When the Snow Melts....

Winter has piled on more snow than we know what to do with. I am sure that I speak for the majority of us when I say that spring cannot get here soon enough!

Snow is everywhere and if it were to melt rapidly you might experience flooding. A few common questions we have been getting lately and the answers to these questions are listed below.

Does my homeowners insurance cover flooding that might be caused from the snow melting?

No, your standard homeowners insurance policy is not going to cover flooding from the snow melting. A flood insurance policy is required in order for your home and personal property to have coverage from a flood.

How long does it take to get a flood insurance policy into effect?

There is a thirty day waiting period for those who are not closing on a new loan that requires flood insurance.

How can I prevent flood waters from ruining my home?

-Build levees or flood walls that prevent water from reaching your home.
-Clean out your gutters. A blocked gutter will cause all water to flow directly into your foundation and not away from your home via the downspouts.
-Although it might be too late, when the spring does come make sure that the grade goes away from your home to prevent foundation damage from groundwater.

Reduce Groundwater Damage

1) Have a sump pump installed in your home.
2) Look into waterproofing your basement through a local contractor.
3) Install seals to windows and or doors that groundwater is going to impact.

Is it too late to get flood insurance?

No, we are happy to provide you with a quote.

About Spalding Insurance Agency

Spalding Insurance Agency provides exemplary service and access to Michigan's finest insurance companies. We proudly serve the personal and business insurance needs of people in East Lansing, Okemos, Haslett, Lansing, DeWitt, Perry, Detroit, Holt, Mason, Grand Rapids, Laingsburg, Bath, and other great Michigan cities. For a quote on auto insurance, home insurance, business insurance, or life insurance click here. 

Home Safety Vacation Travel Tips

To grandmother's house you go? Or justgetting away from this cold for a few days? Take the time to think about what you share with your friends and followers this upcoming holiday season. 

I remember growing up and whenever we were going on a family vacation we didn't go around broadcasting that our home was going to be vacant for an extended time. Why? Well living in a small town, news tends to travel pretty quickly and if the word got around to the wrong crowd that our home was going to be empty for a long time, we knew that was a burglars dream.

Fast forward to the year 2013, now we tell the whole world that we are going on vacation through social media. So how can we continue to share our vacation experiences with our friends and family while still being cautious about who sees this information? Here are some tips:

1) Make sure your privacy settings on social media sites are restricted to private. This allows for you to share information only with the people you want to share information with, not the entire world.

2) Don't give people a timetable of how long you will be gone or that your home is vacant. The worst thing to do is to let people know when you are leaving or when you will be coming home.

3) Consider making a fake post thanking a friend or family member for house sitting while you are away.

4) Ask a neighbor or friend to check up on your home and make sure that everything still seems to be in order.

5) Don't be shy about leaving an interior light on in the home, this shows potential intruders that someone is still occupying the residence.

Hopefully these tips will give you the peace of mind that you can still share your vacation with your friends and family via social media without worrying about coming home to a nightmare.

Travel Safely!

Michigan Winter Driving Tips

The winter driving season provides a whole new set of hazards to Michigan drivers. Those of us who make are morning or evening commutes to work through heavy traffic areas such as Okemos, Lansing, East Lansing, or Dewitt have a sense of how heavy traffic mixed with snow/ice can be a major pain. 

During these stressful driving times it is important to remember these winter

driving tips:

- Keep windows, lights, hood, and roof clear of the snow and ice.

- Turn on your lights to increase visibility to other motorists. By doing so,

you will help see and be seen by other motorists.

- Slow your speed down. The posted speed limit is meant for ideal driving

conditions, driving in the winter typically means that the roads are not in

ideal conditions.

- Brake early and gently to avoid skidding. Do not pump your anti-lock brakes in the event of a skid, the proper technique is to stomp and steer.

- Do not use cruise control or overdrive in winter conditions.

- Beware of the snow ridges that occur from snowplows. Making an abrupt lane change can result in losing control of your vehicle.

- Do not pass on the right side of the road. If you do need to pass make sure you leave plenty of clearance for vehicles behind you who may need to brake suddenly.

- Pay extra attention to traffic and avoid heavy traffic patterns if possible.

- Don't drive at all in adverse conditions if it is possible to avoid doing so.

Driving in Michigan during the winter can be a unpredictable. To make sure you are up the challenge make sure you are prepared.

Stay safe!!!

'Tis the Season for Christmas Tree Fires

Are you decking your halls with boughs of holly or going all out with the Christmas season decorations?

Does your house look like the one on the left or the one on the right?

Either way, I am looking to bring to your attention the dangers of fires throughout the holiday season.

According to the United States Fire Administration, December is the deadliest month in terms of home electrical fires. All in all, home electrical problems, account for 28,600 fires and over $1 billion worth of property damage. 

An electrical fire can do more than damage to your home and belongings. It can result in severe injuries and the loss of life. 

Holiday Season Fire Facts

•    One out of every three Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical issues.

•    One out of every 40 reported Christmas tree fires result in death, compared to the national average of one out of every 142 fires normally. 

•    December is the peak time of year for candle related fires. 56% of candle fires occur because they are too close something else that can catch fire.

•    2 out of 5 home decoration fires are started by candles.

Tips to Prevent Holiday Season Fires

•    Don’t overload extension cords

•    Keep clothes, curtains, and other combustible items at lease 3 feet from space heaters, candles, and fire places.

•    Avoid connecting an excessive amount of holiday lighting and decorations into a single circuit 

Christmas Tree Safety

•    Choose a tree with fresh, green needles

•    Keep the tree hydrated, make sure you are adding water to the tree stand daily.

•    Do not place a tree in the way of an exit, even if it is one you don’t “need”. In the event of an emergency it is important to have access to entrances. 

•    Never use real lit candles as tree ornaments.

•    Check to make sure that the wires for your lights are not frayed or worn.

•    Always turn off the lights before going to bed or leaving your home.

Sources: National Fire Protection Association, United States Fire Administration

About Spalding Insurance Agency

Spalding Insurance Agency provides exemplary service and access to Michigan's finest insurance companies. We proudly serve the personal and business insurance needs of people in East Lansing, Okemos, Haslett, Lansing, DeWitt, Perry, Detroit, Holt, Mason, Grand Rapids, Laingsburg, Bath, and other great Michigan cities. For a quote on auto insurance, home insurance, business insurance, or life insurance click here.