A Proactive Solution to Disaster

There are so many things to think about when you have a disaster.  You've barely had time to process the fact that you've had a loss and now you're being asked to try and remember everything  you own in detail in order to be compensated.  Naturally your stress levels increase and your patience decreases as you long for everything to just be over with.

Fortunately, there is something you can do right now in order to save your sanity later should you have a fire, water or storm loss.  Take a disposable, digital or video camera as well as  a notebook and create a detailed record of your belongings.    Be as specific as possible by jotting down model numbers, serial numbers, sizes, quantities, dates and other descriptive or important details.  When you are finished, place the developed photos, memory card or videotape and the notebook in a fire-proof, air tight container.  Safes usually provide the best protection.

Now, if you become the unfortunate victim of fire, water or storm loss, you have everything you need to fill out the necessary paperwork.  No, it won't make all of your stress levels disappear but it will help you overcome feelings of helplessness and will expedite the restoration process.  With a little time and effort you will have peace of mind.

Chloe L. Hudson - Senior Contents Technician

How to Prevent Water Damage

In 2007, 22% of all homeowner’s insurance losses in the United States were caused by water damage.  Just a few steps could help you prevent a water damage from happening.

1. Know where your water shutoff valve is located.  Be sure that the entire family knows how to shut off household water supplies in the event of a sudden pipe or hose break.


2. Let faucets drip during extremely cold weather. This keeps the water moving and helps to reduce the chance of freezing.


3. Never leave the house with appliances, such as dishwashers, washers or dyers, still operating.


4. Turn off the water while you’re out of town. Many homeowners have returned from vacation to find their washer hoses have burst and flooded their homes.


5. Inspect your plumbing every year. You should inspect your water pipes and fittings annually. This is a simple check that takes only a few minutes but could prevent thousands of dollars in water damage.


6. Inspect your water heater, washer, dishwasher, sinks, toilets and refrigerator ice maker for evidence of water leaks and repair immediately.


7. Use the exhaust fan in the bathroom while the shower is on. This helps to remove steam from the room.


8. Check your hoses and replace them if they indicate wear.  Consider replacing hoses to your washer and dishwasher every two to five years.


9. Repair window and door cracks with caulk. This helps to prevent water from seeping into the house from outside.


10. Clean out gutters and down spouts regularly. This helps prevent overflowing, which may damage your roof.

Water Quiz

What percentage of a chicken is water?

75% of a chicken is water.

Do Americans or Europeans use more water?

Americans use five times the amount of water that Europeans use.

About how much does a person pay for water on a daily basis?

Click to read more ...

Five Fire Damage Prevention Tips

Fire damage can cripple small businesses, a fact that many business owners don't consider until disaster strikes. According to the popular cliché, hindsight is always 20/20. After a disaster, it's easy to see where careful planning and preparation could have prevented damage. To help you prepare for the worst, here are ten tips to help improve your fire prevention foresight.

1. Damage Due to Flames and Smoke.
The damage fire causes is typically two-fold.

Click to read more ...

From Jersey Boy to Miami Beach Bum to Georgia Redneck

Champion is proud to announce the arrival of Eddie Resto, our newest water damage technician.  Eddie comes from Jersey originally but moved  to Georgia from Miami (he has along way to go to be a redneck). Eddie comes to us with experience working in the restoration field. He likes to cook and spend time with his family.  He also enjoys baseball, but too bad he's a Yankees fan.

Brett Bishop - Mitigation Supervisor

Bring On the Rain

Yes, it is raining / pouring out as I blog this message.  According to the forecast it will continue for several days. For us in the Atlanta area we are thrilled for many reasons!  First of all, there is our Lake Lanier which has drained to a record low.  Then there's the "water ban restriction" which has been placed on everyone.  The restriction of water usage is always before us rather we are bathing, washing, gardening or enjoying recreation.  Let's hope the rain continues and just maybe we can have a long enjoyable summer with wonderful memories, gardens that are beautiful, children playing in the sprinkler while lawns are watered and swimmers enjoying a Sunday afternoon at the lake.

Pam Brown - Marketing Representative

Spotlight on Brett

This is the first of edition of our Champion Spotlight and this week we are going to take a closer look at Brett Bishop.

Brett is our Mitigation Crew Leader.  He has been with Champion since 1999.  He is probably the one you will talk to if you ever have a water damage in the middle of the night because he handles all of the water emergencies and dispatches crews 24/7.

Now, let's get to know Brett...

What is your favorite snack?  Peanuts 

What is your favorite piece of clothing?  Blue Jeans

 

 What is your favorite word?   Yes - its what I tell my wife all the time

 

 If you had a million dollars how would you spend it?  A house in the mountains in the middle of nowhere

Click to read more ...

A Successful Ethics CEC at Champion!

On Tuesday, March 17, we hosted another great CEC for agents and adjusters.  The morning course was entitled "Ethics...To Be or Not To Be!" and was taught by Brett Decker, CLU from The CE Depot.  (http://www.brettdecker.com/) This was the first time we had worked with Mr. Decker and we were very impressed.  He kept the course lively with pictures and real-life examples.  We look forward to working with him in the future and we think he feels the same way about us.  Here is an excerpt from a letter we received from him...

"Good to have seen you again. Also, very nice to have met so many of the “Champion” gang during my visit. Quite an impressive group of people, professional and friendly. Please convey this and my appreciation to each and every one of them for me. Thanks for the opportunity to deliver what turned out to be a successful Ethics class based on student evaluations. It’s always good when that happens for all of them and us together. They were a quality group of people and they made the session lively and interactive which is always good for everyone, as well.  I will look forward to instructing future CE classes, Ethics and others that you might want me to do for you and your people."

We will be hosting more CECs in the future.  Check out our calendar under the "Agent Area" of our website.  You can also check out pictures from our CECs and read the comments from our attendees.

http://www.championcsi.com/agent-portal.php

Summer Bishop - Marketing Support

Oh No! Not my wood floors!

As the Job Coordinator for our company, much of my time is spent in coordinating the selection and installation of replacement flooring.  To make the experience a little easier here is a Tip on Solid Wood installation.

If your floors are being sanded, finished or refinished, be prepared for some noise and disruption. Dust containment systems can minimize debris (we use an Air Scrubber), but no system is 100% effective, so cover any items that you want to keep dust-free. When the finish is applied, stay off your floors until it has dried. The time required will vary depending on the type of finish used. Keep in mind that no two floor boards will be identical. Variations in appearance are completely normal. As your floor ages, some color change can occur. This also is normal, but can be minimized by limiting exposure to direct sunlight, and periodically moving furniture and rugs. Cracks are normal as well, and will appear and disappear between floor boards during seasons of high and low humidity. Generally, anything less than the width of a dime is considered normal, and will correct itself as seasons change.

National Wood Flooring Association

http://www.woodfloors.org/consumer/

Lisa Moore - Job Coordinator

Good News for First Time Home Buyers

If ever there was a time for a first time home buyer to act, it is now!  First, according to the National Association of Realtors, houses were more affordable in December than at any other point since the group started in 1970.   Second, January 2008 saw record lows in mortgage interest rates.  And February rates were still near-record at 4.844% according to the Newnan - Coweta Board of Realtors.  Here comes the "Good News", according to the  (NAR) and Reinvestment Act of 2009  a tax credit of up to $8000 will be available for first -time home buyers for the purchase of a principle residence on or after Jan. 1, 2009 and before Dec. 1 2009.   The tax credit, decreased prices, great selection and record low interest rates make it a great time be a first time buyer say's Linda Mitchell with Coldwell Banker Bullard Realty.  While the sellers market has a lot of improving to do, the buyers market is certainly something to be excited about - especially for first time home buyers.

 http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/faq.php

Pamela Brown - Marketing Representative