Georgia Lightning Awareness Week: June 19-25, 2011

Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather deaths in the United States. From 1995 to 2010, lightning caused 26 deaths in Georgia. Most lightning deaths occur in the summer months - usually in the afternoon and evening hours. Also, most deaths occur when people are caught outside during a storm.

Lightning results from the buildup and release of electrical energy between positive and negative charges between the earth and a thunderstorm. A single lightning bolt can be as hot as 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit - hotter even than the surface of the sun. This rapid heating and cooling of the air creates a shock wave which we hear as thunder. Lightning will usually strike the highest object in area. This includes trees, antennas, a boat on a lake, or a person standing in a field.

 So, what should you do to protect yourself?

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Champion Is Now A Member of Certified Restoration Team!

Champion is excited to announce that we are now a member of Certified Restoration Team!

What Is Certified Restoration Team?

Certified Restoration Team is a group of contractors that have all been certified to properly restore properties after a water or fire loss.  Did you know that the vast majority of restoration contractors have never been certified and perform substandard work in homes and businesses around the country?  Unfortunately those property owners don’t realize until too late that they have gotten poor quality service.  This can lead to on-going damage, mold growth, bacterial amplification and a generally unhealthy structure.

You can do a lot to prevent these problems by hiring a certified firm.  All of the firms that are a part of Certified Restoration Team must prove their credentials and maintain their certification through Continuing Education.   You can choose a Certified Restoration Team member with confidence because they have the knowhow to fix your property right.

No Certified Restoration Team member pays to be a part of the team and they don’t pay for referrals.  We work cooperatively for the advancement of our industry and the betterment of our customers.  Please support our efforts by recommending CRT to your insurance agent or adjuster.  

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CERTIFIED RESTORATION TEAM

Should I buy Earthquake Insurance?

This following information is from United Policyholders:

The horrific images and aftermath of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami should be a call to action for property owners and public officials, and not just in California. There are known (and unknown) faults in the mid west and throughout the United States Use UP's Earthquake Insurance Shopping Guide to compare policies by what they cover and cost "apples to apples." Read our earthquake insurance buying tips for homeowners, and tips for renters to get a clearer understanding of how the policies work. Yes, typical earthquake coverage is expensive for what you get. Most policies don't pay until the loss is more than 15% of your total coverage.Even so, a 15% deductible is a lot less painful than the 100% you'll have to shoulder if you have no insurance at all. (See recent L.A. Times article, "Are you insured for the Big One?")The decision whether or not to buy earthquake insurance is an individual, financial decision. Key factors to research and consider are:

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Prepare For Flood Season

Educate Yourself

After getting flood insurance, there are several things you can do to minimize losses in your home and ensure your family's safety.

1. Safeguard your possessions.
Create a personal "flood file" containing information about all your possessions and keep it in a secure place, such as a safe deposit box or waterproof container. This file should have:

• A copy of your insurance policies with your agent's contact information.

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Be Prepared for Hailstorms

Hailstorms are frequent occurrences across the U.S. Most hailstorms occur during either the spring or fall months, are very localized events, and don't cause extensive property damage. However, occasionally hailstones can reach about 1.5 inches in diameter. When this occurs, they can cause significant property damage to cars, windows and siding. When hailstones reach three inches in diameter, they can cause major roof damage.

How to Stay Safe

• Listen to weather updates about hail activity.


• Seek shelter immediately if you are caught outdoors - preferably not under a tree.


• Close drapes, blinds or window shades for protection

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What Should I Do If My Pipes Are Frozen?

The weatherman has warned you that a cold front is barreling its way into your local area. You go to sleep the night before with extra covers on the bed and the thermal blanket set to "high". When you awake in the morning, it takes all of your determination to crawl from between the warm covers to start your day. As you step to the sink and turn the faucet on, nothing happens. Oh no! You forgot to leave the water trickling over night. Obviously, water has frozen in the pipes. Thankfully, you look around everywhere in the house and you see no evidence of a water leak. You may assume that the only tragedy is that you'll have to go to work without a shower, but think again.

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My Friend/Neighbor/Relative Didn't Have To Pay Their Deductible

Every once in a while our company is asked if we can "bury" a prospective client's deductible. We are often told that a previous contractor who completed repairs to the home did the work without collecting the deductible. I have no doubt that such persons are telling the truth, since such occurrences are far from rare. I also have no doubt that the deal these homeowners think they have gotten will cost them more than their deductible in the long run.

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P-U! Is sewage backup covered?

The following was e-mailed to me by United Policyholders, a consumer advocate group for insureds.  This is great information I thought I should share with everyone...

Stinky sewage back-up and overflowing drains are a very common cause of damage to homes and businesses, especially those located in flat areas or near the bottom of slopes. Many policies now exclude coverage for the clean-up and repairs, but for a mere $20 a year you can buy a "Back-up of Sewer or Drain Endorsement" that gives you up to $10,000 in coverage. The catch? A $1,000 deductible. But hey, that's still easy math.”

Larry Banach - Construction Manager

Do I Really Have To Pay My Deductible?

When you purchase a homeowners insurance policy, one of the decisions to be made is at what price point you want to set your deductible. The deductible is the amount you must pay personally BEFORE the insurance company steps in to cover the remainder of the loss amount. Essentially, you are self-insured up to the amount of your deductible.

When you file an insurance claim, either the insurance adjuster or a contractor, such as Champion Construction, will write a repair estimate. Let's say you had a $500 deductible, and the claim total was $5,000. The insurance company would issue a check for $4,500, with you personally owing the remaining $500. So, now you have a check for $4,500 and you want to know if the contractor can repair your home for that amount ONLY, saving you $500 hard-earned dollars. The short answer is "No", but let's take a step back into history for a moment.

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What To Do If Your Home Is Vandalized

The Do’s and Don’ts if you have a vandalism at your home or business:

DO:

• Report the damage to the police as soon as possible. They will need to collect evidence and take photographs.



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