An Occasional Hurricane Reminder

Northeastern Hurricanes On The Horizon: Saturday's New York Times had a story about hurricane preparedness that I want you to see. The paper reminds you that, while it has been a long time since the Northeastern US has suffered a significant hurricane, the potential exists during every hurricane season, and the time to prepare against loss is now. Home Inventory is, of course, a part of the solution.

A home inventory will help ensure that you have purchased enough insurance to replace your personal possessions. It can also speed the claims process and substantiate losses for income tax purposes. A detailed home inventory is also helpful should you need to apply for disaster aid.

You may live in a place that is safe from hurricane damage. (Tennessee remains unscathed! Tornadoes are another story.) However, regardless of where you live, your risk of loss exists. It may come through natural causes like tornado, hurricane, or lightning. It could come through man-made causes like electrical fires or theft. The fact is that you are at risk if you own personal property, and your insurance carrier has very long forms for you to complete when that time comes. Home inventory can give you back a year of your life, a year that you would otherwise spend haggling with your insurer.

A. J. Farley runs Farley Home Services, a home inventory service based in Middle Tennessee. Please visit EverySingleItem.com, the company website, for more details.

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Fake Insurance in the News

If it sounds too good to be true...: A Georgetown, SC man was recently charged with selling fake homeowners insurance policies. Not just falsely representing a company mind you, but selling policies that were imaginary and meaningless from start to finish. Apparently, the crime was discovered before any of the victims had to file a claim, so no serious harm was done. With this in mind, I give you...

Top Ten Ways To Know Your Insurance Agent Is Selling You A Fake Policy:

10) You can't find a company listing for Big House Mutual Insurance company.
9) Your premium check was endorsed by someone named Joe Underwriter.
8) Your agent's business card has a picture of Wyle E Coyote in the corner.
7) The receptionist answers your phone call by saying, "Coyote Investments, Loans, Pawn, Firearms, and, oh yeah, Insurance. Can I help you?"
6) When your agent says his car is his real office, he does so without a trace of irony.
5) Your policy is handwritten on a Shoney's napkin.
4) Your premium payment envelope has an apartment number in the return address.
3) The bumper sticker on your agent's car reads, "I'd rather be embezzling."
2) Your policy is delivered in a shrink wrapped packet which reads, "Sanitized For Your Protection."
1) Your agent asks you what the word coverage means.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Farley Home Services is your premier home inventory provider. Come see at at EverySingleItem.com. Thanks!

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