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Tornadoes and Driving Safety

5/21/2020

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With the holiday weekend ahead of us, many of you may be doing some local travel. The weather hasn't been great lately, so please consider these driving tips if you encounter a tornado!

What to Do If You’re Caught in Your Car During a Tornado


Tornadoes are the most violent storms anywhere, and about 1,200 touch ground in the United States every year, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

They’re as unpredictable as they are violent, most often occurring in the early spring on the Gulf Coast, in May and June on the southern plains, and in June and July in the upper Midwest. But, tornadoes can occur any time of year and have been recorded in every state, says the NWS.

If a twister forms when you’re traveling through an unfamiliar region, or even while driving near home, you don’t have much time to make smart decisions that can help save your life. The NWS and Red Cross recommend these actions if a tornado catches you while you’re on the go:

Be Alert and Prepared
1. 
Know the difference between a watch and a warning:
  • Tornado Watch: Tornadoes are possible around the general watch area. This tells you to be alert and prepared.
  • Tornado Warning: A tornado has been seen or has appeared on weather radar. This tells you to take immediate action to protect yourself and family.
2. Know how to access emergency broadcasts in case you encounter worrisome conditions:
  • Local news stations.
  • NOAA Weather Radio. Dial the VHF public service band from 162.400 to 162.550 MHz for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) All Hazards broadcast.
  • Local NWS Weather Forecast Office. Access local watches, warnings, forecasts and radar images online – just not while driving.
3. Know the warning signs of a tornado:
  • Dark clouds, frequently greenish.
  • A wall cloud, attached to the base of a thundercloud but isolated and lowering.
  • Flying debris.
  • Large hailstones.
  • A roaring noise, ranging from the sound of a waterfall to that of a jet engine.
  • A funnel cloud, a rotating funnel extending from the base of a thundercloud. Once it touches the ground, a funnel cloud is a tornado.

​If You’re Caught Outside or Driving

1. Don’t wait to see a funnel once you hear a Tornado Warning.
  • Run to a sturdy building. The basement is the safest place, but a windowless interior room on the building’s lowest level is the next alternative. Mobile homes are not safe.
  • Get into your car if you cannot immediately get to a shelter on foot. Fasten your seat belt and drive to the closest sturdy shelter.
2. Don’t try to outrun a tornado, because they can move across the landscape at 60 mph.
  1. If large objects start to fly past as you are driving, pull over, park, and choose the best of the following two options:
  • If you can get significantly below the level of the roadway, such as in a deep ditch, get out of the car and lie face down with your hands protecting your head.
  • Otherwise, keep your seat belt on and stay in the car. Lower your head below the level of the windows, protecting yourself with your hands. If any other protection is available, such as a blanket, wrap that over your head as well.

Always remember, whenever you encounter severe weather that a violent storm can escalate and travel quickly. If you’re at home, be ready to put your emergency plan into place, if you can – practicing family drills and setting aside supplies ahead of time will help. If not, take the most appropriate safety measures possible, such as the ones shared above.
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Hurricane Season is here: Are you prepared?

6/6/2019

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Hurricanes are strong storms that cause life and property threatening hazards such as flooding, storm surge, high winds and tornadoes. Preparation is the best protection against the dangers of a hurricane. As forecasters track a hurricane the terms “hurricane watch” and “hurricane warning” will be used often. It is important to know the difference:
  • Hurricane Watch – Hurricane conditions are a threat within 48 hours. Review your hurricane plans, keep informed and be ready to act if a warning is issued.
  • Hurricane Warning – Hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. Complete your preparations and leave the area if directed to do so by authorities.

​What Should I Do?
  • Listen to local forecasts on television and radio as well as National Weather Service (NWS) announcements.
  • Check your disaster supplies and replace or restock as needed.
  • Bring in anything that can be picked up by wind (furniture, toys, etc.)
  • Close windows, doors and shutters.
  • Turn refrigerator and freezer to the coldest settings and keep them closed as much as possible so that food will last longer if power goes out.
  • Turn off propane tanks and unplug small appliances.
  • Fill your car’s gas tank.
  • Create an evacuation plan with your family. Plan routes to local shelters and make plans for pet care.
  • Evacuate if advised by authorities. Be careful to avoid flooded roads and bridges.
  • Because standard homeowners insurance does not cover flooding, it is important to have protection from floods associated with heavy rains, tropical storms and hurricanes. For more information visit the National Flood Insurance Program website here.

What Supplies Do I Need?
  • Water – at least a three-day supply, one gallon per person, per day.
  • Food – at least a three-day supply of non-perishable, easy to prepare food.
  • Flashlight
  • Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio
  • Extra batteries
  • First aid kit
  • Medications seven-day supply) and medical items (hearing aids, glasses, syringes, etc.)
  • Multi-purpose tool
  • Sanitation & personal hygiene items
  • Copies of personal documents (medications, proof of address, deed/lease, passports, insurance policies, etc.)
  • Cell phones with chargers
  • Family & emergency contact information
  • Extra cash (ATMs may be down if power is lost)
  • Emergency blankets
  • Maps of the area
  • Baby & pet supplies if needed
  • Tools/supplies to secure your home
  • Extra clothing (hats and shoes as well)
  • Extra set of car & house keys
  • Rain gear
  • Insect repellent and sunscreen
  • Camera for photos of damage for insurance claims

What Do I Do After A Hurricane?
  • Continue to listen to weather forecasts and local news for updates.
  • Stay alert for extended rainfall and flooding even after the storm has ended.
  • If you evacuated only return home when officials say it is safe.
  • Drive only if necessary and avoid flooded roads and bridges.
  • Keep away from loose or downed wires and report them immediately.
  • Stay out of any building surrounded by water.
  • Inspect your home for damage. Take pictures for insurance claims.
  • Use flashlights in the dark, NOT candles which can cause fires.
  • Avoid drinking or preparing food with tap water until you are sure it is not contaminated.
  • Check refrigerated food for spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.
  • Wear protective clothing and use caution when cleaning up to avoid injury.
  • Watch pets closely and keep them under your direct control.
  • Use telephones only for emergency calls

Let Your Family Know You Are Safe!
​If your community experiences a hurricane or any disaster, register on the American Red Cross Safe and Well website available through RedCross.org/SafeandWell to let your family and friends know about your welfare. If you do not have Internet access, call 1-866-GET-INFO to register yourself and your family.
​​
Click here to download a Hurricane Safety Checklist provided by the Red Cross.

Click Here for How To Prepare for Hurricane Safety!
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Insuring Jewelry: How to Know if Your Coverage is Enough

5/16/2019

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​A ring from a loved one. A bracelet handed down through generations. A watch or necklace marking a special occasion.

Every reason why you treasure a piece of fine jewelry is a reason why it should be insured.

However, calling it “jewelry insurance” may be a stretch. You don’t need a separate policy to insure your jewelry. You just need to ensure you have the right personal property coverage from your homeowners, condo, or renters insurance.

Jewelry coverage helps protect the investment you’ve made in your favorite pieces by helping you replace them if you experience a loss that’s covered by your policy. But, the coverage is only for certain instances and set dollar amounts, so double check what coverage you have and learn more about insuring jewelry below.

Know What Your Existing Insurance Policy Covers
If you already have personal property coverage as part of a homeowners, renters, or condo policy, you likely already have some form of protection for your jewelry. The typical insurance policy will cover you, up to your policy limit, for jewelry that’s stolen or damaged in certain incidents, such as a fire at your home. However, the typical policy will not cover everyday damage, such as a stone falling out of its setting.

In addition to knowing when you’re covered and when you’re not, it’s also important to know how much you’re covered for. Your insurance policy may cover each individual piece of jewelry at a set amount, such as $1,000 per piece. Or, it may cover your jewelry collection as a whole, such as $3,000 for all pieces. Check your policy or schedule an insurance review with us to better understand what kind of jewelry coverage you have.

Calculate the Value of Your Jewelry Collection in Today’s Dollars
To determine whether you have enough jewelry insurance, you need to know how much your pieces are worth. Keep in mind that your pieces may be worth more now than when you bought them. The value of precious metals and precious stones can increase over time, so have your pieces appraised about every three years.

Use these appraisals, as well as receipts for recently purchased items, to add up the value of your collection. Then compare it to how much jewelry replacement coverage you have on your homeowners insurance, condo insurance or renters insurance.

Decide Which Items Require Additional Coverage
If the jewelry coverage on your policy is lower than the value of your collection, you’ll likely want to purchase additional coverage. For example, you may have a $2,000 pair of diamond earrings, a $7,500 engagement ring and an insurance policy that covers jewelry loss – no matter how many pieces – at $3,000. If both pieces are lost in a single incident, you’re short $6,500 of coverage.

To fill this gap, you can insure high-value items individually, as part of your homeowners insurance, condo insurance or renters insurance. This is known as “scheduling valuables” or adding a “rider” or “endorsement” to your policy. To do so, you will likely need a recent receipt or appraisal establishing the value of each item.

Once scheduled, if an item is damaged or lost in a covered incident, you’ll be covered for the full scheduled amount. Typically, scheduling an item also gives you broader coverage. A lost stone that isn’t covered under your homeowners policy, for example, is likely covered under a policy rider.

Catalog Your Jewelry in a Home Inventory
Once you arrange coverage for your high-value jewelry, it’s important to create a home inventory or update an existing one to catalog your valuable belongings. This isn’t as important for your scheduled pieces because your insurance company has a record of their value. However, for any unscheduled pieces that are lost or stolen, you’ll want a record of their worth.

Ideally, your home inventory will include photos, receipts, appraisals, descriptions, brand names, etc. of all valuable personal property, not just your jewelry. That way, if there’s a loss, you’ll already have the documentation needed for a personal property claim in place.

A home inventory can be as simple as a Word document (save it to the cloud or a flash drive in case your computer is damaged or stolen). Or use a Web program or mobile phone app, such as the home inventory app, to help you catalog your belongings.

Insuring jewelry is easy and affordable, so talk to us about it. If you get something special this year, in addition to flashing it to your friends, think about protecting it, too.

For more info, please visit Safeco Insurance®.
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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Team
    • History
    • Summerville office
    • Why an Independent Agent?
    • Featured Carriers
    • Trusted Choice® Pledge of Performance
    • Introducing Health, Life & Employee Benefits
    • Our Columbia Office Has Moved!
    • Midlands Green Business
  • REQUEST A QUOTE
  • INSURANCE
    • Vehicle Insurance >
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      • Motorcycle Insurance
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      • Motorsport & ATV Insurance
      • RV and Mobile Home Insurance
    • Property Insurance >
      • Homeowners Insurance >
        • How Much Home Insurance is Enough?
      • Renters Insurance
      • Condo Insurance
      • Landlord Protection
      • Flood Insurance
      • Earthquake Insurance
      • Personal Umbrella Insurance
      • Pet Insurance
      • Home Warranty
    • Business Insurance >
      • Condominium Homeowners Association Insurance
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      • Surety Bonds
      • Specialty Insurance
    • Health, Life & Employee Benefits Insurance >
      • Individuals >
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        • Short Term Health Insurance
        • Dental Insurance
        • Vision Insurance
        • Life Insurance >
          • How Much Life Insurance is Enough?
        • Disability
      • Employers >
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