Life Happens 365 - Are You Managing the Risk?

By Diane Tait Image courtesy flickr While home ownership is still one of the last bastions of the American Dream, sometimes owning the modern American home is not without a few issues.   While things like asbestos shingles and lead piping are things of the past, one hazard that’s all too current in modern homes is the threat of fire.   I recently read a report by Safeco Insurance that pointed out today’s homes are an even bigger firetrap than those of yesteryear.   That’s because modern homes are more open (which aids the spread of fire), and the man-made material that’s contained therein is more combustible than comparable all-natural material.   Even the stuff that’s used to construct many homes is far more flammable than solid wood, concrete or masonry.   With that in mind I thought I’d dedicate this week’s blog to showing all my readers how to learn not to burn.

By Diane Tait Image courtesy Pixabay If you rent your home instead of owning it, you may have considered renter’s insurance.   Like homeowner’s insurance, a renter’s policy is there to cover your assets that could wind up lost damaged or destroyed by such things as theft, fire, flood or storm.   The reason more renters don’t follow through and acquire renter’s insurance is because they feel the costs outweigh the risks. Unlike a homeowner, if the house, apartment or room you rent is damaged or destroyed by fire or water, all you’re out are your belongings.   The property itself has no value to you other than putting a roof over your head, right?   Well, not exactly as you’ll soon find out below.

By Diane Tait Image courtesy wikimedia As an insurance agent, I am always trying to help my clients get covered in case that the worst comesto pass.   Whether this is to help protect their home from the worst that Mother Nature can throw at them, or it is insuring their teenage daughter who is only just learning to drive, in case of a worst-case scenario if she should be involved in an accident.   Since as Ben Franklin pointed out a couple hundred years ago, ‘An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” I thought I’d take the time to help all my readers out there prepare for the worst.    

By Diane Tait Image courtesy Maxpixel Being from the Northeast, I remember when Spring didn’t really arrive until the middle of May.   Here we are in the first week of March in Jacksonville and my lawn is already begging to be mowed.   Since we Floridians usually get a jump on Spring cleaning way before the start of Spring, I thought I’d spring into action to give you my short list of things you need to do before the hot weather arrives.