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Tip of the Month

                                                                                                       Barbecue Season Is In Full Swing: Don’t Go Up In Flames


The joys of outdoor cooking also bring fire and associated risks. Here are some safety reminders for gas and propane barbecues to protect you and your property from harm or damage.
•    Never operate a barbecue in an enclosed space, close to a structure, or near combustibles. Have a one metre radius around it free of obstructions. 
•    Keep your barbecue in tip top shape. Check for hose breakage, valve leaks, and other parts before securing the tank well and turning on the gas. 
•    When in use, never leave the grill unattended, and when finished turn the tank off before the burners so the remaining gas in the lines can burn off. This can help prevent a flash the next time the BBQ is in use.
•    Make sure your fire extinguisher is easily accessible and in good working order. 
Additional Tips
•    Propane companies use an additive to create an unpleasant odour like rotten eggs to make a propane leak easier to detect, so you can shut off supply immediately, stop using the grill, and clear the area.
•    Although the risk of carbon monoxide is low when using a BBQ outdoors, it is not entirely eliminated. Learn to recognize the signs of CO2 poisoning and take appropriate action.
•    Store propane tanks in an upright position, in a spot where they are unlikely to be knocked or bumped to prevent any safety risk.
 

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Five Key Things to Know About Claims

 

 

                                                                        Five Key Things to Know About Claims

 

One of the most important roles of your broker is to advise whether a loss should be submitted, especially smaller ones, as it could impact coverage, or lead to higher premiums in the long term.

  • For many small losses, you are already paying a significant part of the claim through the policy deductible.
  • The deductible could increase as the result of a claim.
  • Submitting a claim against a property policy could result in losing your claims-free discount at renewal. Over a few years, the difference could be could be hundreds of dollars.
  • In terms of claims or accident forgiveness, a small claim is treated the same as a large claim –even one worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. The effect on the premium could be substantial the next time you make a claim.
  • Frequently submitting claims, even small ones, can result in changes to the terms of the policy, such as having coverage restrictions applied at renewal, or even the company not offering to renew.