Bad weather can mean interruption in basic services like electricity. That can mean a number of complications for you and your family.

But fear not! On top of having a great homeowners insurance policy that covers damage and disruptions from storms you can pick up a portable, gas powered generator to get you through those difficult hours (or days) before basic services are restored.

Here are top tips from the experts at Bankers Insurance Group to help you pick the right portable generator and install it with ease.

Shipping can kill the deal quickly

Portable generators are heavy and shipping isn’t cheap! M

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Defective electrical wiring systems cause approximately 40,000 residential fires annually, according to a United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) study. In addition, electric cords and plugs are involved in about 7,000 fires annually. The National Electrical Safety Foundation offers numerous tips to safeguard the home against electrical fire and related losses, including the following.

• Verify that outlets and extension cords are not overloaded
• Examine electrical cords to ensure they are not frayed, damaged, or placed under rugs or carpets.
• Verify that the proper wattage bulbs are being used in light fixtures and lamps.
• Consider installing ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) in bathrooms, utility rooms, and kitchens. T

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As you prepare to begin your first apartment hunting expedition, you will find it immensely helpful to go armed with knowledge of what to expect at each stage of the process. This way, you are not caught off-guard by any unexpected fees (such as applications fees) or common enough if unanticipated-by-you rental clauses. For first-time renters, this is definitely a time of learning. One can make great strides by reading up on on typical rental scenarios and browsing through ratings and reviews issued by past tenants of a particular establishment.

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As the 2011 Atlantic Hurricane season produces its first land-threatening hurricane, we want to remind you of the importance of storm prep and planning.

Here are 3 quick resources to help you and your family get ready for severe weather and its aftermath:

• Disaster Safety
• FloodSmart
• NOAA Storm Prep

As William Booher, the director of external affairs for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, says

It’s like that old saying: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

The steps you take now, from taking a quick inventory of what you need to have on hand to designating an out-of-town emergency contact, mean you’ll be better able to cope when Mother Nature is at her most fearsome. 

Have a conversation with your family about what to do as a storm approaches. Make sure you have an emergency supply kit assembled. And p

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