Garage fires spread farther and cause more injuries than fires that start anywhere else in the home, according to FEMA.  Garages often are full of paints, solvents, and other chemicals that will fuel a flame. Plus, they are generally home to tools and large appliances that can generate heat and ignite a fire. Help prevent fires (and slow the spread if one occurs) by making safe choices: Step one: Charge safely  Garage fires are most often caused by electrical malfunctions, typically due to damaged wires, shorts, and overloaded circuits. When charging tools, only plug one tool i ..read more

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.” That’s a quote from author Hal Borland – but another favorite saying might be even more appropriate for this time of year: “Be prepared.” After all, warmer weather brings plenty of risk to go with its beauty. If you aren’t ready, you could find yourself with more spring cleaning than you bargained for after heavy rains, hailstorms, and other hazards. Here are five things you can do to get yourself and your property all set for the season. Give your home’s exterior a check-up. This includes your roof, gutters, downspouts, and even your pai ..read more

If you opened your home insurance bill recently and noticed it’s significantly higher, you’re not alone. In fact, homeowners across the nation are facing rising home insurance bills regardless of their insurance company. The good news is this is happening to make sure you have enough coverage. Why is my home insurance bill so high? Short answer: It’s more expensive to rebuild your house because of rising construction costs. The cost to rebuild your house is more expensive now than when you purchased your policy, not because you changed anything, but because the costs of construction materials ..read more

The rising cost of inflation affects more than just the price at the pump or the cost of groceries – you may also see affects in your insurance premiums. It’s important to consider the things that go into the price of insurance to make sure you are properly protected. What is the effect of inflation on insurance premiums? The cost of insurance is determined by many factors, including the costs to repair vehicles, homes, commercial buildings, farm and agribusiness buildings, farm personal property, equipment. As these costs increase due to factors like inflation, the insurance premium may incr ..read more

Many people are inclined to stay inside when temperatures drop, and to be fair, there’s no shortage of entertaining indoor winter activities. But if you’re wondering what to do on a snow day, the great outdoors has plenty to offer. In fact, there are several mental and physical benefits to spending time outside during the colder months. Exposure to the sun can improve your mood and the Vitamin D your body absorbs helps fight off diseases. So bundle up and safely enjoy the cold with one of these outdoor activities. 1. Visit a hot spring The water of a hot spring is substantially higher th ..read more

Whether we’re ready for it or not, the holidays have officially arrived. For most, the holiday season is jam packed with friends, family, and festivities, but did you know that between all of the travel, cooking, and decorating, your home could be at risk for potentially serious hazards? With a little preparation and mindfulness, you can help avoid a holiday disaster. Here are a few tips to keep in mind: Be smart when decorating. To reduce the risk of fire, be sure to use non-flammable or flame retardant decorations. If you opt for an artificial tree, select a quality tree with only UL-listed ..read more

Why do pipes freeze Few cold-weather maladies are more irritating than frozen pipes, but what exactly causes them? During the drop in temperature, water may freeze inside plastic pipes, which causes it to expand and pressurize. Not only can frozen pipes prevent water from flowing properly, but they can potentially burst and cause flooding to your home. With this in mind, it’s crucial that homeowners know what to do if pipes freeze. What to do if a pipe bursts If a pipe bursts in your home, you’ll need to act fast to mitigate additional damage. Shut off your water as quickly as possible. This ..read more

Tis the season of packages! As online orders roll in from Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday gift shopping, porch pirates are on the lookout. Here are five tips to follow to keep your delivered package safe: Special requests In most cases, delivery systems will have an option to edit your address. Inside that area, you can add special instructions for where to have your package placed. To help keep your package out of view of porch pirates, leave instructions for your package to be placed outside your back door. Security camera With the growing trend in security cameras, there are many o ..read more

Much like the price of groceries and gasoline, insurance premiums are increasing. Especially if you haven’t had a claim, you may wonder why your policy’s cost has gone up. Insurance premiums are tied closely to costs of labor, building materials and medical care. As these prices rise, the costs to treat injuries after an auto accident or to repair or replace your home, car and belongings also increase. Another cause of rising premiums may be the number of claims on your policy. When losses are high, risk may be higher than estimated, and premium adjustments may be needed to offset the increase ..read more

Consider unique features when establishing the insured value of your home. When you’re buying homeowner insurance, how do you determine the replacement cost of your home? Many homeowners automatically base the replacement cost on the current market value. But that method could leave you with unpleasant surprises if you have a loss. Your insurance agent can use cost estimator tools to complete a value for you. Here are some questions you can answer that will help your agent determine the most accurate suggested value for your home: Was your home built in 1944 or earlier? Let your agent ..read more