by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info, Safety |
Unpredictable weather is a trademark of spring: 73° and deliciously sunny one day, 41°, and sideways rain the next.
Fluctuating weather during this time of year also plays a major factor in the development of severe spring storms. However, with the right preparation, you can be sure that your home and family are ready to withstand the worst of it.
Follow these preparation tips to be sure you are spring storm-ready.
Be Weather Aware — You can sign up for a number of free weather alert services provided by national or local agencies, weather channels, and power companies. Usually, alerts come to your phone via text message or app, but many have multiple delivery methods. And remember, radio is the old standby, especially in a power outage (so set your emergency radio to the correct station ahead of time).
Trim the Trees — Trim low-hanging limbs, as well as any branches hanging near your home or power lines that could snap off in high winds and cause damage.
Free Your Gutters — Remove leaves and other debris from gutters, drains, and downspouts (best done each spring and fall). This ensures that any deluge of rainwater is quickly diverted away from your home and foundation rather than potentially flooding it. Take the opportunity to check gutters for leaks, damage, and sagging; also make sure they’re securely attached.
Check the Sump Pump — If you haven’t had to deal with a flooded basement, thanks are due to your hardworking sump pump. To keep it in good working order, test it a few times a year, including before spring storms. Clear any debris and make sure it’s working and draining properly. Consider adding a battery-powered back-up pump, or a standby generator, in case of power outages.
Get Ahead of Leaks — Leaks are sneaky … and can cause damage quickly. If you’ve had any leaks in the past, now’s the time to seal them up—before the big rains start. Also do a preventive check on your doors’ and windows’ sealing (inside and outside), as well as in the garage and basement, then fix any gaps or cracks.
Secure Items — By the time the wind is bending trees, it’s too late to worry about securing items in your yard. As soon as storms are forecast, bring items like patio furniture into the garage (or secure them in place outside). Anything that can become a projectile should be moved inside. Also close and secure shutters around your home. Drawing interior blinds and shades provide yet another layer of protection against flying debris and broken glass.
Get Your Plans in Place — When the storms roll in, you’ll be glad you made plans ahead of time.
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- Storm Safety Plan — Create a safety plan with your family, and make sure everyone understands it and is on board. This would cover things like shelter-in-place locations in the home, evacuation routes, communication protocols if you’re separated, and a plan for your pets.
- Emergency Kit — Regularly check your kit and add, replace or discard items as needed. See our checklist here for a full emergency kit inventory. At the very least, prepare the following for storms: first aid supplies, flashlights with new batteries, two gallons of water per person, a hand-crank or battery-powered radio, a three-day supply of non-perishable food for your family and pets, and a two-month supply of any necessary medications.
- Be Ready for a Power Outage — Are you ready for a few days of no power? Charge all phones and electronic devices ahead of time. Make sure your generator is operational and ready to go. Fill your car’s gas tank (and some cans for your generator). For more tips, check out our power outage safety hacks. Finally, remember to use surge protectors when the power is being restored.
As the saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When it comes to safeguarding your home, the steps above can go a long way toward preventing costly damage, headache, and hassle. And there’s no time like the present to start!
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info, Safety |
Undoubtedly, when the roads are covered in snow and/or ice the best option is to just stay hunkered down at home. However, for the majority of us, that’s not an option. In fact, 70 percent of US roads are located in snowy regions. and each year over 116,000 people are injured driving in the snow and ice.
Accumulation on roadways reduces tire friction and vehicle maneuverability and greatly increases the risk of accidents. So, as winter approaches and you make the necessary preparations to your vehicle, make sure you remember these winter driving safety tips to ensure you arrive at your destination safely.
- Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop.
- Allow at least 3 times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
- Brake gently to avoid skidding.
- If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brakes.
- Turn on your lights.
- This will make you more visible to other motorists.
- Keep your windshield clean.
- Once it has defrosted, keep the windshield wipers on to wipe away all falling snow and avoid it freezing over again.
- Use low gears to keep traction.
- Drive especially slow on hills to avoid rolling backward.
- Steer into a skid to avoid a crash.
- This means if your rear wheels are going right, gently steer in that direction.
- Keep an emergency kit in your car.
- This should include a first aid kit, flashlight, water, blankets, and snowmelt or sand/kitty litter.
- Be on the lookout for black ice.
- Black ice is barely visible and makes roadways, bridges, and overpasses extremely slick
- Don’t pass snow plows.
- The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
- Don’t assume your vehicle won’t have problems.
- Even 4-wheel drive automobiles can have issues on ice and snow!
If your rear wheels skid…
- Take your foot off the accelerator.
- Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go.
- If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle under control.
- If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
- If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.
If your front wheels skid…
- Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately.
- As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in “drive” or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.
Stay warm & be careful out there!
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info, Homeowners Insurance Info |
While there may be some debate about the cause, more and more people are accepting the fact that a changing climate is leading to extremely erratic weather with more intense storms, prolonged drought, and rising temperatures.
This has led to some of the most dramatic disasters in the U.S. Throughout these impressive weather swings, roofs have been damaged, homes flooded, trees toppled and vast acreage blackened. Many property owners are wondering what’s next and what they can do to safeguard their property?
Here are some important steps that you can take to help protect your property and your family from the major effects of climate change.
Storms
Snow and ice storms, hurricanes and spring/summer thunderstorms have become more intense. From record hail, tornado outbreaks, and torrential downpours; our homes and property are taking a beating.
When these storms hit, check and repair:
- Roofs and shingles
- Gutters and downspouts
- Decks and porches for loose, cracked or exposed wood
- Exterior for chipped or peeling paint, cracks, holes or exposed wood or siding
- Attics for evidence of leaks
- Basements or crawl spaces for damp areas and cracks
- Concrete slabs for cracks or shifting soil
- Chimneys for damage or dirty flues
- Trees and bushes for broken or weak trunks and branches, and removing any branches that overhang your home
Fire
Wildfires in much of the country have burned hotter and consumed more structures and acreage in recent years. Climate change has extended the fire season by an extra two months across the U.S.! In much of the South and West it begins in early spring, ending late fall.
Fire prevention experts recommend that anyone in or near a fire-prone area, especially what is called the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), needs to take these steps to minimize their fire risk and help responding crews:
- Create at least a 100 foot defensible space area around homes and structures (200 feet or more may be needed on hillside areas)
- Keep combustible wood piles, propane tanks and other flammable materials 30 feet from homes and structures
- Remove weeds and dry shrubs near structures
- Keep laws trimmed and mowed
- Trim tree branches 10 feet up from the ground and remove any that overhang your home or other structures, and keep trees spaced 30 feet apart
- Install a fire resistant roof and deck
- Make sure your street name and address are visibly posted for emergency vehicles
- Clear flammable vegetation 10 feet from roads and five feet from driveways, and cut back overhanging branches on roads and drive ways
Keeping your home well maintained is essential to withstand the vagaries of weather. You can find more wildfire preparation tips here.
Know Your Insurance
In the event of these extreme storms it is also critical that you understand your insurance and know:
- If your homeowners policy includes replacement cost or actual cash value,
- Whether you are covered for new additions, improvements or appliance and other upgrades,
- That a floater or scheduled personal property endorsement is needed to fully cover high value items such as fine art, furs, jewelry, silverware and musical instruments
Keep in mind: flood and earthquake insurance are not included with your home or renters policy. However when you have California Casualty, you can easily add each to your policy though our agency services program. Please contact: 1.877.652.2638 or agencyservices@calcas.com .
Another important coverage you should add to your policy is comprehensive coverage. Without it your vehicle won’t be protected if it is damaged or destroyed by a flood, fire or falling tree limb. To ask a customer service representative about adding comprehensive coverage please contact: 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com
Lastly, make sure your belongings are also completely covered in the event of a storm or fire. If you haven’t completed a home inventory yet, now is the time to do it. Having a list and proof of the things you own will help you with reimbursement if your home or apartment is damaged by a natural disaster. For our free Home Inventory Guide click here.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
by California Casualty
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by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info |
Springtime; for many of us it means we can start hanging up the cold weather gear and begin getting out the gardening equipment. However, the pleasant change in weather can often lull us into a false sense of security. In fact, I’m reminded of the warning Julius Caesar was given, “Beware the Ides of March.”
So what does that warning have to do with you and me? While March marks the end of winter, it starts a dynamic time of year with a clash of late season cold fronts and warm gulf air leading to dangerous thunderstorms, flooding and even tornadoes.
Many scientists warn that between climate change and El Nino, we are facing some of the most extreme and unpredictable weather patterns ever seen: one of the worst droughts and fire seasons ever in California followed by torrential rains and heavy snows, record flooding in Texas, Missouri and South Carolina, rare deadly December tornadoes across the Midwest and South and unprecedented holiday warmth in the Northeast.
Maybe we should change Shakespeare’s line to “Beware the Ides of Spring.”
Springtime Dangers
Flooding
Flood season begins in spring as winter snow and ice melt. Severe thunderstorms can add tremendous amounts of water to the runoff, often inundating cities and towns located in flood zones.
Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States, causing an average of $50 billion in economic losses each year. Anyone living in a low-lying area near a lake, river or stream should make sure they are protected. Homeowners and renters insurance don’t cover floods from rivers, streams, or other runoff; if you want your home and valuables protected, you need flood insurance that often has a 30 day waiting period.
Flooding caused by a damaged roof or broken water pipe is covered by most homeowners insurance. While it can happen any time of year, springtime thawing can be the culprit. Do you have enough coverage if water should destroy your valuable possessions? The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates that just two inches of water can cause more than $10,000 for repairs and replacement of flooded items. Six inches of water can add up to more than $30,000.
Fires
While a house fire can happen any time of year, spring marks the start of wildfire season. More than 4,600 structures were destroyed by wildfires in 2015, 2,667 of those were homes or apartments.
Fuels, such as grasses and brush, start to dry out as temperatures warm. Before they become a threat to your home you should mow and trim back any grasses, trees or bushes to create a 30 foot defensible space. Don’t forget to move gas grills, firewood and other combustibles 15 to 30 feet away from your home. You can find more wildfire prevention tips here.
Tornadoes
The volatile mix of warm and cold usually results in tornadic activity. Almost every state has experienced a tornado, and if you live in the South, Midwest or points east you may have already taken these tornado preparedness actions:
- Identify a safe place in your house (basement, storm shelter or sturdy interior reinforced room on the lowest floor of the home
- Prepare an emergency kit with first aid supplies, food, water and sanitary needs (include important medicines, eye glasses, etc.)
- Practice tornado drills
Severe Thunderstorms
Thunderstorms are the top cause of insured loss each year in the United States due to high winds, large hail and dangerous lightning. When a thunderstorm approaches, immediately move indoors and away from windows and avoid electrical equipment and corded telephones. Preparations for severe thunderstorms are much the same as tornadoes.
How to Protect Your Property
Before wild weather has a chance to threaten your home, here are some key tips to help prevent damage:
- Check roofs and shingles for damage, lifting or other signs that they might leak
- Clean gutters and drain spouts and make sure they direct water away from your home’s foundation
- Look for loose boards, cracking or other damage on decks and porches to avoid tripping, falls or other hazards
- Inspect the exterior of your home for cracks, holes or exposed wood or siding that could allow water, insects or small wildlife to get in
- Make sure chimneys and vents are well sealed and sturdy to prevent water or wind damage
- Trim back trees and bushes, looking for weak or broken branches or other damage, to protect against them falling into roofs or siding
Check Your Insurance
Before a catastrophe strikes, the Insurance Information Institute says you should:
- Purchase homeowners or renters insurance
- Get flood insurance if you live in a flood prone area
- Review your policy so you understand your coverages (replacement costs, replacement of personal possessions, and additional living expenses)
- Make a full inventory of everything you own
After a Disaster
If the unexpected should occur, you should take these steps:
- Secure your property from further damage or theft
- Contact your insurance company as soon as possible
- Catalogue your losses and take pictures
- Save receipts of meals, purchases and hotels while you are unable to live at home
- Be careful of fraudulent contractors
Now is good time to reevaluate your protection against the unpredictable moods of spring; contact a California Casualty advisor to purchase flood insurance, get a review of your policy or add any coverage that you might need. Give a call today at 1.800.800.9410 or visit www.calcas.com.
Resources for this article:
https://news.yahoo.com/record-el-nino-climate-change-drive-extreme-weather-170109695.html;_ylt=AwrTcdtKdZVWbA8ATzMnnIlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTBya2cwZmh2BGNvbG8DZ3ExBHBvcwM1BHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg–
https://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/flooding_flood_risks/the_cost_of_flooding.jsp
https://www.calcas.com/documents/10326/0/wildfire_pamphlet_residential_CA.pdf/4c476835-55f4-4a70-a208-0f7930218e90
https://www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/fireInfo_statistics.html
https://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/tornado
https://www.iii.org/article/making-sure-your-home-properly-covered-disaster
https://www.redcross.org/find-help/disaster-recovery/recovering-financially
