The Peerless Insurance Loss Prevention Department continues to develop and release new and improved 6-Minute Safety Shorts based on the feedback and requests from our customers. The latest release is our Distracted Driving safety short and it covers the different types of distracted driving, the impact on the ability of the driver to react, as well as a means to help prevent it from occurring.
New Year’s Resolution #1: Pay your insurance before it expires.
New Year’s Resolution #2: Review your current property limits to make sure they are adequate to replace what is there now.
New Year’s Resolution #3: Cover outside electrical outlets.
Wet outlets are a fire hazard. Last year, two customers experienced a fire loss that originated with a wet outdoor electrical outlet.
New Year’s Resolution #4: Winterize your home. If you’re heading to down south to warmer weather, check your shut off value to be sure it is functional. Turn off water to your refrigerator and washing machine.
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During this challenging economy we have found that paying insurance premiums on time is difficult for some. Unfortunately, a history of late payments can adversely affect your cost and the availability of insurance. Besides incurring a late fee, late payments jeopardize your current policy and future rates. Here are some important considerations:
Losing a Preferred Policy
Many carriers will no longer write new homeowners policies on properties in the coastal areas. If you have a preferred policy and it is cancelled because of non-payment or late payments, you will not be able to obtain a preferred policy again.
Shopping for new insurance isn’t easy if you’ve been canceled
When you apply for a policy with a new insurance company, it will check to see if you’ve been canceled for nonpayment of premiums with your former insurer. If that’s your case, it may not want to insure you — even if your driving record is spotless. Or, it may not allow you to purchase insurance through an installment plan, insisting on one annual payment instead.
Policy Non-Renewal
An additional consequence is the fact that your auto insurance company might no longer wish to insure you after reviewing your payment history. You might find that they’ll issue you a notice of non-renewal. The purpose of this notice is to inform you that they’ll no longer wish to insure you once your policy expires.
Paid In Full Renewal
Additionally, you might find that your auto insurance company will be willing to renew your auto insurance policy; however, they may require that you pay it in full for coverage to be extended. This is something the insurance carrier (ie. Progressive) will do if they find you suitable for coverage but to still ensure against delinquency
Insurance Credit Score
Late payments can also damage your insurance based credit score. Almost all insurance companies will review not only your credit, but also your prior insurance history when they’re determining the rates to charge you.
Auto Insurance
If your auto insurance is cancelled for non-payment, the State will be notified. If your car is still registered, you will then be facing a penalty for having an uninsured vehicle. When you obtain a new policy, you will be accessed an additional insurance penalty for having an uninsured vehicle. In many cases, you will have to pay the entire premium in full.
December, January and February are the leading months for home fires and fire deaths in the US. One average, more than one-third of home fire deaths in the US occur during the winter months. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), heating equipment fires are the second leading cause of fore deaths in American homes.
NFPA suggested ten things you can do this winter to stay safe from fire:
Read these important answers to questions you may have before going on vacation…
How can I secure my house or apartment while I’m away?
Create a lived-in look to deter burglars. Do this by stopping newspaper and mail deliveries, asking a neighbor to park their car in your driveway occasionally, and putting lights on a timer or asking a neighbor to turn lights on in the evening. Use a telephone answering machine or call forwarding to quiet ringing telephones. And, make sure that all windows and doors are locked to make entry difficult for intruders.
If my home is burglarized or damaged by fire, are all of my possessions covered?
Under a standard homeowners insurance policy for a single-family home, the contents of the home are normally covered for at least 50 percent of the amount of insurance on the building ($50,000 contents coverage on a house insured for $100,000). A renters’ policy is written for a specified dollar amount, based on what you own, to cover the loss of personal belongings in your apartment. A home inventory is important to have should you become the victim of a burglary or fire. The inventory is a list of your possessions, including makes, models and serial numbers. Photographs or a videotape of your belongings are other ways of recording what you own. These records should be kept in a safe place away from the house or apartment so they would not be lost in the event of fire.
What if the items I take with me on vacation are stolen?
Your belongings are generally covered by your homeowners or renters policy anywhere in the world, including items in storage facilities, suitcase contents and items lent to friends.
We’ll be traveling by car on vacation. Do you have any suggestions?
Check with our agency to make sure that your policy is up-to-date, and make sure the car is in good running condition. While traveling, be sure your passengers wear seat belts and young children ride in car seats at all times. Also, keep cameras, purses and other valuables with you while on vacation; never leave them in the car.
I plan to rent a car for this trip. Is it necessary to buy the rental agency insurance?
It may not be. Prior to leaving for vacation, check with your professional insurance agent to determine if your personal auto insurance policy covers damage to a rented vehicle, as many policies do. You may want to contact your major credit card company to ask if a rental car charged to that account is covered for damage. If you don’t have one of these pre-existing coverages, it may be wise to purchase insurance from the rental agency.
Halloween can be a fun-filled time for children and adults alike. This Halloween, be sure to pay attention to certain fire safety guidelines to keep the trick-or-treaters safe and sound.
How can I keep my child’s costume safe?
Whether buying one or making your own, be sure fabrics for costumes and decorative materials are flame resistant. Don’t permit your children to go trick-or-treating with candles; instead, outfit each with his or her own flashlight. To be more festive, there are Halloween-themed flashlights created just for this purpose. Costumes should be made without billowing or long-trailing features that present a higher risk of igniting.
What hazards are in the home?
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, fires caused by candles have been soaring in recent years, as many families use candles to decorate during this time of year. When decorating, keep in mind that dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these items away from heat sources. Illuminate your jack-o-lanterns with small flashlights instead of candles. Keep exits clear in case evacuation becomes necessary.
Are there other safety issues I should consider?
Although Halloween can be a lot of fun for children, certain safety precautions should be taken to ensure the festivities are safe as well as fun. Keep in mind these safety tips when sending your child out trick-or-treating:
• Only visit the homes of people you know.
• Children should trick-or-treat in groups or with adult supervision.
• Wear reflective clothing so that motorists easily can see children crossing the street.
• Inspect all the goodies before allowing your children to indulge.
Planning ahead can keep your children and home safe this Halloween.
The Thomas Heist Insurance Agency is excited to have launched our new website! We hope you like the new look! Navigate through our new site to find valuable information regarding quotes and claims. Stay updated with our latest news and events, and submit quotes online through our new secure quote system!
