Archive for May, 2010

Prepare For Evacuations They Are Inevitable In Florida!

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Expect the need to evacuate and prepare for it. The National Weather Service will issue a hurricane watch when there is a threat to coastal areas of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours.

When a hurricane watch is issued, you should:

  1. Fill your automobile’s gas tank.
  2. If no vehicle is available, make arrangements for transportation.
  3. Fill your clean water containers. Plan on one gallon per day per person and per pet.
  4. Check your emergency plans and supplies to see if any items are missing.
  5. Tune in the radio or television for weather updates.
  6. Listen for disaster sirens and warning signals.
  7. Prepare an emergency 3 – day kit for your car with food, water, extra clothing flares, booster cables, maps, tools, a first aid kit, soap, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, medications, etc.
  8. Secure any items outside which may fly around during the storm and cause damage, such as bicycles, grills, propane tanks, etc.
  9. Cover windows and doors with plywood (you can pre-cut the wood and pre-drill the holes well before storm season) or place large strips of masking tape or adhesive tape on the windows to reduce the risk of breakage and flying glass.
  10. Put animals in a safe area. Due to food and sanitation requirements, emergency shelters cannot accept animals.
  11. Place vehicles under cover, if possible.
  12. Fill sinks and bathtubs with water as an extra supply for washing.
  13. Set thermostat on refrigerators and freezers to the coolest possible temperature.

Government Ordered to Evacuation

Because of the destructive power of a hurricane, you should always heed an evacuation order. Authorities will be most likely to direct you to leave if you are in a low-lying area, or within the greatest potential path of the storm. Be aware that most shelters and some hotels do not accept pets. If a hurricane warning is issued for your area or you are directed by authorities to evacuate the area:

  1. Take only essential items with you; bring a three-day supply of clothing and personal items.
  2. If you have time, turn off the gas, electricity, and water.
  3. Disconnect appliances to reduce the likelihood of electrical shock or fire when power is restored.
  4. Make sure your automobile’s emergency kit is ready.
  5. Follow the designated evacuation routes—others may be blocked by officials—and expect heavy traffic.  Leave immediately when advised!

Government Orders NOT to Evacuate

Most injuries during a hurricane are cuts caused by flying glass or other debris. Other injuries include puncture wounds resulting from exposed nails, metal, or glass, and bone fractures.

Stay Home, Stay Safe!

  1. Monitor the radio or television for warnings.
  2. Stay indoors until the authorities declare the storm is over.
  3. Never go outside until the all clear is announced, even if it seems the storm is over. The “eye” of the storm can pass quickly, leaving you exposed.
  4. Stay away from all windows and exterior doors. Stay in a bathroom or basement or closet with no windows. Bathtubs can provide some shelter if you cover yourself with plywood or a mattress.
  5. Know where to go to evacuate if your home is damaged. Your family should have a meeting place such as a neighbor’s home or church or school.
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Power Struggle: The Cost of Electrical Surge

Tuesday, May 18th, 2010

Your family is forced to stay home due to the big storm hovering over the house. The comforting sounds and bright screen of your 52” LCD  television eclipses the noise from outside. Then it happens: Just as you’re about to discover who gets voted off the island, your family is startled by  sudden darkness.

After the outage forces your family to live in darkness for a few hours, the local power authority flips the switch and all is well…for a moment. The sudden surge of power is too much for your electronics to digest, and they’ve returned to oblivion.

American households spend billions on electronics annually. The average household contains thousands of dollars of electrical goodies like appliances and electronics, including televisions and computers. Limitations found in most standard forms of home insurance could leave you in the dark; such limitations say your insurance policy will not pay for damage to electronics that is caused by a power surge.

Renters and condominium unit-owners will not find comfort in their standard insurance policies, either; the same limitations usually apply.

A sudden surge in electrical current is not uncommon. There are a number of surge-protection devices designed to prevent this from compromising the life span of your most precious toys. But this hardware is not full-proof, and can still leave you and your family in the dark.

Losing your electronics due to power surge can be a financial disaster. Imagine having to replace that $2,000 television that is hooked up to the $1,000 home theater system you spent two weeks wiring, both of which are now left sizzling after a sudden jolt?

In many home insurance policies, this limitation only applies to personal property, not to “building property.” This means items that are considered part of your house, such as a built-in range, burglar alarm system or central heating/AC system are covered by your home insurance if bereft of life due to power surge. However, this is not true for all home policies.

There is hope. Most standard home insurance policies can be modified to cover losses to property caused by electrical surge. If your current policy cannot be modified, consider asking your agent to shop for a policy that includes the coverage or can be modified to do so.

Others may have a second option. Some power companies offer insurance for surge protection. They add a premium to your power bill, and in return offer insurance which can provide valuable coverage and allow you to collect damages without making a claim against your home insurance company or paying a deductible.

The cost of insurance provided through a power company varies; one major provider charges between $5 and $13 monthly for coverage ranging from $2,000 to $5,000.

However you chose to do so, purchasing this insurance coverage can be a tremendous relief for you and your family if the sudden voltage puts your prized possessions out to pasture. Talk to your Trusted Choice® independent agent for more information.

We are your Trusted Choice® agency and represents multiple insurance companies, so we can offer you a variety of personal and business coverage choices and can customize an insurance plan to meet your specialized needs.

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Why Flood Insurance?

Thursday, May 6th, 2010

Did you know that…..
  • Your homeowner’s insurance DOES NOT cover flood damage?
  • Flood insurance is not just for homeowners?  Condominium flood insurance coverage is available and highly recommended.  A condominium flood policy will cover your contents and assessments by your Association for flood damage to your complex.
  • Flooding can cause as much damage as  a hurricane? With the Atlantic Hurricane Season starting June 01, the time is now to purchase a flood policy for your home or condo.  The government mandates a 30-day wait for the policy to take effect.
  • Flooding accounts for more than 90% of all property damage caused by natural disasters?
  • Flooding comes in many forms, not just from hurricanes or tropical storms?  Flash flooding can occur from strong storm cells; persistent rain (not necessarily heavy rain); as well as rising waters from lakes, rivers, canals and other rural waterways.  Remember, in September 2009, 17 Georgia counties were declared “Federal Disaster Areas” due to flood, in June 2009 Michigan suffered overwhelming flooding, and most recently, the 20+ inches of rain that deluged the State of Tennessee.  Flooding can happen anywhere, anytime!
  • You can get flood coverage starting for as little as $119.00 per year?  A very small price to pay for peace of mind.
  • Without flood insurance, the only assistance you may qualify for in the event of a flood disaster is Federal Disaster Assistance which will most likely come in the form of a loan that must be repaid WITH INTEREST?  Only Federal flood insurance reimburses you for flood damage to your property!
  • Since 1978, in Charlotte County ALONE, $9,992,903.76 has been paid out in flood claims? http://bsa.nfipstat.com/reports/1040.htm
In addition to purchasing flood insurance, we strongly recommend that you and your family prepare for hurricane season and the risk of flooding by having a hurricane and flood evacuation plan, which would include:
  • Keeping all important documents together in a safe, waterproof location.
  • Itemize and take photos of your possessions.
  • Keep emergency cash on hand in a secure place.
  • Flashlight, radio and other communications equipment with new batteries for each.
  • Emergency survival supplies including canned goods, can opener, other nonperishable food items, and at least one gallon of fresh, clean water per person, per day.
We encourage you to visit the following sites to help prepare you and your family for the risk of flooding: http://www.ready.gov/ and http://www.flash.org/
Amberg Insurance considers it a privilege to help you protect your assets.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can assist you with this, or any of your insurance needs.  As always, we very much appreciate and thank you for your business!
In Your Service As “Your All Lines Agency” SINCE 1974

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How to protect your business commercial auto risks in three easy steps

Tuesday, May 4th, 2010

Your business is only as safe as the tools you use. One of the best tools your business can use to protect your assets is a commercial auto insurance policy.

Understanding insurance can be tricky. That is why you should consult an independent insurance agent since one of the first steps toward making informed decisions is to understand your coverage and service options. Here are some easy steps to help you figure out your commercial auto insurance risks and needs:

1. Make sure you choose an insurer with the right combination of price and service options to suite your needs. Insurance isn’t just about price. It’s about the service, too. How are claims handled? How fast are they settled? How long will it take to get your vehicle back on the road? Do you have access to someone to assist you outside of business hours or online, and do they know the answers to your questions?

2. Research all of your policy options. Having the correct coverage is important. Most standard commercial auto policy generally includes coverage for the following:

•Injuries or damage that you create or cause.

•Your driver’s injuries.

•Injuries and damages caused by uninsured or underinsured drivers.

•Damage to, or theft of, your vehicle(s).

When it comes to the damage that you may cause, you may be required by your carrier to purchase certain limits based on who you work for. For instance, if you work for a certain company, you may be required to carry $2 million in liability limits. You will need to consider how much you are willing to pay out of pocket if your liability in an accident is more than your policy limits.

3. Know how your policy is underwritten and priced. You most certainly can control your insurance costs. To get the best rates, run MVRs (motor vehicle reports) on your potential drivers. If you let your insurance lapse (expire), you’ll probably pay more for your next policy. Ask about discounts, including paid-in-full and renewal discounts.

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