Posts by Renee Pike

Reverse the direction of ceiling fans. It’s counterclockwise for summer cooling and clockwise in winter to drive warm air down. Check downspouts. When cleaning leaves and debris from gutters check the downspouts to keep from clogging and freezing. Add extensions to the downspouts to take water 3 to 4 feet away from the house. Inspect your roof for…

Since there have been so many changes in property occupancy this year, it’s helpful to know about one specialized insurance coverage. It protects vacant and partially vacant buildings, vacant leased space, and vacant condominium units. It applies to both residential and commercial properties, as well as those undergoing renovation. The coverage is flexible. There are…

While the coronavirus does not have a direct impact on your homeowner’s insurance, the changing circumstances of your life may mean that you should review your personal property and liability coverage. If you are now working from home, you are likely to use more business equipment and electronics. A standard homeowner’s policy has low limits…

You buy boat insurance to protect yourself from the cost of unexpected damages that are beyond your control, and, depending on your policy, liability while you are on the water, which can include some coverage for passengers. When purchasing insurance, you should tell your agent the maximum occupancy requirements of your boat and ask if the…

Data provided by Edmunds (an online resource for automotive information) reveals that the average new vehicle loses 30% of its value  in the first year, and will only be worth about half its value  by year three. Because regular automobile insurance will only pay the vehicle’s current cash value, not the current loan balance, vehicle…

If you’ve never purchased a condominium, you may be surprised at the myriad of issues to consider. It’s quite different than buying a single-family home. Here are six questions to ask: What are the rules and regulations and can you live by them? Every condo complex has a Homeowners’ Association (HOA) that has by-laws and…

No matter what you hear, auto insurance policies are complicated and there are many misconceptions. If it’s been awhile since you’ve reviewed your policy, it’s good to have a conversation with your agent to ensure you have the protection you want. While you may have premium in every part of your auto policy, it doesn’t…

Shopping online is convenient, but it can be a treasure trove for nefarious porch pirates, especially during the holiday season. An estimated 26 million Americans have holidays packages stolen. In most cases, it doesn’t make sense to look to homeowners’ or renters’ insurance to cover the loss. The value of the package is likely to…

Shorter days this time of year create more of an opportunity for home break-ins. Here are ways to keep the bad guys away from your home: Install exterior flood lights with motion sensors. This is an effective deterrent since the bad guys don’t want to be seen. Keep doors and windows locked. Use a dowel…

Off to college: Insurance Checklist  With the anticipation and anxiety of sending your child off to college, insurance is not top of mind. But taking the time to be sure your child and his or her belongings are covered when at college can save money and aggravation if losses occur. Get checklist.