I read an article posted on MSN that stated how to lower your auto insurance premiums without swithching insurers. The article went on to recommend lowering your liability limits to the state minimums, drop uninsured, underinsured motorist coverage, drop the comprehensive and collision coverage on your vehicle.
Trust me when I say, this is not what you want to do. The risk to your personal assets by reducing to state minimums for liability coverage is great. This is especially true if you are a homeowner and could risk losing your home in the event the liability coverage on your auto insurance is insufficient to cover a claim due to an accident. Jurors readily return verdicts in the $100,000's.
If you want to reduce the cost of your auto insurance premiums, shop your insurance each renewal, ask about discounts offered for safety features, driver training is available for both students and mature drivers over 55, which provide a discount, look to combine your home and auto.
Contact an indepedent agent who will work for you and shop the coverage with multiple companies and will provide sound advice. Trident Insurance Agency represents over 25 insurers and can provide insurance in PA, NJ, DE, VA and MD
Patrick O'Leary, CPIA
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Don't be Cheap - Insure Your Home Correctly
Insure_your_Home_to_Value,
You don't want to find out you have the incorrect coverage amount after a loss, at the time of claim. Talk to a Licensed Professional.
You don't want to find out you have the incorrect coverage amount after a loss, at the time of claim. Talk to a Licensed Professional.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Chinese Drywall
Federal safety officials are advising homeowners with Chinese drywall to completely remove the tainted product and replace all electrical components and wiring, gas service piping, fire suppression sprinkler systems, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
The advice comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in a report intended to help homeowners struggling to rid their properties of problem drywall linked to corrosion of metal in their homes such as electrical components.
"This guidance, based on the CPSC's ongoing scientific research, is critical to ensuring that homeowners and contractors have confidence that they are making the appropriate repairs to rid their homes of problem drywall," said Jon Gant, director of HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control.
Removing all possible problem drywall from homes, and replacing electrical components and wiring, gas service piping, fire suppression sprinkler systems, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms should help eliminate both the source of the problem drywall and corrosion-damaged components that might cause a safety problem in the home, according to the agencies
"Our investigations now show a clear path forward," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "We have shared with affected families that hydrogen sulfide is causing the corrosion. Based on the scientific work to date, removing the problem drywall is the best solution currently available to homeowners. Our scientific investigation now provides a strong foundation for Congress as they consider their policy options and explore relief for affected homeowners."
The remediation protocol is being released before all ongoing scientific studies on problem drywall are completed so that homeowners can begin remediating their homes, according to the CPSC. Studies completed thus far show a connection between certain Chinese drywall and corrosion in homes. CPSC said it is continuing to look at long term health and safety implications.
CPSC has also released a staff report on preliminary data from a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that measured chemical emissions from samples of drywall obtained as part of the federal investigation for CPSC.
The top 10 reactive sulfur-emitting drywall samples were all produced in China. Certain Chinese samples had emission rates of hydrogen sulfide 100 times greater than non-Chinese drywall samples. The patterns of reactive sulfur compounds emitted from drywall samples show a clear distinction between the certain Chinese drywall samples manufactured in 2005/2006 and non-Chinese drywall samples. Some Chinese drywall samples were similar to non-Chinese samples. Finally, several Chinese samples manufactured in 2009 demonstrate a marked decrease in sulfur emissions as compared to the 2005/2006 Chinese samples.
CPSC has also released a study by the Environmental Health & Engineering Inc. that tested whether sulfur-reducing bacteria are present in Chinese drywall. Eight out of 10 drywall samples tested showed no bacterial growth including Chinese samples that emitted high levels of hydrogen sulfide in the LBNL study. One sample of Chinese drywall and one sample of U.S. drywall showed very low levels of sulfur-reducing bacterial growth.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned consumers to exercise caution in hiring contractors who claim to be experts in testing for and removing problem drywall.
In addition, HUD has made block grants available to some communities for drywall remediation and encouraged FHA mortgage lenders nationwide to consider extending temporary relief to allow families experiencing problems paying their mortgages because of problem drywall, to allow the homeowner time to repair their homes.
Drywall manufacturers, home builders, product installers, suppliers and distributors are being sued, but insurers' payments related to Chinese drywall have been minimal, according to a recent report from Moody's Investors Service.
Commercial insurers could potentially face liability for property damage and claims under the products liability portion of the commercial general liability (CGL) policy. In terms of construction- defect liability, Moody's said most insurers have modified their policies in order to address past construction defect claims and reduce exposure to Chinese drywall liability.
One of the suits, targeting 14 insurance companies in U.S. District Court in Louisiana, involves claims for the development and sale of homes allegedly containing defective Chinese manufactured drywall.
Homeowners insurers are generally denying coverage based on the standard pollution exclusion in the homeowners' policy.
However, a Louisiana court recently rebuffed an insurance company's use of the pollution exclusion and two other exclusions in an "all risk" homeowners insurance policy to deny claims resulting from so-called Chinese drywall.
Last November, CPSC released results of a 51-home study which shows a strong association between homes with problem drywall, the levels of hydrogen sulfide in those homes and corrosion of metals in those homes. In addition, CPSC's General Counsel provided guidance to Congress and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on the possible applicability of the casualty loss provision in the Internal Revenue Code for affected homeowners.
Atricle obtained from Insurance Journal
The advice comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in a report intended to help homeowners struggling to rid their properties of problem drywall linked to corrosion of metal in their homes such as electrical components.
"This guidance, based on the CPSC's ongoing scientific research, is critical to ensuring that homeowners and contractors have confidence that they are making the appropriate repairs to rid their homes of problem drywall," said Jon Gant, director of HUD's Office of Healthy Homes and Lead Hazard Control.
Removing all possible problem drywall from homes, and replacing electrical components and wiring, gas service piping, fire suppression sprinkler systems, smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms should help eliminate both the source of the problem drywall and corrosion-damaged components that might cause a safety problem in the home, according to the agencies
"Our investigations now show a clear path forward," said CPSC Chairman Inez Tenenbaum. "We have shared with affected families that hydrogen sulfide is causing the corrosion. Based on the scientific work to date, removing the problem drywall is the best solution currently available to homeowners. Our scientific investigation now provides a strong foundation for Congress as they consider their policy options and explore relief for affected homeowners."
The remediation protocol is being released before all ongoing scientific studies on problem drywall are completed so that homeowners can begin remediating their homes, according to the CPSC. Studies completed thus far show a connection between certain Chinese drywall and corrosion in homes. CPSC said it is continuing to look at long term health and safety implications.
CPSC has also released a staff report on preliminary data from a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that measured chemical emissions from samples of drywall obtained as part of the federal investigation for CPSC.
The top 10 reactive sulfur-emitting drywall samples were all produced in China. Certain Chinese samples had emission rates of hydrogen sulfide 100 times greater than non-Chinese drywall samples. The patterns of reactive sulfur compounds emitted from drywall samples show a clear distinction between the certain Chinese drywall samples manufactured in 2005/2006 and non-Chinese drywall samples. Some Chinese drywall samples were similar to non-Chinese samples. Finally, several Chinese samples manufactured in 2009 demonstrate a marked decrease in sulfur emissions as compared to the 2005/2006 Chinese samples.
CPSC has also released a study by the Environmental Health & Engineering Inc. that tested whether sulfur-reducing bacteria are present in Chinese drywall. Eight out of 10 drywall samples tested showed no bacterial growth including Chinese samples that emitted high levels of hydrogen sulfide in the LBNL study. One sample of Chinese drywall and one sample of U.S. drywall showed very low levels of sulfur-reducing bacterial growth.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned consumers to exercise caution in hiring contractors who claim to be experts in testing for and removing problem drywall.
In addition, HUD has made block grants available to some communities for drywall remediation and encouraged FHA mortgage lenders nationwide to consider extending temporary relief to allow families experiencing problems paying their mortgages because of problem drywall, to allow the homeowner time to repair their homes.
Drywall manufacturers, home builders, product installers, suppliers and distributors are being sued, but insurers' payments related to Chinese drywall have been minimal, according to a recent report from Moody's Investors Service.
Commercial insurers could potentially face liability for property damage and claims under the products liability portion of the commercial general liability (CGL) policy. In terms of construction- defect liability, Moody's said most insurers have modified their policies in order to address past construction defect claims and reduce exposure to Chinese drywall liability.
One of the suits, targeting 14 insurance companies in U.S. District Court in Louisiana, involves claims for the development and sale of homes allegedly containing defective Chinese manufactured drywall.
Homeowners insurers are generally denying coverage based on the standard pollution exclusion in the homeowners' policy.
However, a Louisiana court recently rebuffed an insurance company's use of the pollution exclusion and two other exclusions in an "all risk" homeowners insurance policy to deny claims resulting from so-called Chinese drywall.
Last November, CPSC released results of a 51-home study which shows a strong association between homes with problem drywall, the levels of hydrogen sulfide in those homes and corrosion of metals in those homes. In addition, CPSC's General Counsel provided guidance to Congress and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on the possible applicability of the casualty loss provision in the Internal Revenue Code for affected homeowners.
Atricle obtained from Insurance Journal
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Home Based Businesses
Starting a Home-Based Business? Make Sure You’re Properly Insured
To get a quote for insuring your home based business contact Patrick O'Leary
at 610-993-1326
March 25, 2010
National Study Finds Nearly 60% of Home-Based Businesses Have No Coverage
INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE
NEW YORK, March 25, 2010— With the national unemployment rate lingering around 10 percent, millions of Americans may be tempted to start a home-based businesses. But studies show that less than half of them have any type of insurance coverage for their new endeavor, and others wrongly believe a homeowners insurance policy is sufficient, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that 22 million Americans did some work at home on an average day in 2008, up from 18 million in 2003, possibly reflecting increased telecommuting as well as job losses in the private sector. It is unclear how many people who are working from home have established home-based businesses; however the number of self-employed increased from 8.5 million in January 2009 to 9.0 million by the end of the year.
A common misconception is that homeowners insurance policies offer broad coverage for a home-based business, but in fact they usually provide no more than $2,500 to replace damaged or stolen business equipment.
“Just because a business is located in your home doesn't mean your homeowners insurance policy will cover you,” said Michael Barry, vice president, Media Relations, for the I.I.I.
In addition, standard homeowners insurance policies provide neither business liability nor business income (also known as business interruption) coverage for home-based businesses. These are essential forms of protection in the event an employee or customer is injured on the premises, or a loss prompts the extended closure of a home-based business.
Depending upon the type of home-based business, separate professional liability coverage may also be necessary. Professional liability policies protect policyholders against financial losses derived from lawsuits filed against them by their clients. If liability is limited to acts of negligence, the professional liability insurance policy is known as an errors and omissions policy.
“No matter how industrious you are, one uninsured event relating specifically to your home-based business can deal a significant financial blow to the company. The key to protecting your home-based business is securing the appropriate coverage,” noted Barry.
The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) commissioned a study in 2004 which found nearly 40 percent of home-based business owners had not purchased insurance because they thought they were protected by some other type of coverage; 30 percent said their businesses were too small to insure; and nearly 20 percent could not give a reason for not having the coverage.
Insurance companies differ considerably in the types of business coverages they offer. Some may meet the specific needs of your business, while others may not. So it is wise to shop around for coverage options as well as competitive pricing.
When insuring your home-based business, there are three basic choices, depending on the nature of your business and the insurance company you buy it from. They are as follows:
Homeowners Policy Endorsement
You may be able to add a simple endorsement or rider to your existing homeowners policy that doubles the $2,500 standard coverage for business equipment such as computers. For an additional premium charge, you can raise the policy limits for losses related to a home business to $5,000 or $10,000.
Adding an endorsement to your homeowners policy is the least expensive option, but it might not be sufficient if you have a lot of expensive business equipment. It also does not provide business liability or business income coverage.
You can buy a homeowners liability endorsement that will protect you in case clients or delivery people get hurt on your premises and sue. The homeowners liability endorsement is typically available only to businesses that have few business-related visitors, such as writers. But some insurers will provide this kind of endorsement to piano teachers, for example, depending on the number of students. These endorsements are available in most states.
In-Home Business Policy
An in-home business policy provides more comprehensive coverage for business equipment and liability than a homeowners policy endorsement. Many insurance companies offer insurance policies specifically tailored to small business. The average home-business insurance policy can cost anywhere from $250-$500. The cost depends on the type of business you operate, the kinds of safety features that are in place and the amount of coverage you decide upon.
In addition to protection for your business property, most policies reimburse you for the loss of important papers and records, accounts receivable and off-site business property. Some will pay for the income you lose (business, or income, interruption coverage) in the event your home is so badly damaged by a fire or other disaster that it cannot be used for a certain period of time. Others will also pay for the extra expense of operating out of a temporary location.
Some in-home business policies cover a certain number of full-time employees, generally up to three.
In-home business policies generally include broader liability insurance for higher amounts of coverage. They may offer protection against lawsuits for injuries caused by the products or services you offer, for example.
In-home business policies are available from homeowners insurance companies, which offer business insurance bundled with a standard homeowners policy. Stand-alone in-home business policies are also sold by some specialty insurers; in this case you do not also have to purchase your homeowners insurance from the company.
Businessowners Policy (BOP)
The Businessowners Policy, known in the insurance industry as a BOP for short, is one of a number of package policies designed to meet the insurance needs of various kinds of businesses. The key to whether a business owner is eligible for a BOP is the size of the premises, the limits of liability required, the type of commercial operation it is and the extent of its off-premises servicing and processing activities.
A BOP, like an in-home business policy, covers business property and equipment, loss of income, extra expense and liability; however, the BOP provides these coverages on a much broader scale.
A BOP doesn't include workers compensation, health or disability insurance. If you have employees, you will need separate policies for these coverages. If you are using your car for business activities—transporting supplies or products or visiting customers—you need to make certain that your automobile insurance will protect you from accidents that may occur while you are on business.
As is the case with any insurance policy, a safe work environment can help lower property premiums. Make sure you have fire detectors and a security alarm system. Also have a computer-data backup procedure, and store the data backup away from your home. If you have an effective system, it may not be necessary to pay an additional premium for loss of business data.
The I.I.I. is a nonprofit, communications organization supported by the insurance industry.
To get a quote for insuring your home based business contact Patrick O'Leary
at 610-993-1326
March 25, 2010
National Study Finds Nearly 60% of Home-Based Businesses Have No Coverage
INSURANCE INFORMATION INSTITUTE
NEW YORK, March 25, 2010— With the national unemployment rate lingering around 10 percent, millions of Americans may be tempted to start a home-based businesses. But studies show that less than half of them have any type of insurance coverage for their new endeavor, and others wrongly believe a homeowners insurance policy is sufficient, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.).
The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that 22 million Americans did some work at home on an average day in 2008, up from 18 million in 2003, possibly reflecting increased telecommuting as well as job losses in the private sector. It is unclear how many people who are working from home have established home-based businesses; however the number of self-employed increased from 8.5 million in January 2009 to 9.0 million by the end of the year.
A common misconception is that homeowners insurance policies offer broad coverage for a home-based business, but in fact they usually provide no more than $2,500 to replace damaged or stolen business equipment.
“Just because a business is located in your home doesn't mean your homeowners insurance policy will cover you,” said Michael Barry, vice president, Media Relations, for the I.I.I.
In addition, standard homeowners insurance policies provide neither business liability nor business income (also known as business interruption) coverage for home-based businesses. These are essential forms of protection in the event an employee or customer is injured on the premises, or a loss prompts the extended closure of a home-based business.
Depending upon the type of home-based business, separate professional liability coverage may also be necessary. Professional liability policies protect policyholders against financial losses derived from lawsuits filed against them by their clients. If liability is limited to acts of negligence, the professional liability insurance policy is known as an errors and omissions policy.
“No matter how industrious you are, one uninsured event relating specifically to your home-based business can deal a significant financial blow to the company. The key to protecting your home-based business is securing the appropriate coverage,” noted Barry.
The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) commissioned a study in 2004 which found nearly 40 percent of home-based business owners had not purchased insurance because they thought they were protected by some other type of coverage; 30 percent said their businesses were too small to insure; and nearly 20 percent could not give a reason for not having the coverage.
Insurance companies differ considerably in the types of business coverages they offer. Some may meet the specific needs of your business, while others may not. So it is wise to shop around for coverage options as well as competitive pricing.
When insuring your home-based business, there are three basic choices, depending on the nature of your business and the insurance company you buy it from. They are as follows:
Homeowners Policy Endorsement
You may be able to add a simple endorsement or rider to your existing homeowners policy that doubles the $2,500 standard coverage for business equipment such as computers. For an additional premium charge, you can raise the policy limits for losses related to a home business to $5,000 or $10,000.
Adding an endorsement to your homeowners policy is the least expensive option, but it might not be sufficient if you have a lot of expensive business equipment. It also does not provide business liability or business income coverage.
You can buy a homeowners liability endorsement that will protect you in case clients or delivery people get hurt on your premises and sue. The homeowners liability endorsement is typically available only to businesses that have few business-related visitors, such as writers. But some insurers will provide this kind of endorsement to piano teachers, for example, depending on the number of students. These endorsements are available in most states.
In-Home Business Policy
An in-home business policy provides more comprehensive coverage for business equipment and liability than a homeowners policy endorsement. Many insurance companies offer insurance policies specifically tailored to small business. The average home-business insurance policy can cost anywhere from $250-$500. The cost depends on the type of business you operate, the kinds of safety features that are in place and the amount of coverage you decide upon.
In addition to protection for your business property, most policies reimburse you for the loss of important papers and records, accounts receivable and off-site business property. Some will pay for the income you lose (business, or income, interruption coverage) in the event your home is so badly damaged by a fire or other disaster that it cannot be used for a certain period of time. Others will also pay for the extra expense of operating out of a temporary location.
Some in-home business policies cover a certain number of full-time employees, generally up to three.
In-home business policies generally include broader liability insurance for higher amounts of coverage. They may offer protection against lawsuits for injuries caused by the products or services you offer, for example.
In-home business policies are available from homeowners insurance companies, which offer business insurance bundled with a standard homeowners policy. Stand-alone in-home business policies are also sold by some specialty insurers; in this case you do not also have to purchase your homeowners insurance from the company.
Businessowners Policy (BOP)
The Businessowners Policy, known in the insurance industry as a BOP for short, is one of a number of package policies designed to meet the insurance needs of various kinds of businesses. The key to whether a business owner is eligible for a BOP is the size of the premises, the limits of liability required, the type of commercial operation it is and the extent of its off-premises servicing and processing activities.
A BOP, like an in-home business policy, covers business property and equipment, loss of income, extra expense and liability; however, the BOP provides these coverages on a much broader scale.
A BOP doesn't include workers compensation, health or disability insurance. If you have employees, you will need separate policies for these coverages. If you are using your car for business activities—transporting supplies or products or visiting customers—you need to make certain that your automobile insurance will protect you from accidents that may occur while you are on business.
As is the case with any insurance policy, a safe work environment can help lower property premiums. Make sure you have fire detectors and a security alarm system. Also have a computer-data backup procedure, and store the data backup away from your home. If you have an effective system, it may not be necessary to pay an additional premium for loss of business data.
The I.I.I. is a nonprofit, communications organization supported by the insurance industry.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Which Cars Cost More to Insure?
Sticker prices tell only part of the story about car costs. Here's help in figuring out how new cars are likely to compare in terms of insurance premiums.
What's it like to drive a Porsche with 530 horsepower and a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $194,000? Thrilling, no doubt -- not that most of us will ever know. On the bright side, most of us will never have to pay the insurance bills associated with such a car.
Get a deal on your car insurance
The annual ranking of average car insurance premiums reveals that the Porsche 911 Carrera GT2 two-door coupe is the most expensive vehicle to insure among 2010 models. A 40-year-old man would pay a national average of $2,943.78 for car insurance annually, and that's assuming the driver had a good driving record.
• How risky is your ride?
On the other end of the scale is the Mazda Tribute I, a two-wheel-drive, four-door SUV, the least expensive 2010 vehicle to insure among all vehicles examined. Looking across other categories, the Dodge Caliber is the least expensive sedan or coupe to insure; the GMC Canyon WT (two-wheel drive, two doors, 2.9-liter engine) is the least expensive pickup to insure; and the Honda Odyssey LX (two-wheel drive, five doors) is the least expensive minivan to insure. (Check premiums for virtually any vehicle using the tool to the right.)
What's it like to drive a Porsche with 530 horsepower and a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $194,000? Thrilling, no doubt -- not that most of us will ever know. On the bright side, most of us will never have to pay the insurance bills associated with such a car.
Get a deal on your car insurance
The annual ranking of average car insurance premiums reveals that the Porsche 911 Carrera GT2 two-door coupe is the most expensive vehicle to insure among 2010 models. A 40-year-old man would pay a national average of $2,943.78 for car insurance annually, and that's assuming the driver had a good driving record.
• How risky is your ride?
On the other end of the scale is the Mazda Tribute I, a two-wheel-drive, four-door SUV, the least expensive 2010 vehicle to insure among all vehicles examined. Looking across other categories, the Dodge Caliber is the least expensive sedan or coupe to insure; the GMC Canyon WT (two-wheel drive, two doors, 2.9-liter engine) is the least expensive pickup to insure; and the Honda Odyssey LX (two-wheel drive, five doors) is the least expensive minivan to insure. (Check premiums for virtually any vehicle using the tool to the right.)
Saturday, February 13, 2010
ID fraud new high in 2009, consumers fighting back
Javelin Study Finds Identity Fraud Reached New High in 2009, but Consumers are Fighting Back
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/javelin-study-finds-identity-fraud-reached-new-high-in-2009-but-consumers-are-fighting-back-83987287.html
Does your homeowner's policy protect you from Identity Theft?
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/javelin-study-finds-identity-fraud-reached-new-high-in-2009-but-consumers-are-fighting-back-83987287.html
Does your homeowner's policy protect you from Identity Theft?
Sunday, February 7, 2010
A Snow-covered Roof Could Be Hazardous
A roof covered high in snow might provide the perfect backdrop for your holiday card photo or a soft landing pad for Santa and his sleigh, but a serious risk to your home and family may be lurking beneath that beautiful bed of white.
Heavy snow and ice buildup routinely cause roof collapses. Even partial collapses can cause extensive damage to the interior contents of a home or business. And you’re not out of the storm when warmer weather begins to roll in. Rain on top of snow can significantly add to the weight on your roof, and poor drainage can mean interior flooding.
A little snow can cause a lot of damage
As little as six inches of snow packed on your roof could cause major damage to your home—and your wallet. Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) research shows about $1 of every $5 paid for home and business property losses in recent years has stemmed from damage due to freezing weather, snow and water leaks.
Fresh snow is two to four times lighter than old snow, so your roof could hold up to four feet of fresh snow safely. But new snow on top of old snow can multiply the risk of collapse. Ice mixed with snow is extremely heavy—just one inch of ice can weigh as much as 12 inches of fresh snow.
Am I at risk?
The IBHS has some guidelines to help you determine the risk posed to your home and roof. First, the age and design of your roof are major factors:
Light metal buildings typically have less capacity to handle a high snow load, so it’s essential to keep all outbuildings clear as well as your home.
For flat roofs, the step-down area between roof sections is a potential source of roof overload because of the tendency for ice and snow collection.
Increase your safety
To be safe, consider hiring a licensed roof contractor to remove any snowfall over two feet.
To help reduce the risk of roof damage and flooding during the winter, take these preventative measures throughout the rest of the year:
Clear roof valleys and gutters of debris in the fall.
Caulk all cracks and openings in the foundation.
Inspect downspouts. They should carry water at least five feet away from foundation walls.
Ensure that the surrounding landscape is graded away from your home.
If applicable, test sump pumps before the wet season. Install a battery backup system. If you do not have a sump pump in your basement, consider having a professional install a system with battery backup.
Make sure you are protected
Most home insurance plans cover roof collapse, but many older policies may not. Call me 610-993-1326 to see if you have coverage. At Trident Insurance, we have solutions to help you and your family build a financially secure future.
Heavy snow and ice buildup routinely cause roof collapses. Even partial collapses can cause extensive damage to the interior contents of a home or business. And you’re not out of the storm when warmer weather begins to roll in. Rain on top of snow can significantly add to the weight on your roof, and poor drainage can mean interior flooding.
A little snow can cause a lot of damage
As little as six inches of snow packed on your roof could cause major damage to your home—and your wallet. Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) research shows about $1 of every $5 paid for home and business property losses in recent years has stemmed from damage due to freezing weather, snow and water leaks.
Fresh snow is two to four times lighter than old snow, so your roof could hold up to four feet of fresh snow safely. But new snow on top of old snow can multiply the risk of collapse. Ice mixed with snow is extremely heavy—just one inch of ice can weigh as much as 12 inches of fresh snow.
Am I at risk?
The IBHS has some guidelines to help you determine the risk posed to your home and roof. First, the age and design of your roof are major factors:
Light metal buildings typically have less capacity to handle a high snow load, so it’s essential to keep all outbuildings clear as well as your home.
For flat roofs, the step-down area between roof sections is a potential source of roof overload because of the tendency for ice and snow collection.
Increase your safety
To be safe, consider hiring a licensed roof contractor to remove any snowfall over two feet.
To help reduce the risk of roof damage and flooding during the winter, take these preventative measures throughout the rest of the year:
Clear roof valleys and gutters of debris in the fall.
Caulk all cracks and openings in the foundation.
Inspect downspouts. They should carry water at least five feet away from foundation walls.
Ensure that the surrounding landscape is graded away from your home.
If applicable, test sump pumps before the wet season. Install a battery backup system. If you do not have a sump pump in your basement, consider having a professional install a system with battery backup.
Make sure you are protected
Most home insurance plans cover roof collapse, but many older policies may not. Call me 610-993-1326 to see if you have coverage. At Trident Insurance, we have solutions to help you and your family build a financially secure future.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Winter Driving...Just in Case...Tips from AAA
Make sure you and your vehicle is ready for winter driving.
Here some suggestions of items to keep in the vehicle.
AAA recommends the following winter driving tips:
Avoid driving while you're fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
Always look and steer where you want to go.
Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.
Tips for long-distance winter trips:
Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.
Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
Pack a cellular telephone, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don't try to walk in a severe storm. It's easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
Don't over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
Make sure the exhaust pipe isn't clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.
Tips for driving in the snow:
Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don't try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning - nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
Don't stop if you can avoid it. There's a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
Don't power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.
Don't stop going up a hill. There's nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
To avoid all of the above follow the next step
Stay home. If you really don't have to go out, don't. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don't tempt fate: If you don't have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.
Here some suggestions of items to keep in the vehicle.
- Insurance card
- Emergency Kit
- Windshield wiper fluid
- Heavy blanket
- Flash light
AAA recommends the following winter driving tips:
Avoid driving while you're fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
Always look and steer where you want to go.
Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.
Tips for long-distance winter trips:
Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.
Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
Pack a cellular telephone, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don't try to walk in a severe storm. It's easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
Don't over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
Make sure the exhaust pipe isn't clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.
Tips for driving in the snow:
Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don't try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning - nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
Don't stop if you can avoid it. There's a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.
Don't power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.
Don't stop going up a hill. There's nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
To avoid all of the above follow the next step
Stay home. If you really don't have to go out, don't. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don't tempt fate: If you don't have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.
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