Enjoy a safe summer!

Summer is a busy time when most people are “on the go.” It’s also a prime time for drownings, grill fires and home burglaries. Keep yourself and your family safe this summer by following these tips.

Dive into poolside precaution

¨       Never let children into your pool without an adult present. Even teenagers who are strong swimmers should always have a companion.

¨       Never leave children alone in the pool area, even for just a few seconds to answer the phone or check the stove.

¨       Keep rescue equipment such as a shepherd’s hook or life preserver at poolside. Also bring a portable telephone along when people are in the water.

¨       Remove all toys from the pool after swimming so children aren’t tempted to reach for them and possibly fall in. Don’t allow tricycles or wagons at poolside.

¨       Prevent young children from climbing up into an above-ground pool, even when it’s covered, by securing, locking or removing the steps or ladder.

¨       Check the applicable laws and ordinances in your area regarding fencing requirements for pools.

¨       As an extra precaution, always lock the pool area when no adults are present.

Barbecue your food, not your home

 

¨       Put your grill at least 15 feet from any building, and grill only on a flat surface that can’t catch fire. Do not grill on an apartment building balcony or deck.

¨       Never use gasoline, alcohol or kerosene to start your coals. Once the coals are on fire, glowing or smoldering, don’t put on additional lighter fluid.

¨       When you’re done cooking, soak the coals with water and close the grill lid and any vents tightly. If you have a gas grill, close the valve on the gas cylinder.

¨       Don’t move the grill or remove the coals for 48 hours, unless you can safely move the coals into a stainless steel pail.

¨       Be sure you have homeowners or renter’s insurance.

Safeguard your home and possessions

¨       Do not leave windows or patio doors open when you’re away. Also, be sure to close and lock your garage doors.

¨       Keep trees and shrubs trimmed, especially near doors and windows.

¨       Secure patio doors with a lock.

¨       Be sure to notify your neighbors if you’ll be gone for an extended period.

¨       Arrange for neighbors or friends to pick up newspapers and mail.

¨       Leave some shades up or curtains partially open so that the house looks occupied. Consider putting timers on your lamps and leave a radio playing.

¨       Arrange to keep your lawn mowed and maintained. Maybe ask a neighbor to park his/her car in your driveway. 

Underage drinking is risky business for homeowners.

Remember to play it safe and celebrate responsibly

Some parents enjoy planning celebrations for their high school-aged children, whether it’s for a birthday or school-related event like prom or graduation, or a team or club gathering. Unfortunately these celebrations can also mean underage drinking. Some adults believe if they supervise drinking of young people in their homes, that it’s a better or safer alternative to unsupervised parties.

But is it? You may be trading one type of risk for another, with potentially serious consequences.

Your homeowners insurance policy protects you from many instances of fire, burglary and weather-related storms and may also protect you from civil liability that results from accidents that occur on your property. But don’t assume your policy protects you from losses or civil liability that results from allowing the consumption of alcoholic beverages by an underage person on your property.

Many homeowners policies have a clause stating they won’t cover losses that occur in this situation. Laws vary from state to state; and, according to the Drug-Free Action Alliance, a statewide, non-profit agency working to prevent substance abuse, in some states you could be held liable even if you’re aware of drinking being done at another location other than your home, and do nothing to prevent it.

Allowing an underage drinking party could mean an accident or property loss that could result in crippling legal expenses, lawuits and monetary judgments that may have to come out of your pocket. Your insurance company may also decide to discontinue your policy. This is in addition to the burden of having to live with the guilt and shame of knowing an accident or injury occurred because of your poor decision.

Protect yourself – and the young people who may take part – by saying no to hosting underage drinking parties, and encourage the young people in your life to obey the law and celebrate responsibly.

Be sure to speak with your insurance agent to review the specifics of your homeowners policy, along with the terms and conditions that could affect your coverage.

The basics of auto insurance

Let’s face it, there’s a lot of financial risk involved when you drive a car. You could cause an accident or be the victim of an accident. You could veer off the road and hit a utility pole or strike a large animal. Or you could be hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance.

Auto insurance protects you from the financial risks you could face from a variety of circumstances. An auto insurance policy is comprised of a number of different coverages, and it’s important to understand how each of them works to protect your interests.

Here are some basic coverage terms everyone should understand when purchasing auto insurance:

·         Bodily injury liability coverage protects your assets if you are held responsible for an accident where other people are injured or killed.

·         Property damage liability coverage covers the costs of repairing or replacing the autos or other property of others, again for an accident in which you are determined to be liable. Liability coverage will also pay for legal costs associated with defending you against lawsuits related to accidents. Remember, the liability coverage limits you are required to carry under state law most likely fall far short of your assets, so be sure to have adequate coverage.

·         Collision coverage will pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you hit something else and no one else is at fault.

·         Comprehensive coverage protects your car from damage caused by a number of causes  other than an auto accident, including vandalism, fire, theft, flood, falling tree limbs, hail and collision with animals.

·         Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage insures you against losses caused by other drivers with little (underinsured) or no (uninsured) auto insurance. It protects you if you’re the victim of a hit-and-run driver or are struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian. It also provides coverage to your passengers, and those listed on your policy while riding in other cars or as pedestrians. (If you live in a “no-fault” state, your own insurance will cover your losses.)

·         Medical payments coverage or personal injury protection (PIP) covers various medical and/or funeral expenses for you and your passengers, as well as those listed on your policy while riding in other cars or as pedestrians.

Other variables to consider include gap coverage (the difference between the actual cash value of your car and the amount you owe if your car is totaled in an accident), towing/roadside assistance coverage, and rental car reimbursement (if you need a rental car while your car is being repaired after an accident, or even if your car is totalled).  All three are very valuable and highly recommended. 

Talk to your insurance agent about requirements for the state you live in, all the coverages available to you, as well as possible exclusions, deductibles and other potential costs. Together you can figure out a policy that best fits your needs and your budget.