Schools, hospitals, museums, zoos, arts organizations, recreational facilities and places of worship all strive to make the world a better place and to improve the quality of our everyday lives. Many, if not most, of these organizations are non-profit, which means they are supported primarily by public and private contributions.

Contributing money to a charitable organization is not only a generous act, but also one that is extremely rewarding. You may want to make a larger contribution to a local organization or cause but feel it would put a strain on your budget.

However, with a little advance planning, you can contribute a much larger gift than you ever thought possible in your lifetime. And you can do so with life insurance. Other options include remainder trusts, gift annuities or wealth replacement trusts. Depending on the product you select, you can determine the amount of your yearly charitable contribution and use your yearly contribution to purchase and pay for a life insurance policy. The charitable organization owns the policy and is the beneficiary of its proceeds. The organization may use dividends, borrow or withdraw cash values during the life of the policy to meet their organization’s goals.

Use Life Insurance to start a Charitable Program

Participating in a charitable life insurance program not only offers opportunity to make a difference, it is also a resourceful way to meet your charitable giving goals without putting a strain on your budget. Meet with your financial and legal advisors to discuss what options are available to you to accomplish your charitable objectives.  

In Michigan contact State Farm® Agent Jay  to start a life insurance program to leave a legacy to the charitable foundation of your choice.  Call 248-888-1134 or click online Michigan Charitable giving to talk with an agent to start your charitable life insurance program today.

Zap! No TV Prevent Electrical Surges

In many respects, we have become a "wired society." Many of us have more than one television, DVD player, computer, microwave oven, automatic electric garage door openers, stereo components and on and on. A quick look around your home or apartment will likely reveal a number of electric and electronic devices plugged into the walls. And, in less time than it takes to blink your eye, these modern luxuries and conveniences could be gone.

Electrical surges cause millions of dollars in damage to home appliances and electronics each year and, in most cases, this damage and inconvenience can be prevented. While lightning can cause some surges, most are caused by other factors. Damaging electrical spikes occur when the voltage in your home’s electrical system increases and returns to normal within millionths of a second.

An electrical device you really need

Properly installed surge protection devices (SPD), combined with a good home grounding system should protect your electrical and electronic appliances from all but the most severe electrical surges. For the best protection from surges, an SPD should be installed at the electrical meter or main electrical panel. Your utility company can install this device at your request. If your utility company doesn’t offer the service, a qualified electrician can perform the work.

In addition, an SPD should be connected to each device to be protected. For computers, TVs or VCRs, a multiport SPD is needed to help prevent outside surges from causing damage through a phone or antenna connection

A down to earth necessity It’s important to note a good electrical grounding system is essential for SPDs to work. A qualified electrician or local building code official may be able to verify the quality of your grounding system. All surge protection equipment should be approved by an independent testing organization, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc. An SPD to be installed at the electrical panel or meter should be UL-listed 1449 and IEEC 587 Category C. The SPD should also be rated for not less than 40,000 amps.

Surge protection devices meant for appliances and other electronics should be UL-listed IEEE 587 Category A or B and rated not less than 5,000 amps. Both types of devices should have the same clamping voltage, which should be rated between 400 and 500 volts.

More than an inconvenience Electronic components and microchips are being installed in most appliances, and they are very sensitive to surges. The electrical windings in motors and even the insulation on wiring can be damaged by a surge. But there is more to be concerned about than the inconvenience of living temporarily without a phone, air conditioning or television.

Well pumps and sump pumps can also fall prey to electrical surges. Few of us could handle life without running water; none of us wants to deal with a flooded basement. Now is the time to investigate surge protection.

By

State Farm® Agent if you found article on Electrical surges helpful go to Michigan Homeowners Insurance for more articles.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless and toxic gas and is toxic to both pets and humans. Because it is impossible to see, taste or smell the toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware it is in your home.  Low levels of Carbon Monoxide will cause symptoms that mimic the flu. Usually you will experience headaches, confusion, dizziness, nausea and fatigue. . According to the Center for Disease Control carbon monoxide is the most common cause of poisoning death in the United States. Unintentional CO exposure accounts for an estimated 15,000 emergency department visits and 500 unintentional deaths in the United States each year.

Sources of Carbon Monoxide

• Unvented kerosene and gas space heaters
• Chimney flues and Fireplaces
• Defective furnaces
• Oil or Kerosene heaters
• back-drafting from furnaces
•  gas water heaters
•  Wood stoves
•  gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered equipment;
•  automobile exhaust from attached garages

What to do if you suspect you have carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Get Fresh Air (open the windows or doors or go outside immediately)
• Go to the hospital and tell them that you may have carbon monoxide poisoning

Do not try to stay in your home for a long amount of time without getting fresh air first.  At higher levels carbon monoxide can lead to a loss of consciousness, reduce brain function or you map lapse into a coma and even death.

How to prevent carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Install a battery-operated Carbon Monoxide detector and make sure you change your batteries at least twice a year.  You should also change your smoke detector batteries. Usually the best time to do this is when you change your clocks for daylight savings time. 
• Make sure you maintain a detector on each level of your house.
• Have your furnace and gas appliances checked at least once a year.  Follow your furnace guidelines and replace the filter at least every 3 months. Check your vents and ducts for signs of defects.
• If you regularly use your fireplace have it cleaned out annually and when you use you use your fireplace make sure that you keep the flue open.
• Don't leave your car running inside a garage, but If you do make sure that you have the door  raised so the exhaust fumes will be vented outside.
• Don't use  a charcoal grill or a fire pit indoors.

Remember carbon monoxide poisoning resembles the flu if more than one person is exhibiting the same symptoms get to fresh air.  Also if you have a pet and they are exhibiting the same symptoms and seem lethargic that is also an indicator that you may have carbon monoxide poisoning because pets can't get the flu virus.

Rental dwelling insurance can minimize the owner's risk

For most people, rental dwelling ownership means a big investment with special risks. Buying a rental dwelling is a big undertaking and as an owner you need to make sure that you are adequately protecting your investment. You'll want to make sure you have coverage for your property, your liability and loss of rents. The main components of rental dwelling insurance policy include: the dwelling, personal property, business liability and loss of rents. 

Rental Dwelling

Provides coverage for accidental loss to the building and other structures attached to it like a porch, garage or fence. If there are detached structures on the property, make sure to clearly define their use. If the structures are used for commercial, manufacturing, farming, or if your tenant decides to use them for any of these purposes or other business purposes, a standard rental dwelling policy may not cover losses arising from these activities. 

Personal Property

 Keep in mind, personal property includes items such as appliances, maintenance, and service equipment owned by you. If your rental dwelling policy does not include this type of coverage, you might be exposed 

Business Liability

This important coverage insures you against bodily injury, personal injury, or property damage resulting from the ownership, use or maintenance of the property. These types of claims are the ones that could affect you and your family for a lifetime if you are not properly insured.

Business liability may also include coverage for the cost of legal defense. 

Do you know the coverage limits on your current rental dwelling policy? If you don’t know the answer, I'd suggest you start your research today. 

Loss of Rents

This coverage reimburses the fair rental value of the dwelling for up to 12 months if your rental dwelling is left unfit for occupancy due to a covered loss. Does your current policy cover you for the loss of rents due to unforeseen circumstances like a fire? It's an answer you should know. 

There are additional coverages included in a rental dwelling policy. You can call me to discuss these options. Please check your policy for a complete description of coverage and loss or damage not insured.

 Many investors have questions when taking their first steps to own a rental property. As a State Farm Agent, I'm here to help you through this exciting experience.

By Jay

State Farm® Agent for information about what to do if you can't get a rental dwelling policy go to this Michigan Insurance Dwelling Insurance.

Close the door on dryer fires

By

State Farm® Agent Jay  If you found this post about dryer fires useful go here for more Michigan Insurance  Home Safety tips.

Flood insurance: Generally required in high-risk, flood-prone areas, this insurance is issued by the federal government and provides coverage for both property and contents.

http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/cbrs/cmi.shtm list of some counties and their information

Flood damage is not covered under a homeowners policy. Many people believe the federal government will help them recover after a flood. However, most floods are too small to qualify for federal assistance. Even if the flood is qualified, often the amount the person receives or can borrow is not enough to cover all the losses. In many cases, the assistance is in the form of a low interest loan which must be repaid and causes further hardship. If you are a property owner whose property is in a low area or near a river or lake, you may be concerned that you need flood insurance. Or perhaps your mortgage company may require you to purchase flood insurance if your mortgaged home is located in a designated flood zone.

You can find out if you are in a designated flood zone by contacting your local township office, building official, city engineer, or planning and zoning administrator. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also produces flood insurance rate maps and makes them available to agents and other interested individuals.

30-Day Waiting Period
There is typically a 30-day waiting period-from date of purchase-before a new flood policy goes into effect. Here are the only exceptions:

• If your lender requires flood insurance in connection with the making, increasing, extending, or renewing of your loan.
• If an additional amount of insurance is required as a result of a map revision.
• If flood insurance is required as a result of a lender determining that a loan that does not have flood insurance coverage should be protected by flood insurance.
• If an additional amount of insurance is being obtained in connection with the renewal of a policy.

Many insurance companies that sell home insurance in Michigan also sell flood insurance. Your home insurance agent can help you determine if you need flood insurance, how much you need, and what it will cost you. However, the cost should not vary among companies because the federal government sets the premium. The premium will be the same no matter what agent you purchase the policy from. An agent may also be able to provide additional strategies that you can use to protect your property from flood damage.

Payment must be made for the full year's premium, unless your agent or company provides that independently.The National Flood Insurance Program accepts check and credit card payments and coverage will not be effective until full payment is received. 

If you need flood coverage in Michigan contact State Farm Agent Jay. More information available about Michigan Insurance @ E-Michigan Insurance.

Choosing the right fire extinguisher for your home

Based on your home size, and the number of potential fire hazards, you should consider having one or more working extinguishers. You should also choose the extinguisher type that best fits your needs.

Generally, there are three common classes of home fire extinguisher:

Class A - These are for wood and paper fires. This class cools material below its ignition temperature and soaks fibers to prevent re-ignition.

Class B– These extinguishers suppress flammable-liquid and grease fires. They work by removing oxygen from the area sprayed and preventing vapors from reaching the ignition source. Chemical reactions that remove oxygen suffocate a fire.

Class C – These models are for electrical fires. They use an extinguishing agent that is not capable of conducting electricity.

Multi-Class– These chemical extinguishers can be used on different types of fires and are labeled with more than one letter - A-B, B-C or A-B-C. (Note: Most multi-class extinguishers contain a corrosive agent that should be cleaned up immediately after use to prevent damage to sprayed surfaces).

By State Farm® Agent go here for more Safety tips like this one.