Advantages of Having a Home Inventory

Would you be able to remember every item you have accumulated over the years if they were all gone? If your home is damaged, or totally lost due to a fire or other event, having a home inventory will help you recover all your personal property with the least amount of time and stress. Having a home inventory is the easiest and best way to deal with insurance claims after a disaster or loss. This also expedites the claim process, making it easier to be paid.

Creating a personal home inventory helps in calculating how much your personal property is worth. Knowing this ensures you have an accurate value to insure. If you have too little coverage, you would not have enough funds to replace lost property; and if you have too much coverage, you are paying higher premiums than you need to. Here are a few more reasons to develop a home inventory:

• It helps settle claims accurately and promptly
• It provides required documentation of ownership and value
• It helps with estate documentation
• It preserves your heritage
• Additional Tips
• Keep all receipts and a detailed record of antiques, electronics, jewelry, and major appliances.
• Continuously update your Personal Home Inventory as you acquire new items.
• Photograph or video record your inventory items. Make sure videotapes and photos are dated.                       Store in a fire proof box or at secondary location.
• Categorize clothes by type and number (for example, Pants: 5 dress pants @125.00 each = $625.00). You can also categorize books the same way.

The best way to start your home inventory list is to go room by room. Take on three rooms per day, and you will be done in no time. Send a copy of your personal home inventory to our office; we would be happy to keep the written records as back-up for you. 

Health Care Update

With the Affordable Care Act, most people in the NW will be required to have health coverage after January 1, 2014. They'll have a new way to buy health policies through insurance exchanges.  

Employees will look to their employers for advice and assistance as they navigate the exchanges, so we're providing you with information about their new options. Exchanges will provide individuals and small business owners with a place to find, compare, and purchase coverage, as well as get financial assistance to afford it.

What about pre-existing conditions?

• You can no longer be refused coverage for pre-existing conditions. There may be more information coming and we will advise you.

Can I maintain my primary care provider?

• Yes, as long as they are part of the plan you select.

My child previously aged out of dependent coverage, but is still under 26 years old. Can I put him back on my plan?

• Yes, check with your plan to determine the specific process.

Does every employer need to provide coverage?

• No, Beginning Jan. 1, 2014, the law requires only employers with 50 or more full time employees to offer "minimum essential coverage. For small employers please consultant with your CPA to see if you qualify for a tax rebate on premiums paid.

It is important to use an independent agent. Here are the benefits of using our firm.

•  We don't charge fees or service changes
• You will pay same as if going direct to carrier
• We will compare all insurance companies and bring you the best offer

Barbecue Safety Tips

Fire up the grill, bring on the steak; it's time to barbecue. This is something most of us do weekly. We want your barbecue experience to be fun and safe for the entire family. You might think you know all you need to know about barbecue safety and grilling, but why don't you review this page, just to make sure.

General Safety

Never barbecue inside, in a garage, on the roof, or on a second story deck

• Never leave your grill unattended
• If you are using a charcoal grill, let the lighter fluid soak into the coals a few minutes before lighting them so that any vapors have time to evaporate. When you do light the coals, stand back
• Open the grill lid before you light it
• Don't wear loose fitting clothing
• Keep a fire extinguisher outside or close by
• Make sure you use the grill 10 feet away from your house
• Have a water source close to the barbecue
• Don't let raw meat sit out too long without being chilled or cooked
• Always wash your hands before and after handling food
• Don't over indulge in alcohol while barbecuing
• Let the grill cool down before you store or cover it

Gas Grills

Before having an LP cylinder filled, check it for dents, gouges, or other signs of disrepair

• If you have a gas grill, make sure the connections from the propane tank to the grill are tight
• Use porcelain rocks instead of lava rocks. Lava rocks are porous and can hold grease which can catch fire. They also make an uneven heating surface
• When you turn off a gas grill, remember to turn off the propane tank too

Always make sure that the barbecue is in a safe place, where children and pets won't touch or bump into it.  Remember that the barbecue will still be hot even after you finish cooking; anyone contacting a hot barbecue could be burned. Make sure your home owner's policy is up to date.