Guaranty Association Benefits Company

If you have had a car accident or claim of an owner, you have probably talked about your franchise. The deductible is the amount that is "inferred" or subtracted from the total amount of the loss. So theoretically, if you have a self asks where your vehicle sustains $ 1,500 damage value and you have a $ 500 deductible, the insurance company pays $ 1,000 application where you, the policyholder insurance would cover the other $ 500 (satisfying the deductible amount).

now that we know what a deductible is, we'll talk about why it exists. What is the point of a franchise? The reality is that helps you a deductible and the insurance company. When disaster strikes and a deductible applies, the two parties share the risk of that particular loss. The insurance company usually promises to pay for most of the loss, where you agree to pay for said amount to the loss, the amount that you chose because you feel you can afford to pay this amount off -pocket when a loss occurs. This obviously helps the insurance company because they do not have to pay as much for the claim. At the same time, it will keep your lower comprehensive insurance rates because the insurance company does not pay for request. Also, if you choose to take a higher deductible, it will help reduce overall insurance rate you are charged during this period of the policy.

If we take this idea and apply it on the million policyholders, it helps keep all the lower expense claim and thus helps keep insurance affordable for the customer.

one thing to remember when talking about franchises is a deductible applies only to the use of the cover first part. covering first part is the cover that supports damage to your own vehicle, the other vehicle not someone. There is usually no deductible for liability coverage on your auto policy or homeowners. Which is paid by the insurance company based on the provisions of the policy.

The franchise stipulation may look a little different depending on what state you live and which insurance company you have. Some franchises are indicated you agree when the application starts for example $ 500 or $ 1,000. Other franchises are on a percentage basis, where you agree to pay a percentage of the amount of insurance on the property for your franchise. This is most often seen with the owner policies. Let's say you make your house for $ 100,000 and you have a 1 percent deductible, you agree to pay $ 1000 as your deductible.

Property damage deductibles usually apply per event, or whenever an application is filed. This means that if you have three accidents in a period of insurance and a $ 1000 deductible applies for each claim, you would pay $ 1,000 to each separate. This is different from most insurance policies where there is an annual deductible you pay. Once this amount is reached, the insurance company should pay for the additional amount for the rest of the year.

I hope this explanation franchises in the world of insurance has been helpful. If you have questions about your deductible, consult your independent insurance agent!

Every year, people start talking about what they do for Thanksgiving and will be a member of the family their top list mad, I'm excited. Now, it is true, I like to see and spend time with my family, but the turkey is only a small fraction of what I'm excited. For several years, Thanksgiving Day has been to watch the ads for buying and planning our strategic attack on sales. Yes, I am a Black Friday shopper.

Now I've never stood in line for over two hours and threw myself into a bunch of super-slash-price video games but I like to get in the crowd, watching for sales and overall madness of this event once a year. This year, however, some of the sales began at 20:00 on Thanksgiving and for once, it was not a question of what time we were to get up, but we were even going in bed? This made me think of workers, many of them part-time and seasonal workers, who had to spend their own Thanksgiving holiday to prepare for us, crazy shoppers.

The number of retail stations increased during the holidays. Many of these jobs are part-time and seasonal positions. Not only are seasonal workers in stores, but they are often hired in winter to plow the roads or working in ski resorts. During the summer, they can be rented at amusement parks, construction and golf teams. If you are one of those who are hiring these workers, were you part-time and seasonal workers are most likely covered by insurance, workers' compensation in your state?

Generally, if you are full-time, part-time or seasonal employee, workers' compensation provides coverage, although you should check with your agent or insurer to be sure this is true for your own part-time or seasonal workers. It is important to be sure that all workers are aware of this cover and what to do if they are injured while working no matter how long their jobs will be.

There are some basic steps that should be followed and which will take place after an injury:

1. The injured worker should report the injury promptly to their employer
2. the injured worker, along with their employer must complete a first report. Injury.
3. the insurance company will start their investigation by confirming coverage.
4. If the request is accepted, the insurance company will contact the doctor's office to provide insurance information and authorize the treatment.
5. The insurance company will send salary surveys and job description forms to the employer (even with a seasonal worker wage base is required).
6. the insurance company will continue to work closely with the doctor's office for medical treatment.
7. Once the patient reaches maximum medical improvement, the insurance company will get the final medical report from the doctor's office.

It is important to note all requests immediately, and that all workers understand the coverage available and appropriate actions to take following a complaint related to work. Do you employ seasonal workers or part-time? Have you ever been the one who was injured at work? What was your experience?

Recently, our vice president of customer service asked how we can help build morale and / or to improve our customer service. This made me think that I did some research on how we could put a twist on our customer service and life in general. How can we make our same old even more fun and interesting routines keep customer service at an exceptional level?

I found a few service games to customers which I thought very intriguing and could be used in our professional lives, and perhaps personal

Games Group

1. Alphabet Game. announced that each person must appoint a strategy to meet or exceed customer expectations. Fishing is the first person to start is to appoint a strategy that starts with a letter "A" as the "Answer a call on the first ring." The next person must appoint a strategy that starts with the letter "B" This rapid -paced game should get the juices flowing in a positive direction.
2. Never Say no The purpose of this game is to reformulate words, comments or phrases that can evoke a negative mental image. Begin by dividing the group into small teams. Ask them to list within the scenarios where the use of the word "no" is necessary, and have them write the answers without using the word "no." After the allotted time, the teams have presented their lists, and remove all the phrases, words or phrases that can still leave a bad impression. The team with the highest number of positive answers wins!

After these games, displaying the results to remind employees to apply what they have learned.

individual games

1. Poker. Select an area of ​​concentration. When your service agent responds to the selected target, give them a card to play. Under the general rules of poker, after officers receive their full hand, they can begin to exchange cards with the dealer in the hope of reaching their desired hand. At the end of the determined cut-off time, a member of the team with the best poker hand wins the pot. The pot can be made of a prize as a gift card, free lunch, or a bundle of fun office supplies.
2. Bingo. Bingo is a popular customer service representatives game can play everything related to phones. To create bingo cards, make a grid with 9 or 25 square like a bingo card. In each box, write a word employees are likely to hear during a day. For example, names of products or services or industry jargon. Give all the representatives of a bingo card at their workstations. Whenever they hear of the words on the card, they mark it. The first person to score on a horizontal, vertical or diagonal, gets "Bingo" and win!

These are only a few games that I've found to animate the customer service. Do you have ideas to bring an element of fun to your service? Please share them here!

Game suggestions courtesy of www.ehow.com.

I recently handled a flight request where a house was burgled while the insured and her husband were out shopping. Burglars broke through an exterior door at the back of the house and went to the trouble of twenty jewelry. The insured had collected a lot of jewelry on his travels, so in addition to the monetary value of the items, they also held a deep sentimental value.

What makes this unique demand for me as an expert was the detailed information I received from the documentation for the insured request. There are many years she and her husband took their camera and went room by room to photograph the contents of their home. They opened drawers, closets, and even as photographed in her jewelry box. They kept those photos in a safe at a different location of their home in case of fire. After the robbery, the insured was able to send me photos of several elements that have been taken, and even provided a photograph of the jewelry box was stolen. She also kept receipts for most jewelry purchases. This revenue helped me with articles and helped determine the values ​​descriptions.

This statement is a perfect example of why it is important to document your valuables and keep receipts and records of your purchases. Photographs, receipts, model numbers, owner's manuals, etc. are all useful sources of information if you need to apply for your personal property. This is extremely important if you ever experience a total loss, such as fire and must make an inventory of all your assets.

So do not put it off another day. Watch our video (above) for advice on making a household inventory, then grab your camera and start shooting!

Superstorm Sandy was a catastrophe of gargantuan proportions. At its peak, it was about 1,000 miles in diameter. The financial losses from the storm are estimated at more than $ 60 billion. In its result, there were nearly 8 million people without electricity, including thousands of companies.

Many companies have been unable to function, not because of direct physical damage, but as a result of damage to public services away from their businesses left them without power. In some cases, the power did not come back for weeks. However, we do not need such a large storm Sandy to experience a power failure offsite. The derecho in June 2012 knocked out power for days in the Midwest. And these losses can occur at any time of year - ice storms can topple power lines and miles of a company to keep the company shutters for days. Or sometimes it could simply be the result of damage to a transformer in the street.

The potential financial loss resulting from a power failure offsite can be detrimental to the survival of a business. Without the proper coverage of the insurance companies, businesses can not reopen despite the lack of direct physical loss to property.

The standard business insurance policy does not provide coverage for financial losses resulting from a business shutdown due to the interruption of public services outside the place of business. However, you can support your company policy with coverage for "power interruption outside the local 'for both damage coverage and direct operating your business losses. Endorsement Options for electric blankets off-premises include the interruption of power supply, communications equipment, and other public services. coverage is also available for the loss of temperature sensitive products such as frozen foods.

to determine the business coverage and endorsements are best for you, contact your independent insurance agent to discuss your exposure to disruptions out establishing your business.

guarantees described here are the terms in the more general and are subject to conditions and actual policy exclusions. for the actual wording cover, conditions and exclusions, see the policy or contact your agent Central.

April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and it is a great time to talk to your teen about the dangers of distracted wheel. Most campaigns in anti-texting driving up focus their message on teens, and probably should. Adolescents have the least driving experience and it seems like they are on their phone 24/7. According to a Pew Internet 2011 study, 18 to 24 on average more than 100 text messages a day. This is four times the average of 35 to 44, and 10 times the average of 55 to 64.

Not surprising information - we know teens text more often than their elders. But you may be interested to learn that teens are not the biggest offenders when it comes to texting while driving ... are adults. A recent survey by AT & T more than 1,000 commuters 18 years and more with cell phones found that the text of mostly adults while driving as teens. With 180 million adult drivers on the road, this means that many more distracted drivers.

distracted driving greatly increases the likelihood of an accident. According to an article in USA Today, "Researchers at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute found that sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes on the road for an average of 4.6 seconds - just almost as long as necessary to drive the length of a football field at 55 mph. the researchers found that texting creates a risk 23 times worse than driving while not distracted from the accident. "

To cope with the dangers of cell phone distracted driving, many states have passed bans and texting law. Thirty-nine states prohibit text messaging for all drivers. text messaging bans are considered in many states as a primary offense. This means a driver can be stopped by a police officer just because of texting while driving. If city, you could face a fine like a ticket excess speed and, you guessed it, it's likely that your insurance rates could increase too. For more information on bans for your state, visit the website of the Association of Governors Highway Safety.

Whether you like it or not, children are watching our every move. Think about your actions the next time you are in a car with your son or daughter. Do they see you texting or using your phone while driving? Your actions speak louder than any commercial about distracted driving. Set an example for your children and free cell drive.

In 1998, I opened my first email account. It was exciting! I subscribed to daily newsletters, email friends in high school, and shared all email that was interesting distance. I'm scared to think the total number of hours that I spent using email.

Fifteen years later, there have been many changes to the Internet. Spam comes at you left and right. Spammers are always looking for ways to find new email addresses. Some companies even share or sell your information to others. Most companies have an online presence, and want to keep in touch with you. The volume of emails can quickly become unmanageable. Now that I have a family, I want to spend more time with them and little time with e-mail as possible

Here are some tips to help you keep your email volume to a manageable level .:

1. Use different email accounts. I use an email account for personal contacts. Family, close friends, and the work is all that is in my primary email account. My secondary email account for everything else. I always use the alternate email accounts for online purchases. I get phone alerts on my primary email address, but perhaps secondary check my email every few days or more.
2. Use reputable companies. When shopping, I prefer a company I already use. I have my email preferences set on Amazon and Ebay, so I feel safer shopping. When I buy from a company that is new to me, I pay attention to options such as subscription to their newsletter and receive special offers. This also applies to software installation -. Attention to programs "free" by default at the installation of other software or subscribe to marketing offers
3. unsubscribe if any. The companies that you do business with can provide more e-mail you want to process. When you begin to frequently see such emails daily deals sell or event notifications, ask yourself if this is a good use or a waste of your time. Deregistration is an easy process and companies should have instructions at the bottom of the email.
4. Manage spam. Most email services already have anti-spam protection, but some spam slips through. If you can not identify the subject, so do not even open. If you open it and do not know the business, do not click any links in the email. Delete the email and consider blocking the address.
5. Avoid the chain of emails. These are emails that make a plea for you to pass on to everyone in your address book. It is too easy to make a mass forward, and I strongly advise against it. Everyone I have ever read was undesirable that I was not interested. Now I can find these in the subject line and delete without reading it, and I politely asked my friends not to send me more.

I've never heard a person say that they do not get enough email. So control of your email, and do not let it control your time. For those of you who are trying to manage your email, what other ways have you found to e-mail, less time more enjoyable experience?

Throughout the day, we hear many acronyms. When I take my car into the shop to find out why the check engine light to me is activated, the mechanic told me that the problem is with my O2 sensor and it cost me $ 10 dollars for dollars portion and $ 50 per hand -d'œuvre. OK, I know he was referring to an oxygen sensor. What about medical terms? The next time you visit your doctor count the number of different acronyms or terms you hear during your visit: ACL, CBC, ENT, WNL, FX ... the list can go on and on

I must admit that those of us in the field of computer science and technology are just as guilty as the various other professions as regards the use of acronyms. I admit there were times when I took great joy in saying words and acronyms in the hope of seeing a totally confused look on his face looking at me.

DNS, DHCP, IP address and ISP are several terms you may have heard of but may not be sure what they are or what they are used to. Let's start with ISP: Internet Service Provider. An ISP is a company that provides access to the Internet which can take various forms ranging from a cable company to a telephone company. Beyond the actual Internet, an ISP may also provide you with an email account in addition to providing you with space on their web server to host a personal Web page.

IP address, IP stands for Internet Protocol. IP addresses that computers use to communicate. You can think of them being similar to a phone number. There are static and dynamic addresses. Static addresses are permanently assigned to a computer. Most sites have static IP addresses. Dynamic addresses are distributed to computers on a temporary basis as they are needed. Your ISP will probably assign a dynamic address to your computer when you connect to the Internet. An IP address is composed of four sets of numbers separated by periods, such as 70.61.250.11.

DNS stands for Domain Name Server. Continuing the analogy of phone you can think of a DNS server as a phone book, because it keeps a list of IP addresses and the corresponding names. It is much easier to remember names and words to remember the numbers. For example, if you want to open the public website of Central Insurance in your browser, you can enter in the address www.central-insurance.com or you can enter 70.61.250.11 bar. What's easier to remember?

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. DHCP servers maintain a list of available IP addresses. When a computer requests an IP address, it will provide a temporary address to the computer to use. The time during which a computer can use the temporary address is called a lease. When the DHCP server issues an address, it also provides the address of a DNS server so that your computer knows how to translate names to addresses.

Now let's put it all together. When you connect your computer to the Internet, your ISP will issue your computer a dynamic IP address from their DHCP server and provide the address of a DNS server. When you enter the www.central-insurance.com web address in the address bar, your computer will use the DNS to translate the Web address to an IP address 70.61.250.11, your computer will then use to communicate IP addresses assigned to the Web server Central.

I hope that I have helped to demystify some technical acronyms that you may encounter. Are there any others I may have missed?

With all the recent activities wildfire in Arizona, it makes you wonder if your home was reduced to a pile of rubble, would you be able to list for your insurance agent what you had in your home?

I talked to an insurance agent recently about his personal experience when someone broke and stole several of his possessions. The insurance company asked her if she knew had a model or serial number for his laptop. She did not even know what model it was much less a serial number. Although she has finally settled his request not to have the correct information on his assets has a greater challenge.

The reality is that it is a forest fire in Arizona or a tornado in Oklahoma, disasters can turn your life upside down. It is always best to be prepared!

So why do not we all stocks of houses tucked away in a fireproof lock box somewhere? Well the answer is simple - it seems that this arduous task

But it need not be !. There are several things you can do to make the process easier. The best way to make a home inventory is to take a video. Just walk into your house slowly and shoot video of everything from your electronics and appliances your collectibles and jewelry describing what you see as you go.

And since this is the age of the mobile device, of course there's an app for that.

MyStuff2 the app for iPhone and iPad is not a bad deal for $ 4. There is also a simpler version called Free MyStuff2lite. Both seem to have good grades, but for Apple devices only.

Android phone users can check the MyHomePro application also $ 4. You can take photos and bar codes, even scan or type a description.

A highly rated, but the most expensive application is HomeInventory app for iPhones or iPads. But it comes at the price :. $ 19

For those who prefer an approach more "old school", there is Know Your Stuff.org. Although this is not an application, you can use your mobile device to access this site inventory of the house free to create an account and create a home inventory. The site features an online storage connection, safe from your inventory. Versions for homeowners and business owners are available.

Either way you choose, try to keep a home inventory. It might make things a bit easier for you at a time you will understand that the most. To help you create your inventory, look at our video above!

Being a mother to three young children, I am always looking for ways to entertain. One of my go-to sources for the free entertainment is the golf cart to our family. This time of year is just cruising around in the golf cart, and my kids seem to love. All I have to do is grab popsicles and we're off!

After buying our golf cart it a few years ago, my husband and I had to ask how we and our new investment to protect properly . There were a lot of things we need to consider as we planned the operation of our golf cart on, and off our property.

How do you know if your golf cart belonging is properly insured? Consider the following scenarios:

Q: What if I hurt a pedestrian or damage the property of my neighbor with my golf cart while I'm traveling on my street? Is my home or auto policy provide any coverage

A :? Most likely not. Here's why:

• Your homeowners policy only provides for liability for your golf cart belonging coverage when it is driven out of your property in limited circumstances. For example, if designed to carry four people or less, not built or modified to exceed 25 mph and is used on a secured golf course or in private residential community where your residence is located (if the residential community private is subject to the authority of an association of owners).
• Your car insurance policy will not provide liability coverage unless it is approved to provide coverage because not endorsed auto insurance policy does not provide coverage for vehicles designed primarily for use off public roads and not, except in limited circumstances, cover the vehicle you own that are not on the policy

Q :. what if I caused injury to myself or my passengers or damage my golf cart, while operating off my property? Will any coverage under my auto policy or

? A: No. That's why

• Your home insurance provides only the physical damage coverage for your golf cart belonging if it is being used only for the maintenance of your property. Regarding medical expenses for you or your passengers, there is no coverage for these medical payments as part of your homeowners policy.
• Your auto insurance policy does not provide coverage for medical payments for you or your children, because a golf cart is not designed for use mainly on public roads. it would cover for all the other passengers from the golf cart is not on the auto policy. The physical damage coverage for your golf cart is not included in your auto insurance policy for the same reason.

If you own a golf cart, do not worry! You have options for you and your golf cart covers properly! While you can add coverage for physical damage to your golf cart in approving your homeowner policy, the liability coverage under the homeowner's policy is limited. To provide you with the best coverage, ask your independent agent about options available to add golf coverage to your current personal auto insurance policy. Alternatively, you can buy a separate policy golf cart to provide the most comprehensive coverage. Anyway, talk to your trusted insurance advisor today to learn the best options for you and your golf cart cover.

The first time I heard about the use of credit in the insurance industry, I thought, "What credit to do with it? "(Set up to Tina Turner panel number one hit in 1984," What Love Got To Do With It? ", Of course!). Well insurance consumers and fans Tina Turner similar may be surprised to learn that credit has a lot to do with it!

most people realize that financial institutions are looking a the person's credit history to determine whether to lend money or what interest rate to charge. what many people do not realize is that most insurance companies also use history credit for helping to decide to issue insurance policies or what price to pay for them. Why insurers use credit history? studies by various groups show that credit history not only predicted the ability to a person to repay a loan, but is also highly predictive of the likelihood of future insurance losses of a person.

Despite the statistical evidence, it can still be difficult to understand what the credit has to do with the future risk of loss of a person. The ability of a person to handle and manage credit has a direct correlation to the stability and responsibility of a person, which are two characteristics most insurance companies are watching closely when a review insurance application. These characteristics are inherently subjective in nature and difficult to measure. Data evaluation from a credit report can be very subjective as well. To make more objective assessment, insurers use mathematical models that weigh and score factors considered in the credit report of an applicant. The resulting score - called an insurance score -. Is then used to help insurance companies make better decisions they subscribe and rate insurance policies

Many insurance consumers may not realize the benefits of using credit that provides them. Using credit helps make insurance more affordable. Insurance companies have found that the use of credit as a factor in the underwriting process or qualification specifically allows their pricing policies. By matching more closely the price of the policy with the potential of the individual for the loss, companies are able to reduce prices for consumers.

credit, and ultimately your insurance score is just a piece of the puzzle rating and underwriting. Insurance companies consider many factors in determining a person's insurability and good price to pay to take a particular risk. To learn more about tips to save money on insurance, visit the central website.

When handling an application for automobile accident, I am often asked the questions: " the insurance company of the other guys called me. Should I talk? What should I say? "

This is when Martha individual super-careful and Martha the professional claim of known good sense disagree. I do not necessarily think it's a good idea for someone without experience in handling an accident claim simply bare their souls to another insurance company. at the same time, I know that the other company needs certain information to complete their investigation and failure to cooperate with the investigation could mean delays and costs to all concerned.

So what do I say to my client? first I remind them that they are not the same obligation to cooperate with the other company that they must cooperate with us, their own carrier. But I remind them that it is reasonable for the other company to request specific information on the accident and the people involved. Most requests of people are out of business or a person trap. They are just trying to complete an investigation.

If you are contacted by an insurance company other than your own after an accident, it might be a good idea to set some parameters for a recorded interview. For example, agree not discuss how an accident, but no details on injuries. And there is no need to be concerned to appear uninformed or "dumb" in a conversation with the other company. If you do not understand a question, just say "I do not understand" or "I'm not sure what you mean." For example, if the interviewer asks what direction you are traveling and you are not sure if you were to the north or east, not guess instead, you can explain where you come from and traveling! ". I'm not sure, but I had _____and going to _____ "

Other reasonable questions you might be asked include the date, time, and place of the accident, and a general description of the area, lighting, and weather at the time of the accident. General information to confirm your identity (name, address, date of birth and phone number) are typical questions, such as questions about vehicle ownership involved.

most interviewers will ask you to describe what happened and will certainly let you wander! It is best to just stick to the facts and resist any temptation to elaborate. say you're sure that the accident happened at 7:55 because we had to be at work at 8:00 can lead someone to conclude that you were in a hurry. Also, be careful to deny injuries, unless you are absolutely sure you n 'are not injured.

Finally, I always tell my clients to trust their instincts. If you are not comfortable with the conversation, end the call as pleasantly as possible. Then call your insurance company. Sometimes they can provide to the other company a copy of the statement in your file or explain the process more fully. Depending on the situation, you might be able to use your own coverage and we deal with the other company. Remember the other company is just doing their job and needs your help, but your insurance company is there to help you!

Have you ever had an accident claim? What was your experience like when dealing with the other insurance company?

There are many types of coverage offered on the policy of a typical owner, but the question whether or not to file a claim with respect to foot the bill yourself for any damage often arises

This may seem contradictory -. buying insurance but then not file a claim - but there are indeed good reasons not to file. Many carriers offer loss free credits or provide a better level of prices for customers without claims history. claim frequency and claim payment amounts are often used to help determine whether or not an insurance carrier renew your contract in the coming year. An owner who is constantly filing claims is more likely to be nonrenewed an owner with a request within a period of three years.

However, this does not mean that you can not drop lower demand. A request for $ 1000 does not necessarily mean you'll be nonrenewed. If the coverage is there, the insurance company will cover the loss. You simply need to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of filing and decide what is best for you financially, given that more frequency of claims filed, the more chances of increasing premiums or non-renewal of your police.

For example, fallen trees are common during the storm season. Tree removal can be an expensive affair, especially if you have several trees that have fallen on your property. Most carriers have some provisions regarding when tree removal is covered and how much they will pay. Some carriers require that the tree or trees must have landed on a covered structure or blocking a driveway, while others may cover any falling tree on the property. Most carriers also cap the amount they will pay for any loss of $ 500, regardless of the total cost or the number of trees felled. If you have a $ 1,000 deductible on your policy from the house and three trees fall with a bill Society removing trees from $ 10, you can end up with a claim check for $ 0. You must pay the balance of $ 1,000 out-of-pocket to cover your deductible. In this situation, it may be best to just pay for the damage yourself.

My suggestion is to contact your insurance agent to discuss the situation before filing a claim. You want to be sure that there is no coverage or limitations surrounding the loss that can leave you on the hook for the majority of the damage. Once you talk to your agent, assess the damage and an estimate of repairs so that you have an understanding of the costs involved, you may find that some losses are much cheaper than you think (and vice versa).

Most personal insurance policies provide liability coverage to protect you if you are sued following an injury, you are responsible, either bodily harm or injury. Lawsuits can come from motor vehicle accidents, boating accidents, slip and falls, libel, slander, etc. I discussed the importance of liability coverage in previous posts, but what happens when the liability on your car, boat, or home insurance policy does enough to satisfy a judgment against you t? If you wear a Personal Umbrella policy, you potentially have a cover for the amount of the judgment above your normal limits that would otherwise be out of your own pocket.

What is a Personal Umbrella policy you ask? It is a policy of excess liability beyond your personal insurance policies. As an "umbrella" to protect you from the proverbial rainy day, this policy is specifically designed to provide additional liability insurance for event coverage on your primary policies (auto, home, boat, fire house, etc.) is simply not enough to satisfy a judgment against you.

Here's an example ... let's say you are at fault in a car accident and have coverage for bodily injury with a limit of $ 250,000 per person / $ 500,000 per accident. You are sued by the injured party and the judgment is $ 1,000,000. Your car insurance policy will cover $ 250,000 of the judgment. The remaining $ 750,000 will be paid by other means, such as a lien on your house (if you have one), wage garnishment, etc., unless you have a personal political Umbrella. If you have a Personal Umbrella policy with a limit of $ 1 million, then this policy will kick in after your auto insurance policy is exhausted and cover the remaining $ 750,000.

There are certain requirements that you must meet to buy a personal political Umbrella. The largest of these requirements is the minimum liability coverage that you must perform on all of your underlying policies. Most carriers require that you wear no less than $ 250,000 per person / $ 500,000 per accident on all automobile policies. domestic policies are usually required to have at least $ 300,000 in liability coverage. Boats and recreational vehicles are required to be insured and will also perform similar limits on policies with the policies of the auto and home. Another requirement is good behavior. Insurance companies will focus on the driving experience and driving record of those covered on the policy, and can raise their rates or outright deny coverage based on these factors.

Personal Umbrella policies can be purchased in increments of $ 1,000,000 and are relatively inexpensive. Prices vary depending on the amount of risk being hedged. Houses, cars, boats and recreational vehicles more you have, the higher the premium will be.

You should contact your insurance agent for more information on personal political Umbrella and see if you are eligible for. Anyone can be sued and be without adequate liability coverage can be financially devastating.

Have you ever been in a situation where coverage on your policy does not cover a judgment against you?

covers here are described in the most general terms, and subject to the conditions and actual policy exclusions. For the actual wording cover, conditions and exclusions, see the policy or contact your agent.

Have you ever feel that you have too many distractions and too many projects, all of which have priority? Or maybe things are going well, but a delay or a project is moved and you are scrambling to get everything done? If these situations sound familiar, these time management tips may be just what you need, especially during the holiday season!

• Create a daily plan. you plan day in the morning or even the night before, leaving some leeway for unexpected elements that may arise. Using a calendar is the most fundamental step in managing your daily activities.
• Organizing for efficiency. Prioritize your tasks in a system calendar or notes will ensure that you spend your time and energy on tasks that are really important to you.
• Know what you want from your time. The proven way to do this is to set goals.
• Eliminate your time wasters. What takes your time away from your work life or your personal life? Facebook? Twitter? E-mail? Stop to check them so often. One thing you can do to help is to make it difficult to verify - remove from your favorites, homescreen, etc.
• Learn to say "No" or learn how to give yourself enough time. Do not take more than you can handle is easier said than done. If you are unable to say "No" and then let the person applying for the job knows your schedule and when they can expect to have completed it.
• block out distractions. If you're able to, block distractions such as instant messaging, telephone calls and text messages.

Take control of your time and your life, with these time management tips. Do you have additional tips to become a better time manager?

As a primary school, I knew I wanted to start my career in the insurance sector. You usually do not hear that the majority of insurance professionals. Usually, people "fall" in the industry and never thought they would end here. The insurance sector was not the most attractive reputation, so you're probably wondering what triggered my interest? These are excellent internship experiences! My two internships were here at Central!

As students dare to go back to college to begin their spring semester or quarter, they should consider looking for an internship for the summer. In the competitive work environment today, internships can help you start your career and become more competitive when seeking full-time employment. Here are some of the advantages of complete an internship.

Explorer industry. I do not know what you want to do after graduation? You can still read about a career or to talk to someone, but there is no better way to know if you want to work in a specific industry experience to actually do a job and see that it's like inside. You see yourself doing this as a full time job? Do you find it exciting or interesting?

Gaining work experience. As an intern, you are able to know what your college look in a corporate environment. It can also help you bring your course in the real world and add more value to your studies. Then when you start to ask for post-graduation employment, you are able to use examples of placements in addition to your courses and extracurricular activities. This can certainly give you a competitive advantage since many employers prefer candidates with experience.

Increase your network. The people you meet as an intern can introduce you to others in the area and inform you of opportunities. Connect with these people on your LinkedIn account so you can stay in touch with them.

Build references. The employer knows your quality of work, skills and work ethic. They can serve as valuable reference for you in the future when it comes time for you to seek employment. It could even turn into a full time job!

Learn new skills and knowledge. Internships give you the opportunity to see what skills and knowledge are desired in the workplace and allow you to determine your strengths and weaknesses. Then you can work on the development of these skills before graduation. Internship experience can help you develop your communication, teamwork, interpersonal and problem solving skills -. skills that employers seek job candidates

Even if your school does not offer college credit for the realization of a course, experience is irreplaceable. I encourage you to get a good start on the head looking for an internship in your field!

Have you ever done an internship? If so, tell us please about your experience below.

"There's a zoo in here!" Shouted Penny on the wind as she passed me in position Walmart. " Really? How long is the wait? "I shouted back. "30 minutes!" She replied. "Good luck!"

She was right. It was crazy in there. The aisles were full of buyers and shelves in some sections were empty. It is interesting to see what people buy when they might need hole for a while. the eggs are gone and the milk section is down to go. Not many mac and cheese boxes to the left and not much salsa or water -.. only permanently empty store-brand bread left on the shelf When I finally get to start my Bertie clerk told me it was worse than Black Friday!

the first really nasty winter storm of the season bearing down on our little town, and most of the Midwest. Winter storm watches had turned into warnings, time fell into the subzero range, and some people whispering the "blizzard" word under their breath. Therefore, the mad rush to stock up on food and gasoline. The owners checked their propane tanks, and rural King had a run on generators. Even here in Central, we noticed a sharp increase in insured payment of calls as Tanie, Glenn, Bonnie, Sherwood, Mark, Pauline, and Kwan. Just ordinary people, ensuring that their auto insurance premiums and home have been paid, just to be on the safe side.

So what do you think? Overreaction? Panic buying due to disastrous weather forecast? I had lots of time to think while I was waiting in the Walmart online, and I finally decided that I was watching a very diverse group of people that choose to act responsibly.

The four seasons we enjoy are nice, but there's no fun facing the dangers of seasonal weather. There is no pleasure in doing the drudge work to prepare for a potential problem and think about the future. But it is the responsible thing to do.

So, here's a big shout-out to all the people who put in the time and effort to be responsible. I know your name, but I know what kind of people you are. You are the kind of people I want to have as neighbors, as co-workers and as friends. You will share these provisions, shovel a sidewalk or two, and make the wheel to someone in need. You are the people who run the world and get jobs done.

And you are also the kind of people who know how to have "snow fun" after work "no fun" is done! Two days after the storm passed through, I noticed these little beady eyes peering from behind a tree in a yard along the road. The idea of ​​this family of "snow fun" turned their front yard in Jurassic Park, and brightened the day of every passerby.

What is your idea of ​​"snow fun" once the work is done? Do tell!

I was recently asked by a friend to explain why the amount of insurance coverage owner is so different from the tax value and market value in the region. I bet there are many of you ask the same question there!

We all know that many states have seen large fluctuations in the value of properties in the market. While they peaked in 06, some market values ​​have since sunk to levels far below the actual cost of replacing the house. Contrary to the market value, which is based on what the house and lot would sell in a given area, the replacement cost of your home depends on the current price of building materials such as wood, concrete, roofing, and shingles and fresh workforce. The quality of your home is also a big variable that is not always fully recognized in the market value of the house. flooring, bathroom accessories, cabinets, trim, and countertops can quickly add additional replacement costs

According MSB / Boeckh and new BNi-Building, the cost of building materials rose by percentages following in 2013 .:

• Lumber: 8%
• Dry-Wall: + 25%
• Concrete: 6%
• hand -d'œuvre qualified: 3-4%
• PVC and adhesives: increase in variable cost increases due to the crude oil

another issue often overlooked when considering clean owner of coverage limits is that the reconstruction of an existing house is usually more expensive than building a new home. Demolition and debris removal are expensive. In addition, the construction crew to work around existing utilities, structures, landscaping, and remaining in good structural condition. Economy of scale economies when many houses are built at the same time on the same street is lost. In other words, the construction of a new home is much more effective and can be done quickly at a lower cost.

Because some homeowners policies may be approved to include an increase in the amount of coverage above the Coverage A limit, it is very important that the estimated replacement cost is accurate and reflects the latest labor and material costs in a given area. Home additions, improvements and renovation projects should also be reported to your insurance agent, because they will affect the right amount of coverage needed.

If you have not seen the value of your house lately, or if you have made some improvements to your home, contact your independent agent and request an estimate of replacement cost.

guarantees described here are in the most general terms and are subject to conditions and actual policy exclusions. In the language of the actual cover, conditions and exclusions, please refer to the policy or contact your independent agent.

There is an element that might as well be a permanent appendage ... .my Android Smartphone! If you're like me, you are constantly using your phone. No more guessing who is the main actor was in an old movie or the current temperature and the correct humidity level. Google is always right at our fingertips, the correct answer in a few seconds.

So imagine my panic last week when I arrived for my trusty LG G2 smart phone when boarding a Delta flight and disappeared! After mowing down a dozen passengers on the way back to the door of the plane, I remembered suddenly my Android 4.2 upgrade includes a cooling function called Android Device Manager (Apple offers the same type of functionality with find My iPhone). It allows the phone owner quickly sounded the device or see his general location on a map in real time. Using the phone of a friend, I quickly logged on https://www.google.com/android/devicemanager. A map showing me immediately arose the general location of my phone. I also sent a command to turn the ringer on the device. Turns out he fell under my seat at the gate. I immediately heard the familiar ring and dug up. Breathe a huge sigh of relief, I got back on the plane and was on my way.

So what features Android Device Manager will help you find your phone?

Location - the current position of your Android device will appear on the map, and the name of the location, when it was last used, and when it was last located. You can zoom in and out of the map to check the location

Ringer -. Instead of having someone call your phone to help you find, you can choose to call your device that will activate the default chime for 5 minutes at the highest volume, although it was settled in fashion silent or vibrate

remote Wipe -. quickly triggers a factory reset, deleting all your personal information and applications. This will remove most of the information on your device

Screen Lock -. Lock your device remotely so that nobody can access your data while you try to recover your lost phone. To lock your device, click the "Lock" option. Enter twice your new password, then click the lock button. Once the command is sent to your device, it locks immediately, even if it is used. This and remote wipe option can be useful if you believe your device has been stolen.

If you have an Android phone, I highly recommend taking advantage of this free feature. It can locate your phone easy and gives you peace of mind knowing that you still have some control over your lost or stolen device.

Have you ever lost your phone? Could you get it?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million workers suffer back injuries each year, and back injuries represent one of every five places of work injuries. Many of these injuries are caused by poor lifting techniques, bad posture and carrying too much body weight. The natural aging process also contributes to the weakening of the back. Since deterioration of the back is more susceptible to injury, there are a number of techniques and guidelines that can help workers to prevent injuries.

A common myth is that a rear belt can help protect your back from injury. In fact, not only are they not required by Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), they are not even registered. U sing a back support does not prevent someone do a bad job. In fact, back supports can create a false sense of security, leading to injuries by encouraging excessive heavy lifting and muscle weakness. OSHA defines belts that are worn back supports medical devices that should be prescribed by a doctor for medical reasons only. Although they may ease the pain of an existing wound back and give a feeling of support or comfort to the user, is the largest on return belts is that they do not allow the user to lift more or disregard the safe lifting practices.

More than 70 types of industrial back belts are on the market. In 1995, four million back belts were purchased for use in the workplace according to the National Institute for Security and health (NIOSH) data. Regardless of type, back supports are intended to be a supplement, not a primary strategy to protect your back and improving safety. A better plan, as proposed by OSHA, is to strengthen the back with exercises and ergonomic working strategy that discourages dangerous lifting, twisting, bending, and reach.

The next time a friend, colleague, or family member believes that a rear belt prevents back injuries, tell them to think again. If a return belt should be worn, the user must recognize that the belt is for information purposes only and does not replace unsafe lifting practices. Remember, once your back goes, it can never return.

What suggestions or practices do you follow in the workplace to prevent back injuries?

Here today, gone tomorrow. record weather events in recent years show how quickly everyone can lose a house, car, or property. In addition, tornadoes, hurricanes, hail storms and forest fires are not discriminatory. Everyone is at risk.

If you're like most Americans, it is possible that you do not have enough money to rebuild your home or repair or buy new self should you suffer a substantial loss. By buying an insurance policy, you transfer the risk of loss to the insurance company. This is the value of an insurance policy: the transfer of the unknown (risk of a possible financial disaster) for known (affordable annual premiums)

But do not be fooled - not all insurance policies are created equal .. true, you can buy a policy online at low cost in just a few minutes. You might save some money, you could save a little time, and you do not even need to talk to everyone! But what happens the first time you have a question about your coverage? Who you talking about? And if you have a loss? Are you sure the coverage you have purchased on the Internet covers the diamond ring that is lost on vacation? Otherwise, the amount you have to pay out of pocket to replace it goes far beyond the few hundred dollars you have saved in insurance premiums by purchasing insurance online at reduced rates.

This is where you will discover the value of your independent insurance agent. Let's face it - most of us have trouble understanding our insurance policy. Your independent agent can help take the mystery out of your insurance coverage. Have an independent officer of confidence that your insurance advisor means you get the benefits you can not get from any website. expert guidance and advice, personalized attention and interaction, the ability to offer complete protection to meet your unique needs, and excellent customer service are some of the ways independent agents bring value to 'insurance transaction.

You also get the peace of mind that comes from knowing your agent is a lawyer for you, not the insurance company. Independent agents working with several companies allowing them to "shop" for you to find the combination of coverage, price and service that meets your needs.

So before buying an insurance policy "value", consider the value of an independent insurance agent can provide. After all, peace of mind is priceless!

Regarding the collision coverage on the auto policy, Guideline many people follow is to remove coverage after the vehicle is ten years old. Many believe that the mark after ten years, most vehicles are not valuable enough to justify maintaining the costly collision coverage on the policy. Nowadays, things are not that simple. Here are some reasons why I think the rule "ten years" applies.

The vehicles tend to hold their value for much longer than in the past. There seem to be two reasons for this. First, vehicles can run much longer than ever before. It used to be that when a vehicle hit 100,000 miles, he had nearly reached the end of the road in terms of reliability. Today's vehicles are more reliable, with many vehicles to 0,000 miles or more. The second reason is that new vehicles are at very high prices, which led to a push on the used car market. To give you an example of how vehicle prices rose, a Ford Explorer 1994 cost about $ 20,000 when it was new. In contrast, a 2014 Ford Explorer is more than $ 40,000. Many entry-level vehicles are now priced at about $ 20,000. Those who can not afford a vehicle with such a large round tag price on the market of used cars for a reliable car at prices they can afford. The more affordable price tag when combined with the prolonged reliability of used cars making it an ideal option for many car buyers.

Another reason to keep collision coverage on your policy is the cost of repairs. It is easy to say that if you total your car, you just go buy another one, but if you are involved in an accident and you just damage the bumper? Have you registered for $ 00 repair? In most cases, the cost of repairs must be paid in full before you can restore your vehicle. Funding is an easy way to get a new (or used) car, but it is generally not available for repairs so you must be sure that you have some money in the bank to cover damage minor to your vehicle. The labor rate for body shops are varied, but most repairs are costly. For example, the work rate is for body shops in Massachusetts is $ 40 / hour. In Rhode Island, the cost is $ 45 / hour. Add these times figures for the cost of spare parts and, if necessary, a rental car and the cost of this "attachment" can skyrocket quickly enough.

When I discuss the possibility of removing the collision with clients, I tell them to look at two things. The first is the value of the vehicle. While most policies do not offer replacement cost coverage for collision, they value factor and the condition of the vehicle, the vehicle options, etc. to determine the total loss figures. The other thing that I tell people to consider is whether or not they have money in the bank to cover damage the vehicle if it were to occur tomorrow. In many cases, people are reconsidering remove collision coverage just because their car is ten years old.

Your vehicle is older than ten years? Do you have collision insurance? Tell me why (or why not) below!

Ah, fall. My favorite time of year! For many people, this season is marked by pumpkins and costumes, but for a group of people there is another reason ... hunting season begins in many states!

I grew up in a small town on a small farm where my father owned about 20 acres of woods. I remember people, many of which we did not know, to come home wearing camo and orange jackets to ask permission to hunt in the woods. To their disappointment, my father would always say no. I think his concern was more for the safety of her children, but in the contested today's society, liability risks are a major concern for property owners when considering whether to grant access to hunters hunters their property.

You might have a liability exposure to an outside party is injured on your property because of a hunting incident. If you do not want a hunting activity on your land, make your presence known on the property. For example, hunters often will scout potential field before the hunting season, and they often leave the sampling band and markers so they can remember where they were scouting. If you remove the signs, they should notice that you are careful and do not want them in your land. Also you need to post many "No Trespassing" signs on your property. In addition, these signs should be prominently displayed on all road entrances and along public roads that your property boundaries.

Some landowners lease their land for hunting. The main advantage of this approach (and more income from the arrangement) is that you can control who hunt and what rules they must comply. However, this could also cause exposure to liability because hunters on your land are now guests rather than intruders. The duty of care that you need a guest is generally higher than that due to an intruder. This approach can also cancel coverage under the policy and umbrella of the policy of your own since you earn money on this earth, creating a trade show who are often excluded under personal policies. So if you decide to rent your property to a private party, you must ask the hunter sign a lease that includes a hold harmless clause. You should get a copy of the policy of its owner and be listed as an additional insured under the policy. In addition, you must purchase a general liability policy to cover the exposure of your business since many homeowners, farmowners and personal umbrella policies exclude this exhibition.

Another approach could be to sign a lease agreement with a hunting club and to check that the club has an insurance program hunting lease, keeping you covered. In addition, you should get a copy of the policy and be listed as an additional insured under the policy. The hunting club and hunters must have a minimum of $ 1 million in liability limits.

Regardless of your interest in hunting, if you are a landowner with the opportunity to have hunters on your property, make sure you discuss your exposure with your trusted insurance advisor to learn best way to protect you.

Adapted review Hunting Exposures on your Wasteland (Revisited). Risk Management Institute International. 11 October 2013.

Sometimes four to six months after each major storm - claims start rolling with unusual descriptions of loss:

"neighbor hail damage."

"a roofer came to the door and said there was serious damage in the neighborhood."

"My son-in-law saw a 'Storm Damage' sign around the corner where a new roof was installed. "

The insured has no idea if they were damaged too. If the inspection shows no damage, they start to worry about their home and wonder how they escaped damage when it is obvious that there was some damage in the region. Then they begin to wonder about their insurance company and be concerned that the expert was wrong.

How the house of their neighbor may be damaged when not them?

Many storms with embedded pockets of small hail will not damage a roof that is otherwise in good condition. The only evidence of the hail may be small indentations on flexible metal vent on the roof. The fact that months passed without obvious damage of the storm should be reassuring. If there are no leaks and no obvious change in the appearance of the roof, there is a good chance that the roof was not damaged.

It is also possible that a house will be damaged for a neighbor with some more recent (or type) have different roof damage. There are years, a hailstorm went through the Atlanta area while I was visiting a friend at about a mile from my own home. I saw hail mainly from the size of peas and marbles. My car, parked outside, was in good condition. Two weeks later, we had heavy rain and found a pile of debris where my downspouts unloaded on the driveway. Closer inspection reveals the debris to be small pieces of shingle. An inspection of the roof has confirmed a few weeks later Significant hail damage. Over the next few months, I have not noticed other houses being re-covered, but I also knew that the 18-year-old shingles on my house were probably the oldest in the immediate area.

Other than the age and quality of the roof surface, other factors may keep a house being damaged. Shingles on a poorly ventilated roof age faster and tend to be more fragile than those on a well-ventilated roof. These fragile shingles can be damaged by hail, very small. The direction of winds within the storm can also mean a southern home could be damaged when the house of a neighbor facing west is not. Trees and other near a house structures may offer some protection in a house which is on a lake with nothing to slow or deflect the storm will come to more serious damage

Keep this in 'mind:. A door will roofer -to-door looking for business. If he says he can not say that you need a new roof because of hail and was not really on the roof, beware. If you have reason to believe you may have damage, contact a reputable roofer who is based in your area for inspection. If this roofer reputable and your expert disagrees, they can meet at your home and discuss what they see.

Have you had damage on the roof? How did you determine your roof was damaged?

gave me a list of topics people have expressed interest to see addressed in our blog. Most did not surprise me because they are the subject of questions we receive in the department of claims on a regular basis. But I was intrigued ... people wanted to know about a day in the life of a representative of the claim. Really? This is something no one asks! Agents often tell me: "I could never do what you do," or even, "I would never do what you do", but never "How do you do" So here!

day of your claim representative can be long, we have two groups in my office. - a group prefers to come early and get a head start on the day before the opening of the office. the other group remains closed past, wanting to finish one more thing, get a check-out, or make sure that the last call is diverted before they leave.

most of us start the day with coffee. How do you read the political language or interpret medical records first thing in the morning? After our coffee, the first order of business, given our level two hours for the contact on the further loss is to check all new applications. This is something that all representatives are throughout the day. Like our schedule preferences to work the way we check for claims also varies. One of my representatives a reminder of Outlook that appears throughout the day. Others make a habit of looking at their headquarters screen each time they complete a task before moving on to another.

Speaking of tasks, there are many. It is e-mail to be read, responded to, and moved the claim files. Calls to answer, statements to take vehicles to be moved to storage areas or body shops, roofs sealed, police reports in order. Most files involve a flurry of activity at the beginning. After this activity, the waiting game begins. We are waiting for estimates, reports and hospital records. To ensure that nothing falls through the cracks, an automated diary system remember to follow up on these items. If you have already received a call from your representative requests a week after they asked you an estimate, it is likely that your claim showed their newspaper this morning, urging them to act on your estimate.

We eat lunch and take breaks together, often bouncing ideas off each other for handling problems.

he is very busy, and with more claims coming calls in all the time, it can become agitated, but most of our representatives agree that the pace and work variety keeps things become boring.

processing applications can be rewarding. There is the satisfaction of knowing that in most cases, we were able to help someone. But work can also be emotionally difficult. People get angry with realities that seem unfair and the representative of the claim often bears the brunt of this anger. Each of the representatives of my office had an insured or applicant break down on the phone, and most of us have found ourselves crying with them. These are our most difficult days. Mothers who lost son, the families who lost their homes, the businessmen are afraid of losing their livelihood ... and we all come to listen and empathize, knowing that, this time, that's all we can do. These stories rend our hearts. On a break after talking to a mother who lost a child near the age to mine, I called to tell my baby, I loved him.

No day in the life of a claims representative is complete without a look at what happens when we are at home. We have a weather radio that fires in the middle of the night to warn us of approaching storms. We notice the missing shingles when we drive in a neighborhood, and when you see an accident or fire on the news, we say a little prayer that we will not ask anyone involved tomorrow. We watch the weather channel and some of us even have our favorite personalities Weather Channel. When we leave on vacation, we turn off the water to the street. We electronically disconnects. We wear seat belts. And when my 9 year old son asked a neighbor if he could jump on his trampoline and received permission, but said he had to ask his mother first, my poor little boy said " regardless, they are in insurance. "

So, to answer the question, what is a day in the life of a claims representative as? The answer is no two days are alike, but the only constant is our dedication to our jobs. May you have a happy and 2014 without incident!

I remember my first phone call after the new mold for wording was introduced to policyholders, "I see you cover mold now! I looked at my shower and noticed some mold there! "So began my career to explain the complex subject of coverage for mold.

Mold, in itself, is not covered, but sometimes it the result is a loss covered with mold, and then, depending on the language of the policy, coverage may be available. Sometimes and could are the key words here, words subscribers and claims representatives does not like to hear because they indicate a potential problem coverage.

When you have mold coverage? in many countries, the requirements are that the damage is due to a cause covered loss, is hidden in the walls (or between floors and ceilings), and is unknown to all insured. an example would be a flight of slow plumbing behind a wall where a nail pierced a pipe. the cause of the loss, accidental leakage of water from a plumbing system is covered so that you have satisfied the first requirement. It can leak for a while inside the wall, but not have been obvious to the policyholder until someone noticed damage to the floor during work in the crawl space the House. Since the policyholder did not know the damage and has been hidden, it satisfies the second and third requirements.

It is important to remember that even when coverage exists, as in the example above, the amount of coverage for mold is generally limited. Often a policy will provide $ 10,000 to the whole, covered expenses related to mold in the insurance period. expenses related to the mold means that part of the burden of the loss only to mold. If there are expenses covered water damage for the same loss, repairs to water damage will not be assessed against the related mold limit. I usually look at a loss as the given example and consider what we would have if the loss was discovered immediately. Can I add expenses related to mold. Maybe the insured has a mold sensitivity and must move out of the house for a week. Additional living expenses would be assessed against the limit of the mold. There may be additional costs associated with having an expert write a protocol for removing the mold. The fees of the expert would also be considered a mold expense.

On the other hand, some states have exclusions for losses which are due to constant or repeated leakage, regardless of whether the insured is aware of the leak or if it is hidden. Since the available coverage varies by state, everyone should read their policy and make sure to examine all records that might be relevant to their situation. In some states, you can buy additional coverage beyond the basic amount offered. In others, the described coverage may be your only choice. Your agent or representative of the insurance company can answer your questions about your coverage options.

Even if coverage is available, it may be limited, it is particularly important to make every effort to dry the area affected by water as soon as it is discovered. Many people will try to do this work themselves in an effort to save money, but my advice is to stop and consider the biggest expense you have mold should develop.

Have you ever had a mold problem? How have you resolved?

This last year I bought my own home! As exciting as it is, ownership brings a lot of change! I do not have a maintenance man I could count to repair my dryer (luckily my father lives here in town!), I had to manage mowing my yard, and this time I shovel my driveway more than planned. Another big change was the bills associated with maintaining a home, especially in this freezing cold weather. My gas bill is much higher for my home my quaint little apartment.

It can be difficult to keep all your bills (college loans, cell phone, cable, car payment, shopping habit, etc.) and organize your expenses for each of these areas. However, there are many advantages to track your expenses, especially if you are trying to save money. It is very eye-opening to see where your money goes! There are many mobile applications of personal finance available to help individuals budget and track their money. Here are some financial applications that you may find beneficial:

Mint

This application allows you to track and categorize your expenses, pay bills and check balances . You also have the opportunity to receive low account balance notifications and set up reminders for upcoming bill payments. This free app is available for Android and iOS platforms.

See

Check is an application for Android, iOS and Blackberry, and it is free. Who does not like free stuff? Check send you reminders when your bills are due and gives you a way to pay them. The application will also allow you to monitor your level of cash and credit card debt.

Expensify

Expensify is a free application that allows you to scan all your receipts and track what you spend. You can even generate expense reports. This is extremely convenient for all business travelers there! Available for Android, iOS and Blackberry.

Are you currently using a mobile finance? If yes which?

"wasted on a new tattoo!" "Got my braces removed!" "Bought a new pet!" "I am a new roommate!" "I offered my time!" "The baby takes its first steps today!" "I joined a health club!"

Do one of those phrases that describe you? Then you, my friend, know what Facebook defines as a capital L, capital E, "life event"! Who knew? If you start a new job, break up with your boyfriend, quit a habit, or sign up to be an organ donor, it is a life event. And here I thought my life would be boring, but no luck! Apparently, when we take a moment and step back from our busy lives, we discover that our day to day routine average joe life are chock tickets events worthy of life.

I hear a lot of events in the lives of my clients. They generally do not call to report these events, but the info just kind of slides in the sides of the conversation. There was Lana, who describes himself as "giddy" with excitement about his recent engagement in the middle of an email about his billing options. At the other end of the spectrum, there were Brenda, who could barely hold back tears on the recent loss of her husband as she called to pay the car insurance bill. I talked to Shaneetha, whose husband was deployed overseas with the military, and I wanted to take advantage of automatic payment plan. Fran has two boys who will be driving soon ... Now there's a woman who needs our prayers!

When I talk to people like Shane and Jennifer, who have not received their bills because they moved to a new home, I ask them if they gave their agent their new address. It is amazing how many life events that we freely add to our Facebook page actually have a significant impact on our insurance needs. Keeping our updated agents on our life events ensures that our coverage will keep pace with the evolving needs of our families.

But now my favorite class life of the event ....

now we can have fun! This is perfect for those who have already "been there" and "done that," and also for all those who march to the beat of a different drum! Here are some life events that would suit some central staff that I know ...

I collect ugly Christmas sweater
Got Silver Backed Gorilla on my back
Survived Freeze Arctic 2014
proud Member of "It's a Marshmallow World" fan club

so what's your life event? Share it below!

What comes to mind when you read these words? For some people, it might be the iconic exchange between Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson in the movie A Few Good Men . For others, it may show the precious handmade stemware image. Maybe a vision of a pristine mountain stream or lake defines these words to you.

For me, these words describe the character of a calling that I have never met but greatly admire. I "knew" Crystal for several years now, and we do not respond in the best circumstances. His name appeared on my list of policies that had been canceled, but have a balance of earned premiums in our company. He is "not so pretty" side of any business ... collections. We have a fairly simple procedure for this task. balance of opinion are sent to our old customers. Crystal received one of these notices in December, with his other letters happy holidays. We sent him another notice, just before the new year ... not the best time for each of us to receive additional bills, right?

And Crystal has done something remarkable and courageous. She took the phone and called us.

She had a large sum of money on several policies. She could not pay. She did not want the debt for delivered to a collections company. So she asked if she could set up a payment plan with us, and we agreed. And was true to his word. Time after time, first with a policy, then with another, called Crystal in his payments. This month was the latest installment of the latest policy. I'll send him a letter of thanks, because his loyalty to repay this debt is simply amazing to me.

I wish she was still our customer. Maybe she will be again someday. But I know that whatever happens to deal with Crystal will have the privilege to work with someone of sterling character. I do not know many people who would pay a debt in an honorable way, without shenanigans, arm twisting, whining or threats.

The crystal account with us is now clear, the scale displays all zeros. But his conscience was clear throughout. His character is clear for all to see.

So here's to you, Crystal! Thank you for setting an example to me quietly, and challenging us all to live our values ​​in our daily lives. May you have all the money can not buy the richness and joy to see the nearest dreams of your heart come true!

Do you know someone with a character "cyrstal-clear"? I'd love to hear about them!

Many people are aware of the different browsers out - Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari are some of the greatest. But what many people do not realize is that these browsers have add-ons (sometimes called extensions) that can make your browsing experience better (or worse). The majority of add-ons and extensions available for Chrome and Firefox, although others are coming for other browsers as well. Some of these add-ons such as search toolbars, I find boring, because they seem to take unnecessary space and slow performance. But there are a few that I find interesting, and maybe you too. Best of all, they are all free and easy to use!

Block Annoying Ads

Tired of all the flashy annoying ads online? Me too. Adblock Plus (adblockplus.org) that the most annoying ads are never seen by the user, and also adds a bit of privacy and protection against malware as an added bonus. If you are tired of all sorts of "share" buttons for social media everywhere, so this free product is definitely for you because it blocks those too! Unlike many extensions, Adblock Plus is currently available for a wide variety of browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari.

Optimize your Cash Back

If you do a lot of shopping online and take advantage of getting cash back with your credit card, you will find useful Wallaby. Wallaby specializes in managing your cash back credit cards. With so many cards with rotating bonus categories, it's easy to forget the cards to use. When you sign up for Wallaby, tell you which credit cards you have, and it will ll tell you which to use. There is a mobile application that will tell you based on your location or browser add-on that is currently available for Chrome that will tell you which card to use when shopping online. Discover more about this topic in https://www.walla.by/.

Speed ​​Up Firefox

If you're a Firefox user, may FastestFox -being an add-on to watch. It includes several features that are designed to improve the speed and efficiency of your browser. If you display a series of pages, FastestFox starts downloading the next page that you view the current page. There are also a few other adjustments happening behind the scenes, all to give you a faster browsing experience. FastestFox can be downloaded from the website of Mozilla Add-ons.

See websites such as Internet Explorer Without Internet Explorer ...

If you use Firefox, Chrome or Safari, you've probably noticed that some sites do not seem display properly. The task of a compatible website with many different browsers behave differently can be tedious, and some websites may not have added support. Internet Explorer is the dominant browser for a number of years, many websites, especially the elderly, have been optimized for rendering in Internet Explorer. Fortunately, the solution for users of Firefox and Chrome is an add-on called IE Tab. This add-on mimics Internet Explorer and displays pages as they would appear in Internet Explorer. IE Tab is available in the two add-ons Mozilla and Chrome Web Store.

These are just some of browser add-ons that I've found useful, but there are hundreds more. What add-ons and extensions you use to make your online experience even better?

Spring cleaning can bring to mind thoughts window washing and cleaning closets, but it is not only for the interior of your home. It is also the perfect time to go out and perform regular maintenance on the outside of your home. Just "maintenance tips from the house for spring" Google and you will find a wealth of information. But where to start? Why not start at the top - your roof

One of the most important elements of any home is the roof .. Unfortunately, it is often the most neglected in terms of regular maintenance. Many owners neglect the condition of the roof of their house until minor problems escalated into major problems.

The condition of your roof can also affect your insurance coverage. The roofs are one of the first things that the insurer considers the evaluation of a risk. The status and performance of the roof of a house a significant impact on the chances of a loss of product. If a roof is worn out and near the end of its life, it will not stand up to wind and hail, the risk of an insurance company to ensure that the roof is greater.

Many insurance companies inspect the outside of houses before securing to assess the condition of the property, especially the roof. If a roof shows signs of deterioration, a coverage option value higher duty or actual cash may be necessary to ensure the house.

So what kind of shape is your roof? RoofRocket.com offers a great checklist to help you determine the current condition of your roof. After completing the list, if you find areas of your roof showing wear or who may need repair, contact a contractor of good local reputation for roofing professional advice.

Replacing your roof can be expensive, but it can also be one of the best investments you make to your home. Aside from the boost the curb appeal of your home, a new roof will provide the best protection from Mother Nature. What other "spring cleaning" is on your list for the outside of your home?

Article courtesy RoofRocket.com extracts.

The Benjamin Franklin proverb "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" is as true today as it was when Franklin made the statement. This truism can be applied to many aspects of life, including insurance! How, you might ask? Prevention and insurance go hand in hand. Because insurance is the transfer of risk from one entity to another, which prevents the loss is beneficial for both parties.

In addition to the obvious benefits, such as protecting your home and family, did you know preventive measures are an excellent way to earn discounts on your insurance housing? Since the insurance company is the one that assumes the risk, it is perfectly logical for them to provide rebates to consumers who are trying to prevent losses by installing protective devices.

Some types of protective devices as well as loss prevention tips to help you protect your most valuable assets, and also save money on your home insurance:

Install smoke alarms . It is an inexpensive way to protect yourself and your family. A smoke alarm doubles your chances of surviving a fire. Test it monthly, keep it free of dust and replace the batteries at least once a year. Smoke alarms should be replaced after ten years of service.

Install a burglar basic alarm , which is usually connected to a central control panel in the house that goes off when windows or doors are opened while the system is armed. According to the report of the alarm system, more than two million home burglaries are reported in the United States each year and, on average, a burglary of a house in the US occurs every 13 seconds. Statistics paint an interesting picture of how home security systems and alarm monitoring can influence crime rates and home invasions. For example, FBI statistics on burglary rates outbreaks show that houses 1-3 without a security system will be the victim of a burglary in relation to houses 1 to 250 that have a security system.

For even more protection, install a Central Station fire and burglar alarm system . A monitored central alarm system means a business that provides services to monitor burglar, fire and residential alarm systems. central stations using the personal phone lines, computers, software and special trained to monitor their customers' security systems and call the authorities if an alarm signal is received.

Although historically used in large commercial buildings, sprinkler systems for houses and small buildings are now available at cost effective prices. If your home is to have a full sprinkler system or even partially installed, be sure to let your insurance agent know. You will receive a discount!

Many systems in your home run off of electricity and when you lose power, these systems stop working, including your sump pump. There are several water loss prevention devices back-up that can help stop water back up into your home when you have lost power.

• A house any permanent generator rotates automatically when the power is off, feeds the whole house, and is permanently installed. Not only this type of generator could prevent a situation of back-up water, but could also supply other value systems and pieces of your house to avoid property loss as your refrigerator and freezer.
• Circuit Essential emergency generator automatically when the power is off; However, it provides energy to a selected portion of the house during a power outage. To be used to prevent backup of water, the generator must be connected to the sump pump.
• Non-electrical back-up sump pump is an emergency sump pump water pressure. It is based on the pressure of water supplied by a municipal water system.
• systems / sensors for water leaks have moisture sensors in appliances such as water heaters, washing machines, dishwashers, water softeners, and sinks, and in areas such as basements and crawl spaces. These systems provide a signal to the resident of the house. This signal is also sent to a clearinghouse, a plumber or water cutoff valve on the outside of the house.

This is fine if you currently have one of these devices to prevent the loss of your home. Check with your insurance agent to make sure you get all the discounts you possibly can on your home insurance.

If you do not currently have one of these installed loss prevention devices, remember "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. "The best intentions do not prevent losses. Even just installing something as simple and inexpensive as a smoke detector can save lives, your home, your property and your money.

Information obtained from http://www.safewise.com/