Home insurance and home warranty…they sound similar and even seem like they mean the same thing, but there are actually some pretty big differences. Read on to learn more about some of the bigger differences between home insurance and home warranty plans and how they could be beneficial to you and your property. Let’s start with the basics. Home insurance provides coverage for: Your structure(s), such as your home, garage, deck, sheds, etc. Your personal belongings, such as furniture, clothing and jewelry (subject to individual policy limitations) Your liability, which covers damages to othe ..read more

Take advantage of the mild spring weather by starting your annual spring cleaning early. With this checklist, we’ve made it easy to get your home ready for those April showers and summer storms. [1] Wipe down outdoor furniture You can help your outdoor furniture last longer by cleaning it after the long winter. First, spray with a garden hose on the strongest setting to loosen the dust and dirt. Then, mix a quarter cup of dishwashing soap in a decent-sized bucket of water and wipe down the furniture with a sponge or rag. Finally, rinse again with the water from your garden hose. You should cl ..read more

While fire may be a more common concern among homeowners, your home could in fact be as much as ten times more likely to be damaged by water than by fire.1 Significant sources of water damage to your property can come from flooding, including flooding from heavy rains, flash floods, dam and levee failures, tidal storm surges, mudflows and snow melt. In addition, new construction of buildings, roads or bridges can alter the flow of water, increasing the potential for flooding. Living in a high-risk flood zone can increase the likelihood of experiencing a flood, but being outside a high-risk zo ..read more

Have you noticed an increase in your home and/or auto rates recently? If so, you’re not alone. But, we get it. Just because it’s happening to a lot of people doesn’t necessarily make you feel better. Let’s dive into the “why” behind these increases, so you can stay in-the-know. Let’s begin with home insurance. Accumulated claim history throughout the market plays a role in the increase of home insurance premiums along with severe weather events, labor shortages and the increased cost of building materials. Weather events were anything but quiet in 2023. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Ad ..read more

Cleaning can be a hassle and time-consuming, but the end result — a clean house — is definitely worth it. Check out the top 11 tips to cut down on the time it takes to scrub your house, top to bottom: 1. Create a housecleaning plan. To cut down on the time it takes to clean, start with a plan which you can use every time you scrub the house. Work one room at a time, starting and finishing at the same spot for each room. When you do the same thing every time you clean, it becomes a routine and decreases the time it takes. [1] 2. Declutter and organize. Before you even start cleaning, give your ..read more

You never know when you might get in an auto accident — or who the other driver will be. That’s where UM and UIM coverage comes in. You never know when you or one of your employees might get in an auto accident when driving a company vehicle. According to the Insurance Research Council, one in seven drivers doesn’t carry auto insurance. If your company vehicle is hit by one of those drivers, it could mean substantial costs to your business. That’s where uninsured motorists (UM) and underinsured motorists (UIM) coverage come in. They often are built into your auto policy, although the coverage ..read more

Distracted driving has become an escalating and deadly problem. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration continues to record thousands of distracted driving-related deaths on our nation’s roads every year. Since the pandemic, distracted driving behaviors have only increased. NHTSA reminds everyone that texting while driving and otherwise driving distracted – by phones, passengers, eating, drinking or even tuning the radio – are dangerous, and often illegal, habits. While distracted driving can take many forms – using GPS, applying makeup, interacting with other passengers, sipping h ..read more

According to a recent survey from PwC, more than half (52%) of those surveyed said they will travel this 2023 holiday season*. This is an important increase over past years where PwC’s data revealed that only around a third of the population traveled during the holidays. As we prepare to hit the road, get dressed up again and celebrate with loved ones, here are a few tips to keep your jewelry and watches safe when traveling: Make sure you have adequate coverage. Before you leave, contact your insurance agent or broker to confirm what coverage you have in place. With the different risks when t ..read more

With more electric vehicles (EVs) on the market than ever before, government incentives readily available, and gas prices at high levels, it’s no wonder the electric vehicle (EV) market is growing exponentially. Around 15 million EVs will be sold in 2023, and EVs will make up nearly 28% of passenger vehicle sales by 2026.1 If you’ve purchased or are thinking of buying an EV for yourself, here are a few tips to optimize your EV experience and to keep your family, car, and home safe. Make sure to have smoke and heat detectors in your home and garage While electric vehicles don’t have internal c ..read more

Even in the wake of a global pandemic, the worst wildfire and hurricane seasons on record, civil unrest, and a host of other challenges, there are steps we can take to be prepared in uncertain times. Here are some tips to help you face disasters that may come your way with confidence, a plan, and the proper resources. Disaster Planning Steps 1. Know your risks (and hazards) 2. Create a plan 3. Collect supplies 4. Reinforce your home 5. Establish relationships with service providers 6. Protect your valuables 7. Help others Know your risks (and hazards) To he ..read more