ATD INSURANCE

How much money do you keep on hand for emergencies? How much jewelry do you own? Do you own any guns? These are all questions that we asked you when we first wrote your homeowners insurance. What has changed since then? All property policies contain limitations on certain types of property. Look for the section in your homeowners policy titled, "Special Limits on Certain Property."

An example of a limited property item would be money. The typical policy has the following limitation on this category:

Limit - $200 - Money, bank notes, bullion, coins and medals and other numismatic property and precious metals including platinum, gold and silver, but not goldware or silverware

In this case, the policy would limit recovery to only $200 after the application of your policy deductible. In some cases, this amount of recovery would barely scratch the surface of the actual loss.

An insurance policy is written to provide coverage for the average policyholder. Most of us do not own collections, or keep large amounts of cash at our homes, and we probably would not want to pay a premium that would provide open-ended coverage for such unique items. While the policy provides limited coverage for special types of property, some consumers require higher limits with broader coverage than provided in the basic policy.

For the collector or owner of unusual property items, there is a solution. It is possible to amend your homeowners policy, by endorsement, to provide special coverage for unique items, including property, that is subject to limitations in the homeowners policy.

Recently there has been an increase in the number of construction accidents that has prompted a special committee of the U.S. House of Representatives to launch a review of the federal agency in charge of ensuring workplace safety. The mission of this committee is to determine if the safety standards of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration are adequate and being followed.

Perhaps contributing to these workplace injuries, some resulting in death, is the need to move faster to build quickly and meet construction deadlines. U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey of California said, "It's taking its toll and it's killing or injuring our workers - all so some big buildings can get built quickly."

In Las Vegas alone, 10 construction workers died during a 17-month period while working on Las Vegas strip projects.

"The failure to adequately protect these workers is a direct result of an agency that doesn't dedicate enough resources to inspect most job sites nor the political will to hold employers accountable when they put workers at risk," said Aaron Albright, committee spokesman. "Our committee has seen similar patterns across the country."

Legislators want tougher penalties for employers who violate workplace safety rules, and have introduced legislation to increase fines and make it easier for workers to appeal rulings. The bill would also raise criminal penalties, making repeat workplace violations a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Clearly, the move here is to bring more employers into compliance to protect employees. We can expect closer scrutiny, both at the federal and state levels, in the future.

The Insurance Review

Which is the right policy to buy to cover your business? That is where our professional expertise becomes invaluable. Commercial Insurance comes in many forms, and buying the wrong policy could leave gaps in coverage. As a business owner, you should make it a standard practice to have an annual review of your insurance package.

Depending on the complexity of your operation, this process can range from a phone call to face-to-face meeting, including a facility inspection. Many times in the review process, we turn up changes in your operation that have occurred over the past year requiring special attention.

Without the opportunity to review your coverage with you, we might never know about operational changes that may require special coverage.

An annual review can address whether you have enough insurance to rebuild your buildings and replace your business personal contents including furniture, machinery, raw stock and finished inventory. Business contents could also include property of others in your custody. This non-owned property needs special coverage.

You know your operation better than most, and we need your help to properly categorize your assets and analyze your operational exposures for both property and liability losses. Another important consideration is the loss of business income that can occur as the result of a claim event.

During the rebuilding process that follows a claim, a business could lose out to competitors, so a quick resumption of operations is very important. Business interruption insurance can fill the gap. Make sure your limits are adequate to provide for a period of time that you believe it will take to return to normal operations. Trying to go cheap here is just bad business.

Business interruption insurance has several components that can be selected based on your business' needs. The first option is the ability to provide for direct loss of income.

Another exposure faced is contingent loss of income resulting when a business related to your operation has a covered loss that affects your ability to operate.

You could also be faced with extra expenses to continue operations at a temporary location or through agreements with other businesses, or the necessity to spend over and above your normal operating expenses to maintain operations.

Liability coverage is typically broken down into several basic categories including bodily injury. Your business could also face exposure from professional liability or a claim involving officers and directors that are not covered in the standard commercial liability policy.

Each year, hundreds of tornadoes with wind speeds as high as 300 mph touch down in the United States. While April is the most common month for tornadoes to occur, this year some states experienced tornado activity as early as January.

Standard property policies cover wind damage caused by tornadoes Tornado damage to automobiles is covered under the physical damage "other than collision" coverage section of the auto policy.

Helpful Tips....

Before a tornado occurs, take these certain actions:

• Keep a weather catastrophe kit handy containing a battery powered radio, drinking water, flashlights and a first-aid kit as the bare essentials.
• Have a cell phone or other means of portable communication.
• Take a complete inventory of your possessions. Visit www.knowyourstuff.org, for a free software program that makes keeping your inventory up-to-date simple and offers an option for storing that information off-site.
• Have an evacuation and contact plan.

If a tornado warning is issued for your area:

• Move vehicles inside to protect them from potential hail
• Move lawn furniture and outside equipment inside
• Take a position of protection inside your home or business
• If you are in a mobile home, leave and go to a nearby, safe shelter.
• If in a vehicle, get to safe shelter. If no shelter exists lie flat in a low spot.

After a tornado causes damage to your insured property:

• Make sure everyone is safe, and summon emergency help if needed.
• Be prepared to provide an inventory of your damaged property.
• If it is safe, you may want to take photos of the damaged property to speed along the claim process.
• If possible, protect undamaged and repairable property. Board up broken windows and cover leaking roofs, but only if it is reasonably safe to do so and you are physically able.

Whether you travel extensively for business or pleasure, have rental property that is unoccupied, or share time between two homes: before closing up your house for any real length of time, take the necessary steps to keep it safe and protected.

A CHECKLIST FOR HOMEOWNERS:

• ADJUST THERMOSTAT. In cold climates, set the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees. In warm climates, set the air conditioner no higher than 85 degrees.

• PROTECT PLUMBING. Both plastic (PVC) and copper pipes can burst. Pipes, water heaters and other appliances can leak, or in freezing weather, pipes can freeze and burst, which can cause major damage in a home left unattended. If you are leaving for an extended period of time, the best protection is to have the water shut off and the water lines drained

• APPLIANCES. Unplug appliances such as toaster, coffee maker, microwave oven, computer and television. Make sure dryer isn't on.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO LEAVE WATER TURNED ON:

• Turn off water supply to individual fixtures - in both cold and warm climates.

• Make sure appliances like the dishwasher or washing machine are not running and that toilets have stopped filling up.

• If the house has a sump pump, make sure it is working

MAKE THE HOUSE LOOK LIVED IN:

An empty, unsecured house can be a tempting target for thieves and vandals. Make your house appear occupied.

• Set automatic timers for interior lights on staggered hours, and turn on motion sensors for exterior lights

• Ensure all doors, windows, skylights and vents are properly closed and locked

• Stop mail service and newspaper deliveries

• Inform local police the house will be empty

WHEN YOU RETURN HOME:

• Restore services that had been discontinued

• Turn on water valve and/or supply lines to each fixture. Run water through every faucet to flush outlines and drains and make sure they work. Carefully check for leaks.

Creating a routine each time you leave your home alone for an extended period of time can reduce the likelihood of a disaster and keep work to a minimum when you return.

Whether you travel extensively for business or pleasure, have rental property that is unoccupied or share time between two homes: before closing up your house for any real length of time, take the necessary steps to keep it safe and protected.

A CHECKLIST FOR HOMEOWNERS:

• ADJUST THERMOSTAT: In cold climates, set the thermostat no lower than 55 degrees. In warm climates, set the air conditioner no higher than 85 degrees.

• PROTECT PLUMBING: Both plastic (PVC) and copper pipes can burst. Pipes, water heaters and other appliances can leak, or in freezing weather, pipes can freeze and burst, which can cause major damage in a home left unattended. If you are leaving for an extended period of time, the best protection is to have the water shut off and the water lines drained.

• APPLIANCES: Unplug appliances such as toaster, coffee maker, microwave oven, computer and television. Make sure dryer isn't on.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO LEAVE WATER TURNED ON:

• Turn off water supply to individual fixtures - in both cold and warm climates

• Make sure appliances like the dishwasher or washing machine are not running and that toilets have stopped filling up

• If the house has a sump pump, make sure it is working.

MAKE THE HOUSE LOOK LIVED IN:

An empty, unsecured house can be a tempting target for thieves and vandals. Make your house appear occupied:

• Set automatic timers for interior lights on staggered hours, and turn on motion sensors for exterior lights.

• Ensure all doors, windows, skylights and vents are properly closed and locked.

• Stop mail service and newspaper deliveries.

• Inform local police the house will be empty.

WHEN YOU RETURN HOME:

• Restore services that had been discontinued.

• Turn on water valve and/or supply lines to each fixture. Run water through every faucet to flush outlines and drains and make sure they work. Carefully check for leaks.

Creating a routine each time you leave your home alone for an extended period of time can reduce the likelihood of a disaster and keep work to a minimum when you return.

Many two-vehicle crashes occur because one vehicle is following another too closely. Rear-end collisions can be avoided if the following car keeps a safe distance. Use the two-second rule to establish a safe distance.

Select a stationary object ahead, such as an overpass or a traffic sign. Start to count "one thousand and one, one thousand and two" as soon as the car you are following passes the object. If it takes less than two seconds, you are following two closely.

• A good way to get rid of tailgaters is to slow down and make it easy for them to pass you

• You should never follow closer than two seconds behind the vehicle in front of you.

• Long distance driving is exhausting, and may negatively affect your awareness and reaction time. It is a good idea to increase your following distance to six seconds and remember to stop and rest every two hours.

• Drivers should increase their following distance by several seconds as a general rule in adverse weather, and when you are towing a trailer or other object, to give you extra stopping time.

Summer is here and many property owners with vacation homes are opening them up or renting them out for another busy season. But before you string up the hammock, make sure all your property and "toys" are fully insured.

Once it's occupied, vacation property must be easily accessible, without potential hazards, and maintained on a regular schedule. This means clearing walkways, maintaining boat docks, and doing whatever else is needed to keep the property safe and preventing the liability risks that can crop up on any property.

While the personal property of the owner is covered, coverage for the property located anywhere other than the owner's primary residence is limited under most homeowner policies to 10 percent of the amount provided on the homeowner's policy. However, customers can buy additional coverage by increasing the amount or endorsing the coverage provided under the separate dwelling policy for the vacation home. Some insurers may write a second homeowners policy to address many of these issues.

If you drive a lot of the local kids around to ball practice, scout meetings or other warm-weather gatherings, think about getting a Personal Umbrella Liability Policy. You could have tremendous liability exposures if you should be involved in an accident - a sad fact, but true.

Ask us about a Personal Umbrella Liability policy. It could save you a lot of heartache - and money - some day.

As the weather gets warmer, many of us take to the streets - on our bicycles, that is. And while it's a great way to get exercise, be outdoors and even to get to where you want to go, there are some "rules of the road" to keep in mind while cycling:

• Remember, bicycles are subject to the same traffic rules of vehicular traffic, so obey all highway signs and regulations

• Ride on the right-hand side of the road, with traffic, not against it

• Only cycles with 20-in. wheels or less are permitted on sidewalks

• Hitching a ride on a moving vehicle is illegal

• Use arm signals to indicate stopping or turning

• Bicycles must yield to pedestrians

• Lights are required for nighttime riding

• A bicycle must have a horn or bell to sound a warning when necessary