DLIB - well recognized by the chair of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce (Demetrius Tsafarids) for being outstanding long-term members of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.

"As long-term members of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce, we want you to know that we value your membership and continued commitment in helping us to support and nurture business growth and prosperity in the City of Hamilton.

We highly respect and value your partnership with the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce."

Every winter, many roofs collapse due to heavy snow or ice loads. Add rain or heavy, wet snowfalls on top and you've got a dangerous combination.



Often roofs collapse suddenly giving occupants little, if any warning to evacuate the building.

A roof collapse can happen to new and old buildings alike and cause extensive damage to the building and contents. Low pitched and flat roofs are most susceptible to collapses.

Most roof designs can handle snow loads of 20 - 40 IBS per square foot. But, as the chart below shows, packed snow with ice can easily overload a roof.

SNOW TYPE APPROXIMATE DENSITY

Light & Fluffy 5 - 20 IBS
Packed 20 - 40 IBS
Packed with Ice 40 - 58 IBS
Ice 58 IBS

Watch for ice build up on the edge and valleys of your roof. When heat escapes through your attic, it melts the snow. When this water freezes at the edge of your roof, it forms an ice dam and allows water to back up and enter the building under the shingles and wood decking. Besides adding extra weight to your roof, ice dams can cause extensive water damage inside.

Excessive accumulations of snow and ice will require removal.

For safe removal that won't endanger you or damage your roof, consult a roofing contractor. Be certain the contractor is covered by WSIB (Workers Compensation) and provides you with a current liability insurance certificate.

If you are removing the snow on your own, be very careful as the roof can be very slippery.

1. Choose a pair of boots with excellent traction.

2. Choose a proper shovel. A plastic bucket (scoop) shovel with a large handle is best so you can scoop and slid the snow off the roof's edge.

3. Don't pick or chip at ice near the roof surface or dig deep as you may damage the shingles and shorten the roof's life expectancy.

4. Do not pile all the snow in one area before removing it. This may overstress that section of the roof causing it to collapse.

5. Be safe, not sorry. Consider your options carefully.

Yes! client's that switch their combined auto and home insurance to us last month saved on average $592 per year!

What could you save by switching to us?

To find out, simply call us at
1-800-661-1518 for your free no-obligation quote OR

CLICK HERE for your FREE No-obligation quote today!

You've had an auto accident - Now what?

You hear a horn, feel a bump and next thing you know, you hear the sound of crumpling metal. With all this going on around you, your thoughts race. You make sure everyone is okay, and then all is quiet. You think to yourself…"What do I do next? Who do I contact? Where do I go to get my car fixed? Is my car driveable?" All of these questions fog up your mind and confuse you. That's why it's important to be prepared and know what steps to take after an auto accident. What you should do after an accident:

1.Don't leave the accident scene – leaving the scene could lead to serious or even
criminal charges.

2. Determine if there are any injuries and if so, call 911 immediately.

3. Try to determine if there is more than $1,000 in damage for the whole accident (your car and any other vehicles involved). If the damage appears to be more than $1,000, call the police and they will come and assess the scene. If the damage is less than $1,000, you still need to call the police, but they will instruct you on what to do next to
assess the damages.

4. If it is safe to do so, move the vehicles off to the side of the road and make the situation safe for all, including passing traffic.

5. Collect names, addresses, telephone numbers, insurance information, license plates numbers, driver's license numbers of all drivers involved in the accident.

6. Remember witnesses and passengers; gather their information as well – names, addresses, telephone numbers.

7. Take notes of what the immediate scene looked like - placement of trees, shrubs, stop signs, signal lights, pedestrian crossings etc. This will help when you report the claim
to us.

Call us! As soon as you have completed the first 7 steps, call us immediately. We'll answer your questions and guide you through the claims process.

2009 Toyota Venza tops list of cars stolen in Canada:

The 2009 Toyota Venza has trumped the 2000 Honda Civic SiR as the most frequently stolen vehicle in Canada in 2011, reports the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).

Also, many of the stolen vehicles are showing up in the local market and being sold to unsuspecting consumers instead of being exported out of Canada, representing a shift from the trend of previous years.

The Top 10 most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada are:

1. 2009 Toyota Venza 4-door;
2. 1999 Honda Civic SiR 2-door;
3. 2000 Honda Civic SiR 2-door;
4. 2006 Ford F350 pickup truck, 4WD;
5. 2002 Cadillac Escalade EXT 4-door, AWD;
6. 2006 Chevrolet TrailBlazer SS 4-door, 4WD;
7. 2007 Ford F350 pickup truck, 4WD;
8. 2001 Pontiac Aztec 4-door, AWD;
9. 1998 Acura Integra 2-door; and
10. 1999 Acura Integra 2-door.

*** information provided by Canadian Underwriter Magazine.