Damage history: March 2011

Mitigating Hurricane Damage With a Roofing Inspection

Last month, the AFP issued this warning: The "2010 hurricane season may be worst on record." Referring to the Atlantic Coast, this hurricane season, which began on June 1, 2010, is anticipated to be an "active to extremely active" one.

Just how bad do experts expect it to be? "The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) predicted 14 to 23 named storms, including eight to 14 hurricanes, three to seven of which were likely to be 'major' storms, with winds of at least 111 mph." Compare that to the average of 11 named storms, only six of which actually become hurricanes and a mere two of which are major ones, and the answer becomes obvious.

In response, roofing contractors are encouraging homeowners to make sure their roofs are ready for the weather pounding they make take this summer. This recommendation was made to coincide with National Hurricane Preparedness Week, which took place May 23 to May 29.

Just like daylight savings time serves as a reminder to check the batteries in your smoke detectors, National Hurricane Preparedness Week should prompt you to "inspect and evaluate your home's roof," a roofing professional recently told OurTribune.com. The strong winds that are part and parcel of a hurricane can damage even a new roof, but if your roof is getting up there in age, it's particularly vital that you take stock of its condition.

You can, of course, perform this annual roofing inspection yourself. "Missing shingles, curling or splitting shingles, lifting shingles or loss of granules" are all good indications that your roof may need to be replaced, the Web site explains, and some of these issues you can spot yourself.

But to be on the safe side, you might want to consider calling in a roofing inspector. An expert roofer can spot other dangers signs that you might overlook, such as dark, dirty-looking areas on your roof; roof shingle, sheathing and siding decay; and blistering and/or peeling of your home's outside paint.

What if you decide to wait and just take your chances, despite the fact that you live in a hurricane prone area and your roof is of a certain age? You could be putting both yourself and your priceless belongings at risk. "Once air pressure moves through a hole in a roof and into the home during a hurricane, it can literally blow out the walls and windows of the house," the article's expert cautions.

As a result, homeowners in hurricane-prone regions of the country will want to make sure their roof is durable and properly installed by a top-notch roofing professional. Selecting a roofer that's been ranked in the top 200 remodelers in the entire United States can ensure you'll get the quality and expertise you require.

Although they can't stop the wrath of Mother Nature, homeowners can prevent unnecessary damage to their property and possessions this hurricane season. And doing so may be as simple as a minor roof repair. Even if an all-out roofing replacement is required, the cost is likely to be minimal compared to the destruction that might otherwise ensue.

Tom Schlund is the Projects Manager at the Cleveland, including Lakewood roofing company, Franciscus Roofing. The business specializes in safety-first roofing [http://www.franciscusroofing.com/how-to-choose-a-roofing-contractor.cfm] repair.

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Auto Property Damage Liability Insurance

In an auto insurance policy, property damage liability coverage protects you up to the policy limits in the event you are deemed to be at fault in an accident. This coverage is one of the most basic forms of coverage of car insurance polices. With the exception of New Hampshire and Wisconsin, all states and the District of Columbia require drivers to purchase this form of liability coverage.

Minimum property damage liability coverage amounts vary by state. California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania have minimum coverage amounts of $5,000 per accident while seven states (Alaska, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and South Dakota) have minimum coverage amounts of $25,000 per accident. The majority of states require minimum coverage amounts between $10,000 and $15,000 per accident.

Auto repairs can be very expensive. What appears to be a small dent can cost thousands of dollars to fix. Drivers should get the amount of coverage you can afford. The minimum property damage policy limits are often grossly insufficient following a significant accident.

If the damage involved in an accident exceeds your policy limits, it could be significant enough to force you to liquidate property, savings, other assets, or your future earnings to pay for the damage. It is important that drivers have enough coverage to protect their assets.

Insurance companies do allow you to purchase property damage liability coverage for well beyond the state required minimum limits. The coverage also pays for legal defense if another party files a lawsuit against you as the result of property damage loss from an accident.

Choosing the insurance company that offers the needed amount of coverage at the best possible price is important. Learn more about types of coverage and the best car insurance companies at http://www.bestcarinsurancecompanies.net.

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DUI Issues: Property Damage

Information about accidents related to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, known commonly as a DUI accident, mostly offers statistics related to injuries or fatalities. Very few informative pieces offer information and resources regarding the massive amounts of property damage in these accidents. After all, millions of dollars of property damage due to DUI issues cannot be overlooked, and should be integrated as a key part of learning about the affects of driving under the influence.

The main types of property affected in a DUI accident are vehicles and property. Here is a quick breakdown of the millions even billions spent each year.

Vehicles of All Kinds

The most obvious type of property damage related to a DUI accident is vehicular, from a victim's car to the offender's vehicle. Any vehicle that suffered damage is considered a form of property damage, and the monetary value of this nature likely numbers in the millions each year. In accidents involving more than two vehicles, the cost is even higher, and the result is felt most by insurance companies nationwide.

Consider all of the types of vehicles that you see on the roadways each day. Tractor-trailers, large SUVs, trucks, cars, motorcycles, and even bicycles pass you on a daily basis, and any one of these can be the target of a DUI accident.

Affects on Insurance Rates

Have you ever wondered why everyone's insurance rate suddenly increases without warning? Property damage can be a major factor in this problem, as insurance companies seek to compensate for the millions paid out each year in vehicle damages alone. Medical payments are not even included in this statistic, and these also play a huge role in the insurance hikes each year.

This is not an invitation to see DUI offenders as heinous criminals simply because they can make your insurance rates increase. Social stigma is a key concern already, and associating your financial stress with someone involved in a DUI accident can leave you even more frustrated.

Damage to Other Property

Vehicles are not the only type of property that can be damaged in a DUI accident, although they are primary targets. Everything from street signs to curbs and even guardrails can be included as property damage, costing the respective county or state millions each year. In some cases, even homes or businesses can be damaged in a DUI accident, especially if a vehicle crashes into the structure directly.

This information is provided solely for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

William Bly of The Law Office of William T. Bly is a criminal defense lawyer near Portland Maine who spends part of his practice on issues related to drunk driving in Maine. To read more information, please visit the firm's Maine OUI focused website.

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