If you think about water damaging your home, you might conjure up an image of a hurricane, torrential rain or other natural catastrophe. The unfortunate reality is that damage that is caused when ordinary household appliances fail can be just as destructive as an extreme weather event.¹

According to the Insurance Industry Institute, water damage accounts for billions of dollars in losses to homeowners and renters each year. It is also responsible for about 25 percent of all property insurance claims. In fact, Travelers Claim data suggests that water is ten times more likely to damage your home than fire.

Fortunately, there are steps that you can take to help prevent water damage from appliances, and protect your home. It is helpful to understand some of the common causes of water damage, which include leaky baseboard heating, air conditioning condensation drains, and failed water heaters, washing machine hoses and plumbing.


These household appliances do not always offer warning signs until the damage has already occurred. That is why it is important to check them regularly. The simple steps below can help you protect your home from the most common causes of water damage:

• First, know where the main water supply is located in case of emergency.
• If you will be away from home for an extended period, shut off the water supply and drain the pipes. During the heating season, if your home is heated by an older steam heating system, consult with your heating professional to determine if it is safe to turn off the water supply for your particular heating system. Also, if your home is protected by a fire sprinkler system, do not turn off the water to this system, and maintain sufficient heat to prevent a freeze-up.
• Consider having your air conditioning system inspected regularly by a professional. Check the drain lines annually and clean them if they are clogged.
• Inspect water heaters, showers, tubs, toilets, sinks and dishwashers annually, and have them repaired if there are any signs of leaks or corrosion. When possible, install water heaters in areas with floor drains to minimize damage if leaks should occur.
• Check caulking around showers, bathtubs, sinks and toilet bases, and make repairs as needed.
• If your refrigerator has an ice machine or water dispenser, the hose between the wall and the refrigerator should be made of braided copper, which has greater cracking and corrosion resistance.
• Check pipes for cracks and leaks. Have pipe damage fixed immediately to prevent more costly repairs in the future.
• Check appliance hoses and plumbing fittings for breakage, crimping or bending.

Wildfires can pose particular dangers to both lives and property because they often begin unnoticed and can spread quickly. According to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)¹, windborne embers present a significant threat from wildfires and are the primary cause of most building ignitions. Other wildfire threats include radiant heat and direct flame contact. 

If you live in an area prone to wildfires, you can help keep yourself, your family and your property safe by taking steps to reduce your risks.

Prepare Your Home for a Wildfire

• Home Maintenance: Keep your home well-maintained by regularly cleaning your gutters of materials that could ignite due to windborne embers andtrimming tree limbs that may be too close to your home. Be sure your smoke alarms are working and your fire extinguishers are operational.  If you need to evacuate quickly from an upper floor, make sure your home escape ladder is accessible and easily deployed by the person who will be using it.
• Landscaping: Landscape your home with wildfire safety in mind, using fire-resistant shrubs and trees. Rock, stone, crushed concrete, flower beds and gardens can provide ground cover for bare spaces and may act as firebreaks. While there are no “fire-proof” plants, fire-retardant plant species include rockrose, ice plant and aloe. Hedging roses, bush honeysuckles, currant, cotoneaster, sumac and shrub apples are examples of fire-resistant shrubs.²
• Create Zones: Maintain defensible space zones between structures and natural growth that is free of brush, trees and grasses to help keep a wildfire away from your property. Move wood piles away from the home. If you live on a hill, extend the zone on the downhill side, since fire can race uphill quickly.
• Be Prepared: Prepare a survival kit, map out an evacuation plan and create a home inventory of all your belongings. Visit our preparedness timeline to learn more about disaster planning. 
• Fire-Resistant Materials: If you are remodeling your home, think about including fire-resistant materials such as non-combustible roofing, soffits, decking and siding and fire-rated glass or fire shutters for windows. Consider evaluating the design of your roof to see which factors may make your home more susceptible to a wildfire.

As a Wildfire Approaches

• Monitor Conditions: Stay tuned to local news about wildfires in the area, and follow evacuation instructions given by local officials. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service also publishes large incident maps of fires. 
• Practice Your Plan: Review emergency plans with your family. Be sure to designate a meeting place and a check-in telephone number if you are separated during evacuation. Also, make certain that everyone has emergency numbers stored in their mobile phones. 
• Prepare, if Possible: If you have time, close windows, doors and blinds and shut off utilities. Open the fireplace damper and close fireplace screens. 
• Ready Your Vehicle: Have your car ready to leave at a moment’s notice, with the fuel tank filled and the keys handy. Roll up the windows to keep smoke out.

What to Do During a Wildfire

• Heed Evacuation Instructions: If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved cotton or wool shirt and pants, and take a wet cotton towel or handkerchief to protect your face.
• Follow Your Plan: Take your survival kit and choose a route away from fire and smoke. Follow your evacuation plan and be sure everyone knows where to go and what to do.

How to Respond After a Wildfire

• Await the “All Clear”: Check with fire officials before attempting to re-enter your home. Use caution when entering since fires can re-ignite quickly, even after dying down. 
• Check Grounds: Hot spots may include smoldering stumps and vegetation. Check the roof, exterior areas, attic and throughout the house for sparks and embers.³ Continue to check the house for several days following the fire. 
• Dispose of Damaged Food or Medication: Discard any food or medication that came in contact with smoke or fire.

For more wildfire safety tips, visit the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety® website.

Dorms are a new home, and many incoming freshmen feel safe there.  No one would ever steal your stuff… right?

Think again. This is the exact attitude that campus thieves prey on. A dorm-dwelling student’s worst enemy is an “it won’t happen to me” attitude.  Most colleges make student security a top priority. However, students have to do their part, too.

After being a resident assistant for the past year, I can say I’ve seen it all.  Students sharing keys, leaving doors open when gone for long periods of time, leaving valuables in open areas… the list goes on. Young people tend to be very trusting, and it works against them.

What can you do?

Here are six tips to reduce the risk of dorm theft.

• Close that door.  The “open door policy” is a great way to meet new friends. But the door shouldn’t be open when you’re not around.  Even a quick walk to the bathroom leaves plenty of time for a thief to take what they can. 

• Lock it up.  Invest in a safe to safeguard important things. There are so many different safes, including one for your laptop, tablet, money, small valuable items… basically anything.  Learn more about these types of products at dorm supplies sites such as dormco.com.

• Keep valuables out of plain sight.  You’d be surprised how many students keep jewelry or money sitting out on their desk with the door wide open.  Always keep anything of value out of sight and under lock and key.

• Be aware.  If you notice someone or something strange in your dorm, report it immediately.  It’s quite easy for a strange person to gain access to a dorm, which is why everyone needs to be on the lookout.

• Keep your keys to yourself.  Don’t give your key, ID card or password to anyone.  If someone needs to get into your room, ask them to wait until you are able to go with them.  Anyone is capable of a crime, even your so-called friend.

• Talk to an ERIE Agent.  Most students who are bringing valuable belongings to college are able to have them insured under a parents’ policy.  Contact an Erie Insurance Agent to look into this possibility.

- See more at: https://www.erieinsurance.com

Don’t look now, but summer is nearly over. That’s right–lazy afternoons at the beach will soon be replaced by the mad dash to get our children ready for school.

Before you prepare to battle the aisles of your local store during the back to school shopping season, check out these tips from top bloggers and yours truly. They can help you save serious cash–and your sanity–during back to school shopping season.

Know what you need

Before you prepare to shop for school supplies, get a list of exactly what you need. It will help you avoid spending money on things that aren’t absolutely necessary. Most stores stock local school supply lists to make this easy for you. You can also contact your child’s school or visit the school website, where many schools have supply lists grouped by grade and/or classroom.

“Having that school supply list in hand will shorten the amount of time you’re in the store as well,” says Kristin Willis, blogger and founder of Coupon Friendly, LLC. “You can get in, get out and get on with life.”

Recycle and upcycle

Resist the urge to rush, list in hand, to your local store to purchase supplies. Look through last year’s supplies for salvageable items like rulers, compasses or pencil sharpeners. It will save you money and teach your children the value of reusing.

You can also teach your kids how to upcycle, or find new uses for old items. Upcycling is a great way to save money and help the environment. For example, my second grader will use last year’s lunch bag as his art box this year. The size and zipper closure make it ideal for storing crayons and markers. It also lays flat on the shelf, which saves space in the classroom.

Hit the sales

If you’re like me, you want to avoid the frenzy of frantic shoppers by buying supplies as soon as they appear on shelves. However, buying too early—or too late–may cost you money since most supplies go on sale right about now.

“Stores are trying to be the first with the deals to get the most customers, so they start their sales early in the season,” says Joe Daugirdas, better known as Joe the Coupon Guy, an avid coupon clipper and blogger. “It’s easy to go to the store and get what you need at the last minute, but you may be paying double or more if you wait too long.”

Trying to find the best deal on every little item on your list is extremely time consuming. Instead, spend the bulk of your time comparison shopping for pricey items like electronics and backpacks.

Cut coupons

To shave even more money off the sale price, try coupons. Check your local paper and the Internet for weekly ads and coupons to help plan your shopping trips – and your savings.

Be careful, however, that you don’t travel too far out of your way. “Save gas by shopping at stores that are near your home,” Kristin advises. “Going all the way across town to buy $0.10 folders, compared to $0.20 folders at a store just down the road from your house, is not really saving you money.”

Buy extras now

Keep in mind that supplies on your initial list might only get your children through the first part of the year. Consider buying extra pencils and other supplies on your list that will need replaced throughout the year. Buying them in bulk and on sale will save you money in the long run.

- See more at: http://pco.lt/1Mh9TBK

Getting out on the water in your boat can be a uniquely enjoyable experience, whether you are planning on a day of fishing or just a few hours of recreational sailing. All of that enjoyment can quickly evaporate if you find your boat is unexpectedly taking on water, and your hopes for a relaxing day quickly turns into a frenzied effort to save your cherished vessel.

There are many potential ways for a boat to become damaged, both in the water and on the shore. Some common causes of boat damage while in the water may include being struck by a submerged object, running aground, or collision with another vessel. There are also several ways for a boat to become damaged while sitting on shore, such as sinking on land if it is not placed properly on secure ground, or toppling, which can be caused by high winds or heavy snowfall during the winter.

Although sustaining damage to your boat can be frustrating and costly, there are steps you can take to help ensure repairs are made quickly in order to get you back on the water doing what you enjoy.

• Make sure no one has been injured. If there are passengers onboard when the damage occurs, check on their condition, and promptly seek medical care for anyone who has been hurt.
• Notify the U.S. Coast Guard and local authorities of the damage. Boating accidents, as with auto accidents, should be reported to the authorities right away so an investigation can be conducted. The exact circumstances that require a filed report vary from state to state. Familiarize yourself with the local regulations where you are boating so that you know when to contact authorities.
• Be sure to notify your insurance company in a timely manner. They can help provide guidance on the proper steps to take to help protect your vessel from further damage as well as restoring your boat.
• Secure the boat to prevent further damage. If the vessel is sinking, pull it out of the water as soon as possible. However, make sure you can do this safely. Never endanger your life or the lives of others when retrieving a sinking vessel.
• Document the damage. Take photos of your damaged vessel with a smartphone or camera. If your boat has struck another vessel, also document the damage to the other vessel, and remember to obtain the other party’s contact and insurance information, and hull identification number (HIN#), if possible.
• Contact a professional repair company or marina. They may be able to provide damage mitigation services. Also, be sure to include your insurance company in the discussion from the earliest stages of mitigation/repair.

Making Repairs to Your BoatRemember, boat claims differ from other types of claims, particularly auto claims. They can be more complex and therefore, it is important to include your insurance company at the earliest stages of the claim. Some boats contain specialized parts that can increase the complexity of repairs. Unlike with vehicles, the boat repair process is often not as simple as dropping off your vessel at the marina and picking it up the next day.

You must authorize the marina of your choosing to make repairs. Make sure you are comfortable with the marina you select, and inquire about warranties they offer before repairs begin.

A damaged boat can be frustrating and costly. Learn what to do in the event of boat damage to help ensure passenger safety and more with these tips from Travelers. http://travl.rs/1Lysglz

ERIE, Pa.,--For the third year in a row, Erie Insurance received top honors on the J.D. Power Insurance Shopping StudySM. The annual study evaluates the experience of customers buying a new car insurance policy. This is the ninth year J.D. Power has produced its auto insurance shopping study and the sixth time ERIE has ranked highest. The other years were 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014.


"Our co-founder left us with the words, 'Never lose the human touch' and 90 years of business later, we continue to see the importance of an insurance agent in the shopping experience," said Terry Cavanaugh, president and CEO of Erie Insurance. "Our strong relationship with our agents is what helps us continue to grow and earn our reputation for quality insurance and superior customer service. We're honored to receive this distinction once again."

The 2015 Insurance Shopping Study examines the purchasing behaviors and overall satisfaction of people who shop for car insurance. Three factors are measured to determine overall satisfaction. They are, in order of importance: Price, Distribution channel and Policy offerings.

To learn more about the J.D. Power 2015 Insurance Shopping Study, visit www.jdpower.com.

About Erie Insurance
According to A.M. Best Company, Erie Insurance Group, based in Erie, Pennsylvania, is the 11th largest homeowners insurer and 12th largest automobile insurer in the United States based on direct premiums written and the 16th largest property/casualty insurer in the United States based on total lines net premium written. The Group, rated A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best Company, has more than 5 million policies in force and operates in 12 states and the District of Columbia. Erie Insurance Group is a FORTUNE 500 and Barron's 500 company. ERIE has also been recognized by Forbes as one of America's 50 Most Trustworthy Financial Companies and is on the list of Ward's 50 Group of top performing insurance companies, which analyzes the financial performance of 3,000 property and casualty companies and recognizes the top performers for achieving outstanding results in safety, consistency and financial performance over a five-year period (2009-2013). News releases and more information about Erie Insurance Group are available at www.erieinsurance.com.