Wintertime and winter weather can be tremendous fun, but cold and snow can also pose danger. Slippery roads, downed power lines and limbs, and freezing cold temperatures all bring an added measure of suspense to our daily activities. There are simple steps you can take that will take the chill off your wintertime experience.

In your car. It is not enough to throw a safety kit, including emergency equipment such as blankets, candles, a shovel and traction aids into the trunk of your car and think that you are ready for operating your vehicle in inclement weather. The single most important thing we can do while driving in severe winter conditions is to slow down. A safe speed for conditions might be well under the posted speed limit. Triple the normal driving distance between you and the car in front of you. If your vehicle begins to slip, immediately take your foot off the accelerator and steer gently in the direction you want the car to go.

If your car gets stuck, clear the snow in front of and behind your tires and spread sand, kitty litter or traction mats in the front and back of your tires. Gently accelerate until you feel the tires begin to spin. Put the car in reverse and back up slowly until stopped by the snow. Rock forward again using a low, steady speed.

At home. Have your heating system inspected to make sure it is working properly. If you have an alternative heating source, it should be UL approved and inspected before using.

Good insulation will also help if power is lost. Check for possible air leaks around doors and windows. Seal electrical outlets and switches on outside walls. Stock up on easy to prepare food, first aid supplies, batteries, flashlights and a battery-operated radio.

If you do get snowed in at home and the situation isn’t dire, just relax and preserve heat by hanging blankets over windows and doors. If you use a supplemental heating device, make sure it is UL approved, in good operating condition and maintaining safe distance from flammable items.

Outside. Make sure to remove garden hoses from outside faucets. Hopefully, you remembered to clean your gutters of leaves and debris. Better yet, install gutter guards. These can help keep snow and ice from building up, which can form ice damns and damage your house. Outside heating appliances like heat pumps must be clear of snow and debris to work efficiently.

If you have to go outside, wear tight and layered clothing and sturdy watertight shoes. Make sure to cover exposed parts of the body by wearing hats, gloves and scarves. Failure to protect skin and prolonged exposure to the cold can result in frostbite. The nose, cheeks, ears, fingers and toes (your extremities) are most commonly affected.

(Source: Professional Insurance Agent)

Keeping Coverages Current

A home and its contents frequently represent a major portion of a person’s net worth. Failure to keep coverage current could result in a claim not being covered. Whose responsibility is it to maintain adequate insurance coverage? When all is said and done, it is the policyholder’s responsibility to review the policy regularly and inform his/her agent of any needed changes.

Your agent can search through the maze of complex coverages, advise you how to insure your property and help you with claim settlements, but you are the one best prepared to determine what you have that needs covered.

For instance, did you tell us about the remodeling project you did on your home or the jewelry you recently bought or inherited? Did you remember to tell us that you are now operating a business from your home? You need to notify your agent when changes like these occur. Carefully consider the type and amount of liability coverage you need. Under the standard liability coverage, if a guest slips and falls on your wet patio, you would be covered for the individual’s medical expenses, your defense costs and a specified limit for actual damages. If the amount awarded exceeds your policy’s limits, however, your personal assets could be threatened. A personal umbrella could help you in this case. The umbrella liability policy typically affords $1 million liability coverage and blankets over your auto and home policy. This provides extra coverage if your auto and home policy limits are exhausted.

Don’t be complacent and just file your renewal away. Review your policy and make notes of needed changes or questions.

Call us for an appointment so we can make sure you have the coverage that you expect.

(Source: Professional Insurance Agent Inside Insurance Newsletter)