NPM 2009: Get A Kit

When preparing for a possible emergency situation, it’s best to think first about the basics of survival: fresh water, food, clean air and warmth.

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation

• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food

• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• First aid kit

• Whistle to signal for help

• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

• Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)

• Local maps

• Cell phone with chargers

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

• Prescription medications and glasses

• Infant formula and diapers

• Pet food and extra water for your pet

• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container

• Cash or traveler’s checks and change

• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov

• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.

• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.

• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.

• Fire Extinguisher

• Matches in a waterproof container

• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

• Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels

• Paper and pencil

• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Click here for more information, including a printer-friendly list of supplies. In addition to getting a kit, be sure to Make a Plan, Be Informed and Get Involved!

Additional Considerations for Businesses

Encourage all of your employees to have a Portable Kit customized to meet personal needs, such as essential medications. In addition:

• Keep copies of important records such as site maps, building plans, insurance policies, employee contact and identification information, bank account records, supplier and shipping contact lists, computer backup files, emergency or law enforcement contact information and other priority documents in a waterproof, fireproof portable container. Store a second set of records at an off-site location.

• Talk to your co-workers about what emergency supplies the company can feasibly provide, if any, and which ones individuals should consider keeping on hand.
**************************************************

Just remember that Knowledge = Power to Negotiate Higher Insurance Claim Settlements Yourself.

We here at Property Claim Tips are devoted to helping homeowners through a 9 step easy-to-follow process that allows the homeowner to present their own homeowner insurance claim Saving Time & Money!!!

We encourage you to visit www.propertyclaimtips.com and find the claim kit you need to deal with your insurance company.

Also, make certain to sign up for our FREE SPECIAL REPORT called “Your Duties & Responsibilities After a Loss.”

Rick Kinney “Your Advocate in Property Damage Homeowner Insurance Claim “

September Is National Preparedness Month

Release Date: September 1, 2009
Release Number: R8-09-010

DENVER, Co. — The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reminding everyone that September is National Preparedness Month. Throughout National Preparedness Month, which is sponsored by FEMA’s Ready Campaign, FEMA is encouraging all Americans to visit Ready.gov to learn how they can better prepare themselves and their families for the next emergency or disaster.

“Disaster can strike any time, anywhere. By taking a few simple steps now, you can ensure that your family and your community are prepared before the next emergency arises,” said FEMA’s Acting Regional Administrator Doug Gore. “We urge everyone to take steps necessary to keep their family safe, which includes getting a kit, making a plan, being informed and getting involved.”

National Preparedness Month focuses on changing perceptions about emergency preparedness and helping Americans understand what it means to “Be Ready.” National Preparedness Month coalition members have agreed to distribute emergency preparedness information and sponsor activities across the country that will promote emergency preparedness. Membership is open to all public and private sector organizations.

FEMA’s Citizen Corps is also an important partner in this campaign. Citizen Corps is FEMA’s grassroots strategy to bring together government and community leaders to involve citizens in all-hazards emergency preparedness and resilience.

To see a list of national, regional, tribal, state, local businesses and organizations that have pledged their support and joined the 2009 National Preparedness Month Coalition, please visit www.ready.gov/america/npm09/members.html.

For more information on the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month, please visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov. Information also is available by phone at 1-800-BE-READY or 1-888-SE-LISTO. For information on Citizen Corps please visit www.citizencorps.gov.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
**************************************************
Just remember that Knowledge = Power to Negotiate Higher Insurance Claim Settlements Yourself. We here at Property Claim Tips are devoted to helping homeowners through a 9 step easy-to-follow process that allows the homeowner to present their own homeowner insurance claim Saving Time & Money!!!

We encourage you to visit www.propertyclaimtips.com and find the claim kit you need to deal with your insurance company.

Also, make certain to sign up for our FREE SPECIAL REPORT called “Your Duties & Responsibilities After a Loss.”

Rick Kinney “Your Advocate in Property Damage Homeowner Insurance Claim “

El Nino…What is it?

By Rick Kinney
Property Claim Tips, LLC

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center announced the arrival of El Nino in early July. The CPC has indicated that a weak-to-moderate strength El Nino episode is expected through the fall months, with the potential of strengthening in the 2009-2010 winter months.

El Nino is the periodic warming of the central and eastern tropical Pacific waters which typically occurs every two to five years and on average lasts about 12 months. This phenomenon known as El Nino has been in evidence as early as the 16th Century.

What El Nino does is shift the jet stream further southward than normal. El Nino episodes bring more frequent and stronger storms across the Gulf of Mexico and southern United States, the result being a higher threat for severe weather, excessive rainfall and coastal storms.

While it’s always a good idea to keep a watchful eye on the tropics during the Atlantic hurricane season (June 1 through Nov. 30), the maximum activity for the Atlantic basin historically occurs in early to mid-September.

Citizens should remain particularly weather-conscious during a El Nino cycle.

So, stay tuned to developing weather systems, keep a well-stocked disaster supply kit on hand and revisit your family and business disaster plans. Being prepared is the best way to keep safe this hurricane season.

Just remember that Knowledge = Power to Negotiate Higher Insurance Claim Settlements Yourself.

We here at Property Claim Tips are devoted to helping homeowners through a 9 step easy-to-follow process that allows the homeowner to present their own homeowner insurance claim Saving Time & Money!!!

We encourage you to visit WWW.propertyclaimtips.com and find the claim kit you need to deal with your insurance company.

Also, make certain to sign up for our FREE SPECIAL REPORT called “Your Duties & Responsibilities After a Loss.”

Rick Kinney “Your Advocate in Property Damage Homeowner Insurance Claim “

Fire Still Rages in L.A. Mountains

By Rick Kinney
Property Claim Tips, LLC

A massive fire in the Angeles National Forest nearly doubled in size overnight, and threatens approximately 12,000 homes in a 20-mile-long swath of flames and smoke.

The fire damaged at least 53 homes and was moving north, south and east through the foothills northeast of Los Angeles feeding on brush that had not burned for 40 years.

The fire had burned 164 square miles of brush and trees and at least 6,600 homes were under mandatory evacuation orders and more than 2,500 firefighters were battling the flames.

On the northwestern front, two firefighters were killed Sunday when their truck drove off the side of a road on Mount Gleason near the city of Acton.

More than 20 helicopters and air tankers are being used to dump water and retardant over the flames, including two Canadian Super Scoopers, giant craft that can pull thousands of gallons of water from lakes and reservoirs.

The sheer length of the fire meant that it threatened homes ranging from scattered ranches to multimillion-dollar estates in luxury enclaves.

Another 2,000 homes were threatened in San Bernardino County and a mandatory evacuation was under way in Oak Glen, an unincorporated scenic community of apple orchards near Yucaipa and about 90 miles east of downtown Los Angeles.

Northeast of Sacramento, a fire destroyed 60 structures, including 10 businesses, in the town of Auburn. The fire had wiped out an entire cul-de-sac, leaving only smoldering ruins, a handful of chimneys and burnt cars.

In Mariposa County, a nearly 7-square-mile fire burned in Yosemite National Park and forced the evacuation of about 50 homes.

If you sustain property damage from fire - smoke or water used to extinguish the fire then you should look to your homeowner insurance policy. After all, can you really trust insurance companies these days to do the right thing?

Never allow the insurance company to make your claim for you!

Just remember that Knowledge = Power to Negotiate Higher Insurance Claim Settlements Yourself.

We here at Property Claim Tips are devoted to helping homeowners through a 9 step easy-to-follow process that allows the homeowner to present their own homeowner insurance claim Saving Time & Money!!!

We encourage you to visit www.propertyclaimtips.com and find the claim kit you need to deal with your insurance company.

Also, make certain to sign up for our FREE SPECIAL REPORT called “Your Duties & Responsibilities After a Loss.”

Rick Kinney “Your Advocate in Property Damage Homeowner Insurance Claim “

__

Wildfire Going Crazy in Southern Cal.

By Rick Kinney

Thousands of Southern California residents had to evacuate due to a wild fire that nearly doubled in size over the weekend. The fire is approaching Mount Wilson Observatory, and has already killed two firefighters. The fire is becoming extremely dangerous and as of now it does not look like it is slowing down. The fire is being fueled with high temperatures, low humidity, and a severe drought. These are ideal factors for a wild fire, and give the wild fire the potential to go crazy.

It is imperative that the homeowners in the area of this fire evacuate to a safe location, and begin to examine their insurance policies. A fire like this has the possibility to cause catastrophic loses for a homeowner. It is essential that homeowners are prepared to file an insurance claim, as well as understanding the insurance claim process.

A wild fire is a unique situation, and in a case of a fire; weather it is smoke damage, or a blazing fire, an insurance claim must be filed. As devastating as a fire can be it is of great essence to understand the insurance claim process so you are able to maximize your insurance claim settlement. The ultimate goal is to get your house back to a pre-loss condition, and by understanding the insurance claim process you give yourself a better chance of doing exactly that.

Just remember that Knowledge = Power to Negotiate Higher Insurance Claim Settlements Yourself. We here at Property Claim Tips are devoted to helping homeowners through a 9 step easy-to-follow process that allows the homeowner to present their own homeowner insurance claim Saving Time & Money!!!

We encourage you to visit www.propertyclaimtips.com and find the claim kit you need to deal with your insurance company.

Also, make certain to sign up for our FREE SPECIAL REPORT called “Your Duties & Responsibilities After a Loss.”

Rick Kinney

“Your Advocate in Property Damage Homeowner Insurance Claim “

Do You Have Water Damage?

By Rick Kinney

Water Damage is occurring all over the world, and if you encountered any sort of water damage; then you are just one of thousands that come across water damage in a single day. Weather it is an accidental discharge due to plumbing problems, water leaks, or even flooding. Whatever the case may be property damage in its own right is a devastating event.

The sad thing is the “Homeowner’s Insurance Claim”, and the insurance claim process is at times more of a headache then physically getting the property back to a pre-loss condition. The insurance process is long, and at times very confusing; and as a homeowner you really don’t come across the insurance industry on a daily basis unless it is your profession. Therefore, you need to educate yourself of the insurance claim process in case you need to file an insurance claim.

It is important to note, that your insurance company may not cover damage in an insurance claim. You need to understand your duties and responsibilities as a homeowner to prevent the insurance company from denying a claim. One of the main duties and responsibilities as a homeowner is to mitigate the damage, and prevent the household from further damage.

Just remember that Knowledge = Power to Negotiate Higher Insurance Claim Settlements. At Property Claim Tips we are devoted to walking homeowners through a 9 step easy-to-follow process that allows the homeowner to present their own homeowner insurance claim saving time & money!!!

We encourage you to visit www.propertyclaimtips.com and find the claim kit you need to deal with your insurance company. Also, make certain to sign up for our FREE SPECIAL REPORT called “Your Duties & Responsibilities After a Loss.”

Rick Kinney

“Your Advocate in Property Damage Homeowner Insurance Claim”

STORM INSURANCE – Should There Be a Multi Peril Insurance Policy for Texas?

Rick Kinney
Property Claim Tips, LLC

A new Texas state law begins September 1, 2009 mandating that in order for a property in so-called velocity zone be insured against for flood damage it must have a wind policy issued through the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association.

Most insurance experts say having wind and flood insurance in separate policies makes no sense. The two-policy system has caused a lot of confusion and anger. Not to mention absurdity as competing engineers inspecting piers and pretend they can determine what share of wind and or water removed the houses off their foundation piers.

This law applies to houses and commercial buildings in beach-front areas vulnerable to storm-driven waves “constructed, altered, remodeled and enlarged” on or after September 1, 2009.

The law aims to prevent future conflicts among policy holders and the windstorm association regarding the issue of whether the property was damaged by wind, flood water or both. If wind was the cause, then the association is liable. If flood water or storm surge was the cause of damage, then the association is not liable.

Hundreds have sued the association over that issue. Many more are feeling ripped off because they paid windstorm premiums for years, but were told all their Ike damage was caused by storm surge, which is not covered and would need flood policy.

Some of those people are trying to play the system. Some honestly didn’t know they needed National Flood Insurance Program policies to be covered for flood damage. Some claim to have been misled by insurance agents.

The U.S. House this fall probably will begin debating reform of the National Flood Insurance Program. Among those proposed reforms are provisions creating a multi-peril insurance policy that would cover major hurricanes, floods and earthquakes — things that don’t happen all the time but when they do it can be catastrophic.

That would mean one policy, one adjuster, no questions about wind or water.

Just remember that Knowledge = Power to Negotiate Higher Insurance Claim Settlements Yourself.

We here at Property Claim Tips are devoted to helping homeowners through a 9 step easy-to-follow process that allows the homeowner to present their own homeowner insurance claim Saving Time & Money!!!

We encourage you to visit www.propertyclaimtips.com and find the claim kit you need to deal with your insurance company.

Also, make certain to sign up for our FREE SPECIAL REPORT called “Your Duties & Responsibilities After a Loss.”

Rick Kinney “Your Advocate in Property Damage Homeowner Insurance Claim “

Insurance Polices- Named Peril VS Open Peril Policy?

By Rick Kinney

Well, first of all, there are only five total homeowner’s insurance policies. They are: H0-1(Basic Bare Bone Policy), H0-2(Broad Coverage Policy), H03 (Special Form Policy), H05 (Extended Form Policy), and H08 (Modified Limited Repair Form Policy). Out of the five insurance polices there are three “Named Peril Policies”, which are H0-1, and H02, and H0-8; and only two “Open Peril Policies”, which are H-03, and H0-5.

What is a named peril policy? A named peril policy is simply a policy that lists all the insurance perils you are insured against. The H0-1 policy, which is the “Basic Bare Bone Policy”, consists of only nine perils you are insured against. The other named peril policy is the H0-2; which is the “Broad Coverage Policy”, and that consist of sixteen or seventeen perils you’re insured against, based on who the policy is structured by, either the ISO or the AAIS. The H0-8 insurance policy is very similar to the H0-1 policy but is limited to the repairs insured against. 

What is an open peril policy? An open peril policy is a policy where all sixteen or seventeen named perils are insured against, except those in the “Exclusions & Limitations” section of your contract. The H0-3, which is a “Special Form Policy”, is a named peril policy for the contents within your house; whereas it is an open peril policy for the actual building. Therefore, in order for your contents within your building to be insured, the property damage has to occur from one of the sixteen or seventeen named perils; whereas for the building is covered for damage that is caused either by a named peril or a non- named peril.

The H0-5, which is the “Extended Form Policy”, is an open peril policy for the contents within your house, and the actual building. This means that both the contents within the building and the actual building are covered from a named peril, or a non- named peril. This homeowner’s insurance policy is often considered the best policy for a homeowner.

Just remember that Knowledge = Power to Negotiate Higher Insurance Claim Settlements Yourself. We here at Property Claim Tips are devoted to helping homeowners through a 9 step easy-to-follow process that allows the homeowner to present their own homeowner insurance claim Saving Time & Money!!!

We encourage you to visit www.propertyclaimtips.com and find the claim kit you need to deal with your insurance company.

Also, make certain to sign up for our FREE SPECIAL REPORT called “Your Duties & Responsibilities After a Loss.”

Rick Kinney

“Your Advocate in Property Damage Homeowner Insurance Claim “

HURRICANE BILL AFTERMATH

By Rick Kinney

Hurricane Bill did indeed have effects on the east coast. Unfortunately, it left some injured, others in the hospital, some were killed, and many with a life threatening story to tell. It is devastating to examine the results of a hurricane.

Over the last weekend the hurricane drew many viewers to the eastern coast shores to watch the enormous swells, and the rough ocean. The coast guard had to rescue many people who were swept into deep waters.

The affects from hurricane bill were not just ocean related; there were many thunderstorms, which had violent rain and wind conditions. There were fallen trees, localized flooding, and other property damage.

If you suffered any property damage from Hurricane Bill, and need to file an insurance claim, check out www.propertyclaimtips.com . Property Claim Tip, LLC specializes in homeowner’s insurance, and is devoted to empowering the homeowner with there specialized homeowner’s insurance claim kits.

Just remember that Knowledge = Power to Negotiate Higher Insurance Claim Settlements Yourself. We here at Property Claim Tips are devoted to helping homeowners through a 9 step easy-to-follow process that allows the homeowner to present their own homeowner insurance claim Saving Time & Money!!!

We encourage you to visit www.propertyclaimtips.com and find the claim kit you need to deal with your insurance company.

Also, make certain to sign up for our FREE SPECIAL REPORT called “Your Duties & Responsibilities After a Loss.”

Rick Kinney

“Your Advocate in Property Damage Homeowner Insurance Claim “

Homeowner Tips against Bad Faith Claim Management

by: Rick Kinney

Most homeowners haven’t a clue about filing an insurance claim. After all, submitting an insurance claim is usually a rare event for most people. The old 80/20 rule applies, and if you are not careful then you could get the short end of the stick.

Eighty percent of homeowners settle claims for much less then they have to; even if they are not happy with the offer they still settle. While the other twenty percent try to negotiate but haven’t the understanding how the process works. By the time they try to follow along weeks or months have past and frustration sets in and they settle.

Let’s be honest here do you know and fully understand the homeowner insurance claim process? Do you know the time frames that the insurance company has to settle your claim? Do you know what the response time is for the adjuster to respond to communications? Can you detect a low ball settlement offer?

Well we do and to help prevent against an insurance company that maybe acting in Bad Faith, then it is our opinion that you document everything. You really need to understand how to process a property damage homeowner insurance claim.

Once you do then you can get a fair and equitable settlement that is rightfully owed. This is why our claim kits are so popular because they do this and much more…

Here a just a few indicators that may tell you if the insurance company is not being fair with you. All insurance companies must act in a good faith manner.

Evaluation process: If the insurance adjuster arrives and he/she takes a quick look around taking pictures and then just disappears, then this is not performing a realistic and detailed inspection. This can cause a low ball settlement offer to be generated by that claims adjuster. Lets be realistic here, preparing an accurate assessment of damage can take some time.

Quick settlement offers: When an offer is made quickly be leery. Usually this is a ploy to get you to settle your loss by accepting the check that may have final payment on it.Watch out for this!!!

Hundreds if not thousands of dollars could be at stake. Therefore, make certain that you understand the claim process fully by understanding the terminology used and be prepared. Often, it could take two or even three settlement offers to maximize your insurance claim.

Stalling tactics: Not returning phone calls, calling at times the adjuster knows that you will not be home, or at work. The old rule he said she said really doesn’t fly well when you need to make a complaint to a supervisor, branch claim manger, district claim office or even to corporate home office.

You should take the stance that you may have to defend your claim through the appraisal process or even litigation if necessary. If you need an attorney that specializes in bad faith litigation then check out our national network.

Therefore, everything you do should be in written format. Most insurance departments have statutes that regulate Claims Practices or Claims Handling Procedures that must be followed.

You should find out what your state mandates when dealing with the insurance company. What is the acceptable time frame allowed before the adjuster must respond to well written communications.
Every phone call or discussion you have should be followed up in writing. These guys and gals get overwhelmed with case loads and tend to forget a lot.

Is the insurance adjuster compelled to send a letter out every thirty days stating why the claim has not settled yet?

When it comes time to filing a homeowner insurance claim then you really need to know the claim process and take a proactive approach.

Our claim kits do this in a logical and sequential method designed to save you time and money.

Knowledge = Power to Negotiate Higher Insurance Settlements. Also, the understanding if the insurance company is acting fairly or unfairly, while documenting your claim file giving you the ultimate advantage over other homeowners that do not know or understand this process.

After all, it’s your money and property we are speaking about here.

Sign up for our FREE SPECIAL REPORT called “Your Duties & Responsibilities After a Loss.”

Rick Kinney Your Advocate in Property Damage Homeowner’s Insurance Claim