Have you ever gotten onto one of those e-mail lists that you just can’t seem to get off? Maybe you’d even like to hear from the company every now and then, but not the hourly barrage of e-mails updating you to every new thought they have.
Yeah. I hate that too. That’s why I make sure that you set the ground rules for how often you want to talk to me. If you really like to be kept in the loop, I love talking to you and keeping you up to date with every change in your policy, every new blog post, and everything else I think you should know.
But if you’d rather have a “don’t call us, we’ll call you” kind of relationship? No problem. Just let me know, and I won’t bother you. I’ll still be keeping an eye out for you, of course, making sure that everything’s still going smoothly with your policy and claims. But you call the shots.
You also have a choice of how to be contacted. Prefer e-mail? Great (though I’ll keep the private stuff offline, to keep you safe). Like phone calls? Perfect. Still like good old-fashioned postal mail? I'm happy to oblige. Just let me know. Any questions about Identity Recovery Coverage available on your homeowner's insurance policy? Check out this overview of why you might want to insure with Erie.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Reduce Basement Flood Risks
Rain showers might be dandy for your garden but not for your basement.
Wet basement problems may be solved simply by repairing an obvious gutter or downspout leak, but other water problems may have causes that are difficult to identify or expensive to fix.
The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety offers three steps to help you reduce the risk of repeated basement flooding. If you cannot determine the source of the problem yourself, contact a professional.
Step 1 - Evaluate the risk by considering these questions:
• Does the basement flood every year at approximately the same time?
• Does the basement flood during random intervals?
• Where is the basement flooding?
o Is it at the top of the basement wall?
o At the bottom of the wall?
o Through a floor drain?
Step 2 - Inspect the location where water is entering and consider these solutions:
• Reshape the landscaping around the foundation of the building or home. If water is entering near the top of the wall in one location, an improperly sloped landscape angled toward the building could be the cause.
• Extend and re-direct the downspouts away from the foundation wall.
• Caulk any cracks on the exterior and interior of the wall around where the water is entering.
• Consider hiring a licensed contractor to install a waterproofing membrane. If the entire wall is damp or water is entering through multiple wall surfaces, this may be a sign of a faulty or missing exterior water proofing membrane.
• For an unfinished basement, consider applying an internal sealant that can be painted on interior surface of basement walls. These products typically require constant maintenance or they will stop working.
Step 3 – Try other location-based solutions:
If the water appears to be entering the home or building near the foundation or through a floor drain, consider installing a French drain or a sump pump.
The French drain could be installed around the perimeter of the building, diverting the water away from the foundation. A sump pump should be installed in the basement floor with a battery backup system. Before you begin, consider hiring a licensed contractor for help.
Check your insurance coverage
As with any type of insurance, it's important to know what your policy does and doesn't cover. All basic homeowners insurance policies exclude flood and certain types of water-related damages. Only flood insurance will cover losses in the event of a flood.
Flood insurance can be purchased from the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program, and from some private insurers. Erie Insurance works with American Bankers Insurance to offer flood coverage. There is a 30-day waiting period for the policy to go into effect, so it’s important to start the process before severe weather strikes.
Contact me to determine what is covered under your insurance policy and learn more about flood insurance coverage. I can help you review your current coverage and help customize a policy that’s right for you. Call (920) 261-3255.
Wet basement problems may be solved simply by repairing an obvious gutter or downspout leak, but other water problems may have causes that are difficult to identify or expensive to fix.
The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety offers three steps to help you reduce the risk of repeated basement flooding. If you cannot determine the source of the problem yourself, contact a professional.
Step 1 - Evaluate the risk by considering these questions:
• Does the basement flood every year at approximately the same time?
• Does the basement flood during random intervals?
• Where is the basement flooding?
o Is it at the top of the basement wall?
o At the bottom of the wall?
o Through a floor drain?
Step 2 - Inspect the location where water is entering and consider these solutions:
• Reshape the landscaping around the foundation of the building or home. If water is entering near the top of the wall in one location, an improperly sloped landscape angled toward the building could be the cause.
• Extend and re-direct the downspouts away from the foundation wall.
• Caulk any cracks on the exterior and interior of the wall around where the water is entering.
• Consider hiring a licensed contractor to install a waterproofing membrane. If the entire wall is damp or water is entering through multiple wall surfaces, this may be a sign of a faulty or missing exterior water proofing membrane.
• For an unfinished basement, consider applying an internal sealant that can be painted on interior surface of basement walls. These products typically require constant maintenance or they will stop working.
Step 3 – Try other location-based solutions:
If the water appears to be entering the home or building near the foundation or through a floor drain, consider installing a French drain or a sump pump.
The French drain could be installed around the perimeter of the building, diverting the water away from the foundation. A sump pump should be installed in the basement floor with a battery backup system. Before you begin, consider hiring a licensed contractor for help.
Check your insurance coverage
As with any type of insurance, it's important to know what your policy does and doesn't cover. All basic homeowners insurance policies exclude flood and certain types of water-related damages. Only flood insurance will cover losses in the event of a flood.
Flood insurance can be purchased from the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program, and from some private insurers. Erie Insurance works with American Bankers Insurance to offer flood coverage. There is a 30-day waiting period for the policy to go into effect, so it’s important to start the process before severe weather strikes.
Contact me to determine what is covered under your insurance policy and learn more about flood insurance coverage. I can help you review your current coverage and help customize a policy that’s right for you. Call (920) 261-3255.
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