Insurance Checklist for the New Year

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

With 2018 well underway, Blais Insurance would like to remind you that now is the time to review your current insurance policies. Please click here to view a checklist created by the RI Department of Business Regulation and call Blais Insurance at 725.0070 for a complimentary policy review.

There are several ways to reduce your chances of frozen pipes

Taking steps now can save you thousands down the road

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

Southern New England residents far and wide were at the mercy of a record-long cold snap that originated from the Rocky Mountains in early January. The breathtaking cold forced Rhode Islanders to bundle up more carefully, but for some it also caused frozen pipes that could cost homeowners thousands of dollars. To help families prevent frozen pipes this season, Blais Insurance would like to share some suggestions that can help you avoid costly repairs.

Many of the precautions to prevent frozen pipes stem from our knowledge about water. Water is unique because, when it freezes, it expands. That expansion adds incredible pressure that eventually leads to cracking or bursting pipes.

While many homeowners let the faucet drip during the colder days, Blais Insurance would like to provide additional preventative measures that can help you keep more money in your pocket this winter. 

• Drain water from all the water supply lines at your home. This extends to water that may be resting in sprinkler systems, water lines to the family pool, and other systems not traditionally used in the winter.
• Insulate pipes that are exposed to the harsh elements of winter. Depending on the size of your home, the cost of insulating the basement, attic and some crawl spaces can be less than the average cost of fixing a ruptured pipe — which costs $5,000 on average. 
• Doors to unconnected garages that have a water line should remain closed during the winter. Ensuring the doors are closed will aid in keeping out some of the cold.
• On frigid nights when temperatures may dip into the single digits, homeowners can reduce the chance of frozen pipes in their home by opening cabinet doors where pipes are easily visible. The reason for this is that heat from your home will circulate into the small space.
• Thermostats should remain consistent throughout the day and night during cold temperatures. Without realizing the potential damage that may be caused from frozen pipes, many homeowners looking to reduce their energy bill might lower their heat when they are away or sleeping. To be on the safe side, homeowners should always maintain their thermostat above the 55 degree mark.
• Homeowners can help prevent frozen pipes by turning on the warm and cold water faucet to a trickle.
• For an extra step beyond letting the faucet drip, worried homeowners can wrap their indoor pipes in the kitchen and bathroom with newspaper. Newspaper material is widely regarded as a basic form of insulation because of its thermal and electric resistant properties.

With the new year ahead and the season of giving behind us, many families in the United States are watching their wallets. Committed to protecting your family against the harsh cold and risk of financial loss, as well as the general disruption of life associated with a significant frozen pipe water loss, Blais Insurance is here with a team of dedicated professionals that are looking out for your best interests. Speak with a Blais Insurance agent to learn about other hazards in the winter, and how our insurance packages have you covered.

‘Tis the season to be wary

Christmas tree fires account for nearly $15 million in damages annually

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

Families have undoubtedly been reminded at every turn that Santa Claus is coming to town. For generations, this season  has had a profound influence on the sale of pine trees for display in homes despite the immediate risks it can pose to families. As families prepare for the celebrations ahead, Blais Insurance would like to suggest some tree fire precautions to help keep your family safe this holiday. 

While Christmas is a joyous time, small things can be overlooked that can cause severe consequences. Real trees are dangerous as they can be a catalyst for fires, which can spread throughout a room very quickly. In fact, an inferno was captured on video by the National Institute of Standard and Technology that demonstrated how quickly a tree fire can spread. You can watch it here.

Christmas trees have been part of American culture since before people can remember, and Blais Insurance would like to help you continue that tradition while mitigating your risk for a home fire.

Here are some suggestions to reduce the likelihood of a tree fire in your home.

·       Buy a fresh tree with bright green needles that are hard to pluck off. These trees are less likely to catch fire because their needles contain more moisture.

·       To maintain tree freshness and moisture, supply sufficient water into the tree stand every day.

·       Make sure you place your tree at least three feet away from any heat sources such as candles, radiators, heat vents or hot lights. Once a dry tree has caught fire, it can take less than a minute for the tree to be completely engulfed in flames.

·       Before installing any Christmas lights, ensure the bulbs are not loose and are intended for indoor use.

·       Christmas lights should be turned off before going to bed because the speed of a spreading fire can endanger the lives of your family.

·       Remove the tree as soon as the holiday is over. According to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas trees continue to pose a risk as long as they remain in your home and account for about 37 percent of tree fires in January.

Blais Insurance is committed to protecting your family from all forms of disaster. While Christmas tree fires account for $14.8 million in property damages every year, there is nothing worse than a loss of life.

For more information on how to protect your family, speak with one of our agents by calling 401-725-0070. Until the next time, happy holidays from your friends at Blais Insurance.

 

Drivers are not adequately protected in ride-sharing accidents

Attention Parents: Do you know what your kids are doing with your car?

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

With the widespread adoption of ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft, many young drivers have found lucrative ways to make more money. Whether it is rush hour, late at night, or some other time that works within their schedule, these drivers have been zipping through traffic for extra cash unbeknownst to their parents. As a direct result, cities across the United States have witnessed an increase in automobile accidents that have placed many young drivers in financial jeopardy.

According to insurance experts, many parents do not even know that their children are working for a ride sharing company. Furthermore, since driving for companies such as Uber or Lyft is considered a business exposure, policyholders may be surprised to learn that coverage can be negated in the event of an accident. 

In an effort to keep your family safe, Blais Insurance has compiled a list of insurance facts related to the ride sharing economy.

• Many drivers falsely believe that these companies pay for damages in the event of an accident while using the app. What they actually provide is limited liability for very specific scenarios.
• Most ride sharing companies inform drivers that their personal auto insurance covers gaps in coverage when their policy is not in effect. These statements are inaccurate because most personal auto policies include exclusions that do not cover damages if the insured vehicle was used for business purposes like transporting people or goods for a fee. This means that a personal insurance policy would not cover damages in the event of an accident if the driver was actively looking for a passenger.
• Many insurance companies have adapted to current market trends, and now offer ride sharing insurance policies in some states. These policies are more affordable than commercial policies, but drivers may choose not to elect either because they do not shop for the more affordable rates.

Navigating through insurance industry trends can be complex, but a Blais Insurance agent can help you find affordable policies that protect your family under any scenario. Before enrolling in a ride share program, speak with a Blais Insurance agent at 401-725-0070 for personalized packages that protect you and your loved ones from any dangers they could face on the road.

Flood Revisited

No Matter Where You Live … You Need Flood Insurance

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

With the tremendous devastation we have all witnessed in Florida, Houston and Puerto Rico, Blais Insurance would like to, once again, remind you to secure proper flood insurance. Whether you live on the coast in Florida, or nowhere near the water in Houston, Texas, your home or business can sustain a catastrophic loss as a result of ground water flooding. Unfortunately, only 10% of claimants had flood insurance in Houston, which is the only coverage that applies to that level of flood damage.

Homeowners’ insurance policies cover property damage that results from a sudden discharge of water from a home plumbing system or appliance. An example of this would be if a pipe burst in your home. However, many people find out at the time of a loss that water damage resulting from ground water seeping into a basement is never covered so prevention is the proper focus where seepage is concerned. Moreover, damage from flooding is only covered under a separate flood insurance policy when a qualified flood event occurs. With the rainy months still ahead of us, homeowners in high-risk flood areas are no longer the only ones who require flood insurance.

Blais Insurance offers premium flood insurance coverage at affordable rates through the National Flood Insurance Program. As we all discovered after the historic flooding in Texas, flooding can happen anytime, anywhere. There is typically a 30-day waiting period from when the coverage is purchased to when it goes into effect so do not wait for the next, big storm if you are considering flood insurance. Call Blais Insurance today at 725.0070.

Hmmm … Are All Your Liability Exposures Covered?

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

Many people are surprised to learn that you need liability protection for more than you might think. Do you serve on any committees or boards, volunteer or otherwise?  Even if you are volunteering your time that does not protect you from a potential lawsuit.  One should recognize this and make sure they only participate on boards that safeguard board members with a special coverage designed to protect actions and decisions while acting in that capacity. It’s called "management risk."

When you make management decisions, the liability exposures may be even greater than a slip and fall or vehicular accident. Management risk is the key reason you need coverage for exposures related to directors and officers (D&O), employment practices liability (EPL), and fiduciary liability coverages.

While all three are typically available and often purchased as separate policies, you should also discuss with your agent the possible advantages of a management liability package policy. Such a comprehensive package can offer the convenience of combining D&O, EPL and fiduciary into a single policy, but also may better coordinate the three to minimize otherwise overlapping or counterproductive coverages, exclusions and limitations.

Higher quality management liability packages may also include, at an attractive cost, valuable additional coverage often otherwise overlooked or requiring separate purchases, such as crisis response, employee theft, identity recovery, and security breach insurance.

Contact Blais Insurance at 725.0070 and ask about the availability and advantages of management liability Insurance, either stand-alone or as a package, today.

Welcome to 2017 Hurricane Season

Are you ready for it?

By: Edward L. Blais, JD, CIC

With hurricane season in full swing, your friends at Blais Insurance want you to be prepared for the unexpected.

According to the Weather Channel, the number of hurricanes and tropical storms begins to rise in August, peaking in September; however, there is no way of predicting exactly when these natural disasters will strike. Among the biggest hurricanes the Northeast has experienced, Irene and Katrina arrived in August, Earl in September, and Sandy hit in October just 5 years ago.

To stay safe during the next big hurricane, please consider the following:

Before the Hurricane:

• To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kit and create a family communications plan.
• Know your surroundings. 
• Learn the elevation level of your property and whether the land is flood-prone. This will help you know how your property will be affected when storm surge or tidal flooding are forecasted.
• Learn community hurricane evacuation routes and how to find higher ground. Determine where you would go and how you would get there if you needed to evacuate.
• Make plans to secure your property.
• Consider installing a generator if at all an option, as it would be worth its weight in gold in a power outage.

During the Hurricane:

• Stay indoors.
• Don’t walk on beaches, riverbanks or in flood waters.
• Use flashlights in the dark if the power goes out. Do NOT use candles.
• Continue listening to local area radio, NOAA radio or TV stations for the latest information and updates.
• Avoid contact with floodwater. It may be contaminated with sewage or contain dangerous insects or animals.
• Turn off the power and water mains if instructed to do so by local authorities.

After the Hurricane:

• Let friends and family know you’re safe - Register yourself as safe on the American Red Cross ‘Safe and Well’ website.
• If evacuated, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.
• Continue listening to local news for updated information and instructions.
• Stay alert for extended rainfall and subsequent flooding.

Flood insurance can mean the difference between recovering and being financially devastated after a hurricane. The damage from just one inch of water can cost more than $20,000.

When purchasing flood insurance be sure to ask your Blais Insurance agent the right questions to know what is and is not covered. Contents inside a building are not covered by a building/structure flood policy. You'll need an additional policy for contents within the building. There is typically a 30 day wait period between when you buy a flood insurance policy and when it goes into effect.

For more information on flood insurance, or if you have any questions about your homeowners’ policy, please call Blais Insurance at 401-725-0070.