There are some risks even renters insurance can’t cover.

Josue Chinchilla and Michele Callan of Toms River, N.J. are suing their landlord to get back their security deposit. After moving in the property March 1, the couples says they began hearing mysterious sounds in the basement, lights turned on and off by themselves, and their bedroom has been continuously haunted by a dark apparition. The couple also called in the Shore Paranormal Research Society to investigate their home. The result was an assessment of “paranormal,” but the team wouldn’t go so far as to call it “haunted.”

The landlord, Dr. Richard Lopez, has filed a countersuit, saying the couple broke their one-year lease. Lopez thinks the couple is using the alleged hauntings as a way out of a lease that ended up being too expensive.

The couple is now living in a motel.

Is the couple trying to get out of a lease, or is there a new, ghastly Risk Monster haunting the New Jersey home? Let us know what you think in the comments or connect with us on Twitter or Facebook.

Get in touch today and let Bankers protect you from the more tangible risks of the non-ghostly world.

It’s never a good time to lose power. And when the lights go out, be prepared with a residential generator solution. This week we’re highlighting some great home tips about keeping the power on.

Check out the video and share your thoughts by commenting below or on Twitter using the hashtag #riskymonday.

#riskymonday, brought to you by Bankers Insurance Group, covers one important video highlighting the risks we face each week. Watch the video and join the discussion in the See Through Insurance blog comments, on the Bankers Insurance Group Facebook page or on Twitter using the hashtag #riskymonday.

Let’s face it: cataloguing the contents of your home is a time consuming tasks. Get with the times! Now that it’s 2012 and you’re making good on that resolution to stay organized The National Association of Insurance Commissioners brings you myHome Scr.APP.book.

And if you can get past the slightly awkward name you’ll find an app ready to go to bat for homeowners by cataloguing clutter into organized lists. File lists away to help you determine the amount of insurance coverage you need or – should something not so great happen – during the claims process.

Document possessions with photos, organize by room or area of the home and even get tips on disaster preparedness for homeowners.

Scr.APP.book is on our list of must-haves for 2012, but to be fair we asked an “impartial” third party to evaluate the app and confirm our recommendation. Let’s see what Theo Theft had to say…

Theo Theft in Action

“What kinda name is Scr.APP.book anyway? If ya can’t even pronounce it then it must be bad fer ya! Besides, these wise guys over at NAIC think they can help people avoid me? Who do they think they are? I tell ya, it used to be easy – I come in, take a few valuables, and walk out. Half the time no one even knew I was there for months! Now it’s all catalogue this, take a picture of that… What’s the world comin’ to?”

After a review like that we would have some reservations about recommending Scr.APP.book, but if it get’s Theo’s sticky fingers in a frenzy then we know we’re on to something good.

For more information about Scr.APP.book from The National Association of Insurance Commissioners click here.

The risk pros at Bankers Insurance Group are gearing up for a fun-filled Thanksgiving. It’s a time when we think about food, family and togetherness. It’s also a time when taking simple measures can keep you and your family out of harm’s way.

Here’s our top tips for avoiding the risks this Thanksgiving:

• When you’re baking, broiling, simmering or roasting stay close to the home. Set timers to make sure you turn off heat sources at the right time.
• When you’re grilling or broiling that Thanksgiving feast remember to stay in the kitchen until it’s done. If you do have to leave for any period of time turn the stove off.
• Never fry a turkey indoors (in fact we don’t recommend this dangerous method of cooking a turkey at all).
• Test all smoke alarms to make sure they are operational.
• Even though it’s tempting to keep the comfortable softies on all day, make sure to change out of loose-fitting clothing while cooking.

We’re always interested in the latest technology that helps us stay one step ahead of mother nature. Here’s a look at some of the coolest things we’ve seen.

Hurricane Headquarters
The National Hurricane Center is housed in the only building in Florida that can withstand a Category 5 monster hurricane. This hurricane tech wonderland never closes. Experts use state of the art tracking mechanisms and forecasting models to predict and watch threatening storms in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. As if that weren’t enough, more adventurous trackers fly around storms as they build, delivering data back to the center for analysis. Check out their findings in real time at the official NHC website.

Hurricane Proof Glass Garage Doors
They’ve got a coveted seal of approval by Miami-Dade County and Florida Building Commission for use in and out of all High Velocity Hurricane Zones and a sleek modern look. Five years in the making, these doors are designed to last. Other benefits include energy efficiency and 100 percent recycled aluminum construction. If only our homes came with the same guarantees… Find out more at the BP Glass Garage Door website.

‘Wall of Wind’ Hurricane Simulator
How do you test the effects of a real hurricane on a structure without sitting around waiting for a Category 3+ to strike? You make an appointment with the Wall of Wind, of course. This massive wall of fans at Florida International University is designed to simulate conditions present during the largest and most destructive hurricanes. The hope is to uncover better ways to design buildings to reduce damage and protect the people inside. Read an in-depth interview with the Wall of Wind engineering team here.

As much of the nation prepares for a cold winter we’re thinking about ways to get homes ready to face the chill. This week’s video serves as a reminder to check your home for old heating equipment and clogged filters.

Check out the video and share your thoughts by commenting below or on Twitter using the hashtag #riskymonday.

#riskymonday, brought to you by Bankers Insurance Group, covers one important video highlighting the risks we face each week. Watch the video and join the discussion in the See Through Insurance blog comments, on the Bankers Insurance Group Facebook page or on Twitter using the hashtag #riskymonday.

As much of the nation prepares for a cold winter we’re thinking about ways to get homes ready to face the chill. This week’s video demonstrates some quick and inexpensive ways to reduce your energy bill.

Check out the video and share your thoughts by commenting below or on Twitter using the hashtag #riskymonday.

#riskymonday, brought to you by Bankers Insurance Group, covers one important video highlighting the risks we face each week. Watch the video and join the discussion in the See Through Insurance blog comments, on the Bankers Insurance Group Facebook page or on Twitter using the hashtag #riskymonday.

Hurricane season doesn’t end until November 30, 2011, but that isn’t stopping us from taking a look at some of the worst storms so far.

Here are some amazing pictures of the worst offenders of the year.

Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Katia

Hurricane Ophelia

Hurricane Philippe

Home security is always on our mind here at Bankers Insurance Group. Staying protected means more than getting a homeowner’s insurance policy – it’s about keeping theft from happening in the first place.

Here’s our top 5 ways to secure your home for under $100.

Door Security Bar

These bars offer a simple and low cost solution to secure the doors to your home. Supplying protection from hundreds of pounds of force and even vibration activated intrusion alarms these sub-$50 products offer one more way to protect the major traffic areas of your home.

Wedge Alarm

Don’t want a security bar in your entranceways? These small wedge shaped alarms screech when disturbed. Though these alarms won’t prevent unwanted guests from gaining access they are loud enough to scare off intruders and easy to set up.

Motion Activated Flood Lights

Simple motion activated outdoor floodlights shed light on loiterers while going easy on your wallet. Make sure you install these easy to deploy lights near doors and access points on the outside of your home. They’ll also help you find your keys in the dark (or avoid tripping on those pesky steps).

Dummy Security Camera

Security cameras are an excellent deterrent to crime, but costs are prohibitive and equipment maintenance requires a small fortune. These “dummy” cameras are made with the same outer casing as the real thing minus the costly electronics. Many even feature motion activated LED lights. Placed at key entrances these solutions provide another convincing deterrent.

Man’s Best Friend

We went there… A well-trained furry companion can be one of the best security measures you can take. Adopting an animal in need of a home is as simple as going to your local shelter, and although it will cost you more than $100 over time, it’s a worthwhile investment. Make sure the breed you choose is not excluded under your insurance policy or banned by your neighborhood association.