Calling all Homeowners – Fall is in the Air

Get your pumpkin spice and scarves ready. Fall is just around the corner. You are probably ready for cooler temperatures and a change of season, but is your home? Changes in season require you to prepare your home in different ways. Fall can have different types of weather throughout the entire season. Here are a few things that you can do to prepare your home.

Clean Out Your Gutters

With fall, there are leaves constantly falling. It is important to assure that there are no clogs in your gutters. Clogs can be cause for water not to drain properly and could cause damage to your roof and/or cause damage to your foundation if the water is running straight down the side of your home.

Get Your Chimney Swept

It is best to have your chimney swept during the seasons that you are not using it. With being in Tennessee, it is hard to make time with the fluctuations of temperature. Early fall is a great time to have your chimney swept. You never know what kind of blockages could have occurred since you last used it during the winter. Even within a year, animals could have been nesting or natural buildup could have taken place causing your fireplace to be unsafe to use.

Get Your HVAC Ready for Heating

Turning your heat on for the first time can be somewhat nerve racking. There can be a slight smell that accompanies the heat being turned on for the first time, but you need to be prepared for what steps you can do to assure that it is just a smell and not a fire.

Checking your filters and cleaning the area around your HVAC are great preventive measures to take to assure that everything goes smoothly while transitioning to heat for the first time in a few months.

Avoiding Homeowners Insurance Claims

By following these suggestions, you may be able to avoid damages that could result in a large homeowners insurance claim. For more information on protecting your property, get in touch with the team at Farmers Mutual of Tennessee.  Since 1913, they have provided quality insurance coverage at an affordable price to residents throughout the state of Tennessee.  Their local independent agent will be happy to help you find the right coverage for your home, mobile home, rental dwelling, or farm at a price that suits your budget. Give Farmers Mutual of Tennessee a call today at (800) 824-9555, and visit them online for more information.

Rich Insurance History

 Dickey McCay Insurance Agency is located in downtown Copperhill, Tennessee. With a rich history going back to the days of mining, railway, and beautiful blue ridge mountain heritage, an agency was formed in 1929 to help insure and protect the people and community.  In 1950, an individual by the name of William Rymer purchased the insurance agency.  He was a caring, customer oriented and community minded person who was very ethical in his business dealings.  This was important as he built his insurance business to promote integrity, community and support. Mr. Rymer cared for the people of Copperhill, Tennessee and surrounding area as he wanted the best for them and their families.  He understood the insurance industry and wanted to make sure those he cared about had the protection they needed as they worked hard for their money.

In early 2000, Mark Brooks and Leland Rymer purchased the agency from Mr Rymer and expanded upon on his vision of excellence by continuing to offer quality insurance and enhancing the product line to promote the integrity, care, and support Mr. William Rymer worked so hard to create over the years.  After sixteen (16) years of working together, Leland Rymer handed over the reigns to Mark, his business partner.  In 2016, Mark became the sole owner of Dickey McCay Insurance agency.  Over their sixteen (16) years of working together, Mark Brooks was instrumental in growing the agency by adding new insurance companies to offer valued products and services, educating their agents, valued clients and new customers while continuing to offer and add the best products and services at affordable and valued market pricing, and supporting the local and area community by participating in fund raising and charity events to help others. Mr. Brooks and his insurance team (administrative staff, managers, underwriters, accountant, insurance agents, etc.) believe it is important to give back to your community though the support of different events and activities such as the support of local schools with donations to various clubs and programs. Dickey McCay provides a happy Christmas experience to children in their local elementary schools that might otherwise not receive gifts. Also, various staff members coach youth softball teams, is active in the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce, involved in their local dirt track in Blue Ridge, and individual churches in various capacities. Yes, they truly do live by the motto, “We live, work and play” in the same places you do, so your life and well-being matters to us.

Since 2000, the agency has grown from a $1,000,000 size insurance agency to a $10,000,000 size insurance agency which means that Dickey McCay is continuing to grow and offer more products and services to the local community of Copperhill, McCaysville, and Tellico Plains, Tennessee to the surrounding areas of the Tri-State area such as Blue Ridge, Georgia, Murphy, North Carolina, Andrews, North Carolina, Blairsville, Georgia and down as far as the Atlanta, Georgia. The company can write insurance policies in Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, and South Carolina.  If you have commercial lines of business or personal insurance needs, the company is expansive and can handle most small, medium and large business and personal insurance protection support.

Insurance Agency Expertise and Dedication

With its dedication and expertise, Dickey McCay Insurance has become a trusted and valued source for auto insurance, homeowners insurance, flood insurance,renters insurance, personal articles and marine inland insurance,business owners policies, cyber insurance, general liability insurance, workers compensation insurance, individual life insurance, individual and family health insurance, and group benefits such as group health insurance and group life insurance. When it comes down to it, insurance is all about people and protection, and at Dickey McCay they are there to serve their customer (you)to ensure the right product and service is provided at the lowest cost available.

Dickey McCay Hours of Operation

 As for service tools and resources to support their existing clients, new customers, and ensure the best service, Dickey McCay business hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 am to 4:45 pm, and on Saturday 9 am to 12 pm. This allows for their customers who are not able to visit any of their office locations through the week, the ability to visit them on Saturday.  They have a website (www.dickeymccay.com) which allows you to communicate with them, get to important information through their valued Internet links, or find valued information or resources you need. In addition, they offer multiple payment options to their customers, which include a client portal that allows 24/7 (24 hours a day and 7 days a week) customer access to your insurance information such as insurance cards, coverage information, etc.  Also, they have just introduced (launched) a new mobile app that allows you to file a claim, make a payment and complete other options to make doing business with them easier.

The goals of the Dickey McCay Insurance agency are to grow with new producers (insurance companies), double our production with our current staff, and in the near future, they would like to acquire a new location in a different geographic area to support their growing base of customers.  Their number one focus is to provide value-added services to their customer every time to ensure they are getting what they want when they need it and have the right coverage to be fully protected.

Farmers Mutual of Tennessee (FMT)

An example of a valued producer for Dickey McCay is their partnership with FMT (Farmers Mutual of Tennessee) as they allow us to offer additional options for customers who have homes in Tennessee. The underwriters are very easy to work with and provide excellent customer service.  Our motto is “We live where you live” and Farmers Mutual allows us to provide coverage to our customers in our very rural areas.  Without a super relationship like FMT, we couldn’t offer the different options for different clients across our geographic area of the Tri-State (Tennessee, Georgia and North Carolina).  Farmers Mutual of Tennessee is an excellent company with a great reputation of providing excellent products, services and support for our customers, which aligns with our core values.

Insurance Commitment and Value

In closing, Dickey McCay’s daily commitment and dedication to their customers sets them apart from their competition. They strive daily to provide the best customer service to each and every customer. They also have a wide variety of companies so they are able to offer varied levels of coverage depending on your need. Our agents are highly educated to be able to provide the best advice for our customer’s insurance needs.  If you have any questions regarding auto insurance, homeowners insurance, commercial or business insurance, flood, cyber, personal liability insurance or health insurance, Dickey McCay Insurance can help answer your questions and get you the support you need at the right price.  You can find them on the web at www.dickeymccay.comor call them toll-free at (855) 876-9779.

The fine people at Dickey McCay would enjoy hearing from you and will be glad to travel to meet with you if you can’t get in to see them.

Make it a great day!

Dickey McCay Insurance Team

Prepare Your Home for Winter and Prevent Claims

Fall in Tennessee is a wonderful time of the year. At the same time, the beautiful orange, red and yellow leaves on the trees remind us that winter is just around the corner. Freezing temperatures, ice, and snow can cause major damage to your home and other property. Fortunately, you can avoid much of the hassle and expense of damage by performing some basic maintenance before winter arrives and avoid a homeowners insurance claim.

5 Home Maintenance Tips to Prepare for Winter

1. Have the Furnace Checked

A furnace that operates inefficiently consumes excess fuel and produces dangerous gases like carbon monoxide. To reduce utility bills and keep your family warm and safe, change filters regularly and schedule a service check-up with a reliable HVAC company before the temperatures drop. Also, if you have a wood burning fireplace or stove, it is a good idea to have your chimney flue professionally cleaned and maintained to get rid of dangerous, combustible creosote build-up.

2. Remove Dead Trees and Overhanging Limbs

Dead or dying trees and overhanging limbs paired with heavy snow or ice and high winds are a home insurance nightmare. If a branch falls, it could cause serious injuries or property damage. Before a limb plummets onto the neighbor’s car or crashes through your garage roof, have a professional arborist examine the tree and remove the threat.

3. Bring Hoses in From Outside

Garden hoses are not durable enough to withstand freezing temperatures and harsh elements. Also, leaving them attached may cause damage to inside pipes from freezing. Detach the hoses from the exterior faucets, drain them of water, and store them in the basement or garage until spring.

4. Winterize Exterior Faucets & Pipes

After removing hoses, shut off the water lines inside the house that feed exterior faucets and pipes and open the valves to drain any remaining water. Apply winter covers—available at any hardware store—to the knobs and faucets, and insulate any pipes that run along exterior walls or through unheated areas of the house.

5. Clear Gutters

Rain gutters should be free of leaves and debris so melting ice and snow does not find its way into your home. Otherwise, water can accumulate in the congested troughs and form dangerous destructive ice dams. Clean the gutters and make sure downspouts are not clogged. While you’re checking and cleaning your gutters, look for and repair any missing shingles or nails sticking up that may also allow melting ice and snow to leak into your home.

By following these suggestions, you may be able to avoid damages that could result in a large homeowners insurance claim. For more information on protecting your property, speak with your local independent agent or contact Farmers Mutual of Tennessee online or call (800) 824-9555 to speak with one of our representatives.

Since 1913, Farmers Mutual of Tennessee has been providing quality insurance coverage at an affordable price. 

What is the Difference Between ACV and RCV?

This is a type of question that people usually only think about once they have a monetary or significant loss. However, it is important to research these things before selecting home insurance coverage and to know what type of insurance policy you have along with the benefits for the homeowner or individual seeking coverage. ACV (Actual Cash Value) and RCV (Replacement Cost Value) are two different methods of determining the value of a covered loss.

This centers around the fact that homes, like almost everything in life, lose value over time. A roof wears out, flooring gets stained and scuffed, and paint needs an extra coat. Whether it’s something expected to last a long time like framing, or less time like an HVAC unit, every aspect of your home is expected to wear out eventually. And some policies factor the age and lifespan into the value of lost or damaged items when determining a settlement amount.

Actual cash value is defined as “The amount which it would cost to repair or replace covered property with material of like kind and quality, less allowance for physical deterioration and depreciation including obsolescence, and wear and tear.” This means that older and more deteriorated items will be settled at a lower amount than newer ones.

ACV policies are settled by starting with the replacement cost and then subtracting the deductible and depreciation. Below is an example:

Replacement Cost Value policies, however, also pay the amount of depreciation. In most cases, FMT will make an initial payment that is the ACV amount, but once they get verification that the work has been completed (usually by a Contractor’s Completion or a Certificate of Completion sent along with photos of the completed work), we release another payment for the amount of depreciation that was initially subtracted. This is called “recoverable depreciation.”

If you are not sure which type of policy you have, we recommend that you reach out to your local agent or call FMT Insurance at 1-800-824-9555.  At FMT, we have trained insurance professionals experienced in listening and providing the best insurance service to fit your specific need.  Don’t delay, call or contact us today!

Trees: Maintenance and Damage

Every year, across our great state of Tennessee, falling trees and limbs cause millions of dollars’ worth of damage to homes. Why?  What can homeowners do to prevent or minimize damage to their property? This type of home insurance advice and action could reduce some of the costly claims across the state of Tennessee each year.

Age, drought, wind, and rain can cause trees to become compromised and more likely to damage structures – including houses, fences, and outbuildings. But FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) says that a lot of this can be prevented:

“Three-fourths of the damage that trees incur during storms is predictable and preventable. Trees with wounds, decay, structural defects, stem girdling roots, severed roots and soil compaction are prime targets for experiencing storm damage.”

If you have trees that threaten your structures, you should consider trimming or cutting them to prevent costly and inconvenient removal and repair. Also, not maintaining the trees on your premises may open you up to liability exposure. Some questions to ask if you think your tree might need maintenance are:

• Is there any damage to the trunk? Cracking, hollowing, and decay are signs that a tree may need to be removed.
• Are the branches bare or cracking? If this is the case, the tree might be unhealthy.
• Are there limbs hanging close to a roof or power lines? These should be trimmed to prevent loss.
• Do the roots look damaged?
• Is the tree leaning to one side?
• Is there fungus growing on the tree?

If some of these things are present, it might be time to contact a trusted tree removal expert or insurance agent with contacts in your area. For suggestions/recommendations on picking the right contractor, please see “Selecting a Contractor“.

If a tree falls on a covered structure, your policy provides coverage to get the tree off of the covered structure and onto the ground. It does not pay for cutting, loading, and hauling away the tree. Also, the amount for tree removal may be limited by your policy.

Common Insurance Property Damage Question Regarding Trees

A common question that we get is “If my neighbor’s tree falls and damages my property, aren’t they responsible to pay to fix it?” Super question as the answer might not be what you think. In the state of Tennessee, premise liability law states that, as long as the neighbor’s tree was alive and healthy at the time of loss, the neighbor is not liable for damage that the tree does to your property.

So, if your neighbor’s tree falls and damages your property, call Farmers Mutual of Tennessee (FMT Insurance) and we’ll set up a claim to look at the damage.
If you have any questions, please speak with your local insurance agent or contact FMT Insurance to find the nearest Agent to assist you. Another excellent resource to utilize is the “Incidental Property Coverage” section of your policy.