Defend Your Home Against Burglaries and Home Invasions

by onlinefinancialnewsletters | Nov 18, 2014 | Personal Protection

If you were anywhere near a television in June of 2013, you likely saw this graphic video of a horrifying New Jersey home invasion broadcast repeatedly on national news programs. It’s the stuff of nightmares, and unfortunately, according to the FBI, these violent break-ins—and less violent burglaries—are not as uncommon as you may think. Nearly 50,000 “robberies within residences” occurred in 2011. That’s a rate of nearly 137 per day.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to defend your home against these types of attacks. In most cases, both violent home invaders and simple burglars target properties where they’re less likely to face resistance. The more difficult you make it to access your home uninvited, the less likely you are to become a victim. Consider the following home-defense suggestions.

• Install motion-detecting lights around the perimeter of your home.
• Install motion-detecting infrared security cameras that record to a DVR. Enclose the recording system in a lockbox so invaders cannot remove the visual evidence of their crime.
• If you’re often away from your home and want to monitor it remotely, choose security cameras you can also connect to the Internet.
• Always lock your windows, even on upper floors.
• Install secondary locking devices on ground floor windows to prevent them from opening more than a narrow gap or width.
• Apply anti-break window film as well. If you have glass doors, make sure they are double paned and laminated.
• Keep a dowel rod in the track of your sliding glass door. This will keep it from sliding open even if a burglar bypasses the lock.
• Keep bushes and trees trimmed to reduce potential hiding places and eliminate easy upper story or roof access.
• Install deadbolts on all your exterior doors, including the one leading into your home from the garage. Use them at all times.
• Ensure your exterior doors are solid core models; replace them if not.
• Invest in an anti-kick door device, like the Door Devil or Door Stopper, to make brute force entry more difficult.
• Upgrade your locks to high security models and install 3-inch screws in your doorjambs and hinges.
• Invest in a security alarm with motion detectors, and keep it set even when you are at home—day and night.
• Install a secondary alarm keypad in your bedroom.
• Keep your cell phone handy at all times so you can call 911 from any room of your home.
• Put your keys on your nightstand when you go to bed. You can use your car alarm as a deterrent if you hear someone outside your home.
• If you have a garage door opener, make sure you’re not using the factory-set entry code.
• Never answer your door if you don’t know the person on the other side.

Sometimes the unexpected happens, but I hope these tips help you protect your home and your family. If you’d like to learn how homeowner’s insurance, life insurance and other insurance products can also offer protection in the event of a burglary, invasion, natural disaster or other emergency, contact me today.

Steps to Take After an Auto Accident

by onlinefinancialnewsletters | Nov 4, 2014 | Personal Protection

Automobile accidents on America’s busy roadways—from minor fender-benders to fatal pile-ups—are more common than you may imagine. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 9,387,000 passenger vehicles were involved in police-reported traffic crashes in 2012. More than 35,000 of these vehicles were involved in fatal crashes, 21,667 occupants lost their lives, and 2.09 million were injured.

While auto accidents are always stressful, it’s important to remain calm and take the necessary steps to ensure injured parties receive medical attention and you’re prepared to submit an auto insurance claim. Experts recommend the following:

1. If the accident appears to be minor, move your car to a safe place, out of traffic. This may be the shoulder of the highway or a nearby side road or parking lot.
2. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If another vehicle was involved in the accident, ascertain if the passengers within it are okay. When in doubt, call an ambulance.
3. Turn on your vehicle’s hazards lights. If you have cones, warning triangles or emergency flares in your trunk—and you are still on the roadway or shoulder—use them.
4. Call the police, even if the accident is minor or other parties involved suggest that you don’t contact law enforcement.
5. Call your insurance agent while you’re waiting for the police to arrive.
6. Use your cell phone to take pictures of the accident location and any damage on all vehicles involved.
7. If there were witnesses to the accident (pedestrians, uninvolved drivers who stopped to make sure everyone was okay), get their names and phone numbers.
8. Note the names, addresses and phone numbers of the other drivers. Write down their license plate numbers, vehicle identification numbers and auto insurance information as well. Some insurance companies offer free mobile apps to help you collect these details.
9. Do not admit fault for the accident, even if you think you are to blame. Don’t discuss the accident with other involved drivers and passengers. That said, be as polite as possible.
10. Do not sign any documents that your insurance agent or the police do not require.
11. Collect the name, badge number and phone number of the police officer investigating your accident. Ask for a copy of the accident report as well, though you may need to wait a day or so for the officer to file it. This report will include the officer’s assessment of the accident, which can be helpful if the parties involved do not agree on who was at fault.

The claims process itself may vary by insurance company. If you’d like to find out more about what to expect when filing a claim through your auto insurance provider—or ask other questions about your policy—contact your insurance agent.