by Downey Insurance Group | Dec 30, 2011 | Blog
Our hearts go out to Stamford, CT family that lost so much in the house fire that raged through their home on Christmas day. It is an unimaginable tragedy. This fire caused by mishandled fireplace embers sadly was completely preventable. I also wonder if those third floor bedrooms had Fire Escape Ladders if they would have been able to escape. If you operate a fireplace or wood stove in your home please take a second to read the recommendations of the U.S. Fire Administration. Here is a summary of some of the most important; any of these precautions could potentially prevent a house fire.
•Have your chimney or wood stove inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist.
•Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials.
•Leave glass doors open while burning a fire. Leaving the doors open ensures that the fire receives enough air to ensure complete combustion and keeps creosote from building up in the chimney.
•Close glass doors when the fire is out to keep air from the chimney opening from getting into the room. Most glass fireplace doors have a metal mesh screen which should be closed when the glass doors are open. This mesh screen helps keep embers from getting out of the fireplace area.
•Always use a metal mesh screen with fireplaces that do not have a glass fireplace door.
•Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
•Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container outside your home.
If you have any questions about fireplace safely and your Vermont Insurance policy please feel free to contact us anytime. We will do all we can to help prevent another family from having to experience a preventable house fire. One again we offer our deepest condolences to the family that has endured this horrific tragedy.
by Downey Insurance Group | Dec 27, 2011 | Blog
The chaos has subsided and the Christmas euphoria is gone, welcome back to reality. For us that means helping people make sure their Christmas presents are properly insured by their Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance Policy. I Hope everyone was lucky enough to have a great Christmas this year filled with family and friends. In our house Mom and Dad got their gadgets, kids got their electronics, and the baby she got sick. But for the most part there was joy and merriness shared by all.
Of course as an Insurance agent as everyone is opening their presents I am taking mental inventory of how every gift would be covered under our own Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance policy like electronics, jewelry, fine arts, and standard contents coverage. Most homeowners insurance policies will have a standard limit for what it will pay for each type of property. It is important to know the limits of your policy and how your personal property will be covered in the event of a loss. If you have items that will exceed the limits of your policy, or that require specific coverage you should consider scheduling them on your policy. This will provide extra protection for your most precious possessions.
If you have any questions about your Massachusetts Homeowners Insurance policy or your Personal Property Coverage please let us know. We would be happy to go over your coverage with you.
by Downey Insurance Group | Dec 27, 2011 | Blog
Purchasing New Hampshire auto insurance to financially protect your car in the event of an accident or theft is a smart idea. It’s also a good idea to try to avoid making a claim on your policy in order to keep your premiums at an affordable level.
The circumstances surrounding some car accidents make them almost impossible to avoid, but vehicle owners may help prevent theft by installing security devices. Here are a few security ideas and options to consider installing in your car.
Steering wheel locks have been around for many years and are still considered reasonably effective against car theft. These inexpensive metal bars lock across the steering wheel, preventing the potential thief from turning it.
Sometimes called “starter disablers” or “kill switches”, engine immobilizers work by preventing a car thief from starting the engine. Obvious signage stating your car is equipped with an engine immobilizer may also be a useful deterrent.
Even if the thief is able to steal your car, a GPS tracking device may help the police quickly retrieve your vehicle. Tracking devices are easy to obtain and install, although many new cars are now sold with pre-installed tracking equipment.
By taking security steps to protect your car against theft you may help reduce the risk of a theft related claim against your New Hampshire auto insurance. Your car is possibly one of your most valuable possessions, so increasing its security may also help give you a degree of peace.
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by Downey Insurance Group | Dec 21, 2011 | Blog
Everyone knows it is important to water your Christmas tree, but with the rush of the season it is easy to forget about this seemingly minor holiday chore. Lying in bed at night and hearing from your spouse “Honey, did you water the tree today” may induce a Homer Simpson like response “Doh!” But I promise after watching this Christmas tree fire video you will never forget again. We have two Christmas trees on fire, one has been watered regularly and one has not. The difference is unbelievable. Watering your tree may save your family from having to file an unwanted Massachusetts Insurance claim in your lifetime. Which one would your tree be?
by Downey Insurance Group | Dec 19, 2011 | Blog
With Christmas almost upon us, many of us are starting to make a plan for our holiday travels. Families can spend hours in the car during the holiday season, trying to squeeze in a visit to everyone on their list. Whether you are going over the river, or through the woods, or both, we recommend considering the following Christmas travel safety tips from your Vermont Insurance expert Downey Insurance Group.
Make sure your car is in good working order and your spare tire is inflated and ready if needed. Getting help from a tow truck may be difficult or extremely delayed during the holidays because of holiday scheduling.
Keep a safety kit in your vehicle. Including spare blankets, a flashlight, first-aid kit, and anything else you might need if stranded on the road.
Avoid driving during late hours. I know this is the best time to travel with kids because they can sleep the travel time away but it is also the most likely time to be hit by a drunk driver.
Do not drive drowsy. Drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drunk or distracted driving.
Check the weather to see what the forecast will be during your return trip. You may want to shift your plans if a large snowstorm or ice storm is headed your way.
Most importantly drive safe and smart. Don’t use your cell phone, and be aware of the vehicles around you. If someone seems to be swerving, call the police, it just might save their lie or someone else’s on the road.
We hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Christmas season. If you are feeling the pinch after the holiday and need to save some money on your Vermont Insurance give us a call we can help! Here are some more great holiday travel tips to make your trip a safe and fun time for everyone.
Merry Christmas!
by Downey Insurance Group | Dec 19, 2011 | Blog
Whether you wish to sell your car or make sure it’s running properly it’s a good idea to periodically go through a maintenance checklist. The first thing you should do is check your New Hampshire auto insurance to make sure your policy is up to date and double check that your coverage is adequate for your needs. With that done, it’s time for a little maintenance and safety check.
- Check your vehicle identification number hasn’t been tampered with. This is particularly important if you’re looking at buying a new car.
- The engine shouldn’t look dirty or have a buildup of oil and dust. Get your mechanic to give it a full clean next time your car goes in for an engine check up.
- When the engine is idling it should sound even with no rattling or irregular sounds.
- Take off the oil cap while the car is idling. Obvious fumes may indicate worn pistons or cylinders.
- The radiator coolant should look fairly clear; traces of oil in the radiator coolant may signify a leaking gasket.
- There shouldn’t be any battery acid or corrosion on the battery or its platform.
- Check the car has a spare tire, a tool kit and a working jack.
- Check that all the lights are working and the bodywork is rust free.
When you’re driving your car make a point to check the steering and brakes are working smoothly. Listen to the transmission for rattles especially when going over bumps. Regularly going through a maintenance checklist may help keep your car performing safely on the road and may also lower the risk of an accident and a related claim against your New Hampshire auto insurance.
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