Home Insurance
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – The Silent Killer
It’s that time of year when we give gifts and want to help our loved ones to live happier lives. You may have a family member that is impossible to buy for. You know Uncle Charlie, the one you re-gift most of the time. We’ve got a better idea for that special someone this year. For as little as $15 you can get a carbon monoxide detector that may save a life. In 2014 we’ve had two reported instances where a person has nearly lost their lives to carbon monoxide poisoning. Here’s an excerpt from one of them:
“My stepfather didn’t answer the phone. No one knew what was going on with him. With no family in the area we felt really helpless. Luckily his friends were going to visit. Upon arrival no one answered the door. They had the fire department come and break down the door, which saved his life. He would have never awakened had they not made it to save him!”
Carbon monoxide is called “The Silent Killer” because it is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses. There are many things you can do to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning with some simple steps, one of which is installing a carbon monoxide detector. Prices start around $15. This would be a great gift for that someone that has everything, or you have no clue what to get them – give them defense against “The Silent Killer”!
For information on prevention, symptoms and more about carbon monoxide poisoning click here:
By Bill Adams
Kennedy Nemier Insurance Agency
Statements in this article as to policies and coverages provide general information only. This information is not an offer to sell insurance. Insurance coverage cannot be bound or changed via submission of any online form/application provided on this site or otherwise, email, voice mail or facsimile. No binder, insurance policy, change, addition, and/or deletion to insurance coverage goes into effect unless and until confirmed directly by a licensed agent. Any proposal of insurance we may present to you will be based upon the information you provide to us via this online form/application and/or in other communications with us. Please contact our office at 734.454.4058 to discuss specific coverage details and your insurance needs. All coverages are subject to the terms, conditions and exclusions of the actual policy issued. Not all policies or coverages are available in every state. Information provided on this site does not constitute professional advice; if you have legal, tax or financial planning questions; you should contact an appropriate professional. Any hypertext links to other sites are provided as a convenience only; we have no control over those sites and do not endorse or guarantee any information provided by those sites.
Top 5 Winter Home Prep Tips
Have you ever noticed your car’s windshield wipers never break on sunny days? Hmmm…. the same seems to be true with our homes. Rarely do the pipes burst in June, I’m pretty certain ice dams in the gutters never occur in July, and the furnace doesn’t break down in August! Yet those things happen when it’s cold outside and when we need them most!
With the winter months approaching, there are several things we can do to prevent expensive and untimely repairs in the cold weather.
- Your furnace. I don’t know about you but I hate waking up to a freezing house! Waking up at 2am only to see my breath in the air is not my idea of fun. The number one thing on the “Gotta Have It” list in Michigan is a functioning furnace. By calling a heating and cooling technician now, you may be able to avoid that scenario by getting a furnace check up before it gets cold. Usually for less than $100 you can have your furnace inspected, cleaned and readied for the cold winter season. Another reason for the inspection is to identify any risk for carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon Monoxide is an odorless gas that can be deadly. We recommend you have carbon monoxide detectors on all levels of the home, especially near your furnace.
- Have a fireplace? When was the last time you had your chimney inspected / cleaned? You could be letting heat go right up the chimney this winter if the flue in your fireplace chimney is not closed or functioning properly. As long as you’re having your furnace inspected ask the heating professional about your chimney as well.
- Clean out the gutters. Ok you may have heard this one before but how many know why? Leaves and debris trapped in your gutters don’t allow water to properly drain. This causes the moisture to back up and freeze in the gutters. The moisture trapped over the winter can seep into the wood at the roofline, back up beneath your shingles ultimately damaging the roof and the wood. Ultimately the moisture seeps into the walls and damages them from the inside out. Before you know it you’ve got huge problems. If this is considered a maintenance problem it may not be covered by insurance. Best plan? Clean out the gutters and any debris on a regular basis.
- Turn off and drain outside faucets. Water in an outside faucet line will surely freeze, and then you have the risk of a pipe bursting in that line. The best plan is to shut off the water to the faucet from the inside, and then drain the pipe by opening the faucet. No water inside will greatly reduce the risk of a burst pipe!
- Bursting pipes. It’s one of the coldest nights of the year. You wake to the sound of water spraying from somewhere. Did I leave a faucet on? Is the shower running? You get up to discover a pipe has burst and water is 2” deep in your house. You can prevent this several different ways. 1) Look for pipes that are close to your exterior walls. These are the pipes most likely to be affected. You can wrap them with pipe insulation that will protect them from the cold. 2) Leave cabinet doors open to let extra heat into the This will let the heat circulate around the pipes and help prevent freezing on those ultra cold nights. 3) Leave the water of the at risk faucets running on a low stream. Although it wastes some water, it keeps the water moving through the pipes and prevents freezing.
We hope these simple tips are helpful to you. As always if you have questions feel free to call us at 734.454.4058 and we’ll be glad to help. Visit our website at www.kennedynemier.com
The Kennedy Nemier Agency will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. The Kennedy Nemier Agency will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information. This terms and conditions is subject to change at anytime with or without notice.
Tips for Home Insurance Shoppers
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Tips for Home Insurance Shoppers
Q: When did home insurance start? What is the real purpose of home insurance? A: The first homeowner’s policy per se in the United States was introduced in September 1950, In the event of a loss such as a fire or major storm that does damage to a home many times the cost to repair the home is far greater than the owner’s ability to recover. Hence home insurance was created to ‘indemnify” or “return” the property to the state it was before the loss.
Q: What facts should I gather about my new house before I start shopping? (ie. age of electrical, energy efficient additions, etc) A: Many factors go into how carriers rate homes for risk and ultimately premiums. Some of the main facts needed are: Year built, Age of roof, type of plumbing, square footage, construction type, etc. In addition the “Declarations Page” from your current policy will help the agent to review your current policy, gather information and recommend the best fit for you. Older homes prior to 1950 may require a bit more time for review. Lead paint, galvanized plumbing and plaster were used commonly prior to 1950 and impact the rate.
Q: How can the location of my home affect my insurance costs? A: One of the biggest factors in location is distance from a fire hydrant and fire station, the farther away from these the higher the risk of a larger loss. The location of the home is also an important factor. Some areas are at a higher risk of theft, fire and other losses than others.
Q: How do I make sure I am not underinsured? What does it mean to make sure I insure my home to “replacement value”? A: Insurance carriers use a tool called a “Replacement Cost Estimator” to estimate how much it will cost in today’s market to replace your home from the ground up in the event of a total loss. This is the “replacement value” of your home. Another type of coverage is “Actual Cash Value”. This type of coverage only covers the cost of the home depreciated over time. This is not recommended and is rarely used. If your home has a mortgage the lender will require “Replacement Cost” coverage.
Q: In your personal opinion, is it worth it to get additional coverage for some of the valuable items in my home? A: In the event of a loss, say a fire for example. Items that are of exceptional value many not be covered on your homeowner’s policy. Most standard policies allow some coverage for items such as jewelry, furs, art work and the like but often it is not adequate to cover the item in the event of a loss. If you have items such as these check with your agent and review your policy coverage limits to be sure these items are covered.
Q: Can I save money on my monthly premium if I add certain safety features to my home? A: Many carriers give discounts for security systems, central reporting fire and burglar alarms.
Q: How can I ensure that I am working with a home insurance provider that I trust? A: Insurance carriers are rated by independent rating agencies. The most widely know of these is the AM Best rating. Make sure your carrier is highly ranked by these rating systems. This means the carrier has demonstrated exceptional financial stability.
Q: What’s the best way for people to get in contact with you and your company? A: You can reach the Kennedy Nemier Insurance Agency by phone at 734.454.4058, visit our website at www.kennedynemier.com or email us at info@kennedynemier.com
Water Damage, Flood Damage, Sewer Backup – Are You Covered?
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