February 2019
Is Your Homeowner’s Coverage Working for You?
Is your homeowner’s insurance still working for you?
Here are some things to consider before you purchase or renew your homeowner’s coverage.
If your home is a total loss, do you have enough coverage to rebuild? The majority of property claims result from partial damage to a home. If your home is completely destroyed, you want to have enough coverage to totally rebuild it.
Homeowner’s policies limit personal property coverage. Homeowner’s policies place limits on many types of personal property. If you have valuable guns, jewelry, watercraft and trailers, or computers, consider purchasing additional coverage.
Does your policy provide replacement cost coverage? Personal property is valued at replacement cost or at actual cash value. Replacement cost replaces your old damaged or stolen items with new at no extra cost to you. Actual cash value considers the age and condition of the item. Replacement cost coverage doesn’t increase your premiums by much but provides better coverage.
Are my children’s possessions covered while they are away at college? Your homeowner’s policy may provide limited coverage for your college student while he or she is living on campus; however, once your child rents an apartment in his or her own name, consider purchasing a tenant homeowner’s policy.
Do you work at home? Your policy may only provide limited coverage for equipment provided by your employer so you can work at home. Additionally, if customers or business associates come to your home on business, you may want additional coverage for this.
Is my boat covered? It depends. A small boat like a kayak should be covered under your policy, but for a larger boat you may need extra property and liability coverage through a boat policy
Each company’s coverage differs slightly so it’s important you consult an insurance professional to be sure you get just the right policy for your own circumstances.
Worth Quoting
This month, some famous quotes about computers.
A computer once beat me at chess, but it was no match for me at kick boxing.
Never trust a computer you can’t throw out a window.
Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all.
The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like computers.
Computers do the calculating to allow people to transform the world.
The good news about computers is that they do what you tell them to do. The bad news is that they do what you tell them to do.
Sausage, Sage and Squash Skillet Pizza
Makes 1 12″ pizza
Preheat oven to 525 degrees
Flour and cornmeal for
dusting
1 pound store-bought pizza dough
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 ounces marinara sauce
2-3 cups grated mozzarella cheese
1 cup cooked, crumbled mild Italian sausage
1 cup cubed, cooked butternut squash
1 tablespoon fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried
Honey
Red pepper flakes
Directions
Place a 12″ cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Dust pan lightly with flour and cornmeal. On a countertop, flatten the dough into a round disc and carefully place in skillet, pulling the sides of the dough up the sides of the pan. Brush dough with oil and allow it to cook for 1-2 minutes. Spread marinara sauce evenly over the dough, then top with cheese, sausage, squash, and sage. Place in oven for 10-12 minutes or until melted and golden. Mix two tablespoons honey with half tablespoon water and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Brush mixture over hot crust and serve.
Why Did My Auto Insurance Premium Increase?
Did your auto insurance rate go up? If you noticed an increase in your premium, this is often due to one of three reasons. Fortunately, there are three things you can do to push that figure back down. Here’s the scoop.
Tickets: Did you receive a traffic citation? Tickets are a common cause of insurance rate increases. The severity of your citation is considered in this rate adjustment. For example, a speeding ticket for doing 50 MPH in a 40 MPH zone typically affects your rate less than a DUI conviction would.
Claims: Filing claims may cause a rise in your premium. Multiple claims in a short time period further increase the chances of a rate adjustment.
Conditions: If the risk factors in your area change, this could affect your insurance rates. Increased crime rate and extreme weather events are factors that can cause premium increases.
If your rate has increased (or you want to lower your current rate) take the following steps that can reduce your premiums.
Package: Ask your insurance provider about discounts for multiple policies. Often, if you bundle your home and auto coverage with one company, you can receive a discount.
Protect: Does your car have any safety features that reduce your risk? Security systems and certain safety features can lower your premiums.
Prepay: Pay for your full premium up front. By paying for coverage for six months or a year at once, you may be eligible for a discount.
Contact your insurance agent for more details.
Petunias or Poinsettias? Which Flowers for Which Occasion?
Roses are red. Violets are blue. Which kind of petal is best for you?
Like precious stones, flowers have symbolism. Different varieties have different meanings, as do their hues. There are flowers to represent friendship, romance, sympathy, well wishes, and more. Here’s a quick guide to the best blooms for a variety of occasions.
For anniversaries and Valentine’s Day: Red and pink roses are representative of love and passion, making them a timeless choice. For something less obvious, tulips also signify love. Stay away from yellow, as the color most commonly symbolizes friendship.
For sympathy: Lilies, daisies, and roses are suitable options for flowers you’re sending or bringing to a grieving person’s home. Funeral flowers are different; these are often large, specialized wreaths or baskets delivered to the funeral home by the florist. It’s important to note that flowers aren’t appropriate in the Jewish mourning tradition.
For those who are sick: Get-well flowers differ depending on whether the ill person is at home or in the hospital. If he or she is in the hospital, stay away from highly fragrant flowers, which might be irritating to patients. Tulips are your best bet. If the person is at home, a houseplant, which offers more permanence and whose greenery can signify life and well-being, is a nice idea.
For friends: Whether it’s to say thank you or just because, the best flowers for friends are their favorite variety. Not sure what they like? Opt for orchids, lilies, daisies, or carnations (just not yellow carnations, which represent disappointment).