Justin Stoltzfus Disaster can strike at any time, and being prepared is critical. The right home insurance coverage can help you rebuild your home and replace your destroyed belongings. But what about the evacuation itself? Having a home disaster kit ready can help your family ride out an emergency. Some guidelines are available from the federal government. … Read more
You can’t control when an earthquake will hit. But there are some things you can do to minimize the damage. Here are five steps to preparing for quakes that can help you escape, survive and rebuild. Get the right insurance coverage Earthquake coverage is not usually part of standard home insurance policies, according to the Insurance Information … Read more
Crawford Frazer There is almost a 100 percent chance that an earthquake with a magnitude of at least 6.7 will strike California in the next 30 years, according to the U.S. Geological Survey and the California Geological Survey. Yet most California residents — nearly 90 percent — don’t have earthquake insurance, according to the California … Read more
Jill Overmyer Valuable collectibles, furniture and electronics are particularly vulnerable during a move. If you’re planning to relocate, be sure to get insurance that protects you if something is lost or damaged between your old home and your new one. Home insurance coverage Some people may mistakenly assume their belongings are covered by their home insurance … Read more
Marcus Pickett In the spring of 2009, residents in Florida and other Southeastern states made the news when they discovered that their homes smelled of rotten eggs, that black soot was forming on their electrical wiring and that metal was corroding behind their walls. Walls had to be ripped down. Wiring had to be ripped … Read more
Mary Lou Jay If you suddenly had to evacuate your home in the event of a tornado, flood, hurricane or fire, would you know what to do — and what to take with you? Before disaster strikes Planning pays in home evacuation preparations. If you know a hurricane is coming, or you live in an area prone … Read more
Crawford Frazer Washers and dryers may seem pretty innocuous. You’d never leave your oven on or leave the house with a fire roaring in the fireplace. But you might throw a load in the washer or dryer just before heading out the door to run errands. As it turns out, washers and dryers also pose risks … Read more
Stephanie Taylor Christensen If you’re confused by the seemingly cryptic abbreviations associated with home insurance, don’t be. Ranging from HO-1 to HO-8 (in most states), home insurance abbreviations generally refer to the level of coverage the insurance policy offers from perils, as well as the type of dwelling insured. It is standard practice for a home insurance … Read more
Chris Kissell As spring and summer roll in, hailstorms aren’t far behind. Hail rarely is life-threatening, but it can cause major damage to your home or car. Annually, hail causes more than $1 billion in damages to crops and property in the United States, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA). In 2012, … Read more
Chris Kissell As the weather heats up this spring and summer, millions of homeowners face the unpleasant risk of termite damage to their homes. These unwelcome guests cause an estimated $5 billion in damages in the United States every year, according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Missy Henriksen, spokeswoman for the NPMA, says … Read more
