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.

Prepare for Fire Season by Evaluation your Chandler AZ Home Insurance Policy

The 2012 Arizona wildfire season has already started, and the U.S. Forest Service estimates that the 2012 season could be as bad as the historic 2011 fire season.  The 2012 National Seasonal Assessment predicts an "above normal significant fire potential" for the Arizona mountains, with a normal significant fire potential predicted for other parts of Arizona.  As of May 16, the Gladiator Fire had already destroyed four structures and threatened almost 400 more. 

There are several steps homeowners can take to prevent fire damage to their property, including using fire resistant materials, providing a firebreak, and creating a defensible space around structures.  If the worst does happen, homeowners also need to be sure that they are adequately insured to cover a catastrophic loss of their homes.  The Insurance Information Institute lists four key questions homeowners should ask to insure adequate coverage in case of a disaster:

1. Is my insurance coverage enough to rebuild my home at today's costs?
Insuring your home for its value may not be enough to rebuild your home at the price of current construction. Adequate coverage should include a replacement cost policy that will pay for the replacement of damaged property with comparable materials. Arizona homeowners might also want to consider an extended replacement policy that will pay an additional 20% above policy limits if a disaster--such as a widespread wildfire--raises the cost of materials and labor. Other options include inflation or ordinance riders which help cover the impact of inflation or new ordinances on construction costs.
2. Is my insurance coverage enough to replace all of my possessions?
Most homeowners insurance policies cover possessions at a rate of 50-70% of the amount of insurance on the structure of this home. A home inventory is the best way to determine if this is enough coverage to replace your personal possessions if they are lost to a fire or other disaster. You can ensure your personal possessions by either a cash value or replacement cost policy. Cash value policies cover the cost of replacing your property after depreciation. Replacement cost policies cover the replacement cost of your possessions at today's prices.  Your insurance agent can help you determine whether a cash or replacement policy is the best option for you. 
3. Will my insurance cover my extra expenses if my home is destroyed?
If your home is destroyed in a wildfire or other disaster, there will be additional expenses beyond replacing your home and possessions. Coverage for additional living expenses would pay for the extra cost of living away from home and includes expenses such as hotel bills and restaurant meals.  It could also cover lost rental income if you rent out a portion of your property. 
4. Will my homeowners insurance adequately protect my assets?
This question isn't directly related to disaster planning but it is still an important factor in evaluating your homeowners insurance needs.  Liability damage protects you against claims made for bodily injury or property damage caused by you, a family member, or a pet.  Liability damage covers court costs as well as any costs incurred in a court judgment up to the limits of your policy. Additional coverage beyond your policy limits is available in the form of an excess liability or umbrella policy.

Wise preparation for fire season should include making sure your home is adequately insured. Your insurance agent can help you evaluate your Chandler home insurance needs.

Have questions about your Insurance Policy, contact any one of our great Arizona insurance agents.

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:

Not All Insurances Policies are Created Equal: Chandler AZ Homeowners Insurance Is Different

We have a tendency to buy our insurance policy as we buy most things in life, and that is by shopping around for the lowest price or best deal. After all, half of what the policy says is a mystery to us, and we just want to make sure that we are”covered.” We also want to make sure that we do not look too ignorant in the presence of the insurance company representatives. But, how covered are we? The insurance policies are written for a reason; it is to protect the company and the people who have put their faith in that company. You would be shocked by the number of people who are denied assistance because it is not spelled out in their policy.

A woman once explained her flood insurance. With a straight face and very seriously, the woman said that if the water came into the house from above, she was not covered. However if the water came in from the ground things were different; she was covered. There was a flood that year, and her house was flooded, Thank goodness the water falling from above (the rain) entered the house through the garage door making her covered. Now suppose this same person had a water heater in the attic and it went bad. Let's make it worse and have the water fall on her new computer. Where does she go for help? Nowhere. She has to figure out how to deal with it.

No one wants to be caught off guard, that is why Arizona Homeowners Insurance is the best place to start when you want real protection. Chandler Arizona Homeowners Insurance works for your best interests. They allow you to speak with them, ask questions, and then they go to work for you to find the best package and most complete coverage possible. Yes, they try to save you some money by bundling, but more importantly they help to make sure that you are fully covered no matter what happens.

This is very important for people living in Arizona where a multi-year drought has made cities like Tucson and Phoenix , hotbeds for wildfires. Just last year the Wallow fire in Arizona destroyed hundreds of business and homes. Some people were fully covered and, while they were saddened by their loss, they still had hope. Some people, on the other hand, found out that they were under-insured which meant that they had to find other means to cover what their insurance did not.

How do you really know how insured you are? Ask the Arizona Homeowners Insurance agents, they will be able to tell you. The truth might be shocking, but there is an old saying that is quoted quite often and that is, “You get what you pay for;” it is so true. If you are going to pay insurance why not go to the pros and have them help you, so that, in case of a disaster, you know there is a silver lining no matter how black the cloud.

We all make mistakes along the road of life, however, one of the worst mistakes we can make is to fall for insurance companies that look like they offer the world and then are only too happy to point out the clause in the policy that states “it is not covered.”

If you have questions about what is covered on your Chandler AZ Home Insurance policy please give our insurance agents in Chandler Arizona a call!