Here at Insurance Doctor, we know that homeowner’s insurance is a terrifically valuable thing to have (and something we gladly offer with great service at a great rate), but it’s also the one thing you never really want to use. When you have to make a claim, that means something has happened to damage your most prized possession: your home. So this blog series provides a few tips to help keep your home safe from damage and your home ownership headaches to a minimum.

Cook Safely
The U.S. Fire Administration states that the leading cause of reported home fires is cooking equipment. The good news is that there are lots of simple, preventive measures you can take. First, avoid loose clothing when cooking. Not only will that keep you from dragging your sleeves through the gravy, you’ll reduce the chance of your clothing catching fire (and spreading the fire to your home). Also, be sure to stay near the stove when cooking, especially when frying foods. Keep a pan lid nearby to quickly cover and contain a grease fire. Another good tip is to always check to make sure your oven is empty before pre-heating.

Clean Gutters
Sure, cleaning gutters sometimes just feels like that chore you have to do every fall but there’s a great reason for it. When gutters get clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris (how about that tennis ball your son threw up there?), water flow to the downspouts can be restricted, especially during heavy rains. When that happens, water can only go in two directions – over the front of the gutters, where it can pool around the foundation, or behind the gutter, possibly flowing back under the roof. Neither scenario is good news for your home. So bite the bullet and get those gutters cleaned out regularly, or invest in a leaf-free gutter system.

If you’d like to learn some other ways to help keep your home safe from damage, or to discuss homeowner’s insurance options in North Carolina or Virginia, get in touch with us today.

There’s no question that homeowner’s insurance is a great thing to have in the event of damage to your home or the possessions inside of it. No one ever complained about having their home insured after a natural disaster. But there are also plenty of things you can do to minimize the danger of something happening to your most valuable investment. This blog series will list some of the top tips.

Install & Maintain Smoke Detectors
For home safety, it’s hard to beat the value in smoke detectors. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, deaths due to fire are 51% fewer in homes with working smoke alarms, compared to those without. A quick internet search shows prices for smoke detectors from as little as $8.00 up to $25.00, a real bargain for the peace of mind they provide. A couple of things to remember: first, be sure to install one on each level of your home; second, change your batteries every 6 months (a good reminder is to change them when the time changes in the spring and fall). Oh, and KEEP THE BATTERIES IN THEM! Far too many people disable their smoke detectors by removing the batteries.

Keep an Eye on Your Trees
For those who don’t mind the leaf raking duties, an arboreal home is a comfort and delight. Still, mature trees close to the home bring their own set of issues to home ownership. Dead or rotting trees are a frequent source of damage, either falling in whole or dropping limbs on roofs. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that a dead tree or rotten limb will hold on forever – one good-sized storm or even just a stronger than average gust of wind could be the source of a major headache. If you have problem trees, contact a qualified, professional tree service company to trim branches or remove trees entirely. It’s better to take them down at your convenience than theirs.

As always, if you have questions about homeowner’s insurance rates or coverage, contact us today.

So you are shopping for a new home. Congratulations! But before you take out that mortgage, be sure to check on a few insurance considerations, like these…

Is your soon to be new home in a flood plain?

You might not consider that cute little creek flowing through the back yard (or down the street) to be anything but a nice attraction. Unfortunately this beautiful little stream can turn into a property demolition machine under the right conditions. So, first things first – be sure your new home is not situated in a flood plain. If it is in any danger of water damage, be sure you know in advance the cost of such insurance.

Is it in a storm prone area?

Let’s face it, everyplace has its natural disasters. Every year we hear about a 100,000 acre wildfire or a dam or levee breaking. But it’s the things we don’t always hear about that you need to pay extra attention to because the reason we typically don’t hear them often publicized is because local residents are so used to them that it is almost commonplace.

There are the obvious ones like hurricanes in New England, earthquakes on the West Coast and tropical storms in Florida – but every place has its special considerations. That said, do a little extra research before locating to an unfamiliar area and get insurance costs up front. Finding out you need three additional types of coverage the week before closing is a surprise you can live without.