Homeowners Insurance

Flooring can make or break an entire room. For example, older carpeting can make a living room look smaller or less inviting, while newer hardwood flooring can open up the same living room and make it feel welcoming. Whether you’re making major renovations to your home or just want to change up the floors in one or two rooms, this guide can help you choose the right flooring materials for your needs, budget, and stylistic preferences.  Tile Ceramic or porcelain tile is a classic floor choice for kitchens, bathrooms, and entryways because it’s waterproof, durable, and easy to clean. There are also a variety of colors and styles to choose from. However, tile can feel cold, and it’s prone to cracks or chips from dropped objects. Generally, ceramic is more affordable than porcelain. Carpet Carpeting can be a comfortable flooring choice for bedrooms and living areas. It’s relatively inexpensive, and there is a range of colors and materials to choose from. However, the carpet also shows wear and tear, including hard-to-remove stains. Hardwood This is a timeless choice for living rooms, dining rooms, and hallways. Many older houses come with hardwood flooring, which can be refinished to look like new. Installing new hardwood floors can be expensive, but there are budget-friendly manufactured options. These floors do require regular cleaning and protection, as they can be easily scratched and scuffed from furniture, children, and pets. Vinyl Vinyl is a popular flooring option for kitchens, bathrooms, and other high-traffic zones. With many styles to choose from, vinyl can mimic the look of wood or stone, plus it’s waterproof, long-lasting and inexpensive compared to other flooring options. Vinyl floors are easy to install, but they may not add much value to your home. Laminate Like vinyl, laminate flooring is affordable and made to resemble more expensive flooring options. However, it isn’t as durable, particularly in moisture-prone rooms like bathrooms or kitchens. If you’re curious about how renovations could impact your insurance coverage, reach out so we can discuss your situation.

Renters may be required to get a renters insurance policy. And even if it isn't, it’s a good idea to have renter's insurance to protect yourself against financial losses from property damage. Your landlord’s insurance covers the building and grounds, but it won’t help with your possessions. Is renters insurance new to you? Let’s break down the basics and answer some questions you may have. What does renters insurance cover? There are three categories of renters insurance coverage: Personal Property: Thi s includes furniture, electronics, clothes, and other possessions that are stolen or damaged by fire and other covered disasters. Liability Protection: If a guest in your rental home gets injured or suffers property damage, liability protection can help pay for medical bills, lost property, and legal fees. Additional Living Expenses: If you can’t stay in your rental home because of a covered disaster, this may help cover temporary costs of living such as a hotel room, meals, and other expenses. What doesn’t renters insurance cover? While renters insurance is fairly comprehensive, there are limits. Your coverage typically won’t include: Property damage or loss from floods, earthquakes, and other disasters not listed in your policy. Higher-value possessions such as jewelry, antiques, and artwork. Damage to the building or its systems, such as a sewer backup into your home. This is the landlord’s responsibility and should be covered by their policy. Damage or loss from your own deliberate acts or negligence. Pest infestations, such as mice or bedbugs. Of course, it’s always best to review your renter's insurance policy to confirm what is and isn’t covered. You may be able to get additional coverage or a separate policy. How much does renters insurance cost? It usually costs about $15 to $30 a month for the peace of mind renters insurance brings. Reach out to get a quote based on your location, the number of belongings you need covered, and your deductible. How much coverage do you typically need? To calculate your coverage needs, estimate the total replacement cost of all your belongings. This will tell you how much property coverage you need. We can work together to determine your liability and living expenses coverage, too. Do you have questions about your insurance coverage? Get in touch today for help.

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.

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.