What To Do When Your House Is Vacant

Selling your home can be a stressful process, especially when it doesn't move quickly.  With a new job looming, you may have no choice but to leave the home vacant for a short time until it sells.  

The problem?  Vacant homes fall under different insurance rules and can leave you at risk.  Homes are typically considered vacant when you no longer sleep there regularly, the utilities are shut off and/or furniture has been removed.

Insurance companies view a vacant home as a higher risk.  There are more opportunities for vandalism and no one living there to protect the home from fire or storm damage.  

So what should you do when moving?

First you need to talk to your insurance agent and get the details on your policy.  Since policies vary by state and insurance company, there is no single right answer.  

Explain the situation to your agent.  Ask what coverage is included and what is excluded (specifically for vandalism).  And find out what changes can be made to protect your home.  

Selling a home doesn't always follow a quick timeline.  If you're facing the possibility of leaving your home vacant, contact us first  and find out how to best protect yourself and your property. 

Why You Need Renters Insurance

If you are currently renting your home or apartment, it’s time to learn more about renters insurance! 

Homeowners insurance covers the house itself and the items inside.  But if you don’t own the home, you don’t need insurance to cover it.  All you need is coverage for your actual personal belongings.

It might not seem like a lot, but all those little items add up!  When you think about the cost to replace your furniture, dishes, sheets, clothes, books, and everything else filling up your home, it’s probably a lot more than you thought. 

Renters insurance is an affordable way to protect what you’ve worked hard to acquire.  And it’s probably a lot cheaper than you’d expect!  In fact, many times the discount you receive on your auto insurance for having multiple policies can almost pay for the entire renters policy!

Renters Insurance will cover personal belongings within your home as well as a limited amount of property off premises (such as items in a storage building) or your laptop when it’s in the car. 

It also includes important liability coverage.  If you accidentally cause a fire that burns down the property, your insurance pays the landlord to replace it (protecting you from a damaging lawsuit).  In fact, many landlords now require that tenants carry a certain amount of liability insurance before they approve the lease. 

So if you’re renting, it’s time to look at protecting your valuables.  Give us a call today at 508-347-9343, and ask for a no obligation quote on renters insurance.  And don’t forget to find out how much you’ll save on your auto insurance too!

What is Rental Reimbursement Coverage (And Do You Really Need It)?

As you look through your auto policy documents, you might have seen a coverage called Rental Reimbursement.  What is this?  And do you REALLY need it? 

Basically Rental Reimbursement coverage is there to help you when your car is unavailable due to a covered claim. 

Let’s say that you had a fender bender and your car is in the shop for a few days getting a new bumper.  Or after a major storm, you’ve got hail damage that needs to be repaired.

While the car is being repaired, what will you drive? 

That’s where Rental coverage comes into play.  With this coverage, the insurance company will pay a certain amount per day (based on your policy) towards a rental car.  That way, you’re not inconvenienced while the repairs are being made. 

We highly recommend that you have this coverage, however there are a few situations where it might not be necessary.

If you own multiple vehicles and could easily drive another while your car is in the shop, you may not need rental coverage.  And if you rarely drive your vehicle, don’t have a job that requires you to drive daily, and could easily stay home for a week and walk where you need to go, you may not need rental coverage either.

If you’re not sure what’s best for you, then give us a call to discuss exactly how much the coverage will cost you each month and what different levels are available.  We look forward to helping you choose the right insurance coverage!

Don’t Leave Home For Vacation Without Doing This...

Ready to head out of town on vacation?  Temperatures are climbing, school is ending, and everyone is eager for a break.  But there are a few things to keep in mind before you leave town in order to keep your possessions protected.

Don’t Advertise That You’ll Be Out Of Town

Think about the things that happen around your home on a daily basis, so that your home doesn’t look empty when you leave.

First, contact the Post Office (and the newspaper) and put your services on hold.  A full mailbox and a driveway full of newspapers are a sign to thieves that you’re an easy target! 

Can you put a few lights on a timer so that your home isn’t dark all night?  Even leaving on a few lamps will help.  Motion sensitive lights on your porch and driveway are a great idea too!

Do you have a neighbor that you trust?  Let them know of your plans, share your contact number, and consider leaving a spare key just in case. 

What if a severe thunderstorm hits while you’re out of town?  It could knock out power or even cause a tree in your yard to fall.  Your neighbor can make sure that your freezer is back on when the power restores or verify that there aren’t any leaks in the roof from the storm damage!  This can help prevent some bad surprises when you get home.

When You’re On The Road

The biggest tip I share with my clients is to avoid leaving valuables in the car! 

Many people believe that their belongings are covered by car insurance, but that is not the case.  The only coverage for your luggage and computer would be on your Homeowners Insurance and it’s subject to your deductible.

Also, most policies offer coverage for road side assistance and towing.  This can be invaluable when you are stranded (or accidentally lock your keys in the car in an unfamiliar town).  This coverage is inexpensive and quick to add to your policy. 

Have questions about your insurance before your next trip?  Give us a call anytime to discuss your policy or to get a quote!

What College Graduates Need To Know About Auto Insurance

You’ve proudly watched your child graduate from college (and celebrated the last of the tuition bills!)  Now they’re searching for their first “real” job and ready for a new phase of life.  

This is what you and your new grad need to know about their insurance.

First, in most situations, they can remain on your auto insurance policy as long as they are living in your household.  If they’ve moved back home while job hunting, you can keep them on the policy.

But once they move out, it’s time to look at other options.  Some of this will depend on who is the owner of the car and if you’re living in the same state.  The best option is to talk to one of our agents to discuss your particular situation in detail.

Remember, regular on-time insurance payments can help establish credit history and serve as a reference when renting an apartment. 

If your graduate is moving out on their own, you’ll also want to get some information on Renters Insurance.  It will protect their belongings and protect you from any liability for damage they might cause to a residence (even if it’s just an accident, like a small kitchen fire.)  In most cases, a parent is a co-signer for a lease and needs to make sure this protection is in place. 

The end of college marks some big transitions into adulthood.  Help your new graduate to make smart financial decisions and establish a great start.  We can help!  Schedule a personal review and quote today.

The Biggest Risk To Your Home (And How To Prevent It)

Most people think the biggest risk to their home is a fire or a bad storm.  It’s why they buy insurance (and the fact it’s required by their mortgage lender). 

But in reality, the biggest concern is protecting your assets from a liability claim.  Consider this...

Warm weather has arrived and everyone is beginning their yard work. Mowing, planting

flowers, and digging those vegetable gardens. There is a lot of work to be done.

So let's say that you dig a large hole in the front yard so you can plant a new tree. You

walk away for a moment and while you're gone the kid next door runs through the yard,

falls in the hole, and breaks his ankle.

Unfortunately, you could be held responsible for his injury. But not to worry, your homeowner's liability insurance is made for these kind of situations. It will pay if someone is injured on your property. It's also the coverage that protects you if the dog bites your child's friend (as long as it's not a restricted breed) or if your cousin falls down your front steps.

If you have a large number of assets, then you'll want higher liability coverage. If the

injury exceeds your liability coverage amount, then you could be sued for the difference.

Work with us to determine the amount of coverage that you are comfortable

carrying.

No one can protect themselves by just being careful alone. There are too many

possible scenarios that you could never avoid. But with the right insurance coverage,

you'll never have to worry.

Call us today for a free review and to discuss how much liability coverage you need. 

Insuring Your RV, Boats, & Summer Fun

Summer is on its way.  Before we know it there will be Memorial Day barbecues and long weekends at the lake. 

That's why now is a great time to review insurance coverage on all of your summer toys.  Read below for things to consider (and review with us) before the big items come out of winter storage.

RV - Your motorhome or travel trailer needs insurance coverage, especially if you'll be driving or pulling it this year.  Even if you don't have a loan on your RV, you will want it covered for theft or damage.  Whether they are parked on a lake lot for the season or driving cross country, we offer several RV policies to fit your needs.  Just call us for a quote.

Boat - The same thing goes for your boats and jet skis.  You've made a big investment and it's important to protect them.  Not only should you worry about damage to your boat, but also make sure you have the proper amount of liability coverage.  Don’t forget your life jackets! 

Motorcycle - Ready to hit the road for a long drive?  Remember to brush up on your safety skills and always wear a helmet.  Don’t forget to make sure your motorcycle has liability coverage just like your vehicle!  We can help you determine what coverage you need.  

Swimming Pool - If you own a pool, then you need extra liability coverage including a Personal Umbrella Policy.  Why?  Because there is a lot more risk of someone being injured when you have a pool.  Don’t skimp on your coverage and make sure you have the pool area secured and safe. 

Summer is a lot more fun when you know that your high price recreational items are properly insured and protected.  Take 15 minutes to call us for a quote or to review your current coverage. 

P.S. Our open house is this Friday the 8th at 4:00 p.m. There will be BT's smokehouse, Rapscallion beer, Rob Adams, raffles, and other surprises! I hope to see you all there!