Home Improvements, Summer and Your Personal Property

"I plan to do some home improvements this summer to my house. What should I do or how will it affect my insurance?" Steve Corvaia, Centereach, NY

Steve, that's a great question! Here are some general rules as they apply to your insurance but it is always best to check with us - your Insurance Broker - to see if this will affect your homeowner policy.

Do Call and Check When:

• You hire a contractor to do the work, make sure you get a certificate of insurance
• You add a pool, increasing your liability hazards
• You upgrade from a standard kitchen to a custom one
• You finish off your basement
• You add an office in your home
• You put an addition on your home
• You add a bathroom to your home

Do Not Call If:

• You add replacement windows
• You add a fence
• You replace the kitchen cupboards
• You side the house or replace the gutters

Again, these are general rules of thumb but if you are unsure, always call us to make sure.

Better to know this BEFORE a claim occurs, than after!

37% of all unpaid claims are the results of unreported changes to the insurance company/agent. Communication will always result in the correct course of action to insure proper protection.

Jeff Leibowitz, President
Atlantic Agency/DCAP Insurance
www.atlanticagency.com
Email: insure@atlanticagency.com

Please pass this along to Friends, Co-Workers, Customers..Anyone who could benefit!

Swimming Pool Hazards

Happy Summer!

Yes, Summer is upon us. For me and my family that means a lot of swimming (not only in our backyard, but swimming in the ocean or the beach.) Each presents it's own Safety Issues.

I think most of us walk around feeling indestructable most of the time. (Bad things only happen to the other guy, right?) Generally I think life is pretty safe as long as you take precautions.

But just in case - here are some tips for swimming safety to help you avoid being the "other guy". These tips apply to adults, teens and children.

• Never SWIM ALONE
  
• Children should always be supervised by a responsible adult
• Obey posted safety rules. (If you own a pool you should have safety rules posted)
• Stay out of the water during thunderstorms. If lightning starts, get out of the water immediatley and seek shelter away from metal objects, large trees and open areas.
• Check water depth before diving - jump in feet first if you're not sure how deep the water is.
• NEVER DIVE INTO AN ABOVE GROUND POOL!!
• Keep wheel toys or balls away from inground pools, so small ones don't accidentially go in
• Use inflatable toys and floats with caution, they are not safety devices
• A fence, wall or barrier should completely enclose the pool area. Access should be by locked gate or door.

Keep these tips in mind whenever you're swimming or around others who are. A little precaution could save lives.

Finally, call your insurance agent or broker - Yes call us at (866) 272-8310! You can increase your home liability coverage or you can add an extra layer with an umbrellas policy!

Enjoy the water and be safe!

Jeff Leibowitz

http://www.atlanticagency.com/

(866) 272-8310