Blog
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Don’t Let “Unexpected” Issues Surprise You!
Posted at: 1/2/2025 5:50 PM
When you see "small" things around your property, address them as soon as you can. Do a “walk-through” of your property, inside and out! Inspect the attic or crawl space areas. Look for wear on the seals around the windows and doors. How is the roof looking? Any visible cracks in the siding? Clear the dryer exhaust vent of debris. Check the refrigerator coils at least annually. Test the smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors twice a year, replacing the batteries each time. Have your HVAC syst
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Homeowners Insurance - What’s Not Covered?
Posted at: 12/16/2024 11:36 PM
All homeowner’s insurance policies have exclusions and limits related to valuable contents. If you have items such as valuable firearms, jewelry or silverware of collectable value, you should make a point to have valuations done and discuss your options with your Independent insurance agent. Don’t just skim over your insurance policy and assume what’s written in the policy. That can be a recipe for the very worst sort of surprise. Take the time to get all your questions answered thoroughly befo
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Don't Fall for Cyber Monday Scams
Posted at: 11/25/2024 2:50 PM
Experts recommends not shopping through links you receive in your email, social media or pop-up messages. Go directly to the official website of trusted retailers. Officials also recommend avoiding sellers you are not familiar with. Watch out for imposter websites. Don't shop by using a free Wi-Fi connection. When paying, use a credit card versus a debit card. Credit cards have better fraud protection. For only $25 you can get Identity Fraud coverage added to your policy. Reach out to one of ou
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Posted at: 11/5/2024 1:06 AM
Cooler temperatures and shorter days can only mean one thing — winter is on its way. Improve your home’s energy efficiency this fall with these smart winterizing tips. Weather-stripping for windows, a door sweep strip and some caulking can help fill any air leaks to limit energy loss. Replacing the furnace’s air filter every three months since a clogged filter can reduce the unit’s overall efficiency and lifespan. Invest in a programmable thermostat to keep the temperature low when no one is ho
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Posted at: 9/9/2024 10:53 PM
Tropical storms rarely make landfall in New York, although it is common for remnants of these storms to produce heavy rainfall and flooding. Even areas well away from the coastline can be threatened by dangerous flooding, destructive winds and tornadoes from these storms. We’d like to remind you of the need to make sure that you are prepared in the case of natural disasters. Preparing Your Property Strong winds can cause trees and branches to fall, so before the threat, trim or remove damaged
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5 Ways to Spring Clean Your Identity
Posted at: 4/8/2024 5:44 PM
Just like your home, your identifying information and accounts can always benefit from a thorough once-over Spring cleaning. Documents – Now is a good time to destroy or secure old paperwork, especially if your taxes already have been filed. File or shred receipts, bank statements, medical or health insurance statements. Invest in a quality shredder. Passwords – Change passwords on your online accounts. It’s a good idea to do this from time to time to stay one step ahead of hackers and identi
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Posted at: 4/8/2024 1:37 PM
Spring is in full swing with warmer weather just around the corner. Prior to awakening your air conditioner from hibernation, it's important to remember the benefits of routine maintenance. Air conditioners are found in 90 percent of U.S. homes, but how much time is spent each year on maintenance? In 2017, nearly 42% of all homeowners equipment breakdown losses involved air conditioning units with an average loss amount of $4,250. The change of seasons is an ideal time to inspect and service yo
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Sending Your Kid Off To College?
Posted at: 8/14/2023 11:18 PM
It’s July, and many parents all over the country are faced with the fact that, soon, their child will be heading off to college. With laptops and printers being shipped off to school, it is more important than ever that students and their parents purchase the appropriate insurance protection. The type of insurance you’ll need depends on whether your child will live in a dorm, or in off-campus housing, such as an apartment. For kids living in a dorm, personal belongings will be covered under t