Protecting Your Home from Burglary

Careful planning is key in protecting your home and valuables from theft. Here are some ways to help safeguard your property:

General Security Measures

Exterior and interior doors that lead from the basement or garage should be constructed of solid wood or metal and equipped with dead bolt locks.

A well-illuminated home is less of a target. Programmable timing devices can be used to activate interior and exterior lights. Set them for different times to make it appear someone is always home.

Obscured doors and windows are targets for forcible entry. Shrubs and trees should be trimmed or moved so that they do not obstruct these areas.

An Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved safe or vault can be useful for storage of your more precious items. The safe or vault should be permanently fastened, rendering it immovable. (For maximum protection, consider storing your most valuable items in a bank vault).

An electronic burglar alarm system can also add to the protection of your home.

While You Are Away…

Arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail, newspaper and parcels.

Lock vehicles that remain at your home and if possible, park them in a garage.

Arrange to have someone periodically check your house.

Store valuable items in a bank vault or a safety deposit box.

Lock all doors and windows.

Use programmable timing devices for lighting.

Lower telephone ringer volume so that it cannot be heard from outside.

This information is advisory in nature. No liability is assumed by reason of the information in this post.

Spring Maintenance Tips for Your Home

Maintaining a home can be overwhelming, but the impact of not maintaining a home can be disastrous.  Below is a list of home maintenance items that should be inspected and cared for each spring.  Tackle it all in one weekend, or pick an area of your home to focus on over a series of days and weeks until it's all complete.  Your home is likely your biggest investment, so it's important to take care of it accordingly.

Replace or clean your furnace filter - It should be checked once a month and replaced or cleaned as needed. Some filters are reusable and are supposed to be taken out, washed with a hose and re-inserted. A dirty filter can lower the efficiency of the heating/cooling system, increase heating costs and cause fires.

Clean the kitchen exhaust hood and air filter - Keeping this clean of cooking grease will help keep a stove top fire from spreading.

Check your electrical system

• Look for burn marks at the main electrical panel; they can be a sign of arcing inside the panel, which can easily lead to a fire. Loose connections or damaged insulation can cause the arcing. Note: Only a qualified electrician should remove the front panel cover.
• Trip and reset the circuit breakers regularly.
• Remove any combustible materials such as paper boxes or flammable liquids from the area near the main electrical panel. Sparks caused by arcing inside the panel can ignite material stored nearby.
• Check all electrical outlets for loose-fitting plugs they are an indication of a worn out receptacle. Worn receptacles should be replaced as they cause overheating and fires. Also check electrical outlets and switches to be sure they work properly. If any switches, outlets or receptacles do not work, have a qualified electrician determine the problem and fix it to avoid fires inside the walls of your home.
• Install safety covers to help protect children from electrical shock. Any appliance or tool that gives even the slightest shock should be unplugged and checked by an electrician or repair shop.   

Always have a multi-purpose fire extinguisher accessible - Make sure it is Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listed or Factory Mutual (FM) approved. Check the gauges to make sure they are charged and ready to use.  

Make sure the light bulbs in all your fixtures are the correct wattage - The light fixture manufacturer recommends the correct wattage. If too high a wattage bulb is used in a light fixture, heat produced inside the fixture can lead to fire inside the fixture, ceiling or wall.  
Consider installing a lightning protection system on your home
Lightning Protection Systems:
1) Provide a direct path for the lightning to follow to the ground
2) Prevent destruction, damage, injury or death as it travels that path

Protect all your electrical appliances from power surges and lightning

Things to consider when looking for SPDs:

• The surge protector should be listed to UL Standard 1449.
• The surge protector must be capable of protecting all power and signal lines that are connected to the protected equipment.
• Examples of signal lines: phone lines and coaxial cable from satellite, cable TV or external antenna.
• Select a surge protector that has an indicating light and/or audible alarm to show when it needs replacement.
• Look for SPDs that come with a manufacturer's warranty. Some warranties cover only the device; others also cover the damaged equipment and electrical wire insulation chewed by rodents.

Have a professional air conditioning contractor inspect and maintain your system as recommended by the manufacturer
Maintenance should include:

• Cleaning the evaporator coil
• Lubricating fans and motors
• Tightening or changing the belts
• Checking electrical safeties
• Checking the drain pan for leaks
• Testing the capacitors
• Check the condensate drain
• Test the crankcase heater
• Calibrating the thermostat
• Visually checking the wiring for potential short circuits

These steps can help decrease the chance of fire, save money by making the system run more efficiently and help prevent breakdowns.

Things you can maintain:

• Check the condensate hose to be sure it is not blocked with algae.
• Clean the outside condensing unit screen of leaves.
• Listen for unusual noises.

Check for damage to your roof - Signs include missing, curling, cupping, broken or cracked shingles. Pooling or ponds of water that fail to drain from flat roofs may indicate low areas and inadequate drainage.

Repair all cracked, broken or uneven driveways and walks to help provide a level walking surface - This will help prevent guests and family members from slipping, tripping or falling. 

Protect your home from sewer or drain back-up losses - Ask your agent how you can protect yourself.

Check all the fascia and trim for deterioration - These areas can become weathered and worn and may lead to potential water damage.

Check your water heater

• If you have a gas-fired water heater, check to make sure it is venting properly. Light a match next to the vent and wave it out (don't blow it out). See if the smoke is pulled up into the vent. If it isn't, have a professional inspect and repair it. Otherwise, carbon monoxide and other combustibles can build up in the home.
• Check around the base of your water heater for evidence of leaks. If your water heater is over 5 years old, it should be checked monthly for any leakage or rusting at the bottom. If water leakage or rust is found, the water heater should be replaced.

Check the shutoff valve at each plumbing fixture to make sure they function - Know the location of all valves and what equipment and water lines they serve. Teach all family members. 

Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct, damper and space under the dryer - Poor maintenance allows lint to build up in the exhaust duct and cause fire. 

Replace all extension cords that have become brittle, worn or damaged - Exposed wires may cause arcing, which will produce heat and can start a fire. Care should also be taken to keep appliances and their power cords away from water or a heat source because this will damage the cord's insulation. 

Inspect and clean dust from the covers of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms - Remember: Smoke alarms save lives!!

If you have any other recommendations for spring home maintenance, I'd love to hear them!  Drop me a line at justinstaebler@zingenbraun.com

Happy Spring!!

Insurance in the News

WISCONSIN HOMEOWNERS PREMIUMS ARE VERY LOW
The average premium for the most commonly purchased homeowners policy in the United States slipped 3.8 percent to $791, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners said in its recently released 2008 homeowners Insurance Report. Texas topped the lists for the highest average homeowners premium in 2008. The average homeowners premium in Texas was $1,460, according to the report. Texas bumped Florida, which held the top spot. The premium figures are for HO-3, the common policies, which insure against all risks of direct loss on buildings, except losses specifically excluded in the policy, and insures against perils coverage on personal property. The states with the lowest average premiums in 2008 were Idaho, at $387; Utah, at $432; Oregon, at $439; Washington, at $471 and Wisconsin, at $503, the NAIC report found.

VACANT OR UNOCCUPIED HOMES MAY NOT HAVE INSURANCE
As the U.S. housing market struggles to rebound, many homeowners are stuck with hard-to-sell properties longer than expected. Some frustrated home sellers who must relocate for a new job opportunity, want to downsize or simply want to buy a new place, have left homes empty. Vacant or unoccupied homes can leave the homeowner exposed to loss and liability that may not be covered by their insurance, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

WISCONSIN TEXTING BAN ON DECEMBER 1

Wisconsin joined 30 other states in enacting legislation that prohibits behind-the-wheel texting via cell phones, laptop computers plus a host of other wireless communication devices. Authorized emergency personnel will be exempt as will the use of global positioning devices. Under Wisconsin law, effective Dec. 1, 2010, texting while driving will be classified as a primary offense, which means you can be pulled over and ticketed based on a text message offense alone. Violators will face fines of up to $400.

Texting Incredibly Dangerous
AAA reported that additional findings have shown that individuals who text while driving are more than 20 times more likely to be involved in a crash than non-distracted drivers.

According to a new survey from the Insurance Research Council, younger drivers were much more likely than older drivers to say that they were texting while driving. Forty-one percent of drivers age 25 to 39, compared to only five percent of drivers 55 and older, reported texting while driving. Thirty-one percent of drivers age 16 to 24 said they had texted while driving.

ARE YOUR VALUABLE ARTICLES UNDERINSURED?
Many affluent consumers lack adequate insurance coverage for their jewelry because they haven't considered the impact of the decade-long rise in the prices of gold, platinum and silver.  "Historically, we have seen clients underinsured by 40 to 60 percent across all categories of valuable articles, including jewelry," explains Gerald Escobar, principal of Asset Archives, a global appraisal firm based in Atlanta, Ga.

Protecting Precious Items
Here are three steps consumers can take to protect their jewelry and other items:

1. Update your inventory. A current inventory is not only critical when losses occur, or when a major move is planned, it is imperative if it's been several years since gold necklaces, watches, and other precious metal items have been appraised. Review and adjust existing policy.
2. Compare the values in your updated inventory with the coverage limits in your existing homeowners and valuables policies. Homeowners policies have special limits on the amounts they will pay for jewelry and other collectible items. Purchasing additional protection through a valuables policy on an individual (scheduled) or blanket basis is often necessary.
3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 as part of an annual insurance review. The best and easiest way to keep your valuables well protected, is to partner with your insurance agent for a once-a-year review of your insurance needs.

Christmas Tree Safety

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!  For many families that starts with the time honored tradition of getting and decorating your Christmas tree.  With 23-30 million Christmas trees sold in the U.S. each year, here are some safety factors to keep in mind.


Choosing Your Tree

• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

Setting Up Your Tree

• Before placing the tree in your stand, cut 1-2 inches from the base of the trunk.
• Make sure the tree is at least 3-feet away from any heat source, i.e. fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
• Add water to the tree stand on a daily basis.

Lighting Your Tree

• Use lights that have the label of a testing laboratory (i.e. the Underwriters Laboratory label UL)
• Make sure you purchase the proper lights. Some are for indoor use only while others are meant for outdoor use.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
• Connect no more than 3-strands of lights. Read the manufacturer's directions for the number of LED strands it is appropriate to connect.
• Never use candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving your property or going to bed.

After Christmas

• Get rid of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should not be left inside the home or garage, or placed outside against your home.
• Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards.

Facts

• One-third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.
• Each year, firefighters respond to roughly 260 structure fires caused by Christmas trees.
• A heat source too close to the tree causes one in every five of the fires

Watch this video to see how quickly an unwatered Christmas tree becomes engulfed in flames as opposed to a well-watered tree.



Please be safe this holiday season.  Wishing you and yours all the best as you celebrate!

Boat Insurance

Most companies provide limited coverage for property damage for small boats such as canoes and small sail boats or small power boats with less than 25 mile per hour horse power under a homeowners or renters insurance policy. Coverage is usually about $1,000 or 10 percent of the home's property value and generally includes the boat, motor and trailer combined. Liability coverage is typically not included–but it can be added as an endorsement to a homeowners policy. Check with your insurance representative to find out if your boat is covered and what the limits are.

Larger and faster boats such as yachts, and personal watercraft such as jet skis and wave runners require a separate boat insurance policy. The size, type and value of the craft and the water in which you use it factor into how much you will pay for insurance coverage.

For physical loss or damage, coverage includes the hull, machinery, fittings, furnishings and permanently attached equipment as part of either an actual cash value policy or on an agreed amount value basis. These policies also provide broader liability protection than a homeowners policy. But there are distinct differences between the two types of policies.

Actual Cash Value policies pay for replacement costs less depreciation at the time of the loss. In the event of a total loss, used boat pricing guides and other resources are used to determine the vessel’s approximate market value. Partial losses are settled by taking the total cost of the repair less a percentage for depreciation.

Agreed Amount Value basis policies mean that you and your insurer have agreed on the value of your vessel and in the event of a total loss you will be paid that amount. Agreed Amount Value policies also replace old items for new in the event of a partial loss, without any deduction for depreciation.

Boat insurance also covers:

• Bodily injury—for injuries caused to another person
• Property damage—for damage caused to someone else’s property
• Guest passenger liability—for any legal expenses incurred by someone using the boat with the owner’s permission
• Medical payments—for injuries to the boat owner and other passengers
• Theft

Most companies offer liability limits that start at $15,000 and can be increased to $300,000. Typical policies include deductibles of $250 for property damage, $500 for theft and $1000 for medical payments. Higher limits may be available. Additional coverage can be purchased for trailers and other accessories. Boat owners may also consider purchasing an umbrella liability policy which will provide additional protection for their boat, home and car.

Boaters should also inquire about special equipment kept on the boat, such as fishing gear, to make sure it is covered and verify that towing coverage is included in the policy.

Boat owners should also inquire about discounts for the following:

• Diesel powered craft, which are less hazardous than gasoline powered boats as they are less likely to explode
• Coast Guard approved fire extinguishers
• Ship-to-shore radios
• Two years of claims-free experience
• Multi-policies with the same insurer, such as a car, home or umbrella policy
• Safety education courses, such as those offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadrons, or the American Red Cross.

Boat Safety

There are thousands of recreational boating accidents per year. Contributing factors to these accidents include traveling too fast for water or weather conditions, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, failing to follow boating rules and regulations, carelessness and inexperience.

To prevent boating accidents, we offer these safety suggestions:

Care and protection of vessel

1. Check weather forecasts before heading out.
2. Let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return.
3. Check engine, fuel, electrical and steering systems, especially for exhaust-system leaks.
4. Carry one or more fire extinguishers, matched to the size and type of boat. Keep them readily accessible and in condition for immediate use.
5. Equip the vessel with required navigation lights and with a whistle, horn or bell.
6. Consider additional safety devices, such as a paddle or oars, a first-aid kit, a supply of fresh water, a tool kit and spare parts, a flashlight, flares and a radio.

Care and protection of crew and guests

1. Make sure that every person on board the boat wears a life-jacket.
2. Know and obey marine traffic laws, the "Rules-of-the-Road." Learn various distress signals.
3. Keep an alert lookout for other watercraft, swimmers, floating debris and shallow waters.
4. Pay attention to loading. Don’t overload; distribute the load evenly; don’t stand up or shift weight suddenly in a small boat; and don’t permit riding on the bow, seatbacks or gunwales.
5. Don't operate a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Skippers can obtain free advice and boating-safety courses from the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Upon request, the auxiliary will conduct a Courtesy Marine Examination (CME) on your boat, checking electrical and safety equipment and fuel hoses. Boats meeting safety standards are awarded the CME decal "Seal of Safety."

Source: http://www.iii.org/articles/boat-insurance.html

Umbrellas Aren't Just For Rainy Weather

Many of you may have an umbrella policy on top of your traditional insurance policies.  Ever wondered why or if people ever file claims under this type of policy?  The answer is yes, they do, and here are some examples:

• Insured driver rear ended a vehicle stopped to make a left turn, forcing it into an oncoming lane as 16 motorcycles were going past. 3 motorcycles were caught up into accident, injuring 4 motorcyclists and two occupants of the claimant’s auto.


• Claimant is alleging defamation, civil conspiracy, and tortuous interference with contract, intentional infliction of emotional distress, abuse of process and invasion of privacy against the insured.

• Claimant left insured’s premises after consuming alcohol, and was subsequently involved in an auto accident. Claimant sued insured on theory of Host Liquor Liability.

• Insured boat driver and named insured are facing two wrongful death claims and a bodily injury claim as the result of a boating accident. The driver of the insured’s boat whipped the victims, ages 12, 12, 9 and 7, into a raft constructed of barrels supporting a wooden deck.

• Our insured’s son was driving a non-owned vehicle, which was uninsured, when he was involved in this loss. The claimant was sitting on the truck on the outside of the vehicle while it was in motion. Claimant slipped and fell, striking her head on the pavement after suffering a severe head injury.

• Injury to claimant while attending insured’s birthday party. Claimant was shot in the eye with a paintball.

• Insured was walking his dog on a leash. Stopped to talk to neighbor and both insured’s dog and neighbor’s dog were barking. Both insured and neighbor pulled on the insured’s dog leash and the neighbor lost his balance, fell and sustained bodily injury. Claim filed against insured.

• Insured’s wife was going over a hill and came upon an emergency vehicle. She attempted to slow down but slid and lost control of her vehicle, hitting the claimant’s vehicle, two EMT’s, a firefighter and two police officers.

• Insured sued for defamation, humiliation and emotional distress as a result of insured’s daughter wrongfully accusing claimant of sexual misconduct with a child.

• Two year old claimant caught his hand in insured’s boat lift and sustained amputation of the tips of his ring finger and little finger.

If you have any questions about Umbrella coverages please give me a call. I am here to clear up any confusion you may have about your Umbrella coverage.

The Price You Pay

Ever wondered what determines the price of your insurance policy?  Here's your answer...

There are many factors that influence the price you pay for auto insurance. The average American driver spends about $850 a year. Your premium may be higher or lower, depending on:


1.Your driving record.
The better your record, the lower your premium. If you've had accidents or serious traffic violations, you will pay more than if you have a clean driving record. You may also pay more if you haven't been insured for a number of years.

2.The number of miles you drive each year.
The more miles you drive, the more chance for accidents. If you drive a lower than average number of miles per year, less than 10,000, you will pay less. For instance, some companies will give discounts to policyholders who carpool.

3.Where you live.
Insurance companies look at local trends, such as the number of accidents, car thefts and lawsuits, as well as the cost of medical care and car repair.

4.Your age.
In general, mature drivers have fewer accidents than less experienced drivers, particularly teenagers. So insurers generally charge more if teenagers or young people below age 25 drive your car.

5.The car you drive.
Some cars cost more to insure than others. Variables include the likelihood of theft, the cost of the car, the cost of repairs, and the overall safety record of the car.

6.Your Credit.
For many insurers, credit-based insurance scoring is one of the most important and statistically valid tools to predict the likelihood of a person filing a claim and the likely cost of that claim. Credit-based insurance scores are based on information like payment history, bankruptcies, collections, outstanding debt and length of credit history. For example, regular, on-time credit card and mortgage payments affect a score positively, while late payments affect a score negatively.

7.The amount of coverage.
Of course, like anything else, the more coverage you have, the more you pay. However, you may qualify for discounts.

Source: http://www.iii.org/articles/what-determines-the-price-of-my-policy.html