Thursday, 27 October 2011

Winter Ready Insurance Tips

There are many things Canadians need to do to get ready for winter but there are a few really simple things that can be done to reduce your risk of having an insurance claim.
For auto insurance, it is simple.  Winter tires ARE worth the hype.  Winter tires are made of a compound that will stick to snow and ice.  All season tires become slick and will not grip nearly as well as a good set of winter tires. 
Another key tip is to make sure that the entire vehicle is properly cleared of ice and snow prior to driving away.  This will allow for better visability as well as cause less of a distraction to other drivers who will not have the snow from your vehicle flying towards them as they drive behind you on the road.
For home insurance, the big thing related to wood heat.  Make sure that your Solid Fuel heating system is in accordance with WETT (Wood Energy Technical Transfer) standards.  For a list of WETT inspectors and chimney sweeps in your area, check out the website at http://www.wettinc.ca/.  Having your chimeny swept will keep it clear of blockages and keep it clean of creosote, a black tar substance that is know to cause chimney fires.
Any further questions can likely be answered by your local Insurance Broker.
http://www.kloepferinsurance.ca/