Pat Quart Insurance

02/07/2023

Don't Forget to show your Home some love this Valentine's

It's never too early to plana Sprint Cleaning-especially when it's so pleasant in AZ right now.

Check your Gutters for dead tree branches and debris now, before Monsoon rain and wind cause them to clog or back up.

It's also a great time to inspect home mechanical and plumbing systems before it gets too hot.

You should also inspect Water Heaters, Showers, Tubs, Toilets, Sinks, dishwashers, refrigerators, and washing machines annually. Be sure to include supply lines, hoses, and connectors/fittings at the same time and to make timely repairs if there are any signs of leaks, cracks, or corrosion.

February is a great month to remember to Show Your Home Some Love!

11/16/2021

Easy Preventative Measures can help to reduce non-weather water damage to your home. Here are some stats about mistakes that homeowners admit to making.

61% of homeowners never leave the heat or ac on while away on vacation.

55% of homeowners don't think to check under sinks and in closets for leaks or cracks before the water is noticeable.

51% of homeowners never inspect the caulking around plumbing.

47% of Homeowners do not know where their water main valve is.

07/02/2021

https://conta.cc/3wdjMv9

06/17/2021

What's an umbrella with excess UM/UIM?
The umbrella can protect assets and pay for medical and legal expenses beyond the homeowners/renters and auto policies if they’re at fault. Excess UM/UIM protects the insured if the person who caused the accident doesn't have insurance or has too little coverage for the damage.
What could excess UM/UIM cover?
• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
What are the key benefits to motorcyclists?
• Motorcyclists are much more exposed to dangers and the elements — excess UM/UIM seamlessly increases coverage by $1 MM
• Coverage makes it possible for riders to enjoy the road with greater peace of mind
• Financial security in the event an insured is unable to work after an accident

04/08/2021

Low exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) can cause headaches and dizziness, while high levels can lead to vomiting, impaired vision, and even death.

Carbon monoxide is virtually impossible to detect by smell, sight, or sound, making it a difficult threat to discern. But there are things you can do to ward off CO-related injuries.

Install a CO detector

You can help keep your family safe by installing a carbon monoxide detector that alerts you if CO reaches dangerous levels in your home. Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors pull double-duty.

Keep up with home maintenance
Prevent carbon monoxide leaks by having a professional service your HVAC system, water heater, and other appliances that use gas, oil, or coal at least once a year. If you’re buying an older home, have a professional inspect these systems before purchase so you can fix problems before moving in.

04/06/2021

In 2018, there were more than 363,000 fires in US homes, causing everything from mild smoke damage to total devastation, including the loss of 3,655 lives.
Even candles or an unattended iron can lead to accidental fires in your home, but there is a lot you can do to prevent a home fire from getting out of hand.

Install fire alarms
Install fire alarms on all levels of your home, and check and change the batteries at least annually for better fire safety.
Buy a fire extinguisher
Keep at least one fire extinguisher in your home—and check it annually to make sure it's in good working order. Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher, like the Kidde FA110 (about $40*), handy in the kitchen or near the fireplace.

Monitor candles
Never leave unattended candles or use them near loose cloth like drapes or blankets. Also, make sure this fire hazard stays out of reach of children and that pets can’t knock them over.

Unplug unused appliances
Avoid electrical fires by making sure that all appliances are in good working order and no wires are frayed. Don’t overload electrical outlets, either. In fact, it’s a smart electrical safety practice to unplug small appliances like toasters when not in use.

04/01/2021

Home Safety Tip
1. Falls
Injuries due to falls are one of the most common household hazards. In fact, one out of five older adults who falls incurs a broken bone or a head injury.1 Wet floors, slippery stairs, and scattered toys all create the potential for falls.

Stabilize staircases
Make sure all staircases have solid handrails, securely affixed flooring, adequate lighting, and safety gates if there are small children in the home. The Regalo Easy Step Walk Thru Gate (about $35*) is adjustable to most spaces and easy to use, even with a baby in your arms.

Finally, be sure to keep the stairs clear of any tripping hazards. It's tempting to put things laundry near the stairs to put away on your next trip up or down, but those can also be easy to pass up and trip over when you're in a rush.

Clear outdoor steps
Keep all outside stairs clear of debris and hazards like ice and snow. Secure fix mats in place or use grip tape like Anti-Slip Safety Tape to make surfaces less slippery.

Cover slippery surfaces in bathrooms
Secure your rugs to avoid slipping and to prevent water from pooling on slick surfaces. Non-slip stickers like Safety Treads are a particularly good way to keep everyone in your home from slipping in the shower.

Install supports showers and bathtubs
Install safety rails to help family members old and young safely get in and out of the shower. You can add more than one to provide extra support to older family members and others who need additional help.

Corral toys
Even a small toy can be a tripping hazard. Give the kids an easy way to stow toys and make sure every playdate ends without injury. Secure skateboards, bikes, and other mobile toys in a safe area where family members and visitors won’t trip on them.

03/25/2021

02/18/2021

just because it made us giggle...

01/12/2021

Early in 2015, Caitlyn Jenner was involved in a fatal multi-vehicle crash that resulted in two lawsuits against her: one for wrongful death by the family of the woman who died in the crash, and a second lawsuit for property damage and personal injury brought by another driver who was rear-ended by Jenner.

The crash also fractured the spine of a 73-year-old woman.

Investigators established that Jenner’s speed was unsafe for traffic conditions.

According to reports, her insurance policy was capped at $500K, which seems like a lot until I think about the extent of damage in this particular case.

She could be considered an underinsured motorist.

Both lawsuits were settled out of court for an undisclosed amount, but it got me thinking how critical standalone personal umbrellas really are, especially when they’re topped off with excess UM/UIM (uninsured motorist and underinsured motorist).

A policy like this would give a one-two punch: The umbrella protects the insured’s assets if they’re at fault; and the excess UM/UIM protects the insured if the person who caused the accident was only carrying minimum state limits- or simply not enough coverage for the accident.

So if the injured parties in this case had a personal umbrella with $1 MM excess UM/UIM, it would have kicked in after the at-fault party’s policy limits and the insured’s auto UM/UIM were exhausted to take care of things like lost wages and medical bills.

12/01/2020

Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Water Line Breaks?
Most homeowners insurance policies will not cover water line breaks unless a line has undergone sudden, significant damage. For example, if you dig in your yard and accidentally damage the water line running from your meter, repairs and cleanup may be covered. However, if a water line breaks on your property due to age, regular wear and tear, poor initial installation, frequent ground temperature changes, shifting soil, or damage from pests or encroaching tree roots, the break and resulting water damage isn’t likely to fall under your regular coverage.

If a water main breaks, your city or town is responsible for fixing the break, but you often will be responsible for repair or replacement of the water main supply line connected to your house. If your home is damaged from a public water main break, contact your municipality as well as your insurance company.

10/29/2020

Water Damage inside you home can sometimes be hard to detect. Plumbing inside walls or behind appliances, in low-traffic areas like basements and attics can easily go unnoticed—it’s important to check the plumbing in these areas from time to time.
You should be familiar with where your Water Main and shutoff are and also with their operation.
If you’ll be away from home for an extended period of time, consider shutting off the main water to your home. But be sure to consult with a professional to be sure that you understand the operation and possible effects to your other home systems.
Consider having your AC/heating system checked regularly by a professional. Check around these areas for sign of leaking water or damage. Be sure to change your air filters as recommended by your system manufacturer.
Inspect water heaters, showers, tubs, and other water-related items in your house regularly to check for leaks, clogs or signs of wear and tear or corrosion…be sure to include supply lines and hoses leading into your home too.
Maintain the caulking and seals around your tubs, showers, sinks and tubs. Make repairs in a timely manner.
If your refrigerator has a water line or ice maker, make sure you have no crimps to the lines, tears or any signs of leaking.
Check exposed plumbing pipes, valves,et.c for signs of leaks or corrosion. Have any damage fixed right away to avoid costlier repairs in the future.