Insurance Insights ~ June 2001

Safe Summer Tips

As we begin a new summer season, here are a few of the standard summer hazards - along with prevention and treatment tips.

Water Tips

One rule applies to any body of water - swimming pool, lake, ocean or hot tub: supervision - especially for children or adults who aren't strong swimmers.

If you're at the beach, and you'll be spending any amount of time in the sun, dermatologists recommend a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. And don't think a single slahering will carry you through an entire afternoon. Reapply it every hour and after you come out of the water.

Also, don't forget the sunglasses -for yourself and for the kids. The lenses should have a UV 400 label, which means they offer maximum protection against ultraviolet rays.

Outdoor Tips

Of course the children are going to be outside playing. But when the kids go out on their bikes, skates and scooters, they need to wear helmets and padding.

While hiking, camping or simply working outdoors, more than a few of us are bound to encounter a stinging or biting creature. Where bees and poisonous snakes are concerned, you want to get the venom out of your system as soon as possible, particularly if you're facing a possible allergic reaction.

A bee sting should be removed not with a tweezers or finger nail (by doing that you risk pushing it in deeper) but by using the edge of a credit card to flick it away. Then wash it with soapy water four or five times a day to keep it clean and prevent the possibility of infection. You're at greatest risk for an allergic reaction if the stinging creature is a yellowjacket.

Bites from poisonous spiders such as the Black Widow or the Brown Recluse can cause a person to experience swelling, nausea or difficulty breathing. See a doctor.

For snakebites, try to remain calm, immobilize the wounded area and get yourself to an emergency room as quickly as possible. Only a few snakes are poisonous. Do not have someone attempt to suck the venom out, since that person will then get exposed to the venom.

Keep mosquitoes away with bug repellent, and always check your body, especially your scalp, for ticks that can spread disease. If you find a tick, remove it gently with tweezers, clean the area with alcohol and consult a doctor.

Poison oak is a three-leafed plant that can cause horrible itching, blistering and redness. If you suspect you have brushed against poison oak, get the potentially infected area under the hottest water you can stand to try to get the poison off before an allergic reaction occurs.

If the infection has already progressed, a doctor can prescribe an antibiotic and a soothing ointment.

Fire & Sun Safety

Grilling -- Keep barbecue grills far away from anything that can burn, such as your home, cars, dry vegetation, etc. Stay with the grill when lighted, and keep children and pets well away from the area. When barbecuing, protect yourself by wearing a heavy apron and an oven mitt that fits high up over your forearm. If you get burned, run cool water over the burn for 10 to 15 minutes. Don't use butter or a salve on burns because these seal in heat and can damage the tissue further. If you receive a serious burn, with charred skin, for example, seek medical attention promptly.

Peak sun hours are between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. If you're going to brave it, keep yourself covered, and come prepared.

Keep yourself hydrated, both with water and, if you're doing an activity that causes perspiration, with a balanced sports drink that can help restore salts and electrolytes. Apply sunscreen and drink fluids, one right after the other, at regular hourly intervals. And limit your alcohol intake when you're out in the sun.

Children who have been out in the sun for a long period of time should be monitored for dehydration. Parents should make sure their children are urinating enough and, if they cry, check for tears. No tears may mean dehydration.

Seniors are also susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke - two different conditions. Dizziness, fatigue and weakness may signal heat exhaustion, meaning the person needs to be rehydrated and taken out of the sun. With heat stroke, a person can suffer a high body temperature, a loss of appetite and possibly even the loss of consciousness.

Traveling

If you're traveling somewhere other than Europe or the United States, you'll want your vaccinations to be current. A travel doctor or health official at a travel clinic should be able to help you get up to date. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Web site, http://www.cdc.gov/travel, is another excellent resource.

Malaria pills are a must-have for many Third World destinations. Your doctor might also recommend vaccinations to prevent typhoid, yellow fever, Hepatitis A, meningitis and tetanus-diphtheria.

Common Sense

Most of the summer's common calamities are preventable or treatable. A little bit of supervision - along with a good sunblock, a steady supply of water and a healthy dose of common sense - goes a long way.

When accidents do happen, act quickly and responsibly. Bandage up the cuts and balm the sunburns, and if there is any question in your mind about whether something needs more attention, call your doctor or visit the emergency room.

Have a Safe Summer!

How to Insure Your Rental Property

Many people purchase an investment house or condominium unit that will be a rental property. As a landlord, in addition to collecting rent, making certain the tenants adhere to the lease agreement, and keeping the property maintained, you also need to properly protect your investment with the right type and amount of insurance.

Just what kind of insurance should you have if you are a landlord?

An obvious starting point is to protect the investment you have made by having fire insurance on the dwelling, which will enable you to rebuild if there is a fire or other type of loss. If you have a mortgage on the property, your lender has already required you to purchase this type of insurance.

You can choose policies that range from the basic coverage to one with more comprehensive protection. Either way, you will need coverage for the dwelling and any outbuildings or other structures on the premises, along with any business personal property you keep at the premises. By choosing the highest deductible you can comfortably absorb if there is a loss, you will be able to get broader protection and keep costs contained.

To protect your rental income, make certain that the policy you choose includes rental income protection. This important coverage guarantees your rental income if there is a loss and the tenant cannot reside in the home while repairs are being made.

Second, and considered to be most important by many experts in the field is your liability protection. It is imperative to carry a sufficient amount of insurance in this area. You need to protect yourself for a situation where your tenant, a guest, or even a stranger is injured on your property and sues for thousands of dollars. An owner who is not adequately insured in this area can face catastrophic financial problems.

Many landlords opt for a second layer of liability protection by purchasing an excess or umbrella policy. This type of policy will provide $1million (or more) of liability protection over your basic policy limit. This coverage is very reasonable and provides an easy way to protect your assets and cover a legitimate loss for which you may be responsible.

One thing to note is that as the rental owner, you are not legally responsible for loss to your renter’s personal property or their personal liability. Your lease should include a requirement that the renter get his or her own insurance to cover tenant liability and personal property loss.

For more information about the coverage that is right for your situation, start by calling your insurance professional. He or she can help evaluate the property that you have purchased. Along with determining the type and amount of coverage that is right for you, they can also inspect the property and advise of any safety hazards that need to be corrected. This service will help eliminate or minimize conditions that could lead to a potential loss.

With the above information, you and your insurance professional will be able to tailor a policy to your special coverage needs.

INSURANCE INSIGHTS is an electronic newsletter published monthly (except for January and August) by G. C. Weimer Associates, Inc. Information contained herein is accurate to the best of our knowledge and belief as of 6/1/2001. If you have a topic of interest for a future issue, e-mail us at info@gcwinsure.com.