Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Happy New Year!!
With the end of the year upon us, please be sure to review all your insurance policies before your renewal(s) for the new year of 2012 to ensure you are properly insured. Should you have any questions, please call TJM Insurance Services, we are here to help and serve your insurance needs.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Non-Profit Organization Insurance
If you are in need of Insurance for your Non-Profit Organization as in Errors & Omission, Directors & Officers, Employment Practices Liability, Crime, Commercial Package(s), Workers Compensation, please contact TJM Insurance Services. We have several Admitted markets that can save you money.
Friday, October 28, 2011
WHAT IS PRODUCTS/COMPLETED OPERATIONS LIABILITY:
Product Liability Insurance provides coverage for claims arising after a product is sold. The coverage is known as Completed Operations Liability Insurance for contractors and provides insurance for claims resulting after a construction project is completed. Manufacturers are sued years after selling a product. Distributors are named as defendants ...simply because a pro...duct passed through their warehouse. Contractors have been held liable decades after they have “Completed Operations “on construction projects.
Since claims arise over a long time frame properly structuring coverage is critical as each policy renews. Coordinating policy terms of Commercial General Liability & Commercial Umbrella policies is crucial and particularly so when a Claims Made policy provides liability limits and tail coverage issues emerge. Factors complicating this coverage include:
* Clients changing carriers
* Different carriers are used for Primary limits & Umbrella
* Coverage change from Occurrence to Claims Made
* Market conditions expand or restrict coverage year to year
* Claims may involve multiple carriers
* Documenting events which occurred years ago
Since claims arise over a long time frame properly structuring coverage is critical as each policy renews. Coordinating policy terms of Commercial General Liability & Commercial Umbrella policies is crucial and particularly so when a Claims Made policy provides liability limits and tail coverage issues emerge. Factors complicating this coverage include:
* Clients changing carriers
* Different carriers are used for Primary limits & Umbrella
* Coverage change from Occurrence to Claims Made
* Market conditions expand or restrict coverage year to year
* Claims may involve multiple carriers
* Documenting events which occurred years ago
WHAT IS PERSONAL & ADVERTISING INJURY LIABILITY:
When an insured intends to cause damage or injury to property or another person, the insured directly controls the risk of loss. Insurance for such non-fortuitous damage or injury is against public policy because it eliminates the socially critical deterrent effect of financial responsibility. In addiduces the undesirable effect of shifting the burden of loss from the intentional wrongdoer to other, innocent insureds who are forced to pay higher premiums.
For many years now, most commercial general liability ("CGL") policies have provided coverage for "advertising injury" and "personal injury." The terms "advertising injury" and "personal injury" are usually defined in the CGL policy by reference to a list of offenses, including a number of so-called "intentional torts," such as slander and libel, invasion of privacy, infringement of copyright, and malicious prosecution. The CGL form published in 1985 by the Insurance Services Office ("ISO") contains the following "advertising injury" and "personal injury" definitions:
"Advertising Injury" means injury arising out of one or more of the following offenses:
a. Oral or written publication of material that slanders or libels a person or organization or disparages a person's or organization's goods, products or services;
c. Misappropriation of advertising ideas or style of doing business; or
d. Infringement of copyright, title or slogan.
"Personal Injury" means injury ... arising out of one or more of the following offenses:
a. False arrest, detention or imprisonment;
For many years now, most commercial general liability ("CGL") policies have provided coverage for "advertising injury" and "personal injury." The terms "advertising injury" and "personal injury" are usually defined in the CGL policy by reference to a list of offenses, including a number of so-called "intentional torts," such as slander and libel, invasion of privacy, infringement of copyright, and malicious prosecution. The CGL form published in 1985 by the Insurance Services Office ("ISO") contains the following "advertising injury" and "personal injury" definitions:
"Advertising Injury" means injury arising out of one or more of the following offenses:
a. Oral or written publication of material that slanders or libels a person or organization or disparages a person's or organization's goods, products or services;
c. Misappropriation of advertising ideas or style of doing business; or
d. Infringement of copyright, title or slogan.
"Personal Injury" means injury ... arising out of one or more of the following offenses:
a. False arrest, detention or imprisonment;
Friday, October 21, 2011
Tail Coverage
What is Tail Coverage and how does it protect me:
Tail Coverage Claims Made:
CLAIMS MADE COVERAGE
Claims Made Policy Summary — The claims made policy protects you against incidents that arise from treatment provided after your policy’s retroactive date and are reported while your policy is in force. Your retroactive date usually reflects the date your policy started. As long as you continuously renew your claims made policy, you may report claims for incidents that occurred in previous policy years, back to the beginning of your claims made coverage.
Example of Claims Made Policy Coverage — You became a Claims Made policyholder in 1995 and have renewed your policy continuously since then, with no lapse in coverage. A patient you treated in 1997 files a claim against you now. Because you have renewed your policy continuously since 1995 and it is currently in force, you are still protected for that 1997 incident.
Benefits
1. With a Claims Made policy, the only insurance carrier you need to be concerned with is your current carrier. Instead of being sued and trying to figure out which former occurrence policy was covering you the year incident occurred and hoping that carrier is still financially viable to defend your claim, all claims brought are handled by your existing Claims Made policy regardless of when the incident occurred, pursuant to your retroactive date.
2. The premiums in the initial years of a Claims Made policy are generally less than those of an Occurrence policy offering similar coverage. In general, a Claims Made policy will save you money over an Occurrence policy after just three years.
Limits of Liability — With a Claims Made policy, the limits of liability in effect when the claim is made are the limits that apply toward any settlement or judgment.
Example of Limits of liability — In 1995 your Claims Made policy had limits of liability of $100,000/$300,000. Then, in 1998, you increased your limits to $1 million/$3 million. Also in 1998, a patient you treated in 1997 files a malpractice claim against you. Which limits of liability apply? The $1 million/$3 million limits of the current policy year apply because those are the limits in place when you reported the claim.
Tail Coverage Occurence Made:
OCCURENCE COVERAGE
Occurrence Policy Summary — The Occurrence policy protects you against incidents that occur while the policy is in force, regardless of when the claim is reported.
Example of Occurrence Policy — You became an Occurrence policyholder in 1994, and discontinued the policy in 1996. A patient you treated in 1995 files a malpractice claim against you now. Because the patient was treated while the policy was in force, you’re able to report the claim in 1998 for that 1995 incident.
Benefits — This policy automatically protects you both now and in the future for any incidents that occurred while you were a policyholder. This means that you can report claims:
1. During the current policy year, and
2. After your policy has ended.
Limits of Liability — With an Occurrence policy, the limits of liability in effect when the treatment (prompting the claim) occurred are the limits that apply toward any settlement or judgment costs.
Example of Limits of liability — In 1993 your Occurrence policy had limits of liability of $100,000/$300,000. Then, in 1998, you increased your limits to $1 million/$3 million. Also in 1998, a patient you treated in 1994 files a malpractice claim against you. Which limits of liability apply? The $100,000/$300,000 limits of the 1994 policy year apply—because those were the limits in place when the treatment prompting the claim occurred.
Tail Coverage — Tail coverage is unnecessary if you discontinue this policy because the cost of extending your claims reporting period is built into the annual premium.
Tail Coverage Claims Made:
CLAIMS MADE COVERAGE
Claims Made Policy Summary — The claims made policy protects you against incidents that arise from treatment provided after your policy’s retroactive date and are reported while your policy is in force. Your retroactive date usually reflects the date your policy started. As long as you continuously renew your claims made policy, you may report claims for incidents that occurred in previous policy years, back to the beginning of your claims made coverage.
Example of Claims Made Policy Coverage — You became a Claims Made policyholder in 1995 and have renewed your policy continuously since then, with no lapse in coverage. A patient you treated in 1997 files a claim against you now. Because you have renewed your policy continuously since 1995 and it is currently in force, you are still protected for that 1997 incident.
Benefits
1. With a Claims Made policy, the only insurance carrier you need to be concerned with is your current carrier. Instead of being sued and trying to figure out which former occurrence policy was covering you the year incident occurred and hoping that carrier is still financially viable to defend your claim, all claims brought are handled by your existing Claims Made policy regardless of when the incident occurred, pursuant to your retroactive date.
2. The premiums in the initial years of a Claims Made policy are generally less than those of an Occurrence policy offering similar coverage. In general, a Claims Made policy will save you money over an Occurrence policy after just three years.
Limits of Liability — With a Claims Made policy, the limits of liability in effect when the claim is made are the limits that apply toward any settlement or judgment.
Example of Limits of liability — In 1995 your Claims Made policy had limits of liability of $100,000/$300,000. Then, in 1998, you increased your limits to $1 million/$3 million. Also in 1998, a patient you treated in 1997 files a malpractice claim against you. Which limits of liability apply? The $1 million/$3 million limits of the current policy year apply because those are the limits in place when you reported the claim.
Tail Coverage Occurence Made:
OCCURENCE COVERAGE
Occurrence Policy Summary — The Occurrence policy protects you against incidents that occur while the policy is in force, regardless of when the claim is reported.
Example of Occurrence Policy — You became an Occurrence policyholder in 1994, and discontinued the policy in 1996. A patient you treated in 1995 files a malpractice claim against you now. Because the patient was treated while the policy was in force, you’re able to report the claim in 1998 for that 1995 incident.
Benefits — This policy automatically protects you both now and in the future for any incidents that occurred while you were a policyholder. This means that you can report claims:
1. During the current policy year, and
2. After your policy has ended.
Limits of Liability — With an Occurrence policy, the limits of liability in effect when the treatment (prompting the claim) occurred are the limits that apply toward any settlement or judgment costs.
Example of Limits of liability — In 1993 your Occurrence policy had limits of liability of $100,000/$300,000. Then, in 1998, you increased your limits to $1 million/$3 million. Also in 1998, a patient you treated in 1994 files a malpractice claim against you. Which limits of liability apply? The $100,000/$300,000 limits of the 1994 policy year apply—because those were the limits in place when the treatment prompting the claim occurred.
Tail Coverage — Tail coverage is unnecessary if you discontinue this policy because the cost of extending your claims reporting period is built into the annual premium.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Directors/Officers, Errors & Omission for Non-Profit Organizations
Clubs, associations and non-profits are not immune from lawsuits. Almost any day-to-day decision by anyone in a non-profit organization can trigger legal action. Such litigation not only can hurt the organization financially, but can also threaten the personal assets of the organization's members, trustees and executives. Such organizations require special, enhanced programs, available at premiums that won't break a non-profit's budget.
This specially designed D&O Policy is uniquely qualified to fill a wide range of special insurance needs for the non-profit sector. We offers programs specifically designed for community service organizations, such as libraries, civic clubs, girls and boys clubs, and scout groups. These programs can also be provided for any other non-profit organization.
The policies cover all directors, officers and employees, including staff, volunteers and committee members (past, present and future). Our non-profit D&O product offers full employment practices coverage and pays legal expenses as they are incurred.
Case in Point:
The trustees of a charitable organization decide to expand its activities into areas that were not explicitly envisioned by the founders. Soon after, the state’s Attorney General brings an action against the trustees alleging misuse of funds and property for operating outside the founding charter - even though no third party raised a complaint.
"It's better to evaluate your coverage in the boardroom, rather than in the courtroom."
This specially designed D&O Policy is uniquely qualified to fill a wide range of special insurance needs for the non-profit sector. We offers programs specifically designed for community service organizations, such as libraries, civic clubs, girls and boys clubs, and scout groups. These programs can also be provided for any other non-profit organization.
The policies cover all directors, officers and employees, including staff, volunteers and committee members (past, present and future). Our non-profit D&O product offers full employment practices coverage and pays legal expenses as they are incurred.
Case in Point:
The trustees of a charitable organization decide to expand its activities into areas that were not explicitly envisioned by the founders. Soon after, the state’s Attorney General brings an action against the trustees alleging misuse of funds and property for operating outside the founding charter - even though no third party raised a complaint.
"It's better to evaluate your coverage in the boardroom, rather than in the courtroom."
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Garage Liability & Garage Keepers Liability
Generally speaking, garage liability insurance is purchased by someone who owns a repair shop, or some other auto service center. It typically covers liability for the premises and operations, products and completed operations. So, if you are the owner of a service center and someone who applied for employment claimed discrimination, or a customer slipped and fell or claimed faulty parts or service, you would be covered.
Garage liability insurance also covers automobiles owned by the business, but it does not cover customers' cars that are left in the care of the shop. That sort of coverage is known as garage keepers' insurance. Garage keepers' insurance is usually sold with garage liability policies, but it is still a separate contract.
Garage keepers liability insurance is coverage which designed for business owners who offer towing services, operate service stations, auto repair and body shops. It protects a customer’s vehicle when the company is keeping it at a covered location for parking or storing, or to perform service. This provides coverage to customer’s vehicles left inside the shop fo...r damage due to the insured’s legal liability (for example, the customer must prove the insured is negligent). For this type of coverage, comprehensive coverage includes specific causes of loss such as explosion, fire, theft, lightning, or vandalism. It also specifically covers any charge incurred on the building, any faulty products used for repair or service during daily operations, and any work completed on the building. Although the business owner’s personal vehicles are covered in the policy, the customer’s vehicles that are left inside the shop are excluded. Also helps promote a client’s business by promoting an air of professionalism.
Companies need coverage besides garage keepers liability insurance. Assets like tools and machinery that travel to roadside locations must be covered by inland marine insurance. Property insurance also covers materials that are located in the garage, as well as the building itself.
The options of garage keepers liability insurance are comprehensive. This means anything other than collision or overturn, specified causes of loss such as fire, lightning, or explosion; theft; or mischief or vandalism, and collision or overturns. This coverage is needed because of the “care, protection or control” exclusion in the liability section of the policy. Because the basic policy coverage is based on the “legal liability” of the insured for damage to customer’s vehicles, the customer must prove that the insured was inattentive for the damages.
It should be noticed that garage keepers liability insurances are different from garage liability insurance which covers property damage and bodily injury resulting from the operations of an auto garage.
Garage liability insurance also covers automobiles owned by the business, but it does not cover customers' cars that are left in the care of the shop. That sort of coverage is known as garage keepers' insurance. Garage keepers' insurance is usually sold with garage liability policies, but it is still a separate contract.
Garage keepers liability insurance is coverage which designed for business owners who offer towing services, operate service stations, auto repair and body shops. It protects a customer’s vehicle when the company is keeping it at a covered location for parking or storing, or to perform service. This provides coverage to customer’s vehicles left inside the shop fo...r damage due to the insured’s legal liability (for example, the customer must prove the insured is negligent). For this type of coverage, comprehensive coverage includes specific causes of loss such as explosion, fire, theft, lightning, or vandalism. It also specifically covers any charge incurred on the building, any faulty products used for repair or service during daily operations, and any work completed on the building. Although the business owner’s personal vehicles are covered in the policy, the customer’s vehicles that are left inside the shop are excluded. Also helps promote a client’s business by promoting an air of professionalism.
Companies need coverage besides garage keepers liability insurance. Assets like tools and machinery that travel to roadside locations must be covered by inland marine insurance. Property insurance also covers materials that are located in the garage, as well as the building itself.
The options of garage keepers liability insurance are comprehensive. This means anything other than collision or overturn, specified causes of loss such as fire, lightning, or explosion; theft; or mischief or vandalism, and collision or overturns. This coverage is needed because of the “care, protection or control” exclusion in the liability section of the policy. Because the basic policy coverage is based on the “legal liability” of the insured for damage to customer’s vehicles, the customer must prove that the insured was inattentive for the damages.
It should be noticed that garage keepers liability insurances are different from garage liability insurance which covers property damage and bodily injury resulting from the operations of an auto garage.
Builders Risk Coverage
Builder's risk insurance is a special type of property insurance which indemnifies against damage to buildings while they are under construction.[1] Builder's risk insurance is "coverage that protects a person's or organization's insurable interest in materials, fixtures and/or equipment being used in the construction or renovation of a building or structure should those items sustain physical loss or damage from a covered cause.
Who Buys/Needs Builders Risk Coverage?
It is usually bought by the owner of the building but the general contractor constructing the building may buy it if it is required as a condition of the contract. It may be necessary to show proof of insurance to comply with local city, county and state building codes.
Who Buys/Needs Builders Risk Coverage?
It is usually bought by the owner of the building but the general contractor constructing the building may buy it if it is required as a condition of the contract. It may be necessary to show proof of insurance to comply with local city, county and state building codes.
Friday, September 30, 2011
News Flash:
California Department of Insurance Takes Action Against Insurer for Unfair Claims Handling Practices. Alleged mishandled claims include long term care, disability income and life insurance.
The California Department of Insurance today announced the filing of an administrative enforcement action against RiverSource Life Insurance Company for unfair claims handling practices affecting claims under long term care, disability income and life insurance policies.
The enforcement action focuses primarily on long term care policies and alleges that RiverSource mishandled numerous long term care claims and failed to adopt practices to assure that long term care and other policy benefits were paid. The action also alleges that RiverSource adopted business practices that were specifically designed to deny long term care benefits. The long term care claims typically involved persons in their 70's, 80's and 90's, including persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other impairments.
In addition to numerous examples of deficient claims handling, the enforcement action alleges that RiverSource systematically delayed investigating claims and intentionally created impediments to receiving policy benefits. Among other practices, RiverSource would not reasonably assist long term care policyholders in locating care facilities, requiring them to guess which facilities RiverSource might pay for, and putting them at risk of either receiving no benefits or moving multiple times until they found a facility that RiverSource would approve.
The enforcement action also alleges that RiverSource systematically denied coverage in facilities by requiring strict compliance with antiquated policy language drafted decades ago that no longer reasonably applies to the long term care industry.
The action is based on a Department of Insurance market conduct examination of RiverSource's own claims handling files. The action seeks penalties based on the violations found in the examination, plus penalties based on a proportional extrapolation of the violations found in the examination to all California claims handled by RiverSource.
The Insurance Code provides for penalties of up to $10,000 for each willful claims handling violation, $10,000 for each willful violation of long term care laws in particular, and $500,000 for each long term care general business practice in violation of long term care statutes.
The California Department of Insurance today announced the filing of an administrative enforcement action against RiverSource Life Insurance Company for unfair claims handling practices affecting claims under long term care, disability income and life insurance policies.
The enforcement action focuses primarily on long term care policies and alleges that RiverSource mishandled numerous long term care claims and failed to adopt practices to assure that long term care and other policy benefits were paid. The action also alleges that RiverSource adopted business practices that were specifically designed to deny long term care benefits. The long term care claims typically involved persons in their 70's, 80's and 90's, including persons suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other impairments.
In addition to numerous examples of deficient claims handling, the enforcement action alleges that RiverSource systematically delayed investigating claims and intentionally created impediments to receiving policy benefits. Among other practices, RiverSource would not reasonably assist long term care policyholders in locating care facilities, requiring them to guess which facilities RiverSource might pay for, and putting them at risk of either receiving no benefits or moving multiple times until they found a facility that RiverSource would approve.
The enforcement action also alleges that RiverSource systematically denied coverage in facilities by requiring strict compliance with antiquated policy language drafted decades ago that no longer reasonably applies to the long term care industry.
The action is based on a Department of Insurance market conduct examination of RiverSource's own claims handling files. The action seeks penalties based on the violations found in the examination, plus penalties based on a proportional extrapolation of the violations found in the examination to all California claims handled by RiverSource.
The Insurance Code provides for penalties of up to $10,000 for each willful claims handling violation, $10,000 for each willful violation of long term care laws in particular, and $500,000 for each long term care general business practice in violation of long term care statutes.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Holiday Season Is Coming!!
The Holiday Season is quickly approaching, if you are planning a Holiday party for your office or personal and renting space for your event. Please contact TJM Insurance Services. We can offer $1,000,000 in coverage (limit) no open bar for $500.00 to $700.00 in premium. If you have an open bar and need Liquor Liability included we can offer $1,000,000 in coverage (limit) for $1,000.00 to $1,500.00
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
What does Employment Practices Liability protect me from:
Employment Practices Liability Insurance (EPLI) is designed to protect the business from suits and claims from alleged sexual misconduct, discrimination and wrongful termination.
What is Errors and Omissions Insurance?
Errors and Omissions Insurance helps protect our professional service firm clients from claims relating to an error or omission (mistake) in providing professional services that can lead to a lawsuit. An error or omission can occur on almost any transaction. It doesn’t matter how long you have been in business or how good you are. All Professional Service Firms are at risk. Our E&O insurance programs help provide protection for the busy professional from the liability associated with such errors, mistakes or omissions.
Workers Compensation In the State of California Q & A
Q. Do I need to have workers' compensation insurance?
A. Yes, California law requires employers to have workers' compensation insurance if they have even one employee. If you are a roofer and don’t have any employees, you are still required to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
Out-of-state employers may need workers' compensation coverage if an employee is regularly employed in California or a contract of employment is entered into here.
Q. My spouse and I are the sole owners of our business. We have no employees. Are we required to obtain workers' compensation coverage?
A. Generally, coverage for sole owners is optional. You would, however, need to have workers' compensation coverage for any employee you may hire, even if it’s just one employee, and even if it’s just temporary employment. You should consult with your attorney, insurance agent or broker, or carrier regarding the specifics of your situation and your options.
A. Yes, California law requires employers to have workers' compensation insurance if they have even one employee. If you are a roofer and don’t have any employees, you are still required to carry workers’ compensation insurance.
Out-of-state employers may need workers' compensation coverage if an employee is regularly employed in California or a contract of employment is entered into here.
Q. My spouse and I are the sole owners of our business. We have no employees. Are we required to obtain workers' compensation coverage?
A. Generally, coverage for sole owners is optional. You would, however, need to have workers' compensation coverage for any employee you may hire, even if it’s just one employee, and even if it’s just temporary employment. You should consult with your attorney, insurance agent or broker, or carrier regarding the specifics of your situation and your options.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Recession Cut Small-Business Premium 17% since 2007, Drove Accounts to Larger Insurers
The recession has reshaped the small-business market for property/casualty insurers, cutting overall premium by 17% since 2007 vs. an 8% drop for mid-sized and large companies in the same time period, according to a study released last week by Conning Research and Consulting. Conning also found the economic downturn has driven small-business accounts from small insurers to carriers posting annual premium of at least $500 million from this type of risk.
The P/C market for firms with fewer than 50 employees "suffered disproportionately during and after the recession, partly due to . . . [the sector's] substantial exposure to the contracting industry," Conning analyst Clint Harris said in a statement. In addition, "despite the shift of market share from small to larger insurers, not all small insurers are losing share, and not all larger insurers are gaining," Stephan Christiansen, Conning's director of research, said in a statement.
"The insurers that have been increasing their market share have been active in the market, acquiring business, increasing products and services, and expanding their distribution footprints," Christiansen said. "Even if the small-business sector experiences rapid growth for the next few years, we believe that the shift in market share [from small to larger carriers] will continue."
The P/C market for firms with fewer than 50 employees "suffered disproportionately during and after the recession, partly due to . . . [the sector's] substantial exposure to the contracting industry," Conning analyst Clint Harris said in a statement. In addition, "despite the shift of market share from small to larger insurers, not all small insurers are losing share, and not all larger insurers are gaining," Stephan Christiansen, Conning's director of research, said in a statement.
"The insurers that have been increasing their market share have been active in the market, acquiring business, increasing products and services, and expanding their distribution footprints," Christiansen said. "Even if the small-business sector experiences rapid growth for the next few years, we believe that the shift in market share [from small to larger carriers] will continue."
Monday, January 17, 2011
ARE YOU PREPARED AND PROPERLY COVERED?
January 17 Marks the 17th Anniversary of Catastrophic Northridge Quake.
On January 17th 1994, the Northridge earthquake violently shook the San Fernando Valley in Southern California causing lives to be lost and wide-spread catastrophic damage. The magnitude 6.7 quake caused an estimated $15 billion dollars in damage. Based on a data call by the Department of Insurance, almost 90% of homeowners and renters do not have earthquake insurance.
Earthquake preparedness includes the following:
. Review your insurance policies at least once each year with your agent or broker to ensure that they provide adequate coverage.
. Consider purchasing an earthquake policy if your home is in an earthquake-prone area, doesn't meet current building standards, or is built upon unstable ground.
. Take measures to retrofit your home to increase your safety during an earthquake.
. Brace your water heater to minimize the risks of fire and water damage caused by water heaters that topple during earthquakes.
. Bolting your home's wood frame to its foundation can prevent damage resulting from the structure sliding off its foundation. And for houses on raised foundations, the bracing of "cripple walls" can also reduce damage from earthquakes.
. Mobile home owners should use earthquake-bracing systems to reduce the chance of damage from homes slipping off support jacks.
. Fasten cupboard doors with child-proof latches to prevent them from opening and spilling their contents.
. Fasten bookcases, mirrors, televisions and other tall or heavy objects to wall studs.
. Gas appliances should have flexible attachments, and family members should be familiar with gas shut-off techniques.
On January 17th 1994, the Northridge earthquake violently shook the San Fernando Valley in Southern California causing lives to be lost and wide-spread catastrophic damage. The magnitude 6.7 quake caused an estimated $15 billion dollars in damage. Based on a data call by the Department of Insurance, almost 90% of homeowners and renters do not have earthquake insurance.
Earthquake preparedness includes the following:
. Review your insurance policies at least once each year with your agent or broker to ensure that they provide adequate coverage.
. Consider purchasing an earthquake policy if your home is in an earthquake-prone area, doesn't meet current building standards, or is built upon unstable ground.
. Take measures to retrofit your home to increase your safety during an earthquake.
. Brace your water heater to minimize the risks of fire and water damage caused by water heaters that topple during earthquakes.
. Bolting your home's wood frame to its foundation can prevent damage resulting from the structure sliding off its foundation. And for houses on raised foundations, the bracing of "cripple walls" can also reduce damage from earthquakes.
. Mobile home owners should use earthquake-bracing systems to reduce the chance of damage from homes slipping off support jacks.
. Fasten cupboard doors with child-proof latches to prevent them from opening and spilling their contents.
. Fasten bookcases, mirrors, televisions and other tall or heavy objects to wall studs.
. Gas appliances should have flexible attachments, and family members should be familiar with gas shut-off techniques.
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