Suburban® Brokers Inc.
201-796-1881
Monday - Friday 9:30 - 5:00
Se Habla Español
  • Home
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Kando Service Agency
  • Services
  • Homeowner
  • Business
  • Auto
  • RV
  • Claims
  • Contact
  • Blog

Protect Your Home from flooding

4/3/2024

0 Comments

 
Picture
It’s been raining on and off — mostly on — in New Jersey since early Monday with seemingly no end in sight. There is a Flood Watch in effect today through Thursday for portions of the area.   The rest of Wednesday will be wet and windy. But the rain will eventually push away from our area.

As the saying goes, “April showers bring May flowers.”

This is the time of year when we need to be vigilant about potential flooding and protect our homes. 

3 Key Steps

As you begin to think about which flood mitigation options might be the best for you and your home, consider these three key steps:
  1. Know Your Risk. Learn more details about your home’s level of flood risk, including the type of flood zone it is in.
  2. Insure Your Property. Even if your home is in a low or moderate risk flood zone, purchase a flood insurance policy is highly recommended. It provides you with financial protection from a flood event. Flood damage isn’t covered by standard homeowners’ insurance policies.
  3. Reduce Your Risk. Decide how to prepare your family and protect your home from flooding.
Picture
For additional tips and information, download the brochure from FEMA - Protect Your Home From Flooding.

Secure Your Protection Today

Insurance is one of the most critical items to consider when preparing for a flood. Remember, most flood insurance policies have a waiting period of 12 to 30 days, so don’t leave it to luck.

Reach out to us to review your flood policy and make sure you are protected. Call us at 201-796-1881.
Picture
0 Comments

Flood Protection: Home Prep Tips and Safeguards

10/10/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
Everyone is at risk of a flood. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) says 99% of U.S. counties have had a flood since 1998. Most floods happen outside of mapped flood zones and 25% of claims happen outside of high-risk areas.

You can minimize your risk with knowledge and preparation. Learn about different flood risks, ways to protect your belongings and how to select the best coverage for you.

Who Needs Flood Insurance?

Standard home and renters’ insurance doesn’t cover damages caused by a flood. You’ll need a separate policy for that. Flood insurance covers flood damage to your home, personal belongings, and other structures on your property.

Renters and condo owners need flood insurance, too. Your building owner might have flood protection, but it only covers their building and rebuilding costs. It won’t help you replace your things. Condo and renters flood policies are inexpensive since they don’t cover rebuilding.

Know What Flood Policies Cover

A growing mix of private insurance options and federally funded policies are available. Flood insurance coverage can get tricky. Government-backed policies like the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and private flood insurance providers have their pros and cons.

Picture
As noted above, vehicles aren’t covered under flood insurance. You’ll need a comprehensive auto policy for that.

Protect Your Property and Belongings

Regardless of your home’s flood rating, you should safeguard your property and belongings.
  • Protect in-home electrical and climate systems 
  • Elevate outdoor equipment
  • Modify water valves
  • Inspect the perimeter
  • Clean gutters, downspouts and drains
  • Elevate storage items
  • Fight soil erosion using landscaping
  • Create barriers

Safeguard Essential Documents 

Most people think about property damage during a flood. But you must also consider other risks, like damage to essential and hard-to-replace items. FEMA recommends keeping essentials in a grab-and-go bag if you need to leave in a hurry. Examples include:
  • Prescriptions — Gather essential medicines, medical equipment, batteries, eyeglasses, hearing aids and other necessary medical items.
  • Critical documents — Assemble hard and electronic copies of birth certificates, Social Security cards, passports, and other crucial documents. Organize your information into a digital wallet or secure cloud storage.
  • Personal needs — Gather food, water, first-aid kits, cash, and phone chargers.
  • Priceless items — Place irreplaceable mementos and other valuables like photo albums and keepsakes out of reach of floodwaters. Use waterproof plastic bags.
  • Pets — Have a plan for your pets, including food, medications, identification tags and immunization records. Pack an extra leash and collar (even if they usually don’t wear one) so you can safely remove your pet no matter where you are. Research pet-friendly establishments beforehand so you’ll know where to go in an emergency.
  • Home inventory — Create and store a home inventory online. Include pictures, receipts, and warranty information for your belongings. If you submit a claim, you’ll need proof you owned these things.

Secure Your Protection Today

Insurance is one of the most critical items to consider when preparing for a flood. Remember, most flood insurance policies have a waiting period of 12 to 30 days, so don’t leave it to luck.

Reach out to us to review your flood policy and make sure you are protected.
Picture
0 Comments

When Riley and Quinn Blow in...

3/8/2018

0 Comments

 
Picture
Last week's severe weather caused widespread damage resulting in downed trees, power outages and damaged roofs.

Two nor'easters in less than a week's time can be a nightmare.

​That's why it's important to take both storms seriously and be sure to restock all emergency supplies.
Are You Prepared?
Check Your Supplies
  •  Make sure you have a snow shovel and salt/sand to keep walkways safe.
  • Check for sufficient heating fuel and generator fuel.
  • Keep adequate supplies of seasoned wood if you have a fireplace or wood stove.
  • Keep warm clothing/blankets on hand, and stock non-perishable foods and drinking water.
Be Ready for a Power Outage
  • Turn your heat up now, and  close off any rooms that are not currently in use.
  • Check pipe insulation. If you lose power, allow the water to run at a trickle to prevent pipes from freezing.
  • Charge battery-powered electronic and communication devices.
  • Keep a battery-powered radio on hand.
  • Take out your flashlights, batteries and first aid kit.
Picture
Click the Travelers logo to learn more about preparing for storms, snow removal, winter driving safety tips, and much more.

Black Ice: How To Spot This Winter Driving Danger
Black Ice - It’s slippery, hard-to-spot and potentially deadly. “The biggest danger is that you are at the mercy of your vehicle and the ice until your car passes over it,” claims Julie Lee, vice president and national director of AARP Driver Safety.

​Black ice forms most often when it’s raining, and air is at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit at the surface, according to AccuWeather senior meteorologist Andrew Mussoline. Low ground temperature causes the precipitation to freeze upon impact, thus creating ice.
The prime time for the development of this ice is between sunset and sunrise, when temperatures are typically the lowest. During the day, the best thing to do before getting in a vehicle is to check the pavement. “If the pavement is dry but you are seeing spots that look dark and glossy, that is probably going to be black ice," Lee said.

The most common locations for black ice are shaded or tree-covered parts of driveways and roadways due to the lack of sunlight. Bridges and overpasses are also prime locations because of their ability to freeze quickly.

“Due to a vehicle’s lack of traction on ice, the basic rule for driving on black ice is to stay calm and let the vehicle pass over it,” according to Lee.
Click above to watch The Weather Channel explain black ice.
Flood Damage Can be Worsened
Home and businesses that suffered flood damage from the first nor’easter might be invaded by the sea yet again. It’s helpful to have weeks or months between storms so proper damage surveys can be performed, and so measures can be taken to prevent flooding during future storms.

When storms come just days apart, it’s not so easy. Along the coast, residents are working feverishly to prepare their homes for nor’easter Quinn with hopes that the flooding won’t be as severe.

If you suffer any kind of damage and need to contact your insurance provider, visit the claims page on our website, or contact us during business hours at 201-796-1881. We are always here and ready to assist you. 

​Stay safe.
Picture
0 Comments

    BLOG
    ​Leighton Annis

    At Suburban, we've been getting personal since 1956!

    Request A Quote
    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Archives

    May 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016

    Categories

    All
    Auto Discount Savings
    Auto Insurance
    Auto Insurance For Teens
    Auto Theft Prevention Tips
    Back To School Safety
    Boating Safety For Children
    Boating Safety Tips
    Boat Insurance
    Business Owners Policy (BOP)
    Car Insurance Discounts
    Cloud Hacks
    Cold Weather Essentials
    Computer Fraud
    COVID-19
    Cyber Crime Coverage
    Cyber Insurance
    Cyber Threats
    Data Breach
    Distracted Driving
    Driving Safety Tips
    Emergency Preparedness
    Factors For Buying A Car
    Fall Driving Tips
    Federal Flood Insurance Program
    Fire Prevention
    Fire Prevention Month
    Fire Prevention Week
    Fireworks Safety
    Flood Damage
    Flood Insurance
    Flood Preparedness
    Flood Protection
    Fog Dangers
    Frozen Pipes
    Hacks For Packing
    Handling A Car Accident
    Homebuyer Protection
    Home Escape Plans
    Homeowners Insurance
    Home Preparation Tips
    Home Prep Tips
    Home Safety
    How Car Insurance Rates Work
    Hurricane Checklist
    Hurricane Preparedness
    IIHS Top Safety Picks
    Improve Your Gas Mileage
    Insurance
    Insurance And Fire Prevention
    Insurance Carrier Comparisons
    Insurance Claims
    Insurance Claims Process
    Insurance Policies
    Insurance Tips
    Jewelry Insurance
    Lower Insurance Costs
    Moving Tips
    National Flood Insurance Program
    Nationwide Insurance Increase
    New Jersey License Requirements
    New Jersey New Home Warranty Program
    Organize Your Move
    Policy Coverage For Storms
    Pool Barriers
    Pool Laws
    Pool Safety
    Power Outages
    Preparing To Move
    Preparing Your Home
    Preventing Frozen Pipes
    Proposed Tariffs
    Protect Your Possessions
    Punxsutawney Phil
    Real ID
    Real ID New Jersey
    Recreational Vehicle Insurance
    Renter's Insurance
    Roaming Deer
    Safe Vehicles
    Selecting An Insurance Carrier
    Slippery Roads
    Small Business Insurance
    Smart Home Kits
    Smoke Alarms
    Special Event Insurance
    Tariffs Effect On Auto Market
    Teen Driving
    The Real ID Act
    Top Safely Picks 2024
    Travel
    Travelers Billing Relief
    Travelers Insurance
    Travel Insurance
    Umbrella Insurance
    Vacation
    Valuable Items Insurance
    Watercraft Insurance
    Wedding Insurance
    Wedding Ring Insurance
    Winterize Your Car
    Winterize Your Home
    Winter Survival Kit
    Winter Weather

    RSS Feed

Picture
Picture
Since 1956, Suburban Brokers Inc. is the original insurance agency providing personal, appropriate coverage for all of your insurance needs.
Serving New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania
​ Se Habla Español
Read our Blog
Phone:  201-796-1881
Fax:       201-797-6689
6-16 Saddle River Road
P.O. Box 400
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Email: [email protected]

Picture
View our Privacy Policy
Select Language to translate website
Website by LMS Consulting