Maintaining pipe health and you and your home’s well-being

It’s one of many homeowners’ nightmares—frozen pipes. With temperatures plummeting across the country, the Pacific Northwest could be due for its own cold snap. Freezing nights may mean frozen pipes, which themselves are a pain. But it’s when frozen pipes burst that the real headache begins. The water damage can result in costly reconstruction projects, anything from replacing drywall to ceilings (never mind damaged furniture or appliances). Luckily, the basics of frozen pipe prevention are simple even for the inexperienced handyman. Some tools, supplies from the hardware store, and a little dexterity are all you need to help avoid pipes freezing, cracking, or bursting:

• Know which pipes in your home are most likely to freeze. Pipes along exterior walls, crawlspaces, garages, and basements are especially susceptible, as well as the main water pipe running into your home. And remember, both hot water and cold water pipes can (and do) freeze.
• Make sure all pipes are properly insulated. This can be managed with pipe insulators or electric heating tape. They help pipes maintain warmth and keep water running through them. Pipes against any exterior walls, as well as the piping where the water supply enters the home, should have extra insulation as they tend to freeze easier and faster.
• If temperatures plunge, leave faucets on in several areas of your home. Just slightly more than a heavy drip will suffice. It’s harder for pipes to freeze if water flows freely through them, and no part of your home will be cut off from the water supply with the constant stream.
• When your home loses heat, the risk of pipes freezing rises, so drain water pipes to avert any mishaps. Using the main valve, turn off the home’s water supply and run all faucets and showers until water ceases flowing. The same can be done for pipes feeding exterior water spigots by shutting off the valve supplying outdoor water and opening and draining spigots.
• Technological devices can be used to monitor your home and its temperature. Freeze alarms and temperature monitors are programmable to phone you if power goes out in your home or the temperature falls below freezing. If you’re away from home for a period of time, this can be a great option.
• Another more intricate device, RedyTemp uses an adjustable temperature control to regularly circulate water through pipes to prevent freezing. You adjust the temperature dial—which ranges from 45°F-115°F—to suit the freeze threat conditions.

Though these ideas are excellent preventative measures, we can’t prepare for everything. At Homer Smith Insurance, we want to help with whatever life throws your way, frozen pipes and all. To review your current coverage, or to receive a free quote, visit our website, e-mail, or call us directly at 888-433-0031. We are an independent insurance agency licensed in Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona.

Erin Stork, Homer Smith Insurance

We saved a new customer $720 per year on car insurance

Thrifty practices, though perhaps formerly uncommon to our commercialistic senses, are now more en vogue with the continuing economic woes. We are all re-examining the necessities of life, including insurance, in our attempts to make our dollars stretch as far as they possibly can. At Homer Smith Insurance, we provide free quotes on car insurance, and recently a man came into our Port Townsend office and took advantage of this offer.

He was dissatisfied with his current auto insurance policy. (Though we won’t name names, it was sold by a gecko that may or may not be Australian.) He felt his monthly premium was too high. One of our agents, Ryan, put together several quotes and discovered that he could save $720 dollars in premiums by switching his insurance to another provider. Needless to say, the man changed his policy that very day.

Since this new client came to Homer Smith Insurance, he was able to benefit from one of the greatest advantages independent insurance agencies offer their customers—being quoted with multiple insurance providers. We can calculate premiums with many companies, and as such give our customers the best possible value and price.

And the savings aren’t limited to car insurance. We provide personal and commercial insurance policies that cover anything from ATVs to the building where your favorite coffee shop is housed. If you would like to review your insurance coverage, send us an e-mail or call Homer Smith Insurance at 888-433-0031. We are licensed in, and serve, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona.

If you realize that you are paying too much for your insurance, let one of our agents see if they can help. Because despite what the gecko may say to the contrary, he doesn’t always save you 15% or more on car insurance.

Erin Stork, Homer Smith Insurance

Love thy neighbor, have good insurance

Everyone has the story about a neighbor’s inspired idea that didn’t actually turn out to be so brilliant. Indeed, the winter months seem to encourage and breed such ideas. Snow and ice related hazards spur people to actions that would normally be considered crazy. The following is (unfortunately) a true story.

The night of a particularly deep freeze, two neighbors—we shall call them John and Paul—awoke to find their driveway encased in ice. Being situated at the bottom of a hill, the neighbors could not get their vehicles out of the driveway, and were forced to stay inside and keep warm.
Fast forward several hours. John’s daughter spotted smoke rising in the driveway’s direction. She alerted her father, and John hurried out to determine the smoke’s source. It didn’t take him long—the driveway was on fire.

Several panicked minutes and choice words later, John had extinguished the small blaze and surveyed the now smoky landscape. He noticed something he hadn’t before. His neighbor, Paul, stood a short distance off, can of gasoline in hand. John looked at the driveway, then back at Paul. He asked his neighbor if he had started the fire. Paul nodded. In response to John’s stunned silence, Paul explained that he needed to get to the grocery store. The ice prevented him from getting out of the driveway. Because he really needed to get a few things, Paul had to get rid of the ice, and thought the best way to do so was lighting the driveway on fire.

Though this story is an extreme example of neighborly antics, they can and do happen. In moments, things turn from crazy to serious. Even dangerous. Paul’s homemade fire didn’t cause any real damage (or succeed in melting any ice), but if it had, John’s house, car, or shed could have caught fire. Having unpredictable neighbors can be worrisome, but knowing your insurance covers any damage caused by said neighbors can alleviate some of the anxiety.

At Homer Smith Insurance, we can assist in putting your mind at ease. We offer free quotes and can review your current insurance coverage and policies. Browse our website, e-mail us, or call directly: 888-433-0031. Your neighbor probably won’t light your driveway on fire, but it’s always good to know you’re covered if things don’t exactly go according to plan.

Erin Stork, Homer Smith Insurance

Safeguarding your home during the winter months

It rains a lot in the Pacific Northwest. A lot. This is especially true for the winter months. Because of the damp climate, many residents leave the soggy shores of Puget Sound for the sunny skies of the South West. Homes amongst the foggy evergreens are left behind, sitting vacant for potentially months. These empty homes pose a concern for homeowners—how to protect their home while away.

Many of the basics to safeguarding your home, like a good security system and deadbolt locks, are effective. But they’re not the only way to defend your home. From old-fashioned neighborly kindness to 21^st century technology, here are ways to prevent your home from being featured on the nightly news:

• The first step is simple—don’t advertise you’re leaving. The fewer people know, the less likely word will spread about your impending departure.
• Ask a trustworthy neighbor to watch your home. Regular checks help deter burglars. Leave a key with your neighbor, not under the welcome mat. Bad idea. So is leaving keys in fake rocks. Many thieves are savvy to this, and will look for the slightly plastic-looking rock.
• Tell the post office to halt your mail. A full mailbox is a lure to thieves and makes it obvious that nobody’s home.
• If it snows while you’re away, arrange for someone to shovel or plow your driveway. This gives the impression that someone is regularly coming and going. A friend or neighbor could even leave footprints in walkways to help aid the illusion, or park their car in front of your home.
• Set inside and outside lights on timers. Lights going on and off during the day and night (especially at irregular intervals) keeps thieves at bay.
• To really make it seem like someone’s home, radios and TVs can be set on a timer. Any burglar that hears voices in a home will think twice. You can even set up a recording of a dog barking that is triggered by loud noises, like a knock on the door.

If your winter plans involve traveling to a more summer-like clime, call, e-mail, or visit Homer Smith Insurance to review your current coverage or to receive a free quote. We have offices in Port Townsend and Sequim, Washington. An independent insurance agency, we are licensed in, and serve, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona.

Erin Stork, Homer Smith Insurance

Resolution and Remembrance for the New Year

A resolution, according to Mr. Webster, can have six different meanings that include anything from chemical compounds to significant events in literature. Around New Years, however, there is one definition best fitting the popular mood that is found in sub-section C of definition one: the act of determining.

In our culture, the New Year’s Resolution is a time honored tradition, a pledge made with a clean slate with the hope for a fresh start. Millions become determined to change something about themselves or their lives—quitting smoking, losing weight, organizing their home, getting finances in order, or volunteering more. Though some are more serious than others, the start of a new year makes us ponder our lives, all past, present, and future moments of them; the good, the bad, and the ugly.

It is no different for us at Homer Smith Insurance. From our first client in 1950 to the beginning of 2010, we are still dedicated to the continuation of providing our customers with the best service possible. We’re doing something right with nearly 60 years in the insurance business, but we know the only way our success can continue is through you. Indeed, it is the only way our success is possible.

As the New Year approaches, like you, we at Homer Smith reflect on the year that has passed, and the one that is to come. As Robert Burns admonished, we remember our old acquaintances, resolving to continue our tradition of faithful service to the community and its residents. And we promise that to our resolution we will hold fast and true.

So as we gather at parties and celebrations to ring in the New Year and raise a glass to auld lang syne, let us toast also to our resolutions and their fulfillment. They’re different for all of us, but they all share a common goal—to make our lives, and the lives of those we love, better.

Happy New Year!

If shopping for insurance is on your to-do list for the New Year, stop by our Port Townsend or Sequim office, e-mail, or call Homer Smith Insurance directly at 888-433-0031. We are an independent insurance agency serving Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, and Nevada.

Erin Stork, Homer Smith Insurance

Smart travel in greater Seattle and beyond

Holiday travel is a tradition, and sometimes pain, for many families and individuals. Whether flying to grandma’s for Christmas, returning from college for some well-deserved R&R, or spending the holidays with friends in far-off cities , remembering all the travel dos and don’ts can be exhausting. Especially when traveling through bustling airports. And despite the season of giving, airport luggage theft actually escalates over the holidays. There are steps you can take, however, to prevent your belongings from becoming the ill-gotten gains of potential thieves:

• Pack using inconspicuous luggage. The airport is not a runway, and nothing alerts thieves more than pricey labels. Ragged, beat-up luggage flies under the radar, so leave Louis Vuitton and Gucci at home. 
• Mark your luggage well. Make sure your name, address, and phone number are highly visible in at least two places. Also, the more visually striking your luggage, the better.  Nothing is more eye-catching than brightly colored duct tape.
• Heed the airport announcer’s warning—watch your bags at all times. The automated voice may become monotonous background noise after a while, but turning around to discover your luggage missing will make you wish you had listened.
• Be especially watchful at the baggage claim. When several flights arrive, it can be the busiest spot in the airport. Someone plucking a bag off the carousel that may or may not be theirs could go unnoticed.
• Plastic cable ties, or the twisty-ties that close bread bags, are excellent ways to secure your luggage.  They take longer for thieves to remove, and because the would-be thief knows this, they probably won’t even bother trying. As for padlocks? TSA’s practice is to cut them off. Save the few dollars for coffee on a rainy day.
• If you have any valuables, try to fit them into your carry-on bag. Expensive electronics and jewelry are the holy grail for thieves, so keep them as safe-guarded as possible—with you.

Crowded terminals and claustrophobic gates are not where most of us wish to spend our holidays, but following safe travel tips can make the holiday rush a little more manageable. And perhaps even enjoyable.

For all your insurance needs, e-mail or call Homer Smith Insurance at 888-433-0031. An independent insurance agency, we are licensed in Washington state, as well as Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona.

Erin Stork, Homer Smith Insurance

In Winter, it doesn’t take a lot to get a Ding in your Windshield

Here in the Pacific Northwest, lots of towns use sand or gravel on the road rather than salt when it snows. This means that it doesn’t take a lot for a little pebble to fly into your window and leave an ugly blemish. This doesn’t mean though that you will have to replace the whole windshield. If you carry comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, you might be better off to repair the damage instead of replacing the whole windshield.

You’re asking why? It’s pretty easy, if you do have comprehensive coverage and the ding can be repaired, you don’t have to pay any deductible on this repair-job. But if the whole windshield needs to be replaced, you have to pay the deductible, as defined in your policy.

So remember, if you get one of those ugly blemishes, check into your coverage and see if it can be fixed. You won’t regret doing this, as it might save you money.

If you have any questions on your auto insurance in the Seattle or Tacoma area, please don’t hesitate to visit our website, send us an email or give us a call us at 888-433-0031. We offer free quotes or review of your current coverage. Homer Smith Insurance is an independent insurance agency serving Washington, but we are also licensed for Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona.

Your Homer Smith Insurance Team

The Risk of getting robbed over the Holidays!

Every year during the Holidays the number of house thefts is skyrocketing, not only in the greater Seattle area, but everywhere in the US. Burglars take advantage of people frequently being away over Christmas and New Year, visiting friends and family. We all know it, and unfortunately there is only little we can do to avoid it. But by being alert and taking some precautions you can minimize the risk. Here are some tips:

• Before you go away for the holidays, get a timer that switches different lights in your house on and off at various times. Maybe you can even through a radio into the rotation.
• Ask one of your neighbors to go by the house daily, pick up the mail and check on everything.
• Be cautious about the valuables you leave at home and where you store them. Try to find a good hiding place for jewelry and other precious things that you are not taking with you and that you don’t keep in a bank deposit box.
• Check and be sure your locks are in impeccable working condition.
• And lastly, don’t forget to make sure your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy is up to date.

This will give you peace of mind and hopefully prevent a break-in. And if it doesn’t, at least you were able to limit the hassle to a minimum.

Give us a call at 888-433-0031 or visit our website and let us help you to review your policy or get a free quote. Homer Smith Insurance is an independent insurance agency serving Washington, but we are also licensed for Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona.

Your Homer Smith Insurance Team

Are you in college, live on a tight budget, and need affordable car insurance?

At Homer Smith Insurance we are dedicated to help you find an easy and fast way to get affordable auto insurance, especially in the greater Seattle area. So far, your parents have been covering you on their auto insurance policy. But the day will come, when your parents will announce that it’s time for you to take care of your own insurance. That’s when we come into play. Just send us an email or give us a quick call and we will help you find a decent coverage at a price you can afford – quick and easy, no headache involved.

A good driving record helps to keep the premium down, and if your grades are good, you might even get the good student discount.

We at Homer Smith Insurance are aiming to make your insurance purchase as easy as every other shopping experience online. Visit our website for a free quote or call us at 888-433-0031 to discuss your situation. We are an independent insurance agency serving Washington, but we are also licensed for Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona.

Your Homer Smith Insurance Team

Covered or not covered – that’s the question.

Homeowner’s insurance policies can be difficult to understand and we are trying to help you do just that. To collect on a loss, the damage must be to “covered property”. The following two examples show what this can mean:

During a windstorm in Seattle a large tree falls on an insured’s house. Payment will be made to remove the tree and repair the damage to the house. Another insured has a tree fall during the same windstorm, missing his house just barely, but still making a mess to the property. Although there was substantial cost to remove the tree, there was no coverage.

A hot water tank bursts in a home in Tacoma, causing water to flood into the basement. Coverage is provided to remove the water from the basement and make repairs due to this water damage.

Another hot water tank burst causing a lot of water to flow into the dirt crawlspace. The water must be removed, but this time it’s not covered by the homeowner’s policy.

Call Homer Smith Insurance at 888-433-0031 or visit our website for a coverage review or a free quote. We have been selling Homeowner’s insurance in the greater Seattle and Tacoma area, Washington for almost 60 years. We can help you with all your insurance needs and we are also licensed for Oregon, California, Nevada and Arizona.

Your Homer Smith Insurance Team