Furnace Safety

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Today’s furnaces do an amazing job at simultaneously keeping our homes safe and warm. But just like any fuel-burning appliance, your furnace can develop problems that can lead to safety hazards in your home. To keep your home protected all season long, today, we’re providing you with six furnace safety tips to keep in mind this winter!

6 furnace safety tips to keep in mind this winter

  • Schedule your annual tune-up. One of the most important aspects of an annual furnace tune-up is where a serviceperson checks to ensure that your system is running safely. During your tune-up, he or she will look for any problems like a cracked heat exchanger or frayed electrical wires that could lead to safety hazards in your home. That’s why a tune-up is essential if you want to have the peace-of-mind that your furnace will run all winter safely long!
  • Test your carbon monoxide detectors. A carbon monoxide leak is one of the biggest safety threats that a malfunctioning furnace can pose to your home. That’s why it’s important to check that all of your home’s carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Be sure to test all of the detectors in your home and install a fresh pair of batteries in each unit.
  • Test your smoke alarms. Certain severe furnace problems can lead to fire hazards, which is why this is the time of year that you should also be checking your home’s smoke alarms. Just like with your CO detectors, test all of the smoke alarms in your home, and install a fresh pair of batteries in each unit.
  • Keep the area around your furnace clear. You can help minimize the chance of fire hazards from your furnace by keeping the area around your system clear. Although you should avoid storing anything near your furnace, this is especially true for any flammable products or materials.
  • Change your air filter when it’s dirty. A dirty air filter will restrict airflow to your furnace, which will overwork your system and potentially increase the risk of a carbon monoxide leak. Also, a dirty filter will allow dirt to build upon your furnace’s components, which can cause several efficiencies, performance, and safety issues. That’s why it’s important to check and/or change your filter once a month this winter.
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Preventing Residential Break-ins

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If you ever wondered what the chances are that an intruder will find his way into your home, you’ll want to read on. According to the FBI, the United States leads the world in burglary occurrences with over 2.2 million instances each year.\

In fact, 23.8 percent of property claims involve burglary, causing an estimated $4.6 billion in lost property. Plus, with only 13 percent of burglaries cleared by police, the likelihood of retrieving your stolen items is fairly small.

This brings up two important questions:

  1. Are there items that make homes more susceptible to burglary?
  2. What can be done to help prevent it?

Below is a breakdown of where and how burglaries occur, along with some additional information on protecting your residence from potential break-ins.

If you have additional questions on how your homeowners insurance responds to burglary, please feel free to give our office a call.

Where do burglaries occur?
Of all burglaries, 60.5 percent involved a forcible entry, with another 33.2 percent as unlawful entries (without force). The majority of break-ins occur in the following locations:

  • Front Door: 34%
  • First-Floor Windows: 23%
  • Side Entry: 22%
  • Garage: 9%

What can I do to help prevent it?

Protect the House:

  • Make your home look occupied and make it difficult to break in.
  • Leave lights on when you go out. If you are away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
  • Keep your garage door closed and locked.
  • Don’t allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers, or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
  • Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
  • Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.

Don’t Tempt a Thief:

  • Lawnmowers, barbecues, and bicycles should be stored out of sight.
  • Always lock your garden sheds and garages.
  • Use curtains on garage and basement windows.

Locks…Get the Best:

  • No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in deadbolt locks provide minimum security.
  • Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.
  • When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.

Targeting the Outside:

  • Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.
  • Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
  • Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.

Windows:

  • Most windows can be pinned for security.
  • Drill a 3/16″ hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame and halfway into the outside frame – place a nail in the hole to secure the window.

Alarms:

  • An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. There is a wide variety of alarm systems on the market.
  • If you have a home alarm system, use it! Activate your alarm system — Alarm systems are only useful when you remember to activate them.
  • Many individuals have alarm systems but do not arm them because it is inconvenient. Many burglars know this and will not be deterred by a window sticker or sign indicating that the home has an alarm system.

If Your Home Is Broken Into:

  • If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door:
  • Do not enter – the perpetrator may still be inside.
  • Use a neighbor’s phone to call the police.
  • Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
  • Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.
  • Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.

Other precautions you should take:

  • Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes, or other “secret” hiding places — burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
  • Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home — this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms, and antiques. Your insurance company can assist in making and keeping your inventory.
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What is Comprehensive Coverage?

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Comprehensive Coverage: A Definition

When people hear the word “comprehensive,” they might think “all-encompassing”— but in car insurance terms, the word has a different meaning.
Simply put, comprehensive coverage protects you against damages to your car that are the result of covered perils not related to a collision. Think of a scenario that could cause damage to your car that has nothing to do with striking another vehicle. In many cases, this can include:

  • Theft
  • Vandalism
  • Fire
  • Natural disasters like a hurricane or a tornado
  • Falling objects
  • Damage done to your car by animals
  • A civil disturbance, like a riot that results in damage or destruction of your car

As with all insurance policies, you should check with your insurance agent to make sure what perils are included under the comprehensive coverage of your auto insurance policy.

Why Buy Comprehensive Coverage?

When you’re shopping for an auto insurance policy, you should determine whether comprehensive coverage suits your needs. Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself to determine if you may want comprehensive coverage.
Does your lender or lease holder require comprehensive coverage? Many auto lenders and lease holders make it mandatory for your car to have comprehensive coverage. If you still owe money on your vehicle, or you lease your vehicle, you should check with the institution that holds your auto loan or lease to make sure comprehensive coverage is a requirement.
How old is your car and what’s it worth? If you have paid off your car, comprehensive coverage is optional. When you’re considering purchasing comprehensive coverage, it may be a good idea to find out what your car’s Kelley Blue Book value is, so that you know if you will be able to afford to repair or replace your vehicle if something happens to it. With an older car that’s not worth as much money, you may be confident that you could afford to pay to repair or replace it. But, if your car is worth more or if you would not have the money at hand for repairs or replacement after an accident, buying optional coverages, like comprehensive and collision coverage, may be a smart investment.
It may be tempting to save money on car insurance premiums by opting not to buy comprehensive coverage on your vehicle. But, if your car was damaged, would you be able to afford to fix or replace it? When you’re deciding to get comprehensive coverage, it may be a good idea to weigh the higher premiums that comprehensive coverage will likely lead to against how much money it could cost you to repair or replace your car in the event of a covered loss. Comprehensive coverage can provide you the peace of mind of knowing you are protected in the event of a covered peril.
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What is Rental Reimbursement Coverage?

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Rental reimbursement (or rental car coverage) is optional car insurance coverage that helps pay for the cost of a rental car. At the same time, your vehicle is being repaired after a car accident or after suffering damages that are covered through your car insurance policy.

This coverage is not required as part of your car insurance policy. Still, it is beneficial if you do not have a secondary vehicle and need to travel to work or school while your car is undergoing auto repair.

About Rental Reimbursement Coverage

Rental car reimbursement coverage typically helps pay for rental car costs when your car’s damages are covered by your comprehensive and collision coverages. For example, you may need to rent a car if your own car has been damaged:

  • In a car accident.
  • By theft or vandalism.
  • By severe weather.

When using rental reimbursement coverage, there are usually 2 different options:

  1. You can rent a car from an approved provider and have them bill your insurance company directly. Contact your car insurance provider to learn more about this option.
  2. You can rent a car from the business of your choice and pay for the cost upfront. Then, you will need to submit receipts and a claim form to be reimbursed for the rental vehicle’s cost.

There is often a per-day and per-accident limit for rental reimbursement coverage.

For example, your rental reimbursement coverage may have a limit of $25 per day or $750 per accident. This means that your insurance policy will only pay $25 per day for a rental vehicle, and that coverage will stop once you’ve hit the $750 limit.

You are generally allowed to rent a similar vehicle that is being repaired when you’re using rental reimbursement coverage. However, if you’re expecting the repairs to be time-consuming, you may want to choose a lower-cost vehicle to ensure that your rental reimbursement coverage does not run out before your vehicle has been repaired.

The cost for rental reimbursement coverage will vary according to your auto insurance company and the level of protection you select. The coverage is usually fairly inexpensive.

Rental Reimbursement Policy Exclusions

If you consider purchasing rental reimbursement coverage, keep in mind that this protection only covers rentals needed. At the same time, your car is being repaired for damages covered under your car insurance policy.

It will not offer reimbursement for rentals needed while your regular vehicle is in the shop for normal maintenance or repairs, and it will not cover rentals for recreational purposes.

Insurance for Rental Vehicles

Many car rental businesses will ask if you want to purchase additional coverage to insure the rented vehicle in the event of an auto accident. Your rental reimbursement insurance coverage does not cover this added cost.

Fortunately, if your car insurance policy includes collision and comprehensive coverage on your regular vehicle, this protection typically transfers to the rental car you are driving while your vehicle is being repaired.

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Mobile Home Insurance

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Mobile Home Insurance

Mobile home insurance policies provide two basic kinds of coverage: physical damage and personal liability coverage.  Making sure you have the right insurance policy is vital to protecting your family and assets.
The coverage options are available depending upon the type of mobile home you have.  Rental mobile homes, commercial mobile homes, mobile homes used seasonally, or mobile homes located in a park or on private property all require different types of coverages.

Physical Damage

Physical damage coverage pays for accidental damage to your mobile home, belongings, or other structures (such as attached patios or decks, garages, or storage sheds) resulting from fire, hail, wind, theft, and vandalism, or falling objects. The amount and degree of coverage vary from one policy to another, so compare policies carefully.

Some policies only cover specific causes of loss (named peril policies). This is basic coverage, and while the low premiums may seem like a bargain, it could cost you hundreds of dollars in the event of a claim if the damage is not caused by one of the named perils.

Generally, coverage under a regular policy doesn’t apply while the mobile home is in transit. Like regular homeowners insurance, a flood is not generally covered, so be sure to find out whether you are in a flood zone and can purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.

Personal Liability Coverage

Property damage isn’t the only hazard of modern life. Liability insurance coverage applies when there is a claim or a lawsuit against you after someone is injured or their property is damaged because of your activities. That amount may be more than what comes standard with a mobile home insurance policy, so it may be wise to consider purchasing additional liability insurance. Claims might include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and even property damage. However, liability coverage does not pay claims for injuries to you or the members of your household.

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Home Cooking Safety

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Cooking brings family and friends together, provides an outlet for creativity, and can be relaxing. But did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries? By following a few safety tips, you can prevent these fires.

Cook with Caution

  • Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
  • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
  • If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains — away from your stovetop.

If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire…

  • On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire…

  • Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
  • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.
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Vehicle Maintenance Tips

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The Maintenance Difference
We all know somebody with an older, high-mileage vehicle that keeps on running year after year—that crazy uncle in the high-mileage ride that keeps on going strong. So what’s the secret?

The secret is that there is no real secret to getting a vehicle to last a long time. The difference is maintenance. Regular fluid checks and an almost pious dedication to scheduled lubrication will keep the powertrain going strong. What kind of oil, brake fluid, and grease used is just as important as changing. The best oil in the world will do your engine no good if you never change it. Cleaning and protecting the finishes of the vehicle inside and out will keep things looking good. Paint, plastic, leather, and fabric need help survive the constant assault of the sun and elements.

Tip 1: Check and change the oil. No single step will help an engine last more than regular oil and filter changes will. Conversely, nothing will destroy an engine faster than neglecting oil-level checks or fresh-oil changes.

Tip 2: Flush the cooling system and change coolant once a year. A 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water will keep the cooling system in good shape and prevent corrosion and deposits from building up inside the cooling system.

Tip 3: Change out transmission and differential oils. While not requiring frequent service, these fluids must be changed according to service intervals. Always use transmission fluid or gear oil of the recommended type and viscosity.

Tip 4: Keep it clean. While washing the outside of the vehicle is obvious, almost everything the vehicle ran over can also get stuck to the underside. Hosing off winter salt and road grime is a good idea.

Tip 5: Everything with moving parts needs grease to survive. This ball joint went into early retirement due to poor lubrication.

Tip 6: Nothing keeps paint looking good and protected like a coat of quality wax. Apply wax at least every six months.

Tip 7: Driveline components such as u-joints also require regular lubrication. The driveline may have to be removed to access the zerk grease fitting.

Tip 8: Protect the interior plastic by parking the vehicle in the shade, using a window deflector screen, and applying a UV protectant to prevent the plastic and vinyl from drying out.

Tip 9: Inspect, clean, and repack wheel bearings with wheel bearing grease according to service intervals. Wheel bearings and grease are inexpensive compared to spindle and hub replacement or liberated wheels rolling down the road ahead of you.

Tip 10: Brake fluid is hygroscopic. This means it is adept at attracting moisture. Moisture causes components to corrode and fail. Replace fluid and bleed system once a year. Brake fluid is cheap. Calipers, hoses, and sensors are expensive.

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Avoiding Hail Damage

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As one of the most susceptible states to hail damage, here are some tips on how to prevent car hail damage and protect your car or truck. Ways to prevent hail damage to your vehicle Thunderstorms can spring up quickly, making it nearly impossible to know when exactly your car or truck will be susceptible […]

Read more
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College Student Insurance Considerations

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With classes now starting for many college and universities, students all over the country are leaving their parents’ homes and moving into on- and off-campus housing near their respective campuses.
If you have a student getting ready to attend college, there are a number of important insurance considerations to take into account including property and liability insurance, auto insurance, and health insurance.
Below is a list of recommendations we have put together to ensure both you and your child are properly covered while he or she is away at school.
If you have any specific coverage questions at all, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our office.

1. Dorm Inventory.  You should put together a list of any items your student plans on taking to school, especially any high value items like computers, cameras, tablets, and musical instruments.  (If you have receipts for those items, we highly recommend storing them in a safe place or scanning them into your computer.)  That way if a theft, fire, or other disaster occurs, you will have a list of everything and their associated values.
2. Homeowners Insurance.  Homeowners insurance policies differ in the way they will respond to your student’s personal possessions while away from home.  Some policies automatically extend the coverage to any property located away from the premises, other policies may limit the amount of coverage to a percentage of the total contents value of the policy (usually 10 percent), and some policies do not provide any coverage at all, which means that your student would need his or her own renters insurance policy.
3. Accidental Breakage.  Coverage for accidental damage and liquid spills is not provided by your homeowners insurance policy so you may want to consider a stand-alone policy for your student’s laptop, desktop, tablet, or other expensive electronics.
4. Auto Insurance.  If your child has been driving the family car and will now be at least 100 miles away at school, you may be eligible for significant policy discounts.  Likewise, if your child takes the car to school, it’s very important to let the insurance company know so that the proper coverage can be added to the policy.
5. Health Insurance.  As a student, your child is most likely eligible to be covered under your health insurance plan until he or she turns 26.   Even if your child is married, not living at your house, not financially dependent, or eligible for his or her own health insurance plan.  Full details can be found here and here.
6. Tuition Insurance.  Did you know there is insurance available to cover most (and sometimes all) of your student’s tuition and on-campus housing if he or she withdraws at any time during a semester?  Tuition insurance is available at a cost of 1 to 3 percent of your student’s tuition, and it will provide coverage if your child withdraws from school due to a covered medical reason, including emotional, nervous or mental disorders.
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