When was the last time you reviewed your homeowners and auto insurance policies? If it’s been more than a year, it may be time to check-in. Both large and small life changes can affect your coverage needs, but it’s easy to forget in the bustle of everyday life. January is a perfect time to sit down with your policy documents or reach out so we can discuss the state of your coverage. Not sure if a check-in would benefit you? Benefits of Reviewing Your Policies Savings: Checking in can make you aware of certain discounts you may qualify for. Maybe you’ve maintained a record of safe driving or installed a home security system, which could both lower your premiums in some cases. Information Gathering: Do you have an up-and-coming teen driver or a large home renovation in the works? Let’s talk about these life changes before they happen, and look at how they may impact your coverage and premiums. New Asset Protection: Purchasing a new car or other large asset, such as luxury jewelry, artwork or antiques, may require updates to your insurance policy. When to Update Your Coverage Home Renovations: Finishing your basement, building an addition to your house or adding outdoor structures will likely require changes to your coverage. It’s important to have enough coverage for the updated replacement cost of your home. Life Changes: Getting married or divorced, having a baby, moving or having a child reach driving age are all life events that should prompt a discussion about your coverage needs. Car Finances: Buying a new car, getting a new auto loan or paying off your current loan can have implications for your car insurance. Reach out to make sure you have the right policies. Homebuying: A home purchase usually requires a new or updated homeowners insurance policy. You may be able to bundle your home and auto coverage for potential savings. A new year can be a great time to check in about your insurance coverage. Get in touch to review your current policies and discuss whether changes are needed.

Working remotely can offer many benefits, but have you thought about the safety of your home office? Whether you work from home every day or on a hybrid schedule, it’s important to make sure your workspace is safe and secure. From pets and children who may wander into your home office to cybersecurity threats, take these five steps to protect yourself, your equipment and your household. Be careful about cord-related hazards. Cords can create a tripping hazard, and the more you have, the more dangerous it may be. You can purchase cord organizers to keep them organized and out of sight. To prevent electrical hazards, check for and replace frayed wires, and unplug equipment when it’s not in use. Practice fire safety. Make sure your home office is equipped with a smoke detector and fire extinguisher. Always blow out candles and turn off space heaters and other electronics before you leave the room. Childproof your workspace. Remember that viral clip of “BBC Dad” getting interrupted in his home office? Kids love to explore, so consider keeping your home office locked or childproofing it by securing tall shelves to the wall and keeping sharp objects and cleaning supplies out of reach. Take care of your physical health. Sitting at a desk all day isn’t the best for your body. Keep a water bottle on your desk to stay hydrated, and take breaks to stretch several times a day. You may also want to get a standing or treadmill desk. Follow cybersecurity tips. I t’s important to protect yourself and your company from phishing scams and malware. Do so by using strong, unique passwords for every account, opting for multifactor authentication where possible, installing a firewall and keeping your antivirus software updated. Be careful with email: Don’t open attachments or click on links in emails you weren’t expecting. These tips can keep your home office safe, secure, and comfortable. Do you have questions about your homeowner's insurance? Reach out for help.

Keeping your car neat and tidy can be hard, especially if you have kids or pets. If you’re not careful about eating and drinking in the car, spills and crumbs can leave a permanent stain. And this time of year can present even more challenges to a clean vehicle. Winter weather like snow, ice and freezing rain can leave the floor (and seats) of your car wet and grimy. Follow these five tips to keep the inside of your car clean, even when the weather is working against you. Declutter the interior and trunk. Cars tend to be a catchall for your belongings. Follow the rule of carrying out what you brought into your vehicle as often as possible. Once a month or so, take time to declutter everything, including the trunk. Protect the floors. Keep carpet and floor mats from being damaged by wiping up mud, slush and road salt after using your vehicle. Consider buying all-weather mats, which offer more protection and are easier to clean. Dust surfaces. Keep wipes or microfiber cloths in your car so you can easily clean dust and grime from the dashboard, steering wheel and surfaces. Clean and vacuum seats. Whether fabric or leather, regular use can cause wear and tear to seats. Protect them with conditioners and vacuum them regularly to keep dirt from building up. Prevent food and drink spills. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Try to avoid eating and drinking in the car. If you have to do it, try to use spill-proof containers and steer clear of messy foods. Following these tips can help you keep your car clean this winter and all year. If you have any questions about protecting your car with insurance, reach ou t for help.

In the past few years, credit card balances have trended upward nationally. While debt may be an unfortunate fact of life, there are steps you can take to improve your finances. Paying down debt takes time, but you’ll feel less stressed if you can maintain control over your budget and build your savings instead of making debt payments. Whether you’re struggling with credit card balances, medical debt or loans, these tips could help you create a solid foundation for your financial life and find an approach to managing debt that works for you. 1. Start budgeting. Making a budget is the first step towards getting — and staying — out of debt. Sticking to a budget will help you track the money coming in and going out of your accounts so you can avoid overspending. You can categorize your expenses and identify what to cut back on. You can also use your budget to determine how much debt you can pay off each month. 2. Choose a debt payoff method. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed by debt. If you don’t know where to start, consider using one of these two popular payment approaches: The Snowball Method : Start with your lowest balance and throw everything you can at it while making the minimum payment on everything else. This approach helps you reach your first “win” faster, which can motivate you to keep going. The Avalanche Method : Start with the loan or credit card that has the highest interest rate. This method may take longer to clinch your first victory, but it will help you save on interest in the long run. 3. Get help from a professional. If you can’t or don’t want to do it alone, consult a professional for help. Credit Counseling : You may find this through a nonprofit organization with certified counselors. You can discuss your finances, then they can help you make a plan for paying off debt and gaining control of your money. Debt Consolidation Services : Also known as debt relief, these companies could help you consolidate multiple balances into a single payment. They may also negotiate with your creditors to pay off your debt for less than you owe, but be sure to use a reputable company. Financial Planners : If you’re looking for a long-term guide, financial planners can help you manage your budget, savings and debt to support your goals. Managing debt takes time, but it’s worth it. If you have questions about your homeowners, renters or auto insurance (financial or otherwise), reach out today.

Were you part of the decluttering craze ushered in by Marie Kondo in the 2010s? You might remember people trying to decide what sparked joy and getting rid of everything else. Minimalism may be losing steam, but it’s still good to reduce clutter. Messes can be stressful and distracting to look at, but they can also be dangerous. Overstuffed shelves can tip over or items can fall off and hit someone, while floor clutter can be a tripping hazard. The following steps can help you find a decluttering routine that works for you. Start small. Clutter can feel overwhelming. Consider starting with just a single shelf or drawer. You can also start small by setting a timer for 15 to 20 minutes and working until that time is up. Set achievable goals. Let’s face it; you’re not going to declutter your entire house on one Sunday afternoon. Set a realistic goal, such as making it through one room a week, so you will feel motivated by the win and keep going. Use the "four-box method." Making decisions about what to get rid of can be the hardest part of decluttering. Try to go with your gut, placing items in boxes labeled "keep," "donate" "sell," and "trash" to make it easier to get everything to its destination. Follow the “one-in, one-out” rule. Buying something and bringing it home is easier than sorting through your stuff later. Give your household a rule: If they want to bring something new home, they have to give away a similar item. Find storage solutions. Once you’ve decluttered a room, make it easier to find and put away the things you’re keeping. Shelves, bins, baskets and other organizing tools can help you store your belongings in an attractive and functional manner. Set a schedule. Make decluttering a regular habit and get your whole household involved. Figure out where you tend to gather clutter and pick a time each week to deal with these areas.  Tackle digital clutter. Photos, videos and other files may not be a tripping hazard, but they can clutter up your devices, making it harder to find the things you want to keep. And if you’re paying for cloud storage, you could save money by getting rid of things you don’t want or need. Do you have questions about keeping your property safe with homeowners insurance? Please reach out so we can talk about your policy.

For most Americans who drive a car, auto insurance is part of life. You might not even think about it very often — until you need it. However, just as your policy or premium may change from time to time, there are also some life changes that require you to update your insurance coverage. Here are four common reasons you should get in touch to update your auto policy. Moving Where you live can affect your car insurance premiums. Are you moving to a new city or state? Venturing out to the suburbs or even a rural area? You’ll want to update your car insurance, which may even save you money. If your move involves buying a new house, reach out about bundling your car and homeowners insurance to make things simpler. New Driver Getting your first driver’s license is an exciting milestone. If you have a new driver in your household, you can add them to your existing auto insurance policy. Your teen may even qualify for a discount based on good grades or other factors. We can review your options together. Marital Status If you’re getting married, you and your spouse may be able to save by having both of your cars on the same policy. On the other hand, you may be looking for your own policy after a divorce, so you can get in touch for a quote. Retirement Retiring often means the end of your daily commute. You may be able to switch to a low-mileage policy and see your premiums go down. If you have questions about your auto insurance or need to update your information, reach out for help.

Replacing your roof may not seem like the most exciting home project, but it is a necessity if you’ve been in your home for a while. When choosing your roofing materials, you may have more options than you know. Some of the most popular materials include asphalt, metal, wooden shakes and clay tiles.  Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each option to help you make the best decision based on your aesthetic preferences and practical concerns around cost, durability, life span and maintenance. Asphalt Shingles This is the most popular type of roofing material. The advantages of asphalt shingles include affordability, ease of installation, fire resistance and multiple color options and styles. On the other hand, asphalt shingles have a shorter life span than other roofing materials. They need regular maintenance and can be damaged by wind or hail. They’re also less eco-friendly than other options. Metal Roofing Metal roofing adds a sleek, contemporary look to your home. These materials can include steel, aluminum and copper. Metal roofs are known for their durability in the face of extreme weather. They also reflect heat, helping to keep your house cool in the summer. A low-maintenance option, metal roofs also last longer than other types. The primary downside to metal roofing is its higher cost, plus they can be noisy during rain and hail unless you add insulation. Wood Shakes This type of roofing material is handmade and a little rough-looking compared to machine-cut wood shingles. Wood shakes can add a classic, charming look to your home. This material is eco-friendly, has aesthetic appeal, insulates well and is fairly durable. Unfortunately, wood shakes are not very fire resistant unless specially treated. Additionally, they can be expensive and require more maintenance than other roofing options. Clay Tiles This type of roof often appears on stucco homes and is associated with Spanish or Mediterranean design. The benefits of choosing clay tiles for your roof include curb appeal, energy efficiency, fire resistance and a long life span. However, clay tiles can be broken in a severe storm, they are expensive to install and their heavy weight requires reinforcement. Choosing the right roofing material can help protect your home and increase its value. Whether or not it’s time to replace your roof, we can discuss any questions you may have about your homeowners' insurance coverage, so reach out today.

Understanding your homeowners insurance policy can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-time homeowner. Terms like “open perils” and “indemnification” aren’t necessarily used every day. But it’s important to know what your policy says so that you know what’s covered (and what isn’t). Let’s define 10 insurance terms you may not be familiar with, working together to ensure you can read your policy confidently. Named or Covered Perils: These are the risks or causes of loss covered by your homeowners' insurance. Open Perils: Also known as comprehensive coverage, this type of home insurance policy covers all losses or damages to your property except for exclusions specifically named in the policy. Subrogation: Subrogation is when your insurer seeks reimbursement on your behalf from another person whose negligence caused damage to your property. Indemnification: This is the principle of compensating policyholders for a covered loss. Replacement Cost: This refers to the cost of replacing or repairing your home based on current prices for labor and materials. Declarations Page: This is the front page of your policy, and it provides basic information: the policyholder’s name, the covered property,homeowners' and the premium and coverage amounts. Rider: Also called an endorsement, this is an addition to your standard homeowners insurance policy to add coverage for extras such as valuable jewelry, expensive artwork, or antiques. Personal Umbrella Policy: This policy offers additional liability coverage for your personal assets if an accident on your property exceeds your current coverage limits. Loss of Use: If you have this type of coverage, it means you’ll be reimbursed for the expenses associated with temporarily moving out of your house as a result of damage caused by a covered loss. Exclusion: This is any peril not covered by your policy, like flood or earthquake damage, intentional neglect, and more. Have questions about your policy? Get in touch today.