Are You "On Track" about Off Premises Theft?

Off premises theft coverage: (n.) coverage provided to you off the premises you reside for the act of stealing your belongings.

So now I know what your thinking…”Amy, translate this insurance jargon into something that makes send to me…PLEASE!”

Ok, so basically if someone breaks into your car and jacks your golf clubs and your IPOD, this coverage would be able to replace those for you.

Charlie Customer: “Oh, so this is under my car insurance right?”

Me: “No, its covered under your home, condo, or renters insurance policy.”

Charlie Customer: “Wait, someone breaks into my car and steals my IPOD and that’s part of a renters policy or my homeowners?”

Me: “Yes. Because anything that isn’t attached to the car – IPOD, your Garmin GPS, your golf clubs, etc. are all considered personal property and is covered under your home insurance.”

Ok. So now that we get that part, here’s the unique to New York downstate home insurance coverage: “Off Premises Theft Exclusion” - included in all downstate New York policies

Translation - this means if you live in Bronx, Kings, Nassau, Queens, Suffolk, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester, and New York Counties this coverage is in most cases NOT automatically included in your homeowners, renters, or condo insurance policies. This means, that if you live in these counties, and do not elect to add this coverage in (yes, this is usually at a small additional cost), many insurance companies do not automatically include coverage for your stuff if you take it out of your house. This includes when you go away on vacation, golf clubs in your car, etc. If you don't have this coverage on your policy, you will not be covered. Sorry Charlie.

-> However on a side note, If you live upstate above these counties, this coverage is automatically included and you can opt-out of the coverage if you wish.

So what do I do? How do I get this coverage?
If you live in one of these downstate New York counties and do not know if you have this coverage or not, I would encourage you to look at your policy. Take a look anyways! And also call your trusted insurance professional. Ask them what it would cost to add this on – probably less than an IPOD and a set of golf clubs.

Renters Insurance…huh?

I have heard this time and time again…and it usually begins while I’m quoting an auto policy for someone.


Us: “Ok. And do you have homeowners insurance?”

Customer A: “Me? No. No. I rent.”

Us: “Oh ok, no problem. Do you have a renters policy?”

Customer A: “Renters Insurance? No, I don’t need that. I don’t need to spend anymore money.”

Us: “Ok, I can understand that. I don’t want you to spend more money either especially on things you don’t need. Do you know what renters insurance would cover you for?”

Customer A: (silent pause) “no”

Ok…so here’s the part where we usually explain all that renters insurance covers them for – and its not just for a few t-shirts and an old T.V.

Personal Property
Yes. Renters insurance DOES cover all of your belongings. This means EVERYTHING – from your dishes, your couch, your bed, your clothes, shoes (all of them), electronics, etc. Now if your like me, I have work clothes, going out clothes, workout clothes, and more. And don’t even get me started on shoes…which now occupy a closet on their own. All of this stuff can add up after a while. Now if you golf, collect coins, dolls, baseball cards, etc. this can add up even more. So, now that your head is spinning, your probably asking well how do I know how much I need to cover? My suggestion is to start with a home inventory checklist. (Email me & I can send you one for free if you need it)

Loss of Use
Ok. So now that we have all of your stuff covered, what else is there? Well in renters insurance, there is a LOT more. The next part, which most people don’t know, is that renters insurance covers “loss of use” coverage. What this means is that in the event of a claim, or worse yet in the event that your neighbor above you has a fire & the you now have water damage, smoke damage, and no power until the electric company says its ok to come back, you have coverage that pays for you to stay someplace else in the meantime! How great is that? You don’t have to move in with friends, or worse yet, back with your parents. Some policies give you a monthly limit and other policies give you a monetary amount, check the policy to be sure you have enough coverage.

Personal Liability
So, now we have your stuff that can be replaced and a place for you to stay…but wait, that’s not all. On top of that, there is also personal liability coverage, which covers you and your family in the event that someone sues you for an event that you are personally liable.

WHAT? I know what your thinking…”Amy, that makes no sense. You lost me & how much is this going to cost me?” Let me explain it in a better way. Someone gets seriously injured in your apartment or on your property and decides they are going to place a lawsuit against you. You have liability coverage to cover you. Or wait, here’s an even cooler example: You’re a golfer (a really sucky golfer). Your out on the course with your buddies and you shank a ball into the other hole. Besides killing your chances of beating your buddies despite all of your bragging before the game, you have now also hit the guy on the next hole in the head and knocked him out. Now what? The ambulance comes, checks out the guy, takes him for a CAT Scan to be sure he checks out and the worse part is…this can ALL come back to you. But here’s the best part, a renters insurance policy’s personal liability policy has coverage which covers you wherever you are! So you can get out on the golf course & really stink it up!

Medical Payments
Ok..So this part goes hand in hand with Personal Liability. Medical Payments covers you for simple slip and falls, minor accidents where there is no lawsuit. If this turns into a lawsuit, then your liability coverage would kick in here.


Great. So Now What?
So that’s it. That’s the basics of renters insurance. But here’s what most people don’t think of, if you live in a multi-family home or apartment complex and you should ALWAYS have renters insurance. Why? Because I don’t care how much you know your neighbors, accidents happen. Someone forgets to blow out a candle or cigarette. Someone toilet overflows from upstairs into your unit. The person in 2A next to you moves in and is a horrible cook. Anything can happen. I have seen it. And sometimes, it doesn’t even have to be directly your fault for a claim to affect you. Your neighbor can have a fire and now you have smoke and water damage. And now you find out your landlord only covers the building. As much as he’s a nice guy, he is not responsible for your stuff or where you stay while the building is condemned until it gets repaired.

I know this may seem excessive to write a lot about something that is so small a policy. But I'm passionate about this because I have seen families suffer from fires and have no place to stay and lose all of their belongings. I have seen water damage from a fire in the apartment above where it wasn't even the person's fault. I saw a roof collapse on an apartment in the middle of the night and they had to figure out where to stay. And I have seen a four family where only one of the four had renters insurance. The one couple was set. Their stuff was replaced or dry cleaned. They had a place to stay (not mom & dad’s) and they had nothing to worry about. The other three? Had to figure it out on their own.

Now, I know I still didn’t address the part that’s been in the back of your mind… "but Amy, how much does this cost?” Did you know, that most policies range between $10 - $30/ month depending on what your coverage is that you need.

Did you also know that a small kitchen fire can cost you upwards of $10,000 or more? And then, after the landlord’s insurance company finds that you are at fault, their insurance company will sue you for negligence & ask for damages – which can be upwards of $25,000 for damages to the building. Yes. That’s right, they can sue you. I have seen it. But guess what? Your renters policy would cover this.

So for $10-$30 a month, you can have peace of mind and loads of coverage, and in some cases a discount on your auto policy. If you don’t have one and you rent, get a renters policy today. Talk to a trusted agent about what is right for you and your family.

If you have a story, I would love to hear your experiences or your thoughts on this.

What is Water Back Up & Sump Pump Overflow?

Do you know what Water Back Up & Sump Pump Overflow coverage is and how it can help you? We get lots of questions about this coverage on a homeowners policy. Many people either have never heard of it, don’t know it exists, or don’t know how it would apply to them & their situation.

When we get to this coverage in the quote or policy for a customer, the conversation usually goes something like this…

Us: “And we gave you water back up & sump overflow coverage up to $5,000 on your policy.”

Customer A: “Water what? What is that? What does that mean? How much is it costing me?”

Us: “Well, water back up & Sump overflow is if your pipes or sewers back up into your house & overflow into the house. This is different from flood insurance, and your homeowners insurance policy typically does not automatically cover this for you in your home. In the event that your pipes back up into your house, which I hope that they never do, because believe me this is messy, this additional coverage would help to cover the cost of this.”

Customer "A" now ponders a few factors in this coverage and they go one of three ways –
1.) They ask how much it costs, with which we reply it ranges from company to
company. Some automatically include this with certain other coverages, while
other companies offer this at an additional price. After the thought of
cleaning up sewer or toilet water in their house on their own, they figure
the benefits outweigh the cost.
2.) They tell me no thanks because that never happens to them or they don’t
think it will.
3.) They ask me if they can go higher than $5000 for coverage in which case,
many companies do offer more coverage for this specifically.

Many people have not heard of this coverage or do not know specifically what this coverage does for someone in a real life scenario. Well, if you have had sewer pipes back up into your house, or overflow causing a gross & disgusting mess, it only takes you once to realize the importance of this, and that you probably don’t want to go through that again if you can avoid it.

My question for you would be, knowing what this coverage covers you for and knowing that without it, even though this is water damage there is no coverage unless you have this specific addition to your policy, which would you choose?

My other comment to you would be to look at your homeowners, renters, or condo owner’s policy and if you don’t have this coverage and think it would be useful to you with what you know now, please talk to your agent or your insurance carrier to find out how to add this coverage onto your policy. You can add this on for a few bucks a month. Trust me, its better than cleaning up 3 inches of messy water in your house.

Safe Driving This Holiday Season

This holiday season, I am sure you all have a party or two to go to. Here is some information on the dangers of drunk driving & how to keep yourself safe this holiday season.



Every day, 36 people in the United States die, and approximately 700 more are injured, in motor vehicle crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. The annual cost of alcohol-related crashes totals more than $51 billion.

The latest Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study revealed there were nearly 13,500 alcohol-related fatalities—one death every 39 minutes.


What can I do to help reduce drunk-driving incidents?
The best way to help curb the nation’s drunk-driving crisis is not to contribute to the problem. If you’ve had too much to drink, do not attempt to drive. Instead, call for a cab or ask a sober friend to take you home.

Likewise, never accept a ride from someone who has been drinking. And, do not allow intoxicated friends to get behind the wheel of a car.


How can I protect myself from drunk drivers?
It is estimated, approximately four million innocent people are injured or have their vehicles damaged in alcohol-related accidents each year.

To protect yourself, wear your seat belt at all times, and make sure children are secured in child safety seats in the back seat. Also, be aware of the warning signs of drunk drivers.

What are the warning signs of a drunk driver?
Be cautious of any driver who:

• makes unnecessarily wide turns;


• straddles lanes or drives on the median line;


• drives at night without headlights;


• drives at speeds below the speed limit;


• brakes erratically or stops without cause;


• accelerates or decelerates rapidly; and/or


• nearly strikes an object or curb.
  

What should I do if I encounter a drunk driver on the road?
If you notice a driver displaying any of the warning signs, maintain a safe distance from the vehicle and do not attempt to stop it.

Instead, note the vehicle’s license plate number, the vehicle’s description and the direction in which it is traveling. Then contact the police from a cell phone or nearby pay phone. Your action could save lives.

I’m hosting a party and I’m concerned about my guests drinking and driving. What can I do to reduce the risk?
Home hosts have a duty to serve alcohol responsibly and conscientiously. They need to see intoxicated guests do not get behind the wheel of a car, creating a risk of harm to themselves and others on the road.

Follow these tips to ensure safety when serving alcohol at your next party:

• Serve alcoholic drinks only upon request, and offer nonalcoholic beverages such as sparkling water, fancy juice drinks and soft drinks.


• Avoid making alcohol the main focus of the social event. Entertain guests with music, games and dancing.


• Always serve food when serving alcohol. High-protein foods such as meat and cheeses take longer to digest, slowing the rate at which the body absorbs alcohol. However, try not to serve salty foods, which make people thirsty and inclined to drink more.


• Be careful not to serve alcohol to minors. Limit access to the bar if minors are on the guest list, and verify the ages of young guests before serving them.

It’s winter—pay special attention to fire safety

December, January and February are the leading months for home fires and fire deaths in the U.S. On average, more than one-third of home fire deaths in the United States occur during the winter months. Here are tips to help you protect your family and your home.

How can I heat my home safely?
According to a report from the National Fire Prevention Association, heating equipment fires are the second-leading cause of fire deaths in American homes and the biggest fire culprit December through February. According to the association, most fires could be avoided by taking simple safety precautions.

• Select equipment that bears the mark of an independent testing laboratory.
• Be sure the equipment is installed by a trained professional, in compliance with local fire and building codes.
• Keep all portable heaters (whether powered by electricity or fuel) at least 36 inches from anything that can burn—including furniture, bedding, clothing, pets and people.
• Run space heaters only when you are in the room and awake. And, supervise all children and pets when the heaters are in use.
• If you are using a portable kerosene heater, use only the fuel recommended by the manufacturer. Store the kerosene away from heat or open flame in a container approved by your local fire department, and be sure it’s clearly marked with the fuel name.
• Have your chimney inspected (and cleaned, if necessary) prior to the start of every heating season.
• If using a wood stove, follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for installation, use and maintenance.
• When disposing of the ashes from your fireplace or wood stove, first make sure all embers are extinguished. Put water on them to be sure. Discard away from the home.

What hazards should I look out for during the holiday season?
’Tis the season for celebrating—more entertaining, more cooking and an increased risk of fire. Keep your family safe this holiday season with these tips.

• Use care when burning candles. Make sure they are in sturdy holders, kept well away from decorations and out of the reach of children or pets.
• Never use candles to decorate your Christmas tree.
• Don’t leave items you’re cooking unattended—it’s the leading cause of fire in the U.S.
• Choose an artificial or fresh Christmas tree and place it well away from heat sources. Water fresh trees every day.
• If using an artificial tree, make sure it’s flame retardant.
• Replace any lights with frayed or damaged cords. And, always unplug all lights before leaving home or going to sleep.
• Don’t overload electrical outlets.
• Be sure the candles in your menorah have burned out before you leave the house or go to sleep.

Also, be sure your homeowners insurance reflects the amount of coverage you need to replace your home and possessions. This could mean checking to be sure you have replacement cost coverage.

Call our agency. We’ll be glad to review and explain your coverage to you. 888-565-2212

Let's Talk Turkey

Have you ever deep fried a turkey or perhaps you are thinking of deep frying a turkey this year? What started out as a Southern tradition, had become a mainstream way of cooking a turkey, especially at Thanksgiving.

Whether its a plain turkey or the ever popular, turducken (a turkey stuffed with a duck & then stuffed with a chicken, whatever your taste, and whenever you choose to cook it, if a tasty deep-fried bird is in your plans, keep in mind that while it can be a very social and fun time with friends and family, it can also be very dangerous.

The biggest rule when using turkey fryers is to never leave them unattended! Many dangers associated with turkey fryers are due to consumer misuse or inattentiveness, and really, it is a two-person job. To prevent the risk of a tip-over, overheating, or spilling hot oil that could lead to fire and severe burns, it’s important that turkey fryers be used under close supervision and with extreme caution.

Here are some safety tips when frying a bird:

• Turkey fryers should be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and other material that can burn.
• Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks, in garages or in any covered area.
• Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
• Keep the gas supply a safe distance from the fryer, and if the oil begins to smoke, immediately turn the supply off.
• Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you don’t watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use. Even after use, never allow them near the turkey fryer. The oil inside can remain dangerously hot hours after use.
• To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
• Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching the pot or lid handles. The sides and handles of a fryer become very hot. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed. The National Turkey Federation recommends 24 hours of thawing for every five pounds of bird before cooking in a turkey fryer.
• Be careful with marinades. Oil and water don’t mix, and water causes oil to spill over, causing fire or even an explosion hazard.
• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. Remember to use your best judgment when attempting to fight a fire. If the fire is manageable, use an all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call 911 for help.

Additionally, the Consumer Product Safety Council recommends consumers follow these safety guidelines as they prepare to use a turkey fryer:

• Make sure there is at least two feet of space between the liquid propane tank and fryer burner.
• Place the liquid propane gas tank and fryer so that any wind blows the heat of the fryer away from the gas tank.
• Center the pot over the burner on the cooker.
• Completely thaw and dry the turkey before cooking. Partially frozen and/or wet turkeys can produce excessive hot oil splatter when added to the oil.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions to determine the proper amount of oil to add. If these are not available:

• Place turkey in pot.
• Fill with water until the turkey is covered by about 1/2 inch of water.
• Remove and dry turkey.
• Mark water level.
• Dump water, dry the pot, and fill with oil to the marked level.

For more tips and topics, email info@bryanagency.com. Have a safe & Happy Thanksgiving!

Don’t be tricked by Halloween fire hazards

Halloween can be a fun-filled time for children and adults alike. This Halloween, be sure to pay attention to certain fire safety guidelines to keep the trick or treaters safe and sound.

How can I keep my child’s costume safe?
Whether buying one or making your own, be sure fabrics for costumes and decorative materials are flame resistant. Don’t permit your children to go trick or treating with candles; instead, outfit each with his or her own flashlight. To be more festive, there are Halloween-themed flashlights created just for this purpose. Costumes should be made without billowing or long-trailing features that present a higher risk of igniting.

What hazards are in the home?
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, fires caused by candles have been soaring in recent years, as many families use candles to decorate during this time of year. When decorating, keep in mind that dried flowers, cornstalks and crepe paper are highly flammable. Keep these items away from heat sources. Illuminate your jack-o-lanterns with small
flashlights instead of candles. Keep exits clear in case evacuation becomes necessary.


Are there other safety issues I should consider?
Although Halloween can be a lot of fun for children, certain safety precautions should be taken to ensure that the festivities are safe as well as fun. Keep in mind these safety tips when sending your child out trick or treating:

• Only visit the homes of people you know.

• Children should trick or treat in groups or with adult supervision.

• Wear reflective clothing so that motorists easily can see children crossing the street.

• Don’t eat any of the treats until you are at home and an adult has inspected all the goodies.

Planning ahead can keep your children and home safe this Halloween.

More questions? Call us 888-565-2212 or email us info@bryanagency.com