Building a House? Builder's Risk

Insurance for a house that is being built is called Builder's Risk Insurance. Coverage gradually increases as the home is being built.

What does it protect?
The structure being built, materials, fixtures, equipment being used to build the building

Why do I need this?
The same reason you want insurance on your home and car. You want to reduce your risk.

Why can't I just get a homeowner policy?
Homeowner policies do not cover building projects; they cover fully built homes.

Jess's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies

As a change of pace today we thought we might share Jess's Famous Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe. She adapted it from the Nestle Toll House recipe and it is a favorite around the office.

Ingredients:
     2 1/4c all-purpose flour
       1tsp baking soda
       1tsp salt
       1c (2 sticks) butter
       3/4c packed brown sugar
       3/4c raw cane sugar
       1tsp vanilla extract
        2 large eggs
        2c (12oz pkg) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

• Preheat oven to 375° F
• Combine flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl
• Melt butter
• Beat butter, brown sugar, raw cane sugar and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl until creamy
• Add eggs on at a time mixing after each addition
• Gradually beat in flour mixture
• Mix in chocolate chips
• Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto an ungreased baking sheet.
• Cook at 375° F for 8-11 minutes
• Remove from oven and place on cooling rack
• Enjoy

Traveling? Protect Your Home

There are a few easy things you can do to protect your home while you are travelling.

Stop your mail: Contact your local post office and ask them to hold your mail as of a certain date. You can restart it as soon as you get home. This stops mail from piling up in your mailbox alerting unsavory characters of your absence.

Use timers: You can buy timers that will turn on your electronics at a certain time and turn them off later. A lamp can be set to turn on around sunset and a TV can be set to turn on during the day or at might. People are less likely to notice your absence if electronics and lights are turning on and off in the house than if it is dark and motionless inside.

Ask a neighbor: Before you leave you can ask a trusted neighbor to watch out for your house and make sure nothing suspicious is going on while you're away. If you're not that close with your neighbors, you can always ask a friend to drive by and check on it.

Put the can away: Making sure not to leave you trash can at the curb while you're gone is a good practice. The trash may need to go, but leaving a trash can at the end of your driveway for a week is a dead giveaway that you aren't home. If you really need your trash disposed of you can take it to the dump before your trip or ask a neighbor to put it out and take it in.

Alarm: Having an alarm system in your home is a great asset and can give you piece of mind while on your trip.

Insurance: Last, but definitely not least. Make sure your home has insurance coverage. Many policies cover theft and vandalism.

Prepare Your Home for Winter This Fall

         We've been having a few warm days here and there, but I think its safe to say that fall is upon us. That means its time to do a bit of maintenance on the house before it gets too cold and snowy. I know I'd rather work in a sweatshirt than a big overcoat. Here are a few things you can do to make sure that you protect your property and stay warm and dry during the winter:

• Seal the cracks: Fill in cracks in your driveway now. This will keep your snow shovel sliding smoothly and extend the life of your driveway.

• Declutter your gutter: Clean all the leaf, stick and other debris out of the gutters. It will keep the water (snow melt) running away from your house instead of into it.

• Make sure its tip top: Inspect your roof to make sure that no shingles or metal sheeting is pulled up or missing. If it is, make sure to fix it as soon as possible. 

• Protect your pots: Put any terracotta pots you have inside. Freezing temperatures and water absorption can crack them.

• Replace that filter: Replace the filter on your furnace. The furnace will keep you warmer and it won't have to work so hard.

• Time for a change: Test and replace batteries in your smoke alarms. 

• Fireside checkup:  Check your fireplace for soot and creosote build up and inspect your wood heater before you used them this winter.

• Check for drafts: If you find cracks around your windows, seal them with caulk to prevent drafts and keep you toasty warm in the winter.

Emergency Preparedness Part 2

Create an emergency preparedness kit:

• Three gallons of water for each person (one gallon per day)
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First Aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Infant formula and diapers, if you have an infant
•  Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)

Clothing and Bedding:

If you live in a cold weather climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible that the power will be out and you will not have heat. Rethink your clothing and bedding supplies to account for growing children and other family changes. One complete change of warm clothing and shoes per person, including:

• A jacket or coat
• Long pants
• A long sleeve shirt
• Sturdy shoes
• A hat and gloves
• A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

Family Supply List (continued)

Below are some other items for your family to consider adding to its supply kit. Some of these items, especially those marked with a * can be dangerous, so please have an adult collect these supplies.

• Emergency reference materials such as a first aid book or a print out of the information on www.ready.gov
• Rain gear
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
• Cash or traveler's checks, change
• Paper towels
• Fire Extinguisher
• Tent
• Compass
• Matches in a waterproof container*
• Signal flare*
• Paper, pencil
• Personal hygiene items including feminine supplies
• Disinfectant*
• Household chlorine bleach* - You can use bleach as a disinfectant (diluted nine parts water to one part bleach), or in an emergency you can also use it to treat water. Use 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Medicine dropper
• Important Family Documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container

Make a family disaster plan:

•         Where will you meet if a disaster occurs?
•         Who will be responsible for getting the emergency kit?
•          What can you do to protect your property when warned about a disaster?

Tell your friends about it:

•          Encourage them to create a an emergency preparedness kit and a disaster plan
•          Offer to help them.You can have fun with friends and family while making sure that they'll be ready in case of an emergency

Information is courtesy of ready.gov

National Preparedness Month

September in National Preparedness Month

What can you do to prepare yourself?

 "Washington County Tennessee Citizens Will Be Able To Attend A Class To Educate Them About Disaster Preparedness For Hazards That May Impact Their Area. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Is Hosting A Community Emergency Response Team, Or Cert Class. The Classes Will Be Held Each Tuesday And Thursday At The Sheriff’s Office Beginning On October 7th From Six P.M. To Nine P.M. To Sign Up For The Class, Call 423-788-1414." -Holston Valley Broadcasting Corporation

Here is the link to an extensive preparedness guide from the Washington County-Johnson City Emergency Management Agency.

We will be posting more content on preparedness next week.

Open House

Come by our Mountain City office and say hello on September 9th . We'll be serving hotdogs and a few other goodies from 12-4 and would love to have you come by. Our address is 383 South Shady St. Mountain City, TN.