Some washing machines are equipped with lots of bells and whistles, technology and are often a centerpiece of a laundry room. But homeowners often overlook a basic part of this appliance: the two supply water lines to the washing machine.
The earth, in all its magnificence and generosity, demands one thing: survival of the fittest. This applies to our homes, our literal refuge from storms and whatever else Mother Nature sees fit to send our way. Of course, how well your home survives nature’s ravages largely depends on how prepared you are to do what it takes to protect it. Read more
Many of us look to a new year as a way to improve our habits—shed a few pounds, get more sleep, reduce stress, get our finances in order. But how often do you fine-tune your insurance policies? Here are some suggestions for achieving more peace of mind in 2020.
From a dry Christmas tree adorned with 20-year-old lights to a set of drapes dangling near a faulty heater, fire risks seem ubiquitous this time of year. With the holiday season around the corner, it’s the perfect time to address leading causes of house fires and how to prevent them. For the #1 most common source of house fires, look no further than the kitchen.
Do you heat with oil? Are you still using a black steel tank to store that oil? A leaking heating oil storage tank is not an issue to be taken lightly. The results could be catastrophic for you and your family.
Getting a good deal on your homeowners and auto insurance premiums—while carefully ensuring the proper coverage for your most precious assets—is every consumer’s goal. These types of insurance policies protect some of the most important possessions in our lives, so deciding to be sufficiently covered and yet save money is a worthy task. One of the most common ways to reduce the costs of insurance is through bundling. While doing this, it is also a great time to review if changing your deductible will make sense for you as well to help reduce your premiums.
10 Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes & Avoid Costly Insurance Claims
Frozen water pipes and the damage they cause are a reality for thousands of people each year. And unfortunately, a burst pipe can cause more than $5,000 in water damage, according to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent pipes from freezing.
Every season comes with an exceptional climate pattern, but most fascinatingly, some have effects that touch people’s property and, in most cases, the effects turn out negative for individuals who do not take precaution and prepare for seasonal liabilities. Fall presents its own liability risks; however, prevention of this risks goes a long way in minimizing damages and insurance claims that may follow. Let us take a glance at some of the risk’s homeowners face.
Hurricane season is upon us, and already we’ve seen massive storms cause damage along the coastlines. For homeowners, the joys of living near the beach or the convenience of a nearby ocean are suddenly overshadowed by the risk of major loss, and their attention is turned to their insurance, or lack of it, during these tragic times. Many homeowners don’t fully understand their coverage, and they face sudden stark truths when attempting to file a claim. Insurance to cover the damage inflicted by a hurricane is rather complicated, and it is actually a bundle of several components.
Floodwaters are among the most damaging natural tragedies to come upon a property. They are relentless, unyielding and brutal. The only real defense against them is to be prepared so that you can hopefully avoid some of the damage they can bring. Here are 12 ways to protect your home or business against a flood.
- Downspouts. Be sure your structure has gutters and downspouts properly installed all the way around it. The downspouts should be routed far enough away from the building to give the water an external path for runoff.
- Gutters. Check your roof for any debris and make sure the gutters are clean so the rainwater can flow away freely.
- Runoff. Verify that any external drains or channels designed to route water away from the building are not blocked or impaired.
- Drains. Check any city storm drains near your location to verify they are not covered, and remove any blockage so the floodwaters can flow away.
- Foundation. Inspect your foundation for any cracks or shifts that might allow water to pass inside. Have any problems repaired, and consider adding extra levels of waterproofing to help repel floodwaters as they arrive.
- Landscaping. If flooding is an ongoing possibility for your location, you may want to consider adding some retaining walls or other landscaping designed to protect against rising waters.
- Sump Pump. Check your sump pump and drains to verify they are free and clear to remove water before it rises in the home.
- Backflow Valve. Have a backflow valve installed on your main sewer system. This keeps raw sewage from entering your home as floodwaters rise.
- Protect. Store your valuables safely above any flood lines for protection.
- Elevate. Elevate your expensive appliances and heating/cooling systems to keep them above the potential flood line. Also, consider having your electrical wiring and outlets raised to a safe level.
- Water Sensors. Electronic water sensors can alert you if there is a problem, allowing you to check your property and get valuables moved to safety.
- Plan Ahead. Have a plan in place for how to deal with an incident. Imagine floodwaters approaching your facility, and think of what you’d like to have ready at that time. Go through the motions of dealing with an issue, so you’ll be rehearsed and ready for a sudden surprise in the future.
Banas & Fickert Insurance Agency
63 Main Street
Easthampton, MA 01027
