Personal Perspective

As many as 6.6 million hot tubs are in use in the United States. They’re great for relaxation, and they soothe aches and pains. Plus, they’re fun. If you own one, be sure to follow several safety tips.

Talk to your physician and make sure you’re healthy enough to use the hot tub. Hot tubs lower your blood pressure, making them potentially dangerous if you’re pregnant or suffer from certain medical conditions like heart disease.

Drink plenty of water to help you stay hydrated and avoid overheating. If you start to feel dizzy, sleepy or nauseous, get out of the hot tub immediately.

Use an accurate thermometer when measuring the water’s temperature. It should be less than 104 degrees if you’re healthy and less than 100 degrees if you’re pregnant or have a heart condition or other medical problems.

Soak less than 20 minutes at a time to prevent overheating. Pregnant women or anyone with a heart condition or chronic medical problem should stay in for only 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

Never use the hot tub if you’ve been drinking or using drugs, including sleeping pills, antidepressants or tranquilizers. You could fall asleep or lose consciousness and drown.

Don’t allow babies and toddlers in the hot tub. Their skin is thin, and they could easily overheat. They could also have diaper accidents that create in unsanitary hot tub conditions.

Children can use the hot tub if their heads are above the water when they stand up. They should get out within five minutes at a max temperature of 104 degrees or for 10 to 15 minutes if the temperature is 98 degrees or lower. Supervise kids at all times and make sure they’re not goofing off or going underwater.

Be sure the drain cover works properly. Otherwise, someone could become entrapped and drown.

Install a locking cover. This preventative measure secures the hot tub and ensures no person or animal gets into it without your permission.

Clean and sanitize the hot tub regularly. In addition to showering before you get in, check the chemical levels weekly and wipe out the hot tub thoroughly at least once every two months. Find more detailed information from your hot tub manufacturer.

Insure your hot tub. Most homeowner’s insurance policies will cover damage to your hot tub or accidents that occur because of it, but verify coverage with your insurance agent.

Your hot tub is designed for fun, especially when you use it safely. Follow these tips to ensure it stays safe and fun for you and your guests.

When was the last time you did a home insurance policy checkup? This important update ensures you have adequate coverage that will cover thefts, loss or damages, and it verifies that you aren’t paying for coverage you no longer need. Consider these questions during your next home insurance checkup.

Did you renovate or remodel your home?

Any changes to your home’s structure or size could affect the amount of insurance you pay. Even turning a basement into a third bedroom or adding a deck can increase the amount of insurance you need.

Did you install a burglar alarm?

An alarm system may lower your insurance costs and help you save money.

How much coverage do you really need?

Many homeowners overestimate or underestimate the value of their home and its contents. Use your property assessment to figure the value of your home, and remember to include outbuildings. A home inventory will give you an accurate value of your home’s contents and help you purchase the right amount of coverage.

Have you added new valuables or collectibles to your home’s inventory?

Your current insurance policy might not cover your newly-inherited jewelry or your new art collection. Find out if you need a specialty policy or endorsement to cover these valuables.

Do you have replacement value or actual cash value coverage?

Replacement value describes the amount of money you would need to replace your home or its contents with materials or goods of similar quality to what you have now. Actual cash value describes the amount of money you would need to repair your home or replace contents after calculating depreciation.

Did you start a home-based business?

Working from home in any capacity means you may need extra insurance. Share the details of your business with your insurance agent and verify that your business ventures are covered.

Do you need flood or earthquake coverage?

No matter where you live, you can benefit from flood and earthquake insurance coverage. Ask your home insurance carrier if these optional insurance policies are available as you protect your home.

Can you afford the deductible?

The deductible on your insurance policy affects the annual premium costs. Calculate how much deductible you can comfortably afford and raise or lower it on your insurance policy.

How frequently do you pay premiums?

Switching to an annual payment, if that’s an option, lowers your annual costs.

At least once a year, evaluate your home insurance coverage. Verify that you have the right amount and type of insurance for your needs.

Get charged with a DUI, and you typically lose your license for one to six months. Your auto insurance coverage and rates will also be affected. Learn what you can do to find coverage and earn affordable insurance rates after a DUI.

Understand Insurance After a DUI

Every state has strict laws that prohibit driving under the influence. However, each insurance company uses slightly different criteria to evaluate your risk as a driver. Companies consider your traffic and driving violations differently, too. For example, some companies punish at-fault accidents more severely than DUIs.

Typically, your risk and rates are based on several factors, including:

• Age
• Marital status
• Credit rating
• Employment status
• Driving history
• Other violations (speeding, recklessness, drug possession) that occurred at the time you received the DUI

After a DUI, your insurance company will look at these factors and decide how to handle your policy. They may continue insuring you at a rate increase or drop your coverage.

How to Qualify for Insurance After a DUI

If your current insurance coverage is significantly raised or dropped, you may still be able to get coverage. Contact national and local insurance agents, and ask for free quotes. To ensure you receive the most accurate quotes, tell the truth about details like your age, marital status, address and traffic violations, including your DUI. Also, use the same coverage limits for each quote.

Investigate SR-22 Proof of Insurance

Many DUI offenders use the SR-22 form to verify that they have insurance coverage. It’s designed for drivers with serious violations like DUIs, violent crashes and excessive speed. You still need to maintain the minimum insurance requirements for your state, but this form shows that you have auto insurance coverage.

The SR-22 is filed with your state’s department of motor vehicles or department of licensing by you or your insurance agent. In many cases, this form is necessary for up to three years after a situation where your driver’s license is suspended.

Lower Your Rates After a DUI

Of course, maintaining a pristine driving record after a DUI and keeping your credit score high will help your rates go down. Additionally, you can ask for a new quote every year. Be sure to notify your insurance company, too, after you move, when you buy a different vehicle or when you switch jobs. These actions might help you earn more affordable insurance rates.

While obtaining auto insurance after a DUI is challenging, it isn’t impossible. Try these tips and talk to your agent about other options that might assist you in finding the coverage you need.

Dropping winter temperatures affect your home in numerous ways, including your water system and pipes. If the system or pipes freeze, you and your family will experience an inconvenient and expensive mess. Use several tips that prevent this mess.

• Insulate pipes in unheated areas of your home, such as the attic, basement or crawl spaces. If you live in a moderately cold climate, foam pipe insulation will work. Use thermostatically controlled heat tape if you live in a severe climate.

• Protect pipes located in exterior walls of your home with extra insulation. That may mean removing part of the wall to get insulation on the pipes, but you can check for and repair any water damage or mold growth as you complete this project.

• Turn off outdoor spigots and disconnect hoses. A frozen garden hose can expand pressure in the entire plumbing system of your home. Disconnect and drain the hose, then close off the valve to outdoor faucet as you protect your house.

• Allow five drops of water per minute to drip from faucets when temperatures plummet. This action keeps the water moving and can slow the freezing process.

• Open cabinet doors that cover kitchen and bathroom plumbing. Your home’s warm air can then circulate around exposed pipes and protect them from freezing.

• Wrap warm towels around slow pipes. The warmth may loosen accumulated ice and assist your water system in operating properly again. To warm the towels, place them over the pipes and pour boiling water on top or make the towels wet first and place them over the pipes.

• Use a hairdryer or heat gun to blow hot air directly on freezing pipes and melt ice. Remember to avoid using any heating tool with an open flame so you don’t burn your pipes.

• Shut off the water if your pipes are already frozen. By preventing additional ice from forming, you reduce the risk of flooding your system, and you make cleanup easier.

• Winterize your pipes before you head south for the winter. Set the furnace to at least 55 degrees, and shut off your home’s main water supply. You’ll also want to drain the water system by opening the faucets and flushing the toilets.

Protecting your home’s pipes from freezing this winter means you avoid the inconvenience of not having indoor water and an expensive repair. In addition to following these tips, update your home insurance. It can cover necessary repairs that occur if your pipes freeze despite your efforts to keep them running properly.

You spend months and thousands of dollars on creating the perfect wedding day. From the invitations to the reception, you want everything to be perfect. All your best planning can’t prevent poor weather, vendor cancellation or lost photographs, though. Consider the benefits of wedding insurance as you protect your special day. What Is Wedding Insurance?

Wedding insurance reimburses you for lost items associated with your big day. Maybe your gown is damaged as you transport it from your home to the venue, the caterer cancels at the last minute or one of your wedding presents is stolen. Use wedding insurance to reimburse your financial losses.

What Does Wedding Insurance Cover?

Basic wedding insurance covers problems with the wedding and reception site, vendors, key people, weather, injury and sickness. You can also purchase additional coverage for the photography, videography, gifts, attire, medical payment, personal liability and honeymoon. Keep in mind that wedding insurance usually doesn’t cover cold feet, precious jewels on the dress or jewelry.

For a complete list of what your wedding insurance will cover, check your policy. It usually includes a deductible and a limit on the maximum amount of coverage it provides.

How Much Does Wedding Insurance Cost?

Typically, wedding insurance coverage will run you between $150 and $550. The total cost depends on which types of things you want to insure and on the amount of coverage you want. As a reference, general liability insurance covers accidents and costs an average of $185.

Is Wedding Insurance a Necessity?

Before you buy a wedding insurance policy, do your homework. Ask each of your vendors if they have their own insurance policies. If so, you can examine copies of their policies and make sure you’re not purchasing overlapping coverage. If they don’t have insurance, consider whether or not you have enough money to cover a cancellation, loss or other unforeseen circumstance. Also, decide if you need the peace of mind insurance can provide.

When Should You Buy Wedding Insurance? If you decide to purchase wedding insurance, buy a policy as soon as you start booking venues. Be sure to ask your insurance company if they have a limit on how long a policy can be in place.

Your wedding is one of the biggest and most special events you’ll ever plan. Protect every detail of the day and your peace of mind with wedding insurance. Your agent will discuss your wedding details and assist you in finding the right coverage and policy for your needs.

If your home would be burglarized, affected by a storm or damaged by a fire, could you list everything you owned? Probably not, and that’s why you need a home inventory. It’s a list that proves the value of your home’s contents and impacts the payout your insurance company makes. Here are several easy ways to track your belongings.

Why do you Need a Home Inventory?

The insurance company needs proof that you actually own the items you’re claiming were lost, damaged or stolen. Your inventory list will also assist the insurance company in determining an accurate replacement value for everything on your claim.

Organize by Category

Some homeowners find that it’s easier to organize their belongings by categories. Furniture, artwork, electronics and jewelry would be possible headings. Under each category, you would list the items you own. With this inventory system, you have a list of your possessions even if you frequently rearrange your rooms.

Organize by Room

You can also track your belongings by room. Start in the kitchen and list the dishes, pans, food items and linens. Continue walking through each room until you have a complete list of everything you own.

Details to Include on Your List

In addition to the list of items you own, add a few details to your inventory so that you can give the insurance company an accurate view of your possessions. You’ll need to estimate the value of each item and include the sales receipt with your inventory list, if applicable. Record serial numbers for electronics and appliances, too. Also, consider taking pictures or a video of the items you own. This way, you have visual proof of the item’s condition at the time it was damaged, lost or stolen.

Schedule Inventory Updates

Because you probably buy and sell stuff regularly, you’ll need to update your home inventory list frequently. Consider making this task a semi-annual event or add it to your monthly schedule if you frequently buy and sell stuff. Then discuss your inventory with your insurance agent. You need to make sure you have adequate insurance coverage in case you must file a claim.

Store Your Inventory List Wisely

It does you no good to store your inventory list where you can’t access it. Make a written copy and keep it in a bank lock box or with a trusted friend. You can also store a digital copy of your inventory on a USB or online in an encrypted file.

After your car is in an accident or damaged for any reason, your insurance company may total it. You’re already upset, and now you can’t drive your car. What should you do next?

What Does “Totaled” Mean?

Repairing a damaged vehicle could cost more than the vehicle is worth. In this case, your insurance company may not pay for the repairs. Instead, it will declare your vehicle a “total loss”.

To determine whether or not they’ll repair the car, some insurance companies require for damages to exceed 51 percent of the car’s pre-accident value. Other companies set the threshold at 80 percent. Your insurance company will also add the cost of repairs and the cost of a rental car and compare that total to your car’s cash value as they decide if repairs are worthwhile.

What Happens to Your Vehicle After It’s Totaled?

Once your car is totaled, you’ll receive a check for the vehicle’s actual cash value minus the auto insurance deductible you owe. Your vehicle is then transported to a salvage yard where it’s auctioned and typically chopped into parts. Your insurance company keeps any profit made from your vehicle’s salvage.

Can You Keep Your Car?

Maybe you’re completely attached to your car and don’t want to total it. You can insist on keeping the car and then pay for the repairs yourself. The insurance company will subtract the deductible and salvage yard payout from your car’s actual cash value. You need to make sure the insurance company and adjustor know that you want to keep your vehicle as soon as possible, though, because once it’s totaled, you’ll have a tough time retrieving it from salvage. The vehicle must also pass inspection before it can be insured again.

What if You Disagree With the Assigned Value?

The insurance company uses several factors to determine your auto’s value, including its mileage, special equipment and pre-accident condition. If you disagree with that value, you can hire an independent appraiser to perform an inspection of your car and put the results in writing. If you are still unable to come to an agreement about your car’s value, contact your state’s department of insurance. A consumer representative will investigate the case and mediate. If these steps do not work and you still think you deserve more money, pursue arbitration or litigation. Decide first if your vehicle is valuable enough to pursue the cost of legal action.

Trauma insurance assists you financially if you’re diagnosed with a critical illness or are in an accident. It’s also known as recovery or critical illness insurance. Learn more about this beneficial insurance option as you plan for your future and protect your family and assets.

What Exactly is Trauma Insurance?

A trauma insurance policy pays you a lump sum of money if you suffer from a specific traumatic event like cancer, stroke, heart attack or accident. You can use the money to pay out-of-pocket treatment costs or cover better treatment than your health insurance offers.

It can also allow you to cut back your hours at work or take a stress-free vacation.

Because you can’t plan for traumatic events, it’s wise to be prepared with trauma insurance. Thanks to this policy, you can focus on recovery. You don’t have to spend time worrying about how the mortgage will get paid or return to work before you’re fully recovered.

Do you Need Trauma Insurance?

While trauma insurance is not essential like auto or homeowners, it can help you manage a challenging time in life. What would happen to you and your family if you were in an accident and couldn’t work? If you were to have a heart attack, could you truly relax and recover or would you return to work right away and put yourself at risk?

How Much Trauma Insurance do you Need?

You choose how much trauma insurance you buy. Several factors can affect your decision. Consider your:

• Income – How much money do you need to replace your income if you are required or choose to take time off for treatment or recovery?
• Dependents – Do you have children, grandchildren or aging parents who rely on you for their financial provision?
• Debts – How much money do you still owe on your mortgage, personal loan or other debts?
• Assets – Do you have assets like property or a bank account that you can access if necessary?

Your financial advisor or insurance agent can assist you in determining how much coverage you need. He or she will ask you about your monthly living expenses, accessible savings and future plans as you decide together on how much trauma insurance to buy.

After a dispute with a local home contracting firm, Jane Perez of Fairfax VA posted reviews on Yelp and Angie’s List accusing the contractor of, among other things, damaging her home.

The contractor filed a $750,000 lawsuit against Perez alleging defamation. Although the suit hasn’t been settled, it serves as a valuable reminder: If you write a negative review about a business, don’t be surprised if you face a lawsuit – and make sure that your insurance protects you.

Such suits are becoming increasingly common, as people use sites such as Yelp to voice their gripes about everything from restaurants to dentists. Although many defamation lawsuits have merit, others – called “strategic lawsuits against public participation” (SLAPPs) – are being filed primarily to silence consumer criticism. While some states have anti-SLAPP laws, they’re often weak, which encourages plaintiff to sue.

If you get SLAPPed, insurance might not come to the rescue. Liability coverage under the basic Homeowners policy does not pay legal costs for defending lawsuits for defamation of character, slander, and copyright violation claims. However, for a few dollars, you can purchase a Personal Injury Liability endorsement that covers these exposures. Some Umbrella Liability and high-end Homeowners policies include Personal Injury coverage.

But just because you have coverage, don’t start blogging, tweeting, and posting whatever you want. Intent matters; so if you knew what you were doing was wrong, your policy might not cover you. Although you have a legal right to share your personal experiences as a consumer, use common sense when writing reviews: Be accurate, avoid embellishment and generalizations, and describe only what you know from personal knowledge.

P.S. If you’d like to post a review of your experiences with our agency, please feel free.