During June Home Safety Month, Experts Encourage Homeowners to Review their Insurance to Make Sure It Covers Common Accidents in the Home

San Jose, California (June 16, 2011) – Some homeowners are discovering the hard way that not all home insurance policies are adequate to cover everything in their home. Many policies exclude certain items from trampolines to pets.

“I’ve discovered that many people are unaware that their home or rental property is not protected by their basic insurance policy and that they may be exposed to personal liability issues,” shares Kerry Tuma with eIndividualHealth.com. “Since June is National Home Safety Month, this is a great time to review your personal home or rental insurance lines to make sure your coverage is adequate.”

Some polices may have special requirements to insure the following items:

• Trampolines – some policies exclude injuries from their usage while other policies provide coverage but mandate use of a mesh enclosure
• Pets – some carriers exclude coverage from dog attacks, while others exclude certain breeds of dogs
• Caregivers (i.e. nannies or housekeepers) – some carriers require homeowners to add an endorsement for workers compensation in case of potential injuries
• Home Business – some carriers require that homeowners write a separate business policy or add an endorsement for business liability exposure
• Contractors – prior to hiring a contractor, some policies require that homeowners check a contractor’s liability coverage by asking for a certificate of liability insurance or by checking directly with the Contractor State Labor Board at www.cslb.ca.gov

To avoid these home safety and personal liability issues, many carriers offer an umbrella policy to increase liability protection and to protect a homeowner’s assets from these types of exposures.

In addition to reviewing insurance limits this June, Tuma also recommends completing the following home safety checklist:

• Sound the Alarm: Install smoke detectors on every floor of your home and carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas. If already installed, test them and replace the batteries every year during daylight-saving time.
• Avoid Overload: Check for overloaded extension cords. Usage should not exceed the recommended wattage.
• Don’t Get Tippy: If young children are in the home, bookshelves and other furniture should be firmly secured with wall brackets to prevent tipping.
• Paint Safe: Check walls for loose paint. If re-painting, do so in a well-ventilated area and consider VOC-free (non-toxic) paint.
• Childproof, Childproof, Childproof: Areas of particular danger include exposed outlets, appliances, electronics, stairs, and windows. Check your local library or online for complete lists of childproofing suggestions.
• Watch Cord Placement: Extension cords should not be placed under rugs or heavy furniture. Instead, tack up or coil while in use.
• Get Grounded: All major appliances should be grounded. Be sure to check your ground fault circuit interrupters regularly.
• Plan Your Escape: Practice a fire escape plan with your family and identify two exits for every room while discussing what to do with young children.
• Give Your Air Heater Some Space: All air heaters should be placed at least three feet from beds, curtains, or anything flammable.
• Keep Extinguishers Handy: Place all-purpose fire extinguishers in key locations in your home, such as the kitchen, bedroom, and basement. Be sure to check expiration dates regularly and understand how to use them safely.
• Create a Safe Exit: In addition to alarms and extinguishers, consider an escape ladder if your home has two floors. Keep emergency numbers and contacts readily available by the phone or on the refrigerator.
• Unplug Appliances: Unplug appliances and electronics when not in use and store them out of reach.
• Go New in the Nursery: Check that all painted cribs, bassinettes, and high chairs were made after 1978 to avoid potential lead paint poisoning.
• Cool Your Jets: Set your water heater below 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid potential burns and to save energy.
• Put Away Medications: Take medications and medical supplies out of your purse, pockets, and drawers, and put them in a cabinet with a child safety lock.
• Look for UL: The UL mark appears on products that have been tested, verified, and inspected for safety.
For additional safety resources, visit www.eIndividualHealth.com, a full-service insurance agency that offers practical health insurance advice to individuals, families, young adults, and small businesses. eIndividualHealth is the sister company of Filice Insurance, one of the largest employee benefits and insurance consulting firms in Northern California, serving large and mid-size business consumers.
###

Contact Information

Kelley Jensen

Health Manager

Filice Insurance

Contact via E-mail