Your Guide to Fall Home Maintenance!

Fall Homeowners Insurance Las Vegas NV

Homeowners, prepare your home for the upcoming autumn season.

While the thought of fall may bring a chill to homeowners, ensuring your property is kept clear of damage in autumn weather is a task to take on now!

With Las Vegas about to face inclement and adverse weather, spare a thought for your home’s health, and add these tasks to your To Do checklist!

Exterior Maintenance 

  • Drain sprinkler systems so that the water does not freeze and burst the pipe.
  • Prune shrubs and trees.
  • Remove debris and leaves from gutters and downspouts to prevent ice damage.
  • Inspect the roof for damage or missing slates.
  • Hire a professional to examine and clean the chimney.

Interior Maintenance

  • Tune up the boiler or furnace before turning it on.
  • Caulk doors and windows that are drafty.
  • Test the batteries in your smoke and carbon dioxide alarms.
  • Hire a professional to check your heating system. These systems will use fuel more efficiently, last longer, and have fewer problems if properly serviced.
  • Change the direction of your ceiling fan to create an upward draft that redistributes warm air from the ceiling.
  • Review your homeowners’ insurance.

As you drain your faucets, don’t drain your wallet. Autumn can bring destruction on a home which can take huge expenses to repair and rebuilding. Homeowners insurance is designed to financially aid home repairs after a named peril, such as fire, theft, vandalism, hail, or a natural disaster.

So that your home is protected throughout the fall and year-round contact All Nevada Insurance today! Our insurance services can protect your home from the autumn weather approaching in Las Vegas, Nevada.

New Homeowner? Read This Safety Guide

New Homeowner Insurance Las Vegas NV

If you recently moved into a new abode, check out how to keep it safe.

Congratulations! You did it! You successfully navigated the web of paperwork, finances, and inspections and came out with the keys to your new home. The hardest feat is done, but responsible homeownership doesn’t stop there.

Before you begin unpacking and painting rooms, you’ll need to take the necessary steps to protect your dream home. This is a little bit more than locking the front door and de-weeding the front garden.

Don’t let the excitement of a new house cause you to overlook the basics of home safety! Here are the top tips that every new homeowner shouldn’t forget!

Change Your Keys

You don’t know who, or how many people, the past homeowner gave keys to. Don’t chance it – change your locks as soon as moving in to prevent these people from having easy access to your home. Also, remember to reconfigure your garage door code.

Install a Home Security System

A home security system notifies you and authorities if suspicious activity occurs, ensuring that your home is secure whether you’re home or away. With the peace of mind that your home is kept safe alone, you can focus on the task at hand.

Perform Necessary Maintenance

Inspect your property to make sure that everything works as it should. Check outside lights, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and window locks. These features all play a part of your family’s ongoing wellbeing and safety. Now is the time to fix and replace anything that is broken, damaged, or not functioning properly.

Don’t Drill Carelessly into Walls

Hanging shelves, closet systems, and artwork means drilling into your walls – but do you know what’s back there? Walls house plumbing pipes, ductwork, wires, and cables. Stud sensors can detect changings in density to sniff out studs, cables, and ducts. However, always take care when drilling into walls – even if the sensor says it’s all clear.

Secure Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance is designed to protect your home in the event of a disaster. Doesn’t your humble home need the protect it deserves? Contact All Nevada Insurance in Las Vegas, Nevada for all of your homeowner’s insurance coverages to protect your new house!

Do You Need Renter’s Insurance?

Renters Insurance Las Vegas NV

Condo, apartment, house – renter’s insurance is there to protect your belongings.

When you rent a property, you, not your landlord, are responsible for your personal belongings if they’re stolen or damaged. Renters insurance can provide financial aid if your personal property is damaged in a named peril such as fire or theft, as well as providing liability insurance if someone is injured when visiting your home.

If you’re not convinced that you need renter’s insurance, here is a breakdown of renters’ insurance basics!

Coverage
Most insurance policies cover personal belongings, such as furniture, clothing, jewelry, electronics, and appliances, but only up to your policy limits. Be sure update your inventory list of all of the personal possessions along with their estimated value. Your policy should note what losses it covers, such as theft, fire, smoke, explosions and water damage from leaky pipes.

Additional Coverage
Standard policies may limit coverage for such valuable items as jewelry, furs, coin collections, musical instruments, and expensive sporting equipment.

Liability Protection
Renters insurance typically provides liability protection that pays for both the cost of defending you in court and court awards. Note that it will only financially aid you up to the limit that is set on your insurance policy. Therefore, make sure that your limit is not too low before purchasing the policy.

Additional Members
Spouses and immediate family members of the same household will automatically be included in the policy. However, a roommate has to be specifically named in the policy to be covered.

Save Costs!
Who doesn’t want to save money on renters’ insurance? You should consider insuring your car with the same carrier as this often leads to eligibility for a multi-policy discount.

Be sure to contact All Nevada Insurance for a renter’s insurance policy that best suits you and your apartment in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Moving Home? Don’t Forget About This All-Important Expense

All Nevada Insurance Home Insurance

If your home move is on a tight budget, be sure to make room for this cost.

 

Whether you’re house hunting, thinking of selling, or already have the moving company’s number on speed-dial, it’s easy to get caught up in the midst of packing and planning. Moving home is not small feat; it requires a lot of time dedicated to perfecting your credit score, applying for the right loan, and packing up all of your belongings!

 

Before you ready the packing tape and bubble wrap, take a moment to ensure that you have the necessary homeowners insurance in place. It’s easy enough to forget but you’ll be glad that you secured this coverage when you did!

 

Moving Home
You won’t be able to obtain a mortgage without homeowners insurance covering both the property and its contents. However, the standard insurance may not cover natural disasters such as floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes. Depending on where you live, you may want to consider taking out additional insurance to cover such risks.

 

Covering Your Assets
The elements of a standard homeowners insurance policy covers:

  • Damage to the interior or exterior of your house. In the event of damage due to fire, hurricanes, lightning, vandalism or other covered disasters, your insurer will compensate you so that your house can be repaired or even completely rebuilt.
  • Loss or damage to your personal belongings. Clothing, furniture, appliances and most of the other contents of your home are covered if they’re destroyed in an insured disaster!
  • Personal liability for damage or injuries caused by you or your family. If someone sues you for a slip and fall that they suffered on your property, insurance will step in to cover the legal and lawsuit expenses.
  • Additional living expenses while your home is being rebuilt or repaired. If your home is uninhabitable for some time while it is being repaired after a peril, insurance can cover some of the expenses associated with staying in a hotel and eating in restaurants while your home is being rebuilt.

 

While homeowners insurance may not be on the top of your list for moving home, it’s essential in protecting your newfound property and loved possessions! Contact All Nevada Insurance, serving homeowners in Las Vegas and surrounding areas in Nevada.

 

Grilling Season Has Arrived: Stay Safe with These Tips!

BBQ Month: Stay Safe at The Grill with These Tips

If you’re dusting off the barbecue this spring, be sure to stay safe.

Whether you’re hosting a neighborhood cookout, family get-together, or simply enjoying the sunshine one afternoon, a barbecue should always be used with safety and caution. Burning the food and the house down is a quick recipe to ruin your day and finances!

The National Fire Protection Association recorded that gas grills have been involved in an average of 7,200 home fires per year, while charcoal and other solid-fuel grills were involved in an average of 1,400 home fires per year.

With that said, before getting the barbecue up and running, check out these safety tips:

  • Keep grills on a level surface away from the house, garage, deck, or other structures, and away from children, pets, and landscaping.
  • They shouldn’t be used on a balcony or under overhanging vines or branches.
  • Soak coals in water and let them cool before disposing of them in a metal container.
  • Remember that grills remain hot long after you are through barbecuing.
  • Do not store propane tanks indoors.
  • Keep children and pets away from the barbeque at all times.
  • Do not proceed if you notice the gas tank leaking.
  • Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.

Now that you’re on your way to safe grilling, be sure to secure your home with the reliable insurance to protect it from any loss from fire. Contact All Nevada Insurance in Las Vegas, Nevada for all of your homeowners insurance needs today.

Should I Choose An Independent Insurance Agent?

Determining The Best Person To Meet Your Needs

Whether you are just trying to get the legally required amount of auto insurance or are looking for homeowners insurance to cover every facet of your home, determining the right insurance policy can be a bit confusing. You do not want to be left with a gap in coverage, but you also do not want to pay for coverage you do not need. Fortunately, an insurance expert can help you find the right level of coverage for the right price. Here are a few ways an independent insurance agent can serve you.

  • More Options: When you go straight to a major insurance provider to get coverage, you only see the policies they offer. When you shop comparison sites online, however, you get less information about the offered policies. An independent agent can see every policy available from every provider, and will show you those that will meet your specific needs.
  • Better Prices: Similarly, because an independent agent can see all the available policies, he or she is able to shop quotes and show you which policies will maximize your savings. Also, because the agent has industry experience he or she will be able to point out every discount available to you.
  • An Ally: Your independent agent is there to help you understand your coverage and tackle any issues as they arise. Do not be left confused when filing a claim or paying for something you thought your insurance would cover. An independent insurance agent will serve as your advocate and ally.

To work with a dedicated team of independent insurance agents, contact the insurance professionals at All Nevada Insurance in Las Vegas, Nevada. We are committed to getting you the best policy at the best price. Do not be left navigating the world of insurance coverage blindly; call us today for the expert guidance you deserve!

Three Questions Every Condo Owner Should Ask

Protect Your Condo By Making These Important Inquiries

Living in a condo blends all of the beauties of owning the roof over your head and building equity in your real estate investment with the decreased maintenance concerns of knowing someone else will care for your property. Sometimes, though, that blend can lead to confusion, especially when it comes to condo insurance. To ensure you do not have a gap in coverage, ask these insurance questions.

  • What Kind Of Coverage Does The Master Policy Offer? When you purchase a condo, you join that building’s homeowners association (HOA). The HOA carries an insurance policy, called a master policy that protects the building and grounds. Ask whether your master policy just covers the exterior of your building and common areas, or if it protects your fixtures, walls, floors, or more.
  • How Will I Be Reimbursed For Lost Possessions? Your master policy will not include coverage for your personal possessions, so it is important to secure your own policy to protect your belongings. When you do, consider whether replacement cost coverage—which will reimburse you for the full cost of your lost possessions—or cash value—which will factor depreciation into your reimbursement—would be best.
  • What Events Are Covered? If you live in an area with high seismic activity or on a flood plain, you will want to make sure you secure coverage that will protect you in those situations. Ask your insurance agent what you need to do to cover yourself from your local risks.

Does your condo have the policy it needs to be protected? Contact the insurance professionals at All Nevada Insurance in Las Vegas, Nevada for all of your condo insurance needs. We are here to help you get the best policy so you can have the protection you deserve.

Paid Mortgage

A home is one of the biggest investments that most people will ever make.  However, unlike most other big investments, your home is one of the few that may cost you substantially more than what you initially invested into it (considering all of the extra money you pay out due to the interest on the loan).  There are several strategies in lowering these extra costs; consequently you will be paying off the loan faster.

Since interest is based on time, you can actually cut back the total cost of your loan by paying more often, even without paying more money.  In other words, pay half of your regular mortgage payment every two weeks rather than the entire amount once a month.  This reduces the principle more often so the total interest generated is less.

Another sure way to reduce the duration of your mortgage is to pay extra each month.  An extra $50 each month can make a noticeable difference in your loan duration.  Another way is to add an extra payment at the end of the year (13 payments throughout the year versus 12 payments).  This lumps a large amount into one payment, unlike the smaller payments over a longer time, making this method less desirable to most people.  To find out more check out the monthly loan calculator on www.erate.com/mp_cl.shtml

Turned Down? These Tips Can Help You Find — and Rent — a Great Home

Feeling discouraged because your rental application was turned down? Here are some tips to help you find a rental home where you’ll feel welcome:

1. Understand the landlord’s position. Renters want the best possible place to live. Landlords want tenants who will pay the rent reliably and on time. If your income indicates you’ll struggle with budget issues in a higher priced dwelling, landlords are unlikely to give you the nod.

2. Be ready and willing to pay up front. Make it clear to the landlord or rental agent that you can pay the security deposit, credit check, first months rent, parking fees and any other upfront costs before you move in.

3. Know your credit history and be prepared to explain any blemishes. If you have past rental defaults, you’ll probably have to face some tough questions. If you have other credit problems, explain how you are managing them.

4. Be open and honest. If you attempt to hide credit issues or misrepresent your financial status, you may lose a fair chance to rent the property you like, and may find that the landlord is unwilling to consider an application in the future after your financial status improves.

All Nevada Insurance can help Las Vegas residents with their renters insurance and other coverage needs. To learn more, contact us.

 

Home Maintenance Chores for Spring

After you’ve gotten your home all clean and sparkling with your spring cleaning, you may want to tackle these home maintenance chores.

1. HVAC Maintenance

Go ahead and make an appointment with your local HVAC company to have your unit inspected and maintained. The technician will lubricate all the moving parts, check the thermostat, check the coolant levels, and give everything a good cleaning. If you do this now, your unit will be ready to go when the first hot day of summer arrives.

2. Filters

You probably already change the filters regularly in your furnace. However, there are other large appliances that have filters that should be changed or cleaned regularly. Check your vacuum cleaner, dishwasher, refrigerator water filter, and air purifier to make sure that you have maintained the filters on these units. Doing this small chore will improve the efficiency of these appliances and make them last longer.

3. Drain the Hot Water Heater

Hard water can ruin the heating elements in your hot water heater. However, you can mitigate this damage by draining your hot water heater once or twice a year. Turn off the power and the water supply to the hot water heater. Attach a garden hose leading outdoors to the faucet on the bottom of the hot water heater. Open the faucet, and let the tank drain. When the water stops running, close the valve, detach the hose, and turn the water and electricity back on.

If you need more information about your homeowners insurance coverage in Las Vegas, Nevada, contact All Nevada Insurance today!