Don't Let Water Damage Strain Your Wallet

Water leakage is one of the most common forms of damage to your home. Most of these damage claims are a result of a broken washing machine or hot-water heater. In the past these appliances were once tucked away in the basement, now they are conveniently located on main or upper floors. When they malfunction, the water leakage damages walls and ceilings causing costly repairs. There are preventative measures you can take to reduce the chance of water damage in your home:

1. An average water heater lasts about 10 years. If you notice wet spots on the floor or rust forming on the tank, it is a good idea to think about replacing it.
2. A worn out rubber or plastic hose is an accident waiting to happen. Examine the hoses on your appliances and under sinks for leaks from water lines or drain pipes. Consider replacing them with stainless steel hoses which have a much longer lifespan.
3. If your air conditioning unit is located in the attic, check it periodically and have it maintained by a
professional. Make sure that your service agreement includes inspecting and cleaning the unit annually. A leak starting in the attic will do considerable damage.
4. Only run dishwashers and washing machines while you are home. If the appliance should malfunction you can turn the water off in order to avoid a huge flood. It is vital you know where the main water shut off valve is in your home.
5. For less than the cost of dinner you can purchase a water alarm. They work much the same way as smoke alarms do and are simple to install. They can be placed on the floor or wall mounted. The alarm’s sensor will trigger if exposed to any level of moisture.

Some water damage is covered by homeowners’ insurance and some is not. In some instances a policy will only cover damage if regular maintenance has been performed. It is therefore essential that these areas are checked before you suffer losses that you can’t afford to cover.

BIC Opens Second Office in Hampton

Change and growth are inevitable, and it’s a good thing! We’re pleased to announce the recent affiliation of Brownell Insurance Center, Inc. and Seacoast Financial Network. With Brownell Insurance specializing in property and casualty insurance, and Seacoast Financial specializing in life, disability, long-term care, and estate planning, we can say assuredly that we have your insurance and investment needs fully covered.

Come visit us at our second office, located at 861 Lafayette Road, Hampton, NH. The new location means access to new clients as well as improved client service and business partnerships. “Through this partnership, we are now able to offer our clients an even higher level of continuity between their personal financial needs and the insurance coverage they’re purchasing to protect their assets. When our clients have completed a financial review with us, they’ll have a solid understanding of their financial picture from every angle,”says Marie Brownell, President of Brownell Insurance Center.

Seacoast Financial Network, LLC has been serving the greater Seacoast region of NH and ME for over 16 years. Al Blake, Jr., President of Seacoast Financial Network, LLC, brings over 16 years of experience in the areas of business and personal insurance planning, education and retirement planning, and estate planning.

Welcome Kerry Ouellette

We are pleased to announce that Kerry Ouellette has joined our team as a personal lines agent. Kerry was hired as part of the continued growth plan at Brownell Insurance Center.

Ms. Ouellette is a graduate of Londonderry High School and received an Associate’s Degree in Business Management from Hesser College. Her previous business experience includes three years in personal lines insurance and several years as office manager for a diesel services company. Ouellette will be responsible of all personal line renewals including annual policy reviews as well as providing clients with recommendations to improve coverage.

5 Tips to Protect Yourself from Credit and Identity Theft
By Al Blake, Jr., CSA

1. When you order checks, don’t use your full first or middle names; use your initials with your full last name instead. Who’s going to guess that “B” stands for “Barbara” or “Bertram” when attempting to forge your signature?

2. Instead of using your home phone number on your checks, put your work number. In addition, if you have a PO Box, use it for your address and never, ever publish your Social Security number on your checks.

3. Make photocopies of every piece of identification that you carry with you daily and be sure to copy both sides. If your wallet is ever stolen, all the information you’ll need-auto license, registration, credit card numbers, customer service hot lines- will be available to you in one place.

4. If your credit cards are stolen, file a police report in the jurisdiction where it was stolen immediately. You’ll want enough back-up proof as possible for your credit card issuers to know that you were diligent.

5. If your credit cards are stolen, call all national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. The alert lets any company that checks your credit know that your information was stolen and that they are to contact you by phone to authorize any new credit. Their numbers are: Equifax at 800-685-1111, Experian at 888-397-3742, and Trans Union at 800-888-4213. In case your Social Security card or number is stolen, it’s also a good idea to notify the Social Security Administration at 800-269-0271.

While no amount of caution can be totally fool-proof, being aware of the potential identity and theft possibilities and of how to protect ourselves-even if we fall victim-are simple steps to give us added defense.

Al Blake, Jr., president of Seacoast Financial Network, LLC in Hampton, is grateful he has not had to deal with identify theft and encourages you to take precautions so that you won’t have to experience it either. Al can be reached at 603.929.1499 or alblakejr2002@yahoo.com.

Making Sure You Get the Right Coverage for Your Boat

There are two basic sections of a typical boat or yacht insurance policy: physical damage and liability. The physical damage section covers accidental loss or damage to the boat and its machinery. The liability section, covers your legal obligations to third parties. This legal liability can arise from bodily injury or loss of life, or damage to someone else’s property, as a result of the ownership or operation of your boat.

Physical Damage - What Losses are Covered? - Physical damage coverage generally pays for repairs to your boat that are necessary as a result of damage caused by a wide range of perils. The best policies provide “All RISK” coverage, which means that if the cause of loss is not specifically excluded, it is covered. The number and type of physical damage exclusions vary from company to company, so let us help you compare coverages so we may help to avoid surprises later.

Loss Settlement - Agreed Value vs. Actual Cash Value - Agreed value policies normally pay the amount shown on the policy if the boat is considered to be a total loss. Under such a policy, damage resulting from a partial loss is generally paid for on a replacement cost basis, less your deductible. An actual cash value policy provides coverage up to the current market value of the vessel in the event of a total loss, taking into account depreciation and the condition of the boat at the time of the loss. We are happy to explore these options with you to ensure you have the best coverage for your needs.

Personal Property and Towing & Assistance - Personal Property coverage includes such items as clothing, personal effects, and sports and fishing equipment while those items are being loaded/unloaded and while aboard your boat. Towing & Assistance coverage reimburses you for the costs that you incur when you need emergency assistance for your boat, and you and your boat are not in immediate danger. Some examples of emergency services that you may need: towing to a place where repairs can be made; delivery of fuel, oil or parts; or emergency labor while underway.

Liability - Other Important Coverages - The liability section of a comprehensive boat insurance policy provides many coverages that are important to boat owners. Coverage for the removal or disposal of the wreck of your boat is important to have, especially if the wreck is deemed to be a hazard to navigation. Boat owners may also be responsible for any containment and clean-up expenses resulting from oil pollution or contamination caused by their vessel. If you ever intend to borrow someone else’s boat, confirm that your liability coverage extends to the other boat. This is called “non-owned” boat liability coverage. Finally, boat owners who employ paid crew members should ensure that their policy covers their liability to the crew under the Jones Act and General Maritime Law.

Medical Payment coverage will pay for first aid treatment, ambulance, hospital and other costs that result from someone being injured on your boat, even if you are not legally responsible. Most policies also cover injury while someone is boarding or leaving boat, and while being towed behind your boat, such as while water skiing.

Uninsured Boater Coverage - Since boat liability insurance is not mandatory, there are many boaters operating without liability coverage. Uninsured Boater coverage is designed to compensate you for injuries to persons aboard your boat that are caused by an operator of another boat who has no liability insurance.

There are several ways that you can reduce the cost of your boat insurance.

1. The most common way is to select a higher deductible. The higher deductible amount reduces your insurance premium.
2. The condition of your boat was also mentioned as a rating factor. The better the condition, the greater the likelihood of its being approved for insurance.
3. Lastly, installing certain safety devices on your boat can sometimes reduce the premium that you will pay. Some marine insurers will give credits for such safety items as: an automatic fire extinguishing system in the engine compartment, a fume or vapor detector in the bilge, or certain anti-theft alarm or tracking devices.

Preparing for Floods

Due to the large snow amounts in NH, we will most likely experience flooding this spring. Homeowner’s Insurance does not cover flood damage.

To prepare for a flood, you should:
1. Avoid building in a floodplain unless you elevate and reinforce your home.
2. Elevate the furnace, water heater, and electric panel if susceptible to flooding.
3. Install “check valves” in sewer traps to prevent flood water from backing up into the drains of your home.
4. Construct barriers (levees, beams, floodwalls) to stop floodwater from entering the building.
5. Seal walls in basements with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.

In a warning to homeowners, the New Hampshire Insurance Commissioner said, "After every flood, we hear about homeowners who did not realize they needed to protect themselves with flood insurance. We urge consumers to check now and make sure they have the protection they need."

Be prepared, have disaster supplies on hand!

1. Flashlight and extra batteries
2. Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries
3. First aid kit and manual
4. Emergency food and bottled water
5. Non-electric can opener
6. Essential Medicines
7. Cash and credit cards
8. Sturdy shoes
9. In a frequently flooded area, take preventative measures, stockpile emergency building materials
10. Plan and practice an evacuation route

Flood coverage can be purchased through Brownell Insurance Center. We represent insurance companies that issue flood insurance policies, in partnership with the federal government, as a service and convenience for their policyholders.

Motorcycle Days are Here Again

Motorcycle owners have different insurance needs than automobile owners. When searching for the right coverage, you should consider these issues:

• Custom Equipment and Apparel Coverage - Customized equipment and apparel, including custom paint, chrome additions, saddlebags, helmets and jackets are costly to replace if damaged in an accident. Make sure to tell us of their value so we may include them in your insurance plan.
• Medical Payments Coverage - This coverage is essential if you and/or someone else is injured in an accident. It becomes even more important in situations where the rider has no health insurance or the rider’s health insurance excludes injuries resulting from motorcycling. We are glad to help you review your health coverage to be sure you are covered with no costly exclusions.
• Adequate limits of liability - Never assume that an accident caused by a motorcycle will do less damage simply because a motorcycle is smaller than a car.
• Motorcycles are not considered “autos” under an auto insurance policy. - This means that coverage generally provided under an auto policy for use of a non-owned auto will not extend to the use of a motorcycle. Furthermore, claims arising from the use of a motorcycle might be specifically excluded under the auto policy. If you own or plan to purchase a motorcycle, call us to get the right coverage.
• Motorcycles are not considered “personal property” under a homeowner’s insurance policy. - This means that coverage generally provided under a homeowners policy doesn’t cover your motorcycle while it is being stored. If the bike is in your garage or yard and it is stolen or damaged, there is no coverage for this vehicle unless it is covered by motorcycle insurance.

If you own a motorcycle, let us show you how to best insure it so if there is a loss, you will be covered.