Common Summer Liabilities and How to Avoid Them

by Penny Insurance Agency | Jul 28, 2020 | General Tips

Accidents happen, especially when outdoor summer activities are involved. To be sure your
summer is filled with fun in the sun, be aware of these common liabilities and ways to avoid
them.

1. Swimming Pools
Sadly, each year, numerous accidents, injuries, and deaths occur in pools. When allowing your
children or neighborhood friends to use the pool, be sure to keep a close watch on them.
Drowning can occur silently and in a matter of seconds, if there is not keen adult supervision in
place. Diving into pools can cause serious head injuries, paralyzation, and even death. Limit
and advise adults and children alike on how to safely enter the pool to avoid injuries. In addition,
adhere to your state’s recommendations and requirements for safety signage around your pool.
Though it is unpleasant to think about, accidents do happen. In the event of an accident, the
right liability coverage can protect you and your family from liability issues. A comprehensive
umbrella policy might be right for you. If you would like to know more about your options, give us
a call at (828) 692-9171

2. Bikes, ATV’s, Golf Carts, Skateboards, Scooters, and More
Anything with wheels can be fun, but can also be dangerous. If your children and their friends
enjoy activities like biking, riding four-wheelers, using skateboards and more, be sure to train
them on proper ways to enjoy these things, emphasize the importance of helmets, and invest in
an umbrella policy for an extra layer of liability protection. Outdoor activities like riding around
are certainly fun, but things can go wrong in the blink of an eye. Be sure to enjoy summer fun,
safely, and with a peace of mind.

3. Bonfires and Grills
Some of the best memories are made around bonfires in the summertime or grilling out on the
porch with friends. If you’re planning on enjoying bonfires or grilling out this summer, be sure to
take all the necessary precautions to keep you, your family, your friends, and your home safe.
Bonfires can easily get out of control and ashes can fly far distances into the air, which can burn
people and items. In addition, grills are one of the top causes for house fires during the summer.
Check to make sure your grill is in good working condition, remember to properly clean your grill
to prevent fires, and check your propane tank for any leaks.

4. Home Invasion
Summertime is the one of the most popular times for vacations and therefore vacant homes,
and home invaders know this. If you’re planning to leave town, let a neighbor know. They can
help keep an eye on your home while you’re away and collect your mail. Also, consider
investing in an alarm system to deter invaders. Most modern alarm systems can alert you
directly on your smartphone in the event of an invasion. Finally, be sure you have a
comprehensive home insurance policy in the event of a home invasion or burglary.

At Penny Insurance Agency, we want our clients to have a peace of mind knowing they are
covered, so they can soak up the sun and enjoy life’s best moments.

Sources:
https://www.insuramatch.com/blog/5-common-summer-insurance-claims-and-how-avoid-them
https://www.naic.org/documents/consumer_alert_summer_fun.htm
https://www.sagaciousinsurance.com/blog/summer-liabilities

Protecting and Preparing Your Home During Hurricane Season

by Penny Insurance Agency | Jul 9, 2020 | Home Insurance, Insurance

Hurricanes destroy countless homes each year and unfortunately, it is not a matter of if they occur, it is when they occur. If you live near the coast, or own a coastal rental or vacation home, having the right storm coverage is absolutely essential. Storms can be unpredictable– easily tearing down houses and causing overwhelming damage. Most typical home insurance policies do not cover flood or windstorm insurance, so it’s crucial to confirm that you have sufficient coverage before the storm hits.

While in most scenarios, storm damage is out of your control, there are some things you can do to prepare your home for hurricane season.

Plan Ahead

Have a plan in place, so that when a storm is on the horizon, you’re not frantic and can put the plan into action immediately. Determine a central meeting spot for your family so everyone knows where to go and what to do in an emergency situation. Plan out your evacuation route– where you will go for a safe destination during the storm, and make a checklist of all the necessary preparations that need to be made before you evacuate. With a plan already in place, you can take quick action and limit stress. If you do not have a hurricane plan, check out this helpful checklist: https://www.ready.gov/plan.

Confirm Your Insurance Coverage

The last thing you want to be doing in the event of a severe storm is wondering if you have the right coverage for your home and possessions. Confirm your insurance coverage ahead of time, so you can focus on evacuating and keeping your family safe during a storm. Most home insurance policies do not cover flooding damage or windstorm damage– two weather occurrences that go hand-in-hand with hurricanes. If you already know that your home is in a floodplain or the area is prone to flooding, do not wait to get flood insurance. If there are trees surrounding your home, you could be at risk for windstorm damage to your roof. Call before it’s too late. Our agents are here to provide you with coverage and peace of mind.

Inspect Your Home

Thoroughly inspect your home for areas of potential damage before a storm hits. While homeowners can usually detect possible problem areas, it is always a good idea to schedule appointments with professional inspectors to get an expert’s perspective. Check for low-hanging branches and trees that could come crashing down, check your roof for any weak spots, and check that your hurricane shutters are industry-approved and in working condition.

Prep Your Home

Lastly, if there is a hurricane warning or a storm approaching your area, be sure to properly prepare your home. If you have a generator, make sure it is in working condition and can switch on in the event of a power outage. Make sure there are no loose items in the yard like bikes or furniture that could fly around and break a window. Check all of your window seals, door locks, roof shingles…etc. to be sure that your house is in its best condition to weather the storm. Write a checklist ahead of time so you don’t have to frantically stress about making sure everything is done, and also so you know that you’ve done everything you can to prepare. Finally, make sure you have a “survival kit” with first aid items, food items, flashlights and more, so you can focus on keeping yourself and your loved ones safe.

If you’re unsure of what your current insurance policies cover, or would like to know more about hurricane coverage, give our agents a call. We are here to help and provide a peace of mind.