“Doesn’t matter if it’s after a fire or a flood or whatever; when I’m talking to somebody, it’s usually because they’re having a pretty bad day,” said Jeff, State Farm^® claims adjuster.

“Pretty bad” turned out to be an understatement during a call last year. Jeff was in the middle of a virtual inspection. A customer’s roof leaked which caused some pretty significant damage to their West Virginia home. Using an app downloaded to the customer’s smart phone, Jeff was looking at pictures of the damaged area.

“We’re doing more and more of these types of inspections,” Jeff said. “It makes it easier for the customers to send in their info so we can process their claim, get them their money and help them recover quicker.”

Jeff was in the middle of the inspection when all of a sudden, he heard a loud crash. The customer had fallen down a flight of stairs, shattering her ankle.

“She’d dropped her phone and couldn’t reach it, but I could hear her yelling and screaming for help.”

Unfortunately, the only help available was Jeff, and he was hundreds of miles away at the other side of the state. “I didn’t really know what to do, but I knew I had to do something.”

“I kept yelling until I finally got her attention,” Jeff said. “I was trying to keep her calm and trying to keep her conscious.”

She couldn’t reach the phone to dial 911, so Jeff grabbed another phone and dialed for help.

After he got them on the line, Jeff acted as a go-between.

“They were asking things like ‘How far did she fall’ and ‘Can she move’ and ‘Is there any blood?” I kept relaying their questions and giving them her answers.”

When the ambulance arrived, the paramedics picked up the phone that was lying next to the customer on the ground, expecting to hear 911 on the other end.

“I told them, “No, I’m with State Farm; I’m her insurance adjustor.”

The customer was rushed to the hospital and once she arrived, one of the first things she did was write Jeff a heart-felt thank-you note:

Thank you so much for your help with calling 911 and staying on the phone. I dislocated my ankle and shattered many bones, I will need surgery. You were my angel 😇😇. You deserve an award for listening to me scream and crying.

“What an incredible Good Neighbor story this is,” said Jeff’s manager, Bill Lingenfelter. “We’re in the relationship and helping others-business, and this is what it’s all about!”

“Please be careful on the roads and watch for deer,” she said.

In an instant, a deer bounded into the road and collided with their car, one of nearly 2 million crashes with animals every year.

“We weren’t going fast,” Rhodes Villa said. “It just happened so fast.”

It’s not an unusual occurrence, especially in October, November and December. U.S. drivers on average have a 1 in 116 chance of a collision with an animal, according to the State Farm^® annual study. There were over 1.9 million animal collision insurance claims in the U.S. between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.

Pennsylvania ranks third in the country with drivers having a 1-in-51 chance of an animal collision. West Virginia (1-in-37) again tops the list, followed by Montana (1-in-47). South Dakota and Michigan round out the top five, followed by Wisconsin, Iowa, Mississippi, Minnesota and Wyoming.

The large majority of animal collisions are with deer. For the year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 there were estimated to be 1.5 million deer claims industry-wide.

“Claims after collisions with an animal range from small dents to totaled vehicles and injured drivers and passengers,” says Michael Braaten, director, Enterprise Research. “By sharing ways to help drivers be aware of the increased dangers this time of year – including inclement weather, shorter periods of daylight and students driving home after evening activities – State Farm hopes to help decrease the number of collisions and injuries.”

Hawaii (1-in-649), Nevada (1-in-551) and California (1-in-427) are the states where drivers have the least chance of an animal collision.

How Can You Avoid Deer in Your Headlights?

Growing deer and other animal populations combined with the displacement of animal habitats are making animal crashes more likely. There’s no real way to keep large animals like deer, moose, and elk off the road, but these safety tips can help you prevent animal-car collisions.

Stay alert. Pay attention to "deer crossing" and other signs and be cautious in areas near woods or water.

Use high beams. Flicking your high beams on a deer in the road may cause the animal to scurry away. High beams also help illuminate dark roads.

Don't swerve. If an animal-car crash is inevitable, maintain control of your vehicle and don't veer off the road.

Brake as necessary. If you can avoid hitting the animal, reduce your speed, honk your horn and tap your brakes to warn other drivers. If there are no drivers behind you, brake hard.

Remember peak season. Deer crashes happen most during October through December, which is hunting and mating season. Collisions are most likely to happen in West Virginia, Montana, Pennsylvania and South Dakota.

Remember meal time. Watch for animals in the road between dusk and dawn.

Watch for herds. If you see one deer, there are probably more nearby.

Don't rely on a whistle. No scientific evidence supports that car-mounted deer whistles work.

Wear seat belts. Always obey speed limits and wear seat belts.

In the News

• AccuWeather.com:  Ways to steer clear of deer this year (11/10/20)

“Current State Farm driving data and claims experience show a considerable decline in miles driven and fewer accidents,” said Len Martin, Vice President - Agency/Sales. “As a result, we’re looking for ways to continue supporting our West Virginia customers while we monitor and adjust to trends.”

In addition to the auto rate reduction, the discount for participating in Drive Safe & Save™ is increasing to 10%, and empowers drivers to save more on their auto premiums through driving behaviors.

Rate changes in West Virginia are subject to regulatory approval. Customer rate reductions will vary based on their individual renewals. Customers are encouraged to visit with their State Farm agent about individual policies, coverage and any opportunities for discounts, including Drive Safe & Save.

“At State Farm, we are committed to offering customers the highest quality products and services at competitive prices,” said State Farm Senior Vice President Chris Schell. “This homeowners rate reduction in West Virginia is a result of improved trends and positions us to deliver on our mission to help more people in more ways.”

Overall changes in premiums for individual homeowners will vary depending on the specific details of an individual customer’s policy and chosen coverages. Customers with questions can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation.

In addition to this rate reduction, State Farm agents are able to review with new and existing customers the many opportunities for additional discounts that may apply to an individual’s unique circumstances. A rate decrease combined with discounts offers an exceptional long-term value to State Farm customers.

The effective date for new and renewal business is May 27. The last rate change in West Virginia was a decrease of 3.0 percent in August 2018. Combined, the two auto rate decreases will save West Virginia customers $26.8 million.

“State Farm is very pleased to be able to offer another auto rate decrease in West Virgina,” said State Farm Senior Vice President Chris Schell. “Improving expenses and losses were important factors, among many, that supported our decision to make this rate change."

Overall changes in premiums for individual motorists will vary. Rates depend on a customer’s policy and chosen coverage. Customers can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation. Additional opportunities for discounts may apply.

A rate decrease combined with discounts offers exceptional long-term value to State Farm customers.

Several decades ago, Stephanie Hayhurst-Hall was one of them.

“I grew up knowing I was adopted and I always wanted to give back,” says the Clarksburg, W.Va., State Farm^® agent.

Stephanie was adopted from the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia. Six years ago, she and her husband, Jason Hall, decided to become foster parents through the same organization. The couple and their 5-year-old son, Carson, opened their home to two children.

“The adoption process can be emotionally taxing,” Stephanie says. “I can say that because I was adopted. You have to figure out how to deal with that your whole life. And there were times I didn’t feel good about it.”

A 7-month-old boy spent a bit of time with the family before permanently moving in with his biological grandparents. An 18-month-old girl found her forever home.

“We still have a relationship with the little boy and his grandparents. His grandmother sends us pictures so we get to see him grow up. It was so rewarding to help him reunite with his grandparents and still be a part of his life,” Stephanie says.

Stephanie and Jason got the call about their now daughter, Sophia, about two months after reuniting their first foster child with his grandparents. Their home is a foster to adoption home, which means any child they receive could potentially lead to an adoption.

“When you foster to adopt, you get a call out of the blue and they provide you with very minimal information about the child. You just have to follow your heart and take a chance,” she says. “The legal process to determine if the parents’ rights will be terminated to the adoption process took almost two years.”

Stephanie was open with her son about the adoption process and has been honest with her now 5-year-old daughter about her own experience.

“My parents were always open with me. When I was 5, I started asking questions and they answered them honestly. My children deserve the same honesty,” she says.

“It took several months to become a certified foster parent and Carson went through everything with us. We wanted him to understand that many children don’t have parents, shelter, clothes or toys. We wanted him to be empathetic with the children he goes to school with who may not have the things he has,” Stephanie says.

“As I’ve gotten older, I now realize what a gift adoption was, and I hope my daughter feels that way, too.”

The Hall family just moved to a new home and are feeling settled enough to begin the process of fostering again to adopt another child.

“We’re at a place where we want to welcome another child. We have the space in our new home and will be able to help a child who will be a good fit for our family.

“Adoption is a wonderful thing, but it often comes from a loss. A lot of children experience trauma, and adoption is where the healing can begin.”

“The company’s current financial strength is allowing us to pass along a rate reduction to our West Virginia customers,” said State Farm Senior Vice President Chris Schell. “We continually evaluate how we can best serve our customers and are very pleased to be able to offer this rate decrease in West Virginia.”

Overall changes in premiums for individual motorists will vary depending on the specific details of an individual customer’s policy and chosen coverages. The effective date for new and renewal business is August 20, 2018. West Virginia customers with questions can contact their local State Farm agent to discuss their individual situation.

In addition to this rate reduction, State Farm agents are able to review with new and existing customers the many opportunities for additional discounts that may apply to an individual’s unique circumstances. A rate decrease combined with discounts offers an exceptional long-term value to State Farm customers.

Bloomington, Illinois (October 21, 2016) – State Farm is introducing a new coverage endorsement in several states to help fill insurance gaps for its policyholders who use their personal cars to provide rides for a Transportation Network Company (TNC), like Uber and Lyft. The TNC industry is rapidly changing the livery/taxi industry by using the latest mobile technology to facilitate rides for hire. With these new transportation services in the marketplace, drivers are exposed to new risks.

Insurance provided by TNCs may be limited in scope and coverage. Personal auto policies generally do not extend coverage to the use of personal cars as taxis or livery vehicles, including their use in TNC services.

To adapt to changing customer needs, beginning Monday, October 21, 2016, State Farm will offer a Transportation Network Company Driver Coverage endorsement in Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington and West Virginia.

The effective date for new and renewal for all states except GA: October 21, 2016. The effective date for new and renewal for GA: November 21, 2016

Ten jurisdictions obtained the endorsement earlier this year: Alabama, California, Colorado, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Minnesota, Tennessee and Wisconsin .

"Adapting and innovating to our customers' changing needs is critical," said Vicki Harper, State Farm Public Affairs Specialist. "This new product is an example of our commitment to our customers and provides them coverage, and peace of mind, when they use their personal cars to provide TNC services."

TNCs may provide high liability coverage limits while a paying passenger occupies the driver's vehicle or when the driver has been connected with a passenger and is on the way to pick that person up. But TNCs tend to provide a much lower limit of liability coverage when drivers are just available for hire and may not provide the drivers with any medical payments, comprehensive, or collision coverages at all. The TNCs may not be providing coverage for injuries to the driver or coverage for any damage to the driver's personal car.

The new, optional State Farm TNC Driver Coverage endorsement enables a policyholder to have his/her personal auto policy fill in the coverage gaps left by TNC-provided insurance. This cost-effective endorsement provides the driver with the full liability coverage limits carried on his/her auto policy during the period of time when the driver is available for hire, and provides the driver with all other coverages applicable to his/her auto policy during all periods of TNC driving.

Customers in these states who drive for a TNC should contact their local State Farm agent to learn more about the new State Farm TNC Driver Coverage endorsement.

Halie llegó con todas sus pertenencias en una bolsa negra de basura.

Estaba cabizbaja. No podía expresarse y se recluyó. Se auto nombró "una chica problemática".

Halie sólo tenía 15 años de edad. El abuso y la negligencia que soportó desde los nueve años habían cobrado su precio.

Dando amor incondicional

Imagina que toda tu vida se desmorone. Que te saquen de tu hogar (por tu propio bien) y te lleven a ambientes desconocidos.

A los nueve años de edad, Halie fue violada por su padrastro. A los once, fue abusada por su abuela. A los trece, fue enviada a una vivienda de custodia temporal. Posiblemente te preguntes cómo alguien sobrevive ese tipo de niñez.

Todos los días, adolescentes en West Virginia, y en todo el país, se encuentran en situaciones familiares perjudiciales o hasta peligrosas. Aunque no es su culpa, estas chicas no tienen un lugar que puedan llamar hogar.

Halie era una de esas chicas. Golden Girl Group Home (GGGH) es una casa hogar sin fines de lucro para chicas que acude en su ayuda. Proveen un ambiente estructurado y afectuoso para ayudarlas a crecer y florecer.

“Lo que más me ayudó fue que era un ambiente seguro y libre de prejuicios”, compartió Halie. “Íbamos de vacaciones a la playa, a acampar y a parques de diversiones. Ellos (el personal) tratan de darnos y nos dan una vida normal, como la de una familia.”

GGGH, patrocinado por State Farm, es un lugar de amor incondicional. Amor para chicas que han sido desatendidas, abandonadas o abusadas..

Encontrando Confianza

A través de las experiencias buenas y malas, Halie aprendió muchas lecciones de vida. Y pudo superar las siguientes etapas de su vida.

Halie, de 25 años, actualmente egresada de la secundaria, está casada y tiene dos hijos. También trabaja para GGGH y recientemente fue nombrada la empleada del mes.

La casa hogar le proporcionó a Halie un buen cimiento junto con herramientas y recursos para toda la vida. Se encontró a sí misma, su voz y su confianza.

¿Te sorprende? Ella ha pasado por eso. Ella pasó por lo que ellas están pasando. Puede relacionarse con sus problemas.

Reflexión

Alguna vez fue una “chica problemática” con el corazón y el alma rotos a una edad demasiado temprana. Ahora es una mujer joven y bella que contribuye a su comunidad. Dando de sí misma a aquellas que, como ella, necesitan apoyo adicional y amor incondicional. Ayudando a adolescentes a recuperar autoestima. Mostrándoles que no tienen que vivir sus vidas como víctimas.

You see a glow coming from your teen’s bedroom... Do you know what website they are visiting?

Your 5^th-grader won’t put down his smartphone... Do you know what videos they are watching?

Kids are increasingly living their lives online. They see it as a fun way to connect with friends and be entertained. They often don’t realize online risks, increasing concerns over safety.

To identify and address online child safety issues, Wheeling Jesuit University (WJU) established the Coalition for Youth Safety (CYS), in August 2013.

CYS educates WJU criminal justice students to become child and community safety advocates. Developed by WJU Social Science professor Dr. Larry Driscoll, the program receives grant funding from State Farm.

Local law enforcement and safety experts guest lecture. Students attend classes and conduct research. They become "mini-experts" in one of three areas: internet safety, bullying and social media. They present findings to middle school students in Ohio, Brooke and Marshall Counties in West Virginia.

“Younger students need this important information, because they are more vulnerable,” Dr. Driscoll explains. “We discovered it’s not uncommon for first and second grade students to have access to mobile devices. It is crucial we start educating early so they know the dangers of cyber bullying and using the internet.”

Peer Instruction Most Effective 

Research shows elementary and middle school students relate better to younger adults – someone who speaks the same language.

“The closer in age mentors are to the students they’re mentoring, the better the results. That is why it was so important to make peer interaction a component of the CYS program,” Dr. Driscoll shared.

“Being a mentor in this program has been doubly rewarding,” said WJU student Kaitlyn Conner. “This program has allowed me to vastly improve my public speaking and communication skills. As a result of the different school visits, I am considering teaching as a possible career. I enjoy being able to help the community and interacting with the kids.”

Driscoll and his students are gathering and analyzing results from the program. They expect to see social media usage trending upward for younger and younger students. They also hope to see a downward trend in online abuse, bullying and talking to strangers.

“We still have a lot of work to do,” Dr. Driscoll says. “There is a definite need for this program. The elementary and middle school teachers continue to ask when we are coming back.”

Here are nine things CYS promotes. Parents are encouraged to reinforce this information to boost online safety:​

When a house fire killed a family whose children had attended a fire safety lesson just two months prior, Clarksburg, WV Fire Captain Cindy Murphy decided those lessons weren’t enough.

“It absolutely broke my heart somebody I had talked to about smoke detectors was not able to make it out of their home,” said Murphy, “I didn’t want another child to die in a fire [because they didn’t have one].”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, “three out of five home fires resulted from fires in properties without working smoke alarms.”

Determined to steer clear of any further preventable deaths, Murphy created Operation Not One More. With 850 first graders in the county, she made it her goal to equip these children and their homes with 10-year smoke detectors—to provide “silent guardians” to watch over them.

When the call to action went out, the donations poured in. To date, she has already provided almost 900 smoke detectors—exceeding her goal and saving more lives in the process. Adds Murphy, “I could not have accomplished this by myself.”

Her next step is to create a public service campaign that will ensure proper installation of the detectors. It’s no use “if they are still sitting in a bag at the kid’s house,” says Murphy. She wants to make sure all of the alarms are up and running.

With these detectors, the children will be teens before they have to worry about changing a battery. The tamper-resistant alarm prevents family members from taking out the battery and forgetting to put it back in—a major cause of house fire-related injuries and deaths.

More and more baby boomers are discovering the benefits of shared housing in their golden years. After all, more than a third of baby boomers - the generation moving into retirement age - are unmarried. Single boomers are also overwhelmingly female - just like Blanche, Dorothy and Rose, and just like three real world women from Pennsylvania.

Karen Bush, Louise Machinist and Jean McQuillin met in early adulthood. Their lives followed the usual trajectories: marriages, children, careers and houses.

“All of us owned our own houses. We each lived independently-comfortably, modestly, but securely,” Louise says.

However, children grew up and moved away, marriages ended, and soon the friends found themselves in their 50s, living alone, and facing retirement. That’s when Karen had an idea.

“I was happy living the way I was,” Karen recalls. “But I thought when I did retire, I could see myself becoming isolated.”

Retirement comes with risks, and adjusting to life without a paycheck can be challenging. It can also be lonely. “Many retirees face a lack of community, a lack of people around during the day or evenings,” Karen points out.

Early in 2004, Karen turned to Louise and asked if she would go in on a major investment with her: a house. But not just a house, a home they would live in together.

Louise was game and pulled Jean into the conversation. “We identified what we’d want, in terms of geography, culture, educational opportunities, hobbies - all sorts of things,” Karen says. “We had remarkably similar lists.”

“The punch line,” Louise says, “was ‘Why wait?’” Three months later, they closed on a new, co-owned house.

“It was ridiculously fast,” Jean agrees, “but we laid lots of groundwork. We consulted a financial planner and a lawyer. Here we are - nine years later!”

Louise ticks off the many benefits, expected and unexpected, of living with housemates:

“The environment: We feel good we use fewer utilities. The social support system and community. And definitely the money - I’ve saved more for retirement, which is paradoxical because this was supposed to be retirement!”

The three women share their experience and advice in a collaboratively written book: My House Our House: Living Far Better for Far Less in a Cooperative Household.

They all agree collaboration is what makes a shared housing arrangement succeed. “It’s imperative for people sharing a home to make sure they respect healthy boundaries that ensure everyone’s wellbeing. You need to be on the same page about lifestyle,” says Louise.

There’s something about their age group that helps too. “It seems to be the boomers that drive shared housing,” Louise says. “It’s something we did when we were young, and we just don’t have the barriers other generations have.”

Paki Wieland, another boomer, met her housemate, Francis Crowe, as their generation was driving the counterculture of the 1960s.

“When I first visited western Massachusetts in 1968, Frances was one of the first people I met,” recalls Paki, now in her early 70s. It was the height of the Vietnam War, and Paki and Frances, were passionate activists, working together at demonstrations and peace committees.

When the war ended, Paki went to college and became a professional. Frances continued working at a peace center, supported by her husband, a radiologist. The women lost touch. Neither had any idea their lives would once again converge.

But Paki’s marriage ended and Frances’ husband died. Paki was preparing to retire from a teaching position at Antioch New England Graduate School but had not thought about what retirement would look like. Frances started renting out the downstairs of her house. Just as Paki put out the word she needed a place to live, Frances’ tenant moved out.

Frances suggested that her long-ago acquaintance move in. When Paki showed up with her bags in the fall of 2002, both women considered it a tenant/landlord relationship. It hasn’t stayed that way.

“We became more and more involved in our lives together. It was very gradual,” Frances says. We each have our own living space, but we share the house, and she’s good company,” Frances says of Paki. “We read the same books. I pass the paper on to her.” Paki agrees. “If we go somewhere together to a film, I’ll organize us to do that,” she says.

Considering Paki is younger than Frances, you might guess she’s Frances’ caretaker - but you’d be mistaken.

“My physical abilities have diminished in the last 10 years,” Frances concedes, “and Paki is mindful of that. She checks in on me.” Still, Paki isn’t Frances’ nurse.

“Increasingly I became aware of the way our lives overlapped,” Paki explains. “When I first moved in I didn’t imagine living here this long. But it’s worked very nicely. Frances certainly doesn’t plan to go into any retirement - age place, so as long as we can both stay here, we’ll do that.”

“There was a gentleman from a school district in Texas, and he said that they looked at the number of students that were not reading at grade level at fourth grade to determine the number of prison beds they would need ten years down the road,” said Debbie Clark, a retired teacher from Hinton Area Elementary School in Hinton, West Virginia. “The next day I looked into [how many of our students were reading below grade level,] and when I found out ours was above 57 percent, I thought, we have to do something.”

Soon thereafter, Clark and Pat Mick, a fellow retired teacher, decided to tackle this problem by addressing student’s nutritional needs, noting the link between nutrition and school achievement. “If you’re hungry, you can’t focus, you can’t do your schoolwork, you’re always thinking about your stomach growling,” observed Karen Bollinger, a reading specialist with the school.

“In the first three years of a student’s school[ing], they learn to read; after that it’s read to learn,” said Mick. The conclusion: these critical years help dictate future success.

Yummy Bags: Food for Thought

So this year, the two of them started Yummy Bags. Yummy Bags’ mission is to address both issues – education and nutrition. The organization provides nutritious meals to third and fourth graders with low reading proficiency at Hinton Area Elementary, in a community with a very high unemployment rate.

Select students get to take home meals for the weekend when they’re not in school and getting the food provided there. In addition, books are also distributed with the hope students will continue to read, or someone reads to them, until they’re back at school on Monday.

Launching in March 2014, Yummy Bags started their service to 15 students. By June, that number was up to 45 and now they are serving, on average, more than 60 students each week.

“Someone cares about them.”

The community has rallied to the cause as well. This past May, their votes of support helped Yummy Bags earn a State Farm Neighborhood Assist® grant of $25,000. To continue to build the education piece in tandem with the nutrition piece, this additional funding will help Yummy Bags launch an after-school tutoring program in 2015. Here, trained adult leaders will work with students on their reading proficiency.

Thanks to this program, teachers are already seeing improvements. “Attendance has improved, because they know every Friday they’re going to get it and they need to be here – and [they know] someone cares about them,” says Bollinger.

With programs like Yummy Bags, kids can focus on school work and not when they’ll be able to eat their next meal. As Bollinger puts it, “When we put the bag in their backpack, you see their face light up and a bright smile and you know that you’ve done something good for that child.”