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Thursday, April 26, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
What to Know About Your Flood Insurance
With the severe storms ravaging the entire Northeast, all call centers are being flooded, no pun intended, by the thousands of victims along the Atlantic. They are upset, scared, and confused, as would anyone in their circumstances. They want to know what their insurance company can do for them, they want their properties repaired immediately. It is important to understand exactly how your insurance works and what is protected by that coverage. You have to read the fine print, especially in insurance policies. If you do not have questions for your agent, then perhaps you are a little naive. You need to have a crystal clear explanation about your flood coverage.
Requirements for flood insurance
You have to be eligible for a National Flood Insurance Policy(NFIP). A standard NFIP applies to any residence, rental, or business property found in Special Flood Hazard Areas. These areas are shown on Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Maps(FIRMS), which are determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA). FEMA identifies and maps areas by conducting flood hazard studies and publishing FIRMS. These are based on a 1% annual chance flood, meaning they only have 1% chance of a flood of the same size or larger happening in any one year. It also provides coverage to properties in a low to medium risk area, not eligible for a Preferred Risk Policy. The costs of these policies depend on your flood zone risk area.
To qualify for a Preferred Risk Policy, you need to own a one to four family home in a low to medium flood hazard area that has to meet certain criteria. Based on the date your home was built, not how long you own your home, if your home has had any of the following events happen, you are not qualified for a Preferred Risk Policy.
1)The home has had two or more loss settlements of $1,000 or more
2)Three or more loss settlements, regardless of the amount
3)Two federal disaster payments, each of more than $1,000
4)Three federal disaster payments, regardless of the amount
5)One flood insurance claim payment and one flood disaster relief payment (including grants and loans), each for more than $1,000You can also qualify for an Excess Flood Insurance Policy, if you need more than you are currently allotted with your NFIP. To do so, you must contact your local property and casualty agent or agency to determine what type of policy you may qualify for.
The Coverage
NFIP's and Preferred Risk Policies include building, contents, and replacement cost coverage.
1)Building coverage protects the structure, including appliances and items considered part of your home.
2)Content coverage protects your personal belongings and certain structural damages.
3)Replacement Cost Coverage protects your home's rebuilding cost. For this coverage, you must have insured, at least, 80% of the replacement cost or the maximum cost available, whichever is less.
Contact your local property and casualty agent or agencyfor a complete list of what is covered.
What is the maximum insurance value for your policy?
The NFIP can be insured up to $500,000 for a non-residential building and $250,000 for any single family dwellling and can insure up to $100,000 for your personal belongings.
A Preferred Risk Policy can insure up to $250,000 for any single family and $60,000 for personal belongings.
I cannot reiterate this enough. Contact your local property and casualty agent or agency for full details on how these flood insurance policies can help you and where they will provide your maximum protection.
Once you reach the maximum payable limit, you will not get any more, unless you had previously purchased an additional flood insurance policy. Another important thing to mention is that you cannot protect everything. Outdoor amenities will likely not get covered, but you do need to contact your local property and casualty agent or agency to determine what is and is not covered. It only takes one misunderstanding to destroy your current lifestyle. Try to voice all your concerns to them.
Requirements for flood insurance
You have to be eligible for a National Flood Insurance Policy(NFIP). A standard NFIP applies to any residence, rental, or business property found in Special Flood Hazard Areas. These areas are shown on Flood Hazard Boundary or Flood Insurance Rate Maps(FIRMS), which are determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA). FEMA identifies and maps areas by conducting flood hazard studies and publishing FIRMS. These are based on a 1% annual chance flood, meaning they only have 1% chance of a flood of the same size or larger happening in any one year. It also provides coverage to properties in a low to medium risk area, not eligible for a Preferred Risk Policy. The costs of these policies depend on your flood zone risk area.
To qualify for a Preferred Risk Policy, you need to own a one to four family home in a low to medium flood hazard area that has to meet certain criteria. Based on the date your home was built, not how long you own your home, if your home has had any of the following events happen, you are not qualified for a Preferred Risk Policy.
1)The home has had two or more loss settlements of $1,000 or more
2)Three or more loss settlements, regardless of the amount
3)Two federal disaster payments, each of more than $1,000
4)Three federal disaster payments, regardless of the amount
5)One flood insurance claim payment and one flood disaster relief payment (including grants and loans), each for more than $1,000You can also qualify for an Excess Flood Insurance Policy, if you need more than you are currently allotted with your NFIP. To do so, you must contact your local property and casualty agent or agency to determine what type of policy you may qualify for.
The Coverage
NFIP's and Preferred Risk Policies include building, contents, and replacement cost coverage.
1)Building coverage protects the structure, including appliances and items considered part of your home.
2)Content coverage protects your personal belongings and certain structural damages.
3)Replacement Cost Coverage protects your home's rebuilding cost. For this coverage, you must have insured, at least, 80% of the replacement cost or the maximum cost available, whichever is less.
Contact your local property and casualty agent or agencyfor a complete list of what is covered.
What is the maximum insurance value for your policy?
The NFIP can be insured up to $500,000 for a non-residential building and $250,000 for any single family dwellling and can insure up to $100,000 for your personal belongings.
A Preferred Risk Policy can insure up to $250,000 for any single family and $60,000 for personal belongings.
I cannot reiterate this enough. Contact your local property and casualty agent or agency for full details on how these flood insurance policies can help you and where they will provide your maximum protection.
Once you reach the maximum payable limit, you will not get any more, unless you had previously purchased an additional flood insurance policy. Another important thing to mention is that you cannot protect everything. Outdoor amenities will likely not get covered, but you do need to contact your local property and casualty agent or agency to determine what is and is not covered. It only takes one misunderstanding to destroy your current lifestyle. Try to voice all your concerns to them.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Writing Online Successfully
I have had people, closest to me, tell me I cannot make a living writing online. Ironically, in a relatively short period of time, I have made more than I could working for minimum wage. I do not take failure lightly, however I when I receive negative criticism it only fuels the inner fire. There are more than ample opportunities to make a good living as a writer. Associated Content is definitely a huge bonus in the creative process and pay promptly. My wife is going to start eating her words shortly, which I am going to thoroughly enjoy.
The first month is a testing process for me. I look at how much I am making and get an average figure per article. Next, I determine how much time it took for me to finish my articles. These are essential in determining how much I want to make. Of course, I set a goal for how many articles to write in a day. I have to take my wife's schedule into consideration, since I cannot get anything accomplished with her home. This means I have to make sure I write on the days she is working. My wife is the type of person who cannot keep quiet and is a constant nuisance, when I am trying to write. I love her to death, but I cherish any quiet moments I get.
Speaking of space, you have to have a location to work in. I personally cannot write with noises in the background, so I prefer writing in the den. This is the quietest location in the house, which is the perfect spot to set up the computer. I love working on the computer, because it is the easiest way to save materials someplace I will always remember. It is a far cry from keeping a file cabinet with all your ideas. You have to love how technology has simplified our lives.
Writing is only half the battle, if you want to succeed in making a living online. You have to make time for networking, this means you want to make sure you keep in touch with other writers in the community. Many of your ideas will come from articles you have read, either online or off. Another essential part of writing is paying attention. Always keep your eyes and ears open for new ideas, you never know where they will come from. The truth is, you have to have the desire to succeed. Sometimes this takes a lot of patience, but the rewards you reap will be many.
Another imperative fact about reading other writer's submissions is that you should be honest. You do not want anyone giving you a false critique, those never help you determine the areas you need to work on. I would not recommend being rude, such as leaving a comment like, "you suck!" You will never win any brownie points with the community that way and you are not helping the writer out with that type of harsh criticism. Another thing I believe in highly is leaving comments. If you read someone's article, you should always leave a comment. This only helps promote your name and material to the rest of the community.
A long time ago I was an Advisor on Epinions in the movie category. When I got the Advisor position I did not have the time to do as much writing as I had before, because it was necessary to review other submissions at the time. It was up to me to help the newer members get established and evaluate their submissions. This was a fantastic learning experience for me, which is why I feel so strongly about leaving comments in everything I read.
Finally, you can sit back and watch your viewership rise. Oh, and do not forget always let people know what you have written, where you wrote it, and when you wrote it. No matter where you are at, whether you are online or off, you want to promote yourself. Promote your friends as well, remember they could do the same for you. You never know when someone could become a big fan!
Here is my recap.
1. Figure out how much you want to make!
2. Set a goal for yourself!
3. Read as much as you write!
4. Look for new ideas!
5. Leave comments behind!
6. Always promote yourself and friends!
The first month is a testing process for me. I look at how much I am making and get an average figure per article. Next, I determine how much time it took for me to finish my articles. These are essential in determining how much I want to make. Of course, I set a goal for how many articles to write in a day. I have to take my wife's schedule into consideration, since I cannot get anything accomplished with her home. This means I have to make sure I write on the days she is working. My wife is the type of person who cannot keep quiet and is a constant nuisance, when I am trying to write. I love her to death, but I cherish any quiet moments I get.
Speaking of space, you have to have a location to work in. I personally cannot write with noises in the background, so I prefer writing in the den. This is the quietest location in the house, which is the perfect spot to set up the computer. I love working on the computer, because it is the easiest way to save materials someplace I will always remember. It is a far cry from keeping a file cabinet with all your ideas. You have to love how technology has simplified our lives.
Writing is only half the battle, if you want to succeed in making a living online. You have to make time for networking, this means you want to make sure you keep in touch with other writers in the community. Many of your ideas will come from articles you have read, either online or off. Another essential part of writing is paying attention. Always keep your eyes and ears open for new ideas, you never know where they will come from. The truth is, you have to have the desire to succeed. Sometimes this takes a lot of patience, but the rewards you reap will be many.
Another imperative fact about reading other writer's submissions is that you should be honest. You do not want anyone giving you a false critique, those never help you determine the areas you need to work on. I would not recommend being rude, such as leaving a comment like, "you suck!" You will never win any brownie points with the community that way and you are not helping the writer out with that type of harsh criticism. Another thing I believe in highly is leaving comments. If you read someone's article, you should always leave a comment. This only helps promote your name and material to the rest of the community.
A long time ago I was an Advisor on Epinions in the movie category. When I got the Advisor position I did not have the time to do as much writing as I had before, because it was necessary to review other submissions at the time. It was up to me to help the newer members get established and evaluate their submissions. This was a fantastic learning experience for me, which is why I feel so strongly about leaving comments in everything I read.
Finally, you can sit back and watch your viewership rise. Oh, and do not forget always let people know what you have written, where you wrote it, and when you wrote it. No matter where you are at, whether you are online or off, you want to promote yourself. Promote your friends as well, remember they could do the same for you. You never know when someone could become a big fan!
Here is my recap.
1. Figure out how much you want to make!
2. Set a goal for yourself!
3. Read as much as you write!
4. Look for new ideas!
5. Leave comments behind!
6. Always promote yourself and friends!
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