Get to know your homeowners policy

(October 2013) — We take tremendous pride in the places we call home. We constantly invest time, energy and expense to make sure these residences fit our ever-changing needs and tastes. So what do you know about the insurance that protects your home, sweet home? Maybe not as much as you should. Homeowners insurance protects your home in the event of sudden and accidental damage, subject to the terms of the policy. Different policies provide different types of coverage so it’s important to review your options. As you would expect, policies with broader coverage generally have a higher premium than policies where coverage is more limited. The deductibles and endorsements you select, and the physical characteristics of your home, all play a role in the amount of premium you pay. Most homeowners policies have two parts. Section I insures your home and its contents against a variety of causes, or perils, such as fire, hail, wind, lightning, theft and vandalism. Section II provides liability protection for situations when a third party suffers an injury on your property, and you’re found to you have some degree of fault. A common misperception is that homeowners insurance provides coverage up to the market value of the home. That’s not true. You are covered up to the amount it takes to rebuild or repair your home or the limit designated in your policy – whichever is less. Some policies provide coverage for a certain percentage beyond the limit of the policy. If you’ve recently expanded or renovated your home, contact your agent to discuss if an increase in coverage is needed to reflect the home’s higher reconstruction amount. Even if your home has not undergone a major change, it’s still a good idea to evaluate your coverage on an annual basis to make sure it coincides with current rebuilding costs. Remember, the amount of coverage you select will determine the maximum amount of money you can receive from your insurance company. If your home is severely damaged or destroyed, the last thing you need to worry about is whether or not you can afford to rebuild it.

Prepare for Trick or Treating & Beware of dog bites: Tips to keep you and your children safe

(October 2013) — There are tremendous responsibilities and potential liabilities that come with owning a dog. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports there are approximately 4.7 million dog bites per year, resulting in 800,000 injuries that require medical attention. Half of those injuries are to people under the age of 18. Dog behavior is a serious concern for everyone. Insurance companies often pay civil judgments for dog bites that happen on their customers’ properties. Those payments affect insurance premiums that policyholders pay. Dog bites cost the property/casualty insurance industry roughly $413 million in 2010. Since 2003, the cost of these claims has risen nearly 37 percent. When you consider those types of claims account for nearly one-third of homeowner’s liability claims, it is important to do everything you can to prevent dog bites. The Centers for Disease Control and the U.S. Humane Society offer the following tips on how to prevent dog attacks. Share this information with your loved ones for protection in a variety of situations: For owners: • Responsibility as a dog owner begins before the puppy or dog is brought home for the first time. Research dog breeds and select a dog suitable to your family and lifestyle. If you are buying a puppy, ask to meet the parents and observe the setting in which the young dog was raised. • Train or socialize your dog. Don’t play aggressive games with your dog. • Spay or neuter your dog. • Seek professional advice if your dog starts to become aggressive, such as growling or nipping. • Closely supervise children when around dogs. The size of a child may cause a dog to act in a dominant way toward a child. For everyone: • If a strange or threatening dog approaches, stand still. Don’t run or scream. Try to back against a tree or car. If you have time, climb on a car or up a tree. Then call for help. If the dog moves away, you can then move away carefully. • If a dog knocks you down, lie on the ground with knees tucked to your chest and a fist over each ear. Remain very still and quiet. • Don’t stare. Staring threatens dogs. • Be aware that approximately 80 percent of dog bites occur in the victim’s home or at a friend’s home. These “friendly” dog bites account for the majority of treated dog bites.

Aim for hunting safety

(October 2013) — With the hunting and trapping season fast approaching, it’s important to keep safety in mind when venturing outdoors. Both hunters and non-hunters who live near hunting land have a responsibility to protect themselves, their pets and livestock and their property. Protect yourself Many states require new hunters to complete a hunter-safety course before taking to the field. These courses will provide important safety precautions like dressing in proper apparel, whether its camouflage or blaze orange. People who hike in areas where hunters may be present should wear bright clothing. Don’t let children go on hikes without an adult. Protect your livestock Even landowners who never pull a trigger or set traps must take precautions to protect their land and animals during hunting season. Because pets and livestock are sometimes mistaken for deer or are caught in traps, it is wise to lock up animals that usually have free reign of your land. Many farmers spray paint an “X” on the flanks of grazing livestock to help avoid confusion. Pen livestock near farm buildings to further distinguish them from deer, and check your animals and gates daily. Protect your property Homeowners should think twice before opening up their acreage to anyone except family members and close friends. They expose not only their property to accidental losses, but also themselves to liability and potential litigation. If you don’t want hunters on your land, post “No Trespassing” or “No Hunting” signs around the perimeter of your property. If you do permit access, require the hunters to check in each time they enter your property, and get the names of each person in the hunting party. Often one person who obtains permission to hunt on a farm feels free to invite others without informing the landowner.