Blog

Fall is here, and along with it comes the familiar reminders that winter is quickly approaching!

Cover patio furniture – Patio furniture wears easily in climate change. If possible, it is recommended to store patio furniture in a shed or garage. If that’s not possible, cover them with a tarp or specifically designed covers is a great way to minimize weather damage to your furniture.

Cover the air conditioner— The coils on the top and sides of air conditioners can be easily damaged. Wet leaves and debris can ruin these coils which will cause air conditioners to run less effectively, and could even ruin it completely. By simply covering the coils, a costly repair could be prevented.

Cover crawlspace vents— With crawlspaces in homes, there are likely vents on the outside of the foundation. In the summer, it is recommended to open the vents to let air through to prevent mold growth; however, in the winter the vents should be closed and covered with Styrofoam or crawl space vent covers. Doing so helps you heat a home more efficiently.

Put hoses away and cover outside faucets— When water freezes, it expands. If there is water left in the hose, it will likely freeze and tear. Undo the hose, drain it, and store it in a shed or garage for the winter to prevent it from breaking. The faucet heads should also be protected from the cold weather. Styrofoam faucet covers go directly over the faucet to keep heat in and prevent a possible break from freezing.

Insulate pipes and keep your home heated— With traveling this winter season, it is still important to maintain heat in the home. Pipes are easily frozen and could burst from the pressure. Insulating the pipes will also help prevent freezing from occurring.

Replace the air filter—Furnaces suck in air and use filters to sift out any particles from being blown onto the coils. A clean filter will help furnaces run efficiently and increase the life of your furnace. Depending on the filter quality, a good rule of thumb is to replace it every 1-3 months.

Drain the gas from your mower—This is one maintenance item individuals seem to forget about. When storing a mower for the winter, it is important to either drain the gas from the mower or let it run until the gas has been used up. If not done, moisture could seep into the gas tank and ruin your mower.

Taking a little time to winterize your home could help you prevent a loss and save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Talk to Lawley today. Our dedicated team of insurance professionals will get to know your personalized needs and provide you with options to make an informed decision.

Did You Know?

• More homeowners claims are filed on Halloween than ANY other day of the year.
• The average cost of auto claims on Halloween are 9% higher than the annual average.

Protect Your Auto:

• Park in a garage or near lights.
• Close windows and lock doors.
• Set car alarms to deter thieves.

Protect Your Home:

• Avoid décor that can be easily thrown.
• Pricey décor could entice thieves.
• A well-lit home deters burglars.
• If you have a home security system, post a sign saying so.

Protect The Kids:

• Leash the dog – don’t let aggressive dogs rush people.
• Appropriate costumes – Wear comfortable shoes. Ensure visibility out of masks. Avoid sharp objects as accessories.
• Drive slowly – Beware of kids darting across streets.

Hosting a Party?

• Keep sidewalks, stairs and paths clear.
• Provide healthier, low-calorie treats.
• Teach children how to dial 9-1-1 and when it’s appropriate.

Trick or Treat:

• Children under 12 should always be supervised by an adult.
• Stick to familiar neighborhoods.
• Give extra caution when driving. The most popular trick-or-treating hours are from 5:30-9:30 p.m.

In the unexpected event where you may need to report a claim, our in-house claims consultants will act as your advocates to assist you in recovering quickly should you experience a loss. That is the Lawley difference. If you need us, we will be there with you every step of the way, guiding you through the process, clearing any hurdles for you and making your path easier.

 

Thank you to our friends at Central for originally posting this content.

One issue that has been consistent throughout the year is an increase in auto insurance rates. If you’ve seen a rate increase this year and have wondered why (especially if you have a clean driving record), this blog post is for you.

Why are rates going up? There are three primary reasons:

Distracted Driving:

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that 71% of young drivers have admitted to texting and driving. At 55 miles per hour, the average text message takes your eyes off the road long enough to cover a football field. Do the math and tell me that’s not a serious problem. In fact, the statistics are already telling us it’s a problem. For example, in 2015 more driving-related deaths occurred in any year since 1966. Worse yet, we’re on pace for a two-year increase of 18%.

Technology in Vehicles:

A couple of our insurance companies have specifically cited this as a large factor in increased claim payments. The rear of cars used to be tail lights and a bumper. Now they have backup sensors, cameras, kick-activated tailgate sensors, etc. In 2005, a Ford side mirror cost $845. In 2015, it cost $1,349. Again, think about the turn signals that are now inside mirrors along with blind spot warning lights and mirror defrosters. That’s a lot more technology in the same amount of space.

Health Care Costs:

We’re sure you’ll agree that medical costs are significantly higher than they’ve ever been. Therefore, an accident that has a bodily injury component to it has a much higher overall claim cost than it did just a few years ago. Auto insurance rate increases haven’t even been as close to how much health insurance rates have gone up recently. Again, do the math on that and see where the auto insurance industry might be falling a tad short.

Contact Lawley today for inquires regarding auto rates — we always make sure to get you the right insurance program for your unique needs. We have a dedicated team of professionals who will take care of you and your family with their 100 years of combined experience.

This article originated on PropertyCasualty360

Chimneys, in particular, require upkeep.

A chimney that is dirty, blocked or in disrepair can inhibit proper venting of smoke up the flue, and can also cause a chimney fire. Nearly all residential fires originating in the chimney are preventable, according to the New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

Chimney fires account for 75% of home heating fires, meaning homeowners should actively monitor their chimneys. Homeowners looking to avoid damage to their property and increased premiums should prepare for fires by checking their smoke alarms and updating their emergency plan.

The Chimney Safety Institute of America recommends looking for these signs of a pending chimney fire: a loud cracking and popping noise; a lot of dense smoke; or an intense, hot smell.

In honor of National Chimney Safety Week 2018 — held Sept. 30 to Oct. 6 — here are 10 tips to prevent chimney fires:

• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once a year by a professional, and more than that if creosote builds up on your chimney walls more rapidly.
• Consider installing a stainless steel liner that will withstand even the highest temperatures and will keep the embers contained.
• Watch out for soot buildup. Soot is softer than creosote, but is also flammable and should be cleaned up regularly.
• Between the professional inspects and cleanings, be sure to check and monitor your wood-burning fireplace for signs of buildup or other problems.
• Clean the interior of your fireplace, including the floor, regularly. Sweep or vacuum up cold ashes.
• Your chimney has a cap on the top of it with open sides (usually covered in mesh to keep rain, birds, squirrels and debris out). Make sure this cap is regularly inspected and replaced when necessary.
• Check the interior of your fireplace for creosote buildup. It is flammable, therefore too much buildup is a fire hazard and should be cleaned away with creosote remover as soon as possible.
• Any time there is smoke indoors from your fireplace, troubleshoot and immediately correct any problems you find. Possible causes are a dirty chimney, soot or creosote buildup, other debris, a sample that isn’t open or fully opened, or wood not building completely.
• To improve your fireplace’s efficiency, you should also consider installing heat-proof glass doors to protect against heat loss and a fan or blower to direct heat into the room.
• If possible, burn hardwoods like maple, oak, ash and birch. These woods burn hot and long, are cleaner to handle, and have less pitched and sap. They also tend to leave less creosote buildup but can be more expensive.

Contact Lawley today. We are committed to delivering the most appropriate personal insurance so you do not have to worry if you are properly covered. Our dedicated team of insurance professionals will get to know your personalized needs and provide you with options to make an informed decision.

Although Hurricane Florence is gone, the destruction and damage remain. Hurricane season runs until Nov. 30, which means that the potential for serious flooding isn’t over. Add in autumn rains with rivers, streams and lakes possibly overflowing their banks, and homeowners may still have to contend with wet, soggy buildings and saturated personal property.

Dealing with flood damage in a dwelling is a bucket-list worst experience. There, that’s right out on the table. A home becomes a mess of such significance that it’s hard to see as a home; it’s a depressing mess that quickly becomes an emotional and logistical monster.

Surface water floods are daunting and potentially dangerous within which to conduct recovery. Any surface flood water is immediately considered Category 3 water, as defined by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). It’s often called “black water” and is described as “grossly contaminated” by IICRC, which sets standards for professional water damage restoration.

Yuck — now what? Flooring, walls, doors, personal effects, Grandma’s clock, the dog’s bed, sofas, beds, you name it, covered in gunk. Walls popping bursts of what appears to be mold, the air in the house thick enough to cut and smelling of the back corner of the basement. What’s to be done with it? Thank goodness the most useful tools you will need to turn that “what” into action can be found within yourself: organization, understanding, elbow grease and a little dose of patience.

You’ve Got This
First, be sure you’ve filed a claim. Then, ask Lawley to provide a quote on a flood insurance policy. Do it now as there is a 30-day waiting period for coverage after you apply for the policy, and you want to be ready for the next time.

Register with Government Agencies

You will need the claim information and outcome (denial or payment) to provide to the government agency with which you register for assistance. Yes, you do want to register with government agencies. There might be immediate assistance for living costs that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides; FEMA also has guidance to help coordinate efforts with local aid organizations or government agencies. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) coordinates with FEMA, but the aid from the SBA is typically in the form of low-interest loans. Absent someone handing you cash, it’s the next best step. Both agencies accept applications online, and a smartphone works fine for access.

You should also ask your neighbors what they’re doing. Share information — crowd-sourcing what comes next can be very useful.

The Sorting Process
You’ve got a mess, but when you look at it with a sense of urgency you’ll get a little guidance on setting priorities. You’ll see personal effects and house finishes that are destroyed, even to your unpracticed eye. If you list the work to be done, personal effects are the first things to deal with as they’re in the way of the rest of the work. If they’ve been exposed to water, they are total losses so they’ve got to go

Again, organization is key:

• Make a list of the items that you remove from the insured premises (description, quantity, model numbers, and unique identification)
• Take video or still pictures of each item
• Put on your protective hand covers, eye protection and respirator
• Haul that stuff out to a dumpster, the curb or your local waste disposal site.

Demo Time
Once all the personal effects are out of the house, consider what portion of the dwelling needs to be removed. Don’t wait for an insurance adjuster or government person to see the damage, because waiting can make hazardous conditions worse. Take pictures and tell the claims processor what you’re planning.

Before you start swinging a sledgehammer, however, step back and consider:

• Am I or my family physically capable of doing the work? Even healthy persons are subject to problems due to the unsanitary conditions, the unconditioned air in the house, pathogens that may be present, and physical dangers such as soft flooring, sharp objects, the weight of wet and damaged property, or asbestos content. Many hands doing safe work is key. Again, working with neighbors or family may be your best approach.
• Are there unsafe conditions that may need professional guidance? Check out asbestos resources, mold resources and speak with local authorities for additional guidance. Be sure to protect yourself as well as possible if you do the work yourself. Be sure the space is well-ventilated, use respirators or face masks and eye covering, and wear safe shoes or high, waterproof boots. Wash your hands regularly.

The Practical Side
Expect that the demolition will task your physical and mental well-being. Drink lots of water, get lots of rest and try to eat well, not conveniently. Ibuprofen will be your friend. Pile all that demo stuff at the curb or in a dumpster, and know that all your neighbors will be doing the same.

Once damaged walls, fixtures and flooring are out and power is available, you need to dry out the exposed framing. You would be well-served to hire a professional to manage the drying and sanitizing process, although that may be easier said than done because the restoration companies will be busy.

If you’re doing the drying yourself, consider two actions that are needed: air movement at the damaged areas and dehumidification. The movement evaporates the moisture from the materials and the dehumidification allows you to move the moisture out in liquid form. Be prepared for this process to take time — even days — after an extreme flooding event.

Then, hard surfaces and dried framing should be wiped down with a sanitizing solution of water and bleach (1/2 cup bleach to two gallons water). You might even need a mold retardant spray to treat the surfaces in addition to the sanitizing solution.

On to Repairs
Once the damage to the structure has been removed and dried, consider what needs to be repaired for the dwelling and compile an estimate. This step may well require a contractor, which is a whole other challenge. Consult with an architect or engineer, and local authorities to see whether you need to take additional action to protect your property from future flooding or whether there are floodplain issues to address. In the aftermath of Hurricane Florence, for example, some homeowners may be required to raise their homes several feet above the current elevation.

Contact Lawley today. We know you care about your family first and foremost. We are a family-owned business that understands this – Lawley Insurance has been protecting individuals and families for over 60 years. We value the trust we have earned over the years more than anything and will spend the necessary time to get you the coverage you really need and the right protection.

 

(This article was originally published on PropertyCasualty360)