Out With the Old  

In With the New!

So 2018 is over and 2019 has begun. The start of a new year is a time for many to re-evaluate their closet, their pantry, their decor, their vocation, their relationship, their lives in general. People make New Years Resolutions many are unable to keep longer than a few weeks (or days if you are like me!)
Now I don't propose to help you with your relationships or vocation, but I may have a few tips for making some changes to your home this new year.

If you are anything like our family, you have packed away the Holiday decorations. But somehow the house doesn't look the same as it did before you put them up. That small time of unfamiliar is the perfect time to make some changes. You are already in the mood for new and different and you have created space in your home by removing the decorations. 

 #1 Did you get something new? Donate something old!

If you get a new robe, give away the old. How about a new blanket? Maybe you can give an old one to a shelter or a person in need. Even if they are a bit ratty, animal shelters can use old blankets and towels! Did you get new sneakers? Are the old ones still in decent condition? There are many people in need of decent shoes!

#2 Did you get gifts you don't want? You don't have to keep them.

I am a pack rat and I also worry that anyone who gives me a gift will want to see it used. But I have to admit that many gifts end up in a cabinet or closet somewhere. We had a rule, if we didn't use an item in the last year, it's time to give it away. But now I try to give away unwanted items as soon as I realize I will not use them. This helps you not have to do a massive clean up down the road. (Do you have one of those closets you cannot open?)

#3 When did you last clean out that medicine cabinet?

There may have been a time or two when I cleaned out our medicine cabinet and found medicine that was over 2 years old! If you are anything like me, you buy some over the counter for some temporary symptom and then it gets shoved to the back because it's no longer used. It's unsafe to use medicine after it's expiration date.  Do you always check the date before you take the medicine? Does your spouse or your kids? I know it doesn't happen in our house. Try to go through and throw out the expired medicine once a year.
Do the same for your refrigerator and your pantry. Expired food needs to go!

#4 Do you really need two of those?

I am also a gadget queen. I LOVE gadgets, especially kitchen gadgets. I also, forget that I have already bought things. Go through your kitchen cabinets every so often and give away things you haven't used at all in the last year (even if you just KNOW you might need it sometime), Also look for things you have more than one of. At one point I had 5 different sets of measuring spoons. Same measurements, just different spoons! I am a firm believer you cannot have too many bowls or too many spatulas. But if you don't have the space for multiples, I promise you can survive with only one of each!

#5 New year, new insurance?

Most insurance policies are 12 months long. But that does not mean they start at the new year. Since cleaning and reevaluating is already on your mind, you will likely begin thinking of other things you can re-evaluate. And you can reevaluate and make changes to your insurance policy any time. You don't have to wait for the renewal. Take a look at your policy. Look at things like contact information, housing value, coverage amounts. Sometimes the most obvious things (like changes to your contact information) are the very things we overlook. Things that may affect your coverage are adding a swimming pool, a trampoline or a new dog. Check in with your agent and discuss your policy.

There are three ways to request a quote for your insurance needs: 

* Visit our website

* Email us

* Call Brockman Premier Insurance  877-987-8683  

Loan/Lease Gap Coverage

How Can You Cover the Gap?

 You just bought your dream car 6 months ago. You have been oh so careful. No one is allowed to eat or drink in your car. You stop fully at every stop sign. You stat a full car length behind every car you drive behind. Until one day you don’t stop at the stop sign.

Your dream car is totaled. Then you find out that not only is your dream car gone, but the insurance isn’t going to cover the full amount you owe on your loan. They say something about not having Gap insurance. What is that? Why would I have had it? How can I get it? How much will it cost me? We can explain that!

Want a better scenario?

   When you buy a new car, many carriers (and dealerships!) offer Loan or Lease Gap coverage as an optional coverage. With this coverage, if you have a total loss, you are covered for the difference in the your now totaled cars value and what you owe on the loan.  The market value for your car isn't necessarily the same amount as what you owe on your car loan. Carriers pay out Actual Cash Value on your car, unless it is a certified classic automobile or you have a special policy that pays a specified amount for the car. Usually the adjuster will use the Market value of your car, at the age it is and the shape it is in. One way you can decide if the Gap coverage is worth the premium, is to ask yourself if you can pay off that loan difference out of pocket?

Where can you get Loan Gap coverage?

      When you buy a brand new car, the dealership will usually offer you this coverage. Before you take it, call your insurance agent. (You need to call them anyway to add your new car!) They should offer the Gap coverage to you, but if they don't, ask about it. It is usually inexpensive to add this optional coverage. I just added the coverage to a policy yesterday and it only added $17 annually. That is a great price to save you possibly thousands down the road. It is important to note that most carriers I know offer this coverage on cars less than 2 years old. Some may go up to 3 years, but that is it. It isn't worth it for the carrier to offer to pay out on older cars. If you have Gap coverage on your policy, the carrier will drop it at the renewal once a car is over their allotted age. You will want to look for it on your renewal. 

What about Lease Gap coverage?

   If you are leasing a car, ask if your contract includes this coverage. Many do, which is convenient! If not, most carriers offer the coverage on lease cars also. Keep in mind, this coverage only applies in the case of a total loss.  As always, it is up to you whether or not you add optional coverage. Take a look at the premium vs. the gap and decide which one you can live with. The same basic guidelines apply to Lease Gap coverage as for Loan Gap coverage.

There are three ways to request a quote for your insurance needs: 

* Visit our website

* Email us

* Call Brockman Premier Insurance at 877-987-8683  

Frozen Pipes

Protect those pipes!  

Winter brings hazards that need to be taken seriously. When the weather is freezing and there is ice and snow, we know to drive slower (I hope!) We know to walk more carefully outside. But what about inside our homes? What harm can come to our safe, warm home from the ice outside? One of the biggest risks in Winter is Frozen Pipes.

Generally, damage from pipes bursting is covered under your home insurance policy as "sudden and accidental" water damage. But water claims are usually expensive which doesn't look good on insurance history (meaning higher rates in your future). Here are some tips to avoid those water claims:

PREVENT FROZEN PIPES

 The first thing you should do is protect the pipes exposed outdoors. 

Water in pipes can freeze. The water will expand in the pipes as it freezes, which can cause pipes to burst. This can cause untold damaged to your home and belongings.  You can buy insulation at your neighborhood hardware store. You can also take old socks, sweatshirts or towels and wrap and tape them over the pipes. Remove the hose before insulating the faucet. You may also want to insulate indoor piping that is in an unheated area, such as the attic or any crawl space. This is especially true for homes in areas with harsh winters. Moving water is less likely to freeze, so drip your faucets on freezing nights. You don't need to run the water, a slow drip will work just fine.   

IF PIPES ARE FROZEN

   If you turn on your faucet and no water comes out, chances are your pipes are already frozen. You want to thaw them as soon as possible. The longer they stay frozen, the more likely they are to burst. You should always assume the pipe may already have a tear and shut off your water at the main water valve. It is often in or near the garage. But walk your property and make sure know where it is and what tool you need to turn it off quickly. There are steps you can take to thaw the pipes yourself. But if you are not comfortable with your handyman abilities, call a plumber. 

THAW FROZEN PIPES

   If you want to try to find and fix the frozen section yourself, start with the closest exposed pipe to the faucet(s) and wrap it with rags or towels. Pour a little hot water over it until the water flows again. Do not EVER use a hair dryer or electric heater near frozen pipes. As the water thaws, it becomes a fire and/or electric shock danger if the water sprays as it thaws.
If your home does incur water damage, call your Insurance agent. They will have contacts to clean up water damage. 

There are three ways to request a quote for your insurance needs: 

* Visit our website

* Email us

* Call Brockman Premier Insurance at 877-987-8683  

Insuring Jewelry

SHOULD I INSURE MY JEWELRY?

   Did you get a shiny, new bauble for Christmas? Or are you a January baby, with a new Garnet gemstone ring or necklace? Should you worry about insuring your new item?

   Most basic Homeowners policies will cover up to $1500 in jewelry. I don't know about you, but that would cover most of my jewelry. But that is the total amount for the policy, not what can be paid out for each piece. 

Scheduled Jewelry

In my case, I have my wedding rings "scheduled" separately on my Homeowners policy. This means if my covered rings are lost or stolen, I will receive compensation for the Appraised  amount, without diminishing the amount of my basic jewelry coverage. 
   This is the entire reason to have insurance in the first place. It is meant to "make you whole" again in the event of a loss. Your jewelry counts as a loss. But you need to make sure you have the right coverage. Check your Home policy. If you have just the basic coverage, again- it will cover up to $1500 on most policies. Some have what is called a Blanket endorsement, sometimes up to $50,000 for special valuables. But even these will only pay out up to $10,000 for one item. This may be adequate for many people. But is it adequate for you?
   Talk with your Insurance Agent (that is what they are there for!) about the possibility of Scheduling certain valuables on your Homeowners policy. It will involve providing a Certified Appraisal for covered items, including pictures and paying extra premium. The extra premium isn't too much depending on the amount you are scheduling out. But know your choices so you can make an INFORMED decision! 

There are three ways to request a quote for your insurance needs: 

* Visit our website

* Email us

* Call Brockman Premier Insurance at 877-987-8683  

Holiday Hazards- Decorating Safety

DECORATING WITHOUT BURNING Down the HOUSE!

During the Holiday season each year, fires claim the lives of more than 400 Americans, injure 1,650 more, and cause more than $990 million in damage. 

Candle-related fires are one of the most common holiday home hazards, averaging more than 12,000 each year. Candles are a beautiful addition to Holicy decor. But make sure you keep those Advent and Chanukah  candles away from flammable items (like your tree and those wooden Nutcrackers!) Always blow them out when you leave the room. And double check if you are leaving the house. One candle is all it takes.
   


Another indoor fire hazards this time of year is the Christmas Tree. You want to place the tree at least three feet from any heat source, such as the fire place, a radiator or candles. If you have a an artificial tree, make sure the box is labeled or certified by the manufacturer as UL tested to withstand fire. If you have a real tree, remember a moist tree is less likely to catch fire than a dry one. When selecting your tree, check to see if the needles fall off when touched- this indicates a dry tree. To keep it moist, keep water in the tree stand and check it daily.    

One of the biggest fire hazards is the fire place. Everyone loves a roaring fire when it is cold out. But it can cause horrible damage if proper care is not taken. Hang those stockings with care! Make sure your damper is open and cover your fireplace with a screen or grate. Curb that temptation to put the tree next to the fire place. It will make a lovely picture, but the consequences can be deadly. On Christmas morning, grab a garbage bag to throw the wrapping paper in. Tossing it into your fireplace can create enough sparks and embers to start a fire outside the fireplace. 


Decorations help us feel festive during this wonderful time of year. I know it brightens up our home . But let's decorate with safety in mind and keep those we love safe and sound!
   
If you do have a fire, get your family out of the house and call 911. Call you insurance company once everyone is safe and the fire is out..

You can also check out  tips from the experts at This Old House about preventing Holiday fires.

There are three ways to request a quote for your insurance needs: 

* Visit our website

* Email us

* Call Brockman Premier Insurance at 877-987-8683