Homeowner’s Insurance in Redmond, WA – Don’t let your home be a house of horrors

October 1, 2013 By Tosten

Time to break out the conical hats, black cat decorations and the pumpkin seeds; Halloween is on its way! Whether you intend to go all out and build a spooky scene in your front yard complete with a giant spider and web or if you plan to put up a few jack-o-lanterns you can take some extra steps to ensure that your Halloween spirit does not turn your home into a personal house of horrors.

To avoid a costly homeowner’s insurance claim in Redmond, WA such as a fire, property damage or a personal liability claim, make sure that your Halloween decorations and any area that party-goers or trick-or-treaters access is free of debris and tripping hazards.

Décor: Many Halloween decorations are made of paper or wood products. Keep these decorations away from open flames and away from lights as the décor could spontaneously combust resulting in a fire. Lit jack-o-lanterns should be extinguished prior to going to bed or leaving the house for an extended period of time. A pumpkin that is too dry or a flame that is too close to a wooden porch could spark a blaze, which if not caught quickly could be quite destructive. To eliminate open flames altogether, try flameless LED candles. Speaking of lighting, make sure that any lights hung are the appropriate type (indoor or outdoor) and that they are strung in such a way that no one could trip over or get tangled in.
Tripping Hazards: Little ones (and adults too!) can get over excited during a scare and could hurt themselves on décor that is not properly secured or in the way. Moving items like porch furniture or lawn décor could help prevent accidents outside. If you plan to throw a Halloween party indoors with little ones, make sure that sharp edges and corners are secured and tripping hazards such as side tables or ottomans are out of the way. Taking a few extra steps to ensure that your guests are safe could save you from a costly personal liability claim.
Treats and tricks: Another wonderful part about Halloween is the food! Candy corn, lollipops and caramel apples are delicious treats for young and old alike; however they do present a choking hazard for small children. Make sure that bite-size or chewy treats are kept out of reach of tiny hands.

Halloween can be a fun time for friends and family, not a time to worry about household accidents. If you have any questions about what your homeowner’s insurance policy covers in terms of fire, property damage or personal injury liability, your licensed insurance agent in Redmond, Washington can assist you. The local, independent agents at Chess Insurance Agency can assist you with examining an existing policy or setting you up with a new policy. Their years of insurance experience can save you a bundle. You can also visit their insurance website 24/7 to learn more about auto insurance or the other insurance products they offer like personal umbrella insurance.

Personal Umbrella Insurance in Redmond, WA: When parties don’t go as planned

July 2, 2013 By Tosten

Summer is a great time to throw parties. BBQs, birthdays, Fourth of July celebrations or just for no reason at all, the summer is when it happens. From the cleaning, the shopping and the food preparation, a lot of thought gets put into the needs and comfort of your guests. While there are many things that may cross your mind in regards to your party, it may not occur that if the party does not go according to plan and someone is injured or gets sick that the hosts of the party could be held liable.

In the event that someone gets injured at a gathering you throw at your home, your homeowner’s insurance policy in Redmond, Washington may cover the injured party’s medical bills or damages to a certain dollar amount. Having an extra bit of protection like a personal umbrella insurance policy in Redmond, WA may help in these situations, as it can also help with a legal defense if you are sued for an injury or death that occurs on your property or when your guest leaves (too much alcohol).

Personal Umbrella insurance in Washington:

Unforeseen events: Most parties go off without a hitch, no problems, and no injuries. Every so often something goes awry. It can be as simple as a sprained ankle from slipping off the porch steps to food poisoning from improperly refrigerated potato salad to a DUI or alcohol poisoning. If the party where the injury took place occurred at your home and you are deemed negligent, you may be responsible for paying damages to those injured parties and a personal umbrella insurance policy in Redmond, WA may help you minimize the out-of-pocket costs to you.
Intoxication: Depending on the laws in your city/state, a person who consumed alcohol at your party and injures someone else as a result of a DUI crash could hold you liable to pay the victim damages. There are a few ways to mitigate your liability: hiring a third-party to tend bar, like a catering company. These companies are responsible for having their own insurance and it is a lot easier for them to stop serving alcohol to an intoxicated person; they know all the signs to look for. If you are not able to hire an outside party to handle the liquor at your party, stick with only a few options for adult beverages like wine and beer. Having multiple types of liquor may increase the risk of someone having too much to drink.
A little prep: Before you have your party, take the time to make sure that your yard (or party area) is free of uneven patches of ground, mounds and holes. Make sure that entryways are clear of tripping hazards and that low hanging lights are high enough that tall heads won’t get tangled up. Taking a few extra steps may help ensure that your party is safe and fun.

If you plan on taking advantage of the summer weather by throwing a party, make sure you have all the protection you need. If you have any questions about what a personal umbrella insurance policy may cover or what your homeowner’s insurance policy covers in terms of fire, property damage or personal injury liability, your licensed insurance agent in Redmond, WA can assist you. The local, independent agents at Chess Insurance Agency can assist you with examining an existing policy or setting you up with a new policy. Their years of insurance experience can save you a bundle. You can also visit their insurance website 24/7 to learn more about personal umbrella or the other insurance products they offer like auto insurance.

Sewer & Water Backup – a Nasty Possibility

March 15, 2013 By Tosten

There is a phrase that can strike fear into the heart of any homeowner in Redmond, WA: water or sewer backup.

With fall and spring typically being the two wettest months in the U.S., it is important to inspect our homes for susceptible sewer or water backup in our drain lines. There are certain steps that a homeowner can take to reduce the risk of a water or sewer back-up crisis.

Check around the home, foundation, basement, etc. for cracks that water or sewer waste can enter. Repair and fill any cracks
Ask a plumbing professional to see if your system can accept a shut-off valve to be used in case of a back-up emergency. Your insurance agent can refer you to licensed professional.
If you live on or below a floodplain take steps to ensure that furniture and valuables are stored above the flood line.
Do not pour grease down sinks or toilets
If a water or sewer back-up occurs do not attempt clean up without protection: gloves, face masks and eye protection.

Generally a water or sewer back up is caused when heavy rains or floodwaters over run the sewer system as well as your sump pump. Debris from rainstorms or natural disasters can also clog the system, potentially causing a nasty mess to push backwards into your home.

While you may have a homeowners policy a claim from water or sewer back-up can be costly and typically is not covered by your traditional standard homeowners insurance policy. This is a separate endorsement that your agent can add to your policy to ensure you’re covered in the event of such a claim. Homes that are located on hills, mountains, or other raised plateaus may have a lower likelihood of a water or sewer back up than homes located on low or flat plains, but that does not exclude them from having these issues. Any home can have a water or sewer backup claim

Talk to your Redmond, WA insurance agent to determine whether or not a water or sewer back up policy or endorsement is right for your home.

Jewelry Insurance Protection for Valentine’s Day

February 7, 2013 By Tosten

Protect your Valuable Valentine’s Day Gift with a Jewelry Endorsement to your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

You have painstakingly perused through the mall jewelry stores and online retailers to find the perfect “I love you” gift for Valentine’s Day. It is purchased, wrapped and you are anxiously waiting to see the look of joy on your sweetie’s face come V-Day. According to a 2013 survey by the National Retail Federation, approximately $4.4 million will be spent on jewelry this Valentine’s Day, but only 1 in 10 will have their jewelry insured.

Homeowner’s insurance in Washington and renter’s insurance in Washington can cover loss or theft of jewelry, but generally it is a very small amount, sometimes as little as $500. Even then it may not cover the loss of item if Junior flushes it down the toilet or it gets mangled in the garbage disposal. Having a separate valuables policy can help ensure that you are reimbursed for the value of your item(s) should a claim be necessary. In the event of a claim, you can make the process easier for yourself and your agent:

Photograph items that are included in your valuables policy.
Keep receipts or appraisal records, this makes it easier to establish a price value for your items
Have a written record of items, update as new items are purchased
Update your agent as new items are purchased

Often these polices can include other valuable items likes art, fine wine, crystal, etc., and there may be little to no deductible if any items need to be replaced. One can also apply this list to household appliances and electronics, because while the flat-screen may not be as valuable as great-grandma’s vintage Tiffany’s wedding band, it is still a good idea to photograph and keep a running list of all household items to help make the claims process easier and establish value in the event of theft or loss.

Call your agent today and ask how we can help you add a separate valuables policy to your existing homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy today!

Protecting your Home in Redmond, WA from Mold & Mildew Damage

December 20, 2012 By Tosten

Many homeowners don’t think about mold and in all honesty, most will never have to deal with a large mold problem in their homes. However, mold is an issue in almost all parts of the United States, including Redmond, WA where it is often wet and mild temperatures, and prevention is key to keeping mold from damaging or even ruining your home.

Mold, if left undetected, can quickly spread from one area to another as it feeds on organic matter in your household. In order to prevent mold from spreading, it is key to identify it immediately and treat it. Most homeowners insurance policies will only pay to remove and/or repair a small amount of damage caused by mold or mildew.

While it may be impossible for a typical homeowner to identify mold problems in their home, it is recommended that you have a mold inspection completed annually to ensure that if mold begins growing, that it can be removed and the problem eliminated before it becomes a major problem.

There are several problem areas in homes where mold tends to grow. Be sure you check your:

Basements (walls, corners, any exposed wood)
Crawl spaces (is the ground wet? What about the floor joists? Pull back a bit of insulation and look), attics (look up in your attic at the underside of the roof)
Bathrooms (tile grout, behind the toilet, under the sink)
Kitchens (behind the dishwasher, under the sink and anywhere else that may get wet regularly)
and around your windows.

Mold Treatment

If you find mold growing in your home, the minor cases (usually less than the size of your hand) can be treated with bleach water and a scrub brush or abrasive sponge to remove it. Mold remediation is typically not covered by your standard homeowners insurance policy unless it is the direct result of another, covered loss such as a pipe bursting. Regardless, you need to talk to your licensed insurance agent for a more definitive answer as all homeowner’s insurance policies are different and what one company may cover, another may not.

Mold claims can be very expensive, typically exceeding the cost of a traditional homeowners insurance claim by 5 times. If you suspect mold may be in your household (a damp smell in the air) contact a specialist immediately. Not only can mold be bad for your home, it can have serious effects on your health resulting in asthma and more.

Chess Insurance: 425-392-1588