Spring Weather

Every year in the spring we can expect an increase in moderate to severe weather. While we cannot prevent all loss, we can make some preparations to reduce the severity off the loss. Here are some tips to help secure your property:

1. Check your roof. The number one loss during storms is related to roof damage. Shingle roofs: check condition of shingles (are they showing age, coming up at the edges, any other visible issues). Metal roofs: check the condition (is the roof old enough to need a sealant on it, is the areas around the screws showing rust or damage, are there any raised sections). If there is damage to the shingles or metal roofing it can cause leaking to the interior of the home. 
   
2. Check your gutters: If your gutters are full of debris, they may overflow, back up into the home, or collapse (this is a damage that most insurances do not cover). Make sure the downspouts are clear of dirt and debris and have room for water to drain. 
   
   
   
   
3. Check your trees: If there are trees near your home, inspect the top branches for any sign of dead limbs and check the bottom of the tree for any sign of decay. Remove any limbs that hang over or near your dwelling. Are there trees near the power lines entering the home? If so, make sure they are cut back away from the lines.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Check your outside personal property: Is your outdoor furniture secure? If you have a trampoline, is it properly installed and secured to the ground (follow manufacturer’s guidelines)? If you have any outdoor canopies, are they taken down before a storm or strong winds approach? 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5.  Lightning: While you cannot do much to prevent lightning damaging to the exterior of your home, you can do several things to protect your personal property. Electronics: make sure your computers, TVs, even your mobile devices are plugged into surge protectors or unplug during lightning storms. Outlets: make sure outlets are not overloaded (overloading outlets can be a fire hazard to begin with, but a surge from lightning could cause the outlet to heat too much or even spark). 
   
6. Water: Unless you have a flood policy, your insurance policy does not cover flooding to your home. However, you can take steps to prevent water entering your home: If your dwelling is by a creek, have sand bags ready (you can use them around the exterior of your home to keep water out of any window or door openings to your basement). Check to make sure your gutters are clear so rain water is not over pouring and causing excess water around the foundation of your dwelling (if water enters through the basement walls, it is generally not covered).
7. Power outages: A lot of power outages are due to trees falling on power lines. A back-up generator will help if the power is out for an extended period of time. For shorter amounts of time, make sure to leave freezers and refrigerators closed (this will help prevent food spoilage), turn off power switches to lights and HVAC units if possible (this will help prevent overloading your breaker box when power is restore).

It helps to be prepared! Items to have available before/when storms happen: bottled water, flash lights, candles, waterproof matches, nonperishable snack and food items, a battery operated radio, charged up cell phones, any medications you may need, and emergency numbers.

Spring is also a great time to replace batteries in smoke detectors and check dates on fire extinguishers in your home.

Lastly, know your policy and your coverages. Your agents are here to help you and to make sure you are adequately covered. If you do have a claim, it is important to stay calm and call your insurance company. We are here for you!

Be Safe!
Barbie Lambert
Manager
ETMIC