Here’s how “flood” is defined by the National Flood Insurance Program: “A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area or of two or more properties (at least one of which is the policyholder’s property) from:

Overflow of inland or tidal waters; or
Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source; or
Mudflow; or
Collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood as defined above.”

WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

So, in plain English, a flood is an excess of water (or mud) on land that’s normally dry. Floods often happen when bodies of water overflow or tides rise due to heavy rainfall or thawing snow. But you don’t have to live near water to be at risk of flooding. A flash flood, which can strike anywhere without warning, occurs when a large volume of rain falls within a short time.

More and more buildings, roads and parking lots are being built where forests and meadows used to be, which decreases the land’s natural ability to absorb water. Coupled with changing weather patterns, this construction has made recent floods more severe and increased everyone’s chance of being flooded.

Dangerous or damaging floods don’t always mean dramatic, rushing waters through the streets of your hometown. Just a single inch of water can cause costly damage to your home! Keep this in mind when you’re considering flood insurance.

There’s something you should know: Flood losses aren’t covered by your homeowners insurance policy.

Floodwaters have the power to damage not only your home and sense of security, but also your financial future. How can you protect your most important investment in case of flooding?

Option 1: Hope that you’ll receive Federal disaster relief if a flood hits.

Many people wrongly believe that the U.S. government will take care of all their financial needs if they suffer damage due to flooding. The truth is that Federal disaster assistance is only available if the President formally declares a disaster. Even if you do get disaster assistance, it’s often a loan you have to repay, with interest, in addition to your mortgage loan that you still owe on the damaged property.

Most importantly, you must consider the fact that if your home is flooded and disaster assistance isn’t offered, you’ll have to shoulder the massive damage costs alone.

The bottom line? If you’re looking for secure protection from financial loss due to flood damage, Federal disaster assistance is not the answer.

Option 2: Buy flood insurance and stay protected no matter what.

When disaster strikes, flood insurance policyholder claims are paid even if a disaster is not Federally declared.

Flood insurance means you’ll be reimbursed for all your covered losses. And unlike Federal aid, it never has to be repaid.

As long as your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you’re eligible to purchase flood insurance. To find out if your community participates, contact our office. As a homeowner, you can insure your home up to $250,000 and its contents up to $100,000. If you’re a renter, you can cover your belongings up to $100,000. As a non-residential property owner, you can insure your building and its contents up to $500,000.

In general, a policy does not take effect until 30 days after you purchase flood insurance. So, if the weather forecast announces a flood alert for your area and you go to purchase coverage, it’s already too late. You will not be insured if you buy a policy a few days before a flood.

A flood insurance policy is easy to get, affordable and offers invaluable peace of mind. With flood insurance, you know you’re covered… no matter what.

Be FloodSmart! Get covered today. Contact our office today!!

BEFORE THE FLOOD

Besides insuring your property, there are other things you can do before a flood to minimize potential loss to your home and ensure your family’s safety.

Take photos or videos of all of your important possessions. If your home is damaged in a flood, these documents will help you file a full flood insurance claim.
Store important documents and irreplaceable personal objects (such as photographs) where they won’t get damaged. If major flooding is expected, consider putting them in a storage facility.
Post emergency telephone numbers by the phone. Teach children to dial 911.
Plan and practice a flood evacuation route with your family.
Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to be the “family contact” in case your family is separated during a flood. Make sure everyone in your family knows the name, address, and phone number of this contact person.
Buy and install sump pumps with back-up power.
Have a licensed electrician raise electric components (switches, sockets, circuit breakers and wiring) at least 12″ above your home’s projected flood elevation.
For drains, toilets, and other sewer connections, install backflow valves or plugs to prevent floodwaters from entering.
Anchor fuel tanks. An unanchored tank in your basement can be torn free by flood waters, and the broken supply line can contaminate your basement. An unanchored tank outside can be swept downstream, where it can damage other houses.
If your washer and dryer are in the basement, elevate them on masonry or pressure-treated lumber at least 12″ above the projected flood elevation.
Place the furnace and water heater on masonry blocks or concrete at least 12″ above the projected flood elevation.

DURING THE FLOOD

You’ve done everything in your power to prepare for a flood. You’ve secured a flood insurance policy, and made your home flood-ready. Congratulations! You’ve become “flood smart.”

Now, the floodwaters are rising, and there’s nothing you can do to stop them. But there are things you can do to make sure your family stays safe until the water levels drop again.

Fill bathtubs, sinks, and jugs with clean water in case water becomes contaminated.
Listen to a battery-operated radio for the latest storm information.
If local authorities instruct you to do so, turn off all utilities at the main power switch and close the main gas valve.
If told to evacuate your home, do so immediately.
If the waters start to rise inside your house before you have evacuated, retreat to the second floor, the attic, and if necessary, the roof.
Floodwaters may carry raw sewage, chemical waste and other disease-spreading substances. If you’ve come in contact with floodwaters, wash your hands with soap and disinfected water.
Avoid walking through floodwaters. As little as six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
Don’t drive through a flooded area. If you come upon a flooded road, turn around and go another way. A car can be carried away by just 2 feet of flood water.
Electric current passes easily through water, so stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires.
Look out for animals – especially snakes. Animals lose their homes in floods, too.

AFTER THE FLOOD

Your community has been flooded, and your property has suffered flood damage. Stay calm and stay safe in the days ahead by following these instructions.

If your home has suffered damage, call the agent who handles your flood insurance to file a claim. If you are unable to stay in your home, make sure to say where you can be reached.
Take photos of any water in the house and save damaged personal property. This will make filing your claim easier. If necessary, place these items outside the home. An insurance adjuster will need to see what’s been damaged in order to process your claim.
Check for structural damage before re-entering your home. Don’t go in if there is a chance of the building collapsing.
Do not use matches, cigarette lighters or other open flames upon re-entering your property. Gas may be trapped inside. If you smell gas or hear hissing, open a window, leave quickly, and call the gas company from a neighbor’s home.
Keep power off until an electrician has inspected your system for safety.
Avoid using the toilets and the tap until you have checked for sewage and water line damage. If you suspect damage, call a plumber.
Throw away any food – including canned goods – that has come in contact with floodwaters.
Boil water for drinking and food preparation until local authorities declare your water supply to be safe.
Salvage water-damaged books, heirlooms and photographs using restoration tips from the NFIP.
Follow local building codes and ordinances when rebuilding. Use flood-resistant materials and techniques to protect your property from future flood damage.

FLOOD FACTS

Did you know…

Floods and flash floods happen in all 50 states.
Everyone lives in a flood zone.
Homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood damage.
If you live in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or high risk area, your mortgage lender requires you to have flood insurance.
Just an inch of water can cause costly damage to your property.
Flash floods often bring walls of water 10 to 20 feet high.
A car can easily be carried away by just two feet of floodwater.
Hurricanes, winter storms and snow melt are common (but often overlooked) causes of flooding.
New land development can increase flood risk, especially if the construction changes natural runoff paths.
Federal disaster assistance is usually a loan that must be paid back with interest. For a $50,000 loan at 4% interest, your monthly payment would be around $240 a month ($2,880 a year) for 30 years. Compare that to a $100,000 flood insurance premium, which is about $400 a year ($33 a month).
If you live in a low- to moderate-risk community and are eligible for the Preferred Risk Policy, your flood insurance premium may be as low as $112 a year… including coverage for your property’s contents.
You are eligible to purchase flood insurance as long as your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. Contact your local Selective agent to see if your community is already an NFIP partner.
It takes 30 days after purchase for a policy to take effect, so it’s important to buy insurance before the floodwaters start to rise.
All claims and expenses of the NFIP program are funded by insurance premiums, not tax dollars.

Flood Statistics:

Every year, flooding causes more than $2 billion of property damage in the U.S.
In a high risk area, your home has a 26% chance of being damaged by a flood during the course of a 30-year mortgage, compared to a 9% chance of fire.
Roughly 25% of all claims paid by the NFIP are for policies in low- to moderate-risk communities.
When your community participates in the Community Rating System (CRS), you can qualify for an insurance premium discount of up to 45%.
The NFIP awarded over $601 million in flood claims in 2003.
Since 1969, the NFIP has paid $12.7 billion for flood insurance claims and related costs.
About 4.5 million people currently hold flood insurance policies in more than 20,000 communities across the U.S.

For more policy and claim statistics, visit the FEMA-NFIP website at http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/statistics/pcstat.shtm.

This “blog” courtesy of Selective Insurance “Flood Online” powered by FloodConnect.

Don’t Leave the Leaves!

Falling leaves may be pretty, but if too many pile up on the lawn and sidewalks, they can become troublesome for landscaping and a danger for those walking by. Here’s what to know before heading out to rake:

Don’t burn
Leaf burning is a fire hazard that can lead to air pollution and health problems. The open burning of leaves produces particulate matter and hydrocarbons that contain toxic, irritant and carcinogenic compounds, such as carbon monoxide. Burning leaves is not recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Do bag
Bagging leaves is moderate physical activity that helps build upper-body and core strength and gives you the opportunity to get outside for some fresh fall air. But keep in mind that sticks, rocks, pine cones, limbs and other debris should not be mixed with loose leaves.

Mow them down

To make the chore easier and keep your grass healthier, mow the leaves first, running the lawn mower over them where they lay. If you have a bag on your lawn mower, this can help collect them, too.

Blow them away

If leaves fall on sidewalks, porches or driveways, they can become slippery and hazardous in the rain. Remove them as quickly as possible to prevent any unwanted falls.

Remember the gutter

Removing leaves and debris from gutters can help melting snow and ice flow freely, lessening the chance for ice dams and leaky roofs.

Try composting
Composting helps soil retain moisture and nutrients and increase fertility. When leaves are composted along with grass clippings, the resulting compost becomes organic fertilizer or mulch for flowerbeds, gardens or around shrubs. The EPA’s Web site offers a free detailed guide on how to create your own compost pile in your backyard. The most important thing to note is what can and cannot be composted. (Stay away from meat trimmings and bones—they may attract pests.)

ERIE^® insurance services are provided by one or more of the following insurers: Erie Insurance Exchange, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Flagship City Insurance Company and Erie Family Life Insurance Company (home offices: Erie, Pennsylvania) or Erie Insurance Company of New York (home office: Rochester, New York). Not all companies are licensed or operate in all states. Not all products are offered in all states. Go to erieinsurance.com for company licensure and territory information.

Source: ErieSense

Statistics

• 9 – 18% of victims don’t know they are victims for 4 years or more
• 38 – 48% of victims discover they are victims within 3 months
• It can take a victim anywhere from 3 – 5840 hours to repair damage done
• 47% of victims have trouble getting credit or a loan as a result of identity theft
• 16% of victims have higher insurance rates because of identity theft
• 70% of victims have trouble getting rid of (or never get rid of) negative information in their records
• 66% of victims’ personal information is used to open a new credit account in their name
• Only 20% of victims get the misinformation or errors removed from their credit report after their first request for the credit agency to do so

What you can do to protect yourself

• Shred all documents that contain ANY personal information about you or any household members (your children are subject to theft as well)
• Be sure to only use Secure Web Sites
• Don’t fall for Phishing or Telephone Scams
• Keep Anti-Virus & Anti-Spyware up to date
• Check your credit report – you can do this annually for free at annualcreditreport.com
• Be secure with your Social Security Number
• Ask your banking institute, insurance agency, or a third party vendor about what coverage they can provide for identity theft prevention or coverage

What we can offer you as your insurance agent

We as your insurance agency can add an endorsement to your homeowners, renters, or condo owners policy to help cover you for identity theft and fraud.  For victims, restoring your name and good credit can be confusing, time-consuming, and expensive.  Unfortunately, victims have the burden of proving the fraud to merchants and financial institutions.  With your insurance company on your side, you have someone to help you. 

 Coverages include:

• Lost wages up to $5000 in total
• Re-filing of applications for loans, grants, or other credit instruments
• Notarizing of affidavits or other similar documents
• Ordering credit reports, postage, phone, and shipping fee related to identity theft and fraud
• Actual costs for supervision of children of an insured during time reasonably and necessarily taken away from supervision
• Certain legal fees, including the expenses for defending any civil suit brought against the insured by a creditor or collection agency or for removing any civil judgment wrongfully entered against the insured as a result of the stolen identity

Thinking that your identity has in some way been compromised is a very scary thought.  You should check now to see if there is a way to prevent this from happening or at least be prepared if it does happen.  Call your local insurance agent to see if they have coverage to help you in such scary times.

Determining the right product depends on a number of factors. There are many life insurance calculators that can help determine the amount of life insurance you may need.  They can help you decide what products and options best meet your needs.  Your insurance agent can help you decide what insurance best fits your life.  Here is a link to a life insurance calculator that we recommend http://www.erieinsurance.com/life/CalculatorLaunch.aspx.

There are two basic type of life insurance: term life and cash value life.

Term life insurance

Term insurance provides coverage for a term of one or more years. The 20-year plan is the most popular version. Term insurance pays a death benefit if death occurs during the policy term. However, it does not include a cash value that can be used in the future.

Some term insurance policies are renewable for one or more terms, even if your health changes, though the premium usually increases with each renewal. Inquire about renewal premiums before you buy. Also ask if there is an age when you can no longer renew the policy.

Most term policies also include an option to convert to a cash value policy without having to provide evidence of insurability. Make sure you understand how the convertibility option works. The annual premium for term life insurance is usually less during the early years than the premium for a cash value insurance product. Be sure to compare the long term cost of each product before you buy.

Most term life policies provide coverage to age 95. The face amount of the policy remains level until then and the policy owner can choose from a 10, 15, 20 or 30-year guaranteed level premium period. After the level premium period, the premium increases on an annual basis.

Cash value life insurance

Cash value life insurance is designed to last an entire lifetime. Most products provide coverage until age 100 or later. The premium for this type of insurance is higher than term insurance during the early years of the contract when compared to term life insurance. The premium that is not used to cover expense or the cost of insurance is invested by the insurance company. That investment builds a cash value that increases with time. That cash value can be borrowed to:

• Fund a business or investment opportunity.
• Pay education expenses, such as college.
• Enhance your retirement income.
• Pay emergency medical expenses.

There are several types of cash value life insurance, including whole life, universal life and variable life.

• Whole life insurance provides coverage for as long as you live. The annual premium is usually payable for a period of time such as 20 years or to age 65. Some are payable forever. The premium amount never changes unless there is a change in benefits. The cash value is guaranteed as shown in the policy.
• Universal life insurance is a flexible premium adjustable life insurance product that allows you to vary the premium payment within certain limits as defined by the insurer and the tax code. The death benefit can be increased or decreased as defined in the policy without having to buy a new contract. The cash value earns interest at a rate determined by the insurer and that rate is subject to fluctuation based on market conditions. Like whole life, the cash value can be borrowed. Additionally, the cash value can simply be withdrawn, thereby avoiding interest expense charges, subject to policy limits.
• Variable life insurance can be structured as whole life insurance or as universal life insurance. The distinguishing feature of variable life is that the cash value is dependent on the investment performance of one or more separate accounts. In other words, the policy owner is subject to financial risk and the loss of their cash value. Be sure to read and study the prospectus before buying this type of policy.

Remember there are many life insurance companies out there and you should be VERY careful as to which ones you give your information or use.  We recommend NEVER buying life insurance online.  Your local independent insurance agent is really the best place to look for life insurance.  They will be able to help you determine what coverage you need and get you the best rates available.

Farryn Weiner, senior editor at Jetsetter, a site that helps travelers discover and arrange dream getaways, has a few ideas for any style, ranging from Croatia to… Montana. (Who would have guessed?) Once you’ve picked the destination, ERIE’s Terry McConnell has some tips on getting your home, your luggage and your rental car ready to roll.

Farryn’s Top Picks for 2010

• Off the Radar Romance: Big Sur, California—This central California region features many of the Napa Valley’s draws—dramatic coastlines, great hiking trails, breathtaking sunsets, and nearby wineries in Carmel Valley Village and Monterey County—without the crowds.
• Comeback Kid: Palm Springs, California—Once the resort town of choice for the likes of Frank Sinatra and Elvis, Palm Springs is as desirable as ever thanks to a crop of stylish new hotels, a burgeoning art scene, and its many acclaimed restaurants. Adding to Palm Springs’ appeal is its weather, which Weiner describes as “perfect.”
• Family Travel: Paws Up, Montana—Families may want to consider forgoing Disney in favor of Big Sky Country. With unparalleled opportunities to ride horses, fly fish, white water raft, mountain bike, and “glamp” (camping via luxury tent), there are more than enough opportunities for travelers of all ages to immerse themselves in the natural world.
• Reality TV Junkie: St. Lucia—Situated in the southern end of the Caribbean Sea, this island nation boasts a lush landscape full of pristine rainforests, soaring mountains, and endless beaches—and the location of The Bachelor, Season 14.
• Next for Nightlife: Croatia—The Balkan republic is a perennial favorite for its Dalmatian coast, where one of Europe’s most stunning shorelines doesn’t come with the high price tag of its continental counterparts.

How to make it worry-free
Vacations are for fun. But between remembering your (under-three-ounce) bottles of sunscreen, catching the connection and making your way to the hotel, there are a few reasons to feel anxious.

“The two most common problems that occur during a vacation are home burglaries and theft of luggage,” says Terry McConnell, ERIE’s manager of Personal Lines Underwriting. To relieve the pressure, Terry offers a few precautionary steps to protect all of your assets while you’re away:

YOUR HOME

• Ensure that all doors and windows are securely locked.
• Either have your mail and newspaper deliveries suspended or have a trusted neighbor retrieve and safeguard them until your return. Not only do piles of mail signal that a house is vacant, but thieves can sift through letters to steal your identity. (If you’re worried about that, talk to your ERIE Agent about Identity Recovery Coverage.)
• Maintain the illusion of occupancy: leave a radio on, arrange for someone to maintain your lawn if you’ll be gone for more than a few days, and have a neighbor check into the premises periodically.
• Consider installing central alarms, motion detectors, or timed lights that will illuminate the area around your house at night.
• Inspect your washing machine hose for any damage and be sure to have it replaced at least every five years. If deteriorating hoses break, water could flood your home for days on end.
• Shut down computers and unplug smaller appliances to prevent fires.

YOUR LUGGAGE

• Consider leaving expensive electronic equipment like laptops at home. Thieves are especially prone to swiping pricey gadgets. (You don’t need to work anyway—it’s vacation.)
• Check in with your ERIE Agent about how much your homeowners or renters policy will reimburse you for lost or stolen items. Most policies max out at $3,000 per item for such things as jewelry and firs; if that isn’t enough, consider buying extra protection by increasing your personal property insurance.
• Take special care to secure jewelry, passports, and anything financial in nature. Also make sure to lock these items in your hotel’s safe.
• Never leave your luggage unattended.
• Either inventory or videotape all of your personal belongings. Don’t skimp on capturing the details of what you own, and be sure to stash your inventory, tape, or DVD in a fireproof safe. Having this on record will make it much easier for you to be reimbursed for any belongings that may be lost or stolen during a trip.
• Attach nametags and snap a photo of each suitcase. This will expedite the retrieval process should your luggage be lost or stolen.

YOUR RENTAL CAR

• Contact your ERIE Agent to find out if your auto policy covers leased and/or rental cars (the good news: most polices do).
• Know that ERIE auto policies typically cover car rental insurance in the United States and Canada. When traveling to other countries, make sure your rental agency offers car rental insurance.
• Consider a Personal Catastrophe Liability Policy (PCL) if you often rent cars outside of the United States and Canada. PCL, which is bought in $1 million increments, functions as a cross-border umbrella policy.  Should a large claim be filed against you anywhere in the world, an umbrella policy can help keep you protected.

And, if you’re not sure what your insurance does and doesn’t cover, give your Agent a call before heading out. Your Agent is there to make insurance easy to understand.

What it is

Hydroplaning occurs when built-up water on roadways is not sufficiently pushed out of the way by your vehicle’s tires when going at a regular or high speed. The water then causes your vehicle to rise and slide on top of a thin layer of water between your tires and the road. All traction is lost in less than a second and you have very limited control of your vehicle.

What to do if it happens

If you find yourself hydroplaning, stay calm. Don’t brake or turn suddenly. Ease your foot off the gas, and hold the wheel firmly. Do not steer in any direction other than straight. If you do need to brake — and don’t have anti-lock brakes — do so gently with a pumping action.

How to prevent it

Drive slowly and carefully when it’s raining or there is water on the road. Take your time around curves and steer and brake with smooth, light touches. Most of America’s roads are crowned, meaning water will run to the sides and puddles will accumulate. Knowing this, keep towards the middle of the road and drive in the tire tracks left by cars in front of you.

Also, if you see a puddle up ahead, steer clear of it or choose another route.  And, be extra cautions at intersections where engine oil and water mix, creating extremely slick spots.

And last but not least, avoid using cruise control. There is a chance that your car will accelerate if you hydroplane, and your reaction time will be slower if using cruise control.

Be prepared.

After a long, hard winter, now’s the perfect time to check your vehicle’s condition. Be sure your tires are properly inflated and have good tread size, pattern and depth. Check that your windshield wipers are in good condition and are working properly. Also check the functionality of your headlights and defroster, as both can help with visibility in rainy weather.

Source:  www.eriesense.com