Trick-Or-Treat Safety

On Trick-or-Treat nights around Iowa, increased pedestrian and vehicle traffic paired with weather changes and the distractions of costumes and candy can lead to more accidents. State health departments report that pedestrian-vehicle accidents are four times more likely to occur during Trick-or-Treat nights.  For the most part, general liability homeowners insurance will provide defense coverage for bodily injury or property damage for your negligence.  But, how can we stay safe on the streets? Here are a few simple precautions to stay safe.

v  Decorations

Use flameless candles and keep decorations away from lights that may get hot.

v  Lighting

Keep your property well-lit.

v  Move obstacles

These could be ordinary tripping hazards like a garden hose or tree roots. If you have a chip in the pavement, consider placing a pumpkin or hay bail on top of that area to redirect traffic. Clear your sidewalks of snow or leaves.

HalloweenCostumes.com

v  Secure your pets

Your pouch may be cuddly with you, but you never know what demeanor could trip their trigger. Keep pets away from people for the protection of the animal and visitors. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), more than one-third of all liability claims paid in 2012 by homeowners insurance companies were the result of dog bites, totaling $479 million.  Check with your agent to make sure your dog is covered under your homeowner’s policy.

v  Costume Choice

Think warm, trip-reducing, and light-weight with minimal accessories.

v  Inspect your candy to make sure it is individually wrapped

•      Comprehensive Auto Insurance

Trick-or-Treat night can give citizens a wild hair.  The good news: Vandalism to your car is covered by your comprehensive auto insurance.

“I would say most people have a $250 or $500 deductible for comprehensive on the auto policy.  As to whether a client files a claim is totally up to them and each person is different.  I think insurance is to be used for the ‘catastrophic’ times when it will put us in a financial hardship and not just because we have it,” says Jayson Jones of Jones Insurance and Associates.

People may consider filing a claim worthwhile if they receive estimates for damage repair that are more costly than they would want to pay out of pocket.

Melinda Warren
Jones Insurance & Associates Contributor

Deer & Drivers in Iowa

The number of deer killed on rural highways increased by about 5 percent in 2011, according to the Iowa DNR’s Trends in Iowa Wildlife Populations and Harvest, published October 2012.

State Farm Insurance recently released an annual study concluding that the odds that an individual driver in the United States will crash into a deer during the next year have declined by 4.3 percent.

However, Iowa moves up one spot to third, meaning 1 in 73 drivers are projected to hit a deer this year.  To read more on these annual reports, visit the links below.

Double check with your insurance provider to make sure your current auto insurance policy would cover damage sustained from deer-vehicle accidents.

The DNR reports that it uses four methods to trend deer populations in Iowa, including aerial surveys, spotlight surveys, a record of the number of deer killed on Iowa's rural highways throughout the year coupled with annual highway use estimates, and the bowhunter observation

Survey.  The DNR reports that deer populations in Iowa seem to be decreasing overall, but could just be shifting population densities to different counties and so on. To counter the efficiency of deer reproduction, the DNR implements a certain number of deer that can be harvested per year.  The reported kill for the 2011 through 2012 season was 121,407—about 4.5 percent lower than in 2010.

Although difficult to obtain an average estimate for deer-vehicle collisions, the most common reported damage costs between $1,000 and $3,000.  The annual DNR report states that deer are adaptable and will roam many different types of habitats as long as the area provides adequate cover. Examples of these types of areas include brushy areas, marshes, grassy areas and standing corn. Drive especially careful in these areas.

• Additional Resources

DNR trending report
KCCI review of annual State Farm report
State Farm press release 2012 annual report
KCCI article woman hits deer

Melinda Warren
Jones Insurance & Associates Contributor

Make Good Choices..Get Renter's Insurance

As the season changes our mind shifts to football, fall weather and the holidays. Yet, things we have put on the back burner are still quite important.  Let's redirect our attention to college.  College is a time of immense freedom. While we can't protect our children from a lot of things, we can protect them from some things like theft and vandalism.

If anyone has been on Facebook lately, you may have noticed that Grand Theft Auto 5 came out last week. This momentous video game release is relevant two-fold—first, in the sense of the possession of the game itself, and secondly—erratic behavior.

• Renters Insurance: It covers a ton of stuff!

 Renters insurance is inexpensive—about $10 per month. 

It covers personal property like that brand new video game your son or daughter just spent $70 to buy, or textbooks, futons, laptops, mini-fridges and other furniture and possessions.  As a young adult, it is always a good idea to have renters insurance to protect belongings.  I love hosting social gatherings, but living in an apartment with high traffic is high-risk.  Even while always keeping an eye on my belongings, if friends of friends were over at my apartment, I found myself to be more and more concerned about my belongings.  As a college student with limited income, who has extra money to spend to replace items if damaged or stolen?

The same caution should apply in terms of personal liability.  Renters insurance offers this coverage in the event that someone is hurt in your rented home.  Don’t we all have one of those friends who consistently behaves boldly?  Perhaps Joe was not watching where he was walking and tripped on your cords to your PlayStation, causing him to fall and break his wrist.  Or, maybe he breaks his finger in your sliding patio door.  And, let’s be honest, folks, I think we’ve all heard of crazier situations at college gatherings.  Review these scenarios and your options with Jones Insurance & Associates to give yourself and your children the mental ease of knowing liability coverage will shield you financially from accidents.

Renters insurance is also important because it typically covers your possessions damaged by a fire.  Living in an apartment attached to several other units increases the risk of all damage, including fire. Often times landlord insurance only covers the physical dwelling; NOT the inhabitants’ belongings inside!

• Considerations for Renters Insurance:

Make sure your policy will move with you when you move.

See if your renters’ insurance policy covers your items if damaged while moving.

Make sure to add new, large purchases under your policy to keep the estimated value of your possessions accurate.

Correctly report everything to your insurance agent, such as roommates, the number of roommates, your address, and the number of units per building.

• Erratic driving: Switching “Gears”

Whether you buy into video games brainwashing America’s youth or not, there has already been a string of crimes surrounding the release of the video game.  The NewYork Post reported that three young men posed as cops to cut in line to purchase the game.  The Guardian reported that a man was stabbed and robbed of his recently purchased copy of the game.

All in all, Grand Theft Auto 5 demonstrates crude behavior involving the prevalence of drugs, profanity and theft.  Erratic behaviors could become more common, especially amongst college students living at optimum freedom.

• Are you covered?

Even if you aren’t a college student or do not have college-aged children, knowing the ins and outs of renters insurance will have a positive impact on your life.  For non-college renters, all of the above information still applies.  There is still a threat of vandalism, theft, fire, personal liability and accidental property damage within your home, so renters insurance is still highly recommended. 

One specific scenario we may not think about is the fact that in our culture it seems to be more popular for unmarried couples to cohabitate.  In these instances, the “tenant” does not have coverage under the homeowners’ insurance.   In order to be insured, the “tenant” must be a family member, spouse, or added to the insurance policy as an insured individual on the policy.

As consumers, it is our job to assess the coverage our families need.  Jones Insurance & Associates can provide quotes for a single type of insurance or several types of insurance.  Jones Insurance & Associates strives to consolidate your policies to provide you the best coverage for the best price.

Melinda Warren
Jones Insurance & Associates Contributor

Umbrella Insurance: Not Common Enough

Is your house the Hangout House? Do you ever worry about injuries and the lawsuit risk swirling around us these days? Living a high-risk lifestyle such as having youthful drivers, active kids, and serving alcohol in your home can all increase the risk of lawsuits. Keep your family safe with umbrella insurance. 

·         What is it?

“Umbrella” insurance refers to a policy protecting the insured's assets more broadly than primary coverage.  Umbrella insurance protects your income, retirement and home equity by providing a safety net of extra coverage.  An umbrella policy is pure liability coverage above and beyond your regular policy coverage, sold in increments of $1 million.  This may sound like a lot, but later I will offer examples of how these expenses can add up.

·         How It Works

Umbrella insurance is a safety net or cushion. For example, if the insured has an auto insurance policy with liability limits of $500,000 and a homeowners insurance policy with a limit of $300,000, then adds the $1 million umbrella, the insured's limits become $1.5 million on an auto liability claim and $1.3 million on a homeowners liability claim.

·         How much does $1 million cost?

Umbrella insurance costs vary, but generally start around a couple hundred dollars for the first $1 million of coverage. Again, this may sound like a lot, but consider reading a medical bill as if you were uninsured—simple procedures cost hundreds of dollars! Unfortunately, we may not realize the reality of how much emergencies and accidents cost until they happen to us.  Umbrella insurance is priceless. 

·         Homeowners Insurance Policies

Our kids are also priceless—we love seeing them in their active states, and having the neighborhood kids over is part of the social package.  But, if your kids are anything like my clutzy-self, they could trip on landscaping or uneven terrain and sprain their ankle.  They could fall out of a tree and break their wrist.  They could obtain a concussion during a seemingly harmless game of tackle football. 
Let’s say your home liability limit is $300,000. If the kids are playing baseball in your backyard and your child accidentally hits the neighbor child in the head with a bat, your home policy will pay up to the $300,000 coverage, and the umbrella pays up to $1 million on top of that.

·         Auto Insurance Policies

Umbrella insurance also applies to your auto insurance policy.
“When you look at an auto policy with limits of 250/500/100, that is talking about your policy will cover what you are legally liable for up to the limits of $250,000 per person, $500,000 for multiple people and $100,000 of property damage,” says Jayson Jones of Jones Insurance & Associates. Jones provides this explanation:

 So, you run a stop sign and T-bone a car that has in it with the following damages:

Mom	$220,000
Dad	$300,000
Child	$250,000
2013 Chevrolet Impala	$35,000

Your policy would pay to fully cover mom at $220,000, cover dad up to the individual limit at $250,000, and use the remaining $30,000 (of $500,000 multiple people) to cover the child. This leaves you to be personally responsible for the remaining $270,000 that was not covered. Your excess umbrella will pay what you are liable for above your auto policy up to $1 million.

“The 250/500/100 above is higher than most people have, so that puts us even
more for the need for an umbrella,” says Jones.

Accidents are called accidents because you never know what is going to happen, who will be involved and what will be damaged.  But, unfortunately, someone has to pay for medical expenses and repairs. If you are at fault, this can happen to you.
If you injure someone, you would owe for lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering. The lost wages alone for a breadwinner of a home could be millions of dollars and medical bills might be about $500,000.

Most of us do not have this type of money available in case of emergencies.  Don’t cut your insurance so close: Don’t miss the opportunity to provide a safe, healthy environment for your family.

Melinda Warren
Jones Insurance & Associates Contributor

Exclusions of a Policy: Sump Pumps, Sewer Backup, Flood

One thing we can count on in Iowa is the unpredictable weather.  This spring is a time for rain and vegetation growth, making the condition of your home of utmost importance. Home and business owners are responsible for the maintenance of their property, including the sewer system. Most homeowner and business insurance policies do not cover sewer backup, flood and seepage.  To alleviate the worry of dealing with flood or sewer backup damage and expenses, our companies suggest that you consider adding or endorsing coverage.      

Sump pump and sewer backup is a one package available.  This coverage can range from $5,000 for an unfinished basement to $25,000 for a fully furnished basement.

Flood coverage is a separate package available to add or endorse.

The best way to protect your basement from flooding is to pay attention to how your home interacts with the environment.

+Sump Pump Activity
When water seeps into the ground under your home, water enters the sump pump and is pumped out away from your home. Some simple maintenance can prevent malfunction, but emergencies do happen.

How Does a Sump Pump Work?
A sump pump is located in the lowest part of your home, and when water seeps into the sump pump, the chamber fills. The sump pump is activated by a pressure sensor detecting the presence of the water.  The motor turns on and spins the water until it exits up and out through a pipe, which travels outside away from your home.

What if Your Sump Pump Stops Working?
Sump pumps run on electricity, but most have battery backup systems.  Most sump pumps are equipped with flood alarms and alert you if the pump isn't working properly and water is backing up.  Sophisticated systems can notify your alarm company or call your cell phone if the water starts to rise. Lastly, there should always be a manual emergency mode.

Here are Some Tips to Keep Your Sump Pump in Working Condition:
*Listen – if there is water coming in, is your sump pump kicking on?  If not, there could be a switch malfunction within the system requiring more research on the mechanical system.  Make sure your sump pump is plugged in and all fuses are functioning properly.  If there is a power outage, the sump pump may not have switched to battery-mode yet.  Or, the battery source could be drained. Do you hear vibrations? This implies that the system is not securely installed, which could lead to tipping over or a malfunctioning flood arm.
*Periodically pour a bucket of water into the pit to make sure the pump starts automatically and the water drains quickly once the pump is on. If the pump doesn't start, have it serviced by a professional.
*Ensure the outlet pipes are tightly joined together and draining out at least 20 feet away from your foundation.
*If all else fails, you can turn to a hand-operated pump or buckets to move water out of the pit.

+Sewer Backup
A sewage backup can occur when a sewer system becomes blocked with something, like tree roots, grease, or non-flushable items. This leads to the sewer water coming up through your basement drains. A basement flood could cost a few thousand dollars to pump out and dry properly, including possible carpet removal and mold prevention or treatment. 

There are three categories of water:

	Description	Source
Category 1	Clean water	Leaky Pipe
Category 2	Gray water	Appliances (i.e., washing machine)
Category 3	Black water	Sewage, Biohazard, Flood water

The property owner is responsible for maintaining the sewer system on the property.  A damaged or blocked sewer line can allow groundwater to seep into the system, contributing to the possible sewer backup problems.

+Adding or Endorsing Sump Pump, Sewer Backup Coverage
To make sure your family and home is safe from sump pump and sewer backup, our companies would suggest that you proactively add or endorse sump pump and sewer backup coverage to your current policy.

These additions and endorsements would insure and pay up to the limit of liability for direct physical loss to property caused by water, or water-borne material, which backed up due to sewers or drains.  Our companies suggest obtaining a level of coverage suitable to your basement environment.  For example, start with low-coverage for an unfinished basement and increase coverage gradually until you’re comfortable with the amount of coverage for your fully finished and furnished basement.

This coverage does not apply to any loss which is caused by the negligence of an insured, or which is the direct or indirect result of flood.

+Adding or Endorsing Flood Insurance
Flood insurance is a separate package.

 + Read it, Know it, Weigh Risks 

One of the most important things about insurance is to understand your policy.  Jones Insurance & Associates can help you plan what is best for your family.  Some sections of your policy could say something like, “This coverage is additional insurance.” If you feel that you are at a high-risk for certain damages—such as those big, old, heavy trees blowing around and possibly damaging structures—contact your insurance agent. 

 Jones Insurance & Associates can also help you interpret technicalities, such as coverage under, “Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam,” which later goes on to say that this does not include sump pumps, gutters and downspouts.

Keep in mind that the coverage described in your policy only applies when loss or costs are avoided by the homeowner by using reasonable means to save the property from further damage.  The loss or costs cannot be caused by the negligence of an insured homeowner.If you are interested in preventing the above situations in which you could find damages to your home that are not covered by your current policy, contact Jones Insurance & Associates today.

Melinda Warren
Jones Insurance & Associates Contributor