Celebrate Safely!
Next week is the 4th of July. The celebration of our county's Independence. Boy do we know how to celebrate this one!
There will be Backyard BBQs, Lakeside picnics, Beachfront bonfires. And Fireworks. Lots and lots of Fireworks.
There is no end to the possibilities when we celebrate our Country!
But with holiday fun can come liability and safety concerns.
How about that Backyard BBQ you are hosting? Are you a Master Griller? More importantly, are you a SAFE master griller? Check out this Grill tip sheet for safe grilling. Are you serving alcohol? If so, do you know how your guests are getting home? You can be held liable for a drunk driving accident if you knowingly served an already drunk person. Think about asking someone to be a designated driver. Or just invite neighbors who will be walking home anyway. And don't forget the bug spray. They are brutal this time of year!
How about going to the lake for that all day family picnic? Plan on having a few beers? Great! have a few- but do you know how you are getting home safely? Have a contingency plan. Again- a designated driver will work well. Keep an eye on anyone swimming in the lake, especially kids. Do you know CPR? Maybe you should print out this 3-step CPR guide, just in case. Grill safely here too, and don't forget the bug spray. They are brutal this time of year!
How about that Beach front bonfire? Is there a better way to spend the 4th? I think this would be my favorite way to celebrate. The waves, the sand, the horizon. Add in good friends and family and WOW!
Grilling safely will be important here also. If you are drinking, again- a contingency plan for getting home safely is a good idea. You may want to check out how to safely build a bonfire. Make sure you put it out entirely before you leave! And don't forget the bug spray. They are brutal this time of year!
Then there are fireworks. I know so many people like to set their own fireworks off. My suggestion? Leave it to the experts! When I was young, one of my older brothers had a friend who set off a Roman Candle - right into his stomach! Talk about pain, not to mention scarring!
We live in a great country and we should celebrate the 4th of July in BOLD ways.
But please celebrate SAFELY!
Staying Afloat!
It's summer time! For those of you with backyard pools, it is a busy time. Neighbors and kids come out of the woodwork to befriend you! But are you protected against accidents in that refreshing pool?
We have all heard the horror stories of children getting hurt, or drowning in pools. In most cases, there was adult supervision. But the unthinkable still happened. What about when teens or adults get a little careless and run (oh!) and slip and fall? concussions and broken bones are sure to result.
Are you covered? Yes, if you have a good Homeowner's policy in place. Your Homeowner's policy should carry Personal Liability protection. You can get different amounts of protection for different pricing. I suggest you review your coverage immediately with your Insurance agent. (or my agency, if you don't like your current agent!)
Many carriers will not insure homes with pools that have slides or diving boards. I don't know of a carrier who will insure a pool owner who's pool isn't fenced. Statistics have shown the rate of accidents in homes with pools is very high. And these days, where there is an accident, a lawsuit is sure to follow. Your Liability coverage will protect you. It will cover claims or lawsuits against your for bodily injury caused by an accident on your property (in this case in your pool).
But you must have safety precautions in place. If there is negligence on your part, the claim can be denied and you would be responsible for the payment, not your insurance company.
Common Pool Safety tips include:
* Children must be supervised at all times. Drowning can happen in a few seconds.
*Before allowing anyone in the pool, make sure there are no objects in or around the pool that could hinder their safety. Look for fallen tree branches or pool toys.
*Keep electrical devices away from the edge of the pool.
*Evacuate the pool at the first sign of a storm. (especially if there is lightning!)
*Know the experience level of your swimmers. Who may need special supervision, who is allowed out of the shallow end...
*Extra supervision should be given to swimmers who are diving- off the edge or a diving board.
Maintaining a safe pool area can save you money and, more importantly, anguish over an accident.
Sometimes I have customers who insist on cutting insurance costs by lowering their Liability coverage. If they have a pool, I won't do it. That $50 you may save in premium could cost you $100,000, $200,000 or even more if there is an accident in your pool. I also suggest looking into a Personal Umbrella Policy for homeowners with swimming pools. An umbrella policy is extra Liability above and beyond the Personal Liability of a Homeowner's policy. Again, it may cost you a little more money, but it could save you so much more in the case of an accident.
Insurance is there to protect you when something terrible happens. Look at it as protecti on, not an expense. Make sure you have enough Liability protection so you can enjoy your pool this summer with a little less worry.
Don't Get Blown Away!
We have all seen the devastation to the communities hit by recent tornadoes. We are certainly not strangers to these storms here in Texas.
But what is a homeowner's recourse after a devastating storm? This is where your insurance should protect you. This is why you have been paying those premiums! So that you can rebuild/repair that home that has been lost or damaged.
On your homeowner's policy you should have a coverage for "Wind/Hail" listed. This will cover damage done to your home by Hail, Wind, Tornadoes and Hurricanes. (But not Flood- this is a separate policy altogether) Wind/Hail is listed as a deducible amount, not a coverage amount. In most cases, your wind/hail coverage should be the same amount as your "Dwelling Coverage". You will pay a set deductible before that coverage kicks in. The deductible is usually a percentage. For example, 1% of a $200,000 dwelling value would be $2,000. So you would pay the first $2,000 of the repair/rebuild amount and your insurance would (should) cover they remaining amount. This coverage will just cover the actual building (or home). It doesn't cover Personal Property (contents). Fortunately most policies will cover Personal property as well.
One thing you want to make sure of is that you have a Replacement Cost policy, both for your dwelling AND your personal property. (They are 2 different types coverage and have separate rules governing them.) Some companies will try to sell you on a lower price without telling you it is an Actual Cash Value (ACV) policy. A Replacement Cost policy will pay out the amount to "replace" your home and it's contents at today's value. An ACV policy will pay out what it cost minus depreciation for the time and wear on your home and it's contents. It is your choice. But do yourself a favor. Spend a little more money and get a great deal more coverage with a RC policy.
Your agent is there to make sure you have the coverage you need and want. Ask him or her questions. You pay a premium to make sure you, your family, your home and your possessions are taken care of. Make your agent earn his/her keep by explaining what coverage you have, what your limits are. Insurance is there to make you whole again in the case of a loss. After a devastating storm like the recent tornadoes, you need to know your insurance will do what you bought it for- Protect you!
Can we help you? call The Brockman Agency toll free 1-877-987-8683
Next week is the 4th of July. The celebration of our county's Independence. Boy do we know how to celebrate this one!
How about that Beach front bonfire? Is there a better way to spend the 4th? I think this would be my favorite way to celebrate. The waves, the sand, the horizon. Add in good friends and family and WOW!
