Author: sch43yt9824huilb

Share

Checking Trees as Hurricane Season Starts

by sch43yt9824huilb sch43yt9824huilb No Comments

Checking Trees as Hurricane Season Starts

Checking Trees as Hurricane Season Starts Infographic

Hurricane season began on Saturday, and the federal government is predicting an “active or extremely active” year. So if you live in a hurricane-prone area, now is a good time to inspect trees near your home for possible weakness that could lead to damage during a storm with strong winds.

Most standard homeowners’ policies cover damage from branches and trees that fall on your home or garage during a wind or ice storm; they also cover removal of the tree, at a cost of $500 to $1,000, depending on the policy. (If the tree falls on your property but doesn’t damage anything, there’s usually no coverage for its removal.)

But a more worrisome risk is that the tree or branch will injure you or a family member when it falls. In a recent survey by Chubb Personal Insurance about damage from a falling tree or branch, more than 41 percent of those surveyed said they most worried about the tree falling on a loved one. (The telephone survey of 1,004 people was conducted in March by ORC International).

Scott Spencer, worldwide appraisal and loss prevention manager with Chubb, said in a phone interview that homeowners should periodically assess the health of trees near their homes. Often, homeowners assume that because a tree has weathered previous storms, that it must strong. But exposure to storms may weaken trees in some cases, so they need to be reassessed.

Of greatest concern are trees within the “fall zone,” he said — trees that would hit your house if they fell down. Trees with forked trunks — that is, they appear to have two main trunks — are unstable and are at greater risk of falling, he said.

Signs that trees may be in poor health include branches with dead tips; cankers or rot on large portions of the trunk;  or mounds or divots near roots, that may indicate rotting. Trees near areas that recently have been under construction should be carefully checked, since excavation equipment can damage roots.

If you have doubts about a tree’s health, it’s wise to consult a professional arborist. “You need to consult a tree expert, not just a neighbor with a chainsaw,” he said, because improper pruning may cause more problems than it solves by making the tree unstable.

The International Society of Arboriculture certifies arborists and has a search tool in its Web site to help you find a professional near you. The site also lists additional ways to check on a tree’s health.

If the tree is in poor health and is positioned so that it could fall on your home, you may want to consider having it removed. Generally, though, you’ll pay out of pocket for this;  insurance policies cover damage from falling trees, but not prevention.

And as for the fear that a tree or limb might fall on you or a family member, Jeanne Salvatore, a spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute, said the resulting medical costs would be covered not by your homeowner’s policy, but by your medical insurance. (If, however, the tree or limb injured someone else, like a guest or a pizza delivery boy, and you were sued, the liability coverage of your policy would cover your losses up to the limits of your policy, she said. Mr. Spencer of Chubb said there would typically need to be a finding that the homeowner was negligent in maintaining the tree.)

How do you maintain trees near your home? Have you ever had one fall on your house?

Flood Insurance and Mitigation Helpline is Now Available

by sch43yt9824huilb sch43yt9824huilb No Comments

Flood Insurance and Mitigation Helpline is Now Available

The number for New Jersey residents with questions about the NIFP is 1-877-287-9804. People who need information about flood insurance, the latest maps, or other mitigation topics and issues may call this number.  Policyholders with questions or concerns about their claims may also speak with NFIP specialists.

The helpline operates from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday.  Additional information is available at www.floodsmart.gov.

More information on New Jersey disaster recovery is available online at www.fema.gov/disaster/4086 or www.state.nj.us/njoem.

Tri-County Chamber of Commerce 2013

by sch43yt9824huilb sch43yt9824huilb No Comments

Tri-County Chamber of Commerce

P O Box 2420
Wayne, NJ 07474
Tel: 862.210.8328 Fax: 973.882.0464

On May 1st, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) began accepting applications for the Stronger NJ Business Grant program. This program provides up to $50,000 per impacted location and up to $250,000 per entity to eligible small businesses and non-profit organizations which sustained a minimum of $5,000 in physical damage from Superstorm Sandy. Governor Chris Christie has asked the NJEDA to administer $460 million of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to support the recovery of storm-impacted businesses. Of this total, $260 million will fund the Stronger NJ Business Grant program. For more information regarding the Stronger NJ Business Grant program, including eligibility information and application instructions, please visit: http://application.njeda.com/strongernjbusinessgrant.The NJEDA Office of Recovery Superstorm Sandy hotline is also open at 1-855-SANDY-BZ to answer any questions you may have regarding the program and application process. The NJEDA also approved $25 million to fund a tourism marketing campaign to assist Superstorm Sandy-impacted communities and promote the state’s tourism assets.

PIA’s Winter Storm Info Central Available to Help Agencies Prepare for Snowstorm

by sch43yt9824huilb sch43yt9824huilb No Comments

PIA’s Winter Storm Info Central available to help agencies prepare for snowstorm

PIA important bulletin—Feb. 7, 2013

PIA important bulletin

PIA’s Winter Storm Info Central available to help agencies prepare for snowstorm

As the Northeast braces for what some are reporting as potentially one of the worst blizzards in memory, PIA has placed its Winter Storm Info Central Toolkit prominently on the PIA website for your easy access and use.

Click here to review PIA’s Storm Info Central before the storm, as it includes state-specific Insurance Department information; consumer materials for your agency to use in pre- and post-storm communication with your insureds and relevant information in the form of QuickSource documents and Ask PIAs on business and personal coverages for topics such as:

  • ·         snowplowing;
  • ·         business interruption;
  • ·         loss of use; and
  • ·

Members who have prepared by using  PIA’s Agency Preparedness and Recovery Plan may want to review their customized document as well. Contact PIA’s Industry Resource Center at resourcecenter@pia.org or use the Ask PIA button on the PIA home page at www.pia.org for additional questions.

PIA will continue to keep you apprised of these and other issues as they arise. If you have additional staff you would like to receive these types of business-related alerts, be sure to send their names and email addresses to: publications@pia.org.

Your PIA staff is working on your behalf to help you be prepared and wishes you a warm and safe weekend.

 

2/13

Think PIA first

After the Storm

by sch43yt9824huilb sch43yt9824huilb No Comments

After the Storm

Valuable Contacts

SAFETY:

  • If you have evacuated, wait until authorities tell you it’s safe before returning home.
  • Be alert for tornadoes, which are not unusual after a hurricane with certain weather conditions.
  • Stay away from flood waters.
  • Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns to examine the premises. Do not attempt to turn the lights on until you are sure it is safe to do so.
  • Sniff for gas leaks. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows and evacuate. If you have any concerns, have the gas system checked by a professional.
  • Do not touch wires or outlets; Check for frayed cords and for cracked or broken prongs and plugs.
  • Turn off the main electrical circuit switch. Be careful to stand on a dry surface and do not touch the metal handle of the switch box. Use a piece of heavy rubber, plastic or a piece of dry wood to open the metal door and throw the switch. Share your concerns with a licensed electrician.
  • If your home has been flooded, check for animals that may have entered the property.
  • If your car has been submerged, let it dry out thoroughly before trying to start it.

CLEANING UP:

  • Before you start cleaning up debris, prepare an inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. If you can, videotape or photograph the damage.
  • Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
  • Clean up any flammable or poisonous materials that may have been spilled.
  • Pump water gradually from flooded basements to avoid structural damage.
  • Shovel out mud while it is still moist.
  • Clean out heating and plumbing systems.
  • Boil any water you use for drinking or food preparation until the water supply is declared safe.
  • Throw out any food or medicine that has come in contact with flood waters.
  • Take wooden furniture outside to dry, but keep it out of direct sun-light to prevent warping

CLAIM PROCESS:

  • Hold off on permanent repairs until you’ve received approval for reimbursement.
  • Save remnants of damaged or destroyed property for your insurance company adjuster, and do not sign agreements with contractors or anyone else until you have a chance to meet with your insurance adjuster.
  • Keep a written record of everyone you talk to about your insurance claim, including the date of the conversation and a summary of what was said.
  • Keep all receipts and Take photos
  • Your pre-disaster home inventory will be of great assistance to you at this point. After you’ve examined everything and determined the extent of damage, call your independent insurance agent as soon as possible to file a claim.

After a Flood

by sch43yt9824huilb sch43yt9824huilb No Comments

After a Flood

  • The danger caused by floods isn’t over when the water recedes, so don’t attempt to return home until authorities say it’s safe to do so.
  • If your car has been submerged, let it dry out thoroughly before trying to start it.
  • Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns to examine the premises. Do not attempt to turn the lights on until you are sure it is safe to do so.
  • Watch out for snakes that may have come into your home with flood waters. Use a stick to poke through debris.
  • Pump water gradually from flooded basements to avoid structural damage.
  • Shovel out mud while it is still moist.
  • Raise wall-to-wall carpeting to allow air to circulate through it.
  • When plaster walls have dried, brush off loose dirt. Wash with a mild soap solution and rinse with clean water.
  • Clean out heating and plumbing systems.
  • To prevent metal objects from rusting, clean immediately, wipe with a kerosene-soaked cloth and apply a light coat of oil.
  • Allow clothing and household fabrics to dry before brushing off loose dirt.
  • Boil any water you use for drinking or food preparation until the water supply is declared safe.
  • Throw out any food or medicine that has come in contact with flood waters.
  • Take wooden furniture outside to dry, but keep it out of direct sun-light to prevent warping.
  • Before the house is aired out, scrub all woodwork and floors with a stiff brush.

Saving Family Photos

Often when people are interviewed after a major disaster, they express profound sorrow over the loss of family photos. Houses and everything inside them can usually be replaced but photos, which contain years of memories and family history, cannot. These tips may help you preserve your water-damaged photos.

  • Most prints, negatives and slides can be air-dried. Put the image or picture side face up and avoid touching the front surface.
  • Hang items on a clothesline, using wooden or other non-abrasive clothespins or use a fan to circulate the air. If using a fan, do not aim it directly at the photos.
  • For a framed photo, place the frame glass-side down and remove backing materials. Remove the photo and air-dry it. If the photo is stuck to the glass, don’t remove it. Keeping the glass side down, try to dry the frame with the photo inside.
  • If photos are covered with mud or dirt and are still wet, they may be gently rinsed in clean, cold water.
  • If negatives are stuck together or if your photos are badly damaged, consult with a photographic conservator at your local museum or historical society.
  • Consider keeping digital copies of all photos outside your home, perhaps in safety deposit box or at the home of a trusted family member or friend.

Valuable Contacts:

SAFETY:

  • If you have evacuated, wait until authorities tell you it’s safe before returning home.
  • Be alert for tornadoes, which are not unusual after a hurricane with certain weather conditions.
  • Stay away from flood waters.
  • Use battery-powered flashlights or lanterns to examine the premises. Do not attempt to turn the lights on until you are sure it is safe to do so.
  • Sniff for gas leaks. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main gas valve, open windows and evacuate. If you have any concerns, have the gas system checked by a professional.
  • Do not touch wires or outlets; Check for frayed cords and for cracked or broken prongs and plugs.
  • Turn off the main electrical circuit switch. Be careful to stand on a dry surface and do not touch the metal handle of the switch box. Use a piece of heavy rubber, plastic or a piece of dry wood to open the metal door and throw the switch. Share your concerns with a licensed electrician.
  • If your home has been flooded, check for animals that may have entered the property.
  • If your car has been submerged, let it dry out thoroughly before trying to start it.

CLEANING UP:

  • Before you start cleaning up debris, prepare an inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. If you can, videotape or photograph the damage.
  • Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
  • Clean up any flammable or poisonous materials that may have been spilled.
  • Pump water gradually from flooded basements to avoid structural damage.
  • Shovel out mud while it is still moist.
  • Clean out heating and plumbing systems.
  • Boil any water you use for drinking or food preparation until the water supply is declared safe.
  • Throw out any food or medicine that has come in contact with flood waters.
  • Take wooden furniture outside to dry, but keep it out of direct sun-light to prevent warping

CLAIM PROCESS:

  • Hold off on permanent repairs until you’ve received approval for reimbursement.
  • Save remnants of damaged or destroyed property for your insurance company adjuster, and do not sign agreements with contractors or anyone else until you have a chance to meet with your insurance adjuster.
  • Keep a written record of everyone you talk to about your insurance claim, including the date of the conversation and a summary of what was said.
  • Keep all receipts and take photos.
  • Your pre-disaster home inventory will be of great assistance to you at this point. After you’ve examined everything and determined the extent of damage, call your independent insurance agent as soon as possible to file a claim.
Schechner Lifson Corporation