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Five Healthy, Homemade Cleaning Solutions

3/26/2020

2 Comments

 
Keeping your house clean is especially important in these trying times of COVID-19 right now. Are you tired of spending money on multiple cleaning products that take up a lot of space? Often, with just a few simple ingredients, you can make your own cleaning solutions at home. Most homemade cleaning products are a fraction of the cost and are typically better for your health and the environment. Get started with these five everyday cleaning solutions:
  1. Clean and deodorize your kitchen. Mix 4 tablespoons of baking soda with 1 quart of warm water in a spray bottle for a kitchen cleaner you can safely use on most counter top surfaces and appliances. It makes stainless steel shine and freshens up the inside of a refrigerator. 
  2. Make your shower sparkle. Combine 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Place in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds then pour into a spray bottle. Spray, then let sit for three to five minutes before wiping clean.
  3. Scrub your toilet bowl without toxic fumes. Use a glass bowl and wooden spoon to combine 2 cups of baking soda with 100 drops of a disinfecting essential oil, such as tea tree or lavender – this makes enough for about 30 cleanings. Transfer to an airtight glass jar, and store outside of the bathroom. To clean, place 1 tablespoon of the baking soda mixture into the toilet bowl then sprinkle more around the sides. Next, add 2 cups of regular 5% distilled white vinegar. The vinegar and baking soda should begin to foam. Scrub the bowl with a toilet bowl brush, let the solution sit for 15 minutes and flush.
  4. Get smudge-free, fresh-smelling windows and mirrors. Mix 2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of distilled white vinegar, 2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol and 5 drops of peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle. Wipe down with a microfiber cloth.
  5. Clean surfaces naturally.  Combine 3/4 cup of water and 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle with seven drops each of tea tree oil and lavender oil. You can swap the rubbing alcohol for distilled white vinegar, but do not use any vinegar solution on granite, marble, natural stone or hardwood.6
When making your own cleaning solutions, be sure to follow each recipe carefully to avoid damaging surfaces or mixing potentially toxic combinations. Baking soda, distilled white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide and dish soap are the most common homemade cleaning product ingredients. Get that fresh, just-cleaned smell with the addition of lemon or essential oils. When combined, used alone or diluted with water, you can clean just about anything.
​
Reposted with permission from BlueChoice Health Plan.
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Do I Need to Tell my Insurance Company if my Dog Bites Someone?

9/26/2019

1 Comment

 
You probably don’t think your dog would ever bite someone, let alone cause a serious injury. But dog bites are more common than you might realize—4.5 million occur every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And most victims are young children.

Those injuries also have a bigger impact on homeowners insurance than you might realize: The Insurance Information Institute says dog-related claims accounted for more than $600 million in insurance payments in 2016.

(Keep in mind that it’s not just bites that cause injuries. Dogs can knock down pedestrians or cyclists, too, which often leads to severe medical issues as well.)

With those numbers in mind, it’s understandable that insurance companies want to know if you’ve got a dog in your household. Some even will refuse to insure you if you have a specific breed with a reputation for aggressive behavior, regardless of whether your dog has ever bitten someone.

Despite that, you should never hide the fact that you have a dog from your insurance company. If you do, and your dog then causes an injury, your coverage could be invalidated—leaving you on the hook for potentially tens of thousands of dollars or more.

When a bite happens
OK, so your insurance company knows about your dog. But do you have to tell them if the dog bites or injures somebody?

That depends. If it’s a minor incident, you might consider paying out of pocket for any medical expenses in an attempt to avoid the claims process and a potential increase in your premiums. (In some instances, insurance companies will not renew your policy or will exclude your dog from coverage after paying for a dog-related claim.)

However, this might violate your policy, which probably requires you to report changes in your circumstances. If you don’t report a bite, and the dog then bites someone else later, the insurance company might deny you liability coverage for the second incident. Ask us to outline your options.

Another risk is the threat of future claims from the victim. Injuries aren’t always immediately apparent, and complications can arise later. The victim might decide down the road to sue you. And if you’ve waited too long to report the incident to your insurance company, it might be too late to make a claim and receive all the protection your policy was meant to provide—which can include help with attorney fees, medical bills and more.

A $33,000 mistake?
Ask yourself this: How would your budget look if you had an unexpected $33,000 expense? The average claim payment for a dog injury in 2016 was about that amount. And that’s with an insurance company working on behalf of the insured. If you’re on your own, you could wind up paying even more—a lot more.

Our advice? Start with your agent and discuss your specific situation. Even if you decide not to file a claim—which is always an option—you’ll get guidance from a professional on our team who can help you assess the risk.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
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Protecting Your Home: Understanding Your Home Insurance Policy

7/18/2019

38 Comments

 
​As a homeowner, one of the most important aspects of your home isn’t something you use daily. And it isn’t something flashy you show off to friends. It’s your homeowners insurance policy, and it protects you in more ways than you may think, helping you rebuild your home or repair damage that results from a covered loss.

But, that’s not all. It can also help cover the costs of a lawsuit, help you pay for somewhere else to live when your home is uninhabitable, and much more.

Home insurance is typically very comprehensive, but all policies have exclusions and coverage limits. It’s vital to know what those are so you know what’s covered and what’s not. Fire damage? Typically covered. Flood damage? Typically not.

With this guide, you can begin to understand what a typical home insurance policy covers. Just keep in mind that coverage varies from carrier to carrier, region to region and even policy to policy. Only your individual home policy can tell you the coverage you have and that which you don’t. For an even better understanding of your home policy coverage, review it with one of our agents.
​
What Home Insurance Covers The typical homeowners insurance policy has six types of coverage. They are commonly known as:
  • Coverage A: Dwelling, for damage to your house that occurs due to covered losses, such as a fire. Following a covered loss, dwelling coverage helps you repair or rebuild your home, including the structures, such as a garage or a deck, attached to it.
  • Coverage B: Other Structures, for damage to other buildings or structures on your property that result from a covered loss, such as a tornado. This may include a detached garage, a barn or a fence.
  • Coverage C: Personal Property, for damage to or loss, including theft, of your personal belongings and possessions, such as jewelry, furniture, guns and other valuables. If you experience a covered loss, this coverage will help you replace items up to the defined dollar limit in your policy. In certain instances, your belongings may be worth more than the typical home insurance policy covers. In this case, you may be able to purchase additional coverage through a process known as “scheduling valuables.” To help expedite a personal property claim, it helps to keep an updated home inventory of your belongings.
  • Coverage D: Additional Living Expenses, for costs incurred, up to your set policy limit, due to “loss of use” of your home, meaning your home has been damaged to the extent that you cannot live in it and you need to live elsewhere. This coverage helps you handle the costs of your temporary housing and related expenses.
  • Coverage E: Personal Liability, for damage to other people’s property for which you are responsible. This coverage may also help you handle legal costs and liability judgments resulting from a lawsuit, up to the defined dollar amounts outlined in your policy.
  • Coverage F: Medical Payments to Others, for bodily injuries to other people, such as a houseguest, that occur in your home or on your property. Like personal liability coverage, this coverage helps with the costs of a lawsuit or legal decision, up to your defined policy limits.

Remember that, despite having all of these different types of coverage, you’re only covered up to the dollar amounts that you select and only for covered losses, as outlined in your policy. Typically, you can change these policy limits at any time if you’d like to purchase more coverage. This is a good idea if, for example, you’ve recently added on to your home, acquired some pricey personal belongings or made other updates to your property. If needed, you can also reduce your coverage, though always ensure you are adequately protected.

What Home Insurance Doesn’t Cover
It’s just as important to know what your homeowners insurance doesn’t cover as it is to know what your home policy does cover. For starters, your policy does not cover any damage or repairs costing less than your deductible. It also does not cover any costs that exceed the coverage limits outlined in your policy. You are solely responsible for excess costs, unless you have an umbrella policy to provide additional liability coverage for a covered loss.
More than likely, your policy also does not cover routine maintenance and repairs, as well as damage due to animals, termites, floods, earthquakes, sinkholes, sewer backups, and other incidents. These are often considered non-covered losses. If you experience a non-covered loss, as outlined by your policy, you will be responsible for the costs.

What Home Insurance May Cover
Outside of the typical home insurance coverage, optional or separate coverage may be available from your carrier or from a different carrier. For example, you may be able to purchase earthquake or flood coverage separate from your homeowners policy.

Other coverage options are add-ons to your existing homeowners insurance. These can include identity protection and equipment breakdown coverage, which covers the cost to repair or replace a range of appliances and other equipment, such as pool equipment, in your home. If this sounds similar to an extended appliance warranty, it is. The difference is that you can insure an array of appliances at once through this optional coverage rather than purchasing a separate warranty for each one.

This guide is a starting point for understanding your home insurance policy. Your own policy may vary greatly from the descriptions above depending on the state where you live, your carrier, and the coverage you have selected. So take a close look at your policy by reviewing your documents or viewing your coverage online. Or, even better, sit down with one of our insurance agents who can explain your coverage in detail, as well as discuss whether your policy provides adequate protection for your home, property, and belongings.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
38 Comments

prepare for warmer weather with these home maintenance tips

4/10/2019

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“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”

That’s a quote from author Hal Borland — but another favorite saying might be even more appropriate for this time of year: “Be prepared.”

After all, warmer weather brings plenty of risk to go with its beauty. If you aren’t ready, you could find yourself with more spring cleaning than you bargained for after heavy rains, hailstorms, and other hazards.

Here are five things you can do to get yourself and your property all set for the season.
  1. Give your home’s exterior a check-up. This includes your roof, gutters, downspouts, and even your paint. Look for shingles that have come loose, or spots where any have blown away. You’ll want to get those fixed as soon as possible, before moisture starts getting in. Gutters and downspouts should be clear of debris, and if winter weather has worn your home’s paint down in spots, touch it up because exposed wood can lead to rot. Don’t forget your windows, either. Give them a good cleaning, and while you’re at it, make sure the screens are intact and the seals are still solid.
  2. Prepare for extreme weather. The maintenance tips above will help with that, but it’s important for you and your family to be as ready as your home. Make sure you have an emergency survival kit and a disaster plan so everyone knows what to do when something unexpected happens. Learn about what to do both before and after heavy rains, hail, flooding, and tornadoes whether you think you’re at risk or not.
  3. Get your outdoor appliances and tools ready. Now is the time to get your air conditioner serviced, so it’s operating perfectly when the weather heats up and you really need it. It’s a good idea to clean out the grill, too. Take care to check for cracked or leaky lines if you cook with gas. A little love now will go a long way in the coming months for yard tools like lawnmowers and hedge trimmers.
  4. Don’t forget your home’s interior — including the attic. Yes, spring is the time when everybody vows to clean out the junk and get organized. If that’s on your list, good for you. At the very least, you should check on a few things inside, even if you aren’t tackling a deep clean. Look in the attic for any issues, such as moisture or signs of wildlife who got in to escape the winter cold. Clean up any droppings and seal up any openings. Around the rest of the house, see if you’ve got air leaks, which can drive up your energy bills. And don’t forget to change your smoke-detector batteries when the clocks spring forward!
  5. Make this the year you do a home inventory. You’re taking steps to protect your home, which also helps to protect all of the stuff inside it. But what if something happened and you lost everything? Would you remember everything you had? Spring is the perfect time to do a home inventory — while that doesn’t protect your stuff, it does make replacing your possessions a whole lot easier after a disaster. If you’re handling spring-cleaning duties, take some time to jot down some notes and take pictures of your stuff. If you’re not quite in spring-cleaning mode, try starting an inventory anyway; you just might be inspired to get organized!

To learn more, check out Safeco Insurance®.
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want a safer home? consider these inexpensive fixes

3/29/2019

1 Comment

 
Home improvement: It’s a never-ending process for many people, and for those of us who aren’t necessarily handy, it can be a hassle, too.

But there are plenty of simple maintenance tasks and other improvements you can handle to make your home safer – whether you’re handy or not. And you won’t have to break out the power tools (or any tools at all in some instances) or worry about getting in over your head.

Water Works
You need running water in your home – but not water running in your home, if you know what we mean. Even minor leaks can cause major problems, from higher water bills to damage requiring costly repairs (maybe even the kind you can’t tackle yourself). Here are some easy ways to make sure your water stays where it should:
  • Check your appliances. They’re the most common source of water leaks in homes, so it’s worth taking a look at least once a year to check for problems. And the hoses that come with your washer and dishwasher can mean big trouble – they break down over time. Look for kinks and cracks, and replace if needed. Consider using reinforced hoses, too; those with steel braiding or mesh won’t hold up forever, but they’re stronger than rubber or plastic.
  • Watch the pressure. Water pressure that is set too high can cause pipes, hoses and water lines to leak or burst. Inexpensive gauges are available at home-improvement stores to test your pressure.
  • Consider installing water sensors. These can alert you to a leak or other problem soon after it occurs – some can even send messages to your smartphone.

​Keep Your Family (and Your Guests) On Their Feet
Millions of Americans – many of them older adults – are injured in falls each year. About 2.5 million were hurt in 2013 alone, according to the National Safety Council and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Look around your home. Should you make some of these fixes?
  • Reduce clutter. Everything from small pieces of furniture to area rugs can pose a hazard, so make sure they’re in appropriate places and out of the way if possible.
  • Add stability to stairs. Make sure stairways have sturdy rails, and maybe even non-slip strips, particularly outdoors.
  • Let there be light. It’s hard to walk safely when you can’t see obstacles or potential trouble spots. Make sure your home is well-lit, and don’t forget night lights, too.

Give Everyone Some Air
Pollution isn’t just an outside thing – the air in your home can be unhealthy, too. But helping people breathe a little easier isn’t hard when you follow these steps:
  • Test the air (and your detectors). Make sure you have working carbon-monoxide and smoke detectors and test them regularly. Also, consider testing your home for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can be dangerous over time.
  • Check your filters and ducts. Keeping your furnace filter and air ducts clean will keep your air cleaner as well. And consider adding some of nature’s air filters: plants.
  • Keep your home clean. Dust doesn’t just build up on the furniture – it ends up in the air as well. Regular cleaning means cleaner air (just be sure to use safe products).

Home improvement doesn’t have to mean a kitchen remodel or finishing the basement. Making your home safer, in fact, just might be the best improvement of all.

Reposted with permission from the original author, Safeco Insurance®.
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