Preventing Freezing Pipes

Preventing Frozen Pipes

The need to prevent the pipes in your home from freezing has more to do with the aftermath than the actual freezing of the water in the pipes. We’ve compiled some great tips below to help you to avoid not only the mess and damage of pipe-related issues, but also the expensive issues that follow.

Why are frozen pipes a problem?

Let’s start with the science of water. What happens when you combine water and freezing temperatures? Water freezes. But, water also expands as it freezes. In the case of the pipes in your home, freezing temperatures force the existing water to expand, even if it means breaking the pipe. Regardless of the strength of the pipe or container, you can’t beat science.

When you’re looking around your own home to diagnose which areas are susceptible to frozen pipes, notice the locations exposed to the cold, like outdoor lines, sprinkler lines, unheated areas inside the home, like garages, basements, crawl spaces, kitchen cabinets & attics.

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Is you home covered from termite damage with a homeowners insurance policy?

Are termites covered in my homeowners policy?

If you found this article, then chances are you’re looking to know whether or not termite damage is covered by your homeowner’s policy.

Did you know that a silent destructive force could be slowly taking your home apart bit by bit? It sounds like the making of a bad science fiction movie, right? In reality, we are talking about termites.

Here’s a not-so-fun fact: Did you know that every year, termites are responsible for $1-2 billion in property damage in the United States?

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Learn from the tragedy that hit in Louisiana and protect your home with flood insurance

Learn these lessons from Louisiana homeowners without flood insurance

Sample Scenario: The home you bought because of the location and because it wasn’t in a high-risk flood zone, is suddenly deluged with 5+ feet of water. What would you do?

That is exactly what happened to homeowners and renters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana earlier this year. Homeowners were left scratching their heads on how this could happen. Apparently, Mother Nature doesn’t recognize “low and moderate flood risk” zones that realtors & insurance companies use.

For those of our readers in hurricane-prone areas like South Carolina, North Carolina or Texas, read closely.

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Texas Storms Increase Home Insurance

2016 North Texas Storms Raise Homeowners Rates

Hold onto your hats – Your home insurance rates will likely be going up after a year of destructive North Texas storms.

Before you think you are safe because you haven’t made a claim in the last year… STOP! You can still expect a phone call any day or a letter in your mailbox.

That is right. Even though your home wasn’t impacted by a tornado or hail storm this year, your rates will be increasing.

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Credit Score Insurance

What does my credit score have to do with my home insurance?

You might be wondering what your credit score has to do with your home insurance premiums.

You call for a home insurance quote and your agent tells you they need your social security number to pull a credit check on you. Why? Believe it or not, all insurance companies perform credit checks now.

You may be asking, why should I have to give up my social security number? What is the connection?

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Fire pits and home insurance

Are fire pits covered by my homeowner’s insurance policy?

There is something nostalgic about sitting around a fire with friends and family toasting marshmallows and eating s’mores! In fact, some of your fondest memories may come from sitting around a fire.

It is no wonder then that fire pits have become very popular in recent years.

This fact raises a few questions:

  • Is my outdoor fire pit covered by my home insurance policy?
  • Does it matter what kind of fire pit I have?

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solar panels

Will home insurance cover my solar panels?

Here’s a sample scenario: Imagine you just invested $30,000 in a solar panel system for your home. After all, who doesn’t like benefits like these:

But, what about high winds and hurricanes that can rip the roof off your home, taking your solar panels with it? Whether you live off the coast of Florida, Texas, North Carolina, or Georgia, you know what we’re talking about. 150 mph winds can RIP and WRENCH a solar system off of a roof off in moments. Then, when the winds subside and the dust settles, you are then left with the question: Will my home insurance cover my solar panel system?

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Ceiling Fan Save Energy Cost

Save on Energy Costs This Winter

Winter officially begins in just over a month, but winter weather is already here! With temperates in the 40s the last few days, you’ve probably already started turning on the heater, pulling out the blankets and dreading the increase in your upcoming energy bills.

By reducing your energy use this winter, you can, in turn, lower your energy bills

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Tornadoes and Hailstorms

Tornadoes and hailstorms: Will your home be protected?

Part 2: Tornadoes and hailstorms

In our last article, we addressed the question “Will my home be protected from hurricanes? In that article, we discussed hurricanes and the lessons that will prevent us from suffering an unnecessary loss. In today’s discussion, we will address tornadoes and hailstorms.

Quick question before we begin: Do you think that you will be protected with your current home insurance policy in the case of a tornado or hail storm? Let’s find out together:

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