Each factor below can either raise or lower you premiums.
Review these with your agent and ask if you qualify for additional discounts.

Things that can raise auto insurance rates:

• Overall loss experience (more claims than expected)  - it may be time to switch companies.
• Newer cars and SUVs are more expensive to insure  - ask your agent what the premium will be BEFORE you buy.
• Increasingly higher lawsuits awards - The lawyer that got 35 times more for his client increased your premiums too.
• Longer auto loans mean more autos repairs to satisfy lenders.

How can you lower your rates? Call an independent agent, (like Eve Insurance - 810-733-0666) Why an independent agent? We represent many companies so you get the right coverage at the right price. Plus you'll be able to take advantage of discounts for:

• Group memberships such as credit unions and professional associations
• Having your home and auto insurance with the same company
• Having more than one car insured with the same company
• A broad range of deductibles
• Removing physical damage coverage or limiting coverage on stored vehicles
• A clean driving record
• Special security features on your vehicles
• Students with superior grades (B average or better)
• Short commutes or car pooling
• A loss-free history or policy longevity
• An above average credit history

Insurance companies adjust their policies and rates at least once per year. You should be reviewing your coverage and rates at every renewal to make sure you don't have gaps in your protection and your premiums are as low as possible.

Managing the “Four C’s” of Winter Fire Risks:

Chimneys, Candles, Christmas Trees and Children

By: Eve Insurance

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve—these holidays mean celebrations, many of them in decorated homes filled with merry-making family members and friends. But, the National Fire Protection Association reports that, over the course of a calendar year, the 10 worst days for fires in homes fall between December 24 and January 6.

Fortunately, these risks can be reduced with safe practices that address the “four Cs” of winter fires: chimneys, candles, Christmas trees and children.

Chimneys

Buildup or blockage within a chimney can catch fire. Chimney fires are unpredictable: they can be noisy and fierce, or can smolder undetected.

Common sense tips:

• If you haven’t checked or cleaned the chimney in the past two years, don’t use it.
• Have a professional inspect the chimney for creosote (which is what builds up in a chimney and fuels a chimney fire)
• Use dry wood. This minimizes creosote buildup.
• Do not burn wrapping paper, boxes, trash or Christmas trees.
• Do not use liquid to start a chimney fire. Use kindling.

Remember fireplace basics, too: use a screen to contain sparks; and let ashes cool before disposing of them in a metal container.

Candles

Home-candle fires happen on Christmas Day more often than any other day, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Next worst: New Year’s Day and Christmas Eve. How do they start? Half of home-candle fires begin because an item is left near a lit candle. Four of 10 home candle fires start in bedrooms, with bedding, furniture, and curtains igniting.

Common sense tips:

• Make sure all candles are out before you leave a room or go to bed.
• Keep clothing, curtains, furniture, and other flammable items away from candles and flame.
• Use candleholders that will not tip over.

Christmas Trees

The National Fire Protection Association notes that 300 home fires start each year with Christmas trees. It’s not just live trees; artificial trees also burn. Three major reasons Christmas-tree fires start: electric malfunctions, heat too close to the tree, and children playing with matches, candles, or fireplaces.

Common sense tips:

• Buy a cut tree that has green, fresh needles.
• Buy a fake tree that is fire resistant.
• Use a secure stand.
• Locate trees a minimum of three feet from heat sources such as fireplaces and radiators.
• Water live-cut trees every day.
• Use lights listed by an industrial laboratory. Link together, at most, only three strands of bulbs.
• Throw out lights that have frayed or broken cords.
• Pull the plug on lights before going to bed or leaving home.
• When a tree starts dropping needles, it is time to dispose of it (outside, not in the house, garage or basement).

Children

Perhaps the most unpredictable risks for winter fire are those young people who are, naturally, exploring and experiencing the wonders of the winter world for the first time. Remember that lights and flames are fascinating to children.

Common sense tips:

• Watch the wires. Keep kids away from light strands and power cords.
• Matches, candles, stoves and ovens often get extra use during the holidays, at a time when adults are occupied with cooking, cleaning and entertaining. Stop and ask: “What might draw a child’s curiosity in this house?” Then shield children from those items, physically and through discipline and direction.
• Put matches/lighters out of children’s reach. Use lighters that have a child-resistant safety feature.
• Train children to tell an adult if they see matches or lighters.

Take a Perfect Shot Every Time

With the age of digital cameras well upon us, it is easier than ever to get that perfect shot. You should still know something about shutter speed, aperture, and depth of field. But even if you don’t know much, these tips will help you take great pictures time and time again.

The best day is a cloudy day

Despite what you might have been told, the best picture taking days are cloudy days. On a cloudy day, there are no harsh shadows. And although everything might seem gray, the colors actually appear more saturated and bold. When there is direct, overhead sun, this tends to water colors down and create too much contrast, therefore losing details in either the shadows or the light. Additionally, if you are shooting with automatic focus, your camera will meter either the dark patches or the light patches and adjust the shutter speed and focal length to compensate, effectively leaving you with a picture that is potentially overexposed or underexposed.

Natural light will work magic

You’ve probably heard that natural light is very flattering. And it’s true. Natural light in the morning or afternoon is often very soft and warm, complimenting almost everything it touches. This type of light is often best for portraits, as it compliments skin tones.

Learn the rules of composition

When composing a photo, you want something in the photograph to create tension or interest to the eye. One way of doing this is a unique angle. Another way is using the rule of thirds—imagine that your picture is divided into three sections horizontally and vertically (like a tic-tac-toe game). Placing your subject at the intersection of these lines will break up the symmetry and create a more compelling photograph. If taking a picture of a landscape, place the more interesting part of the landscape in the lower 1/3 or the top 1/3 or the composition. And remember that these are just guidelines – a good photographer will also know when to “break” the rules in order to create emotion and engage the viewer.

Get to know Photoshop

These days, so much can be altered in the digital medium. Contrast can be created as well as many enhancements to colors and textures. There are also many Photoshop actions that can modify the look and feel of your photograph from making color photos into black and white to creating effects like faded or burned edges.