Keyless cars appear to be the wave of the future as more people purchase this technology. This technological innovation is sophisticated and classy, thus creating a high demand for such cars. However, the Ottawa police department has reported that in recent months there has been a spike in the amount of auto-theft reports. Their report highlighted that these thefts appear to target cars with a proximity key that’s used by all keyless cars. If you are a keyless car owner or considering getting one soon, and are wondering how to prevent auto theft, Oegama, Nicholson & Associates, a car insurance company in Ottawa, has put together seven tips to prevent the theft of your asset.

The Importance of a Car Insurance Plan

The major reason you should get car insurance is that it is difficult to predict the future, and it is impossible to know when or how an unfortunate incident may occur. To prepare for unforeseen circumstances such as auto theft, you need car insurance to protect you. Car insurance will cover you, as the cost of car repairs or replacing one can be quite pocket-draining. If you are worried about car insurance costs, many insurance policies are well suited for your budget. At Oegema, Nicholson & Associates, we understand the gut-wrenching feeling of losing a car. We realize that some people pay a fortune for these cars, so we want your asset to be safe for as long as you need it. Car insurance policies will protect your vehicles if they are stolen by getting you a car of equal worth, depending on your coverage. We advise you to get full car insurance coverage, as it protects you and your vehicle from such unforeseen circumstances.

Tips for Preventing Keyless Car Theft

1. Keep valuables out of sight

One of the reasons keyless cars get stolen to begin with is because valuable items, such as phones, laptops, or tablets, are in the view of passersby. If you are away from your car, ensure that all valuables are hidden. Another option would be to use tinted windows for your car to prevent thieves from seeing the items within, or even if there are occupants in the vehicle. To know if there are people in the car, they would have to come close by and look inside. This will likely attract other people’s attention, thus discouraging a potential thief.

2. Park the car in a closed garage

Leaving any vehicle in the open is risky. To better prevent becoming a victim of auto theft, it is wise to park your car in a closed garage so thieves cannot access your keyless car using signal-enhancing devices. If your car is left in the open, it will become a target for thieves, especially if you frequently park it in the same spot.

3. Use a car wheel clamp/steering wheel lock

If you cannot find a closed garage, you can use anti-theft car wheel clamps or a steering wheel lock. These devices guarantee that your keyless car remains where you parked it while you are away. Car wheel clamps and steering wheel locks are fit for any car model, including keyless vehicles. These devices are a great advantage as they are all adjustable and will thus fit any car.

4. Place key fobs in a metal container

Keyless cars use radio signals transmitted between the vehicle and the car fob. However, high-skilled thieves may use a radio signal amplifier to tap the signal from the car fob to the car, thus opening it without the key. To avoid signal tapping, place your car fobs in metal containers to prevent thieves from getting radio signals from the fob. Also, keep your car fobs away from the front door of your house to stop car thieves from getting their signal.

5. Keep key fobs in a security pouch

A more secure option than placing your key fobs in metal containers is to keep them in security pouches. With these pouches, the signal from the key fob cannot be transmitted to the car, no matter how close it may be to the vehicle. This is because the security pouch is composed of certain conducting materials that block the signal. We advise that you always put your key fobs in these security pouches while not in use to prevent theft.

6. Tracking devices

Although this tip may not stop your keyless car from getting stolen, using tracking devices will prove effective in recovering your vehicle after a theft. Tracking devices use powerful radio frequencies that transmit through hard materials like solid concrete, so in the event of your car going missing, it will easily be found by security personnel. It would be best to place a tracking device in hidden spots in your car so that a thief will not find and destroy it.

7. Do not leave your car running or open

The most obvious way to prevent auto theft is to simply keep your car locked at all times. Additionally, ensure that you do not leave your engines running as you leave your car. A thief may easily gain access to it and speed off in your vehicle if you leave your car engine running.

Where to Get Car Insurance in Ottawa

Oegema, Nicholson & Associates offers a wide range of car insurance policies in Ottawa to ensure your car is safe from damage. Depending on your coverage, you can replace your car in case of theft. To learn more about car insurance in Ottawa, call Oegema, Nicholson & Associates at 613-704-7766 or contact us here.

As a business owner, your number one priority is your business. You want to believe that your business will succeed with hard work and dedication. You get out what you put in, after all? Working hard is always essential, but unfortunately, passion and commitment alone cannot prevent accidents and potentially costly lawsuits. No one can foresee everything and try as you might to avoid them; there will always be the possibility of circumstances arising for which you were unprepared. No matter the size of your business, there are things you can do to protect yourself and your investments should the unexpected occur. Whatever industry you’re in, having the right commercial general liability insurance can be essential to your business’s survival. This blog discusses how you can protect yourself and your business with commercial general liability insurance.

If you’re considering purchasing a car, you’ll likely factor in the cost of car insurance in your budget. However, what if you’re going to rent a home? Many renters do not bother to get tenant insurance in such cases. In fact, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, nearly half of all tenants do not have the appropriate insurance to cover contents and liability. You’re not required by the law to have tenant insurance, and it is typically not very high on most people’s priority list. However, this is primarily due to the fact that many people are unsure about what tenant insurance covers and how it can protect them. Here, we will debunk the top five myths about tenant insurance and how it can potentially save you thousands of dollars.

Myth 1: Tenants Are Covered by Their Landlord’s Insurance

This is perhaps the most common misconception about tenant insurance. The truth is that the landlord’s insurance policy covers damages to the building only and does not extend to possessions within the home. Without tenant insurance, you are leaving your personal belongings unprotected. A typical tenant insurance policy covers the cost of repairing or replacing items lost or damaged in the home due to fire, vandalism, theft, or certain types of water damage.

Myth 2: Tenants Don’t Have Enough Possessions to Warrant Insurance

Most people do not realize the value and the number of things they own until they lose them. TVs, laptops, furniture, clothes, bikes, sporting equipment—the list goes on. And the cost of replacing them is higher than you think. Tenant insurance policies typically only cost a few hundred dollars per year and offer great value compared to the thousands of dollars it would take to replace all your possessions.

Myth 3: Tenants Are Covered by Their Roommate’s Insurance

You shouldn’t assume that you are automatically covered under your roommate’s insurance policy. Most of the time, tenant insurance only protects the policyholder’s personal belongings unless your name is explicitly listed in the policy. If you are considering purchasing tenant insurance with your roommate, it’s wise to have separate inventories of each person’s belongings and what they are worth.

Myth 4: Only the Tenant’s Belongings Are Covered

This is not true. Tenant insurance protects you and your belongings. For example, you will be covered if you cause accidental damage to another tenant’s property. Your insurance policy will cover any accidental damage you cause to your neighbour’s property, so you do not have to foot the bill. Other benefits of tenant insurance include:

While nobody wishes to file a home insurance claim, accidents do happen, and sometimes they are unavoidable. That’s why home insurance is crucial if you want to protect your most significant investment, personal belongings, and financial well-being. When people consider homeowner insurance claims, they often think of major disasters such as wildfires or floods. However, the reality is that some of the most common reasons for claims can be prevented by proactive attention. According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, here are some of the most common types of homeowner insurance claims.

Wind and Hail Damage

This category includes damages caused by hurricanes, tornados, and strong winds from thunderstorms. Unfortunately, these natural perils are challenging to predict and cannot be prevented. While wind and hail damage claims are the most common (making up nearly 40% of all insurance claims), they are not the most costly claims on average.

Fire and Lightning Damage

Fire and lightning damage is the most costly homeowner insurance claims and the most common claims. Whether started by lightning, electrical faults, or another source, fires can cause extensive damage to any property quickly, hence the high cost of claims. While there’s nothing much you can do to prevent a lightning fire, you may avoid other types of fires if you take the necessary preventative steps. For example, chimney and fireplace fires are often caused by a dirty or blocked chimney. To ensure that sitting in front of the family hearth is a relaxing rather than dangerous activity, implement all fire safety best practices and maintain a regular chimney cleaning schedule. Electrical fires are also a common yet preventable insurance claim. Here are some things you can do to help avoid an electrical fire:

It’s always a bittersweet time when summer winds down. Although the fall colours of Ontario are stunning, knowing your days at the cottage are numbered can make enjoying their beauty a little tough. While the winter brings its own reasons to celebrate, it also means you’ll need to make plans to shut your cottage down until spring. Here, we offer an easy guide for closing your cottage for the winter.

Wrap Your Pipes With Foam

Even winterized cottages need protection against the dropping temperatures that can freeze pipes. Although your walls are well insulated, being away for longer periods of time without the heat on can lead to freezing. As well, many winterized cottages have areas such as crawlspaces, attics, garages, and non-insulated walls with pipes running through them. Check all of these areas for pipes and then wrap the pipes in insulating foam. This will provide enough protection against the cold. For cottages not winterized, the job gets a little harder. You’ll need to locate all your pipes and wrap them in foam.

Turn Off the Main Water Supply

Find your main water supply and turn it off. Then, go to each faucet in the cottage and run the water to drain out any water remaining in the pipes. You should also flush the toilets until the tank is empty. If you skip this step, the water left in the pipes and toilet can freeze and burst.

Adjust the Heat

You have two choices for your furnace when closing your cottage down over the winter. The first is to shut the furnace off completely. The second is to set it to the lowest temperature or about 10°C to help reduce risk for frost build-up. The first option completely saves energy, while the second at least reduces consumption while offering some protection for your cottage. If you have space heaters, then the power has to be shut down at the main power panel.

Shut Off Gas and Water Heater

If your cottage uses a gas source, then be sure to turn it off safely. Your water heater will also have to be shut off. If you aren’t sure how to shut off the gas, you might want to call your gas company for assistance. It can be dangerous to do this incorrectly.

Unplug Major Appliances

Major appliances include your stove/oven, fridge, washer/dryer, and dishwasher. You might be tempted to shut down your power completely, but this will interfere with the operation of your sump pump, security system, and outdoor lighting that you’ll need to be left on. Instead, just unplug everything. If you have things like electronics and lamps, you can unplug these as well.

Arrange a Septic Tank Service Call

Although most septic tanks are scheduled for service calls every five to eight years, you should consider having it checked before you shut down for the winter. This will avoid possible issues that can make your return to the cottage in the spring unpleasant. You can arrange for a checkup and cleaning, so any issues are discovered and repaired before you leave for the winter.

Inspect the Exterior

Inspect the entire exterior perimeter of your cottage and any outbuildings such as bunkies. Look for possible openings where local wildlife might make a new home for the winter. Also, look for signs of damage to your chimney, eavestroughs, and roof. Any issues should be dealt with before winter sets in or else you could be faced with serious water damage. You want your roof to stand up to the cold Ontario winter, so repairs should be made in the fall. This includes making sure the eavestroughs are clear to avoid ice dams. Check the windows and doors to make sure they are sealed and secure to reduce risk for water seepage, not to mention break-ins.

Check the Sump Pump

Your sump pump helps avoid flooding at your cottage. Therefore, you’ll want to have it checked to make sure it is operating properly. That is also why you’ll want to avoid completely shutting down your power. It’s a good idea to consider installing a sump pump with a battery backup. This way, should the power go out due to a winter storm, your sump pump will keep working. You can also look into sump pumps with wireless smart alarms that will send you a notice if it should shut down. Some cottage owners have a generator backup for their sump pump that kicks in when there’s a power outage. Having a backup plan for your sump pump can be one of the best decisions you ever make. It will reduce risk for flooding, while offering peace of mind.

Clean Stoves, Fireplaces, and Barbecues

Both wood-burning and propane stoves, fireplaces, and barbecues should be cleaned thoroughly. Propane tanks need to be disconnected from barbecues and stored safely, not in the cottage. You should also clean the barbecue to remove food residue that can attract pests. Be sure to cover the barbecue if you don’t have a shelter to store it. Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces should be ash-free, and moving parts should be oiled. Close the damper vent, and consider having your chimney and fireplace inspected to look for issues such as soot buildup and damage. This way, repairs can be made so you’re ready next year without worry of fires.

Take Away All Food

Even if you have a freezer, all food should be removed from your cottage. First, it will reduce risk for rodents, and second, if there is a power outage, you won’t be at risk of food rotting in the fridge or freezer.

Take Home Valuables

While this can be a bit of a pain, consider taking home any valuables such as electronics, even if you won’t use them at home. This reduces temptation for prowlers looking for something to steal while owners are away. Closing up the cottage might take some time, but it’s worth it to protect it from the harsh winters. Even if you think you’ve done everything, check one last time before you leave. The seasonal insurance that many Ottawa cottage owners have will also offer more peace of mind. For more information, speak to our team at Oegema, Nicholson & Associates Insurance Brokers today.

As the boating season winds down, it’s time to start thinking about boat storage. If this is your first boat, then it’s important to make sure you understand all the necessary steps needed to avoid damage to it over the winter months. Storing your boat goes beyond finding a storage facility. You also need to protect it, so it is in top condition when the warm weather rolls around again. Here are 16 tips on storing your boat to keep it safe and sound this winter.

With summers so short in Ontario, you want to make the most of the warm weather. For Canadians, the call of the grill becomes hard to resist. In fact, come dinner time, chances are if you’re in a residential neighbourhood, you’ll smell that tempting meat grilling and be hard-pressed not to run out and grab a steak or burgers to throw on your own barbecue. However, not all of us have the luxury of barbecuing, thanks to bylaws. This includes condo owners. Here, we look at the legalities around condo balcony barbecuing and why it is probably not a great idea.

Individual Bylaws

One of the challenges of condo barbecuing is that each condo has its own bylaws. Although most will dictate barbecuing is not allowed, in some rarer cases it might be allowed. In fact, in even rarer cases, you might be provided an actual gas line to hook up your gas barbecue, usually for main floor units. However, your best bet is to either dig out your bylaw documents or speak directly to your management or board of directors to find out. It also depends on your municipality, but your condo bylaws take precedent.

How do I know how much coverage is needed?

There are many reasons that barbecuing on your condo balcony is not allowed. The main reason is the obvious one: it can present a fire hazard. This is an issue for condo corporations, as most won’t pay for insurance to cover fires caused by barbecue accidents. However, there is also consideration for your neighbours. The smoke from your barbecue can enter other people’s units due to the tight quarters of the balconies and their proximity to unit windows. Other people might not take too kindly to the smells of the food and smoke. You might even come into issues with municipal laws regarding the transporting of propane tanks. It’s actually illegal to carry your propane tank on the elevator. Last but not least, regulations even dictate the amount of distance a barbecue must be from openings, and this distance is quite tight. You need at least a foot of space from windows and doors, and three feet from appliance intakes. Considering the size of the average condo balcony, even if all the other rules don’t apply, this will knock you out of the running for grilling on your balcony.

Why is condo insurance a factor?

Condo corporations have a duty to provide insurance, but they also have to maintain a budget. Most won’t be willing to invest in additional unnecessary insurance if they don’t have to. As a result, it is easier, safer, and more affordable to opt out of certain types of insurance. Insurance is also important for owners. You might not realize that your condo corporation insurance is designed to cover the main structure and common areas, not individual units. Therefore, your belongings are not covered in case of fire. Condo owners should have condo insurance, so you know that in case of a fire or other perils, your belongings inside the unit are covered. Condo insurance covers many different things including unit improvements, loss assessments, and living expenses should your unit be uninhabitable following the fire.

There are two different classifications for fraud – hard fraud and soft fraud. Below we’ll explain both types and provide tips on how to prevent becoming the victim of either, and what you should do if you find yourself in a situation you suspect may be fraud related. Hard fraud is defined by premeditated, planned and deliberate acts of fraud. This can include, but is not limited to, someone cutting another driver off and slamming on their brakes with the intention of causing an accident, creating the need for an insurance claim through theft or arson, and faking a death to collect a life insurance policy payout.

We’re happy to share that our Oegema, Nicholson & Associates team of employees and family and friends had a great time supporting a great cause Saturday October 13^th at the 9runrun walk/run events! We’re even happier to share that thanks to the many generous donations we received towards our fundraising efforts for the event, we not only hit our $2,500 goal but surpassed it! We’d like to thank everyone who participated in the event as part of our awesome team and we’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all who donated! We look forward to participating in more great events in the future so keep an eye on our social media and newsletters for more information on the events and charities we support and any fundraising efforts toward great local causes that help communities across the Ottawa region!