5 Tips for a Healthy Home

Keep your family safe by staying aware of the biggest dangers around your home.

#1 Mold
Mold is a common cause of illness and allergies. It can creep up anywhere in your home but it is most common on, and around, moist areas. Bathrooms, laundry rooms and basements are therefore prone to mold growth. If certain rooms of your home are prone to mold, be sure to take preventative measures such as using ventilation fans and installing mildew-resistant drywall.

#2 Kitchen Fires
The Home Safety council reports that cooking fires are the most common cause of residential fires. Stay aware of what appliances are in use and always double-check that stove burners are turned off after use. Keep a fire extinguisher readily available in the event that a fire occurs.

#3 Slips and Falls
Combine smooth tile floors with a little bit of moisture and you have the perfect combination for an accident waiting to happen. Use non-slip bathmats and kitchen rugs in any room where slippery tile may come in contact with water. Especially if you have children, use self-adhering grip pads in your shower floor. All of these precautions can greatly reduce the chance of injuries.

#4 Your purse
Better Homes and Gardens recently released an article that warns of the potential danger of women’s purses and children. Stay mindful of the items that you keep in your purse (makeup, coins, etc) and don’t let children gain access to anything they could ingest or choke on.  Also, think about where you “drop” your purse and consider the germs that could be sneaking into your house this way. For example, do you plop it on the bathroom floor when you use a public restroom? Does it hang from a chair in a public restroom?

#5 Fireplaces
Yes,  they are cozy and warm in the fall and winter, but are you taking the necessary steps to keeping your family safe from carbon monoxide? Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home and make sure you get chimneys and fireplaces inspected annually to ensure there is no potential for poisoning.

For more information visit our FAQ section, “How to Prevent Home Insurance Claims“.

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Above average temps cause concern for heat stroke

As a massive heat wave makes its way across the country, medical personal are treating an increasing number of people for heat stroke and other heat related illnesses. Often an underestimated condition, heat stroke was actually the cause of 3,442 deaths between 1993 and 2003 according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

With twelve states under a heat advisory today, health advisers in those areas are warning folks to stay out of the sun and heat as much as possible and to stay hydrated. Elderly people and young children are at the highest risk of developing heatstroke.

Here’s what you need to know:

Heatstroke is a life threatening condition that occurs in extreme heat when the body fails to regulate its own temperature. Body temperature then begins to rise sometimes to 105 degrees or higher. Heat stroke is a true medical emergency and can be fatal if not treated properly and promptly.

Symptoms include high body temperature, dry skin, rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, confusion and hallucinations.

To prevent heat stroke avoid doing any strenuous outdoor activity during extremely warm weather. If you must be outdoors, stay out of the sun and drink plenty of liquids. Dehydration is often the biggest cause of heatstroke as the body does not have the fluids to sweat fast enough to dissipate heat.

If you think that you or someone else may be experiencing heat stroke, get to a medical professional immediately for treatment.

For more information visit the CDCs webpage: Extreme Heat: A Prevention Guide to Promote your Personal Health and Safety.

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When traveling with kids, a little planning can go a long way

Summer is here and families across the country are preparing for family vacations. My family is no exception as we are  quickly approaching our second road trip ever with my 7-month old son. And if there’s anything we learned from Road Trip #1, it’s that just a little planning can go quite a long way. I’ve scoured the Internet and questioned my friends for tips on the most important planning tips for traveling with kids. If you’re a well seasoned parent, this may just be a refresher course. For new moms and dads, this is probably new material. So before you turn your car on to the interstate or head off to the airport, consider the following…

1. Don’t skimp on toys a.k.a “distractions”: In  an effort to pack light, you may be inclined to forego your child’s favorite stuffed animal, coloring book or video game. Think again on this one as that additional baggage may just provide that additional amount of “quiet time” that you need on the plane or in the car.

2. Have a back-up plan: Flight delays and flat tires are aggravating enough as is but add a few kids into the mix and your trip just went from tolerable to torture. Plan ahead for these types of hang ups by simply having a few “car games” in the back of your mind to help keep everyone entertained.

3. Leave yourself additional time: A road trip that may normally take 3 hours could very well take you 4 or 5 hours after (multiple) bathroom and food stops. Don’t try to beat any records when it comes to timing or you may just be setting yourself up for disappointment and added stress.  Take your time, try to stay relaxed and start your trip off right!

4. Don’t overstay, know your limits: While a two week trip to Bali may sound like the vacation of a lifetime, keep in mind that kids often get antsy and unsettled when out of their normal routine for too long. Likewise, make sure you work enough “kid focused” activities into your itinerary so they don’t get completely bored.

Now have fun and make some memories!

Road Trip Side Note: Don’t forget to double check your car’s fluids and that all of your documentation (drivers licenses, car insurance policy info, etc.) are in the glove box.

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“We got struck TWICE by lightning” and other bizarre insurance claims…Part Two

Our craziest claim stories continued! Read Part I (” A deer jumped through my window”…) if you missed it.

#6- Play date gone wrong- “My daughter was at her friend’s house next door and while the parents weren’t looking she took all the nail polish out of the bathroom and painted it all over their walls, carpet and furniture! It was SUCH a huge mess!”

Lesson learned: The specifics of each policy can differ but this customer was covered under her home insurance policy for the damages to her neighbors house as the “nail polish fiasco” was considered property damage.

#7- What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas- or does it?- One wild customer was partying it up with some friends in a hotel when a sprinkler head in the ceiling “somehow got broken off”. The hotel estimated that the total damages were around $10,000! He wanted to know if he should file a claim for the damages.

Lesson learned: His insurer in this case actually covered the damages- and paid out over $12,000 to repair the sprinkler head. However, this is not always typical of all policies.

#8- Lightning DOES strike twice in the same place- One customer proved the old theory wrong when she told us about lightening striking her property in the same place twice within 6 months! “We had just installed an invisible electronic fence and the lightening must have been attracted to it! It struck our property two times in the same place blowing up the power unit on the fence both times!”

Lesson learned: Lightening is considered a covered peril under a standard home insurance policy.

#9- Anger Management Issues- One of our customers purchased a home that was in foreclosure and got ready to move in. Before he could do so, the previous owners of the home, still angry about the fact that the bank foreclosed on their house, burned the entire thing down!

Lesson learned: A standard home insurance policy will cover damages caused by fire.

#10- Tombstone Insurance? “Is damage to my tombstone covered under my homeowners insurance”? The answer is actually surprising…

Lesson learned: Many standard home insurance policies do in fact provide coverage to damages caused to tombstones. However it’s best to ask your insurance agent about the specific on your policy for this one. My question is- who’s filing the claim??

Stay tuned for more crazy insurance claim stories!

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“A deer jumped through my window” and other bizarre insurance claims :: Part One

Insurance agents hear some of the wildest stories out there. Here are some of the most bizarre stories we’ve heard: Stay tuned for Part II tomorrow!

#1- Lawnmower gone wild- One policyholder filed a claim for his lawnmower after he accidentally drove it into a lake behind his house. “The brakes stopped working and I was too afraid to jump off…so I just rode it into the water!”

Lesson learned: Mishaps such as this are not covered under a standard home insurance policy- home insurance policies only provide coverage for damage caused by covered perils such as wind, hail, theft, fire and riots.

#2- An evening surprise- One customer calling to get some home insurance quotes told us that he came home to find a baffling scenario- a broken living room window and a 6-point buck wandering around his kitchen. “It took me a while to put together what happened, but I think the deer accidentally jumped right through our picture window and ended up in the house!”

Lesson learned: Damage caused by wild animals is not typically covered under a standard home policy.

#3- Our favorite coverage questions- We often get questions about whether a home policy will cover damage from flood, lightening, etc. However this was one of our favorites: “Does my home insurance policy cover me if my horse eats my neighbor’s flowers? How about if my horse were hit by a car?”

Lesson learned: A standard home policy typically covers damages caused to others by your household pets, however, you should really ask your insurance agents about the specifics of your policy for this one. And in the case of the horse being hit by a car- no, pets are not covered as part of your contents coverage. Check out pet insurance for a situation like that.

#4- A Memorable 4th of July- One of our customers told us about a home insurance claim they filed after some fireworks that they set off accidentally shot through a neighbor’s second floor window causing damage to the rugs and wall coverings.

Lesson learned: Your home insurance policy will typically cover damages that you, or other insured members of your household, have caused to others. Talk to your agent before filing a claim and weigh the cost of paying the damages out of your pocket before filing.

#5- A buzz worthy question- One customer called us to let us know that bees had nested in his sub-flooring and he wanted to file a claim. “Is this covered”? He wanted to know…

Lesson learned: Insect infestations are not typically covered under a home insurance policy. Call your exterminator!

…more to come tomorrow!

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Drivers grow concerned over rising gas prices

Drivers across the country may be cringing when they pull up to the pump these days as gas prices are close to reaching an all-time high.

CNN reports that gas prices have jumped nearly 20 cents over the past two weeks from $3.57 to $3.76.

The all-time high was set in July 2008 when average gas prices were $4.11, according to the Lundberg survey. Only 35 cents from that record high, drivers around the country are growing increasingly concerned.

Jilby Lundberg, publisher for the Lundberg Survey has this to say about what to expect in the near future:

“Unless crude oil relents and slips, we can expect a further rise at the pump because pump prices do not reflect all of the crude oil price hikes that have occurred.”

The most recent survey was performed on Friday where the highest gas prices were recorded in San Francisco Bay area at $4.13/gallon. The lowest were recorded in Tucson, AZ at $3.41.

As auto insurance rates are concurrently trending upwards, many drivers may feel the increased financial burden right now.

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The top seven moving tips you don’t want to learn the hard way

Whether you are moving to a home 5 miles away or 500, there is a certain overwhelming dread that usually comes along with the thought of packing and unpacking an entire household. I was surprised recently when I realized that I have moved 13 times in the past 10 years- a figure that I dare say may be deemed remarkable by even the most transient military family. So, I thought I’d share some of the hard-learned lessons I’ve learned along the way.

#1- Clean out shop- I must admit I used to be a pack rat. Well, after ‘Move #6' things began to change in that department of my life. The random ‘things’ I was holding onto became just added weight during a move and needed extra storage once I got to where I was going. Before starting to pack, do a thorough cleaning out of things you no longer need to keep or hold onto. Can’t decide what goes and what stays? My rule of thumb follows the old William Morris saying , “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful”. Everything else- get rid of it. Hold a yard sale to make a few dollars or donate to a local donation center (don’t forget your receipt for tax purposes).

#2-Don’t underestimate the value of a small box- This is probably common sense to a seasoned mover but newbies listen up: While big boxes hold more, they are much more difficult to move. Save the big boxes for lightweight items like linens and pillows.  Scout out some small sized boxes for items that are particularly heavy or fragile. You (and your back) will be thankful for this on moving day.

#3- Pack a “Last Minute” box of household items- Keep a box handy of things you will need quick access to throughout the move. Some of these things might be a few forks, drinking cups, toilet paper, a note pad and other essential items you don’t want to be rummaging through sealed boxes for. This should be the last box you grab before locking up the house for the final time- and the first one you bring into your new home.

#4- Pack the truck with a plan- Keep in mind that whatever you load into the moving truck first, will be coming out of the truck last when you get to your new home. When it comes to unpacking in a new place, I have always found it easier to get the furniture in first so you aren’t maneuvering your sofa, for example, around lots of boxes. So in this case, you’d want to make sure you pack your furniture in the truck last so that it’s the first thing off.

#5- Double check utilities ahead of time- Trust me when I say that you don’t want to move into a new house, in the middle of a snow storm, and realize you have no heat or electricity. Call ahead of time to verify with your utility companies that everything is turned on at the house so you don’t run into any surprises. Also, to prevent lost mail and late payments be sure to provide your new address to those companies that send you important mail including your credit card statements, car insurance bill, bank statements, etc.

#6- Bribe your friends to help- That’s right, good old fashioned bribery often works best in this scenario. It’s worth the few boxes of pizza and IOUs to have help moving all of this stuff. The more people you can enlist, the sooner it will all be over. Just remember to return the favor someday.

#7- Don’t try to unpack in a day- While you may be anxious to get everything set up in your new place, don’t make the mistake of tearing open every box right away. Start by getting the big stuff in place in each room. Then work on setting up electronics and organizing cabinets and closets. Leave the little details like home decor, artwork and mirrors for very last.

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