liability insuranceWhen discussing and rating homeowner insurance policies, personal liability coverage is often an afterthought. Insurance companies and insurance agents don’t always take the time to explain what it is and what it covers. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking personal liability coverage isn’t important. It most certainly is!

For starters, let’s look at the types of claims that are potentially covered by this part of the homeowner insurance policy: bodily injury claims and property damage liability claims. It is quite common to see personal injury coverage added to personal liability coverage via endorsement, as well. For the sake of discussion, we will include personal injury coverage with the other liability coverages we mention.

So, what exactly does this cover? [READ MORE]

Do Not Disturb: The Dangers of Distracted Driving

distracted drivingNine. A relatively small number until you put it into context. Every day, nine lives are lost due to distracted driving.  Driving is something that many of us do each day without putting in much thought or energy, almost like being on autopilot. Instead of using driving as a time to unwind, focusing on the road and getting to our destination safely, we are now consumed by distractions. Fortunately, you have the power to turn those distractions off…but will you?

According to TeenSafe, “there are 3,287 deaths each day due to fatal car crashes. On average, nine of these daily fatalities are related to distracted driving.” [1] That’s nine lives that could have been saved from distractions that are completely and unarguably avoidable. Every time you get behind the wheel you are taking a risk but it’s a risk over which you have some control. [READ MORE]

Prepare for the Loss of Special Possessions

jewelryNew Year, new outlook. Many of us have been busy writing down goals for 2018 and looking forward to starting off the New Year with a fresh perspective. I’ve always loved hearing the variety of resolutions from my family and friends and the different ideas they bring to the New Year. Of course, you hear the most common resolutions of “watch what I eat,” “go to the gym more,” “save money,” etc. But this year, I’ve heard a new resolution; “be more prepared.” This got me thinking: am I prepared for the unexpected and how can I help others be more prepared? In the insurance world specifically, there are many unexpected situations that can take place, but there are also many ways to be more prepared

Did you know that many homeowners’ policies have special limits of coverage for certain types of property? Do you own any valuable jewelry? If so, did you know that many insurance policies only cover theft of jewelry up to $1,500?

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The Beauty of Winter Can Bring a Blizzard of Problems

winterWhen I was in 2nd grade my mother helped me write a poem that ended up being published in our school newsletter.

I saw a little snowflake all dressed in white,
it landed on my windowsill just the other night.
The night I saw the snowflake I went to tell my mother,
when we got back, guess what, there came another.

I often think about this as we enter the winter season.  It’s funny how your childhood memories carry so much meaning in your adult life.

Most of us have endured a snowstorm in our lifetime. It can be thrilling, scary, or even inconvenient depending upon where you live, what your past experiences have been, and what impact it has on you at that moment.  When I wrote the poem above, I was thrilled by a snowstorm.  It meant a day at home to watch TV, go sleighing, and drink hot cocoa – all better options than going to school. As we get older, our experiences influence our responses to many things including snow storms. The thrills of youth become the anxiety of old.  Keeping yourself, your family, and your home safe are most important.  You should always pay attention to driving conditions, whether you have a 4-wheel drive vehicle, or one that you may be most vulnerable in.

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Renters Insurance: Why It’s Important for Landlords

rental insuranceAnyone who has ever rented a residence (or is currently considering renting a residence) has most likely heard about the importance of having renters insurance in place. We all know that our “stuff” is important and needs protecting. We also know that these types of policies provide liability coverage, but we may or may not fully understand what that means.

But what if you’re a landlord? Should your tenants have renters insurance?

Absolutely! Your house, condo, or apartment is just as valuable as your tenant’s “stuff,” correct? Here’s why it shouldn’t only be suggested but required by the terms of your lease.

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Don’t Let Grinches Steal Your Christmas

Giving gifts at Christmas has been a long-standing tradition for many families all over the world. Even though my holidays are incredibly busy, taking time to find a thoughtful gift to show my friends and family they are loved is important to me.

Online shopping makes it easy to find a great selection of gifts and can be a big time-saver. Unfortunately, thieves are waiting to take advantage of you. Here are some tips to protect yourself while shopping online.

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3 Primary Reasons for Increasing Auto Rates

As 2017 draws to a close, let’s reflect on some insurance-related items in the industry. While storms and hurricanes certainly dominated the headlines for a while, one issue that has been consistent throughout the year is an increase in auto insurance rates. If you’ve seen a rate increase this year and have wondered why (especially if you have a clean driving record), this blog post is for you.

Why are rates going up? There are three primary reasons.

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Christmas Traditions Made with Family

Christmas is right around the corner which means stores are packed with people trying to find the perfect gift. It often seems like Thanksgiving is quickly surpassed in the excitement of Black Friday, the official kickoff of the holiday shopping season. Stores seem to keep pushing their hours further into Thanksgiving Day, trying to stay competitive. Last year, I remembered seeing advertisements for stores announcing they would be opening at 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving. This year, I even saw some stores open at 6 a.m. on Thanksgiving! It makes me so sad that many people are choosing to opt out of the family Thanksgiving dinner to score some deals on electronics and other items for Christmas presents. This holiday season, I urge you to spend time with your family.

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It’s Fall – Oh Deer!

The temperatures have gotten cooler, and the trees are vibrant with color! It is a beautiful time of year.

Fall also means animal-related car accidents are likely to rise. Between October and December, the annual deer breeding season (known as the rut) occurs. Deer can be very active and unpredictable during this time, and many find their way to our roadways.

Five recommended safety tips!

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Dress for Safety this Halloween

As the temperatures lower and we start to enter into the fall season, one of my favorite holidays is approaching: Halloween. I remember as a kid the excitement that would build each week as it approached. Being able to dress-up and pretend to be something you idealize is an American tradition unlike any other. For one night a year, you are encouraged to get outside of your home, knock on your neighbor’s door, and ask for a Trick-or-Treat.

Halloween can be fun for the young and old alike, but with this unique holiday also comes unique risks. As we know, Halloween brings out a lot of children with hopes of scoring as much candy as possible in one fateful night. It is essential to be aware, both as a pedestrian and as a driver.

If you are planning to trick-or-treat, there are three things that can be done to increase safety and give everyone a better experience.

[Read More]