How To Save Money On Car Insurance

8/4/2023 (Permalink)

Having car insurance is a smart and practical decision. However, it does add to the expense of driving. The best part is that premiums can vary, and you can easily save money on insurance while getting the coverage you need.

Here are many practical steps you can take to save money on car insurance.

#1. Look Around

Always perform comprehensive research when looking for car insurance. The premium rates can vary by hundreds of dollars, depending on the insurer you choose. That is why you should look around, check rates, and compare different car insurers.

If you drive well and you have good credit, many insurers will offer you a reduced premium. That is why you must look around before making an informed decision if you want to save money.

#2. Look For Discounts

Many insurance companies offer various ways through which you can lower your car insurance cost. You can ask the company what discounts they offer, and if you qualify for them to avail their benefits. At Allstate, we offer various discounts.

Based on your lifestyle, vehicle, coverage option, and driving, we can offer anywhere from a five percent discount to set up automatic payments to a thirty-five percent good student discount. We also offer a usage-based insurance program in many states.

So, depending on your state, you may be eligible for different types of discounts. Don't forget to avail them.

#3. Be Mindful Of Your Driving

Yes, driving safely can cut your car insurance costs. The more careful you are, the fewer accidents you will experience, which will increase your insurance premium. Many insurance companies offer a safe driver's discount to people who have a good driving record.

That is why it is important to drive safely and have fewer violations so that your car insurance premium can be low. It is a great way to save money in the long-run.

#4. Enhance Your Credit

Credit is a significant factor when car insurance companies are calculating the premium to charge you. However, if you live in Massachusetts, California, or Hawaii, then insurers are not legally allowed to consider credit when setting your insurance premium and rates.

However, if you live in other places and you want to cut down cost, you can easily improve your credit through these steps:

• Make all credit card and loan payments on time
• Only open new credit accounts when it is necessary
• Don’t apply for too many credits
• Keep your credit card balance below your credit limit

These small habits will help you keep your car insurance premium low, and you will not have to pay too much. Improving credit also has various other financial benefits that you can enjoy.

Final Words

Car insurance is a smart idea, but it is not always affordable. Of course, there are ways you can cut down the cost. Implement our four ways and see how you reduce your car insurance premium in no time.

If you are looking for affordable car insurance, feel free to get in touch with us now.

Things That Should Be Present In an Emergency Kit

8/2/2023 (Permalink)

A situation in which human health and security are in jeopardy is typically known as an emergency. In such events, the authorities of the state fail to cope up with the chaos, and the only option left is to evacuate people from their house. Hence an emergency can either be a natural calamity, for instance, tsunami, and earthquake or can be due to the turbulent condition of the state. So, whatever the reason is behind an unanticipated eviction, you should have an emergency kit prepared in your house. 

 The survival kit should be kept at somewhere noticeable, to refrain from getting all worked up. Here are a few things that should be present in an emergency kit:

A Compact Flashlight:

In case of a natural casualty, for example, urban flooding, the very first outcome of such circumstances is the complete power outage. Therefore, it is mandatory to keep a durable and a handy torch or lantern along with other survival equipment.

 It is safe and convenient to use LED lights since they operate without any batteries and give out bright light. These portable devices usually hang at the front or side pockets of the bag to be more accessible.

A First Aid Box:

When travelling overseas or within the domestic region, packing a first aid kit is considered a necessity along with other essentials. Generally, people do keep band-aids in their pants pocket or purses, hence stowing something similar for an emergency shouldn't seem strange.

 Any multipurpose pouch would be suitable to fill in as a handy medical kit. It should contain lots of bandages, medical tapes, alcohol swabs, and medications like anti-inflammatory, antibiotic or antiviral. 

Adequate Quantity of Non-perishables:

To accomplish tasks as basic as walking or writing requires energy. This energy comes only from food that has to be delivered to our body. An emergency kit lacking food supplies is nothing but futile.

 There have been situations where people have starved to death due to no food availability. So, to avoid such dreadful situation, one should always keep non-perishables in adequate amount. The non-perishables supplies include dry fruits, parched and canned foodstuff. They are safe to consume even after 30 years due to their extended shelf life.

Potable Water Supply:

An individual may survive for months without consuming any solid foodstuff, but it is very difficult to spend a day without water. Deficiency of water content in the body causes dehydration followed by fatigue and finally death. Therefore, packing drinkable water should not be forgotten during emergency preparation. Since water usually doesn't last for a prolonged time thus, it is wise, packing a handy water filter device in your emergency kit.

Backup Thermal Coverlets:

These thermal blankets are manufactured exclusively for uncertain predicaments. Since it is not known what kind of emergency one will be facing, therefore, these are made highly durable. Most of these thermal blankets can also be transformed into emergency tents.

When preparing an emergency kit, you need to be precise and think of only those items that will help you survive. Matchboxes, masks, power batteries and  a multipurpose knife are some other survival articles that should not be left behind.

Who Should Be Included In A Disaster Recovery Team?

8/2/2023 (Permalink)

Disasters can impact your workplace in a number of ways. This is why it is extremely important that you come up with a plan to deal with the situation. Apart from making an effective plan to deal with natural disasters, you need to build a disaster recovery team as well. This team will ensure that everything is going according to the plan and the business runs smoothly even after it has been affected. As the disaster recovery team ensures the smooth flow of business, the team members should be taken from all levels of the organization as well.

So, if you want to know who should be included in your organization’s disaster recovery team, then keep reading. You will find everything that you need to know below.

Executive Leaders

Although the organization’s executive leaders do not need to be involved in all the aspects of disaster recovery, but they do need to be involved in the team for making important decisions. Without the participation of the executive leaders, it is impossible to make important decisions that would protect the organization from these natural disasters. Their role in the team is also important because the budget cannot be approved without them. This is why you need to involve them in the team.

IT Team

Many technical aspects of the disaster recovery plan are carried out by members of the IT team. They understand all the infrastructure requirements, and also know how to ensure system availability to the organization in case of disasters. They know about all the storage and database systems and how to protect them as well. This is why their involvement in the team is extremely important.

Unit Advisors

Even though the IT team knows everything about the company’s system and data and how best to protect the data, the advisors from other units of business should also be included in the disaster recovery team. IT personnel do not have the knowledge about how important the company’s system and data is to the other departments and units. This can only be evaluated by the unit advisors more correctly. This is why you need to involve them in the team as well.

Compliance Management

An effective disaster management team is one in which the security and compliance management team is included as well. A natural disaster may expose the organization to some heavy legal liabilities. The organization will need advice from the compliance team if it wants to deal with the liabilities incurred as these requirements can be quite complex. So, if you want to make sure that all the compliance requirements are met with the standards prescribed, you need to involve the members from compliance management in your disaster recovery team.

A disaster recovery team is just as important as a disaster recovery plan for the organization. This team ensures that the plan runs smoothly when the organization is hit by a natural disaster. But, you also need the services of a professional company that will deal with the damage caused by natural disasters. Looking for the best company in town? Contact SERVPRO now to avail the expert services.

6 Disasters, Home/Property Insurance Won’t Cover!

5/9/2017 (Permalink)

6 Disasters, Home/Property Insurance Won’t Cover!

When disaster strikes your home, Property Insurance, is supposed to be there to help you pick up the pieces. Most of the time, it does.

A Bankrate survey found that 81 percent were aware flooding is not covered by regular homeowners insurance. You may have heard earthquakes also require special coverage. Yet you may not know that there are other types of damage that are excluded from most policies as well:

Mold

At least 1,000 species of mold are common to the United States, according to the New York-based trade group the Insurance Information Institute.

Despite the threat, a standard homeowners insurance policy generally either limits coverage for mold damage or outright excludes it.

Some insurers offer an endorsement to expand coverage limits for mold claims but only if you are willing to pay more for your insurance, she says.

The best cure for mold is to prevent it from growing in the first place. If the basement floods after a rainstorm or a pipe is leaking, eliminate the moisture promptly.

Sewer backup

America’s sewer lines are rapidly aging, with some more than 100 years old. As more homes have been connected to these out-of-date lines, sewage backups have followed.

Other sources of backups include pipelines that handle both stormwater and raw sewage — and become overwhelmed in rainstorms — and blockages from tree roots that work their way into sewer-line cracks.

When a sewer backs up into a home, it can damage floors, walls, furniture and electrical systems. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover sewer backups.

The Insurance Information Institute says sewer-backup damage often can be covered for an additional premium of just $40 to $50 per year.

Sinkholes

Sinkholes can seem like something out of a horror movie. For example, there was the Florida man who was swallowed up in early 2013 when a sinkhole opened without warning beneath his bedroom.

Sinkholes are sudden gaps in the earth’s surface that occur after groundwater gradually dissolves rock such as limestone and carries bits of it away, creating large pores and cracks in bedrock. Once large cavities form underground, the land above it may suddenly settle or collapse, creating the sinkhole.

In the United States, sinkholes tend to cause the most problems in Florida, Texas, Alabama, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Pennsylvania, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

Most home insurance policies will not cover damage associated with “earth movement,” such as an earthquake or sinkhole.

Florida is the only state in which insurers are required to provide coverage for sinkhole damage

Florida insurers must include insurance for “catastrophic ground cover collapse” — which refers to damage so severe, the home is uninhabitable — as part of standard homeowners insurance.

In every other state, earth movement is excluded from the insurance policy.

Termite infestation

Colonies of anywhere from a few hundred to several million termites can quietly and methodically devastate your home.

Wood, paper and dead plant material that is in contact with soil near the house provides termites with a ready source of food and an entry. And moisture accumulated around foundations and in poorly ventilated crawl spaces gives termites a source of water they need to survive.

Over time, termites can damage or destroy support beams and other wood features in a house. The National Pest Management Association estimates that termites cause $5 billion in damage in the U.S. each year.

If these unwanted guests cause wear and tear to your home, do not expect your insurer to bail you out.

Homeowners policies do not pay for termite damage.

Homeowners can avoid structural damage with early intervention.

Nuclear plant accidents

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, says nearly 3 million Americans live within 10 miles of an active nuclear power plant. If an accident at a nearby reactor leaves your home uninhabitable, standard homeowners insurance will not cover the claim. But that does not mean you will be unprotected.

A 1957 federal law called the Price-Anderson Act compensates people in the United States for any damage or injuries resulting from a commercial nuclear accident.

The law was called upon after the nation’s worst nuclear accident, at the Three Mile Island plant near Harrisburg, Pa., in 1979.

The insurance paid for the living expenses of families who decided to evacuate.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says an insurance pool of more than $12 billion is available to pay out claims.

Claims covered under Price-Anderson include:

• Bodily injury.
• Sickness.
• Disease resulting in death.
• Property damage and loss.

In addition, individuals evacuated from an affected area can expect reimbursement for reasonable living expenses beyond what you ordinarily pay. The coverage does not pay your mortgage, does not pay for your normal food bills.

Some acts of terrorism

The recent Boston Marathon bombings were a reminder that terror can strike at any moment.

The Insurance Information Institute says terrorist attacks using nuclear, biological, chemical or radioactive weapons are considered “acts of war” that are fundamentally uninsurable. Standard home insurance policies do not specifically reference terror attacks.

However, the policy does cover the homeowner for damage due to explosion, fire and smoke, these are the most likely types of damage a home would suffer in a terrorist incident.

If you own a condominium or co-op, the policy you carry on your individual unit will protect your structure and possessions from damage related to a terrorist attack.

However, damage to common areas — including the roof, basement, elevator, boiler and walkways — is not covered unless your board purchases separate terrorism coverage.

Chimney fires

1/18/2017 (Permalink)

chimney on fire

No One Welcomes a Chimney Fire
A chimney fire in action can be impressive. Indications of a chimney fire have been described as creating:

• loud cracking and popping noise
• a lot of dense smoke, and
• an intense, hot smell

Chimney fires can burn explosively – noisy and dramatic enough to be detected by neighbors or people passing by. Flames or dense smoke may shoot from the top of the chimney. Homeowners report being startled by a low rumbling sound that reminds them of a freight train or a low flying airplane. However, those are only the chimney fires you know about.

ICE storm facts

1/16/2017 (Permalink)

Ice storm damage

1. Ice storms are caused by freezing rain. The raindrops move into a thin layer of below-freezing air right near the surface of the earth, allowing them to freeze on contact to the ground, trees, cars and other objects.
2. Ice accumulates when super-cold rain freezes on contact with surfaces that are below freezing point. That can be dangerous, especially for older adults. You can walk a senior’s dog to keep them injury free! Sign up for Dog Days of Winter.
3. Throughout the US, ice storms occur most often during the months of December and January.
4. Ice storms have the bizarre effect of entombing everything in the landscape with a glaze of ice so heavy that it can split trees in half and turn roads and pavements into lethal sheets of smooth, thick ice.
5. Ice can increase the weight of branches by 30 times.
6. Urban areas tend to suffer more economic and physical damage than rural areas because of the concentration of utilities and transportation systems (aircraft, trains, vehicles) — all of which may be affected to a great degree by the ice storm.
7. The Midwest and Northeast are prime areas for freezing rain. In the high frequency band in the Midwest, an average of 12 to 15 hours of freezing rain occurs annually.
8. Driving during an ice storm is extremely hazardous, because ice can cause vehicles to skid out of control, leading to devastating car crashes.
9. The National Weather Service refers to winter storms as the “deceptive killers” because most deaths are indirectly related to the storm. In addition to car crashes, people die from hypothermia which is prolonged exposure to cold.
10. In 1998, an ice storm in northern New York and northern New England damaged millions of trees and caused $1.4 billion in damage. Accumulations were as much as three inches thick!
11. The ice storm that struck the northeastern US in December 2008 left 1.25 million homes and businesses without power. Described as the worst storm of the decade, a state of emergency was declared in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and parts of Maine.

Tree removal

1/13/2017 (Permalink)

Tree falling on a house

Late summer is upon us which means hurricane season for the Atlantic. The first major storm, Hurricane Danny” of the season already has Durham weather forecasters on alert.

A common occurrence during tropical storms is trees falling on and damaging your property. Don’t wait until it happens. Be prepared for this type of storm emergency. Here are 5 steps to take for emergency tree removal in CherryHill,NJ

1. Trees that are old or diseased can easily succumb to flooding and windy storms. Go ahead and remove hazardous trees before a storm approaches.
2. In the event a tree does fall on your property, first make sure everyone is okay. Leave your home if you feel unsafe inside the property.
3.  Look to see if there are any wires or power lines hanging and if they are call the police and the power company.
4.  Call your insurance company and if you can safely do say take pictures.
5. Contact your local mitigations and emergency storm cleanup provider in Durham, NC. They will place a tarp on the roof if needed. They will also carry out any board up services required and cleanup any water inside the home. Boarding up parts of the home that have structural damage will help with your insurance claim and also deter any vandals while you are away from your home.

*TIP: The nature of emergency situations do not allow you to check licenses or BBB reports. It’s best to have a trusted restoration and storm cleanup company in mind before things like this happen. Contact SERVPRO of South Durham and Orange County to receive a free Emergency Readiness Plan. This plan will organize all the necessary steps and information you will need in the event of storm damage, water damage, fire damage, and cleanup.

As a trusted leader in the restoration industry has highly trained technicians that are dedicated to responding faster to any size disaster. We provide 24-hour emergency service and have the training and expertise to handle your restoration and cleaning needs.

Snow

1/9/2017 (Permalink)

snow

Nearly three feet of snow fell in New Jersey this weekend as the state endured a blizzard that shut down NJ Transit trains, caused more than 90,000 power outages, flooded roads and made highways impassable.

Police departments were describing roads as “treacherous” and telling people to stay home as state troopers handled more than 230 crashes and 1,040 motorist aids.

Bridges and tunnels to New York City reopened Sunday morning, but NJ Transit trains remained shut down while crews worked to clean the tracks.

Gov. Chris Christie said NJ Transit should be restored by noon on Sunday, and nearly 20,000 power outages remained, mostly in Cape May County. He said 90 percent of those outages should be fixed by the end of the day.

“To all the folks of N.J. thank you,” Christie said during a Sunday press conference. ”To the people of the state, please enjoy the beautiful day.”

duct work

12/23/2016 (Permalink)

duct work

Ventilation systems can often be the biggest culprit of poor indoor air quality because many people allow HVAC systems to operate for some time without much attention or upkeep.  Your HVAC system could be circulating odors, dust, and other contaminants throughout your property.

A routine part of SERVPRO of MT laurel service is inspecting the heating, ventilation and air conditioning unit (HVAC).  Keeping the HVAC system and ductwork clean can potentially extend the life span of the equipment by allowing it to operate at peak condition, which can in turn save you money and give you cleaner air to breathe.

SERVPRO of MT laurel will inspect your HVAC system and ductwork and make recommendations about the best way to address any indoor air quality concerns.  This inspection can provide peace of mind on the health of your HVAC system and ductwork.  Benefits of servicing your HVAC unit include:

• Helps to restore peak energy efficiency.
• May help to eliminate offensive odors.
• Helps reduce the potential for mold growth.

For more information on duct cleaning, or to set up a written inspection and estimate, call SERVPRO of MT laurel

Vandalism Damage

9/23/2016 (Permalink)

vandalized toilet

Do:

• Hose or wash egg damage from building exterior as soon as possible.
• Blot freshly spilled food from carpets and fabrics with a dampened cloth or sponge (but don’t overwet). Scrape and blot (don’t rub: it may damage fibers).
• Vacuum glass particles from carpets and upholstery.
• Save containers, which reveal the composition of spilled inks, cosmetics and paints.

Don’t:

• Attempt to remove ink, paint or cosmetic stains.
• Operate damaged lamps or appliances.
• Discard wood chips, broken pieces from furniture, porcelain or other sharp objects.

Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.
• Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening.
• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.
• Turn off the HVAC system if there is a sewage damage.

Don’t:
 

• Attempt cleanup of any kind.
• Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids.
• Eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics or handle contact lenses in affected areas.

If exposed to harmful waste, OSHA recommends a post-exposure medical evaluation. Consult your local health department or physician.

SERVPRO of Mt.Laurel/Moorestown
Fire & Water – Cleanup & Restoration
24 Hour Emergency Service
856-778-4055
 

Stress Free Claims

6/28/2016 (Permalink)

Emergency Preparedness & Safety Begins Before a Disaster.
SERVPRO of Cherry Hill/ Haddonfield is here to help you when a disaster happens.
For a stress-free claims process, SERVPRO can help manage the insurance paperwork and process. Call for details. We work with your insurance. For a stress-free claims process, SERVPRO can help manage the insurance paperwork and process. Call for details. (856) 662-2772

Protecting Your Documents

6/28/2016 (Permalink)

It's important to keep important papers, books and pictures up and away from any area that floods or gets damp. Protect your valuable documents ?#‎SERVPRO?