – planning the work and working the plan should be followed
When not in use, all tools and equipment should be kept in a locked area at all times
All tools should be stamped with an identification number to assist in their recovery should they be lost or stolen. To further help in their identification, tools could be painted with bright, easily recognizable colours
Onsite materials should be maintained in a secure storage area and only brought to the work site when needed
Warning signs should be posted for limited access and stating that safety equipment that must be used to gain entry
All electrical cords that pass through pedestrian areas should be secured to avoid accidents
All mud or water on public traffic areas should be cleaned regularly
Should there be a need for excavation, all necessary local utilities should be contacted to locate underground services
All flammable liquids should be stored in approved safety containers
Combustibles should be removed at least 11 metres from any hot work. Should the recommended space be unavailable, non-combustible shields should be used. A fire watch should also be implemented for at least one half-hour after the hot work has been completed. In addition, all hot work permit regulations should be followed
All on-site combustible refuse should be cleaned up regularly. Oily rags should be separated and stored in metal containers with tight fitting lids
The appropriate fire extinguishers should be on hand at all times
Certificates of liability should be obtained from all sub-contractors in order to ensure they maintain adequate liability coverage
All new equipment should be tested and inspected when the work is completed. Customers should sign-off on the particular job once complete
Ensure that the project complies with all applicable codes and standards
Records of all jobs including plans, testing documents, and approvals should be maintained

Office Loss Prevention

Avoid overloading of electrical outlets, particularly in older buildings that are equipped with fuses as opposed to circuit breakers
If the existing electrical service is inadequate, ensure that any required electrical modifications are undertaken by a certified electrician
Ensure that life and safety features including fire alarms, exit signs, and emergency lights are operational and regularly serviced according to applicable fire code specifications
Clean all spills or wet floors immediately, post signs warning of wet or damp floors, and check floor surfaces for potential hazards on a regular basis
Non-slip rugs should be used during the winter months

Commercial Vehicle Loss Prevention

Be vigilant when hiring drivers for your vehicles by obtaining pre-employment checks on all employees. Your vehicles should be suitable for the type of work you do and the relative experience of your drivers. A safety conscious driver, with a clean driving and operating record, is the key to reducing the risk of personal injury to the driver and passengers as well as any damage or injury to others.

Drivers should never pick up hitchhikers or allow anyone who is not authorized by the owner to ride in the vehicle
Drivers should never expose the contents of their vehicles, loads, destination or leave loads unattended
Proper vehicle maintenance improves road safety and should be completed by experienced and qualified mechanics
Regular maintenance schedules and records should be kept to prevent accidents caused by unexpected mechanical failures
Following a standardized check list, your vehicles should be inspected on a daily basis
Keep your vehicles equipped with a flashlight, spare tire, jack, and flares in the event of an emergency
Drive on well-maintained and well-traveled roads
Do not travel at speeds in excess of posted speed limits
Improper loading or overloading leads to load shift and (or) upset or rollover
Each vehicle should always be used for its intended purpose
Always lock your vehicle and take the keys with you
Never leave the engine running while your vehicle is unattended
Safeguard your keys – never keep your vehicle keys or business keys on the same key ring, and refrain from attaching identification tags to your keys
Signatures should be obtained for all deliveries
Parking in well-lit areas is important for personal safety and for the protection of your vehicle and cargo
Keep your vehicle in a locked garage or protected location when not in use
Select the most appropriate anti-theft device best suited to protect your vehicle and cargo

Garage Repair Loss Prevention

Establish, post, and enforce a rule forbidding customers from entering the service bay area. By establishing a clean, safe waiting area for customers, you will significantly reduce the possibility of “slip and fall” types of losses
Ensure receipt of signed customer work orders authorizing the required repairs
When preparing a customer’s work order, completed repairs should be listed including those recommended repairs that have been declined by the customer. Including a list of declined recommendations could protect you from a potential liability loss
Make sure that the front, rear, and interior of your business premises are well lit, particularly when closed for business
When storing a customer’s vehicle overnight, wherever possible the vehicle should be stored indoors. Should it be necessary to use outside storage on a regular basis, ensure that the area is well lit and adequately fenced and padlocked
Establish a key control procedure to limit access to customers’ keys. Keys should be locked up within your office premises
Limit the amount of cash in your register by using a safe. Make regular bank deposits and vary deposit times and routes
Ensure that you maintain accurate inventory records for all stock, including tools, automobile parts, and miscellaneous retail items. In the event of a theft loss, accurate records will make it easier for the insurance adjuster to settle your claim fairly, quickly and equitably
Obtain driver abstracts and guidelines for all employees on a regular basis to help you to determine which of your employees should be test-driving customers’ vehicles.
Ensure that test drives follow a predetermined route, and in areas that have relatively light vehicular and pedestrian traffic. This can significantly reduce your chance of suffering a loss with a customer’s vehicle

Retail Loss Prevention

Never store combustible material, such as cardboard or paper, near heaters or electrical equipment; and remove combustible waste on a regular basis
In buildings equipped with sprinkler systems, ensure that your stock is maintained over 18 inches below the sprinkler heads, to maintain the system’s effectiveness should there be a fire
Avoid overloading of electrical outlets, particularly in older buildings equipped with fuses
Keep all of your stock off the floor, and stored on skids, shelves, or racks
Make sure the front, rear, and interior of your business premises are well lit, particularly when closed for business
Arrange the interior layout of the store so that the cash register area is clearly visible from the exterior of the building
Limit the amount of cash in your register by using a safe
If your store is open over extended periods of time, consider the installation of closed circuit television cameras, and alarm systems
Make regular bank deposits, while varying the timing of the deposits and the route
Install anti-shoplifting devices and surveillance equipment, or keep high-priced merchandise under lock and key in display cases
Ensure that life and safety features such as fire alarms, exit signs, and emergency lights are operational and serviced per fire code specifications
Do not block exits with stock or equipment, and ensure all exit doors are unlocked during store hours

Slip-and-Fall Loss Prevention

Inspect both the interior and exterior of your premises on a regular basis for unsafe conditions that could lead to losses that could be caused by a slip and fall
Maintain a daily log of inspections, time of inspection, the conditions noted, and the corrective action applied
Floors should be kept clean and in good repair at all times
Ensure that aisles are kept clear and free of fallen merchandise
During periods of inclement weather, proper mats or rugs should be placed in all entrances
Where appropriate, non-slip wax should be used on floor surfaces
Water and other spills should be mopped up immediately, and a “Wet Floor” sign should be posted
For surfaces that are consistently slippery, specialized non-slip epoxy coatings or non-skid flooring materials should be used
For spills involving oil or other industrial materials, absorbent non-combustible cleaning materials should be used
Ensure that all entrance ways and aisles are clear of obstructions and (or) promotional displays
Any damage to stairs, sidewalks, and (or) pavement should be clearly marked and (or) cordoned off from patrons and the public, and repaired expediently
Implement a snow and ice removal program
Ensure that the appropriate equipment, tools, and materials are readily available for use by your staff in the event of a weather-related emergency
Professional snow removal contractors should be contracted to plow, sand, and salt your parking and walkway facilities. Ensure that the contractor keeps a comprehensive log of the work performed
Clean gutters and downspouts to direct melt water away from sidewalks and walkways
Check that exterior lighting is adequate and maintained on a regular basis
Implement a daily garbage removal program, and ensure that debris is immediately removed from your walkways

Crime Prevention

Studies have shown that most burglars attack during the daytime when dense bushes and trees can protect them from being detected, and the building appears unoccupied
One-third of burglars enter from the basement
One-third of burglars force entry through a window or door
One-third of burglars gain access from an unlocked/open door or window

Inside the Home

If you take a few simple and inexpensive steps to make sure your home is not an attractive target, you’ll greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim. Overall you’ll want to secure your premises, and to make it appear occupied at all times.

Close blinds and curtains at night
Lock all doors and windows upon vacating the premises
Lock windows so that they cannot be opened from the outside. If your windows cannot be locked, pin them by drilling a hole through both window frames and insert a bolt or metal pin. Ensure that the pin you install is easily removable in the event of an emergency
Install a home alarm system, yet do not neglect other potential security measures available to you
Make your home appear occupied at all times
Use timers to maintain normal lighting patterns
Leave a radio on when you are away from your home for short periods of time
You may consider engraving your valuables with your driver’s license or social insurance number
Videotape and (or) photograph an inventory of your home
Keep jewelry and negotiables in a safety deposit box or in some non-traditional location

Outside Your Home

Keep shrubbery appropriately trimmed to prevent your windows and doors from being blocked/hidden
Secure window air conditioners from the inside
Illuminate as much of your property as possible
Exterior doors should be solid, not hollow. Metal doors provide the best protection against forced entry
Build a style of fence that would not promote invasive activities (rule of thumb: if you can’t see out, others can’t see in)
Secure any glass that is less than 40′ from a door lock. To strengthen exterior glass it can be coated with an acrylic or polycarbonate, or you can replace your existing glass with laminated or tempered glass
Outside door hinges should have a non-removable tamper-proof center pin
Install deadbolt locks
The potential presence of dogs are known to be an effective deterrent to burglars; and a strategically placed “Beware of Dog” sticker could be an option
Place hinged security bars over basement windows while remembering to keep the key readily accessible for emergency exits
Pin sliding patio doors together when closed. You can also drill a hole in the upper track and insert a screw that extends out into the runner to prevent the door from being lifted up and out of its track
Avoid leaving a ladder outside your home, and take any necessary steps to ensure that that your roof is not accessible from trees

What NOT to Do

Do not install a nameplate outside of your house with your full name. Your phone number could easily be found and a call could be placed to determine whether you are home
Do not leave a note on the door or in the mailbox telling a friend, family member, or delivery person that you are not home
Do not leave any spare keys in an obvious place such as the mailbox or under the front door mat
Do not leave cash and handbags in view in your home
Do not leave any doors unlocked if you are occupied within another level of your home or when you may be outside

A Vacation Away from Home

If you are going on vacation it is important to make your home appear inhabited. To fully protect your home, ask for the help of trusted neighbours, family, and friends. Here are just some of the steps you can take to protect your home while you are away.

Stop all mail delivery
Arrange for a neighbour to cut the grass or shovel snow
Cancel all deliveries
Maintain normal lighting patterns by using electronic timers
Ask a neighbour to put one of their garbage bags in front of your house on collection day
Leave a radio on, with a timer if necessary
Ask a neighbour to park their vehicle in your driveway
Arrange for a neighbor to pick up any flyers
Do not talk about your vacation plans with strangers or service people
Use your work address on your luggage tags
If possible, remove valuables from your home. Some valuables could be stored in a safety deposit box
Lock your garage door

In addition, before you leave on vacation tell someone you trust:

The length of time you will be gone
Whether you will have a house sitter while you’re away
The telephone number where you can be reached