Category: Homeowners Insurance

Ways to Save on Premium

Written by Rose Jerzak, Personal Lines Account Manager Insurance is something we purchase that we hope we never need. Your insurance policy can protect your investments, such as a new car or your home. One auto accident or large windstorm could cause thousands of dollars in damage … your insurance policy can help with the […]

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What Is and Why do I Need Umbrella Coverage?

Written by Corine Cowles, Personal Lines Manager To err is human; to purchase an umbrella policy is smart. An umbrella policy provides extra liability coverage over, and in addition to, other insurance policies you have purchased, such as commercial insurance policies for your business or personal insurance policies for your home(s), auto(s), and toys (boats, […]

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How Can You Prevent Frozen Pipes?

Not only can cold weather put a damper on your spirits but it can also bring about some unfortunate home challenges. Perhaps one of the most inconvenient and damaging is frozen pipes. Frozen water in pipes leads to a build-up of pressure, which can result in broken pipes and consequential flooding, and water damage.   Unfortunately, […]

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The Importance of Personal and Commercial Umbrella Policies

Could you or your business benefit from an umbrella policy? When it comes to getting insurance, many individuals and business owners purchase the bare minimum and hope that the worst won’t happen to them. The reality is that disasters can happen to anyone and any business. When the worst does happen, an umbrella policy can […]

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How to Avoid Common Winter Hazards at Home

Guarding against these winter home hazards. As the weather turns cooler – and in New York, downright cold – we spend more time in our homes, and the risk for some types of potentially catastrophic home damage increases. To prevent disasters during the merriest of seasons, check out these tips. Water Damage The colder temperatures […]

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5 Ways to Protect Your Home From Power Outages This Season

Steps to prepare your home for a power outage and protect appliances. When the weather report predicts any type of storm, it’s time to prepare for the possibility of an electrical outage. Most cold-season power failures happen when these storms bring freezing rain and high winds that damage power lines and equipment. It’s when we’re […]

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5 Ways to Prevent Burst Pipes

Protect your property from burst pipes with these tips. A careful homeowner knows that certain risks to the property will never completely be eliminated. One of these is the danger of burst pipes. They can happen any time of the year, in any region, and can cause flooding, property loss, mold, mildew, and structural damage. […]

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Tips to Enjoy Halloween and Keep Your Home Safe

Make your home safe for Halloween. It won’t be long before you are greeted by little ghosts and witches shouting “trick-or-treat!” Whether you’re stocking up on candy for trick-or-treaters or planning on hosting a Halloween bash, make sure your home is safe. We’ve gathered some ideas to get you started. Secure railings. Young children and […]

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Common Causes of Electrical Fires in the Home

Electrical fires causes and prevention tips. Across the nation, home electrical fires account for an estimated 51,000 fires each year, nearly 500 deaths, and over $1.3 billion in property damage. Because of modern-day technology, electronics surround our everyday needs and are now fully ingrained in our lives, whether it is at home or in the […]

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Tree Maintenance Tips You Should Know

Take care of the trees on your property with these tips. The trees in your yard can enhance your property, provide ample shade, and offer abundant environmental benefits. However, trees can also pose a safety hazard to your family and home if they are not properly cared for. To prevent accidents, check out these tree […]

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What Insurance Does Your College Student Need?

Consider these insurance policies for your college kid. Back-to-school season is upon us! Parents are busy stocking up on college essentials for their kids, from textbooks to dorm room furniture. Even as a prepared parent, you may be forgetting about an important item to review that isn’t included on any checklist: insurance. Consider these insurance […]

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What Kind of Insurance Do You Need for a Second Home?

Coverage for your second home.   Buying a second home, whether it’s a vacation getaway or a rental endeavor, is a lot like purchasing a primary residence. You’ll need to make sure that your new property has the right amount of insurance protection in place in case disaster strikes. You may see your second home […]

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The Liability Risks of Attractive Nuisances

What you need to know about liability risks on your property.  Do you have an attractive nuisance on your property? Anything that is both attractive and dangerous to young, curious children can be considered an attractive nuisance, making you liable in the event that these elements cause an accident. Homeowners should be aware of a […]

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Protecting Your Home While You’re on Vacation

Secure your home while you head out on vacation.   Ah, summer. Now that the weather is sunny in New York, many of us are looking forward to our summer vacations. However, many of us forget to adequately protect our homes while we head across the state or abroad. To help you get started and […]

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Figures Important to Your Homeowners Insurance

Numbers to consider when securing home insurance. Although homeowners insurance is essential to protect your most valuable asset, the numbers involved can be confusing. When shopping for a policy, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the jargon and simply choose one based on the price alone. However, this approach doesn’t take into account the other […]

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Avoid Home Insurance Claims with Spring Cleaning!

Spring cleaning is a great way to freshen up the house and shake off those winter blues. After winter, many homeowners are excited with the prospect of spring. The warmer, lighter, and brighter days are almost on the horizon! As we all know, with spring comes spring cleaning. In addition to making the house feel […]

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Do You Have Gaps in Your Homeowners Insurance?

Here’s how to know if you have protective homeowners insurance. Despite the fact that a person’s home is likely their most valuable investment, homeowners insurance is highly undervalued. As consumers, we get taken up in nickel and diming our auto insurance policies and paying close attention to what is and what isn’t included. Meanwhile, we […]

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How to Maintain Your Water Heater

Draining Your Water Heater You may not realize how often you use your home’s water heater – but that changes the moment it breaks. To help it run worry-free and even extend its life, check out these water heater maintenance tips. Drain Your Water Heater Always read over your owner’s manual before draining your water […]

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Easy Ways to Prevent Frozen Pipes

Prevent Your Home’s Pipes from Freezing The winter is well and truly here, meaning that temperatures are continuing to drop. As the mercury drops, we need to prepare our homes for the inevitable. Frozen water pipes are a primary fear for homeowners in the winter, and for good reason – it’s estimated that pipes freeze […]

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Top Practices to De-Ice Your Sidewalk

Don’t let winter ice send you slipping and sliding down your sidewalk.   The season of ice and snow is upon us, and in New York, sometimes there is no escaping the black ice and slippery snow. These two weather conditions can wreak havoc for any homeowner or business. Whether you’re hosting friends, family, or […]

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How to Winterize Your Home While You’re on Vacation

Safeguard your property while you’re out of town. Are you heading to a warmer climate this winter? Whether you’re heading to the beach house for the end of the year or hitting the slopes, there are a few precautions to take to protect your home while you’re away. Clean the fridge. Even if you’re heading […]

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Make Sure Your Home is Safe from Carbon Monoxide

CO poisoning is a real threat – Ensure your home stays free from it! Now that winter is almost here, we are staying indoors more. While we often think of a home as safer than facing the harsh New York elements, what many of us don’t realize is that our home could be harboring a […]

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