Check Your Smoke Detector Battieries TODAY!!!

Slocum Insurance — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 13:55:29 +0000

Smoke detectors save lives and they are easy to test just press the test button on the smoke detector. It’s also easy to forget but the consequences can be tragic! Unfortunately the lesson hit home in the hardest way right here in Warwick, RI yesterday – 5 Killed…, 1 injured in a house fire – click here for the full story

http://www2.turnto10.com/jar/news/local/article/fatal_fire_in_warwick1/31015/

Make Super Bowl Sunday your day to check all smoke and carbon dioxide detectors and replace those batteries or go buy a new one and install it right away!

They are very inexpensive and easy to install.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do this now for the ones you love.

It won’t be like this for long

Bob Slocum — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:56:47 +0000

Bob Slocum" title="Bob Slocum" width="118" height="148" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-50" />To quote a popular country music song, “It won’t be like this for long”. If there is one thing that is constant in life, it’s change. The old New England joke is, “if you don’t like the weather; just wait a minute”. All things change; some for better; some for worse but it’s for sure they will change and to a great extent, I believe that we can influence the outcome by our thoughts and actions. If we expect good things to happen and we keep our thoughts on those positive outcomes, we will be drawn in that direction for sure. Look at your life. If you are a parent you know that everything is “a stage”. The sleep deprivation that comes with a new baby is replaced by concerns about baby proofing the house. Once you get back to a regular sleep cycle, it’s time for the terrible 2’s. If you are dealing with the realities of elderly relatives, you know that every act of kindness is a repayment for the courtesies you received from them throughout the years. They say what comes around goes around, and I think that‘s true. Every day our actions determine our future outcomes. Like throwing a boomerang; you know it’s going to come back eventually, for better or worse. These days it seems lots of us are so focused on today. We are not thinking much about tomorrow. Not that it’s bad to live in the moment, but we need to moderate our actions with an eye toward tomorrow. While we can’t know what tomorrow holds for us it’s a cinch that the basic principals hold true. Things will come back around and we need to be ready. The “basics” of safety, security and love are more important than ever. Which brings me to the insurance point in this post. In our zeal to reduce expenses because we all want to be in the best cash position we can, don’t overlook the basics of a good insurance program. Falling into the trap of thinking that you should lower your homeowner’s insurance limit (or cut back on the guaranteed replacement cost provision) because the real estate market is off, is a critical mistake. The amount you will need to rebuild your house following a loss is not going down. In fact it is still on the rise. Now, I know … it’s never going to happen to you….. but over the course of my insurance career I’ve helped many people who felt the same way but discovered later that accidental losses can happen to anyone… even you! If you want to reduce your premium by assuming more of the risk through a higher deductible, go right ahead. If you’re willing to run the risk of loosing your jewelry or fine art collection, go ahead and cut those coverage’s if you want. At least you will know exactly what you are risking and you will be doing so with intentionality. Another area to watch out for is your Liability Insurance Limits. This is the greatest country in the world! The land of opportunity for most of us, but don’t forget there are plenty of others who see opportunity in your hard earned assets. In this day and age where many of our asset values are shrinking, isn’t it even more important to preserve what you have? One of the harsh realities of life is that “anyone can sue anyone, anytime, for anything, even if it’s groundless false or fraudulent”. If they sue you, you must respond and defend yourself! One of the primary benefits of liability insurance is that most policies pay for defense cost as well as paying for the actual damages you become responsible for. Don’t skimp on liability insurance limits and ask your agent about an Umbrella – it’s the best buy in the insurance industry. Finally, I know how hard it is for everyone right now and how important it is to take advantage of a good deal. Here’s one that’s extremely underutilized. In my humble opinion, your local Independent Insurance Agent is one of the best deals available today. Did you know that most agents provide their customers with an unlimited amount of free advice and service on a wide variety of subjects including but not limited to how you can best handle “risk” in your life. Your lawyer or your CPA will charge by the hour, however most Independent Agents do not. Most are intelligent, committed, business professionals who actively contribute their time and talent to their community and possess a great depth of knowledge that is yours for the asking. Remember the old saying “ask and you shall receive” …..

Mans Best Friend

Bob Slocum — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:49:10 +0000

In recent years I have seen insurance companies become increasingly selective in their underwriting rules concerning writing new business for clients who have dogs. While most have their “ineligible breed” list, I frequently hear from clients that they feel they are being unfairly treated since their dog is really very gentle and has “never bitten anyone”.

While I’m sure they are telling me the truth, the simple matter of fact is that the number of dog bite claims is increasing at a rate of 8.7% and the average claim costs $24,461 in 2008 (the most recent figures available)! In total there are over 4.5 million people per year who are bitten by dogs and over 900,000 are children! Click here for the whole story

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2009/09/17/103790.htm

This is pretty scary stuff for writers of homeowners insurance who have to respond to these claims and, like it or not, they are justified in creating the selection criteria they find meets their risk appetite for new business policies.
If you are a dog owner I have one additional piece of advice – buy high limits of liability insurance and of course, be sure you have an Umbrella Liability policy in case your “best friend” ends up being your biggest liability!

Slocum Insurance Agency » liability

Check Your Smoke Detector Battieries TODAY!!!

It won’t be like this for long

Mans Best Friend