Personal Perspective

Summertime fun often includes swimming in the pool. Whether you already have a pool in your backyard or are thinking about putting one in this year, consider whether your home insurance will cover your pool.

Personal Liability Coverage

If someone is injured while swimming in your pool, the personal liability coverage on your homeowners insurance policy will pay for it. Update this coverage amount when you install your pool to ensure it’s sufficient.

Related Structure Coverage

Your insurance company may classify your new in-ground pool as a related structure, similar to a storage shed or detached garage. Increase the related structure coverage on your homeowners insurance policy to cover damage to your pool. Keep in mind that this coverage won’t pay for pool maintenance.

Geography Matters

Find the majority of backyard pools in warm climates. Based on this fact, insurance costs for your pool may be cheaper if you live in the warmer southern states and more expensive if you live in cooler northern states.

Erect a Fence

To prevent accidents in the pool, many insurance companies stipulate that you surround your pool with a fence that includes a self-latching gate. Consider whether or not you have the space and ability to erect a fence before you install a pool.

Consider the Diving Board or Slide

Some insurance companies won’t cover accidents that happen on the diving board or slide. That policy will influence whether or not you install one of those pool accessories.

Consider an Umbrella Policy

Even if your homeowners insurance policy covers your pool, consider an umbrella policy. It provides extra coverage after your homeowners insurance limits are met. The extra protection gives you peace of mind if you need to file any pool-related claims.

A backyard pool provides hours of fun every summer. Before you install one, though, talk to your insurance agent. Get all the facts about whether your company offers pool coverage and how much it will cost.

Spring cleaning does more than remove dirt and grime left over from winter. It also protects your house and reduces maintenance costs. So, try four spring cleaning tips this season as you cleanse your home.

1. Wash walls, windows and baseboards.

Often overlooked during weekly cleaning, the walls, windows and baseboards of your home harbor plenty of dirt and dust. Wash them at least once a year to ensure they look nice and to protect their finish.

*Move the furniture away from the walls, and wipe down the walls with a slightly damp cloth or magic eraser.
*The baseboards are also easy to wash off with a damp cloth. A toothbrush reaches into all the crevices.
*Use vinegar on the windows instead of glass cleaner to cut through accumulated dirt and prevent streaks.

2. Scrub the carpet.

Accumulated dirt, pet dander and odors can quickly ruin your carpets. Instead of merely running the vacuum each week, deep clean the carpets at least once a year. You can easily rent a carpet cleaner and do the job yourself or hire a professional cleaner as you prolong the life of your floors.

3. Care for furniture.

Modern or antique, your furniture will last longer when it’s free from dirt. Take time this spring to wipe off each piece from top to bottom. Use a soft cloth on wood to prevent scratches, and remember to spot treat dirty upholstery, flip the cushions and repair any tears or holes in the fabric.

4. Reduce clutter.

In addition to attracting pests and rodents, clutter reduces your ability to exit your home in an emergency. Commit to tossing or donating clutter like piles of books, excess furniture or anything you haven’t used in six months. Your home will thank you.

With these four spring cleaning tips, you’re able to reduce maintenance costs over time. So, look forward to protecting your home this season.

As you start making summer vacation plans, think about vacation insurance. It’s available on almost any trip you might take, whether you travel a few hours away from home or across the globe. Before you buy vacation insurance, though, decide if you need it.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

You’ll pay five to seven percent more for your vacation if you buy trip cancellation insurance. However, you could lose more money than that if your child contracts chickenpox the day before your vacation, you’re called to jury duty, a work emergency comes up or you otherwise can’t take your trip.

Travel Health Insurance

Traveling is safer now than ever before, but your current health insurance coverage may not cover a life-saving hospital treatment or medical evacuation as you travel internationally. Likewise, if you travel frequently, are pregnant or suffer from a chronic health condition, travel health insurance makes practical and financial sense.

Baggage Insurance

If you travel with valuables worth more than a few thousand dollars, consider baggage insurance. It costs five percent of the total cost of the items you wish to cover. While most airlines will reimburse you for lost baggage, that money may not cover your lost, stolen or damaged expensive valuables.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance

An adequate life insurance policy typically makes this type of vacation coverage unnecessary. However, check with your insurance agent before your trip to be sure.

Rental Car Insurance

Check with your rental car company to see if your auto insurance policy covers your rental car. If not, purchase additional coverage.

Especially for your expensive, once-in-a-lifetime or international trips, vacation insurance provides the peace of mind you need. Just be sure to buy insurance not a waiver or protection plan. Your insurance agent will help you make sense of all the options and discover which vacation insurance is right for you.

Your expensive jewelry is worth a great deal of money, but it probably also holds sentimental value. Store your jewelry properly to protect it for many years to come.

Diamonds

Because they are so hard, diamonds will scratch other gems. Store them in a divided case or fabric-lined box for protection.

Pearls

Soft pearls scratch easily. Protect them when you store them in a tightly sealed fabric bag. You’ll also want to keep your pearls out of direct sunlight to prevent them from turning yellow.

Other Gems

If you collect jewelry that features soft gemstones, be sure to wrap each piece in an individual bag. Protect your jewelry from extreme temperatures too. These precautions ensure the long-term beauty and longevity of your gems.

Gold and Silver

Easily tarnished and scratched, gold and silver jewelry requires special care. Prevent tarnishing when you limit jewelry’s exposure to moisture and store gold and silver pieces in a bag that can breathe. Toss in silica gel, white chalk or charcoal for good measure. Avoid scratches when you store individual pieces separately.

Protect Your Jewelry From Burglars

Storing your expensive jewelry is half the battle. Now, you need to protect it from burglars. To do that, choose a safe hiding spot.

*Diversion safes can be anything from a book or battery to a can of soup or water bottle. They look like an everyday household item but hide your expensive gems.

*A fireproof safe bolted to the floor secures your jewelry collection.

*Safe deposit boxes hold your jewelry in a bank where they’re the last likely to be targeted by thieves.

*An adequate insurance policy ensures your jewelry is protected if it would be stolen, lost or damaged.

Your expensive jewelry collection might be challenging to store, but you can do it with the right supplies. When stored properly, your gems, gold and silver are protected and secure.

How many people have access to your house key? Even if you’re particular about whom you give your key to, anyone can quickly take it, make a copy and return it without your knowledge. Stay safe at home as you learn when to rekey the locks in your home.

What is Rekeying?

When you rekey locks, you replace the tumbler in the lock cylinder. You also receive a new key that matches the new tumbler. While you could replace the entire door lock, rekeying is typically more affordable.

When Should you Rekey Locks?

To be on the safe side, rekey locks when you:

*Switch Roommates: As soon as a roommate moves out, change the locks. That person may have forgotten to return his or her copy or may have given copies of your house key to friends.

*Change Domestic Helpers: A change in cleaning companies, groundskeepers, nannies or other domestic helpers requires a lock rekeying for security.

*Change Contractors: After a home renovation project, change your home’s locks. You trust your contractor, but you have no way of knowing which of his or her employees or
sub-contractors may have had access to your house keys.

*Move Into a New Home: Always change the locks any time you move into a new home, whether you’re the first or the fifth owner. You simply cannot predict how many people have a copy of the house keys.

*Lose Your Keys or They are Stolen: Anyone could have access to that lost or stolen key, which compromises your family’s safety.

If it’s time for you to rekey the locks on your home, hire a locksmith or do the job yourself. Additionally, take a few minutes to ensure your homeowners or renters insurance policy provides the coverage you need. Together, these two steps give you peace of mind in your home.

What types of valuables do you own? If your fine art collection, fur coats, jewelry or heirloom furniture are worth a lot of money, your homeowners or renter insurance might not provide adequate coverage. You’ll need a floater that covers your valuables. First, however, learn how to hire an appraiser to assign an accurate value to your expensive possessions.

1. Search Professional AffiliationsWhile appraisers don’t need formal training, you will want to hire one with a professional affiliation. The Appraisers Association of America and the American Society of Appraisers both follow evaluation and accreditation standards for their members.
2. Ask About Training The appraiser you hire should take continuing education classes every one to five years. That training helps him or her stay updated on current trends, forms and values of items, so ask the appraisers you interview about their training.
3. Evaluate ExpertiseMost appraisers specialize in a particular item or time period. To ensure you receive the most accurate and professional appraisal, hire an appraiser who has relevant experience evaluating your particular valuables. However, if you have numerous items to appraise, consider hiring a general appraiser rather than a specialist.
4. Determine FeesEvery appraiser will charge a fee for his or her services. That fee could be flat rate, hourly rate or a per-item rate. Never hire an appraiser who charges a percentage of the appraised item’s value because that fee practice is unethical.
5. Request References Before you hire an appraiser, ask him or her for a list of satisfied customers. Call at least two or three of those customers and ask about the appraiser’s professionalism, experience and courtesy.

After you find a qualified appraiser, hire him or her to evaluate your possessions and prepare a typed and signed report that includes a complete description of the appraised items and affirms the value of your possessions. Show this report to your insurance agent, and obtain the coverage you need for your valuables.

What’s the most important thing you consider when deciding which vehicle to purchase? Maybe you focus on appearance, size or brand. Before you buy your next vehicle, consider how it will affect your insurance costs.

Accident Risk

Drivers in sports and muscle cars typically take risks and drive fast, and these types of vehicles earn more citations and are involved in more accidents than other types of vehicles. Thus, insurance companies typically charge more for you to insure your sports or muscle car.

Liability Probability

SUVs and large four-wheel drive trucks will do more damage to another vehicle or property than a small sedan or motorcycle will. That damage means your insurance costs go up if you choose to drive an oversized vehicle.

Susceptibility to Theft

If you drive a vehicle that’s likely to be stolen, your insurance costs rise. You may also have to pay a higher deductible.

Safety Rating

Vehicles with higher safety ratings cost less to insure. To find the safety rating of the vehicle you wish to buy, check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Safer Car website and search for your vehicle. The website will list additional testing sites if your vehicle is not listed there.

Age

Older cars cost less to insure. That’s because they’re cheaper than new cars to repair or replace.

Value

Your expensive luxury vehicle will cost more to insure than your bargain vehicle. Why? Because expensive cars come with higher repair and replacement costs.

Overall, you’ll pay more to insure luxury and sports cars, large passenger cars and large SUVs. Save money on insurance premiums when you insure a small passenger car or wagon, small SUV, minivan or midsize SUV. Talk to your insurance agent to learn more about your insurance costs before you buy your next vehicle and get ready to buy a vehicle that costs less to insure.

Spend your spring evenings around your fire pit, and enjoy the warmth and comfort it provides. Just be sure to follow six safety techniques to protect your friend and family.

1. Pay Attention to PlacementSetting up the fire pit in the right location improves safety. Start with an even and solid surface. Pay attention also to the surroundings too and avoid placing your fire pit near flammable objects like trees, brush and buildings.
2. Follow the Operating InstructionsEach fire pit operates a little differently, so make sure you read the owner’s manual for your model. Additionally, never operate an outdoor unit indoors and always have a garden hose or fire extinguisher handy.
3. Start the Fire Properly You may have invited friends over for a relaxing night by the fire, but never start a fire while a strong wind is blowing. Doing so could create an inferno that quickly grows out of control.

   Likewise, avoid using accelerants to start the fire. Tinder like newspaper and twigs should be enough to start a fire successfully without creating a safety hazard.

4. Keep Your DistanceSparks look harmless, but they are potentially dangerous. Use a fire screen to prevent errant sparks. You’ll also want to sit at a safe distance away from the fire and keep an eye on it. Your children should also be supervised to prevent them from walking too close to the fire pit.
5. Stock a First Aid KitDespite your best safety precautions, burns can happen as you hang out near the fire pit. Stock a first aid kit and burn cream nearby to ease the pain and prevent infections.
6. Extinguish is CompletelyAfter your evening of fun, douse the fire and the ashes with water. You don’t want the fire to smolder and flare while you’re sleeping.

This spring, spend your evenings around the fire pit. Just be sure to follow six safety procedures that increase your fun.

Riding ATVs with your buddies or family combines the thrill of the great outdoors with the power of a four wheeling machine. Insurance protects your investment if it’s damaged or stolen, and some riding clubs require insurance before they’ll allow you to join. Lower your ATV insurance premiums with seven tips.

1. Buy a utility model. Sporty models or ATVS with bells and whistles look and ride nice, but they may cost more to insure. Utility models are often economical to insure. Likewise, keep in mind that the ATV’s mileage, condition and age also affect your premium.

2. Take a safety course. Most ATV dealers offer safety courses that include a book test and riding instruction. Your insurance company may reward you and anyone who shares your machine for knowing how to navigate your ATV safely in all terrains.

3. Maintain a clean driving record. Your insurance premium stays low when you operate the ATV safely and only on grounds where you have permission to ride legally.

4. Store your ATV safely. Locking your toy in the garage and installing an anti-theft device on it can reduce your insurance costs.

5. Compare policies. Different insurance companies offer different deductibles, coverage options and rates, so take your time and comparison shop.

6. Use one company for all your insurance needs. Most companies give you a discount when you combine, home, auto and ATV insurance.

7. File claims only when you have to. You pay for insurance so that you can file a claim if you have to, but don’t file for every little damage or your premium will rise.

If you love riding your ATV, make sure it’s properly insured. Then, use these seven tips to obtain a lower premium. Call us today for additional information on how we can help you find the affordable ATV insurance coverage you need.

When you smoke, your risk of developing lung, throat and mouth cancers as well as heart disease, stroke and diabetes increases. You also may experience shortness of breath and increased life insurance premiums. Up to 480,000 people die each year from the effects of smoking, but you can quit. Try four holistic methods as you seek to improve your health today.

1. Exercise

Sweat out the buildup of nicotine in your body, relieve depression and reduce boredom when you use exercise to stop smoking. Whether you run, swim, walk or try a different sport, the physical activity increases your odds of quitting.

2. Limes

In addition to flavoring entrees and beverages, limes boost your immunity and decrease your body’s acidity. Use them to quit smoking when you cut the quarters of a lime into quarters. Chew on one small piece, skin and all, whenever you feel a cigarette craving.

3. Self-Massage

Professional massages relax your body and your mind, which helps you handle nicotine cravings. However, you don’t have time for a full-body massage every time you want to smoke. Instead, learn self-massage techniques that are easy to perform multiple times a day.

*Use your right thumb and slight pressure to draw a circle in the palm of your left hand. Switch hands frequently.
* Massage each finger gently from bottom to top.
*Rub your ear lobes in circular motions.

4. Meditate

Reduce tension, stress and anxiety caused by nicotine withdrawal when you meditate. Start by lying down on your back and breathing deeply from your abdomen. Envision yourself cigarette-free and healthy as you exhale and inhale. Spend 15 minutes meditating, and your entire body will be calm and relaxed.

Smoking increases your risk of developing a number of deadly illnesses and diseases. It also affects your ability to afford beneficial life insurance coverage that gives your family peace of mind and financial security. Use four holistic methods to quit smoking today, and commit to healthy living.