Posts Categorized: Featured

Renters insurance is one of those things you likely never think about until you need it. If you’re currently renting an apartment, a home, or even a bedroom inside of a family member’s guest house, you may want to consider renters insurance. While most residential properties require residents to obtain renters insurance before handing over the keys, there are many instances where it gets swept under the rug and forgotten until an issue arises. If you’ve never considered renters insurance or have been questioning if you really need it, here are a few reasons why you absolutely should have renters insurance protecting you at all times.

Get help with property or personal item damages

Let’s face it, things happen like sewer backups or pipe damage that can cause damage to a residence you don’t own or your personal belongings. With renters insurance, the damages are covered so you don’t have to worry about fixing the property or replacing damaged items out of pocket. Having the right insurance coverage can not only save you time and money, but also save you the liability of having to restore unexpected damages to your living space.

Rebound from theft

Theft is scary and having your residence burglarized can cause enough stress alone. If your residence is broken into and your personal items are stolen, renters insurance helps to replace the valuables you’ve lost more easily. Burglaries and theft can also leave your residence turned up-side-down, with broken furniture or damaged windows and door handles. With renters insurance, a professional agent can help walk you through the process of filing all your damages so your claim covers all your losses and you’re able to restore as much as possible.

Have protection in the event of an accident

It’s easy to make small damages as you go about your daily routine. Things like handle replacements or doors accidentally rotating off the hinges are usually covered by maintenance or your landlord. In the case of accidents where property damage is done and you don’t have anyone to assist with repairs, renters insurance may cover getting your fixtures or features back in order.

Protect yourself from personal injury liabilities

A slip and fall in your driveway, a fall down an uneven step, or a guest stepping over a rusty nail can become a huge issue if it happens at your residence. Though things happen, it’s comforting to know that if someone experiences a personal injury at your home, renters insurance can cover it. In lieu of medical insurance or when you need additional coverage to help take care of personal injury claims that have transpired at your residence; it’s good to have renters insurance to process the incident and provide all parties with proper solutions.

If you’re considering renters insurance, look no further than the team here at Hello Covered. We help you find the perfect plan with the perfect provider through an easy-to-follow process. Get started with us today and explore the wide variety of insurance plans and providers we work with to provide you top-tier solutions. Schedule a call from our team!

If you’re a homeowner or if you currently rent, you may already know what umbrella insurance is and you might even have it. If you haven’t heard about umbrella insurance, you’re likely asking yourself ‘what is umbrella insurance?’ and ‘why would I need it?’ While it’s not the kind of protection you get when your umbrella gives out in the middle of a rainstorm, it is the kind of insurance that you have waiting for a rainy day. Keep reading if you want to learn more about umbrella insurance and why you may want to have the extra layer of protection it provides.

Everyone is familiar with the protection that insurance such as car insurance provides and if you’re a homeowner or renter, you probably already have protection plans like home insurance and/or renter’s insurance in place. While insurance can protect you from many disasters, each individual plan has limitations. So what happens when your car is unfortunately totaled and your auto insurance policy has maxed out? Or what will happen if your pet insurance only covers short-term pet illnesses and not ongoing expenses like unique procedures or medicines? That’s where umbrella insurance steps in to save the day.

Umbrella insurance is a type of liability insurance that individuals and families hold in excess of other policies. In many circumstances, umbrella insurance can serve as the primary insurance for liabilities or losses not covered by your other policies. When a person’s primary policy is exhausted, umbrella insurance is the additional cushion needed to protect whatever is being covered or cared for. In some cases, umbrella insurance may even cover risks or damages that may have not been covered in a person’s primary policy and often brings an added sense of relief.

Umbrella insurance coverage can vary from policy to policy, so it’s wise to speak with your agent about how your coverage will work in conjunction with the current plans you have in place. If your agent is super detailed and cares about the bigger picture, like our agents at Hello Covered, they can recommend adjustments in your other policies that will better suit your umbrella insurance policy and potentially save you money. The main source of umbrella insurance claims are made to cover further protection in auto accidents, though umbrella insurance can work in addition to a wide range of policies.

So what should you take away from all this information? Insurance plans often have policies and limitations in place that may lead to claims not being covered, you can do yourself a favor and add another layer of protection by securing umbrella insurance.

If you’re thinking about adding umbrella insurance to your existing insurance plan, let us be the first to say you’re on the right path. It’s one of the wisest decisions you can make to ensure deeper levels of protection for the things that matter most to you.

If you’d like to get started with exploring umbrella insurance plans that suit your unique needs, budget, and lifestyle, fill out a quote form today and our team at Hello Covered will get you started.

Part of living in your home is maintaining it. Home maintenance is one of the truest forms of the old proverb: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Following along month-by-month with these crucial home care checkups can save you massive headaches down the road. Many of these tips can be done any time of the year, so think of this as a guide, not a rulebook.

January — Wintertime Wall Work

New year, new you! And new walls, too. Take the time you spend inside hiding from the chill of January weather to fix up the inside of your home. Repair any interior wall damage you might have incurred throughout the year. Some places you should check are: around window sills, around your door, places where furniture is close to the walls, or any place with running water (check for moisture damage or mold). Also: check your smoke detector batteries! You’ll do it again in July.

February — Taking on Tiles

Start with a sweep, add a mop, and get a good look at all your tile surfaces as you inspect them for damage or leaks. A note of caution here: for most tile types don’t scrub with steel wool or you could damage the tiles! If you find any damage, make sure to re-grout the tiles and apply silicone sealer.

March — Airflow Checkup

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) are the systems that keep your home climate comfortable. And March is our pick for getting your furnace and ductwork inspected and serviced (if necessary). You need to check and replace your air filters every month, but you should also check all your vents for obstructions, and test that thermostat to make sure it’s humming like you need it to.

April — Keeping Up Appearances

As the weather warms up, and the flowers start to spruce up the landscape, you might want to take a look at your home’s facade. Do a 360-degree walkaround checking your siding for cracks, leaks, and damage. Note any damaged areas, and wash the rest with a hose for a new spring look to up your home’s curb appeal. You may need to repaint or refinish the damaged areas. Or, if it is severe, you may even have to replace a section of your siding.

May — Hit the Decks

At the beginning of the best season for porch-sitting, you’ll want to give your deck space a once-over to make sure everything is up to snuff. First, check for any loose nails or screws and hammer or screw them back into place. Take sandpaper around and smooth over any splinters or rough edges. And finally, you may want to add another layer of paint or sealant to any areas of your deck where the wood is showing its age. Then, all you need is a cold beverage to go with your deck chair.

June — Bugging Out

June is the month to wage war on the pests! Depending on the pest, the fix could be anything from a spray can to something more serious like animal control. First, assess the situation: do a lap inside your home and outside. Look for ant trails or small holes chewed into walls or siding. Double check your eaves, your vents, and any cracks or crevices. Termites, roaches, ants, bed bugs, and rodents can all compromise the integrity or value of your home. And it’s ideal to nip these problems in the bud before they get out of control.

July — Burn Prevention

Fire season is on the horizon, and there’s some smart preparation that every homeowner should undertake. Look around your home and clear any debris that could be a fire hazard. Dead leaves, branches, or even debris. After you’ve cleared the outside, head inside. Check all the batteries in your smoke detectors throughout your house. And, sticking with the theme, this is a good time to check the expirations on your fire extinguishers.

August — From the Ground Up

This month, you want to get on the ground level and check the condition of the bedrock of your home. This means the foundation, along with the interior floors and exterior driveway/walkways. Check your interior floors for scuffs, scrapes, and holes. For the exterior and foundation, you’re mainly checking for cracks or damage. You can seal small problems yourself, but you should contact a professional for larger jobs.

September — Avoid Dryer Fires

Did you know: dryers cause around 2,900 fires a year. And it’s because a lot of people don’t know or forget about proper dryer maintenance. To avoid fires, there are two main things you can do. The first you should do weekly: clean the lint trap. But the other, you can do in September. And that’s to clean your dryer vent! You can do it yourself if you have some help to move the dryer. But you can always hire a professional vent cleaner as well. And, while they’re visiting, this is the perfect time to have them check your furnace before you really need it through the colder months of the year.

October — Cut it Out

Pruning (which is removing dead stuff) and trimming (which is removing overgrown stuff) are both critical to maintaining your exterior landscape for both looks and safety. Vines and climbing plants can damage your home. Unchecked tree branches can be blown off and cause damage as well. Both can be home to a variety of pests and insects, too, so when October rolls around: cut them back! And, while you’re a few feet off the ground, October is our favorite month to check and clean your gutters before winter storms fill them.

November — Winter Storm Warning

Winter storms are getting more severe in more places. Which means that preparing for a severe winter storm is more important than ever. What’s that mean? It may depend on your location — storms in Alaska differ from the hurricanes in Florida. But some things are a good idea no matter where you are: check weatherstripping on windows/doors, prepare an emergency kit with first aid and non-perishable food for a few days, and review your property insurance to make sure you’re covered. This can also be a good time to consider larger, structural changes. As storms increase in intensity, consider upgrading your windows or even adding storm shutters.

December — A+ Attic

Whether you’re hiding presents or putting away your Thanksgiving decorations, the attic is an over-used but often neglected area in your home when it comes to maintenance. Keep it clean for Santa by taking December to head to the attic, check it for pests, check the insulation for leaks or drafts, and check any wiring to make sure it’s not been exposed. Just don’t get trapped up there!

Take these steps to maintain a healthier, happier, tidier, longer-lasting home. And, of course, in the event that something does go wrong (it always does), our monthly home performance plans have you covered. They combine rapid-response maintenance with the protection of a home warranty. Protecting you so you can home happy.