Purchasing a home is likely the biggest investment you’ll make. And caring for it is extremely important. An essential part of your home is your roof. As a homeowner, it’s likely you don’t think about it often. However, a roof in good condition:
Provides protection from Mother Nature.
Provides energy efficiency by keeping your home warm during winter and cooler during the summer.
Provides curb appeal.
Increases property value.
Unfortunately, as a roof ages, it can experience a variety of problems that may require repair or replacement. Some common issues include:
Leaks
Shrinking and cracking
Curling and blistering
Fading and discoloration
Sagging
A homeowners insurance policy provides coverage for your roof. However, there are different ways it could be covered if it’s damaged by a covered peril such as fire, wind, hail, or a falling tree.
1. Actual cash value provides coverage for the value of the roof at the time it’s replaced. Your roof’s age will be reflected in the claim payment. For example, if your roof is 15 years old, and the shingles depreciate by 3% each year, your claim payment would be depreciated by 45%.
2. Replacement cost provides the coverage you need to replace your roof minus your deductible.
It’s important to understand that damage to your roof doesn’t necessarily guarantee your insurance policy will cover a full replacement. Factors to consider include:
Age of the roof
Policy language
Policy exclusions
Policy deductibles
Percentage of the roof that’s damaged
In addition, if your shingles are still produced and a match is available, your insurance policy may cover repair instead of replacement of your roof.
A homeowners policy typically doesn’t cover:
Manufacturer’s defects
Improper installation
Mechanical damage
Simple wear and tear
Because of more powerful storms, supply chain constraints, and inflation, insurance carriers are increasing premiums, adjusting insurance deductibles, and changing coverage options. Reviewing your insurance policy with your independent agent is a great way to learn more about what your insurance policy covers and where adjustments in coverage might be needed.
If you enjoy spending time in your yard, you know how frustrating it can be when bugs invade it. Annoying mosquitos and other bugs can turn a fun time into a miserable one. Not only can they be a nuisance, but they can pose health risks or damage your plants.
Here are some things you can do to make your time outside more enjoyable:
1. Take care of your yard. While expertsrecommend keeping your grass long to retain moisture and avoid weed germination, it doesn’t mean you should cut it once a month. Mowing your lawn weekly can prevent bugs from getting too comfortable and settling in.
2. Eliminate standing water. Standing water is the perfect hangout for mosquitos. Fortunately, there are some things you can do.
Empty stagnant water from potted plants, bird baths, or miscellaneous buckets. Add fresh water regularly.
If you’re experiencing standing water in your yard due to low spots, consider filling them in with dirt and applying new grass seed. If it’s a much bigger project, calling your local landscape professional is wise.
If you have a pool, always ensure the water is circulating. If you have a small children’s pool, keep it covered, or add fresh water regularly.
If standing water is near your swing set or play system, add fill such as sand, wood chips, pea gravel, or rubber mulch.
3. Consider purchasing oscillating or patio-specific fans. Using fans is an affordable and great way to prevent flying insects from spoiling your time outdoors. It’s difficult for flying insects to fly with a heavy breeze.
4. Keep your gutters clean. With season changes, pests are always looking for a nice home. A gutter clogged with leaves can be a great place for rats, mice, and birds. If there’s pooling water, mosquitos will love it during summer.
5. Plant strategically. Whether you’re looking to freshen up existing landscaping or to add new plants, you might want to consider adding plants bugs dislike. This is a great, natural way to help keep them away. Here are some options:
No matter where your travels take you, renting a vacation home is a nice option to consider. Having a home with multiple bedrooms and bathrooms, a kitchen to prepare meals, and amenities your current home doesn’t have makes for an unforgettable time and lasting memories.
Over the past several years my family has rented vacation homes in the United States and Europe. Each home we rented was amazing and offered many benefits. Some of the benefits we enjoyed include:
The ability to do our laundry. The vacation homes we’ve rented included a washer and dryer. Doing laundry each night after an enjoyable day meant less packing and fewer suitcases.
The ability to cook our own meals. My wife enjoys preparing meals and I enjoy cooking on the grill. Being able to plan, prepare, and cook our meals while on vacation made them feel a bit more special. Being able to eat poolside, overlooking a beach or city skyline is spectacular and hard to beat. While it’s more affordable than eating out every day, make sure you try some local restaurants as well.
The more the merrier. We like to travel with our friends when our schedules align. Therefore, renting a home together allows us to get a larger home with more amenities at a cheaper price.
Nice amenities. The homes we’ve rented included all the comforts of home plus many more. A fireplace, hot tub, swimming pool, and tiki torches made for memorable stays.
Amazing views. Based on your budget, you can rent homes with some extremely stunning views.
Plenty of privacy and security. Private balconies and entrances as well as fences offer a sense of seclusion which is necessary to have a relaxing vacation. In addition, access codes and 24-hour security may be provided.
Plenty of homes to choose from. Based on the destinations we’ve visited, there have always been many homes to select. If you’re thinking about renting a home for your next trip, here are some tips to consider.
1. Don’t procrastinate. Renting a home is different than renting a hotel room. When it comes to renting a home, there are usually a ton of homes to choose from, all with different amenities and price points. However, before you rent a home, you’ll need to do your research. I’d suggest renting a home at least six to nine months before your scheduled vacation. There’s nothing worse than working on trip logistics at the last minute. The more time you give yourself, the happier you’ll be.
2. Research, research, research. Prior to booking our flights, my wife spends countless hours researching potential homes on websites such as Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway. Reading reviews from other travelers has been key to helping her select our homes. The more reviews written on the property, the better. While determining price is a part of the research process, here are other things to consider:
The amenities provided
Transportation options
Parking
Home safety
Standby power backup
Neighborhood safety
Distance from restaurants, bars, and grocery stores
Distance from attractions
3. Communication is key. After finding the right home, the next step is to message the homeowner or property manager with your questions. Obtaining additional details can go a long way in helping you feel comfortable prior to booking it. If the owner or manager isn’t responsive or you feel your questions aren’t being answered, move on to the next property. Always go with what your instinct is telling you.
4. Check out the property virtually. While you may not know the address until the actual booking takes place, you can use apps such as Google Earth or the maps on the rental website to get a feel for what the neighborhood looks like and what’s around the property. A virtual walk through the neighborhood is cool!
5. Determine what amenities are available. Basic amenities include a full kitchen, internet/WIFI, cable/satellite TV, air conditioning, laundry machines, and parking. For a more memorable vacation look for amenities such as a pool, hot tub, fireplace, and a porch or balcony with a spectacular view. You won’t be disappointed.
6. Inspect the property upon arrival. When you arrive at your home, it’s exciting to finally be there. If you’ve experienced long travel time it also can provide a sigh of relief. However, before getting too comfortable, it’s a good idea to inspect the property. If you find something broken or a stain on the carpet, take a picture and then notify the homeowner or property manager immediately. In many cases, they’re probably aware of it.
However, the last thing you’ll want is to be charged for something you didn’t break. Here’s a list of items to check out:
7. Discuss the security deposit. Security deposits protect the property owner from unexpected damages renters cause. However, the amount they charge, when they’ll refund it, and how and when they use it is up to their discretion. It’s wise to have an upfront and open conversation about this as well as the total payment. Again, if you don’t feel comfortable with what you’re being told, look at a different property.
8. Inquire about the cleaning fee. Being charged a cleaning fee is standard practice for vacation rentals. However, each owner may require something different from you. For example, you may be required to strip the beds and do the dishes before you leave. Other owners may just require you to lock the door on your way out.
9. Inquire about maintenance issues. Make sure you know whom to contact if there’s a maintenance issue during your stay as well as how quickly they’ll respond.
10. Follow the house rules. Be respectful of the property and follow their rules. This will ensure you part ways on good terms and get your security deposit back.
It’s a great time of the year to sit around a bonfire with family and friends. Relaxing conversation and delicious s’mores can create lasting memories. Unfortunately, we’ve seen or heard stories about bonfires exploding and causing significant injuries to those around them.
So, what causes such a tragedy? The use of accelerants. Accelerants are common chemicals or products that you may have around your home. Examples include:
Gasoline
Kerosene
Propane
Turpentine
Paper
Cardboard
Plastics
All these items are extremely dangerous and should never be used on a bonfire. These items will cause the fire to burn hotter and more aggressively which can lead to explosions.
Why do people use accelerants?
Accelerants may be used for a variety of reasons. First, accelerants can be used to start a fire quickly. Second, if you’re using damp wood, starting a fire can be difficult or nearly impossible. Lastly, people might think it’s cool to have a huge flame or want to show off in front of friends. Unfortunately, people believe that pouring a small amount of gasoline on a fire won’t hurt a thing.
If you want to enjoy a fire with family and friends, here are some tips that can help:
1. Use an appropriate fire starter. Whether you’re lighting a fire in your firepit or your grill, it’s important to use the right fire starter. All-natural fire starter cubes or squares are a safe and effective way to get your fires going. If you have access to a power supply, an electric starter might work for you. Either way, your fire will burn cleanly, so you won’t be exposed to toxic fumes.
2. Learn how to build a fire. Building a fire doesn’t just consist of throwing in a bunch of miscellaneous logs or sticks. Logs should be placed in a pyramid-like formation to create stability and space to put your fire starter in the bottom. Learning proper techniques can help you avoid resorting to dangerous accelerants.
3. Don’t use chemicals or dangerous items. A well-built fire using smaller logs will burn for a significant amount of time. Never use chemicals, paper products, leaves, or pine needles to keep your fire going. A quick burst of flames can get out of control quickly.
4. Use the appropriate wood. Use natural dry hardwood to enjoy a nice fire with your family and friends. Don’t burn leftover lumber scraps as they could contain chemicals. Using damp wood can lead to frustration and poor decisions.
5. Allow plenty of space. Before lighting your next fire, be sure you have at least 10-15 feet of space around it.
6. Avoid using oversized logs. Huge logs don’t burn well, and their mere size can overwhelm your fire pit. Using thinner logs is the smarter choice.
Associated Insurance Counselors 