Renters Insurance: Frequently Asked Questions

Woman Moving Into New Home And Unpacking Boxes

Many renters don’t carry insurance to protect against the destruction or loss of their personal possessions. While the majority of American homeowners are insured, the Insurance Information Institute conducted a survey that showed only about 30 percent of renters had renters insurance. This means nearly 70 percent of renters are without coverage should fires, thefts or other read more→

Sewer Backup

Builder Repairing Sewerage Pipe On Site

Backed up sewers can wreak havoc on a home, causing thousands of dollars in damage to floors, walls, furniture and electrical systems.  Sewer backup coverage is available from most insurers for a nominal cost—usually an additional annual premium of $40-$50. For homes that have been severely damaged and are uninhabitable, homeowners policies may provide Loss read more→

Fireplace Safety Tips

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A fireplace can provide warmth on a cold winter evening, but if not maintained and operated properly, can become deadly. Keep your family safe by following these suggestions: Have your chimney and fireplace inspected and cleaned annually by a certified professional. Always use a fireplace screen. Clear the area around the fireplace and chimney of read more→

Ice Dam Tips and Information

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You may not know what ice dams are, but they cost the public millions of dollars each year. Ice dams form when warmth from inside a home causes snow on the roof to melt and trickle to the roof’s edge, where it refreezes, blocking gutters and drains. Since water cannot flow over the built-up ice, read more→

How to Replace Important Personal Documents

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Sometimes we lose important papers in a disaster, sometimes we lose them when moving, and sometimes we just plan lose them. Don’t worry. Here’s a list of commonly lost documents and how to get replacements: Birth and Death Certificates – Birth and death certificates can be replaced by visiting your county vital records office or online read more→

Are Your Valuable Holiday Gifts Protected?

blue and white gift box opened with bow for a boy. Has clipping path

The holidays are over, but the presents you received should last for years to come. Whether you got the latest electronic gizmos or gadgets, jewelry or gems, computers or collectibles, furs or firearms, boats or bank notes, these are all expensive valuables that may cost a lot to replace if they are damaged, lost or read more→

You Need Your Car Battery, So Treat It Well

A car mechanic replaces a battery.

In frigid temperatures, your safety and the safety of your family could depend on your car’s battery. Maintaining your battery takes just a few minutes once a year, but can provide you with peace of mind all year long. Below are several tips to ensure your battery’s health. First, what kind of battery do you have? The “maintenance-free” kind requires that you clean the read more→

Do I Have Insurance When I Drive My New Car Off the Lot?

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Buying a car for you or your family is a big investment, so it’s important to notify your insurance agent immediately of a recent purchase to make sure you have the proper coverage. But if you’re buying a car over the weekend, don’t worry…you normally have a few days leeway. Most insurance companies provide automatic coverage for read more→

Why Everyone Needs an Independent Insurance Agent

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Independent insurance agents are becoming one of the best-kept secrets of the industry. While America is being bombarded with cute TV commercials, witty billboards and ear-catching radio announcements from direct writers promising to save you $400 on your current rates, consumers are forgetting about their advocates, the independent insurance agents. We are there to make read more→

The Big Life Insurance Debate: Term vs. Perm

Portrait of family keeping their hands one another at home

The internet is flooded with people giving advice about what kind of life insurance to buy. An often-heard refrain is, “Buy term and invest the difference.” Others say, “Why rent (term), when you can own (permanent)?” It just ends up being confusing because many people don’t really understand the difference between these two major types read more→