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As with any insurance policy, you should evaluate the benefit of coverage on an individual basis. Your landlord’s coverage will take care of damage to the building’s structure. However, if you want to protect your personal belongings, you may want to consider buying a renter’s insurance policy. In addition to personal belongings, some policies will also cover living expenses if your apartment or home is uninhabitable due to damage.
If you have unusually expensive items, such as fine jewelry or an art collection, you may consider adding a “rider” to provide extra coverage. Your agent can help you determine if an additional rider is needed.
It’s always a good idea to take precautions to protect yourself and your belongings. But, not everyone needs renter’s insurance. Dependents, such as college students, are automatically covered under their parent or guardian’s policies. On average, a dependent is covered for up to 10 percent of the parent’s policy. Double check with your insurance agent regarding the specific provisions of your policy.
Treat electricity with respect. Misuse or abuse of electricity can cause accidents and fatalities.
The kitchen is where some of the most serious home accidents occur. Specific cooking safety tips are available in their own section of this Be Prepared webpage. Here are some additional general tips.
Ordinary glass is dangerous - particularly at low level - because it breaks into large, jagged pieces which can cause serious injury. Safety glass is specially made. There are two main types: laminated glass and toughened glass. When it breaks it breaks safely - in a way unlikely to cause injury
Two of the biggest factors in DIY accidents are over-ambition and lack of knowledge
Be realistic and don’t tackle a job unless you really have the ability. A competent, qualified person should always carry out gas and electrical renewal or repair work.
Whether your family is headed to Europe or Disneyland, travel insurance can protect against possible financial losses if you are forced to cancel, delay or interrupt your vacation. So, while considering your holiday destination, evaluate your need for travel insurance.
Travel insurance can protect against the loss of non-refundable travel costs, such as airfare, hotel and tour expenses. Other types of travel insurance offer protection against losses due to medical emergencies, damage to personal property, and even a death which may occur away from home on vacation.
Before you buying travel insurance, check the refund policies on prepaid expenses. Some will refund your money if you cancel months in advance, but few will offer any refund if you cancel at the last minute.
If you’re working with a travel agent you trust, ask about his or her experiences with any recommended travel insurance companies. Have their customers filed claims? Were those claims paid? If you’re planning an adventurous vacation (i.e. skydiving, scuba diving), ask if the insurance will cover those activities.
Travel insurance policies aren’t all the same. If you buy travel insurance, be sure to review the policy, especially the list of covered reasons for canceling your trip. For example, a travel insurance policy may not reimburse you if you decide not to make a trip because a conference was canceled.
Before purchasing a travel insurance policy, ask about pre-existing conditions and age limits. Some policies cover pre-existing conditions if you buy the coverage within a week or two of booking your trip. Others won’t pay for pre-existing conditions or charge a higher premium to cover them. Some insurers charge more for older travelers.
Cruise and tour operators may offer Cancellation Waivers. Keep in mind that waivers aren’t insurance policies and aren’t regulated. Read all of the restrictions before you buy a Cancellation Waiver.
Before you buy travel insurance, review the policies you have now. If you have life, health or homeowners insurance, you may not need to buy certain types of travel insurance. Read your policy and speak with your insurance company or agent to learn what personal property and medical coverage you have while you’re traveling. Also, ask what insurance benefits you may have if you use a credit card to pay for the trip.
No policy can guarantee your safety when you’re traveling, but knowing you’re covered for medical emergencies or the loss of personal property may help you relax and enjoy your vacation.
In addition to having the right insurance coverage, the I.I.I. offers these five preventive measures to keep your home safe:
As you prepare to leave on vacation follow these additional steps:
Standard homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for theft of personal possessions and damage to the home caused by the break-in. With replacement cost coverage, which is only about 10 percent more than actual cash value coverage, damaged property is replaced without deducting for depreciation.
Be careful doing landscaping and yard work when constructing retaining walls or adding “fill” dirt. Altering a natural slope or changing drainage and direction of water flow can result in the flooding of lower lying homes or property. What seems like a small amount of water can have costly effects on adjoining property. Damage from these kinds of actions to adjoining property, if paid for by an insurer, could result in the insurer coming to you for payment if a determination is made that your actions contributed to the resulting damage. It could also result in a claim being filed on your insurance policy for reimbursement.
Make sure when having work (painting, light construction, yard work) done around your home that the person doing the work is licensed, insured and has their own equipment. If injured while using equipment (ladder, mower, etc….) that you provide, you could be held liable for resulting injuries or damage if the equipment you provided was defective. Numerous home owner liability claims are reported each spring from workers falling off defective ladders which were provided by the homeowner.
Take the following precautions when the temperatures plummet:
If you discover that pipes are frozen, don't wait for them to burst. Take measures to thaw them immediately, or call a plumber for assistance.
Tree trimming or pruning, when involving all but very large limbs and branches, is a task that can be handled by the average homeowner. Read more: www.doityourself.com/stry/easy-tree-trimming
For tree felling or more intricate jobs it is always best to contact a tree trimming professional
Pruning shears – Available in both scissor and anvil action models, the scissor design is often preferred because it makes a cleaner cut.
Lopping shears – Operated with both hands, this scissor-action tool can slice through branches up to 2 inches in diameter.
Pole pruner – Good for reaching higher branches.
Rope saw – Allows cutting of branches located higher on the tree while you remain on the ground.
Portable buck saw – Light weight but very strong.
Chainsaw – For larger jobs, and intended for use by professionals or highly experienced homeowners only.
Tip: Sharpen tools regularly to ensure a clean cut
Hard hat and safety glasses
Gloves
Sturdy, non-slip boots
Climbing equipment – such as safety harnesses, ropes, lanyards, slings, and carabiners appropriate to job to help keep you secured in the tree
Leg Protection
Face Shield
Hearing Protection
Inspect the tree and surrounding area:
One of most obvious dangers in cutting limbs or felling a tree is the risk of the tree falling on you or someone else. Many homeowners or DIY’ers run serious risks when climbing a tree or ladder
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