Homeowners Insurance: Tips for Getting the Coverage at Reasonable Rates
October 4, 2011
Getting a homeowners’ insurance policy can cost you a lot. People who reside in high-risk zones such as nearby major waterways, earthquake prone areas or other high claims regions will have to pay more premiums for coverage. However, even people with homes in relatively low-risk areas could pay $500 to $1000 per annum for a basic coverage.
Although you can’t do without a home insurance, the good news is that there are some ways, which will help you in getting the right coverage at reasonable rates.
Install Smoke Alarms and Security System
Smoke alarms have become a standard feature in modern homes. Homeowners with smoke alarms installed in their homes can get a discount of up to 10% on annual premiums.
Installing a security system that is supervised by a central monitoring station, or that is connected directly to a police station in your locality, will bring down the annual premium on your insurance by nearly five percent. To get this rebate, you must submit the proof of supervision by furnishing the copy of contract or bill to your insurance company.
Raising Deductible
You can save a lot on your annual premiums by raising your deductible. However, higher deductible means you won’t be able to file claims for minor damages such as a broken window. You will have to pay for them from your own pocket.
Seek Multiple Policy Rebates
Several insurance companies offer a rebate of up to 10% to their clients that maintain other insurance policies such as health or auto insurance in the same place. Save money by getting other types of coverage that you need from your homeowners’ insurance company.
Planning for Additional Construction
If you are planning to construct an addition or another structure on your property, you should think about the materials that you are going to use. Usually, structures made from wood will cost more money to cover as they are highly flammable. On the other hand, structures made from steel or cement will cost less as they can withstand fire and extreme weather conditions relatively better.
Review and Compare Policies Regularly
You must compare the different insurance policies as well as the premiums charged by other insurance providers to your own at least once every year. Additionally, you should review your current insurance policy and look for any changes that might have happened, which could reduce the annual premiums. For instance, you may get insurance at lower premiums, if a new fire substation has been constructed near your home or a fire hydrant was installed within 100 feet of your home.
Hurricane Irene Could Impact Boston
August 25, 2011
Forecasters predict the Granite State could witness gusty winds that are intense enough to blow the shingles off the roofs of the homes this weekend, if Irene follows the projected track toward Boston.
According to Eric Wilhelm, a meteorologist at AccuWeather, in worst-case scenario, we could view wind gusts of more than 40 mph and along the immediate coastline, some area could experience sustained winds of 40 to 60 mph.
Those winds are powerful enough to topple over the trash caps and make them roll down the streets and poorly constructed structures could incur damages. However, Wilhelm added it is improbable the winds would cause plenty of damage; residents in the region should also take note of the 3 to 5 inches of rainfall that could fall in the coastal areas within a period of six to seven hours.
He said, the latest forecasts do predict that Hurricane Irene could be over Boston by Sunday evening.
Irene is projected to strike the Carolinas by Friday. Wind and rain will intensify across the eastern tip of South Carolina as well as eastern Carolina late on Friday through Saturday morning.
Strong winds of 100 to up to 130 mph are expected to pound the Outer Banks, North Carolina on Saturday afternoon through evening. Winds of such a strong force can down trees and inflict considerable damage to houses and other properties.
Dan Kottlowski, hurricane and tropical weather expert at AccuWeather, said that the Irene’s center passes just east of the Outer Banks, then the winds won’t be that strong.
As per Associated Press, Irene is the first hurricane projected to strike the U.S. in last three years.
The course of Hurricane Irene is quite similar to that of the Hurricane Bob, which made landfall in New England in 1991.
Eric Wilhelm stated that Irene is likely to miss Florida and strike further north in North Carolina Saturday evening. Regions such as Myrtle Beach could get some wind and rain, but will likely miss the hurricane’s eye.
Mary Stampone, a climatologist with the state, said the track of Hurricane Irene has moved toward the east, and the forecast for potential track has been extended to the greater Boston and New England regions.
Potential flooding could be witnessed in the low-lying areas of New Hampshire according to the latest forecasts, she stated. There is a likelihood of plenty of rain in the Tri-City area, Durham and the Seacoast. Intense winds could be seen in Manchester and Keene, she added. People should also keep an eye on rough costal seas during the weekend.
American Red Cross and New Hampshire emergency officials are already preparing shelters.
Persistent Rains Wreak Havoc in Many Parts of the United States
August 15, 2011
People living in many parts of the U.S. have had to endure record-setting temperatures this summer. To add insult to injury, the temps have cooled down but in return people are facing record-setting rainfall amounts and flooded homes and businesses.
A wide trough of thunderstorms containing large amounts of rain have slowly been moving their way into the Midwest and portions of the East Coast. In northeastern Ohio, already heavy rains and a forecast for more along the lakeshores could mean flooding for many counties. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for nearly every county in the northwestern portion of Ohio through today. A watch means that there is a chance for homes and businesses located in low lying, flood-prone areas to flood and that residents and business owners should be on guard.
In New York City, many streets and roadways were closed on the weekend due to flooding. There were many reports of motorists left stranded on city streets throughout the metro area as their vehicles were submerged in several feet of water. Residents of New York are being told not to take any chances on flooded streets and to exercise extreme caution when walking in flooded areas in the city.
Record downpours pounded Staten Island, flooding basements and stranding vehicles on the roads there. Many properties have been destroyed and a countless number of garages and basements become water-logged. The shock of finding their homes and businesses filled with water is causing many Staten Islanders to go into panic-mode as most feel helpless over what has occurred.
Things are not much brighter in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Heavy rains are in this week’s forecast after an already wet weekend. Flash flood watches have been put into effect for the southern portion of the state Monday and a flood advisory has been issued for the northwestern part of the small state. The rest of Connecticut is under a flood watch. The state has already received up to eleven inches of rain since the weekend and another two is expected early this week with some areas of the state expected to get even more.
Tornadoes Rip Through Southern US – Kill at least 45
April 19, 2011
Following three days of intensely strong storms that ripped through the southern portion of the US, at least 45 people lost their lives. Nearly half of those killed were in North Carolina where as many as sixty tornadoes were confirmed on Saturday. A state of emergency has been declared in North Carolina after what storm experts say was the worst storm activity in the state in two decades.
Starting in Oklahoma on Thursday, the massive storm system swept across the southern US into the eastern state of Virginia by late Saturday. Over 200 tornadoes were reported which annihilated hundreds of homes and businesses. Scores of people have reported that the tornadoes destroyed everything they owned. A total of 15 states were affected and the devastation is stunning. The storm was the deadliest since February 2008 when 57 people died in the “Super Tuesday” election day tornadoes in the Southeastern United States.
In Raleigh, North Carolina, three family members were killed in a mobile home park. Many residents of the park hunkered down in their bathrooms as the stormy weather moved through. Some of the park residents escaped injury while dozens of others were hurt by flying debris. The widespread damage throughout Raleigh is delaying complete damage reports as emergency crews are still working around the clock to see that everyone is accounted for.
It is estimated that North Carolina was hit by 15 to 20 tornadoes on Saturday which is about the average number the state usually has in an entire year. All of the tornadoes grew out of six to seven super cell thunderstorms. Storm damage assessors spent Sunday and Monday tracking the damage. They found that the tornado that ripped through Roanoke Rapids, N.C. packed winds of about 120 miles per hour as steel beams used in the construction of homes and businesses there were crushed and tangled.
This massive outbreak of tornadoes highlighted the inaccuracy of the conventional wisdom that tornadoes do not hit major cities. Two metro areas were hit – Jackson, Mississippi and Raleigh, N.C. by EF-3 tornadoes. Employees working at the National Weather Service office in Raleigh were forced to take cover themselves at one point as a twister passed by.
Warmer weather is poised to surge back into the south early this week and that can mean only one thing – thunderstorms and severe weather are sure to follow. The National Weather Service says that storms are possible early Wednesday through Kentucky and a large portion of southern Indiana with the greatest possibility of severe weather being along the Ohio River corridor.
Huge Snow Storm Wreaks Havoc in East Coast
December 28, 2010
The two day long blizzard that struck the eastern portion of the US paralyzed airports, roads and even rail lines, leaving hundreds of thousands of weary travelers stranded. In New York, passengers on an upper-level subway were stuck inside freezing and without food or water for six hours. Some passengers were crying, others were complaining and all of them were very stressed out and tired.
A large portion of the East Coast struggled Monday to dig themselves out from a wicked two day blizzard that buried airports, froze train tracks and subways and knocked down power lines. The storm hit during one of the country’s busiest travel periods.
Strong winds and very heavy snow showers stretching from North Carolina up to Maine forced more than 5,000 flights to be canceled, which crippled air travel all across the United States. It is thought that the mess may not be unraveled until this coming Friday, which is the beginning of another holiday weekend that typically consists of scores of Americans traveling to celebrate New Years Eve with friends and family.
There are hundreds of towns and cities completely paralyzed under deep snow. Many people had to be rescued from their vehicles on snow-covered roadways throughout the east and thousands of commuters in New York City found themselves standing and waiting for subways that never arrived. Amtrack put a halt on all trains running from NYC to Maine due to heavy drifting on tracks, although a few rail lines were able to be opened again on Monday. Greyhound as well as numerous other bus lines also canceled routes.
A state of emergency was declared in Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia so that power could be restored, snow-covered roadways cleared and some sense of normalcy could be found. Before the powerful storm swept out to sea and into the record books, New York City was bombarded with two feet of snow and winds gusting to 60mph brought a large portion of the Big Apple to a complete standstill.
Hundreds of drivers merely gave up as many vehicles, including police cars, were simply left on streets in New York’s Upper West Side, causing more problems for street crews attempting to plow the snow to the sides of the streets. Cross-country skiers were seen in Brooklyn gliding down the center of major thoroughfares as kids rollicked in the deep snow. At JFK International, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International airports, terminals were turned into makeshift shelters as tired and frustrated travelers camped out on cots, benches and floors.
Great tips to help you stay safe during or after a flood
September 28, 2010
Flood safety tips
Flooding is one of the most common natural disasters that can wash away property worth millions and even destroy lives. The phenomenon is a natural manifestation of heavy storms that can cover lands with more than five feet of water. They can trap animals, damage cars and other vehicles and corrode property. Floods may or may not come without a warning. They tend to move slowly; but you cannot afford to take the flooding water lightly; even two feet water deep can pull a person down with its strong current and damage a car.
Here are some ways to ensure that you stay safe during floods:
1. Listen to the radio or keep tab with the news on TV for information and updates on flood progression. One of the ways in which you may know about impeding floods is through the nature of the weather outside. For instance, it has been raining heavily for hours or if it has been raining almost non-stop for days, there could be an alert about a possible flood.
2. When you come to know about flash flooding, it is better to move to a higher ground because the water can wreak havoc on the low-lying areas
3. If the government officials tell you that the right thing to do is to evacuate, abide by their instructions. Secure your home well. More essential items, important documents and appliances to the upper floor.
4. Turn off the main switches and valves. Disconnect the plugs of electrical appliances. Do not touch electrical items, lest you may get electric shock; if you are wet.
Evacuation
During the process of evacuation, as you walk through moving water; be careful. It is said that six inches of moving water can make you trip and fall. So, if you have no choice but to move in water, go through the areas where the water is not moving. Make use of a stick to find out the firmness of the ground ahead of you,
If you are driving, beware of taking your car through the flooded areas. If the floodwaters rise around the car, leave the vehicle and move to the higher ground. It is foolish to be in the car, because the car and you may be swept away in no time. Also if you have to park your vehicle, make sure it is done on high ground and not near watery areas.
Do not stay near power lines or electric cable. Also if you are out, make sure that you immediately head your home or hotel. Standing near the tree can be dangerous too, because of the thunder and lightning.
Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. Electrical current travels through water and can be deadly. Report downed power lines to your power company. Make sure you help the elderly, children and disabled; they may not be able to run as fast as you and do need your guidance.
Hurricane Earl moves closer to Boston and Massachusetts
September 3, 2010
There is good and bad news in the continuing development of hurricane Earl as it makes it way up the Eastern coastline of the United States. The good news is that the hurricane appears to be weakening down to a category one hurricane and the likelyhood of a direct hit on the Boston area have been greatly reduced. The bad news is that the area is still going to receive substantial amounts of rain, suffer from high winds and could experience an occasional flash flood. The storm is projected to pass the Massachusetts area with the eye of the storm over 100 miles to the east in the Atlantic Ocean.
The projected storm path has traveled in a more eastern path after brushing the coastline of North Carolina late last night. The path of travel north up the coast has been better than expected for residents in Maryland, New Jersey, Long Island and Massachusetts that all could have been in a direct path of the one time category 4 hurricane. This years Atlantic hurricane season has been quite active with several hurricanes threatening the Eastern Coastline. The exit of hurricane Earl does not signal an all clear sign for property owners in potential hurricane states as there are several tropcial storms that are still begining to form in the Atlantic Ocean as they come off of the Coast from Africa.
Tropical Storm Earl: The Evolution of a Hurricane
August 30, 2010
On August 24th, Tropical Depression Seven reached sustained winds of 40 mph, prompting the National Hurricane Center to designate it a tropical storm. Thus, Earl became the fifth named storm of the 2010 Atlantic hurricane season. Out in the Pacific, the weakening Frank is the third hurricane of their season.
Hurricanes begin as tropical disturbances over the ocean in areas where moist air is rising and cooling. The cooling effect forms tiny water droplets which eventually combine to make clouds. Under normal conditions, the clouds reach a saturation point, causing thunderstorms which release the water.
In a case like Earl’s, the heat energy and moisture rising into the atmosphere are so intense that multiple Cumulonimbus clouds form faster than storms can release the water. As the warm air continues to rise and cool, winds slowly begin to swirl around the low pressure near the surface of the ocean. When swirling winds become observable, a tropical disturbance is upgraded to a tropical depression.
Tropical Storm Earl is a classic case of the evolution of a hurricane. As the storm began its trek across the Atlantic, it continued to pick up moisture and wind speed. When a tropical depression reaches sustained winds of 39 mph or more, as Earl did a few days ago, the storm is designated a tropical storm.
Earl’s wind speeds have remained steady at 45 mph for the last day or so, keeping him at the Tropical Storm designation. But if he follows a typical progression of gathering strength over the warm Caribbean waters, Earl could become a category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of at least 74 mph.
When a storm reaches hurricane status, meteorologists can identify what’s known as the “eye” of the storm. This is the area where the low pressure is concentrated. The smaller eye, the greater he wind speed. Earl’s eye is still relatively large. But if the storm system tightens up there will be a noticeably smaller eye with higher wind speeds.
The life of a hurricane can range anywhere between three and fourteen days. Earl is in his third day as of this writing, but it’s still too early to tell what will happen. If he turns north before reaching Bermuda, Earl will probably fall apart with little consequence. But if the storm tracks more to the west, it still has the potential to impact the southern U.S. coast.
Flood Disaster Cleanup Should Begin Immediately
August 23, 2010
Flooding can occur as a result of many different things. Storms that bring heavy downpours of rain and quickly melting snow can leave the ground unable to absorb the water, which can then pour into your basement. In other cases, faulty plumbing or a malfunctioning water heater can result in your home having inches of water standing on the floors. Homeowners living in cold climates run the risk of having water pipes freezing and bursting which can spray gallons and gallons of water into the house, damaging everything in the area.
If you have become an unfortunate victim of a flood, there are some things to keep in mind in order to minimize the damage. In the case of a plumbing failure, it is imperative to call in a licensed plumber so that the problem can be remedied. In the case of a weather-related flood, the home insurance provider should be called to see if there is a policy in place which covers the damage. Regular homeowner’s insurance does not cover weather related flood damage but many homeowners do carry flood insurance, so it is always best to call the insurer to see if you are covered or not. Renters should contact the landlord and inquire as to whether or not flood damage is covered.
Once the storm is over or the plumbing problem fixed, it is time to begin the cleanup process. In the case that extensive damage was done, it is best to contact a flood disaster cleanup company because time is working against you. Mold can begin its devastating growth within 24 to 48 hours following a flood, so it is very important the the area be cleaned and dried quickly. A flood damage restoration company will arrive on the scene shortly after being contacted so that the cleanup efforts begin quickly.
It is a good idea to take a few minutes to document the damage. Take photographs and videotape of every area in the home that has been breached by water. Be sure to take photos of any and all belongings that are wet. This will ensure that you will be compensated fully by your insurance (if you have it) and can even pave the way for you to receive disaster relief from the federal government in the case of weather related flooding. If there are electrical issues to deal with, call a local electrician so he can come and check your home’s electrical system and any appliances that have stood in water.
Flash Flooding Hits one Boston Area Hard
July 13, 2010
The aftermath of Massachusett’s weekend flash flooding is still being felt Monday and it could be several days before the city of Somerville gets back to normal. On Sunday, environmental cleaning crews spent the day pumping out over four feet of water in the Somerville public safety building. The team was concerned about gas and other agents that may have spilled into the water. On top of the extensive water damage, there is no electricity so the police are now calling a nearby sub-station home.
Over a dozen Somerville police vehicles were damaged extensively by the flash flooding. Somerville got three to four inches of rain in just one hour’s time on Saturday, which led to the flash floods that no one was prepared for. The area had been going through a dry spell prior to the storm and the hard, dry ground simply could not absorb all of the heavy rain. Two state troopers and one off-duty firefighter helped to rescue a woman who was trapped on the top of her car as the water rose to eighteen feet under a local underpass. She was screaming for help and waving her arms when thankfully, the off-duty firefighter spotted her and quickly rushed to her aide.
Five cars were trapped under the Assembly Square Underpass in Somerville due to the dangerous flash flooding. The underpass filled with water very quickly which prompted state police to send their marine units and dive teams in to help search for people who may have been trapped in the rising flood waters. No victims were found thankfully, but their vehicles are totaled. At least five families had to be rescued from their vehicles. No injuries were reported but raw sewage in the water prompted many residents and police officers to go to a local hospital so that they could be decontaminated.
Even though the storm was brief, it was intense. Two inches fell on the metro Boston area and neighboring Cambridge got 3 ½ inches of the wet stuff. The torrential rains also disrupted the mass transit system and forced at least two area bridges closed. One of the main reasons the flash flooding happened is the fact that the rain fell in a metro area that consists of a lot of concrete which means that it has very few places to go. If this particular rainfall had hit a more rural area, that area would not have seen such flooding.
