50 Years Later…
Posted by Michelle Moquin on February 19th, 2013
Good morning!
I didn’t want President’s Day to pass without posting something inspiring.
50 years later, a reinterpretation of JFK’s famous words
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
On January 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th president, and uttered the most notable inaugural line in history. “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” In under 14 minutes, President Kennedy delivered a moving speech that left a lasting impact on every American, including MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell.
After taking the oath of office at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Kennedy told the country that day, “We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and success of liberty.”
In honor of Presidents Day, Harvard University tweeted a link to a new version of Kennedy’s inaugural address–a video released two years ago celebrating the 50th anniversary of Kennedy’s legacy. Titled “Let the Word Go Forth,” the video, produced by the Harvard Kennedy School, commemorates the Kennedy presidency and recreates his inaugural address featuring many familiar faces and voices.
You can watch the full video below.
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Thoughts? Blog me.
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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February 19th, 2013 at 6:51 am
Light-headedness Upon Standing Up? More Dangerous Than You Think
You stand up, and suddenly your head is spinning—you freeze for a moment or grab onto something to hold yourself steady.
After a few seconds or minutes, the feeling passes and you get on with your business. Everything seems OK.
But everything is not necessarily OK. Those moments of light-headedness signal that your blood pressure suddenly dropped when you stood up. You might have what’s called orthostatic hypotension (OH). If you have OH often and/or severely (bouts during which you almost pass out or do pass out), it can lead to some major consequences.
According to a new study, those with OH are at higher risk for something very serious—heart failure.
NOT SO BENIGN
OH is defined by a blood pressure drop upon standing of at least 20 mmHg systolic (the top number in a blood pressure reading) or 10 mmHg diastolic (the bottom number). OH may come and go—or may last forever—depending on what’s causing it, which could be dehydration…standing up quickly after eating…blood loss…certain medications (such as those for high blood pressure, anxiety, depression and erectile dysfunction)…certain diseases (such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, Parkinson’s and thyroid problems)…prolonged bed rest…crossing your legs while sitting…and other factors. The chance of experiencing OH rises as you age.
So how is this related to something as dangerous as heart failure, where the heart can’t pump enough blood?
THE HEART OF THE MATTER
The new study, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, found that people between the ages of 45 and 64 with OH had a 54% greater risk of developing heart failure. This finding held true even after controlling for cardiac risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and medications that can cause blood pressure drops.
DEALING WITH DIZZINESS
So how do you know whether you have OH and, if you do, what you should do about it? When I spoke with study coauthor Christine DeLong Jones, MD, a preventive medicine resident at the university, her first piece of advice was to drink plenty of water, because dehydration is one of the most common (and reversible) causes of OH. If you’re hydrated and light-headedness continues, she said, then it’s reasonable to ask your doctor about having a series of blood pressure measurements to test for OH.
If you have OH, work with your doctor to figure out the cause, said Dr. Jones. For example, you may be taking a medication that’s causing the problem and your doctor may be able to prescribe a different drug or an alternative treatment.
But if the cause is something that you can’t change (such as a disease) and OH persists, Dr. Jones said to consider it a red flag that you must act to prevent or treat other conditions that can contribute to heart failure—including coronary heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.
In that case, think of your episodes of light-headedness as a friendly warning—much friendlier, at least, than heart failure! To keep your heart as healthy as possible, check out these nutrition tips from sister publication Bottom Line Health.
Source: Christine DeLong Jones, MD, preventive medicine resident, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her study was published in March in Hypertension.
February 19th, 2013 at 6:53 am
Alycedale, sometimes you are wicked with your analysis. This #6. Alycedale Says: February 19th, 2013 at 3:59 am was one.
Barry
February 19th, 2013 at 6:54 am
As usual coming to your blog is rewarding. Love this one Michelle.
February 19th, 2013 at 4:43 pm
Kennedy made references to the larger powers that be in some of his speeches. I guess no one cared or maybe that’s ultimately why he was assassinated. He was inspiring but knew just a little too much. – ZL
February 19th, 2013 at 6:22 pm
Today I was told that the blackberry playbook 64GB tablet is being used as a communication device by ABs, unimpeded by any interference. The US government is aware they cannot track alien communication via the playbook and have stopped sales of these tablets in the US.
PrP
February 19th, 2013 at 8:42 pm
…very interesting info, PrP, and welcome back, forgot you in my short list of irregular regulars, my apology.
Howie, any info on meteor in Ural Mtn range, anything, how you say, out of the ordinary going on there? Hope you’re OK, haven’t heard from you here, though I’ve been busy and have not gone back to previous days as I usually do.
Luv, Zen Lill
February 19th, 2013 at 9:23 pm
Hi Michelle:
I enjoyed your video of JFK’s inaugural address very much. John Kennedy has always been my favorite president. His speeches were and still are so damn inspirational. And I have heard the highlights of them all my life.
Never before have I heard his inaugural address from beginning to end before. The way some everyday and some well known people represented the variety of people we have in this United States, reciting this speech, well I thought that was kinda cool.
I can still remember I was walking home from school when I heard of JFK’s assassination. Many of my neighbors were outside having little meetings, some were crying. America loved John F. Kennedy, at least from what could see at that very young age.
He said we would walk on the moon before the decade was up and we did it. We can accomplish so much in this country when everybody works together and greed is second to…….who am I foolin’ greed will always be second to none it seems?
Thanks for putting that one up today Michelle.
Alycedale:
As you can see my opinion of George W. Bush and his mob has never been very high. Thank you for your acknowledgement of my comment yesterday.
This administration was very transparent and I am sure many drew similar conclusions as I did. It is just as you said “follow the Money”.
Zen Lill:
Hi, we will have to talk somemore later. I am not sure exactly what you meant yesterday, but I think mentioning Blackwater struck a nerve with you, maybe. Did not mean to get you started.
Al
February 20th, 2013 at 7:08 am
Howie, I echo Zen Lill when she says that you have been absent too long. You have wet our whistles and we want more.
Martin
February 20th, 2013 at 7:42 am
Acting for Fun and Profit
How to Get Parts in Commercials, TV Shows and Movies
Wouldn’t it be fun to be in the movies? You don’t have to move to Hollywood or New York City, and you don’t need to have movie star good looks. Here’s what you need to know…
WHAT DIRECTORS WANT
One myth about acting is that it is a young person’s profession. While it’s true that movies and TV shows feature people in their 20s, older actors have an easier time landing roles in markets outside Los Angeles.
There are so many young people trying to make it as actors that the competition for young parts is extremely stiff. Besides, outside Hollywood and New York City, most professional acting jobs are parts in local commercials and corporate training films.
Directors want actors who look like the company’s actual customers and employees—in other words, like ordinary people.
Extras can earn $75 to $150 per day, while principal work can pay $600 or more per day.
WHERE TO FIND WORK
Three resources for aspiring actors in search of roles…
The Web sites of state and city film offices often list opportunities to appear in films being produced in the area.
Type “film office” and the name of your city or state into Google to find local film offices, then monitor the announcements or job listings for appropriate opportunities. These jobs are posted by independent filmmakers as well as by casting directors.
Casting directors represent production companies and ad agencies that hire actors and models. Google the term “casting director” and the name of your state or the nearest sizable city to find casting directors in your area.
Visit these casting directors’ Web sites to find out if they have “open calls”—auditions open to anyone interested in trying out. Most casting directors have these once a month. Casting directors who like your look and acting abilities will keep you in mind for future projects.
Talent agencies represent actors and models, typically in exchange for 10% to 20% of their future acting and modeling earnings. Many might charge an up-front fee of $150 to a few hundred dollars as well.
This covers uploading information and head shots into their databases. Legitimate talent agencies have working relationships with casting directors that greatly increase their clients’ odds of getting auditions. Most agencies also have print departments, which help actors and models find work posing for print ads, magazines and annual reports.
Helpful:
If you’re a novice actor, take some acting classes before approaching a talent agency. Agents won’t recommend you to casting directors over their existing clients unless they are confident that you know what you’re doing.
Before visiting casting directors or talent agencies, rehearse a short monologue. Books of monologues suitable for auditions are available at libraries and bookstores or online. Choose a monologue appropriate for someone of your age and looks.
Important: Be persistent. The actors and actresses who find success tend to be the ones who audition as frequently as possible and continually monitor their regional film offices’ Web sites for opportunities.
DON’T GET SCAMMED
Confirm that you’re dealing with a legitimate casting director or talent agency. Some companies charge thousands in up-front fees in exchange for vague promises about launching aspiring actors’ careers.
Legitimate casting directors do not charge any up-front fees, and legitimate talent agencies charge no more than a few hundred dollars, plus a percentage of future earnings. Also…
Check casting directors’ Web sites for a list of credits. Legitimate, experienced casting directors will have a long list of projects that they have worked on in the past.
Make sure talent agencies are licensed by the state. Licensing requirements vary by state.
Helpful:
The Web site of the Screen Actors Guild is one place to find legitimate talent agencies. (On http://www.Sagaftra.org, select “Agency Relations” from the “Union Info” menu, then select “SAG Franchised Agents,” and choose your state or region from the list near the bottom of the page.)
OBTAINING EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
There is work available to actors who have little experience and training. This typically includes nonspeaking roles and small roles in independent film productions (independent films often pay actors little or nothing, however).
But to land more and better roles, you probably will need some acting experience and/or training. Taking roles in local amateur theatrical productions is one way to gain this experience. Taking acting classes can be an even better way to improve your acting skills and employability.
A local talent agent should be able to recommend classes, or you can conduct an Internet search for the phrase “acting classes,” along with the name of nearby cities or large towns. A four-to-six-week class is likely to cost a few hundred dollars.
Examples: A class focused on on-camera acting for commercials and corporate-training films will be particularly useful if your goal is to launch a part-time acting career and you don’t live near Hollywood or New York City. If you’re more interested in becoming a stage actor, ask local theater companies if they offer acting classes.
Also, local casting directors and talent agencies sometimes offer personal consultations with prospective actors about how to get started in the business and/or seminars about the business side of acting. These can be very helpful.
Prices vary, depending on the reputation of the casting director or talent agent involved, but shouldn’t be more than a few hundred dollars for an hour-long private consultation and less for a seminar.
AUDITION LIKE A PRO
When you audition, dress for the role you hope to land. Appropriate wardrobe can help the filmmakers see you in the part. Also…
Arrive at least 15 minutes before your audition time. The script often is not provided until you arrive.
Warning: Don’t attempt to memorize the script unless it’s only a few sentences. Quickly memorizing scripts can lead to constrained, expressionless performances.
Bring a résumé detailing your acting experience (if any) to the audition. Type the words “actor’s résumé” into a search engine to find examples of how these should be structured.
If you haven’t yet landed many—or any—professional roles, it’s fine to include amateur acting experience, even local theater productions from decades ago.
Bring a professional head shot to auditions as well. A talent agent should be able to recommend an area photographer. Expect the photographer to charge $175 to $400 (most include the cost of a makeup artist).
Source: Kathy Wickline, CSA, founder of Kathy Wickline Casting in Philadelphia. She has cast thousands of projects, including commercials for BlueCross, NBC and Comcast. She also cast the Academy Award–winning feature films Witness and Philadelphia.
Her CD So You Want to Be an Actor is available at http://www.WicklineCasting.com (click on “Actors”).
February 20th, 2013 at 7:49 am
Howie, I work with my father on an assignment which is part of rebuilding the Devine Temple. I no longer believe that stuff. I believe you. I am hoping to join Israel’s defense corp. It is fantastic learning about new worlds and beings.
You are a true inspiration.
February 20th, 2013 at 7:52 am
Looks like ALEC is at it again.
=———————–=
Legislators in four states have introduced bills in recent weeks supporting the controversial TransCanada Keystone XL pipeline, with language that appears to have been lifted directly from a “model” American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) bill and from TransCanada’s own public relations talking points.
Some of the first bills proposed in Missouri, Mississippi, Michigan, and Minnesota in 2013 have been resolutions calling on the president and Congress to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline, which the Obama administration delayed last year in response to a wave of protest and civil disobedience.
February 20th, 2013 at 7:55 am
Me and my husband have been fighting foreclosure for two years now. If any out there are interested here is a good site to check out.
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Many consumers caught in the American housing crisis that has engulfed countless US citizens have found an unlikely resource from an upstart consumer advocate YouTube channel titled Banking Bad.
The Banking Bad network is dedicated to educating and informing the masses of outstanding or immoral activities by large banking institutions and has been featured on prominent media sites such as MSN (BankingBad) and Bloomberg’s Businessweek for their unique brand of consumer advocate videos.
Their first video titled “Bank of America wants you to die… before they Modify” has been viewed well over 50,000 times since it’s launch on the Banking Bad YouTube Channel less than a year ago. The latest video titled “BOA Strangles Musician – Banking Bad Episode 3,” has already started to climb in popularity on the channel as well.
February 20th, 2013 at 7:57 am
Thanks Cynthia, I like this guy; Steve Triebernig, a homeowner advocate and CEO of All Things Real Estate Inc. Steve Triebernig has helped many B of A customers with his popular website and associated Facebook page “Keep Bank of America Honest.” Steve had help over 1100 families save their homes and assisted them in their battles with some of America’s largest banks.
February 20th, 2013 at 7:59 am
Sorry Lawrence I left this part out.
————————
Consumers can get involved by simply subscribing to the Banking Bad channel on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/BankingBad. Users can stay updated on future episodes and further bank antics.
Alternatively, Banking Bad updates can be found on Facebook and Twitter, respectively, under the name Banking Bad. Users can share the YouTube video and other Banking Bad social media posting to help put an end to big bank customer abuse.
February 20th, 2013 at 8:02 am
Erica called to tell me that “Banking Bad” was being mentioned here. I toot it to all my friends who are having foreclosure problems.
De Veau Dunn created BankingBad™ after a very strange situation where Bank of America requested a death certificate as part of the loan package to complete a refinance on his loan.
Dunn was the only person on the loan and had applied on his own, “so that would have been impossible at the time of my application,” joked Dunn. The story of the Bank of America “death certificate” request was featured in Bloomberg’s Businessweek along with the first Banking Bad video titled “Bank of America Wants you to Die…”
When asked about creating the Banking Bad network and Bank Complaint forum, Dunn replied, “I chose to fight what appears to be an outrages and correctable circumstances, if we shine some light on these issues in a peaceful and creative way, I hope that it will illuminate these problems and help get them resolved in a diplomatic manner.
I would like to encourage the banks to provide better customer service, there are many of us watching on social media.” For more information on Banking Bad, Steve Triebernig, and the fight for homeowner advocacy, visit http://www.BankingBad.com/.
February 20th, 2013 at 8:06 am
The disgusting GOP is still stealing seats. Virginia Democrats are raising hell after Republicans unexpectedly rammed a controversial redistricting bill through the state Senate on Monday, capitalizing on the absence of a Democratic lawmaker and civil rights leader who was in Washington for President Barack Obama’s second inauguration.
The Virginia Senate is currently split evenly between Democrats and Republicans, each occupying 20 seats in the legislative body. Democratic State Sen. Harry Marsh’s absence paved the way for passage of the previously unannounced legislation by a count of 20 votes to 19.
“The new redistricting map revises the districts created under the 2011 map,” writes Talking Points Memo’s Evan McMorris-Santoro, “and would take effect before the next state Senate elections in Virginia and would redraw district lines to maximize the number of safe GOP seats.”
February 20th, 2013 at 8:18 am
No matter what Obama achieves there will be this undercurrent of resentment coming form the culture of racism that still exists in American society. It is so engrained in our society that most white people can’t even recognize when it is on full display. It makes me sick to think that such attitudes exist forty years after the the end of the sixties.
My family always acted so liberal, until I brought home a black man as my fiance, then it was full blown racism. My parents said that they would feel uncomfortable having black grandchildren.
Fuck’em I’m out of here.
February 20th, 2013 at 8:22 am
Susan I have a family like yours. They pretend to be non racists but they are so racist. Everything they spout has racial overtones disguised as truths. They get just about everything wrong, starting with the statement that rich people are reviled in America.
Rich people aren’t reviled; just self-dealing and greedy rich people who lack compassion and whose only interest is aggregating power and wealth beyond all reason are. There are a large number of people of great wealth who are using that wealth to promote the common good. Bill Gates comes to mind.
February 20th, 2013 at 8:26 am
Susan I have so many friends and relatives out there trying to buy up all of the semi-automatic weapons in Texas “just in case”. By that they mean the coming “race war.”
Like the eternal second coming of christ. It is a religion to them. That is why most whites hate any sensible immigration bill. They want to keep the country as white as possible to preserve their white advantage for the coming “race war.”
Idiots! AS the saying goes, you can pick your dog, but not your family.
Irene
February 20th, 2013 at 8:32 am
To all my good friends that love this blog and who are ever at me to go see “Lincoln.” I say this. The majority of Hollywood accounts of slavery and the African-Americans who were enslaved in film and television seemed both contrived and absent of many of the crucial facts that actually shaped that violent and cruel period in American history.
They also seemed more concerned with the stories of the enslavers and not the enslaved. With that in mind I often tried to avoid Hollywood’s treatment of that period at all cost.
February 20th, 2013 at 8:37 am
The opening of the film was exactly as I expected—grand and magnanimous as films like these tend to be. For nearly three hours, I was absolutely absorbed by the amazing story of what’s arguably one of the country’s most prolific and brilliant leaders. Daniel Day-Lewis embodied Lincoln’s essence in every sense during the film. The seven Golden Globe nominations are surely only the beginning of the awards that will pour in for Spielberg and his crew.
Still, no matter how skillfully written Lincoln was or how masterfully acted the performances were, I still walked away from the viewing with the same exact hollow feeling I’ve had with every other film about that period. The story was woefully incomplete.
How could Spielberg, and what I assume were a host of consultants and historians feel so comfortable in completely omitting the role of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and other black leaders during that time?
How could they so boldly imply that no one of African descent was involved in pressuring Lincoln to free slaves? To suggest that blacks, freed or otherwise, were mere bystanders in these decisions is factually incorrect and just plain offensive.
And it could have been remedied so easily. I would have been appeased by a simple line indicating Lincoln had met with Douglass at some point. Anything to avoid the oversimplification and total lack of a single prominent black presence during such a well-documented historical act.
I was certainly not alone in my frustration that such a great film would leave such a gaping hole. Rutgers professor Jelani Cobb tweeted nonstop about the glaring omission of Douglass and even felt compelled to give his more than 8,000 followers a history lesson on what actually happened as Lincoln negotiated the 13th Amendment.
“Douglass pushed Lincoln on this issue constantly and was consistently critical of him,” wrote Cobb. “Lincoln met with other black leaders in the White House where Lincoln floated the idea of black people leaving the country once we were emancipated. But Douglass blew a gasket. Lincoln sent several hundred blacks to Haiti where he envisioned creating a colony to deport African-Americans.”
I would have been appeased by a simple line indicating Lincoln had met with Douglass at some point.
Could all of that historical information fit into a film focused on the last four months of Lincoln’s life? Of course not. No one is suggesting it should have been. But having interviewed Spielberg several times while he filmed Amistad—another slavery-themed film released in the ’90s—I know full well he’s aware of the significant role abolitionists played during this period.
Maybe because he used them so significantly in Amistad he felt there was no need to mention them again in Lincoln. Or maybe the fact that he had both Debbie Allen and Henry Louis Gates as producers and consultants on Amistad made the difference.
Either way, history is history. Fact is fact. Telling the complete truth about a great man doesn’t make him any less great nor does giving credit where credit is due to another notable figure in history.
February 20th, 2013 at 9:02 am
What Insurance Really Covers When a Storm Damages Your Home…
When bad weather causes costly damage to homes, home owners often are confused about what is covered by insurance—and what is not covered. Here are the answers to common questions…
WINTER STORMS
Will insurance pay for repairs if a winter storm knocks out my power for days, shutting down my furnace and making my pipes freeze and crack?
Frozen-pipe damage typically is covered (minus the deductible) if you have done your best to avoid having your pipes freeze. What constitutes doing your best is subject to interpretation by the insurance company and depends on whether you could reasonably predict that the power would be out long enough to freeze the pipes—which tends to be two to three days.
If it is clear that this is the case, then you might be expected to take steps to avoid a freeze-up—for example, quickly winterizing the home’s pipes by shutting off the water supply, draining the pipes and appliances, and putting a nontoxic antifreeze in all drains—either on your own if you are handy or by hiring a plumber. But if it is not clear that the power will be out that long, you might not be expected to take such measures.
Will homeowner’s insurance cover water damage stemming from an ice dam on my roof?
Homeowner’s insurance will cover any damage to the structure of the home due to ice damming but not necessarily to the contents of the home.
In the standard homeowner’s policy, water damage to the contents of a home is covered (minus the deductible) only in specific, named circumstances, and an ice dam, which can occur when water gets backed up and freezes on the roof, is not one of the circumstances that policies typically name.
What to do if you want coverage: Buy an “all risk” policy, also known as a “super deluxe” policy, available from just a few insurers, including Chubb and Fireman’s Fund. These policies tend to be extremely expensive, however.
HURRICANES AND FLOODS
Does it matter whether a storm is officially declared a hurricane?
It might. Some policies have special hurricane deductibles that take effect when sustained hurricane-force winds of 74 miles per hour (mph) or above are recorded at the nearest weather station.
These deductibles are higher than standard policy deductibles—typically they are 2% to 5% of the total coverage amount. If a home is insured for $500,000 and has a 5% hurricane deductible, for example, the home owner pays $25,000 out of pocket.
Other policies have “named storm” deductibles. The higher deductible applies if any named storm enters the state, even if that named storm has winds below hurricane speed. Worse still are policies that have “wind storm” deductibles, where higher deductibles apply to damage caused by any wind.
Sandy, the superstorm that struck the Northeast in late October, no longer had hurricane-force winds when it reached shore, so the governors of New Jersey, New York, Connecticut and Maryland informed insurance companies that they could not apply hurricane deductibles—but named-storm deductibles and wind-storm deductibles still would apply.
How does flood insurance coverage differ from homeowner’s insurance coverage?
Flood insurance, issued by the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (www.FloodSmart.gov) and sold through insurance agents, is more restrictive than homeowner’s insurance.
Coverage for the home is capped at $250,000, not enough to replace a large home. Coverage for the home’s contents is capped at $100,000. Flood insurance does not cover things that are on the property but not part of the home, such as swimming pools, fences and walkways.
Coverage for flood damage to basements is very limited. Structural elements and essential equipment such as furnaces, water heaters and circuit-breaker boxes are covered, but basement furnishings, possessions and improvements such as flooring are not.
The way flood insurance defines basements can be confusing. If a level of the home is even slightly sunken below ground level, it’s officially a basement, even if it’s part of the living area of the home…but if the house is built into a hill and any part of the basement floor is even with or above ground level, it’s not officially considered a basement, even if it’s unfinished.
Is there any way to get help repairing flood damage if I don’t have flood insurance?
Grants and/or loans might be available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) if the government declares your area a federal disaster area. Go to http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov for details.
Homeowner’s insurance covers water damage when high winds rip off a roof, allowing rain to enter. But what if heavy rains cause my home to flood?
This would be covered only by flood insurance. Homeowner’s insurance covers rain damage only when the damage is from rain falling from the sky. Once rainwater is on or under the ground, it’s considered floodwater, even if it was rain just moments earlier.
That’s why it’s a good idea to buy flood insurance if your home is at the base of a hill or in a valley, even if you don’t live near a body of water prone to flooding. Flood insurance is priced by zone and often is very affordable for those who don’t live near flood-prone bodies of water.
Flood insurance won’t cover basement improvements and possessions kept in the basement, but it will cover damage to heating systems, water heaters and electrical boxes in the basement.
Does homeowner’s insurance cover basement flooding caused by sump pump failure?
A standard homeowner’s policy doesn’t, but most insurers allow policyholders to add a sump pump endorsement for as little as $50 per year for $10,000 in coverage. It’s money well-spent if you have a sump pump.
If your sump pump stops working in a flood because of a power failure, this endorsement should provide at least some coverage—though in a major flood, the insurer might contend that the sump pump couldn’t have prevented the flood damage even if it continued to operate.
TREES
Does homeowner’s insurance pay for tree removal when trees are downed by storms?
If a tree falls on your home—or some other covered property, such as your garage, shed, swimming pool or fence—the policy will pay the cost of taking the tree off the home or covered property and repairing the damage (minus your deductible).
But the policy will not necessarily pay the full cost of chopping up the tree and hauling it away. Most policies limit coverage for this to $500 per storm, though I have seen limits as high as $1,500.
That assumes that the tree came down on your home or some other covered property. If it landed only on your yard or driveway, insurance probably won’t cover removal costs at all. (It is worth reading the policy or calling your agent, however—some policies do allow that $500 to $1,500 limited tree-removal coverage to be used in this situation.)
If a tree in my yard falls onto my neighbor’s home, whose insurance pays?
Your neighbor’s—unless the tree was obviously rotten or dead before it fell. If the tree was in such bad shape that you should have noticed the problem and had it removed, a court could find you liable for failing to do so, shifting the cost of repairing the damage and removing the tree to you and your insurer. This becomes more likely if the neighbor had alerted you to the danger in advance.
Source: Robert D’Amore, who has spent 44 years in the insurance industry as an adjuster, supervisor and claims manager. For the past 22 years, he has been an independent adjuster licensed by New York and Connecticut to represent policyholders against insurance companies. Based in Mohegan Lake, New York, he is president of the New York Public Adjusters Association. http://www.DAmoreAdjusters.com
February 20th, 2013 at 9:04 am
Howie, I just loved the Alien defector story. Give us more.