Winter Floods

Winter flooding happens, too. Six quick answers about whether you need flood insurance:

1. Homeowners Insurance does not cover flood. Damage to your home caused by rising water, ground water, etc. is EXCLUDED.
2. You live on a hill. Flooding can be caused by major storms, but it can also be caused by melting snow, inadequate or clogged drainage systems, or failed water control devices such as dams and levees. Water flowing down from the top of the hill and running into your home is considered "flood".
3. You live in a floodplain. That doesn't mean you can not purchase protection. As long as your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, you can purchase flood coverage, whether you live in a high risk area or a low risk one.
4. You've already had one flood. That phrase "100-Year Flood" doesn't mean it only happens once every hundred years. It refers to an elevation that has a 1% chance of being equaled or exceeded each year.
5. You don't live in a flood zone. I hate to tell you this, but you DO live in a flood zone. We all do. It's just a question of how high of a risk you face. Over 1/5 of the flood NFIP claims filed every year are from people who live in low-risk areas, and 1/3 of the disaster relief goes to low-risk areas, too.
6. If there was a flood, FEMA would pay. That only works if the damage you sustain is caused by a DECLARED natural disaster. If your home is damaged because a culvert is blocked, or a water main ruptures just outside your home, FEMA will not be cutting you a check. Even if it is a declared natural disaster, FEMA will pay for only part of the damage, and may take years to settle.

Talk to your agent about flood insurance to get more information.


We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.
 

When it's Time to Talk

It happens. The time comes when we look at our parents or siblings or family friends and realize that maybe they shouldn't be driving anymore.

How do you approach the subject? Giving up driving is giving up independence. That has to be a tremendously difficult decision to come to. Unfortunately, to protect both our loved ones and the public, the day may come when we'll have to have "The Talk".

Hartford offers an excellent guide to opening this painful discussion. If you would like us to email you a pdf version of the guide, please call today, or email us at info@weinsurepayson.com.

We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.

 

Prevent Water Damage!

Water losses are one of the most commons causes of loss on homeowners policies with those companies that offer the coverage. Some companies exclude any kind of water loss. We're not talking about flood. We're talking about broken pipes, ruptured supply lines, overflowing appliances...the things that happen inside the home. Many insurance companies regard this type of loss as a preventable maintenance issue and they surcharge for such losses accordingly. Water losses can also be unexpectedly expensive, requiring the homeowner to lose the use of the home during drying out. Water leaks can cause damage to floor, sub-floor, drywall and any furniture in the area. They can also cause an environment in which harmful mold can grow.

Here are a few tips to help you prevent and/or mitigate water losses. Some of them are so easy, you'll probably slap your forehead and say, "Of course!"

• Never run a load of laundry or the dishes when you're leaving the house, even just for a little while. This is actually one of the most common types of claims I have seen. Start the dishwasher and dash, and you may come home to a much bigger mess than a few dirty dishes.

braided steel toilet supply line

• Check supply lines regularly. Don't skip any. Check the washing machine, dishwasher, faucets, toilets, water heater, R-O system, water softener and the icemaker on your refrigerator. Any hoses that are five years old or have a kink in them should be replaced. Save yourself a headache and spend a few dollars more for a better-quality stainless steel braided supply line.

• 

  water meter key

  

  angle stop

  Know where the water shut-off valve to your home is, and how to operate it. If it takes a water key, get one and keep it where you can find it in a hurry. Everyone in the home should know how to turn off the water to a device or appliance that is leaking. If the dishwasher or washing machine overflows, do you know where the valve is?

• 

  water heater pan

  Place your water heater and washing machine in pans that are plumbed to drain outside. You can get them at almost any home-improvement or plumbing supply store. (They also come in a square for your washing machine.)

• 

  

  frost-free, anti-siphon hose bib

  
  Do you have freeze-proof hose bibs on the outside of your house? Those only work if you disconnect the hose, so they can drain out. If they freeze, they often break inside the wall, causing damage to your home. Disconnect all the garden hoses, dog drinkers and bib-mounted sprinkler timers during the freezing months. This is also true of the yard hydrant type of outdoor faucet, although a leak in one of those won't generally cause damage to your home, just a visit from a plumber.

• Pay attention to any indications of a leak in your home's water pipes. Stains, buckling or even a spot that is unusually warm can be a sign.

• Make sure your water pressure isn't too high. Water pressure over 100psi is hard on appliances like water heaters and can cause them to leak.

• Don't ignore cracks in tile or grout in your shower, or cracks in the fiberglass of a tub or shower. Even that little bit of water seeping through can destroy the wooden structure underneath and around your bath.

• Be aware of your normal household usage. If your water bill suddenly fluctuates for no apparant reason, investigate. One way to begin is to turn off every use of water in the house and yard, and monitor the meter for a couple of hours. If nothing should be using water, but the meter is still showing use, find out where the water is going.

• If you're going to be gone for several days, turn the water supply to your house off. Why take the chance?

• A little routine maintenance and advance planning can save you a lot of trouble later on. There are some terrific DIY websites and books out there to help you. It will be worth your time.

We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.

 

Cool New Tool!

It's finally here! Central Insurance proudly announces their new apps for your smart phone--both i-phone and android apps are available.

To download your MyCentral app, you must have or set up an account using your regular computer at MyCentral (click here!). Then you can download the app to your smartphone.

The MyCentral App lets you pay your bill or check your balance, view your auto id card, sign up for e-bill, contact us, report a loss, get accident help and more. Download it today!

We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.

 

Sunset in Nicaragua

by Scott Crabdree

We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.

 

Sunrise in Nicaragua

by Scott Crabdree

We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.

 

Ball of Caterpillars

by Scott Crabdree



We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.

 

Why You Need Equipment Breakdown Coverage

We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.

Big News for Smart Phone Users

BIG NEWS!! 

Effective August 2nd, Arizona law will allow you to present a picture of your auto insurance identification card on your SMART PHONE as acceptable proof of auto insurance. Of course, it's much easier on everyone if you just avoid getting pulled over. We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.

Road Trip!

We are offering general information and opinions. Talk to your insurance professional for questions and concerns about your insurance policy.