May 15, 2013
OPEN BURNING SAFETY
With temperatures warming up, property owners are anxious to start cleaning their yards after the long winter months. In most NY counties the moratorium for open burning has been lifted.
Fire officials continue to remind people to burn safely.
- Keep piles small and have a water supply nearby and ready.
- Have at least 30 feet of space surrounding your home that is free of flammable materials.
- Keep your roof and gutters free of leaves and pine straw.
- Keep your lawn hydrated and maintained. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire.
- Never leave an unextinguished fire.
- Never burn during high winds or drought conditions.
There are certain municipalities that prohibit open burning altogether without a written permit from the DEC. Contact a DEC regional office for more information or for questions and answers regarding open burning, please visit the DEC’s website
May 8, 2013
A Lost Smartphone Can Become Lost Identity
The thought of losing a smartphone goes deeper than just the cost to replace the device or missing some calls and texts. There's much more at stake. Because of all the sensitive personal information that many of us store on our mobile devices, the loss of a phone could very easily lead to a loss of identity at the hands of thieves.
Use preventive measures to head thieves off at the digital pass.
- Use a password. As many as a third of smartphone owners admit that they don’t password-protect their phones.
- Don’t stay logged into apps. The extra minutes spent logging in are well worth it, in terms of identity protection.
- Turn on tracking. Turn on “Find My Phone” in case the need to track a stolen device ever arises.
- Make data disposable from a distance. Service providers and apps alike can offer the capability to remotely wipe data from a device.
It's important to remember that none of these strategies should be a stand-alone option. Someone is watching your every move. Financial transactions, communication records, media consumption, social networking, and GPS locations are all tracked.
As a Personal Line Policyholder of Finger Lakes Fire & Casualty, you and your family have FREE Identity Theft Services! Contact your Agent for additional questions regarding this FREE service or how you can protect yourself further. If you are not yet a policyholder with FLFCC, locate one of our friendly Agents right in your own area.
April 26, 2013
NOTICE TO OUR SMALL BUSINESS POLICYHOLDERS
As a small business owner in NY you can be held liable for injuries to employees of contractors YOU hire to repair, renovate or add-on to your building. Under section 240 of the NYS Labor Law, commercial building owners are held “Absolutely Liable” for injuries sustained by employees of contractors in certain types of accidents.
What You Can Do!
- Be certain any contractor you hire adds YOU as an Additional Insured on their General Liability Policy.
- Have a written contract that includes an “Indemnification and Contribution Agreement” stating that the contractor will hold YOU harmless and defend you against any claim of injury as a result of their operation.
- Consult your attorney. Before entering any contractual agreement, consult your attorney.
Contact your local Agent for additional questions about this subject.
April 6, 2013
READY FOR SPRING?
If you've had enough of the cold, wintry weather, like the rest of us, then you are ready for Spring! As you open the curtains and welcome the light of the new season, this is an ideal time to assess damage from the winter and make necessary repairs. Rain, snow, ice and harsh winds can cause damage to your home.
- Inspect/repair caulking around windows and doors.
- Replace any missing shingles immediately.
- Clean gutters and downspouts.
- Disconnect the duct connected to the clothes dryer vent and remove lint.
- Check for loose or detached siding.
- Reconnect hoses and check for leaks.
- Clean HVAC vents and change the filter.
Start taking care of your home early to ensure you are able to have plenty of time for outdoor fun.
March 20, 2013
EQUIPMENT BREAKDOWN COVERAGE FOR HOMEOWNERS...
What Is It?
- It is new coverage available to the Homeowner that provides coverage gaps in standard homeowner property policies. It responds the same way your homeowner policy does to now include most all electrical, mechanical or pressure equipment that suffers an Equipment Breakdown.
What's Covered?
- Heating systems
- Air conditioning systems
- All home appliances
- Electrical service panels
- Garden tractors
- Home security systems
- Televisions – of all types
- Sump Pumps
- Swimming pool pumps and motors
- Heat pumps
- and the list goes on and on…..
Equipment Breakdown covers three perils: Electrical Breakdown, Mechanical Breakdown and Pressure System Breakdown.
Why should I add Equipment Breakdown coverage?
- If the 'potential' repairs are not in your budget it can cause unexpected financial hardship.
- It's less expensive to add to the Homeowner policy than to purchase individual product warranties from the manufacturer.
CONTACT YOUR AGENT FOR MORE INFORMATION!
March 4, 2013
TIME FOR A CHANGE... 
Daylight Saving Time starts on Sunday, March 10th. Check and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.
Also remember to check the AGE of your detectors.
- Replace smoke detectors every ten years and
- Replace carbon monoxide alarms every five years
Sensors in smoke and carbon monoxide alarms degrade and lose effectiveness over time through environmental contaminations and age.
January 11, 2013
Renters Insurance Covers YOUR Property...
If you rent, your Landlord’s insurance does not cover YOUR belongings. Your personal property value can add up quickly. Are you covered? Here are just some items that FLFCC covers under a Tenant Homeowner’s Insurance Policy.
PLUS, it provides you with Personal Liability coverage. FLFCC can protect you from accidents that may happen while visitors are at your apartment. Call one of our Agents today for a quote!