Insurance might cover food loss from storm
Recent columns on how to cut the cable cord and tune in sports for free and how to save on K-Cups and coffee brewers have generated some terrific — and not so great — reader tips, and a few consumer questions. Keep ’em coming!
Dear Doreen: I’ve been following news about crowds lined up to get food vouchers through disaster assistance. Isn’t spoiled food covered by homeowners insurance? — J.A., Pembroke Pines
Dear J.A.: If you have homeowners insurance (not everyone does), it might be. If you lost power during Hurricane Irma (who didn’t?) and your food spoiled, your policy may cover up to $500 to replace it under “perils,” which includes windstorms, according to the Insurance Information Institute at III.org. We received $500 for our food, which was our policy’s coverage limit. If you’re not sure if your loss is covered, check your policy, or ask your agent.
When it comes to spoiled food, the rule is: When in doubt, toss it out. If food in your refrigerator or freezer remains above 40 degrees for more than two hours, it should be discarded, according to the Department of Agriculture’s food safety rules. Experts say you can’t rely on appearance and odor.
Don’t risk getting food poisoning to save a buck. I had to toss everything after Irma, and it was painful because it was wasteful. On the bright side, I ended up with a sparkling clean refrigerator and freezer.
Dear Doreen: I know the frustration you and your hubby are having watching online sports for free. I have found a way to beat the system! I have Googled a few websites to stream sports live for free with no membership. They do require some ad elimination and tinkering, but they work! Lately, the Chrome browser has stopped access due to the potential to download a bad virus. Apple blocks the sites altogether. I use the Maxthon5 browser. The key is do not sign up or subscribe to anything. When you see tabs opening, close them. I’ve been doing this for years without problems or infecting my computer. — K.R., Delray Beach
Dear K.R.: While I appreciate the sentiment behind your tip, I think it’s a bad idea and