Allstate - Kraig P. Cloutier Agency

The UnReal Adventures of Ted & Traci

Here is another funny video from Allstate.  Watch Barbie doll "Traci"  exercise while driving.

http://community.allstate.com/community/allstate_blog/blog/2012/05/08/ted-traci-episode-1-distracted-driving-video

If You've Enjoyed Our Recent Blogs, Take A Look At These Links For Even More Home And Driving Safety Tips

Staying safe behind the wheel is easy as long as you take the proper precautions. By minimizing risks and purchasing the right insurance, you can protect yourself at home and on the road. Visit these websites to learn more.

• Spring cleaning is a great opportunity to perform preventative maintenance. The DIY Network has some useful tips to prevent emergencies and maintain your home’s value.
• Dryer fires put your whole home at risk. To learn how to prevent these catastrophes, read this Consumer Reports article which separates truth from myth.
• Inexperienced drivers are much more likely to make common and dangerous mistakes on the road. This article from Cars.com explains 10 of these common driving mistakes.
• MSN Autos offers another list of driving mistakes: these 10 errors are among the most lethal driving mistakes.
• To understand the risks that young drivers face on the road, review this data collected by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

For more information about how insurance can keep you safe, call the Kraig P. Cloutier Agency at (866) 933-7509.

Are You Living in a Flood Zone? Monitor Your Risk by Using this Useful FloodWatch App

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If you live in an area at risk for flooding and water damage, you should have access to the most up-to-date information about precipitation and flooding. The FloodWatch app allows you to monitor waterways across the United States, alerting you when water levels are on the rise.

The FloodWatch app draws information from the U.S. Geological Survey and National Weather Service to deliver the most accurate and current information about water levels in your area. It also presents these levels in a historical context, allowing you to understand the current risks as compared to previous flood seasons. Long before you see it on the local news, the FloodWatch app will inform you of flood risks to your property.

There’s only one way to protect your home against flooding—flood insurance. To learn more about purchasing a flood insurance policy in the Providence area, contact Kraig P. Cloutier at (866) 933-7509.

Spring Cleaning Tips to Help Keep Your Home Safe

Spring cleaning doesn’t just keep your home beautiful; it also keeps it safe. By carefully cleaning your home at least once a year, you can prevent damage before it occurs. Here are three ways you can mitigate risks in your home as a part of spring cleaning:

Clean Your Ducts
Dirty ducts can be more dangerous than they might sound. Dust and debris buildup in air conditioning ducts makes your air conditioning system less efficient and reduces your indoor air quality, exacerbating allergy symptoms and increasing the concentration of carcinogens in the air. By scheduling a duct cleaning this spring, you can ensure that your air conditioning is safe to operate when summer comes. Don’t forget to check other ducts and vents in your home—clogged dryer vents, for example, are a common cause of house fires.

Clear Your Gutters
Spring rains can be beautiful and refreshing, but if you fail to perform some simple home maintenance tasks, they can also be dangerous. Your rain gutters perform an essential service by directing runoff away from your home. If water is allowed to pool around your home, it can seep into the foundations, slowly eroding them. Foundation damage is costly to repair and can present serious safety risks. Clogged gutters can also trap water on your roof, damaging shingles and increasing the risk of roof collapses.

Perform Preventative Maintenance
Spring cleaning is a great opportunity for homeowners to assess the condition of their houses from top to bottom. When you clean, take note of any wear, damage, or decay to your home. Typically, spotting problems early allows you to repair them with minimal cost and trouble. By treating spring cleaning as a yearly home inspection, you can prevent unpleasant surprises.

The proper care and preventative measures can keep you and your home safe in any situation. One of the most important aspects of home care is purchasing homeowner’s insurance from a company that cares about protecting its customers. At the Kraig P. Cloutier Agency, we offer Allstate insurance to our neighbors in the Providence area. To learn more about property insurance, contact us at (866) 933-7509.

Common Driving Errors Made by Young Drivers

Car insurance for young drivers can be expensive, but purchasing a policy is much less costly than forgoing one. In order to keep your children safe and your insurance costs down, make sure that your young drivers are familiar with these common mistakes made on the road.

Speeding
The more quickly you drive, the more difficult it is to control your vehicle. Although speeding is dangerous for drivers of all ages, it is particularly hazardous for young drivers. Their relative lack of experience makes them less likely to respond correctly in dangerous situations, increasing the risk of crashes. Because young drivers are also less likely to maintain proper following distance, these collisions are more likely to be injurious or even fatal.

Overcrowding
Having too many passengers in your car may not seem particularly dangerous, but it significantly increases the likelihood of injuries. Modern vehicles are designed according to rigorous safety standards, but they can only protect their passengers when these safety measures are being employed properly. Overcrowding cars leads to improper seat belt use, for which young drivers and passengers are already at a higher risk. Social pressures inherent in group activity also cause young drivers to behave more recklessly.

Drinking and Driving
Driving under the influence is extremely dangerous, especially for teen drivers. Young people are less likely to accurately judge their own inebriation, leading to dangerous decisions. A survey performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that 74% of drivers aged 15 to 20 who were killed after drinking and driving were not wearing seat belts. Additionally, because teen drivers are not permitted to drink legally, they are less likely to call their parents or other authority figures if they need help getting home.

Educating your teen about the risks of aggressive and intoxicated driving will help him or her avoid dangerous situations which increase the likelihood of accidents. However, there’s no way to completely eliminate risk. To protect your children, you’ll also need auto insurance. To speak with an auto insurance expert in Providence, call Kraig P. Cloutier at (866) 933-7509.