When to change your tires & how a penny might save you $ in the long run.

	While the seasons get set to change once again now is a great time to decide if you could use some new tires on your vehicle or not.  The real question becomes how do you tell if you actually need them?  Well here are a few tips we compiled that shed some light on that very question: When the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch, tires must be replaced.
	All tires have “wear bars,” which are small, raised bars of rubber in the groove that indicate when tires are worn out. If your tread is worn down to the wear bars, it’s time for a new tire.
	If that still doesn't answer the question try this neat little trick: Take a penny and put Lincoln’s head into one of the grooves of the tire tread. If part of his head is covered by the tread, you’re driving with the legal amount of tread. If you can see all of Lincoln’s head, it’s time to replace the tire.
	If all else fails try the eye test.  Visually check your tires for signs of uneven wear. You may have irregular tread wear if there are high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. Also make sure no nails or other objects are embedded in the tire. Consult your tire dealer from there.  While the cost of tires is something none of love the idea of paying for it really can make all the difference in the world in regards to keeping you safe as we approach the winter. For more information visit www.pinnacle4ins.com or call the office at 412-816-1000.

Back to School

As vacations wind down and summer comes to a close lots of parents out there face the reality of sending their children off to college.  With a million other things going on we wanted to add one more thing to your to do list, and that's simply what you need to do from an insurance standpoint.

Homeowners Insurance - Coverage is extended from most homeowners policies when your child lives in a campus dorm. The coverage limit is normally 10% of your homeowners personal property limit. If your child is bringing high-priced electronics and other items, make sure your limit is adequate. If that is not enough coverage, you can raise your homeowner's policy limit or look at purchasing a renters policy.  The cost can be as low as $ 150 a year.  Regardless of what you do remember that the more proof you own something the better off you are in the case of a claim. 

On the other end of the spectrum if you child has recently graduated and is living in their own apartment have them give us a call to discuss renters insurance and their overall insurance needs.  We can get them set up on their own auto policy and usually with a multi-policy discount they will pay even less than the $150 a year for renters insurance.  That money is well spent if they ever need to file a claim.

Car Insurance - If your child does not take a car with them to school, in most cases you can receive a premium discount on your car insurance and still have coverage for them when they come home for holidays and vacation or if they borrow a car while at school. It is usually based on miles away from home so if your child lives in Penn Hills and goes to Pitt or Duquesne or CMU then you might not get that discount.  If you child is taking a car with them to school, call our office so we can have the correct garaging information applied to the vehicle. Good student discounts still apply to college students whether they take a car to school or not.    

Life Insurance - While the thought of purchasing life insurance on a student may sound strange, if you are cosigning for school loans it can provide an element of protection.  Perhaps this is also a good time to reflect on your current life insurance policies and we'd be happy to come out to your home or have you in the office to discuss various options.

As always, if you have questions or feel we can be of service, call the office at 412-816-1000 or visit us online at www.pinnacle4ins.com. 

Air Conditioning Tips to Beat the Summer Heat

This is the very first blog posting for us here at Pinnacle Insurance and seemed rather fitting due to the current swealtering temperatures. Check back to see future blog posts and let us know what you think as we try to incorporate more socail media into what we do here at Pinnacle.

Buying a bigger room air conditioner won’t necessarily make you feel more comfortable during the hot summer months. In fact, a room air conditioner that’s too big for the area it is supposed to cool will perform less efficiently and less effectively than a smaller, properly sized unit. The reason: an oversized unit will cool the room(s) to the thermostat set-point before proper dehumidification occurs, making the area feel “clammy” and uncomfortable. Central air-conditioning systems need to be sized by professionals.

If you have a central air system in your home, set the fan to shut off at the same time as the compressor, which is usually done by setting the “auto” mode on the fan setting. In other words, don’t use the system’s central fan to provide air circulation — use circulating fans in individual rooms.
Instead of air-conditioning, consider installing a whole-house fan. Whole-house fans work in many climates and help cool your home by pulling cool air through the house and exhausting warm air through the attic. Use the fan most effectively to cool down your house during cooler times of the day: your home will stay cooler through the hotter times of the day without using the fan.

Cooling Tips

• Set your thermostat at as high a temperature as comfortably possible in the summer, and ensure humidity control if needed. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
• Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense.
• Consider using an interior fan along with your window air conditioner to spread the cooled air through your home without greatly increasing your power use.
• Avoid placing appliances that give off heat such as lamps or TVs near a thermostat.

Long-Term Savings Tips

• If your air conditioner is old, consider buying an energy-efficient model. Look for the ENERGY STAR® and EnergyGuide labels — qualified room air conditioners are 10% more efficient, and qualified central units are about 14% more efficient than standard models.
• Consider installing a whole-house fan or evaporative cooler if appropriate for your climate.

Learn more about air conditioners and alternative energy-efficient home cooling systems.

Please feel free to call if you have questions or feel we can be of service.  We can be reached at 412-816-1000 or visit our website www.pinnacle4ins.com