These are great... until they collapse or get blown away.

Do you have one of these light metal carports? If so, please don’t put anything you care about under it. Well, that may be a bit extreme, but I have seen over and over that in many cases, these building do more harm than good for their owners and the property they hope to protect by owning one.

We have had several clients report that over the weekend their buildings collapsed under the weight of the snow. If yours is still standing, please go out and knock the snow off or it may not be standing for long. The danger is not over when you knock the snow off, though. As the snow melts it saturates the ground. A good gust of wind is all it takes to pull these structures out of wet ground and throw them into your car, boat, or house. Some of our clients have attached their buildings to concrete footers to avoid this risk with good results.

Ultimately, the best thing that you can do to keep your insurance rates low is to avoid claims. So, keep this in mind when purchasing an outbuilding. If you already have one of these outbuildings, do what you can to secure it.

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This is a reprint from DaveRamsey.com

Insurance. As much as we hate it, insurance is a necessary part of every financial plan. When bad things happen—car accidents, house fires, unexpected sickness—we need to be prepared.

But the good news is that you don’t have to pay top dollar on your insurance premiums. Start investigating your policies (this means actually reading them!) and you may discover that you can knock a nice little chunk off your monthly payments.

Here are three ways to lower your payments:

1. Consolidate
Some insurance providers offer discounted rates if you have multiple policies with them. If the savings are worth it, consider bringing your life, homeowner’s and auto policies under the same insurance provider.

2. Think Long Term
Good insurance providers reward their long-term clients. So the longer you keep a good relationship with your insurance company, the more likely you are to receive discounts off your premiums. Now, don’t stay with an overpriced provider just so you can save a few bucks down the road. But if it makes financial sense, your loyalty will pay off.

3. Good Grades
Are you the parent of a teenage driver? Listen up! Your teen can help reduce your car insurance premiums simply by earning good grades in school. They will be lowering your payments while earning a potential college scholarship at the same time. Pretty good deal!

So, yes, insurance is expensive. In fact, the cost of your combined insurance policies may be the most expensive item in your budget. But the good news is that you can save money—and lots of it! Check with your provider to see if you qualify for one—or all—of the options listed above.

Want to find insurance premiums that fit your budget? Dave’s insurance Endorsed Local Providers (ELPs) are independent agents who have access to hundreds of policies and can find just the right one for you. Contact an insurance ELP in your city today!

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27 vehicles have earned a Top Safety Pick award for 2010 from the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety according to a press release form IIHS. The institute tests vehicles for performance in front, side, rear, and now rollover crashes to determine safety ratings. Here is the complete list of winners:

Large cars
Buick LaCrosse
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Volvo S80

Midsize cars
Audi A3
Chevrolet Malibu built after October 2009
Chrysler Sebring 4-door with optional electronic stability control
Dodge Avenger with optional electronic stability control
Mercedes C class
Subaru Legacy
Subaru Outback
Volkswagen Jetta sedan
Volkswagen Passat sedan
Volvo C30

Small cars
Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Kia Soul
Nissan Cube
Subaru Impreza except WRX
Volkswagen Golf 4-door

Midsize SUVs
Dodge Journey
Subaru Tribeca
Volvo XC60
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs
Honda Element
Jeep Patriot with optional side torso airbags
Subaru Forester
Volkswagen Tiguan

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In light of recent weather in the area and the fact that I passed 2 rain related accidents this morning, I thought it might be a good idea to post some tips for driving in the rain:
1. Slow Down – Allow more time for stopping and turning.
2. Keep a safe distance – Stay at least 1 car length behind the vehicle in front of you for every 10 mph you are traveling. Example: At 50 mph, stay at least 5 car lengths back.
3. Increase visibility – Turn your headlights on and be sure your windshield wipers are working properly. Also, keep plenty of washer fluid in case you get mud on your windshield.
4. Reduce chances of hydroplaning – Make sure your tires have the proper amount of tread on them and inflate them properly. Avoid hard braking.
5. Avoid damp brakes – lightly riding your brake pedal for several seconds at regular intervals can keep them dry and working correctly.
6. Carry an emergency road kit
7. Avoid flooded areas – Never drive through moving water if you can’t see the ground through it.

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