With the heightened awareness of identity theft and cyberattacks, it makes sense to protect our families at home. But how do we do that? We talked with the experts from our IT security team to give you 10 ways to protect your family from identity theft, both online and offline. Use multifactor authentication Label the inside of children’s belongings, not the outside Monitor children’s technology usage Wait to share your vacation photos on social media Configure your smart home technology Keep your Wi-Fi password safe Take care of your devices Keep purses and wallets out of sight Store and dis ..read more

The winds are picking up and those clouds aren’t looking friendly. This may be the time you start thinking about what your home insurance covers. Be honest: is it the first time you’ve thought about it since buying your house? You’re not alone. To help in these unnerving moments, let’s go over some of the common concerns homeowners have about what storm damage their home insurance may cover and what it may not. Your homeowners insurance policy covers certain types of water damage.  Water damage can be devastating after a severe storm. So, it’s important to know what types of water damage ..read more

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

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

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

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

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 ..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 ..read more

When shopping for insurance, it is important to know the difference between Replacement Cost (RC) and Actual Cash Value (ACV). These two coverage options have different ways of calculating the amount your insurance may pay you if you suffer a loss. What is Replacement Cost? Replacement Cost is the amount it costs to replace, repair, or rebuild damaged or stolen property without depreciation. In other words, it is what it would cost to replace, repair, or rebuild at today’s costs. For example, if you have a fire in your kitchen, and your stove is damaged, Replacement Cost reimburses you enough ..read more