1 In 4 Homeowners Experience Weather Damage — How To Protect Your Home

(BPT) - Spring brings many opportunities to shake off the winter chill and enjoy the warm weather ahead. However, spring can also mean the beginning of severe weather events.

After a tornado or other severe weather event has passed, homeowners are tasked with assessing and repairing the damage. According to a recent COUNTRY Financial Security Index (CFSI), one in four homeowners has experienced property damage due to severe weather or natural disasters, an increase from one in five last year. Also, three in four homeowners said they would like to take more steps to prepare for severe weather events or natural disasters.

Don't be caught unaware during a tornado, storm or other natural disaster. Check out these five ways you can prepare your home for severe weather this spring.

1. Create an inventory - In the event of a disaster, it's unlikely you'll be able to remember all your possessions, making it difficult to accurately assess the damage and loss to your home. An up-to-date home inventory can help you settle insurance claims faster and restore your home.

While it may seem daunting to inventory all your possessions, it is a relatively simple process. According to the Insurance Information Institute, you should start by picking an easy spot - like your kitchenand record your kitchen appliances. As you purchase new household items, get into the habit of recording them as you go and make sure to save your receipts.

2. Save for emergencies - Severe weather and natural disasters can happen at any time and can be costly, so it's critical to have enough savings in your emergency funds. More than three in four homeowners (77%) say they have enough money to cover their home insurance deductible if they experience major home damage. However, many homeowners are not prepared for the cost of weather-related home damages.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, you should keep a small amount of cash in small bills at home in a safe place, such as a fire- and weather-proof safe. This will allow you to buy supplies, fuel and food in case a disaster makes using ATMs and credit cards impossible. Make sure to also review your home, health and life insurance policies, so you have enough to cover the deductibles.

3. Prioritize home maintenance - While you can't stop a tornado or other extreme weather events, you can maintain your home to reduce the impact. According to the CFSI, 23% of homeowners plan to perform more regular home maintenance in case of severe weather. Regular home maintenance can help prevent damage to your home and potential home insurance claims. For example, by removing loose siding, broken shingles and dead tree limbs from your yard, you can reduce the chance of damage to your home from flying debris.

4. Review your home insurance policy - Reviewing your home insurance policy is the best way to prepare for a weather-related emergency. Of the homeowners surveyed, 20% plan to review their home insurance policy and 12% want to increase their coverage to be better prepared for emergencies.

When reviewing your policy, check to see what it covers. It's important to understand the type of coverage you have. For example, Actual Cash Value protection subtracts depreciation from the value of your home or belongings. However, Replacement Cost does not subtract for depreciation, so it's based on today's costs. In addition to your house, your insurance may cover sheds, fences, detached garages and other structures on your property, but you may need to add coverage for things like sump pump failure. This is also a time to inform your insurance agent of upgrades you have made to your home to make sure you're covered.

5. Upgrade your home - Home improvement projects not only increase your home's curb appeal, but they can also keep you safe in cases of severe weather. For example, you can replace your current windows with impact-resistant ones or install hurricane shutters.

During a storm, your roof is vulnerable to hail, water and debris damage. If you are replacing your roof, consider upgrading to a metal roofing system, which is known to be more durable and can sustain higher winds.

There may be cases of severe weather where you'll need to shelter in place. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recommends locking doors and windows, shutting air vents and turning off AC and heating systems. Head to the basement until the severe weather abates. If you don't have a basement, head to an interior room, such as a bathroom, with few or no windows.

Learn more about what home insurance covers and find a home insurance agent near you at countryfinancial.com.

It has been a staple of automotive faith that has been passed down from generation to generation, pounded into peoples heads for decades, a common belief that has been around from the first days of the automobile; All cars should have their motor oil changed at least every 3000 miles in order to properly lubricate the engine. This was arguably true based on scientific facts due to the types of oils that were on the market in days gone by. Some motorists still stick to the 3000 mile mark faithfully and would not have it any other way. But both automotive manufactures and oil developers claim that every 5000, 7500 and even 10,000 mile intervals are ideal, depending on the manufacture and driving conditions. So how often should you change your oil?

Regardless of what type of oil you use, (conventional, long lasting synthetic oil or a synthetic blend) all motor oil does break down and lose its lubricating qualities. As the miles add up the oil loses its viscosity or thickness and gets dirty. Contrary to popular belief though, you cannot tell the condition of the oil by how dark it looks. All engines contain soot and combustion by products that distort the color of the oil. But as the miles add up the oil filter will remove and trap solid contaminants. In turn the essential additives in the oil that control oil viscosity, oxidation and wear are becoming depleted. This is the point where the oil itself breaks down and the qualities of lubrication are virtually gone.

There was a time when 3000 was a good guideline and some (but not many) passenger car and light truck diesel engines still use this interval. But most oil change recommendations have changed. Look through your owners manual and you will find that most manufactures now advise motorists to use “extended service intervals” or beyond 5000 miles under “ideal” operating conditions. But what manufactures consider ideal operating conditions are basically “severe” driving conditions to some motorists. This includes stop and go driving, frequent short trips and driving in dusty conditions. So you need to look at your driving habits to calculate what oil service interval you will follow.

Many manufactures have done away with recommended oil change intervals completely. In place they use oil reminder

by Thomas R. Buff

lights that will signal the driver when an oil change is due. But these systems base oil life on running time, miles driven, coolant temperature and other operating conditions. The car cannot determine if your driving is ideal or severe. I have seen many cases of the oil change reminder light coming on at 10,000 plus miles. The bottom line is do not you base your service intervals on the oil service light alone.

Based on a survey taken by hundreds of ASE Certified Master Automotive Technicians, the consensus is that by following the manufactures recommended oil type, especially if synthetic oil is used, and by following the recommended oil change intervals you will not only protect your engine but will also follow the proper warranty requirements for the vehicle. This may be 5000, 7500 or yes, even 10,000 miles If you feel that you do a lot of severe driving then change your oil a couple thousand miles earlier. If your old school and wish to stick to the 3000 mile oil change then stick to it. It may get expensive and defeat the purpose if you use long life synthetic oil but it’s your car. As with all auto maintenance do some research on the brands and types of extended life oil and follow the auto maker’s guidelines. So there are many that will agree or disagree. Is the 3000 mile oil change a thing of the past?

Happy Motoring!