Ice damming is a maddening problem that afflicts homeowners in cold climates. And insurance companies don’t like it much either. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average home insurance claim for water damage and freezing (which ice dams can cause) is $3,098. What is ice damming? During the winter, the heat from your home rises … Read more
Marcus Pickett The roof over your head is one of the most important factors in the long-term condition and value of your home. You may already know that high-quality roofing, while expensive to install, can last longer, incur fewer repairs and even reduce heating and cooling costs. But did you know it also could score … Read more
Windstorms, ice storms, fires, lightning and even insect damage can cause trees or large branches to fall on your home and cause extensive property damage. So how can you tell if a tree poses a danger to your property? What can you do if it does? And will your home insurance policy cover you if … Read more
Justin Stoltzfus Water damage is a major concern for most property owners and renters. Whether your insurance covers the damage will depend on where the water comes from. In the property insurance industry, there’s a big difference between “rising” water and threats from above. The cost of damage The average home insurance claim for water damage was … Read more
Justin Stoltzfus A tough economy is inspiring resourcefulness, causing more Americans to operate some kind of home business, according to the Insurance Information Institute. However, some of these home-business owners may not have the right insurance. In fact, about 60 percent of home-based business owners lack the proper coverage, according to the Independent Insurance Agents and … Read more
Amy Higgins A standard home insurance policy will cover the structure of the building and its contents, liability issues and, often, living expenses in the event the home is uninhabitable after a disaster. While a power surge that fries all of a home’s electronics might seem disastrous, policyholders may be shocked when their insurance providers … Read more
Stephanie Taylor Christensen Renting out your home can be a wise investment idea, particularly if you’re seeking a way to hold onto your property until home prices climb. But whether you live in it or not, your home is one of the largest purchases you’ll ever make. When you decide to switch it from your … Read more
Marcus Pickett You may have enough home insurance to cover your home’s market value. But do you have enough coverage to rebuild it if it’s leveled in a tornado or consumed by a wildfire? Being underinsured often stems from the wide discrepancy between the cash value of a home and its replacement cost. For example, … Read more
Justin Stoltzfus Most homeowners and renters have heard about the importance of keeping an up-to-date home insurance inventory for claims purposes. But when it comes to documenting all the possessions in your home and how much they’re worth, the actual logistics can be tricky. Now, there are apps that can streamline this task — and the home … Read more
In catastrophe’s wake, homeowners are, unfortunately, ripe for victimization. Con artists and unethical contractors may overcharge, provide unnecessary services and even steal from their clients. Home repair scams are most common after disasters because, when devastation strikes, massive amounts of money and aid flow into communities. Fraudsters may claim they’ve been sent by your home insurance … Read more