Showing posts with label insurance review austin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label insurance review austin. Show all posts

Friday, February 28, 2014

Condominium Owners Coverage

Information from Travelers

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Condominium owners coverage basics

Condominium coverage is available to condominium and co-op owners, and bridges the gap between your condo association's master policy (which insures property owned by all unit owners) and your property and personal liability protection.
The master policy includes coverage for the actual building in which you reside, as well as common property like a pool or gazebo.
Personal Property Coverage
A condominium owners policy provides coverage for your furniture and personal possessions against such covered hazards as fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, explosion, collapse, smoke or vandalism. This is also called Contents Coverage and it ensures that your damaged or destroyed property is protected...up to the amount of insurance protection you purchase.
Theft protection: the condominium owners policy also protects your property against practically every type of theft loss in your condo or anywhere in the world. Also included is coverage for thefts from your unattended car or boat, even if there is no evidence of forced entry.
Special coverage for important possessions: Most condo policies offer special amounts of coverage for certain types of property. For example,
  • $200 for money and coins
  • $1,000 for theft of jewelry, watches or furs
  • $2,000 for theft of firearms
  • $2,500 for business property at home.
You can choose to increase these amounts if you like.
Optional Property Coverages
Every home is different. You may require special coverages for your individual needs. The following coverages can be purchased separately:
  • Broadened Coverage for Contents: provides "all-risk" protection for your possessions. This means that your personal property is covered in most situations, regardless of the cause of loss.
  • Contents Replacement Cost: pays full cost to repair or replace most personal property in your condo with no deduction for depreciation.
  • Valuable Items Plus: provides higher limits and worldwide protection for special property such as jewelry, silverware, fine art, furs, cameras, firearms, musical instruments, and home computers for an extended variety of losses. For your convenience, no appraisal or listing of insured items is required.
  • Additional Coverage Endorsement (ACE): extends protection or increases limits on special types of property (for example: jewelry, firearms, or silverware). This coverage also increases personal liability coverage by $100,000 and includes coverage for personal injury.
  • Coverage for other structures: you may own other structures that are not part of your basic condo unit (such as a carport, detached garage or storage shed). If these structures are not considered to be common property, they are not covered under your Association's Master Policy. This add-on coverage would insure these other structures.
Personal Liability Protection
Liability coverage is important protection in the event that you are sued for accidentally hurting other people or damaging their property. Personal liability helps to cover the associated legal costs and related damages. Most condo owners policies provide $100,000 (minimum) of financial protection against liability claims and lawsuits brought by others for accidental bodily injury or damage to their property:
  • while in your condo
  • caused by your personal activities, including most sports
  • caused by your children or pets.
Medical payments: Most policies will pay up to $1,000 per person in medical bills -- regardless of your legal responsibility -- when an accident involves bodily injury to others. Higher coverage amounts are available.
Damage to property of others: Should you accidentally damage someone else's personal property while that property is in your care, your condo owners policy will pay up to $500 for each occurrence.
Condo Additional Living Expenses
If your unit is damaged and you have to move out while it's being repaired, you're covered! The policy pays for all necessary living expenses (hotel, meals, laundry, etc.)...up to 40% of the contents coverage amount you selected.
Additions and Alterations
Once we move into a new home, we often make improvements. According to your condominium declaration and/or bylaws, you may be responsible for interior parts of your unit such as glass, walls and doors.
Additions, alterations and other improvements made to your unit are also covered. For example, if you or a previous owner installed built-in appliances, wall-to-wall carpeting, upgraded kitchen cabinets, etc., they are insured up to $2,500 (however, you can choose to increase this amount).
Loss Assessment Coverage
Condominium coverage provides up to $1,000 of protection against financial loss if damage to commonly owned property exceeds the amount of coverage in the Master Policy. If your condo association is forced to assess all unit owners for the additional loss (or for personal liability claims against the association), you're covered!
Choosing Your Condo Deductibles
A deductible is the amount of loss you agree to assume before your insurance coverage takes over. The higher your deductible, the lower the cost of your policy premium. The deductible applies to property losses only. Liability protection does not require a deductible.
The information on this site is general in nature. Any description of coverage is necessarily simplified. Whether a particular loss is covered depends on the specific facts and the provisions, exclusions and limits of the actual policy. Nothing on this site alters the terms or conditions of any of our policies. You should read the policy for a complete description of coverage. Coverage options, limits, discounts and deductibles are subject to availability and to individuals meeting our underwriting criteria. Not all features available in all areas.
Insurance is underwritten by The Travelers Indemnity Company and its property casualty affiliates, One Tower Square, Hartford, CT. For a complete list of personal insurance underwriting companies, click here.
© 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Privacy Center | Legal Notices | Producer Compensation Disclosure
Lewis Insurance
2525 S. Lamar Ste 11
Austin, TX
78704
www.nationwide.com/joshlewis
www.austinhealthbrokers.com
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Friday, February 14, 2014

Insure Your Personal Possessions

With Renters Insurance.

Everything you need to know from Travelers

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Protect the value of your belongings withrenters insurance
Even if you don't own a home, you still have a lot at stake. After all, your personal belongings, like clothes, furniture and electronics, have significant value. Travelers renters insurance can help you protect that value without breaking the bank. So no matter where you live, you can rent with peace of mind.

A Travelers renters policy can cover:

  • Damages to furniture, clothing and other personal items
  • Your personal belongings, whether they're in your home or elsewhere
  • Personal liability for another's injury or their property, if damaged
You can also select policy enhancements and add-ons such as valuable items coverageor extra coverage for your belongings for full replacement costs regardless of depreciation. Learn more about renters insurance.

Savings for home security and more

Along with our competitive rates, you can get an array of money-saving discounts based on factors like your claim history and your home's security features, including smoke detectors, dead bolts, fire extinguishers and alarm systems.
Plus, when you buy other Travelers policies, like auto insurance, umbrella insurance orboat & yacht insurance, you could save up to 15% on your Renters Insurance.*

There when you need us

At Travelers, we know how important it is for you to resolve an issue as quickly as possible. That's why our fast, efficient claim services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Plus, in the event of a catastrophic loss or natural disaster, our industry-first emergency response vans are able to arrive onsite to help your community get back on its feet.

Renters insurance coverage basics

It's all about protecting your home

While your landlord has homeowners insurance coverage for the physical dwelling, as a renter, you need insurance to cover your personal property, such as clothing, furniture or electronic equipment, in the event of loss from fire or theft or other perils.
Renter's insurance will also protect you if you are responsible for bodily injury or property damage to others, for example, if a visitor trips over a rug and breaks a leg.
Read on to find out more about the protection offered by renters insurance:

Renters tips and info

Below is a collection of useful information, tips and good advice about minimizing everyday risk, saving money, and protecting your property. We've also included links to a few websites you might want to visit for additional valuable information.

Tips and info about your home

Saving money
Home safety and maintenance
Safety games

Property claim service

Choose an insurance carrier who will be there for you

When deciding on an insurance carrier, choose one you can trust. One that can help make things right if you suffer a loss. Here are three things to consider when choosing a company that instills confidence and trust:
  1. Look for a local company with the strength of a national carrier. In other words, a company that feels small, but has the expertise and resources of an industry leader. Take a look at Travelers.
    Travelers offers:
      • More than 12,000 claim professionals strategically positioned across the country and more than 100 points of service to respond quickly to routine and catastrophic claims
      • Employees, expertly trained at Travelers Claim University, to inspect your property in the event of a loss
      • Catastrophe response teams and vans that mobilize fast in the event of a severe weather event or disaster
      • 550 medical resources who work hand in hand with claim professionals to provide medical assistance if you or someone is injured on your property
      • Lawyers on staff with an average tenure of 20 years to defend against litigation
      • 750 risk control specialists whose expertise is shared with customers to help them keep their homes and businesses safe
  2. Look for a company that’s fast and accurate. Damage to your property can be an inconvenience at the least and life-altering at the worst. Getting assistance and an accurate damage estimate quickly is a must so you can get back to normal fast. And if someone has been injured on your property, you want them to receive expert care as quickly as possible. Take a look at Travelers.
    Travelers:
      • Offers 24/7 claim reporting with after-hours emergency response teams that can be on site within hours after the report of a serious loss; the average speed of answer is less than 20 seconds, even during the highest volume days
      • Sends 2/3 of property claim customers payment within the first week
      • Has five self-contained Mobile Claim Offices that enable Travelers to set up an office anywhere in the country immediately following a large event
      • Reimburses, through its subrogation team, 55 percent more deductible dollars to customers than the industry average*
      • Has a high-severity claim team with members who have an average of 25 years of experience
  3. Look for an insurance carrier with a high customer satisfaction rating. You purchase insurance for peace of mind. What better assurance is there than hearing that other customers have received just that? Take a look at Travelers.
    Travelers:
      • Surveys customers following their claim experience to ensure they’re fully satisfied – and to learn what we can do better+
      • Has a good reputation; nine of 10 customers who have had a claim would recommend Travelers to others+
      • Provides customers with a higher level of service that includes assistance finding mitigation services, hotel accommodations, and even tree removal and roof-tarping in certain severe events

Travelers will be there when you need us

When fire broke out in the attic of Susan’s Texas home, she needed help knowing what to do next. Travelers helped her get back in her home quickly, with minimal hassle. Click here to see Susan's story.

Rebuilding a dream

When Oklahoma customers Gene and Barbara learned their vacation home had burned to the ground, they needed help rebuilding their retirement dreams. Click here to see Gene and Barbara's story.

Credit history and insurance

What does credit history have to do with insurance?

Over the last few years, many insurance companies have started using credit information to help determine what a customer pays for an insurance policy. In fact, over 90% of insurance companies use insurance scores, according to a study by Conning Research and Consulting Inc., a Hartford, Conn.-based research firm.
To help you better understand how your credit-based insurance score is calculated and how that "score" impacts what you pay for your policy, we have developed the following list of frequently asked questions. Please note that the use of insurance scores varies by state.
What is an insurance score?
An insurance score is determined by reviewing a consumer's credit history. A carefully developed and tested computer model performs this analysis, and looks at information such as payment history, whether you have filed for bankruptcy, if you have bills with a collection agent, any outstanding debts you may have, and the length of your credit history.
Unlike a "credit score", which is typically used when you are seeking a loan, an insurance score is used to help insurance companies accurately assign the best price available for your policy.
When calculating your insurance rate, insurers typically group consumers into categories. For example, driving record and age are the most often used categories to help calculate the cost of a customer's auto insurance policy. Insurance scores are just another method insurance companies use to determine what you pay for your policy.
According to extensive industry and independent research, people with certain patterns in their credit history that result in a lower insurance score are more likely to have claims that need to be paid by their insurer. For instance, keeping your credit card balances below the maximum limit and making regular, on-time payments will result in a higher score. On the other hand, if you have a history of "maxing-out" your credit cards to their limits and submitting payments late, your score will be negatively impacted, meaning a lower score.
An insurance score DOES NOT take into account income, race, gender, religion, marital status, national origin, or geographic location. It only reviews your credit history.
Why do companies use insurance scores?
Since insurance scores have been proven to be highly predictive of the potential for future losses, they help insurance companies determine the likelihood that a customer will file a claim, and thus allow carriers to set rates that are accurate and appropriate for each customer. This enables carriers to offer insurance coverage to a broader range of customers. What's more, many of these customers benefit from the use of insurance scores in the form of lower prices.
Insurance scores are used in the same way as other traditional underwriting factors. As a group, people with certain patterns in their credit history receive lower insurance scores and are more likely to experience a loss and file a claim. They are charged a higher premium to reflect that risk. This allows Travelers, and other insurers, to give better rates to consumers with higher insurance scores, who are less likely to file a claim.
Credit history helps predict the potential for future losses, but it is not the sole factor in determining the cost of your policy. It is one of several factors used to arrive at the best rate possible. The age of a driver and prior claim history are two other important factors that are also used to determine your rate.
What information affects my insurance score?
In determining your insurance score, the following information is used:
  • Payment history (Do you generally pay your bills on time or are you more than 60 days late?)
  • Bankruptcy, foreclosures and collection activity
  • Length of credit history
  • Amount of outstanding debt in relation to credit limits (Are you "maxed-out" or are you well within your limits?)
  • Types of credit in use (e.g., mortgages, installment loans)
  • New applications for credit you have requested
What if there is an isolated problem on my credit report?
Travelers recognizes that sometimes people face difficult circumstances, such as medical collections, divorce, or job loss. We have created an Insurance Scoring Resource Center (ISRC) to assist our independent agents and customers with issues like this. In most cases, an isolated instance of a late payment will not have a significant impact on your insurance score if you otherwise have an established pattern of responsible credit use. Your Travelers agent will contact the ISRC on your behalf if you have questions.
How does Travelers use my insurance score?
Travelers uses your insurance score together with a number of other factors (including the factors mentioned above) to determine the best pricing level available to you. Generally speaking, customers who have higher insurance scores and no prior claims or accidents, qualify for our best price.
For those customers with prior claims or accidents, a higher insurance score will help them qualify for a better rate than a similar customer who has a significantly lower insurance score. In turn, customers with no prior accidents or claims, but who have low insurance scores, may also qualify for a competitive rate.
The information in my credit history is personal and sensitive. What protection do I have against misuse?
Numerous federal and state laws and regulations are in place to protect you.
Under federal law, if the information in your credit history results in an "adverse action," by a company, that company must notify you and inform you about how to obtain a free copy of your credit report. You will also be provided with a description of your right to dispute the accuracy or completeness of your credit history.
Will my agent have access to my credit report?
No. Your agent will be informed of your overall score when the policy proposal is created, but will not have access to the underlying information used to calculate that score.
How can I improve my insurance score?
One of best things you can do is to make sure you pay your bills on time. That will help little by little with your credit history. You can also review how much credit you have. Are you up to your limit on a credit card? If so, that may also be considered an unfavorable factor. Consider how to reduce your debt without creating additional credit activity. Also, review your credit report regularly. Resources such as the American Insurance Association (www.aiadc.org) provide additional information about how to improve your credit history. Click here for a list of some ways to improve your insurance score.
What if I need more specific information about insurance scores?
The Insurance Information Institute Web site (www.iii.org) contains a great deal of specific information on this topic under the "Credit Scoring" link. It also contains links to other helpful resources.
The information on this site is general in nature. Any description of coverage is necessarily simplified. Whether a particular loss is covered depends on the specific facts and the provisions, exclusions and limits of the actual policy. Nothing on this site alters the terms or conditions of any of our policies. You should read the policy for a complete description of coverage. Coverage options, limits, discounts and deductibles are subject to availability and to individuals meeting our underwriting criteria. Not all features available in all areas.
Insurance is underwritten by The Travelers Indemnity Company and its property casualty affiliates, One Tower Square, Hartford, CT. For a complete list of personal insurance underwriting companies, click here.
© 2014 The Travelers Indemnity Company. All rights reserved. Privacy Center | Legal Notices | Producer Compensation Disclosure
Lewis Insurance
2525 S. Lamar Ste 11
Austin, TX
78704
www.nationwide.com/joshlewis
www.austinhealthbrokers.com

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Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Natural Disaster Planning For Families

Helpful information from The Hartford

The Hartford

NATURAL DISASTER PLANNING FOR FAMILIES

Learn the Risks
and Make a Plan
to Protect Yourself


More on Disaster Events

The best way to protect yourself and your family from the destruction caused by a natural disaster is to plan ahead. Find out more about natural disaster planning and create a plan in advance to help protect yourself and your property-before, during and after an emergency.

EARTHQUAKES

Earthquake Safety Tips to Follow

Emergency Kit and Disaster Plan are Important

Earthquakes are not a frequent occurrence. However, they can be very disruptive because they occur suddenly and tend to affect large areas. Earthquakes can be a one-time event of a few seconds shaking or a series of events of varying duration.
Because earthquakes happen without warning, being prepared in advance is critical to minimize damages and loss. Consider these earthquake safety tips:
Before an Earthquake
  • Know your risk. Research the area and find out if you live near an active fault line and whether or not the ground around you is more susceptible to the effects of an earthquake.
  • Retrofit and reinforce your house. If you're in a high risk area, take steps to reinforce your house. Bolt your house to the foundation and reinforce support beams as needed. Secure any furniture such as bookshelves and cabinets to the walls to minimize risk of falling over during a quake. Secure cabinet doors to help keep dishes and other contents from falling out.
  • Create a disaster plan to protect yourself and your family. Earthquake preparedness can help reduce anxiety and minimize injury. Know where to take cover in your house and how to communicate with other family members after the earthquake if you're not together. Designate a safe place to meet outside of the house after the shaking stops.
  • Put together an emergency kit. Your kit should include non-perishable food, water, first aid supplies, flashlights, camping supplies (stove, battery-powered lantern, etc.), extra batteries, blankets and any personal items you may need (medications, toiletries, clothing). If you have pets, make sure they also have adequate supplies. Plan for a week's worth of supplies for each person. You'll need at least four gallons of drinking water per person for a week.
  • During an Earthquake
    • Stay away from windows and furniture that could potentially fall over. One of the biggest hazards during an earthquake is falling debris and furniture. Avoid areas in your house where you might be exposed to these hazards.
    • Take cover in a safe place in your house. Get under a sturdy table or desk to avoid being hit by anything. If you can't take safe cover, protect your head and neck with your arms.
    • Do not try and go outside until after the shaking stops. If you are already indoors, you are safer taking cover inside than attempting to leave your house during an earthquake you could be hit by falling debris as you're trying to get out.
    • After an Earthquake
      • Be prepared for aftershocks. Earthquakes are often followed by aftershocks additional quakes that follow the main event. These can last for days or even weeks after a major earthquake.
      • Check your gas lines and make sure there are no leaks. If you smell gas leaking, turn off the gas if possible and call the gas company. Do not use an open flame in your house until you are sure it is safe. Wait for the gas company to turn the gas back on.
      • Check for damaged electrical wiring. Shut off the power if you see damaged wiring in your house.
      • Keep your shoes on. You may have broken glass or spilled chemicals on the floor of your house as a result of the earthquake. Don't walk around barefoot until you're sure the floor is clean and safe.
      • Document the damage. If your insurance policy covers earthquake damage, make sure you take photos or video of the damage to use in the claim process.
    • An earthquake is the sudden, rapid shaking of the earth, caused by the breaking and shifting of subterranean rock as it releases strain that has accumulated. This earthquake glossary outlines other terms.
      Aftershock
      Aftershocks are earthquakes that follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence. They are smaller than the main shock and can continue over a period of weeks, months, or years. In general, the larger the main shock, the larger and more numerous the aftershocks, and the longer they will continue.
      Epicenter
      The epicenter is the point on the earth's surface vertically above the hypocenter (or focus), point in the crust where a seismic rupture begins.
      Fault
      A fault is a fracture along which the blocks of crust on either side have moved relative to one another parallel to the fracture.
      Hypocenter
      The hypocenter, or focus, is the point within the earth where an earthquake rupture starts. The epicenter is the point directly above it at the surface of the earth.
      Magnitude
      The magnitude is a number that characterizes the relative size of an earthquake. Magnitude is based on measurement of the maximum motion recorded by a seismograph. Several scales have been defined, but the most commonly used are (1) local magnitude (ML), commonly referred to as "Richter magnitude," (2) surface-wave magnitude (Ms), (3) body-wave magnitude (Mb), and (4) moment magnitude (Mw). Scales 1-3 have limited range and applicability and do not satisfactorily measure the size of the largest earthquakes. The moment magnitude (Mw) scale, based on the concept of seismic moment, is uniformly applicable to all sizes of earthquakes but is more difficult to compute than the other types. All magnitude scales should yield approximately the same value for any given earthquake.
      Tectonic Plates
      The tectonic plates are the large, thin, relatively rigid plates that move relative to one another on the outer surface of the earth.
      Tsunami
      A tsunami is a sea wave that results from large-scale seafloor displacements associated with large earthquakes, major submarine slides, or exploding volcanic islands.


  • FLOODS

    How to Prepare for a Flood

  • Consider Buying Separate Flood Insurance

  • Everyone is at risk of flooding. Many people think if they are not near a body of water they are not at risk of flooding; but floods happen everywhere. And floods can also occur from sources like snowmelt and new development. Some flooding situations develop slowly while others appear with little warning.
    These flood safety tips can help you avoid problems related to flooding in your home.
    • Avoid building in high-risk flood plain areas to minimize your exposure.
    • Elevate your furnace, water heater and other utilities so that they are less likely to be affected in a flood.
    • Consider installing “check valves” to prevent water from backing up into your house during a flood.
    • Seal your basement walls with waterproof material to help protect your home.
    • Pay attention to local news and information sources when the weather is a potential issue.
    • If flooding has occurred in your area, follow some basic safety advice:
    • Be extremely careful when walking through water that’s flowing. You can use a stick to check the ground as you walk.
    • Don’t drive your car in a flooded area. You’re at risk of being swept away. Get out of the car and climb to higher ground.
    • Be aware that the flood water may have been contaminated by sewage, gasoline or chemicals.
    Flood Insurance Facts
    Flood-related losses are not usually covered under a homeowner’s insurance policy. So, it’s important to consider buying flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which makes federally backed flood insurance available to both consumers and businesses.
    Flood coverage is available to all homeowners and businesses as long as your community participates in the NFIP; that includes residents in high risk zones. As a participating company in the program, The Hartford has been offering flood insurance coverage to customers for more than two decades.
    Since costs for flood insurance are set by the federal government, all companies use the same rates to determine the cost for protection. Policyholders have the added security of knowing that this insurance is backed by the federal government.

  • HURRICANES

    Hurricane Safety Tips

  • Advice to Help Protect Your Family and Your Property

     A hurricane is a severe, tropical storm that has rotating winds of at least 73 mph—usually accompanied by rain, thunder and lightning. Hurricanes originate in the Atlantic Ocean and happen on the East Coast—most often between June and October.
    Preparing in advance for a hurricane can help minimize injuries and loss of life, as well as property damage and loss. There are actions you can to prepare take well in advance and things you should do as the storm is approaching.
  • Hurricane Preparedness Tips to Follow
    Create a disaster plan to protect yourself and your family. Planning how you will take cover in your home or evacuate, if necessary, can help reduce anxiety and minimize loss of life and property.
    Designate an evacuation point outside the area. Choose a safe place, such as a friend's or relative's house, far enough away from your area to minimize the chance that you'll have to evacuate again. Have a back-up option just in case you're unable to stay at your primary evacuation point.
    Put together an emergency kit. Your hurricane preparedness kit should include non-perishable food, water, first aid supplies, flashlights, camping supplies (stove, battery-powered lantern, etc.), extra batteries, blankets and any personal items you may need (medications, toiletries, clothing). If you have pets, make sure your pets also have adequate supplies. Plan for a week's worth of supplies for each person. You'll need at least four gallons of water per person for a week.
    Research ways to protect your house. Storm shutters and other alternatives can provide protection for your house. Learn how to use them properly before hurricane season starts.
    Document your belongings. Photograph or videotape your belongings. Make a written list to accompany your photos or video. Store the documentation in a waterproof container or in a safe place outside of your house such as a relative's house or safe deposit box.
    Tips to Follow as a Hurricane Approaches
    Inspect drains and pipes. Make sure roof and floor drains are functional and clear of debris.
    Secure doors and windows. Protect windows from flying debris, and make sure that the doors and windows will stay latched.
    Move objects indoors or anchor them outside. Anything that could be moved by high winds could be potentially dangerous and should be secured or moved inside.
    Prepare your car in case of evacuation. Fill your gas tank and check your tires. Put emergency supplies in your car.
    Protect important documents in waterproof containers. Make copies and keep them in a safe deposit box or a friend's or relative's house outside the area.
    Fill the bathtub with water to use for non-drinking purposes. In addition to drinking water, you'll need water for bathing and flushing the toilet. Line your bathtub with plastic sheeting before filling it.

TORNADOES

Tornadoes Come with Little Warning

Tornado Facts to Consider

Tornadoes are violent columns of air that appear as rotating, funnel-shaped clouds extending from the sky to the ground. Tornadoes are extremely dangerous and can have wind speeds up to 300 miles per hour, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. Damage paths from tornadoes can be one mile wide and 50 miles long.
Tornadoes usually occur at the end of a severe thunderstorm and can also be caused by hurricanes. They can appear suddenly with very little warning and achieve an average ground speed of 30 miles per hour.
Tornadoes can appear anywhere in the United States, but are most common in the central part known as the Great Plains. Peak season in the South is during the months of March through May, and in the North, from the late spring to early summer.
A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible. A tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar.
Tornado Safety Tips
  • Listen to TV or radio newscasts for the most up-to-date information. Listen to instructions given by local emergency management officials.
  • Be alert to changing weather conditions. Watch for approaching storms.
  • Look for these danger signs: dark, often greenish sky; large hail,  large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating); loud roar, similar to a freight train
  • Put together an emergency kit. Your kit should include first aid supplies, blankets and any personal items you may need (medications, toiletries, clothing). If you have pets, make sure they also have adequate supplies.
  • Create an emergency plan. Planning in advance how you will protect your house and how you will evacuate if necessary can help minimize injury and damages. Choose a meeting place away from your home for family members to gather in case you are not together if a tornado hits.
Build a Safe Room
 
If you’re in a region with a high risk for tornadoes, you can consider building a safe room or wind shelter to protect you and your family. A safe room can be constructed in your basement, in an interior space on your first floor or on concrete slab foundation or garage floor.
To protect occupants, a safe room must be built to withstand high winds and flying debris, even if the rest of the residence is severely damaged or destroyed. Consider these tornado safety tips from the Federal Emergency Management Agency when building a safe room:
  • A safe room must be adequately anchored to resist overturning and uplift.
  • The walls, ceiling and door of the shelter must withstand wind pressure and resist penetration by windborne objects and falling debris.
  • The connections between all parts of the safe room must be strong enough to resist the wind.
  • Sections of either interior or exterior residence walls that are used as walls of the safe room must be separated from the structure of the home so damage to the residence will damage the safe room itself.

  • WILDFIRES

    Wildfire Safety Tips

  • Take Steps to Lower Risk of Damage

    Wildfires can happen anywhere in the United States but are most common in the West. Although lightning strikes can cause wildfires, unfortunately most are started by careless human behavior.
    As more and more people and businesses move into rural areas, more people and property are at risk from the dangers of wildfires. Once a wildfire starts in your area, you can't control it or prevent it from approaching your property. But you can plan in advance to minimize potential damage and injury. Review these wildfire safety tips.
  • Before a Wildfire
    • Know your risk. Do some research and learn how often wildfires occur in your area. Find out when there is the greatest risk and take wildfire safety precautions.
    • Evaluate your surroundings. If you're in an area with a high risk for fire, examine the landscaping around your house. Move plants or trees that are too close to your house or burn easily.
    • Clear dead plants away from your house. Dead grass and plants are easily flammable and should be cleared at least 50 feet away from your house.
    • Install smoke alarms in your house. Make sure you test the alarms periodically to ensure they are working properly.
    • Put together an emergency kit. Your kit should include first aid supplies, blankets and any personal items you may need (medications, toiletries, clothing). If you have pets, make sure they also have adequate supplies.
    • Decide in advance what you will take with you. Keep personal belongings to a minimum and only take what you absolutely must have. If you have to leave immediately for safety reasons leave everything behind.
    • Create an emergency plan. Planning in advance how you will protect your house and how you will evacuate if necessary can help minimize injury and damages. Choose a meeting place away from your home for family members to gather in case you are not together when a fire happens. Designate a neighbor to evacuate your pets in case you are not able to get home during a fire.
    If a Wildfire Is Approaching
    • Prepare to evacuate. Listen to emergency channels and know the status of the fire. Put emergency supplies and must-have items in the car so you can evacuate quickly. Evacuate immediately if told to do so.
    • Protect your property. If you have time, use a hose to wet down your house, the roof and the surrounding area. Turn off the gas in the house.
    After a Wildfire
    • Return only after it is safe. Do not go back to your house until officials declare it safe to do so.
    • Watch out for ash pits and hot spots. Even after a fire has been extinguished, small fires can flare up without warning. Check your house and surrounding property for hot spots and extinguish them immediately. Also watch out for ash pits-holes full of hot ashes left by burned trees. Mark off ash pits so no one falls into them and injures themselves.
    • Document the damage to your house. Take photos and video and make a written list. You will need this documentation for insurance purposes.
    • A wildfire is a raging conflagration that rapidly spreads out of control. It happens most frequently in the summer, when the brush is dry and flames can move unchecked through a wooded area. The fire often begins unnoticed and spreads quickly, lighting brush, trees and homes. It may be started by a campfire that was not doused properly, a tossed cigarette, burning debris, lightning or arson. This wildfire terminology may be useful.
      Ash Pit
      Ash pits are an inherent and invisible risk to wild land firefighters that can cause severe burns and injuries. Ash pits are created when organic combustibles consume underground and empty space is created that is undetectable from the surface.
      Fuel Combustible Material
      Includes vegetation -- such as grass, leaves, ground litter, plants, shrubs and trees -- that feeds a fire.
      HotSpot
      A particularly active part of a fire.
      Safety Zone
      An area cleared of flammable materials used for escape in the event the line is outflanked or a spot fire fuels outside the control line to render the line unsafe. In firing operations, crews progress so as to maintain a safety zone close at hand allowing the fuels inside the control line to be consumed before going ahead. Safety zones may also be constructed as integral parts of fuel breaks; they are greatly enlarged areas which can be used with relative safety by firefighters and their equipment in the event of a blowup in the vicinity.

    • WINTER STORMS

      Cold Weather and Heavy Snow
      Can Be a Deadly Combination

    • Winter Weather Safety Tips

    • Severe winter weather can occur in many forms. Rain, sleet, ice, snow, hail, blizzards in any combination is possible.
      Often, a change of only a few degrees in temperature can make the difference between a rainy winter day and a severe winter storm.
      Severe winter storms can be local or cover large areas of the country; they may vary with intensity, depending on location. Severe winter storms and their residual effects can hamper local or distant services critical to your operation.
      Winter storms can knock out power, heat and communication to your home or business, sometime for many days. A severe storm can immobilize an entire region.
      Storms can also occur back-to-back in quick succession, providing little time to recover from one storm before the next one strikes.
      The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that you take the following winter weather safety steps to prepare for storms:
      • Add these supplies to your emergency kit: rock salt or other ice-melt, sand to improve traction, snow shovels and other snow-removal equipment, sufficient heating fuel, and adequate clothing and blankets to stay warm.
      • Make a family communication plan. In case you’re not together when a storm hits, you need to know how to get in touch with each other and come up with plans, just in case.
      • Pay attention to local TV and radio station for important updates from the National Weather Service and be alert to changing weather conditions.
      • Minimize travel. If travel is necessary, keep a disaster supplies in your car.
      • Bring pets inside during bad winter weather. Move other animals to sheltered areas where they have access to non-frozen drinking water.

      • WINTER STORMS

        Cold Weather and Heavy Snow
        Can Be a Deadly Combination

      • Winter Weather Safety Tips

      • Severe winter weather can occur in many forms. Rain, sleet, ice, snow, hail, blizzards in any combination is possible.
        Often, a change of only a few degrees in temperature can make the difference between a rainy winter day and a severe winter storm.
        Severe winter storms can be local or cover large areas of the country; they may vary with intensity, depending on location. Severe winter storms and their residual effects can hamper local or distant services critical to your operation.
        Winter storms can knock out power, heat and communication to your home or business, sometime for many days. A severe storm can immobilize an entire region.
        Storms can also occur back-to-back in quick succession, providing little time to recover from one storm before the next one strikes.
        The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends that you take the following winter weather safety steps to prepare for storms:
      • © Copyright 2014 The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Lewis Insurance

2525 S. Lamar Ste 11

Austin, TX

78704

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