Consumer Insurance Blog

For homeowners in snow-prone areas of the country, roof damage or leaks from snow and ice dams are common winter threats to your home. How do you know if you have ice dams? Wikipedia has a good photo of an ice dam forming on a slate roof. Essentially, if you have large icicles hanging from your roof, you probably have an ice dam problem. The icicles are the symptom, not the underlying problem, which is generally one of insulation. How Stuff Works offers a pretty good non-technical explanation of what ice dams are and why they occur.

If you have ice dams on your house, you need to address them with a two-fold strategy:
First, you need to get rid of the ice dams and minimize the immediate damage.
Your best bet is to hire an experienced professional to do this - it can be a risky task. Some folks want to go out and chop away at icicles, but it's not a good idea to be climbing on snow- and ice-covered roofs or using ladders on slippery ground. Plus, using the wrong tools to remove snow or chunks of ice from your roof may cause further damage to your shingles or your gutters. Not to mention damage to you: flying ice chunks can be very heavy and sharp. Many people also use salts or other chemical concoctions to deal with ice dams, a less-than-ideal "fix" because chemicals can damage or discolor your roof and can leach into the ground, damaging plants and greenery. If you have a low roof, one of the most common ways that people deal with ice dams is by purchasing a specially-designed roof rake and removing snow from directly above the ice dam. Again, this can pose risks to both you and your roof.

Second, you need to diagnose the underlying problem and take steps to prevent ice dams from forming.
While ice dams can sometimes occur as a result of freezing rain, more often than not they are a symptom of an insulation problem which should be addressed because there are other problems besides ice dams that can occur, such as a build-up of moisture that could lead to rot, mildew or mold. Not to mention that with poor insulation, heating costs are almost literally going through the roof. While there are a number of products that can treat the symptoms and prevent ice dams, the best way to protect the value of your house would be to enlist the expertise of a weatherization, insulation, or energy conservation contractor to diagnose the and remedy the root problem. Builder and consultant Paul Frisette offers his thoughts on why ice dams form and how to prevent ice dams by treating the root cause, not just the symptoms.

Ice dams and homeowners and rental insurance
The Insurance Information Institute discusses what's covered and what's not in terms of water damage: "Standard homeowners and renters insurance provides coverage for burst pipes, wind driven rain and damage resulting from ice dams on your roof." III also offers this helpful rule of thumb: "Generally speaking, water that comes from the top down, such as rainfall, is covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy, while water that comes from the bottom up, such as an overflowing river, is covered by a separate flood insurance policy." When in doubt about your coverage, call your agent - that's what we're here for!

Snow overload and other perils for public and commercial buildings
Commercial and public buildings with flat roofs are susceptible to other winter woes. In addition to the risk of ice dams, flat-roofed buildings can also suffer damage or collapse from an accumulation of deep snow. Deep snow followed by heavy rain can be particularly perilous, especially for older buildings. One of our insurance partners, Utica National, has issued a handy risk management advisory about severe winter weather and roofs. The advisory includes general guidelines to help estimate the weight of snow.

Whether you rent or own, it's critically important to know your stuff. Do you have a home inventory of all your possessions? According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), about half of those recently surveyed do not.

Nick Hytrek talks about the importance of logging your possessions in a recent article in the Sioux City Journal, and notes that the post-holiday period is a good time to start one or update any that may exist:

"It's a lot easier to take inventory now rather than after a fire has gutted your home. There's enough to think about without having to try to remember everything you owned once the insurance adjuster arrives.

"After a fire, they basically hand you a piece of paper and a pencil and say write down all your possessions," said Wynn Gochenour, executive adminstrator at Paul Davis Restoration. "Most people don't do it beforehand, but wish they would have."

We've previously suggested Know Your Stuff, a free online tool issued by the Insurance Information Institute, that is great for this purpose. It offers a room-by-room inventory system that allows you to create, view, save, and print real time reports. You can learn more about this inventory system in a brief video clip. Hytek's article also notes that there are national companies that will come in and do home inventories and valuation for you - a service that might be worth it if you have expensive collections.

Hytek offers the following tips for taking a home inventory, sourced from NAIC:

• Document each item as completely as possible, including brand and model number.
• Include receipts and/or canceled checks to prove what you paid for items.
• Remember to include items you don't use regularly, such as holiday decorations, sports equipment or tools.
• Review your insurance policy to know what is covered and whether your possessions are insured for actual cash value (the amount it would take to replace or repair the item after depreciation) or for replacement cost (the amount it would take to repair or replace the item without deducting for depreciation).
• For rare or valuable items such as jewelry, antiques or art, you may want to consider adding additional insurance -- a rider -- to your policy.
• Keep the completed list outside of your home. Store it at your office, a family member's house or safe-deposit box.
• Update the list annually.

Planning to get or give a flat screen TV, a new laptop, or a smart phone this holiday season? If so, you aren't alone. For the first time in more than 25 years, electronics are virtually tied with toys as the top Christmas gift item, according to holiday shopping polls conducted by America's Research Group. CEO Britt Beemer says, "Electronics sales, especially flat-panel TV sets, are flying out the door this Christmas season."

The Insurance Information Institute offers good advice for protecting your expensive electronics. Among some of their suggestions and ours:

• Contact your insurance agent to find out if your current policy will cover the new equipment or if you need additional coverage
• Learn what your homeowners or renters policy does and doesn't cover and what your dedutciblesare
• Learn what your credit cards and product warranties will and won't cover. Be sure to fill out any warranties
• Keep a copy of your purchase receipt
• Add the new item to your home inventory
• Read the product manuals to learn how to properly set up, maintain, and clean your new electronic goodies
• Invest in good surge protectors but even those won't protect your equipment from lightning. The best protection is to unplug expensive equipment during electrical storms

See more in our post from last year: Make sure your expensive gifts are protected - insure those valuables!

In these tough times, everyone is looking to save money where they can - yet many insurance buyers are leaving money on the table in the form of discounts that they could be realizing, but perhaps just don't know about. Renaissance Alliance member Wayne Wiersma of Wiersma Insurance brought to our attention a recent national survey conducted for Trusted Choice and the Big "I."

The survey revealed that more than 34% of the respondents said they were not taking advantage of homeowners discounts or didn't know that that such discounts were available and 20% either didn’t know about or said they were not maximizing all the car insurance discounts available to them. That translates to about 53 million U.S. households. Are you one of those households?

Have you checked with your agent about what discounts might be available to you? You can often earn discounts by consolidating policies with one insurer. There are many other potential discounts available - although discounts may vary by insurer or by state. The IIABA offers a Tip Sheet on various insurance discounts that may be available. (Note that this link is to a Microsoft Word Document download.)

Don't spend more money than you have to in 2010 - call your agent to talk about potential discounts!

Halloween is one of the nation's most popular holidays. We love the annual ritual of scaring ourselves and our favorite kids silly, all in the spirit of good-natured fun. But as much fun as it can be, when you tally up the associated risks to kids, pets and property, the holiday can truly earn its nickname, "fright night."

Potential problems
Unfortunately, kids experience a lot of injuries at Halloween. While the media can play up the dangers of poisoned candy and predators, the most common injuries to kids at Halloween are more pedestrian: eye injuries, burns, and being hit by cars. Other Halloween dangers include an increase in fatalities related to driving while under the influence; a high rate of fires, vandalism, and property crimes; and a spike in incidents of animal cruelty. For the property owner, there's a veritable witches' brew of liability issues. Any injuries that occur on your property can be considered your liability - whether it's a little Cinderella who trips on her gown or a vandal who breaks his leg while egging your house. If partygoers drink too much alcohol while at your house, you may be held liable for any injuries that occur when they drive home. And if your teen's Halloween "pranks" result in any property damage, you might have parental liability for the cost of that damage, depending on your state law. Other risks you may encounter include vandalism to your home or your auto and home fires triggered by candles and decorations or overloaded electrical outlets.

Most people enjoy a fun, safe Halloween and odds are in your favor that you will too. But there are simple steps you can and should take to minimize your risk and keep things safe. One thing you can do in advance is to check with your insurance agent to be sure your homeowners or rental insurance is up to date and that you have adequate protection. Find out your deductible (how much you have to pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in) and the extent of your liability coverage.

Keeping kids safe:

• Equip kids with flashlights. Add day-glo or illuminating trim on their costumes.
• Make sure costumes are fire-safe and flame-resistant.
• Ensure costumes don't impair vision or present a tripping hazard.
• Masks can limit visibility - colorful face paints are a cute, creative, and safer alternative.
• Make sure kids are dressed warmly enough and have comfortable, non-slip footwear.
• Costume accessories and props should be short , pliable, and soft - no hard, long, pointy, or sharp objects
• Inspect all candy before kids eat it. Be alert for choking hazards and watch for anything that is loose or unwrapped.
• Don't let kids walk while eating candy on a stick - very dangerous if they trip.
• Don't let kids eat homemade treats unless they were made by someone you know very well
• Stick to familiar neighborhoods and familiar houses
• Kids shouldn't enter any homes unless they know the neighbors well
• Kids without adults should keep in groups
• Walk on sidewalks. Complete one side of the street, cross carefully, and complete the other side.
• Use cross walks and crossing lights whenever possible.
• Drive with great caution over the weekend, particularly after dark - excited little goblins may dart out from anywhere.

Other safety matters

• When decorating, avoid candles - use LED lights and battery-powered lights instead.
• Take care not to overload electrical circuits with lights.
• Paper and dried plant decorations can easily ignite. Keep them away from flames, lights, and electrical cords.
• Keep porches and walkways well lit and free of debris and clutter that might be tripping hazards; Put reflective tape on your steps and along your walkway.
• Don't forget about your pets - they could be upset by the unusual activity and may be skittish. Keep them inside and away from the door so they don't frighten or nip at your guests.
• Be careful not to let your pets eat candy, which can be toxic to them.
• Park your car in a garage, if possible. Mischief makers may egg your house or car.
• Lock up bicycles, gas grills and other outdoor valuables.

Halloween vandalism can range from "mild" pranks to more serious and willful property damage. A well-lit house and motion-activated lights may help to protect your property. If you have a garage, keep you car locked up. If you don't, you might want to check your car before bed or very early in the morning - that way, if your car has experienced any "mischief" such as a dousing of shaving cream, silly string, eggs, or other food matter, you may be able to hose it away before the sun bakes it in. Some of these substances can cause scratches or dents; others can be corrosive to your paint. Pressurized water from your hose is your best clean-up ally.

Call your agent
If you should suffer any damage to your property or have any accidents during Halloween weekend, file a claim as soon as possible to get the claim process in motion. Be ready with the details of where and when the event occurred, along with the names and addresses of any injured parties or witnesses to the event. If there is damage to your property, report it to the police, take photos, and record the details so you won't forget them later.

Other helpful resources
Safe and scary: Tips for home decorating and costumes
Tricks for making your Halloween party safe
Driver safety tips for Halloween Eve
Halloween Car Cleanup Guide - how to remove eggs, shaving cream, silly string, and more.

If you're like many insurance consumers, when you get your annual homeowners, condo or renter's insurance policy, you simply file it away in a drawer and don't give it another thought. Many people barely glance at the fine print and are later surprised when a loss occurs that isn't covered. The flip side of the coin is that there may be benefits that are being paid for but that the policyholder is unaware of. Insurance policies sometimes offer coverage perks and benefits that go unused simply because the insured was unaware of the benefit. For example, some homeowners' policies will cover spoiled food from a power outage, personal possessions stolen from your car, a camera stolen while on vacation, or even a damaged tombstone. It can pay to know your policies - Meg Green of A.M. Best talks about various unusual benefits that might be included in your insurance coverage.

Coverage options can vary from insurance company to insurance company, so when you are discussing renewals with your agent, ask about any special benefits or perks that might be relevant to you and your family and ask questions to be sure you understand the extent of your coverage. And when you experience a loss, if you are unsure of whether or not you're covered, pick up the phone and talk it over with your agent. You would need to document your loss so keep receipts. And as Green notes, if you make too many claims, the cost of your premium could increase or you may even be canceled when you next try to renew.

If you’re planning a trip to a vacation home, it's a good idea to think about insurance coverage before you go. Whether you plan to vacation in a second home or visit a time share, a rental property, or a home exchange, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers useful vacation home and property insurance considerations.

It's a good idea to check your policies to be clear about the extent of what they will and won't cover while you are traveling and staying in some type of temporary lodging - generally, a Homeowners policy will extend some coverage for your personal belongings. Also, be sure to review any trip or travel benefits or coverage that might be available from your credit card.

If you have a second home for vacation use, the insurance issues require more consideration. Homeowners coverage for a second home can vary significantly from the terms in your principal home’s insurance policy and requirements may be different if you are in a different state or a different area. Your coverage needs will vary depending on how often your home is occupied and whether the home is for your own use - owner occupied - or whether you rent it to others. You may need additional coverage if your vacation home is a waterfront property or if it is located in an area that is subject to natural disasters such as hurricanes or floods. You may also need additional coverage such as boat insurance or "named peril" insurance.

We often don't think about insurance until we need it - and then, it can be too late. If you haven't considered the insurance issues related to a second vacation home or to temporary vacation lodging, you might want to give your agent a call.

This post was written by Pat Long of Eldredge & Lumpkin Insurance Agency

There’s been more than one occasion when a customer called or visited to report a claim, and I have had to tell them they are not covered. Talk about a very uncomfortable conversation!

Insurance is an intangible; you don’t need it until you need it. You pay premiums, sometimes high premiums. And often you never use the coverage. So, when you have a claim under homeowner’s insurance, auto, liability, or worker’s compensation, you want it covered, right? Then why are some claims not covered by insurance?

Policies as Contracts
An insurance policy is a legal contract between you, the insured, and the insurance company. You sign the application and pay the premium, and the insurance company sends you a policy. All policies define who the insured is, and they tell what the company is willing to cover. But sometimes coverage and claim do not match.

Exclusions
These are specifically noted perils that the company will not cover. For example, some homeowner’s policies exclude coverage of flood damage. Many people in Louisiana did not understand this when Hurricane Katrina hit. You can purchase a separate flood policy, but flood damage is not covered by the basic homeowner’s policy.

Conditions
These are general rules or procedures that the insurer and insured agree to follow, under the contract. When you sign the application and pay the premium, you agree to these conditions. For example, did you know you have duties after a loss? In order to claim a loss, you need to promptly notify the insurance company or agent; some policies have specific notification deadlines. If you have theft coverage, you’re required to notify the police. If a tree falls on your home and opens a hole in the roof, you must protect the property from further damage and make reasonable and necessary repairs to protect the property. Most policies require you to cooperate with investigations and settlements. If you don’t meet these conditions, the insurance company can deny the claim.

So what’s the best way to make sure you are properly covered? Simply think about what is important to you:

• Do you worry about cost of health care when you get older?
• Are you concerned about your 16-year-old son or daughter driving?
• Have you inherited an heirloom and wish to pass it on to your family?
• Do you have an older home with systems that no longer meet state requirements?
• As a business person, have you just signed a contract to build three more homes?
• Do you have an office in your home?

Ask your insurance agent how best to cover what is important to you. Taking a proactive approach to insurance may avoid the discomfort of the "you’re not covered" discussion.

If you are one of the more than 8 million households fortunate enough to have a private swimming pool on your property, responsibility for safety comes with the privilege. Each year, 280 children under 5 years old drown every year in swimming pools across the country. For children aged one to fourteen, drowning is the second-most common cause of accidental death. Even if you don't have children, be aware that about a third of all child pool deaths happen at pools where the owners have no children.

The Pool Safety Council offers these tips to keep kids safe:

• Nothing is more important to the safety of a swimming child than the eyes of attentive parents.
• Keep a landline phone near the pool, so that if there is an emergency you can call 911 and the operator will be able to instantly trace the call and send help.
• Surround your pool with four-sided fencing and a gate that locks.
• Never leave children unattended in or near the pool. Drowning takes only a few seconds.
• Even when there is a group of adults present, make sure one is dedicated to keeping an eye on any children in or near the pool. Giving one person that responsibility makes it far more likely potential problems are noticed right away.
• Make sure your pool is outfitted with approved safety drain covers and an anti-entrapment device to prevent drain entrapment, the often deadly tragedy of a swimmer becoming trapped by a pool drain's suction. Public pools are required to adopt anti-entrapment measures by law, but PSC encourages private pool owners to follow suit.
• Take a CPR class to ensure potential drowning victims do not have to wait for paramedics to arrive.
• When not in use, keep hot tubs covered and locked.

This is the first summer that the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act will be in place since the law's enactment in December. This law is designed to prevent the tragic and hidden hazard of drain entrapments and eviscerations in pools and spas. Between 1999 and 2008, there were 83 child entrapment incidents reported to the CPSC, including eleven fatality reports, one of them being the one that took 7-year old Virginia Graeme Baker's life in 2002. Under the law, all public pools and spas must comply with federal standards, which is great - but bear in mind that the accident that took Virginia's life happened at a private home. If you are a private pool owner, you may want to voluntarily comply with these standards, too - this news article provides compelling evidence for why.

Additional resources
Pool - spa safety and drowning prevention
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act
National Drowning Prevention Alliance

Check your insurance coverage
In addition to talking every possible safety measure, pool owners also need to ensure that they are adequately covered against any potential risks. If you have a pool or hot tub or are considering adding one or the other, be sure you talk to your agent to ensure that you have appropriate coverage. Here's some advice from the Insurance Information Institute about swimming pool coverage:

Let your insurance company know that you have a ool, since it will increase your liability risk. Pools are considered an “attractive nuisance” and it may be advisable to purchase additional liability insurance. Most homeowners policies include a minimum of $100,000 worth of liability protection. Pool owners, however, may want to consider increasing the amount to $300,000 or $500,000.

You may also want to talk to your agent or company representative about purchasing an umbrella liability policy. For an additional premium of about $200 to $300 a year, you can get $1 million of liability protection over and above what you have on your home. This would also provide added liability protection when you drive.

If the pool itself is expensive, you should also have enough insurance protection to replace it in the event it is destroyed by a storm or other disaster.

From New Hampshire to Wisconsin to Maryland, state insurance commissioners throughout the country are urging residents to buy flood insurance. Flood insurance is particularly important as we count down to this year's hurricane season. Your homeowners insurance may cover you for water damage from a burst pipe, but if your water problem was started by Mother Nature, you are likely out of luck since most policies do not cover flood damage.

While you may think your flood risk is negligible, floods and flash floods happen in all 50 states. Here are a few interesting flood facts you may not know:

• Your home has a 26% chance of being damaged by a flood during the course of a 30-year mortgage, compared to a 9% chance of fire.
• Last year, one-third of all claims paid by the National Flood Insurance Program. were for policies in low-risk communities.
• A car can easily be carried away by just two feet of floodwater.
• Last year, one-third of all claims paid by the National Fllod Insurance Program were for policies in low-risk communities.
• Most homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage.

To find out the risk for your home or your business, enter your address to create your flood risk profile and assess your risk of financial loss. Or check your local FEMA flood map. You can also use this interactive tool to see the inch-by-inch cost of a flood in your home - as little as an inch or two of water in your home can add up to thousands of dollars in repair.

Talk to your agent about flood insurance - if you are in a low to moderate risk zone, insurance can be very affordable. Your agent will know the options and will know if your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which helps homeowners, renters, and business owners to secure coverage.

by Christian Dexter of Carroll Steele Insurance

I just got off the phone with a potential client who, during our conversation, told me he didn't have a condo insurance policy because he no longer had a mortgage. I asked why he thought this way and he told me it was no longer necessary because he didn't have a mortgage and the bank no longer required it. After taking a deep breath out of concern I slowly explained the importance of a Condo Insurance policy whether or not you have a mortgage.

It seems that quite a few people don't understand what condo insurance provides and as our conversation continued I began to understand why. One reason, at least in this instance there is some confusion about the Condo Associations Master policy and its level of coverage when it comes to condo owners and their condos within the association. The bottom line is some Condo Associations will set up the Condo Association documents to cover loss to the structure as a whole - including the individual condominiums. This means that if there was a total loss, the Condo Association's Master Insurance policy would cover the cost to rebuild the entire structure including all the condominiums within it. However, not all Condo Association documents are written this way and sometimes it is up to each individual condo owner to cover their condo unit from loss. This is a very important factor that all condo owners need to be aware of and something I'll talk further about later in this article.

Condo Insurance coverage - Liability coverage
Before we even begin dissecting what a Condo Association master policy may or may not cover, let me first make the point that you will always need a condo insurance policy to provide you personal liability coverage. There are three main points of coverage in a condo policy: dwelling (covers the inner structure of your condo unit), personal property and personal liability. Sometimes a Condo Association Master Insurance policy will provide dwelling coverage. Personal property and personal liability, however, can only be covered under a personal condo insurance policy.

Personal Liability is financial protection for actions by you that might harm another. For example, let's say you have a party in your home and a friend of a friend (we assume a friend would never sue) trips over your coffee table and tumbles down the stairs. A few days later you receive a letter from his attorney stating he wants to sue and is asking for $100,000 to cover his injuries. If you have a condo insurance policy with at least $100,000 in personal liability coverage you are financially protected. However, without a condo policy you are on your own and will continue to be at risk and vulnerable when ever someone walks into your condo.

Condo Insurance Coverage - Personal Property
Personal property covers all your personal items. A washer and dryer, clothes, computers, television and your beloved Wii would all be covered under personal property insurance under a condo insurance policy. Other things like jewelry and money is also covered, but with limited coverage amounts for each. When I get people to actually think about it most are amazed how much personal property they have and what it would cost to replace it. On average, most people carry $25,000 to $50,000 of personal property coverage, however, everyone's situation is different and it's recommended to do an assessment of your personal property to determine a level of coverage.

Condo Insurance Coverage - Dwelling
A Condo Insurance policy also provides coverage for damage to your condo from covered perils such as a fire. So let's say you had a terrible kitchen fire and your cabinets and appliances were completely destroyed. If you had dwelling coverage on your condo policy then this coverage would pay to restore your kitchen - assuming you carried enough coverage. Determining the right level of dwelling coverage depends on several factors. For a rough estimate of how much dwelling coverage you need estimate anywhere between $100 and $300 a square foot. The amount per square foot depends on where you live and the cost of construction. In Massachusetts, I usually use $200 per square foot for average and $250 per square foot if the condo has a custom kitchen or other above average amenities. I like to play it safe so I over estimate when it comes to condo insurance. The premiums are relatively lower compared to home insurance so it's financially feasible to be safer than sorry.

Isn't My Condo Covered Under The Condo Associations Master Policy?
Maybe. And even it does, no condo association master insurance policy covers your personal property, or personal liability risk within your condo.

A Condo Association Master policy purpose is to provide liability and building coverage for the general structure of the condominium complex and its surrounding property. If someone were to get injured in a common area or maybe out in the back lawn of the property, the Condo Association Master insurance policy would cover any resulting liability claims or damage to the building.

Is It An 'All Inclusive' Master Policy?
Recently, Condo Associations have been buying policies that are 'All Inclusive.' What this means is that the policy considers the building along with the individual condominiums within it as one. Therefore, an 'All Inclusive' master policy will cover damage to your condo from an insured peril such as a fire. If the policy does not have this type of coverage then it is up to you the condo owner to add dwelling coverage to your policy. However, it's still important to have some level of dwelling coverage especially if you've made some improvements to the condo that might increase its value beyond the average condo in the complex might have (ie: custom kitchen). Furthermore, Condo Associations try to determine the proper coverage for the building, but if they happen to fall short of the actual cost to replace the entire building including your condo, it's a nice safety net to have that additional $50,000 or so dwelling coverage on your own condo insurance policy.

It's important to remember that even if your Condo Associations master insurance policy covers your condo for fire and other covered losses it still does not protect your personal property or provide personal liability. You will be taking a huge financial risk if you don't have condo insurance.

Fire caused 33.1% of all home insurers' losses over a three-year period, the highest of any source of loss, according to a report by American Association of Insurance Services.

That statistic leads into a topic that we've been planning to introduce: How much do you know about fire extinguishers? If you're like most people, probably not too much. But using the wrong type of fire extinguisher might be more dangerous than not using any fire extinguisher at all. Paul Caret of MEMIC Safety Blog has a great post on fire extinguishers that includes a chart on various types of fire extinguishers and their ratings, along with links o interactive sites that provide information on anything you might need to know about the selection, use and maintenance of fire extinguishers. We particularly liked the animated and interactive fireextinguisher.com, available in English and Spanish.

The Escondido Fire Department offers a quick one-page summary for fire extinguishers in the home, including where to put them, how to maintain them, and when to use them. But have you ever actually used a fire extinguisher? In this short video, Captain Joe Bruni offers a quick demonstration.

Was Santa good to you over the holidays? If you received any valuable gifts, you may want to review your insurance coverage to make sure that these items are adequately protected in the event of a loss. Standard homeowners, renters and condominium insurance policies will generally cover personal items, but policies often have limits of $1,000 to $2,000 on the dollar amount for certain valuables. You may also want to check your deductibles. It's a good idea to review your policy to be sure of the extent of your coverage and to check with your insurance agent if you have any questions or doubts. You may want to add an endorsement (also called a rider) to give you additional coverage for valuable possessions.

Here's a list of some potentially high-value items that you may want to consider for additional coverage:

• Expensive jewelry and precious stones
• Original art and custom or handcrafted items
• Musical instruments
• Antiques and heirlooms
• Crystal, china, silverware
• Furs
• Collectibles and special collections
• Computer equipment

It's a good practice to keep a home inventory and to update it periodically. The Insurance Information Institute offers guidance on taking a home inventory, along with free downloadable home inventory software. The inventory is stored on your computer but it's a good idea to keep a back-up copy in a safe location on a CD or a portable flash memory stick.

Additional reading
Insurance Information Institute: Jewelry and Other Expensive Gifts May Require Special insurance Coverage
South Carolina's Insurance News Service: Insuring Gifts This Holiday Season.
FiLife: Valuables Insurance Guide: The Basics

A national survey on homeowner’s insurance issues by Trusted Choice and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) found that about one-third of homeowners did not think or did not know if they could be held responsible in the event of an alcohol-related accident. In addition, more than 46% of the survey respondents thought they weren’t liable in the event that a guest became seriously ill from catered food consumed at the host’s home and more than 22% didn’t think they could be held responsible if a guest was injured on the sidewalk in front of their property. In fact, these are all situations in which a homeowner could have liability.

A spokesman for the IIABA suggest that homeowners regularly review their liability coverage limits with their independent agent to ensure adequate coverage, and that frequent party hosts inquire about an umbrella policy providing $1 million or more in additional coverage. IIABC also suggest the following holiday hosting tips for homeowners and business owners:

• Limit your guest list to those you know.
• Host your party at a restaurant or bar that has a liquor license, rather in a home or office.
• Provide filling food for guests and alternative non-alcoholic beverages.
• Schedule entertainment or activities that do not involve alcohol. If the party centers around drinking, guests will likely drink more.
• Arrange transportation or overnight accommodations for those who cannot or should not drive home.
• Stop serving alcohol at least one hour before the party is scheduled to end.
• Do not serve guests who are visibly intoxicated.
• Consider hiring an off-duty police officer to discretely monitor guests’ sobriety or handle any alcohol-related problems as guests leave.
• Stay alert, always remembering your responsibilities as a host.
• Review your insurance policy with your Trusted Choice agent before the event to ensure that you have the proper liability coverage.

With a major ice storm under our belt, many area residents are just getting power and heat back and we are facing more potential adverse weather over the weekend.

The American Insurance Association offers handy tips to homeowners following the northeast storm, which include pointers on how to start the insurance process. And if your home has been damaged or destroyed, you may want to invest two and a half minutes to watch the Insurance Information Institute's advice on how to file a homeowner's claim:

Preparing for the next storm
With some advance notice, there are things you can do to prepare for winter storm emergencies. Here are a few good resources:

The American Red Cross suggests a list of supplies to include in a home emergency kit, covering such items as water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items.

Winter Power Outage Tips - an excellent resource on what to do before, during, and after an outage compiled by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.

Don't Freeze Up (PDF) - good tips for preventing frozen pipes.

Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After an Emergency - The Centers for Disease Control inform us that every year, more than 500 people die in the U. S. from accidental CO poisoning and, sadly, here in New England, we have had carbon monoxide-related deaths after the recent storms. In Massachusetts, the law states that you must have a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home, excluding unfinished basements, attics and crawl spaces. You may need more than one per floor because detectors must be placed within 10 feet of a bedroom door. This is good advice for homeowners whether or not your state has a law. Be sure to refresh your batteries periodically.

In today's tough economic climate, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) notes that many former homeowners may now be renters, either due to their own choice to downsize or due to a home foreclosure. In the light of this, NAIC offers an alert about renter's insurance, which discusses the importance of renters' insurance and dispels some of the most common misperceptions that people have about this type of insurance.

• "Renter’s insurance is too expensive, and I already have enough bills to pay." The average renter’s insurance policy costs between $15 and $30 per month. Replacing all of your possessions or being liable for an accident on your premises will cost much more.
• "I don’t have that many valuables; renter’s insurance isn’t worth the cost." Renter’s insurance policies can cover everything from electronics to clothing to household appliances. Even a minimal number of items could add up to thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise, which can all be covered in a basic policy.
• "My landlord has insurance, so I’m already protected." Your landlord has insurance for structural damage to the building, and might even be protected against damage caused by tenants. However, this coverage does not extend to your personal property, nor does it protect you from being liable for damage you might cause to the building inadvertently (e.g., a kitchen fire or a plumbing mishap).

The alert also includes other common questions and answers related to renter's insurance. You can also view this brief brief video on Renter's Insurance. If you have questions about whether or not you need renter's insurance, how much coverage you need, or what it will or will not cover, your independent agent is also a good source of information.

Whether you are a homeowner or a renter, the Insurance Information Institute offers a free downloadable home inventory software This software will help you create a room-by-room inventory of your personal possessions. Having an up-to-date home inventory will help you:

• Purchase enough insurance to replace the things you own
• Get your insurance claims settled faster
• Substantiate losses for your income tax return

With the anticipated landfall of Gustav, we're thick into hurricane season, which continues through November 30. Homeowners in the hurricane belt here in the U.S. are preparing for what is expected to be an active September and October. Disaster relief organizations such as the Red Cross offer hurricane preparation advice, with information about a personal evacuation plan, including supplies that should be part of your emergency kit.

A few preparatory steps can also make filing insurance claims after the storm an easier process. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers a special disaster preparedness section of their website, along with a one page tip sheet on Storm Preparedness: A Four–Step Process . Among their recommendations:

• Review your insurance coverage in advance to understand what your insurance policy covers and what it excludes.
• Take an inventory of your property - photos or videos can be helpful. They suggest storing photos on the web or with a relative.
• Move all of your important documents to a safe location. Take them with you if you evacuate. Be sure to include the name of your insurance companies and agent, policy numbers and contact information.

And should your home or property suffer damage, NAIC's guide to What Consumers Should Know When Faced with A Loss can also be very helpful.

How vulnerable is your computer in an electrical storm? Let's ask 19-year old Hopkinton resident Anthony Tomasz who was sent flying across the room when lightning struck his computer last week. This is a reminder to turn off and unplug household electronics during an electrical storm. PC Doctor has several tips on what to do if you think your computer has been damaged by lightning. Oh, and if a storm causes damage to your computer or your home, don't forget to call your insurance agent. See Am I Covered by the Insurance Information Institute to learn more about typical homeowners insurance coverage.