Derek McCoy Insurance Agency

If you have children going back to school this fall, now is the perfect time to review your insurance policies. Is your homeowners coverage is still adequate?

2010-08-26T11:25:00.001-05:00

Check out the video for tips on doing a simple "home inventory" and remember to ask us if you have any questions about making changes to your existing policies.

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This award-winning video is a great reminder of the importance of wearing your seat-belt.

2010-08-19T14:20:00.001-05:00

Seat-belt use reduces the risk of serious injury by 45% (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). A decision that takes two seconds to make could change your life, and the lives of those you love, forever. Please share this video with your friends and help increase awareness of this issue.

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The 5 Most Common Mistakes People Make When Purchasing Insurance

2010-08-10T14:35:00.001-05:00

What mistakes have you made when purchasing insurance? Share your story below. If you have questions about any of these five mistakes, contact us so that we can make sure you get the right coverage without breaking the bank.

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The 5 Most Common Mistakes People Make When Purchasing Insurance

2010-08-10T14:28:00.001-05:00

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Confused about life insurance? It may be complicated, but this video reminds us that there are many online resources and, even better, "real live people" to help you figure it out!

2010-08-05T12:49:00.001-05:00

A humourous look at the excuses people make when it comes to purchasing life insurance. Click "Like" below if you think life insurance really does matter.

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Jay Shafer has a passion for building amazingly efficient houses. What are you passionate about? Leave a comment below or click "Read more" to see the most compact house you can imagine.

2010-07-29T17:42:00.001-05:00

Follow this link to watch the video: http://yhoo.it/cnYy16 - 45 year-old Jay Shafer is not your typical entrepreneur. 10 years ago he decided to make a big lifestyle change and give up "luxury living." He lives in an 89 square-foot mobile home that he custom built and runs a business constructing small homes for eco-conscious customers.

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Summertime. Swimming pools. Remember- safety first!

2010-07-22T18:23:00.001-05:00

Here's an excellent article from the Insurance Information Institute about safety considerations when you own a swimming pool. If you are reading this on our Facebook page, click "Read more on Posterous" below to read the rest of the article. Insurance Information Institute reminds us that there are over 3400 fatal drownings every year in the United States, and simple safety tips could help reduce that number. Among other things, remember that you should have a full fence surrounding the pool- one that meets all safety regulations. And never leave small children unattended - not even for a minute. Here is the link for this "must read" article if you own a pool. http://bit.ly/bihOR4

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Facebook reaches 500 million accounts. Congrats to Facebook- and all of us Facebookers too!

2010-07-21T17:25:00.001-05:00

Please comment below and tell us what you use Facebook for, such as connecting with friends, family, posting photos or playing games. And please "Like" this post to let us know you are out there.

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Lightning flashes over 1 billion times a year!

2010-07-20T18:29:00.001-05:00

According to noaa.gov, lightning flashes 40 times a second on the earth. About 25 percent of these strikes reach the ground. So what's a person to do? Stay inside during a lightning storm, and watch this interesting video from the Insurance Information Institute.

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Texting While Driving: Tell us the worst you've seen.

2010-07-19T10:38:00.001-05:00

Texting While Driving: Tell us the worst you've seen.

Posted by Derek McCoy to derekmccoyagency's posterous

Texting while driving is more than dangerous- it's against the law in many places. Tell us the worst example you've seen recently. If you are reading this post on our Facebook page, click the photo on the left to go to our blog for a link to Cell Phone Laws in every state. If you are already on our blog, here is the link: http://www.iihs.org/laws/cellphonelaws.aspx

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Texting While Driving: Tell us the worst you've seen.

2010-07-19T10:04:00.001-05:00

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Friends Don't Let Friends Drive With Lead Feet

2010-07-16T16:23:00.001-05:00

It's summertime, and the temptation to "own the road" and "let's see how fast this thing will go" is a bit much for some of our friends. If you have a friend with a "lead foot" please share this video post with them. Your funny reminder may just save them a speeding ticket.

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Going fishing this summer? Others are. Watch out for Phishing (Identity Theft).

2010-07-15T18:32:00.001-05:00

Make sure Identity Thieves don't fish for your identity while you are enjoying the great weather. "Phishing" is a common tactic that crooks use to obtain your private information- usually by email. Remember... never reply to an unsolicited email with your personal information!

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This Day in History: July 14, 2003 (or "Make sure you have Roadside Assistance Coverage")

2010-07-14T16:44:00.001-05:00

On this day in history, July 14, 2003, the US Government acknowledged the existence of Area 51. Now we may not believe in aliens, but we do believe that you should have Roadside Assistance Coverage if you are going to drive on bumpy roads!

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Have You Thought About Flood Insurance?

2010-07-14T11:24:00.001-05:00

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Ford Recall

2010-06-24T10:53:00.002-05:00

If you drive a new Ford you should be aware that certain models have recently been recalled. The major automaker recently announced that problems with the seat back and head restraint mean that several of its 2010 models do not meet federal safety requirements. Car owners should have received letters in May and the company has made a commitment to fix the problem in over 30,000 manufactured vehicles

Keeping up with recall news is critical. It's also important to make sure that your vehicle has adequate coverage. If you aren't sure about your coverage or your monthly rate call us, your local insurance agency. Together, we'll make sure that you're protected well.

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How to Install an Infant Car Seat

2010-06-24T10:27:00.003-05:00

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Even a talking horse knows the value of life insurance!

2010-06-24T10:27:00.001-05:00

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Jump-Rope Record

2010-02-15T13:28:00.001-06:00

Jumping rope just got a lot more exciting for tens of thousands of California elementary school students. On February 1st, a coordinated effort by the California Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance and over 2,000 schools challenged a Guinness World Record for jump-roping. Over 85,000 people jumped rope simultaneously in the same 10-minute span.

Students who had been practicing for months were excited for the challenge and did put forth a great effort. The real payoff, however, won't be a place in the record books. With childhood obesity continuing to be a major problem, developing positive excercise habits at a young age is key.
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Excercise is just part of the battle for good health. Kids need regular checkups and quality health care. Talk to us, your local insurance agency, if you want to know how to find a good health plan, or visit InsureKidsNow.gov to learn more.

Boy's Best Friend

2010-01-08T14:42:00.001-06:00

Dog's have long been called "man's best friend." Austin Foreman's dog, Angel, has certainly earned the title of "boy's best friend."

The 11-year old was moving firewood on his parent's property in the small town of Boston Bar, British Columbia, when his golden retriever became agitated. She began running around in circles. A cougar soon appeared. Angel intercepted the predator and fought it while Austin ran inside. The local RCMP Constable soon responded to the situation and was able to kill the cougar. Miraculously, Angel survived. The loyal canine is expected to make a full recovery.

Dogs are wonderful animals, but before purchasing one be sure you know about its breed. Some breeds are not insurable through your homeowner or renters policy. Other breeds can be very high maintanence and may be more of a hassle than you originally thought. If you want to know more about this topic, please call us, your local insurance agency, today.
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True Love

2009-12-03T10:05:00.001-06:00

How much are parents worth? For newly-married Julie Robson the answer would be "priceless."

While most of us appreciate and love our parents, very few have received a kidney transplant from a parent. After receiving a kidney transplant from her father 10 years ago, Julie's body rejected it on the eve of her wedding. Rather than having to endure dialysis for the rest of her life, Julie was able to receive a second transplant from her mother.

Julie was able to re-schedule her wedding and the surgery was a great success. Thanks to medical science and a lot of love, she will be able to enjoy her life. The love of a parent is always priceless. Our local agency can't offer you that kind of love, but we can promise to be there when life is unexpected. Give us a call today and ask about how our competitive insurance rates can help your family.
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Canine Rescue

2009-10-12T14:18:00.000-05:00

80 year-old Paul Paff can now be sure that dogs really are "man's best friend."

The elderly man had a close call on September 22 when he went to inspect the septic tank behind his house. "I had seen this square hole. I knew it was above the septic tank and looked up and was trying to look into it," he recalled, right before the ground beneath him collapsed, sending him to the bottom of a 15-foot well.

After hours of being stuck knee-deep in cold mud and water Paff heard the sound of a dog barking. He barked back, trying to get the dog's attention. Eventually the dog was able to alert neighbors who brought rescue personnel to the scene.
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Lost Cash Looking for Owner

2009-09-25T12:09:00.001-05:00

What would you do if three-thousand dollars fell from the sky?

This Tuesday a pile of bills adding up to $3200 dollars showed up at a local recycling plant in Sunnyvale, California. Reports are pouring in from across the California and the rest of the country about misplaced cash stuffed in boxes, pantries, and cans of shaving cream.

It's up to the police to sift through the stories and find one that can be fully proven, otherwise the money will be a boon to the city's general fund. The excitement around this story demonstrates just how rare it is for money to "fall from the sky." True wealth is built up slowly and steadily. Talk to us, your local agent about how you can save money on your insurance premiums today and keep your belongings more secure than a stash of cash.
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A Helping Hand

2009-08-20T10:22:00.001-05:00

Americans love to give and now Taiwanese-Americans in the Bay Area are finding an urgent cause to give to their friends and distant relatives in Taiwan.

Typhoon Morakot devasted the small island nation of Taiwan for a three-day period earlier this August. The local population experienced horrific mudslides, flooding, and more than 400 deaths. The typhoon reached record limits and is considered the worst typhoon to hit the island in 50 years.

The Taiwanese-American Center in San Jose is focused on raising half a million dollars to aid victims of the typhoon, mainly through benefit concerts. Caring for those in need is a universal urge, and their efforts should be applauded. When disaster strikes, people want to know that they can be helped so that life can return to normal. Talk to us, your local agent and ask us about how you can be ready for the next big flood or storm in your area; don't expect typhoons, but do expect quality service and a helping hand when things get rough.
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3000 miles to a World Record

2009-08-10T15:53:00.001-05:00

Few would dare to undertake a voyage around the world. Fewer still would be confident in their teenage son taking aim at the record for the youngest solo sailing trip around the world.

Mike Perham, a 16 year-old from England with immense talent and ambition, is seeking to break a recent record set by a young American, Zac Sunderland. Mike isn't undertaking his trip solely for glory, however. He's using the trip as a fundraising tool for two of his favorite charities (see Mike's blog for more details).

Mike is a veteran yachtsman and despite delays he is now only 15 days from completing his global voyage and making a mark in the record books.

Reaching for your goals isn't easy, but with hard-work and support it can be done. Talk to us, your local agent, about your dreams. Whatever they are, we'll be there by your side, protecting what matters so that you can reach your goals.
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Living Well

2009-07-15T17:15:00.001-05:00

Good friends can be hard to come by, but Fredericksburg, Virginia, resident Larry Haubner has friends willing to make sure he spends the rest of his long life in comfort.

Larry is a senior citizen who maintains a vigorous excercise routine. More precisely Larry is 107 years old, and almost too healthy for his own good. Social security and money from his life savings kept him comfortably housed at Greenfield Assisted Living until 2007. Larry's friends and the community rallied to make up the difference.

Today Larry faces a similar crisis as the previous fundraising has run dry. This time the community has expanded the call to the internet and Facebook.

Larry's story is a reminder that while life can be short, friendships can be enduring. Larry has touched many lives through his warm personality and charm and now his life is benefiting from the generosity of others. Life should be about spending time with those who care about you, not worrying about your finances. Get in touch with us, your local agency, today and we'll help you wherever you're at, so you can stop worrying and start living again.
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Giving Back

2009-07-08T15:27:00.001-05:00

Good news may seem hard to come by these days, but for the children of Alexandria, Indiana, this summer will be full of happy memories.

Recent budget cuts at the state and municipal level have forced community pools out of commission. But, where there is a will there is a way and across the country local businesses and individuals have been teaming up to ensure that pools stay open.

Alexandria is a small town of 6,000 residents. Bake sales and other fundraisers brought in over 40,000 dollars needed for maintaining the pool.

When people help their community they feel a sense of pride and wellbeing. As a local insurance agency we are always looking for ways to give back to our community and we will always strive to bring that same feeling of pride and satisfaction to our valued customers.
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A Challenging Climb

2009-06-29T13:16:00.001-05:00

What would cause someone to tackle the legendary Appalachian trail? For Trevor Thomas it was proving to himself that macular degeneration, a form of blindness, would not hold him down.

The rugged Appalachian trail, stretching across 14 eastern states, has often been attempted but rarely completed in whole. Only about 8,000 hikers have made it through the entire 2,175 mile journey. History records that only five of them were blind.

Trevor, an extreme sports enthusiast prior to the onset of his condition, had his very nervous sister drop him off at the trail's start point in Georgia. When his guide didn't show up Trevor was bold enough to ask passing strangers for help navigating the trail. Eventually he found someone willing to guide him through the mountains. Trevor would have the help of many strangers, but his greatest ally was a determined spirit. Injuries and exhaustion dogged him by the end of the hike in Maine. He pushed on and scaled the steep sides of Mount Katahdin, an incredible accomplishment for anyone.

Trevor's story is a good reminder that when life is difficult the best response is not always to run away. Some times we just need a way to see how strong we really are. Like Trevor, you don't have to face hardship alone. Contact us, your local agent, today; we can help you on your journey.
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Dealing With Disease

2009-06-08T09:39:00.001-05:00

When 14-year-old Spencer Lane was diagnosed with Crohn's disease he found a unique way to cope with the frequent symptoms and interruptions to his schoolwork. Spencer and his parents decided to enroll him at the Virginia Beach Higher Education Center, a nearby campus of the Old Dominion University.

Rather than slowing down, this kid is speeding up and tackling a tough problem head on. He's smart enough to keep up in college level courses, but is enrolled part-time in order to manage his symptoms.

Besides his smarts and determination, Spencer is also an activist. Last year Spencer raised more than $6,000 for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America.

Changes to his diet have reduced the vomiting that is common with the disease. More important than any conventional treatment is the fact that setting goals has allowed Spencer to push through a difficult circumstance and define himself by what he can accomplish, and not by the disease he has.
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Bet Your Life On It

2009-06-04T16:36:00.001-05:00

Confronting the harsh reality of cancer may come in the form of a yellow wristband, pink ribbons, or, in the case of Jon Matthews, a chance to beat the odds in a very literal sense.

The 59 year old British widower placed a bet with a professional booking agency that is more used to dealing with sports than real life or death situations. When Jon told them that placing two bets at odds of 50 to 1 would help motivate him to fight mesothelioma, the agency agreed.

So far Jon has won 10,000 pounds and will be able to double that if he makes it to June 2010. He has promised to donate most of his winnings to charity.

While Jon's story won't serve as advice for everyone facing a crisis, it does illustrate the value of persistence and self-confidence. When you insure what matters you display the same type of confidence by making a bet that you can't lose.
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Rapid Rescue

2009-06-01T15:25:00.001-05:00

Finally, a heavy-duty crane is around when someone needs it!

17-year old Jordan Loomis and Zachary Word (presumably friends) got a lucky break after an accident in Georgetown Township (a moderately sized city in Michigan, population +45,000). Loomis ended up pinned under the Ford pickup truck after it rolled. Both teens were lucky to have survived, as neither had imagined that a seatbelt would come in handy that Wednesday morning.

A crane operator who happened to be in the area offered his services and helped police and firefighters remove the rolled truck, allowing both teens to quickly recieve medical attention.

This story could have had a much worse ending. The driver of the car that hit the teens was not injured and both young men are "in serious but stable condition" according to the local sheriff.
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Students Learn Math, Shapes, and Culture

2009-05-28T13:16:00.001-05:00

Is math an important aspect of culture? If you were to ask 73 year old artist Esther Mahlangu, she would give you a resounding "Yes!"

Mahlangu, an artist from the Ndebele tribe of South Africa, has been teaching students at that country's largest science museum, the Sci-Bono, how ancient geometric artwork is tied to solving complex mathematical problems. The children of Johannesburg still face major life hurdles; even though they now live in a world free of apartheid, South Africa has a staggering 25% unemployment rate and educational opportunities are still limited for poor blacks.

Esther Mahlangu is a world recognized artist, but her primary concern is with passing on local traditions to disadvantaged youth. Her efforts, and the museum's outreach, are aiming to improve lives through meaningful education.
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(By the way, the word "bono" in "Sci-Bono" means "vision," no relation to the famous Irish popstar.)

Rare Art Finds Home in Texas

2009-05-23T14:52:00.001-05:00

Michelangelo is known to have painted only four oil paintings and now one of them, recently verified, will be on display at the Kimbell Museum of Fort Worth, Texas.

The museum director is calling it "one of the greatest rediscoveries in the history of art." The painting had previously been discredited by the art world and left in the hands of private collectors until last summer when an art dealer--whose sale price to the museum was not disclosed--brought the piece to New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art and had it examined.

Researchers were able to determine not only the authenticity, but almost the exact age of the painting. Apparently Michelangelo got his start as an art prodigy early, at age 12 or 13. Remember that parents: you may not always appreciate your child's "creativity," but someday it might be famous.

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