Margaret Brackett

Contributing Columnist

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The South Carolina Insurance Association operated for almost 60 years as the S.C. Insurance News Service. Recently, the name was changed in a minor re-branding effort, but most of the day-to-day operation is still the same. They are a trade association that represents many of the leading property/casualty insurance companies that do business in this state.

Russ Dubisky, executive director of the Association, is spokesman. He has selected news and views in a variety of up-to-date topics to inform readers of insurance news.

It is June, which means hurricane season is here again. Hurricane forecasts are calling for an average storm season. We have already had three storms this season, and two of them have brushed parts of South Carolina. Now is the time to prepare.

Even though we are not near the coast in Newberry, advanced preparation will help you respond to a number of different potential disasters, whether it is a hurricane, flood, or other severe weather that can happen in inland areas. Severe thunder storms can lead to tornadoes, hail, or winds that can down trees and bring severe damage to your home. Disaster preparation should include a thorough insurance review and emergency plan.

Talk to your insurance agent to update, ask questions, and make sure you have the right coverages and deductibles in place for your individual needs. Since the entire state is susceptible to flooding, we encourage everyone to consider purchasing flood insurance. Flood insurance is not included in a basic homeowner’s policy. Floods are the most common natural disaster in the United States.

We also encourage consumers to consider a home inventory which is a great way to ensure you have adequate coverage for your home’s contents. To help with your process, free “know your stuff-Home Inventory Software” is available through the insurance information institute at III-org.

You also want to make sure you have a plan in place if a storm is threatening and/or evacuations have been ordered. If you have time and can safely do so, prepare the exterior of your home and yard if strong winds and water are imminent. Nail any loose shingles or boards, and cover windows with plywood or storm shutters.

Bring lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, and grills into the garage. Cut weak limbs overhanging a structure and remove yard debris. Decide ahead of time where you will go if an evacuation order is issued. Listen too local radio and TV stations for evacuation information.

The S.C. Insurance Association and the state’s Department of Insurance are both encouraging citizens to “Prepare, Plan, and Protect” this storm season.

The summer also brings about vacation season. You will want to make sure that your home isn’t a target for thieves when you’re away on vacation. To help protect your house, get someone to check on the house regularly, shut off the water supply, put lights on a variable timer, use outdoor lighting and use your central security system, smoke detectors to protect your home.

Insurance can seem complicated to the average customer. It is a unique industry, but it is highly competitive and the customers win because they have more options. It is important for consumers to shop around. Agents can be a helpful resource —they are trained to ask questions and help identify your needs. Remember, shopping for insurance costs nothing but your time.

Our industry is beginning to see some alarming trends on the auto insurance side. Unfortunately, there are some significant increases in the frequency and average severity of auto accidents in South Carolina.

From 2014 to 2015, we have seen a 16 percent increase in auto fatalities. So far, not even halfway through 2016, we have seen 400 fatalities on our state’s roads. Along with the alarming increase in fatalities, we have also seen more serious injuries, and increases in property damage.

There are a number of factors that are believed to contribute to these alarming trends. For example, there is a strong correlation between the number of miles driven, and the number of auto collisions. With the economy still improving, more and more people are employed, which puts more people on the roadways. Other factors such as road conditions, weather, distractions, speeding and others impact the number of auto accidents.

New technologies and safety features, such as collision avoidance systems, are becoming more popular, and hopefully they will begin to help reverse these trends and make driving safer for all. However, these statistics should serve as an important reminder to all about the importance of minimizing our distractions and being more careful when we are behind the wheel.

Readers can find more information about these and other insurance topics to visit our website at SCinsurance.net. Also, your local agent, broker or company is a good resource for individuals who have questions about their own insurance.

Margaret Brackett is from Newberry. Her columns appear weekly in The Newberry Observer.