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INSURANCE TIPS |
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 Stepping up Home Safety 
Place fire extinguishers near the kitchen. Make sure they have not expired and are functioning properly.
Install smoke detectors throughout your home, but most importantly be sure to check the batteries often.
Do not overload outlets with several electrical cords and check all electrical cords for frayed coverings.
Prepare a fire escape plan. Be sure to determine a meeting place outside and away from the fire.
Always keep important safety or emergency information near your telephone. |
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Maintenance Reminders to Protect Your Home
Trim your trees once a year to prevent or minimize potential wind damage.
Be sure to check your roof once a year for signs of wear and tear.
It’s also a good idea to check your roof vents and flashing around your chimney.
Gutters and downspouts should be cleaned regularly to remove debris, leaves, and branches to prevent clogging.
Periodically clean and caulk the exterior walls and windows to prevent water seepage or penetration.
To improve the safety and efficiency of your dryer, regularly vacuum the dust and lint around, under, and behind the dryer.
Clean the lint trap after use and occasionally clean the dryer vent of accumulated lint and debris. |
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 What to do After a Fire 
Place clean towels or linens on carpet in traffic areas to prevent additional soiling or staining.
Cover upholstered couches, loveseats, recliners or chairs with old sheets or linens before use to prevent soiling.
Blow off or brush vacuum loose soot particles from carpet, upholstered items or drapes.
Limit the movement in your home to prevent soot particles from causing additional damage to upholstered items, draperies and carpet.
Change your A/C filter.
Before attempting to clean any walls, carpet, draperies or upholstered items, you should contact your agent or adjuster. They can assist you by recommending a professional restoration service to consult with so as not to cause additional damage or aggravate the problem. |
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 Candle Use
Make sure to extinguish all candles when you leave a room or before you go to sleep.
Don’t place lit candles in windows near blinds or curtains.
Keep candles away from flammable objects or liquids.
Keep lit candles high and out of the reach of children or pets.
Never leave children or pets unattended in a room with lit candles.
Place candles on sturdy holders or nightstands that won’t easily tip over or catch bed linens or comforters on fire. |
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What to do when you have A Homeowners Claim
Report theft or burglary to the police.
Make temporary repairs and protect your property from further damage.
Save all your receipts and submit them to your insurance company for review.
Phone your agent or company immediately. In case of a loss, you will need your policy number, so be sure to keep it handy.
Prepare a list of lost or damaged articles.
Again, be sure to save all your receipts from any Additional Living Expenses “ALE” you may incur in the event you cannot reside in your home until repairs are completed. |
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 What to Do when you have An Automobile Claim 
Report any accident to the police immediately.
Don’t accept responsibility or discuss the accident with anyone but the police, your agent or company adjuster.
Get the name, address, phone number and driver’s license of the other driver. It’s also a good idea to get the license plate number and state of the other vehicle.
Get the name of the other driver’s insurance company, along with the policy number.
Get a description of the vehicle (i.e. year, make and model).
Get the names and phone numbers of any injured passengers.
If there are any witnesses, be sure to get their name and phone number.
Write down any important information (i.e. road conditions, damage to vehicle, etc.). |
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 Preventing Water Damage
Recent studies have shown that water losses are the #1 of cause of homeowner’s losses. Water damage costs homeowners billions of dollars per year and many times treasured or valuable household items could have been salvaged. That is why prevention is so important! Regular maintenance and service not only aids in appliances running smoothly, but it helps to reduce the risk of water damage.
Here are some steps you can take to guard against water damage:
Replace your washing machine hose every 5 years with a steel reinforced hose and never leave your washing machine running when you aren’t home.
Have your toilet inspected annually by a plumber to help prevent leakage. If your toilet gets clogged, immediately locate and shut of the water supply source. Try to unclog the toilet by using a plunger or contact a plumber.
Check the caulking and seal around your shower or tub a few times a year to make certain no water is leaking. If the caulk has signs of cracking, shrinkage, discoloration or flaking, it’s most likely time to replace the caulk and seals.
Have your dishwasher serviced every 5 years to ensure the valves remain free of debris and mineral deposits, which can lead to blockage and leaks.
Make sure the overflow hose is properly connected and drains to the exterior of the home. Check water filter lines for cracks and inspect the fittings and connections to the water discharge line.
Inspect your icemaker line for cracks.
Be sure to shut off the main water supply line when you are away from home for extended periods of time.
Have your hot water heater serviced every 10 years. |
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What to do After a Water Loss
Contact a plumber to determine the source of the leak and shut off the water main to prevent additional water damage.
Contact your agent or adjuster to get the name of a water extraction vendor. Customers are under no obligation to use the vendors on our preferred list, but we think it’s the quickest way to get the damage under control and mitigate your loss.
Wipe excess water from wood furniture.
Place wood blocks or aluminum foil beneath the legs of wood furniture to prevent water damage.
Remove colored items from wet carpet to prevent staining.
Remove and prop up wet upholstered cushions.
Don’t leave wet fabrics, towels or rugs in place.
Open suitcases and luggage to dry in sunlight, if possible.
Do not use household vacuum to remove water. |
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