Beware When Seeking Contractors For Repairs

If your home or business suffered damage during the recent east coast earthquake, Hurricane Irene or flooding from tropical storm Lee, then you are probably in the process of scheduling repairs.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warns to be careful when choosing contractors for repair jobs or you might find yourself a victim all over again.

Be suspicious of those who claim to be contractors and who seek jobs by going door-to-door or handing out flyers. Furthermore, be wary of those who require large up-front deposits or payment in full in advance.  If they turn out to be unscrupulous, they will likely begin the job but then disappear before the work is done. 

The Insurance Information Institute  also cautions to be very careful if a contractor proposes doing temporary repairs at a large cost before getting on with the permanent repairs.  Bear in mind that the insurance settlement you receive is typically intended to cover both initial temporary repairs if/as necessary as well as permanent repairs for a given loss.  If you spend a lot of your funds on such a temporary fix, you will likely not have enough remaining to cover the permanent repair job. 

See more advice from III: Beware Crooked Contractors (Video).

Before you sign any contract to have repair work done, be sure that you feel completely confortable that you are working with a reputable, honest contractor.  If possible, work with a contractor who has done work for you or someone else you trust.  If you don’t know such a contractor, try asking your insurance agent who will likely be able to refer someone who is reliable. Likewise, your local building/trade associations might make a referral.  But you will want to check references if it is someone you don’t already know.

Whether you are the victim of a disaster or just a home or business owner with property in need of repairs, if you will be working with contractors, consider the following tips:

• Look into the contractor’s reputation with the local builder/trade organizations or the Better Business Bureau. In particular, you’ll want to know whether the contractor’s record shows complaints filed.
• Get a Certificate of Insurance from the contractor to be sure that the firm has active disability and workers' compensation insurance to cover any workers’ accidents. Otherwise, you could be liable for such accidents on your property.
• Ask for a written estimate that includes all the work you expect the contractor to do. It should also show  taxes or other fees. Be aware that you may be charged for the estimate, especially since the contractor is likely to be very busy after a disaster has occurred.
• Be sure you know who is responsible for obtaining all permits and licenses related to your job.
• Obtain a written contract that specifically shows all tasks to be performed, all associated costs and payment schedule; and don’t sign a contract that is not specific and complete.
• Ask for a written guarantee with a stated duration showing exactly what is guaranteed and whether there are any stipulations or restrictions.
• Pay by check or credit card but never by cash.
• Be sure to read carefully any contract cancellation clauses. You should be able to cancel a contract within three business days of signing.

If you have a loss due to storm damage or something else, be sure to contact your insurance agent as soon as possible to discuss your options and receive assistance.  Here at Henry A. Latimer & Son, we are experienced in helping our insurance policyholders recover from losses with as little discomfort as possible.  Please contact us at your convenience to discuss any of your insurance needs.

 

Would You Be Ready for Another Earthquake?

A significant earthquake in the country's Mid-Atlantic region?  Really?

Unless you are new to the area, you probably remember that the first earthquake to hit Maryland since 1990 happened on the morning of July 10, 2010.  It was a magnitude 3.6 quake with the epicenter in Gaithersburg that was felt in the Washington DC metro area and beyond. 

Now, just over a year later, we have experienced the magnitude 5.8 earthquake centered in Mineral, Virginia, just south of Washington, DC.  Everyone knows how rare earthquakes are  here on the east coast of the United States, but many wonder if it could happen again.  Michael Oskin, Geological Professor at UC Davis tells Reuters News that there likely will be aftershocks felt, not only for days and weeks, but for months following this earthquake, and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) experts concur.

If live or work in Maryland, Virginia or surrounding states, would you be prepared to withstand another sizeable earthquake and its aftershocks? Might you find yourself isolated by a quake? FEMA warns that you might need to be self-sustaining for hours or perhaps even days afterward such an event.  Thus, having at least a minimal supply of food, drinking water and access to your medications and other essentials could be critical to your survival.

You might not be able to travel. Earthquakes can damage roads, bridges, train tracks, bringing traffic to a stop and disrupting rail and air traffic at least temporarily. 

In the recent Mineral, VA earthquake, cellular phonse were unreliable.  If you were unable to reach your family by phone, would they know what to do, where to go?  Often in such an emergency, a text message will go through where a voice message will not; but -- if it were to occur right now -- would you have the necessary phone numbers at hand to use if needed?

Depending on the severity of it, an earthquake can structurally damage homes and other buildings, interrupt electric and gas service, shatter glass and otherwise create the potential for severe injury.  Are you confident that your home would withstand earthquake damage?

Of course, given the history, the probability of a significant east coast earthquake is remote; but should you take time to make an emergency plan, just in case?  FEMA offers a valuable earthquake resource website, with detailed checklists showing the steps to take before, during and after an earthquake.

If you believe earthquake damage is possible, it's important to know in advance whether your insurance will cover it.  Usually, a standard homeowners policy will not cover damage from earthquakes, but special coverages could be available depending upon where you live and what insurance company issues your policy. Post-earthquake fire damage will probably be covered through your homeowners policy; and earthquake damage to your vehicles could be covered by special provisions in your auto insurance policy.  It is very important to check with your insurance agent well before an disaster strikes in order to be prepared, should you have losses caused by an earthquake.

Here at Henry A. Latimer & Son, Inc., our professional agents can review your current insurance policies and discuss your best option to be prepared for earthquake damage.  Contact us anytime, we welcome the opportunity to be of help.

 

First Time "Green" Car Safety Picks From IIHS

The Information Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) incorporated plug-in electic cars in their crash-test evaluations for the very first time this year with excellent results.  

In fact, the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt received the rating of "Good" (the highest safety rating category) for frontal, rear, side and rollover crash protection.  Moreover, both the Volt and the Volt also achieved "Standard" rating for electronic stability control (ESC) which was still acceptable, allowing both electric/hybrid vehicles inclusion among the IIHS Top Safety Picks List for 2011.

The test results clearly showed that the automakers' safety engineering being utilized in their electric cars compares favorably to that being used in their more traditional vehicle powered by internal combusion engines.

The 2011 Top Safety Picks for all sizes of cars, vans and SUVs has been published by the IIHS, and it recognizes 38 cars, 25 SUVs and one minivan, in addition to the new category of Hybrid vehicles. When comparing this 2011 list to that of 2010, you will find more than twice the number of vehicles that merited the 2011 Top Safety Pick status.

If you are considering the purchase of a new vehicle -- whether a traditional model or one of the new hybrid or electric models, you would benefit from first checking out the crash test results. 

It could also be worthwhile to check with your insurance agent to discuss the rates available for the vehicle of your choice before you sign the purchase agreement.  Here at Henry A. Latimer & Son, Inc., our experienced agents would be glad to discuss your insurance needs at your convenience.

 

 

Protect Your Outdoor Workers From Heat Illness During Summer Months

For your employees who work outdoors, heat can be more than just uncomforatable, it can be a real danger during the summer when temperatures in our area soar into the 90s.  

During 2011, as a record heat wave swept much of the nation this summer, the season's hazardous hot weather caused the U.S. Labor Secretary to issue a warning to employers about protecting their workers .

In addition, recognizing the threat of high heat to workers, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rolled out a national outreach initiative to educate employers as well as workers regarding the health hazards of working outdoors in the heat. OSHA has outlining steps needed to recognize and prevent heat illnesses.  The OSHA website includes segments containing resources, educational material and much more to allow you as an employer to raise the awareness of your workforce when it comes to the dangers and how to cope with the extreme heat of summer. 
OSHA reports that, each year, thousands of outdoor workers encounter heat illness as they do their jobs. As an employer, you want to protect your employees against possible injury and danger; so you will want to educate them to avoid heat-related illness  which often manifests as heat exhaustion. Heat Stroke can quick follow heat exhaustion if it is not handled promptly. Heat stroke was responsible for the death of 30 workers in 2010.

Check out this video in which OSHA boss, David Michaels warns workers that  "Drinking water often, taking breaks, and limiting time in the heat are simple, effective ways to prevent heat illness."
During the summer of 2011, both employers and employees took advantage of a new resource in the form of Weather Service Alerts issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)in partnership with OSHA. These alerts provided worker safety precautions and were made available when heat alerts were issued across the U.S. Pertinent worker safety information may be found on NOAA’s Heat Watch Web page.

You, as a responsible employer, certainly strive to see that your employees are protected in your workplace. Part of that effort should be to ensure that you have the proper insurance coverage to assist with any claims, should illness or injury occur.  In the face of threats to your employees’ health and safety such as the environmental danger from extreme heat, we here at the Henry A. Latimer & Son Inc. urge you take a moment to review your company’s insurance package  in terms of Workers' Compensation and related policies so that you are prepared before you need it.  We welcome your questions and would be glad to help you review your insurance policy at your convenience.