The Puppy Under the Christmas Tree

Many puppies are welcomed into households every Christmas. Puppies are high on the wish-list of many young ones year in and year out. If you are a parent and homeowner, before bringing Fido home this Christmas, you may want to check your homeowner policy.

Not every homeowner is aware of the various liability coverages – let alone the exclusions – that exist in a homeowner policy. As we all know, pets, in particular dogs (some breeds more than others), are at times able to cause property damage or bodily injury. Some insurance companies have gone out of their way to identify the breed of dog where ownership of such breed will preclude coverage. One policy I found states the following:

Under Coverage D and E we do not cover...Bodily injury or property damage arising out of the ownership of, custody of, or care for the following pure or mixed breed or pure or mixed type of dogs: (1) Any pit bull type of dog (which may be known as American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bull Terrier, Miniature Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino or Alpha Blue Bulldog); (2) Rottweiler; (3) Akita (which may be known as a Japanese Akita or Akita Inu); or (4) Canary Dog (which may be known as a Presa Canario or a Perro de Presa Canario).

Other policies may have different breed restrictions. I have yet to see the Chihuahua listed as a restricted breed, although if you ask me, some can be little terrors. (No offense to Chihuahua owners and lovers).

On a parting note, thank you all for reading my blog this year. Have a wonderful holiday season.

Warmest Holiday Wishes!

T'was the night before Christmas (12:01 A.M. EST 12/25/2013) and all through the house (single family, masonry veneer 1 1/2 story with basement, 1128 ground floor sq. ft. 5-6 corners, territory 68, PC 1) Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse (through pride of ownership and excellent maintenance.) The (flame retardant) stockings were hung by the (contractor installed) chimney with care in hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there (in spite of dead-bolt locks and ADT central station alarm system, certificate on file.) The children (ages 4,8,14 & 16) were all nestled snug in their beds (check MVR on 16 year old - possible undisclosed driver) While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads Mama in her kerchief (scheduled heirloom) and I in my cap had just settled down for a long winter's nap (check employment - is insured sleeping all day?) When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter (check into condition of premises, housekeeping etc), I jumped out of bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, threw back the curtains and tore open the sash (intentional destructive act - no coverage.) What to my wondrous eyes should appear but a miniature sleigh and 8 tiny reindeer (note to check if sleigh rated business use and corporate owned). With a little old driver, so lively and quick, I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick (order medical on 600 year old driver; notify life underwriter for possible table rating). More rapid than eagles (check MVR for speeding violations) his coursers they came, and he whistled and shouted and called them by name (possible aggressive driver?): Now Dasher (turbo equip?) now Dancer (classic?) now Prancer (check lifestyle) now Vixen (definitely check lifestyle), On Comet (possible muscle deer) on Cupid (lifestyle again) on Donner (4x4) and Blitzen (possible drinking problem?) To the top of the porch to the top of the wall (check for structural damage also look into height exposures), Now dash away, dash away, dash away all. (Also old man climbing walls either in great shape or overly medicated?) So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, with the sleigh full of toys and St. Nicholas too (check for possible retail delivery classification of autos). And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof the prancing and pawing of each little hoof (check for shingle damage also classification of operations; roofing is a prohibited class). As I drew in my head and was turning around, down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur (scheduled items) from his head to his foot and his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot (part time job as firefighter?). A bundle of toys he had flung on his back (Check to see if insured has safety committee, check lifting training) and he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes how they twinkled, His dimples how merry, His cheeks were like roses, His nose like cherry (order updated medical report, possible alcohol drinking abuse?). The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth (note - not eligible for non-tobacco discount) and the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath (check batteries in smoke alarms to make sure operational). He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf (overweight for height - additional table rating?) And I laughed when I saw him in spite of myself. A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread (home invasion, stranger enters past alarm and insured not worried? (Possible risk). He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, and filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk (review workplace for ergonomic compliance). And laying his finger side of his nose (obscene gesture?) And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose (check operations, chimney sweeps are prohibited classification, look into CGL PD deductible.) He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, and away they all flew like the down of a thistle (not likely with fat man and sleigh full of toys. Check GVW for proper classification, Light/Service/Local seems unlikely). But I heard him exclaim as he drove out of sight, "Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!" (Check hours of operation, 24hr service operations prohibited. Also check into seasonal nature of business and limits of liability).  Best wishes from our family to yours, Bob Lancaster Insurance 1917 S Harbor City Blvd Melbourne FL  32901 (321)725-1620

On a chilly evening, a fireplace is always a welcoming sight for guests and family. However, leaving a fire unattended even for a few moments or not properly maintaining your fireplace can have devastating consequences.

In less than five minutes the glass doors on a fireplace can heat up to 400 degrees (F) and take nearly an hour to cool down when the fire is out. This means that touching the glass doors or metal frame can easily result in second- or third-degree burns, which is especially dangerous for toddlers who naturally love to explore and are still unsteady on their feet.

A recent study conducted over a period of 10 years found during that time more than 2,000 children under the age of five suffered burn injuries related to glass fireplace doors. It takes only seconds to get a serious burn, and third-degree burns require surgery and skin grafts. Be sure to use a sturdy screen in front of the glass door to help prevent anyone, especially children, from accidentally brushing against or leaning against the glass.

Here are some helpful tips. . . .

• Have your chimney inspected by a licensed chimney sweep each year, to be sure it is free of debris and safe to use.
• Add a heat-proof child lock on fireplace doors.
• Be sure to keep toys, dog beds, paper, and all flammable material several feet away from the fire.
• Do not burn paper, gift wrap, cardboard, or treated wood in your fireplace.
• Routinely check to be sure both your carbon-monoxide detector and smoke alarms are working properly, plus have a fire extinguisher nearby.
• Make sure the fire is completely out before going to sleep.
• Dispose of ashes carefully.

For more on fireplace and home fire safety, visit the U.S. Fire Administration and the Consumer Product Safety Commission websites.

Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620

Bob Lancaster Insurance

Serving Florida since 1964

Work Comp Wednesday - Audit isn't a 4 letter word

 

If you're like most people, "audit" is a word that sets your heart pounding - and not with excitement.  Believe it or not, an audit can often have a positive impact on the long-term financial health of your company (even if you end up owing money).

Not buying it?  See below for a couple of our real audit cases that resulted in 5 to six figure corrections IN FAVOR OF THE INSURED BUSINESS.

Classification accuracy matters
Correctly identifying your NCCI class codes is one of the primary goals of an audit.

In a recent audit case, the employer (who was less than eager to complete the audit) ended up saving more than $19,000 in premium because the insurance company auditor caught a classification error.

In another  - an audit of a recycling company resulted in $100,000 credit to a client when the auditor realized the company had changed some business practices and, therefore, its employee classifications.

Not only can classification have a major impact on your premium, it can make all the difference in your company's experience factor (experience mod).

Beyond the audit
We are ready and able to assist you throughout the year to help you prevent problems at audit time.  How?

*  Classification review.  We're available to review your classifications with you prior to audit time or at any time during your policy year.
*  Fraud prevention.  General contractors often run into premium fraud issues with subcontractors.  We can help ensure that subcontractor documents, such as certificates of insurance and work comp exemptions, are valid.  We can also educate you on how to verify employee documentation, such as Social Security numbers.

Give us a call
We want to help make a difference, and you may be surprised at how valuable that difference can be.

Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620

Bob Lancaster Insurance

Serving Florida since 1964

 

Deck the Halls- Preparing for the Holidays

Do you have family and friends coming to your house for the holidays? This time of the year is an exciting one, but before you can roast chestnuts over the fire or light the menorah, make sure your home is in peak condition for guests. You wouldn’t want anyone confusing dusty shelves for fake snow.

Hung your stockings with care? It’s a good look but can also be a hazardous one. If you have a fireplace that you will be utilizing this holiday, be sure to remove the stockings when the fire is lit. It’s also a good idea to keep a screen in front of the fireplace to avoid flames and ashes from being thrown into your room or carpet.  Be sure to put the fire out before you go to bed!

Let is snow. Let is snow. Let it snow. Some of us are not lucky enough to have a white Christmas (but we’re dreaming of one). Before guests arrive, make sure the sidewalk and driveway are shoveled and salt is laid done if needed to avoid slips. No blue (and black) bruises this holiday! It’s also a good idea to add some light so guests can see where they are walking.

Gathering around the table? The kitchen is a hot spot in every home and especially around the holidays. This is a great place to start with some remodeling this holiday season. Consider painting your cabinets, purchasing new brass hardware for drawers and cabinets, a new light fixture, new blinds, or even adding a backsplash behind your countertops. Simple changes, big results.

Welcome to Our Humble Abode. First impressions are lasting impressions. Wow visitors with an entryway that will have them talking.  Consider adding picture frames in fun patterns, artwork, or a new centerpiece to your front table (if you have one).

Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620

Bob Lancaster Insurance

Serving Florida since 1964

Cheap Sinkhole Repairs Threaten Property Owners

On November 14, 2013, a sinkhole forced more families out of their homes in Dunedin, Florida.

Michael and Janie Dupre’s home was swallowed by a sinkhole early Thursday morning; however, the Dupres were aware of the sinkhole activity and already began remediating the condition before their home collapsed. The Dupres reported their sinkhole loss claim to Citizens Property Insurance Corporation. Citizens’ retained engineering company, HSA Engineers and Scientists, tested the home and confirmed sinkhole activity. HSA provided a grout only stabilization program. The Dupres obtained a second engineering opinion that included underpinning to stabilize the building. The carrier refused to pay for any repair other than the grouting program recommended by HSA.

Just forty-eight hours after the commencement of the grouting program, the Dupres’ home collapsed.

This incident is an opportunity for me to explain "preventative underpinning,” because it could have prevented this potentially tragic event.

Underpinning can be utilized to lift structures to repair structural damage to buildings. Another common use for underpinning is referred to as bypass underpinning. Bypass underpinning is utilized to bypass a problematic shallow soil zone beneath a structure like shallow clay, organics, and/or fill.
Finally, preventative underpinning is also commonly recommended. The purpose of preventative underpinning is to prevent additional damages from occurring to the structure during the grouting process. Why? Because before a property is grouted, long metal poles are drilled deep into the ground around the entire structure potentially aggravating the sinkhole.

Combine weak shallow soil and active raveling from sinkhole activity and you have a serious problem. Under these circumstances, engineers commonly recommend underpinning the structure before grouting is implemented.

This recent sinkhole event is an example of why preventative underpinning is recommended. If the structure was stabilized before the grouting, maybe the Dupres’ would still be safe in their home.

Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620

Bob Lancaster Insurance

Serving Florida since 1964

Who insures Santa?

Who insures Santa? The holidays are quickly approaching -  think of Bob Lancaster Insurance to insure Santa's representatives and Holiday Events!  Traveling Santas and Elfs Santa Houses Holiday Parties Church Events Christmas Tree Tents School Plays Photo-shoots Characters Special Events  Artists/Crafters Musicians  Photographers       Join Our 'Good' List!

Contact us for all your Insurance needs! (321)725-1620

Bob Lancaster Insurance

Serving Florida since 1964