Fire Prevention Tips

ESFI provides electrical fire safety tips for Fire Prevention Week

Guest post by: Brett Brenner, President, Electrical Safety Foundation International
Electrical failures and malfunctions are a leading cause of home fires year after year. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) is once again joining NFPA’s crusade to raise awareness about the importance of fire safety during Fire Prevention Week. ESFI’s Fire Prevention Week resources complement the “Have 2 Ways Out” campaign by educating the public about simple precautions that can be taken to prevent home electrical fires before they start.
ESFI offers these tips to help you protect your home and family from electrical fires:

• Safety should always be the top priority when working with electricity. ESFI recommends that a qualified, licensed electrician perform all home electrical work in compliance with local and national safety standards.
• Consider having your circuit breakers replaced with arc fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs), which provide enhanced electrical fire protection by detecting dangerous arcing conditions.
• Make sure all electrical panel circuits are properly labeled. Always replace fuses or circuit breakers with the correct size and amperage.
• Keep the area around the electrical panel clear so that you can easily shut off power in an emergency.
• Every month, use the TEST button to check that ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and AFCIs are working properly.
• Look for warning signs of an electrical problem such as outlets and switches that are warm or make crackling, sizzling or buzzing noises.
• Regularly check cords, outlets, switches, and appliances for signs of damage. Do not use damaged electrical devices.
• Do not use extension cords on a permanent basis, and never use them with space heaters or air conditioners.
• Avoid overloading outlets.
• Do not use light bulbs that exceed the recommended wattage of the light fixture or lamp.

Visit NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week website for more information on the “Have 2 Ways Out”campaign featuring a variety of resources for all audiences including teachers, firefighters and safety advocates, and families. You can even test your fire safety knowledge with the “Fire Prevention Week Quiz!”
Also visit www.electrical-safety.org for more electrical and fire safety information and resources including the Electrical Fire Safety Checklist and illustrated tips sheets to help you properly maintain your smoke alarms and AFCIs.

UP IN SMOKE

TRUE news story. NOT a joke. Maybe. A lawyer in Charlotte, NC purchased a box of very rare and expensive cigars, then insured them against fire among other things. Within a month, having smoked his entire stockpile of these great cigars and without yet having made even his first premium payment on the policy, the lawyer filed a claim with the insurance company.
In his claim, the lawyer stated the cigars were lost "in a series of small fires." The insurance company refused to pay, citing the obvious reason: that the man had consumed the cigars in the normal fashion. The lawyer sued....and won! In delivering the ruling the judge agreed with the insurance company that the claim was frivolous. The judge stated nevertheless, that the lawyer held a policy from the company in which it had warranted that the cigars were insurable and also guaranteed that it would insure them against fire, without defining what is considered to be "unacceptable fire," and was obligated to pay the claim. Rather than endure lengthy and costly appeal process, the insurance company accepted the ruling and paid $15,000.00 to the lawyer for his loss of the rare cigars lost in the "fires."
But... After the lawyer cashed the check, the insurance company had him arrested on 24 counts of ARSON! With his own insurance claim and testimony from the previous case used against him, the lawyer was convicted of intentionally burning his insured property and was sentenced to 24 months in jail and a $24,000.00 fine.

Motorcycle Insurance

Motorcylists: Be Prepared and Protected

Summer is around the corner and thoughts of riding around town on a motorcycle may have crossed your mind.
Whether you just bought a motorcycle or are a veteran rider, you might have a few questions about protecting your bike. What's liability insurance? Do I need Comprehensive insurance? How can I make sure my custom chrome is covered?
Here are some tips that can help you navigate your motorcycle insurance policy and feel confident you've made the decision that's right for you.

Pick the Right Insurance

First, determine how much insurance you're required to have. Most states require liability insurance, which covers you if you cause an accident injuring another person or damaging someone's property.
When picking your liability limits — the maximum an insurance company will pay in the event of that type of claim – a good rule of thumb is to review your car insurance and buy a policy with similar limits and deductibles, according to the experts at market-leader Progressive.
Once you choose liability limits, you may want to add insurance protecting your bike. Collision covers damages from accidents while Comprehensive covers damages caused by incidents like fire or theft. If you buy Collision or Comprehensive, you'll need to select a deductible, the amount you'll have to pay out-of-pocket if you have a claim. Be sure to pick an amount you can afford.

Insure Custom Parts

If you've added some serious chrome to your bike, gotten a custom paint job, or installed a GPS, consider additional accessory coverage. For example, Progressive usually includes $3,000 in accessory coverage when you purchase Comprehensive or Collision coverage. You also can buy more coverage up to $30,000 worth.

Roadside Assistance

If you like taking long rides into the country and are worried about breaking down in the middle of nowhere, consider Roadside Assistance insurance.
Progressive also offers coverage that will pay up to $500 for lodging, transportation and food if your bike has a mechanical breakdown more than 100 miles from home. Most customers can add both coverages to their policy for just $15 yearly.

OOPS....Accidents do happen

Accidents do happen. Make sure you have the right auto insurance policy.

Whats Covered By MY Car Insruance

What's covered by my car insurance?

If you aren't sure what's covered by your car insurance, you're not alone. In this article, you'll find some of the most frequently asked questions of Progressive Insurance —and their answers—so that you can be confident when making decisions about your car insurance.

How can I make sure I have "full coverage"?

Generally, people ask for "full coverage" when they want more than just what's required by the state. Most states require that all drivers carry Liability coverage, which pays for damage to other vehicles or injuries to other people that you cause.

By adding what is commonly referred to as "physical damage" coverages, which include Comprehensive and Collision insurance, damage to your own vehicle is also covered, regardless of who caused the crash.

Once you've chosen these coverages, you might also want to add insurance that will cover your medical payments, protect you if you're hit by an uninsured driver, or come to the rescue if you break down on the side of the road. Your local independent insurance agent can walk you through all of your options and help you choose the policy that's right for you.

If I get into a fender bender when driving a rental car, would it be covered under my car insurance?

Generally, if you have liability and physical damage coverages on your car insurance policy, there's a good chance you'll be covered in a rental car. Call your independent agent to get the facts before you turn down that extra coverage.

Another option: check with your credit card company. Some credit cards provide coverage at no charge if you use their card to pay for the rental. Restrictions may apply, so be sure to ask for an exact description of what's covered.

A friend just borrowed my car. Will my car insurance pay for the damages if he or she causes an accident?

In most states, insurance coverage follows the car, so your car insurance would pay for the damage if your friend causes a wreck. Two things to keep in mind: if the cost to repair that damage exceeds the amount allowed by your policy, your friend may need to make a claim on his or her car insurance policy to pay the difference. And, your rate may go up as a result of the claim.

For more information, talk to your local independent agent. Matt Lehn

www.lehninsruance.com

Car Isnurance Shopping Tips

Five questions that can save you money on car insurance

When it comes to car insurance, there are a number of ways to reduce your premium. And in today’s tough economic times, every little bit helps.
Asking your local independent agent the right questions can mean big savings. Leading car insurer Progressive recommends asking these five questions:
Can I save by shopping around? Car insurance rates can vary by hundreds of dollars between carriers, so check the rates of several companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Last year, people who switched to Progressive and saved reported saving an average of $550 on their annual premium. And because an independent agent represents several companies, he or she can quickly and easily compare rates for you.
Am I carrying the right amount of coverage? Owners of older or inexpensive cars could consider dropping Comprehensive and Collision coverages. Doing that can save hundreds of dollars each year.
Is my policy up to date? If you’ve moved, gotten married, or bought a home, check with your agent - you may be eligible for lower rates.
Should I raise my deductible? According to the Insurance Information Institute, raising your deductibles to $500 could reduce your Collision and Comprehensive costs by 15 to 30 percent.
Do I qualify for any discounts? Ask your agent if your carrier offers reduced premiums for certain car features like anti-lock brakes. You might also be eligible for discounts if you pay in full, own a home, are a loyal customer, have no recent tickets or accidents, sign up for paperless billing, list another car on your policy, and more.
To learn more, talk to your independent agent or broker.
Matt Lehn
www.lehninsurance.com

Do I need Car Rental Insurance?

Rent a Car With Confidence

Approach the rental counter with confidence knowing whether you really need to get the supplemental insurance offered by the rental car company. Car insurance group Progressive offers these tips to help you make a smart decision.

• Before you leave on your trip, call your agent or insurance company. They'll give you the details for your policy. Generally, if you have liability and physical damage coverages, there's a good chance you don't need to buy the supplemental coverage.
  If you review your policy, you might see a coverage called rental reimbursement listed. Keep in mind that this coverage doesn’t protect you in a rental car; rather, it pays for a rental in case your car needs to be repaired following a claim.
• Check with your credit card company. Some credit cards provide free coverage if you use their card to pay for the rental. This coverage applies in many, but not all situations, so be sure to ask for an exact description of what's covered.
• If you end up choosing to buy insurance from the rental car company, check to see what's covered. If personal effects aren't covered, they'll likely be covered by your homeowners or renters insurance. You may also want to bring a copy of your insurance declarations page with you as a reference.

If you don't need supplemental insurance, pass it up and put the money towards your trip.
For more information, talk to your independent agent or broker.  Matt Lehn
www.lehninsurance.com
matt@floridaci.com