Insurance News

Keep Your Home Safe While on Vacation

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 21:03:00 GMT

Whether you’re just getting away for a long weekend or spending a few weeks out of the house, it’s important to ensure your home is safe while you’re gone. Follow these tips to help prevent break-ins, fires, and water damage.

Pause Your Mail and Paper Delivery

It’s immediately apparent to anyone passing by that you’re not home if your mail and newspapers are piled up on your porch. Also, these items and unattended parcels are subject to theft and weather damage. Have the post office and newspaper carrier stop delivery while you’re gone, or have a friend or neighbor collect everything for you. Likewise, have someone shovel your snow in winter.

Use Motion Sensor and Automated Lights

Outside lights that are triggered by motion can trick would-be intruders into thinking that someone’s home or watching the house. It’s easy to add motion detection to the lights at your entrances and over the garage.

Use automated lights inside the home via a timer or smart system controlled by your mobile phone to make it look like people are there even when no one is home. For example, photocell landscape lights turn on automatically outside when the sun goes down and shut off again in the morning when the sun rises.

Utilize Smart Home Security

Suppose a full security system that connects to an alarm company or law enforcement isn’t an option. In that case, you can harness relatively inexpensive smart home technology to make your home more secure. Some options include:

Doorbell cameras
Smart locks
Security alarms on doors and windows
Remote garage door controls

You’ll be able to operate these items remotely from across the state or the globe, and in some cases, you can even see who is on your property in your absence.

Install a Wifi Smoke Detector

If a regular smoke alarm goes off while you’re not home, who would hear it and call the fire department? A more modern wifi smoke detector will alert you and, in many instances, notify your local fire department for you if it senses smoke or fire.

Shut Off Water or Consider a Water Leak Sensor

You don’t want to return to a flooded home and massive water damage because a pipe burst or your washing machine connection broke. Either shut off your water at the main valve, or install smart plumbing that uses sensors to alert you about leaks, broken faucets, and other water emergencies.

Never Turn Off Heat Completely in Winter Cold Weather

A common way pipes burst in winter is due to freezing. Therefore, you never want to completely shut off your heat if you live in a cold climate and leave for vacation. Instead, lower the heat, never below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. A programmable or smart thermostat lets you raise the heat again before you come home.

You can safeguard your home when you go away on vacation, and the proper home insurance policy can give you peace of mind year round. To learn more, call The Barrington Agency at 313-885-7180, or request a quote online.

Read the full article at www.thebarringtonagency.com

Commonly Overlooked Spring Cleaning Tasks

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 22:51:00 GMT

Cleaning supplies by Shopify Partners

Spring is a common time for people to take on all of the cleaning tasks that they put off during the winter. With the weather getting warmer, it's the perfect time to tackle jobs both inside and outside your home. While it's easy to identify many tasks that need to be done, there are some jobs that may not be as obvious. Here are some of the most common spring cleaning tasks homeowners forget, so you can add them to your to-do list to ensure you don't miss anything important.

Wash Couch Cushion Covers

You likely use your couch on a daily basis, and that means that it can get incredibly dirty over time. Especially if your sofa is patterned or a dark color, you won't necessarily be able to see all of the dirt and stains. If the cushion covers are removable, you can wash them by hand, or check the manufacturer's guidelines to see if you can put them in the washing machine. If the covers do not come off, try an upholstery cleaner, or hire a service to do it for you.

Sanitize Remote Controls and Light Switches

Because you likely use these items frequently, they can be prime locations for germs, especially after cold and flu season. Wipe everything down with disinfectant to remove germs and bacteria. Take the batteries out of remote controls before cleaning to avoid activating them while you scrub. Make sure everything is dry once again before replacing the batteries.

Vacuum the Dryer Exhaust Pipe

Lint and other debris from your laundry can clog up your dryer's exhaust pipe over time. Not only can this reduce the efficiency of the machine, making it take longer to dry your clothes, but it also creates the risk of fire. Static electricity can create sparks, which can ignite lint in the exhaust pipe. This is especially dangerous if your dryer runs on natural gas. Vacuum the pipe from both ends to get rid of as much debris as possible, or hire a professional service for the best results.

Change Batteries and Check Electronics

Spring cleaning is also a good time to check and change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in good working order. Additionally, you should make sure your expensive electronic devices—TVs, computers, game consoles, sewing machines, etc.—are plugged into a surge protector.

Keep Your Family Safe and Healthy

The primary goal of spring cleaning is not just to make your home look great, but also to help keep you and your loved ones as healthy as possible. On days when your motivation is waning, keep that in mind to renew your resolve to get everything done.

Read the full article at www.thebarringtonagency.com

I Just Bought a New Car. What Insurance Coverage Do I Need?

Fri, 05 Jun 2020 14:52:00 GMT

Congratulations! After weeks of research, comparing makes and models, and taking test drives you finally bought that brand-new car you wanted. But before you take that well-deserved road trip, check one more item off your list: the right car insurance.

While some auto coverage options are essential whatever the age of your car, new vehicles may carry some additional risks you should know about. So before leaving the lot, give us a quick call to discuss the possible coverage options:

New vehicle replacement. Here’s how this coverage works: If you’re the original owner of a new car that is totaled or stolen within one year of purchase, you’ll be paid the full value of the car you lost or a comparable model. Without this policy, you may have to settle for something less than new.

Loan and lease coverage. Consider what could happen if you financed your new car and then it was totaled or stolen soon after buying it. Not only would you lose your new ride, you’d still be on the hook for your entire loan balance — which would be more than the car was worth. With loan and lease coverage, you’d get a check to cover the gap between what’s left on your loan and the depreciated value of your car.

Audio-visual and custom equipment coverage. If you’re an avid music fan who enjoys a custom sound system or DVD player, this coverage protects you for the full value of any A/V equipment not installed at the factory or dealership. It also covers such modifications as roll bars, certain custom engine parts, lift kits, special wheels, artwork, decals, and other personal touches.

OEM parts replacement. OEM (original equipment manufacturer) parts are often preferable to other aftermarket parts because they are made specifically for your make and model of vehicle. So if you want your Honda repaired with Honda parts, or your Mercedes to only have official Mercedes parts, this coverage is for you. When you buy this optional coverage, it’s added to your existing Comprehensive and Collision coverage so that all repairs or replacements made to your damaged car will include new OEM parts where available.

You invested in a new car. So be sure your investment extends to the right auto policy as well. To learn more protecting your new vehicle, give us a call today!

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance.

Read the full article at www.thebarringtonagency.com

Keep Your Pets Safe in a Disaster

Fri, 01 May 2020 16:33:00 GMT

A safe home, a regular routine, a soft bed – the things that bring you comfort bring your pet comfort, too. It’s so important to give some advance thought to how you’d handle your pet responsibilities during and after a disastrous storm or other event.

Your family emergency plan should include considerations for Fluffy or Fido. Not just so they’re comfortable, but so they’re safe, too. Here are some emergency planning tips for families with pets:

Prepare Now so You and Your Pet Are Ready Later

Make sure your pet has ID. Always have your home address and/or phone number on a tag attached to your pet’s collar – or printed on the collar itself. You might also consider having a microchip implanted in case those tags fall off.
Keep a current photo of your pet handy. This is important for identification purposes in the event there’s no microchip or tags. If you really want to be prepared, create a “Lost Pet” flyer and keep a few printouts in your emergency kit.
Identify shelters or hotels that accept pets. Keep a list of their phone numbers and addresses, and include your local boarding facility’s number in case you need to drop off your pet. You could also create list of friends or family outside the area who can host you and your pets.
Think security. It’s a good idea to have a secure carrier or harness so pets can’t escape if they panic.
Create a separate pet emergency kit. You should have emergency supplies for you and your family – don’t forget your animal friends! Canned or moist food is best for them, as it can reduce their need for water. Other things to include: blankets, bottled water, pet first-aid supplies, vet records, extra collar and leash, food dishes and other supplies specific to pet type (such as cat litter, etc.).
Consider a buddy system. Talk with friends and neighbors and create a plan where you can help each other care for pets during emergencies. If one of you isn’t home when disaster strikes, the other agrees to see to the animals’ needs for care or evacuation. Be sure to discuss where to meet after an evacuation.

See to Your Pet’s Needs During a Disaster

Don’t leave pets outside or tied up. They may become frightened and escape. And, remaining outside can put them at greater risk of harm.
Separate dogs, cats and other animals. Even if they normally get along, stressful situations can lead to irrational behavior.
Have more unique pets, such as birds? Talk to your veterinarian about their specific needs in emergencies.
Keep a supply of newspapers. If your pets cannot go outside, you’ll need to create space indoors for them to … well, you know. Protect those areas with newspapers, towels or other items.
If at all possible, do not leave your pets behind if you need to evacuate. If you must, however, confine them to a safe area inside your home with access to plenty of food and water. Even leave the toilet seat up in case their other water runs out. And, it’s a good idea to leave an easily seen sign detailing how many pets are in the house, and how you can be reached.

Continue to Be Cautious Once It’s Over

Watch your pets closely. They may still be frightened, even days after a disaster. And, even familiar areas may have changed, so keep them on leash and stay close. Remember, there may be downed power lines or other hazards still present.
Re-evaluate how things went. Could your emergency plan have been better? Are there things you wish you had included in your pet’s disaster kit? Do you need to research more shelters and other facilities that will accept pets? Now’s the time to do it – before the next emergency.

If you’re like most people, you consider your pets part of the family. Including them in your plans, and taking steps before a disaster strikes, will make it easier to keep the whole family together.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance.

Read the full article at www.thebarringtonagency.com

Why You Need Service Line Coverage

Fri, 10 Apr 2020 21:00:00 GMT

Let’s spare a moment for something most of us use every day yet probably take for granted: our service lines. We rely on them for access to water, electricity, gas, Internet connection, and more, but only think about them when service is interrupted. And when that happens, you may be surprised by what your basic homeowners policy covers, and what it doesn’t.

Did you know that, as a homeowner, you are responsible for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of service lines connecting to your house? Energy companies and other service providers are only responsible for the infrastructure up to where it connects to your property. That means that if one of your pipes freezes or your sewer line backs up into your house, you have to pay to fix it.

Consider this common scenario. You have a mature tree on the parking strip in front of your house and its roots have penetrated into your main water line. What began as a small, unnoticed crack eventually expands and causes your pipe to rupture. To fix it, you’ll have to dig up your yard and replace the pipe. That could be a big mess — and an even bigger bill. This type of job can easily run to $5,000 or more.

However, if you have service line coverage, it would pay for the excavation, the new pipe, labor, and even the costs of any outdoor property damaged as a result of the leak. Doesn’t that sound better than paying the full cost out of pocket?

How Service Line Coverage Protects Your Home

Service line coverage protects you from damages that occur to your service lines running from the point of connection to the main service or utility line up to your home. The types of lines covered include:

Water
Waste disposal
Electrical power
Drainage
Compressed air
Communications
Heating

Covered losses include, but are not limited to, such issues as:

Wear and tear
Rust and corrosion
Mechanical breakdown
Freezing
Tree or other root invasion

Best of all, this coverage — and the peace of mind it brings — is available for just a few dollars per month. To learn more about service line coverage, or homeowners insurance in general, contact us today.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance.

Read the full article at www.thebarringtonagency.com