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In today’s economy, everyone is pinching pennies.  So why worry about umbrella coverage?  Shouldn’t a home and auto policy leave you adequately covered? 

Unfortunately, we live in a world of lawsuits.  Large damages can be awarded, be extremely expensive and have long-term financial impact.  Those lawsuits can come from unlikely sources, such as our furry friends.

Take Herschel for instance.  Herschel is a much-loved, rather timid labradoodle who enjoys taking naps on the driveway while his owner mows the lawn.

Herschel watched from eight feet away as his neighbor, a 39 year old man, showed off his rollerblading skills to his kids.  The man wiped out on the sidewalk in front of Herschel’s house and broke his leg.  He required surgery, costing around $35,000 in medical costs and $18,000 in lost wages.

Fair or not, the man brought a lawsuit against Herschel’s owner, suing for $220,000 in damages.  He alleged that Herschel had caused the accident by getting in his way, despite multiple witnesses to the contrary. 

But Herschel’s owner was lucky–a jury vindicated Herschel. However, lawsuits such as these can easily exceed the limits on a homeowner’s policy, leaving the insured responsible for the remainder.  An umbrella policy would prevent that, giving you an extra $1 million to $5 million in coverage.

Our furry friends can put your assets at risk in other ways as well.   According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs each year, with half of those occurring on the owner’s property.  Dog bites, according to the Insurance Information Institute, account for about a third of all homeowner’s insurance claims, which only cover limited damages.

 Protect what you love.  Call us to talk about your umbrella options at (925) 447-2565 or visit our website at www.genemorganinsurance.com.

Recently we have been seeing more water claims than ever! Because of this new trend, we want to pass on some helpful information for water claims as well as tips to help you protect your home to avoid a loss.

Most insurance policies provide coverage for water damage that can be described as “sudden and accidental” such as a burst pipe or wind driven rain. Some policies cover sewer and drain backup, but generally that is an extra coverage that you need to purchase. Otherwise overflow of a sewer or drain will not be covered and will leave you with quite a mess. Maintenance, or wear and tear issues, such as a slow lead over an extended period of time usually are not covered. Additionally, flooding from a river or other water source is not covered by a homeowners policy. A specific flood policy would need to be purchased in order to have coverage for that type of loss.

It is importatnt to know what EXACTLY is covered on your homeowners policy in the event of a water loss. Since most people do not think about this until it is too late, here are some helpful tips from the Insurance Information Institute to protect your home from water damage:

• Inspect hoses and faucets. Check hoses leading to water heaters, dishwashers, washing machines and refrigerator icemakers annually. Replace those with cracks or leaks, and replace them all every five to seven years.

• Inspect showers and tubs. Check the seal and caulking around showers and tubs to make sure they are watertight.

• Shut off the water supply to the washing machine while away on vacation, and never leave the house while the washer or dishwasher is running.

• Know the location of the main water shut off valve in your home. A damaged hose or a burst pipe can send water racing into your home. By knowing where this valve is located and how to shut off the main water supply, you can save yourself time and money.

• Install an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing system. This will protect against the increased pressure caused by freezing pipes and can help prevent your pipes from bursting.

• Check pipes. Look closely for cracks and leaks and have the pipes repaired immediately.

• Caulk and seal windows. Preventive maintenance will guard against water seepage.

• Inspect your roof. Look for missing, damaged, and aging shingles.  

• Check your downspouts. Remove debris that may have accumulated in downspouts and rain gutters. Position downspouts so that they direct water away from the house.

• Check sprinklers and irrigations systems. Be sure sprinklers and irrigation systems are not damaging the walls and foundations of the house; turn off and drain outside faucets to protect against frozen pipes.
  

• Install gutter guards.Gutter guards are the device used to protect the clogging of the roof gutter so that the water from the roof may flow easily and accumulation of water does not take place on the roof but away from the house.

For more information, please visit www.iii.org, or call your insurance agent today!

Safeco Insurance and E. E. Gene Morgan Insurance support
Open Heart Kitchen of Livermore Inc.

Livermore, Calif. (DATE, 2011) — E. E. Gene Morgan Insurance announced today that Safeco Insurance has donated $2,000 to Open Heart Kitchen of Livermore Inc.

Michelle Morgan of E. E. Gene Morgan Insurance in Livermore nominated Open Heart Kitchen for a grant through the Safeco Insurance^® Agent Giving Program, which honors the civic engagement of Safeco agents while recognizing and celebrating individuals and nonprofit organizations that make a difference in their communities.

“We are grateful to Safeco Insurance for supporting the work of Open Heart Kitchen in our community,” Morgan said. “Many people are struggling during these tough economic times, making charitable organizations more vital than ever.”

Open Heart Kitchen serves prepared, nutritious meals free of charge to the hungry people of the Tri-Valley. They provide this service, the only one of its kind in the area, every weekday from five locations in Pleasanton, Livermore and Dublin. Their guests come from all walks of life: the homeless, senior citizens on fixed incomes, underprivileged children at school, the unemployed and underemployed, and low-income families struggling to make ends meet. Open Heart Kitchen serves more than 200,000 meals annually.

Morgan and E. E. Gene Morgan Insurance havesupported Open Heart Kitchen since 1995, the year it began serving meals.

“Safeco is proud to honor agents like Michelle Morgan, who make a difference by engaging in the communities where they live and work,” said Brenda Mann Harrison, manager, Safeco Insurance Agent Giving Program. “We also applaud the work of Open Heart Kitchen and all who strive to strengthen their communities each day.”

About Safeco Insurance

In business since 1923 and based in Seattle, Wash., Safeco sells insurance to drivers and homeowners through a network of independent agents and brokers in eight regions throughout the United States.

Safeco is part of Liberty Mutual Agency Corporation, a strategic business unit of Liberty Mutual Group, consisting of property and casualty and specialty insurance carriers that distribute their products and services primarily through independent agents and brokers. Liberty Mutual Group ranks 82nd on the Fortune 100 list of the largest U.S. corporations based on 2010 revenue. The company has financial strength ratings of A (Excellent) from the A.M. Best Company, A2 (Good) from Moody’s Investors Service, and A- (Strong) from Standard & Poor’s.

About E. E. Gene Morgan Insurance

E. E. Gene Morgan Insurance in Livermore, Calif., is a progressive and comprehensive insurance firm that places client welfare first and foremost. The agency has served its clients well for nearly 60 years, and has been at the same downtown Livermore location since 1964. Theyoffer auto, home, life, health and business insurance, as well as all other types.

A real tree in your home can be a fire hazard, and even more so if it goes unwatered. Always keep your tree safe and clear of any decorations that can spark a flame near your tree, such as candles and other hazardous decorations.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org), there are an average of 240 home structure fires every year that begin with Christmas trees. Home Christmas tree fires caused an average of 13 deaths, 27 injuries, and $16.7 million in direct property damage.

There are various causes of these Christmas tree fires. Electrical failures or malfunctions were involved in one-third of the home Christmas tree structure fires. One in five occurred because some type of hear source was too close to the tree. Decorative lights with involved in 13% of the fires, and 11% of home Christmas tree fires were started by candles.

So have a safe Christmas season this year… Keep your Christmas tree watered and clear from any hazards!

We know that decorating for Christmas is fun and festive; but before you climb on the roof to string your lights, know that about 12,500 injuries occur every year due to Christmas lights and decorations. Along with injuries, Christmas decorations also cause millions of dollars in property damage during the holidays. Be safe when decorating for the holidays this year!

Here are some tips to keep your holiday a safe one:

Trees:

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.”  Although this label does not mean the tree won’t catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
• When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from the branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
• When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.

Lights:

• Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with safety standards. Use only lights that have fused plugs.
• Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets. Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs.
• Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use.
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
• Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
• Stay away from power or feeder lines leading from utility poles into older homes.
• Fasted outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or, run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).
• Turn off all holiday lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
• Use caution when removing outdoor holiday lights. Never pull or tug on lights – they could unravel and inadvertently wrap around power lines.
• Outdoor electric lights and decorations should be plugged into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters.

Decorations:

• Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles or plastic or non-leaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
• Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked down.
• In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.
• Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.

Fireplaces:

• Do not hang stockings low enough to catch fire.
• Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

As always, carry homeowner’s or renter’s insurance to protect your home and contents in the event of a fire!

Do you own or manage a small business, or are you thinking of starting one? One of the most important things to consider is the insurance coverage you will need to accurately cover your business. It is important to remain properly protected while keeping premiums down. Below are the 4 most important policies most small businesses will need to purchase.

1. General Liability Insurance.  Any enterprise can be sued. Customers can claim that the business caused them harm as the result of, for example, a defective product, an error in service or disregard for another person’s property. Liability insurance pays damages for which the business is found liable, up to the policy limits, as well as attorneys’ fees and other legal defense expenses. It also pays the medical bills of any people injured by, or on the premises of, the business.
2. Property Insurance. Property insurance compensates a business if the property used in the business is lost or damaged as the result of various types of common perils, such as fire or theft. Property insurance covers not just a building or structure but also what insurers refer to as personal property, meaning office furnishings, inventory, raw materials, machinery, computers and other items vital to a business’s operations. Depending on the type of policy, property insurance may include coverage for equipment breakdown, removal of debris after a fire or other destructive event, some types of water damage and other losses.
3. Business Auto Insurance.  A business auto policy provides coverage for autos owned by a business. The insurance pays any costs to third parties resulting from bodily injury or property damage for which the business is legally liable, up to the policy limits.
4. Workers Compensation Insurance. In California all employers must carry workers comp insurance. Workers comp insurance pays for medical care and replaces a portion of lost wages for an employee who is injured in the course of employment, regardless of who was at fault for the injury. When a worker dies as a result of injuries sustained while working, the insurance provides compensation to the employee’s family.

Other types of important business insurance policies:

1. Errors and Omissions Insurance/Professional Liability.  Some businesses involve services such as giving advice, making recommendations, designing things, providing physical care or representing the needs of others, which can lead to being sued by customers, clients or patients claiming that the business’s failure to perform a job properly has injured them. Errors and omissions or professional liability insurance covers these situations. The policy will pay any judgment for which the insured is legally liable, up to the policy limit. It also provides legal defense costs, even when there has been no wrongdoing.
2. Employment Practices Liability Insurance.  Employment practices liability insurance covers (up to the policy limits) damages for which an employer is legally liable such as violating an employee’s civil or other legal rights. In addition to paying a judgment for which the insured is liable, it also provides legal defense costs, which can be substantial even when there has been no wrongdoing.
3. Directors and Officers Liability Insurance.  Directors and officers liability insurance protects directors and officers of corporations or not-for-profit organizations if there is a lawsuit claiming they managed the business or organization without proper regard for the rights of others. The policy will pay any judgment for which the insured is legally liable, up to the policy limit. It also provides for legal defense costs, even where there has been no wrongdoing .
4. Umbrella Policies/Excess Liability.  As the name implies, an umbrella liability policy provides coverage over and above a business’s other liability coverages. It is designed to protect against unusually high losses. It provides protection when the policy limits of one of the underlying policies have been used up. For a typical business, the umbrella policy would provide protection beyond the general liability and auto liability policies. If a company has employment practices liability insurance, directors and officers liability, or other types of liability insurance, the umbrella could provide protection beyond those policy limits as well.

Need business insurance quotes or advice? Contact us today for your free insurance review. Call (925) 447-2565 or visit our website at www.genemorganinsurance.com for more information.

Smart parents can ensure a safe Halloween by accompanying small children around the neighborhood. If children are old enough to explore the neighborhood on their own, advise them to visit homes where they know they’ll be welcome. If the house is dark and uninviting, tell the kids to stay away.

Parents should also leave the porch light on once it’s dark. It will be a signal that you welcome kids and it also will help to brighten the neighborhood.

Parents should warn children to stay on the sidewalk and to cross the streets carefully. It’s also a good idea to put reflective tape on costumes and trick-or-treat bags and to arrange for youngsters to go out in groups rather than individually.

Below are more safety tips:

• Make sure costumes aren’t loose-fitting, which could cause the child to trip and fall.
• Use make-up instead of masks. Some masks can obstruct the child’s vision.
• Make sure all costumes are made of non-flammable material.
• Keep lighted jack-o’-lanterns and candles away from children or flammable materials.
• Inspect all treats before allowing children to eat them.

Each year, the clock is turned back the Sunday before Halloween in almost every state, as daylight savings time ends. This means that it will be dark in much of the country by 5:00 p.m. and because of school, many youngsters will be canvassing neighborhoods for treats after dark. Motorists need to remember that kids may be distracted by all the costumes and candy.

We also urge motorists to drive slowly in residential areas and to honk their horns on dimly lit streets to alert children. Drivers need to watch out for youngsters crossing against the light, darting out from between parked cars and walking in the street.

Congratulations to Alisa Scribner, winner of our agency’s Halloween Photo Contest. Above is a picture of her children, Zack and Lexi! Very cute!

Do you have State Farm, Farmers, Allstate, or AAA homeowners insurance? Contact us today to save up to 50% or more on your home insurance! We really are saving new clients up to 50% off their premiums… Sometimes even more!

So submit a quote request on our website. What do you have to lose? Our quotes are all free with no obligation.

Call us today at (925) 447-2565 or visit our website at www.genemorganinsurance.com.

• Clean out gutters. Remove leaves, sticks and other debris from gutters, so melting snow and ice can flow freely. This can prevent ice damming, a condition where water is unable to drain through the gutters and instead seeps into the house causing water to drip from the ceiling and walls.
• Install gutter guards. Available in most hardware and home stores, gutter guards prevent debris from entering the gutter and interfering with the flow of water away from the house and into the ground.
• Trim trees and remove dead branches. Ice, snow and wind could cause weak trees or branches to break and damage your home or car, or injure someone walking by your property.
• Repair steps and handrails. This may prevent someone from falling and seriously being injured. Broken stairs and banisters can become lethal when covered with snow and ice.
• Seal cracks in holes in outside walls and foundations. Use caulking to protect water pipes and make sure that skylights and other roof openings have proper weather stripping to prevent snowmelt from seeping in. 

• Keep the house warm. Set the thermostat for at least 65 degrees—since the temperature inside the walls, where the pipes are located, is substantially colder a lower temperature will not keep the pipes from freezing.
• Add extra insulation to attics, basements and crawl spaces. If too much heat escapes through the attic, it can cause snow or ice to melt on the roof. Water can then re-freeze, causing more snow and ice to build up. This can result in a collapsed roof, and can contribute to ice damming. Ideally, the attic should be five to 10 degrees warmer than the outside air. Well-insulated basements and crawl spaces can help protect pipes from freezing. You may also consider insulating unfinished rooms such as garages to keep pipes from freezing.
• Have the heating system serviced. Furnaces, boilers and chimneys should be serviced at least once a year to prevent fire and smoke damage.
• Check pipes. Look closely for cracks and leaks and have the pipes repaired immediately. Wrap exposed pipes with heating tape.
• Install an emergency pressure release valve in your plumbing system. This will protect the system against increased pressure caused by freezing pipes and can help prevent your pipes from bursting.
• Make sure that smoke and fire alarms are working properly. Residential fires increase in the winter, so it is important to protect your family with working alarm systems. Also, consider installing a carbon monoxide detector, since a well sealed home can trap this toxic gas.
• Learn how to shut the water off and know where your pipes are located. If your pipes freeze, time is of the essence. The quicker you can shut off the water or direct your plumber to the problem, the better chance you have to prevent pipes from bursting.
• Hire a licensed contractor to look for structural damage. If damage is discovered, have it repaired now rather than waiting for a problem to occur. Also, ask about ways to prevent water damage due to snow-related flooding. Plastic coatings for internal basement walls, sump pumps and other methods can prevent flood damage to your home and belongings. 

The economic downturn has had numerous effects on our country. One of these is the increase in uninsured motorists on the road. According to new estimates from the Insurance Research Council, one in seven drivers in the United States are uninsured.

Despite the fact that many states have laws requiring drivers to maintain insurance, the trend remains. This lack of insurance then falls on the shoulders of the drivers that pay their premiums, to pay out for injuries caused by uninsured motorists. This is why it is so important to have enough uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage on your auto policy. Check your policy and make sure that your uninsured motorist coverage is equal to your bodily injury liability coverage limit.  

Review your policy today. Don’t get caught without enough uninsured motorist coverage!