Homeowners Insurance
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Condominium Unit Owners Insurance
How much Renters Insurance do I need?
Personal Liability Umbrella
Preventing Frozen Pipes
Preventing Water Damage In Your Home
Protect your Property with a Home Inventory
Renters Insurance
Renters Myths
Understanding Flood Insurance
Understanding the Value of Your Home
What affects the price of Renters Insurance?

Condominium Unit Owners Insurance
Whatever your needs are, we have you covered.

Buying insurance is different for a condominium unit owner than for owners of conventional homes or renters. That is why a special unit owners policy has been developed.

A Condo Unit Owner policy is for the customer who owns and occupies (at least part of the year) a dwelling unit in a structure owned and insured by a:

• Condominium Association
• Townhome Association
• Cooperative
• Homeowner Association
• Planned Community
• Similar types of organization

Learn more about what's not covered.
Protect your corner of the world.

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How much Renters Insurance do I need?
The amount of personal property coverage you need depends on how much your property is worth.

To better understand your needs, ask yourself:
• How much are my belongings worth?
• Could I afford to buy it all back again if it were destroyed in a fire or stolen?
• What would I do in the event of a liability lawsuit against me?

Did you know?
Most people's belongings are worth more than they realize.
The average person has over $20,000 worth of belongings that are probably not covered by a landlord's policy.

Find out how much coverage you need.
Take an inventory of your possessions:
• List each item, when you acquired it and the purchase price or current value.
• Total the amounts of these items for a rough idea of what your property is worth.
• Once this is done, put your inventory in a safe place away from home - for example, in a bank safe deposit box.
• Consider adding photos to your inventory - they can help if you have a claim.

Coverage for certain types of property, such as those listed below, may have a dollar limit in a Renter's policy:
• Money, bank notes, coins
• Business property (on and off premises)
• Securities, negotiable instruments
• Watercraft, including trailers, furnishings and equipment
• Trailers (other than boat trailers)
• Jewelry and furs
• Firearms (limitation applies to theft only)
• Silverware and goldware (limitation applies to theft only)

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Personal Liability Umbrella

People are suing each other today more than ever. Verdicts amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars are being awarded by juries across the country in increasing numbers. If you accidentally injure someone or damage their property, you could be the one being sued. Even though your underlying policies may provide substantial liability limits, it is not uncommon today for juries to award damages that exceed those limits.

Coverage amounts are written in increments of $1 million and supplement your present policies to provide additional personal liability protection.

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Preventing Frozen Pipes

An average of a quarter-million families have their homes ruined and their lives disrupted each winter, all because of water pipes that freeze and burst.

And recovering from frozen pipes is not as simple as calling a plumber. An eighth-inch (three millimeter) crack in a pipe can spew up to 250 gallons (946 liters) of water a day. Both plastic (PVC) and copper pipes can burst.

By taking a few simple precautions, you can save yourself the mess, money and aggravation frozen pipes cause.

Before the cold hits Insulate pipes in your home's crawl spaces and attic. These exposed pipes are most susceptible to freezing. Remember - the more insulation you use, the better protected your pipes will be.

Heat tape or thermostatically-controlled heat cables can be used to wrap pipes. Be sure to use products approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., and only for the use intended (exterior or interior). Closely follow all manufacturers' installation and operation instructions.

Seal leaks that allow cold air inside near where pipes are located. Look for air leaks around electrical wiring, dryer vents and pipes. Use caulk or insulation to keep the cold out and the heat in. With severe cold, even a tiny opening can let in enough cold air to cause a pipe to freeze.

Disconnect garden hoses and, if practical, use an indoor valve to shut off and drain water from pipes leading to outside faucets. This reduces the chance of freezing in the short span of pipe just inside the house.

When the mercury drops
A trickle of hot and cold water might be all it takes to keep your pipes from freezing. Let warm water drip overnight, preferably from a faucet on an outside wall. Open cabinet doors to allow heat to get to uninsulated pipes under sinks and appliances near exterior walls.

Before you go away
Set the thermostat in your house no lower than 55°F (12°C).
Ask a friend or neighbor to check your house daily to make sure it's warm enough to prevent freezing or shut off and drain the water system. Be aware that if you have a fire protection sprinkler system in your house, it will be deactivated when you shut off the water.

If your pipes freeze
Don't take chances. If you turn on your faucets and nothing comes out, leave the faucets turned on and call a plumber. If you detect that your water pipes have frozen and burst, turn off the water at the main shut-off valve in the house; leave the water faucets turned on. (Make sure everyone in your family knows where the water shut-off valve is and how to open and close it.)

Never try to thaw a pipe with a torch or other open flame. Water damage is preferable to burning down your house. You may be able to thaw a frozen pipe with the warm air from a hair dryer. Start by warming the pipe as close to the faucet as possible, working toward the coldest section of pipe. Do not use electrical appliances in areas of standing water because you could be electrocuted.

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Preventing Water Damage In Your Home
Water damage can often be avoided with routine maintenance and assistance from qualified contractors.

It will be well worth your time to take a few extra moments every week to check potential trouble spots in and around your home. Early detection could mean the difference between a simple mop-up job and major construction repairs.

General Tips
• Check for hidden leaks by turning off faucets, all water-using appliances, and not flushing toilets for one hour. Record the water meter reading. If the flow indicator (triangular or diamond-shaped rotating button) is spinning or the meter reading has changed while no water is being used, a leaking pipe may exist. " Know where the main water shut off valve is located in your home and check it frequently to make sure it is operational.

Inside Your Home
Water leaks can happen anywhere in the house, but they occur most frequently in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry rooms.

Kitchen
• Dishwasher - Periodically check under the sink to see if the hose connection to the water supply line is secure and is not leaking. Check around the base of the dishwasher for evidence of leaks. Look for discolored, warped, or soft flooring materials or water damage to nearby cabinets.
• Refrigerator - If your refrigerator has an icemaker, check the hose connection to make sure it is securely attached to the water supply line. The wet spot you see on the floor near the refrigerator may be melted ice cubes or it may be a crimped icemaker line about to burst.
" Sink - Recaulk around sinks and pay attention to slow-draining pipes. This may indicate a partially blocked drain. Check the pipes under the sink for signs of water leaks.

Bathroom
• Showers and bathtubs - Discoloration or soft areas around floors and walls near showers or bathtubs may be your first indication there is a leak. Check caulking at joints where the walls meet the floor or the bathtub, looking for cracks or mold. If either is found, clean and remove loose material and apply new sealant. If the shower walls or floor are tiled, a leak may develop if there are cracks or missing areas of grout.
• Sinks - Check under the sink for signs of leaks from water supply lines or drainpipes.
• Toilets - Placing inappropriate objects or too much toilet paper in the bowl can accidentally clog toilets, especially low-flow toilets now required in homes. Hanging bowl deodorants are frequently the culprits. These objects can lodge deep in the plumbing system, and can block the line or create an obstruction that grease and other materials can cling to - eventually causing blockage. In addition, some chlorine tablet cleaners may corrode some of the internal components, eventually leading to a leak.

Laundry/Utility Room
• Washing Machine - Inspect washing machine hoses regularly for wetness around
hose ends and signs of bulging, cracking or fraying. Replace the hose if a problem is found or every three to five years as part of a proactive maintenance program.
• Water heater - Most water heaters last 10 to 15 years. Wet spots on the floor or a rusted tank may signal a problem. Hot water heaters should be installed on the lowest level of the home and always located next to a floor drain. If installed above or adjacent to finished spaces, the hot water heater should be placed inside a drain pan with the drain pan piped to the floor drain.
" Air conditioning - At the start of the cooling season, have the A/C system serviced by a qualified contractor. Make sure their service includes inspecting and cleaning the air conditioner condensation pan drain line to keep it free of obstructions. Change the air filters on a regular basis.

Basement
• Sump pump - Sump pump systems assist in keeping unwanted water out of your home. Battery-operated back-up sump pumps can offer a degree of protection against power failure or failure of the primary pump. A generator can also be used to power the pump in case of a power failure. Test the sump pump before the start of each wet season to ensure it is in working order. Sump pumps are not intended to last more than 10 years and must have some components replaced or serviced within those 10 years.

Outside Your Home
Leaking roofs, poor drainage, and clogged gutters and downspouts can lead to significant water damage inside your home.

General Tips
• Disconnect garden hoses from all spigots before the start of winter.
• Fill in any low spots around the house so water drains away from the foundation.
• Inspect caulking around windows and doors and replace as needed where cracked or deteriorated.
• Repaint wood siding as needed.

Roof
• Keep roof, valleys, gutters and downspouts free from buildup of leaves, twigs and other litter preventing proper drainage.
• Proper roof and eave ventilation may help extend the life of the roof by reducing the buildup of heat and moisture in the attic.
• Preservatives available for some types of roofs may help limit weathering effects of moisture and retard growth of molds and mosses.
" Avoid walking on a roof to limit wear and tear. Only necessary repairs or inspections should warrant walking on the roof.
• Keep trees trimmed to prevent them from rubbing against the roof or from providing excessive shade.
• Watch for these warning signs:
• Missing, curling, cupping, broken or cracked shingles.
• Damage or deterioration around the flashing at chimneys, vents and other junctions.
• Damage or deterioration in valley areas of the roof.
• Water stains on your ceiling. If possible, check your attic around flues, plumbing vents, and chimneys.
• Pooling or ponds of water that fail to drain from flat or low sloped roofs may indicate low areas and inadequate drainage.

Gutters/Downspouts
" Clean debris from your gutters and inspect them regularly.
• Consider purchasing gutter shields if your gutters frequently fill with debris.
• Downspouts should extend several feet away from the house to carry water away from the foundation.

Hardware that can help
Water leak detection systems can help you check for leaks when you can't.

Water Alarms
This device is only beneficial if someone is inside the home, hears the alarm and takes action to stop the leak.
• These systems are typically battery-operated, stand-alone units. They are inexpensive and easy to install.
• A moisture sensor is located on the device and will activate an audible alarm when it senses moisture.
• Water alarms can be placed on the floor or they may be wall mounted.
• The water alarm should be located in high-risk areas such as under sinks and near appliances and equipment that use water.
• Water alarms range in cost from $8 to $45.

Individual Appliance Systems
• These systems are installed on a specific appliance and will automatically shut off the water supply in the event of a leak.
• Depending on the type of device, you may be able to install this system without any special tools. However, in some cases, a qualified plumber may be needed.
• Individual appliance systems range in cost from $50 to $150.

Whole-house Systems
• These systems feature a shut-off valve that is installed on the main water supply piping. When a leak is detected, the system will automatically shut off the entire water supply.
• Some models can be integrated with a local or central station security system.
• If you travel often, this type of system could offer you additional peace of mind while you are away from home.
• Whole-house systems typically take between four and six hours to install. They cost between $500 and $1,500 depending on labor rates and the size of the system.

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Protect your Property with a Home Inventory
The threat of loss of property from fire, theft or other causes is always present.

An accurate inventory and proof of ownership at the time of a loss can make claim settlement easier and faster.

The inventory will take time to compile, but the time and frustration it may save you later will more than make up for it.

A good home inventory includes a detailed list of your possessions including receipts, descriptions and photos of your home's contents.

It will take a little time to compile, but the time and frustration it may save you later will more than make up for it.

When it's done, be sure to keep this inventory in a safe deposit box or other location outside your home.

Tips for your Home Inventory
Record purchase dates and serial numbers of small appliances and the following theft-prone items:

• Collectibles
• Antiques
• Art objects
• Figurines
• Guns
• Paintings
• Clocks
• Silver
• Jewelry
• Furs

• Electrical Appliances
• Lawn mowers
• Power tools
• Sewing machines
• Vacuum cleaners

• Electronic equipment
• Computers
• Digital cameras
• Printers
• Scanners
• Fax machine
• Stereos and MP3 players
• Televisions
• Video cameras
• DVD players
• CDs and DVDs

• Musical instruments
• Photography equipment
• Sports equipment

• Along with the description of each item, attach its receipt, if possible.

• If you're making an audio or video inventory, start in one corner of the room and work your way around until the whole room has been covered.

• Don't forget closets, attic and basement.

• On antiques, art, jewelry, collectibles, and certain other items, appraisals are important. Always include the name and address of the appraiser.

Remember to update your inventory when you make new purchases.
When it comes to a home inventory, a picture truly is worth a thousand words.

Tips for Home Inventory Photos
• Use any color camera with a flash, your home video camera, or a digital camera.
• Label photos and videotapes with the dates they were taken. If appropriate, record the date of purchase, brand name and purchase price of each item on the record card next to the picture.
• If you have a film camera, have your developer save the images to a disk. You can store the print copies with a copy of your inventory.
• If you have a digital camera, save the images to a disk or burn a CD.
• To get an overall picture, take wide-angle shots of the whole room, then take several close-ups to capture detail. Start in one corner of the room and work your way around.
• Focus your flash away from mirrors and other reflective surfaces by standing at a 45-degree angle to the shiny surface.
• When using a flash, try not to get closer than the recommended focus range. If you must get closer, dim the flash by placing a white handkerchief over the flash while taking the picture.
• Open glass doors to prevent reflection.
• A family member in the picture helps substantiate ownership.
• Open closet doors to show quantity of clothing.
• Take pictures of the insides of drawers with the contents fanned out.
• Use a non-glare dark cloth as a background for silver, china or jewelry.
• When photographing china, take a picture of the pattern name or manufacturer's signature, along with a picture of the pattern.
• When photographing jewelry, angle the flash to avoid glare.
• When photographing or recording collections in albums, make sure the picture includes the entire page, along with close-up shots of the most valuable items. Make sure the pictures tie in with your home in some way.
• Photograph your power tools, including detailed photos of the inside of your toolbox.
• If you want to take only a few pictures, either take pictures of groups of your most valuable unappraised items, or record whole rooms with your most valuable and theft-prone items prominently displayed.

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Renters Insurance
Even renters are owners.

You may not own the place where you live, but you still need insurance protection.

Renters insurance is for anyone who rents a home, be it a house or an apartment.
Renters insurance can protect your personal property against fire, theft and vandalism.

Renters insurance can help protect you in case of a liability lawsuit against you.

This could occur in a situation where you are held responsible for:
• Injury to another person
• Damage to another person's property

Whether the incident occurred within your rented residence, or elsewhere.

You may be eligible for premium discounts on both renters and auto insurance when you purchase both policies

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Renters Myths
Common myths about Renters Insurance:

"Renters insurance is expensive."
Renters insurance is remarkably affordable. For just pocket change a day, our policy can provide affordable basic protection of your personal property and can protect you in case of a liability lawsuit.

"The landlord's insurance covers me."
Your landlord's insurance generally only covers the building where you live - not your personal belongings and your liability.

"I don't need liability insurance."
Your landlord's policy most likely does not include liability for something that happens in your rented residence. You could be held responsible for injury to another person or damage to another person's property if an incident occurred within your rented residence, or elsewhere. Without liability coverage, your current and future earnings could be at risk. Renters insurance may also provide legal defense costs.

"I don't own very much."
Most people's belongings are often worth more than they think. That's one reason why you need Renters Insurance.

Renters insurance is flexible, allowing you to select the coverages and insurance amounts that suit your needs.

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Understanding Flood Insurance
One of the most important ways to prepare for a flood is to buy a flood insurance policy.

Most homeowners policies do not cover flood damage.

If your community participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, you can buy a flood insurance policy through your agent.
Most flood insurance is written through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
We sell and service policies through an arrangement with FEMA in fact, we have issued and serviced more NFIP policies than any other private insurer.
A flood insurance policy normally takes 30 days from the date of purchase to go into effect. So, don't wait until a flood is imminent to buy a policy.
For more information about the NFIP and flood insurance, The National Flood Insurance Program is only available in the United States.
Your automobiles/recreational vehicles
If you carry comprehensive coverage (optional) on your automobile/recreational vehicle policy, then the direct, sudden damage to your vehicle resulting from a tsunami would

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Understanding the Value of Your Home
How to determine your homeowner's coverage

Your home may be the biggest investment you'll ever make. So if you're serious about protecting that investment, here is some important information to consider when determining the coverage amount for your home.

Make sure that your home is insured for at least 100% of its estimated replacement cost
To determine your amount of homeowners coverage:
• Get an estimate of the replacement cost of your home, and
• Select the coverage amount that best fits your needs.
We recommend that you purchase an amount of coverage at least equal to the estimated replacement cost. But the choice is yours. Determining your home’s estimated replacement cost is important because this will ultimately determine which policy options are available to you. Since it is impossible to predict today what the exact cost will be to replace your home in the future, it’s important to have enough coverage to account for unforeseen circumstances.

Understand the difference between market value and replacement cost for insurance purposes
Market value is the amount a buyer would pay for a home, including the land, regardless of how much it would cost to rebuild the home. Replacement cost for this purpose is the rebuilding cost necessary to repair or replace the entire home.
Replacement cost IS NOT:
• The market value of the home.
• The home’s purchase price or the cost of the land.
• The outstanding amount of any mortgage loan.

When buying a new home, be sure to obtain a replacement cost estimate
Before you purchase a new home, make sure that you determine the appropriate amount of coverage needed. Here’s how:
• Ask if a replacement cost estimate is available when you have the home appraised.
• Or, consult with your local builder association or a reputable builder for an estimate.
• You can also check with your broker to help you with this process.

Be aware of any architectural details or unique building materials that may affect your estimated replacement cost, such as:
• Upgraded bathrooms or kitchens (including cabinets).
• Additional rooms.
• Custom molding or arched windows.
• Other unique features.

A contractor or appraiser can help estimate your home’s replacement cost
Building contractors or professional replacement cost appraisers are a good source for obtaining an estimated replacement cost of your home. Estimates from these sources should reflect your home’s features, like those mentioned above. If you are unable to obtain a detailed estimate from these sources, your broker can discuss other options for estimating the replacement cost of your home.

Review your policy annually to make sure that your coverage meets your needs
Have you recently remodeled or improved your home?
When you upgrade or improve your home, you may increase your home’s estimated replacement cost. Contact your agent and adjust your policy accordingly when you remodel or make improvements to your home.

Has the rate of inflation risen since your last appraisal?
Some companies provide coverage that automatically adjusts each year in an effort to compensate for increases in construction costs in your area. However, certain conditions such as severe weather can increase the demand for labor and materials, and raise costs beyond normal inflation. It is important to update your coverage amount each year to keep up with the changing economy.

What influences the building costs in your area?
Market conditions in your area may impact the amount it will cost to rebuild your home if you experience a loss. Replacement cost estimates are influenced by supply of labor, demand for labor, and the cost of construction materials. Keeping up with the current market conditions in your area, and changing your coverage amount accordingly, will help you maintain coverage at least equal to 100% of the estimated replacement cost coverage for your home.

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What affects the price of Renters Insurance?
The price of renters insurance varies by company and by:

What you buy.
• How many coverages you buy
• The deductibles

Coverages
Renters Insurance is designed to help protect you from losses.
Losses are occurrences that caused direct physical damage to property or injury to persons, whether covered by insurance or not.

Here are brief descriptions of our Renters Insurance coverages:
Personal Property - Coverage B
This coverage helps protect against losses to:
• The personal property you have in your home such as your clothes and furniture.
• The personal property you have with you when you are away from home in many places throughout the world.

Coverage for your personal property may include losses caused by:
• Fire or lightning
• Weight of ice, snow or sleet
• Explosion
• Aircraft and vehicles
• Smoke
• Sudden and accidental tearing or bulging of heating or cooling systems
• Windstorm or hail
• Theft
• Riot or civil commotion
• Falling objects
• Vandalism or malicious mischief
• Sudden and accidental water discharge from plumbing or appliances
• Freezing of plumbing systems

Loss of Use -- Coverage C
This coverage provides payment for certain losses when your home is damaged and rendered uninhabitable because of an insured loss.

Additional Living Expense
This covers the actual loss incurred for increased expenses over and above what you normally spend for food, shelter and related items for the shortest time required to repair or replace the premises, or for your household to settle elsewhere up to 24 months.

Inflation Coverage
This coverage automatically increases the amount of your insurance coverages on your personal property as inflation changes the cost of living.
The changes are based on the movement of an inflation index and are reflected in the premium at each annual policy renewal.

Tip: Select replacement cost coverage to get the most protection for your money.
This coverage provides payment based on the cost to repair or replace the damaged property at the time of loss, if actually replaced.

Personal Liability -- Coverage L
This coverage provides payment for your legal liability up to the limits in the policy for damages because of bodily injury or property damage caused by an occurrence to which this insurance applies.

In addition, it may provide for the payment of your defense against these claims or suits.

Medical Payments to Others -- Coverage M
This coverage pays medical expenses up to the limits in the policy for people who are on your premises with your permission and are accidentally injured.
The coverage also extends to people accidentally injured by your activities.
However, the coverage does not pay for medical expenses for you or members of your family who live with you.

Losses Not Insured
While a renters policy provides comprehensive coverage, it does not provide coverage for every loss.

All property coverages are subject to the Losses Not Insured provisions of the policy.

Examples of losses not insured include but are not limited to:
• Water damage caused by flood or underground water.
• Earth movement including earthquake or landslide.
• Damage caused by nuclear hazard.

Please refer to the policy for a complete list of losses not insured.

Optional coverages
Coverages available for an additional premium include but are not limited to:

Personal Articles Policy
This is special worldwide coverage in the amount needed for your valuable possessions.

Personal Liability Umbrella Policy
This is for a million dollars or more of personal liability protection for many situations which may not be covered by your basic insurance.
• Earthquake damage.
• Waterbed liability.
• Increased business property.
• Incidental business liability.
• Increased liability limits.

Other things you should know about a renters insurance policy
Loss Settlement Provisions--Personal Property
Limited Replacement Cost Loss Settlement
Provides payment based on the cost to repair or replace the damaged property at the time of loss, if actually replaced.

Depreciated Loss Settlement
Provides payment based on the cost to repair or replace damaged property less depreciation at the time of loss.

Personal Property Special Limits
While the Personal Property Loss Settlement provisions determine the loss payment on your personal property, it's important that you know that special limits apply to certain types of property.

For example:
• Money, bank notes, coins (including collections) $200
• Property used or intended to be used in business
•• • • On premises $1,000
•• • • Off premises $250
• Watercraft and equipment $1,000
• Securities, checks, traveler's checks $1,000
• Trailers (not used with watercraft) $1,000
• Stamps, trading cards, comic books (including collections) $2,500
• Theft loss of:
•• • • Jewelry and Furs $1,000
•• • • Firearms $2,500
•• • • Silverware and Goldware $2,500
•• • • Rugs, tapestry, wall hangings
•• • • Per Item $5,000
•• • • Aggregate $10,000
•• • • Home Computers $5,000

Antiques, fine arts, painting, statuary, and similar articles that cannot be replaced by new articles, and property not useful for its intended purpose, is limited in coverage to its market value. Higher limits on some of these items are available through optional coverages.

This page contains only a general description of coverages and is not a contract. Details of coverage or limits may vary in some states. All coverages are subject to the terms, provisions, exclusions, and conditions in the policy itself and in any endorsements.

Deductibles
The deductible is the portion of a covered loss that is your responsibility. Although deductibles vary by state, they are typically available in amounts such as $250, $500 or $1000.

For example, if you had a $500 deductible, you would need to pay $500 of the covered loss.

Generally speaking, higher deductibles lower your premium, but increase the amount you must pay out of your own pocket if a covered loss occurs. Ask yourself how much you are willing to pay in order to save on premium

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