Everyone knows that homeowners insurance is essential to protect your investment, but many of us are in the dark as to how our rate is actually determined. Insurers consider a variety of factors when calculating rates and each of them has an effect on the total cost of the policy. It pays to understand the […]
Imagine this: You are hosting the annual neighborhood Christmas party and one of your guests slips and falls on your icy sidewalk. They are severely injured, requiring a month of hospitalization along with substantial physical therapy. Before you know it, a lawsuit is filed and you are on the hook for a couple of million […]
While solar panels are not yet a mainstream source of power there are getting much closer. More and more people are putting panels on their roof to power their homes and even sell power back to the local utility. According to GTM Research, a new solar system was installed every four minutes in 2013, and […]
We are a nation of hoarders, and for many of us, our house just isn’t big enough to store all of our treasures, we need a little extra space. This is why roughly 10 percent of all American households rent a storage unit according to the Self Storage Association (SSA.). But what happens if your […]
As home prices claw their way back to prerecession levels, you may be wondering if you need to increase the limits of your homeowners insurance to cover the increased value of your home. Unfortunately, the answer to that question will vary, and it depends on many factors. One of the biggest questions you need to […]
Homeowner’s insurance will protect you from a variety of losses and damage. Everything from fire, theft, storm damage and injuries on your property will be covered by your policy. In order to provide this protection, insurers rely on an accurate assessment of your home. They have to take into account all risks associated with your […]
A recent report by Enservio Inc, a company that helps insurers settle contents claims on homeowners policies, found that claimants often report a value for their damaged or stolen belongings that is almost double the retail price. While the report does not provide proof that customers are lying about the value of their contents to […]
Home automation can quickly turn your humble homestead into a “smart home” that can warn you, or your insurer that your alarm system has not been turned on or the front door has been left open. As houses become smarter, insurers are considering the opportunities that home based telemetric devices offer for accessing and monitoring […]
The last thing any homeowner wants to hear is that they have mold in their home. It instantly brings to mind terrifying stories of toxic mold poisoning you and your family. Even if the mold proves not to be toxic, you can expect a long, difficult and very expensive cleanup before your house is back […]
The day that you close on a new house is unforgettable. It’s always exciting and a bit nerve wracking. At the end of the day you will get the keys to your dream house, but before that happens there are tons of papers to initial and sign as well as dozens of things to arrange. […]