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The
OFFICE HOURS
Loiselle Ledger The official newsletter for the clients of Loiselle Insurance Agency
Prepared for the worst … giving you our best With hurricane season still underway, Loiselle Insurance would like to reassure our policyholders that we are ready for whatever the forecast predicts. Providing a higher level of customer service is always our top priority and that begins with ensuring our customers’ peace of mind when they need it most.
The office of Loiselle Insurance was prepared for Hurricane Irene. As Hurricane Irene surged up the East Coast, our offices were boarded up to maintain the building’s integrity and make certain that your information was kept safe and secure. Additionally, we had our generator ready to go so that in the event of a power outage, our customers would be able to receive the same level of service they have come to rely on from Loiselle Insurance. In the wake of the storm, we received numerous phone calls regarding specific coverage issues and concerns. With more tropical storms on the horizon, we would like to highlight some of the most commonly asked questions so that you can be better prepared for the next one.
“A tree fell in my yard and crushed my shed. What am I covered for?” Whether your tree, or your neighbor’s tree, falls on a covered structure on your property because of the high winds, it is your responsibility. A standard homeowners’ insurance policy covers damage by a fallen tree to all covered structures on that property. This includes your home, garage, shed or fence. Removal of the tree is typically covered in the event of property damage. However, if a tree simply falls in your yard, resulting in no property damage, tree removal would not be covered under a standard policy. However, some insurance companies do provide limited coverage for this on extra endorsements that can be added to a standard policy. It is also important to note that if your neighbor’s tree falls on your home due to rot or poor maintenance, your neighbor may be liable for any damage that was caused. Continued on page 2
Monday-Wednesday 8:30 am - 5 pm Thursday-Friday 8:30 am - 7 pm Saturday 8:30 am - 12 pm
Volume 6, Issue 3
Lessons learned from tropical storm Irene On behalf of my family and staff, we hope that you and your loved ones fared well during the most recent tropical storm. Our office was prepared well in advance of Irene’s arrival and remained Bob Loiselle, fully operational throughout President the aftermath of the storm to make certain our customers received prompt, efficient claims assistance. In this edition of our newsletter, we highlight some of the most frequently asked questions we fielded as a result of storm-related damage and loss. We hope this will prove useful to you in the future and help you gain a more comprehensive understanding of your insurance coverage. Natural disasters can take many forms, which is why we also discuss the options available for protection from an earthquake. Many policyholders were concerned when they felt tremors from an earthquake in late August and were surprised to learn that their standard homeowners’ policy does not include earthquake coverage. Additionally, we have included some tips to help prepare your home for the Winter season and mitigate any property damage. Many homeowners are unaware that taking just a few simple precautions now can save hundreds or thousands of dollars down the road. Your home is most often your largest investment, and at Loiselle Insurance we are committed to helping you protect and preserve that investment for many years to come. Sincerely, Bob Loiselle 1
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A higher level of customer service... “I am so impressed with how helpful my agent and adjuster were. I felt I had to mention my experience with Loiselle some place. It's just so refreshing dealing with people, offering anything they can to help. The insurance choices, which were oblivious to me, were made by my agent. I’m so glad someone made the right choices and is helping me deal with “Irene’s leftovers”!! Thanks Loiselle Insurance!” – Connie from Attleboro, MA
“You guys are great!” – Maureen from Cumberland, RI “The adjuster was terrific to work with. I had several conversations with her and she was very knowledgeable, understanding, and responsive.” – Steve from Lincoln, RI
“I am very happy with your service. My friend (not insured with Loiselle Agency) is still waiting to hear from her insurance and I’ve already been paid.” – Joan from Cumberland, RI “The claims process went really well. I even got a call on a Sunday from the adjuster! I was paid within 4 days.” – Alan from Hope Valley, RI
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ASK THE AGENT BRENDA LOISELLE-DUCLOS
If my business suffers a loss due to power outage, is it covered? Q. After tropical storm Irene, many businesses were left without power for days and we received many calls asking if there was coverage for business interruption. A. The Business Income section of most policies reads like the following: “We will pay for actual loss of business income you sustain due to the necessary suspension of your operations. The suspension must be caused by direct physical loss of or damage to your property at the described premises. The loss or damage must be caused by a covered cause of loss.” If there was no direct physical loss to your property that made you inoperable, such as the roof blowing off, a tree falling through your building or blocking your entranceway, etc., then the business income coverage is not triggered. Also, the policy mentions the damage has to be a caused by “covered cause of loss.” Power outage is not a covered cause of loss because it is listed on all property policies as a specific exclusion. Some companies offer an endorsement that may give limited business income coverage caused by power outage, but all companies do not offer this. If you think you may have a covered claim or need more information regarding the coverage available under your specific policy, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.
“If my car is damaged by hurricane debris or tree limbs, who is responsible?” Typically, hurricane-related damage is covered by the comprehensive coverage of your auto policy, subject to the deductible. Be sure to call us before you go ahead with the repair or replacement of your car to make sure that you have this coverage on your vehicle.
“What does my standard homeowners’ insurance policy cover regarding water damage?” This coverage issue comes up frequently, especially after excessive rain. The following example will hopefully help to illustrate when water damage is covered by a homeowners’ policy: If the pipe to your washing machine (or any other appliance or home plumbing fixture, such as a dishwasher or hot water heater) were to burst, you would be covered for the resulting damage. However, if ground water were to seep into your basement during an excessive rainstorm, any damage sustained would not be covered, unless you have purchased a separate flood insurance policy. Moreover, if you were to experience water damage due to a sump pump failure or from water backing up through the sewers or drains, the damage is typically not covered on a standard homeowners’ policy. However, many insurance companies offer coverage for this type of scenario on extra endorsements that can be purchased and added to your homeowners’ policy.
“I lost several hundred dollars in refrigerated products due to an extended power outage. Can I be reimbursed for my loss?” Coverage for loss of refrigerated products is typically available through an endorsement that can be purchased and added to a standard homeowners’ insurance policy. In most cases, a deductible also applies, so make certain you review your policy and understand your options. At Loiselle Insurance, the foundation of our business is based on trust and integrity. Our entire staff is dedicated to keeping our customers’ families safe and protected and making certain their businesses thrive. Should you have any questions regarding your home, auto or commercial coverage, please call our office at 401.723.8510. 2
Brenda Loiselle-DuClos is the marketing and systems manager at Loiselle Insurance Agency. If you have a question for Brenda, e-mail her at brenda@loiselleinsurance.com. If we select your question for print in our next newsletter, we will send you a $50 gift certificate to a local restaurant.
Warm your home without worry Whether you heat your home with a furnace or a wood burning stove, preserving safe indoor air quality is of the utmost importance. Before you turn on the heat or spark up the fire, Loiselle Insurance would like to remind you to make certain you have your heat source cleaned and inspected. In addition to increasing efficiency and ensuring air quality, this is also an excellent precaution to avoid a house fire. A malfunctioning furnace or oil burner can emit a sudden explosion of soot throughout the interior of your home. This is known as a puffback. While this often happens gradually, and can sometimes be mistaken for dust, more serious damage can occur. If a puffback happens in your home, remember that most standard homeowners’ insurance policies cover damage to the contents of your home. However, repair or replacement of the furnace is not typically covered. For more information please contact us at 401.723.8510.
Winterizing Your Home With the colder weather just around the corner, Loiselle Insurance would like to offer the following tips to get your home ready for winter and to mitigate against any potential damage: • Remove leaves and debris from gutters and make sure downspouts are dispersing water away from your home’s foundation. Clogged gutters can lead to water damage inside your home. • Inspect your home’s roof for damaged shingles and make sure roof flashing is operating properly. • Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors regularly and replace the batteries every six months. • Check your windows and exterior doors for proper weather stripping and caulking. • Seal any obvious air leaks throughout your home. Be certain to also check the attic. • Have your chimney, wood stove or furnace cleaned and inspected prior to use. Malfunctioning furnaces can cause a puff back into your home – see related article. • Consider having your air ducts cleaned to ensure proper air quality throughout your home. • Drain all water from the outside faucets, and turn off if possible. Also, disconnect outdoor hoses. • Local energy companies are offering free home energy audits. Consider scheduling an appointment ahead of the cold weather and add insulation when advised. • Always keep your driveways and walkways clean of snow and ice. Taking a few simple precautions now can save you substantial time and money in the future.
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East coast earthquake shakes up concern 279 Dexter Street • PO Box 1148 Pawtucket, RI 02862 P 401.723.8510 F 401.728.1820 www.loiselleinsurance.com info@loiselleinsurance.com
Living in New England, we are used to damaging hurricanes and snow storms. But few of us expect to be shaken by an earthquake. The quake that occurred in late August generated tremors felt from Washington D.C. to Boston. While Rhode Island’s exposure was minimal, Loiselle Insurance did field questions from policyholders regarding what their homeowners’ insurance policy would cover if we were ever hit by the full-force of this type of natural disaster. The simple answer is: we strongly advise you to add earthquake coverage. A standard homeowners’ policy does not include earthquake protection. However, coverage can be added by purchasing an additional endorsement. The cost of the coverage depends on the amount of your building coverage, the type of construction of your building, and the deductible amount, which is usually a percentage of your coverage. If you would like more information on how to protect your family and property from the dangers of earthquakes, please contact us.
Melanie, Bob, and Brenda Loiselle
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