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Storm Warnings: Did a storm trash your roof or damage your house?

After your home is damaged by wind, hail, or other natural elements, the storm isn't necessarily over; in fact, it might be just the beginning. Here's what you need to know about the storm-induced insurance process from diagnosing the damage to filing a claim and making repairs so that weathering your home's recovery is as painless as possible.

Know what's covered before the storm hits

Most homeowner's policies cover damage due to tornadoes, wind, hailstorms, severe temperatures, ice, lightning, and fire. In general, homeowner's insurance does not cover flooding; and your policy may have other restrictions based on what exactly caused the damage to your home, even if it happened during a storm. Talk to your insurance agent about additional coverage if you live in a high-risk area.

Exercise caution immediately following a storm

Just because you can't see it doesn't mean your home has not been damaged. If you're unsure, it might even be a good idea to stay somewhere else for a few days. If you decide to temporarily relocate, your insurance policy may help you cover some of those expenses. Finally, consider hiring a professional storm inspector to assess your home if you are not sure if you can do the job safely.

Document potential damage

Common types of damage after a storm include roof, window, and structural damage as well as exterior damage to paint or siding. After the storm passes, treat your home like it's a crime scene: before moving anything, take plenty of photos and/or video, inside and out. Carefully document all damages.

Call your insurance company

Make contact with a claims agent as soon as possible. They will help you to properly assess the damage to your home and understand what's covered by your policy, as well as walk you through the claims process.

Click here to view a list of insurance company claim phone numbers.

Make temporary repairs

After a severe storm, be sure to cover broken windows and exposed areas, and remove glass, tree limbs, and debris where it is safe to do so. Quickly address downed power lines or other electrical hazards by calling 911.

Hire a credible contractor

Did you know that some contractors travel to areas hit by storms to take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners? To avoid hiring one of these "storm chasers," do your research. Ask around, make sure they are licensed, and check online reviews before signing on the dotted line. Verify your contractor is local, certified, and has insurance coverage to practice in your state.

Work with your insurance agent to negotiate the claim

Ideally, the contractor you hire will have extensive experience working with an insurance company and will be able to help you navigate the process of getting repairs paid for and completed. Regardless, it's a good idea to get any quotes approved before proceeding with work on your roof or home. Save all receipts, including those from any temporary repairs made to your home.

For more information about storm damage and insurance, call or contact DeFranco Insurance today.

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DeFranco Insurance Wins Safeco Award 11 Years Running

Safeco Insurance^® Award of Excellence 2015

John DeFranco of DeFranco Insurance Agency earns Safeco Insurance^® Award of Excellence for superior underwriting skill

Seattle, WA— Safeco Insurance has selected John DeFranco of DeFranco Insurance Agency in Seattle, WA for an Award of Excellence. Fewer than 5% of insurance agents across the country who sell Safeco Insurance personal lines policies receive this prestigious honor.

“John DeFranco is dedicated to providing our clients with the insurance protection they need at the right price,”

“Safeco shares that same value, and we are thrilled that John DeFranco has been recognized with one of the company’s top honors.”

To receive a Safeco Award of Excellence, an insurance agent must have a strong relationship with Safeco and superior underwriting skills John DeFranco has earned Safeco’s Award of Excellence 11 times in the last 11 years.

“Outstanding underwriting and strong partnerships benefit DeFranco Insurance Agency’s customers,” said John. “Because Safeco Insurance supports independent insurance agents as trusted advisors, I am honored to have been selected for the Award of Excellence.”

About Safeco Insurance

In business since 1923 and based in Boston, Massachusetts, Safeco Insurance sells personal automobile, homeowners and specialty products through a network of more than 10,000 independent insurance agencies throughout the United States. Safeco is a Liberty Mutual Insurance company.

Boston-based Liberty Mutual Insurance is a diversified insurer and the third largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. based on 2013 direct premiums written as reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Liberty Mutual Insurance also ranks 76th on the Fortune 100 list of largest U.S. corporations, based on 2013 revenue.

For more information about Safeco Insurance, go to www.Safeco.com.

Reasons To Consider Higher Auto Insurance Limits

1. Buying higher limits can save you significant claim dollars.

Buying higher auto liability limits is seldom important…until it is. Consider this…the minimum limits that are required in WA for auto insurance are $25,000 per person for bodily injury/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $10,000 per accident for property damage. If you cause injuries or damage above these amounts, the money to settle the claim is going to come out of your hip pocket.

2. Buying higher limits can save you premium dollars.

This concept is strange but some insurance companies give discounts to new customers that have higher limits on their prior policy. I guess they have found that customers that purchase higher liability limits have fewer claims.

3. It’s the right thing to do.

So you’re broke and the saying “you can’t squeeze blood out of a turnip” applies to your finances. If you have an accident causing big damages, wouldn’t you want to pay for the mess you’ve caused with the proper auto insurance? It’s a risk you take when you don’t go above the minimum limits of insurance. You don’t have the aforementioned “Hip Pocket National” to pay the bills, but you can have the insurance coverage to do so.

4. Keep the insurance company defending you.

If you cause a big claim, your policy covers the legal expenses if you are sued. There’s no limit on the amount of attorney fees that can be covered under the policy so at least the $50,000 of legal fees will be paid. But there is a BIG catch. The policy says that when the insurance company exhausts the liability limits, they don’t have to defend you any longer. So if it looks like the legal fees are going to be huge, the insurance company cuts their losses by paying out the liability limits. To keep the insurance company paying for those large legal fees, buy high liability limits.

For More questions Click Here To Get A Quick Answer  I have a questions

Identity To Artwork, Insurance Is Now Needed In More Ways Then You Might Think

Have you heard of supermodels insuring their legs or singers taking out a policy on their priceless vocal chords? That's probably not necessary for most people, but many of us probably do have a few valuables that can and should be insured separately.

A standard homeowner's or renter's policy will cover many of these items, but only to a limited extent and under certain circumstances, such as loss due to fire or theft. If your homeowner's policy doesn't provide adequate protection, it's possible to amend your policy to increase the cap on a reimbursement or extend your coverage to include additional causes of loss. If you can't negotiate the coverage you need within the confines of your homeowner's insurance, consider purchasing a separate, specialized or scheduled policy for the following items:

Jewelry: It's pretty likely that the standard cap on your homeowner's insurance will not accommodate the value of most expensive jewelry. An easy option is to increase the liability limit for these items by paying a slightly higher premium but this still may exclude many accidental causes of loss. A good standalone or supplemental policy offer protection from the "mysterious disappearance" of precious jewelry, as well as stones that fall out of their settings, among other things.

Artwork: If you own one or two high-quality pieces of art, it's a good idea to have them appraised regularly and covered under a fine art "floater" on your homeowner's insurance. But if you are a collector or if your art is frequently moved around to different venues, a standalone policy is highly recommended. Art insurance specialists can help you accurately value your collection, and a specialized policy will guarantee coverage in a wider variety of circumstances.

Bikes: If you own a state-of-the-art bicycle, it's definitely a good idea to check into specialized coverage that will garner you the highest reimbursement in the event your bike is lost, damaged, or stolen. Policies for serious cyclists may offer coverage for rental bikes, theft away from home, and even event fee reimbursement.

Identity: Identity theft insurance (sometimes called identity fraud insurance) is now commonly available as an endorsement to a standard homeowner's policy or a standalone product. According to the Insurance Information Institute, "Identity theft insurance provides reimbursement to crime victims for the cost of restoring their identity and repairing credit reports." This means it may help pay for everything from stamps to legal fees should your information be stolen. An identity theft policy does not reimburse you for money stolen via identity theft; however, it just helps you to pick up the pieces.

Instruments: If you're a casual player who uses your instrument at home, your homeowner's insurance may be enough to cover you if your instrument is stolen or damaged in a fire. But if you regularly travel with your instrument or own an especially expensive antique, chances are a homeowner's policy will not protect your instrument against the most likely causes of loss or damage. Musical instrument and gear policies are relatively inexpensive and will give you much more peace of mind.

Computers: Knocking a cup of coffee onto your laptop might ruin your day, but it doesn't have to become a nightmare. At the very least, be sure your homeowner's policy covers the replacement value (not the actual cash value) of your desktop or laptop. If you choose to go with a standalone policy, you can get coverage for all kinds of accidents, plus hard drive crashes, LCD issues and even WIFI failure.

The sky's the limit: No insurance company starts out with a standard vocal chord coverage policy so if there's something that is especially valuable to you, talk to your agent to see if it's possible to get more comprehensive coverage. Remember, if you choose to schedule valuable items under your homeowner's insurance rather than purchase specialized coverage, it's up to you to keep track of their value and regularly update your policy.

Questions? Call or contact DeFranco Insurance today.

Back to School with Allergies in Tow

Gathering school supplies, updating vaccines, and returning to a regular sleep schedule are part of a long list of things that need to be done before sending kids back to school. If your child also has a food allergy, preparing to go back to school takes extra effort and due diligence. Here are some things you can do to make sure your child's medical needs are met throughout the school year.

For Kids & Parents

Communicate early and often: As a parent, it is your responsibility to notify your child's school of his or her allergy. Provide the school with medical documentation as well as clearly labeled medications and instructions on how to use them. Keep the school updated on any episodes or changes to your child's condition.

Have a plan: Provide detailed written instructions outlining what to do in case of an emergency. Be sure this information is not only communicated to teachers, but also to those leading extra-curricular programs or driving school buses. Plan to meet with the school nurse and counselor to review your child's food allergy plan and make necessary accommodations. The Food Allergy Research & Education Center offers a downloadable Emergency Care Plan.

Know your rights: Some states have laws requiring schools and childcare facilities to adhere to certain guidelines to protect children with food allergies. Whether or not your state has these guidelines, it is against the law for your student to be excluded from classroom or school-sponsored activities because of his or her condition.

Teach self-management: Be sure your child is educated about their allergy and knows how to communicate it to adults (to the degree that can be expected, depending on their age). Older children and adolescents can take more responsibility for their condition; teach teens to read labels carefully, and check to see whether your child may be allowed to carry their own epipen in case of emergency. For children of all ages, a medical alert bracelet is always good idea.

For Schools & Teachers

Avoid allergens in class: Ideally, classrooms should be kept food-free. If that isn't possible, encourage teachers to avoid using foods that contain common allergens like nuts, milk, and soy as prizes or part of classroom instruction.

Coordinate care: Have a system for communicating students' allergy information to teachers and other staff that need to know about it. Making sure the process is the same for all students will ensure that nobody gets overlooked.

Provide training: Teach all staff to recognize symptoms of an allergic reaction, and train them to administer epinephrine auto-injectors. Consider specialized training for staff who work directly or more often with students who have allergies.

Adopt safe practices: Encourage staff and students to wash their hands after handling food and to keep potential allergens separate from other foods. Cafeteria kitchens should have designated "allergen-free" areas; food service staff should read labels carefully so that students know exactly what they are eating.

Address emotional needs: The key terms in creating a supportive environment for students with allergies are "safe" and "inclusive." Try to make accommodations for these students in a way that won't make them feel singled out. Teach other students about food allergies and adopt a zero-tolerance policy for bullying.

For answers to any of your insurance questions, call or contact DeFranco Insurance today.

Happy 4th of July from DeFranco Insurance

Happy 4th of July from DeFranco Insurance !!

DeFranco Times June 2015

DeFranco Times Living Proactively Happy beautiful Seattle Summer!  Thanks to all who stopped by on our Customer Appreciation Day - we had free shredding and a place to get rid of old household items along with hotdogs and chips.  It was so wonderful, we have scheduled the next time for June 11th, 2016. Thanks to Junk BGone for providing their services for taking away our junk.  Your business and friendship is appreciated, so please let us know how we can help you with your insurance issues.  like us on Facebook - DeFranco Insurance

Happy 4th of July Staying Safe and Sane * July Events - Seattle * Where to shoot off fireworks   Boating Safety Tips  We live in this wonderful area surrounded by water, we want to keep you and your family safe, while enjoying boating. Tips to stay safe - boating   Your Night Out “Night Out” a national Crime Prevention event. Helps crime prevention awareness, and unite our communities. Click 'Your Night Out' to learn more.

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