Do you have an up-to-date home inventory? If not, you’re not alone: According to a 2023 Insurance Information Institute (III)/Munich Re Consumer Survey, only 47% of homeowners reported having such an inventory. All homeowners should have this important tool, for…
Disposing of a Christmas tree is often one of the most daunting aspects of the post-holiday season. Fortunately, most municipalities try to make this chore as easy for residents as possible, and New York is no exception. If you live…
Recent reports from the FBI and the Council on Criminal Justice (CCJ) indicate that home burglary rates have dropped in the United States. The FBI Crime Data Explorer shows a 7.6% decrease in burglary for 2023 vs. 2022. The CCJ’s…
With early Black Friday sales everywhere you look, the holiday season is in full swing. Plus, this year’s late Thanksgiving means that Christmas will follow soon after. Those celebrating Hanukkah catch a break in 2024, with the festival commencing at…
All Hallows’ Eve began as an ancient Celtic harvest festival, marked by parties and feasts. The feasts have been replaced by mountains of candy, but one part of the festival remains: everyone wants to dress up and have fun. Follow…
It’s official—autumn has arrived here in the Northeast. Spending a day or two this fall on a few annual maintenance tasks can help prevent common winter emergencies like home heating system breakdowns, roof leaks, and burst pipes. Complete these 16…
What is considered Other Structures on homeowner’s insurance? You’d expect homeowner’s insurance to cover your home from damage, theft and liability. And it does. Your homeowner’s insurance can also offer protection for Other Structures, which include more than guest houses…
When should you contact your insurance agent/broker or insurance company? Of course, you need to contact them to file a claim or when an event may lead to a claim. There are also many times that you might not think…
Paid off your mortgage? Congratulations! Your monthly mortgage payment probably included extra funds for property taxes and insurance. Of course, you’ll still have to pay taxes. But now that you don’t have a lender requiring insurance, can you drop your…
If you’ve ever purchased—or simply researched—property insurance, you’ve likely encountered the terms “contents” and “structures” coverage. In a nutshell, “structures” refers to the insured building and other structures, and “contents” refers to what’s inside. But this is insurance—no answer is…