Blog

  • Equifax Data Breach Protection Tips

    Equifax, one of the three major consumer credit reporting agencies disclosed that hackers compromised Social Security and driver’s license numbers as well as names, birthdates, addresses and some credit cards on more than 143 million Americans. If you have a credit profile, you were probably affected. Credit reporting companies collect and sell vast troves of consumer data from your buying habits to your creditworthiness, making this quite possibly the most destructive data security breach in h

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  • Do College Students Need Renters Insurance

    Students who live on campus typically don't have to worry about renters insurance: A student who lives in on-campus housing is covered under his or her parent’s renters or homeowners insurance. Their parents' homeowner's policy should cover the loss or damage of most items. College students renting an off-campus apartment, condo, or house should have their own renter’s insurance policy. They aren’t eligible to get coverage from mom and dad’s renters or homeowners policy. Check with your Indepen

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  • Keep Bites at Bay...

    There are several ways to prevent your dog from biting: Keep your dog away from people and circumstances that stress or frighten him; keep him in a separate room or fenced yard if the situation calls for it. If your dog is possessive/aggressive around food, feed her away from other pets and people. Don't send mixed messages. Some people want aggressive guard dogs at home, but if you teach your dog that all outsiders are potential threats, don't be surprised when he bites someone-even someone to

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  • Home Maintenance Tips for Spring

    Good Maintenance practices help protect the value of your home. Spring and summer are an ideal time to assess damage from the winter and make necessary repairs to prepare for months ahead. Inspect roof for damage (cracking or leaking) Clean gutters and downspouts. Monitor basement humidity. Use a dehumidifier to maintain a safe, relative humidity. Open valves to outside hose connections. Clean/replace air filters every 2 months. Vacuum clothes dryer lint from duct. Position BBQ 3 feet away from

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  • Top Tips to a Safe Memorial Day Weekend

    The unofficial “kickoff” to summer is almost here. While we hope everyone fun this coming Memorial Day weekend. Here’s some tips for you and your family for the holiday weekend. Tip 1: Food Safety — Refrigerate all perishable food within 2 hours, 1 hour if the temperature outside is above 90 degrees. Tip 2: Grill Safety — Consumers should thoroughly clean the grill, check the tubes leading into the burner, replace any connectors which can lead to a gas leak and do not use a grill in a garage,

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  • Underground Utility Line Coverage

    An underground power line providing electrical service to the home significantly deteriorated over time and resulted in arcing. The underground power line had to be excavated and replaced due to extensive damage discovered during the repair work. Property Damage: $7,800 - YIKES!This type of loss is excluded on a typical Homeowner’s policy. BUT – with the Utility Line Coverage, the Homeowner has protection. Other Covered Perils with this form are: Wear and tear Rust Corrosion Decay Deteriorati

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  • How Does a Little Flame Become So Dangerous?

    There’s a special beauty and tranquility to candles, but a lighted candle is also a potential fire hazard if not carefully monitored.  The winter holidays and New Year’s Eve are peak times for candle fires, so be sure to exercise caution when celebrating with open flames. Place lighted candles where they won’t be knocked over by children, pets or anyone else. Always keep burning candles within sight, and always extinguish them before leaving the room or going to sleep. Keep candles away from cu

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  • What is Identity Theft?

    You've heard the term "Identity Theft" about a thousand times, but do you really know what getting your identity stolen entails? It's like Catch Me If You Can! Identity theft is when criminals steal your personal information, such as your full name or Social Security Number, to commit fraud, including applying for credit, getting medical services, or filing taxes. There are several different types of identity theft, ranging from stealing your health insurance information to creating phony socia

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