Archived General Blog Posts
Home Insurance 101 For New Homeowners
5/8/2023 (Permalink)
As a homeowner, having home insurance is not a luxury but a necessity. That is because it protects your possessions and your home against theft and damage. However, many people find the experience of getting home insurance overwhelming.
If you are one of them, don’t worry. Here is a complete guide to home insurance if you are a first time home buyer.
Various Policy Options
When it comes to home insurance, there are various policy options for you to choose from. Here are some of them:
#1. Actual Cash Value
It covers the cost of your house as well as the value of your possessions after depreciation has been deducted. Depreciation refers to the amount the possessions are worth currently, not how much you paid for them before.
#2. Guaranteed/Extended Replacement Cost/Value
It is one of the most comprehensive home insurance policies out there. It buffers inflation as the policy pays everything it costs to rebuild or repair your home, even if it is higher than your policy limit.
However, there is a limit to this ceiling as many insurers will offer 20 to 25% higher than your policy limit.
#3. Replacement Cost
These types of policies cover the actual cash value without depreciation. That way, you will be able to rebuild or repair your home back to the initial value.
Many experts suggest that first-time homeowners should go for the guaranteed replacement value policy as it covers everything. This policy will absorb the high replacement costs and provide you with a cushion if the rebuilding and repairing prices increase.
What Is Not Covered In Home Insurance?
Not everything is covered under home insurance. These things are called exclusions, including natural disasters or acts of God, such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. That is why you must read the policy you are buying and understand the exclusions.
If you live in an area prone to natural disasters and insurers have this exclusion, you will need to go for additional coverage. These are known as riders. They cost more, but if your home is at risk for such disasters, it is worth buying.
Tips To Cut Down On Your Insurance Premium
The cheapest policy is not the best policy. However, there are many ways you can reduce your premium. These include:
- Maintaining a security system
- Being on the lookout for multiple policy discounts
- Raising your deductible
- Planning for renovation or rebuilding
- Paying off mortgage
- Making policy comparisons and reviewing them regularly
These ways will help you cut down on your premium as you will be paying less. Home insurance can be expensive, so don't forget to utilize these ways to cut your cost.
Final Words
That was your complete guide to home insurance as a first time home buyer. Don’t forget to find the best insurance company as they will make the entire process much better. If you are looking to buy home insurance, feel free to get in touch with us now. We will be happy to assist you.
How To Choose The Best Insurance Company
5/8/2023 (Permalink)
Deciding to purchase insurance can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. It would be best to consider many things, such as coverage, premiums, conditions, exclusions, and much more. The process can be confusing and tedious.
However, if you have the right insurance company, they will help you every step of the way. So, here are the top things you need to consider when choosing the best insurance company.
#1. The History And Reputation
Research is the most important thing when choosing the right insurance company. You need to learn their history and check their reputation in the market before deciding to go for them. Here are some things you need to be on the lookout for:
- How long they have been operating
- Their values, vision, and mission
- Their financial strength
- Online and first-hand reviews from peers
All of this will help you assess the company's reputation, and you can make an informed decision. Of course, you need to consider other factors too, which brings us to our next point.
#2. Ease Of Conducting Business
Technology rules the world. A great insurance company will easily conduct business with you, so the process can be much simpler for you. Here are some things that provide ease and accessibility to the customer:
- 24/7 customer service support
- Online claim reporting
- Online payment of bills
- Detailed information on their website
These features will help you find support when you have a query, and it will make your interactions with the company much easier. So, always be on the lookout for these features.
#3. Pricing
Of course, you need to have a budget for your insurance policies. Many people take out a few policies at once, such as life, car, home, etc., to reduce their cost. You can do that too.
However, you can compare prices of the same policies from different companies to check what will work better for you. The best policy for you will be in your budget while offering you a solid plan. So, don’t forget to compare pricing and premiums.
#4. Discounts
Many insurance companies offer discounts to their users. They can vary from policy to policy, and it depends on the company what kind of discounts they are offering on their policies.
Here are some common discounts you may find among various insurance companies:
- Financial stability
- New and updated homes
- Multi-car families
- Anti-lock brakes
- Great students
Of course, these are just a few things. Insurance companies can offer discounts on anything with any conditions. So, be sure to check out if they offer any discounts so you can benefit from the policy even further.
Final Words
That is all you need to know about choosing the right insurance company. If you are looking for a diverse insurance company offering various policies with the best rates, look no further. Allstate Insurance aims to provide the best to its users.
For more information, feel free to get in touch with us now, and we will be happy to assist you.
Top Ten Summer Grilling Safety Tips
7/1/2016 (Permalink)
Grilling Safety Tips
Now that the summer grilling season is upon us, it is time to remind ourselves of some good old grill safety. According to the US Fire Administration there are more than 5700 grill fires every year. Grill fires are responsible for more than $37 million in damages, 100 injuries, and 10 deaths annually. Each year thousands of people show up in emergency rooms across the country after burning themselves while grilling. The majority of grill fires are caused by malfunctioning gas grills.
The following list is a compilation of the 10 best grilling safety tips according to abcnews.com.
TOP TEN SUMMER GRILLING TIPS
DO:
- Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from your house. The further away the better, this way flames do not have an opportunity to ignite your home.
- Clean your grill regularly. Buildup of food and grease on the grill can give flames more fuel and adding to the possibility of a grill fire.
- Keep decorations away from your grill. If it's flamable it should be kept clear of the grill.
- Check for gas leaks. The majority of gas grill fires a due to malfunctioning grills. Before you start grilling always check for leaks or faulty equipment.
- Keep a spray bottle of water handy. This can be used to keep flames in check so that they don't get too high.
- Keep a fire extinguisher within a couple steps of your grill.... And know how to use it! You do not want to be in a situation where the flames are out of control and you can't figure out how to use the extinguisher.
DON'T:
- Turn on the gas grill while your grill lid is closed. This can cause a buildup of gas under the lid. When ignited it can cause a fire ball explosion.
- Leave grill unattended. Always prep your food before starting to grill so that you can pay attention and monitor the flames.
- Overload your grill with food. Fatty foods can drip down onto the flames and create more fuel for the fire. When overloading the grill it can potentially lead to a grease fire.
- Use grill indoors. Not only is it a fire hazard to use a grill indoors, but it also is a potentially deadly health risk. Grills emit carbon monoxide that needs fresh air to dissipate, cooking on a grill indoors can lead to carbon monoxide poinsoning which can kill you, your loved ones and your pets.
SERVPRO of Mount Ephraim Bellmawr hopes that you find these tips helpful so you and your family can enjoy a happy and safe summer!
If you should find yourself a victim of a fire we are HERE TO HELP. Call (856) 349-7318.
SERVPRO of Mount Ephraim Bellmawr Team Members
6/23/2016 (Permalink)
Our SERVPRO of Mount Ephraim Bellmawr Family
(From Left to Right) Owners Keith and Michelle Jackson, and crew members Anthony and Marty. Both Anthony and Marty have been with SERVPRO of Mount Ephraim Bellmawr for the past few years and have worked in the restoration industry for over 10 years. SERVPRO team members are highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Our training program includes the following: IICRC Training, Employee Certification Training, Initial Franchise Training, e-Learnings, and Continuing Education Classes. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) certifies and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industries. Our Professionals study IICRC standards and best practices in water restoration, fire restoration, mold remediation, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and other cleaning and restoration courses. Not pictured here are crew members Frank, Ben, Tony and our Marketing Representative Karyn.
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