Motorcycle Awareness

While spring as arrived and summer is approaching, you may notice the increase of motorcycles on the road. May is a month "Motorcycle Awareness", not only to protect your life, but also the lives of others surrounding you on side roads and highways.

Unfortunately, over two-thirds of accidents that involve both cars and motorcycles are caused by drivers, not by motorcyclists. Why? Well, often times, drivers tend to look for other cars, not motorcycles. Motorcycles are smaller and harder to see...often hiding in blind spots. It's harder for a driver to predict a motorcyclists reaction to certain things. For instance, as a driver, you may just drive over a piece of debris in the road, but a motorcyclist would have to swerve around it to avoid what could be a fatal situation.

As drivers, we could be more conscious during hazardous road conditions that may cause a motorcyclist to take a more evasive action than you. Be careful of your blind spots, especially if you are driving a bigger SUV or truck. And be careful when your view is obstructed by other large vehicles. Motorcycles have a way of "suddenly" appearing.

Always give motorcyclists the proper amount of travel space. They need all the same priveleges as all other vehicles on the road. Be clear with your signals. Look out at intersections. Try to anticipate responses by a motorcyclist by noticing possible obstructions. Allow plenty of space.
Although two-thirds of accidents involving cars and motorcyles are caused by the driver of the vehicle, that still implies that one-third of accidents are caused by motorcyclists and that there is still a need of safety on the behalf of the motorcyclist. What can you do as a motorcyclist?

Properly position yourself in the lane of traffice. Don't "hide" in the driver's blind spot...if you can see the driver in their side view mirror then the driver can also see you! Always use proper signals letting other drivers know exactly what you intend to do. Use your headlight and wear contrasting colors that make you more visible. Always wear a helmet just in case. Be aware of possible things that may obstruct a driver's view of you.

As always, make sure both your car and motorcyle is properly insured in case an accident does occur. Do you have the proper insurance limits that would cover you if the other driver isn't insured? Do you have insurance to cover Medical Expenses? Give us a call with questions regarding your policy....or for a free QUOTE!

Podmaska Insurance Agency, located in the Providence Area....your local one stop insurance shop for all of your insurance needs.

Keeping Up With Building Codes: An Unexpected Expense

Did you know that you should update your homeowners insurance policy every time your building code changes?

Building codes tend to change often, and if your house (or investment property, commercial office property, etc.) is ten years old, chances are it doesn't meet the current codes. And with today's "green" building code updates, it's likely that your home won't meet the code even if it's just five years old.

All of this means that if something were to happen to your home, you would be required to bring it up to code when you repair it. Would your homeowners insurance cover that? If not, you'll be expected to pay for any shortages out-of-pocket.

If you have more questions about keeping your homeowners policy up-to-date or for more information on homeowners insurance, contact us today! We're Podmaska Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Providence, Rhode Island.

A Little About Fixed & Variable Annuities

An annuity allows you to earn tax-free interest that grows without penalty, so that you can plan and save for your retirement. The different types of annuities allow you a mixed bag of options so you can achieve your financial goals in the way you're most comfortable.

Each different type of annuity has separate features and meets individual needs. Because it can get very confusing and overwhelming, here's a crash course:

Annuities come in two basic types: fixed or variable. A fixed annuity offers a fixed rate of return over a period of years, while a variable annuity's rate of return changes, depending on how well sub accounts perform. Both fixed and variable annuities have their own pro's and con's...

Fixed annuities will give you a steady return and allow you to easily see how much you'll need to save for retirement. Variable annuities offer you the chance to earn a high percentage of return while carrying more risk to your principal.

There are also a few risks when choosing one type of annuity over another. If you decide to go the safe route with fixed rate annuities, you stand the risk of missing your chance for larger returns. If you choose variable annuities, you risk losing principal and missing out on the safety of at least earning some interest on your investment.

For more information on fixed or variable annuities, contact us today! We're Podmaska Insurance, an independent insurance agency based in Providence, Rhode Island.