Will my insurance company pay if a tree falls on my house?

If your car is stolen you need to take action.

In this extremely hot, dry weather it is not uncommon for a house to become un-level or get a significant slab crack.  We often are asked this question. Will the insurance company pay for cracks in foundations and/or leveling of my house?   Unfortunately in most cases the answer is "no". the home insurance policy does not pay to repair foundations or shifting of buildings due to changes in weather.  On most policies this is specifically excluded. A crack in the foundation can be the result of drying of the soil under the slab causing the ground under the slab to crack and the slab cracks also. A house set on blocks or piers may become unlevel due to the cracking of the soil under the house causing the piers to shift.  The insurance company does not consider this a "sudden and accidental loss."  It is done over a period of time as the ground under the house dries. These losses can be prevented or lessoned by watering the foundation and keeping the soil moist to p ...

Be aware to these things before you sell your car.

These days we all need to save money, especially on gasoline. You may want to buy a preowned vehicle to save some money on your driving. That is a good idea, as long as you get a good buy on the pre-owned vehicle. Here are a few things to watch for when making that buying decision. 1 .Walk away from a fast pressure salesman. If the same deal will not be there tomorrow you probably didn't want it. 2. If the price seems to good to be true, there may be reason you may not like when you get the car home. Check it thoroughly. 3. Be sure to check the VIN number (vehicle identification number). Make sure it has not been altered on paper or on the car. 4. If there is fresh paint on the car. Find out why. Be suspicious. 5. Make sure the inspection sticker and the license tag are current and from the same state. 6. Get the factory issued car keys. Do not accept dulicates unless you have the originals. 7. Get all paper work completed at the time of the sale. 8. Do not take possession of the vehicle until the sale is com ...

As temperatures soar in this hottest summer since 2000, how can you keep your cool? The Electric Reliabiity Council of Texas is appealing to Texans to reduce their electric power consumption between 3 and 7 p.m. How do we do that? First cut off cooling to any unoccuppied rooms in your house and keep doors closed. Check your air conditioning unit. Simplying washing the unit with a water hose can improve efficiency. This tip cost me over $200 to learn when I called a repairman to look at a unit for the office and again at my home. He said simply wash the outside of the unit with a water hose to remove dirt and debris from the filters. You can do it while the unit is running. Check periodically to keep it clean. Next check to see if electricity is being used unnecessarily such as lamps, other small appliances, or lights left on. This is a great time to invest in solar yard lighting. There is no lack of sun to fuel them. Close blinds and drapes over windows, and cover patio doors to keep out the ...

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If your car has an alarm system, put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or think you hear someone trying to get into your house, just grab your keys and press the 'panic' button.
The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. Your neighbors are going to wake up, turn on the lights and they may call the police. No intruder will want to stay around.

There have been two occassions when Germania Insurance Company paid for dentures that I know about. Once an elderly man was burning his trash and the fire got away from him. He got so excited he dropped his dentures in the fire. The insurance company paid for property destroyed by fire.
Another time a man threw his dentures into the trash can accidentally and burned the trash. Again the company paid for property destroyed by fire.

Yesterday I spent some time with Jerrod Knight of KETR-Radio 88.9 recording new shows. We have some fun topics including safe and happy grilling, when dogs put the bite on you, and a number insurance tips and other things. You can hear them on KETR 88.9 FM starting Mondays 7:00-8:00 am beginning August 30. To hear prior broadcasts go to our webpage and click on Phyllis' Podcasts in Reach Center.