DPM Insurance Group Chatham
250 St Clair Street N7L 3J9 Chatham, ON, Canada

As of today, March 19 2020, DPM Insurance Group Chatham brokers will be working remotely and the office is completely closed to the public. No access will be permitted to the office until further notice. We are still able to serve you via email and telephone. Please call 519-352-4343 or email [email protected] for assistance. Thank you for helping us keep our community safe.

So, you pull into the Walmart parking lot and find two empty spots side by side not far from the entrance. Thanking the parking gods for your good luck, you open your driver’s door and are greeted with the sound of crunching metal and breaking glass as a car pulling in to the empty spot next to you folds your door like an accordion. Wonder who’s at fault? Click here to find out: https://dpmins.com/whos-at-fault-when-a-parked-vehicles-op/

How Fraud Affects Auto Insurance Rates March is Fraud Prevention Month across Canada Insurance fraud seems, on the surface, like a crime that doesn’t hurt anyone. A few extra dollars squeezed out of an insurance company doesn’t seem like it would be a big deal. The reality is the insurance company doesn’t foot the bill for fraudulent claims on its own. Find out how fraud affects you here: https://dpmins.com/how-fraud-affects-auto-insurance-rates-/

Today we celebrate the incredibly perseverant women on our staff who have been working hard both in the office and from home. Thank you for all you do! We look forward to the day we can all be back in the office together!

Careless or dangerous driving? The officer's judgment determines if your driving behaviour is a traffic violation or a criminal offence. Either charge carries significant penalties if you are convicted. Click here to find out the difference: https://dpmins.com/what-is-careless-driving/

Parking lot safety is a major concern for small business owners. During winter, icy walkways and snow-covered parking lots are a common occurrence in Ontario. Sure, the weather will be consistently warmer before too long. But we’re not out of the woods just yet. Click here for helpful winter safety tips for business parking lots should we get another snowfall or two. https://dpmins.com/parking-lot-safety-tips-for-small-busin/

CAREER OPPORTUNITY! DPM Insurance Group has an immediate opening for a RIBO licensed Broker/CSR in our Harrow office. A multi-line brokerage, we’re seeking a highly motivated, dependable team player with superior communication and customer service skills. Only experienced candidates who are RIBO licensed will be considered. This is a salaried position, with benefits available, working in a modern office environment Monday through Friday from 9 am until 5 pm. Interested candid...ates are invited to submit their resume via email to: [email protected] We thank all those who submit but only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All resumes will be accepted in strict confidence. See more

Oil Tank Care Without proper insurance, if your oil tank spills or leaks you could be 100% responsible for cleanup costs which average $250,000 to $500,000 but can be even more. As a property owner, you are responsible for the year-round maintenance of this potential environmental hazard. Click here for tips to keep your tank from costing you thousands: https://dpmins.com/oil-tank-care/

Preventing distracted driving in the workplace should be a priority A new report is calling for companies particularly trucking firms to establish distracted driving policies to protect employees. Click here to learn more: https://dpmins.com/preventing-distracted-driving-in-the-wo/

Slips, Trips & Falls Most people are aware that they can be held liable for slips, trips and falls if they don’t provide a reasonable standard of care in keeping their property free from hazards. As a tenant, liability may be shared with your landlord. Who is held liable depends on the circumstances of the loss. Click here to find out more: https://dpmins.com/slips-trips-and-falls/

Six essential tips for a smooth moving day Anything can happen in the process of moving, so it’s important to be prepared for anything that could unexpectedly take place. To ensure your move remains as stress-free as possible, here are some tips to set yourself up for success: https://dpmins.com/six-essential-tips-for-a-smooth-moving-/

An ounce of prevention Sure, it still seems like a long way off, but winter is on its way, and now is the time to do a good check-up on your home that could save you grief later and avoid an insurance claim. Click here for more: https://dpmins.com/prepping-your-house-for-the-first-snow/

Homeowners insurance generally covers your house and all other buildings on your property. This includes your kids' playhouse, the garden shed, your detached garage, and even landscaping features like the firepit area, decorative trees, and the garden. But don't wait until you have to deal with damaged property to read and understand your homeowner's insurance policy. Click here to find out more: https://dpmins.com/how-outbuildings-and-backyard-decor-aff/

Identity Theft If your personal information is stolen, criminals can use it in elaborate schemes, including insurance fraud. Learn how to safeguard your identity. Click here for tips on protecting yourself: https://dpmins.com/identity-theft/

Preparing a Well-Stocked Winter Car Kit Now that the bite has returned to the fall morning air, it's time to start thinking about winter and ensuring your car is properly equipped for the upcoming season. Winter driving can be hazardous, and to be prepared for any situation on the road, a winter car kit is a must in every vehicle. Click here for ideas on putting together a well-stocked winter car kit: https://dpmins.com/preparing-a-well-stocked-winter-car-kit/

Ontarians not grasping the meaning of distracted driving A new study in Central Ontario found that while an overwhelming majority of Ontario drivers are aware of how serious the distracted driving problem is, many are still unaware that they’re contributing to the problem. Make sure you’re not one of them. Click here: https://dpmins.com/ontarians-not-grasping-the-meaning-of-d/

Repairs, Replacements & Write-Offs In the event of a collision, your insurer determines if your damaged vehicle will be replaced, repaired or written off. To find out more about the process, click here: https://dpmins.com/repairs-replacements-and-write-offs/

A recent survey has found that the majority of Canadians lack insurance literacy when it comes to auto insurance and that limited understanding could bite them in the form of overpaying for insurance, or being underinsured. Click here to find out more: https://dpmins.com/a-majority-of-canadians-lack-auto-insur/

Do You Need Home Insurance If You're Living in a Family Member's Home Long-term? Living with family can be a great way to save money, for both yourself and your relatives. However, understanding which type of property insurance you need can get a little tricky. Click here for more: https://dpmins.com/do-you-need-home-insurance-if-youre-liv/

#TheLegendOfZHawk is the Unfinished Story of Zaadii, a boy lost to distracted driving. More than anything, Zaadii loved superheroes. That’s why we turned him into one. Watch how we brought the comic to life, and read the full comic here: https://travl.rs/30RwFy1.

Most Canadians have engaged in risky driving behavior this past year, a recent study by financial services comparison website Finder.com has revealed. According to the survey, which looked at the dangerous habits of Canadian drivers, about two-thirds, or 63%, of respondents admitted to driving recklessly at one point or another. Click here to see what bad behind-the-wheel behaviors they admit to: https://dpmins.com/survey-most-canadians-admit-to-driving-/

How to Teach Your Teen to Drive Teen Driver Safety Week is coming up this month, making it the ideal time to talk about the issues that are unique to teen drivers these days. Distracted driving is a big one. Keeping your teen driver engaged and alert on the road starts long before they get their G2, and here are some techniques for teaching good road habits, that also help keep your teen engaged on the task at hand: https://dpmins.com/how-to-teach-your-teen-to-drive/

"Menstrual hygiene products are one of the most requested yet least donated items at the food bank." We at DPM Chatham were happy to drop off some supplies to Women United Chatham-Kent at their Tampon Tuesday 2020 drive-up donation area (425 McNaughton Ave West, Chatham) this afternoon. There's still time to get your donations over as well! They'll be collecting until 6:30pm.

Watch Out for Wildlife When Driving Collisions involving wildlife are more common than you might think, with roughly 14,000 in Ontario annually. The costs of wildlife-vehicle collisions add up to about $200 million annually in Canada, and nearly 500 people were killed in wildlife-vehicle collisions between 2000 and 2014 with almost 75% of those deaths occurring in summer and fall. It’s also important to know what being involved in a collision with an animal could mean for your auto insurance premium. Click here to find out more: https://dpmins.com/watch-out-for-wildlife-when-driving/

Making a Home Inventory List for Insurance If you file a home insurance claim, insurance companies will often ask for copies of receipts or pictures of the items you lost as proof that you had them in the first place. That’s why creating a home inventory list is both sensible and necessary. A home inventory list is the most effective way to determine the value of your personal belongings and provide a catalogue of all the things you own in detail. Click here to find out more: https://dpmins.com/making-a-home-inventory-list-for-insura/

Ontario drivers should start thinking about their seasonal tire change. As we get further into fall and temperatures begin to drop below seven degrees Celsius, motorists should definitely begin thinking about changing to winter tires. In southwestern Ontario, this change in weather typically happens around mid- to late-October. Click here to find out why: https://dpmins.com/ontario-drivers-should-start-thinking-a/

While you might think identity theft is limited to a thief stealing mail or an online scam, there are ways scammers target vehicles. Thieves have become savvy in their techniques and might target your vehicle to obtain the VIN number and registration for stolen vehicles they're trying to get out of the country. Or, they might steal your wallet or purse and use the information to take out a new mortgage or open credit cards. Here are a few ways culprits might try to steal your identity by tampering with your vehicle. And, how to best safeguard your identity: https://dpmins.com/why-whats-in-your-vehicle-matters-to-th/

Delivering Food? Make Sure You're Covered The food delivery business has changed drastically in 2020, and if you or someone in your family has taken on delivery work it’s important to know how that will affect your car insurance. Many people are getting into the business of being food couriers, but they may not be thinking about whether their auto insurance will cover them if they get into an accident while delivering food. Click here to find out if your delivery driving is covered: https://dpmins.com/delivering-food-make-sure-youre-covered/

The Truth About Parking Lot Accidents Parking lots are, at the best of times, a trial for the patience and navigational skills of every driver. It’s estimated that one in five traffic accidents in Canada takes place in parking lots. Many people believe that because they happen on private property, or because it’s easier for insurance companies to process, parking lot accidents are a 50-50 split in terms of fault. Those people are wrong. Click here for the facts: https://dpmins.com/the-truth-about-parking-lot-accidents/

Can a G1 Licensed Person Drive Long Distances? There are a variety of rules that a G1 licensed driver must follow, but a restriction purely on distance driven isn’t one of them. Click here for more on what should be considered: https://dpmins.com/can-a-g1-licensed-person-drive-long-dis/

Can You Void Your Car Insurance Without Even Realizing It? You probably don't think twice about your car insurance until you need it. You put the policy in place when you buy a vehicle, perhaps scan the terms and conditions at renewal time, and make adjustments as your car use changes. But insurance isn't at the front of your mind during daily life. That's why you may accidentally void or invalidate your car insurance and have a nasty surprise at claim time. Read more to ensure you don’t make a costly mistake. https://dpmins.com/can-you-void-your-car-insurance-without/

What is a loss payee? A loss payee is a third party listed on an insurance policy’s declarations page that has first rights on insurance claim payments after a property loss. Click here to find out more: https://dpmins.com/what-is-a-loss-payee/

What Is Actual Total Loss? Actual total loss is a loss that occurs when an insured property is destroyed or damaged to such an extent that it can be neither recovered nor repaired for further use. In these cases, the insured party should qualify to receive a payout from the insurance company for the full insured value of the property. There can be complications, though, and a maximum settlement is never guaranteed. https://dpmins.com/what-is-actual-total-loss/

https://dpmins.com/locations/

Wondering which home renovations you should inform your insurance broker about? Click here to find out: https://dpmins.com/home-renovations-your-home-insurance-pr/