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C.H. Edwards, Inc. Celebrates 25 Years with Merchants Insurance

C.H. Edwards, Inc. Celebrates 25 Years with Merchants Insurance

C.H. Edwards Insurance Agency Inc. of Farmingdale
Celebrates Anniversary
with Merchants Insurance Group

Buffalo, NY – April 2015 – C.H. Edwards Insurance Agency Inc./Steven Visco, Ph.D., AAI of Farmingdale recently celebrated their 25th anniversary with Merchants Insurance Group.
The agency, which serves the personal and business insurance needs of Farmingdale, Nassau County and surrounding areas, joined with PhotoGrid_1428002095634Merchants in 1990, but has been in business since 1925.
Merchants is proud to partner with agencies such as C.H. Edwards Insurance Agency Inc./Steven Visco, Ph.D., AAI, who focus on the client first by matching quality insurance products to their client’s needs and providing outstanding customer service.
Merchants Insurance Group offers commercial and personal insurance through a network of more than 650 independent insurance agents throughout the Northeast and North Central United States. With corporate headquarters and regional operations located in Buffalo, NY, Merchants also operates offices in Hauppauge, NY; Mount Laurel, NJ; and Bedford, NH. For more information, visit www.merchantsgroup.com.

Written by: Denise Visco

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, April 17, 2015

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, April 17, 2015

11117848_10206154995611441_510403166_nSandra’s Travel Adventures Week #4

We finally made it back to Sevilla and it’s so nice to be back in the warm weather. I only have two days left and I am already dreading leaving. We arrived in Sevilla in the afternoon and were completely exhausted. We made dinner at Jessica’s apartment and then went to a local coffee shop for dessert and to listen to a band from the area. I love the music here and being outside listening to local bands while eating amazing food.

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11119725_10206154994331409_2118520231_nToday is my last full day in Sevilla. We were still tired from all the traveling and woke up pretty late. We went to this restaurant that we’ve been wanting to try for brunch. I had a cappuccino and a sandwich. We then decided that since it was so nice out that we wanted to walk along a near by river. There were many shops along the river which was perfect for all the last minute souvenirs we had to get.

 

 

 

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11160531_10206154995091428_742498062_nWhen then stumbled upon a food stand that had the most  amazing churros and chocolate. I’ve been wanting to try this all trip and it was so good. We then walked through a nearby town by the river and since it was so nice out, there were many people walking around. On our way back we came across another little market that had hand made bowls and plates and things like that. All of the art is so beautiful here. After the market we stopped for gelato. I am defiantly going to miss the amazing food and desserts and coffee here. It’s just too good. After our gelato we walked back to Jessica’s apartment to pack and get ready to leave early in the morning. This has been one of the most amazing trips and I am going to miss being in Europe with my best friends but it’s time to head back to New York.

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             Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Things To Consider Before You Choose a Summer Camp

Things To Consider Before You Choose a Summer Camp

The weather is finally getting warmer and thoughts of sunny summer days are upon us. School will be ending soon and summer camp may be in the picture. Finding the right summer camp for your child’s particular needs may not be as simple as you may think. Start early to ensure that you get exactly what you are looking for. Here are some tips to get you started whether your looking for a day camp or a sleepaway camp.

Staff –A good staff can make all the difference! Are the staff members skilled in engaging a shy student that may have a difficult 3-summer-camps-for-kids-with-celiac-diseasetime coming out of there shell? How long have the staff members been working with the camp? Are they trained in emergency procedures and CPR? Are background checks done on every employee? What is the counselor to camper ratio? In the case of a sleepaway camp, how do they handle homesickness? A good facility will be eager to answer your questions.

What is a camp day like? If early enough, can visitation be arranged? A good, well-rounded camp day should have varied activities to meet the needs of all campers unless you opt for a specialized camp such as for sports, music or dance. Is food provided or supplied by the family?

Ask to see schedules and inquiry how closely they are adhered to. If it is a specialized camp, make sure the kids have the opportunity for downtime and to take part in activities that are not geared toward their specialty. In the case of a sleepaway camp, what are the daily menus like, what kind of activities do they offer in the evening and what is the counselor to camper ratio at this time? Are there family visiting days?

Goals-A good camp should be dedicated to making sure they provide campers with good, safe fun! Parents should look for a camp that is looking to foster relationships. Since summer camp is a seasonal activity, it should be a goal of the camp to provide the best possible experience to the campers so that they want to return the following year. Friendships among campers and comradery with staffers would be a sure way of making that happen. Making memories will ensure for a positive camp experience and the likelihood of a camper begging to return and make choosing a camp easier in the coming years.

Now that we discussed some of the criteria for choosing a summer camp, the rest is up to you and the camper. Make a list of camps to be considered, what you expect of the program and get out and find the one that is best suited for you and your child.

Don’t forget to check with your insurance agent if you decide on a sleep-away camp.  Make sure you have off-premises theft coverage to cover your child’s belongings while they are away.

Have a wonderful summer and may your days be filled with Happy Campers!

For more information on Home, Auto, Business, Life, and Flood Insurance contact our office at 516-249-5200.

Written by: Denise Visco

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, April 10, 2015

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, April 10, 2015

11131891_10206092737975039_1432720918_nSandra’s Travel Adventures Week #4

Today is the day that we go to Amsterdam! We started our journey with a connecting flight in Barcelona. Since we had a 4 hour connecting flight, we decided to leave the airport and go for lunch in the city. On the way to lunch, we stopped by a market that had all different types of fruits, vegetables, meats and desserts. Everything looked so good. We ended up getting fruit smoothies. Mine was coconut and pineapple and was absolutely delicious. After the market we stopped by a local restaurant that was serving brunch. After lunch we walked around a little more before heading back to the airport. We made it right in time for our flight and then we were only a little over an hour away from being in Amsterdam.

11149185_10206092758415550_1718530389_nWhen we landed in Amsterdam, we were a little nervous since none of us spoke to dutch. We ended up having no problem and mostly everybody spoke english. We then took the bus to our hotel. When we found our hotel, we realized it was right across from the bench that was seen in the film The Fault In Our Stars. We then went into our hotel and put all of our stuff away. We then went to a burger place right near our hotel. After that we were ready to walk around and see the city. Our hotel was right in the middle of 11082744_10206092738095042_2002287513_neverything so we were able to walk everywhere. In Amsterdam there are more bikes then people since it is their primary source of transportation. We walked around the city and stopped in several shops and even came across a restaurant dedicated to all nutella! Of course we had to stop. We got fresh waffles with nutella on top of it. After our scrumptious dessert and adventures around the city, we headed back to our hotel to rest and get ready for the night. We ended up going to a local cafe and got cake and hot chocolate. They had a live band playing so it was nice to relax and enjoy the music after a long day of traveling and exploring.11129330_10206092753895437_1420036885_n

Today is our first full day in Amsterdam. We woke up really early so we were able to get everything done. After a huge breakfast we headed towards the Anne Frank museum. This was the part that I was looking forward to most. We walked through the tour and got to see her actual room and where they lived. It was amazing to have read the book and then actually get to see the places on which she wrote about. There was even copies of her actual diary there. Although her father, Mr. Otto Frank wanted the rooms to be empty

there were still 11118009_10206092745415225_828197769_npictures on the walls of how it looked when the Franks lived there. After the museum we walked backed to our hotel. On the way we stopped in several shops and of course had to stop for macaroons and then french fries. They have the best french fries in Amsterdam and a whole restaurant dedicated to just french fries. We also saw really amazing street art and hung out by the canal for a little bit. After that we headed back to the hotel to get ready for dinner and to go out. We walked around a little bit and decided on a different burger place for dinner. I have never had so many burgers 11121590_10206092755415475_1205462328_nand fries in such a short amount of time but I am not complaining. After dinner we asked the waitress where she recommends us to go out that night. She recommended an Australian bar named CoCos. We ended up going there and had the best time. There were people there from many different countries. We sang a few karaoke songs and ended up having the best time.

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Today is our last full day in Amsterdam. We got up early again to make sure we got all the activities that we wanted to do it. Our first stop was a market. We stopped for Poffertjes which are mini pancakes. They were absolutely delicious and the perfect way to start the day. The market was filled with tons of souvenirs and delicious food.11139612_10206092743295172_1249716061_n

 

11116113_10206092738655056_1036785100_nAfter the market we headed to the Heineken tour. We learned how the beer was made and some fun facts about the history of Heineken. The tour also included a canal ride. We got to see different parts of the city and learn more about the city. It was such a nice day out and the canal ride was the perfect way to enjoy the city. After the canal ride we were on a mission to find the I 11146119_10206092751495377_1004813263_nAmsterdam statue. We finally found it and got to see a little show of street performers doing amazing tricks. We took several pictures in front of the gigantic statue and then headed back to the hotel. We have to be at the airport at 5am so we decided to pack and rest for a little bit. We then decided to go out for dinner and dessert. We stayed there for a while and before we knew it, it was almost time to go to the airport. Amsterdam was so much fun and definitely one of my favorite cities. But for now we are back to Sevilla, Spain.

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

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Controlling Your Seasonal Allergies

Controlling Your Seasonal Allergies

pollen  If you have allergies or asthma, spring and summer can be a tough time of the year. As spring and summer approach us, temperature and humidity changes as well as high pollen counts will be in the air! There are three ways to treat seasonal allergies, environmental control, medication, and immunotherapy. It is important to speak to your healthcare provider about treatment options if you suffer from seasonal allergies.

Along with healthcare treatments, you can control the source of the allergens by simply following some of these helpful tips:

Keep pollen under control by washing your bedding every week in hot water. Before getting into bed at night, shower and wash your hair to wash away allergens in your hair.nasal

Go natural and try using a saline nasal spray to cleanse and clear your sinuses.

Seasonal allergies are brutal on the body’s ability to stay hydrated. Drinking a lot of water to flush your system will promote the elimination of unwanted toxins in your system.

Clean all of the surfaces in your home. Wear a mask and gloves when cleaning, vacuuming, or painting to limit dust and chemical exposure.

In addition to cleaning all the surfaces in your home, it is important to clean damp areas such as your bath tub and shower stalls to avoid the growth of mold.

Shake out and wash your throw rugs. Throw rugs can hold a lot of allergens from pet, dust, etc. To reduce dust and mold build up, give them a good shake at least twice a week and throw them in the wash at least once a week.

shake-the-rugKeep the air in your home clean. Keep windows closed to reduce pollen from entering the house. Change the filters in you air conditioning units and vents frequently during this time of year.

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, talk to your doctor today. Don’t your seasonal allergies keep you away from the beautiful weather!

Written by: Amanda Haase

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, April 3, 2015

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, April 3, 2015

Sandra’s Travel Adventures Week #3Dessert in spain

Today is another bright and sunny day in Sevilla, Spain! We started our day off bright and early with a homemade pancake breakfast.   After our scrumptious breakfast we walked to Triana. This is a little neighborhood near Jessica’s apartment. We stopped at little shops and of course had to stop for coffee and pastries. Coffee and pastries have become my favorite part of the day in Spain. We saw many beautiful churches and walked a long the river. It’s like walking through a postcard. It started to rain so we quickly made it back to Jessica’s apartment.

Before we knew it, it was time to get Spanish coffeeSandra sidewalkready for dinner and the flamenco show. Flamenco is a type of spanish folk music and dance. This was my first flamenco show and it was so much fun. We went to a local bar and it felt like we really got to experience the Spanish culture through music. After the show we were exhausted and headed back to the apartment. Check back next week to hear about the next part of my adventure! We are Amsterdam bound!

Written by: Sandra Costanzo

Your Car Accident and The Police

Your Car Accident and The Police

When you are involved in a Automobile accident, a million things could be running through your mind. No matter the size of the Car-Accident-minor-fenderaccident, filing a police report after a car accident is an important step when initiating the process. Filing this report will not only provide your insurance company with a foundation to handle the claim, but will ensure an accurate, detailed report that could possibly protect you from any further legal problems.

Getting a detailed and accurate report is the number one step in filing a police report. Having an accurate report can be one of the most important utensils when determining fault and who is financially responsible.

Even if it is just a small fender bender make sure an accident report is filed. On occasion there can be more physical and medical damage revealed later that is not always obvious at the scene of the accident.

policeBeing honest with the Police Officer will help the claims process go much easier. The more missing pieces to the story, the longer the process. After a car accident you can be really shaken up. Taking a deep breath and give a detailed description of what happened. This will only benefit you in the long run.

Filing a Police report does not mean you have to file a claim. Sometimes after a car accident both parties feel it would be better to handle the damages and expenses themselves. However, you should still report the accident to your insurance company for record purposes only! No matter how you decide to handle the damages, it is important to have this accident information on file.

Having an accident is frightening, but taking the correct steps when a mishap occurs will ensure a fast and steady claims process. C.H. Edwards, Inc. helps our clients with automobile accident claims. If you would like to receive a free auto quote, Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm give us a call, and our Personal Lines Representative will be happy to assist you and answer all of your questions. Call us today or visit our website. (516) 249-5200 www.chedwards.net.

Written by: Amanda Haase

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, March 26, 2015

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, March 26, 2015

Sandra’s Travel Adventures Week #2  Soccer game

Today is my second day in Sevilla, Spain. We started off the day with breakfast at this local cafe. I got a croissant and coffee. The coffee is amazing here. We then went souvenir shopping, we came across so many shops. I got a few souvenirs and before we knew it, it was time to get ready for the soccer game. Sevilla was playing against Elche. It was a close game but Sevilla won. After the game we went to a local cafe for coffee and gelato. It’s been another fun day in Sevilla!Sandra friends at game

By: Sandra Costanzo

Five Ways To Cut the Cost of Your Homeowner’s Insurance

Five Ways To Cut the Cost of Your Homeowner’s Insurance

homeHaving a homeowner’s insurance policy is necessary when owning a home, but why over pay when you don’t truly have to? Homeowners insurance premiums have risen over the past several years almost double to triple the amount it used to be. If you are looking to cut your costs but not your coverage, see how these 5 tips could help put some more “jingle” in your pocket.

Raise Your Homeowner’s Insurance Deductible: Your deductible is the amount of risk you agree to accept before the insurance company starts paying on a claim. If you have a low deductible of $50 or $100, consider raising your deductible to $500 or $1,000. Raising this limit could save you up to 25% on your premium.

Combine Your Homeowner’s Insurance and Auto Insurance Policies: Having a package policy can save you 5% to 15% if you buy two policies at one time. Shop around and make sure that the coupler price for your Home and Auto is lower than buying the two polices from two separate agencies.

Make Sure you are Receiving All The Discounts You Are Eligible For: Discounts such as smoke detectors, deadbolt locks, security and fire alarms and fire extinguishers in the home can offer you a discount. As well as if you are 55 or older and retired, you may qualify for a 10% discount.

Don’t Buy Homeowners Coverage You Don’t Need: It makes no sense to buy coverage to protect yourself against risks and situations that you may never encounter. For example, buying earthquake coverage when you live in a non-earthquake zone or buying a personal articles floater when you do not own expensive jewelry.

Completing Updates To Your Home: Your home is your roofbiggest investment. Completing updates in your home such as, roofing, plumbing or heating can make you eligible for a discount.

Before you are renewing or even shopping for a homeowner’s policy, it is important to ask questions and review your coverages to ensure that you are properly covered. Call C.H. Edwards, Inc . and find out some of the many ways that we can help you save. Our Customer Service Representatives are happy to assist you Monday-Friday from 8:30am-4:30pm. Give us a call at (516) 249-5200 or visit our website at www.chedwards.net for more information.

Written by: Amanda Haaase

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, March 20, 2015

Sandra’s Travel Adventures, March 20, 2015

Our Social Media Intern, Sandra Costanzo will be sharing her travel adventures through Spain and Amsterdam with us over the next few weeks. Check back each Friday as Sandra shares her travel adventures with her friends. Please feel free to comment. Happy travels Sandra!

Sandra’s Travel Adventures!
After a long journey, I finally made it to Sevilla, Spain!!! My best friend, Jessica is studying abroad here so I am visiting her with Sandra in SpainCharli and Kaitlyn. As soon as we got here we went to explore the city. We took a bike tour that the four of us had to petal. We passed the Plaza de Espana. We also stopped for dinner and got tapas. The food is so good here and the weather is beautiful. Tomorrow we are going to a soccer game. Check back next week for another adventure!

By: Sandra Costanzo