3 Easy Home Maintenance Tasks for July

Regular home maintenance is important and frequently overlooked, especially in the summer. Let’s face it, the summer goes by so fast, who has time to worry about all the inner workings of the house? We tend to forget about our air conditioning system. That is, until it quits working on the hottest day of the summer!  That's why, we're providing a few simple tasks and reminders you can do each month to keep your home in tip top shape all year long.

Here’s some quick Home Maintenance To-Do’s that take less than 30 minutes each!

1.)  Do an energy audit.  Hot weather is a great time to find all the spots in your home where air may be sneaking in.  Plugging those leaks can save as much as 20% on your heating and cooling bills!  

Look at every door and window area for places where you can see daylight through a crack or feel a draft.  Don't forget the mail slot and fireplace too!  If you'd rather use a professional, contact your utility company for a recommendation on a home energy auditor.

2.)  Protect your patio furniture.  You probably have all of your nice outdoor furniture in use right now.  Make sure to take a few minutes to clean it each week (and protect it during storms) and it will last for many years.  

Check the tags on pillows and cushions for specific cleaning instructions and regularly hose down the furniture itself. Remember, patio cushions are a favorite place for busy squirrels so try to keep them protected!  

3.)  Save on Home Insurance.  If we don't currently insure your home, call us for a quote today.  We'll look for every possible discount without sacrificing important coverage.  Great insurance coverage is the best protection you can have!

At the Bryan Insurance Agency, we are the experts at keeping you safe this summer and saving you money. We can help you with your insurance wherever you whether it be New Windsor, Long Island, the Hudson Valley or any area in New York. Call us or visit us online today for a quote on your home insurance. 888.565.2212.

How to Fix a Frozen Pipe

As I watch the weather on the news I am constantly seeing words like "Arctic Blast" and "Polar Vortex"  scrolling across the screen all with subzero temperatures in the flashing up in the negatives and the they flash the wind chill which is even colder. The weather guy looks about as excited as a kid on Christmas. While I think that playing the name game with every new storm,  closing major roadways in Long Island and the 24/7 coverage of the upcoming inch of snow and negative temps  is a little overkill, there is still a concern for the safety of people and pets. And yet, out of all of the news reports, what was disheartening was that I only saw one report talking about preventing frozen pipes.

What Can I Do To Prevent My Pipes From Freezing?

It is important to take the necessary precautions to prevent your property from becoming the next coolest ice sculpture, especially if you  have a home or business space which is not occupied during these frigid temps.

Why do pipes burst? When frozen water expands and pipes will cracks and can eventually burst. Whether you have copper or even the new plastic piping it doesn't matter, this can still happen. In these temperatures, you run the risk of your pipes cracking and having water leaking all over your property if you are not taking precautions and leave your heat at 65 degrees.  If you have sprinklers throughout the buildings of a business or an apartment complex it is even more imperative that you take precautions to keep the heat running during this time.  If you rent and know the apartment above you is empty, give your landlord a call to make sure the heat is on upstairs. Trust me, I have seen firsthand a huge mess when an upstairs apartment has a pipe bust. Your entire home or business will be ruined from water damage.  Another tip to prevent freezing is to keep the water running, even at just a trickle.


"I didn't listen to you & now my pipes are frozen - now what?"

When you have frozen pipes follow the first rule - DO NOT USE A BLOW TORCH OR OTHER OPEN FLAME! If you don't listen and thaw your pipes with a blow torch, you run the risk of the exterior or interior walls catching fire. Then you have a much bigger problem on your hands!

While monitoring it, you can use a small space heater  or a hair dryer - not unsupervised. You can also use warm water and run this around the pipes, or down the pipes. You can also use a device made for thawing pipes specifically.

If you want more information on how to protect you and your family this winter season, call us at 888-565-2212. We specialize in Long Island home insurance and New York Business insurance. Stay warm out there and try to stop watching all of the crazy weather updates.

'Tis the season for back to school: A parent's guide to the hidden dangers of carpooling

What is it about back to school that makes you think of getting organized, new school clothes, and a brand new set of colored pencils? While kids are full of excitement and jitters of the new school season, seeing their friends and making new ones, as parents, you are probably just as excited to get them back to the normal routine. And if you are like most busy parents that means you are driving your kids to the thousands of afterschool activities like soccer, dance, football, band, concerts, etc. In some cases, this means you are also carpooling everyone else’s kids around as well. And why wouldn’t you? If I am taking Tommy to football, of course I am going take his best friend Frankie who is playing on the same team as him. But did you know that as a parent, your good deed could come with consequences? And those consequences could come with law suits if say you ended up in an accident with other people’s kids in the car.

Yes, in the event of an accident, especially in today’s litigious society, if little Frankie got hurt, Frankie’s mom and dad are most likely going to sue you. So, what can you do to prevent this? I mean after all, you don’t want to be rude and leave Frankie on the side of the road because you are afraid of all of the “what-ifs” that could or would happen. And I am sure he would look at you like a crazy person if you told him, “I’m sorry I don’t want your parents to sue me for my house and Tommy’s college fund if I accidentally crash my car with you in it.”  I’m way over 10 years old and even I would look at you like a crazy person if you told me that.

But you can do what I suggest all of my clients to do, prepare for the worst but hope for the best. I know that may sounds a bit dramatic, but there is a method to my madness. There is…a plan. You can do this by starting to take a closer look at your auto liability insurance and even look into an umbrella policy.

Umbrella policy? I know, many people, even my brother did not know what an umbrella policy was. No, it’s not protection for your umbrellas, which is the first image that comes to mind. An umbrella policy is additional liability insurance which covers you over your auto insurance and your home insurance. In other words, this would pick up where your auto policy drops off, in the event that you didn’t have enough insurance. Usually this coverage starts at $1,000,000 in additional coverage over your auto insurance and can go up to $25,000,000 or higher depending on your needs. I know your next thought is probably, “$1,000,000? That sounds expensive!” But surprisingly for an extra $15-$20 per month, you can purchase this coverage and the best part is…it covers over the home insurance as well.

Now for the auto, my suggestion to many people is to take as much coverage as you can afford. I know things are tight today, so if you cannot afford to take the umbrella policy in addition to the car insurance, I would increase that liability to the highest your company will allow you to go. Usually this increase is not as much as you think it would be. It could be as little as an additional $5 a month for twice the amount of coverage. It’s a lot cheaper than having Frankie’s parents sue you and finding out you don’t have enough coverage.

And what happens then if you don’t have enough you ask? Well they can garnish up to 25% of your wages and go after any assets you own – i.e. your home. Does the $5 extra a month sound like a good deal? Heck, to me $20 a month sounds like a good deal at that point.

I know that this might sound a little overly prudent, but I wanted to make you aware of the risks of carpooling. And although I know your intentions are good, nobody plans to have an accident. That is why they are called accidents. And while Frankie’s parents might come over for game night at your house, if you got into an accident with their child, they most likely will sue you if it was bad enough.

Better to know you have the proper coverage now, than to find out later when you really need it. Not sure how much you have or what is enough? Or do you not know what everything means? We speak insurance here and can help you figure out how much is enough insurance.

Call me, Amy Bryan at 845.565.2200 or 888.565.2212 or email me at abryan@bryanagency.com today to find out more information about how to protect your family the right way. You can also visit us online at www.bryanagency.com

Graduation Parties - Are You Covered?

By Guest Blogger: Nelson Rivera Jr.

It's that time of year...graduation time. This is the crowning moment in any teenagers life – graduating high school. And as many of you as parents can attest to, it is not without hard work and perseverance from both your children and you. So, to recognize this great achievement, what better way to do that than have a graduation party? Something that you, your child, their friends, and the rest of the family can do to celebrate.

Like any responsible parent, you will have drinks for the adults only and soda for your child and his or her friends. Your child is a good kid, so you have made it clear that there will be no drinking at the party, and they have agreed.

The party day arrives and all the friends and family show up. However, you, being busy hosting the party, are unaware that some of the friends show up and end up drinking in the garage and others even show up drunk to the party. They drive off to the next party and get into an accident with another vehicle. The police show up and in the report, they tell them that they were leaving your house from their friend's graduation party. Weeks later, some legal papers show up at your house for the accident, showing that you may be liable for hosting the party. What do you do now? You wonder, am I covered for this?

While this scenario seems bad, it is possible, and it is important to know where you are liable in a party. Now the question is, is this covered under your homeowners insurance? The answer is, it depends.

Here are the top questions we get around this time of year to think of when planning your party:
Q: My kids are going to drink anyway, so can't I serve them? This way I can monitor what happens.
A: If you are knowingly serving alcohol to minors, while you are covered under the liability on your homeowners under the "Social Host Liquor" rules, serving alcohol to minors is not legal and therefore may not be covered under your homeowners policy. And if you are charging for alcohol, you could fall under the "Dram Shop Liabilty" and your homeowners would not cover you for that.

Q: What if I have a party outside of the house, like at a park or clubhouse?
A: Good news! Your homeowners liability and umbrella policy will cover you outside of your home. What this means is that if you have your child's party at a park or other area, the Social Host Liquor rules will extend from whatever the limit on your homeowners insurance policy provides.

Q: If one of my kids friends shows up intoxicated to the party and I send them away, am I still liable?
A: Yes, you could still be found liable because you knowingly sent him/ her away in a vehicle when they were visibly intoxicated, and they are underage. Now, this may or may not be covered by your insurance as well.

Q: What if I am away, and my kid throws a party on their own?
A: As the owner of the house, it doesn't matter if you are there or not there. If someone gets hurt on your property, or was drinking at your house, you could be held responsible. Depending on the situation, the liability coverage of your homeowners may come into play here as well to protect you.

Q: What if someone trips and falls or gets hurt otherwise?
A: Most likely, you are covered in this event. Although each policy varies from coverages and the limits, if someone is injured on your property, you have medical payments and liability coverage on the standard homeowners policies, which protect you in this event. If you are not sure, you should check your policy or call your agent and have them review it with you.

Q: What else can I do to protect myself?
A: In today's litigious society, I always recommend to take as much liability on your homeowners as you can and take an umbrella policy as well, especially with children in the house. They are covered under your policies as a resident relative of your household as long as they are living there. An umbrella policy is extra liability that would cover over your home and auto policy and can be purchased for less than $13 per month for an extra $1,000,000 in coverage.

It is also important to review your current coverages to see what you have. If you are unsure, you should review them with your agent or insurance company.

Also, it is a good idea to have an agreement with your child. Let them know the implications of their choices and how it can affect you as well. This way, everyone can enjoy the party and celebrate what really matters, your child and their great accomplishment!

Congrats to all of the Graduates of 2012! We at the Bryan Agency wish you all of the best in your success!

Have more questions? Call our office (888) 565-2212 or stop in at 3068 Route 9W Suite 500, New Windsor, NY 12553. We love questions. Email us at amicovered@bryanagency.com  ***If your question is featured in one of our blogs, we will send you a thank you gift card in the mail. ***

You can also visit us online at http://www.bryanagency.com/ or www.facebook.com/bryanagency

Pet Safety: The Safest Way to Drive Your Pet Around

The Safest way to Drive Your Pet Around

What dog doesn’t like to go for a car ride every once in a while—and what dog owner doesn’t like to indulge that? And cats, while not friends of automobile transportation in general, need to visit the vet annually in order to ensure their continued good health which means they, too, must travel by car on a somewhat regular basis. But driving your pets around isn’t just a matter of throwing them into the car and hoping for the best. Here are some tips on the safest ways to transport your favorite four-legged family member.

Tips for Dogs

• Close the window: This may be heartbreaking to read, but allowing your dog to ride in the car with his head out the window is actually dangerous. Debris in the air can get into his eyes or lungs, and according to the Humane Association, cold air forced into their lungs can cause illness.
• Use a harness: Just as it is dangerous with a small child, it is dangerous to travel with your dog unseatbelted. Dogs should either be in a carrier while you drive or in a harness that connects to your vehicle’s safety belt system. This will prevent them from getting thrown and injured in an accident.
• Only bring pets to pet friendly locations: No animal should be left unattended in a vehicle, no matter how comfortable the weather is. If you are driving to a destination that does not allow pets to come inside, leave your dog at home.

Tips for Cats

• Use a carrier: For the safety of both the cat and the people in the car, trips with cats should always be conducted with the cat inside a carrier. Frightened cats are a danger in terms of their claws and their small size, so keep them in a carrier at all times.
• Get the cat used to traveling: It can be extremely stressful to your cat to go on a long car ride, even when she’s in the safety of her carrier. To get your cat used to the car, About.com recommends you take her on short trips a few times a month and reward her with treats afterward. You can gradually lengthen the trip times in order to get her ready for a multi-day trip.

It doesn’t take much effort to keep your pet safe and comfortable when traveling. Taking these extra steps will help add years to their lives.

Did you know?Did you know that Progressive Insurance is one of the few companies which provides injury coverage to your pet in the event of an accident? They offer up to $1000 of coverage if your pet is injured in a car accident.

For more tips and information on Pet Safety, call us at 845-565-2200,
email us at info@bryanagency.com or visit us online at Bryan Agency or on Facebook

The Top 7 Camper Claims...Did you know?

Camper or RV insurance is a must-have for people with travel trailers or motor homes, because insurable incidents don’t leave you alone just because you’re on vacation.

Take a look at the top 7 claims experienced by camper and RV owners, and you’ll see just how necessary insurance is whether you are on—or off—the road.

1.) Fire Damage

Gas leaks and unattended indoor cooking sessions are often to blame for the fire damage claimed by RV owners. To avoid them yourself:

• Use leak detector solution to check for gas leaks.
• Don’t leave cooking food unattended.
• Do not use a grill inside the camper.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions when using portable heating devices 

2.) Roof Damage

 Claiming damages that occur after driving into overhangs, signs and bridges is a common activity for RV owners. To avoid this:

• Know the height of your RV from the ground to its highest point.
• Always check clearances before driving underneath something.
• Remove antennas before driving if they extend higher than the highest point.

3.) Damages after a Tire Blowout

Tire blowouts can be easy to prevent:

• Keep tires properly inflated.
• Check tires at least weekly when the camper is in use.
• Keep weight appropriate to limits on the tires.
• Keep tires rotated and replaced when tread is low or tires cracked.

4.) Body Damage

Body damage can occur to any RV owner, but it can be easy to avoid if you::

• Take a course in learning how to back in, how to use your mirrors, and understanding your blind spots.
• Keep the RV or camper parked level and wheels secured so that it can’t roll.

5.) Damage to Awnings and Steps

Always retract steps and awnings before moving the RV or camper—even if you aren’t moving it far.

6.) Infestation

An unused RV makes a nice home for rodents and bugs. To lessen this risk:

• Drive the RV occasionally when not vacationing.
• Keep food and liquids out of the camper when stored.
• Keep mouse and bug traps in the camper and replace them as often as necessary.

 

7.)Theft

When travelling around from campsite to campsite, your RV can easily become the target of thieves, but you can reduce risk by:

• Keeping your RV locked whenever it is unattended.
• Keeping expensive items such as personal electronics out of view from the outside. 

For all your RV and camper insurance needs, give us a call 845-565-2200 or visit us online at http://www.bryanagency.com/. Stay safe this summer!