While some choose to downsize or move into a retirement community, many older Americans would rather stay in the familiar setting of their own home. With proper planning, many seniors can continue to enjoy home, sweet home, even if they…
Many homeowners’ insurance policies include Loss of Use coverage, also known as Additional Living Expenses (ALE) coverage. If damage from a covered event requires you to move out of your home during repairs, this protection pays for additional expenses associated…
For many homeowners, warmer weather means home improvement projects around the house and yard. Whether large or small, follow these steps before starting a project or hiring a contractor to avoid issues later. Some problems, such as not having the…
Homeowners’ insurance offers a financial safety net against many of life’s curveballs. However, each claim you file comes with a risk. Your insurance company can raise your rates, or, if you’ve filed multiple claims in a short time frame, drop…
If you think that shopping for homeowners insurance quotes often feels like an interview . . . you're not wrong. Insurance agents and brokers aren’t being nosy. They know what an insurance company will want to know. Having that information available…
Homeowners insurance can be complicated. Maybe that’s why two-thirds of U.S. homes are underinsured, according to industry statistics. The complexity of property and casualty insurance probably explains why some misconceptions persist, even among people who’ve been buying insurance for years…
When a fire, earthquake, hurricane or tornado happens elsewhere in the country, our hearts go out to the people who’ve suffered. We’re also thankful that the disaster happened somewhere else. When it comes to insurance, however, that same disaster affects…
Water damage, combined with freezing, represents the second most common cause of home insurance claims, following wind or hail damage. According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average loss of such claims was roughly $14,000 between 2018 and 2022. Adding…
If your home undergoes major damage from an insured peril, filing a claim against your homeowners insurance policy is a no-brainer. But what if the potential loss is smaller? Is it worth filing a claim? Will a smaller claim, or…
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…