Commissioner Stewart Provides Tips and Information for National Fire Prevention Week

Commissioner Stewart Provides Tips and Information for National Fire Prevention Week
Dover, DE–Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart recommends that all Delaware residents take a few minutes this week to test their smoke alarms, review fire escape plans with their families, and ensure that they have the proper insurance coverage in case their home catches fire. October 5 through 11 is Fire Prevention Week and this year’s theme is Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month.

Various data suggests that fires cause almost $4 billion in property damage and around 3,500 deaths each year in the U.S. So far in 2014, five people in the state of Delaware have died in fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, almost 60% of reported home fire deaths that occurred between 2007 and 2011 resulted from fires in home with no smoke or alarms or alarms that were not working. The NFPA says that working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half.

It’s recommended that you replace the batteries in your smoke alarms twice a year. Most people find it easy to remember to replace the batteries in the spring and fall when you change your clocks for daylight savings time. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home and inside each bedroom. Smoke alarms should also be replaced every ten years.

Every home, with the various types of heating and cooking equipment available, poses its own risk. It’s important to discuss various hazards with your children and to create a fire escape plan for your family that you practice at least annually—during the day and night is ideal.

“Simple measures like keeping fire extinguishers in your home, especially one that is rated for grease fires in the kitchen, can make the difference between a burned cabinet and a burned-down home,” says Commissioner Stewart. “Chimney fires are also quite common in homes where people use fireplaces and woodstoves regularly. Now is a great time to hire a professional chimney sweep to inspect and clean your chimney, if necessary. The old saying that ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’ applies to all of these situations.”

We all know that a fire has the potential to destroy your entire home and everything inside of it but even a small fire can have a huge impact on your home and belongings. It’s essential that you have the proper insurance coverage to protect yourself from devastating losses—whether you own your home or rent. Renters should be aware that a landlord’s insurance coverage does not extend to your personal belongings. The proper insurance coverage can help pay for you to live in another location while your home or apartment is being cleaned or repaired.

When it comes to replacing all of the items in your home that have been damaged or destroyed in a fire the process will be much faster if you have previously completed a home inventory. The Delaware Department of Insurance offers a free home inventory PDF that you can print and fill out as well as a link to a free app for smartphones called MyHome Scr.APP.book. It’s important to keep duplicate copies of important forms in a fire-proof safe, another location outside your home, or saved electronically to your e-mail or online storage account.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week visit www.nfpa.org/safety-information/fire-prevention-week. Parents, teachers and other educators can find great resources for kids at www.sparky.org. For more information about insurance and to find home inventory resources please visit the DOI website: http://www.delawareinsurance.gov/

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Delaware Department of Insurance: “Protecting Delawareans through regulation and education while providing oversight of the insurance industry to best serve the public.”


Commissioner Stewart Provides Summer Storm Preparedness Tips

Atlantic Hurricane Season Started June 1: Prepare Now for Severe Weather
Dover, DE–Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart wants Delaware residents to prepare for the potential damages and interruptions brought by strong summer storms and hurricanes; the Atlantic hurricane season started June 1. Doing the proper planning now can potentially help save time, money and frustration in the coming months should your home or personal property be negatively impacted by storms, floods or other natural disasters this summer or fall.

The Department of Insurance has a Storm Preparedness webpage filled with resources and information about what to do before, during and after a major storm. There’s an abundance of information about protecting your home or business from damage, and tips for preparing for meeting with an adjuster if your property sustains damages. Visit the Storm Preparedness webpage here: http://delawareinsurance.gov/departments/consumer/StormPrepare.shtml

Commissioner Stewart advises, “Now is a great time to update your personal property inventory for your home, or create one if you’ve never done it before. With today’s technology this process is easier than ever with the help of the free app, MyHome Scr.APP.book, for your smartphone.” The Department of Insurance also has a home inventory PDF that can be printed. For links to all of these resources visit the Storm Preparedness webpage. “Having an up-to-date home inventory will help make the insurance claims process much easier should your home be damaged by a natural disaster,” notes Commissioner Stewart.

If you do not have flood insurance and live in a flood-prone area it is highly recommended that you consider purchasing flood insurance. Homes located at low elevations and near bodies of water, especially along the state’s eastern limits, are particularly susceptible to flooding during strong thunderstorms, tropical storms and hurricanes. Keep in mind that most flood policies require a 30-day waiting period before they become effective. According to the National Flood Insurance Program, just a single inch of floodwater can cause more than $10,000 in damage to a home. Floods and flash floods occur in all 50 states, and they cannot always be predicted or prepared for which is why purchasing a flood insurance policy as soon as possible is critical to ensuring your property is protected in the event of a disaster.

Below is a brief list of items the Delaware Department of Insurance suggests that you review now, before a disaster strikes. For a complete list of items, visit the Storm Preparedness webpage, mentioned above in this article.

• Make sure that you understand the deductible provision of your policy.
• Keep all of your insurance policies in an easily accessible location.
• If forced to evacuate, keep with you at all times your insurance records, including the name and telephone number of your insurer or insurance agent.
• Be certain you understand the claim procedures of your insurance company.
• Make sure you have insurance up to at least 80% of the value on your home to avoid penalties under any co-insurance provision of your policy.
• Keep all necessary information regarding your health coverage, including prescription information, with your insurance records in the event of an evacuation.

“For the best protection consider scanning all of these important documents and saving them in your personal e-mail or online storage account,” notes Commissioner Stewart. “That way, if documents are lost in a disaster you can still access them from anywhere. Be prepared, you’ll thank yourself later!”

The Delaware Department of Insurance also recommends that residents have evacuation plans and prepare an emergency supply kit. It is recommended that a supply kit should contain: plenty of bottled water, a first aid kit, flashlights, a battery-powered radio, non-perishable food items, blankets, clothing, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, personal hygiene supplies, and a small amount of cash or traveler’s checks. Additionally, if you need to evacuate your home, turn off all utilities to reduce the chance of additional damage and electrical shock when utilities are restored. For more information on these topics visit www.ready.gov.

The Delaware Department of Insurance invites you to find out about storm preparedness, and more, at www.delawareinsurance.gov. From the homepage you can connect to our Facebook page and Twitter account where helpful information is posted on a regular basis. Consumers with questions about their insurance can always call the Consumer Services Division at 1-800-282-8611.

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Delaware Department of Insurance: “Protecting Delawareans through regulation and education while providing oversight of the insurance industry to best serve the public.”


Homeowners and Renters: The Value of Taking Inventory

Dover — Right now, thousands of homeowners are cleaning up and filing insurance claims following an outbreak of devastating tornadoes across the U.S. However, according to a February 2012 survey from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), more than half of Americans don’t have a home inventory of their possessions, putting them at risk for inadequate home insurance coverage, should severe weather strike.

The recent survey revealed 59 percent of consumers have not made a list or inventory of their possessions. Of those individuals with a home inventory, 48 percent do not have receipts; 27 percent do not have photos of their property; and 28 percent do not have a back-up copy of the inventory outside the home. Additionally, 59 percent of people with inventories have not updated their inventories in more than a year, meaning new purchases and gifts may not be covered.

“Violent weather events affected approximately 80 percent of the nation’s population over the past six years. In 2011 many Delawareans experienced the effects of Hurricane Irene which left widespread destruction in her wake,” stated Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart. “Creating a detailed inventory of your possessions is one the best ways to ensure you have the right amount of homeowners or renters insurance for you and your family.”

Last year alone, severe weather disasters across the country inflicted more than $43 billion in damage. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners myHOME Scr.APP.book application makes it easier for consumers to document their valuables, update their inventories and store the information for easy access after a disaster. The app is free and available for both iPhone and Android smart phone users.

Before severe weather strikes, consumers can use their inventory to evaluate their coverage and determine if they need to update their policies. It’s important to know that how much is reimbursed varies greatly from policy to policy. On average, home contents are reimbursed only up to 50 percent of the home’s insured value, i.e., $50,000 to replace the contents of a home insured for $100,000.

Creating a Home Inventory

The myHOME Scr.APP.book app lets users capture images, descriptions, bar codes and serial numbers of personal possessions and stores the information electronically for safekeeping. The app organizes information by room and creates a back-up file for email sharing. Located on the Delaware Department of Insurance (DOI) website are instructions for you to download this application to your phone.

For those without a smart phone, also on the DOI website is a downloadable home inventory checklist and tips for effectively cataloguing your possessions. Both are available at www.delawareinsurance.gov.

Attention Established Families

“All renters and homeowners should develop a home inventory, and this is especially important for established families with years’ worth of family possessions,” says Commissioner Stewart of the Delaware Department of Insurance. “Whether it is electronics, furnishings, collectibles, jewelry or clothing, families need to know what they own and how much it’s worth.”

As kids grow, the average family’s number of household possessions increases, as well. Families should consider the following areas when reviewing their home insurance needs:

  • Electronics —The standard $1,000 policy limit on electronics may not be sufficient to replace multiple computers, MP3 players and tablets. Additionally, many homeowners’ policies do not cover items, such as laptops and televisions, stolen from a dorm room; so families with children living on or off campus should consider renter’s insurance.
  • Jewelry — Most policies limit coverage for jewelry to $500, which typically is insufficient to replace a favorite pair of diamond earrings, a wedding ring or expensive family jewelry passed down from generation to generation.
  • Fashion — Considering the amount of laundry in the hamper each week, many parents realize the volume of clothing in the household is significant. Replacing clothes, shoes, handbags and accessories for today’s fashion-conscious family can add up.
  • Home Goods — Kitchen appliances, workshop tools and sporting equipment also should be included when creating a home inventory.

Disasters Happen, Be Prepared

Personal safety should always be paramount when considering the threat of severe weather. Developing an emergency kit, identifying storm shelters and gathering important phone numbers; including the 24-hour contact information for your insurance agent and insurance company, are all important preparedness steps. For more tips on preparing for severe storms and other disasters, visit: http://www.insureuonline.org/disaster_preparedness.htm.

If you have questions or are confused about how and why to complete a home inventory, contact Delaware Department of Insurance by visiting www.delawareinsurance.gov or calling 302-674-7303.