Generator Safety 101

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At some point during this past winter, you may have lost power and depending on for how long, you may have gone and purchased a generator. Some purchase generators for the “just-in-case” scenario, while others use them for RVing or running a small shop. Regardless of why you have a backup generator, they can be a great tool for helping to keep warm and possibly running some small appliances or light fixtures (depending on the size of your generator.) There are some key safety issues that one should take into consideration when purchasing and using a portable generator during inclement weather or even while camping.

Generator Safety 101 in Washington:

  • Power: When trying to pick out a generator you need to consider what exactly it will be powering. For lighting, heat and appliances, there are specific wattages that need to be met. If the generator is not powerful enough to run these items, both the generator and the appliances, etc., could be damaged. A simple way to figure this out is to look at the generator “running/rated watts.” If the running watts on a generator lists it as 1500, then it can run up to 15 100 watt light bulbs. Some appliances such as fans have a starting surge. So, if a fan is 200 watts, but has a 600 watt power surge when you turn it on, you technically only have 900 watts left on your generator. If running other appliances, remember, 1kw = 1,000 watts, volts x amps = watts, so 3 amps at 120 volts = 360 watts.
  • Placement: You never want to use a generator indoors. Running a generator indoors is essentially like running car in a garage with the door closed. Generators release carbon monoxide (CO) and even in small doses that can be deadly. Installing a battery-operated CO monitor, like this, is a great way to help protect yourself from CO poisoning. The generator should be placed at least 25 ft. from the home or camper and should be in a cleared area. Generators can produce quite a bit of heat and could spark a fire in the right conditions, so if you’re out camping, ensure the area is free of debris. Be cautious when using a generator in wet conditions, a pop-up open air canopy could keep the generator dry. If the weather is wet, use covers on extension cords and remember to never touch electrical outlets or plugs with wet hands.
  • Powering the generator: Generators run on fuel, diesel, unleaded or 2 cycle depending on the type you purchase. When buying and storing fuel, only use approved containers. Every city has different regulations regarding the amount of fuel that can be stored in a residence and where it can be stored, check your local regulations or check with your local fire department for more information on fuel storage.
  • Making it permanent: You may decide that you like your generator so much that you want to make it a permanent fixture at your home in case of future power outages. In that case, you will want to contact a reputable electrician, as attaching a generator to your electrical system can be complicated. Never try to plug a generator directly into an electrical outlet, it could cause serious (expensive) damage to your home system.

Let your ISU Insurance Solutions Group Woodinville agent know if you have a generator permanently attached to your home electrical system. You can also let your agent know if you have made any other upgrades to your home that could result in a home insurance discount, like a security system or an impact resistant roof. The insurance experts at ISU Insurance Solutions Group in Woodinville, WA are here to assist you with all of your insurance needs. Visit our insurance website 24/7 for more information about us or any of the insurance products we sell like RV insurance or renters insurance

Do you know these camping basics?

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A camping trip is one of the great adventures a person (or family) gets to have each summer. Our area is filled with great camping spots, some nestled in the woods some near streams and lakes, but most are great for meeting new friends. Preparing for this wonderful American tradition a camping trip can be challenging as you have to be ready for many different scenarios: wild animals, weather changes, illness, etc. Don’t fret, we are here to highlight some of the basic necessities one may need on a weekend camping trip.

Camping Basics in Washington:

  • Food:  Food and drink is a very important component of any trip. Most folks pack your standard camping fare like hot dogs, s’mores and plenty no-fuss ready to eat snacks. You’ll want to pack some energy bars, nuts, fruit and plenty of water if you plan on doing any physical activity as low blood sugar (and heat) can lead to dizziness and possibly fainting. Storing your food is also extremely important. Making sure all food is tightly sealed in containers will help keep pests and wild animals out of your campsite, you should also make sure that cold food stays cold to avoid food poisoning. Be sure to pack all food away in the evenings in a locked car away from any sleeping quarters as bears and other wild animals may enter camp looking for a snack.
  • Weather: Be prepared for all kinds of weather and be aware that it can change at any moment. Pack enough clothes to layer should it get chilly or rainy, hats and umbrellas for staying out of the sun and proper food gear for hiking or for swimming (including life jackets if you plan on using a canoe or raft). Being prepared for the weather also means being prepared for the pests warm weather brings. Mosquitoes and ticks can be an annoyance, but they can also cause health problems like West Nile Virus and Lyme disease. Citronella candles (or torches) and repellant sprays can help protect against mosquitoes and ticks. For ticks, check yourself and your pets daily for ticks.  They prefer dark, warm areas like behind the knees, ears and inside the belly button. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some great tick prevention and removal tips.
  • Fires: Whether you are camping with a tent or in an RV or camper, you will most likely be starting a fire (in an approved fire pit) to cook food or just to enjoy. Make sure that your fire pit is well contained and the area around and above it is free of flammable material. Watch sparks and shifts in the fire to ensure that the flames stay within the pit. Having a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher hand is a very good idea. If a forest or brush fire should start, you’ll want to contact the authorities (in many cases a camping host) immediately. It is not just camp fires that can cause a forest or brush fire. Sparks from motorcycle, ATV or RV tail pipes can also cause a spontaneous fire. If you are bringing any of these “toys” along take to your insurance agent about a personal umbrella insurance policy, which could help mitigate damage and restitution costs if you were found liable or negligent for a brush or forest fire.
  • Cleanliness: Not just personal hygiene, but keeping your campsite clear of trip hazards, such as unused toys, firewood, ropes or other items that could cause a trip. Remember that you’re usually leasing a space of land to camp on, but this won’t stop others from walking through your site. Be sure they have a safe place to travel through and that you can’t be found liable for someone injuring themselves while being in or around your RV (should you be using an RV). You can protect yourself with vacation liability insurance coverage that is available with specialized RV policies such as those offered by Progressive Insurance.

At ISU Insurance Solutions Group Woodinville we want you to enjoy your summer camping trips. While we can assist you with building fires and setting up a campsite, we can help ensure that all your RVs, ATVs and motorcycles are insured with the right policy to fit your needs and budget. Give your Woodinville, WA ISU Insurance Solutions Group agent a call and see the difference of working with an independent agent. You can also visit our insurance website 24/7 for more information about the other insurance products we sell, like home insurance or auto insurance.

Auto and Home Insurance Premiums Explained in Woodinville, WA

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An Explanation of Insurance Premium Costs in Woodinville, WA

When shopping for car insurance, it can be difficult to understand why you pay one thing and your best friend or even family member pays something entirely different. The cost of insurance is a complex thing to explain, but we’ll do our best here to eliminate some of the myths.

When shopping for car insurance, it can be frustrating that your rate will vary greatly from a friend who has insurance with the same carrier and is from a similar area and age. However, it is important to understand that each carrier has literally hundreds if not thousands of “tiers” for their prospective customers. A tier is a combination of all variables such as address, age, driving history, credit and more.  After tiering, there are then discounts (such as homeownership, prior insurance) and surcharges (such as tickets, accidents or no prior insurance).

Insurance companies have some primary goals:

  1. Make enough money to cover all losses and make a profit (usually less than 10 cents on the dollar)
  2. Maintain rates good enough to attract more policyholders and grow.
  3. Spread their risks (just like an investment portfolio) mixed with good drivers and higher-risk drivers.

Why does your age, gender and marital status impact what you pay each year?

With insurance, it all comes down to loss history for the insurance company. Insurance companies have analysts that review and set rates based off of loss history for certain characteristics of their prospective insured. For instance: if company A has a poor loss history with males, the rate will be higher for males than it is a female if everything else is the same. The same goes for age, marital status, zip code etc. If a company has a lot of comprehensive claims in zip code 98661, then the rates for comprehensive insurance in that zip code typically be higher than an neighboring zip code.

Why does my less expensive 1999 Camry cost more to insure than my 2005 Ford truck?

While this answer has many variables as well, some things that would impact this rate are that your Camry has a higher likelihood to be stolen than your 2005 Ford truck. Because the insurance company can look at losses on your 1999 Camry and see that it paid out a lot in comprehensive theft claims, they would set the rate higher than on your Ford truck. The same goes for safety. If the likelihood of being injured in an accident is higher in your Camry than in your Ford truck, then you will pay more for medical coverage portion of your policy on the Camry.

Why do tickets or accidents impact my rate so much?

Receiving a ticket or an accident dramatically increases your risk of costing the insurance company money in the future, so they adjust your premiums upwards to make up for this. You’re considered a higher risk for the insurance company for having a ticket versus someone who has not received a ticket or an accident.

Why did my insurance increase when I didn’t receive a ticket or an accident?

Insurance companies are always adjusting their rates based off of their losses throughout the year. They can adjust them as many times as they need to throughout the year to ensure that they stay profitable. If you’re on a six month renewal, it is possible that your renewal offer will be higher even if you don’t have any tickets or accidents during your previous period.  That said, it is possible then that if you’re on a yearly renewal, that your renewal offer be much higher because you’ve gone an entire year with the same rate.

What can I do to control my insurance premiums?

  1. The simplest thing you can do to keep your insurance premiums low is to keep your driving record clean and your credit history healthy.
  2. Shop your insurance with different carriers, or better yet, contact a local independent agent who can quote you several companies at once and also knows which markets you would be better suited for.
  3. Buying a new car (or new to you)? Call your agent for a quote first. Rates can vary dramatically between vehicles and it is important to call your agent first to quote you your new rate BEFORE you get stuck with it for many years.
  4. Look at different carrier options. Progressive Insurance for instance is using a device named: “Snapshot.” Snapshot works by tracking your driving behavior when you install it in your vehicle. While not available in every state, a Snapshot customer can save up to 30% off of their insurance premiums.

 

As always, contact your local agent to find out what solutions are best for you! Every customer is different and every situation is different. Utilize the expertise of a local independent agent and call them for guidance. Safe driving!