Keys in the door of a new home by PhotoMIX Company If you’re house hunting, you’re probably looking at many elements like the number of bedrooms or how updated the kitchen is. Don’t forget to check for these things too, which which may help avoid home insurance claims should you become the new owner. An Aging Roof Roof problems are one of the most common causes of home insurance claims. Serious roof damage often doesn’t just involve the roof itself; it can cause interior damage, especially from leaking water. You don’t want to purchase a home that has an old or faulty roof without getting an a ..read more

Woman using a smartphone by Keira Burton Many insurance carriers today offer smartphone apps that track telematics to monitor driving. Here’s how they work and how these apps may help you lower your auto insurance premium, along with a few other advantages. Safe Driving Apps Help You Improve Your Driving Telematics usually works either via a small plugin provided by the insurance company that is attached to your vehicle, or by simply downloading a smartphone app. However, there are also models that plug into dashboard ports. This is capable of monitoring a variety of driving elements, which ca ..read more

Garden hose spraying water by Karolina Grabowska Water has been in short supply in many areas of the United States lately. And even if it’s bountiful where you live, you may be paying more for water than you’d like. Here are some tips for using less water and saving money in your garden. Use Soaker Hoses Instead of Sprinklers Sprinklers tend to use tons of water, often more than you need to water your garden. It’s the equivalent of taking a bath versus a shower when you just want to get clean quickly. Try using soaker hoses, which have tiny perforations in them, to water your flower or vegetab ..read more

Couple in a convertible by monkeybusinessimages Your auto insurance is one of the most important elements of your personal insurance portfolio. But some people purchase only the minimum required liability coverage, not realizing they may be leaving themselves open to huge bills for damage to their own vehicles after an accident. Here’s how you can better protect yourself with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. How Claims Usually Work After an Accident Most states in the U.S. require some type of auto liability insurance to register a vehicle and drive legally. This type of auto insu ..read more

Keys in a door by PhotoMIX Company Whether you’re just getting away for a long weekend or spending a few weeks out of the house, it’s important to ensure your home is safe while you’re gone. Follow these tips to help prevent break-ins, fires, and water damage. Pause Your Mail and Paper Delivery It’s immediately apparent to anyone passing by that you’re not home if your mail and newspapers are piled up on your porch. Also, these items and unattended parcels are subject to theft and weather damage. Have the post office and newspaper carrier stop delivery while you’re gone, or have a friend or ne ..read more

Young family by Agung Pandit Wiguna It’s an unfortunate fact that life expectancy in the US has dropped recently. This has led many people to examine whether or not they should have a life insurance policy and, if so, how much coverage they should have. Here are some basics about life insurance, intended to help you decide whether it’s the right protection for you and your loved ones. Do I Need Life Insurance? Life insurance pays out when you die, providing funds for whomever you name as a beneficiary in the policy. Usually, beneficiaries are spouses or partners and children, although they can ..read more

Family meeting by Matthew Henry It seems like every day on the news that we hear stories about a hurricane, flood, or wildfire creating massive damage in the U.S. and putting people out of their homes. Have you thought about how your family would handle this kind of emergency? Here are a few tips to keep you and your household safe if disaster strikes. Plan a Fire Escape Route Home fires strike thousands of families every year in America. If your home were to catch on fire, do you have an escape route planned? Every member of the family, including children, should know what to do if your smoke ..read more

Row of cars by welcomia With the new car market impacted by shipping delays, many people are choosing to buy used cars lately. And some people only purchase a used vehicle because it saves them money and lets the first owner figure out if it’s a lemon or not (most major problems show up by around 60,000 miles). Here’s a checklist for things you should assess if you’re looking at used cars. Tires and Brakes While tires can be replaced, they can run hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Make sure the tires are in good shape with no worn treads or patches; otherwise, this can be a good opportuni ..read more

Australian Shepherd puppy by Brett Sayles Having a new puppy join your household can change your life. The snuggles and kisses make getting up in the middle of the night for potty breaks worth it, but in the whirlwind of change, it’s easy to forget some practicalities. For example, should you inform your insurance company about your new dog? Are there things you can do to keep your puppy safer? What about protecting yourself financially if your dog bites someone? Here’s what you need to know as a dog owner. A New Puppy and Insurance Coverage Whether you own your own home or rent, you probably ..read more

Security Camera by ipeema A security camera can help protect your property against intruders or provide evidence in the event of a break-in. But with all the technology available today, it can be tough to figure out which smart security camera is right for you. Here are four points to consider when you shop for a camera for your home. 24-Hour vs. Motion-Activated Recording Some cameras run continuously, while others are only triggered to turn on when they detect motion nearby. There are pros and cons to each. A 24/7 camera won't miss anything, since it's always on, but you’ll have to go throug ..read more