This Simple Home Improvement Can Save You Money On Your Homeowners Insurance

This Simple Home Improvement Can Save You Money On Your Homeowners Insurance

Everyone loves upgrading their home. As our families grow and change, we ask our homes to grow with us. Choosing where to upgrade your home can be fun, but also expensive. The good news is there are a few upgrades that can save you money on your Homeowners Insurance every year, this can add up to huge savings and help offset the cost of your home improvements.

One of the best upgrades is installing a home security system.

For most people, our home is the largest asset we own. They provide us with a comfortable and safe place to raise our families and protect our cherished memories and belongings from theft.

Here are a few ways you can increase the value of your home, protect your largest financial asset, and save money on your homeowners insurance by installing a home security system.

Install a Home Security System

Many Home Insurance companies offer discounts on your premiums if you install a burglar alarm or sophisticated systems like those sold by Brinks. These systems have become very complex and modern over the last 10 years. They have gone beyond the traditional anti-theft solutions to provide comfort and energy savings to millions of consumers.

These systems can oftentimes be financed and come with add-ons that can make your home energy efficient (saving you even more MONEY). The monthly savings in energy usage and homeowners insurance premiums could offset a large portion of the cost to install your home security system.

Home Security Systems normally have free financing over a set amount of years. After this initial finance period, you’re now getting 100% of the savings from your security system.

Upgrade Your Electrical

Electrical fires are one of the most common preventable accidents in the American home. According to data collected by the United States Fire Administration, more than 28,000 electrical fires occur annually. These small fires cause $38,000 in damages on average

Electrical fires occur due to old and faulty wiring in homes and represent a significant risk for home insurance companies.

This risk is passed on to you in the form of higher premiums.

If you’re installing a home security system, you could take the opportunity to upgrade your electrical wiring. Many homes built 40-50 years ago aren’t prepared for modern electronics like tablets and large appliances.

Upgrading your home’s electrical wiring helps protect these valuable electronics by ensuring you have a steady supply of power without changes in voltage.

Here a few circumstances that may warrant an inspection from a certified professional or an upgrade to your home’s wiring.

  • Home is older than 40 years
  • Relying on extension cords for power
  • Made major home improvements or added major new appliances
  • Home has ungrounded, two-prong outlets
  • Home has aluminum instead of copper wiring

Protect against an electrical fire by keeping an eye out for signs of hazardous wiring and having your electrical system inspected by an expert can protect irreplaceable items like family heirlooms and non-digitized photos.

It’s also important to note that some homeowners insurance policies don’t cover repair costs related to faulty wiring. Always hire a professional to work on complex systems like electrical on your home.

Safety isn’t the only reason to upgrade your wiring.

A recent survey by Coldwell Banker Real Estate showed homebuyers are more interested in homes with smart features and technology than they were just two to five years ago. This could make your home easier to sell in the future.

Some of the most common smart home features are:

  • Dimmers
  • Voice-controlled systems
  • Smart Thermostats
  • Mobile Apps
  • and other convenient upgrades

It’s also a great time to consider future electrical needs and move outlets to accommodate your lifestyle. Wall mounted televisions look clean and seamless when the power outlet is located directly behind the television.

Add Sensors and Detectors

One of the most important factors in preventing significant damage to your home in case of a fire or flood is emergency response time.

Many home security installation companies offer sensors to detect gas leaks, extreme temperature changes, and smoke.

Many home insurance companies recognize the value these automated systems have on protecting your home by utilizing early detection.

For example, a freeze alarm can detect when your pipes are susceptible to freezing or bursting. If you have a Nest Thermostat or another smart thermostat, it can turn on automatically and increase the temperature in your home to prevent flooding or severe damage.

Home Security systems don’t just keep bad guys out, they let the good guys in.

Top home security companies offer 24/7 monitoring from dedicated home security advisors. These advisors will be notified as soon as an alarm goes off and will attempt to reach you immediately. If they don’t receive a response, they will send emergency response teams to your home and can even allow them to enter the home in case you are incapicitated or unable to open the door. If you’re left at home or are caring for an elderly person, these systems can be life saving.

How much can you save on your annual premiums?

Every insurance carrier is different, but on average, you can expect to save 3-5% on your homeowners insurance every year. To find out how much you could save, contact All Nation Insurance to get a homeowners insurance quote or review your existing policy.

5 Reasons to Get Home Insurance

Many homeowners struggle with the debate of whether or not to get home insurance. It can often seem unnecessary like nothing could ever go wrong with your home. You can probably think of more fun ways to spend the money that you’d be putting towards home insurance. However, investing in the protection of your home can save you the potential of losing your house and all of your belongings. It’ll definitely be worth it if that earthquake, tornado, or hurricane ever hit.

1. Put Your Mind at Ease

When you get home insurance it will put your mind at ease about something potentially going wrong with your home. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to something as big and important as your home.

2. Be Protected Against Damage

If a natural disaster does hit, or that tree falls on your house, or your neighbor flicks a cigarette in your backyard and your house goes up in flames, you’ll be protected. Having insurance means that even when something horrible does strike, you’re not left with a complete loss.

3. Protection Against Theft and Vandalism

When you have home insurance, you will be protected in case someone decides to break into your house or make “art” on your walls. You wouldn’t want to lose some of your most precious items and not be able to replace them. Home insurance can give you the confidence to know that if anything does get taken, it will be covered.

4. Coverage for Water Damage

If you live in an area where it rains a lot, or often floods, home insurance is a must. Your home and your possessions can be easily damaged by the water. Most insurance policies cover both.

5. Be Covered for Personal Liability

If someone gets injured on your property, you could potentially be held responsible. Many home insurance policies cover this so that you don’t get stuck with the bill.

 

What You Should Know About Mobile Home Insurance in Florida

What You Should Know About Mobile Home Insurance in Florida

If you own a mobile home in Florida or you are considering purchasing one, it is important that you protect your investment with mobile home insurance. A mobile home is a practical choice in Florida thanks to the affordability and warmer weather. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, one in every three homes built in Florida is a mobile or manufactured home. These homes are worth over $37 billion. Before buying a mobile home or living another day in a mobile home that is not insured, it is important that you know the following:

What Will Mobile Home Insurance Cover?One of the most common questions that are asked by owners of mobile and manufactured homes is what will be covered under this type of insurance. Though the details of each policy will vary based on the company you choose for coverage, typically you will find the following is commonplace when obtaining mobile home insurance in Florida:

Coverage to Cover the Structure of Your Mobile or Manufactured Home

One of the coverage types that is standard when buying mobile home insurance in Florida is coverage to cover your home as well as any structures that might be on your property such as a shed or carport. In most cases, this will cover the structures from wind, fire, lightning, falling objects and more. Keep in mind, however, that if your mobile home is being moved from the property, it will likely not be covered in this process.

Coverage for Your Personal Property

You will also find that a basic policy will also cover your personal property. This includes any property that is in your home or in any structure like a shed. Some policies will also cover property that you own that is stored away from the home, but may have a lower coverage limit or might not be insured against all types of perils.

Coverage for Personal Liability

You will also see that this policy will cover any liability should an accident occur on your property. Accidents can certainly happen and if someone is unintentionally injured, or damage is done to their property, you will be covered by your policy. For instance, if you have a party and a guest slips on the grass breaking their arm, your mobile home insurance policy will cover the injury.

Keep in mind that there are some things that a standard policy will not cover, such as flooding. Make sure you look into optional coverage to ensure your home is fully protected.

Why You Need As Much Protection as You Can Get

Florida is prone to hurricanes and tropical storms each year. Though a mobile home will stand up well to winds and storms, no structure is totally safe from damage. Back in 1994 when Hurricane Andrew hit Florida, insurance companies paid out over $15 billion in damages. However, what is even scarier is that there are estimates that homeowners who were not insured spent more than $50 billion statewide. The question that homeowners have to ask themselves is would they rather spend a small amount of money each month to protect their home or thousands when the next hurricane hits the Sunshine State.

If you are interested in learning more about mobile home insurance in Florida and how it is a necessity for all owners, it is important that you reach out to an insurance company in the area for a quote.

When is the Miami Hurricane Season?

When is the Miami Hurricane Season?

The Florida Atlantic Hurricane season is from June 1st to November 30th however tropical storms have occurred outside of these dates, but these dates encompass over 97% of all tropical storm activity according to the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML)

The end of the Miami hurricane season has been steadily moving outward. Originally ending on October 31st, it has been extended to November 30th in recent times.

When is the Miami Hurricane Season most active?

According to the AOML, the most active period occurs from August to October, which encompasses 78% of the tropical storm days. This period of the Atlantic Hurricane Season also sees:

  • 87% of the category 1 and 2 hurricanes
  • 96% of the category 4, 5, and 5 hurricanes

However don’t be surprised if you see a powerful hurricane outside of these dates or rare tropical storms in the months of May or December.

Recent hurricane Season’s have been mild in Florida. For example, the 2013 Atlantic hurricane season, which officially ended on November 30th, had the fewest number of hurricanes since 1982.  This ranks as the sixth-least-active hurricane season since 1950, in terms of the collective strength and duration of storms.

Of the thirteen named storms that formed in the Atlantic basin, only two became hurricanes (Hurricane Humberto and Ingrid). Neither of these became a major hurricane or category 3 or higher.

Despite this good fortune All Nation Insurance reminds you to always be prepared for Florida’s severe weather history. Hurricane’s are some of mother nature’s most destructive storms with winds exceeding 100 mph. As our lifestyles change our insurance coverage becomes inadequate.

All Nation Insurance recommends an insurance review before every Miami hurricane season to ensure you are not over insured or under insured. Most people are unaware that being over insured results in higher premiums and rates while being under insured can leave your family in a difficult situation after a devastating tropical storm.

Contact us today for your free homeowners insurance review.