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Floods and hurricanes — a tough year
Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne — all hammered Florida and the Southeast. One after another — wind, torrential rains, flooding — it's been a difficult year. These hurricanes caused almost $22 billion in damage.
Many residents were underinsured and were surprised by the differences between "guaranteed replacement" coverage and "extended replacement" coverage. Many also found, to their dismay, that home content coverage based on "actual cash value" is different than "replacement cost" coverage. Read your policy and give us a call to determine your coverage. We'll explain the differences and help you determine if you are adequately covered.
This year, unlike 1954's Hurricane Hazel, we were lucky in New Jersey. By the time the storms reached us they were weak systems with just mild wind and moderate-to-heavy rain.
In July 2004 we weren't so lucky, heavy rains caused destructive flash flooding in a number of South Jersey communities. Many residents and businesses didn't have flood insurance.
Floods can happen anywhere due to torrential rains, hurricanes, melting snow, etc. Flood losses are not covered under a traditional homeowner's policy. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) was created by Congress to provide financial protection to homeowners, renters, and business owners. Flood insurance is available through this program at economical rates.
Over 19,000 communities across the USA participate in the NFIP. To see if your community is enrolled go to: www.fema.gov/cis/nj.pdf
Please call us if you'd like to learn more about this coverage and rates.
50% of flood deaths happen on the road
As we recently experienced in New Jersey, flash floods from heavy rains can cause much damage, distress, disruption, and sometimes, deaths.
A recent article on the National Safety Council's web site provides some sobering facts and advice:
- 50% of flood deaths happen on the roads when intense rains cause flooding that comes on so fast that people don't have time to prepare.
- As little as six inches of water over a roadway can cause you to lose control of your vehicle.
- Most vehicles will float if there's 18 inches of water.
- A car is not a boat — don't try to drive through an unknown depth of water. Turn around and go back in another direction.
For complete article: http://www.nsc.org/issues/idrive/waterpower.htm
Happy
Thanksgiving from us
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Thanksgiving will soon be here. A holiday for good food, family, and, most of all, a time to reflect upon and be thankful for all our blessings.
We wish to thank you for your support and trust. We value you and appreciate the trust you place in us.
Without you, we wouldn't be in business.
Thank you. May you and yours have the best Thanksgiving ever!
"On Thanksgiving Day, all American families sit down to dinner
at the same time-halftime." — Anonymous
The financial strength of insurance companies is an important consideration when taking out a policy. We use high-rated carriers. Contact us for details.
Watch out for this car-jacking technique
A recent e-mail from a friend points out a new technique used by car-jackers. Don't fall for it.
You walk across the parking lot, unlock you car and get inside. You lock all the doors, start the engine and shift into 'Reverse.' You look into the rearview mirror to begin backing out and notice a piece of paper taped to the outside middle of the rear window.
So, you shift into 'Park,' unlock your door and get out of the car to remove the paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. As you reach the back of the vehicle, car-jackers appear, jump in your car and take off — you're left standing there.
Your engine was running, the door was probably open, and ladies would have left their purses in the car. Now the thieves not only have your car, but also your keys, wallet, credit cards, home address with your house key, etc.
To avoid this if you see something in your rearview mirror, just don't get out the car. Drive away and remove the paper after you've driven for a few blocks at least.
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Uh-Oh — Are you the one in eight?
According to the National Safety Council, one in eight licensed drivers gets into a vehicular accident in a given year. That's an overall national average and is impacted by state population and density, number of miles driven, age, and driving ability and tendencies.
Hopefully, you drive carefully and alertly and obey the speed limits in a safe vehicle. Yet, are you prepared if you do get into an accident?
Before an accident:
Be prepared — In your glove compartment, have a pen and pad and all the important information you'll need — insurance card, registration, medical card specifying any health conditions, list of emergency phone numbers including family but also insurance agent and insurance company.
10 things to do after an accident:
- Stay calm and focused and call for medical help if necessary.
- Call local law enforcement and file a police report.
- Get out of your vehicle and don't move it until authorized by the police.
- Never admit responsibility for the accident or discuss who's at fault with anyone other than law enforcement or your insurer's claims representative.
- Write down the license plate numbers and Vehicle Identification Numbers for all vehicles involved.
- Exchange vital information with all parties involved — names, addresses, phone numbers, insurance information.
- Get contact information from any witnesses.
- Draw a diagram of the accident location and the position of the vehicles — you may need this for your insurance company and, perhaps, for the accident report.
- If possible, take photographs of the accident scene, position of vehicles, and damage to each.
- Call your insurance agent or insurance company as soon as possible.
Are you using these dangerous products?
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Aloha Radiant Heater - Sold at Wal-Mart— recessed thermal protector may cause a fire hazard. Model # 02931, date code 02/07, Airtech name is printed on heater. Call 800-295-4448. |
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Bilt-Safe Electric Blankets - Can overheat posing a burn hazard. Check tag for model# BST-03 and look for codes A-F, A-Q, or A-T. Call 800-905-0799. |
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Children's Bathrobes - From NJ distributor — Petit Bateau, of Millburn, NJ, is recalling these sleepware items. These robes fail to meet flammability standards posing a risk of burn injury. Call 888-897-2872. |
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Hampton Bay Light fixture - Sold at The Home Depot — Metal rings can detach posing a burn hazard. Label reads "E91785". Call Home Depot at 800-553-3199. |
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Basketball Shoes from adidas America - A portion of the sole and heel can separate during use leading to ankle and achilles tendon injuries. Go to: www.adidas.com/recall |
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