Left Behind: The Pre-Vacation Property Checklist to Avoid Coming Home to a Claim

Stepping out the door for a hard-earned vacation should bring an immediate sense of relaxation. However, leaving a home unoccupied—even for just a week—exposes the property to specific risks that can escalate from minor maintenance issues into catastrophic losses. Many common property insurance claims that occur while homeowners are away are completely preventable. Taking a few proactive steps before loading the car or heading to the airport shields your home from damage and keeps you from facing a massive insurance claim when you return. [...]

Why Having a Real Insurance Agent Still Matters in the Age of Automation

Technology has transformed nearly every industry. We can order groceries from our phones, manage finances through apps, and get customer service answers from automated chatbots within seconds. In many situations, that convenience is helpful. But when it comes to insurance, many people are discovering that automation has its limits. Insurance isn’t just a product you click and buy—it’s protection for your home, car, business, and financial future. And when decisions affect things that important, having a real person to guide you can make a [...]

The Big Thaw: Protecting Your Home from Spring Flood and Water Damage

March marks a pivotal shift—the end of winter's deep freeze and the beginning of spring's melt and rain. While the sight of green grass is welcome, this transition period is also a time of high risk for water damage. Melting snow, heavy spring rains, and saturated ground can quickly turn into a devastating flood. This is a crucial time to understand the often-misunderstood difference between your standard homeowners insurance and a dedicated flood insurance policy. 💦 The Crucial Difference: Homeowners vs. Flood Insurance Most [...]

Home Renovations 101: Knowing When to Renovate and Understanding Insurance Implications

Renovating your home can be an exciting yet daunting endeavor. Knowing when to take the plunge can significantly impact your living space and even your home insurance. One of the primary reasons homeowners consider renovations is to increase functionality. As your family grows or your lifestyle changes, you may find that your current layout no longer suits your needs. Whether it's adding an extra bedroom, expanding the kitchen, or creating a home office, renovations can enhance your quality of life. Another motivating factor for renovations [...]

What to Do If You Need to File a Home Insurance Claim

Experiencing damage or loss to your home can be a stressful situation. However, understanding the necessary steps to take when filing a home insurance claim can help ease some of that stress and ensure a smoother claims process. Below is a general outline of what to do: Safety First: Prioritize the safety of yourself and your family. If immediate dangers, such as fires or flooding, are present, focus on ensuring everyone's well-being and evacuate if needed. Review Your Policy: Take a moment to go through [...]

Am I liable if a trick or treater falls on my property?

Whether you are liable if a trick-or-treater falls on your property and the insurance coverage that may apply can vary depending on several factors, including the circumstances of the fall and your homeowner's insurance policy. Here are some key points to consider: Premises Liability: Homeowners can be held liable for injuries that occur on their property if they are found to be negligent in maintaining a safe environment. This is known as premises liability. If a trick-or-treater falls on your property due to a hazard [...]

What Happens If My Neighbor’s Tree Falls in My Yard?

Trees can be tricky, but for the most part homeowners are responsible for what falls into their own yard. So if a storm causes your neighbor’s tree to fall in your yard, your homeowners insurance could help cover the cost of removing the tree and remedying the damage it caused on your property, after your deductible. The same is true in reverse: If a tree on your property falls in your neighbor’s yard, your neighbor should contact his or her insurance company to determine what type of [...]

Homeowners Insurance Facts

When you decide you want to buy your first home, homeowners insurance may not be the first thing you think about. However, most mortgage lenders require you to have homeowners insurance before they will approve your loan. There are a few things you should know about homeowners insurance. Certain losses are excluded from most homeowners insurance policies. Standard homeowners insurance policies don’t cover floods or earthquakes. If you want coverage for flood or earthquake damage, you will need separate policies for those. If you are [...]

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