Month: August 2014

Making your Smart Phone “Insurance Smart”

Posted on by shasha insurance

You have the phone and the capabilities that come with it. Using the phone to manage all of your insurance affairs is not only smart, it will put you ahead of the game if you need to access your insurance information or if you end up having a claim. There is no better place than having all the information and tools on your smart phone because it is likely with you at all times. The best news is, the resources are there and putting in place what you need is a snap.

The first thing you should do is to see if your insurance company has an app for your phone. If they do, downloading such an app is a no-brainer. These apps are available as a free added value service to you. The best part is that most of these apps have a number of capabilities. This includes nearly everything from accessing your policy information to submitting a claim and everything else in between. For example, if you get into an accident, some apps included the capability to take photos and submit them along with a claims form you complete right on your phone. This means you can submit a claim within minutes after the accident happened, along with all the photos documenting the incident.

While reporting a claims incident is probably the most valuable advantage of these apps, another advantage is having access to your policy information anytime you need it. What is your policy number? When does your policy renew? When is your next payment due? How much coverage do you have? All of this is right at the tip of your fingers. For example, if you need your policy number and information for your job or you are driving kids on a field trip and the school needs it, these apps make it easy to access all this information.

While most insurance carriers do have apps, even if your carrier does not have an app, the phone itself can be a valuable resource. For claims situations, the phone’s camera is just about the best mobile documentation tool you can have. Also, if you are away from home, the ability to connect to the internet to look up resources such as the nearest towing company, the insurance company’s website, and of course your agent’s phone number can be your greatest asset. Best yet, you can use the phone’s map to get directions to the closest place you may need to get to.

In addition to insurance company apps, there are a number of other applications that may be available. One example is a home inventory app that will help you to setup and organize photos or video of your entire home inventory. This can come in handy in the unfortunate event that you have a fire or are burglarized, as insurance companies will need an entire inventory to complete forms when processing the claim. Another example of a helpful app is a document storage and sharing app such as box.net or dropbox.com. These apps allow you to store and share documents and images virtually in what is referred to as a “cloud” format. This basically means that you can upload and save images from a computer to the cloud, and then you will have access to those images from your smart phone or any other computer.

Investing a little initial time to download and setup apps and other resources to make your phone insurance smart is well worth it. It will not only save you time when you need this information, it will allow you to be significantly ahead of the game, even possibly being able to provide enough evidence to prove you are not at fault in an auto accident. You are 95% there by having a smart phone, and the benefits are too great not to take that next step in using the insurance-ready resources that are available.

Important Fire Safety Tips to Avoid A Disaster

Posted on by shasha insurance

In a very short amount of time, a fire can accelerate from a small flame to an out-of-control blaze. Fires destroy thousands of homes in the United States each year, so it is important for all homeowners to take steps to prevent them. It is also important to know what to do when a fire breaks out and how to control it. Research shows that almost 80 percent of structural fires happen in peoples’ homes or apartments. Almost all of these fires are preventable, so fireproofing a home is the most important step to take.

There is much more to fireproofing a residence than purchasing a fire extinguisher and testing smoke alarms regularly. For increased safety, consider the following suggestions:

For Bedrooms
– Replace any mattresses made before 2007 with new ones. The Federal Mattress Flammability Standard was enacted then, and it was made to increase the manufacturing safety standards.

– Avoid using space heaters or electric blankets that are not approved by leading laboratories.

– Make sure electrical cords are not trapped against walls or under objects where heat commonly increases.

– Never put clothing or textiles on top of lamps.

– Make sure closets and other storage spaces do not have loose papers or other flammable materials lying around.

For The Kitchen
– Never leave food unattended in the oven, on the stove or in other kitchen cooking devices.

– Make a habit of using timers for cooking food.

– Avoid leaving flammable items on kitchen counters. Paper towels, cleaning supplies, oven mitts and shopping lists should be stored in safe places.

For Appliances & Electrical Outlets
– Leaving any appliance on increases the risk of a fire, so never leave the home without making sure all appliances are off. This also includes washers, dryers and dishwashers.

– Frequently clean stoves, change furnace filters, clean vacuum filters and empty dryer lint traps.

– Check the cords of fixtures and appliances frequently. If they are frayed, they should be replaced.

– Avoid plugging too many items into one electrical outlet or power strip.

– If fuses blow several times in a short time span, call an electrician immediately.

– Have the home’s wiring examined frequently. This is especially important in older homes, attics and crawl spaces where insulation can be ignited by sparks.

Unfortunately, even the most careful homeowners may experience a fire. Lightning could strike, and a burning tree or bush could engulf a home in flames during a dry lightning storm. For this reason, it is important to have ample insurance coverage. Homeowners and renters should discuss these options with an agent. 

How to Properly Prepare for a Wildfire

Posted on by shasha insurance

In the U.S. today, many homes are being built in wooded areas. Rural plains, forests and mountains are all becoming popular construction sites. Although homeowners in such areas enjoy fresh air and beautiful scenery, they also face the risk of wildfires. Some homes survive wildfires, but many are destroyed each year. However, homes that survive are almost always the result of prepared homeowners. By preparing now, homeowners in every risky area can protect themselves, their families and their homes.

Always practice wildfire safety. Avoid leaving fires unattended, and never start an outdoor fire pit on a windy day. Cigarettes should be disposed of in approved containers. To learn more ways to prevent wildfires at home, contact the local health department, fire department and forestry office. Make sure emergency vehicles have easy access to the home. Signs, addresses and home names should be displayed clearly. When someone else is doing something that may start a fire, report the activity to the fire department. Keep all matches out of the reach of kids, and be sure to teach them about fire safety. Families should also make an emergency escape plan, review it often and post it in a visible area with emergency phone numbers. It is crucial to talk to neighbors about fire safety. If all neighbors are vigilant and informed, it is easier to report flames before they become out-of-control blazes.

Make a safety zone around the house. When designing a home or landscape theme, be sure to select materials and vegetation that help contain a fire instead of spreading it. Non-combustible building materials and water-containing vegetation are helpful aids. Keep grass watered, and avoid letting any vegetation dry out. Keep in mind that conifers are more likely to burn than hardwood trees. When creating this safety zone, make sure it is about 30 feet to 100 feet in length, and it should encompass the entire home. Here are a few additional tips:

-Remove all dead leaves, trees or limbs from your property.
-Trim any tree branches hanging over the home or near chimneys.
-Have the power company remove branches near power lines.
-Remove vines from the home’s exterior walls.
-Clear the areas surrounding propane tanks or grills, and put a screen over the grill.
-Never stack firewood next to the home.

Protect and maintain the home. If there are any chimneys, have them inspected at least twice each year. They should be cleaned annually, and dampers should be in good condition. Have chimneys fitted with spark arresters. For more information about specifications for these products, contact the local fire department. The following steps are also helpful:

-Clean the roof and gutters regularly.
-Keep ladders and fire tools in accessible places, and teach family members how to use them.
-Use mesh screens below floor areas, decks, porches, attics and roofs.
-Make sure a functional dual-sensor smoke alarm is installed on each floor.
-Install fire-resistant shutters and drapes.
-Keep valuables and important documents in a fire-proof safe.

Plan ahead for water needs. Anyone who lives in a wooded area should have access to a small pond, a well, a cistern or a swimming pool. Installing a hydrant is also a good option. Make sure there is a hose long enough to reach from the home to an outdoor faucet or pump. If the home is in an area that freezes during the winter, be sure to purchase freeze-proof outlets.

If conditions seems favorable for wildfires, have a bag packed and ready to go. Have a radio or television on at all times. When evacuation orders are given, follow them immediately. Even if those who stay behind may not feel in danger of catching on fire, the smoke can be just as dangerous. Have a vehicle ready to go. If the garage has an automatic door, open it and disable the automatic function. Be sure to have any medications for family members or pets ready to go. Make arrangements for temporary housing at a hotel, a friend’s house or an emergency housing location. Be sure to call neighbors who might be concerned. Call a family member or friend, and tell that individual about any temporary relocation plans.