Lori Johnston

Seeing the sights at a national park or living where bears roam could open the door to hungry ones seeking food in your car, truck or SUV.

Bears, with their strong sense of smell and ravenous appetites, can be more violent and costly than a thief who’s itching to swipe your purse, wallet or stereo system. Rest assured, however: Your auto insurance pays for bear damage if you’ve got comprehensive coverage.

Shauna Veo, personal lines manager at the Neil-Garing Agency in Glenwood Springs, Colo., points out that comprehensive coverage is optional. Such coverage pays for non-crash damage from things like storms, vandalism, fires — and, yes, even bear break-ins.

The grizzly bear attack in July at Yellowstone National Park that killed a California man emphasizes the potential for serious injury and property damage in spots populated by bears.

Family’s car destroyed by bear

Most bear break-ins result in a few thousand dollars worth of damage, which will be paid by your insurer if you have comprehensive coverage, Veo says. But this summer, Neil-Garing Agency handled a claim for Jeremy Lowell, an Aspen, Colo., resident whose car was totaled after a bear break-in.

“We’ve seen other ones where they’ve got partially in or tore up the outside. This is the first car that’s been totaled from this type of claim,” Veo says.

Lowell’s 2009 Toyota RAV4 was on the road just above his Aspen driveway, which had just been resurfaced in June 2011 when the bear broke in.

Lowell says his 18-year-old son, Alec, came into his bedroom about 12:30 a.m. and said he thought a bear was in the SUV – which was next to three other cars about 150 feet from the home – because the horn kept sounding. When they ventured outside, they saw the bear had opened a rear passenger door of the SUV.

The Lowells had brought home takeout Chinese food – barbecue spare ribs and chicken fried rice – in the RAV4 that evening. They had removed the food from the car when they arrived home about 7 p.m.

“I guess the odor was enough that the bear opened the door and searched everywhere for the food and literally tore every panel off the door, tore the entire dashboard apart, tore the back panel, broke the windshield and bent the steering wheel in the process,” Lowell says. “By the time we got to the car, it had escaped through the rear passenger door.”

The bear also set off air bags, damaged the electrical wiring when he ripped apart the dashboard and panels, and scratched the paint. Lowell called police, who told him a report did not need to be filed. The next morning, he contacted his insurance company. An insurance adjuster estimated repairs would cost $26,000.

“The car was only valued at $24,000, so they considered it a total loss,” Lowell says.

Bears can take a toll

Here’s what a hungry bear might do to your car:

• Break the windows.

• Rip open the doors.

• Scratch the exterior.

• Shred the upholstery.

• Claw through the back seat (seeking to enter the trunk).

• Bend the frame.

• Destroy the dashboard.

• Defecate on the seats.

Food lures bears

Veo says all of the companies her agency represents — including Progressive, Chubb and Travelers — cover bear break-in claims if the owner has optional comprehensive coverage. Once the policyholder meets the deductible (typically $250, $500 or $1,000), the remainder of the damage is covered by the insurer, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.

But if you’re visiting or moving to an area with a big population of bears, Veo recommends reviewing your policy to make sure you have coverage.

No matter where you live, food is the main reason that opportunistic bears break into vehicles.

“It’s just the smell of the food. They’re interested in food,” says Christopher Servheen, grizzly bear recovery coordinator for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Missoula, Mont.

Bear break-ins are more likely to occur in late summer and fall because bears try to eat more during those times to put on weight for hibernation, he says.

Incidents are fairly common at Yosemite National Park in California, where hundreds of American black bears live. Financial damage reported at Yosemite in 2010 totaled nearly $113,000. About 85 percent of the damage in more than 500 cases involved cars.

Where the bears are

While bear break-ins happen fairly often in Colorado and California, black bears can be found in at least 40 of the 50 states.

“It can happen in anybody’s driveway if there are bears around, and particularly if they have food in their vehicle or if their neighbor has food in their vehicle,” Servheen says.

If a window is not fully closed, the bear can pull on it and break it. Servheen says he’s seen extreme cases where bears have bent door frames. “The bears can open it up like a can and get in that way,” he says.

If you don’t want a bear to treat your car like a can, follow these tips:

• Remove all trash. That includes canned food and drinks, fast food, candy wrappers and even baby wipes.

• Close the windows.

• Use bear-proof food lockers if you’re at a park, particularly at night.

• Clear the clutter. This means crumbs of food, or items that may be under seats or in cup holders.

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Depending on where you live, winter may bring you freezing temperatures, rain or snow. You may spending time in front of a cozy fire — or you may be on your hands and knees, mopping up water from a burst pipe, leaking roof or flood.

If the worst happens, insurance can cover your losses. But what’s covered and not covered varies, depending on your policy type. Also, what you do after the damage happens can help or hurt the chances of your home insurance claim being approved.

Keep in mind that insurers view water damage in two broad categories:

1. Water from above (rainstorm, ice storm or leaking pipe).

2. Water from below (floodwater).

Rainstorms and pipe leaks

Water damage is a common reason for filing an insurance claim. Winter storms caused an average of $1.25 billion in annual losses during the past decade, the Insurance Information Institute reports. The average homeowner’s insurance claim for water damage or freezing is nearly $5,900.

Will your water damage be covered? It depends on your policy type, says Rick Kinney, a licensed claims adjuster and owner of the advice site PropertyClaimTips.com.

Some policies cover little besides fire damage. Others include water damage only if it’s cited in the policy. Still others cover water damage as long as it is not specifically excluded in the policy. Read your policy carefully to know what’s covered.

If you experience damage from water or frozen water, you still may not be covered if your insurance company considers you negligent. For instance, if you had a summer home and forgot to drain the pipes when you left, or your pipes are improperly insulated, you may not be covered.

“If you ran out of heating oil or propane, and then your pipes freeze, your insurance will deny your claim,” Kinney says.

One important thing to note if you’re filing a claim for water damage: You’ll need to prove the damage was not caused by a slow leak that’s gone undetected for months or years, says Jeff Reinig, senior vice president for home policies at Farmers Insurance.

“Water damage is covered from a sudden, accidental pipe break, for instance,” Reinig says.

Mold damage is even trickier. Coverage parameters vary by state. As with water damage, the mold must have been caused by sudden water damage, not a gradual buildup.

Flood insurance

If you think your property is in danger of flooding, there’s only one resource for insurance – the federal government. Since 1968, all U.S. flood insurance has been offered through the National Flood Insurance Program, according to Farmers’ Reinig. If you’re in an area prone to flooding, you may be required to obtain flood insurance to secure a home mortgage.

If you’re at risk, it is well worth obtaining coverage. Last year, the National Weather Service reports, coastal storms, flash floods and river flooding caused more than $1 billion worth of combined property damage.

But keep in mind that federal flood insurance has its limits. You can obtain up to $250,000 of building-damage coverage. Meanwhile, coverage for your belongings is capped at $100,000.

Beyond there, you’re out of luck unless your flood is declared a federal disaster, in which case you may be eligible for additional aid from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Claim tips

For your best chance at getting your water damage claim paid by your insurance, act quickly. Call your insurance agent immediately — many will dispatch a team right away to help minimize damage, Farmers’ Reinig says. If no help is imminent, take photos to document your damage, then take action yourself to stop the problem and begin cleaning up.

“Keep all the evidence, even if you have to pile sopping-wet insulation in the backyard and cover it with a tarp,” Reinig says.

Your home insurer will send an adjuster to estimate the damage and present you with a settlement offer, PropertyClaimTips.com’s Kinney says. If you think your insurer’s estimate is too low, you can hire your own adjuster to do another estimate. The two estimates then go to binding arbitration, and an “umpire” appointed by the two estimators will make a final decision on the payment amount.

An ounce of prevention

The best way to cope with winter water hazards is to take steps to prevent damage. Here are some tips from State Farm Insurance:

Water

• Check for leaks in hoses on your dishwasher, washing machine and refrigerator.

• Watch for evidence of a slow leak, such as warped, discolored or soft flooring, wet spots on the floor or water-damaged cabinets.

• Check pipes under sinks for drips.

• Check bathtubs and showers for failing grout and re-caulk as needed.

• Check for hidden leaks by stopping all water use and recording the meter reading. If the meter reading keeps going up, there may be an undetected leak.

• Make sure all family members know where the water shutoff valve is and how to use it.

Freeze

• If you’re going to be away from your permanent home or summer getaway, ask someone to stop by to check the property.

• Be sure to drain pipes or keep the thermostat on to avoid freezing.

• In extreme cold, keep a small trickle of water running through the faucet.

• Close exterior doors for unheated spaces.

• Install a household water-leak detection system.

–Carol Tice

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If you live in an apartment, there are plenty of ways your belongings could become water damaged. For instance, pipes could burst in your home, or your washing machine could overflow water into your living space. That’s why it’s important to buy renter’s insurance. Without it, you’ll be responsible for paying for these damages out of your own pocket.

Although your landlord probably has liability and property damage coverage, you’re on the hook for replacing your personal property. Check your rental agreement for the specifics.

Each renter’s insurance policy will provide property damage and liability coverage up to a specific dollar amount. It’s a good idea to make an inventory of your personal possessions, keeping photos or video and receipts. That way, you won’t have to convince a claims adjuster that your brand-new sofa wasn’t a hand-me-down futon. Make sure that appliances connected to water lines, like dishwashers and washing machines, are in sound working condition.

Like home insurance, a standard renter’s policy will not cover flood damage. Government-backed programs allow you to buy flood insurance, and many insurance companies sell flood riders for existing renter’s insurance policies.

A standard renter’s policy will pay for temporary housing and transportation while you wait for repairs or seek alternative accommodation. Save all your receipts for expenses due to living away from home so that you can make a successful claim for “additional living expenses.”

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1. Do you offer a complete package of restoration services (not just carpet)? A flood damages a lot more than just carpet. There may be structural damage to sub-flooring. There may be warping of baseboards and moldings, as well as damage to walls, furniture, papers, and even electronics depending on the depth of the water. Don’t settle for carpet cleaning when you need flood restoration. There’s a big difference between the two.

2. How long have you been in business? The best providers have been around for awhile, and have the experience to recognize potential problems. Experience and the proper equipment may also help them to perform a more thorough job in less time

3. Are the technicians adequately trained, full-time professionals? You need more than a subcontractor or temp with a sponge and a bucket!

4. Does the company use industrial strength equipment? It takes more than a ShopVac to clean up after a flood. Professional restorers use water removal equipment as well as dehumidification equipment.

5. Do the technicians use professional gear on a daily basis? The best equipment doesn’t matter if the technician can’t figure our how to operate it.

6. Are the technicians employed by the flood restoration company or are they merely subcontractors? Employees have more at stake and usually do a better job.

The answers to these questions will go a long way in determining whether or not you are working with a skilled specialist in flood restoration services.

Other Cleaning Services

There are three other types of services that claim to be able to clean up water damage. Internet marketing companies have a website taking calls from everywhere which they then pass on to subcontractors in the Austin area. The company may not be located anywhere Austin, or may only be targeting the area to profit from recent flooding. National franchises are usually fairly new to the area, with little connection or experience. The staff may be new, minimally trained, with little or no real-world experience.

Finally, many carpet cleaning companies advertise themselves as restoration services. But they lack even the basic necessary equipment for water removal and dehumidification. They may have little education or experience. Worst of all, their focus is on carpet, and may not be able to restore personal belongings or furniture.

Your home is your biggest investment. If you’ve suffered flood damage, you now risk mold and mildew that can injure your family’s health and destroy the value of your home. This is the time to call in a professional who can handle all aspects of flood restoration. It just stands to reason.

Arijit Roul has many hobbies and interests. As well being a keen blogger and article writer for many sites, he has also recently created a site focusing on water damage. The site is constantly being updated and has articles such as water damage to read.

They are not going to come check on you. But I wonder why a claim was filed if no damage was done.

Limited Tort is the big one these days. Most people have heard of it, but few know what it means. Limited Tort is a selection on your automobile insurance policy that essentially waives your right to sue another driver for pain and suffering if you have been injured in an accident. Hopefully, that caught your attention. By selecting Limited Tort, you are agreeing that you cannot sue another driver for pain and suffering if you are injured in an automobile accident. I have found that many of my clients, or potential clients, have selected the Limited Tort option without a true understanding of what it means. They do so because selecting that option saves them a few dollars on their insurance premium. The savings, I have found, amount to approximately 5 to 10 percent of the total policy premium (that is merely an estimate, contact your agent for exact savings). To some, that is a sizable savings, but to others, at least those who understand what Limited Tort means, that is a risk not worth taking. There are a few exceptions that will allow you to sue a driver if you have selected the Limited Tort option, but those are for another article.

Uninsured Motorist Benefits are benefits that cover you if you are injured by another driver who does not have automobile insurance coverage, or if you are struck by a phantom vehicle (a hit and run vehicle). These benefits are meant to provide you with compensation for lost wages and/or pain and suffering that you incur as the result of a vehicle accident.

Underinsured Motorist Benefits are benefits that cover you if you are injured by another driver who does not have enough automobile insurance coverage to adequately cover you for your injuries and damages. For instance, in Pennsylvania, the minimum amount of insurance coverage that a driver must carry on his policy is $15,000 for personal injury. If you are involved in an accident with a driver who maintains only the minimum coverage, and you sustain a serious injury, $15,000 will likely not fully compensate you for your injuries. In this instance, you would file a claim for Underinsured Motorist Benefits to attempt to receive additional compensation.

The next automobile insurance term that we want to look at is Stacking. Stacking is the combining or adding of either Uninsured Motorist Benefits or Underinsured Motorist Benefits. Stacking means that you can collect from either more than one auto insurance policy that you hold, or that you can collect the limits of your policy for each vehicle that is covered by your policy. In the first instance, if you are injured you by another driver who fails to maintain automobile insurance, you can bring a claim against your Uninsured Motorist coverage on the vehicle that you were operating. If you own a second vehicle, that is insured with another company, you can bring another Uninsured Motorist claim against that policy, if your injuries and/or damages are substantial. Another variation of stacking is where you own more than one vehicle on a policy. If you have selected stacking, you can receive the equivalent of your policy limits for each vehicle that you have on your policy, if your injures warrant that.

The final term for today is Deductible. A Deductible is the amount that you have to pay for damages to your car if you are involved in an accident that is your fault. Your insurance company will pay for any damages amounts that exceed the deductible amount that you have chosen. A typical deductible is $500, though other options include $100, $250 and $1,000. Typically, the higher deductible that you choose on your policy, the cheaper your premium is.

Greg Artim is an Attorney based in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. For more information on related legal issues, please visit his website at http://www.gregartim.com

Materials

Materials will be one of the biggest factors involved in calculating your roof price and while it is possible to reduce the cost by using different types of material you have to remember that this can often lead to a false economy. If using a different material means a saving of 10% on your roof price, but the material will last 30% less time then your best option is to choose the more expensive material. Obviously it is important that you select materials that are hard wearing and good looking where required but are also cost effective. You should have selected a roofing contractor that you have some faith in and discussing the particular materials with him or her will usually give you the answers you are looking for.

Labor

Labor cost may vary slightly from one contractor to another but not by very much and it is certainly unlikely to be an area that can be negotiated. Within your roof price will be charges for all laborers including the people who strip your roof and load the skip. Any preliminary work you can do yourself is always advisable and if you are able to do any of the menial work yourself then you should consider this also. You need to check the terms of liability insurance with the roofing contractor first though and agree the tasks you will complete yourself before negotiating a contract. This really can make a difference to your roof price.

Profit

This is the area that may have a little room for negotiation but every company needs to make a profit. Get quotes from small companies and from large companies and compare the roof price associated with these quotes. While small companies may not require the same level of profit as the larger companies, they will usually have to pay more for materials and other factors making the bottom line roof price very similar.

Contingencies and other costs

Things can go wrong, even to professionals. Roof work is by no means any different and roofing contractors may include a contingency fund in their quote. This means that if they do come across a problem then they won’t need to persuade you to part with more money before they can continue. You should, of course, find out what happens to this contingency fund if it isn’t required. You may think you are better off having the contingency fund taken out of the roof price but prepare yourself for having to stump up extra money if you do try this.

As Northern Virginia Roofing Contractors, Roofer911.com takes great pride in maintaining customer satisfaction for all types of new roof installation and roof repair work for residential and commercial roofing accounts. Need free contentent, visit us at: Home Service Articles [http://www.homeservicearticles.com]

What Is Mold?

Mold is a fungi whose job it is to decompose things. We often think of it as decomposing vegetables, bread and other foods that have been left around but when it gets into your home, mold can decompose your carpets, your drywall, your clothing, your books and any other organic surface in your home.

Mold loves more sure which is why water damage mold is so common in flooded areas. Since mold spores are always present outside, it doesn’t take too much for them to get inside you all in all they need is a moist area, some organic material and the temperature of between two and 40°C. Needless to say, you don’t have to experience a major flood to get mold in your home.

What To Do

If you have mold in your home whether it’s from a simple leak in a pipe or your basement flooding, you want to assess the extent of the damage. Get into the area and see how bad the mold is. If it is excessive, you probably want to check your insurance policy to see if mold damage is covered and then call the insurance company. In many cases a mold remediation company is necessary to remove the mold safely.

If you just have a minor leak at a pipe that has caused a little area of mold that you may be able to remove yourself. The first thing is to be sure of where the mold this. Remember, it can grow on wood, drywall, carpeting, fabrics and books so you want to check to make sure if any of these items around that they do not have mold on them.

When removing the moldy items, you want to be sure that you seal him in a bag so that the mold spores do not become airborne and find another place to grow in your house. If it is a big job, you want to section off the entire area and be sure to have ventilation to the outside. Also, wear protective clothing when cleaning or removing mold as water damage mold can be very hazardous to your health.

Don’t let water damage mold ruin your home! Visit http://www.householdmoldguide.com to find out more about getting rid of mold as well as it’s health hazards.

Begin by making sure that you are covered in the event of a flood. Check your insurance policy yearly to be sure you are covered. Many policies do not cover flood and you may need a separate policy for this.

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer flood water damage, immediately contact your insurance agent. They may have a company that they work with or can recommend for quality work.

The most important thing to remember is safety. Be sure that all electricity is turned off at the source and wear rubber boots and gloves before entering your home or business.

If there is basement water damage, you will need to use a pump to clear out the water. After the water is removed, use a mop to finish the job. Remove any water soaked items by washing and drying or placing in the garage. This will help to eliminate moisture from the air.

With water damage on the floor, again, remove any wet carpet and padding. The padding may need to be replaced. Dry the carpet and keep it away from the walls. They will absorb moisture and ruin the baseboards and sheet rock. Remove any other wet items out of the house.

When you speak with a water damage company, be sure they can be there within 24-36 hours. Any longer and dangerous mold will begin to grow. It can be difficult and expensive to clean and remove once there.

Flood water damage, if taken care of quickly and by a professional cleaning company doesn’t need to ruin all of your possessions. Be sure to use a qualified company and you will have the best chance of recovering your home and business.

About the Author:

If you would like to learn more about flood water damage and the best way to take care of it, see
http://waterdamage.synthasite.com/flood-water-damage.phpfor lots of great information.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Flood Water Damage And What You Can Do About It

Unfortunately, one man’s catastrophe is another man’s problem. This is true especially when dealing with your insurance company over restoration claims. Is it a catastrophe or is it your problem? Is the flood event covered or not?

Most homeowners insurance policies exclude certain types of flooding so it’s useful to review your policy before and during the water restoration claims process. If you have National Flood Insurance, you should be prepared with that information as well.

Water damage and restoration claims are subject to all kinds of rules and loopholes and your insurance company knows exactly what they are doing – do you? If you’re getting the runaround from your insurance about a restoration claim, don’t take their word for it. Read your insurance policy and find out exactly what is covered. You pay your premiums for the service that the insurer provides. When it’s time for restoration for a covered loss, you don’t deserve to be short changed.

While many water claims are specifically excluded from an insurance policy, not all are. During hurricanes and major storms, some water damage is specifically excluded such as water damage from a storm surge. However, if your roof blows off and the rain damages the interior of your home, then the water restoration would likely be covered. Beware of the insurance agent that wants to classify damage as something other than it is. For example, if the agent claims the water damage is due to storm surge when it’s clear that the reason the home is water damaged is because the roof blew off, then stick up for yourself and demand that the adjuster look at the obvious.

In these cases, restoration compensation could be less than what’s needed thanks to an insurance adjuster whose eyes are on the bottom line, not what you are entitled to under the terms of your policy. Get a professional involved if you need help. Public insurance adjusters can act on your behalf and get a better settlement offer while specific contractors, such as roofers and rebuilders, can document the damage, make reasonable efforts, and back you up when you’re filing a restoration claim.

Your insurance company wants to save a few bucks while you want to make sure that you can restore your property. You are at odds with each other even though you are business partners. Get a third party involved and ensure that your restoration goes the way it should.

By: Mr. Mark Decherd

For more information and other articles by Mark Decherd go to:

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