Justin Stoltzfus Slip-and-fall accidents in the shower are a serious risk. A federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released in 2011 found that about 230,000 people go to emergency rooms each year for injuries sustained in a bathroom. Two-thirds of them were injured in showers or bathtubs. For homeowners, that presents a liability risk … Read more
Justin Stoltzfus Home viewings and open house events can be great ways to get a property noticed. But they can mean a constant parade of strangers coming through your front door and having a look around — and these strangers might not be as interested in the house itself as they are in the valuables … Read more
Justin Stoltzfus Supplemental heating sources like fireplaces, space heaters and wood-burning stoves can keep your home extra toasty during the winter. But that roaring blaze in the fireplace could suddenly become a house fire if you don’t take the proper precautions. Here are some ways to keep your home warm and safe during the winter months. The … Read more
Adam Kosloff Homeowners and renters have many options when it comes to tailoring their insurance to their needs — liability limits, floaters and deductibles can all affect coverage and cost. One critical decision they’ll have to make involves choosing between “cash value” coverage and “replacement value” coverage. What’s the difference? Cash value vs. replacement cost … Read more
Justin Stoltzfus Your home’s windows let in light and fresh air. But they also can let in burglars. Because they’re easier to break open than a locked door, windows represent a weak point in a home in terms of security. Here’s how to enhance the security of these more vulnerable areas of a home’s exterior. … Read more
Justin Stoltzfus When you child-proofed your home, did you consider your windows? More than 5,000 children are treated in emergency rooms each year after falling out windows, according to a study from Nationwide Children’s Hospital. In addition to the potential for tragedy, a house’s windows pose a potential liability for homeowners. Here are some tips for … Read more
Linda Melone You and your neighbors take vacations together and regularly eat dinner together. Your kids and your neighbors’ kids frequently play together. All that togetherness can crumble, though, if a home insurance dispute arises. Here’s the scoop on some of the most common home insurance tug-of-wars that can leave you and your neighbors feuding like the … Read more
Gina Roberts-Grey Many homeowners assume all sorts of troubles are covered by their insurance policies. They think it’s as simple as filing a claim and getting a check. But some of those troubles — known in insurance circles as “perils” — fall outside the scope of a home insurance policy. Here’s a look at seven common … Read more
Adam Kosloff The storm is over, and you’ve got the hail damage to prove it. Yet you could get hit again by home insurance scam artists. Home repair scam artists constantly are cooking up new ways to defraud homeowners and insurance companies. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), hail damage insurance fraud is on the … Read more
Gina Roberts-Grey American homeowners should brace themselves for more than severe weather. Across the country, increases in home insurance premiums are on the horizon. Recent natural disasters – including tornadoes, floods and wildfires – share some of the blame. On a national basis, no one can say for certain just how much home insurance rates will … Read more