Put safety first.
Make personal safety your first priority. Listen to the local radio for up-to-date information. Stay out of damaged buildings. If you’re in an evacuated area, don’t return to your home until local authorities report that it’s safe. When you survey your home, check first for damage to gas, electric or sewage systems. Don’t use damaged systems until they’ve been checked by professionals. If gas is leaking, turn it off at the main shut-off valve, leave the building immediately and call a professional for service. Watch out for broken glass and sharp objects. If you must drive, use caution. Look out for downed wires and debris, and remember bridges and roads may be damaged.
Call to file your claim.
If you have tornado damage, report it to your insurance carrier as soon as possible. During this first call, you should be ready to provide at least a general description of your damage. A representative will talk you through your claim, recording the details. A claims professional will call you after you’ve reported your claim.  If you have serious damage, they will make every effort to get to you first.
Make temporary repairs.
If a tornado has caused damage to your property, it is your responsibility to take action to avoid further damage, once it is safe to do so. Heavy rains often accompany tornados and wind storms. The longer your home is exposed to water, the more damage you’ll see to your roof, ceiling, walls and floors— as well as any personal belongings you have inside. If you can, cover holes in the roof or broken windows with heavy-duty tarps or plywood to prevent additional water damage. Move wet items to drier ground. Wash and dry whatever you can. If you’re not sure it’s safe for you to do any of this the work, professionals can help. You’ll usually find them listed under “contractors” or “water damage restoration” in your phone directory.Make sure to save receipts from any temporary fixes as part of documenting your damage.

Review your insurance policy, so you know what’s covered.
Check your policy to see what’s covered and the deductible you’ve chosen. Reviewing your policy will help you prepare questions for your claims professional. Your insurance policy typically cover the cost to repair common tornado damage —including damage to roofs and walls, cars and your inventory or belongings. However, your deductible does apply — and you also may have a higher deductible for wind/hail damage that applies to tornados. If you can’t live in your home, your carrier will pay additional living expenses, as noted in
your policy, while damage is assessed and your home repaired or rebuilt. If, for some reason, your repairs take longer, you may be eligible for additional assistance from federal emergency programs.
Document your damage.
As soon as you can, start making a list of items that were damaged by the tornado. A good, thorough list will help us process your claim faster. Document the damage with
photos, video tapes, bills and receipts. In the meantime, don’t throw out damaged items — especially expensive ones. Your claims professional will advise you about any specific information we will need to from you to process your claim so you can get started on permanent repairs.
Schedule permanent repairs.
Most insurance carriers requires you to wait until your claims professional has assessed your damage before you begin making permanent repairs. However, we encourage you to schedule permanent repairs as soon as possible because contractors can be tough to schedule after a tornado strikes. Use a local, licensed, bonded and insured contractor, and check references.
Understand your responsibility for home improvements.
The companies will replace damaged items and materials of the same type and quality of the materials you’re replacing. For example, if you have a fiberglass roof, they will pay to
repair or replace damage with fiberglass materials — but they won’t pay to replace it with expensive slate tile. If damage is extensive, people sometimes decide to take the opportunity to upgrade their property with better or more expensive materials. Again, the companies will only pay for replacing materials of the same type and quality. If you want to pay the additional expense to upgrade, you’re certainly welcome to do that out of your personal budget. Any time you make improvements to your property, talk to your agent to make sure
you have enough insurance and to find out if you are eligible for discounts.

Be careful to take certain precautions after the storm has passed. Damage to your home can have a dramatic emotional impact, and it’s best to have a plan before the storm strikes for how to reenter your home. Having a plan, and being aware of certain risks, will minimize the threat of harm to you or your family.  

Keep these tips in mind:

• Stay turned to local news organizations, such as a radio or television station, for important announcements, bulletins, and instructions concerning the storm area, medical aid and other forms of assistance, such as food, water and shelter.  

• Remember that you may not have immediate access to your home. Emergency rescue crews, power crews and other personnel may be attending to special needs. Roads could be blocked, power lines could be down and people may be trapped and in need of assistance.  

• Make sure that you have current identification. You may have to pass through identification check points before being allowed access to your home/neighborhood.  

• Avoid driving, as roads may be blocked.

• Avoid sight-seeing or entering a storm ravaged area unnecessarily. You could be mistaken for a looter.  

• Avoid downed power lines even if they look harmless.

• Avoid metal fences and other metal objects near downed lines.  

• DO NOT use matches in a storm ravaged area until all gas lines are checked for leaks (keep flashlights and plenty of batteries at hand).  

• Avoid turning the power on at your home if there is flooding present. Have a professional conduct a thorough inspection first.  

• Consider having professionals/licensed contractors inspect your home for damage and help in repairs. This includes electricians, as well as professionals to inspect gas lines, remove uprooted trees and check plumbing.

• Remember that downed or damaged trees can contain power lines that can be a hazard.  

• Use a camera or camcorder to record thoroughly any damage done to your home before any repairs are attempted.  

• In certain areas, the flooding rains that accompany a storm can create pest problems. Be aware of potential pest problems in your area, such as mice, rats, insects or snakes, that may have “come with the storm”.  

• Telephone lines will likely be busy in the area; use a phone only for emergencies.

• Flooding brings with it the risk of waterborne bacterial contaminations.

• You should assume that the water is not safe and use properly stored water or boil your tap water.

These are just a few ideas to be thinking about before and after a severe storm hits. Remember to keep your radio tuned to a station issuing emergency bulletins and updates with the latest information.

Myth 1:
All older drivers are bad drivers.
The Truth:
As a group, older drivers are relatively  safe drivers.
With greater maturity, experience and good judgment, older drivers are most often safe drivers. While they do have more accidents per mile driven, especially after age 75, older drivers have fewer accidents overall – testimony to the
decision by many to limit their own driving.
It is true that older adults (including passengers and pedestrians) are more likely to be seriously injured or killed in accidents – but this is mainly because aging bodies are more vulnerable. An accident that a 30-year-old might walk away from with only minor injuries could result in death for an 80-year-old.
While we should all be concerned about the frequency of crash fatalities of older drivers, this should not be mistaken as proof that older drivers are dangerous. In fact, older drivers are more dangerous to themselves than to others.
This increased danger underscores how important it is for older adults to drive more carefully and cautiously; your stakes are higher – you have much more to lose if you’re in an accident.

Myth 2:
At a certain age, everyone will have to stop driving.
The Truth:
Age does not determine whether a person will have to stop driving. Safe driving is about health and ability – not age.
Two people who are the same age can have very different skills and abilities to drive safely. For example, the differences in skills between two 75-year-old drivers can be great – and much of that difference can be attributed to differences in fitness and health.
Few members of past generations, who had shorter lives and experienced greater health problems, even considered the possibility that they might be able to keep driving well into old age. Today, as we live longer and healthier lives, we want to stay mobile and involved – and continuing to drive becomes important to our ability to do that.
Studying the potential and the limitations of older drivers is relatively new in our society. As this science evolves, we are learning more and more about ways to keep drivers safe. For example, we now know that many people who have stopped driving (often after a health event) may be able to regain their ability to drive safely.

Myth 3:
When older drivers have difficulties with driving, they don’t want families involved.
The Truth:
If someone needs to talk to them about their driving, many older drivers would prefer to hear from a spouse or children.
If a spouse or other family member feels that an older driver is no longer safe, it’s time for a conversation. Limiting or stopping driving can be a very emotional topic for all involved. In research conducted by The Hartford and the
MIT AgeLab, older drivers expressed their preference for who should speak with them about their driving, if it becomes necessary. We found that:
• Married couples prefer to hear from a spouse or adult children. Outside the family, doctors are their top preference.
• Single older adults prefer to hear from doctors, closely followed by adult children.
• Most older adults put law-enforcement officials and other authorities low on the list.
For the conversation to be successful, it is also important that it be factual and well-planned.

Whether your car is a week old or 10 years old, you can’t have safety without proper maintenance. Follow the maintenance guidelines included in your car’s manual and you should be in good shape. Long before you need to begin thinking about major vehicle checkups, you’ll want to pay attention to the little things that can make a world of
difference to your safety.
• Windshields: Dirt on windshields and windows acts as a filter, reducing and scattering light while intensifying glare.
– Keep windows and windshields clean, inside and out.
– Keep wiper blades clean, and replace them when they start to streak or smear your windshield. Buy winter wiper blades if you live in an area with ice and snow.
– Do not add tinting to windshields or windows, as this can reduce visibility. (Light tinting is OK, and a tinted band
across the top of the windshield reduces glare without impairing vision.)
• Tires: What’s the biggest issue concerning the safety of your tires? No, it’s not lack of tread (although proper tread is certainly important). The most important consideration is proper inflation. And as a bonus, properly inflated tires will improve your gas mileage.
The recommended pounds per square inch for your vehicle’s tires is based on the car’s design load limit, and can be found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker on the inside of the driver’s door. The only way to know for sure that your tires are properly inflated is to check them with an accurate tire pressure gauge; it’s nearly impossible to tell if tires are
properly inflated just by looking or kicking!
You should check your tire pressure seasonally, before a long trip or whenever you have concerns about tire pressure.
– Tire pressure – Follow the inflation guidelines given in your car’s manual – not the number on the tire. Any tire can be used on more than one type of vehicle, and the number on the tire refers to the maximum permissible inflation pressure for that tire on any vehicle. Check your manual for the right tire pressure for your car.
– Tire wear – Remember to check your tires monthly for wear, as a problem can develop quickly. An easy way to determine if a tire has sufficient tread is to insert a penny, with Lincoln’s head straight down into the tread. If the tread doesn’t cover the top of his head, it’s time to go tire shopping!
• Brakes: The importance of brakes goes without saying. It’s normal for brakes to wear. Have your mechanic check on them every 6,000 miles or so. However, have your brakes checked immediately if:
– You hear any grinding or screeching sounds
– The brake pedal feels less firm than it once did
– The steering wheel vibrates when you apply the brakes
These are just a few highlights about vehicle maintenance. Be sure to check your owner’s manual. There are also numerous books and Web sites available on car maintenance to give you guidance on keeping your car in top condition.

Most crashes are not inevitable. While some are beyond your control, you can do a lot to avoid, or at least reduce the effects of, many crashes. While a defensive driving program will teach you many useful techniques for avoiding accidents, a few of the most important methods are highlighted here.
• Left turns at intersections: This is one of the major accident situations involving older drivers. That’s because there can be many elements demanding your attention, such as other cars, pedestrians, kids on bikes, or a changing light – and a driver who is trying torun it. Impaired depth perception and other vision changes can make this a treacherous situation. Exercise greater caution while making a left-hand turn or choose a route that avoids difficult turns.
• Rollovers: These types of accidents are responsible for 33% of car fatalities. Of those killed in rollover crashes, nearly 75% were not wearing a safety belt. Vehicles that are narrow and taller, such as SUVs, pickup trucks and vans, have a greater likelihood of rolling over. This is another factor to consider when selecting a vehicle. Of course, always wear your safety belt and don’t speed.
• Changing lanes: This type of accident is a major problem for adult drivers. As we age, we may have more difficulty turning our heads to look at cars approaching in an adjoining lane. Rear-view mirrors are important safety tools, but they’re not enough. Turn your head and look for approaching traffic in the lane into which you’ll be moving.
• Parking lots: It will be no surprise to anyone who has driven, even for a short period of time, that most parking lots are driving nightmares. Cars are backing up, often with the side views blocked by large vehicles, trucks or buildings; shoppers are hurrying to and fro without a glance left or right; and children newly released from the confines of their cars are running across driving lanes. The best advice:

– Park so that you can drive forward from your spot when it’s time to leave, if at all possible.
– Park farther away in the parking lot if you can, so you will have fewer cars and pedestrians to contend with as you depart.
– Drive very slowly in the lot and be prepared to stop quickly at every intersection, whether or not you have a stop sign.
– Watch for drivers who can’t be bothered driving in the established lanes, and who choose instead to follow their own direct route diagonally across the lot.
– Remember that you want to simply avoid an accident, not to show that you have – and intend to take – the right of way!

• Cell phones and other electronic gadgets: Whether you’re talking on a cell phone, texting, using your laptop or any other device not related to driving, you will be distracted from the task at hand – safe driving. State traffic laws are beginning to catch up with the common use of electronic devices, often banning their use while driving. Pull over when you need to use any electronic device.
• Dark, rainy nights: These driving situations are difficult at any age, and they’re especially dangerous for us as we age. By the time we reach our 40s and 50s, we have already noticed that our vision is less sharp on dark, rainy nights. Do your best to avoid driving in these conditions if you are uncomfortable. Now is the time to ask for a ride or, if possible, to put off the errand or visit until tomorrow.

It is asking a lot to expect a pet to behave in acar, so it’s important to create an environment that’s safe for both your pet and you.
Dogs
Small dogs often prefer to curl up on someone’s lap – and if that lap belongs to the driver, you have an unsafe situation. Car seats for small dogs are available through catalogs and in pet shops. Used with a back seat safety belt and a harness (never a collar!) on the dog, they keep pets in place, are soft and comfortable, and enable little critters to see out the windows – keeping everyone happy!
In addition to car seats, there is a wide range of travel harnesses designed for dogs of all sizes. These buckle into most standard safety belts to secure the dog safely and securely. Some dogs may be more comfortable in a travel crate. If
that’s true for your pooch, be sure the crate is secured within the vehicle.
Cats
Although they don’t generally like riding in cars, cats are safest in carriers – which should be restrained, preferably by safety belts. An unrestrained carrier will do nothing to protect the cat in the event of a crash – and will pose a danger to you and your passengers.
Pet Safety Tips
• Dogs and cats should always be kept safely inside the car.
• All pets should ride in the back seat, away from the passenger side air bag.
• Pets that are allowed to stick their heads out the window can be injured by particles of debris or become ill from having cold air forced into their lungs.
• Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck.

Protecting Your Investment

If you know where every nickel of your new home’s down payment came from, shouldn’t you also know where every penny will go? Buying a home will probably be the biggest investment of your lifetime. And that’s why before you sign on the dotted line, you should give the house a thorough inspection. When inspecting a house, especially an older residence, you must try to determine the extent of deterioration, how much work you can personally handle, how much it will cost to have a professional do the work, and what problems you can live with. Most of all, safety should be your major concern.

We  share your concern for a safer house. Here is a checklist of some items the home buyer should look for when inspecting a house. Some points are major and may require consultation with a licensed professional. Others can be taken care of by a person handy with a hammer and nail.  Please take a few moments to review the following inspection and maintenance tips:

Water damage/Plumbing

• Know where your main water shut-off valve is located and know how to turn the water off.
• Inspect all exposed pipes for leaks.
• Inspect ceilings and walls for water spots, peeling paint, and loose ceiling tiles for hidden leaks.
• Check all faucets for leaks or corrosion.
• If exposed pipes in the basement exist, make sure warm air is circulated throughout. An insulating wrap is a good alternative to treat exposed pipes in unheated areas.
• Bleed all pipes of air.
• Shut off and drain outside water lines before winter in locations subject to freezing.
• Inspect the rubber connecting hoses for dishwashers and washing machines. Replace every 3-5 years or sooner if evidence of rot appears.
• Equip your showers, sinks, and tubs with drain screens to catch the debris, hair, and bits of soap that can cause clogs and back-ups.
• Never flush items like diapers, Q-tips, sanitary napkins, or tampons down a toilet.

Roof

• Have the roof inspected for damage such as lifting of shingles, missing shingles, holes, or wear. Be careful if you need to use a ladder or climb on the roof.
• Flat or hot asphalt roofs should be resealed every three years and professionally checked every ten years.
• Inspect around all roof penetrations (such as flashing and chimneys).
• Inspect and clean all gutters and down spouts.
• Repair damaged gutters and down spouts.
• Have excessive snow or ice build-up removed.

Electrical

• Inspect exposed wiring for wear or damage. Be careful not to touch wiring.
• Inspect the fuse or circuit breaker box for excessive wear or damage. Look for tripped breakers.
• Label with a pen or permanent marker each circuit breaker, noting which location it serves. If you have fuses, also note the amperage.
• Make sure appropriate fuses are being used and all sockets are filled. Do not use pennies or foil to fill the sockets.
• Eliminate all situations where more than one electrical unit is plugged into a single outlet.
• Check electrical units for overheating.
• Major appliances should be plugged into appropriate outlets.
• Do not place floor coverings (e.g., carpeting) over electrical cords.

Heating

• It’s tempting to use supplemental heating devices (such as electrical or kerosene heaters) during the winter. If they must be used, keep them away from flammable materials and surfaces that can ignite from prolonged dry heat. Do not store additional fuel in the same room.
• Have furnace/air conditioners professionally cleaned and serviced annually (including the filter).
• Inspect underground fuel tanks.
• Hire a certified chimney sweep to inspect and clean creosote build-up in chimney.

General security

• All exterior doors should have deadbolt locks.
• Do not leave personal property (such as lawnmowers, bikes or grills) unsecured outdoors.
• A heat and smoke detector should be on every floor. It’s recommended that detectors be powered by an electrical source with a battery back up.
• Check heat and smoke detector batteries every 3 months. Test heat and smoke detectors when checking the battery.
• A fire extinguisher should be located in the kitchen and near the furnace. Household members should be taught to use a fire extinguisher.
• Motion sensitive outdoor lighting is suggested for added safety and security. If it’s affordable, central station burglar and fire alarms are another security alternative.
• Neighborhood watch groups are also suggested.
• Do not hide a spare key outside your premises.

Liability

• Keep walkways, stairs and sidewalk free of obstacles.
• Shovel snow as soon as possible and use salt/sand substances to reduce ice formation.
• Keep stairs, porches, stoops and their rails in good repair.
• Maintain and use outdoor lighting.

If you own a dog, you should enroll it in Canine Good Citizenship classes offered by the American Kennel Club. The dog does not have to be a pedigree to attend.

Insurance to Value. Properly protecting your single most important asset – your home. Now that’s a big responsibility. Selecting the proper amount of coverage for your home is the single most important decision you can make with your Homeowners policy. Without it, you may not have enough coverage to rebuild after a total loss. In the industry, this process is called Insurance to Value (ITV).

What is Insurance to Value?
Insurance to value (ITV) is the amount of coverage listed under ‘Coverage A’ on your policy declarations page. It is often referred to as “Dwelling coverage” or “Coverage A – Dwelling”. It refers to the amount required to completely reconstruct your home in the unfortunate event of complete destruction.
Why is Insurance to Value different than the value of my home?
A home’s market value reflects current economic conditions, taxes, school districts, the value of the land, location, and other factors that have nothing to do with the actual cost of rebuilding a home and replacing all of its contents. With ITV, you will have the proper amount of coverage to reconstruct your home – not what it was worth on the current market.
Why is reconstruction more expensive than new construction?
New-home builders typically build many homes at once, and bid out the jobs to receive the best pricing. Their business model is based on economies of scale. For example, they may purchase 20 bathtubs at once, securing a lower unit cost. Reconstruction cost for a single home is more expensive since there are no savings when buying just one replacement bathtub.
How your agent can help.
Selecting the right ‘Coverage A’ amount is your responsibility. Sound like a big obligation? Luckily, we are here to help. We uses the industry leading underwriting tool to estimate what it would cost – including materials and labor – to rebuild your home from the ground up. Like any estimation this will not perfectly capture every specific building item in your home. You should use it as a starting point and add to it depending on your home’s specific features. Be
sure to work with your agent as they can provide you with helpful information to make the right ‘Coverage A” selection.

Follow these simple steps to help ensure your home is insured to full value.
• Work with your agent to provide detailed information at time of purchase to be sure that you receive a thorough and accurate quote.
• Ask your agent about additional coverage options that may be available in your state.
• Review your Insurance to Value calculation on a regular basis with your agent.
• Report any changes or improvements that you make to your home to your agent so that you can re-evaluate your coverage needs.