Condo Insurance / Another good article from our friends at Safeco Insurance Condo or Condon’t — Condo Insurance Another good article from our friends at Safeco Insurance You’ve taken the plunge and opted for condo life. Now that the papers are signed, it seems like everything is taken care of for you—building maintenance, roof repairs, landscaping, insurance, etc. It’s time to relax because everything is covered, right? Not quite. The insurance policy provided by the condo association covers the building structure and common areas, but what about potential structural damage to your unit and covering your belongings? Without a personal condo insurance policy, you could be left high and dry if your unit floods, is damaged in a fire, etc. Most condos need two insurance policies. Master Policy: Generally provided by your condo association, this policy covers the physical structure of the building, including basement, roof, walls, elevators, lobbies, etc. Coverage usually includes both physical damage and liability. Get a copy of the policy so you know what’s covered. Personal Condo Policy: This will cover additional structural damage to your unit, including cabinets, appliances, personal belongings, and more. This also covers living expenses if you fall victim to a fire, theft, or other covered disaster. Many insurance carriers, such as Safeco InsuranceTM, offer enhancements that include personal property protection in your condo insurance policy. Safeco’s Full Value Contents® protection will pay the full replacement cost of your belongings, not just what they are worth today. Other coverage to consider: Umbrella Policy: If someone were to trip and fall inside or near your condo, they could sue both you and the condo association. Umbrella provides additional layers of liability protection and can protect against lawsuits that target both your current and future earnings. Flood or Earthquake: Read the fine print on your policy. They often won’t cover damage due to these disasters. Additional coverage may be required if you live in a prone...
Read MoreTOPIC: Fire Pit Safety This article provided courtesy of Safeco Insurance. Be Careful When You Play With Fire, Even in the Backyard It’s a great feeling to hang out with friends and family around a blazing fire in your backyard in Saint Charles County — unless, of course, that fire blazes a little too much. While a fire pit can be a wonderful addition to your home, all fires are potentially dangerous. So before you sit down with some marshmallows to roast, we here at Insurance Consultants, Inc. have gathered up some tips to help you keep that fire in the pit (and away from everything else). Are you legal? Before building or buying a fire pit, check the regulations in your area to learn about restrictions. Your fire pit may be legal, but a fire might not always be. Monitor and follow community burn bans. Be respectful. Nothing can extinguish the good vibes of a nice fire more quickly than police complaints from smoked-out neighbors. What kind of pit do you want? You can buy a fire pit or build one. If you choose the latter, there are plenty of resources online to help you design it. Don’t dig a hole just anywhere and throw some rocks down. Put some thought into it and you’ll have a better — and safer — spot to enjoy. If you want convenience, a propane model might be right for you. They produce less smoke and have an adjustable flame. Ready to build your fire? Actually, you probably aren’t ready yet. First, ensure the area under and around the fire pit is clear of flammable materials. Keep the pit itself at least 10 feet from any structures. Before you start the fire, have a fire extinguisher or a garden hose handy. Okay, now are you ready to build your fire? Choose hard, seasoned woods. Sparks from softer woods like cedar can increase the danger of igniting something nearby. Don’t use liquid fuels, even lighter fluid, to get your fire going. And don’t burn paper, cardboard, leaves, garbage, etc. If you have a metal fire pit, don’t overload it and always use the included safety screen. Is...
Read MoreA good article from our Friends at Safeco Insurance… Don’t Let the Cold Get to Your Pipes This Winter It’s hard to think of a worse start to a winter day in Mid-west than turning on the faucet and … nothing. Maybe there’s a trickle of water, but it’s clear you have a frozen pipe. So, what now? Here are some smart tips to help you prevent or address what could easily become a very messy and expensive situation: See to your outdoor water lines: Before cold weather arrives, drain water sprinkler and swimming pool supply lines, and remove, drain and store outdoor hoses. If possible, close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs, and open the outside hose bibs for draining. Keep them open so any remaining water can expand without breaking the pipe. If you can’t shut off the water from the inside, pick up some foam faucet covers. Keep your home warm: Maintain an interior temperature of at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even when you’re sleeping or not at home. Seal any drafts and leave interior doors open to help keep an even temperature from room to room. Tend to those pipes: Leave the cabinet doors open in the kitchen and bathroom so your pipes aren’t shut off from the warm air. You can also insulate your pipes with sleeves, heat tape or heat cable. Insulation is especially important in unheated areas, such as your attic, basement, garage or crawl space, and for pipes running along exterior walls. During severe cold spells, you may want to leave all faucets, both hot and cold, running at a slight trickle. Call in a professional: Frozen water in your pipes can cause them to burst, meaning you’ll have a mess on your hands once that water unthaws. So, act quickly to shut off your main water supply, and call in a licensed plumber to see to the situation. Finally, be sure to touch base with us at Insurance Consultants, Inc. to check whether you’re covered for the damage a frozen pipe may cause. We’re happy to answer all of your policy questions this winter, and...
Read MoreA good article from our friends at Safeco Insurance The Right Car Seat for Your Child Infant-only, convertible, all-in-one – many soon-to-be parents in Missouri don’t know where to begin when it comes to car seats. And, each choice has advantages and disadvantages. Here are five things to keep in mind, from shopping to installation, to help you find the right seat for your precious cargo: Know the pros and cons of each seat type. Children usually outgrow infant-only seats within the first year. However, they offer a snug fit and allow you to quickly snap the baby carrier in and out. Convertible seats and all-in-ones have a longer life, but they sometimes aren’t as convenient. Both transform into forward-facing seats, and an all-in-one seat becomes a booster, as well. Know when to use each type. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends using a rear-facing seat for as long as possible — through 12 months of age, at minimum. After kids reach the limits of rear-facing seats, often between ages 1-3, switch to forward-facing. When they outgrow those, usually between ages 4-7, it’s time for a booster. Finally, when a seat belt fits properly without a booster, your child is done with special seats! (They should still ride in back, though.) Don’t accept a used car seat unless you know everything about it. It should be within its service life (look for the expiration in the manual or on the seat) and not have been involved in an accident that caused injuries or forced air bags to deploy. And, of course, it should not be included in any recalls. Before you install, read the instructions. Seats should be secured in the back seat with anchors or a seat belt. When you’re done, get a free inspection to check your handiwork, if possible. Check the fit. Harness straps should be flat and placed through the slot either at or below your child’s shoulders (rear-facing) or at or above the shoulders (forward-facing). When the harness and chest clip are secured, make sure no extra material can be pinched at the shoulder. Knowing your child is secure in the back seat helps you focus on distraction-free driving...
Read MoreA good article from our friends at Safeco Insurance Protect your family from the ‘silent killer’ Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless, invisible gas that results when certain fuels do not burn completely. And it can be deadly. That’s why it’s important to know how to prevent it, detect it, and protect yourself and your family from its effects. In the home, carbon monoxide is most commonly formed by flames and heaters, as well as vehicles or generators that are running in an attached garage. As temperatures drop and more people are cranking the heat and hovering over the stove inside and warming up the car’s engine before hitting the road, it’s especially critical to ensure your family’s safety against this lethal gas. Since carbon monoxide cannot be detected without a carbon monoxide detection device, it is essential to install and maintain one or more detectors in your home. Detector Tips At Insurance Consultants, Inc., we want you and your family to stay protected, so check out the following tips for safeguarding your household. The International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends a carbon monoxide detector on every floor of your home, including the basement. A detector should be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door, and there should be one near or over any attached garage. Each detector should be replaced every five to six years. Battery-only carbon monoxide detectors tend to go through batteries more frequently than expected. Plug-in detectors with a battery backup (for use if power is interrupted) provide less battery-changing maintenance. Thoroughly read the installation manual that comes with the individual detector you purchase. Manufacturers’ recommendations differ to a certain degree based on research conducted with detectors for specific brands. Remember that carbon monoxide detectors do not serve as smoke detectors and vice versa. You can, however, purchase a dual smoke/carbon monoxide detector that can perform both functions. Do not install carbon monoxide detectors next to fuel-burning appliances, as these appliances may emit a small amount of carbon monoxide upon startup. In case of exposure At Insurance Consultants, Inc., we hope you never have to use the following tips from the Mayo Clinic, but please...
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