Archives for May 2014

Fun Under the Sun – Grill Safety

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Fire up the grillTime To Fire Up The Grill!

Just like hamburgers and hot dogs, a sizzling grill is a symbol of summer and grilling isn’t just about great food and pool parties. Backyard barbecues often create treasured memories with friends and family.

Keep in mind, however, that when you grill, you’re literally playing with fire. Thousands of residents each year learn this the hard way, suffering damage to their homes or even serious injuries in grilling accidents.

There’s good news, though: You can prevent grilling accidents by taking some simple precautions. The tips below can help ensure you cook only your burgers — and not your house — the next time you fire up the grill.

TIPS FOR ALL GRILLS

  • Your grill, whether gas or charcoal, should be on a level surface outdoors, away from anything that could be ignited by flames (bushes, fences, patio furniture, etc.).
  • NEVER use a grill indoors. Odorless carbon monoxide fumes could kill you.
  • Keep your grill clean and well-maintained. Check parts regularly to determine if replacements are needed.
  • Never leave a hot grill unattended or let children play near it.

CHARCOAL GRILL TIPS

From Kingsford.com

  • Do not add lighter fluid directly to hot coals. The flame could travel up the stream of fluid and burn you.
  • Never use gasoline or kerosene to light a charcoal fire.
  • Use flame-retardant mitts and long-handled barbecue tongs, as coals can reach up to 1,000 degrees.
  • To dispose of coals, allow the ashes to cool for at least 48 hours before disposal in a non-combustible container. If you cannot wait 48 hours, carefully place coals individually in a can of sand or bucket of water.

GAS GRILL TIPS

From the National Fire Protection Association

  • Check your grill’s hoses for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If you have a leak, and it will not stop after the grill and gas is turned off, call the fire department. If the leak stops when the grill and gas are turned off, have your grill serviced by a professional.
  • If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
  • Do not keep a filled propane tank in a hot car or trunk. When getting containers refilled, make that your last stop before going home.
  • Store propane tanks in an upright position, and never indoors.

When you’re hanging out pool side, enjoying a few cold ones remember to practice these grill safety tips. From all of us at CityScape Insurance, happy grilling, and stay safe this summer!

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Switch and Save 15% or More

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Switch today and save hundreds on your car insurance!

Save Money

In today’s society it’s not easy living a decent life and juggling the bills so naturally saving money on our auto insurance sounds fantastic. Though it sounds great and we’re all ready to cut costs where we can the question you have to ask yourself is what else are you cutting?

Many insurance carriers such as State Farm, Geico, Progressive, and Freeway Insurance claim they can save you $100’s on your car insurance, save 15% or more, auto insurance as low as $29/mo, so easy a caveman can do it, and so on. What they aren’t telling you is they will sell you a bare bones policy leaving you with next to no coverage in the event of an accident. Now don’t get me wrong, these carriers do provide excellent products, they’re just trying to appeal to those consumers who want the cheapest insurance policy possible. We agents have heard one too many horror stories about being underinsured and quiver at the idea of a state minimum policy. To make sure your current policy doesn’t fall short in the event of an accident we’ve broken down the crucial coverage you should have on your policy and how it works for you.

Bodily Injury & Property Damage

Chances are if you drive a car and have ever had to deal with anything pertaining to auto insurance you’ve heard the term “BI & PD or Bodily Injury and Property Damage”. This is your basic form of liability insurance and is a state requirement to operate a motor vehicle. In the State of Arizona the minimum limits required are $15,000/$30,000 for bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage. This is coverage afforded to others in the event you’re found at-fault for an accident. Though this may look like a lot of coverage, it’s pennies in most cases. The average cost for an ambulance transport in Arizona ranges in-between $860-$1,200, and an emergency room visit starts around $1000 & up. These figures don’t include additional costs for x-rays, chiropractor visits, treatment costs, possible surgery, or medications. With a state minimum policy it will only cover up to $15,000 in bodily injury per person and a maximum of $30,000 per accident. If you were to get into a head on collision with another driver and three passengers just imagine how expensive that can become, we haven’t even factored in your injuries yet.

Aside from the injuries sustained in the event of an accident you also have to factor in the cost of property damage. This includes the other parties vehicle, light posts, fire hydrants, electrical poles, fences, buildings, etc… Depending on where you reside it’s very likely that most vehicles on the road cost more than $10,000 to replace. For instance you crash into a brand new 2014 Ford Fusion, it will run you around $22,000 to replace the vehicle if declared totaled. With only $10,000 in coverage afforded by the policy, this will leave you on the hook for an additional $12,000. Hope you were saving the hundreds of dollars by switching as promised because the insurance company will be coming after you for the additional cost.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist

Though an optional coverage in Arizona it’s highly recommended that you carry it. Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage can be added to any auto policy up to the limits of the Bodily Injury coverage carried. For instance if you carry the state minimum policy ($15,000/$30,000/$10,000) you can add up to $15,000/$30,000 in uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. This valuable option will cover you in the event the other driver is at-fault and does not carry enough insurance to cover the cost of your sustained loss.

Additional Coverage Options

Aside from the basic coverage outlined above there are several other options to consider when purchasing a policy such as: medical, comprehensive, collision, roadside, and accessory coverage. If you would like to learn more about these valuable coverage options please feel free to contact us.


Next time you shop your auto insurance take a moment and ask your agent what the policy really covers before making a costly decision. If you don’t have an agent or would like a second opinion please feel free to contact us and we would be happy to provide a free coverage review.

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