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Live in a Flood Zone? Protect Yourself from Water Damage

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The post Live in a Flood Zone? Protect Yourself from Water Damage appeared first on Live Insurance News.

Around 41 million Americans live in flood zones, according to a survey by Environmental Research Letters. If you’re one of those people, you’ve likely encountered water damage in one way or another. 

Basements flooding, structural damage, and mold are all common after-effects of flood and water damage, made far more likely when living in a moist, flood-prone area. These factors don’t mean you have to pack up and move. With the right preparation and knowledge, dealing with flood damage doesn’t have to be scary. 

Here are some actions you can take before and after a flood or water damage to keep your home safe and dry. 

1. Insurance

Insurance is tricky when it comes to water damage and floodwaters. Flood damage is classified differently than water damage, so your insurance company might not cover the damage caused by a natural disaster. If your water damage is caused by something in your home, like a washing machine or a burst line, then you may be covered by your policy. The best way to find out is simply to call and ask. However, if you live in a flood zone, you will likely have to purchase a separate flood policy to protect your home.

If you want to check if you’re eligible for flood insurance, check the National Flood Insurance Program’s website for your local community. If you are not on that list, you can still purchase flood insurance: FEMA has stated that all 50 states have experienced flooding, so even if you don’t live in an extremely high-risk area, a policy might be a good idea. Many large insurance companies offer flood policies, so visit your insurance provider and ask if they can protect your home in the case of a flood. It may be another expense, but it will be worth it in the long run. 

2. Preparation

If you live in a flood zone, you need to have a plan in place. This plan should include an emergency kit with supplies like canned food, flashlights, and bottled water, in addition to a safe gathering place that is elevated. If you have enough foresight into the flood, consider blocking entrances with water-proof compounds or barriers to keep water from coming into the house. Another way to protect your home is to install check valves, which prevent floodwater from backing up your sewage. Make sure you have these supplies on hand before a flood. 

During the flood or water damage occurrence (like a pipe bursting or a washing machine overflowing), move to higher ground and stay out of the area. If you have time, take valuables to a higher elevation, such as the top floor or on top of your counters. If need be, you can also disconnect electricity at the source. Unplug any and all electrical appliances, but avoid touching a source while you are standing in water. Listen to authorities on the radio in the case of an emergency for further instruction. 

3. Flood and Water Aftermath

After the main danger has passed and your local authority has deemed your house safe, you still need to exercise caution. Moving any of the water in your home or straying too close to damaged areas can cause injury or worsen the water damage. You can find out more about determining if your house is safe to enter by reading “Repairing Your Flooded Home” by FEMA, which will guide you in turning off electricity, staying safe, and rescuing your items. 

The insurance that you purchased previously will hopefully come in handy after the water damage occurred. Make a call to your local agent to discuss what kind of claim you need to file, and how much compensation you can expect for the damage.

After you have assessed the damage to your house and claimed insurance, you can begin making a plan to clean and repair your home. At this point, you should decide whether you’re going to repair the house yourself or use a repair service. Refer to the FEMA “Repairing Your Flooded Home” for a DIY procedure, but if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable in your damaged home, consider hiring a professional.

4. Repair Services

Your home is important, so choosing the right damage repair service will ensure that your house returns to its former glory. Avoid jumping into contracts right after the flood occurs, and make sure that you have plenty of time to view each service and weigh the pros and cons. Find a company that will work with your insurance: some companies will not accept select insurance policies, and you definitely don’t want to pay for the damage out of pocket. Ask during your initial meeting or consultation about insurance.

In addition to insurance, the company needs to have the right services for your situation: if you have contaminated objects in your house from sewage, water damage, and mold, you should search for a company that offers all three. In many cases, companies will work with you and offer a bundle if you work exclusively with them, making the house repair process less expensive. 

If you live in Houston, for example, you likely experience your fair share of flooding and water damage. There is no shortage of Houston water damage restoration companies around you, but take time in looking for one with the reviews, services, and insurance policies that match your needs. Avoid companies that offer ridiculously low prices, as they may be taking advantage of a recent flood to scam. In addition, companies who have no reviews and accept no insurance are also likely untrustworthy. Paying for subpar services will only land you in a worse position than before, so choose your company carefully. 

Having a plan for a flood and water damage, before, during, and after, will protect you and your home. Living in a flood zone doesn’t have to spell disaster if you have insurance, an emergency kit, plus the knowledge and resources to deal with water damage. 

The post Live in a Flood Zone? Protect Yourself from Water Damage appeared first on Live Insurance News.

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By: Guest Author
Title: Live in a Flood Zone? Protect Yourself from Water Damage
Sourced From: www.liveinsurancenews.com/live-in-a-flood-zone-protect-yourself-from-water-damage/8549789/
Published Date: Thu, 23 Jul 2020 15:41:28 +0000

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Ends-of-the-World Every Year Since 1970

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There always has been and always will be a reason not to invest or not to stay invested. This is all the mainstream media reports to us. Below you will find a list of some of the worst global events each year since 1970. I have some commentary to follow.

1970: War: US troops invade Cambodia.
1971: Civil Unrest: Anti-war militants march on Washington.
1972: Political: Start of Watergate Scandal.
1973: Economic: OPEC raises oil prices in response to US involvement abroad.
1974: Political: Nixon resigns as President of the United States.
1975: Political: Multiple assassination attempts on President Ford.
1976: World: Ebola virus.
1977: Political: Government shutdowns.
1978: Market: U.S. Dollar plunges to record low against many European currencies.
1979: World: Iranian militants seize the U.S. embassy in Teheran and hold hostages.
1980: Economic: Inflation spiked to a high of 14.76%.
1981: Political: President Reagan assassination attempt.
1982: Economic: Recession continues in the U.S. with nationwide unemployment of 10.8%.
1983: Economic: Unemployment in the U.S. reaches 12 million.
1984: Economic: 70 U.S. banks fail during the year.
1985: World: Multiple airplane hijackings around the world.
1986: World: Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station explodes.
1987: Market: DOW drops by 22.6% on October 22.
1988: Environment: Awareness of global warming and the greenhouse effect grows.
1989: Environment: Exxon Valdez dumps 11 million gallons of crude oil into Prince William Sound.
1990: World: Persian Gulf War starts.
1991: World: Mass shooting in Killeen, TX.
1992: Human Rights: Los Angeles riots following the death of Rodney King.
1993: Terrorism: World Trade Center bombing.
1994: World: Mass genocide in Rwanda.
1995: Terrorism: Oklahoma City bombing.
1996: Terrorism: Olympic Park bombing.
1997: World: Bird flu.
1998: World: Multiple U.S. embassy bombings.
1999: World: Columbine shooting.
2000: Economic: Start of the Dotcom Market Crash.
2001: Terrorism: Terrorist Attacks in NYC, DC & PA.
2002: Economic: Nasdaq bottomed after a 76.81% drop.
2003: World: The U.S. invades Iraq.
2004: World: The U.S. launches an attack on Falluja.
2005: World: Hurricane Katrina
2006: World: Bird flu.
2007: Economic: Start of the Great Recession.
2008: Economic: Great Recession continues.
2009: Economic: S&P bottomed after a 56.8% drop.
2010: Market: Flash crash.
2011: Market: Occupy Wall Street and S&P downgrades U.S. Debt.
2012: Political: Fiscal cliff.
2013: Political: Taper tantrum.
2014: World: Ebola virus.
2015: World: Multiple mass shootings.
2016: Political: Divided U.S. Presidential election.
2017: World: North Korea testing nuclear weapons.
2018: Economic: U.S. & China trade war.
2019: Economic: Student loan debt reaches an all-time high of $1.4 trillion.
2020: World: COVID-19.

While many of these events were undoubtedly terrible (and there are certainly others not named here that were worse), most of these were broadcast as end-of-the-world events for the stock market. Despite that attention, it is worth noting that these were, for the most part, one-time events. In other words, most faded into the newspapers of history. We moved on.

Obviously, some caused monumental shifts in the way the world works. Just think about how much air travel continues to be impacted by the events of 9/11. But, outside of the resulting inconveniences (if we want to call safety protocols inconveniences) associated with air travel, flying is safer than ever before.

Take a look at just about any of the events and you will find there are many that people will hardly remember. My point here isn’t that these events are to be ignored or that they were easy to stomach at the time, but that they have become a distant memory.

I want to also make the point that we should expect these types of negative events. As investors, we know these types of crises, economic catastrophes, and global phenomena are going to happen.

But in almost all cases, here is what we can say in the next breath – this too shall pass.

Will there be legal, humanitarian, economic, or some other aid required as a result of these events? Almost certainly the answer is yes, but that doesn’t mean it they won’t eventually fade into history.

Lastly, what’s worth noting is how the market has performed over these last 50 years despite the continual advertisements of the world crashing down around us. On January 2, 1970, the Dow Jones stood at 809 and the S&P at 90 -> those are not typos. These same indexes have grown (not including dividends) to 26,387 and 3,232 respectively. Amazing, no?

Perhaps what gets overlooked more than anything else is what separates the above one-time negative events from the positive stories that go largely ignored over our lifetimes. And that is a story worth telling. See the companion post below:

Unheralded Positive Events Every Year Since 1970

Stay the Course,
Ashby


Retirement Field Guide Mission:

“To help 10 million people make better retirement decisions.”


If you would like to join us in achieving our mission, I hope you will consider sharing our site if you have found it helpful in your own retirement planning.


This post is not advice. Please see additional disclaimers.

The post Ends-of-the-World Every Year Since 1970 appeared first on Retirement Field Guide.

—————–

By: Ashby Daniels, CFP®
Title: Ends-of-the-World Every Year Since 1970
Sourced From: retirementfieldguide.com/ends-of-the-world-every-year-since-1970/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ends-of-the-world-every-year-since-1970
Published Date: Tue, 04 Aug 2020 13:26:19 +0000

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Wildfire prone property insurance bill in California due for hearing

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The post Wildfire prone property insurance bill in California due for hearing appeared first on Live Insurance News.

The bill is expected to be heard in upcoming weeks as opposing sites prepare for major battle.

A new California bill, the outcomes of which will have a lot to say about coverage for wildfire prone property in the state, will soon be headed for hearing. The hearing is expected to be a heated one as strong opposing opinions have the opportunity to be voiced.

Opponents of this bill are calling it a direct attack on consumer protections in insurance.

That said, proponents of the bill claim it is the best method for making coverage available to wildfire prone property in California. The bill in question is Assembly Bill 2167. It was written by Assemblyperson Tom Daly (D-Anaheim). If it passes,it will create the Insurance Market Action Plan (IMAP) program. The IMAP program is meant to protect residential properties.

So far, AB 2167 has progressed quickly, when taking into consideration that a chunk of the legislature has been considerably restricted by pandemic crisis precautions. It was first presented in early June and backers have been saying that it was brought forward in good timing and that it has all the momentum it needs to be passed.

That said, AB 2167 has not been without opposition. In fact, it has faced considerable opposition, having been called an attack on Proposition 103, insurance consumer protection law. California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara lobbed that argument at it, calling it an “insurance industry wish list, with nothing to help consumers,” and Consumer Watchdog, whose founder, Harvey Rosenfeld, was the original author of Proposition 103.

The insurance industry strongly supports the bill, saying it will help wildfire prone property coverage.

Insurance organizations such as the American Property Casualty Insurance Association and the Personal Insurance Federation both support AB 2167. The bill also has the support of the California Association of Counties (CSAC), as well as Fire Safe Councils of California, and the CalFIRE union.

The Consumer Federation of America, another watchdog organization, has predicted that if AB 2167 passes, it will cause 40 percent increases in insurance rates. On the other hand, insurance groups claim that the bill offers owners of wildfire prone property a greater opportunity for choice and competition among insurance companies based on coverage and premiums while avoiding the limitations and high costs associated with FAIR Plan coverage.

The post Wildfire prone property insurance bill in California due for hearing appeared first on Live Insurance News.

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By: Marc
Title: Wildfire prone property insurance bill in California due for hearing
Sourced From: www.liveinsurancenews.com/wildfire-prone-property-insurance-bill-in-california-due-for-hearing/8549884/
Published Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2020 09:00:14 +0000

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Is this the last hurrah for bonds?

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Recently, I have written quite a bit about the long-term return expectations for investing in bonds. See here, here, here and here.

Spoiler alert: I don’t think it’s good.

But long-term bonds this year have been quite an amazing story as the COVID pandemic has caused the Fed to take historically monumental actions. As a result, we’ve watched long-term Treasuries tear the roof off the market. For instance, a 20+ Year Treasury Bond ETF (name withheld for compliance purposes) is up more than 31% YTD as of July 31st.

That is insane!

But there is a good reason for this increase shown below.

The red circle shows a decrease in the 30-year Treasury rate of almost 40% over a span of six months. That’s practically unprecedented with only two periods (2008 and 1981-1982) having similar declines over such short periods.

But this begs the question: Is this the last hurrah for bonds as a driver of any meaningful return? Below is the 30-Year Treasury rate over the last 40+ years.

For what it’s worth, people have been forecasting the end of the bond bull market since 2012 (maybe even earlier) and yet it has continued despite those predictions. But at some point, the bond party will come to an end.

The Fed has been clear that they are going to keep rates stable until at least 2022 which means this may not change for a little while longer. Or in the near term, I could even see the high returns continuing if we experience pandemic economic shutdown round two.

But, I can’t see a world where this is the case for much longer than that – most importantly over the span of a 30-year retirement.

The official end of the bond bull market depends on a recovery from the pandemic economy as well as a few other factors causing rates to rise. But when they do, it seems likely to me that this may be the last great hurrah for bonds for quite some time.

The question is when to get off that train and that undoubtedly requires a personal answer.

Stay the Course,
Ashby


Retirement Field Guide Mission:

“To help 10 million people make better retirement decisions.”


If you would like to join us in achieving our mission, I hope you will consider sharing our site if you have found it helpful in your own retirement planning.


This post is not advice. Please see additional disclaimers.

The post Is this the last hurrah for bonds? appeared first on Retirement Field Guide.

—————–

By: Ashby Daniels, CFP®
Title: Is this the last hurrah for bonds?
Sourced From: retirementfieldguide.com/is-this-the-last-hurrah-for-bonds/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=is-this-the-last-hurrah-for-bonds
Published Date: Wed, 12 Aug 2020 13:47:16 +0000

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