Claims from Christchurch have indicated that many New Zealanders are under-insured.  In times of financial uncertainty, insurance is often the first thing that gets cut back.  People can be inclined to take an ‘It won’t happen to me’ attitude.  Recent events have proved that we cannot afford to have that attitude.

There are guidelines to determining how much cover the average house-hold requires, but these are not set in stone.  Every household is different – from the collector of antique pocket watches to the model train enthusiast – we see all shapes and sizes.

Stop and think about your current Contents cover for a minute.  Now, think about having to replace everything in the event of a total loss.  And we mean EVERYTHING – your clothes, your Manchester, your cutlery, your jewellery, your shoes.  And we haven’t even bought up major appliances yet!  Would your current cover replace all those items?

Now let’s think about your House.  Have you made any additions that you have not told us about?  What about that garden shed you built?  Or the sleep-out for your teenager?  Do we have the correct size of your Dwelling noted on your policy?

Greenstone Insurance has two trained Advisers – Graeme Bodley and Sarah-George Bodley.  Either of them is more than happy to visit you and review your Insurance cover.

If you would like to arrange an appointment, please call us on our free phone number – 0800 388 111 or email us at *protected email*.

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One of the best ways to prepare for this is to have an Emergency Kit stocked at all times.  A rule of thumb is to have at least three days of supplies on hand.

Supplies can include:

• Tinned or Dried Food
• Can Opener!
• Baby Food/Milk Powder (if necessary)
• Drinking Water (3 Litres per person per day)
• Pet Food (if required)
• Torches and spare batteries
• Radio and spare batteries
• Sturdy footwear for all the family
• Warm, waterproof clothing and jackets
• Hats (sun, wet-weather and woollen)
• A First Aid kit
• Basic Toiletries (Soap, Flannels, Toothbrushes and Toothpaste, Deodorant, Shampoo, etc).
• Water for Washing/Cooking (3 Litres per person per day)
• Warm blankets and/or Sleeping Bags
• Toilet Paper and means to dispose of waste (bin liners, etc)
• Hand Sanitiser
• Protective Masks
• Gas Cooker or Portable BBQ
• Matches (waterproof)

Make sure your Emergency Kit is well maintained.  Check all batteries regularly.  Replace any out-dated food and replace water supplies every 12 months.

Emergency Kits are not One-Size-Fits-All.  Every family will have differing ideas about what they need to help them through.  Some families may need to include regular medications.  Some may wish to include board-games and soft toys to help children through the trauma.  Our list can be considered a starting-point which can be built upon for your own family’s needs.

You should also have an emergency kit in your car and one at work – discuss this with your colleagues and nominate one person to stock and maintain the kit.

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Greenstone Insurance’s Principal Adviser – Graeme Bodley – is also a long-serving member of the Taihape Volunteer Fire Brigade.

An integral part of Greenstone Insurance’s review process is highlighting any Fire Hazards prevalent in your home, in your business or on your farm.

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The Fire Service recommends fitting long-life photoelectric smoke alarms.  These are a bit more expensive but they last a lot longer – a minimum of 10 years without changing the battery.  Place these alarms outside of your home’s bedrooms and in hallways and be sure to test them once a month. For older alarms, the batteries should be changed every time you change your clock for daylight savings.

Fire Extinguishers
These are best placed in the kitchen, out of reach of children.  Fire Extinguishers should be checked by a Fire Extinguisher Servicing Agent once a year.  If you would like more information about Fire Extinguishers , please call Greenstone Insurance on 0800 388 111.

Chimneys
For homes that rely on fires and wood-burners for warmth or water-heating, always be sure to have your chimney cleaned at least once a year.

Escape Plan
Make sure your family has an escape plan in place and practice this on a regular basis.  Establishing a safe meeting point is essential!  For example: your mailbox or the footpath across the road.

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Fire Extinguishers
Check with an extinguisher servicing agent to get the correct extinguishers for your business.  These should be checked once a year to make sure they are in top working order.

Wiring Check
It is prudent business practise to have a wiring check carried out by a registered electrician; they will inspect and test circuits. This could uncover a fire waiting to happen.

Fire Blankets
Cafes, restaurants and fish & chip shops should all have fire blankets that are easily accessible.  With regular training and instruction in their use, your staff will be able to smother a fire should one break out.  However, ALWAYS call the Fire Brigade if a fire occurs.

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Water Sources
A near-by water source can be very beneficial for fire-fighting – be it a Water Tank or even a Dam.  The more water the Brigade can access, the quicker a fire can be doused.

Wiring Checks
Having a registered electrician inspect Woolsheds, etc, can show up potential ignition sources – for example:  birds’ nests in the switchboard, cables chewed by rodents, old wiring and overloaded circuits.

The post Fire Safety on the Farm appeared first on Greenstone Insurance.

For further information, be sure to check out the New Zealand Fire Service website: www.fire.org.nz

The post Fire Safety appeared first on Greenstone Insurance.

A Get-Away Kit needs to be kept in an easily accessible place and should include the following:

• Torch and radio with spare batteries.
• Any special needs such as hearing aids and spare batteries, glasses or mobility aids.
• Emergency water and easy-to-carry food rations (ie: energy bars and dried foods). If you have any special dietary requirements, ensure you have extra supplies.
• First aid kit and essential medicines.
• Essential items for infants or young children such as formula, food and nappies.
• Change of clothes (wind/waterproof clothing and strong outdoor shoes).
• Toiletries – towel, soap, toothbrush, sanitary items, toilet paper.
• Blankets or sleeping bags.
• Face and dust masks.
• Pet supplies – if necessary.

Remember to include important documents in your Get-Away Kit: identification (birth and marriage certificates, driver’s licenses and passports), financial documents (ie: insurance policies and mortgage information), and precious family photos.

Another good idea, if you have young children with you, is to pack a favourite toy for comfort.

For further information, be sure to check out the New Zealand Government’s Disaster Preparation website: www.getthru.govt.nz.

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If you were to pass away unexpectedly, would your current Life Insurance meet your existing debt?  Or would your loved ones be left struggling?

As New Zealanders, we work hard to achieve and maintain our ¼ acre lifestyles, and we want to leave these as our legacy to our families.

Adequate Life Insurance cover ensures that we can do just that.  For more information or to arrange a Life Insurance review, call us on our Freephone Number – 0800 388 111.

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Did you know:

• Kiwi Saver not only helps you when you retire – you can also use it to purchase your first home.
• You can also make voluntary payments into your scheme as well as selecting a percentage of your wages.
• If you’re not currently earning a wage (ie: infants or school children’s schemes), make sure that the contributions being made are more than the yearly administration fees.

For further information about Kiwi Saver, please call Graeme Bodley on our free phone number – 0800 388 111.

We also have a dedicated Kiwi Saver section on our website – www.ginsure.co.nz

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