Home Insurance

Why to Update Your Home Inventory This Spring

Posted on by TheSph3r3
Why to Update Your Home Inventory This Spring

Should you take the time to do a home inventory?

Whether you live in a condo, townhouse, apartment, or house, you have spent time and money getting the furnishings, artwork, appliances, and electronics just right. Any damage, theft, or loss of these items should be covered under your homeowners or renters insurance policy. But how will you know what you’ve lost? Will you remember the purchase price or appraised value? A home inventory can help to list your belongings and their value so you know what and how much you’ve lost.

Spring is a season of cleaning and getting the home ready for the warmer days ahead. While you’re wiping away the cobwebs from winter, why not add creating a home inventory to your list? Working on cleaning projects on the interior and exterior of your house makes for a great opportunity to make or update your home inventory list.

Here are some simple home inventory basics:

  • Where: Home inventory lists can be kept on computers, in notebooks, or on online databases. If you decide to store your inventory digitally, it’s a good idea to keep a hard copy of it in a fireproof safe, or a location away from the house.
  • Organize inventory based on rooms: Keep lists for the kitchen, bedrooms, media rooms, living room, game room, etc. until you’ve covered your house. Breaking up the inventory by room can make the task less daunting and can help you to manage the lists when you add or sell items.
  • Take photos: A great way to record your belongings is to photograph them. This helps to document their condition and serial numbers/ID numbers, so that they are clear and cannot be written down incorrectly.
  • Include appraisals and receipts: Especially for valuable items! Large-ticket items such as jewelry and antiques may require additional coverage on your homeowners insurance policy. Many companies will require an appraisal and photos to be included with policy information.

This spring, ensure that your belongings are up to date and correct on your home inventory and your insurance carrier will do the rest. Contact All Nevada Insurance to get started on the right homeowners insurance policy to suit your needs, budget, and belongings!

Surprising Things Your Homeowners Insurance Covers

Posted on by TheSph3r3
Surprising Things Your Homeowners Insurance Covers

What you didn’t know home insurance could cover.

Homeowners insurance is designed to protect your home and personal property. But even those homeowners who have quality insurance and have (luckily) never filed a claim didn’t know that home insurance can do more than just that. Check out these lesser-known situations that homeowners can cover.

Medical bills for guests injured on your property. One of the major perks of homeownership is being able to have plenty of people over. However, entertaining company can have its own pitfalls including guests tripping, falling, and injuring themselves. Home insurance can help with medical expenses if a guest gets hurt while on your property (even if it was entirely due to their clumsiness).

Your trees, plants, and grass. If someone drives through your front lawn and damages your yard, your home insurance can help you to replace your trees, flowers, plants, and grass. While every coverage has its limit, this additional aid can help you restore your garden to its full glory.

Your college student’s property. If your dependent child is at college full time and living on campus, it’s likely that they took expensive belongings with them, such as a computer, tablet, TV, and smartphone. Luckily, if someone steals your child’s laptop or a fire damages his or her dorm room, your home insurer will help to repair or replace their items. If your child is living off campus in an apartment, it’s a good idea to secure renter’s insurance since homeowners insurance won’t cover their belongings in that case.

For reliable homeowners insurance, visit the professionals at All Nevada Insurance. We serve Las Vegas, Henderson, and neighboring cities in Nevada!

Check These Things as You Apartment Hunt

Posted on by TheSph3r3
Check These Things as You Apartment Hunt

Apartment hunting? Here’s what to consider when renting.

Whether it’s your first rental experience or your last, finding the perfect apartment that fits both your lifestyle and budget isn’t always easy. Thankfully, we’re here to help. Before you sign a lease on the first apartment you see, keep these considerations in mind.

The Price

First and foremost, can you reasonably afford to live here? Consider your budget before you begin apartment hunting to save yourself some heartache. You may need to find a roommate to help cover costs. Keep in mind that if an apartment’s rent is much lower than other rentals in the area, this is going to be a big red flag.

The Quality

Don’t trust those pretty pictures you see online. Before you rent an apartment, always view it first! Keep in mind that cosmetic issues, such as broken blinds, can be easily fixed. As you peruse the apartment, look for health and safety issues, such as insects, rodents, leaking faucets, water damage, dirty air filters, mold, and rust.

The Neighbors

When you have the opportunity, introduce yourself to your potential neighbors and ask them a few basic questions about what it’s like to live there. This can be especially helpful if you’re considering an apartment that’s in a building as opposed to renting a house. You may find you get honest answers from neighbors that conflict with what the landlord says.

The Neighborhood

Walk around the neighborhood to get a sense of the community. Better yet, drive through the area during rush hour if you will be commuting by car. This will help you get a better idea of what the traffic is like and how that will impact your daily life.

Your new apartment needs the right insurance to protect it from accidents and disasters. Contact All Nevada Insurance to get started on your reliable renter’s insurance policy today.

Are There Gaps in Your Home Insurance?

Posted on by TheSph3r3
Are There Gaps in Your Home Insurance?

Is your homeowners insurance lacking coverage?

Every homeowner wants to believe that their standard home insurance policy protects them from every peril. If you’re like most Americans, you probably don’t realize that your homeowners insurance is lacking coverage. In fact, many policyholders are unaware of the ins and outs of their policies, which means they could easily end up paying a lot more money than they expected after damage to the home.

Below are common gaps in homeowners insurance that you should tend to immediately.

Flood and Earthquake Insurance

Even if your policy states that ‘all perils’ are covered, most policies carve out many exceptions or exclusions to this general provision. Damage caused by floods and hurricanes are rarely covered under a standard home policy. The aftermath of these events can be devastating, which is why obtaining coverage is so important. These policies can be purchased separately, protecting your home from each disaster.

Upgrades to the Property

If you’ve recently incorporated some home additions, you’ll want to talk to your insurer. If you update the home and therefore improve the value of the property, your homeowners insurance coverage will need to reflect the new value. If you don’t, you may only be covered to rebuild your home before your upgrades.

Home-Based Business

Many people don’t think twice about working from home. However, if you’re an entrepreneur working out of your home, you may not realize that some business exposures can be specifically excluded from your homeowners insurance – especially those related to customer traffic on premises. A business insurance policy may be needed to cover your equipment and liability risks.

For reliable homeowners insurance, visit the professionals at All Nevada Insurance. We serve Las Vegas, Henderson, and neighboring cities on Nevada!

Commonly Stolen Home Possessions

Posted on by TheSph3r3
Commonly Stolen Home Possessions

Stay one step ahead of burglars by understanding what they are likely to target.

Studies repeatedly show that burglars typically spend no more than one minute breaking into a home and fewer than ten minutes inside. Burglars often look for a window of opportunity and jump at the chance of a quick and easy job. While it’s important to keep your doors locked and your security alarms operating, knowing which items are most likely to be among a burglar’s loot can help to protect your belongings.

Cash

Unsurprisingly, an overwhelming among of burglars abide by the ‘cash is king’ idea. While more consumers are reaching for a debit or credit card to make purchases, many Americans continue to carry cash. Cold, hard cash is virtually untraceable and easy to exchange for goods, which makes it a prime target in a home burglary.

Jewelry

From pearl earrings to 14 karat gold watches, jewelry is one of the easiest things to sell to a pawn shop. Thieves take advantage of this situation by grabbing jewelry or even jewels if they can find some. Be sure to leave your prized pieces hidden away instead of out on your nightstand. If a piece of jewelry is incredibly precious, consider storing it in a safety deposit box at the bank.

Electronics

With several high-tech goods lying around the average home, it’s no wonder that many burglars take electronics. Not only are they easy to grab, but they can also be sold for a very nice price. To combat this, set passcodes on all devices and hide electronics out of sight from the window.

If you’re the victim of theft, homeowners insurance can help. Ensure that your belongings are up to date and correct on your home inventory and your insurance carrier will do the rest. Contact All Nevada Insurance to get started on the right policy to suit your needs, budget, and belongings!

Safety Precautions New Homeowners Should Take

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Safety Precautions New Homeowners Should Take

Safety Tips New Homeowners Need to Know

While you’re moving to a new home, the last thing on your mind is how to protect this new property. You may, instead, be concerned with furniture placement or how to fill out your new closet. However, new homeowners have a unique risk when they enter their first property.

Change the locks. You don’t know who was given a spare key by the previous owner, and it’s best not to chance it. As soon as you have the keys in hand, call a locksmith to change the locks. You may even decide to add new safety features such as a surveillance cameras and outdoor lighting at the same time, too.

Meet the neighbors. Your neighbors can be a helpful first line of defense against home incidents. They know the area and can keep an eye on your home. When you have a moment, go around and introduce yourself to your neighbors to form good relationships.

Get to know the systems. In an emergency, do you know how to shut off your water, gas or electricity? Get to know the property so that you can respond quickly. Familiarize yourself with each system as soon as possible.

Replace the filters. The previous owner may not have changed the filters in a while if they knew they were moving soon. Go around now and change the furnace and air-conditioning filters, making sure that the ducts are clear of any dust.

Test smoke alarms. Test all the smoke detectors in your new home, refreshing the batteries if need be. If there is a carbon monoxide alarm, test that, too. If there isn’t, consider installing one.

Your new home needs the right insurance to protect it from accidents and disasters. Contact All Nevada Insurance to get started on your reliable homeowners insurance policy today.

Is Your Engagement Ring Insured?

Posted on by TheSph3r3
Is Your Engagement Ring Insured?

Insuring Valuable and Sentimental Jewelry

While insurance isn’t the most romantic topic, beyond a house and a car, an engagement ring could very well be the next big investment people make. If you take into account the famous diamond dealer’s dictum of ‘two month’s salary,’ then you know that the average engagement ring can cost a lofty couple thousand dollars.

While no one wants to consider the things that could mar the perfect happiness of getting engaged to a loved one, the thing is, anything can happen. From theft to damage from a disaster, engagement rings aren’t invincible. The best course of action is to be prepared for anything. This is why, in the midst of all the engagement excitement and happiness, you should consider purchasing insurance for your engagement ring.

Check Claim Limits

Review your current homeowners or renter’s insurance policy. Your policy documents should be able to tell you what your individual item claim limits are. Depending on your limits and how much you spent on the ring, you may need to secure additional coverage to protect it.

Get Your Ring Valued

Most people are probably unsure of what their engagement ring is worth. Don’t mistake the worth for the price tag you paid, either. Get a couple of jewelers to provide you with written quotes. This is a sensible step to take for any jewelry you own that you suspect is of considerable value, not just engagement rings.

Secure Additional Coverage

If the engagement ring is more valuable than what your insurance policy provides coverage for, you will need to raise the limits of your current policy or consider getting a rider. A rider will ensure that your ring is safely protected and that it does not exceed your current policy.

Ensure you insure that bling! To get started, contact All Nevada Insurance for a free quote.

Why to Review Your Insurance Policies at the End of the Year

Posted on by TheSph3r3
Why to Review Your Insurance Policies at the End of the Year

What to look out for when you’re reviewing your insurance policies.

The end of the year lends itself to insurance policy reviews. As well as the festivities and the parties, policyholders should carve out some time at the end of the year to review their coverage, check their limits and deductibles, and update their insurance. Fear not – this process doesn’t have to take hours of your time. We’ve created a list of what you should look out for when reviewing your policies.

Home Insurance

  • Have you remodeled your home recently? If you’ve made a major update to the property, such as getting a new kitchen or adding a master suite, update your homeowners insurance. If the value of your property increases, your insurance will need to increase to cover the whole home’s worth.
  • Now is the time to update your home inventory with all of those precious gifts that you received during the holidays! If you were gifted with precious items such as jewelry, antiques, artwork, musical instruments, and other high-value items, you might need additional coverage to protect these belongings.
  • Did you adopt a dog for the holidays? Certain dog breeds require higher liability limits.

Auto Insurance

  • Did you purchase a new vehicle this year? Consider adding on uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance, which protects your new vehicle against hit and runs, and from getting into accidents with motorists who have little or no insurance.
  • If you’ve paid off the loan on your older vehicle, it could be time to raise your deductible or drop comprehensive and collision coverage. Find out the value of your vehicle before you decide to drop coverage to ensure it’s worth it.

 Do you need help selecting personal insurance policies? Before the year is up, give All Nevada Insurance a call – Our team of experts can help you determine what policies, deductibles, limits, and premiums are right for your needs so that you can enter the New Year worry-free. Visit us today for more information.

How to Shut Off Utilities in an Emergency

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How to Shut Off Utilities in an Emergency

In case of emergency, know how to shut off utilities.

With storm season upon us, it’s important for homeowners to be prepared. In case of a disaster of any type, it may be necessary to learn how to shut off utilities to avoid further damage to your family or your home.

How to Shut Off Natural Gas

It’s wise to be familiar with the look and sound of your gas meter under everyday conditions, as this will help to determine what is unusual. Ensure that you also know where the shut-off valve is located. Because of different homes and different gas meter configurations, shut-off procedures vary. However, it is likely that you’ll need an adjustable pipe or crescent wrench to perform the task.

Contact your gas company in advance to help you determine what your home requires, along with the procedure to shut off the gas. It may be a good idea to have easy-to-read instructions somewhere near the gas meter. If you smell gas or hear a hissing noise, get everyone out of your house immediately and contact your gas company.

How to Shut Off Water

The water line that enters your home will likely have an easily recognizable shut-off value. It will typically be in the basement, on an exterior wall or near your water meter. Shut it off by turning the valve clockwise until it can’t turn anymore. If you have trouble, contact a local plumber or your area water utility for assistance. Consider labeling the water valve with a colored identification tab to ensure the right valve is clear.

 How to Shut Off Electricity

Electrical sparks have the potential of igniting natural gas if it is leaking. To shut off the electricity, locate your electrical circuit box, and flip the ‘main’ circuit breaker located inside the electrical panel (this is usually at the top).

Knowing how to locate and turn off the utilities in your home can stand you in good stead in the event of an emergency. For the right protection your home needs and deserves in the form of a homeowners insurance policy, contact All Nevada Insurance.

Home Repairs You Shouldn’t Do Yourself

Posted on by TheSph3r3
Home Repairs You Shouldn’t Do Yourself

Call in a professional for these home fixes.

Home repairs that you can do yourself save you time and money. We understand the temptation of having fiddling with the electrical wiring and bringing out the tools to make what seem like minor fixes. While there are ample reasons to tackle projects yourself, it’s important to know your own boundaries in the do-it-yourself realm. Furthermore, there are certain home repairs that even the confident DIY-er shouldn’t do!

These repairs require the help of a professional.

Redoing the Roof

After living in a home for some time, replacement roofing or siding may be necessary. Roof tiles get beaten up by the wind, sun, rain, and snow, and need to be pulled up and replaced with new ones. Even though there are many articles online about how to do this yourself, the task is best left to the professionals. The roof literally protects your family’s heads, so it’s unwise to make errors and potentially risk the chance of further damage to the property. If panels aren’t placed and mounted correctly, elements such as water and dirt can sneak between and underneath panels. Leave this work to the experts who can provide professional warranties.

Plumbing or Electrical Jobs

Repairing the plumbing and electrical systems can be serious work. Large projects and major repairs should be left to the professionals who know what to look for, how to overcome obstacles, and remain safe while doing so. Both electrical and plumbing systems can be incredibly complex, and there is a lot of room for error if left in the untrained hand. Large jobs can cause serious injuries and damage due to small mistakes from amateurs.

Natural Gas Repairs

There are several appliances that run on gas in the home, including the stove, oven, water heater, and clothes dryer. You may be tempted to move or adjust them, for example, when you need to re-tile the kitchen floor. However, gas is like water, and any error you make in the lines could result in a leak. When there’s a gas leak, there is a large fire hazard and threat to the inhabitants. For this job, it’s best to call in the professionals.

Part of keeping your home safe is securing reliable homeowners insurance. Talk to the professionals at All Nevada Insurance to secure the right homeowners insurance for your needs in Las Vegas, Nevada.