It may be simple to buy insurance, but that doesnt mean the decisions one makes when taking out a policy dont require some amount of thought and research. Rush to take out the first cheap policy you find and you may end up with an insurance portfolio filled with gaps, inefficient policies and more self-insurance risk than you can afford. Here are six tips to help ensure that you get exactly what you need without learning the hard way that you needed it. Watch your deductibles. Many insurance ...

People have many different types of hobbies and one of the most popular is the hobby of collecting. Some people collect items with an eye toward growing the monetary value of their collection. Others collect because they love a certain object and dont even realize it when the value of their collection begins to grow to impressive numbers. Whether you collect coins, baseball cards, ceramic figurines, or books its important to keep an eye not just on the sentimental value of your collection but al...

Home insurance is an absolute necessity. Without it, your home and belongings are at the mercy of mother nature, accidental damages and other people. Still, you shouldn’t have to pay an arm and a leg to get coverage. There are three simple things you can do to get discounts from your Battle Creek home insurance provider and two of them are absolutely free! The first money-saving  trick happens at the moment you are getting your policy written. Ask your agent about multiple policy dis...

You may wonder why insurance companies charge different premiums to different people. Well, a number of factors are considered before an insurer determines how much you should pay to insure your home. Here are 10 factors that have an impact on how much or how little your premium will be. Frequency of Risk Occurrence A good record invites low premiums charged by the insurer. For instance, a homeowner who has filed several claims in the past will be charged higher premiums than a homeowner who h...

A number of factors dictate how much you pay for your Battle Creek home insurance policy, and one of them is your history of making claims. If you’re a regular claimant, insurance providers will see you as a significant risk, and they will offset that risk with higher premiums. In some cases, they will withdraw coverage if they believe the risk you and your home pose is simply too great. However, there are some simple actions you can take to secure and maintain your property in order to ke...

Germs and bacteria can flourish in your home, completely out of sight. Knowing about germy hotspots allows you to thoroughly clean those yucky areas so you and your family can live healthier. Check out these five areas that you’ll want to clean right away: 1.       Light switches and door knobs: Every day, you flick on the lights and open doors, leaving behind whatever germs were carried on your hands. Wipe these areas down with a disinfectant at least once a...

Your home insurance policy must be designed to fit your individual circumstances. Lifestyle changes like marriage, divorce or retirement can have a significant impact on your needs for adequate insurance. Here are some important questions to discuss with your independent agent in order to make sure you are adapting your home insurance to changes in your lifestyle. Have you gotten married or divorced? The merging of two households can increase your personal property significantly. You should re...

Most of us dont fret too much over a winter storm. In most cases, it blows through and life is back to normal in a day or two. But in more severe situations, heavy snow, ice or wind can knock down electric lines, leading to a power loss in homes that depend on it for heat. You should know what to do and what not to do in this situation. Have an emergency supply of food, water, flashlights, batteries and medicine. A battery operated radio is also handy for keeping informed a...

Weather-related damage, accidents and injuries on your property are all reasons to file a claim on your homeowner’s insurance. When you file a qualifying claim, your insurance provider presents you with an indemnity check to repair or rebuild your home. Unfortunately, filing claims can affect the rate you pay for your current policy and future policies for home insurance. If you want to keep costs low, the following are three common claims that you can avoid or reduce the impact of the dam...

What happens when you reach your liability coverage limits on your home insurance policy? You become personally responsible for the balance remaining after a claim has exceeded policy limits. If you are a homeowner, you may be forced to sell in order to satisfy any outstanding amounts you are liable for after insurance pays for a claim. However, if you have an umbrella insurance policy, you can rest at ease with less financial worry. What is an Umbrella Insurance Policy? An umbrella insurance ...

Trampolines seem like a lot of fun, and they can be, but they can also be a safety risk. Because they do present a significant amount of risk, it’s important for individuals to take precautions to minimize those risks. However, it’s also important for homeowners to realize there are liability risks involved in these situations as well. If you are planning to purchase a trampoline or you already have one, it pays to contact your home insurance provider to discuss those risks. What ar...

Every home insurance policy is different. Generally, policies offer a wide range of coverage for most types of incidents resulting from sudden and unavoidable damage. However, many policies also have exclusions. These are specific terms listed on your policy that exclude or limit protection against some risks. The most common exclusion is flood insurance, which generally is not a part of a home insurance policy, especially in high risk areas. But what does your policy protect from in most cases?...

Halloween is full of festivities, fun, and costumes. Don’t allow the risk of a homeowner’s insurance claim to spoil the fun. Whether you will be hosting a party or welcoming trick-or-treaters, opening your property to the public can leave you vulnerable to insurance claims and lawsuits. Follow these tips to ensure safety and protect your home: 1. Create a Clear Path - Keep the area around your home clear of obstructions so that visitors don’t stumble and injure thems...

The spring home-selling season is quickly approaching. Many people looking for their dream homes will become first-time home buyers. If you anticipate purchasing a home this year, there are a lot of things you have to take care of. This includes getting home insurance, a home inspection, and a host of other things. You also have to get ready to move. Luckily, there is an easy way to take the hassle out of moving so that you can settle into your new home and costly delays. Plan Your Move Thoro...

Heres is a scenario. A person selling items comes onto your property. They slip and fall on your steps. They suffer significant injuries. Who is responsible? The question is a concern because you did not welcome this person onto your property. They did not have permission to enter it. It can seem, then, that you are not responsible for their loss. However, that is usually not the case. The good news is your home insurance is likely to help cover your losses. Premise Liability Home insurance ...

Have you suffered a leak in your home’s pipes? Perhaps you did not notice a leak occurred. If it is behind a wall, you may not realize it is there at all. When it becomes obvious, there is usually a significant amount of damage present.  You may be able to file a home insurance claim for this loss. It is not uncommon to do that. However, there are new systems that may be able to reduce risks. A leak detection system is one of those solutions. If you have one, be sure to let your home...

Many home insurance policies cover acts of violence. As you read through your home insurance documents, you may notice this on your policy. An act of violence is a type of peril. Every insurance policy lists the types of perils they cover and those they do not cover. It is important for everyone to know what their policy specifically covers and what it does not. What does this type of coverage mean? When does it apply? What Is an Act of Violence? In some home insurance policies, acts of violen...

Home insurance provides a variety of protections for property owners. One type of protection is for stolen property. When a person enters your space and takes something, you may have the ability to file a claim for that lost item. In every situation like this, it’s important to know what to do to prove your loss and to get help with it. Here’s what you can expect. What to Do as Soon as Possible When a theft occurs, your first reaction may be to clean up the mess and to figure out w...

There are plenty of benefits to buying a higher quality roofing product for your home. Impact-resistant roofing is one such option available to many property owners. It helps to minimize the damage to the roof from instances such as hail and falling tree branches. It can help to keep your property safe. Here are some key indications that factor into your home insurance benefits for these types of roof features. Why Does Your Home Insurance Company Care About Your Roofing? Roofs are an importan...

When you shop for a home insurance policy, you need to take into consideration the amount it will cost to replace your home totally. You should also consider the unique risks you may face due to your house’s unique qualities, and the monthly insurance premiums that you can pay. Continue reading to learn more about how to buy a home insurance policy. How to Shop for Home Insurance The vast majority of home insurance companies offer easy and fast quotes o...

Safeguarding your home against possible dangers is something every homeowner takes seriously, and for good reason. A home is a safe space for you and your family to relax, learn and grow. One of the most common dangers is a break-in. No one likes the idea of someone forcibly entering their home and taking their belongings, or worse, hurting someone. Home insurance provides compensation for damage or loss of your personal property in case of theft, but many people don’t want to pay too...

While your homeowners insurance might provide protection against some of the damage that bad winter weather might do, it is not all-encompassing. Therefore, you must still do your due diligence and secure vulnerable parts of the home against the potential ramifications of these hazards. Consider a few of the hazards that might effect your home this winter, and what you can do to protect yourself from them. What Risk Does Cold Weather Pose to Your Home? Your house is supposed to be the plac...

Do you live in a state that experiences thunderstorms, tornadoes or hurricanes? The answer is probably yes! Most of us experience at least one type of these storms.   Why is that important? Because storms typically include high winds, which can cause roof damage. In fact, the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety tells us that almost 95 percent of high wind property losses include roof damage.  Ok, but since most homeowners insurance covers roof damage, whats the big d...

If you are like many other homeowners, you purchased a home insurance policy and didnt think twice about it. You may have assumed your insurance agent took care of ensuring you had enough coverage for any risks you may face. Even if you did take a closer look at the policy’s details, you may not have known how much liability coverage was ideal for your specific needs. However, most homeowners should take a look at what additional coverage is necessary so they can ensure more comprehensive ...

Setting up a backyard play set is like a rite of passage for parents. As this process continues, many parents begin to wonder if it will ever be done. Inevitably, the project gets finished, and its all worth it once the children start enjoying it, but these slides, swings and ladders all have inherit dangers in them too. When letting your children — along with friends and neighbors — play on your backyard swing set, consider some of these safety tips.  Make sure the str...

Autumn is the perfect time for apple picking, pick up football games, and lazy Sundays curled up by the fireplace. While those are important activities for you to do with your family and friends, you also need to ensure your home gets a little TLC. Heres a list of things you should plan to do in the next few weeks to ensure your home is ready for fall:  1. Clean Out Gutters  You might need to do this more than once this fall, but keeping your gutters free of fallen leaves, twigs, a...

When you buy a house, you must insure the property. Homeowners insurance is a benefit to owners of properties both large and small, high-value and low-value, and it’s an instrumental piece of security in the face of numerous property damage risks and other liabilities.  Your homeowners insurance will be there to help you if you ever need cost assistance following property damage, loss of possessions, lawsuits lodged against you or other unexpected challenges arising on your propert...

Home insurance is designed to protect your home in case of an accident or natural disaster. Unfortunately, even if an accident does happen while you have home insurance, this doesn’t mean you’re completely in the clear when it comes to expenses. When you file a claim on your home insurance policy, you will often see a rise in your rates based on the type of claim, severity of the claim and other factors. Why Do Home Insurance Premiums Go Up After a Claim? Home insurance premiums...

You can think of homeowners insurance like a large package of different insurances all wrapped up together. Dwelling Insurance is one of the key pieces of that bundle. It covers your home, attached structures and can even include permanent appliances. What is covered by Dwelling Insurance? Most people think that a dwelling is just the physical structure they live in. They tend to picture a house or area of land, but what’s covered in dwelling insurance is so much more. Dwelling insuranc...

Fires are the leading cause of home injuries and death. Does your family have a plan if a fire started in your home? The best way to practice fire safety is to make sure one does not break out in the first place. This means being aware of potential hazards in your home. Start by keeping the following tips in mind: Check all electrical appliances, cords and outlets. Make sure they’re in working condition, without loose or frayed cords or plugs. Use caution with portable heat...

Do you have an inventory of everything you own? Here’s why it is important. A storm causes lightning to strike your home. It catches on fire. In a matter of minutes, the home is facing significant damage. Firefighters get the fire out. But, the fire, smoke, and water damage is significant. Think about it – could you remember every item in your home? Could you list out these items, and their value, to the home insurance agent? Most people could not. However, having documentation of...

Your homeowners insurance policy covers quite a lot. Between storm damage, vandalism and other risks, comprehensive coverage can guarantee a high degree of fiscal protection over the years. Still, standard home insurance policies don’t cover everything. While they’re effective at protecting the homeowner’s average assets, sometimes assuring fiscal coverage for one’s dwelling—and even third-party claims—isn’t enough. Unique Risks and Coverage ...

Home break-ins are all too common, especially during the daytime on weekdays when most people are away at their jobs. Home break-ins are also most frequent during the warm months of the year. However, many break-ins are preventable by increasing your home security. Use these tips to protect your property. Install a Home Alarm System There are home alarm systems that use a variety of sensor technology, such as motion detectors, contact sensors and glass-breakage detectors. Most alarm system...