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Five changes you may want to make on your insurance when you retire.

December 6, 2016/by Rebecca Yates

Retirement is an exciting time in life. Typically, it also means you are living on a fixed income. There a few insurance adjustments you might want to look into, they can save you money and also increase your coverage where needed.

Ask about car insurance discounts and coverage. Not commuting for work and driving fewer miles could save you money by reducing your rates.
Check into your home owner’s policy. Often times insurance companies offer a discount for retirees due to the fact that retires are at home more often.
Take a look at your life insurance. If your house is paid off and your kids are grown and you have saved enough funds to support you and your spouse, you may no longer need life insurance.
Be sure to sign up for Medicare, the federal governments health insurance program for people 65 years of age and older. You can sign up starting three months before your 65^th
Save money for long-term care or purchase a long-term care insurance policy. In many cases, Medicare won’t cover what you might need in the future in terms of daily care, or other tasks that you may need assistance with.

Budgeting for Home Repairs

November 29, 2016/by Rebecca Yates

Homebuyers know there are a lot of expenses that come along with home ownership. They plan for things like a monthly mortgage, homeowners and insurance and property taxes. However, homeowners should also plan a budget for home repairs, as they always seem to come up when you least expect it.

Older Homes- older homes were not built with the same detail as homes are built today. Often times, there are hidden problems that may lead to other problems. Especially, if the roof is old or not in great shape. For example, a roofline leak could lead to interior damage throughout the house. Experts say people should set aside $1 per square foot of their home to plan for these repairs.

Newer Homes- If your home is only 10-20 years old, experts recommend saving $10,000 a year for home repairs. Big-ticket repairs typically occur around this age of a home and often haven’t been serviced or repaired since the home was built. Think hot water heaters, roofs, windows may need updating etc. A good rule of thumb is having some money stashed for smaller repairs like leaky faucets too, that way you will always be prepared when something goes south.

Regardless of the age and condition of your home, having the right home insurance is vital. Be sure to check your coverage limits each year to ensure you still have the coverage you need.

Do I need flood insurance?

November 15, 2016/by Rebecca Yates

Flood insurance is actually mandated by the federal government if you live in a high-risk flood zone. In high-risk areas, you risk of having a flood situation during a 30-year mortgage time frame is calculated at a 1 in 4 chance. Unfortunately, consumers who actually do not live in the designated high-risk areas file more than 20 percent of flood insurance claims. That said, covering your home in the event of a flood can be a good idea regardless of the map and can save you a destructive financial loss. Just a few inches of floodwater in your home can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage.

Flood insurance is available to homeowners, renters, condo renters and owners and commercial owners and renters. Cost is dependant on how much insurance is purchased the risk factor and what is covered. Most polices will cover both the structure and the contents but personal property may need to be considered as well.

Keep in mind; deductibles will be separate for both the building and the contents.

List of basic coverage for a building:

The insured building and its foundation.
Electrical and plumbing systems.
Central air-conditioning equipment, furnaces, and water heaters.
Refrigerators, cooking stoves, and built-in appliances such as dishwashers.
Permanently installed carpeting over unfinished flooring.
Permanently installed paneling, wallboard, bookcases, and cabinets.
Window blinds.
Detached garages (up to 10 percent of building property coverage; other than garages, detached buildings require a separate building property policy).
Debris removal.

What is not covered (may surprise you):

Damage caused by moisture, mildew, or mold that could have been avoided by the property owner.
Currency, precious metals, and valuable papers such as stock certificates.
Property and belongings outside of an insured building, such as trees, plants, wells, septic systems, walks, decks, patios, fences, seawalls, hot tubs, and swimming pools.
Living expenses, such as temporary housing.
Financial losses caused by business interruption or loss of use of insured property.
Most self-propelled vehicles, such as cars, including their parts.

Information from Floodsmart.gov

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