From Everyone at Rutt Insurance: We want to wish you and your family a safe and Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!

Late fall and winter are the most prevalent seasons for house fires, and knowing the facts and implementing safety tips can make this time of year and the holidays more enjoyable and safer for friends and family. Additionally, Thanksgiving can signal the start of a peak time for home fires due to cooking accidents, electrical failures, dry trees, space heaters, fireplaces, candles, fireworks, and holiday lights, plus residents and visitors who choose to smoke in the home, to name a few.

• Trees: Water holiday trees often, ensure there are no faulty lights, and keep the trees away from heat sources like fireplaces and space heaters. Consider a fire-resistant artificial tree instead.

• Holiday Lights: Check for melted or damaged wires/plugs on holiday light strands and turn all lights off while away from home.
• Cooking: Turn pot handles inwards to prevent accidents in the kitchen. Avoid wearing loose clothing which can ignite easily. Don’t store items on the stove. The leading cause of home structure fires is from cooking and accounts for two out of every five house fires.
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• Fireplace: Hanging stockings in front of the fireplace is a common practice. Be sure stockings are hung elsewhere while the fireplace is in use. Fireplace screens or glass doors are good investments, especially when children are in the house.
• Candles: Keep candles out of the reach of children and blow each candle out before exiting home. Electrical candles are great alternatives and give a similar effect.
• Fire Escape Plan: Know escape routes and practice with family members. Purchase fire extinguishers for every floor of the home and test smoke detectors.

Emergency Preparedness Kit: Keep contact numbers handy for first responders, doctors, and insurance carriers. In case of destruction to home or office, contact a licensed, emergency services and property damage restoration company at PDR-PA.com.

For more information and a fire safety tip sheet, among others, visit the NFPA safety website.

Originally published by Paul Davis Restoration, Inc.

After a storm hits your town, and you're left with property damage to your home, chances are you;re going to need a contractor to repair the damage.  While many contractors are reputable and perform quality work, there are those that have questionable intentions.  A recent example of a contractor scam involves storm chasers.

What is a storm chaser?

You may know them as individuals who pursue severe weather conditions.  When it comes to property repair, the term often refers to contractors who follow severe weather events, anticipating a large amount of repair work to be done.  While many of these contractors are truly trying to help those in need after a storm, others are looking to exploit vulnerable homeowners.  They are a contributing factor to roofing scams across the U.S.

A storm chasing contractor will watch weather reports, waiting for severe weather like a tornado, hail storm, or windstorm to hit a region.  After the storm hits, the contractor will get a crew together and travel to the affected area.  They often use aggressive marketing tactics to get business from the local community.  The scammers will complete a rush job and will not be available in the future when the roof starts to fail.

What are warning signs of a storm chaser?

Look for red flags that may indicate you're dealing with a storm chaser.  Be cautious of contractors:

• From out-of-town, or even from out-of-state.  Check for the company's physical address.  If only a P.O. Box is listed, they may not have a physical location in the area and are set up temporarily.
• Offering to repair storm damage at a fast pace and at little cost to the homeowner.  They will encourage homeowners to use their homeowners insurance for the damage.
  • Some contractors may ask you to sign over your insurance benefits to speed up the process.  Be cautious of these "post-loss assignment" contracts, and obtain legal advice before signing one.
• Asking for cash payment upfront.

What can you do to ensure a contractor is reputable?

To lower your chances of being scammed, make sure you do your research.  Ask these questions before making any commitments:

• Is the contractor visiting your door unsolicited?  This may indicate a storm chaser is looking for business.
• Can the contractor provide references from previous customers in the area?
• Does the contractor have valid insurance and licensing required by the state or local government?
• How much experience do the contractor and crew have?
• Are quality materials being used in the repair?
• Can you pay with credit card or check?  Paying with a cash deposit or cash in-full is a warning sign of a scammer.
• Will a warranty accompany the work?  A scammer will often leave town right after the repair, leaving you with no support if there are problems with the roof in the future.
• Is the repair work a good deal only if you sign today?  Don't feel pressure to sign anything before you've done your research.  Often scammers will offer what sounds like a great deal on a repair, hoping you'll make a hasty decision.

And if you're concerned about your homeowners policy coverage of the repair in question, give your agent a call. 

Additional Resources

https://www.bbb.org/en/us/article/tips/1489-bbb-tip-protect-yourself-from-storm-chasers-after-a-natural-disaster

https://www.bbb.org/CSAL/news-events/news-releases/2016/03/watch-out-for-storm-chaser-scams-after-severe-weather/

https://www.attorneygeneral.gov/taking-action/consumer-alerts/attorney-general-josh-shapiro-warns-pennsylvanians-cautious-scams-following-winter-storm-quinn/

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2016/01/how-stay-high-and-dry-against-storm-chasing-scams

originally published by  Goodville Mutual Casualty Company

For the second time in recent weeks, extreme winter weather is in the forecast for the NorthEast and Mid-Atlantic States.  Before temperatures drop into single digits or below, here is a reminder about the things you can do to protect your homes and families from frozen pipes, winter fires, and more.  Make sure your clients are ready with Chubb’s list of helpful tips they can use right away!

1.      Arrange for a home energy audit

2.      Feel for under-door drafts

3.      Seal around windows

4.      Add insulation

5.      Update your appliances

6.      Change the direction of your ceiling fan

7.      Install a programmable thermostat

8.      Lower your water heater temperature to consume less energy

9.      Keep your home temperature no lower than 65 degrees

10.  Clean your gutters regularly

8 Safety Tips for Winter Fires

1.      Get your fireplace and chimney inspected and cleaned

2.      Maintain wood stoves, gas log, or oil-fired heating systems

3.      Install a spark arrestor

4.      Install carbon monoxide detectors on every floor of your home

5.      Use a protective screen with a wood burning fireplace

6.      Use seasoned hardwood

7.      Keep your fire to a reasonable level

8.      Stay by your fire, until it’s out

Stay warm!