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All You Ever Wanted to Know About Insurance

Am I Covered When Using Peer-to-Peer Vehicle Sharing?

During the pandemic, a scarcity – and resulting high costs – of rental cars paved the way for a surge in peer-to-peer (P2P) vehicle sharing. Think of it like AirBnBⓇ for your car. No more standing in line at rental car...

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Trouble Driving at Night? Check Out These 6 Tips

We all know there are plenty of driving hazards to worry about during the day – from rain and snow to deer and potholes. But driving at night adds a completely new set of challenges. Why? It all comes down to one word:...

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Interior water damage prevention for new homeowners

Congratulations! Homeownership is a big step. While you’re getting used to your new responsibilities for home maintenance and upkeep, it’s important to get familiar with water damage risks to your home. When you know...

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Prepare for winter with a business disaster recovery plan

- Winter weather is unpredictable, and you can’t always prepare for winter storms on short notice. However, your business could weather the storm with the correct systems in place. From creating a proper plan for winter...

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Replacement Cost vs. Market Value: What's the Difference?

If you were asked to describe the state of the housing market over the past few years, it could be summarized in one word: unpredictable. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many experts predicted a looming housing...

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PREPARING YOUR CAR FOR WINTER

Your automobile is likely one of your most valuable possessions, and you need to ensure it is kept in optimal working order at all times. With winter's cold air and precipitation already beginning to show up across the...

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Your Comprehensive Guide to The Medicare Open Enrollment Period

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period is for Medicare consumers to enroll, drop, or make changes to their Medicare coverage for the coming year. You may also hear the terms: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period or Medicare...

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How to Avoid Hitting a Deer

Autumn is beautiful, but it also introduces some fall driving hazards... deer collisions being one of them. From October to December, mating and hunting season make deer go on the move. For drivers, that means you’re...

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How to tell when you need new brakes

Several telltale signs will let you know when to change brake pads or other components of your braking system. If you hear a squealing sound or your car pulls to one side when braking, you probably need your brakes...

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4 school bus safety tips for drivers

With summer winding down, school buses will hit the roads in anticipation of a new school year. As a driver, it’s a great time to brush up on your safe driving habits so you can confidently share the road with school...

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What is an Insurance Declaration Page?

Reading and understanding your insurance policy can be confusing, but it’s important knowledge to have. One of the best ways to ensure you have a full understanding of your insurance coverage is to review your policy’s...

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Ultimate Guide to Understanding Auto Insurance

When it comes to car insurance, there are a lot of companies and coverage choices. How do you know who to trust and what’s essential? Some of the insurance terms like endorsements or comprehensive and collision coverage...

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Five tips to (finally) get your garage organized

- There’s perhaps no organizing task more daunting than the garage-it’s often the dumping ground for the stuff that has no other place in the house, or the things you don’t use but just can’t bring yourself to toss. How...

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Safest Cars of 2022

Car buyers who consider safety a must-have feature can now choose from an even greater variety, according to the 2022 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s TOP SAFETY PICK award list. This year’s list recognized 101...

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Creative Ideas for Outdoor Winter Hosting

Winter can feel like the longest season. With shorter days and colder temps, the winter blues can sink in fast. But don’t write off the possibility of hosting an outdoor party – even in the coldest months. With smart...

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How Quickly Can a Christmas Tree Set Fire?

With twinkly lights, glistening tinsel and dozens of homemade ornaments, our Christmas trees tell the stories of our family traditions. But if your holiday memories spark into a Christmas tree fire, it can be a...

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Planning a Winter Roadtrip

The Ultimate Guide to Winter Road Trips - by Justin Metz on February 4, 2021 Courtesy of COVID-19, airlines had their own unwelcome layover last year. According to data from the Transportation Security Administration (...

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Myths & Facts About Pumping Gas

by Becky Badar on August 17, 2021 There are a lot of areas of life where we need to separate fact from fiction. Who knew that the gas pump would be one of them? From the best time of day to fill up to what kind of gas...

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Summer Storms and Tricky Tree Situations

With many summer storms blowing through, trees can become a big issue. Read this article by Erie Insurance to learn more about how your insurance may be able to help: What Happens If My Neighbor’s Tree Falls in My Yard?...

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Safest Cars of 2021

For safety-conscious drivers, the 2021 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety TOP SAFETY PICK awards represent a wealth of choices. Each year, the IIHS, a nonprofit research and education organization, conducts tests to...

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Sinkholes and Insurance

Imagine this: You’re leaving your house, ready to tackle the working day, only to discover a large, inexplicable hole where your car is supposed to be. That’s the thing about sinkholes. They’re just baffling. At first...

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Check your property After a storm

How to Check Your Property for Damage After a Storm When a big storm hits in home town, you hunker down inside, relying on your home to protect you and your family. Once that storm passes, though, it’s time to repay...

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Keeping Student Athletes Safe

7 Tips to Help Keep Student Athletes Safe Your household may be one of the millions this fall in which student athletes are dreaming of victory on their school playing fields. Of course, we here at Advanced Insurance...

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Get to know: Tracy Hartman, office manager and personal lines agent

Where did you grow up? Pine Grove Can you tell us a little bit about your family? I am married to Chris Hartman, 20 years. We have two children, Samantha and Nathan. Samantha just completed her first year at the...

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Mow-mentum: 8 items for your summer home maintenance to-do list

Summer’s for getting away, having fun in the sun, relaxing with a cold beverage. But while it’s nice to take a vacation from home maintenance, methodically tackling a summer to-do list will ensure that your house looks...

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Protect your pet this summer with these hot-weather safety tips

In July 2016, he was a neglected 7-week-old puppy clinging to life. He was severely underweight, dehydrated, and had open wounds infected by maggots. His rescuer described him as “like a scabby little alien,” too weak...

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Here's how you can keep your cool this summer without having to crank up the A/C

Three-fourths of American homes have air-conditioning, according to the U.S. Department of Energy website, energy.gov. That cooling consumes approximately 6 percent of all energy produced in the United States, at a cost...

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Millennials tend to wildly overestimate the cost of life insurance

In “Star Trek” lore, a Vulcan salute – hand raised, palm forward, fingers split to form a V – is accompanied by the words, “Live long and prosper.” When we’re younger, the future can seem boundless. Even though we know...

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Be kind to your car’s engine: check the oil

The host of the British TV series “Fifth Gear” conceded that what he was doing was “cruelty to cars” and should be an arrestable offense. But he did it anyway. He drained the oil from a car’s engine and then took to the...

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Driveway sealing: coal tar or petroleum asphalt

With your paved driveway in need of refreshing, you’re presented with choices: namely, do the work yourself or hire a professional for the job. If you opt for the latter, you also have options: use a traditional coal-...

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You are getting very sleepy: the dangers of drowsy driving

It’s late at night, and the car ahead of you is driving erratically, swerving in and out of its lane, even running over rumble strips on the road’s shoulder. The person behind the wheel may not be under the influence of...

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Business interruption insurance compensates for lost income caused by disaster-related damage

Hurricane Irma, which struck in late summer 2017, caused estimated insurance losses in Florida of $8 billion, including 3,840 business interruption claims. Disasters cost inoperable small businesses an average of $3,000...

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That rotten egg smell could be a sign of a natural gas leak in your home

In July 2017, a natural gas explosion in Manor Township, Lancaster County, killed a UGI worker, injured three other people, and destroyed a home. Four other nearby homes had to be condemned. “I just saw pieces of...

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Identity theft recovery coverage can help with costs and services to restore your credit

In 2016, identity thieves stole $16 billion from 15.4 million U.S. consumers, according to the 2017 Identity Fraud Study, up from $15.3 billion and 13.1 million victims in 2015. Among states, Pennsylvania ranked seventh...

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Steer Clear Law: slow down and move over in emergency response areas

On a Sunday night in December 2017, a police officer was standing outside of his cruiser on Route 202 in Chester County, Pa., writing a traffic citation. Meanwhile, a passing car driven by a 67-year-old Maryland man...

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If you really want to know about a car, find its Vehicle Identification Number

It has been described as a car’s fingerprint or DNA. It is a Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN, and every car or truck made since 1981 has one comprising 17 characters (a combination of numbers and capital letters)...

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To be organized and productive in the new year, hand write a to-do list

Even with all his super powers, Santa needs help keeping track of who’s naughty or nice. That’s why he makes his list (and checks it twice). Billionaire businessman Richard Branson, whose Virgin Group owns more than 400...

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Mixed signals: Do RFID chips pose a big risk for identity theft?

Thumbing through a holiday catalog chock full of modern gadgets, we were struck by the presence of no fewer than three wallets purporting to block RFID signals. First, we wondered, what are RFID signals? Second, why do...

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It’s child’s play, but adults have primary role when it comes to toy safety

In the holiday movie classic “A Christmas Story,” 9-year-old Ralphie Parker has one thing on his wish list: A Red Ryder BB gun. But his mother, his teacher and even Santa reject the notion, telling Ralphie, “You’ll...

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Get to know: Chris Painter, AIS co-owner and commercial lines team leader

Your wife, Courtney, and her brother, Doug Erwin, started AIS in 2000. You joined AIS in 2007 after majoring in civil engineering at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown and then working for a decade in the...

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Running out of gas could be bad for your car, safety and pocketbook

It’s a humbling, maybe even humiliating experience when your car runs out of gas. Having to walk to a gas station, trusting there’s a gas can that you can borrow, ought to be lesson enough not to let it happen again....

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Making a case for stockpiling drinking water

Water, water, every where,/Nor any drop of drink That’s a line from a 220-year-old poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge called “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” In it, a sailor is surrounded by salt water that he can’t...

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Saying ‘I do’ to wedding insurance

Wedding plans can make life plenty stressful under the best of circumstances, whether they involve choosing the bride’s gown, winnowing an invite list, or deciding on a menu. But at least the planner has lots of say in...

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After flood waters recede, dangerous mold often is left behind

Hurricane Harvey in August 2017 established itself as the worst rainfall disaster in American history. It dumped some 33 trillion gallons of water along the Gulf of Mexico. The Washington Post illustrated the enormity...

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Can you dig it? Call 811 before any digging project

It might be as simple as planting a tree or something a little more involved, such as building a deck. Whether you’re a homeowner or professional contractor, if you’re digging with powered equipment, you first must call...

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Disability insurance can replace income, cover overhead expenses

Benjamin Franklin famously said, "Nothing is certain except death and taxes." While we can't always agree on taxes, there's no denying that each of us will die eventually. Because this is accepted fact, people tend to...

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College's major problem: excessive drinking and its aftermath

It turns out that the famed “Freshman 15” is fiction, for the most part. Contrary to the notion that the average first-year college student gains 15 pounds, an Ohio State University study found that 2.4 (women) and 3.4 (...

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Don’t get distracted by the drive toward autonomous vehicles

In the movie “Anchorman 2,” four members of the KVWN-TV Channel 4 news team are riding in the back of an RV, reminiscing about times spent together. “Hey, Ron, who’s driving?” asks reporter Brian Fantana. “Oh, it’s OK,...

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Here's how to get a healthier lawn with less effort

Like the chirping of birds and the spinning of fan blades, the humming of lawnmower engines is part of the soundtrack of summer. We're a little obsessed with our lawns, yet sometimes to the detriment of their health and...

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Get to know: Doug Erwin, AIS president and personal lines team leader

When you and your sister, Courtney, started AIS in 2000, what opportunity did you see? We saw the chance to be different. Our dad was also an insurance agent, but he was an agent with a specific company and tied to...

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Beware the lint trap: clean regularly to avoid dryer fires

A Google search of "dryer fire" readily yielded three incidents that occurred within one month of each other: In Lock Haven, Pa., a dryer fire destroyed the home of a 34-year-old man who had lived there most of his life;...

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Soaking up our Guide to Summer Safety

Summer means fun and sun, but that doesn't mean that we can throw caution to the warm breeze. Some of our favorite summer activities also come with significant safety or health risks, especially to children. We can...

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Best used cars for teen drivers: IIHS survey

Among "4 ways to save money when insuring young drivers" we identified in a previous blog post, at No. 3 we said don't buy them a new car. In fact, according to a survey by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 83...

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What you need to know to manage workers' compensation costs

Workers' compensation was the first form of social insurance in the United States: The first law was enacted in 1908 to cover federal civilian employees. Today, all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico...

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Apply these tips when spreading organic mulch

For home improvement return on investment, it's hard to beat the value that mulch delivers. For a little bit of labor and not a lot of money, you can revive your yard and beautify your home for months to come. Not only...

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Top of mind: When do you need to replace your roof?

In early 1963, The Drifters had a big hit with the song, "Up On The Roof," which began: When this old world starts getting me down /And people are just too much for me to face/ I climb way up to the top of the stairs /...

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One in 15 homes in U.S. has a radon problem: does yours?

In 2014, a home in Lehigh County, Pa., was found to have the highest radon level ever recorded in the United States. The concentration was more than 900 times greater than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's...

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Taking a shine to solar power for your home

The solar power industry announced its presence with blinding authority in 2016. For the first time in history, solar topped gas and wind as the top source of new electricity-generating capacity, which nearly doubled...

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CFL vs. LED: an illuminating look at energy-efficient light bulbs

We're engulfed in choices today, from clothing to food to TV subscriptions. The light bulb aisle is no less daunting, especially when it comes to the alphabet soup of CFLs and LEDs. Which begs the burning question: What'...

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Give your heart some love, for health's sake

Neil Young sang that only love can break your heart. Well, we hope Neil Young will remember that a poor diet and a lack of exercise can do a number on your heart, too. But he wouldn't be alone if he didn't. An American...

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It's snow lie: Here's the scoop on your responsibility for sidewalk shoveling

When it comes to snowfall and your driveway, how quickly you tend to shoveling is up to you. Maybe you're an early riser and get right at it. Perhaps you're a procrastinator, and you'll get around to it when the...

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Kicking off the new year with a song to Route 66

There's just something about Pennsylvania, the open road and music. Perry Como, the pride of Canonsburg, Washington County, had a hit with "Home for the Holidays," which he recorded in 1954. "From Pennsylvania, folks...

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Push, don't lift and 10 other tips for safer snow shoveling

Winter Storm Jonas: Oh, brother, was that a snow shoveler's worst nightmare. The January 2016 blizzard dumped a record 30.2 inches on Harrisburg. No one knows what the future holds for snowfall, but it's always a good...

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Big-ticket Christmas gifts and their insurance implications

Purchasing all the gifts listed in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" will set you back $34,363 this year, up from $233 in 2015, according to the 33rd annual PNC Wealth Management Christmas Price Index. Of course, maybe a...

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To keep your home safe, water your cut Christmas tree daily and keep it away from heat sources

In January 2015, a massive fire in Annapolis, Md., claimed the lives of a couple and their four grandchildren, ages 6 to 8. In the mansion's great room stood a 15-foot Fraser fir Christmas tree that had been lit 24...

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When dog bites man, your homeowners insurance could bite back

Welcoming a dog into your home comes with a long checklist of considerations, from leashes and food dishes to potty training and socializing. One other item that bears significant thought is insurance liability should...

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How to build an emergency supply kit

Fifty-two percent of Americans don't have copies of crucial personal documents, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Forty-eight percent don't have emergency supplies; 44 percent don't have...

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Get your family ready in the event of an emergency evacuation

Hurricane Matthew left a trail of devastation in its wake, claiming more than 1,000 lives in Haiti and at least 33 in the United States. The Category 5 storm also caused billions of dollars in property damage. Florida...

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With inland marine coverage, your tools and equipment are covered wherever you take them

A construction site can go from being a hub of activity during the day to utter blackness overnight. A chain-link fence surrounding the property can deter thieves, but you'll often read about the theft of tools and...

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If a neighbor's tree falls on my house, who pays for any damages?

The subject of trees falling can lead to intriguing philosophical questions. For instance, if a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound? But we're more about practical matters at...

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Picture this: a safer, more respectful way to take selfies

In Greek mythology, Narcissus saw his reflection in a pool of water and fell in love with it. He was so taken with his own face that he stared at it until he died. In modern-day reality, a love of selfies is sometimes...

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Go to the head of the class by following these school bus safety tips

The wheels on the bus go round and round, round and round. Each year, school buses travel more than 400 million miles in Pennsylvania and 10 billion miles across the United States. Nationally, school buses keep an...

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Odds are you won’t be struck by lightning, but these steps can keep your family even safer

Benjamin Franklin was in Philadelphia when, with the help of a key and a kite, he proved that electricity and lightning were one and the same. It also was in the City of Brotherly Love that Franklin invented the...

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Permanently attached equipment specifically should be noted when contractors buy commercial auto insurance

If you’re a building contractor, your truck is your livelihood. You spend an awful lot of time in it, driving to and from work sites. It’s your home away from home, so it’s likely you’ve modified it to accommodate so-...

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Tough bounces: trampoline use comes with high risk of injury and potential homeowner liability

Trampolines have their ups and downs – and that’s the problem. While jumping and somersaulting has enormous appeal to children, the danger associated with landing improperly has led the American Academy of Pediatrics to...

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Distracted driving is dangerous to driver, passenger and bystander - all of the time

No doubt you’ve passed another driver who appeared to be focused more on his smart phone than on the road ahead. Then again, maybe you’ve done the same thing. It is what’s known as distracted driving, which comprises...

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Take the plunge into swimming pool safety

Nothing says refreshing like a dip in a swimming pool on a hot summer day. But nothing speaks of danger more than young children near water. Drowning is the leading cause of injury-related death among children ages 1 to...

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Water line protection: low cost for a low risk

A letter from Pennsylvania American Water began with a series of bullet points, the first of which noted that one of the recipient’s neighbors “recently had their water pipe repaired.” The letter, which arrived in a...

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Car safety seats: They are required by law and highly effective if used properly

We haul everything in our cars, from groceries and dry-cleaning to sports equipment and home-improvement products. But there’s no more precious cargo than the people we move, especially our children. And yet as a nation...

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Most homeowners policies don't provide flood coverage, but it can be purchased separately

September will mark the fifth anniversary of massive flooding in central Pennsylvania caused by Tropical Storm Lee. In Hershey, the flood water buckled pavement at the Route 322 off-ramp near Hersheypark Drive;...

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Lawn mowing is not child's play: 12 safety tips

Just like morning dew and fireflies at night, the whirring of lawn mower blades is a staple of summer (not to mention much of spring and fall). We love our manicured lawns and take great pride in maintaining them. But...

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If you owe more on your car than it is worth, you should consider gap insurance

A new automobile can be a lot of things: simply a means of getting from Point A to Point B, or a fun, frivolous lifestyle accessory. But a sound investment it might not be. On average, according to Edmunds.com, a new...

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A roundabout way: improving safety, reducing delays

If you’re a fan of the progressive rock band Yes, then you’re probably familiar with the song “Roundabout.” The lyrics are obscure, to wit: “I'll be the round about/The words will make you out 'n' out” Traffic...

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Take stock of your stuff with a home inventory

Digital photography, particularly with the advent of smart phones, has made us a culture of camera buffs. By one accounting, people upload an average of 1.8 billion digital images every day. We photograph our friends...

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Off-season is the perfect time for 5 maintenance and safety tips for your wood-burning fireplace

Even as winter winds down and warmer weather beckons, it’s a perfect time to think about preventive maintenance for your fireplace. By planning ahead, you’ll be in great shape when the need for heat returns in the fall....

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If you provide a professional service, you should consider professional liability insurance

For all of the talk about gridlock in politics, some issues elicit bipartisan agreement. Take, for instance, Pennsylvania Act 65 of 2012. In June of that year, legislation mandating that all dentists in the commonwealth...

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Pedestrians 14 percent of motor vehicle crash deaths: safety tips for walkers and drivers alike

The next time you go to the movies, think about how you got there. You probably drove. On your way, you may have witnessed someone crossing a street, jogging, or even walking to the same cinema. As you settle into your...

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Business insurance coverage starts with a general liability policy

The U.S. Small Business Administration recommends that businesses assess their insurance needs on an annual basis. As a business grows, after all, so do its liabilities. A good place to start is with general liability...

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Because you have a website -- and other reasons why cyber liability insurance makes sense

When news organizations compile annual lists of the top data breaches, it’s a good indication of the frequency with which they occur and their scope. Through late November 2015, the number of U.S. data breaches stood at...

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Life insurance Q&A with AIS personal lines agent Tracy Hartman

Tracy Hartman joined Advanced Insurance Solutions as a personal lines agent. A 10-year veteran of the insurance industry, she has a particular interest in life insurance. She explains her philosophy and the importance...

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5 smart phone apps for a safer, healthier, more economical holiday season

Smart phone apps are available by the millions, with more coming all the time. But research shows that Americans have a limited appetite for them. On average, according to Nielsen, U.S. smart phone users accessed 26.7...

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Bringing 'Hope' to the world's impoverished

In the East African country of Burundi, poverty abounds. But a couple with six children takes out a loan from the savings group to which they belong to expand their small farm and tailoring business. In Moldova, one of...

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Get ready for winter with a car emergency kit

Santa’s checking his list, and he’s checking it twice. But we’re not talking about what all of the children want for Christmas. We’re referring to the list of things he needs to ensure safe travel on Dec. 24, such as...

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Oh, deer: Here’s how to reduce the risk of a costly collision with Pennsylvania’s state animal

It doesn’t get any more Pennsylvania than Perry Como, the pride of Canonsburg, Washington County, crooning “Home for the Holidays.” “I met a man who lives in Tennessee, and he was headin' for, Pennsylvania and some...

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Keeping up to speed on antique and classic auto insurance

For several days each October, the Sweetest Place on Earth becomes the place for eyeing one sweet ride after another. Hershey annually welcomes the Antique Auto Club of America’s Eastern Fall Meet, which describes...

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8 scenarios for which you need life insurance

If someone will suffer financially when you die, then you probably need life insurance. It provides cash to your family after your death. Known as the “death benefit,” it replaces your income and can help your family...

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4 insurance tips if your child is going to college

You had a talk with your college-bound son or daughter about making wise decisions in their lives. Now also is a good time to have a conversation with your insurance agent. A child leaving home has implications for his...

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Jaci’s mission trip to the jungle of Ecuador

Jaci Wildner has been volunteering since she was a high school student in Lewisberry, York County, with organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and Habit for Humanity. She also has traveled extensively, both as a...

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Fiduciary liability: Make sure you're covered or you could wind up looking like this guy

With so many necessary insurance coverages to consider, a busy business owner and/or executive might overlook or minimize the importance of fiduciary liability. Warning: An oversight or misstep in this area is like a...

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Follow these tips to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

A brother and sister travelled to a family cabin in Maine to celebrate his high school graduation and her 22nd birthday. What should have been a joyful week soon turned tragic for the siblings and two other adults who...

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Required if you have employees, workers compensation insurance can be costly and confusing

A recent workers compensation claim crossed our desks and had us seeking case law to learn more. An employee who sustained a work-related injury was prescribed a treatment regimen with the goal of returning to work...

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Proudly we hailed: 15 patriotic quotations for America’s birthday

America celebrates its 239th birthday on the Fourth of July. Many of us will mark the day with flags and fireworks, at picnics and parades. It's a wonderful time to share our love of America with friends and family...

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12 water-saving tips for summer

Severe drought will cost California $2.7 billion in revenue and more than 18,600 jobs this year, by one account. But its effects will be felt by most of us in the form of higher food prices, considering that California...

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Grin but don’t bare it: cover up with sunscreen to prevent skin cancer

It was good advice in 1997 and remains so today. Nearly two decades ago, Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich wrote an essay in the form of a commencement address to the Class of 1997. Titled "Advice, like youth,...

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A safe bet for your road trip is to check tire pressure

The road trip is back. Memorial Day weekend travel volume – the vast majority of it by automobile – is expected to reach a 10-year high in 2015, according to the AAA auto club. Some 37.2 million Americans are forecast...

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Pennsylvania’s peak tornado season runs May through July

If you live in Hershey or Hummelstown, it’s a safe bet that your family headed to the basement or an interior room on the evening of April 20, 2015. Emphasis should be placed on “safe,” as the National Weather Service...

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12 gas grill safety tips

Having a certified propane tank is an important part of ensuring the safe operation of your gas grill. Tanks require recertification when they reach 12 years of age. Speaking of the number 12, here are a dozen gas grill...

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Tanks for the memories: your grill’s propane cylinder might be expired

Your mouth waters as you toss chicken and steaks onto your gas grill. You take comfort in knowing that the poultry and beef are fresh, delicious and safe to feed to your family. Speaking of safety, have you given any...

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You should spend more than 15 minutes on your car insurance

What’s the magic of 15 minutes? There’s a famous quote, often (perhaps incorrectly) attributed to Pittsburgh-born pop artist Andy Warhol: “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” And, of course, a...

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4 ways to save money when insuring young drivers

When your children start driving, concern for their safety takes a back seat to nothing. And with good reason: fatalities are highest among teen drivers, who obviously have relatively little time behind the wheel....

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Graduated driver licensing helping to make roads safer for young drivers throughout U.S.

Parents can get sticker shock when it comes to purchasing auto insurance for their teen-age children. The price tag is commensurate with the risk associated with that age group. Fatalities among teen drivers are three...

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Pressure situation: getting tire inflation right

The road to Super Bowl XLIX was a rocky one for the New England Patriots, accused of having used illegally under-inflated footballs in the American Football Conference championship. NFL fans and non-fans alike learned...

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Here’s how to PASS muster when using a fire extinguisher

It's pretty easy to see how dangerous home fires can be when you consider that they can be life threatening in just two minutes. Flames can engulf a residence in five minutes. Each year, more than 2,500 people die and...

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A breezy look at wind chill

It's one thing to take on a home-improvement project, but patching a hole in a wall is like a walk in the park compared with figuring out the wind chill. Here's the formula, courtesy of the National Weather Service:...

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15 energy-saving tips for winter

“Saturday Night Live” used to have a recurring skit about a pretend local TV program called “Bronx Beat with Betty & Jodi.” When it was cold outside, the heavy-accented co-hosts talked about it being “sweata weatha.”...

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5 tips for safe winter driving

Winter officially arrives on Dec. 21. The good news is the amount of daily sunlight then will start to increase. The bad news is that winter is just beginning, and another snowy season is expected. AccuWeather...

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Making spirits bright: 8 holiday light safety tips

Forty-five thousand Christmas lights set to the Penn State fight song can’t be wrong. Nor can a website called ChristmasLightFinder.com. Of course, Hersheypark’s “Hershey Sweet Lights” offers nearly 600 illuminated...

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10 servings of gratitude to go with your Thanksgiving meal

We savor the turkey and gravy, mashed potatoes and stuffing. We feast on the Macy's parade and football, too. But what Thanksgiving means most of all to us is the blessing of family and friends with whom to share it....

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Treat yourself to these 10 tips for a safe, happy Halloween

Here's a scary statistic: On average, according to SafeKids.org, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Trick-or-treating is a lot of fun....

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Here’s how to jumpstart a dead car battery

There’s really no good time for your car battery to die and leave you stranded. But winter weather can be an especially difficult time to leave your headlights or the radio on when the car isn’t running. Just as you buy...

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15 tips for fall home maintenance

Spring forward, fall back. It's great advice for remembering seasonal time changes. But it's not so great when it comes to fall home maintenance. Fall is a time for springing into action and getting ready for the cold...

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Prevent ID theft with these 10 steps

You’ve probably heard about the recent data breaches at Target and Home Depot that put millions of customers’ credit card information at risk. Identity theft and information-based fraud is the fastest growing crime in...

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For Life Insurance Awareness Month, a free life insurance guide

Jackie Blanchard's husband died at a young age, his life insurance sufficient only to pay for his funeral. When she died from lung cancer at age 38, Blanchard left her family in much better shape financially. Because...

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Keep your life above water with flood insurance

Pennsylvania has a tragic history with floods. In 1889, the Johnstown Flood claimed more than 2,200 lives; it was the largest single-day loss of civilian life in U.S. history until 9/11. Of course, most of us remember...

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5 reasons to mark National Immunization Awareness Month by getting recommended vaccinations

In spring 2014, the Lower Dauphin and Derry Township school districts each reported cases of pertussis, aka whooping cough. The disease, which a century ago killed 5,000 people each year, has made a comeback across the...

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College students living off-campus should consider renters insurance

If you went to college 30 years ago, you might have brought a word processor or typewriter with you. Odds are that you watched television in a dorm lounge, or a group of you piled into the room of the one student who...

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7 safety tips for bicyclists

You’ve probably heard the expression, “It’s just like riding a bike,” suggesting that once you’ve learned something, you never forget it. But when it comes to bicycle safety, it’s never a bad idea to take a refresher...

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Make recycling and reducing routine

"Reduce, reuse, recycle." Most likely, you've heard that catchy phrase connected with information about saving natural resources and even saving your family money. But how many of us really make reducing, reusing and...

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6 tips to keep your home safe while you’re on vacation

Swimsuit? Check. Sunscreen? Check. Peace of mind knowing that everything is safe and secure at home while you're on vacation? Better double-check. July and August are the most popular months for vacations - and for...

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Red, white and boom! Celebrate the Fourth with these fireworks safety tips in mind

We celebrate the Fourth of July in many ways, from family picnics to parades to baseball games. For our money, nothing captures the spirit and excitement of Independence Day quite like fireworks. The whistling, sizzling,...

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Take motorcycle safety in a love embrace: 5 tips

"Like a true nature's child/We were born, born to be wild/We can climb so high/I never wanna die" --"Born to be Wild," Steppenwolf As the lyrics to "Born to be Wild" attest, the freedom of the open road is a big reason...

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7 boat insurance options to protect you on the water this summer

They say a rising tide lifts all boats. The economic recovery has certainly been good to the recreational boating industry. A record 88.5 million Americans - or nearly 37 percent - participated in recreational boating...

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7 tips for safe grilling

When it comes to grilling season, take it outside and keep it there. Propane and charcoal grills should only be used outdoors. Never use them in a house, garage, trailer, tent or any other enclosed area because of a...

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Hot dogs are an important link to summer. Here’s how to enjoy them safely.

Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer - and the kickoff to hot dog season, which runs through Labor Day and includes National Hot Dog Month in July. During the season, Americans typically consume 7 billion -...

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9 spring home-maintenance tips

Spring is a time of renewal in nature – and for our homes, which can take a beating from the cold and bluster of winter. So in addition to getting outside for leisure pursuits, it’s important to set aside time this...

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Sinkholes typically not covered by homeowners insurance

In October, nine families in Palmyra were forced to evacuate their homes because of sinkholes on the 300 block of East Cherry Street. In February, another sinkhole caused a building collapse on the property of...

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5 things you should know about an independent insurance agent

Bigger might get more attention, but it isn't necessarily better when it comes to choosing your insurance company. In fact, bigger sometimes translates into fewer choices for consumers. Television is filled with...

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