Landslide on Whidbey Island a reminder that earth movement is excluded from home, business insurance

Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Natural Resources - some rights reserved

• Create a family evacuation plan.
• Learn and recognize early landslide warning signs such as: doors or windows that stick or jam, new cracks in plaster, tile, bricks or foundations, broken underground utility lines and bulging ground at the base of a slope.
• Build retaining walls and install flexible pipe fitting to avoid gas or water leaks.
• Maintain a complete inventory of all your possessions, including photographs, receipts and serial numbers.  NW Insurance Council offers free downloadable Home Inventory Software from the Insurance Information Institute. 
• Damage to vehicles caused by landslide is covered if the owner has chosen optional Comprehensive Coverage in the auto policy. 
• Personal contents inside a vehicle that are damaged by a landslide are covered under standard Homeowners or Renters insurance. 
• If you aren’t sure what’s covered or have questions regarding your policy, contact your agent or insurance company.

Spring home maintenance can prevent damage your insurance won’t cover

Spring is just around the corner and for many that signals the start of outdoor projects to enhance lawns, gardens and home exteriors. 

• Check and clean gutters to prevent water from backing up into your attic.
• Check the roof.  Look for worn, curled or missing shingles and replace them.
• Repair loose or damaged siding.
• Examine soffit boards (horizontal surfaces under eaves).
• Make sure downspouts slope away from the home and carry water at least five feet from the foundation walls.
• Have a professional inspect your air conditioning system.
• Make sure sprinkler heads are directed away from the house to prevent water build-up near foundation walls.
• Remove clutter from storage areas to reduce fire hazards.
• Examine decks, porches and balconies for weak or broken railings and posts.  Railings should be spaced no more than four inches apart to prevent children from slipping through.
• Caulk and reseal window and door flashing, seals or weather stripping.
• Check the attic for moisture and surface discoloration.
• Check fire extinguishers in your kitchen and garage to make sure they are full and work properly.
• Install special outlets equipped with ground-fault circuit interrupters when outdoor electrical outlets are located near water sources.
• Be sure exterior walls are well painted and sealed.
• Inspect your lawn for rocks or other objects that could be launched from your lawnmower and injure others or damage property.
• Contact your insurance company or agent to review your Homeowners policy to be sure you have the coverage you want and need.

 

• Never leave small children unsupervised – even for a few seconds.
• Install fencing around the swimming pool area to keep young children and others from using your pool without your knowledge.
• Keep children away from pool filters.  The suction force may injure them or prevent them from surfacing.
• Make sure everyone using your pool knows how to swim.  Novice swimmers should be accompanied by good swimmers.
• Inspect the pool area regularly for glass bottles, toys or other potential hazards.
• Never dive into an above-ground pool and always check the water depth before plunging into an in-ground pool.
• Don’t swim in the rain or during lightning storms.
• Keep electronic equipment away from the pool and wet pool decks.
• Don’t swim alone.
• Don’t allow anyone who has been drinking alcohol to swim in the pool.

Home & Commercial Building Prices Down, Rebuilding Costs Up

• Contact your agent or insurance company annually to evaluate the current replacement cost of your home or commercial building. Be sure to include any large remodel projects or additions that could add a substantial amount to your rebuilding costs. Also ask about special coverage for high-value items such as jewelry, art, antiques and coin collections.
• Marshall & Swift offers homeowners an affordable way to check home replacement costs using their online Accucoverage tool. For $7.95, Accucoverage evaluates your home and gives an estimated rebuilding/replacement cost.
• Consider separate optional flood and earthquake insurance.  Flood and earthquake damage is specifically excluded from standard Homeowners insurance policies and most business insurance policies. Keep an up-to-date home inventory with Free Home Inventory Software from the Insurance Information Institute.
• Prepare your business to survive a disaster, get Open For Business from the Institute for Business & Home Safety. 
  
  For more information on Homeowners and business insurance, visit NW Insurance Council or call (800) 664-4942.

• Review your insurance policy and consider adding Comprehensive coverage if you don’t already have it.
• Whenever possible, store gifts and other valuables in your trunk.  If this isn’t possible, throw a blanket over gifts before you leave your vehicle unattended.
• Manually lock your vehicle’s doors.  Do not use your remote locking device. Many high-tech thieves have begun using scanning devices to record remote lock frequencies to unlock vehicles. 
• Double-check to make sure your doors are locked.
• Don’t go back and forth frequently from stores to your vehicle to unload gifts.  Car prowlers watch for shoppers who leave gifts in their vehicles unattended.

• Inspect your roof.  Remove leaves, branches and debris from gutters to prevent water blockage and possible run-off into the home.
• If you find a leak, clean and dry the exposed area and fix the problem immediately.
• Routinely inspect ceilings, walls, floors and windowsills for water stains, discoloration and musty odors.
• Routinely inspect attics, vents, ducts, washer hoses and outside water sources for leaks.
• Check and replace heating system air filters.
• Properly ventilate bathrooms and kitchens to prevent a moisture buildup.
• Use high quality silicone caulk to seal areas where cables or pipes exit walls, such as around clothes dryers, kitchen or bathroom vents and outdoor electrical outlets. 
• Routinely caulk bathtubs, sinks, tile walls and floors to prevent water seepage.
• To reduce flooding from poor drainage or excessive rainfall, clear outside drains of debris and make sure your lot’s grading directs water away from buildings.

• If you have damage to your home or business, don't wait to file a claim. Filing quickly will reduce the time it takes to get your claim settled.
• If you've filed a claim for minor damage that doesn't impact your ability to live in your home, consider getting several repair estimates before your adjuster arrives. This will help your adjuster settle your claim more quickly.
• If you have minor damage, please be patient. Adjusters are working to handle the most severely damaged properties first and will make it a priority to reach your property as soon as possible.

• Damage to your home from wind and falling trees is covered under most insurance policies, regardless of whose property the tree fell from.
• In cases where negligence can be proven, your neighbor's insurance may apply.
• If your neighbor's tree poses a future risk to your property due to leaning, disease or root problems, claims experts recommend asking your neighbor to correct the problem. If the neighbor refuses to act, follow up with a certified letter stating your concerns. File a copy of the letter with your insurance records and provide it to your adjuster in the event of a future loss. This will help the adjuster investigate whether or not there was provable negligence on the neighbor's part.

• If your home is unsafe to occupy due to physical damage from the windstorm, most policies provide for Additional Living Expenses that exceed your normal expenditures.
  General power outages occurring off your insured property are excluded from coverage under most policies.
• While you may elect to seek other accommodations due to a power outage, cold weather alone does not qualify you for coverage under your insurance policy.

• Many companies exclude coverage for spoiled food unless a power outage is caused by a loss on your property, such as a tree severing the power lines attached to your home.
• Some companies provide up to $1000 coverage for frozen and refrigerated food spoilage after 72 hours of continuous power interruption. Check your policy for coverage information.

• Review your insurance policy and consider adding Comprehensive coverage if you don't already have it.
• Double-check to make sure your doors are locked.
• Whenever possible, store gifts and other valuables in your trunk. If this isn't possible, throw a blanket over gifts before you leave your vehicle unattended.
• Don't go back and forth frequently from stores to your vehicle to unload gifts. Car prowlers watch for shoppers who leave gifts in their vehicles unattended.
• Do not leave valuable items in sight. Cell phones, laptops and other expensive electronic equipment make your vehicle more inviting to thieves.
• Be sure to park in a well-lit area.
• Consider installing a quality security system in your vehicle or applying a locking device to your steering wheel.

• Notify your insurance company or agent before you purchase a wood-burning appliance or begin to install it. Be sure to ask about any special requirements.
• Install your wood-burning appliance correctly. Obtain a building permit, follow the building code and manufacturer's recommendations and conform to any special requirements of your insurance company.
• Use your wood-burning appliance safely. Burn proper fuels - no milk cartons, other trash or Christmas trees. These materials can lead to dangerous soot buildup that can cause chimney fires.
• Maintain your wood-burning appliance on a regular basis. Inspect the appliance and chimney for cracks or corrosion. Sweep the chimney and check your fire extinguisher at least once a year - before the burning season.

Here are a few safety tips when using a kerosene heater:

• Place heaters near the center of rooms away from furniture, drapes and other combustibles.
• Children and pets should be kept a safe distance from heaters.
• Be sure to follow the manufacturers' instructions while using a kerosene heater.
• Maintain a constant source of fresh air. Make sure rooms are adequately ventilated before using heaters. Kerosene heaters consume oxygen as they burn. If they are operated in a small room or in an inadequate ventilated place, oxygen levels could be reduced to dangerous levels. Keeping doors to other rooms open will help provide more fresh air.

Homeowners Insurance policies cover damage or loss caused by wood stoves or space heaters, but each company may have unique features in its policies. Check with your agent or insurance company to learn more about your coverage.

For more information about insurance and fuel-burning heaters, contact NW Insurance Council at (800) 664-4942.

• Contact your agent or insurance company annually to evaluate the current replacement cost of your home or commercial building. Be sure to include any large remodel projects or additions that could add a substantial amount to your rebuilding costs.
• Also, be sure to ask about special coverage for high-value items such as jewelry, art, antiques and coin collections.
• Consider separate optional flood and earthquake insurance. Flood and earthquake damage is specifically excluded from standard Homeowners insurance policies and most business insurance policies.
• Keep an up-to-date home inventory with Free Home Inventory Software from the Insurance Information Institute.
• Prepare your business to survive a disaster, get Open For Business from the Institute for Business & Home Safety.

High winds in the Puget Sound region have toppled trees and cut power to some, putting homes, businesses and vehicles at risk of wind damage.

While high-wind warnings remain in effect through today, it's important for homeowners, renters and business owners to be prepared and understand what is and what is not protected against damage caused by wind.

"Homeowners and Business Insurance policies cover wind damage to the structure of your home or business and your belongings," said Karl Newman, NW Insurance Council president. "Wind damage to vehicles from falling trees or other wind-driven objects and damage from landslide is covered if you have optional Comprehensive Coverage in your Auto Policy."

NW Insurance Council offers the following coverage facts for wind damage.

What's typically covered:
Your Home

• Damage to your home from wind and falling trees.
• Removal of trees that have fallen on buildings.
• Damaged personal property (both home and renters) inside a damaged building.
• If you can't occupy your primary residence due to storm damage, additional living expenses such as increased housing costs, extra food costs, furniture rental, and storage fees.
• Costs for reasonable temporary repairs to prevent further damage to the building or contents.

Your Vehicle

• Damage caused by wind and falling trees - if you purchased optional Comprehensive Coverage.
  Damage caused by landslide is also covered under the Comprehensive Coverage portion of your policy.

What's typically not covered:
Your Home

• Removal of trees that have fallen in your yard without damaging a building.
  Upgrades that weren't part of your home before the storm.
  Damage from landslides.

Your Vehicle

• Damage to your vehicle if you don't have Comprehensive Coverage.

What to do if your home or vehicle has been damaged:

• Document damage and take pictures.
• If safe to do so, make temporary repairs to prevent further loss from rain or wind. Save receipts for reimbursement.
• If your home or property is damaged by a windstorm, contact your insurance agent or company to file a claim immediately. Filing a claim quickly enables your insurance company to get to you sooner.
• Use only licensed, reputable building contractors and be sure they get the proper building permits.
  

What to avoid if your home or vehicle has been damaged:

• Avoid contractors who ask for a large deposit up front or bids that are remarkably low. This may indicate a willingness to cut corners or leave work unfinished.
• Don't pay a lot for temporary repairs unless authorized by your insurance adjuster. You could get stuck with the bill if the repairs are deemed excessive.
• Don't discard anything that is damaged until it has been examined by your adjuster. You could miss out on coverage for that item.

1. Personal Possessions
2. Liability
3. Additional Living Expenses

1. Personal Possessions
Standard renters insurance protects your personal belongings against damage from fire, smoke, lightning, vandalism, theft, explosion, windstorm, water and other disasters listed in the policy. Floods and earthquakes are not covered. Flood insurance is available through the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and from some private insurance companies.

Earthquake coverage can be purchased as an endorsement or a separate earthquake policy. In California, coverage is also available from the California Earthquake Authority.

To decide how much renters insurance to buy, you need to know the value of all your personal possessions—including furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances, kitchen utensils and even towels and bedding. The easiest way to figure this out is to create a home inventory, a detailed list of all of your personal possessions and their estimated value. To help make this task easier, the Insurance Information Institute offers free, Web-based software, available at KnowYourStuff.org. An up-to-date home inventory will also make filing an insurance claim faster and easier.

2. Liability
Standard renters insurance policies also provide liability protection against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you or your family members may cause to other people. It also pays for damage your pets cause.

The liability portion of a renters policy pays for both the cost of defending you in court and for court awards, up to the limit of the policy. Liability limits generally start at about $100,000. Some experts recommend that you buy at least $300,000 worth of protection. You can also buy an Umbrella or Excess Liability policy, which provides higher limits and broader coverage. Generally, umbrella policies cost $200 to $350 a year for an extra $1 million of liability protection.

Your policy also provides No-Fault Medical coverage. If visitors are injured in your home, you can submit their medical bills directly to your insurance company. You can generally get $1,000 to $5,000 worth of this coverage. It does not, however, pay medical bills for your own family or your pets.

3. Additional Living Expenses
Many people are pleasantly surprised to learn that Additional Living Expense (ALE) coverage is included in a renters insurance policy. If the home or apartment you are renting is damaged or destroyed due to a disaster listed in your policy and you need to live elsewhere while it is being repaired or rebuilt, renters insurance will cover your additional living expenses—namely the difference between your regular living expenses and the additional costs incurred by having to live away from your home, such as hotel bills, temporary rentals, restaurant meals, etc.

There are two types of renters insurance policies for your possessions:
Actual Cash Value pays to replace your possessions minus an amount for depreciation (the reduction in the value of items due to age and use) up to the limit of your policy.
Replacement Cost pays the full cost of replacing your possessions (with no deduction for depreciation), up to the limit of your policy. The price of Replacement Cost coverage is about 10 percent more than Actual Cash Value coverage, but can be well worth the additional cost.

A standard renters policy offers only limited coverage for items such as jewelry, silver, furs, etc. If you own property that exceeds these limits, it is recommended that you supplement your policy with a floater. A floater is a separate policy that provides additional insurance for your valuables and covers them for perils not included in your policy such as accidental loss.

How to Buy Renters Insurance
Renters insurance is easy to get, and there are many insurance companies to choose from. Insurers that offer homeowners insurance generally also sell renters insurance. In fact, a renters insurance policy and a homeowners insurance policy are almost identical. The main difference is that a renters policy does not include coverage for the building, since that is the responsibility of the landlord.

Comparison Shop
Because renters insurance covers only the value of your belongings, not the physical building, the premium is relatively inexpensive—usually around $200-$250 annually, depending on where you live and the amount of insurance you purchase. Still prices vary from company to company, so it pays to shop around. Get at least three price quotes. You can call companies directly or get quotes from the Internet. Your state insurance department may also provide information about prices.

Get quotes from different types of insurance companies. Some insurers sell through their own agents. These agencies have the same name as the insurance company. Some sell through independent agents, who offer policies from several insurance companies. Others don’t use agents at all but sell directly to consumers over the phone or via the Internet.

But don’t shop by price alone. Select a company based on service. Ask friends and relatives for their recommendations. Look for an agent or company representative who takes the time to answer your questions. Remember, you will be dealing with this person if you have an accident or other emergency.

Ask Your Insurer How You Can Save Money
There are several ways to save money on premiums. Consider taking a higher deductible (the amount of money you have to pay toward a loss before your insurance company starts to pay a claim). The higher your deductible, the more money you save on your premium. A deductible of at least $500 may save you 10 percent off the price of your policy. If you can afford to raise it to $1,000, you may get as much as 25 percent off your premium. However, it is also important to keep in mind that you will be paying the deductible each time you file a claim.

Insurance companies often offer discounts on renters insurance if you have another policy with them such as for your car or business. You can also get discounts if your apartment has a security system, smoke detectors or deadbolt locks. More discounts might be available depending on your age and whether or not you smoke.

Insurance Information Institute