Dropping some of your coverage—like comprehensive or collision—to the lowest legal level can cut your premium, but it could also put you at serious risk. An automobile insurance policy is designed to provide you with a level of protection against property, liability and medical costs if you are involved in an accident. Property coverage pays for damage to or theft…

While it may be difficult to imagine it happening to you, home break-ins are a common occurrence. If an intruder enters your home, your property and the well-being of your loved ones are at risk. In order to protect your home and family from an intruder, consider doing the following: Put an emergency plan in place and discuss it with…

Obtaining the peace of mind financial stability brings starts with reviewing your current financial resources. This is important because your financial resources affect not only your ability to reach your goals, but your ability to protect those goals from potential financial crises. These are the resources you will draw on to meet various life events. Start by calculating your net…

For many of us, the holiday season is a time of joy, celebration and tradition. We look forward to hosting or attending festive gatherings or concerts. We travel near and far to share in the spirit of the season with family, friends and co-workers. We cook more, shop more and decorate more. However, all that extra cooking, traveling, shopping, celebrating…

When your child leaves for college, it is a big event. One thing that you should think about is your insurance coverage and how it could change with your son or daughter away at school. Protecting Your Student's Belongings Many homeowners policies consider a dorm room as an extension of your home, so items your child keeps there may be…

You can insure just about any kind of vessel, whether you have a yacht, speed boat or personal watercraft like a JetSki. Every type of boat has the potential to be stolen or damaged, and can be involved in an incident that results in harm to another person or their property. Even if your boat is docked or stored in…

Though grilling is an extremely popular way to prepare food in the summer, it can also be dangerous. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, gas and charcoal grills account for an average of 10 deaths and 100 injuries annually. Additionally, the National Fire Protection Association reports that an average of 8,900 home fires are caused by grilling each year. This…

Summer Water Safety Refresher Teach children water safety and swimming skills as early as possible. Always brief babysitters on water safety, emphasizing the need for constant supervision. Appoint a “designated watcher” to monitor children during social gatherings at or near pools. Equip doors and windows that exit to a pool area with alarms. Install a poolside phone, preferably a cordless…

Flash floods occur as a result of heavy rainfall, rapid snow thaw, city drains overflowing or dam/levee failures. They occur quickly and unexpectedly, within 6 hours of the events that caused them. Here are more facts to give you an idea of how dangerous flash floods can be: Every region in the United States can be affected by flash floods,…

Prepare Yourself for IRS Phone Scams Your phone rings. When you check, the caller ID shows it's the IRS calling. (Three letters that can give you a sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach.) But you think to yourself: I don't believe I owe any taxes. And I haven't even submitted this year's return. Why are they calling me?…