There has been and continues to be incorrect information relating to insureds’ rights and obligations under their current policies and reporting of claims. Here is a response from the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas Association:

Setting the Record Straight on Claims Filing Misinformation There has been and continues to be incorrect information relating to your insureds’ rights and obligations under their current policies and reporting of claims. If these posts were intended to alarm and confuse the public, then those involved have achieved their goal. The Facts The normal claims process has not changed. Consumers continue to have a full-range of remedies in the event an insurer acts fraudulently or in bad faith. Lawsuit-abuse legislation (HB 1774) applies to lawsuits filed after September 1, 2017. The Texas Department of Insurance will, as always, in catastrophic events, be monitoring the activities of insurance companies to make sure that claims are being paid properly and promptly. Texas has the strongest consumer protections in the nation against insurers that unfairly deny or delay claims.

As your insurance agent, we represent you! If you need to file a claim, please check our Harvey Resource Guide.

Dagley Insurance has been communicating closely with our major flood provider, Assurant Flood Insurance. If you haven’t started a claim, please be sure to call the claims line 800-423-4403, option 4

Do’s and Don’ts from Assurant Flood Insurance:

• Do Take lots of photos/videos of everything, the more the better
  • For wall damage, you need to take a ruler or tape measure to show how high up the wall the water was, take a picture, from there you can cut out 2-3 inches above the line and remove and discard the sheet rock
  • For flooring damage, you need to keep a 4×4 piece of each room (padding included), everything else can be discarded
  • For contents, you need to take photos and provide as good of a description as you can (brand, year purchased, purchase price, serial number, etc.), you MUST keep the items and not get rid of them
• Don’t wait for the adjuster to start repairing the property. Properly document via the steps above and start drying out affected area. You want to minimize the damage as much as possible and prevent possible mold growth.
• Don’t wait to file a claim. Get in the adjuster queue right away.

We hope this information helps expedite repairs and your claim. Please understand that due to the catastrophic nature of this storm, this is a slower than normal process. We are working hard to keep you updated and well informed through the process.

Thank you for your trust in our agency.

Ever feel like your family is the only one who stresses about traveling for the Thanksgiving Holiday? Or that someway somehow there will be some sort of chaotic drama? Let’s take a look at the ‘Thanksgiving Numbers’ so you can see how your fellow Americans spends their Thanksgivings as well.

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Full moons. Black cats. Sugar rushes. Things get scary on Halloween. But what are the real dangers of the holiday? Learn how simple precautions, like carrying glow sticks and being extra vigilant about using crosswalks (kids are more likely to be struck by a car on Halloween than any other day of the year), can help you avoid the hazards and still have fun with your family.

 

Click the link below to learn how you can take steps to safety:

Staying Safe On The Spookiest Day Of The Year

March is Poison Awareness Month, and there is no better time to educate and explain the dangers of poisons. From household cleaners and gardening products to prescriptive medications and laundry soaps, teaching your family right from wrong can help keep everyone safe.

Know Who’s at Risk

Accidental poisonings occur every day to humans of all ages. Seniors are at risk because many of them attempt to take their prescriptive medications without the assistance of their reading glasses. While hoping to take a pill for high blood pressure, they could mistakenly ingest pain medication from a recent surgery. Infants and children are also in danger when it comes to poisons. Since their curiosity is at heightened levels at this stage in their small lives, they are more prone to touching, tasting and using their hands to explore.

Keep Items Out of Reach

Whether you’re storing household cleaners, paint, anti-freeze or prescriptive medications, you want to store the items properly. Brightly colored pills, floor cleaners, and laundry pods can look aesthetically pleasing, especially to children. A locked storage cabinet can keep prying hands and eyes safe. You also never want to leave pill bottles or containers unhinged and opened. In addition to a locked cabinet, you should store the items on an upper shelf in case the container is accidentally left open.

Read Labels

If you must have certain toxic items around your home, you need to read the labels carefully. This will allow its proper usage and what to do in case of an emergency. With so much attention being spent on being kind to Mother Nature today, you may also find products that are environmentally, human, and pet safe.

Implement an Emergency Plan

With over 700,000 visits to the emergency room each year and an estimated 35,000 deaths due to poisoning, you need to have a plan in place in case of an emergency. The Poison Helpline can be reached at 1-800-222-1222. Nurses, physicians, and other staff are in attendance at all hours and can offer their assistance.
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Caffeine has become a part of our culture. Unfortunately, it has also been shown to cause health problems when consumed in excess. Most people today consume some amount of caffeine on a daily basis either intentionally or unintentionally. Several tips will help you to control your caffeine intake.

Know Exactly What You Are Eating and Drinking

Caffeine can be found in many foods, beverages and medications. It is commonly added to vitamin supplements and weight loss products. You should start by finding out exactly how much caffeine is in what you are eating and drinking. If the amount is not listed on the products, then you can usually find an exact answer online. Start to limit or avoid high-caffeine foods entirely.

Find Caffeine-Free Alternatives

Some people end up consuming caffeinated beverages and foods because of the taste. This is especially true for things like sugary sodas. You should start finding caffeine-free alternatives. Many products are available like caffeine free sodas, sparkling fruit juices, and other items that taste good without introducing a large amount of caffeine into your body.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Eat a balanced and healthy diet in order to reduce your cravings for caffeine. Some people are used to getting a boost during the day from a soda or cup of coffee. If you have balanced meals and snacks during the day that include proteins, complex carbohydrates, and fruits or vegetables, then your body is going to have long-lasting energy naturally. This will make it easy to avoid caffeine.

Get Enough Rest Each Day

There are individuals who rely on caffeine as a way to fight fatigue and exhaustion. This is not healthy and can cause problems with your body. You can break your reliance on caffeine by getting enough rest each day. Relax at the end of the day, go to bed at a reasonable hour and get between six and eight hours of sleep a night in a comfortable and quiet place. You will wake up feeling energetic and refreshed.
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Poor indoor air quality can quickly lead to respiratory issues, infections, and debilitating diseases when it is out of control. Maintaining quality airflow in the home is possible with a few cleaning tips and tricks to ensure you are always as healthy and safe as possible whenever you choose to spend time indoors.

Dust, Vacuum, and Mop Regularly

Maintaining your home is essential to improving your indoor air quality overall. Ensuring you mop, dust, and vacuum regularly is necessary to rid dust and additional buildup of bacteria that may find its way into your everyday airflow.

Clean Clutter and Dispose of Old Food

Clean and rid clutter from around the home while always ensuring you dispose of old and decomposing food. Getting rid of old food and clutter keeps bacteria from growing and spreading, especially in the form of mold.

Install New Air Filters Whenever Necessary

Installing new air filters is another way to improve your indoor air quality, especially when you have a furnace or air conditioning unit that requires replacements every few months. Installing new air filters is a way to catch additional dust and bacteria in traditional airflow that can ultimately become harmful when inhaled over time, regardless of your age and current state of health.

Check Plumbing for Potential Leaks

In order to avoid potential leaks and water in your home that leads to mold, be sure to check all plumbing regularly to keep an eye on cracks and issues that may becoming prevalent.

Taking the time to improve your indoor air quality is a way for you to keep your home fresh and clean as much as possible. Whether you have children, small pets, or even if you live alone, improving your indoor air quality is a way to make the most out of spending hours and days inside of your home.
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