Year: 2012

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve—these
holidays mean celebrations, many of them in decorated homes filled with
merry-making family members and friends.

Insurance professionals know that the winter
holidays bring greater-than-usual risks of fire in homes.  The National Fire Protection Association
reports that, over the course of a calendar year, the 10 worst days for
fires in homes fall between December 24 and January 6.

Fortunately, these risks can be reduced with
safe practices that address the “four Cs” of winter fires: chimneys, candles,
Christmas trees and children.

Chimneys

Buildup or blockage within a chimney can catch fire. Chimney fires are
unpredictable: they can be noisy and fierce, or can smolder undetected.

Common-sense tips:

• If you haven’t checked or cleaned the chimney in the past two years, don’t use
  it.
• Have a pro inspect the chimney for creosote (which is what builds up in a chimney and
  fuels a chimney fire)
• Use dry wood. This minimizes creosote buildup.
• Don’t burn wrapping paper, boxes, trash or Christmas trees.
• Don’t use liquid to start a chimney fire. Use kindling.

Remember fireplace basics, too: use a screen to contain
sparks; and let ashes cool before disposing of them in a metal container.

Candles

Home-candle fires happen on Christmas Day more often than any
other day, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Next worst:
New Year’s Day and Christmas Eve. How do they start? Half of home-candle fires
begin because an item is left near a lit candle. Four of 10 home candle fires
start in bedrooms, with bedding, furniture, and curtains igniting.

Common-sense tips:

• Make sure all candles are out before you leave a room or go to bed.
• Keep clothing, curtains, furniture, and other flammable items away from candles
  and flame.
• Use candle holders that don’t tip over.

Christmas Trees

The National Fire Protection Association notes that 300 home
fires start each year with Christmas trees. It’s not just live trees;
artificial trees also burn. Three major reasons Christmas-tree fires start:
electric malfunctions, heat too close to the tree, and children playing with
matches, candles, or fireplaces.

Common-sense tips:

• Buy a cut tree that has green, fresh needles.
• Buy a fake tree that is fire resistant.
• Use a secure stand.
• Locate trees a minimum of three feet from heat sources such as fireplaces and
  radiators.
• Water live-cut trees every day.
• Use lights listed by an industrial laboratory. Link together, at most, only
  three strands of bulbs.
• Throw out lights that have frayed or broken cords.
• Pull the plug on lights before going to bed or leaving home.
• When a tree starts dropping needles, it’s time to dispose of it (outside, not in
  the house, garage or basement).

Children

Perhaps the most unpredictable risks for winter fire are those young
people who are, naturally, exploring and experiencing the wonders of the winter
world for the first time. Remember that lights and flames are fascinating to
children.

Common-sense tips:

• Watch the wires. Keep kids away from light strands and power cords.
• Matches, candles, stoves and ovens often get extra use during the holidays, at a
  time when adults are occupied with cooking, cleaning and entertaining.
  Stop and ask: “What might draw a child’s curiosity in this house?” Then
  shield children from those items, physically and through discipline and
  direction.
• Put matches/lighters out of children’s reach. Use lighters that have a
  child-resistant safety feature.
• Train children to tell an adult if they see matches or lighters.

TLIG stands ready to
assist consumers with a homeowners insurance claim. The best claim is no claim,
though. Use these common-sense practices to prevent home fires.

TLIG is a local Trusted Choice^®
agency that represents multiple insurance companies, so it offers you a variety
of personal and business coverage choices and can customize an insurance plan
to meet your specialized needs.

Visit us online at www.tligins.com
or call us at (434) 582-1444.

If you’re like most Americans, your home is your largest
investment, so you know how important it is to protect it. You probably take
safety precautions and have insurance that will cover you in case of a loss.

But are you fully
protected? Chances are, no. You probably are running the risk of having to pay
money out of pocket to rebuild your home after a loss, to replace stolen items
or to settle a liability lawsuit.

Consider the following questions to determine if you are, like
most homeowners, underinsured.

1. Are you working at home? Do you
   have a home-based business? If so, you’re not alone—40% of Americans
   operate a home-based business that provides their sole means of living or
   extra income. Most people don’t know that their standard homeowners
   insurance provides very limited coverage for business property and
   generally no liability protection for business use of the home. You can
   get this coverage added to your homeowners policy by an endorsement or by
   purchasing a separate business policy.
2. Do you have recreational vehicles? Watercraft,
   snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and similar recreational vehicles add
   spice to your family’s life. But you should know that liability coverage
   for these type vehicles is not
   provided by your homeowners insurance. Accidents happen. So add this critical
   coverage to your policy by an endorsement or addition.
3. Did you build an addition recently?
   If so, did you update your homeowners policy? Most Americans neglect this
   important step, leaving their family vulnerable to significant
   out-of-pocket expenses to rebuild after a loss. New additions to the
   structure and grounds may increase your liability and coverage needs. So,
   if you’ve added a pool, another bedroom or a home theater, you best inform
   your insurance agent so that you can be adequately protected
4. Will your policy pay to rebuild or
   replace your home? The recent ballooning of home prices has lead to a
   corollary increase in the cost of building materials. These increases
   directly impact the amount of insurance homeowners must carry to avoid
   costly penalties for being underinsured. Get a home appraisal now so you
   can determine how much homeowners insurance you need to rebuild or replace
   your home.
5. Do you own an historic home? If
   the answer is yes, your home poses a unique requirement on your homeowners
   insurance. That’s because older homes do not meet the stringent building
   codes in effect in most towns and cities today. If there is a loss, your
   old home will have to be rebuilt to the new code. A standard homeowners policy limits increased
   construction costs and the lost value of property. Again, add this
   coverage as an endorsement to your policy.
6. Do you have expensive items or a
   collection? Most standard homeowners policies limit coverage for
   high-value items like expensive jewelry, art collections, antiques and
   other collectibles. Think about how valuable these items are to your
   family—both monetarily and emotionally—and decide if you need to secure
   additional coverage either by an endorsement to your homeowners policy or
   through a specialty policy.
7. Do you have medical payments coverage?
   Most homeowners don’t carry this protection, often called “goodwill”
   protection. It provides payments for medical care for people injured on
   your property (regardless of fault) up to three years after an accident.
   In today’s lawsuit-happy society, medical payments coverage could save you
   tens of thousands of dollars. Get this affordable coverage added to your
   homeowners insurance policy today.
8. Check for leaks regularly. If there’s
   a leak in your house, then you’ve got problems and probably damage to your
   home, too. To prevent a lead from mushrooming you should regularly inspect
   your home. Look for discoloration in ceilings, floors, walls and tiles.
   Check for water in the basement and around appliances. Check the
   foundation. And, check indoor hose connections in the laundry room,
   bathrooms and kitchen. Repair damaged or suspect areas immediately.
9. Get an alarm system. Unfortunately,
   there are crooks among us who are looking to take away your prized possessions.
   Arm yourself! If you don’t own an alarm system, get one. It is a great
   deterrent against break-ins and could save you money on your homeowners
   insurance. Test it regularly—at least monthly—to ensure it is operating
   properly. And, most importantly, use it. An alarm system will not dissuade
   burglars if it’s off!
10. Got a pet? Fido sure is cute. But
    he could cost you a lot of money if he bites the neighbor’s kid or the
    mailman. Pet bites and attacks are one of the most common causes of
    homeowner liability claims. Insurance companies judge certain breeds to be
    more dangerous. Some, such as pit bulls, may be excluded from coverage
    altogether. Before adopting a pet check with your insurance company to
    ensure it will be covered by your homeowners insurance.

By addressing these issues now you can prevent costly claims
and save money on homeowners insurance premiums over the long term. And, your
family will have peace of mind knowing that your homeowners insurance will be
there no matter what life and Mother Nature throw at you.

TLIG is a local Trusted Choice^®
agency that represents multiple insurance companies, so it offers you a variety
of personal and business coverage choices and can customize an insurance plan
to meet your specialized needs.

Visit us online at www.tligins.com
or call us at (434) 582-1444.

It’s summer, and thoughts of Americans everywhere turn to water. Whether it’s in the pool, on
the lake, at the ocean or in the river, water draws people almost magnetically
as the weather turns hot. In fact, swimming pool trade groups teamed up to make
May “National Water Safety Month” in the United States to make consumers “water
aware.”

Swimming pools are popular but also present a risk to a homeowner. While homeowners are welcoming
friends and family with a clear, clean pool, they’re also assuming significant
financial risks by doing so. What’s more, they are unwittingly facing liability
from strangers since pools are an attractive nuisance that can pose a risk to
uninvited guests, children in the neighborhood and intruders. Homeowners can be
found liable for injuries to uninvited guests.

Drowning is the second-leading cause of unintentional injury-related death for children ages 1
to 14 years, reported the American Red Cross. Its survey of more than 1,000
adults showed that more than 90% of families with young children plan to be in
the water this summer, and almost half (48%) plan to swim in a place with no
lifeguard. If that’s on your property, be prepared.

Insurance plays a key role in protecting consumers who have pools on their property. Homeowners
and liability insurance cover bodily injury and liability protection in the
event of an injury or claim. Plus, insurance carriers, by virtue of inspecting
or requiring compliance with building codes, can make a swimming pool safer.

If you have a swimming pool:

1) Let your insurance agent or insurance carrier know. Coverage is most likely to be provided if the
structure and risks are known prior to a claim. Insurance carriers view pools
as presenting a unique and heightened set of risks. Put simply, a swimming pool
will increase the risk of property damage or a liability claim, as compared to
a home without one.

Typically, a homeowners insurance policy covers property damage to a home and additional
structures. An in-ground pool usually is considered an “additional structure”
in insurance parlance, as are sheds and detached garages. An above-ground pool
may be considered “personal property” and insured under that section of the
homeowners policy.

Homeowners insurance also offers liability coverage in the event a homeowner is hit with a
claim or lawsuit as a result of an incident in or near the swimming pool.
Friends and family who are injured in a pool accident may not want to sue, but
may need to sue in order to pay medical bills and replace lost income.

2) Check the amount of homeowners property coverage. A standard coverage amount for additional
structures on a property is 10 percent of the amount written for the home
itself. Thus, a $500,000 home might have $50,000 of property damage coverage
for other structures. Ask your independent agent to help you determine the
proper amount of property coverage.

3) Check the amount of homeowners liability coverage. One claim can pierce a standard homeowners
liability insurance limit, so check with your insurance professional to discuss
increasing the limit and/or adding an umbrella policy. An umbrella (or excess
liability) policy pays up to a limit (usually $1 million) for claims.

4) Check the perils covered.
Homeowners insurance comes in a variety of types, and some policies protect
against additional “perils” in addition to fire, lightning and windstorm. Other
perils may be excluded. Check which type of policy you have and whether it
suits your needs. For pool owners in the north, note that damage by
freezing/thawing is usually not covered by homeowners insurance.

5) Check that your pool is up to code, and whether any features are specifically not
permitted or insured.
Plumbing, fencing and deck requirements all can vary by state and locality. A
homeowner increases the risk of loss if a pool is not up to code. Additionally,
amenities such as diving boards and slides are particularly hazardous and may
be excluded by building code or can be uninsured.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control noted that drowning prevention requires appropriate adult
supervision while children are in the water, as well as multiple layers of
protection (such as four-sided isolation fencing, pool alarms, and locked
gates) to keep children away from swimming pools.

TLIG is a local Trusted Choice^® agency that represents multiple insurance companies, so it offers you a variety
of personal and business coverage choices and can customize an insurance plan to meet your specialized needs.

Visit us online at www.tligins.com or call us at (434) 582-1444.

The entertainment value in a summertime get-together can be in the camaraderie and storytelling. But don’t let your next backyard barbecue
turn into a tale of woe, to be retold years from now.

One party hostess recalled a disastrous event that involved hot oil, alcohol, a paper tablecloth and fireworks:

“The oil to fry the turkey was too hot and too full (yes, we fry our turkeys in Texas). Maybe it had to do with the over-served [read: one too many alcoholic beverages] cook. But once the turkey went in, the oil bubbled over, caught the paper tablecloth on fire, and lit the grass on fire.”

The grass fire then ignited a pile of fireworks, which were supposed to be on the porch. This in turn “led to one huge fireball, screaming crying children who will probably never recover from the panic that was set throughout, which then led to roof catching on fire.”

The damage tally was: one home partially destroyed, several cars damaged by smoke, a missing dog, $2,500 worth of poorly timed fireworks
and three acres of burned grass. The lessons learned reported the wiser hostess: “We now monitor everyone’s booze intake, park cars far away, and only
have one person know where the fireworks are. And I now cook the turkey with fire extinguishers nearby.”

Summer is truly party time in America. But homeowners should be aware of the risks associated with these get-togethers. Before reviewing
safety tips, let’s look at three common risks for which a homeowner might need insurance coverage:
Liquor liability: Summer parties can be a breeding ground for drinking-and-driving accidents. Most homeowners know that they bear some
responsibility if a guest becomes impaired after consumer alcoholic drinks at the homeowner’s house, and then causes a car accident. If the party-giver is
sued, however, his/her homeowners and automobile insurance policies may not provide liability coverage. (Keep in mind that the legal defense against a
claim is another significant expense for anyone who is sued in such a circumstance.)

Changes to homeowners insurance standard contracts in 2000 may limit the coverage available under a homeowners policy. Homeowners might be
well served to check their homeowners and auto insurance policies (contacting their agent, if necessary) to determine what protection they may have.

Personal accidents on the homeowner’s property: A homeowners policy and an excess liability policy (dubbed an “umbrella” policy) provide broad protection for accidents on the party host’s property. For instance, if a guest tumbles down the steps of an outdoor deck or a child is burned by the outdoor grill, the homeowners policy would pay medical costs for the guest (and, should a lawsuit follow, likely would pay the costs of defending against the lawsuit and damages awarded in the case).

No one, of course, wants to see such events occur, but accidents do happen. Homeowners coverage is designed to “make whole” a homeowner who is facing a liability claim due to an accident on his or her property.
Property damage liability:
When guests drive to your party and park their cars at your home, the homeowner assumes risk. The possibilities of property damage range from a
simple dent from a stray baseball, to a young driver releasing the parking brake and rolling the car into a tree, to an impaired driver going for a joy
ride and damaging the car. A different example of property damage is the theft of a guest’s purse/wallet or valuable articles from the party-giver’s property.

Homeowners coverage pays for damage to another person’s property, if the homeowner is held liable. A homeowner’s negligence and
omissions (i.e., failing to take steps that might have prevented an incident) are reasons that he or she can be found liable for damage to another person’s
property.

To prevent accidents, consider some sensible safety precautions:

Grilling

Some 5,000 people are injured by charcoal, wood-burning and
propane grill fires each year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration of the
Federal Emergency Management Administration. Good safety practices include:

• Before using a propane gas
  grill, check the connection between the tank and the fuel line. Make sure
  the Venturi tubes (where the air and gas mix) are not blocked, and check
  hoses for cracks or damage.
• Never use a propane
  barbecue grill on a balcony, terrace or roof. And never grill/barbecue in
  enclosed areas, as deadly carbon monoxide can be produced.
• Keep a fire extinguisher
  or a source of water (a garden hose or four-gallon pail of water) near an outdoor
  grill or barbecue.
• While barbecuing, don’t
  wear loose clothing. Use long-handled barbecue tools and/or mitts that are
  flame resistant.
• Don’t squirt flammable liquids onto an open flame.
• Don’t leave a grill unattended.
• Keep matches and lighters
  away from children. Supervise children around outdoor grills, which are
  objects of curiosity.
• If using a charcoal or
  wood fire, dispose of hot coals properly by soaking them with water, then
  stirring to ensure that fire is extinguished. Never place them in plastic,
  paper or wooden containers.
• Keep alcoholic beverages away from the grill since they are flammable.

Drinking

Liquids containing alcohol cause the human body to lose more fluid, say health educators. So summertime drinking in the sun or heat can present
hazards to health, including impaired judgment, balance and coordination.
Consider these safety tips if serving:

• Use designated drivers.
• Make non-alcoholic beverages as available as alcoholic drinks.
• Stop serving alcohol before the party ends.
• If children are attending the event, remember that alcohol may seem more available to them at a
  party.

Dining outdoors

Food-borne illnesses favor the hot conditions found at outdoor events where food is not refrigerated or may be undercooked. The U.S.
Department of Agriculture offers food safety tips:

• Cook foods thoroughly to safe minimum internal temperatures.
• Keep hot foods hot and
  cold foods cold. Hot foods should be heated and maintained at 140 °F or
  warmer with chafing dishes, slow cookers, and warming trays. Cold foods
  should be held at 40 °F or colder. Maintain cold by placing food dishes in
  bowls of ice or in a cooler.
• Live by the “two-hour rule”: Foods should not sit at room temperature for more than two hours.

TLIG is a local Trusted Choice^® agency that represents multiple insurance companies, so it offers you a variety
of personal and business coverage choices and can customize an insurance plan to meet your specialized needs.
Visit us online at www.tligins.com or call us at (434) 582-1444.

Consumers spend billions on their homes. Home improvement
projects tallied to a whopping $280 billion in 2005, according to research from
the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University. The center forecasts
that home renovations will grow at a steady 3.7% rate annually through 2015,
after inflation.

What shouldn’t be lost in the excitement of adding a
bedroom, finishing a basement or updating the kitchen is your financial
security. The risk management and insurance tools available through your
Trusted Choice^® insurance agent are indispensable when you’re renovating.

Be aware that home renovations add to the risks you’re facing
as a homeowner, including injuries to family, contractors and delivery workers;
fire, theft, and vandalism; and water damage. What’s more, know that you must
protect yourself from financial liability for anything that goes wrong.

It’s imperative that your homeowners and umbrella
insurance coverages are set up correctly before, during and after your
renovation project. The time and paperwork required may seem a distraction when
you’re eager to upgrade an older home, install an energy efficiency retrofit,
or renovate a rental property. But it’s every bit as important as buying the building
materials or choosing the contractor.

Before renovations start: Require
contractors to provide proof of insurance for workers compensation and
liability coverages. Your insurance agent can guide you on how to do this and
what to ask the contractor to provide.

Workers compensation insurance pays for medical and
rehabilitation expenses (and covers lost wages) if workers are hurt on the job.
Workers who are injured in your home can sue you or claim damages from you if
the contractor they work for does not have adequate coverage. (By default your
homeowners and umbrella liability policies can become their insurance coverage,
an unwelcome development for those who pay the premiums and do the claims
paperwork.)

If you need to move out during construction, notify your
agent so you can be certain that you have proper coverage for a temporary
residence such as a hotel or rented home.

Recognize that building code upgrades and market changes
may change the standard to which your renovated home is held. For example, home
alarm systems have become popular, so you may wish to add one during your
renovations. It may add to the renovation cost, but can make your home safer
and earn a homeowners insurance discount. Such decisions are generally best
considered before the project starts.

During construction: With the added risks—such as
construction accidents, fires due to power tools and open utility lines, and
strangers in the house who may be tempted to steal your property or your
identity—you may want to consider temporarily increasing homeowners and/or
umbrella policy limits and/or changing the deductible.

After the project is finished: Home improvements can increase the
market value and replacement cost of your home. Your agent can guide you to
proper insurance coverage levels for homeowners and umbrella policies. At that
time, you may want to also ask about guaranteed replacement cost coverage for
your homeowners policy.

The renovated or expanded space in your home may fill up
with new furniture, exercise equipment, electronics, and appliances. Track
those purchases with receipts and a written or electronic home inventory.
Additionally, check the coverage in your homeowners policy for personal
property, as this may need to be adjusted as well.

Talk to your insurance
agent to be sure your home is properly insured at all stages of a home
renovation project.

TLIG is a local Trusted Choice^®
agency that represents multiple insurance companies, so it offers you a variety
of personal and business coverage choices and can customize an insurance plan
to meet your specialized needs.

You can visit TLIG online at www.tligins.com
or call us at (434) 582-1444.