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Even if you are excited to be moving to a new home, to a different state or country, or to start a new job, moving signals significant change and can cause anxiety for many of us. Moving can be especially overwhelming if you wait until the last minute. This day-by-day guide and checklist can help you pare down, prioritize and pack your possessions. Keep in mind, these tips are simply suggestions to help you prepare to make your move. Be sure to call your insurance company to discuss any changes that might be needed to your policies. Click here to download the printable moving checklist.
When purchasing an auto policy, it’s important to understand the factors that affect your policy costs and coverage. Unfortunately, there's a lot of bad information that passes for "common wisdom"—here, we separate myth from facts about car insurance.
Myth 1 – Color determines the price of auto insurance
It doesn't matter whether your car is “Arrest Me Red” or “Hide In Plain Sight White”—the color doesn’t actually factor into your auto insurance costs. The price of your auto policy is based on many factors, such as car make, model, body type, engine size, and the age of the vehicle, as well as the car’s sticker price, the cost to repair it, its overall safety record, and the likelihood of theft. Insurers also take into account the age, driving record, and sometimes the credit history of the driver.
Myth 2 – Your credit has no effect on your insurance rate
Your credit-based insurance score—which is derived from your credit history—may matter. A good credit score demonstrates how well you manage your financial affairs and has been shown to be a good predictor of whether someone is more likely to file an insurance claim so many insurance companies take it into consideration when you want to purchase, change or renew your auto insurance coverage. People with good credit—and, therefore good insurance scores—often end up paying less for insurance.
How to Help Prevent Water Damage From Frozen Pipes
- Locate and close the main water shutoff valve as soon as possible and before temperatures rise above freezing.
- Inspect pipes for damage, including those in attics and crawl spaces, where it is safe to do so.
- As temperatures increase above freezing, watch and listen for signs of water leaks.
- If a pipe is leaking, do not turn on the water. Open all faucets including those outside to drain remaining water from pipes and call a licensed plumber for repairs.
- If no leaks are detected, turn water back on slowly. Continue to check for leaks before turning water on completely.
- Never use torches or heat guns to facilitate thawing as these can create fire hazards.
Read more: How To Help Prevent Water Damage From Frozen Pipes
Congratulations! After weeks of research, comparing makes and models, and taking test drives you finally bought that brand-new car you wanted. But before you take that well-deserved road trip, check one more item off your list: the right car insurance.
While some auto coverage options are essential whatever the age of your car, new vehicles may carry some additional risks you should know about. So before leaving the lot, give us a quick call to discuss the possible coverage options:
Read more: You Just Bought a New Car... What Insurance Coverage Do You Need?
If you're planning a home renovation, you may want to call your insurance agent first because this decision can impact your homeowners insurance. Some home renovations will change the amount of coverage you need, while others could even help you qualify for a discount. We cover six common scenarios that could affect your insurance, so you can plan ahead.
1. Building a New Addition
When you expand and improve your home, you could likely increase its replacement value. This is the cost to repair or rebuild your home. Some additions that could increase your replacement value include: adding a second-story bedroom, expanding the living room or building a new garage.
Read more: Home Renovations that May Affect Your Homeowners Insurance