Homeowners vs Flood Insurance

Most homeowners insurance policies do not cover flood damage – federal flood insurance does. Flood insurance also covers damage from mud flow, dirt and debris resulting from moving water.  A homeowners insurance policy provides coverage for many types of water damage including damage from broken pipes, heavy rains and storms due to exterior damage to the home, but it usually does not provide coverage for damage from flood.  Flood insurance is available in all 50 states, as long as your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and your home is not in a Coastal Barrier Resource System Area. Don’t wait for an imminent flood to obtain flood insurance. Most flood policies have a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins.   There is no waiting period if you are in the flood zone and the policy is being mandated by your mortgage company.  You don’t need to live by water to be at risk. Anywhere it rains, it can flood. Over 20% of all flood claims occur in low- to moderate-risk areas.  A home in a high-risk flood area has a 26% chance of being damaged by flood during the course of a 30-year mortgage. That same home only has a 9% chance of a fire.  Some insurance companies offer a coverage called water backup of sewer and drain or sump pump over flow endorsement.  This coverage applies if the water backs up from the sewer due to a sump failure or deluge that the city drainage cannot handle.  A typical limit is $5000 with a $1000 deductible.

Dont Let the Bed Bugs Come Home

Here are some tips to avoid bed bugs while traveling:

Know what to look for. If you’ve never seen them, check out bedbugger.com for some detailed (and gross!) pictures of what bed bugs look like and what to look for.

Pack like a pro. Seal items and clothing in plastic bags before traveling. Remember to bring extra bags for dirty laundry. Also bring a large bag to seal up your suitcase when you get to your destination. The bag will ensure bed bugs can’t take residence in your luggage while you’re away.

Research before you go. On websites like bedbugregistry.com, you can enter a hotel name and location and the site will search through a user-submitted database to see if there are any bedbug reports on file for that hotel.

Inspect your room. Before you get too comfy where you are staying, check the bed, pull back the linens, and inspect the mattresses, box springs and in cracks of the headboard. If you spot any bed bugs, or signs of bed bugs, like dots of blood or brown dots, change rooms far from the room you found them in, or change establishments.

Be meticulous when you unpack. Unpack your belongings and sort them before you go in your home. Take all your clothing and/or bedding and immediately wash and dry them. The heat from the dryer, for 20 minutes or more, will get rid of any bed bugs that may have hitched a ride on your clothes. Thoroughly check and wipe down your luggage carrier, toiletries, shoes and other belongings before bringing them into your house.

Is it a Flood or not?

  The National Flood Insurance Program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency defines a flood as: "A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more properties (at least one of which is the policyholder's property) from:
--Overflow of inland or tidal waters; or
--Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; or
--Mudflow;or
--Collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood as defined above."
Notice that water that backs up thru the sewer/drain or a malfunctioning sump pump is not in the definition.  Make sure the water backup/sump pump endorsement is added to the home owners policy to pick up this coverage.  Most companies offer a minimum of $5000 with the option to increase this limit to $50,000 and in some high value home owners policies, up to the policy limits.  It is worth the time to review your policy to determine if this coverage exists, especially if you have a basement that is partially to fully finished!

A Homeowners Halloween Safety List

There's a lot of information out there on how to keep your little ones safe on the spookiest night of the year. Here are few tips on making your property as safe as possible for all those visitors.


• Keep your house walking area well lit.

• Clear all tripping hazards on your porch and walkway.

• Remove flower pots, branches, clotheslines and garden hoses from your entire front yard (if the kids in your neighborhood are like mine, they tend to run from house-to-house, right over the lawn).

• Keep walkways and steps clean of leaves so they are easily navigatable.

• Keep your pets indoors for their protection, as well as for the protection of those curious and unfamiliar visitors. Even the nicest dog can be stressed out by all the activity on their property and react in unpredictable ways.

• Keep lit pumpkins on stable surfaces and well away from the trick or treaters. (Use battery-powered jack-o-lantern candles instead of real candles.)

• Best not to let anyone - big or small - into your house, keep 'em on the porch.

Mobile Devices in the Workplace

It is becoming more and more common for companies to allow their worker to use their mobile devise to service their clients and access company data bases.  Make sure the proper precautions are taken to avoid data breach, virus infection and malware attachment.  Click on the attached link for an article on how to secure your systems.  http://www.iamagazine.com/NewsViews/2012/June_14/Technology.aspx

Motorcycle Tire Safety & Training Courses

For optimum performance and fuel economy, make sure your tires are not over inflated or under inflated.  Don’t overload your bike! It can place stress on the tires  and cause poor handling and gas mileage.  Inspect your tires for excessive or uneven wear. Bald tires can cause skidding or blow outs.  Get your wheels properly mounted and aligned. Improper mounting can cause accidents.  New tires should not be run at high speeds, or pushed into leans or hard cornering until after 100 miles.

Taking a motorcycle safety course can teach you about tire safety and can make you a better rider, but you might also get a discount on your insurance. Find courses at this link: http://nm.msf-usa.org/msf/ridercourses.aspx?pagename=RiderCourse%20Info

Storing Your Snowmobile For Summer

Snowmobiles are becoming big investments that should be protected year round.  Here are a few basic tips to keep your sled in tip top shape while it is being stored.

Clean your sled thoroughly before packing it away for the season – a little bit of dirt or gunk can cause rust or damage.
Wax your sled before putting it away to keep it from drying out and cracking in the summer heat.
Cover your sled with an old sheet or drop cloth and tuck it around the body to keep out dust and grease.
Store your clean, waxed and covered sled in a cool, dry place on blocks, if possible.
Drain the gas tank or put stabilizer in the fuel.

Help Deter Auto Theft & Break Ins

Here are a few simple ideas that can help keep your vehicle safe while it is unattended.

If you are parking your vehicle overnight, choose to park in a well-lit, busy or familiar area.
Report any theft to the police. If items have been stolen from your car, do not disturb the scene. Police may want to dust for fingerprints.
Do not leave valuables visible to anyone who walks by the car. Visible items may attract a window smash and grab.
This might seem like common sense, but lock your vehicle and close all windows every time you leave it. Even in your own driveway!
Is your car on the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s Hot Wheels list of the 10 most stolen vehicles?
Check out this site: https://www.nicb.org/newsroom/nicb_campaigns/hot%E2%80%93wheels

GOOGLE STAY SAFE ONLINE

Google has launched a new consumer education campaign called Good to Know. It is designed to teach anyone who uses websites and other online tools about safety, security and data management. There are four parts included:


• Stay Safe Online:

Tips and advice for staying more secure online.

• Your Data on the Web:

How data makes websites more useful.

• Your Data on Google:

How Google uses information to help make a better experience.

• Manage Your Data:

How to best manage your information.

Each section contains additional information about various topics which might include instructional diagrams and videos. For example, under Your Data on the Web additional topics include discussion of Cookies and IP addresses. Much of the information is Google-focused, like how to manage what information Google stores about you and your online activities. For most people this can be very helpful as they understand how they can control their Google account information.

Fire Safety

The holidays bring out the decorations that include lighting, especially for Christmas.  Home fires can be caused  by improper installation of the lights or old electrical cords.  Practice the following fire safety tips to ensure your family remains safe this holiday season.
Run two fire drills per year so everyone knows what to do if a real fire occurs. Set up multiple scenarios at different times of day.
Make sure every window and door is fully functional before each fire drill. Teach your family how to unlock and open all possible exits.
Store a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and on every level of your home. Keep them recharged and teach your family how to operate them.
Install at least one smoke detector on every level of your home. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once per year.
If fire occurs, crawl to the nearest exit with your head 12 to 24 inches above the floor. Check all doors for heat before opening them.

September 24th National Child Seat Check Day

Sept 24th is National Child Seat Check Day.  Go to the SafeKids link to learn proper installation of your childs safety seat to protect our most valuable little assets!

Best and Worst Vehicles Link

Spring time is car buying time!  Take a look at the link provided by Consumer Reports that shows the best and worst cars and trucks by type.  They range from small cars thru large pick ups and SUV's, family vehicles to luxury cars.  When purchasing a vehicle, a little information on the reliability is worth its' weight in gold.  No one wants to purchase a vehicle and then have it spend more time in the shop than on the road! 

Secure Your Home While Away On Spring Break

Going out of town for Spring Break? I recommend 6 steps to secure your home while on vacation. 1.) Let trusted neighbors know you are leaving and ask them to keep an eye on your home.  2.) Ask someone to pick up your mail and newspaper, or stop those deliveries for the duration of your trip.  3.) Set your outside lights so one stays on at night, and put timers on your indoor lighting so they go on and off at random intervals.  4.) Trim overgrown hedges and bushes, especially around windows, so thieves don’t have an easy place to hide.  5.) Lock all doors and windows. A quality deadbolt is a great defense against intruders.  6.) In addition to taking steps to secure your home, it’s just as important to know what not to do. Don’t hide a spare key outside, don’t record a phone greeting saying you’re on vacation, and never announce your travel plans on social networking sites.  A few simple and easy steps to give you peace of mind while enjoying your vacation.

Classic & Antique Auto

The interior maintenance of a car can be just as important as the exterior.  Auto Interior Tip 1: Never use detergents, abrasives or petroleum distillates on vinyl interior components. Mild soap and water works well. Tip 2: Mildew bacteria can be killed and cleaned by using a medium soft brush and a 4-to-1 mixture of water and ammonia. Tip 3: Vacuum carpet. For stains, use a cleaner on a soft-bristled brush in circular, overlapping motions. Blot dry.  Tip 4: Apply a stand-alone protector to newly cleaned carpet to help future stains come out easier.  Tip 5: The final step of interior maintenance should be the glass. For best results, use an automotive glass cleaner versus a household ammonia-based one.  Now pray for the sun and nicer weather in order to roll these prized possessions out for the season!

Motorcycle Season is Approaching!

Warmer weather is here and the Karcher Agency wants you to have a safe and happy motorcycle season. Here are 4 quick tips to prepare your motorcycle for the road.  Motorcycle Prep Tip 1: Clean the entire engine with a mild detergent and water solution. Remove any metal-protecting agents as well as any plastic or rubber covers from the air box intakes, exhaust pipes and air box drain.  Motorcycle Prep Tip 2: Make sure the battery is in good condition and fully charged, be sure the vent hose is connected and routed properly, drain and replace any oil that was in the engine during storage, lubricate all areas as instructed in the operators manual, change the spark plugs and check the engine coolant.  Motorcycle Prep Tip 3: If your bike is chain driven, inspect the chain and drive sprockets for excessive wear or loosening and adjust if nMotorcycle Prep Tip 4: Inspect and correct the following equipment after pulling your bike from storage: tires, brake pads and shoes, coolant hoses and brake lines, cables, turn signals, reverse lights, kill switch, horn and headlight. If your bike has hydraulic brakes, check the fluid level and follow the manufacturer's recommendationsecessary. If shaft-driven, inspect the oil level in the final drive unit and make sure it's filled to the proper level.  Now you are ready to start the engine!  Let it idle to warm up and circulate the necessary fluids for operation.  If there are any unusual sounds have it looked at by a qualified cycle mechanic then enjoy the ride!

Know Your Stuff

In the event of claim each home owner is tasked with the daunting chore of itemizing the property that was lost in the claim.  I suggest doing a little work ahead of time to help minimize the amount of time spent developing that list.  The Insurance Information Institute provides software at http://www.knowyourstuff.org/ to guide and assist you in making an inventory of your personal property.  This information can become invaluable in the event of a total loss, especially by fire.  It can be used whether you rent or own your home. The software is free so I recommend signing up and taking advantage of this tool to minimize the stress that accompanies settling a claim.

Checklist to Winter Proof Your Home

Winter is often unpredictable and home owners report billions of dollars in damages every year from weather related claims.  There are some simple precautions that can be taken to help minimize and avoid winter related disasters. 
OUTSIDE THE HOME:
Clean out gutters- remove leaves, sticks and debris so the melting snow and ice can freely flow.  This can prevent ice damming, a condition where water is unable to drain, refeezes under the shingles, remelts and seeps into the home.  You can also try gutter gaurds to eliminate this cleaning.
Trim trees and remove dead branches.  Ice, snow and wind could cause branches to break damaging the home or car and possibly injure someone walking on your property.
Repair, sidewalks, steps and handrails to prevent a trip/slip and fall.  Unrepaired items can be lethal when covered with snow and ice.
Seal cracks in holes in outside walls/foundations and make sure skylights and other roof openings have proper weather stripping to avoid water intrusion.  Protect outside water sources from freezing with inexpensive covers. 
INSIDE THE HOME:
Keep the house warm and add extra insulation to minimize heat escape that can melt snow that can refreeze causing the ice dam and protects pipes from freezing/bursting. Learn where the main water valve is in case of a rupture and make sure all smoke alarms are functioning.  Also consider adding a carbon dioxide detector , since a well sealed home can trap this toxic gas.

What is a Flood?

My prior post provided a valuable tool in determining if your home is in a flood zone.  I would like to expand on that to clarify what is a flood.  The National Flood Insurance Program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency define a flood as:
"A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more properties (at least one of which is the policyholder's property) from:
--Overflow of inland or tidal waters; or
--Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; or
--Mudflow;or
--Collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood as defined above."
If you have determined that you are in the flood zone, I recommend securing a flood policy to transfer this risk to the insurance company.
As side note, water backup of the sewer and sump pump malfunction is not part of the definition of a flood.  Make sure you add the water backup/sump pump overflow endorsement to your home owners policy to close this gap in coverage.  Most companies offer a minimum of $5000 with the option to purchase up to $50,000 or in some high value home policies, up to the policy limits.  I strongly recommend that you review your home owners policy for this coverage, especially if you have a partial to fully finished basement!

Is My House In a Flood Zone?

I have relatives that live close to Nashville, TN and the flooding that occurred last spring reminded me how important flood insurance is even if you are not in a flood zone.  The above link (accessed by clicking on this blogs title) is a useful tool in determining if your home is presently in a flood zone as well as a graphic of the Flood Risk Meter that will assess the risk for flooding.  This information is useful for your current home to determine if the flood zone status has changed since you  purchased the home.  This is vital information if you are considering refinancing, for if the home has been moved into a flood zone you will now be required to purchase a flood insurance policy.  A flood policy will dramatically increase the overall cost of insuring the home.  The site can also be used if you are considering moving to a new area to determine if the location of the new home will be subject to the purchase of a flood insurance policy.  I recommend obtaining this flood zone determination in order to have all the information needed prior to making an offer on a home.   No one likes surprises, especially if it is an increase cost of insurance.

Why Umbrella Liability is Important

Umbrella's are necessary in todays litigious society.  This article highlights the importance of protecting your current and future assets from a judgement against you and your family.