Why Complex Cars Cost More to Repair
Years ago, fixing a car after a collision may have meant straightening out steel and swapping out damaged parts, but the complexity of modern cars means that the repair process is now more complicated—and more costly. Car designs are more intricate today due to advances in technology that make driving safer and more fuel-efficient, but also because modern drivers want “creature comforts” in their cars, says Scott Brown, president of the International Automotive Technicians Network. “Some of it is driven by safety, and some of it by consumer demand,” he explains. Factors Driving Up Repair Costs Modern cars are more expensive to repair for a...
Don’t Underestimate Your Worth
Every year during the holidays, many Americans receive gifts worth $1,000 or more or splurge on one for themselves or a household member. Whether or not they consider these high-value items' implications for their home insurance has been an open question – until now. Selective Insurance recently released the results of a research study it commissioned to find the answer to that very question. The research was conducted online by The Harris Poll a few days after Christmas among over 1,700 U.S. adults who have a homeowners or renters policy (defined as policyholders throughout). It g A little over half of policyholders (53%) received...
Give Your Chimney a Clean Sweep
Homeowners with a wood-burning fireplace or solid fuel stove or insert can protect your property and your family by having a qualified professional inspect and clean your chimney at least annually. Maintaining a chimney through an annual inspection and cleaning is critical, especially as winter approaches and temperatures drop. According to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireplaces, chimneys and flues account for a significant number of home heating fires each year. The buildup of chimney deposits is a major factor in chimney fires. Creosote, a tarry residue caused by incomplete combustion of wood, can build up in chimneys and ignite a...
Fire Pit Safety: What You Need to Know
With the cooler weather coming, you might have visions of spending brisk evenings gathered around the fire pit with your family in the backyard. A fire pit is a great way to turn your yard into a second living room, allowing you to enjoy it year-round. However, you still want to keep some home fire safety tips in mind to make the most of your fire pit. Following these will help keep your family and visitors safe and warm while they're enjoying their s'mores around the fire. Here's what you need to know about fire pit safety. What to consider when choosing a...
Keeping Your Home Protected During Vacation
When you and your family are preparing to leave for a vacation, it’s easy to overlook basic home safety precautions. After all, there are a number of risks that could affect your home while you’re away—including fires, theft and flooding. In order to keep your property safe while you’re on vacation, consider the following guidance. Unplug small appliances and electronic devices. Stop the newspaper and mail. To do this online, visit the U.S. Postal Service’s website. Lock all windows and doors. Arrange to have your lawn mowed or snow shoveled while you’re away. Have a neighbor keep an eye on...
Spring Maintenance To-Do List
How Did Your Home Hold Up? As the calendar turns to spring, it’s time to assess how your property weathered the winter. This is a good time to make a “to-do” list to prevent property maintenance and liability issues. Starting from the top: Roof – Have a roofer check for lifting, curling or missing shingles, or shingles that have suffered granular loss. Remove any debris or built-up moss that can reduce your roof’s life expectancy. Clean gutters of any leaves or debris. Siding and gutters – Repair any damaged or loose siding; replace any damaged gutters and fascia. Exterior paint – Warm weather is also a great opportunity...
Insurance can protect your pandemic renovations
Consider all factors when calculating replacement cost after home renovations. If you are like millions of other people, during the pandemic you have made improvements to your property. Whether you installed a pool, remodeled rooms or finished your basement, now is a good time to check in with your independent Arthur Hall Insurance agent to ensure your homeowner coverages are still adequate. The first thing to understand is how remodeling an existing space versus adding a space affects replacement cost. REMODELING You may think coverage needs to be increased by the amount it cost to renovate a space. But during renovations, existing materials already...
Protect Your Home with a Water Leak Detection Device
Did you know that WATER is the #1 source of non-weather-related damage? Or that 45% of all interior damage is caused by water? That’s more than fire or burglary! Water damage is serious. One of the newest features in protecting your home from potential water damage is the installation of a flow-based water leak detection or automatic water shut-off device. The device monitors the flow of water throughout your home. Installed by a plumber directly onto your water line, the device will detect any unusual water activity that may be caused by a leak somewhere in your plumbing or pipes. When water...
Say No to Ice Dams and Frozen Pipes
Reduce the Risk of Ice DamsInsulate and ventilate attic space: The underlying cause of ice dams is a warm roof, and the best way to address this is to hire a licensed contractor to inspect your attic space for proper insulation and ventilation. They should evaluate and ensure that: Attic space is properly ventilated to carry away warm air. Living space is well insulated and all points where warm air may leak up into the attic are sealed.Clear snow: If your home has experienced ice damming in past seasons, enlist the help of a professional to rake excess snow off...
5 Things Every Parent Of A Teen Driver Should Do
Every parent knows the mixed feelings of seeing your child grow into a teenager. You're happy and proud that they're becoming more independent and taking on new challenges, but all the while you're hoping you've done everything you could to raise them to be responsible young people. Furthermore, it's common to have some fear about what they'll encounter in the world. This is never more true when your teenager starts to drive. Mile for mile, teen drivers have crash rates nearly four times those of drivers age 20 and older, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Teenagers' maturity level can...
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