Manage Construction Risks with These Tips

Construction Risk Management Tips

Improve the construction site and safety with these simple steps.

As part of a construction crew, you do everything you can to ensure your work is completed on time and to standard. Even so, the costs and hurdles that many construction teams face are ever-changing. New materials and techniques enter the market, while codes and other requirements require every team to be on their toes with regulations.

Despite your best efforts, sometimes you can end up the target of a construction defect claim. When something goes wrong, understanding what happened and why it happened can make or break your business.

To best manage construction defect risks, use these defenses:

Know your codes – Keep up to date with current regulations and standards, including building codes, industry advisories, and the best practices.

Understand the products you use – Follow manufacturer guidelines, study product warranties, and expiration dates, too. Always know the limitations of every material and system, and don’t risk it if you can help it.

Choose the right subcontractors – Pre-qualify subcontractors to help ensure each has the proper credentials, experience, and skills to deliver the high standard of work that you aim to produce.

Transfer risk if necessary – Always rely on your legal counsel and risk advisors to help ensure that contracts protect you against errors and limit your obligations.

Document and record everything – Build a solid record of every step in the construction process to help defend against claims of poor workmanship. Always back up these documents digitally and store them somewhere safe.

For the protection that you need, visit All Nevada Insurance and secure the right commercial insurance to suit your needs. Visit us in Las Vegas, Nevada today!

Home Insurance Checklist for New Homeowners

Home Insurance Checklist for New Homeowners

The homeowners insurance checklist that new homeowners need.

Are you in the process of purchasing a home? Perhaps you’re still browsing through potential homes or considering whether to take the plunge. Whatever the case, there are many considerations when looking at real estate. An important and often overlooked factor is homeowners insurance. You’ll need to pay for homeowners insurance for as long as you own it, so why not do some researching before purchasing a policy?

Use these important tips to help make selecting the right one for you easy!

Perfect your credit score. Insurers will look at your credit score when deciding whether to sell you insurance and at what rate. Check your report to see if there are any mistakes or anomalies that you need to correct.

Know what coverage you need. Aim to buy enough coverage to replace your home if it’s destroyed. Talk to your insurance agent to determine how much coverage you need.

Gather information. You’ll need to know specific features about the house: the square footage, number of bathrooms, materials used for the roof and exterior walls, age and condition of the house, and condition of the decks and garages. This will help to determine how much you’ll need to pay for coverage.

Take a detailed inventory. Record and note your belongings around your home so that you have an inventory handy, should you need to file a claim in the event of a loss. Expensive items such as jewelry, art, and musical instruments may require additional coverage.

Get the house inspected. You’ll need to have the house properly inspected in order to get your mortgage approved. The inspector will check everything from the general condition of the home to potential problems to the pumping and electrical systems.

Consider additional risks. Homeowners policies typically cover the outbuildings, personal property, liability protection, and additional living expenses. Frequently, flood, hurricane, and earthquake protection must be purchased separately. Assess your risk for these disasters and buy additional protection as needed.

Call our insurance professionals. The team at All Nevada Insurance is here to help you secure the right homeowners insurance for your new home! Visit us in Las Vegas, Nevada to get started today.

How to Keep Up Your Exercise Routine During Winter

Keep Up Your Exercise Routine During Winter

Stay fit by keeping up your exercise routine during winter.

It’s cold, it’s dark – all you want to do is hit snooze and stay warm and cozy in bed until you absolutely have to get up for work. Even though the mornings can seem rough throughout this time of year, it’s important to maintain your exercise routine during winter. Thankfully, it’s not impossible to get the motivation that you need to bound out of bed, ready for your workout.

Get yourself pumped up to exercise.

It’s easy to get into winter hibernation mode, and that usually means that the hardest part about exercising in winter is getting the ambition to do it. After all, you’re wearing three layers, who will notice if you put on a few pounds? Exercising is important for your overall health, as well as your mental state of mind, and relieving stress. Over the winter, it’s a good time to set a realistic goal of what you want to achieve. Whether it’s to lose two pounds or lift a certain weight, you’ll feel more inclined to get up and workout if you’re working towards a goal.

Dress warmly and go outside anyway.

The cold weather shouldn’t deter you from your daily workout. Even if you can’t hit the roads in your shorts and tank top, like you would in the summer, exercising outdoors is still entirely possible in the winter. Add a few warm layers, a lightweight, waterproof jacket, stay hydrated and stay visible. Keep moving to stay warm – the cooler weather may actually improve your workout!

Find winter-friendly alternatives.

Exercising outside in the winter months isn’t always an option for everyone. In this case, it means you should find a workout that you can do indoors or a winter activity that counts as exercising. Whether you hit the gym, turn on a workout video at home, or go swimming at your local sports center, find something that keeps you active!

While you focus on staying warm and fit during winter, let the professionals at All Nevada Insurance secure a reliable insurance policy to suit your needs and budget in Las Vegas, Nevada.

New Year’s Day Activities for the Whole Family

New Year’s Day Activities

Start 2017 with family and fun with these New Year’s Day activities.

Welcome to 2017! As always, the New Year brings 365 days of opportunities, adventures, and fun! Whether your head is banging from last night or your whole family is up bright and early at 8:00 a.m., use today as a chance to spend some quality time with the family doing something fun. To start 2017 on the right foot, celebrate January 1st with these New Year’s Day activities.

Take a walk – Now is the perfect time to get outside in the fresh air and take a walk with your family. Hike the local trails, head down to your nearest park, or simply take a stroll around the neighborhood for some much-needed movement and exercise after the indulgent season.

Craft – Whether you want to make dream catchers, thank you cards, or a scrapbook, spend some time slowing down with your family. Working on a craft is one easy way to spend time together, make memories, and put together a one-of-a-kind project.

Clear out – After the gift-giving season, it’s time to clear the clutter from the house and find a home for all of your new gifts. Dedicate this afternoon to tidying up your house with your family. While it’s not the most thrilling activity in the world, it sure breathes life into your home and helps you to relax.

Un-decorate – Now that the holiday season is truly over (sad face), it’s time to take down the decorations. Use today to take the ornaments off the tree and pack away everything until next year.

Make resolutions – Sit down and discuss what goals and resolutions you can make, individually and as a family. Once you’re finished, hang them up on the fridge so that everyone sees them every morning. If it’s something specific, set a date to complete it – this is a good way to get the kids on their best behavior.

Play games – If you’re indoors and need some entertaining ideas to occupy the family, crack out board games and card games.

For the protection that you need to keep you and your family safe, review your insurance policies. With the right coverage, you can feel rest assured that the right defenses are in your field. Contact the professionals at All Nevada Insurance for all of your insurance needs in Las Vegas, Nevada.

New Year, New Smarter Insurance Resolutions

Insurance Resolutions

Next year, make your insurance plans work for you!

The impending New Year is a time when many people pledge to lose weight, save more money, and be more organized. However, mid-year (or mid-January, depending on how strong-minded you are), exercise equipment gathers dust and bank savings are depleted. These are familiar signs of the way New Year’s resolutions are quickly abandoned.

There are a few resolutions that you’ll not only want to make but be prudent about, all revolving around insurance! Maintaining insurance policies suited for you allow you to save money, be protected, and have peace of mind.

To make 2017 your best year yet, here are some New Year’s resolutions to help you fine-tune your insurance policies:

See if you’re eligible for discounts
Premiums are calculated on the level of risk an insurance company must take to provide you with coverage, but there are steps you may be able to take to reduce those risks. For example, even the simple task of installing burglar alarms in your home means that your house is better equipped for breaking and entering, thus lowering your homeowners insurance premium. Also, if you have teenage drivers who are in school, they may qualify for a Good Student Discount on their car insurance.

Update your home inventory list
A comprehensive home inventory catalog allows your home and belongings to be recovered, rebuilt, and replaced after a loss. Therefore, a full home inventory can help you replace your belongings after a loss, and accurate records make it less likely that there will be a dispute between you and your homeowners insurance company during the claims process.

Repair gaps in coverage
One of the quickest ways to make your heart sink is to file a claim after a loss, then find out that you don’t have the right coverage. Certain high-value items exceed homeowners insurance coverage. This means that if damage or loss occurs, you would be left footing the bill. To cover your items, you should ensure that their value doesn’t exceed the monetary limit on your homeowners insurance policy or add additional insurance.

A New Year is a new start and a time to start over. Committing yourself to these resolutions can help provide you with peace of mind, protection, and save you money! To get started in securing the right insurance policies for your New Year ahead, visit the Las Vegas professionals, All Nevada Insurance today.

Whip Up These Holiday Cookies for Your Holiday!

Holiday Cookie Recipe

Whether it’s the reindeer or Santa who gets to enjoy them, these festive cookies are a treat!

Holiday cookies are a quintessential part of childhood memories and a tradition that never gets old during this time of year! Along with that, a big batch is also set-aside for Santa Claus, the night before Christmas.

To make your holiday cookies some of the best yet, choose to make these soft and chewy gingerbread cookies!

Ingredients

  • 2 cups gluten-free all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • ½ tsp. sea salt
  • ½ tsp. nutmeg, ground
  • ½ tsp. cloves, ground
  • 1 tsp. cinnamon, ground
  • 1 tsp. ginger, ground
  • ¼ cup sunflower oil
  • ¾ cup cane sugar
  • ¼ cup molasses
  • ¼ cup almond milk

Preparation

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together gluten-free flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, and ginger. Set aside.
  2. In another large bowl, beat sunflower oil and sugar together for 2 minutes.
  3. To the oil/sugar mixture, add the molasses and almond milk. Continue to mix for 1 minute.
  4. Add the dry ingredients, about 1/3 at a time until stiff dough is formed.
  5. Make the dough into a disk shape, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours, or overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  7. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  8. Using a melon baller or about 1/2 ~ 3/4 Tbsp. of dough, roll dough into balls of approximately equal size and slightly flatten into a disk shape. Place onto the baking sheet spaced 2 inches apart.

For the best treat for Santa (and his helpers!), add a tall glass of almond milk.

From the professionals at All Nevada Insurance, we wish you a happy holiday! To secure all of your insurance needs for the New Year, give us a call in Las Vegas, Nevada today.

Life Insurance Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing a Policy

Life Insurance Mistakes

Are you in the market for life insurance? Don’t make these mistakes.

Life insurance exists to protect and provide for your family in the event of your death. Life insurance can be complicated, but that is no reason not to persevere to find the right policy. As there are different options of coverage available, there are some common misconceptions about purchasing life insurance policies. This can quickly lead to people being underinsured, having the wrong coverage, and experiencing a decline in living standards.

Eager to avoid frequent mistakes? Read on.

Not Buying Enough Coverage

Many people are unsure of how much life insurance is sufficient to protect the ones they leave behind. Many studies show that U.S. households are underinsured, making it essential to pair with a reliable insurance agent to ensure quality coverage. When filling out a life insurance policy application and determining how much life insurance you need to purchase, consider buying enough to cover the burial, remaining debt, children’s care and education, mortgage payments, and retirement security.

Lying on Your Application

Generally, those with better health have lower insurance premiums. While it’s tempting to make yourself out to be someone in ideal health for the opportunity to save money, it will soon backfire. You often need a physical exam before an insurance company provides you with insurance, so it’s best to tell the truth now before getting caught out later on.

Forgetting to Review or Update the Policy

A life insurance policy should not be written and forgotten until a tragic event. Many life events warrant a review of life insurance – so be sure to perform an annual review and update as needed!

Are you ready to get started with the right policy to suit your needs and budget? Contact the professionals at All Nevada Insurance to secure your Las Vegas, Nevada life insurance today!

Everything You Need to Know About Smoke Alarms

Smoke Alarms Home Insurance

Stumped about smoke alarms? Here’s what you need to know.

There are many things that homeowners do to protect the house. In addition to locking the doors every night to cleaning out the gutters every fall, installing and maintaining smoke alarms plays a significant role in home safety.

There are many different features of a fire alarm that can make it tricky to choose the right one. Here’s what you need to know!

Power

Smoke alarms can be battery operated, electrically powered, or both. You can install an alarm that runs on electricity, but you should have a battery backup just in case of power outages.

Location

You should install smoke alarms on every floor of your home, especially outside of sleeping areas. Smoke rises, so it’s best to install them on the ceilings, otherwise, as high up on the wall as possible. Avoid putting alarms too close to bathrooms and kitchen appliances that produce steam and small amounts of smoke.

Testing

You need to check smoke detectors monthly by pressing the ‘test’ button to make sure they still work. If they don’t, change the battery and test it again. If it’s still not working, it may be time to replace your alarm.

Batteries

Change batteries at least once a year, or whenever the low-battery warning goes off. Don’t take the batteries out of your detector to use elsewhere. If a fire occurs, without that alarm, you and your family may not have enough time to escape!

To best protect your home from financial ruin and damage, secure the right homeowners insurance policy today! Visit All Nevada Insurance, serving Las Vegas, Nevada with quality insurance coverage today.

Common Car Seat Questions – Answered!

Car Seat Auto Insurnace

What you need to know about car seat safety.

New parents have a lot on their mind. With new responsibilities and tasks that come with newfound parenthood, some of us feel completely overwhelmed when it comes to the important things, such as car seat selection, installation, and proper usage. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone in this instance.

To cover what you need to know about car seat queries, we’ve compiled a list of common car seat questions, along with the answers!

Where is the safest place to install a car seat?

Typically, the center rear seat is the safest place for a car seat. If possible, use the lower anchors and tethers to attach the car seat. If your car doesn’t have a latch connector for a middle seat, you can use the middle seat belt to secure the base properly. When installing, press down firmly on the car seat base and tighten the belt to ensure that it does not move more than an inch from side to side.

How can I be sure that my child is secure?

It’s important to keep the harness snug around your baby when in the vehicle. You can perform the ‘pinch test’ to determine if you’ve tightened it enough: if you can pinch the harness straps at the shoulder and can gather material, it’s too loose. Make sure to cinch it down.

How long can I keep a car seat?

Believe it or not, but car seats expire. This is a particularly good reason not to hang onto a car seat for too long. Similarly, it’s a compelling reason not to buy a second-hand car seat. Check the expiration date to confirm that the seat is safe for your child. You can typically find this date on the back or the side of the car seat.

With a brand new bundle of joy comes new responsibilities and priorities. To ensure that your insurance policies cover your loved ones, assets, and finances, contact the team at All Nevada Insurance. We serve Las Vegas, Nevada with the quality coverage that you need and deserve.

Safe Driving Tips for Winter Roads

Winter Driving Safety

Adverse weather, dark days, and cooler weather – handle driving through it all with these safety tips.

Driving in the winter is very different than in other times of the year. The weather and reduced visibility make it much harder for the motorist to commute without any trouble. Sometimes conditions can be extreme, as we have found over the recent winters. Because of this, we need to adapt the way we drive and how we maintain our vehicles.

Read on for the essential safety tips for this year’s winter roads!

Prepare Your Vehicle

It’s a good idea to have your vehicle fully serviced before winter starts and have the antifreeze tested. If you can’t have it serviced, do your own checks.

  • Make sure the lights are clean and in working condition.
  • Charge the battery if necessary.
  • Check that the tires’ tread and pressure are in good condition.
  • Be sure that the brakes are working well.
  • Test the windscreen wiper blades.
  • Top up fluids, such as antifreeze, oil, and windscreen wash.

Driving in Winter Weather

If you find yourself driving in hazardous weather, adapt your driving with these tips:

  • Reduce your speed. The chances of you skidding are much greater and your stopping distance increases dramatically when you speed.
  • Only travel at a speed at which you can stop promptly. Speed limits are the maximum in ideal conditions. In difficult conditions, they can often be too high to travel.
  • Avoid hard braking and acceleration, or sharp steering.
  • Road surfaces may be wet. Take care when driving after it has rained, as oil can lie on the surface.
  • Use your headlights during dusk and dawn to see and be seen by other vehicles on the road.

Don’t wait until you have a seasonal disaster to find out that your auto insurance coverage doesn’t cover the incident. Talk to the professionals at All Nevada Insurance to secure a reliable policy to suit your needs and budget.