New California Carbon Monoxide Laws

New California Carbon Monoxide Laws

As of January 1, 2011, all single-family residences (whether owner or tenant occupied) that have a fossil fuel heater or appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage are required to have a carbon monoxide detector installed. All multi-unit residences have until January 2, 2013 to comply with the requirement. The legislation also includes maintenance provisions identical to that for smoke detector maintenance in properties that are tenant occupied. For more information, visit: http://www.ca.gov/

What is Carbon Monoxide (CO)?

Carbon monoxide, sometimes called the “silent killer,” is a colorless, odorless and tasteless poison gas that can be fatal when inhaled. It is produced when burning fossil fuels like gasoline, propane, coal, natural gas, oil, charcoal, kerosene, or wood. If you have a fire, you have CO.

Carbon monoxide is also produced by products and equipment powered by internal combustion engines, such as portable generators, cars, lawn mowers, and power washers. Fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and fuel-burning appliances, like furnaces, gas ranges/stoves, water heaters and room heaters produce CO, too.

What Should I Do When My CO Alarm Sounds?

•Never ignore a CO alarm! It is warning you of a potentially deadly situation.
•Do not try to find the source of the CO.
•Move everyone outside immediately.
•Call emergency services, the fire department or 911.
•After calling, do a head count to ensure everyone is safely out of the building.
•Do not re-enter the building until emergency responders tell you it is safe.
•If a malfunctioning appliance is the source of the CO, do not operate the appliance until it has been properly serviced by a qualified technician.

How Can I Prevent CO Poisoning?

•Properly equip your home or business with carbon monoxide alarms/detectors, per state requirements and manufacturer’s instruction.
•Have the heating system, vents, chimneys and flues inspected annually by a qualified technician. The inspector should also check your chimneys and flues for any blockages, corrosion, partial and complete disconnections, and loose connections.
•Install and operate appliances according to the manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes.
•Only purchase appliances that have been approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
•Never use a gas stove, oven or clothes dryer to heat your home.
•Never leave your car idling in the garage, even with the door open.
•Never operate a portable generator or any gasoline engine-powered tool in or near an enclosed space. Even with doors and windows open, these spaces can trap CO and allow it to quickly build to lethal levels.
•Never use portable fuel-burning camping equipment inside a building, garage, vehicle or tent, unless specifically designed for use in an enclosed space. Follow manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
•Never burn charcoal inside a building, garage, vehicle, or tent
•Never operate unvented, fuel-burning appliances in any room where people are sleeping.
•Ensure that appliance vents and chimneys are not blocked by tarps or debris when renovating.
What are the Symptoms of CO Poisoning?

Because CO is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses, you may not realize you are being exposed to dangerous levels of CO. Symptom severity is directly related to both the CO level and the duration of your exposure. For slowly developing residential CO problems, occupants, and sometimes physicians, can mistake mild to moderate CO poisoning for the flu. This can lead to tragic deaths. For rapidly developing, high-level CO exposures (like in many cases of generators in residential spaces), victims can quickly become mentally confused, lose muscle control or even die without having first experienced milder symptoms.

Symptoms of mild to moderate poisoning:
•Flu-like symptoms without a fever
•Dizziness
•Slight to throbbing headache
•Shortness of breath
•Nausea and vomiting
•Sleepiness
•Fatigue or weakness
•Disorientation or mental confusion
•Fast heart rate

Symptoms of severe poisoning:

•Serious disorientation and mental confusion
•Loss of muscular coordination
•Convulsions
•Loss of consciousness
•Brain damage
•Heart and lung failure
•Ultimately, death

How are Dangerous Levels of CO Produced?

Any fuel-burning appliance that is malfunctioning or improperly installed can cause CO problems. Vehicles, generators and other combustion engines running in an attached or enclosed garage are very dangerous. A blocked chimney or flue, cracked or loose furnace exchanger, back drafting, changes in air pressure, or operating a grill in an enclosed space can also cause deadly concentrations of CO.

What the Risks Related to CO Exposure?

According to the American Medical Association, carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is the leading cause of accidental poisoning deaths in the United States. On average, 450 people in the United States die each year from CO produced by non-automotive consumer products. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that an additional 20,000 people end up in hospital emergency rooms every year to be treated for CO poisoning.

For More Information & Quotes On Your Homeowners / Auto / Business Insurance Please Contact Diversified Insurance Solutions at 714-988-3325 or jason@diversifiedinsurancequtoes.com

Is Buying A Condo For My College Student A Smart Move?

Ask the Experts: Is Buying A Condo For My College Student A Smart Move?

When parents estimate the amount of money they'll be spending on dorm rooms and off-campus apartments for the next several years, it's easy to see why many parents like the idea of buying a condo for their college student. But, assuming your child is responsible enough to take care of such a property, whether it makes financial sense to do so depends on several factors.

Recouping Costs: The costs of owning the condo, minus any rent paid by roommates, should be less than what you would pay for a dorm or apartment over the same time period. Costs may include a mortgage (including points and fees), property taxes, homeowners insurance, condo dues, and maintenance costs. And if your child plans on having roommates, you may want to add an umbrella liability policy to your homeowners insurance to protect you now that you're a landlord.

Will you come out ahead in the end? The rate of housing appreciation varies by geographic area, so research the location you're targeting. And don't forget to factor in a broker's commission when you sell the property.

 The Right Mortgage Loan: For long-term real estate ownership, it often makes sense to choose the certainty of a fixed-rate mortgage. But for short-term real estate ownership, a three- or five-year adjustable-rate mortgage may make more financial sense because the lower initial interest rate translates into a lower monthly payment. But be aware that if housing prices drop before you can sell the property, you may end up owing more than the house is worth--a situation you want to avoid.
Tax Benefits: You may be able to deduct mortgage interest and property taxes on a second property; however, the IRS limits the amount of itemized deductions high-income taxpayers can take. In addition, if rent is collected, rental property rules will apply: rent you receive will be considered income, and you'll be entitled to claim some expenses as business deductions. But second homes and rental property aren't eligible for the $250,000 per person exclusion that you get when you sell your primary residence. To learn more, consult a tax professional.

For Condo / HO6 Insurance Quotes Please Contact Jason Shroot at 714-988-3325

Got Any Bling - Why Your Net Worth Matters

Your Net Worth: Why It Matters


Net worth determines those rankings of the country's wealthiest people, but it's also a good financial planning tool for the rest of us. Net worth is like a scorecard, says Art Dinkin, a certified financial planner. "It's a good way to keep track of where you are financially." The figure is easy to calculate, Dinkin says. "You take everything you own and subtract everything you owe."

Assets include the market value of your home, stocks, bonds and the cash value of life insurance policies. Liabilities include your mortgage, property taxes, car loans, credit card balances and any outstanding bills.
Change Is What Matters

Current net worth alone is not that meaningful. But when you track it from year to year and note the changes, then it becomes a useful measure of your financial health. A drop in net worth is a cause for concern. "If your net worth isn't growing from year to year, it may indicate you're spending too much," Dinkin says.

If your net worth has declined, you're not alone. In September 2010, the Federal Reserve released data showing that total household net worth in the U.S. fell nearly 3 percent to $53.5 trillion in the second quarter of 2010. That's an average net worth of $182,000, though the super-rich skew the figure upward. Median household net worth—considered a more meaningful figure than the average—was $120,300 in 2007, the last time the Federal Reserve calculated the figure.

Calculate & Assess Annually

It's a good idea to calculate your net worth once a year. Once you have a previous figure to compare with, note how much your net worth changed and why. Did some assets appreciate? Were you able to save more? Did you take on more debt? The answers will help fine-tune your financial planning.

Get More Personal Finance Calculators at Diversified Insurance or Speak With A License Financial Advisor At 714-988-3325. 

The Dangers of Radon In Your Home

Get A Read On Radon


Radon escapes naturally from soil as a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that can seep through the foundation of your home and reach toxic levels.

How toxic? Radon contributes to 21,000 lung-cancer deaths annually, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). By comparison, carbon monoxide kills an average of 439 persons each year. The EPA sets the maximum acceptable radon exposure at 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). However, because there's no "safe" level, the EPA recommends you take action when the level in your home reaches 2 pCi/L. Outdoor radon levels average about .4 pCi/L.You Can Test For Radon In Two Ways:

•DIY Tests. Buy radon test kits at home centers or through National Radon Program Services. Testing takes two days to a year in a closed-up house before you return the test to a laboratory for the results. Radon levels vary daily, so longer tests mean greater accuracy. Retest after making repairs.

•Professional Tests. A trained radon professional's electric monitor shows how radon levels fluctuate during the test period. Home buyers may trust professional tests more because they are performed independently of home sellers.
Fix The Problem...ASAP

In general, treat radon reduction like any home improvement and obtain multiple bids before hiring a licensed contractor. Fixing most radon problems costs on average between $800 to $2,000 (depending largely on the size of your home).  The National Environmental Health Association offers a list of questions to ask your radon contractor. The EPA has also links to California's radon control agency.

Get More Home Safety Tips At Diversified Insurance

Get Free Insurance Quotes At 714-988-3325

Have A Safe Day

Reviewing Your Insurance Policy

Reviewing Your Insurance Policy
The easiest way to organize and review your insurance policies is to create a one page policy summary for each insurance policy. A policy summary could be copied from the insurance contract, or you could create your own on a pad of paper, in a word document, or in an excel file.

Most insurance policies contain a page in front of the insurance contract that is called a "policy summary", and will contain most of the information you will want to review.

It is especially important to periodically review insurance policies, as people tend to file these types of policies away and not look at them for long periods of time.

A policy summary makes it easy to quickly review an insurance policy. If you create your own policy summary it will help you understand your insurance policy.

An insurance policy summary would contain a section that has the basics of your policy, and a section with details on the benefits and restrictions. When conducting a review of your insurance policies you will want to pay the most attention to the benefits and restrictions.
Basics To Know And Review About Any Insurance Policy

Type Of Policy

Is it health insurance, life insurance, long term care insurance, disability insurance, property and casualty insurance, or auto insurance? If you are reviewing or summarizing a life insurance policy, specify what type of life insurance policy it: term life, whole life, universal life or variable life.

Insurance Carrier

Who is the insurance company that provides the insurance? Keep track of a customer service number you can call, or the contact information for your insurance agent (Jason Shroot @ 714-988-3325).

Policy Number

You will always need your policy number when you call and ask questions about an insurance policy.

Date Issued

It is important to know the date the insurance was issued especially when it comes to life insurance, as term insurance has an expiration date, and permanent insurance will have a surrender charge that may apply if you cancel the policy in the first five to twenty years.

Premium Required

Always keep track of the premium you pay and how frequently it is paid. In the case of a whole life insurance policy, the policy could be paid up. In that case if you were creating a policy summary you would write "No premiums required at this time as premiums are being paid by the dividends inside the policy." For other types of insurance, you might list something like “Premium of $225 per month paid by automatic deduction form checking account.”

Insured

Who do the benefits apply to; you, your spouse, a dependent child?

Once you understand the basic components, you can review the details of the insurance policy.  For More Help In Understanding Your Policy Coverages Please Contact Your Local Insurance Agent - Jason Shroot at 714-988-3325. 

Want to Protect Your Home?

 Get A Flood Insurance Policy...

Many people are looking for flood insurance policies for their homes, as the possibility of floods has been increasing at a rapid rate all around the world with each passing day.  Each year, thousands of Americans are placed in a troubling situation. That situation arises when their home floods. Flooding can occur due to hurricanes, thunderstorms with excess rain, or the break of a levee system. Whatever the cause for flooding, there are many families who are left to pay for all of the repairs to their home on their own.


In 1968, the National Flood Insurance Program was developed. This program was established to help make flood insurance affordable to all Americans, no matter where they lived. In addition to providing quality flood insurance, the National Flood Insurance Program also mandates the coverage that is being sold by agents and the amount of money that it is being sold for.
 
This is because many Americans that should have flood insurance do not. There are number of reasons why a homeowner decides not to purchase flood insurance coverage. One of the most common reasons for doing so is because of the cost. Many individuals mistakenly believe that flood insurance coverage is not worth the price. Unfortunately, there are many individuals who wish that they had purchased the coverage when their home flooded. The cost of flood insurance is nothing compared to the cost of rebuilding a home.


Another common reason why flood insurance coverage is not purchased is because some homeowners are not even aware that they need it. There are a large number of individuals who believe that flood damage to their home will be covered under their homeowner�s insurance policy.

This is a mistake that costs hundreds or even thousands of people thousands of dollars each year. It is important to note that floods can occur at just about any place and at any time. Many individuals refuse to purchase flood insurance coverage because they feel that it is a waste of their money.

Just because a home has not flooded in recent years does not mean that it cannot in the future. A home does not have to be located near a river, stream, lake, or pond to flood. Too much rain from an average thunderstorm can cause localized flooding.

To make flood insurance coverage worth the price, you should go about finding cheap flood insurance coverage. A large number of individuals purchase flood insurance from their agent that supplies them with auto insurance or their homeowner�s insurance. This may work out good for some individuals, but you should know that there is a cheaper way to obtain flood insurance.

For Quality, Low-Cost Flood Insurance Coverage You Should Speak To Jason Shroot, Your Local Insurance Agent At Diversifed Insurance Solutions in Newport Beach, California.  Please Call Us At 714-988-3325 For More Information And A FREE No-Obligation Quote.   

Lightning Strikes Are a Real Risk to Homeowners—Are You Protected?

Lightning Strikes Are a Real Risk to Homeowners—Are You Protected?


Keith Leimbach never thought about the fact that his home was at risk of being damaged by a lightning strike. Fire? Sure. Storms? Of course.  But lightning?

“It never crossed my mind,” said Leimbach, of Brentwood, Tennessee. “It’s just not the kind of thing you think can happen to you.”

Nightmare at Midnight

Leimbach’s home was struck around midnight during an electrical storm in 2009. Keith, his wife, Kirsten, their three children, Luke, Jack and Sofie, and five visiting friends had just recently gone to bed. Luke, Jack and Sofie had only moments before left the game room on the top floor of their home where the lightning hit."
"We were watching the storm from our bedroom when we heard and felt a loud crack right over our heads. When I went out to investigate I immediately smelled smoke," recalled Leimbach.
"I couldn’t believe it, but it was clear what had happened. After we got everyone out of the house and across the street, I called 911 and found out the fire department was already on their way–our alarm system had notified them automatically."

Fire Department's Quick Response Wasn't Enough

The Brentwood fire department proceeded to spend nearly eight hours dousing the Leimbach’s home with approximately 50,000 gallons of water. Any parts of the structure and contents that weren’t destroyed by the fire were soon ruined by smoke and water.

“No one was hurt, but we lost almost everything,” said Leimbach. "Luckily we had a good home insurance policy. Our carrier got us into a hotel room that night and then found us a rental home in our neighborhood. They even had it furnished."

Basic Home Insurance DOES Cover Damage from Lightning Strikes

A basic home insurance policy will cover damage to your home caused by fire, storms (including snow, rain and hail), wind, tornadoes and yes, even lightning. The policy will also cover your personal belongings as well as the cost to live elsewhere while your home is being repaired, if necessary.

Soon after Leimbach’s meeting with his insurance adjustor, contractors began working on the reconstruction. The Leimbach’s moved back into their home within a few months.

Your Coverage Levels Are Key

Does Leimbach have any advice for other homeowners? Just one thing: "It's easy to think that by just buying home insurance you’re covered for anything. But you can’t make those assumptions. You’ve got to talk to an agent to make sure you have enough coverage to rebuild your house from the ground up if necessary. I can’t imagine what would have happened if we hadn’t had enough coverage."

Is your home adequately protected by your current home insurance policy? If you’re not sure, compare home insurance quotes today at Diversified Insurance. You’ll have the opportunity to speak to a Califonria licensed, experienced home insurance professionals who can help you make sure you have the protection you need. Plus, by shopping around you’ll have a great chance to find a policy at a lower rate.

Compare Home Insurance Quotes is Easy & Quick With Jason Shroot.  Just Contact 714-988-3325 or Jason@diversifiedinsurancequotes.com

7 Money Saving Tips For Lower Electric Bills

How Low Can Your Electric Bill Go?

Well, the answer, of course, is up to you. Unfortunately, if you're like most energy consumers, you're flying blind. In fact, you probably know more about your credit card purchases than the energy you buy.

Credit card statements are typically available online and provide almost hourly updates on purchases. By contrast, you have little more than a monthly utility bill to understand your energy use. You can look back at past energy consumption, but you certainly can't see it in real time - when you could actually make choices that affect your energy use.

And that's bad, because studies have consistently shown that consumers make smart choices that save them money once they're aware of their energy use.
Here Comes the Smart Grid, Here Come the Savings

Thanks to funds from the federal stimulus program and renewed attention to the so-called “smart grid,” 2011 may just be the year that you begin using home energy in an entirely new way.
The new meters will allow homeowners to access data about their hour-by-hour energy use via text message, phone or on CA Energy's website. Customers will be able to monitor their daily energy use, get a projected bill for the month and compare their use with the average California Energy customer.

What You Can Do Now
As a brave new world of home energy management is ushered in, the day may soon come when a smart meter tied into a countertop display allows you to control thermostats, intelligent light sockets and power strips - even from your office computer or cell phone. With your permission, high wattage devices such as air conditioning units, electric water heaters and pool pumps will cycle down during times of peak demand. And consumer electronics devices, which now consume over half the power in a typical home, will automatically shut down or hibernate when they are not being used.
But, until then, consider these energy-saving steps:

Perform an energy audit. Using MyAccount function online, you can compare your energy use with similar homes, track your use over time, look at your billing history and discover specific ways to lower your electric bill.

Take advantage of incentives. Cash incentives ranging from $140 to $1,125 are available when you replace your old air conditioner with a more efficient system. Instant rebates are also being offered for energy-efficient residential pool pumps: $100 instant rebate for variable-speed pumps and $50 instant rebate for two-speed pumps.

Adjust your thermostat. By turning your thermostat back 10° to 15° for 8 hours, you can save about 5-15 percent a year on your heating bill. That's a savings of as much as 1 percent for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long. Here, a programmable thermostat can help you avoid waking up in a cooler than normal house in the winter.
Try some simple measures. These simple steps don't cost a thing, but can potentially save you 10-25 percent on your monthly energy bill. For example, use pool trippers to reduce the time your swimming pool pump runs - eight to 12 hours a day is plenty. Set your water heater to 120 degrees (any more is overkill). Keep lights and lighting fixtures clean, especially if you're reducing the number of lights you use. Dirt absorbs light.

Save Energy, Save Money

In the end, smart grid innovations will give you the tools and technology to make more informed choices about your energy use. And that's a good thing!

To Save Even More Money Try Reducing  Your Homeowners / Auto / Business Insurance Policies With Jason Shroot At Diversifed Insurance Quotes.  Please Call 714-988-3325 For More Information.  Or EMail at  jason@diversifiedinsurancequotes.com.  Or Visit www.JasonSellsInsurance.com

Settling A Homeowners Insurance Claim

To File A Homeowners Insurance Claim Or Not...
Your home was just damaged from a severe storm. What should you do? Who should be notified? Should you file a claim with your insurance company and if so, what should you expect from them? These are just a few of the concerns expected from a home owner facing a major loss. By having a general understanding of how insurance companies handle claims prior to filing one, you’ll likely be better prepared going into the process.

To file or not to file a claim—that is the question...Following a property loss, contact your insurance agent. Jason Shroot, or company representative with loss details as soon as possible. Discuss the chain of events with your insurance professional and determine if a claim should be filed. You might consider obtaining a contractor estimate to provide a damage assessment prior to filing a claim. Many consumers select high deductibles ($500, $1,000 or more) as a cost-savings measure. You may consider not filing a claim if the amount of the loss is close to your policy deductible or if you’ve filed multiple claims in recent years. Your insurance professional can provide guidance on what’s best for you.

If you are filing a claim, the company should provide information regarding the claims process. The insurance company will ask you to complete claim forms regarding the loss, which includes detailing your missing or damaged possessions. Having prior documentation of your personal property (through a video tape, an inventory list and/or photos) can greatly assist with the claims filing.

The insurer will assign a claims adjuster to work with you. Depending on the extent of the loss, the adjuster may conduct a personal interview regarding the claim, request an inspection of the damages for a loss assessment and possibly ask for a copy of an itemized list of the damaged property. The adjuster may want to tape record discussions regarding your claim.

Keep your insurer notified of any developments associated with a claim. For instance, if someone is injured on your property and you receive legal documents from the other party, contact your company immediately. Keep in mind that homeowners insurance provides legal defense coverage if sued as a result of such a claim.

In situations where property damage is extensive, try to protect against further losses by making temporary repairs. For example, if a tree falls and damages your roof, cover the hole with wood or plastic. Keep receipts associated with such repairs. These may be reimbursable under your homeowners insurance.

If a loss forces you to obtain a temporary residence, be sure to inform the insurance company. Most homeowners insurance policies also cover this under “additional living expenses.”

Don’t throw damaged property away unless instructed to do so by the adjuster. To save time, you may start obtaining written repair bids from licensed contractors. However, repairs should not begin without prior approval from your insurer.

7 Additional Claim Settling Tips:

1.  Track all expenses associated with the loss. They may be reimbursable under your homeowners insurance policy. Examples could include mileage and meal expenses if called into court for the claim or temporary repairs made to protect against additional damage.



2.  Keep copies of all your paperwork for future reference.


3.  Don’t start permanent repairs until the insurance company claims adjuster has assessed the damage and you’ve been given the go-ahead.


4.  You have the right to choose the contractor. Your insurer may provide you with a list of pre-approved contractors to save time and hassle, or you may be asked to obtain written estimates from a few licensed contractors of your own choosing. Regardless of the procedure, the policyholder has the final say in contractor selection.


5.  You have the right to negotiate the settlement. If you’re having a difficult time with the adjuster, contact the company directly and ask to speak with the consumer services department or the claims division manager. If you still find the settlement unacceptable, follow the appraisal procedure outlined in the insurance policy. Most appraisal procedures work by you hiring an independent appraiser at your expense. Once the appraiser reaches an agreement, the claim is settled at that amount.


6.  If you feel that you’ve exhausted all efforts with the insurance company, call the California Department of Insurance Consumer Hotline. The department, which regulates all insurance agents and companies within the state, will provide you with information and advice on how to proceed.


7.  If you still can’t reach an agreement, you always have the option of seeking outside legal advice.

 

In The Event of a Loss, Accident or Claim, We Suggest Strongly To Contact Your Local Insurance Agent - Jason Shroot & Keep Our Agency Involved In The Claim Process.

 

For Further Assistance & Quotes Please Call

Jason Shroot at 714-988-3325.