by California Casualty | Homeowners Insurance Info |
The summer storm season is here. There has been record flooding, a rash of tornadoes, and an increase of insurance claims due to hail in many areas of the country. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimates that hail causes $1 billion dollars in damage to property and crops every year, and the combination of wind, hail, and flood account for over $16 billion in insured damage. Severe weather losses have risen dramatically in the past few years due to increased repair costs and the severity of the storms.
Are you prepared? A major storm is no time to find your possessions are below the water line or you have nothing to cover your windows if they should be blown or broken out. Here are things you can do now:
- Survey your property for flood potential, levees, etc.
- Make sure trees on your property are healthy and properly trimmed
- Check and clean gutters and downspouts
- Have your roof inspected to make sure it is still waterproof and will shed excess rain
- Install a sump pump in basements ( many experts recommend a second battery-powered sump pump in case of excess water or if there’s a power outage)
- Install shutters to protect your home from high winds and hail
- If you don’t have shutters, make sure you have boards 5/8 exterior grade or marine plywood to cover windows and doors
- Make sure you have flood and sewage backup coverage
- If possible, park your vehicle in a covered spot or in a garage
- Purchase a hail-resistant cover for your vehicle
- Complete a home inventory
- Prepare an evacuation kit
- Know safe evacuation routes and have a family communication plan if you get separated
Before the next storm hits, it’s important to make sure you have the proper insurance and understand what is and is not covered. Here are things you need to know:
- Most homeowners insurance does not cover the flooding from high water. Separate flood insurance needs to be purchased.
- Most homeowners insurance covers hail, wind and lightning damage to your property, often with a deductible that you pay first.
- You must have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy to cover your vehicle from hail, flood, or damage from falling trees or limbs. It also usually comes with a deductible.
Here is what you should do if you suspect your home or car has suffered storm damage:
- Document the time, date and severity of the storm
- Contact your insurance company
- Work only with licensed contractors for repairs and check with the Better Business Bureau to prevent fraud
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 | Homeowners Insurance Info |
You worked hard, saved your money and bought a home. Now you want to protect the largest investment you have ever made with homeowners insurance. You’ll sleep better knowing that your insurance will help you rebuild if there’s a fire, tornado or a tree falls onto your home. What you may not know are the many things it might not cover. Your sweet dreams of protection could turn out to be a nightmare because you don’t have the coverage you thought you did.
Here are five things not covered by most home insurance policies:
- Earthquake and land movement. As landslides and earthquakes have become more common in many states, many people are surprised to learn that earthquake or land movement damage is not covered by standard homeowners insurance. You need to purchase separate earthquake and landslide insurance protection.
- Floods. Multiple surveys have found a majority of homeowners and renters thought their property insurance protected them from flooding; it doesn’t. If a river overflows its banks or storm surge sends tides into your home, you’ll need to purchase separate flood insurance, provided primarily by the federal government. Keep in mind there is a 30 day waiting period before any flood policy can go into effect.
- Sewer backups. The sludge can do serious damage and make your home unsafe until it’s properly cleaned up, but it’s not covered under most homeowner insurance policies. Your insurance company can provide a special endorsement to cover sewer or sump pump backups. What you may not know is that homeowners are responsible for the maintenance of sewer and water lines through their property up to the sewer main, and many cities and utility departments will deny responsibility for most sewer incidents.
- Maintenance issues. Insurance companies can dispute payment of damage or injuries if you fail to repair a broken step or other obvious hazards, or for mechanical breakdown of an appliance. In most cases, you will also need a special rider to cover food that might be lost due to a power outage or failure of a freezer or refrigerator.
- Expensive jewelry, fine art, firearms, musical instruments, furs and collectables. Many people learn after a fire or tornado that their precious items only had minimal coverage. You’ll need special scheduled personal property coverage, often called a “floater,” to make sure they are protected for their full value.
And, if you have a swimming pool, trampoline or certain types of dogs, you need to call your insurance company to make sure you are protected. Many insurance companies are starting to exclude them from policies or refusing to insure homes that have one or more of these.
The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) also warns that as many as 60 percent of America’s homes are underinsured because owners:
- Didn’t update insurance after remodeling or adding on
- Only purchased enough insurance to cover the mortgage
- Underestimated costs associated with updated building codes
- Didn’t factor in building material inflation in replacement costs
Another important step many homeowners fail to take is to do a home inventory. Nobody can predict when a fire or tornado might strike, but you can make sure your possessions are properly protected. A survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners found 60 percent of homeowners have not documented all the things they own. What does that mean to you? Completing a home inventory can speed up your claim and help you determine how much coverage you need. The Insurance Information Institute has created an easy to use home inventory brochure. Items to include are:
- Electronics
- Personal care items
- Jewelry
- Art
- Kitchen items
- Furniture
- Carpeting
- Beds and linens
- Holiday ornaments
- Lawn and yard equipment and tools
by California Casualty | Safety |
It’s almost Halloween!
Halloween is one of my all-time favorite holidays. I love all the planning, decorating, and carving… and of course the pumpkin seeds.
But in the excitement over costumes and candies, it’s easy to forget Halloween Safety.
Whether you’re headed out with the trick-or-treaters or manning the door to pass out candy at your home, we’ve put together some safety reminders:
For trick-or-treating with children:
- Make sure all swords, play knives, or similar costume accessories are soft, short, and flexible
- Never let children trick-or-treat alone. Make sure they are walking in groups with a trusted adult.
- Map out a safe route with your kids so you know where they will be
- Set a designated time for them to return home or check in with you
- If you are trick-or-treating with children, make sure you have enough other adults with you to keep a headcount as you go
- Fasten reflective tapes to costumes and bags to help drivers see trick-or-treaters – the brighter the costumes, the better!
- Attach your child’s name, address, and phone number somewhere inside their costume
- Look both ways before crossing the street!
- If possible, cross at a crosswalk or a corner. If traveling with a group of trick-or-treaters, have them link hands when crossing
- Try to walk on sidewalks as much as possible. If you have to walk along the edge of the road, stay as far to the edge as possible and walk facing traffic
- Carry a flashlight with you—and give one to each child–to help you and others see
- Encourage kids to walk from house to house, never run
- Check to make sure kids are wearing well-fitted masks (or better yet- face paint!), costumes and shoes to avoid tripping or blocking your vision
- Check over treats before letting kids start eating them- check to make sure they are still commercially wrapped and not tampered with and that they do not present a choking hazard
- Always test make-up in a small area first to check for allergies before applying it to large areas like the face. Be sure to remove all makeup before bedtime to prevent skin and eye irritation
- Remind kids:
- Enter homes only if you are with a trusted adult.
- Only visit well-lit homes
- Never accept rides from strangers
- Never walk near lit candles or luminaries. Be aware of tails, long trains, and other dragging costume accessories when near jack-o-lanterns or other decorations with active flames.
- Harmless pranks are often a part of Halloween. Make sure you explain that while you want them to have a good time, some tricks could hurt other people or vandalize property
- Provide kids with a substantial, healthy meal to help cut back candy consumption
To prepare your home for trick-or-treaters
- Make sure the outside areas of your home, especially the walking area and stairs, are well-lit and free of obstacles
- Be sure to turn on all your exterior lights
- Keep candle-lit jack-o-lanterns and luminaries away from doorsteps, walkways, landings, and curtains. Place them on sturdy tables, keep them out of the reach of pets and small children, and never leave them unattended. Use battery-operated candles in any outdoor or child-accessible decorations
- Drive slowly all evening!
- Keep pets away from the door so they don’t scare—or get scared by—trick-or-treaters.
- Report any suspicious or criminal activity to your local police or sheriff’s department
- Make sure you do not pass out candy that is a choking hazard to younger children
Have a Spooky, Scary, and Safe Halloween!
