Winter Thaw = Pipe Problems

Winter brings freezing cold temperatures and quick thaws.  With this fluctuation in the weather patterns pipes and mains must be a concern as the freeze / thaw process can cause them to burst.  Even a slow leak can cause mold growth causing many other problems.

Vacation homes and unheated areas such as basements and attics can be an area of real concern and should be checked.

Talk to your clients about these hazards and consider providing information on how they can best manage these risks within their control before the accident happens.

Below is some vvaluable information about frozen pipes from our friends at Maxons Restoration that you may want to consider passing on.

How To Look For Leaks

• Trust yourself - you may not know what's right, but you can usually spot what's wrong.
• Puddles of water big or small under sinks, near floorboards, water marks on the ceiling, etc.
• Move the clutter - most slow leaks under sinks and in basements are missed because they can't be seen. 
• If your sink has no water, or perhaps cold water but no hot water your pipe is probably frozen. 
• Take the time to look in and around hard-to-find spots like crawl spaces or along outside walls.
• Look at over exposed pipes, like those leading to a water heater.    
• Touch the walls and see if they feel damp.    
• Keep an eye on your water meter.  Turn off all faucets, outlets and water using appliances. Look at the dial on your water meter. If the dial on the

water meter is moving (watch it for at least 10 minutes), it means there is water running through the meter. If the water is running through the meter and the water valve is shut off, this indicates there is a leak in the line.

• Watch your bill. Compare your current water use to past use.  
• Consider installing water alarms for areas that are hard to see or reach. 

Winter Wonderland of Hazards

In many parts of the northeast we have already seen our first snowfall of the season.

While the white powdered trees look beautiful, there are hazards associated with accumulating snow and drifts.

As insurance agents we are well aware of the hazard caused by snow or ice accumulating on the roof of a home or business (see picture) but what about frozen pipes?

The American Red Cross and The Weather Channel provide great tips regarding preparing your pipes for winter, and what to do in the event the pipes freeze.

Another issue can be if snow drifts block exhaust vents!  Frequently overlooked, this hazard is directly addressed by Columbia Gas of Massachusetts in this great article.

The bottom line is stay safe and prepare as best as you can.  Consider seasonal homes and make sure they are properly taken care of.  Consider businesses that may be closed over a long holiday weekend, or homes when you are away on vacation.

Enjoy this beautiful time of year, but be aware of the risks as well.

'Tis the Season for Safety

Thanksgiving is just a few short days away and the winter Holiday Season has begun!

With that however come risks...

So here are a few great links to help you enjoy a safe and festive Holiday Season!

And from all of us at Jimcor Agencies
have a safe, happy and healthy Thanksgiving and Holiday Season!

Here is a wonderful Insurance Journal article about Thanksgiving Day Turkey risks!

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/east/2013/11/26/312252.htm

Black Friday is a great day for deals, but check this video from Bing about Black Friday Thieves!

http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/shoppers-thieves-get-ready-for-black-friday/1d0twc158

Finally, from your friends at Erie Insurance, here is a great excerpt on Turkey, Tinsel and Tinder looking at risks ranging from frying the turkey to the lights on a tree and finally that Yule log on the fire!

http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/2013/11/18/NE18343

Love your freedom? Thank a Veteran!

Today is November 11, 2013.  It is Veteran's Day.  The day we say "Thank You" to the men and women who have sacrificed so much for our freedom.  Some of them gave the ultimate sacrifice.  Some came home to their families, but will never be the same.  Some fight on the front lines and some treat the wounded.  But all are there for us.

For a wonderful video tribute click here.

If you know a Veteran please thank them.  If you are a Veteran we salute you.  And if you are a family member of a Veteran thank you for supporting them.

In closing, on this Veteran's Day, we wanted to share a Q&A with you about the famous Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Happy Veterans Day from your friends at Jimcor Agencies!

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why? 21 steps:

It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?
21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

3. Why are his gloves wet? His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and, if not, why not? He 
carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to? For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.
They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way.

After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.

There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV.

All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery.

A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are:

President Taft,
Joe Lewis {the boxer}
Medal of Honor winner Audie L. Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty..

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military 
members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, "No way, 
Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that 
guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be
afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

Communication and the Homeowners' Marketplace

For over 25 years Jimcor Agencies has worked closely with agents in providing their clients with the homeowners coverage they need.  Today coastal homeowners coverage is becoming more and more difficult to find, and Jimcor Agencies prides itself on being able to write the difficult accounts with the coverage the homeowner needs allowing them to sleep easy at night.

A recent article in PC360 by Dax Brown looked at the 5 Steps to Successful Communication on Homeowners' Coverage.  Click here for Brown's article.

Understanding what the homeowner is looking for - their threshold - their needs versus their wants... that is what our agents do for their clients.  Giving our agents access to the markets so they can write the business - that is where we come in.

Contact Jimcor Agencies for information about our Coastal Property Programs.

FORE!

Its Golf season, and nobody does it better than your local Insurance Professional!

But seriously, the golf course is a great place to meet people, network with clients, and rub shoulders with some of the movers and shakers in your community or industry.  From just playing 9 holes after work on a Tuesday at your local public course, or attending a well planned and executed industry wide outing - there are a few rules every golfer should know and it's called Golf Etiquette.

From phone calls to loud voices, the USGA gives some great tips on how to enjoy yourself (and be enjoyed) on the course.

Looking for the best golf courses in America?  Check out this link!

But Golf Outings are also for networking!  Looking for some tips of the trade on how to get the most out of your next outing?  Click this link for some great tips from Golflink.

Are you or your client planning a Golf Outing?  Think Jimcor for your Special Events this summer and throughout the year!

Enjoy your time on the course - and see you on the greens...

Rip Current Survival Guide

Summer time brings summer fun including family trips to the beach.

While we all love relaxing on the warm sand and playing in the water we need to remember the dangers or Rip Currents.

How do you identify Rip Currents?  Look for any of these clues:

• a channel of churning, choppy water

• an area having a notable difference in water color

• a line of foam, seaweed, or debris moving steadily seaward

• a break in the incoming wave pattern

Click here to see the Rip Current Survival Guide from the United States Lifesaving Association.

Don't forget to call your Jimcor Underwriter to access markets for your coastal property including seasonal risks!