Our Frequently Asked Questions

At JB Kelly Waterway Insurance, we are here to answer your questions. If you are unsure about anything related to auto, business or home insurance, read through our frequently asked questions. If your question is not answered here, feel free to give us a call.

AUTO

Q: How can I prevent vehicle theft?

A: Although you cannot ensure your vehicle will not be stolen, you can take a few easy steps to prevent the likelihood of it happening. You can make it more difficult for a thief to steal your vehicle and its contents by: 

• Always locking your vehicle.
• Never leaving your keys in the vehicle.
• Turning off your ignition whenever you leave your car.
• Avoiding parking on the street.
• Concealing items left in your car, keeping things in the trunk and never leaving money or CDs in the open.
• Whenever possible, parking your vehicle in a well-lit, well-guarded, highly-visible area.
• Asking your neighbours to watch out for your vehicle and doing the same for them.
• Installing a theft deterrent such as a car alarm or an ignition disabler.

Q: How can I ensure my car is safely maintained?

A:  Read your vehicle owner's manual to understand its maintenance needs.

• Maintaining your vehicle according to the manufacturers recommended maintenance schedule will go a long way in extending the life of your vehicle and spotting minor problems before they become major repairs.
• Have your vehicle checked by a qualified mechanic whenever you notice a change in braking or handling.
• Consider taking a recognized driver safety course.

Q: How can I tell if my brakes require maintenance?

A: Your brakes are obviously one of the most important components of your automobile. Proper care and regular maintenance are essential to protect both yourself and others from the potential harm caused by faulty brakes. Some signs that your brakes may be failing or require maintenance include: 

• The brakes squeal, grind or bang when applied. If this occurs you should immediately have your brakes checked.
• The car pulls to one side when you apply the brakes.
• The brakes stick or there is a loss of engine power when you are driving – your brakes may not be releasing properly which can lead to total brake loss.
• The brakes grab when lightly applied – this could be caused by loose or broken brake parts.
• The brakes need a lot of pressure to work or the pedal needs to be near the floor before it works – this may be a sign that your brakes are worn and replacement is necessary.
• The brake pedal, steering wheel or entire car vibrates when you step on the brakes.

Q: What should I do if I’m involved in a collision?

A: Being involved in an accident can be a very stressful event. To help you protect both yourself and your interests, we have provided some basic tips:

• Call the police immediately, and an ambulance if necessary.
• Do not admit liability.
• Record details of the accident including date, time, location, a description of the accident any injuries, and any charges laid.
• Record details concerning the other party and vehicle such as owner's name and address, phone number, as well as the vehicle’s year, make and model.
• It is very important to obtain the insurance information of the other driver. This includes the name of their insurance company and the policy number, and the name of the broker or agent.
• Obtain a copy of the police report from the attending officer as this will have the accident report number for future reference.

Q: Where can I find information on child restraint, airbag, seatbelt, and cell phone safety?

A: The following websites are trusted resources for vehicle and driving safety information:

Business

Q: How can I prevent general commercial crime?

A: Ensure that all exterior doors have deadbolt locks with a minimum one inch bolt into the strike plate.

• Secure exposed exterior door hinge pins to prevent their removal.
• Protect all grade floor glass with bars, metal screens or burglary-resistant glazing materials.
• Install a burglar alarm system which is monitored offsite. We recommend that the system be certified by Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC).
• Continually check for unsafe work conditions and practices, and take prompt corrective action.
• Provide serviced, multi-purpose fire extinguishers in your premises and instruct all staff in their use.
• Clamp or lock PCs to desks/workstations. Security kits are available at nominal cost.
• Backup data and programs on a regular basis and store them offsite in a secure location.
• Laptop computers are portable and easy targets for theft. Do not leave them unsecured or unattended.
• Maintain records of serial numbers for all of your computer equipment.

Q: How can I prevent business interruption?

A: Employ the services of a professional accountant to: 

• Prepare financial statements.
• Perform an annual audit of your books.
• Maintain a list of secondary suppliers of materials in the event your primary supplier suffers a loss.
• Be prepared with a plan of action as to how you will continue to service your customers while your premises are being repaired after a loss. This will help you to avoid losing your customer base. Consider availability of temporary premises where you can resume operations immediately.
• Reduce the physical and moral hazards of your business.
• Duplicate your business records and store them off-site; in the event that your premises are damaged, you will have documents to substantiate any business interruption loss

Q: How can I prevent office loss?

A: Avoid overloading of electrical outlets, particularly in older buildings equipped with fuses instead of circuit breakers.

• If existing electrical service is inadequate, ensure that any required electrical modifications are done by a professional electrician.
• Ensure that life and safety features such as fire alarms, exit signs and emergency lights are operational and serviced as per applicable fire code specifications.
• Clean all spills or wet floors immediately, post signs warning of wet or damp floors and check floor surfaces for potential hazards on a regular basis. Non-slip rugs should be used during the winter months.

Home

Q: How can I prevent a burglar from entering my home?

A: The goal of indoor crime-proofing is to secure your premises, and to make them appear occupied at all times. Here are a few ways to do this:

• Secure your premises. 
  
  • Close blinds and curtains at night so that a burglar can't see your belongings.
  • Lock all doors and windows before leaving.
  • Lock windows so that they can't be opened from the outside. If they can't be locked, you can pin them by drilling a hole through both window frames and inserting a bolt or metal pin. The pin must be easily removable for emergency situations.
  • Home burglar alarm systems are a great deterrent. Even if you have an alarm system, don't neglect the other security measures available to you. An alarm provides an extra layer of security, but is no replacement for good common sense. Alarm owners should still do what they can to make sure their home is not an attractive target for thieves.
• Make your home look occupied at all times. 
  
  • Use timers to maintain normal lighting patterns.
  • Leave a radio on when you are away from your home for short periods of time.
• Protect your valuables. 
  
  • Consider marking your valuables indelibly (engrave them) with your driver’s license or social insurance number.
  • Take an inventory of your home with a videotape and/or photographs.
  • Keep jewellery and negotiables in a safety deposit box or an unlikely place (i.e. not your bedroom).

You can also secure the outside of your home, making it more difficult for burglars to force entry:

• Keep your shrubbery cut back so that it doesn't block windows and doors.
• Secure window air conditioners from the inside.
• Illuminate as much of your property as possible.
• Exterior doors should be solid, not hollow. Metal doors provide the best protection against forced entry.
• Use a fencing style that would not conceal a burglar's activities. Remember if you can't see out, others can't see in.
• Secure any glass that is less than 40' from a door lock. Either coat exterior glass with an acrylic or polycarbonate to strengthen it, or replace it with laminated or tempered glass.
• Door hinges that are on the outside should have a non-removable center pin that can't be tampered with.
• Install deadbolt locks.

Q How can I prevent my house from getting broken into while I’m on vacation?

A: If you are going on vacation it is especially important to make your home appear inhabited. To fully protect your home you will need to enlist the help of trusted neighbours, family and friends. Here are some things that you can do: 

• Stop all mail delivery.
• Arrange for a neighbour to cut the grass or shovel snow.
• Cancel all deliveries during the time you will be away.
• Maintain normal lighting patterns by using electronic timers.
• Ask a neighbour to put one of their garbage bags in front of your house on collection day.
• Leave a radio on, with a timer if necessary, to simulate normal use.
• Ask a neighbour to park in your driveway.
• Arrange for neighbours to pick up flyers.
• Don't talk about your vacation plans with strangers or service people.
• Use your work address on your luggage tags so a potential burglar won't know where your empty house is.
• If practical, remove valuables from your home. Small valuables should be stored in a safety deposit box.
• Lock your garage door.

Note: Before you leave, you should tell someone you trust: 

• That you will be away
• How long you will be absent
• Whether or not you will have a house sitter
• The number where you can be reached

Q: What should I do if my house gets broken into?

A: Despite your best efforts, a burglar may still penetrate your home. If you return to find that your house has been robbed: 

• Don't stay – always think of your safety first
• Never confront a burglar or block the exit route
• Go immediately to a neighbour's home or nearby location, and phone the police

These tips are general rules and may not apply in all situations. For more information about what to do in these situations or other possibly risky situations, feel free to contact us.