McElhinny Insurance Agency LLC
tim@mcelhinny.com
412.650.5700

Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix set for Schenley Park July 19th & 20th 2014.

Schenley Park is the scene of our nation’s largest vintage race event. 150 vintage racers gather here each July to test their skills and entertain the crowd. The PVGP races through Schenley Park are considered by many drivers to be the most challenging race course worldwide. The 2.33 mile circuit has 23 turns not to mention haybales, manhole covers, phone poles and stone walls. The Grand Prix in Schenley Park is the only vintage race event that is run on actual city streets – made possible by our Pit Crew of 1,000 volunteers.

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Tim McElhinny, CIC, LUTCF
Partner, McElhinny Insurance Agency LLC
tim@mcelhinny.com
412-650-5700

The Best Deal for Auto Insurance

What is the “best deal” for car insurance? There is no real cookie-cutter solution; it is primarily based on your individual needs, personal finances, and the value of your vehicle. The right choice in auto insurance comes down to much more than just an affordable monthly premium.

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What to Consider Before Buying a House on a Golf Course

Tim McElhinny, CIC, LUTCF
Partner, McElhinny Insurance Agency LLC
tim@mcelhinny.com
412.650.5700

There are about 29 million people who play golf in the United States. So it’s probably no surprise that more and more Americans are opting to live a stone’s throw away from enjoying their favorite leisure activity.
The first golf communities appeared in Florida and the Carolinas more than two decades ago. Eventually, they spread across the Sun Belt and beyond. Today, it’s not uncommon to find golf communities throughout the northern states as well.
The appeal of buying a home on a golf course only grew as developers added on-site amenities like spas, nature guides and planned activities over the years.
Though overdevelopment led to a dip in the number of people buying a house on a golf course, the appeal still remains. Yet there are important things to consider before buying a house on a golf course that you wouldn’t have to consider when buying a house in a traditional neighborhood. In this series, we’ll explore issues you’ll want to weigh before you decide to make your home close to a putting green. They include:

• The Pros and Cons of Living on a Golf Course: The option to live in an attractive community with amenities and proximity to a course are definite pluses. But many buyers fail to consider the downsides. By examining each one, you’ll have a better idea of what you’re getting into before you sign on the dotted line.
• Insurance for Golf Carts: Like cars, golf carts can get stolen or damaged. They can also cause harm to others or their property. That’s why it’s important to consider coverage options to both protect your cart as well as yourself from liability exposure caused by operating your golf cart.
• The Best Golf Communities in America: If you’re ready to consider buying a home on a golf course after knowing all the facts, it’s worth checking out which ones are considered the best. This round-up will give you an overview of top-notch options across the United States.

Ready to learn more? Then let’s get started.
Read the full story from Erie Insurance: “What to Consider Before Buying a House on a Golf Course“

McElhinny Insurance Agency: Auto/Car Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, Business/Commercial Insurance, Life/Health Insurance, Classic Car & Specialty Auto Insurance For Pittsburgh and All of Pennsylvania.

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7 Things to Teach Your Teens.

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Tim McElhinny, CIC, LUTCF
Partner, McElhinny Insurance Agency LLC
tim@mcelhinny.com
412-650-5700

7 Things to Teach Your Teens.

By: Tara Maciulewicz

Being a parent is about providing for and loving your children. But it’s also about teaching: teaching them colors when they’re toddlers, not to do drugs when they’re school age and more grown-up things when they’re teenagers. For example, how to balance a checkbook and how to understand life’s risks are things to teach your teens.
I think about this a lot because I live with my soon-to-be-16-year-old daughter, who thinks she knows everything. Much to her dismay, she really doesn’t know everything. This became abundantly clear when she recently asked, “How do I pay my bills? I mean, I just don’t get the whole credit card, debit card thing. And isn’t there an app that can just balance my checkbook?”
Here it was—my window of opportunity to talk to my daughter and for her to want to listen to me. (I think most parents of teens realize this opportunity doesn’t arise very often.)
I proceeded to explain banking and online bill pay and assure her that when she gets a job, she’ll have the opportunity for more hands-on training.
That got me thinking: What other important, yet possibly overlooked, things should parents teach their teens about money, insurance and life in general? Here’s my list:

1. How to pump gas and put air in tires. The last thing anyone wants is to be stranded.
2. Clip coupons for things you buy all the time. But don’t become fanatic about it—because, really, who has time for that?
3. Always clean out your refrigerator and microwave on a regular basis. Because it’s just gross if you don’t.
4. Change your furnace filter every other month. This lets your furnace work more efficiently and helps prevent fires.
5. Thaw your turkey in the fridge for four days before you attempt to cook it. (Yes, I learned this the hard way.)
6. Know where the water shut-off valve is located. You never know when you might find yourself at midnight with a burst under-the-kitchen-sink pipe. (Yes, another mishap yours truly experienced.)
7. Make sure your stuff is covered by insurance. Having an insurance policy means that if something bad happens to your car, house, boat, things in your house, that new engagement ring, whatever, you can get back to normal.

My daughter already knew the last one because I work for an insurance company and had explained to her and her 12-year-old brother very early on the concept of insurance. I always told them that people may complain about paying for insurance, but when something bad happens, it’s their saving grace.
I also told them that you don’t just buy the cheapest policy because insurance is complicated. You want to work with an independent agent who has your back, like my own ERIE Agent has mine. With ERIE, you’re not only getting great coverage and a good price–you’re getting a knowledgeable Agent to help you figure out all your insurance needs.
It was a good talk that I was surprised to realize both my daughter and I enjoyed. Just like teaching your baby to play peek-a-boo, there is joy in schooling your teen in Life 101.
My daughter may never master a turkey dinner, but at least she’ll have the tools to try, and the right insurance protection should something go wrong. (Luckily, that’s one thing I didn’t have to experience firsthand.)


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Wishing All Our Customers & Friends a Very Safe & Happy NEW YEAR!

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McElhinny Insurance Agency LLC is holding a Holiday TOY DRIVE.

McElhinny Insurance Agency is holding a Holiday TOY DRIVE. Please bring all new toys to our office location by December 19th 2013. We will match the donations and take all toys & items to Childrens Hospital of Pittsburgh. If you have any questions please contact our agency.

THANK YOU and Happy Holidays from the McElhinny Insurance Agency LLC

Toys can be dropped off at:

5624 Brownsville Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15236

412-650-5700


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Turkey, Tinsel and Tinder: Tips for Hazard-Free Holidays.

Tim McElhinny, CIC, LUTCF
Partner, McElhinny Insurance Agency LLC
tim@mcelhinny.com
412.650.5700

Turkey, Tinsel and Tinder: Tips for Hazard-Free Holidays.



Click on the snowman to see the Holiday Hazard Infographic

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The song says “It’s the most wonderful time of the year,” but it can also be the most dangerous. The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is fraught with hazards from car crashes to house fires to holiday-related injuries. To help ensure revelers have a safe holiday season, Erie Insurance shares some of the most dangerous holiday hazards and how to avoid them.

“Being aware of the biggest risks to you and your loved ones’ safety during the holidays can help prevent accidents,” said Rick Burt, executive vice president of products at Erie Insurance. “Each holiday hazard we identified is preventable.”
Below are some of the most common holiday hazards and how to avoid them.

The hazard	The numbers	Tips
Bonfires and fire pits	National Fire Protection Association reports 692,000 outside and other fires occurred in 2012.	• Place fire pits at least 10 feet away from your house or other structures. • Keep fire pits away from trees, brush and other flammable materials.
Cooking holiday meals	Three times as many home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year according to the National Fire Protection Association. NFPA reports there were 1,370 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving in 2010, a 219 percent increase over the daily average.	• Deep fryers can be hazardous, so always fill turkey fryers with the proper amount of oil. • Never drop a frozen turkey into hot oil as it could cause flare-ups. • Put turkey fryers on a level surface. • Never leave the fryer unattended.
Heart attacks	According to a national study published in the journal Circulation, the number of cardiac deaths is higher on Dec. 25 than on any other day of the year. The study reports Dec. 26 is the second highest, and the third highest is Jan. 1.	• Avoid exposure to very cold temperatures and dress warmly. • Avoid excess salt and alcohol, which can cause an abnormal heart rhythm that increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart failure. • Minimize heart stressors such as overexertion and emotional stress. • Don’t let fear of disrupting the holidays lead you to ignore chest pains—seek immediate medical attention.
Holiday decorations	According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the number of holiday decoration-related injuries increased by 1,000 each year from 12,000 in 2009 to 13,000 in 2010 to 14,000 in 2011. CSPC also says Christmas tree fires caused $19 million in property losses between 2008 and 2010. During this same period, candle-related fires resulted in reports of 74 deaths and $347 million in property losses.	• Inspect lights every year for frayed wires, excessive kinking and cracked sockets. • Ensure ladders are on secure and level ground. • Make sure all decorations are nonflammable or flame-retardant • Keep decorations, including live Christmas trees, away from heat vents. • Never leave a burning candle unattended; better yet, consider using battery operated flameless candles.
Car accidents	Thanksgiving is one of the deadliest times to be on the road, according to MADD. In 2010, 174 people were killed in drunk driving crashes during the holiday weekend, accounting for 40 percent of highway deaths.	• Stay sober or designate a driver. • Always wear your safety belt and place children in properly installed car seats. • Keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the wheel—keep distractions to a minimum. • Properly maintain your car for winter weather.
Sledding accidents	According to a study published in Pediatrics, more than 20,000 children are injured every year in sledding accidents.	• Choose snowy hills rather than icy ones. • Avoid hills that end in streets or parking lots, or near ponds, fences or other obstacles. • Wear a helmet.
Slips and falls	Falls are one of the leading causes of unintentional injuries in the United States, accounting for approximately 8.9 million visits to the emergency department, according to the National Safety Council.	• Wear footwear with low heels and rubber soles for better traction. • Avoid rushing; walk slowly and deliberately. • Keep hands free and out of pockets. • Avoid icy surfaces.

  

 

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