Own a Pool? Get the Right Homeowners Insurance in Chandler AZ

July 22-29 was the Pool Safely campaign, promoted in part by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). According to the CPSC, drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages five and under.  Young children in Chandler AZ can drown in only a few inches of water in less than thirty seconds. The Pool Safely campaign urges parents and pool owners to make sure that their pools are safe and that they have taken basic safety precautions.

Recommended pool safety measures include:

• Installing  a fence at least four feet tall with self closing gates around the pool.
• Installing lockable safety covers on spas. Keep all pools and spa covers in good working condition.
• Making sure that every pool and spa has VGB compliant drain covers.
• Using surface waves or underwater alarms.
• Installing alarms on doors and windows that lead to the pool area.
• Limiting alcohol use around the pool.
• Regularly checking the pool area for items like glass bottles, toys, or other items that could cause an accident.
• Keep equipment such as life rings, floats, or a reach pole quickly and easily accessible in case of an emergency.
• Learn how to perform both child and adult CPR.  Take refresher courses as necessary to keep those skills up to date.

Parents should also supervise children closely around pools. Teach young children to swim and enforce basic pool safety rules. Never leave a child alone in a pool or spa, even for only a few moments.  Don't leave flotation devices, balls, or other toys floating in the pool that could tempt young children to reach for them and possibly fall in. Keep a phone close by the pool and post emergency numbers nearby. If a child goes missing always remember to check the pool first--including looking on the bottom of the pool.

If you have a pool, make sure that your home insurance in Chandler AZ, provides adequate coverage.  The Insurance Information Institute says that homeowners who own pools may need between $300,000 and $500,000 in liability coverage.  Typical Chandler AZ homeowners policies only provide up to $100,000 in liability coverage.  Pool owners may also want to consider umbrella policies which provide up to $1 million of liability coverage for an additional $200-$300 annual premium.

Chandler, AZ homeowners may also need sufficient insurance to cover replacing the pool if it is damaged, especially if it is an expensive in-ground type pool. Pool furniture also needs to be included in insurance coverage. 

If you have a pool or are considering installing one, contact your insurance agent to discuss your coverage. Pools are considered an "attractive nuisance," and homeowners can be held liable if someone is injured in their pool, even if that person was there without the homeowner's permission. Taking appropriate safety precautions and making sure you have adequate Chandler, AZ insurance coverage can help you make sure that your pool is a fun way to stay cool this summer.

Your Disaster Resistant Home

Having fantastic home insurance in Chandler, AZ is a great step.  But one of the best ways we can financially protect ourselves is to prepare ourselves assuming the worst.  A little thinking and a few steps now can help prevent disaster to your greatest investment, your home.  Here are three ways you can prepare your home in the case of a disaster (both natural and otherwise).

A large concern in Arizona, with the high temperatures and the low humidity and dryness in the air is fires.  Wildfires occur often and home fires can quickly get out of control.  Simple approaches, like never leaving candles unattended and moving flammable items away from heat sources, like the stove, are obvious choices.  Not so obvious is to make sure you service and clean furnaces, stoves, and fireplaces regularly to clean out debris and prevent smaller house fires.

A good security system will not only protect you from burglary and break ins, but will also alert the police in the case of fire.  In addition, adding a good sprinkler system will not only reduce your home insurance costs, but also protect your home in case a fire breaks out.

Repair and replace outdated and unsafe electrical wires.  Modernizing your electrical systems is a great way to prevent fires from occurring behind the walls and out of sight.
Add storm shutters to your home, and reinforce your roofing system.  Storm shutters will protect your home in the case of serious rain, flying debris in the case of sandstorms and wind and water in the case of a monsoon.  While a strong roofing system protects your home not just from rain, but also hail and lightning strikes. 

Other roof enhancements include air terminals (also known as lightning rods) and down conductors.  Basically this system is designed to capture the lightning if it were to hit your roof, and guide it safely down a path of your home until it hits the ground, protecting your home from damage.  This will prevent exterior damage to the roof and siding, as well as interior damage to the electrical system.
Think like a burglar.  While burglary isn't a natural disaster, it is a scary experience.  To protect your home from break ins, you have to take the time to think like a criminal.  As mentioned above- a security system, equipped with the option to directly call law enforcement in the case of a break in, is a great defense.  However, there are several things you can do every day to make your home uninviting to a criminally minded person. 

First and foremost- use your locks.  Leaving windows unlocked, even if in your backyard, just in case you lock your key inside, is a sure fire way to allow a criminal to waltz right in.  Secondly, trim your hedges and bushes so criminals can't hide out.  And third, keep valuables out of sight.  If you have a garage, keep your car in your garage, and keep your garage door closed. 
Although these things take prior thought and in some cases, an investment of upfront cash- they will go a long way in protecting your home and making you feel safe and secure.

Make sure to talk to your Arizona Insurance Agent about what home insurance options you need.

Home Insurance-Protecting the American Dream in Chandler, AZ

Home ownership is at the very heart of the American Dream. We all have visions of soaring gables, brick fireplaces, cobblestone walkways, and picket fences dancing in our heads. While owning your home is an absolute honor, it is not until you move into your residence that you suddenly realize there is a lot of responsibility and worry that comes with that joy. The questions come fast and furious. What happens if someone breaks into my home and steals my grandma's silver? How much will it cost to refinish the hardwood floors if a pipe breaks in the basement? Has this neighborhood ever experienced golf ball sized hail?

So that you can once again enjoy your home, you need the peace of mind that you are only going to find with Home Insurance in Chandler, AZ. Because home insurance policies vary, you need to have an open line of communication with your insurance agent so that you know precisely what is covered. For instance, many people wrongly assume that their home insurance policy will naturally protect them against a flood or an earthquake. Now, you are probably thinking that you don't live in an area of Arizona that could offer your property any damage by either such misfortune. The truth of the matter, however, is that you just don't know what Mother Nature might throw at you. The worst case scenario is that a fluke disaster occurs, destroys your house, and your insurance does not cover that type of event. In such an instance, safer would have been much better than sorry, and your insurance agent has the expertise to tell you just exactly how much risk your residence has for either of these mishaps. Both flood and earthquake insurance can be very affordable when purchased as separate policies depending on the location of your home, so check into at.

AARP presented the five most unusual claims that will test the bounds of your policy. These are other unforseen circumstances that may or may not be covered by your own policy, so you need to address them with your agent so you are appropriately covered:

1. Dog Bites--According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, there are about 4.7 million people bitten by dogs every year. Of that number, approximately 800,000 victims must seek medical attention and 50% of the time these bites occurred on the dog owner's property. Guess who is responsible for that bill?
2. Mold--No one ever used to discuss mold unless you were in science lab. Now, it is literally everywhere, spreading its sickness and costing exorbitant amounts of money to mitigate.
3. Terrorism--while most home policies will protect you from acts of war, acts of terrorism are not covered. Even though insurance companies paid to fix the structural damage suffered during the 9/11 attacks, this is such new ground that you need to make certain you are under the company's umbrella.
4. Objects Falling from the Sky--whether it is a tree limb, a piece of an airplane, or a meteor, there will be damage to your roof. Make certain that your policy protects you from the ramifications of that damage, just as if it were hail.
5. Accidents Outside of the Home--while home policies will cover the cost for an injury that someone suffers at your property, that protection might also follow you off the premises. For instance, if you accidentally run a shopping cart into someone's car, you may be covered.

The key to finding the policy that offers you the peace of mind you deserve is dialogue with your agent. As homeowners we should know exactly what our policies include, but too many of do not until it's too late. Allow the experts to help us protect the safety and security of our homes.

If you have any questions contact us we are Arizona Insurance Agents that are ready to help.

How to Head-off Potential Claims on your Chandler Home Insurance Policy

Now that you’ve purchased your Chandler AZ Home Insurance, it’s time to think about steps you can take to prevent, or lessen, future claims.

Here are some tips that might help in keeping the claims adjuster away.

• Buy enough coverage: Find out what it would cost to rebuild your house in your area. Want to keep the same look to the house? Ask a builder for an estimate on the cost to rebuild. Don’t skimp on coverage, and forget about paying that little extra for that piece of mind for insuring your home and belongings.
• Bring on the fire department: Ask your local fire station to come by your house and do a fire safety inspection---and include your kids when they come to your house. Spotting fire hazards and fixing them will certainly pay off in the long run.
• Insure that Picasso: Okay, maybe you don’t have a Picasso hanging in your entryway, but you might have a few, so-called luxury items like jewelry and an heirloom desk sitting in the den. Make sure you have the ‘rider’ for coverage, if needed.
• Water...water: Everywhere. If only you would’ve changed that leaky hose on the washing machine before you left on vacation. Do a survey of your in-house connections. Sprinkler system? Make sure the automatic timer is working correctly and not ‘hanging up’ for hours on that station by your basement window. 
• Accidents waiting to happen: Walkways and steps invite all sorts of potential for liability claims from strangers or friends coming to your property. Make sure step rails and decking are in good repair. 
• Wind and hail: It’s not uncommon, or rare, for a major onslaught of wind and hail to hit parts of Arizona. Heed warnings by battening down patio furniture, or screen doors…and even keep tree limbs trimmed back. 

It makes good sense to review your homeowner’s insurance coverage with your Arizona insurance agent at least once a year.

Should you have questions about your Chandler Home Insurance policy contact: