Greetings!

As a valued customer of Stork Insurance we want to provide you with a seasonal insurance update, which will highlight key insurance issues and provide insight into different coverage options.

Fall Maintenance Tips

Top 10 Tips to Prepare for Autumn Weather

With the first day of Fall past us, it is time to start thinking about the how the change in seasons is going to impact us.

Below is a list of 10 home maintenance steps from Travelers Insurance to help you prepare:

1. Clean and inspect your furnace. It is recommended to have your heating system annually inspected by a qualified technician.
2. Insulate water pipes in areas exposed to cold temperatures.
3. Clean gutters and downspouts to keep debris from accumulating. This is especially important during the fall season to keep leaves from building up in gutters.
4. Check and repair caulking around doors and windows that show signs of deterioration.
5. Have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually by a professional.
6. Clean and/or replace your furnace filter.
7. Check your clothes dryer. Clean the clothes dryer exhaust duct and space under the dryer. Remove all lint, dust, and pieces of material.
8. Check fire extinguishers.
9. Inspect your smoke detectors. Make sure there is one on each floor of your home. Test them monthly, and change the battery annually or as needed.
10. September is National Preparedness Month. Build an emergency kit for your family with food, water and medications.

(Content provided by Travelers Insurance and The Hanover Insurance Group)

Do You Rent Your Home? Are You Covered?

There are many reasons why you might want to rent out your home on either a short- or long-term basis.

• Do you own a second home and want to rent during the months you are not using it?
• Do you rent your home or a room short-term through on-line services such as Airbnb?

If yes, your first step should be to call Stork Insurance. Depending on the rental scenario, your standard homeowners policy may not cover losses incurred while your home is rented out, and you may require a more specialized insurance policy.

For more information regarding short or long term rental coverage, visit the Insurance Information Institute.

Thinking of Airbnb? One of our company partners, Preferred Mutual, offers a unique endorsement that will provide additional coverage for short-term rentals.
Preferred Mutual - Short-Term Rental

(Content provided by the Insurance Information Institute)

Protecting Your Property While You're Away

(By Jim Odorczyk - SensoredLife)

So how do you monitor your property when you are away for an extended period of time without the risks and liabilities in typical vacant properties (frozen/burst water pipes, power outages, mold, etc.)? A local Finger Lakes company named Sensored Life believes they have the answer with a recently released product called MarCELL. MarCELL is a small device that you simply plug into a standard electrical outlet before you leave. MarCELL then constantly monitors temperature, humidity and power status in you home. If it detects an issue, it will immediately send out up to 9 custom alert messages via text message, email or a voice phone call. MarCELL can also monitor for water leaks in up to 16 locations within your house simultaneously.

Meet MarCELL

The unique thing about MarCELL is that it communicates via the nationwide network of cellular towers so it does not require an active landline phone or internet connection in the property being monitored. MarCELL requires a simple subscription plan with no long term contracts.

In addition to warning you immediately of a temperature, humidity, power or water issue, MarCELL allows you to view a graph of past and present conditions online at anytime. MarCELL is checking for problems at your property 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and never takes a break. If you receive notice of an issue, then you can call a neighbor, relative or contractor to take action before major damages occur.

For more information or to purchase MarCELL simply go online to www.sensoredlife.com. Use promo code STORKINS for a substantial discount off the purchase price.

(Content provided by Jim Odorczyk of Sensored Life)

Halloween Safety

Halloween is a great fall celebration for adults and children, and provides the opportunity to dress up in costumes, enjoy parties and trick-or-treat around town.

Below are safety tips from the CDC and a video to share with your kids before going trick or treating.

• Avoid trick or treating alone. Walk in groups or with an adult.
• Use reflective tape on costumes.
• Bring a flashlight
• Look both ways before crossing the street.
• Eat only factory wrapped candy.
• Only visit well lit homes.
• Enter home only when you are with a trusted adult.

(Content provided by the CDC and Vids4Kids.tv)

We at Stork Insurance want to thank you for your continued good business. Please don't hesitate to contact our office to discuss any of the topics listed above or to ask any other question that you may have. We are here to help.

Sincerely,

Stork Insurance Agency