October is National Fire Prevention Month, making it an ideal time to raise awareness about fire safety at home. House fires have devastating consequences, and preparedness is critical to reducing risk. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. firefighters respond to an average of 346,800 house fires annually, resulting in over 2,500 deaths and billions in property damage. Understanding how to prevent fires...
When it comes to motorcycle safety, attention to detail is critical. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists face significantly higher risks in comparison to passengers in other vehicles. For every mile traveled, the risk of injury for motorcyclists is four times higher than that for passenger car occupants. The risk for fatality is far worse: seven times that of injury —...
The first step in determining whether a car is totaled (or, in insurance terms, a total loss) is to calculate its actual cash value (ACV) at the time of the loss. The ACV is how much your vehicle is worth after factoring in depreciation. On average, vehicles depreciate more than 20 percent in the first year and approximately 10 percent each additional year for the...
For the most part, homeowners are responsible for what falls into their own yard. So, if a storm causes your neighbor’s tree to fall in your yard, your homeowners' insurance could help cover the cost of removing the tree and remedying the damage it caused on your property after your deductible. The same is true in reverse: If a tree on your property falls in...
When a hurricane is on the way, you have to act fast. While you’re making an evacuation plan or stocking up on bottled water, the last thing you want to be thinking is, “Will my insurance cover what happens after this?” Yes, hurricanes can be devastating – personally and financially. But anxiety can keep you from being present to what matters most. We want you...