A late-season snowstorm headed the tri-state area last week. Forecasters expected this storm to result in a number of disruptions varying from travel disruptions to power outages. For this reason, we want to share with you more tips on how to prevent from natural disasters.

Power outage, lack of electricity and fear can combine to do heavy damage to your property if you aren’t ready for them. By following the power blackout tips below, you can help save your food and property if a disaster were to occur.

For Your Home

• Use a surge protector to protect your electronics.
• Back up all critical files on your computer regularly.
• Have one or more coolers ready for long-term delays.
• Keep nonperishable foods on hand.
• If you have room, fill jugs of water an inch from the top and keep them in your freezer. If the power goes out, the jugs of ice will slow the defrosting of your freezer.

During A Blackout

The most important thing to remember if a power blackout occurs is to save electricity.

• Use a flashlight; never use candles.
• Unplug electrical equipment until a steady power returns.
• Don’t run a generator inside your home. Generators create carbon monoxide, which could poison anyone in the house.
• Leave one light on so you know when power has resumed.
• Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car.
• If power is restored, be sure it’s steady before plugging your equipment in.
• Don’t open the refrigerator or freezer. A freezer that is half full will hold for up to 24 hours, a full one for 48 hours.
• If power will be out for two to four hours, pack milk, dairy products, meats, fish, poultry, eggs and leftovers into a cooler surrounded by ice.
• After the power outage is over, check your frozen and refrigerated items with a thermometer to make sure they’re still safe to eat.

You can track the weather alerts for NY, NJ & CT by clicking the appropriate links.

For more tips on how to stay safe visit the American Red Cross and Ready.gov.

Stay safe, and always count on us!

A study released last week shows that male drivers in the state of Texas pay more than women for their auto insurance two-thirds of the time, and the average premium is 14 percent higher for men.

The story accompanying the survey called it “a nationwide trend of insurers charging higher prices to men because of their increased risk of filing a claim.”

But it’s important to know that this male driver “surcharge” does not uniformly apply everywhere, most especially in Westchester County and the surrounding area.

In my practice, we find that most of the male drivers who buy their coverage in our local communities pay rates very comparable to female drivers. The reason is that male drivers around here tend to be safe drivers – many are mature individuals with families — and are probably driving safer cars and on safer roads.

Federal data, according to the story, says that male drivers nationwide have a 1 in 19 chance of being in an auto accident, while with female drivers it’s just 1 in 25.5. Insurance, however, takes into account the local experience, and does not rely on national data as its sole rationale for pricing a policy.

The reasons Texas men may pay more could include that their vehicles are used on rougher terrain – perhaps on a ranch or in energy-related occupations – are driven off-road, longer distances to work, and many other variables. Age figures into the equation, with male drivers under 30 (and especially 25 and below) paying a significant surcharge. Creditworthiness does, too.  The average credit score in Texas in December 2011 was 670, 29 points less than the New York average of 699, and certainly far less than the affluent area and includes Westchester, Fairfield and other well-to-do counties.

You’ll recall the recently news stories about a Texas road where the speed limit was recently raised to 85 miles per hour. Speed is a recognized factor in contributing to accidents, and you can bet insurance companies are figuring that in when rating the auto policies they issue in the region.

Pricing is a very detailed calculation in auto insurance, with criteria such as age, driving record, family status, type of car, education, employment and credit history figuring into the mix. (By the way, the general wisdom that you’ll pay a higher premium for a red car than a gray car is an old wives’ tale. It just isn’t so.) Driving an old rust-bucket without airbags or other modern safety systems can also play a big role.

Studies have documented a “gender gap” in the pricing of many auto policies, and they point to reasons such as the tendency of men to drive about 1.5 times as much as women, and to take more risks – like maybe doing 95 in that 85 MPH zone in Texas.

That we don’t see much of a gender gap around here is a big positive for local drivers of both sexes. We take it to mean that our roads are safer and our drivers are safer, and that is surely what we want for everyone who gets into a motor vehicle at any time and for whatever reason in this lovely region we call home.

Here are some additional tips when searching for car insurance – click on the picture to watch the video:

Clink on this picture for tips on auto insurance

Written By Ronald Binday

Are you a homeowner? Be sure to ensure your properties against catastrophes.

In early April 2012, as a dry winter gave way to a dry spring, a wildfire ignited near the Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island. Before it was brought under control, the fire had consumed 1,000 acres and two homes.

We don’t usually think of wildfires as a danger to life and property in the Northeast, but just as in California, Kansas, Colorado and other places in the West, Midwest and South, a wildfire can strike suddenly in suburban New York and devastate a family.

Urban or rural, says Chubb Personal Insurance, if your home is located in a brush or woodland area, you may have the very real threat of facing a wildfire. Wildfires often begin quietly then spread rapidly, igniting brush and trees and structures.

In many rural communities in the West, authorities recommend that people clear brush in close proximity to their homes to give a potential fire less fuel. Chubb has been very proactive in protecting its insured homeowners with such advice through a comprehensive program called Chubb Wildfire Defense Services. This includes an assessment of dangers around the home and counseling on how to reduce the fuel that would feed a fire.

Additionally,this Chubb service monitors the local area and contacts policyholders to help them prepare when conditions are conducive to wildfires. Chubb Wildfire Defense Services will even dispatch certified firefighters to your home if a wildfire is threatening to work in conjunction with the local fire department.

Among the amazing services offered is the use of Thermo-Gel, a a state-of-the-art fire retardant that is sprayed on an endangered home to provide a longer period of protection if the flames get close.

The Wildfire Defense Service is available in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, California, New Mexico, Arizona and certain counties in Texas, so will be of particular interest to area residents with second homes or ski properties out West. But even if you live all year in the tri-state area, you can find lots of helpful information about protecting your home here, a source for many of our clients on how to prevent and mitigate problems.

Many homeowners don’t realize how helpful an insurance company can be in preventing a potential catastrophe. The best insurers have websites that are filled with advice and recommendations on improving home safety, preparing for a storm or a power outage, keeping the pipes from freezing in the winter, how to use and store paints and household chemicals, and much, much more.

We’re proud to help in any way we can. Share with us your best tip to prevent potential catastrophes and stay tuned for more advices!

Blog written by Ron Binday

But, what if your home is valued above $250,000? What if your basement is finished? How will you cover the expensive furniture, table games, wine cellar, and elaborate electronics below the first floor? The answer is Excess Flood Insurance.

Excess Flood Insurance provides coverage above and beyond the limits of the FEMA flood policy. Also, many excess flood policies provide coverage to areas where the FEMA policy does not, like the basement. Depending on the flood zone, coverage limits are often customizable. So if your concern is that $250,000 in building coverage is not enough, but you do not believe coverage up to the total replacement cost of your home is necessary, there is a policy for you. For homes located in preferred zones, excess flood coverage can be surprisingly affordable. For coastal areas and properties located on lakes and rivers, an excess flood policy may be a wise investment…especially with the crazy weather patterns we have recently experienced. The message here is that Advocate Brokerage can help tailor coverage specific to your needs and within your budget.

Many elite carriers, including ACE, Chartis, Chubb and Fireman’s Fund offer privatized flood solutions. Depending on the risk, coverage above the $250k/$100k FEMA threshold may be available with these carriers. Other companies, like PURE, offer endorsements directly on the home policy that allow coverage to be applied to areas where an attached FEMA policy is lacking. There are many secondary markets offering an array of excess flood products.

If interested, please contact Advocate Brokerage to discuss your concerns. We will conduct a thorough examination of what the market has to offer and prepare a personalized excess flood solution.

Team story-telling is similar to the popular game of Mad Libs, but instead of just filling in the blanks, you create a story. To play, each person in the car takes a turn contributing and recording a sentence or word until your group decides it’s time to read your creation from start to finish. Any age can play and the results can be some very funny stories.

I Spy is our second great road trip game. It is a simple game in which one person selects an object that others can also see and takes yes-or-no questions from the other players about what it might be. The first person to guess the object correctly gets to pick the next. Great for all ages, this game can keep everyone in the car entertained for hours.

The Alphabet Game is another observation game that can be played competitively or cooperatively with the others on your road trip. To play competitively, every passenger looks outside the car for items that begin with each letter of the alphabet in order, starting with the letter A. For example, the first person to spot a sign for Applebee’s Restaurant and call out “A … Applebee’s,” wins the word and the game moves on to the letter B. Letters in license plates do not count. The person with the most words after getting through the very tough X, Y and Zs wins. This game can be played collaboratively by collaboratively by working as a team from A to Z, and everybody is a winner.

Our next game, a variant of 20 Questions, is “Animal, Vegetable, Or Mineral.”  One person secretly selects anything – from imaginary creatures to road salt. The other players begin by asking if the object selected falls under the category of Animal (anything that is alive and not a plant, including imaginary or extinct creatures), Vegetable (any plant or vegetation), or Mineral. After the category is determined, the players ask yes or no questions to aid in guessing the object. The person who guesses the object correctly picks the next.

Our final great game for those long road trip miles is called the “Banana Game.” Having almost nothing to do with the fruit, the object of the game is to spot yellow vehicles. The vehicles are scored depending on their size or rarity, and feel free to customize the rules. For example, a yellow cab in New York might be worth one point, but a school bus would get the maximum score of five.

A yellow Ferrari in Larchmont might get two points; in Kansas it’s a hands-down five. The first player to reach 25 points is the winner.

Before you and your family or friends hit the road this summer, make sure that your car is properly covered with a personalized insurance policy, customized to your needs and budget.

Looking forward to know your favorite game! Leave a reply below!

Post written by DGI

Our partners at Chubb Insurance have recently posted a video about the pre-season maintenance required for a classic automobile before it hits the open road this summer. This video shows viewers how to replace the engine coolant; check the battery, lights and lug nuts; and search for fluid leaks and rodent damage, along with other items vital for roadworthiness.

Once these tasks are completed, your car should be ready for a great summer of driving. But before you take your pride and joy out for a spin, contact us at Advocate Brokerage to insure your piece of automotive bliss. We can protect your vehicle with a policy customized to fit your unique car and budget.

Post written by DGI

Greyston Foundation and Bakery based in Yonkers, New York, is a model for comprehensive and sustainable community development, we at Advocate are proud to support its work. The Foundation touches over 2,200 community members annually and provides numerous opportunities though a constructive and engaging program.

The Greyston Foundation is perhaps best known as a pioneer of local “social entrepreneurship,” solving problems of the inner city and reducing reliance on outside funding to create sustainable organizations and businesses.

The first of the Greyston Foundation’s enterprises was and remains the Greyston Bakery. Not only does the enterprise produce celebrated brownies, it is an essential component of Greyston and what became the first so-called benefit corporation in New York. A benefit corporation uses the profits of the business solely to solve social and environmental issues. Today, the Greyston Bakery has become one of the primary sources of funding for the Greyston Foundation.

Steven A. Brown, President and CEO of the Greyston Foundation, has expressed his pride and appreciation for the support from local corporations. “The support from Advocate Brokerage is extraordinary” said Mr. Brown. Members of the Advocate Brokerage team now work with Greyston in a broad range of positions. Jeff Koslowsky serves as a board member for the Foundation and played a key role in the development of its current structure.

The Greyston Foundation continues to achieve noteworthy success though it’s sustainable community organization. If you would like to help Greyston, they are always very welcoming to dedicated people wishing to improve the community. Why not join Advocate Brokerage in supporting this exemplary organization by volunteering, donating money, or purchasing tickets for the 2012 Greyston Benefit Gala.

Advocate is like few other brokerages in the country. We are notably active community members, leaders, and volunteers. We want to make communities safe, happy, and sustainable for all though our community efforts and our insurance policies. Contact us to see how we can provide you with comprehensive coverage that fits your life and budget.

For more information about Greyston, you can visit its website and for more information about Advocate Brokerage, visit our website, contact us, or follow us on Twitter or Facebook.

Post written by DGI.

Historic records reveal that insurance has been with us from almost time immemorial. Primitive methods of transferring or distributing risk were practiced by Chinese and Babylonian traders as long ago as the 3rd and 2nd millennia B.C. The Greeks and Romans introduced a form of insurance in 600 B.C. Separate insurance contracts were invented in Genoa, Italy, in the 14th century. And insurance policies, closer to what we know today, first appeared in London in the early 17th century.

Yet, despite insurance’s long and indispensable role in society, the popular perception of insurers is often negative — images abound of long delays for claims payments, of haggling with adjusters determined to make payments as small as possible, even challenges from insurers about the validity of claims.

All of which is why theAdvocate Brokerage was founded over four decades ago to provide home, auto, commercial and related insurance in an emphatically customer-friendly manner. From the get-go, we viewed our customers as allies not adversaries. We decided that customer good will and loyalty — rather than suspicion, mistrust, and disagreement — were our most valuable assets — certainly, more important than squeezing out a few extra profit dollars in settling claims. Speedy, equitable #claims resolution without argument became our unfailing watchword and we have never looked back.

Post written by DGI.

Protecting your small business is crucial. Years, days, and hours of dedication and work can be lost instantly without the proper insurance coverage.

You may be thinking you already have all the insurance your business needs. What you may not realize is the coverage you have will only protect you up to a certain amount. Are you prepared to cover the expenses of a liability claim that could substantially exceed your #insurance coverage limit – even drive you into bankruptcy court?

An umbrella liability policy may be the difference between #bankruptcy and an on-going business venture. It will protect your business far beyond anything general policies can provide.

Like any #insurance policy, there are some limitations and restrictions. Nonetheless, it is possible to adjust your coverage based on the very specific needs of your small business. It’s important to understand exactly what you can do to protect your business from losing everything. To learn more about our umbrella liability policy, click here.

Advocate Brokerage stands ready to help you protect your business against mishaps. Contact us to get started today.

Post written by DGI.

Statistically, automobile accidents remain the number one cause of death among teenage drivers. While teens are required by law to obtain the proper driving education and pass specific driving exams, those requirements will not make your child, or any other on the road, a cautious, experienced driver.

The importance of having the proper insurance coverage for your family cannot be over-emphasized. Nor do you need to drain your bank account to do so. You can easily get relatively inexpensive coverage, and we at Advocate Brokerage are ready to help.

Insuring your teen driver can be simple and affordable. There are many ways to cut back on insurance costs without lowering coverage. Your teen can participate in driver-safety programs, maintain excellent grades in school, and drive a safe car. All will help to adjust your policy costs.

Most importantly, always remember to establish and maintain a level of trust between you and your teen. Be sure to create rules of the road that you both agree upon. Mutual understanding can, and will, lessen the risk of your teen disobeying the law.

Here are some rules of the road to get your teen to adopt:

• I will obey any curfews or restrictions imposed by my driver’s license.
• I will make certain I can always hear emergency vehicles and traffic sounds.
• I will drive in a manner that respects the safety of myself, my passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians.

Contact us to learn how to protect your family at an affordable price. When you are ready to get a precise quote, you should have the following information ready:

• Personal information (i.e. name, address, birth date, SSN, and a valid driver’s license)
• Vehicle Information (i.e. payments, vehicle identification number, and the year, make, and model of the vehicle)

Post written by DGI.

Similar to homeowners insurance, renters insurance provides incredible protection for your personal property should a disaster occur such as a fire, a flood, or a robbery. The difference is renters insurance comes at an affordable cost. In most cases, renters insurance will also protect you against liability issues should a person become injured in your home.

More and more landlords are beginning to require renters insurance upon signing a lease. The good news is you can adjust the cost of your coverage based on the value of your personal possessions.

Contact us to help assist you in getting started with renters insurance. For now, here are some simple steps to guide you in determining the impact renters insurance could have on your life:

1. The landlord of your building will most likely be required to hold homeowners insurance, but carefully consider the fact this insurance will not cover your personal possessions in the event of a disaster.
2. Consider what your personal belongings mean to you and if you would have the ability to replace them should a fire or theft occur.
3. Take an opportunity and document your belongings and the monetary value they have.
4. Do your research. Does the cost of a monthly insurance payment compare to the price you would pay to replace your lost possessions?

Post written by DGI.

With the economic uncertainty and the unstable housing market, more people are attracted by rental properties to supplement their income. Making this kind of investment can effectively lower a monthly mortgage payment. We at Advocate Brokerage understand rental properties and have a few suggestions when investing in a new rental unit.

1. Landlords need to make sure that their rental unit or property complies with all government codes for wiring, heating, and plumbing and approved by the appropriate inspector.

2. If the unit is converted from a one-family residence to a multifamily structure, a professional should do the work after acquiring the appropriate permits.

3. All rental units must be equipped with smoke and carbon monoxide detections and fire extinguishers.

4. Landlords should make sure that all carpets, steps and other potential trip/fall hazards are minimized and that the sidewalks and driveway are free from defects.

Rental properties do have risks associated with them, but at Advocate Brokerage, we give you the piece of mind with by working with you to design the best coverage for you and your property. We insure both your property inside the unit as well as limited premise liability to make sure that you are protected. When planning your income property, contact us for assistance in protecting your rental property.

Post written by DGI.

Jeffrey Koslowsky,

The Miracle League of Westchester is a league for special needs children and adults that enables them to play baseball at a specially designed adaptive field.  The Miracle League of Westchester was founded in 2006. 

Miracle League was started in Conyers, Georgia in 1997, and since then Miracle Leagues have been started all over the country.  The Westchester League was the first in New York State. This year started with 40 players five years ago, had a roster of 180 when the season started earlier this month. The adult program has signed up 500 players for its third season which will kick off on May 14.

The players enjoy the game with the help of an entirely flat rubberized field and more relaxed rules that ensure everyone has a good time. Everybody gets to bat in each inning, base runners are rarely called out; every player scores a run before the game is over (last one up usually scores a home run); and all games end in a tie. The field is also smaller so players can have the opportunity to hit the ball over the fence.

The most important rule is everyone has to have a good time.

Every child, no matter his or her level of ability, can participate in the Miracle League of Westchester.

Games are non-competitive in nature, with each player batting, running the bases and scoring each inning. Volunteers will be assigned to each individual to assist throughout the game. There are no losers in this game, only winners with the score tied at the end of each game. The focus is more on participation than on winning. The teams will have 12-15 players.

Advocate Brokerage is please to be part of this amazing an insurance agency in Scarsdale, N.Y., serving the needs of drivers and homeowners in the tri-state area, along with 40 other states across the country. It was founded 42 years ago by Rosalyn Binday.

Post written by DGI.

By Thomas Cain, Fire Chief, Scarsdale Fire Department

Many fire departments across the country are faced with funding challenges with my department, unfortunately, being no exception. That’s why I’m grateful that Advocate Brokerage Corp. and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company partnered to award my department with a $10,000 grant.

Grant funds have been used to upgrade our department’s respiratory testing program. Specifically, we purchased a specialized electronic unit that tests the fit of firefighter’s face masks. The unit connects to a computer that provides a “quantitative” fit test that includes a print out of results, ensuring a reliable fit. Without a properly fitted mask, toxins can seep through and be inhaled by the firefighter causing great harm. In essence, properly fitted masks will ensure the safety of our members as they enter smoke-filled buildings, helping them do their jobs more effectively and efficiently.

Historically, we were forced to rely on a subjective “qualitative” test requiring firefighters to determine if they smell a sample odor leaking into his or her mask.

The grant was made through the Fireman’s Fund Heritage®program, Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company’s social mission to support firefighters for safer communities. Under the program, agents across the country who sell Fireman’s Fund products, like Advocate Brokerage Corp., have the opportunity to direct grants to fire departments. Fire departments use these funds for needed equipment, training and community education.

On behalf of the Scarsdale firefighters and the residents of this community, I would like to thank Advocate Brokerage and Fireman’s Fund for this generous donation.

Hundreds of people attended the June 4 event at X20 Xavier’s on the Hudson.

Funds from the Benefit support the Greyston Foundation’s work with low-income individuals and families in Westchester County.

Established in 1984, Greyston Foundation is an entrepreneurial and spiritually grounded #not-for-profit organization that serves more than 2,200 largely minority, Yonkers citizens, and employs more than 140 staff, 60% of whom are entry level. The organization creates opportunities for families and individuals to break the cycle of poverty and forge a path to self-sufficiency and community transformation. Greyston provides jobs, workforce development, low-income housing, youth services and health care. Initiatives include a Child Care Center, Community Gardens Program, Family & Youth Services, Maitri Adult Day Healthcare Program, Yonkers Green Connection, and Greyston Bakery.

Post written by DGI.

“These are businesses that can really be shown as an example to others,” Marsha Gordon, President and CEO of the Chamber, told the Journal News.

Advocate Brokerage was founded by Rosalyn Binday of Scarsdale, who was later joined in the business by her husband, Ron. Advocate Brokerage Corp. has been servicing the #insurance needs of #Scarsdale and the tri-state area for more than 42 years. Offering a broad range of competitively priced, innovative, quality insurance products.  Our product line includes personal & business insurance, financial services and estate.

Ronald Lambert, vice-president and branch manager of HSBC in Scarsdale, said he nominated the Binday family for the award because he thought they incorporated the idea of community into the business.

“It’s a family business, but it’s more than that,” he said. “If you’ve ever seen their advertising, they typically present a picture of their staff as well as themselves, like their employees are members of their extended family. It’s a nice touch.”

Post written by DGI.

#SCARSDALE – Rosalyn Binday and Denise Koslowsky helped United Way launch its 2008-2009 campaign.

Roz Binday, a founder of Advocate Brokerage with her husband, Ron, and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of United Way of Scarsdale-Edgemont, attended the Leadership Reception for its most committed supporters to kick off the campaign.

United Way brings people and resources together to tackle issues of major concern and produce positive change, community-wide. Partnering with not-for-profits, business, the public sector and caring individuals, United Way creates as well as strengthens a range of initiatives that have far reaching impact on our community’s most significant issues: strengthening families, nurturing children and youth, increasing self-sufficiency, promoting #health and #wellness, embracing diversity and fostering independence for seniors.

Denise Koslowsky, Roz and Ron’s daughter and a busy insurance executive at Advocate Brokerage, was a Co-Coordinator of the Leadership Reception with Ms. Binday. Roz remains as the Board Chair member and Denise holds the title of Vice President Strategic Initiatives, helping to bring together among the rest of the Board members the human, financial and organizational resources in the #Scarsdale-Edgemont community to solve its critical human-need issues and positively impact people’s lives.

Post written by DGI.

L to R Back to front – United Way Sponsors Jim Libman, Jon Libman, Kathleen Libmana of Camp Hillard, UW Co-Chair Denise Koslowsky, Alan - Front left to right – Kate Beeby, Shari Schneider UW Activities Coordinator, Dylan LIbman, Taylor Libman, Diane Burkin.

#SCARSDALE – Denise Koslowsky, a member of the Board of Directors of United Way of Scarsdale-Edgewood, originated the United Way’s Camp-a-Palooza festival, which benefits the agency’s Born Learning Initiative.

Camp-A-Palooza combines first class music and entertainment with the best of the summer camp experience distilled into one fun, event-filled day that will feature arts and crafts, miniature golf, field day sports, zipline, and carnival games. The ever-popular Snacks (a.k.a. Pete and Maura Kennedy), Bokandeye African-American Dance Theater and the Take Me to the River Children’s Community Chorus will have the young and young-at-heart dancing, drumming and singing along.

All proceeds from Camp-A-Palooza will benefit United Way’s Born Learning Initiative, which teaches new parents, grandparents and caregivers how to turn everyday activities with infants and toddlers into fun learning opportunities for eager little minds. The goal is for young children to start school ready to learn and succeed. Major sponsors of the event include Advocate Brokerage Corp., Citibabes, Denise and Jeffrey Koslowsky, People’s United Bank, Shari and Corey Schneider and Sidney Witter.

The Initiative supports the belief that engaging children early is essential to their confidence and success later in school.

Located on 20 acres in Edgemont, New York, Camp Hillard has been owned and operated for 82 years by the Libman Family. As one of Westchester County’s premiere day camps, Camp Hillard has given generations of children safe, active, and memorable summers. For additional information about the camp, visit camphillard.com.

Post written by DGI.

Do NOT discuss the accident with anyone except the police or your insurance carrier representative.

• Call 911 to report injuries and notify the police.
• Move to a safe place, away from traffic.

• Write down names, addresses, phone numbers of any witnesses, people and vehicles involved. Record the other driver’s insurance company and policy number.

• Get instructions from police on how to obtain the police report.

Do NOT sign a statement for anyone except the police or your insurance carrier representative, unless advised to do so by your attorney.

Do NOT authorize repairs unless your insurance carrier adjuster has seen your vehicle or a claim representative has agreed to the repairs.

Contact your insurance company and contact us, your friendly insurance agent, as soon as possible with the information above. You do not need to call us from the scene of the accident. However, it is crucial that you report the accident in a timely manner.

For further information, help, guidance, and more, Please Contact Us.

We are here to help!

Post written by DGI.

This is a question asked of us every time there is a major windstorm. It is also one of the most frequent questions the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) receives from consumers each year. Consequently, we are attaching their generalized responses below in italics, as it is self-explanatory.

“The answer is quite straightforward,” said Jeanne M. Salvatore, senior vice president and consumer spokesperson for the I.I.I. “If a tree hits a home or other insured structure such as a detached garage, standard homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for the damage the tree does to the structure and the contents within it. This includes trees felled by a windstorm, hail, weight of ice, snow or sleet.”

Furthermore, it does not matter whether or not a tree was actually growing on your property; if it lands on your home, you should file a claim with your insurance company. After a hurricane or windstorm trees, shrubs and branches can become projectiles capable of traveling significant distances. Insurance companies do not waste time trying to locate exactly where the tree originally lived.

“In some situations where the felled tree was located on a neighbor’s property, the policyholder’s insurance company may try to collect from a neighbor’s insurance company in a process called subrogation. This sometimes occurs if the tree was in poor health or not properly maintained. If the insurer is successful, you may be reimbursed for the deductible,” says Salvatore.

If a tree hits an insured structure, there is also coverage for the cost of removing the tree, generally up to about $500 to $1,000, depending on the insurer and the type of policy purchased. If the fallen tree did not hit an insured structure, there is generally no coverage for debris removal; however, some insurance companies may pay for the cost of removing it if the felled tree blocks a driveway or a ramp designed to assist the handicapped.

Cars damaged or destroyed by falling trees are covered under the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy.

Clearly, throughout the nation coverage varies from carrier to carrier, which is why the Insurance Information Institute article uses verbiage that is generalized. Although limited, additional insurance coverage for expensive landscaping is available from a handful of specialty insurers in the form of an endorsement to a homeowners policy.

Friendly Hint from Your Insurance Agent: Think ahead. Prior to a loss, if your neighbor’s tree is visibly unhealthy, make a paper trail so you can prove that your neighbor has been legally notified that your property is in peril. In other words, send a letter (certified, return receipt) or a provable email. Then for subrogation purposes, in the event the neighbor’s tree damages your property and your insurer pays you, they may be successful in recouping your deductible.

January 18, 2012 – With the extraordinary theft of millions of email addresses collected by some of the nation’s biggest companies, it’s time to think about the likely result — phishing attacks — and how to avoid becoming a victim.

If you have accounts with Citigroup, Capital One, The College Board, Walgreen, HSN or TiVo there’s a reasonable chance some con artist is trying to figure out how to get in touch with you — and not to be Facebook friends. They want to dupe you into giving them more information than they have right now.

Here’s what they’ve got: Your name (maybe just your first name) and your email address. Here’s what they want: The good stuff like your home address, phone number, Social Security Number and — of course — account numbers. Now they’re going to release a hailstorm of somewhat targeted emails intended to get you to believe they’re real, perhaps even referencing the theft itself.

Don’t just assume you’re too smart to become a victim. Thousands of consumers every month fall victim. These are not just people who are gullible or lack web savvy. All sorts of people fall victim because the crooks have gotten very sophisticated, perfectly (sometimes) mimicking real communications from companies you do business with. The big difference — and what you need to watch out for — is that the phishing emails are going to be angling for information from you.

The real companies would never ask you for that kind of information in an email. Sometimes their attempts to con you will be well masked, like asking you to click on a link to go to their site to “update” your account information or some such rouse. Here are five ways to avoid phishing attacks.

Don’t click links in your emails. In most browsers, you can run your mouse over a link to see where it really goes. The crooks will often create URLs intended to confuse you — instead of yourbank.com/accounts they might use yourbank/accounts/and hide the real URL somewhere way over to the right.

Get a good virus protection program installed and then make sure to update it regularly.
DO NOT call phone numbers in the emails and DO NOT click the links in them. If you have a question about a credit card communication, for instance, call the customer service number on your card or bill.

If you need to update to account information online, do that only by logging into an established site that you’ve already used.

NEVER email personal or financial information. Be sure to read your credit card and bank statements immediately. Fraud protections on cards, in particular, are good but are time-limited. So raise a red flag as soon as you see suspicious charges. You’ve typically got 60 days from the time the fraudulent charge appears on your bill.

If you get a phishing email, notify the company or agency that was being impersonated and forward the email to this federal government email address: spam@uce.gov. That’s the Federal Trade Commission, which collects the complaints to determine whether action can be taken, but does not deal with an individual consumer’s situation.

You should also complain to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, an anti-internet crime venture involving the FBI, the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the National White Collar Crime Center.

This is a question we are asked often. Despite falling home prices, the cost to rebuild a home is not the same as the sales price, or market value. Market value is influenced by other factors such as location, quality of schools, the interest of other buyers…and of course, the fluctuation of the general economy.

As different industries use different valuations, it is easy to get confused as to the insured dwelling limit. The mortgage provider backs into the figure because it affects the mortgage amount; the village assessor uses figures that relate to taxes. Then, there’s the figures spouted to you by your clueless neighbor (the maven on all subjects), who doesn’t realize how severely underinsured he himself is. These valuations are not the same as the dwelling replacement cost determined by the insurance carrier.

The purpose of adequate insurance limits is to financially protect your family should something go wrong. While paying less is certainly more attractive than paying more, lowering the policy limits could leave you drastically underinsured and financially vulnerable in the event of a large loss. This is not the place to stint.  If there’s a fire or a radical weather event (i.e.: hurricane, tornado, flood), you should carry enough insurance to rebuild your home in its entirety.

Keep in mind that after a major disaster anywhere in the United States, there is increased demand for building supplies. This impacts supply hubs, which impacts us, even though we may not have physically experienced the loss. Sad to say that human nature being what it is, this is the very time that contractors tend to gouge and economies of scale cease to exist.

Unless it was just constructed, the cost of the most basic materials in your home is significantly higher that it was when your home was built. In fact, according to the National Home Builders Association, 35% of the total cost to construct a home is driven by costs associated with lumber, copper and oil.  For example: an $8 sheet of plywood in 2003 now costs $15 or more. Diesel prices have gone up by 50%, making it more expensive to transport building materials and operate construction machinery. And most people forget that when re-doing the work, the cost of demolition and removal is considerate.

Due to finer quality work, the materials used to reconstruct custom or vintage homes is vastly more expensive than it is to build a conventional home. This and the fact that such builders may buy some of the materials in relatively small quantities, makes the cost soar; consider the cost of replacing a slate or cedar roof. As fewer craftsmen specialize in custom construction and renovation (i.e. plaster walls and moldings), the demand for these specialists is greater, making the cost of skilled labor ever more pricey.

In summary, your home is a major asset and should be protected as such. Fortunately, Advocate Brokerage represents a wide sphere of insurers at all price ranges. We cover the waterfront.

Welcome to our new blog. We hope in the coming months and years you’ll visit frequently to catch up on some local news, learn things about your insurance coverage and policies, get some pointers on securing your home and family against disasters, and find help for your insurance needs.

For more than 40 years, Advocate Brokerage has been giving its clients attentive, personal service, a tradition we plan to continue long into the future. When we opened our doors, we did so with a commitment to communicate and be there when you need us. This blog represents just another way to maintain our wonderful relationships as well as develop new friends who may be hunting around the Internet for insurance help.

So please use and enjoy the information you’ll find here, and give a call to one of our friendly, professional agents to let us know how you like it – and how we can be of assistance to you and your families today and in the future.

Sincerely,

Roz Binday

Water, Water Everywhere…

It seems like “hundred year” storms are coming our way on a more regular basis. If you think flooding is only a coastal event, think again. Much of the northeast was inundated, including homes on high ground that are not in a flood zone and have never been flooded before. All homeowners should be aware of the following:

• Flooding is a standard exclusion on all home insurance policies. Do not expect coverage to respond.

• The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is available to almost everyone.

• For those who live in favorable flood zones – which applies to most homes in this territory – the cost is about $405 per year and less for homes with no basement.. It is higher for those in less favorable zones, but coverage is generally available.

• The National Flood policy covers the home foundation including posts, pilings, and piers or other support systems. Also included is certain mechanical equipment necessary for the habitability of the building, such as furnaces, hot water heaters, clothes washers and dryers, food freezers, air conditioners, heat pumps, electrical junctions, and circuit breaker boxes.

• The National flood policy does not cover your furnishings, floor coverings, carpets, media systems or the pool table in your basement, if it is below grade. Strange as it sounds, not all basements are below grade (and in places like New Orleans and most of Florida, where there are no basements).

• However, if the flooding goes up to the first floor, which is unlikely in the northeast where most homes have basements, federal flood insurance would cover up to $250,000 for the house and $100,000 for the contents. Most people have a at least a $1,000 deductible.

• Some regular homeowner policies offer limited coverage for water damage; not from flooding, but for sump pump failure. In homes that have a sump pump that fails, policy owners can usually recoup $5,000-$10,000 for damage depending on the insurer and the limit listed on the policy.

• Advocate Brokerage is fortunate to represent the handful of high end carriers that offer their own specialized flood products for existing insurance clients. It would provide coverage for contents in the basement and real property (i.e. wood panelling, wall-to-wall carpeting, built-in bookcases). These are companies like Chubb, ACE, Chartis, and Fireman’s Fund. In addition, PURE offers a difference in conditions policy designed to fit over the NFIP policy.

• Don’t wait until the next torrential downpour, as there is a 30-day waiting period before the NFIP policy goes into effect. CALL US NOW at Advocate Brokerage, 820 Scarsdale Avenue, Scarsdale, (914) 723.7100.