Have you noticed the increase in house fires during the winter season? 

According to the National Fire Protection Association, they occur most frequently during winter.

The top cause of house fires?  Cooking fires.  Not surprisingly, these happen most frequently around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The second most common cause of house fires?  Heating equipment.
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Space heaters can be extremely useful for supplemental heating, but they can also pose a huge fire hazard if not used correctly. Here are key tips for using space heaters safely:

Did you know that the New Year's holiday typically sees a spike in insurance claims?

Celebratory activities, including the use of fireworks, can lead to unexpected accidents and, in some cases, insurance claims.
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By taking a few quick precautions, you can ring in the new year without the stress of dealing with insurance claims. Here are 10 practical tips to keep in mind if you plan to include fireworks as part of your celebration:

Did you know domestic burglaries increase substantially once the clocks are turned back to standard time in November?

This additional veil of darkness gives thieves more time to stake out and burglarize your home.  
Knowing this, you can minimize the possibility of you being a victim of a home break-in.
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Here are 10 specific actions you can take:

After Thanksgiving, the Christmas season is another significant period when home fire risks increase significantly.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, holiday decorating causes an average of 790 home fires each year, resulting in substantial property damage and insurance claims.
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To keep your holiday merry and safe, here are 5 decorating tips to significantly reduce the risk of fire and the potential for filing an insurance claim.

Did you know there are more home fires on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year?

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are 3 to 4 times more fires on Thanksgiving, compared to a typical day.

The main cause?  Cooking.

Unattended cooking and cooking equipment are the 2 leading factors, and a common thread involved deep frying turkeys.
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Deep-frying a turkey can be delicious but obviously risky if not done safely. Here are some tips to minimize fire risks:

Even though meteorologists' technology resources allow us to anticipate some upcoming severe weather events, others can crop up with little warning.

Since these events can leave behind significant damage and disruption, policyholders should be prepared well ahead of time for such occurrences to ensure your safety and protect your property.
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Here are 5 key tips to help you stay prepared for a potential claim from a weather-related event:

Did you know July 4th consistently ranks as one of the biggest days for insurance claims?

​So as you gear up to celebrate Independence Day, be very aware of the potential risks that come with the fun and festivities.

Here's what you need to know to protect yourself and your property:

Going on vacation is an exciting time to get away and make memories with family or friends. While you're busy planning activities and making travel arrangements, it's easy to not think about potential issues that could occur at home while you're gone.

One of the most devastating events is water damage.

Imagine walking into your home only to be met with:
                several inches of water wetting your feet, or
                seeing a section of the ceiling hanging down and dripping water

Not exactly the welcome home you were expecting.

It's natural to think "it won't happen to me" and not take precautions to protect your house from a water catastrophe.
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But there are a few small actions you can take before you leave to minimize the risk of having to deal with a major headache when you get home.  Here are 3:

We're well into severe storm season and have already seen some storms cause damage in our area. Before the next storm blows through,  there are things you can do quickly beforehand to minimize weather-related damage and prevent an insurance claim.
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In addition to tips I've mentioned before, here are 3 more tasks you can do now:

As with other industries, the insurance market is cyclical, and we're currently in what's called a "hard market."

A hard market is when political, societal, climate, and other factors cause insurers' profits to fall.  Over the past several years, the impact of these factors have combined to a point where insurers have experienced greater losses and have had to make adjustments to maintain profitability.  Insurers have become more conservative in what they are underwriting causing their portfolios to shrink and clients' premiums to rise.

Historically, hard markets haven't lasted as long as "soft markets,"  which is when market conditions are just the opposite.  In soft markets, insurers' revenue reserves are higher and they are able to be less strict in the risk they underwrite.  This allows them to increase their client portfolios, there is more competition among companies, and premiums are very stable over time.

SO, what can you do while we're in a hard market to soften its impact? 

Winter brings its own set of challenges, and one crucial aspect is safeguarding your home from potential fires.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, house fires occur more frequently in the winter than any other time of year.
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Do you know the top causes of house fires?  Read on to find out, including 5 valuable tips to prevent them:

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a totally silent danger that many homeowners don't think about.  Over 100,000 people visit the ER annually due to unintentional CO exposure.
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Here  are 3 important precautions to be aware of to protect yourself and your family from CO poisoning: 

Of all the winter driving conditions, black ice is one of the most hazardous because you don't necessarily see it until you're on it.
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What conditions most often create black ice, and how do you best navigate it?

Do you know how to navigate driving in foggy conditions?

You frequently see safety tips for driving in sleet and snow, but one of the most dangerous conditions in the south this time of year is fog.

You may unexpectedly run into thick fog conditions especially in early morning and later in the evening.
How do you best navigate this condition?
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Just like with sleet and snow, it's best to stay off the road during these times but that's not always feasible. So, here are 3 safety tips when driving in foggy conditions:

Are you preparing for a New Year's Eve celebration?  Make sure you take these 7 key tips to avoid any unforeseen insurance claims:

​- This is obvious, but needs to be emphasized:  if you or those you're with have too much to drink, do not drive.  Either designate a driver ahead of time or tap local transportation resources to get to your destination.
- If you're a host, have non-alcoholic beverage choices available, and stop serving alcohol several hours before the party is over.
- Make sure your phone is charged, and be very aware of your surroundings if you're celebrating out in public.
- Refrain from posting your location on social media so you don't alert potential thieves from visiting your residence while you're away.
- If you plan to set off fireworks, observe local ordinances about them and ensure you do that in an open area.
-  Avoid setting off fireworks in a neighborhood to avoid conflict escalation regarding noise and property safety issues.
- When you set off fireworks, make sure adults handling them take appropriate safety steps, and there is adequate supervision of children.

Be proactive in safeguarding your assets.  Make sure you have the coverage you need by reviewing your policies with an experienced independent insurance agent.  Call me today:  706-726-1446.
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 Wishing you an enjoyable and claim-free New Year's Eve!

​Winter is officially only a few weeks away, so now is the time to avoid a home insurance claim from frozen water pipes bursting by taking these preventive tips now:

Cleaning gutters is a thankless chore that peaks in the late fall.
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Here are 10 safety  tips that can literally save you from physical injury and property damage:

In a prior post we addressed some essential fire safety tips to take inside your home but what about taking safety measures when using your outdoor fire pit?

The incidence of fire pit accidents has risen in recent years as more homeowners have added fire pits in their backyards.
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To reduce the possibility of a fire pit accident, take these safety measures before you light yours:

Now that the Christmas season is in full swing, here are some sobering facts to keep in mind:

• Unattended cooking fires are a leading cause of house fires in the US
• Christmas tree fires  contribute to millions in property damage each year.
• Candles cause an average of 23,600 fires in homes each year.

Here are some safety tips to remember so you can enjoy the holidays instead of spending your time dealing with an unexpected home insurance claim:

According to AAA, 50% of vehicle crashes occur at night when far fewer autos are on the road.

This makes it critical that you pay attention to your headlight visibility as headlights that deteriorate over time can reduce light output by 80%!

Most of the headlights used on vehicles are made of a type of plastic, which breaks down over time and causes clouding, fogging, and scratching.
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What can you do to ensure maximum headlight visibility and reduce your chances of being involved in an accident at night?

Cold weather in GA and SC may not be as "bitter" as this photo shows, but it can still have a negative impact on your vehicles:
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• freezing condensation in fuel lines
• lower tire pressure leading to reduced tire grip
• strain on your battery, especially electric vehicles
• thicker fluids, especially transmission fluid, that decrease vehicle performance

 With Thanksgiving fast approaching here are 5 important reminders to minimize potential home insurance claims:

• Thanksgiving Day is the leading day for home cooking fires.  Remember not to put out cooking fires with water, but with items like baking soda, a fire extinguisher, or fire blanket.
• Candles add warmth to the ambience, but they also add a hazard to the setting.  Place them so people don't have to reach over them, aren't too close to foot traffic, and are out of reach of children and pets.
• Check smoke detectors to confirm they are working correctly.
• If you'll be away from your home, increase its security by using an internal security system, lights on timers inside, motion lights and cameras outside, and doorbell cameras.
• Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your home and collect mail/packages and have local law enforcement patrol your property, if that service is available in your area.

Haven't looked at your homeowners insurance policy lately?  Ensure you have enough coverage BEFORE the upcoming holiday season.  Call me at 706-726-1446 for a comprehensive review.

The upcoming Thanksgiving holiday formally confirms we're in the busy holiday season, which brings its own unique hazards.

Here are 4 important insurance actions to take to maximize your protection during this festive time:

Did you know domestic burglaries increase substantially once the clocks are turned back?

With the time change coming up soon, now is the time to prep your home to minimize the possibility of a home break-in.
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Here are some reminders:

With the temps feeling like fall, it's almost time to fire up your wood-burning fireplace for the first time this season.

Do you remember when it was last inspected and cleaned?

If chimneys aren't properly maintained, they build up creosote that can catch on fire and can escalate into an all-out house fire very quickly.
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Chimney fires are largely preventable with ...