HOW MUCH HOMEOWNERS' INSURANCE DO YOU
NEED?
Most insurance companies require that you insure your home at an
amount that equals at least 80% of the replacement cost of your
home. If you do not have insurance close to this amount you may
receive only partial payment or a percentage of your claim. At
Phillips Insurance, we will go over with you a checklist so you are
assured that you are carrying the correct limits for:
-
dwelling
-
personal property
-
other structures and
landscaping
-
liability
HOW TO CUT YOUR HOMEOWNERS' PREMIUMS:
If you haven't shopped for homeowners' insurance in the past few
years, you may be missing out on some discounts. At Phillips
Insurance, we will work to see that you obtain all your eligible
discounts, such as:
-
multiple policy
discounts
-
smoke
detector/burglar alarm discounts
-
high deductible
discounts
-
nonsmoker discounts
-
new home discounts
ARE YOU INSURED IF YOU RUN A BUSINESS
FROM YOUR HOME?
The homeowners' policy clearly excludes liability coverage arising
out of business activity. Any particular claim would be
investigated independently but it is suffice to say that if you are
operating a standing business for monetary gain from your home you
should not be looking towards your homeowners' policy for coverage
with respect to liability claims.
SHOULD YOU PURCHASE INSURANCE ON
RENTAL CARS?
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Most vacationers who own a car have collision & comprehensive
coverage on their personal policy that will pay for a rental car
mishap. You should check with your insurance agent prior to renting
a car so you can save yourself the duplicate insurance cost as well
as verifying what you're covered for. Even if you do not own a car,
often times your credit card company will provide coverage when you
use their card to rent the vehicle.
Examples of personal umbrella claims:
For a minimal amount, consumers can purchase a personal umbrella to
protect against a catastrophic loss. In this complex and litigious
society personal liability claims are more and more common. With a
personal umbrella policy you would be covered in a number of claim
situations including:
-
An insured has a
graduation or 4th of July party and a guest is injured on their
premises or on their way home due to alcohol served at the party
or as a result of a fireworks display. The umbrella would cover
subsequent damages after the underlying coverages were exhausted.
-
The insured was a
member of a school board and was sued individually by a dismissed
teacher who claimed racial discrimination. The umbrella provided a
legal defense policy.
HOW DO WE PROTECT OUR JEWELRY AND OTHER VALUABLES?
If you have valuables such as jewelry, silverware, cameras, furs or
fine arts in your home, your homeowners policy many not provide
adequate coverage against fire, theft and other hazards.
Under the basic HO-3 policy, these items must be schedule in order
to provide adequate coverage. Adding a personal property floater to
your policy will give you the extra coverage not afforded by the
standard homeowners policy.
HOW DO WE PREVENT ICE DAMS?
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Insulating the attic floor helps, because it keeps heat in the house
and away from the roof. The attic temperature should be 30F or lower
whenever the outside temperature is 22F or lower. Be certain to
insulate around openings for exhaust pipes, vents, chimneys and
light fixtures. Also be sure to install weather stripping around the
attic’s access door and attach insulation to the attic side of the
door.
Ventilating the attic reduces the temperature of the roof system, so
there is less thawing and refreezing on the roof. The attic can be
ventilated with eave, soffit, ridge or gable vents, or a combination
of different vents. In addition, when the edge of the roof has a low
slope, a double layer of saturated felt should be glued in place
overhanging the metal drip edge. On a normal slope of 4 inches or
more per foot, a flashing strip should be applied.
There are other
ways to prevent ice dams from forming, but none as effective as
proper insulation and ventilation. Electric heating cables can be
installed to melt the ice as it forms, but they are expensive,
unattractive and do not always work properly. A snow rake can be
used to clear snow three to four feet back from the edge of the
roof, but snow rakes can damage the roofing materials. Some
homeowners think not having gutters will prevent ice dams, but that
is not the case.
Ice dams are a common problem, but they should not be, since they
are so easy to prevent. Owning a home that is properly insulated
and ventilated will not only prevent ice dams it will also reduce
heating bills.
WHAT IF MY BASEMENT FLOODS?
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Removing the water quickly is important. Even clean water can
generate mildew and bacterial growth if neglected. Call a local
Fire restoration company to pump the water from the impacted area
if you have a pump start the process immediately, also:
- Ventilate
affected areas Turn on air conditioning for accelerated drying in
the summer, in the winter alternate cycles of opened windows and
heating.
- Remove
standing water.
- Wipe water
from wood furniture.
- Take up
saturated rugs and carpets when hardwood floors
are at risk
- Open drawers
and cabinets for interior drying
- Remove
valuables.
DO NOT
- Use your
household vacuum to remove water.
- Leave wet
fabrics in place.
- Operate
electrical appliances.
- Leave books,
magazine or other colored items on floors or carpets.
Remember most
insurance companies exclude coverage for water damage caused by
ground water or sewer backup. If you feel that exposure exist for
you make sure you add the coverage.
PROTECTING YOUR HOME IN COLD WEATHER
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You can protect yourself against cold weather by bundling up or
staying indoors. But how can you protect your home from severe
conditions of snow, ice and frigid temperatures? Here are a few
Consumer Safety Tips to help your home weather the cold:
Preventing Ice Dams
Protecting Your Pipes
Heating Your Home Safely
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS ON POOL SAFETY?
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Yes
email us today and we will send out our brochure on
“Playing it
Safe in your Swimming Pool”
TAKING CARE OF YOUR HOME (and other things)
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It may be just a collection of wood, glass, concrete, siding and
shingles...and it may cause you headaches from time to time...but,
no matter what its shape, size or current condition, your house is
still the place you call home. That’s why it’s so important to take
care of "the old homestead" and your "household" investments. Click
on any of the following items for helpful information on insuring
and protecting your house and other related items.
What you can do to reduce your homeowners insurance premium?
Do you know if you have enough homeowners insurance?
Why should you have replacement cost coverage?
The importance of preparing a household inventory
If you rent, do you need insurance?
Is earthquake insurance something you need?
Why you may need coverage for your boat, snowmobile and other
"toys"
How to keep burglars out of your home
It’s easy to make your home injury-proof!
How to keep warm and safe with heaters
Protect your home from winter’s worst
What you should do to prepare your home for vacation&
Safety on the high seas
HOW ABOUT WOOD BURNING STOVES?
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Nothing provides
such mellow warmth as a wood fire. Besides giving comfort, wood
burning stoves are a good way to save energy and lower fuel bills.
Unfortunately, wood stoves also are the cause of serious house
fires because of improper installation, operation or maintenance.
Here are several common-sense tips to keep a fire friendly.
- If you’re
thinking about buying a wood stove, purchase the proper type that
will meet your heating needs. Select a stove that has been tested
by a nationally recognized laboratory.
- Installation
is best done by a professional. If you install a wood stove,
follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and applicable building
codes. Consult with your local building department and fire
department.
- If you’re
heating several rooms, placement of the stove should be in a
central location so that warmth can be distributed without
overheating the stove.
- Follow
installation instructions regarding adequate clearance between the
stove and flammable surfaces.
- The stovepipe
connector to the chimney should be as short and straight as
possible. Maintain at least 18 inches between the stovepipe and
any combustible materials. Avoid sharp angles in the stovepipe, as
they collect creosote, a very flammable substance derived from
wood burning. Fasten stovepipe joints with appropriate screws or
rivets.
- Do not use a
connector pipe smaller than the stove outlet.
- Avoid passing
a stovepipe through a wall. If that is not possible, use a
connector that is approved for wall pass-through or route it
through an approved channel piece.
- Never attach
more than one stove to the same chimney flue. The chimney must be
sealed off below the point of a stovepipe connection to prevent
toxic gases from backing up into the room. Keep your chimney clean
and in good condition.
- To reduce
creosote accumulation, burn dry, well-seasoned (8-10 months)
hardwoods. Inspect stovepipes and chimneys regularly and have them
cleaned as needed. Chemical cleaners are not recommended, as their
effectiveness is questionable and they could cause corrosion of
metal parts.
- When lighting
or stoking the fire, open the damper for a couple of minutes
before you open the door. That will reduce the chance of smoke
coming into the room.
- Never use
gasoline, kerosene, charcoal lighter or other flammable liquid to
start a fire. The fumes are dangerous and could result in an
explosion and an uncontrolled fire.
- Keep a
UL-listed dry chemical fire extinguisher in the vicinity of the
stove. Also, install an approved smoke or heat detector near your
bedrooms.
print out a free copy of the following consumer safety guides:
WOOD STOVE SAFETY
FIRE PREVENTION
WHAT CONCERNS SHOULD I HAVE REGARDING OPERATING A BUSINESS FROM MY
HOME?
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As the owner of a home-based business, you do need commercial
insurance but you may not need a separate business policy.
Our Home-based Entrepreneur Program adds the business coverage to
your homeowners insurance, covering:
- Business property
- Business Personal property
- Money & Securities
- Loss of Business Income
- Credit and ATM cards
- Business Liability
Call (413) 594-5984 today to learn more.
HOW WILL MY TEENAGER'S LICENSING IMPACT MY RATES?
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Once the junior operator is added to the automobile policy you will
loose the SDIP credit you are currently receiving and the
classification on the policy will also be changed. If you are
receiving a multi-car discount it will also be deleted.
Classifications are based on the operators driving experience.
There are 6 different classifications for youthful operators which
determine the impact of the rate that will be charged. If the
operator has completed an approved training course there will be a
10% discount applied to the premium paid for Parts 1, 2, 4, 5 and
7. This discount is only available for the first 3 years of driving
experience.
AM I COVERED IF SOMEONE ELSE DRIVES MY CAR?
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Yes, as long as the vehicle is being used with your consent and the
operator or your vehicle is legally responsible for the accident.
SAFE DRIVER INSURANCE PLAN, HOW IS MY STEP CALCULATED?
Your SDIP step is calculated using a starting Step of 15, and your
driving record during the policy Experience Period. Beginning at
the neutral Step 15, and Surcharge Points for any Surchargeable
Incident and subtract a Credit Point for each incident-free year or
driving. The result is your SDIP Step. Each accident or violation
remains on your record for six years from the surcharge date.
WHAT DISCOUNTS ARE AVAILABLE ON MY AUTO POLICY?
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to top]
- Multi-car discounts
- Age 65 or over discounts
- Low mileage discounts
- Anti-theft device discounts
- Passive restraint
HOME AND AUTO INSURANCE BUYING TIPS
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- Choose the
right deductible, higher deductible means lower premium.
- Choose the right level of protection. Collision on your car,
proper value on your home and valuables.
- Nonsmoker and alarm discounts, make sure you get all you’re
entitled to.
- Updates? Have you upgraded your roof, electrical etc.?
Let your
agent know.
- Insure your auto and home with the same company to get
an added
discount
- Maintain a Safe Driving record.
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