MORTGAGE BLOG

Helpful Tips to Protect Your Home on Halloween

Blog posted On October 27, 2021

Don’t let the adorable zombies and witches fool you. There can be some real monsters out there on Halloween. According to Travelers Insurance, crime-related insurance claims spike by nearly 25% on October 31. This is a bigger claims spike than any other day of the year. Luckily, with a few simple home-protection tricks, you can focus on the real treat of Halloween.

What to Know About Home Insurance for Second Homes

Blog posted On September 15, 2021

Second homes used to be a sort of escape for many Americans. Getting out of town, away from the office, and heading to the beach to feel some fresh breeze or visiting the mountains to be surrounded by trees instead of high rises. Now, second homes are starting to climb their way into the starting lineup. With the increasing flexibility to work remotely and the decreased desire to head back to crowded spaces, many people have extended their stay in a second home…permanently. If you do have this flexibility, that’s great. But if you decide to stay at your second home longer than a typical vacation, then you might want to consider updating your home insurance coverage.

What to Know About Insurance and Wildfires

Blog posted On September 08, 2021

Over the past several years, the severity and size of wildfires across the U.S. have increased at an alarming rate. In 2020, nearly 40,000 forest fires destroyed 4 million acres of land. In California alone, almost 500,000 homes are located in wildfire zones – as are millions of other homes across the country. But many homeowners are unaware of their risk – leaving them vulnerable for hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage.

What to Know About the Rising Costs of Flood Insurance

Blog posted On September 01, 2021

Every year between June 1 and November 30, hurricane season takes the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts by storm. Power outages, uprooted trees, ruined buildings, and high flooding all cause billions of dollars in damages to towns and nearby homes. In 2020, Hurricane Laura cost a total of $19 billion. Six weeks later, Hurricane Delta struck the same area, adding another $2.9 billion in damages. While there’s not much that homeowners can do to prevent storms, they can prevent the costs from stacking up.

What to Know About Homeowners Insurance Before Selling Your Home

Blog posted On July 22, 2021

Moving to a new home is an exciting adventure. Chances are, if you’re moving, you’re focused on the next step – picking décor for the new house, arranging plans for travel, and imagining your future life. There’s a lot going on during a move, and it’s easy to forget little details. One detail you should never forget is your homeowners insurance.

What You Need to Know About Homeowners Insurance Before You Buy a Vacation Home

Blog posted On May 12, 2021

After years of saving and dreaming, you’re finally ready to invest in that house by the beach. But before you do, it’s important to make sure that your money (and home) will be protected. While homeowners insurance might not stop bad things from happening to your home, it can help compensate you in the case of a bad event.

What Homeowners Insurance Covers in a Power Outage

Blog posted On March 03, 2021

Losing power in your home is more than just an uncharged iPhone and a missed episode of This is Us – especially during the winter months. For many, losing power can be physically dangerous, emotionally taxing, and financially expensive. Luckily, some of the costs that ensue from power outages are covered by your homeowners insurance – but the extent of your coverage depends on your insurer and policy.

Understanding How Much Homeowners Insurance You Need

Blog posted On May 27, 2020

When was the last time you examined your homeowner’s insurance policy?  Now, more than ever, homebound homeowners are making sure their homeowner’s insurance policies offer adequate coverage, as your home has become your living, working, and schooling space during nationwide stay-at-home orders and social distancing guidelines.  You don’t want to pay for coverage you don’t need, but you want to make sure you’re protected.  The biggest mistake most homeowners make is not updating their policy.  The original policy you took out when you bought your home might not be enough to cover its appreciation in value or might not accommodate the increased frequency in natural disasters like fires and hurricanes.   

Did you know your homeowner’s insurance may cover this?

Blog posted On September 25, 2019

You get homeowner’s insurance to protect your family and your property from fire, thefts, and weather damage, but did you know it may also cover other unexpected hazards?  Consumer Reports collaborated with the Insurance Information Institute and found six surprising incidents your homeowner’s insurance may cover. 

What does your home insurance cover?

Blog posted On October 04, 2018

Earlier this month, Hurricane Florence caused an estimated $20 to $30 billion of damage to commercial and residential properties throughout North and South Carolina.  Unfortunately, an estimated 85% of residential property losses were uninsured, and less than 10% of properties in North Carolina had flood insurance.