17 Great Firefighter Mugs

by | Firefighters | 0 comments

does_coffee_mug_say

How do you start your day?

It seems most of us (myself included) love to get the morning (or evening if you work shifts) started with a good cup of coffee or tea. As you go through your day, have you noticed just how many mugs have a slogan or saying on them. It seems that what’s on our cup often gives a glimpse of who we are and what we think.

After doing a little research, we’ve assembled a list of some of the best sayings we’ve found on firefighter’s mugs:

  1. I do battle with the Angel of Death forty hours a week. And what do you do for a living?
  2. All men are created equal then some become firefighters.
  3. You Might Know Where You Are, God Might Know Where You Are, But If DISPATCH Doesn’t Know Where You Are Then You and God Better Be On Good Terms.
  4. Do NOT Make Me Use My Paramedic Voice!
  5. Volunteer Firefighters Do It For Free.
  6. Firefighters: The Hotter It Is The Quicker We Come.
  7. Firefighters do it with a big hose.
  8. I still play with trucks.
  9. EMS: Hours of boredom occasionally interrupted by minutes of sheer terror.
  10. I Hate Being Sexy But I’m A Firefighter So I Can’t Help It.
  11. Hug A Firefighter And Feel Warm All Over.
  12. Firefighters can take the heat.
  13. Firefighter By Day, Zombie Slayer By Night.
  14. I’m The Firefighter Your Mother Warned You About.
  15. FIREFIGHTER: Being Awesome Is Just Part Of the Official Job Description.
  16. Beak the Speed Limit, Carry an Ax in Public, Run Red Lights; Oh Yeah, Make Sure You’re a Firefighter

 

What does your favorite mug have on it? We’d love to see; feel free to share it with us.

And just like a comforting cup of hot coffee, California Casualty is a perfect complement to your day. We’ve been protecting American heroes for over 40 years providing auto and home insurance matched to your professional lifestyle. That means these exclusive benefits not available to the general public:

  • Waived or reduced deductibles for vandalism or damage to your vehicle parked at work
  • $500 coverage for personal items damaged in or taken from your vehicle (including turnout gear)
  • Rates guaranteed for a full year (not six months)
  • Free identity theft protection with each policy
  • Fallen Hero survivor benefit
  • Multiple payment options including EZ Pay and holiday or summer skips
  • Superior customer service satisfaction rating – 99 percent with claims satisfaction of 96 percent

Call a California Casualty advisor today to learn about all the professional discounts you qualify for as a firefighter at 1-(866)-441-4635, or visit www.calcas.com/firefighters.

What to do if Your Vehicle is Recalled

by | Auto Insurance Info | 0 comments

Maybe it’s a dangerous airbag, or a leak that could cause a fire or an electrical system that could shut down your vehicle while you drive – odds are good you or someone you know is driving a car or truck that is the subject of a recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is warning that 51 million vehicles had some sort of a recall in 2015. That follows the record 60 million recalls the year before. The scary part is that upwards of 25 percent of them never get fixed. That means millions of cars and trucks – maybe one driven by you or a loved one – are still on the road with a possible hazardous condition.

recall

There are many reasons why drivers aren’t getting defective vehicles to a dealer or mechanic:

  • They are not aware of the recall
  • The time and cost involved
  • They just don’t care

An industry analysis found that Fiat, Honda, Ford, Toyota and GM vehicles were involved in almost three-fourths of the recalls in 2015, with the biggest factor being the recall of Takata equipped airbags. However, others were for leaks that could start an engine fire, defects that could make the vehicle lose control while driving, or seats that could collapse in a crash.

Wouldn’t you like to know if a car or truck that your son or daughter was driving had a serious defect. NHTSA thinks it’s important and has launched a new “Safe Cars Save Lives” campaign urging everyone to check for recalls twice a year. They hope the effort will reduce the number of unsafe vehicles on the road and ultimately save lives.

The website to check if a vehicle you drive has a recall is

https://www.safercar.gov/CheckForRecalls.

 

If you find a vehicle on the list that someone in your family drives, you should immediately:

  1. Contact the dealer and make an appointment to have the defect repaired
  2. Seek reimbursement if it was already repaired before you were notified of the recall (within a year); the automaker is obligated to reimburse you for the repair if it was done at one of its franchised dealers
  3. Submit work orders and a receipt for reimbursement if you had the repair done by an independent mechanic

The bad news is if ten years has gone by since the original recall notice, you might be stuck paying for the repairs yourself.

The good news is that driving a recalled vehicle shouldn’t affect your insurance rates, but you will want to get it fixed as soon as possible to make sure your family and other drivers around you are safe.

Another way to protect your vehicle and your precious passengers is to get an auto insurance policy comparison or review. Just call a California Casualty advisor today to make sure you are adequately covered at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com.

Sources for this article:

https://www.safercar.gov/CheckForRecalls

https://www.edmunds.com/car-safety/recalled-but-unrepaired-cars-are-a-safety-risk-to-consumers.html

https://www.nhtsa.gov/About+NHTSA/Press+Releases/nhtsa-launches-safe-cars-save-lives-campaign-01212015

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-04-15/drivers-ignoring-recall-notices-pose-hurdle-for-gm-s-ceo

California Casualty is Dedicated to Helping California Grow a Brighter Future

by | Educators | 0 comments

Educators make a difference.

Every day they work hard to plant seeds in vibrant minds, helping grow a brighter future for California. They don’t do it for money or glory, and they certainly don’t do it alone. Their dedication is matched by supportive staffs and schools led by forward thinking administrators who push the envelope to incorporate technology and new ways of teaching.

We realize that all too often educators are the unsung heroes working hard to make sure our children excel. They give their time, encouragement, and frequently their own funds to make sure their students learn and achieve. Their reward is the satisfaction that they made a difference in a child’s life.

That commitment is embodied by Daniel Jocz, nominated as California’s candidate for the 2016 National Teacher of the Year. Mr. Jocz realizes that incorporating 21st century technology, like YouTube, in his high school social studies classes makes the content relevant, rigorous and engaging. Mr Jocz has taught for 11 years at the Downtown Magnets High School in Los Angeles where he is a department chair and associated student body advisor. Those who know Mr. Jocz say he instills a sense of success and pride that students take with them throughout their day and beyond school hours.

Another educator who digs deep to make lessons applicable and memorable is Tara Buford, an elementary school teacher in Escondido, California. She has a passion for learning and is committed to helping every child in her classroom. As a “life-long learner” herself, Tara wants to expand opportunities to make lessons fun and engaging for all of her students. “If I’m not having fun they’re not having fun,” she said.

Tara estimates that she spends as much as $1,000 a year of her own funds to make sure her students have the tools and materials they need to succeed. Her students benefitted in 2015 when she received one of California Casualty’s $2,500 Academic Awards.  Tara was able to purchase electronic learning systems and games geared to preparing her classes for the Common Core curriculum.

California Casualty values the contributions of educators like Daniel and Tara. While we might remember a favorite teacher that motivated us, few of them get the public accolades they deserve.

That’s why we’ve teamed up for a second year to be the presenting sponsor of the California Department of Education’s (CDE) School Recognition Program that honors educators who inspire students to succeed, recognizes schools that continually show high achievement and celebrates the support staff that provide the backbone for quality education. California Casualty’s support makes possible the following 2016 California School Recognition Programs:

  • Gold Ribbon Schools – honoring exemplary public elementary schools which demonstrate significant gains in narrowing the achievement gap
  • Teachers of the Year – recognizing exemplary teachers and their contribution to quality education
  • Classified School Employee of the Year – highlighting those who symbolize the profession’s commitment to education
  • California Green Ribbon School Awards – recognizing schools that accomplish great things in the areas of sustainability and health
  • California Blue Ribbon Schools – celebrating schools that promote and support the improvement of education

Portrait of a teacher smiling happily in her classroom with her students behind her

With a relationship that spans 65 years, we understand that great teachers often need help to accomplish great things. That’s why we do more than just provide the CTA Auto and Home Insurance Program; we give back to the communities we serve in meaningful ways that have real impact on their lives. These programs include the $2,500 California Casualty Academic Award, that helps offset the money that educators spend of their own funds for classroom supplies and equipment; the California Casualty Thomas R. Brown Athletics Grants, given to public high schools in California that demonstrate the greatest need for their sporting programs; and the Impact Teen Drivers “Create Real Impact” contest, that awards students and schools that design the best interactive messages to prevent distracted and reckless driving – the number one killer of teens today.

Teachers and support staff do make a difference. Their devotion to our children is why the CDE’s School Recognition Program is so important, and why California Casualty is proud to be a sponsor.

Hacks to Beat Winter’s Freeze

by | Safety | 0 comments

Hacks Winter Freeze

 

It’s one of those days: you woke up late and you are running behind. As you head outside to start the car, you find it’s covered in ice. The extra 15 minutes it will take to scrape and warm it up are going to make you late for work or school. While it may not help today, these essential winter hacks might make your life a little easier the next time another cold front sends temperatures plunging across the country.

Autos:

  1. Spray a mixture of two parts rubbing alcohol and one part water on a windshield to instantly de-ice it (and also unstick frozen windshield wipers)
  2. Use WD 40 in to prevent frozen key holes
  3. Thaw frozen car door locks and handles with hand sanitizer
  4. Park your vehicle with the windshield facing east to help defrost it when the sun rises
  5. Use kitty litter or car mats to provide traction if you get stuck
  6. Put plastic bags over unheated side mirrors overnight to keep them ice free
  7. Place a blanket or sheet on the windshield to keep it ice free overnight
  8. Cover wiper blades overnight with old socks so they will be ice and snow free in the morning

Around the House:

  1. Coat snow shovels with non-stick cooking sprays – the snow will slide off easier (this also worked on the plastic sleds my daughter and I used for sliding down hills faster)
  2. Slip old bread bags or sandwich bags over socks to make them water proof
  3. Use closet shoe organizers for gloves and scarves
  4. Take lukewarm showers to battle dry skin
  5. Place tin foil on walls behind radiators and space heaters to reflect more of the heat back into the room
  6. Leave the oven door open after cooking – the residual heat will add warmth to the house
  7. Run ceiling fans clockwise to push warm air down to living areas
  8. Open curtains and blinds on sunny days to let the sun warm your home
  9. Put hot water bottles or warm pans on cold sheets to warm them before you hop in bed
  10. Place a tray with pebbles inside the doorway to drain icy, wet shoes and boots to keep floors cleaner and drier
  11. Use a solution of two parts rubbing alcohol and one part hot water to safely remove ice from outside steps and sidewalks

Oh, and for those of you living in more temperate climates, keep these handy in case Mother Nature throws one of her occasional frozen curve balls and you’re stuck in a personal scene from the movie Frozen.

What winter weather hacks do you use? Share them with us so we can pass them along too.

You don’t need any hacks to make sure you have insurance to protect your auto and home; just call a California Casualty advisor today for a policy review or comparison at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com.

Sources for this article:

https://www.wimp.com/easy-way-to-remove-ice-from-car-windshield/

https://www.weather.com/safety/winter/news/winter-lifehacks

https://pioneersettler.com/cold-weather-hacks/

The Least Expensive Cars to Insure

by | Auto Insurance Info | 0 comments

least_expensive_cars

2015 was a banner year for automobile sales. When it was all said and done, 17.5 million cars and trucks went to our homes. Cheaper gasoline, low interest rates and big incentives helped eclipse the previous record set 15 years ago.

However, if you are in the market for a new vehicle, don’t forget to factor in the cost of insurance when you are researching what to buy. The excitement of that new vehicle can quickly fade when you find out the cost to insure it.

Insure.com did some number crunching to determine which new cars will save you money on auto insurance premiums. They created a mythical 40 year old male with a 12 mile commute, a good driving record and good credit, and then checked rates for over 1,500, 2015 vehicles.

They found the least expensive to insure was the Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD, with an annual cost of $1,134. The Jeep Patriot 2WD was second at $1,136. Rounding out the top five were the Honda CR-V LX 4WD, Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus and the Honda Odyssey LX, all under $1,200 per year (See the attached list).

Now keep in mind, the actual average per state premiums varied widely, with the driver of the Jeep Wrangler paying as little as $694 a year in Maine or as much as $2,012 in Hawaii.

The factors that determine the cost to insure a vehicle are a combination of its price, horsepower, and claims history. From an insurance perspective, the better value vehicles were those that retail for less, cost much less to repair and are less likely to be stolen or involved in a crash. It’s no surprise that the most expensive vehicles to insure typically sell for more than $100,000, reach speeds of 200 miles per hour and cost much more to repair.

No matter what new vehicle you choose, there are ways you can lower the insurance costs:

  1. Clean up your credit. Many insurance companies look at your credit score, the better your credit the better rate you are likely to receive.
  2. Increase your deductibles. The savings will add up, especially if you are incident free for a number of years. Just make sure you have an emergency fund to cover that higher deductible.
  3. Check for good driver/good student discounts. Speaking of incident free, when’s the last time you had an accident or a moving violation. Most insurance companies will give you a good driver discount, but make sure you tell them. The same goes for students with good grades.
  4. Cut your driving. Ride a bike, take mass transit or move closer to where you work. How many miles you drive each year can affect your auto insurance rates; the less you drive, the greater the possible discount.
  5. Get a policy review. Has your commute changed? Did you install a security device? Did you get married? All of these can lower the rate you pay for insurance. Talking with your insurance advisor at least once a year is the best way to make sure you get the discounts you’re entitled to.
  6. Compare your current insurance to California Casualty. We are a 100 year old, policyholder owned company that provides auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses with exclusive benefits not available to the general public. This means:
    • Deductibles waived or reduced for vandalism or accidents that occur when your vehicle is parked at work
    • $500 coverage for personal property that is damaged or lost in a collision, fire or taken from your car
    • Rates guaranteed for a full year (not six months)
    • Free identity theft protection comes with each policy
    • Multiple payment options including EZ Pay and holiday or summer skips
    • Superior customer service – 99 percent with a claims satisfaction rating of 96 percent, (source: https://www.calcas.com/customer-feedback)

If you’re in the market for a new car, truck or SUV, contact a California Casualty advisor today. You might be surprised at the savings and all the benefits you qualify for at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com.

Sources for this article:

https://www.insure.com/car-insurance/insurance-rates-by-car.html

This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. Get a quote at 1.800.800.9410 or www.calcas.com.

Ten Most and Least Expensive Cars to Insure (from Insure.com)

The least expensive 2015 cars to insure

1 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4WD $1,134
2 Jeep Patriot Sport 2WD $1,136
3 Honda CR-V LX 4WD $1,160
4 Dodge Grand Caravan SE Plus $1,162
5 Honda Odyssey LX $1,163
6 Jeep Compass Sport 2WD $1,164
7 Subaru Outback 2.5i $1,176
8 Ford Edge SE 2WD $1,176
9 Smart ForTwo Pure $1,186
10 Ford Escape S 2WD $1,190

 

The most expensive 2015 cars to insure

1 Nissan GT-R Nismo $3,574
2 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Convertible $3,573
3 Dodge SRT Viper $3,318
4 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet $3,216
5 Audi R8 5.2 Spyder Quattro $3,206
6 Porsche Panamera Turbo Executive $3,174
7 BMW 760Li $3,147
8 BMW M6 Convertible $3,115
9 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG 4Matic Wagon $3,042
10 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG 4Matic Sedan $2,972