We’re more than just insurance. Here you’ll find tips and tricks for your insurance, and what we bring into our local communities.
How to Build an Earthquake Preparation Kit
BC is the province that gets the most earthquakes every year. Learn to build an earthquake preparation kit and what you can do to protect your home.
British Colombia has the highest number of earthquakes on average per year in Canada. In fact, several earthquakes of at least magnitude 6 have been felt every year in BC over the past 10 years. As a BC resident, you should be prepared for an earthquake in the future because, apart from causing significant property damage, it can trap you inside your home and cut short your supply of basic necessities. With that being said, here is a comprehensive list of how to build an effective earthquake preparation kit that ensures your survival for 3 to 7 days.
With adequate preparation, the earthquake is not as scary as it sounds.
What exactly do you need to survive without access to electricity, water, and food?
Non-perishable food and a manual can opener
Bottled water, at least 4 litres per person per day
Seasonal clothing with sturdy footwear
Personal toiletries, with medication and an extra pair of glasses if needed
A radio, either hand-cranked or with extra batteries
A flashlight, either hand-cranked or with extra batteries
Cash in small bills
A whistle
A blanket or sleeping bag
Garbage bags and moist towelettes
A first aid kit
A dust mask
A copy of your emergency plan and any other important documents
How will your home be impacted in an earthquake?
An earthquake will seriously damage your home by causing costly breakages to its structure and furnishings. Your belongings moved by the earthquake may also be damaged or broken.
Insure your home with Maxxam Insurance
Adding an earthquake coverage to your existing home insurance policy will help protect your home from a total loss in the event of an earthquake. An earthquake coverage can help you and your family to restore your home in the aftermath of an earthquake. Call 250-391-8809 (Victoria) or 604-524-9277 (Burnaby) to chat with a home insurance expert about your earthquake coverage today!
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Talk to one of our experts about your coverage today.
Tips to Prevent Household Floods
If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, you should be knowledgeable about how to prevent household floods because they could severely destroy your house structure and personal belongings and cause insurmountable loss. Here are some tips to help you effectively prevent household floods in BC.
Knowing how to prevent household floods can save you lots of money and stress.
Although floods are common in BC and can occur at any time of the year, they happen most frequently in spring and early summer due to heavy rain and melting snow. They can also be caused by storm surges, ice jams or damage to structures like dikes or dams. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, you should be knowledgeable about how to prevent household floods because they could severely destroy your house structure and personal belongings and cause insurmountable loss. Here are some tips to help you effectively prevent household floods in BC:
Seal the cracks
One easy trick to prevent household floods is seal the cracks in your foundation walls and basement floors from inside of your home.
Install window wells and covers
Window wells and covers are designed to block debris and moisture from reaching your basement windows. Well covers and plastic sheeting can serve as extra protection from flooding.
Add a weeping tire or foundation drain
A weeping tire is important to household flood prevention because it is used for underground water collection and ensures that your house has proper drainage.
separate your weeping tile from the sanitary or storm sewer drain and install a sump pit and sump pump
Weeping tile connected to the sanitary or storm sewer drain increases water flowing into the municipal sewer system when it rains heavily, which is why you need a sewer backup. Ensure that you plant a sump pump (in its own sump pit) to move water to the surface where it can safely flow off.
Avoid dumping fats, oils, and grease down your drains
Dispose of these substances with your organic waste to minimize blockages.
To protect your home from unforeseen financial losses due to flooding, contact Maxxam Insurance to get a tailor-made home insurance coverage!
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Maxxam delivers a comprehensive and competitive policy that is tailor-made for you, your family, and your property.
Tips for Savings on Home Insurance
Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or you’re getting ready to downsize, there’s a lot to think about when you’re buying a new home.
MAXXAM WILL SAVE YOU MONEY
Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or you’re getting ready to downsize, there’s a lot to think about when you’re buying a new home — and once you’ve found your humble abode, the last thing you want to worry about is the cost of insuring it. Fear not! Maxxam Insurance has some money-saving tips to help you get the right coverage at the right price.
1. Newer is better.
If you’ve got the choice between an older home and a newly constructed one, keep in mind that many insurers give discounts on newer homes. It stands to reason — most new builds come with some sort of warranty and repairs aren’t generally an issue for the first few years of ownership. And to an insurer, that means fewer claims.
2. Skip the bank (if it works for you).
If you’ve worked hard to set aside a large down payment or have access to savings, consider opting for a less expensive home and go mortgage-free. This move could get you a discount from your insurance provider and help keep a little extra cash in your pocket.
3. Go for a higher deductible.
Choosing to pay a higher deductible in the event of a claim is a sure-fire way to reduce the premiums you pay. The higher the deductible you choose to pay, the lower your insurance rates will be. Just be sure you choose a deductible amount you’re comfortable paying if you need to make a claim down the road.
4. Keep claims to a minimum.
Of course, you want your home insurance policy to have you covered when you really need it, but keep in mind that many insurers give discounts to customers who are claims-free for a set period of time. It might pay to look at a low-value claim and assess if it’s really worth filing, or if it’s better to pay for minimal losses or damage yourself and keep your hard-won claims-free standing.
5. Embrace your age.
Insurance companies love mature homeowners — and what’s not to love? You’re generally more established financially, and past your “wild party” (read: damage-inducing) days. Look for a discount on your home insurance if you’re 45 and older.
6. Secure the perimeter.
Or at least install a company-monitored or self-monitored home security system to ward off break-ins. It helps to reduce your risk of damage and theft, and most insurance companies will reward your efforts with a discount.
7. Make your home more resistant to damage.
Some types of home improvements can help you save on insurance. Installing a sump pump or a backwater valve (or both!), for example, could reduce your chances of making a water damage claim — so it will generally reduce your home insurance premium, too.
8. Shop around with the help Maxxam Insurance.
Why pay more than you have to? A Maxxam Insurance Broker will listen to your needs and find coverage options at varying price points for you to choose from — and help point out other discounts and opportunities for savings that you might not be aware of.
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Count on our experienced brokers to deliver a comprehensive and competitive policy that is tailor-made for you
Author: Don McCormick
The Specialists of Home Insurance
Buying home insurance can prove to be overwhelming. With all the different insurance companies and different policies, you may find yourself stuck between where to go and who to go to. That’s where we come in!
MAKE PEACE OF MIND YOUR PRIORITY
Buying home insurance can prove to be overwhelming. With all the different insurance companies and different policies, you may find yourself stuck between where to go and who to go to. Especially if your mortgage lender is looking for proof of coverage to bind. That’s where we come in!
An Insurance company will direct you through some of the key features of a policy, but for the most part you’ll want to read through it from beginning to end to really understand exactly what you will be getting. However, how likely is it that you will read every word of an extensive policy? Where do you even begin?
Most insurance policies are written with confusing language, and it may seem like they’re only that way to confuse and overwhelm you. So, what is there to do about this? You may buy it and file it, or spend all your spare time researching every nuance of this contract. Both of those options sound equally unappealing.
So, let’s start from the beginning…
Why do you even need Home Insurance?
In most cases, home insurance is required because of mortgage financing requirements. The lenders will make this a required term of the contract to protect your home, (and their investment) in event of damage caused by unforeseen circumstances.
So, while you may not have a choice in having home insurance, you do have a choice in where you get it from. There are several avenues to choose from; online, cooperate agencies and specialty brokers. How do you make the decision?
Maxxam Insurance is different, we’re local to you — Vancouver Island made. Our brokers make buying Home Insurance easy, we use simple language to help you truly understand what you’re covered for and what you’re signing for! With insurance that is tailored to you, we have the option to look through multiple insurers to find you the best possible rate.
So, when you go shopping for home insurance, go to the specialists. Maxxam Insurance’s team of experienced and reputable Insurance Brokers know the market inside and out, and can give you the best advice for all your needs. We can arrange the coverage that is right for you, and if you ever need assistance, you know who to call!
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Let’s find you the best possible rate.
Selling or buying a vehicle? The buyer and the seller of a vehicle need to take these steps to transfer its ownership.