Post Date December 14, 2012 –  Ohio Insurance Agents have identified Arson as being involved in 1 of every 5 insurance fires in the state of Ohio in 2011. This means that 20% of fires in the Buckeye State is caused by people who intentionally sets fire to a property. Firefighters have reported to the Ohio State Fire Marshal that there were over 8,000 cases of arson out of the 41,000 fires in 2012. Sadly;  the high percentage of arson fires is considered by state authorities to be the highest since 1987.  In addition to this, Ohio’s arson cases make more than two thirds of the state’s fire fatalities last year. Data from the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office shows nearly 130 fire deaths, 86 of these were attributed by arson incidents. Additional data from Ohio Insurance Agents showed that such percentage is extremely high compared to only 12 percent of fire deaths 10 years ago.

Ohio Insurance Agents Identify Arson and those whom responsible

According to Ohio Insurance Agents and fire experts, common causes of arson fire start from those people unaware of what they are doing, or get entangled with domestic disputes that can result to property damages.  Ohio insurance agents see poor economic times have made some people intentionally set their properties on-fire so to collect money from their Ohio Insurance Agents policies. Homeowners are protected from arson-related damages by their homeowners insurance policies provided that they are not the one who intentionally set fire to there home.

-Mike

Michael E. Dortch
InsureDirect.com
Corporate Home Office
618 South Broad Street
Lansdale, Pennsylvania  19446
(800) 807-0762  ext. 206

Post Date December 12, 2012 – Georgia Auto Insurance Agents  are warning both new and used car buyers to look-out for flooded vehicles being sold in the used cars market. The Georgia Auto Insurance agents alert was issued shortly after Hurricane Sandy.  It’s commonly known among Georgia auto insurance companies are many flood-damaged vehicles are recycled back into the used car market and being sold at auto auctions.  In addition, these flooded vehicles may be sold through newspaper ads,  online and used car lots.

Georgia Auto Insurance pay to repair and restore flooded vehicles

It’s very difficult  for the average person to identify a Flood-damaged car which has been restored via payment by a Georgia Auto Insurance Company.   In many situations;  it’s just plain hard to identify a flooded car after the upholstery and carpeting been shampoo and received minor body works. Most flood damaged vehicles are hard to detect even by professionals. Car’s and trucks which have been flooded are then written off as “totaled” or “salvage” most Georgia Auto Insurance Companies.  In many other states;  these labels may not appear on their titles as they are being sold.  In the State of Georgia; any flood damaged and restored car must me formally reported

Georgia Auto Insurance professions say it’s easy to identify these damaged cars. These signs include a musty odor, faded fabrics, some watermarks. The vehicle’s metals can also show paint flaking, rust and mud. Sandy Grit can be seen vehicle’s crevices..  This agent suggests you check the vehicle’s trunk, dashboard, engine area, inner doors, carpeting and under the seats. Those whom attempt to resell a salvaged vehicle always seem to do things half-assed – excuse my french.  Just to make sure, it’s best to hire someone to do an  inspection so you know exactly what you are buying.  A close inspection by a repair professional or and Georgia Auto Insurance Adjuster can check out behind the wiring harnesses, alternator, starter motors, relays, and the power steering pumps.  Georgia Auto insurance  agents warn  potential buyers should check first the title before signing or paying for anything. They must see if the vehicle has been branded as ‘salvage’, ‘flood’, ‘junk’, ‘reconstructed, or ‘rebuilt’. Potential buyers can easily check the history through a national database of the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System by searching for the vehicle’s VIN (vehicle identification number).

You can also go online to www.carfax.com and order a copy of the cars complete history.

-Mike

Michael E. Dortch
President &  Managing Agent
InsureDirect.com
Corporate Home Office
618 South Broad Street
Lansdale, Pennsylvania  19446
(800) 807-0762  ext. 206

Post Date December 8, 2012 – Although Hurricane Sandy has long past;  the after effects remain. Hurricane Sandy is now creating a storm of insurance claims and complaints from insurance consumers. Policyholders throughout the state of New Jersey are begging their state insurance regulators to intervene and force their auto insurance, homeowners insurance and flood insurance carriers to pay their claims.  The New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (NJDOBI) had already received thousands of insurance complaints related to Hurricane Sandy.

Hurricane Sandy causing big problems

The number of insurance claims from Hurricane Sandy is very close to eclipsing the totals from both Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Based on what I have learned about statewide, this agent believes the insurance department complaints will certainly exceed those same events.  This is proof by the growing number of insurance claims filed as Hurricane Sandy has left New Jersey with a record amount of  property damage. Many of the complaints the NJDOBI received are from both telephone calls and those filed on the Departments Website.  Although many inquiries involve claims payment issues, other are as simple as whether hurricane deductibles apply and other storm-related questions. Most of the homeowners policies written in New Jersey have a separate wind deductible. The co-pay for this type of claim can be thousands of dollars.  Very few coastal policies are “All Peril”.  An All Peril Policy will pay a claim for most damage situations excluding flood. Further; a fixed deductible will apply. NJ Governor Christie signed an executive order to stop insurance companies from charging expensive hurricane deductibles on homeowners insurance.

Residents of Monmouth Beach have complained about the major insurance carriers in New Jersey.  They are highly annoyed with the response time on all their claims.  This is nothing the other coastal owners are experiencing.  The named insureds on these policies described the situation to be extremely stressful. It seems like no one cares.

-Mike 

Michael E. Dortch
President &  Managing Agent
InsureDirect.com
Corporate Home Office
618 South Broad Street
Lansdale, Pennsylvania  19446
(800) 807-0762  ext. 206