Damage history: 2008

Avoid Hurricane Damage With These Preventative Tips

How to Avoid Hurricane Damage

Once an impending hurricane hits, there often is little that can be done. Luckily, there are preventative measures that you can take to protect your property against wind and water damage.

These steps range from those best left to professionals to those for do-it-yourselfers.

Before making structural changes to your property, check local building codes and keep in mind that not all homes require the same degree of storm protection. For example, areas with a high likelihood of hurricanes and other strong storms may benefit greatly from "hurricane straps," while this may not be an advisable investment for other property owners.

Check with your local American Red Cross or other emergency management offices for information on the area's flood elevation, which can help you determine how much water is likely to flow into your property.

Also, remember that homeowners insurance does not cover flooding, so it is important to purchase flood insurance. Note: It will be 30 days before the policy takes effect, so don't wait until the storm warning appears.

Securing the Roof

High winds can cause your roofing structure to fail, if the sheathing is not properly installed.

Roofs are designed to transfer the force of high winds down to the foundation. If the roof sheathing is not nailed into the rafters or trusses of your roofing structure, then it can fail to perform as designed.

From the attic, examine the roofing boards for proper installation. When replacing your roof, make sure that the sheathing complies with the latest industry standards.

Check for proper bracing of your roof's gables, the upper portion of a sidewall that comes to a triangular point at the ridge of a sloping roof. From inside the attic space, you should see X-shaped supports in these areas. If these supports are not in place, be sure to hire a contractor to brace them properly.

Hurricane straps, which are galvanized metal braces that keep the roof securely fastened to the walls of a home or building, are advised for properties in areas with a high hurricane risk. Installing braces should be left to a licensed professional.

Securing Windows and Doors

Your property's windows and doors must be properly braced to withstand the high winds of hurricanes, because, if breached, the resulting high pressure can cause serious damage to your walls and roofing structure.

Protect your property's vulnerable openings with storm shutters. They can be purchased for exposed windows, skylights, doors and other glass surfaces. They are available in steel, wood or aluminum. Their protection benefit can be mimicked with plywood.

Also most bolts that come with your doors are not capable of withstanding the high winds associated with hurricanes. Reinforcing bolts to secure your doors to the top and bottom frame will ensure that your doors will be able to handle the storm.

Protecting Home Systems from Flooding

Your electrical system can be ravaged by flooding. To minimize and prevent damage to this vital system, make sure that the main electrical panel board and all electrical outlets and switches are located at least 12 inches above the flood elevation for your area. If not, consider elevating all wire and service lines 12 inches above the flood elevation, but be sure that all electrical wiring is done be a licensed electrician.

Electrically run units, such as washers, dryers, furnaces and water heaters, should be moved to a higher level or elevated at least 12 inches above the flood elevation, if possible. A base of concrete or pressure treated lumber that can hold the weight may be used to elevate the units. Consider building a flood wall around these units, if they cannot be relocated.

To prevent floating and potential spills, anchor fuel tanks to the floor and be sure that vents and openings are above projected flood elevation.

To protect your floor drain, install a float plug and a licensed plumber should put in a backflow valve to prevent sewage back up.

ACCORD Restoration specializes in clean-up, repair, restoration and rebuilding after fires, floods, storms or natural disasters. We offer reliable, 24/7/365 emergency services carried out with expert craftsmanship.

To learn more visit http://www.accordrestoration.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Nemshick

Tornado Damage Ratings - Understanding the Enhanced Fujita Scale

When you hear about an F-2 tornado in Stokesdale, NC or see an F5 tornado video on the Internet the "F" refers to the Fujita scale (F-Scale). The Fujita scale was introduced in 1971 as a way to rate the intensity of a tornado based on the amount of damage done to man-made structures and vegetation. It was developed by Tetsuya Fujita and Allen in Kansas City, Missouri.

Because many of the factors used by the Fujita scale were subjective and ambiguous a new scale was introduced. This new scale is called the Enhanced Fujita Scale or EF Scale and went into effect on February 1, 2007. The Enhanced Fujita Scale better reflects tornado damage in relation to wind speeds. The EF Scale also introduced 28 damage indicators to reflect the types of structures or vegetation that were damaged.

EF-0 category tornadoes have wind speeds of 65-85 mph and are known to have caused light damage often from fallen trees and branches. It should be noted that a tornado that did not cause any confirmed damaged is always rated an EF-0.

EF-1 category tornadoes have wind speeds of 86-110 mph and are known to have caused moderate damage. This could include mobile homes being overturned and damage to rooftops.

EF-2 category tornadoes have wind speeds of 111-135 mph and are known to have caused considerable damage. An EF-2 tornado is powerful enough to lift a car off the ground and destroy some small structures.

EF-3 category tornadoes have wind speeds of 136-165 mph and are known to have caused severe damage. At this intensity level well constructed homes will be destroyed and larger buildings will suffer considerable damage.

EF-4 category tornadoes have wind speeds of 166-200 mph and are known to have caused devastating damage. At this level even well constructed homes can be completely leveled. Cars can also be picked up off of the ground and thrown great distances.

EF-5 category tornadoes have wind speeds of over 200 mph and are known to have caused incredible damage. At this level entire neighborhoods might be swept away.

Since the Enhanced Fujita scale went into effect in 2007 there has only been one recorded EF-5 tornado. That tornado occurred in Greensburg, Kansas on May 4, 2007. Video footage from this tornado reveals widespread devastation rarely seen before.

Jerry Iannucci operates a website devoted to online tornado videos. For the best tornado videos please visit: http://www.BestTornadoVideos.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_Iannucci

Cleaning Fire Smoke Damage Smell

Cleaning fire and smoke smell is one of the most important activities that is required after the fire has damaged your homes and its contents. It is important to take immediate and appropriate action. Carpets, draperies, upholstered furniture and clothing usually can be refurbished after a fire, unless they have been scorched or severely water damaged. The most iportant thing to do is get professional help from a experienced fire smoke damage company.

Smoke odor could remain in clothing, upholstered furniture, carpets and draperies unless it is properly deodorized. Fire restoration professionals and some dry cleaners use a deodorizing process for cleaning fire and smoke smell. They actually break up the smoke molecule to eliminate the odor. This deodorization process is called the ozone treatment. The ozone treatment produces an oxidizing agent that creates the same sweet smelling air associated with a rain storm. The ozone treatment can be done by a fire restoration professional at the home with an ozone generator. Sometimes household textiles are deodorized in an ozone room. If the process is done at home, clothing, upholstered furniture and other textile items are put under a tent while the ozone generator is operating. It is an effective method for cleaning fire smoke damage smell. Clothing and other textile items should be deodorized before they are cleaned; otherwise, the smoke odor could be set in the fabric.

Smoke can enter and remain in and between the walls of the living space. If it is not properly removed, the smoke odor reoccurs from time to time, particularly during damp periods. Therefore, action should be taken to properly remove all smoke odors. Fire restoration professionals can help you in cleaning fire smoke damage smell and eliminating the smoke odor with a process called thermal fogging. This process opens the pores in the walls and neutralizes the smoke odor. There is probably no process a home owner could use that would work as effectively as thermal fogging. If the attic has been insulated prior to the fire, it may be necessary to remove the insulation. Insulation cannot be cleaned; unfortunately, it will need to be replaced because insulation retains smoke odors. Also cleaning the walls and ceiling and painting them is a good idea depending on the amount of smoke damge.

Soiled clothing is cleaned by a variety of laundry methods. Cleaning fire and smoke smell from all clothes with same method is not possible. To effectively remove soot and smoke damage from household textile items such as carpet, draperies and upholstered furniture, it is necessary to use the appropriate chemicals, the right equipment and judgment that come from experience. Properly trained fire restoration professionals have the knowledge and materials to refurbish household textiles after a fire.

The most important guideline for home owners to remember while cleaning fire and smoke smell is not to begin cleaning until the visible soil and smoke odor are removed. In the long run, money can be saved by contacting a fire restoration professional immediately. These experts can be identified through friends whom may had to go through this, or in the yellow pages under water and fire restoration and generally are willing to travel several miles to restore a home.

Ross Morrell is an industry professional and a specialist in fire and flood restoration, mold remediation, disaster clean up, reconstruction, carpet cleaning, tile and grout cleaning and air duct cleaning. He has written numerous articles on these various topics for http://www.fireandfloodrepair.com He has many intresting topics and ideas to give our customers important information and basic knowledge... Check out more of his articles.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ross_Morrell

Storm Damage Can Be 'Upsetting'

An increasing number of homeowners are finding their property has been damaged by the elements, it has been suggested.

Figures released by Abbey indicate that over the course of the past week, when high winds and storms have battered many parts of England and Wales, the number of insurance claims it has received has gone up by more than half. During the last seven days, the financial services firm reveals that claims made have gone up by over 55 per cent - the biggest increase noted since the floods seen in the summer of last year.

Tony Beckwith, spokesperson for Abbey Insurance, added that such damage can be "upsetting and inconvenient", with the insurance provider stating that storms and floods are increasingly becoming a part of the country's typical weather. As such, homeowners were advised to be "prepared for the worst".

Research from the company also showed that the typical claim received for storm damage over the course of last year stood at 913 pounds. Meanwhile, the average claim for harm to property via flooding accounted for 15,530 pounds.

However, it may be possible that those consumers who have failed to take out home insurance - or who hold a sufficient policy - may come under monetary pressures. After incurring damage to their property by the elements, whether this is from floods, fire or a storm, it is possible that these homeowners will have to dip into their own pockets to pay for the cost of repairs. This could have an impact upon their capacity to meet other demands on their finances, such as household bills, mortgage or rent costs, loans and credit cards.

To help minimise the impact of storm and flood damage, homeowners were advised to make certain all insurance documents and other important paperwork is kept in a watertight container, while details of a provider's hotline should also be kept close to hand. In addition, Abbey urged people to make sure that they keep a torch in a place that is easily accessible in the event of a power failure. Consumers were also reminded of the need to be aware how to turn off their electricity and water supplies.

For consumers looking for an effective way to fund the repair of a home after storm or flood damage, a home loan could be of assistance. By taking out such a loan it is possible that homeowners can afford the cost of materials and hiring qualified professionals to carry out such work and are left with a low-cost rate of repayment. Furthermore, getting out a homeowner loan could provide borrowers with the additional financial resources to allow them to take out comprehensive insurance cover.

This type of loan could be of particular help to people carrying out home improvement projects. Research by Halifax Home Insurance indicated that a quarter of all major property renovation tasks go over budget each year at a total cost of 4.7 billion pounds. Around a fifth of consumers claim that they simply underestimated the full expense of work such as refurbishing kitchens and bathrooms. Meanwhile, the average improvement project was revealed to be worth 10,320 pounds.

Tom Dawson writes for Essentially Home Loans UK where visitors can apply for cheap personal loans online, and also focuses on secured UK loans for homeowners. Visit Today

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Storm Damage and Mature Tree Pruning

One winter evening I was working on the computer when the power went out. The freezing rain that had been forecast must have been the culprit. It was getting late so I went to bed figuring we would have power again by morning.
Thunder and lightning woke me a couple times, but then I heard something a little different. An explosive popping sound followed by what seemed to be a shower of sparks. In my minds eye I tried to picture the cause of this sound. An exploding power transformer with hot lines arcing around it? There is nothing like a puzzle to keep me awake; but I didn’t want to get up and lose the warmth I had built up under the blankets. Just drifting off again I heard the sound repeated but up the hill behind my house and more distant... more crackly sounding but still accompanied by the sparkling shattering sound my ears were now more tuned in to analyze. Suddenly realizing the impact this freezing rain was having I shot out of bed and ran to the window. Large tree limbs were on the ground. Major branches were bending under the cumulative weight of the ice; then noisily busting sending thousands of 3” icicles to break with a sparkly shattering sound.
Well the power was out for days for many, and the damage to the trees and landscape is still being cleaned up. After a damaging storm you always see a migration of tree company trucks to the area. Many of the local tree care, and landscape businesses have their hands full assisting their customer base. The city workers are also busy as these crews and residents move debris to the street for collection. The effects of such a storm can be seen in the landscape for years to come. Storms can cause limbs to break and trees to fall. A large damaged tree branch can be extremely heavy and dangerous to remove or trim. Removing large branches from a mature tree safely requires special training and often specialized equipment. Also the way this damage is dealt with impacts on the health of the tree. If you value your trees (yes I know they are all valuable) or fear a tree becoming a hazard, I would suggest you find a certified arborist.
One good first test of an arborist is:
Tell them you need your trees topped.
If they say “Sure, no problem.” move on till you find one that knows what is good for the long term health of a tree.
There are plenty of crews in your town that can carve up your trees for you; but it may take diligence to find a crew trained in the proper pruning of mature trees. Everyone appreciates the hardworking and practical service of the local jobber cleaning up a storms mess, but if you have issues with major branches of a large tree, do generations to come a favor and search out an International Society of Arboriculture certified arborist.
A good certified arborist with integrity will only perform ISA accepted practices. Branches are not removed without good reason. They do not “top” tree’s, remove excessive amounts of live wood, or use climbing spikes on a tree (unless it is being removed). A good arborist knows how to make removal of a desirable tree the last option, and will make pruning decisions that will enhance the health of the tree and reduce possible hazards.
Pruning Cuts on a Mature Tree
Regardless who is doing the pruning or why, final pruning cuts should be made just outside a growth of bark cells called the branch collar. The branch collar is a collar of growth made of parent branch (trunk) tissue where the branch meets the trunk (or parent branch) and care should be taken to not cut or remove it. This is true for dead, damaged or living branches. Do not remove the actively growing cells of the branch collar. These cells are the trees way of closing the wound. The branch collar grows a bit out and angled away from the parent, so if you make a flush cut against the trunk, the branch collar has been removed and the wound will not close. Conversely if you cut far away from the trunk the branch collar is not near the cut where they can grow over the wound. Improper pruning cuts can hurt your trees.
Take notice of trees with dieback of the bark on branches and down the trunks. Often you can tell it was from a flush cut or an end cut. Other times it may be a storm damaged branch that wasn’t removed and it died back to the trunk and on down.
If removing a large limb, first its weight should be reduced to prevent tearing the bark when the branch falls. Make a shallow cut from the bottom of the branch a foot or so out from the branches point of attachment. Then finish cut from the top, above or a little further out on the branch. This leaves a lighter and more manageable stub. The stub is then removed while taking care to not remove the branch collar. This technique reduces the possibility of tearing the bark.
A garden center manager, writer, musician and webmaster; Lee Goins is often called on as an expert in landscaping and gardening. Residents of Shelby County Ohio have been bringing him pieces of trees, moldy leaves, and jars of bugs for 8 years in spite of the well publicized knowledge he prefers chocolate. His gardening help has been featured on TV, Radio, Newspapers and websites like http://www.shelbylandscaping.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lee_Goins

Who Needs Flood Insurance, You?

If you live in a flood prone area, you probably already know a few things about flood insurance. You know that most homeowners insurance policies do not cover floods caused by storms. You may have neighbors or friends who have lost everything they own because of a sudden flood caused by a hurricane or sudden storm. And even though we tend to associate flood damage with coastal areas, they can occur in every state. A lot of flood damage is caused by melting snow in areas that are thousands of miles from the coast!
Flood insurance comes from a special policy that is backed by the federal government with cooperation from local communities and private insurance companies. Dozens of private insurance companies write and service flood insurance policies for the government, and the policies are financed through insurance premiums. So you will generally contact a local property insurance agent, which could be the same person who would handle normal homeowners or auto insurance companies.
Many people don't realize they need flood insurance. However, statistics show that over a quarter of homes will suffer flood damage during the course of a 30 year mortgage. Only 9% of homes, during the same mortgage period, will suffer fire damage. Of course, almost all homes are protected against fire damage through normal homeowners policies, but they are not protected for flood damage! Furthermore, average claims for those who do have flood damage, and are protected by flood insurance are from $15,000 to $20,000! You can see that the claims are not trivial. Also consider that you will need temporary housing or relocation assistance if you cannot stay in your home while it is being repaired, or if it must be rebuilt somewhere else.
Where To Get Flood Insurance Program Help
You can visit the FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) website for more information on the National Flood Insurance Program. You can download a flood insurance manual, and also learn how to assess your own property's risk of flood damage.
Some of the information on the FEMA website is aimed at homeowners, but other information is highly technical. You may want to get help in a form that has already been broken down for your situation, and your local area. When you want to obtain flood insurance, an experienced local property insurance agent will probably be able to help you out.
For more information on National Flood Insurance in the US, or to find a Flood Insurance Agent visit us at:
http://www.nationalfloodinsurance.net -- US Flood Insurance Information
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marilyn_Katz

Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance Claim Guide

This is a FREE Insurance Claim Guide

Your “Motor Vehicle” can be a truck, car, motorcycle - - you name it! If it’s powered by a motor and has one, two, three, four (or even more) wheels this “Guide” is for you.

The information below is a bare-bones “Guide” for those who have had such a motor vehicle accident. It details the basics of how one should with their property damage and/or personal injury claim.

AFTER IMPACT CHECKLIST

We heartily suggest you make a copy of this "Impact Checklist" to be kept handy within the confines of your motor vehicle. A “Guide” to refer to so you’ll be certain, should an accident take place, that you’ve covered everything.

Other than the fact that one must obtain from the other operator, both their drivers license and motor vehicle registration information, you should also proceed to do the following:

IMMEDIATELY MAKE SPECIAL NOTE OF: Names and addresses of eye witnesses. And later the investigating police officers name and badge number. WEATHER CONDITIONS: Snow, rain, fog, mist, sleet, etc. ROAD SURFACE: Dry, wet, slippery, icy, etc.IMPACT AREA: City, suburban, business, wooded, etc. VISIBILITY: Sunny, cloudy, dusk, night, moonlight, etc. (Was the sun in the other driver’s face)? TRAFFIC CONTROLS: Were there overhead lights? Posted speed limit signs? Stop or warning signs? Hospital or school zone signs? CREATE A DIAGRAM: Driving area: Flat, crowned, straight, curved, macadam, asphalt, concrete, cobblestone, dirt, etc. Indicate the width of street. Show the location of impact, gouge and/or skid marks. CONDITION OF MOTOR VEHICLE THAT STRUCK YOU: Age and general overall condition. Is their state inspection sticker displayed and up to date? Were chains or snow tires needed? AS SOON AS POSSIBLE RETURN TO THE SCENE AND SNAP PHOTOGRAPHS: It’s most important to take pictures of: Skid or gouge mark’s on the road surface plus the damage to both vehicles. PHOTOS OF YOUR BODILY INJURIES: It's crucial to the ultimate value of your claim to snap a multitude of colored photos (up close and from different angles) of your bodily injuries - - especially all black and blue marks or bruises.

INSIGHTS INTO HANDLING YOUR CLAIM (There Are Six Areas You Must Be Familiar With) 1. Out-Of-Pocket Expenses 2. Lost Time From Work - Lost Wages 3. Property Damage Losses 4. What Your Medical Doctor And/Or Chiropractor Reports Should State 5. Medical Payments Coverage 6. What To Do If An Adjuster Refuses To Cooperate

You Should Go Into Detail Regarding These (Below Listed) Six Areas:

(1) OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES:These are expenses that can be measured in definite sums of money. They are the foundation of the calculations used to award damages (including that often great and extra amount paid to you for your “Pain and Suffering”) regarding any financial loss flowing directly from the injury you may have sustained.

MEDICAL EXPENSES: Obtain all bills and services rendered. (Prior to their being sent out, you have ever right to ask for and read the crucial Final Reports regarding your physical condition from your Doctor, Chiropractor, “Medical Specialist” and/or Dentist).Medical Expenses Typically Include: Ambulance ~ Emergency Room ~ Hospital or Clinic ~ Laboratory Fees and Services ~ Diagnostic Tests: (X-rays and/or CT Scan) ~ Registered or Practical Nurse Fees ~ Medicine and/or Prescription Medications ~ Prosthetic Appliances or Surgical Apparatus (Canes & crutch, etc.) ~ Physical Therapy ~ Ace Bandages, Gauze & Tape ~ Heating Pads ~ Creams, Ointments, Balms & Salves. As you read them make sure these Medical Reports include the length of time of your “Total Disability” and/or your “Partial Disability”. These are of enormous value because they justify the often HUGE, extra payment made for your “Pain and Suffering” . (Plus this information will also prove your claim for Lost Wages).

NON-MEDICAL DAMAGE EXPENSES. These include: Lost Wages and Earnings ~ Lost Vacation Time and/or Sick Leave ~ Travel Expenses: (Transportation costs incurred getting to and from The Doctor and/or Hospital, etc.) ~ Household Help During Disability ~ Child Care During Recuperation.

(2) LOST TIME FROM WORK - - LOST WAGES - - YOUR "LOSS EARNING CAPACITY": The weeks, hours and/or days you were unable to work (thus the money you may have lost) is added up and documented on company letterhead. You’re often entitled to compensation for “Lost Time and Earnings” even if you have no actual loss of money ! Such as, for example, if your salary is paid by some other insurance coverage you may have or by taking sick leave or some other similar arrangement. It doesn’t matter if you're employed full time, part time, self-employed, own your own business, retired, unemployed, or a housewife not employed outside the home, you should keep a written record of all household help and/or child care needed during your disability period.

All of these constitute an element of your “SPECIAL DAMAGES” mainly "Lost Wages". Insurance companies usually don't view your time away from work (because of an injury) as “Lost Time And Earnings” but as “Lost Earning Capacity”. In most states one is entitled to compensation for lost time and earnings even if they have no loss of money. For example, when your salary is paid for by another insurance coverage you have or by taking sick leave and/or some other similar type of arrangement. There are specific situations to be considered and called to the forefront when it comes to being employed either full-time or part-time. More detailed information (regarding these above stated area’s of your loss) are found in CHAPTER FOUR “Damages” within the book AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM.

(3) PROPERTY DAMAGE LOSSES: “AGREED COST TO REPAIR”: This figure has been negotiated between your damage repair person and the insurance adjuster. Be sure you know (and possess a written copy of) exactly what that figure is.COLLISION: There's usually a deductible. Read your policy. (If you’re not at fault you should eventually be able to get this money back).PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY: Protects you for damages you do to the property of another (i.e. his or her trees, lawn, shrubs, mailbox, etc.) EXCLUSIONS: These are stated in your policy. A good rule of thumb is, “If it’s not excluded, it’s covered”. Read your policy closely to discover your exclusions and how they apply. TOTAL LOSS: A “Total Loss” is when the motor vehicle damage exceeds the value of the vehicle, as stated within all of the up-to-date and “Official” Property Damage books and/or documents. OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE LOSSES: Clothing, jewelry, watches, eye or sunglasses, etc. You can also collect for your (or any other individuals) personal property which happened to be in the car and was damaged. (Be sure to have written proof of the cost of each item damaged plus the date it was purchased). Never forget: You’re entitled to be reimbursed for any charges you may have incurred for towing, storage and/or substitute motor vehicle rental, or for that matter - - any other alternate transportation.

The above is a very brief review. For more in-depth information read CHAPTER FIVE: PROPERTY DAMAGE found in AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM.

(4) WHAT YOUR MEDICAL DOCTOR AND/OR CHIROPRACTOR REPORT SHOULD STATE: Each “Injury Evaluation Factor” should be clearly stated within each of your final Medical Reports. For example: That your disability is solely the result of the accident. If there were any pre-existing conditions aggravated by your injuries? What treatments were administered and for what duration? What medications were prescribed, in what amounts and for how long? What symptoms or medical problems were such medications meant to relieve? Were there any adverse reactions demonstrated? Ask to read them before they're sent to the adjuster so you're sure it explains the nature, plus the extent and frequency of the pain that an injury, such as yours, will likely cause.

PROGNOSIS: This is the clearly stated information (regarding your personal injury progress) and should include: The part played by a pre-existing condition, if any? Their prediction of any possible future temporary disability/impairments? Does the individual attending you anticipate any further or future treatments? LENGTH OF YOUR “TOTAL” DISABILITY: Why? Because it's so important (when it comes time to settle) this is clearly stated in weeks and days. LENGTH OF YOUR “PARTIAL” DISABILITY: Again (and for the same reason as above) this too should be clearly stated in weeks and days. (Specific details, regarding both “Partial” and “Total” Disability , and the incredible value it provides for you in your claim, are found in CHAPTER SIX: YOUR BODILY INJURY).

(5) MEDICAL PAYMENTS COVERAGE: If you have this coverage in your motor vehicle policy, it will pay (up to the limits stated) for all medical bills arising out of the accident - - regardless of who’s at fault! (You must read your policy carefully because the “Who”, “Why” and/or “How” of this often differs).

A WORD ABOUT HEALTH INSURANCE PLANS: In certain instances, it may be possible to have your medical bills paid and yet avoid any repayment by tapping into your health insurance coverage, or some other plan you may have. (Yes, this means, under certain circumstances, you may be able to collect twice for the same medical bills)!

(6) WHAT TO DO IF THE ADJUSTER REFUSES TO COOPERATE? These Are Your Usual And Routine Choices: a. Threaten that you're going to obtain the services of a lawyer to represent you. b. Go over the adjuster’s head. c. Resolve your loss in Small Claims Court. d. Contact the proper people (working through the State Department of Insurance) implementing the time honored principle of “Good Faith” vs. “Bad Faith”.

All the information necessary for you to deal with and handle the above issues are spelled out within the contents of AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss) found on the internet at http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com or http://www.caraccidentclaims.com. This book also contains BASE (The Baldyga Auto Accident Settlement Formula). THE BASE FORMULA will tell you exactly how many dollars the "Pain and Suffering" you endured are worth.

DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this article is to help people understand the motor vehicle accident claim process. Dan Baldyga, does not offer a guarantee of any kind whatsoever, NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like. Where such professional help is desired it is the INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBLY to obtain such services.

About The Author

For over 30 years Dan Baldyga was a Claims Adjuster, Supervisor, Manager and Trial Assistant. He is now retired and spends his time attempting to assist those involved in motor vehicle accident claim so they will not be taken advantage of. dbpaw@comcast.net

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Is Art a Gift, Or Brain Damage?

Call it the "parietal paradox": Patients with a variant of frontotemporal dementia-in which selective involvement of the left anterior temporal lobe has been detected-suddenly exhibit an ability to create startling works of art when no previous talent or even interest had been documented. In other cases, experienced artists go on to produce paintings that are as striking as anything found in their entire body of work. ~ Fred Balzac

Recently on one of the TV news magazines I saw a feature that linked brain damage (stroke) to personality changes that included an unleashing of compulsive creativity. This phenomena sparked my reading and that reading supported the premise of that TV show. It made me wonder. It made me wonder about myself.

I am not a well-known artist. Some people call what I do a hobby. For me, the art (the poetry, the doll making, journaling, blogging, jewelry making, the Paper Mache, the novels, and all that creative stuff I do) is not a hobby. I feel insulted when what I do is called a hobby. While I may lack talent, and I am unsuccessful by most of the measuring sticks on earth, I think of myself as an artist. What I'm wondering about right now is WHY. Why do I create? Why does anyone create? Why is my art so constantly on my mind? I've had no stroke. I'm unaware of any brain damage. It is certainly possible that I have some birth-defective brain that has changed my left anterior temporal lobe, but if so, I don't know anything about that.

I remember once, in a group session with Lili Parish, my shrink/friend, someone in the group implied that my abilities to paint pictures and write poetry were "gifts." The suggestion made was that some people have the gift, and other people didn't. I argued about this train of thought.

What I believe is that if you had drawn as many pictures as I have drawn, you would be at least as good an artist as I am, and you would probably be better. I am not sure how many little cartoons, and serious paintings I have completed, but I would estimate it is in the thousands. I have been drawing since before I started school. Instead of paying attention in class I was drawing on my notebook paper. I draw and write every day, and have missed days with my art only after surgery or when overwhelmed by my daily life [like the days I spent moving to Oklahoma City from Lakeland Florida.] In a similar way, as a kid, I demonstrated zero athletic skill. I couldn't throw a football. I knew guys that could throw like a pro, but that was a "gift" I did not seem to have. Of course those guys good at throwing footballs had been tossing a ball around for years.

The more you do what you do the better you will do what you do. This was my explanation for what abilities I had, as well as the abilities other people have that I don't. I am terrible at playing the Sitar. Does Ravi Shankar have a gift that I have been denied, or was he a gifted Sitar player because he spent his life playing the Sitar while I have never actually seen one in person?

This rationale goes a long way towards explaining talent, at least in my mind. In Renaissance Italy they didn't have a lot of historically great ballplayers, but their culture didn't care that much about a kids throwing ability. In Renaissance Italy they support art. So if a kid was drawing on the wall, and if some passing adult noticed the drawing, and said it looked good [for a kid that age], that kid would be encourage to do more of that activity. The more the kid is encouraged, praised, and urged on, the more they will do what is getting this positive feedback, and eventually they will have an artistic gift. In the 1940's if a little kid threw a rock and it went further than a passing adult thought was normal for a kid that age, they immediately would think, "Baseball!"

Another behaviorist shrink/friend of mine, named James Cail, use to say, "People do what they get paid to do." What he meant by that is that people can be paid with money, or just positive feedback, but if they are getting something out of the activity they will keep doing that activity. Vincent Van Gogh. only sold one painting in his life time, but that does not mean he was not getting paid. There were people in his life that admired, and supported and encouraged his artistic activities.

But maybe, just getting positive feedback, and spending your life doing a particular artistic activity is not all of the answer. The people on that TV show who had strokes started doing art compulsively and they had no life of practicing that art. They just suddenly had to be artists. Their ability can be questioned. Some of the work seemed especially primitive, but then no more primitive than modern art by a hundred other accepted and admired artists.

Could it be that creativity is always linked to some quirk of the brain, or were these stroke victim artists just a aberration, and that artistic talent is normally, and mostly often the result of the ole "practice makes perfect" sort of stuff?

Here is what I think. I want to believe that artistic ability is not a gift. Because that is what I want to believe, I look for quotes and data that supports that view.

Why do I want to believe that artistic ability is not a gift? Because I don't feel gifted. If it is a gift, then it is possible that I didn't get the gift, or that the size of my gift is small. If art is a gift then I am limited by that truth. If artistic ability is developed then there are no limits on what I could accomplish artistically. Not only can I go as far as I choose to go with my art, but this would be equally true for you. Anyone, and everyone could be and do whatever they wanted if they just put their mind to it, work art for it, and sustain their interest, motivation, and practice.

So while there may be little fissures in the brain that can contribute to a creativity compulsion, I still lean to the POV that artistic ability is developed by creating art.

Tex Norman
http://thegentlejourney.blogspot.com/
http://www.lulu.com/texnorman

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tex_Norman

$Tex Norman - EzineArticles Expert Author$

How To Detect And Avoid Buying Flood-Damaged Cars

Cars that went through flood damage are often disguised as vehicles being offered for an exceptionally great price. However, these cars and trucks are often just water and flood damage vehicles that have been poorly cleaned or restored.

A car that survived flood damage is likely to smell like mold or mildew. It is very difficult to dry out the fabric interior of a vehicle in the event of a flood, and the giveaway will probably be in the odors inside the car. Try not to be fooled by car fresheners or fabric sprays. If it looks like the seller is trying to mask a scent, there is probably a reason.

In the dome light, headlights, or taillights there is likely to be signs of trapped water. Check under the seats and in all compartments for other indications of water. Areas where it appears that dirt has accumulated could be signs of a flood, and the dirt that a flood brings can be filled with waste and bacteria. Even if you feel like this could be cleaned, flood damage on cars pose other risks.

If the vehicle has a lot of rust inconsistent with its age, then that could also be a red flag. Also check for rust in the undercarriage of a vehicle, as well as under the hood. Vehicles affected by floods and standing water will rust very quickly, and rust is difficult to mask or get rid of. It also further brings down the value of a car.

If there are several new updates to the vehicle, such as new carpeting or exterior body work, then that is also a warning sign. While this may appear to be a nice update to the outside of the vehicle, it could be a sign of damages to the interior, electrical, and technical parts of the car. In addition, fabrics in a vehicle that seem especially faded or discolored can also be a sign of flood damage. Take the car for a test drive and check all electrical systems, lights, clocks, and sound equipment. Take a look at the wires as well, because when wires are wet and become dry, they are often stiff.

Try and get opinions from trusted sources. Getting a vehicle history report from CarFax is always a good idea to check cars from flood damage incidents, but you may also want to consider taking the car to a mechanic that you know. They will be able to look at the car and perform certain tests on it to see if it is in decent working condition.

The effects of floods and excess water can be irreversible for several items, including vehicles. Even if you are not able to see the damage during a basic car inspection, in due time various parts or systems of the vehicle may begin failing. Even if you do not live in an area where floods are common, some sellers count on buyers to not look for flood damages on a vehicle. The money you will spend in repairs and replacements makes the deal on a flood-damaged vehicle not worth your time.

Pictures Of Termite Damage - Best Way To Educate Yourself On Termites

Pictures On The Web Of Termite Damage
If you have a suspicion that your home has a problem with termites, it would help you to have pictures of termite damage so that you can look for this in your own home. By comparing the pictures to what you see in your home, you will be able to assess your problem and take the necessary steps to eliminate it.
The damage caused by termites to the wood in the structure of your home can be overwhelming. In fact, they can gnaw at the very foundation of the home causing it to weaken and make it unsafe to inhabit. It will also cost an enormous amount of money to repair the damage. You can look for pictures of Termite damage on the Web and the details will be devastating.
Another disconcerting thought is that the pictures that you see on Termite damage can take place in your own home and you are probably totally unaware of it. Any wood structure can be damaged totally by termites - you should be aware that it is not a single termite but hundreds of them known as worker termites - they gnaw through the wood and feed the colony.
Advantages Of Termite Pictures
The pictures that you see on the Web of the damage done by termites and the destruction that they cause can help you to compare them to your own home if you suspect that there is a termite problem that you have to deal with. There is a trail left by these insects when they are attacking a certain area. Looking at the pictures of the devastation caused by termite damage, you can pin it down to your own home. Once this is done, you can call in the experts who will assess the situation and advise you on how to eliminate them.
The pictures that you see on the Web will show you the extent of the damage that these small creatures can create - by destroying the very foundation of your home, you will find that it is extremely unsafe to live in if the problem is not dealt with and allowed to spread. The scary fact is that unless you actually see the pictures and the damage that they cause, you may be blissfully unaware of what is going on in your house. The longer it is neglected the more dangerous it is for you to live there. It is absolutely essential that you view these pictures and educate yourself as to what to look for - once it is established that you have termite infestation, you can consult a professional and take their advice on how to handle the situation and be termite free.
Abhishek has got some great Termite Elimination Secrets up his sleeve! Download his FREE 79 Page Ebook, "How To Win Your War Against Termites!" from his website http://www.Wonder-Homes.com/117/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abhishek_Agarwal

Water Damage Repair Tips for Houston Residential

Houston water damage can have devastating consequences, while being hazardous to your health. Are you experiencing water damage in your home? Whether you have a simple water damage problem such as a broken water pipe or heavy flooding throughout your home, water damage can spread rapidly throughout your home, wreaking havoc in a short amount of time unless immediate action is taken decisively. You need the services of a professional residential service company that is available to help right away, any time of the day, when your emergency strikes.

How do you select a professional Houston water damage company?

There are several factors that you should consider when you choose a water damage team in Houston to address the water damage needs in your home.

• Timeliness: You will want to choose a water damage restoration team that is available to you when you need them. Most water damage repair companies are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

• Prompt Action: When water damage occurs, the results can be devastating if left unchecked. Acting quickly and decisively is very important in order to minimize the negative effects of water damage in your home. Mold and mildew can develop in a period of less than 48 hours if left unchecked.

• Certifications: Professional water damage repair teams have certifications and follow procedures and safety standards.

• Powerful Equipment: Water damage Houston repair teams come prepared with fast blowers and other powerful equipment that is best equipped to handle your water damage repair and restoration needs.

• Water Extraction: Professional water damage repair teams also focus upon extracting out all excess water from the home thoroughly. Dry homes will not have any mold. It is essential that all excess water be expunged from the home in order to prevent the buildup of bacterial mold and mildew.

• Cleaning Carpets and Upholstery: During the water extraction process, carpeting and upholstery should also be cleaned. Some companies such as Kiwi Carpet Cleaning offer these services in addition to their water damage extraction services as part of their comprehensive water damage repair services. Check with the company that you choose that they will both properly clean and sanitize all upholstery and carpeting that may have become wet, soiled, or dirty during flooding or heavy water damage.

• Clean Up Damage: Professional water damage Houston repair companies also clean up damage from pipe bursts, sink and tub overflow, sewer disinfection, hot water heater damage, and offer round-the-clock water extraction services.

• Focus on Drying: Professional water damage restoration teams always focus on drying out the walls and contents of your home to prevent the growth of bacterial mold and mildew and to maintain the structural integrity of your home.

• Air Ducts & Wood Floors: As part of a comprehensive water damage residential service package, professional water damage companies also offer to clean out the air ducts in your home and clean wood floors. Wood floors can get soiled, stained, accumulate dust and debris, and even begin to warp from heavy water over time. Addressing these problems immediately will prevent long-term damage to beautiful wood floors. Air ducts also may become clogged up from water, and dirt that has traveled during flooding from different parts of the house. Cleaning out the air ducts will ensure good air quality again in your home.

• As Best As Possible Conditions: Water damage teams that are doing their work well will try their best to leave your home in as close to an original state as possible, prior to water damage. This means that your home after treatment, should no longer be hazardous or unsanitary and that all excess water has been removed, the interior of the home dried and sanitized, all the contents of the home restored, air ducts and wood floors cleaned, and the structural integrity of the home maintained.

Kiwi Carpet Cleaning has been servicing their customers for more than twenty years. Water restoration is one of many services that Kiwi provides to their customers.

Kiwi provides houston water damage services: http://www.kiwiservices.com/houston-water-damage-repair.htm

Water Damage Prevention

Recovering from water damage is time consuming, aggravating and costly. These are all good reasons to take precautions to lessen the chances of your property being damaged by water or to reduce that amount of damage.

One way to prevent water damage is as easy as occasionally checking your plumbing system for leaks, including pipes and faucets in sinks, toilets, showers and bathtubs.

In particular, look for discoloration around sinks, as this may be an indication of a leaking pipe. For extra protection, re-caulk around sinks.

Preventing and repairing small problems, such as a toilet leak, could save you a lot of time and money in the long run. A leak left unchecked often requires the expertise of a professional to fix the damage.

Also, inspect the area surrounding water heaters and air conditioning units for wet spots. As preventative maintenance, have your air conditioner inspected by a professional at least once a year.

Sump pumps also should be checked for problems a few times a year.

On the outside of your home, regularly inspect your roof and gutter systems for problems.

Signs of water problems in your roofing system are broken or cracked shingles, damaged chimneys and vents, deterioration in roofing valleys and/or water stains on your ceilings. Detecting these minor problems early on can keep major problems from developing in the future. Serious roof damage can be very difficult and expensive to fix.

For your gutters, make sure they are free of debris, such as leaves and sticks. Consider installing gutter shields to prevent debris build up. Downspouts should be pointed away from your building to stop water accumulation at your home's foundation.

Here is a list of some steps you can take to remediate water damage before the professionals arrive:

* Remove standing water from the interior of your property. Try sweeping it outdoors, and then wet-vac the remainder.
* Relocate wet carpet and other water-logged items to a sunny area, if possible, to aid in the dry-out process.
* If possible, run a dehumidifier to help prevent mold growth and speed the drying process.
* Move debris and other items damaged beyond repair to the exterior of your property for easy pick up by trash haulers.
* Transfer valuables to a safe and dry place.
* Document property damage in writing and take photos, if possible, for insurance claim purposes and for the restoration professionals.

ACCORD Restoration specializes in clean-up, repair, restoration and rebuilding after fires, floods, storms or natural disasters. We offer reliable, 24/7/365 emergency services carried out with expert craftsmanship.

To learn more visit http://www.accordrestoration.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Nemshick

Storm Damage Prevention - Before and After the Storm

Storms can wreak havoc on any structure or building they comes across. Prepare for these potential disasters, especially if you live in an area prone to large storms, such as tornados and hurricanes, is essential.

Long before a storm hits, it is vital to know the ins and outs of your insurance policy.

Have your building appraised every five years and assessed for potential risks so that you and your insurance agency have the most up-to-date information.
Make any suggested changes to help prevent damage to your property.

A generator that can run your heating or air conditioning in the event of a power outage is an advisable storm preparation investment. This will allow you to run equipment such as a dehumidifier, which can help prevent mold growth after flooding.

When the storm is imminent, your preparations should include:

Covering windows and glass doors with hurricane shutters or storm panels, or board them up with plywood and plastic sheeting.
Knowing where your property's central water and power shut-offs are located.
Securing all outdoor items, such as patio furniture and lawn decorations, or bring them inside, since they can pose a hazard in high winds.
Checking for any dead trees or susceptible limbs that can cause serious damage if they fall on your home or building.

After a storm, walk your property's exterior and make note of damage, including fallen tree limbs, debris and downed power lines. You should check for missing or damaged roof shingles, gutters and siding. If possible, take photos of the damage. They may be helpful in filing insurance claims and identifying for professionals areas of your property that need to be restored.

To learn more visit http://www.accordrestoration.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Frank_Nemshick

Flooding Insurance Information

There are three main categories for flooding risk that Houston residents should insure for.

The first is for flood damage that happens due to plumbing problems. The two main causes of this type of damage are leaks or bursting of water pipes, and overflows such as air conditioning drain pans. Some homeowner's insurance policies will cover this type of damage and others don't. I suggest checking your policy or asking your agent about your coverage. If your policy doesn't cover this you should consider changing to a better policy.

The next type of flooding damage is driven rain that gets in after windstorm damage. This is usually covered on homeowner's policies. An exception would be in costal areas where this coverage is excluded. Then you would need a separate windstorm policy with the driven rain option for this.

The most destructive flooding is the type that results from rising water. Houston has suffered flooding frequently in the past so it is advisable to insure for this risk. Homeowner's policy almost always rising water flooding so a separate flood insurance policy is required. The least expensive way to get flood insurance is usually with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). FEMA requlates this program and the federal government makes payments for covered losses. You can get coverage for just contents, or the home and contents. This insurance is also available for businesses. You get NFIP flood insurance at a regulated rate from private companys or agents that participate in the program.

NFIP flood insurance rates depend mostly on what flood zone you are in, how much coverage you want, and what deductable you select. The areas of least risk is in the B or X zones. These areas usually qualify for the "preferred" rate with a $500 deductable.

Here are some examples of preferred rates:

CONTENTS ONLY:

$8,000 for $58 per year

$20,000 for $113 per year

$40,000 for $147 per year

$100,000 for $221 per year

HOME PLUS CONTENTS:

$20,000 home plus $8,000 contents for $119 per year

$30,000 / $12,000 for $149 per year

$50,0000 / $20,000 for $196 per year

$100,000 / $40,000 for $257 per year

$200,000 / $80,000 for $326 per year

Texas residents can call my office at 281-537-2700 for more information. Or visit our Texas flood insurance website.

Also visit our homeowners insurance site Homeowners Insurance Houston website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glenn_Lamb

Flooding Insurance Information

There are three main categories for flooding risk that Houston residents should insure for.

Here are some examples of preferred rates:

CONTENTS ONLY:

$8,000 for $58 per year

$20,000 for $113 per year

$40,000 for $147 per year

$100,000 for $221 per year

HOME PLUS CONTENTS:

$20,000 home plus $8,000 contents for $119 per year

$30,000 / $12,000 for $149 per year

$50,0000 / $20,000 for $196 per year

$100,000 / $40,000 for $257 per year

$200,000 / $80,000 for $326 per year

Texas residents can call my office at 281-537-2700 for more information. Or visit our Texas flood insurance website.

Also visit our homeowners insurance site Homeowners Insurance Houston website.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glenn_Lamb

Carpet Restoration After Flood Damage

If your home has recently been subjected to water damage due to flooding, one of the first things that you take into consideration is carpet restoration. Water normally results in some level of damage when it meets with the carpeting in your home. While many are likely to completely replace this aspect of the flooring, there are many others who would rather repair the carpet that they have. This is generally quite possible, and can be easy to do.

If you are considering repairing the carpet once it has been subjected to flooding, it is first important to consider whether or not it is possible to do so. This will basically be determined by carefully evaluating the base cause of the flood that initially damaged the flooring. If the water source was from environmental conditions, such as rain or lake flooding, it is often safe to attempt restoration. If flooding resulted from pipes in the home, it is safe to restore just so long as those pipes are not related to sewer and/or toilet plumbing.

Once you have located the source of the flooding, it is important to repair any and all areas that require it. You should do this prior to restoring the carpet, and test out the maintenance to ensure that the problem is completely eliminated. Once you have confirmed this step, you may begin the carpet restoration process. This will begin by getting a vacuum cleaner that can safely be used to vacuum up water. You should go over the carpet at least a couple of times to ensure that all the excess water has been completely lifted from the carpet.

Next, you should purchase a good cleaner that has disinfectant properties. You will want to mix it thoroughly with a small amount of bleach. Please make sure that the chemicals are safe to mix together. You should then scrub each area of the floor with the solution. The next step is to take the padding from underneath the carpet out and replace it with new padding. This is where most water will be retained. Prior to placing the new padding down, you should be certain to run a heavy fan on the area to ensure that it is dry.

Once you have laid the new padding down, you can then replace the carpet. You may want to take stock in machinery that can assist in the carpet restoration process to assist in this task. Edic wet/dry vacuums, carpet restoration chemicals, flood pumpers, and similar products. These can ensure success when you want to restore your carpets from flood damage.

Visit us for more information on carpet cleaning tips, chemical carpet cleaning and portable carpet cleaners.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christopher_W_Smith

Save Your Laptop From Water Damage

One of the greatest inventions of all time after the personal home computer has got to be the laptop computer. So many people today own them and many find it very difficult to function during the day without them. So many other people use them than just in the business sector.

People with all kinds of lifestyles use a laptop to enhance their lives. School students and mamas that work at home keep them at hand. An active mom can move them from spot to spot when she needs to and students like to have access to them at school as well as many other places. You are subject to need them anywhere you might venture to. Wireless internet services are so great and the number of spots that they might be used is continually getting bigger. Even going into the wilderness is not always out of the question.

Because of all the flexible options that you enjoy with a laptop, there is a fear of misplacement, someone stealing it, or damage getting done to it. Being similar to cell phones, loss, theft, and damage through your own fault are not likely to be replaced under your warranty. Water accidents are a major thing that gets done to a laptop quite frequently. The chances of all kinds of liquids getting splashed in the laptops keypad and getting inside to the circuit board, seems to be less avoidable than with the tower of a desk top system.

If this should occur and a laptop gets contacted by water or some other wet substance, do not panic. It is entirely expected that you might because you will not only be scared of losing the laptop, but all the files it kept for you that is impossible to put a price on and can be impossible to recover. The first thing that you do is unplug immediately. Flip it upside down to get out as much liquid as possible. Remove the battery and dry it completely with a cloth.

The next thing you do is carefully disengage the screws are holding it together. With an absorbent, lint free cloth, very gently dab away the liquid. Then simply leave it alone for an entire 24 hours and possibly longer. Make very sure it is thoroughly dry before you attempt reassembling it and turning it on.

Just remember, this procedure is just if a laptop was exposed to water. If it was soda or any other sticky or acidic liquid, you should still disengage and remove the battery. Even though you may clean the circuitry with alcohol, you might possibly do more damage to a laptop that might be fixed more easily by a skilled computer specialist.

Dror Klar is a writer and promoter of quality Houston Water Damage Restoration and Manhattan water damage restoration companies.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dror_Klar

Can You Reverse Damage Done To Your Arteries By Excessive Fat?

In the last few articles, we have discussed what the silent killer is, the causes (and the theories) and the demographics that it affects.
Only within the last few years have medical research teams produced reliable evidence showing that excessive fat in our diets may lay the groundwork for heart disease. If you are already past 30, it naturally occurs to you to wonder whether the damage done to your arteries is permanent, or whether it is reversible.
Reversing The Damage Done?
At the present stage of our research, doctors cannot answer the question with certainty. We can cite the hopeful fact that experiments with animals have shown that the condition is reversible in animals. We have evidence that the cholesterol in the arteries is absorbed in children, as shown by Dr. Russell Holman and others. However, this metabolic gift seems to be lost as we grow up. There are many authorities in the field who do believe that since atherosclerosis is reversible in animals, it can also be eliminated even after it is established in humans as well. However, we must proceed cautiously in basing our conclusions solely upon studies of laboratory animals, because their metabolism is different from that of humans.
Are You Already A Victim?
Another question that patients often ask me is: “Can you tell me whether I am already a victim of degenerative artery disease?” Unfortunately, we do not as yet have a test that can predict with certainty whether you are susceptible to coronary disease, or are likely to have a heart attack.
One fact, however, is certain: if laboratory tests show that you have an excessive amount of cholesterol in your blood, your chances of avoiding heart and blood vessel disease, which can lead to heart attack or stroke, are much smaller. You are then much more susceptible.
If you are over 30 years of age, you ought to have your physician include such a measurement of cholesterol level in your routine check-up. Too many men in the dangerous middle years are so busy playing for high stakes in the fast-moving game of life, that they forget that “hearts are trumps.” My advice: get a check up as soon as possible and follow the simple methods to reduce your chances of becoming a victim.
This is an excerpt from the hit new manual that everybody in the health and wellbeing industry is raving about. To learn more and to get a free sample chapter visit: VIPHealthSecrets.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=William_H_King

Flood Water Damage Insurance - What You Should Know

You were woken up at 12 midnight by the sound of a hailstorm that smashes your windows, followed by a torrential rain that refused to stop. Before you knew it, your home has been covered by damaging water. Will your insurance policy cover this loss? That will depends on the type of insurance you chose to purchase and how the water got into your home.

There are basically two insurance policies that deals with damage to your home due to water - a flood insurance policy and a homeowners insurance policy. Losses not covered by one of these policies may be provided for by the other. Planning ahead can help you know the losses to which your home could be exposed in order to decide whether to buy one or both of these insurance coverage.

Insurance policies differ in the coverage they provide from one homeowner to another. However, there are basic features common to all policies. You should talk to your insurance agent about the specifics of your insurance policy.

FLOOD INSURANCE
A flood is an excess of water (or mud) on land that is normally dry. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) defines flood to be a general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land area, or of two or more properties (at least one of which is the policyholder's property) from:

Overflow of inland or tidal waters;

Unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of surface waters from any source;

Mudflow; or

Collapse or subsidence of land along the shore of a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining, caused by waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels.

Flood insurance is a special policy that is federally backed by the NFIP and available for homeowners, renters and businesses. The standard flood insurance policy pays for direct physical damage to your insured property up to the replacement cost or actual cash value (ACV) of actual damages or the policy limit of liability, whichever is less. Generally, damage caused by water that has been on the ground at some point before damaging your home is considered to be flood damage. A handful of examples of flood damage include:

A nearby river overflows its banks and flows into your home.

A heavy rain seeps into your basement because the soil can't absorb the water quickly enough

A heavy rain or flash flood causes the hill behind your house to collapse into a mudslide that oozes into your home.

Flood damage to your home can be insured only with a flood insurance policy -- no other insurance will cover flood damage. Flood insurance is available through your insurance agent, insurance company or local Federal Emergency Management Office (FEMA). To determine if your home is located in a flood plain, contact your county planning office. If you are living in a flood plain, flood insurance may be an excellent purchase.

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE
A homeowners insurance policy does not provide coverage for flood damage. Homeowners insurance policy provide coverage for many types of water damage to your home. Just the opposite from flood damage, for insurance purposes, water damage is considered to occur when water damages your home before the water comes in contact with the ground. A few examples of water damage include:

A hailstorm that smashes your window, permitting hail and rain free access into your home.

A heavy rain soaks through the roof, allowing water to drip through your attic or ceiling.

A broken water pipe spews water into your home.

Even if flood or water damage is not covered by your homeowners insurance policy, losses from theft, fire or explosion resulting from water damage is covered. For example, if a nearby creek overflows and floods your home, and looters steal some of your furnishings after you evacuate, the theft would be covered by your homeowners insurance because it is a direct result of the water damage. However, the flood damage would be covered only if you have flood insurance.

Flood Insurance is usually sold and serviced by insurance companies, and backed by the Federal Government. More than 80 insurance companies sell flood insurance. In most cases, the same insurance company that sold your homeowners insurance policy can help you with your flood insurance.

It is up to you to talk to your insurance agent about flood insurance and homeowners insurance, and then decide which insurance coverage you need to protect your home, its contents and your family.

You should get your flood water insurance quotes here.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shirly_Smith

What You Should Know About Property Damage

Property damage can be of two types: damage that is done by someone else to your own property or damage caused by some natural disaster, and the damage that you do to someone else’s property. Having your property insured can save you from a number of possible disasters such as theft, fire, smoke, ice, vandalism and flood.

You need to know the features and services of a homeowner’s insurance policy. What are the types of policies available and the basic coverages included in those policies are some of the questions you need the answers to. Homeowner insurance provides coverage if there is damage done to your property, as well as the injuries or damage that you cause to other people or their properties. There are many different types of such policies and they are so confusing that sometimes you can’t decide which one is the best for you and whether you should be buying it or not. Let’s discuss some aspect of the homeowner insurance in detail.

The protections provided by the insurance include loss occurring to your home, loss of its contents (such as theft), and liability insurance for unexpected and unwelcome accidents. Flood, earthquake, and war are also covered in this policy. Although these circumstances are not likely to occur for many people who own houses, they are possible if you live in an area which is popular for natural disasters. Heavy rain and hurricanes can also damage the house substantially. The insurance contract is a very lengthy one, addressing each and every detail related to insurance items and other aspects. The policy costs roughly equal to the cost of replacing a house if there is a severe damage done to it.

In normal circumstances, you have to renew your home insurance after a fixed period of time. After this time the ‘term’ expires and you have to pay premium to the insurer once again. However, if you want to buy an insurance policy without a fixed term you may consider buying perpetual insurance. This type of policy is not offered in all areas. There are many types of home insurance policies found in the United States. They are different for different people. There is a policy for mobile home owners, renter’s coverage, a policy that covers only some portions of a house, a policy for only specific items (expensive ones), and a policy for condo owners. All these have different features and benefits and their cost varies significantly.

Don’t forget to go over your personal assets every now and again. Try to keep the coverage limits always up-to-date. Also try to find out the home building and re-building costs in your area and the information related to rental coverage. Re-examine your personal property regularly and increase coverage limits if you have to. Keep a file containing all important documents related to your home insurance policy. Keep it in a safe place or have someone else safe-keep it for you. Also keep contact information of your insurance agent and attorney’s phone number etc. You might need all this date in case of emergency or severe property damage.

Renter’s insurance is an important policy. It covers those areas which are not covered in any other home or building insurance policy. These policies are for those who live in apartments or on rent. They have to pay extra attention to their coverage because homeowner insurance does not always cover damage done by renters to the property. This policy also covers certain accidents and injuries done to guests. If you live in an apartment, this might be an important insurance policy for you in order to avoid possible future financial problems.

George Wood is a successful webmaster of many popular sites including auto insurance and business insurance site. If you want to read more about insurance, click over to George insurance site.

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Appoint Property Damage Attorney to Deal With Your Insurance Company

Property damage of some kind or other has become quite a regular phenomenon these days. It can be either a manmade disaster like an automobile accident or any natural calamity that may cost you a fortune. Though there are insurance companies to pay the compensation, getting reimbursement from these companies are often difficult. This is where you will need an efficient property damage attorney to fix the deal on your behalf.

However, before continuing with the roles and responsibilities of a property damage attorney, it is necessary to understand the two major types of property damage you need to get insured against. These include insurance against damages done to your property by a natural calamity or by a third party and insurance against the damages you have caused to someone else's property.

It is better to appoint a property damage attorney as soon you experience any such damages and let them represent your case to the insurance companies. In fact, the executives of the insurance companies are very skilled and look for evidences, which they can use against you in case you make a claim for the damage caused. Therefore, appointing a property damage attorney is beneficiary as they are well accustomed with the loopholes and can handle the situation effectively.

The following are some of the categories under which the property damage attorney claims your damage:

• Compensatory Damages: The property damage attorney claims a compensation for the damage caused with the purpose of repairing the property. This particular claim is further divided into two sub categories:

Ø Claims for Special Damages: These types of claims are made if the damage is caused from the circumstances that occurred after the actual injury. These types of damages may include the need to hire replacement property, the cost of services and other similar unanticipated items.

Ø Claims for General Damages: These claims include the damages that are caused due to the act or failure to act properly on the part of the person to blame.

• Incidental Damages: Your property damage attorney makes these types of claims as reasonable charges that resulted from the injury. These may include the cost of delivery or expenses of photocopies and other documents.

• Punitive Damages: These claims are applicable in case of man made damages. The property damage attorney makes these types of claims against the party to blame so as to punish him/ her for their offence or oppressive behavior.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Veronica_Walter

How to Boost Your Insurance Payout on Property Damage Claims

Filing property damage claims is a complex process that often results in the property owner being shortchanged. First and foremost, insurance companies are for-profit businesses. They aren't in the business for fun; they're in the business to make money. Insurance companies have two ways to make money: collecting premiums and minimizing payouts.

It doesn't matter if you have a homeowners insurance claim or a commercial property insurance claim, the process is the same. You pay premiums to the insurance company for coverage. If you suffer a covered loss, you file a claim and the insurance company pays you a settlement, less any applicable deductible. However, this settlement may not be enough to fully reimburse you for your losses.

In order to boost your insurance payout, you must not sit back and let the insurance adjuster tell you what they will pay. Instead, you need to take an active role or hire someone to act on your behalf. Remember that the insurance adjuster, no matter how nice he is, serves the insurance company whose goal is to make a profit by minimizing losses - including YOUR losses.

On the other hand, a public insurance adjuster is one that you can hire to represent you. These adjusters document everything and negotiate higher payouts directly with your insurance company. They are licensed and are often former insurance industry employees who know how the insurance claim game is played. They can counter any tactics the insurance company throws your way and aggressively pursue maximum settlement offers. These professionals earn a percentage of the payout, so it's in their best interest to maximize it.

If you want to boost your property damage payout on your own, find a reputable contractor who will be doing the repairs and ask the contractor to be present during the insurance adjuster's visit. The contractor will have the expertise to point out all structural and cosmetic damage - damage that the insurance adjuster may have overlooked on his own. In addition, the contractor will ensure that estimates reflect actual rebuilding and material costs. The insurance adjuster relies on books and software for making estimates while a real contractor has working knowledge of real world costs.

One of the most important tasks when boosting an insurance payout takes a bit of work on your part. You must thoroughly document EVERYTHING. Invest in a digital camera with a huge storage card and take hundreds of pictures. For example, if you have water damage, take pictures showing the standing water and water level as well as pictures of every single damaged item, especially those that you must throw out due to safety concerns.

Next, use a notebook or your computer to write down a complete inventory of damaged items along with their original cost and estimated replacement cost. Include everything, even small items. You'd be surprised at how your small losses soon add up to significant amounts. For example, if the contents of your refrigerator must be replaced due to the power being out for several days during a flood, make a thorough inventory of all items, even condiments. At $2 to $4 a bottle for salad dressing, mayonnaise, ketchup, and olives, it doesn't take long before you have a huge grocery bill just to restock the basics.

Don't forget to keep receipts for any emergency repairs, temporary lodging, and other related expenses and include them on your claim. When filing the claim, be as thorough as possible and make sure that the claim form is complete and legible. Insurance companies love to delay payouts due to "missing or incomplete" information.

By taking a proactive approach to filing a property damage claim, you will definitely boost your payout.

Dryout® Inc.
1415 Colonial Blvd.
Fort Myers, Fl. 33907
Mr. Mark Decherd
http://www.dryout.net
239-437-7100
Water Damage

Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water and fire damage repair services by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA.

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Home Improvements and Savings With the Hurricane Sock

With the threat of damage associated with hurricane season, more and more homeowners are seeking ways of keeping their home and possessions dry and safe. The best way to make sure home damage is kept at a minimal is to prepare ahead of time and carry effective products that deter the destruction of water leaks, heavy rain, increased precipitation, busted water pipes, flooded basements, and unavoidable acts of Mother Nature.

A popular product sweeping hurricane-prone locations (such as Florida) is called the Hurricane Sock, which acts as a heavy-duty water absorbent for the garage, basement, windows, and doors.

The Hurricane Sock has the capacity to absorb up to one gallon of water and especially accommodates windows and doors when damaging wet weather starts to stir. While the product name suggests it only assists those during hurricane season, there are many other uses associated with the Hurricane Sock. The sock works great to prevent the threat of mold and other damage that comes with a leaky basement, as well as combats pesky window moisture by collecting excess water.

The construction and use of materials of the Hurricane Sock is also impressive. The outside of the sock is constructed of a durable tubular nylon material, which is filled with an ultra-absorbent polypropylene. This allows the product to conform to any desirable surface in an economical and uncompromising manner. After a quick air-dry, the Hurricane Sock is ready for continuous reuse.

Common locations about the house that have responded well to the sock include leaky basement walls, patio sliding doors, garage cabinets, and uneven garage doors. Overall, the water absorbent sock is effective in lessening water damage, dampness, and mildew.

The sock also allows homeowners to pre-plan for the risk of leakage by using the Hurricane Sock in potential spots about the house where water is involved. This includes the water heater, water filtering systems, and the washing machine. In the end, you will find that the sock is much easier to use than a wad of paper towels, or mop and bucket to clean up water damage.

The typical Hurricane Sock is gray in color and measures three inches wide and four feet long. It also comes in varying sizes, price ranges, and quantities. For instance, two Hurricane Socks per case cost an average of $12.99. Four Hurricane Socks cost around $19.99 per case, while a dealer will charge about $29.99 for a case of 10 socks. One of the largest quantity-size orders per case is 40 Hurricane Socks, which runs a customer about $70.

Visit, subscribe to and bookmark: http://myhomeimprovementtips.com and sign up for our free newsletter at: Clean Up Stuff for your home improvement projects & tips.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Ames

Hurricane Ike May Spike a Storm of Insurance Problems

Persons living and working in the Golden Triangle area of Texas between Beaumont, Port Arthur and Orange were hard hit by Hurricane Ike, suffering many millions of dollars in damages, including losses from interruption of business. Now business owners and homeowners alike face a daunting task to rebuild.

That task will require relief in many forms, including insurance payments. Unfortunately, some companies in America's insurance industry have repeatedly demonstrated they are willing to commit insurance fraud rather than pay billions of dollars in damages, and then try to deal with the consequence, perhaps in court.

A lesson lies in Florida where, during a recent two-year period, the state suffered $36 billion in property damage after four major storms or hurricanes. To date, only $15 billion of those damages has been collected from insurance companies, some of which consider it profit when they refuse to make good on claims for which they are obligated by contract.

Homeowners and businesses with property damage insurance policies must be vigilant and not allow insurance fraud to occur. For one thing, if an insurance adjuster arrives to offer a quick, low-ball payment in order to settle the process, you should not accept such a settlement. Rather, you should insist on the full amount to which you are due given the precise nature of the contract signed both by you and by the insurance provider.

Also, don't allow an insurance company to be recalcitrant, negligent or otherwise slow to act. Such companies are required by law and by contract to give you an acceptance or a rejection of your claim within a short time, often two weeks. Failure to act promptly will not be viewed favorably by courts, which also hold insurance companies responsible for the ambiguity of any language in the policy which that company wrote.

If you have suffered hurricane property damage and your insurance company appears to be guilty of insurance fraud, a Golden Triangle hurricane property damage lawyer from Jim S. Adler & Associates can help you. The law firm has a long history of standing up to insurance companies and making sure that they pay the full amounts which they are obligated to pay by contract. Failure to do so is insurance fraud. Compliance in doing so, even after a lawsuit, is a triumph.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Westbrook

Hurricane Damage to Oil Rigs and Environmental Spill Concerns

Our oil and gas drilling rigs are a national asset, as their production and collection effects the supply side of the economic equation. Our country runs on fuel and the flow of these fuels and crude is a necessity to the ability of our civilization to operate efficiently. When things break down or stop due to hostile weather storms we feel it in our economic output and productivity. In fact just about everything you buy has been delivered by something using fuel and most of us need and use natural gas for many things.

We must pit these needs of our civilization against the environmental costs associated with them. We indeed cannot afford to make trades, which might cause dead zones of sea life or pollute our oceans. Luckily for us Mother Nature is quite resilient in handling mankind’s pollution, however we must continuing monitor the types of pollution we allow and prevent 99.9% of it whenever we can.

Oil and gas drilling rigs often take hits from Hurricane Storms and occasionally one is completely destroyed, causing an unfortunate release of chemicals, oil spill or other pollution. These rigs are coated with very high-tech coatings to prevent rust and corrosion from the constant salt spray of the never forgiving ocean. I propose we add a coating to this already incredible coating; one which will be above the normal water levels. If an oilrig is tipped over or destroyed these coatings would mix with the water and release oil and gas-eating bacteria, which would attach to any spill and start feasting on it. Bio-remediation is a science, which has come very far very fast in the past decade.

I further propose that oilrig support structures have environmental dispensers containing spongy bio remediation pellets, which will be released if the rig is destroyed or turned upside down. These pellets would be made of spongy material containing soapy substances of bio-eating bacteria, which would feast upon the gas or oil spill. I propose that the spongy material not stick to ships or hurt the boat hulls of vessels, which might bump into them as they float. Additionally I propose that the spongy material would also be made very distasteful to birds, fish, sea life and wildlife; yet would clean the spill. Timed released biological and environmental remediation is nothing new, many environmental engineers use this to help reduce large algae blooms which threaten drinking water supplies, affect water quality or are a danger to sea life. Think on this.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lance_Winslow

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Hurricane Damage to Oil Rigs and Environmental Spill Concerns

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