Hopkinsville Archives | Page 2 of 2 | Raymond Nelson Insurance

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Burst Pipes?

One of the hazards of winter weather is frozen pipes that burst and cause damage to your home. Are you covered by your homeowners policy?

Coverage with exceptions

Most homeowners insurance will cover pipes that burst because of sudden and accidental damage.
But, the exception would be if the damage occurred because of homeowner negligence.
If there was negligence (if the burst pipe happened because the pipes were old or there was a lack of maintenance), then coverage would be denied.

What’s covered?

Generally, coverage would include the following:
- Accidental discharge or overflow from plumbing, air conditioning, or automatic sprinkler system.
- However, it can also cover frozen pipes if proper precautions* are taken to prevent them from freezing.
Though some insurance might cover the damage caused by the water, they may not protect the actual pipes or that burst.
Here’s what to do if a pipe bursts.

*Proper precautions

The homeowner must take all measures, such as insulating the pipes or turning the water supply off during winter.
The homeowner must prove that every precaution was taken to prevent pipes from freezing.
How to prevent pipes from freezing.

Three types of coverage

Personal Property Coverage
- This will cover the damaged property from burst pipes, such as property in the basement.
- The coverage amount would depend on the policy.
Dwelling coverage
- This would cover any part of the home that has sustained damage.
- This coverage would cover the repair or replacement of damages to property.
Use coverage
- This covers expenses incurred above normal living expenses, such as staying in a hotel while repairs are being done.

Speak with your Raymond Nelson Insurance agent to ensure you have the proper coverage for all your insurance needs.

At Raymond Nelson Insurance, we go the extra mile to find the coverage that best protects what matters most, the business you’ve built and the people you love. We always take the time to get to know each client and serve their best interests. Call us today at (270) 885-1800 or contact us online for more information.

How to Prevent ‘Porch Pirates’

It’s that time of year when packages are being delivered to your home when you’re not there, but the packages thieves are. RNI offers our tips on how to prevent package thefts.

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Notice of package delivery

Most carriers will notify you when they have delivered packages to your home. If you get a notice and can’t find the package on your doorstep, here are a few things you can do.

Check with your neighbors to see if they received your package to hold for you.
- If not, ask if they saw anyone taking the package.
Contact the delivery company and inquire about the package location.
- Some companies take a picture of the package on your porch.
- Check the photo closely to make sure it’s your porch.
  - A lot of packages are delivered to the wrong address, especially at this busy time of the year.
Report the theft to the police. There may not be much they can do except fill out a police report, which could help get a refund or replacement.
Check with your bank to see if your credit card has purchase protection.

Prevention – Here are some ways to protect yourself from package theft:

Have your packages delivered to your office.
Opt to require a signature for the package.
Instruct the deliverer to leave the package at the back door instead front door.
Pick up your packages from a drop-off location.
- Amazon Locker
- UPS Access Points
Have packages delivered to your local store.

Home security

Invest in doorbell cameras.
Install security cameras.
- These are great deterrents for some thieves. (but not all)

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Of course, you could just stay home and wait for packages to arrive, but when that isn’t possible, use the tips above. Speak with your Raymond Nelson Insurance agent to ensure you have the proper coverage for all your insurance needs.

Shopping Cart Damage – Are You Covered?

Holiday shopping means crowded parking lots and runaway carts that can damage your vehicle. Raymond Nelson has some facts for you to know.

Who is at fault?

The store where you shop is not liable for damage by errant carts.
Stores usually have signs posted in the parking lot just for this reason.

Are you covered?

It depends on the coverage you purchased!
If you have Full Coverage Insurance, you should be covered.
- Hitting a shopping cart is considered a collision with an object, whether you hit the cart or the cart hit your vehicle.
- It would be a good idea to file a report to help when filing a claim.
Not all insurance policies cover this damage, so make sure you have the right policy to include physical damage.
Cart damage won’t be covered if you only have liability insurance coverage.

What to do if you notice damage to your vehicle.

Report it to your insurance company right away.
It would help to first take a picture of the damage while the vehicle is still in the parking lot.
- If possible, include the store in the background of the photo.
Insurance companies can tell if the damage was caused by a shopping cart.
If your window was broken, or there was extreme damage to the vehicle, then this was probably more than just a shopping cart.
When you file a claim, you must go to a repair shop and get an estimate.

Cost of repairs

If you get a repair estimate that is more than your insurance deductible, then it might be a good idea to handle the repairs on your own.

Check with your insurance agent to determine if you are covered for shopping cart damage. Independent insurance agents will sit down and talk with you about your needs, then will craft an auto insurance plan that meets your needs at the best price and provide local, personalized service.

Speak with your Raymond Nelson Insurance agent to ensure you have the proper coverage for all your insurance needs.

Do I Need Life Insurance?

There are many reasons to get life insurance, and RNI gives you a few to think about, especially if someone else is depending on you. Consider these common scenarios…

Getting Married?

Now that you have a spouse, are they dependent upon you for support?
What would happen if you or your spouse didn’t make it home?
Do you need a joint life insurance policy?
There are many things to consider about which policy is best for you now.

Baby on the way?

This is when young adults become aware that they may need life insurance to protect their children in case something happens.
You should start thinking about getting a policy sooner rather than later.

Are you supporting your aging parents?

Hopefully, your parents already have a life insurance policy.
You might want to check into life insurance with a long-term care rider if caring for your parents.
And what happens to them if you die before them? Will they be taken care of properly?

Self-employed?

What happens to your family if you’re the breadwinner and something happens to you?
You can get business-owned life and disability insurance policies.
Most financial institutions will require a policy if you get a business loan.
A decreasing term life insurance policy makes the bank the beneficiary to pay off the loan in case the owner dies.

High-risk occupation?

If your job is dangerous or in a high-risk environment, you have a greater chance of dying than say an office worker.
Check to see if your job has employer-provided group life insurance to insure your paycheck if you are disabled or die on the job.

Speak with your RNI agent to ensure you have the proper coverage for all your insurance needs.

We go the extra mile to find the coverage that best protects what matters most, the business you’ve built and the people you love. We always take the time to get to know each client and serve their best interests. Give us a call today at (270) 885-1800 or contact us online for more information.

Tips for a Safe Labor Day Weekend

Whether you’re traveling or wrapping up summer chores this Labor Day weekend, Raymond Nelson Insurance has some helpful hints to stay safe.

Road Trip

The Labor day weekend is one of the busiest on the road. If you’re planning a weekend excursion, follow these tips:

Make sure you’re well rested
Plan for frequent rest stops
Divide driving duties if possible
Have your vehicle checked to avoid a breakdown
Pack a vehicle emergency kit with:
- Flashlight
- Jumper cables
- Tool kit
- Tire gauge
- Flares

Fireworks

An estimated 15,600 fireworks injuries were treated in US emergency rooms last year.

Here are some precautions to take:

Only light one at a time
Never allow any horseplay while fireworks are being set up or ignited
If a firework malfunctions, don’t re-light it
Never allow young children to handle fireworks
Never use fireworks while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Go here for more firework safety tips

Boating

Make sure you keep it safe.

Carry all safety equipment, including:
Keep away from restricted areas
Be familiar with the rules of the water
Notify someone on land where you’re going and what time to expect you back

Hydration and sunscreen

It’s the end of the summer, but it’s still hot outside! Make sure you apply sunscreen and drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Remember – an accident is never planned, but keeping these safety tips in mind may help prevent one.

Speak with your Raymond Nelson Insurance agent to ensure you have the proper coverage for all your insurance needs.

At Raymond Nelson Insurance, we go the extra mile to find the coverage that best protects what matters most, the business you’ve built and the people you love. We always take the time to get to know each client and serve their best interests. Give us a call today at (270) 885-1800 or contact us online for more information.