property insurance

Adding on to your home, completing major or minor renovations, or making upgrades to outdated plumbing or electrical systems can all have a positive impact on the value of a property. But did you know they can also change your insurance needs? Here's what you should do to make sure you're covered before, during and after you make changes to your home.

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When we left Jack and Sara last month, college sweethearts Jack and Sara got engaged on their way to New Orleans and made sure to add the new ring as a rider onto their existing renter's insurance policy. And while staying with family friends, Jack accidentally backed his car into their garage. Thank goodness for their homeowner's insurance provides coverage for damage to their property caused by visitors. Here's what happened next...
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Fireworks are synonymous with Independence Day. Virtually every small and sizeable town or city across the U.S. puts on some sort of firework show on the Fourth of July. And in many places its still legal for consumers to purchase and set off their own fireworks, which is a thrill to kids, and kids-at-heart everywhere. Fireworks are full of mystique. They are enchantingly named; "Whistling Moon Traveler," "Ground Blooming Flower" and seductively packaged, and there's nothing quite like the suspense of watching a firework after it has been lit to see just what sort of show it will put on, what colors, what shapes, what sounds! It's no wonder we persist in being so enamored with these flammable forms of entertainment, in spite of the fact that they are incredibly dangerous...
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For most of the children in Virginia, the end of August means those lazy dog days of summer are coming to a close, and those books and desks are what will be opening up next. For parents, the back-to-school season is a great time of year to look over insurance policies, and make sure they are up to date. Here are some insurance situations to consider as the kiddos hit the books.
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Contractors are people, too. What does that mean? Well, even though they may have licenses and many years of experience in their profession, they are fallible. There are good ones and bad ones. Some are ethical and honest, while others seem to be missing a conscience. Just as you would be careful about choosing a nanny, a personal accountant, or a used car salesman, so should you use caution in selecting a contractor before you begin that home building project, renovation, or repair. Here are some good tips to avoid getting taken for a ride:
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Thanks to a certain well-known and widely-loved MGM musical featuring a scarecrow, a tin man, and a cowardly lion, many of us, especially those who dwell on the East or West Coast, have thought of tornadoes as little more catalysts for traveling "over the rainbow" to a colorful world populated by munchkins and flying monkeys. But those who have experienced actual tornados know they are more the stuff of nightmares than the stuff of Technicolor fantasy. And on May 20th of this year, the entire nation saw just how devastating a tornado can be when we witnessed the tragedies in Moore, Oklahoma.
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In February, a meteor-now known as the Chelyabinsk projectile-exploded over the Russian city of Chelyabinsk and the surrounding Ural region as it zoomed toward Earth. More than a thousand people were hurt by flying, broken glass. The meteor shattered countless windows, set off car alarms, and blew off doors. The energy of the blast was 40 times as powerful as the Hiroshima bomb! Though the whole thing happened in seconds-climaxing with a flash of blindingly bright light at the moment of impact-the effects of the incident were widespread. Footage of this event is readily visible online; check out the breathtaking-and terrifying-clips in this You Tube film:
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We all know that pollution affects the soil, air, and water in our outdoor environment. Many of us in Virginia have taken measures to minimize harm to our planet, but what about our indoor environments-the places we call home?
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It's fitting that the month during which we celebrate Earth Day is also National Lawn & Garden Month. Spring in Virginia is finally in full force, and this is the ideal time to nurture and beautify your own small patch of earth-your yard or garden. Here are some earth-friendly ways to turn your outdoor living space into a paradise. If you live in an apartment and don't have your own patch of land, consider implementing these ideas in a community garden that you can share with neighbors!
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In many parts of the country, water abounds as winter winds down. Melting snow and rain seem to make the whole world a watery place. Slushy, icy environments are common, making roads hazardous and driving a dangerous proposition. But too much water can even create problems in what seems like the safest of all places: home. When the quantity of water in and around your home is too much for your water removal systems to deal with, you have what is known as water back up.
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Insurance can be a tricky business. Shopping for can feel intimidating because there are so many providers and plans to choose from, so much fine print...and so many misconceptions! Yes, myths abound in the insurance world, and they are perpetuated as readily and colorfully as any fairy tales or legends.
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Resolving to make improvements to your health and habits in 2013 can do more than just improve your longevity, your quality of life, your appearance, and your attitude; it can also work to put more money in your pocket! How? Well, in addition to all the cash you'll save by foregoing that daily double mocha with whipped cream, you can also reap the benefits of having decreased insurance rates. That's because many insurance providers will give you a break if you make changes for the better. For example:
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Those of who live in cold climates get to enjoy the fresh, crystalline beauty of a snowy, icy landscape. Sometimes, a mere glimpse out the window reveals an outdoor winter wonderland of sorts, one where all is white and shimmering, where pine boughs are weighed down by heavy clusters of snow, and long, pointed icicles dangle from the eaves. There can be a downside to all this beauty, however. As much pleasure as they can give, snow and ice can also cause damage to your property. Here's how you can protect your home from ice and snow damage:
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Few connections are as vulnerable to conflicts as the ones between neighbors. Fence lines, Fido's bathroom habits, and Friday night parties hosted by unsupervised teens are just a few common examples of matters that inspire some not-so-neighborly arguments. Most Virginia residents can readily point a finger at a neighbor who has proven to be less than considerate. But there is at least one thing every single one of us can do to be a better neighbor: have home insurance liability coverage.
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A few years ago, Hurricane Ike tore through the Bolivar Peninsula in Texas, leaving almost nothing but rubble in its wake. Before the hurricane, some 200 homes had proudly stood along the peninsula's coastline, their inhabitants enjoying idyllic lives on the beach. But after Ike had wreaked his havoc, only 10 of those homes remained standing. Some of the surviving homes had lost power, and their decks had blown away; one sustained roof damage. But all were move-in ready soon after the storm had passed.
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You may consider yourself well versed when it comes to the ins and outs of business insurance in Virginia, especially if you own a business in Virginia. But just how accurate and in-depth is your knowledge? In the spirit of fall, which is back to school time, take this quiz to test your awareness of business insurance myths and truths.
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When one of your kids is going to college in Virginia or out-of-state, there's so much to think about: the cost of tuition, packing all the right things to take along, and registering for the proper classes, not to mention the powerful emotions that arise when one of your fledglings makes the bold leap out of the nest and flies away. One important matter that may be easily forgotten amidst all these other concerns is that of insurance. In particular, health and property are two aspects of every college student's life that may require new coverage.
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Chances are if you carry any sort of insurance policy in Virginia, you are somewhat familiar with the concept of exclusions. An exclusion is, in layman's terms, simply something that an insurance policy doesn't cover; it is literally excluded from protection by the policy. Of course, life is so much easier when everything is included in one tidy package, but since this is rarely the case, it's important to be aware of your insurance policies' exclusions.
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Times have changed substantially since the dog-eat-dog days of fire marks-distinctive plaques fashioned of lead or copper that home and business owners displayed on their property to indicate that it was insured against a fire. In the 18th and 19th centuries, fire insurance providers gave these plaques to policyholders who paid in advance for their protection. If a home or business caught fire, the fire insurance provider (who also ran the fire brigade!) would look for that all-important fire mark before going to the trouble of putting out the flames. If there was no fire mark to be found, they would turn around and leave, letting the building burn.
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Earth Day is April 22, 2012. It's a time for those of us in Virginia to celebrate the miraculous beauty of our precious planet and all its offerings, as well as to make changes to our own habits and lives that will help to preserve the earth for many generations to come. Making such changes will not only benefit the planet; they will benefit you, and all of its present and future inhabitants.
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The Internet: it's a part of everyhousehold, an indispensable resource, a source of endless entertainment, and an incomparably effective communication tool. Most of us can hardly imagine life without it. Its advantages are many, but it has its drawbacks, too. Chief among them is loss of privacy. What you search for, shop for, and look at on the Web is not just saved; it's shared, and used by advertisers who tailor their marketing strategies accordingly.
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You're probably accustomed to taking stock of the assets that lend spark to your personal life - jewelry, collectibles, and art, for example. Such assets are typically stored in or around your home, and can be protected by a valuable personal property policy tacked on to your existing homeowners', condo, or rental insurance policy. But your business has assets, too. Have you taken the time to assess just what they may be, and obtain the coverage you need to ensure their protection?
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It's that time of year again, the time of giving and receiving. We show love and appreciation for the people in our lives by presenting them with tokens of affection, usually in the form of presents. Likewise, we receive gifts. Some are delightfully simple and sweet, another hand-knit sweater from Aunt Margie, while others may be flat-out fancy diamond necklace from the husband, for example. When the euphoria that comes with receiving a truly great present dies down, it's time for those in Virginia to think about protecting it. It is, after all, another asset, and should be treated as such.
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Every 30 seconds, a motor vehicle is stolen in the United States. Using Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics, the National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that annual property losses from these thefts are approximately $5 billion. Although technology and aggressive law enforcement actions have lowered the auto theft rate in recent years, you should still be cognizant of this loss exposure. The following tips may prove helpful in reducing the chances that your vehicle or property in it may be stolen.
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Americans tend to be an optimistic bunch—which is typically a good quality to possess. A key exception, however, concerns our impressions that we are very unlikely to ever experience a devastating natural disaster. As you know, 2011 has already proven to be one of the very worst for natural catastrophes in decades. This reason alone should cause you to systematically consider your exposure to natural disasters and take sound action to mitigate these types of losses if one were to occur. Here are a few ideas for properly handling your exposure to natural disasters.
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Make Certain Your Antiques Are Properly Insured
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Residential and business property flood damage is something that most of us think couldn't happen to us, but the fact is, the risk of flood is real for a lot of homes and offices outside of traditional flood areas. Last year, half the flood claims paid by the federal government were in low risk flood areas. The average paid claim? $46,000. Talk to us about the availablility and cost of flood insurance today, before the water starts rising.
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