homeowners insurance

As summer heats up, nothing beats the joy of taking a refreshing dip in the pool. However, ensuring safety around the pool, especially for kids and pets, is crucial. Here are some essential tips to keep everyone safe while enjoying the water.
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Congratulations! You've decided to take the plunge into homeownership. It's an exciting time, but with so much to think about, it can also feel overwhelming. Don't worry, we've got you covered. Here are 10 key things to consider before you embark on your house hunting journey:
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As winter thaws and spring showers begin to pour, homeowners face the risk of flooding, a common and potentially costly hazard. Spring flooding can result from various factors including melting snow, heavy rains, and overflowing rivers. However, with proactive measures, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of flood damage to their property. In this article, we'll discuss practical steps that homeowners can take to safeguard their homes from spring flooding.
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If you live in the colder northern regions of the U.S., you've most likely experienced your fair share of snow... shoveling it, driving in it, trudging through it, and, of course, playing in it. And while each winter sport – from skiing and snowboarding to ice skating, hockey, sledding and snowshoeing – has its own inherent risks, there are a number of other snow-related things to keep on your radar.
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Considering the barrage of daily concerns, your homeowner's insurance policy may be the last thing on your mind. And yet, examining and reevaluating home insurance policies on an annual basis is a critical facet of homeownership, ensuring adequate coverage and protection for the most valuable asset and source of equity for many people in North Carolina and beyond. Premiums, like much else in the current economic climate, are forecasted to see some big increases in the coming year, with some expected to exceed $1,000 a year and many slated for rate hikes in the double digits.
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"If you're not getting better, you're getting worse." It's hard to say who was first to utter that phrase but you hear it most used in sports banter. It is a round-about way to say that we're not living in a static world – everything changes and the same is true for factors affecting the costs to replace your home. Your policy might have been up to the task of covering the expense of rebuilding your home at one time. But, chances are, it may no longer afford enough coverage unless it has been changed to reflect the reality of replacement cost. Insurance industry experts and others routinely estimate that up to two-thirds of homes in the U.S. are under insured. For most of us, checking our home's replacement cost periodically is a good idea.
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The holiday season is upon us, meaning it's time to be jolly, gather with friends and family, and, hopefully, stay safe. But in addition to the things we're all wishing for, the holidays can bring some unwanted gifts in the form of accidents, damages, or injuries that might result in an insurance claim. So what are the most common holiday-related insurance claims and how can you avoid them? Read on to find out.
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While we covered the basics of homeowner's insurance last week, now we'll take a closer look at the contents portion of insurance policies, also known as Coverage C. This part of your policy applies to the contents of your home and can help to replace or repair those items if they are stolen or damaged due to any of the named perils that apply to your overall policy. But just because your homeowner's policy includes contents coverage doesn't mean you simply need to sign on the dotted line. You should take steps to make sure your coverage will truly be effective should the contents of your home and especially your most valued and important possessions be stolen, damaged, or vandalized.
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For any homeowner, a robust insurance policy is a must. But if you're new to homeownership, or if you're thinking about updating your policy, you may not know much about what it does and doesn't cover, along with how to find the best policy for you and your family.
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Multiple studies have demonstrated that crime rates increase in the summer. Why? Well, the answer is complex, but researchers have suggested that some of the reasons include:
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You hear a lot about water conservation lately, but what about water quality? Where does a household's water even come from, how is it maintained, and how can you know if it's safe for you and your family? Here's what you need to know about the water in your home, and what might indicate a problem
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Having water where it's not supposed to be can be one of the biggest threats to your home. Water damage can be caused by many things, including faulty plumbing, leaking appliances, or just bad weather. A smart homeowner knows how to check for water leaks and other issues, and what to do if there's a problem.

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