Child Passenger Safety Week

No parent would intentionally compromise the safety of his or her child. Unfortunately, when it comes to passenger safety, an innocent error can lead to tragedy.

In addition, many parents don't realize that children need the protection of a booster seat until they are at least eight years old. In NY the law is eight years old or under 100 pounds. 

With the National Highway Traffic Safety Authority's Child Passenger Safety Week being held September 18 - 24, 2011, it's the perfect time to think about having your child safety seat inspected. As part of Child Passenger Safety Week, the NHTSA is culminating the week with National Seat Check Saturday on September 24, 2011.

Car crashes are one of the leading causes of death and injury among children under eight in the United Sates. Despite very high levels of safety seat ownership and virtually universal access to safety belts, adults still take chances with children and do not use these safety systems on every ride. Such inconsistency has led to tragic outcomes, with adults confessing, "I didn't think it could happen to my child."

Irene Caused Widespread Flooding, here is what to do

If you need to file an insurance claim following floods and you have a policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), in many cases you can contact your private insurance company, such as Allstate Insurance Company, to help you begin the claims process.  Our clients can call us, and we will get you in touch with a flood adjuster.
Allstate policyholders who have purchased NFIP policies can file a claim by calling 800-54-STORM or by logging on to www.allstate.com or by contacting their local Allstate agent.
 
Here are some tips for starting your flood insurance claim: 

1. Gather all relevant policy information and numbers.
2. Call your insurance agent or company and make sure to mention that your damage is flood specific and you need to file a NFIP claim so your claim is processed appropriately.
3. Make sure your agent and claims adjuster know how to contact you. If you are in a shelter and not easily reached, provide the name of a designated relative or point-of-contact who can reach you. 
4. Remove water damaged items from the home as soon as possible. 
5. Take lots of photos. Take photos of any water in the house and damaged personal property. Your adjuster will need evidence of the damage and damaged items (i.e. cut swatches from carpeting, curtains, chairs) to prepare your estimate. 
6. Inventory your home for damaged or lost items before your adjuster arrives. This will help facilitate your claim process.

Obtaining a flood insurance policy is easy.

  

Since a flood policy does not take effect until 30 days after purchase, we encourage residents to consider their home's risk for flooding and call us well before the waters rise.  You never know when a storm will strike, and 30 days is a long time to wait, so act now, before it is too. late.  Flood insurance can be as low as $10 a day to protect your home.  That is a small price to pay, considering that flood claims cost tens of thousands of dollars. 

Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene has New York in her sites, so you need to be prepared for her before she hits.  Here are some important steps to take:


How to help protect yourself and your family in advance of a storm:

• Conduct a home inventory recording each of your possessions. It’s also helpful to keep track of model numbers and stores where items were purchased. Store your inventory, including photos and videos, in a safe place away from your home.

• Develop an evacuation plan that includes identification of safe areas, escape routes, meeting locations and plans for pets.

• Prepare an Emergency Supply Kit including a three-day supply of water, non-perishable food, radio and batteries, flashlight and first-aid kit.

• Remove any diseased and damaged limbs from trees to keep them from blowing around during a storm and causing property or automobile damage.

• Tie down any lawn furniture and toys that can become projectiles and damage your home, pool or cars.

• Purchase materials such as ¾-inch plywood that can be used to reinforce your windows, doors and garage doors. Install anchors and pre-drill holes for the plywood so you can install them quickly in the event of a storm.

• Install head and foot bolts in doors for extra protection.

Minimize your losses:

• Review your home insurance policy and coverage limits with an agent. Know what you are and are not covered for in the event of a hurricane.

• Find out if you have comprehensive auto coverage for damage to your car caused by falling objects or flood.

• Gather important documents such as insurance policies, birth certificates and identification. Make sure to place them in a waterproof container.

• Make sure you and your family are safe during and after the storm.

• Take steps to minimize further damage after a storm. Only use licensed professionals to take care of any damage.

Good Luck, and let's hope that Irene passes out to sea.  For more information, please visit my site: http://www.zabbiaagency.com/

Summer Safety Tips for your Pets

Most people who have pets treat them as part of the family. So we decided to pass along some expert tips to help you keep yours safe while on the go with you this summer.

 

On the Road: Sometimes what holds back a road trip with the dog is our furry friend's motion sickness. A fairly new drug, Cerenia, can alleviate it better than earlier ones that either didn't work well or put dogs to
sleep. When motion sickness isn't so profound, doggie ginger cookies also may ease queasiness. And for
pooches that just get stressed out by car rides, a Dog Appeasing Pheromone collar (like aromatherapy for dogs) or lavender hanging from the rear view mirror can help.

Here are some other pet travel tips to keep in mind:

• Dogs and cats should never travel on laps. Cats should be in carriers, and that's also a good idea for dogs accustomed to them. Small and mid-size dogs also can be strapped into a canine safety seat, available at pet supply stores. 
• Never let a dog ride in the back of a pickup truck, which - wisely - is banned in some places.  
• For an extra fee, many airlines will allow you to take pets on board a plane if they're small enough to fit in a carrier that will slide under the seat in front of you.  
• No matter where you travel or how you get there, your per should have an ID tag and an identification microchip, and you should bring proof of your pet's current rabies vaccination.

Bunking Together: Although there are more pet friendly hotels, motels, B&B's and campgrounds than ever, there's no guarantee you'll find one by chance. Some places require a pet security deposit, which is returned if the chairs aren't chewed up or the carpet piddled on. And some charge an extra non-refundable fee, while others offer pet perks, from dog walking to pet room service menus! Make sure you get specifics about hotel pet polices and fees before you book a room so there are no surprises. And it's always a good idea to get a written confirmation with all the pet policy details.

 

At the Vet's: Here's another reason to hate summer's mosquitoes - they carry heartworm to your pets! Dogs who get infected with heartworm usually get sick, and without treatment, they can die. Treatment success isn't guaranteed, and it's not cheap. The good news is heartworm can be prevented by administering monthly heartworm medications.

 

In the Heat: Plenty of shade and water can keep dogs cool on hot days. "Dogs don't sweat efficiently, so they can potentially overheat more easily than people." says veterinarian Gregg K. Takashima. Some dogs; just being dogs, will fetch until they drop. Look for signs of overheating, such as vomiting and excessive panting. If you think your pup is overheated, take him out of the sun, cool his pawpads with water and take him to the vet.

 

Without Fleas: Fleas and ticks are more pervasive than ever. Blame going to a warming trend that lets them survive longer in places where they usually would not. Fleas can hitch a ride on your shoes or on your pet. Laying up to 40 to 50 eggs daily, they can quickly invade your home and make your pet very uncomfortable. Thankfully, today's veterinary flea pills and products applied to the pet's skin really zap fleas, so the days of fitting flea collars and using toxic dips are over. If ticks occur where you live, your vet can suggest a product to deal with both fleas and ticks.

 

We hope these tips help make your summer more enjoyable with your pets.

 

Happy Flag Day!!!!

Flag Day is on June 14th every year, it is a day for all Americans to celebrate and show respect for our flag, its designers and makers. Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation.....one nation, under God, indivisible. Our flag has a proud and glorious history. It was at the lead of every battle fought by Americans. Many people have died protecting it. It even stands proudly on the surface of the moon.


As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag today and every day with pride!

Properly Display Our Flag

There is a right way and a wrong way to display the flag. The American flag should be held in the highest of regards. It represents our nation and the many people who gave their lives for our country and our flag. Here are the basics on displaying the American flag:

• The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.  
• In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.  
• The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.  
• The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.  
• After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It's called "half staff" on land, and "half mast" on a ship.  
• When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field , or "union", is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).  
• The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.  
• The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.  
• Never let your flag touch the ground, never...period.  
• Fold your flag when storing. Don't just stuff it in a drawer or box.  
• When your flag is old and has seen better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.

Did you Know? There is a very special ceremony for retiring the flag by burning it. It is a ceremony everyone should see. Your local Boy Scout group knows the proper ceremony and performs it on a regular basis. If you have an old flag, give it to them. And, attend the ceremony.

   

Famous Flag People:

  

Betsy Ross was a seamstress who made clothes for George Washington. In June, 1776, Washington approached her to make the country's first flag and the rest is history.

  

Francis Scott Key inspired by the British bombardment of Fort McHenry, penned the lyrics to our national anthem as he witnessed the British rockets whiz through the air while our American Flag flew in the breeze

  

Did you Know? If you like to study flags, then you are a Vexillologist!

 

 

 

Wishing you the best,

 

 

 

Robert

 

$500, $1000, $2500, 3% Wind, 5% named storm, what is my true deductible?

There seems to be more an more confusion about deductibles on home insurance.  Different companies have put different thresholds for wind and hurricane deductibles in New York.  Many homeowners have no idea of how much they would have to pay if they had damage in a severe windstorm, Nor'easter, or Hurricane.

Deductibles, what are they?

First let's start with what is a deductible.  It is the amount of money that you would be responsible to pay before a claim is paid by your insurance.  Most people have a $500 or $1000 deductible.  If you have less than that, you are probably paying too much for your insurance.  You can usually save $100 a year if you go from a $250 deductible to a $500.  So if you have a claim, you pay the first $500 instead of $250, so you will save the difference if you go three years without a claim.  In many cases, it doesn't save enough to go over a $1000 deductible on a home policy.

Wind & Hail Versus Named Storm

After Hurricanes Andrew, Katrina, and Rita, many companies realized that they couldn't handle the volume of claims without greatly increasing the cost of home insurance policies.  Many companies put a named Hurricane deductible in place. They all have different thresholds as to when they come in, so there could be large differences in the premiums.  The percentage can be from anywhere between 2% and 5%.

For example, Allstate Insurance Company and State Farm Insurance Company both have a 5% Named Storm, or Hurricane deductible.  The Allstate Deductible starts when there is a named storm with sustained winds of 100mph for a certain period of time.  The State Farm deductible is for ANY Hurricane.  You might be able to save $100 a year with the State Farm policy, but if a normal Hurricane does damage with winds of 75mph, you will have to pay 5% of the insured value versus your normal $500 Deductible.

Insured Value            State Farm Ded.                  Allstate Ded.

$300,000                      $15,000                                $500

Other companies have an even more stringent deductible and apply it to ALL Wind Storms.  The percentages are usually less, 2-3%, but they are in effect for any storm, depending on the threshold on your policy.  So in the example above, it could be a Nor'easter with 75mph winds, and the deductible would be $6,000 to $9,000, where the above companies would be the normal $500 deductibles.  Some companies have the deductible with no threshold, so you are responsible for any wind claims below the deductible.

What do I do?

Unfortunately, unless you know how to read the details of your policy, you might not know what your deductible is until you have a claim.  Some are clearly written, but others are buried in the endorsements section of your policy.  Currently the Professional Insurance Agents Association, and the State Insurance Department are looking to standardize the deductibles, but you need to do something before Hurricane Season starts.

Fax, mail, or email me your policy, and I will help you determine what your deductible is, so you can be prepared.  We work with companies with that have low Hurricane Deductibles with High Thresholds.  They also have great rates.  Happy Spring Everyone.

Flooding Awareness Week

You can't turn on the news this week without hearing about all of the devastating flooding in our area.  Westchester, the Bronx, New Jersey, and many other places are seeing the results of the heavy rains and melting snow from a record breaking winter.  People who have lived in their homes for 30+ years are suffering flood damage for the first time.

Flood Awareness Week comes at a time when flood risks are heightened due to a number of contributing factors: spring snowmelt, ice jam, heavy rains or flash flooding. Flooding is always a major concern, especially in the spring. This is the time to review your risks and ask yourself why it is important to purchase flood insurance. 

 

Why should I purchase flood insurance?

• Floods are the most common natural disaster.
• Most homeowners, condominium, manufactured home, renters and business insurance policies exclude losses due to flood.
• Flooding is the most costly natural disaster in the U.S., causing nearly $24 billion of property damage over the last 10 years.
• Just an inch of water can cause costly damage to your property.
• A car can easily be carried away by just two feet of floodwater.
• Your home has a 26 percent chance of being damaged by a flood during the course of a 30-year mortgage.
• Government assistance is sometimes available, but only if the disaster is declared a state or federal disaster, and the assistance is usually in the form of a loan.
• A federal disaster loan of $50,000 will be paid back at $240 a month at four percent interest while the average flood insurance policy costs $500 a year.  

What if my flood risk appears to be low?

• Everyone lives in a flood zone - anywhere it rains, it can flood.  
• Flooding is not limited to coastal areas. Floods and flash floods happen in all 50 states.
• Approximately 25 percent of all flooding events occur outside Standard Flood Hazard Areas.
• If you live in a low-to-moderate risk area and are eligible for the Preferred Risk Policy, your flood insurance premium may be as low as $129 a year, including coverage for your property's contents.
• Just because you haven't experienced a flood in the past, doesn't mean you won't in the future. Flood risk isn't just based on history, it's also based on a number of factors: rainfall, river-flow and tidal-surge data, topography, flood-control measures, and changes due to building and development.

What causes flooding?

• Many conditions can result in a flood: hurricanes, broken levees, outdated or clogged drainage systems and rapid accumulation of rainfall.
• New land development can also increase flood risk, especially if the construction changes natural run-off paths.
• Floods often happen when bodies of water overflow or tides rise due to heavy rainfall or thawing snow. Flash floods may occur without warning when a large volume of water falls in a short time.

With everything going on with changing weather patterns, increased rain fall, and severe storms happening more often than in the past, now is the time to consider purchasing flood insurance.  The increase in claims in the past two years has been eye openening, and having a claim that isn't covered is the last thing that you want to experience.  Give us a call today, so we can get you a quote on flood insurance.  Remember, it takes 30 days for a policy to start! 888-900-2173