Flight insurance can be worthwhile if you can’t afford to lose the money you paid for nonrefundable airfare when unexpected circumstances disrupt your travel plans. This can include delays and cancellations. Flight insurance is also worth considering if you can’t get a refund or credit for airfare through the airline or the credit card you used to book the trip.

If you have many nonrefundable trip expenses, such as pre-paid excursions and hotel accommodations, buying a comprehensive travel insurance policy to cover your entire trip is likely a better option than flight insurance.

Compare & Buy Travel Insurance

What Flight Insurance Covers

The best travel insurance policies with pre- and post-departure benefits compensate you for trip costs—including nonrefundable plane tickets—if you cancel a trip for reasons covered by your policy.

Some flight-specific insurance policies cover cancellations, while others do not, and the same goes for medical expense coverage. It varies significantly depending on the policy you buy. Though these policies may have names that include the term “flight insurance,” such policies are targeted for flight snafus and generally don’t reimburse you for airfare costs. They have limited coverage designed for flight inconveniences.

For example, Flight Insure Plus from Travelex provides $10,000 to pay for emergency medical expenses if you get sick or injured during your trip, and $100,000 for medical evacuation. It also provides coverage for trip delay, accidental death and dismemberment, and baggage. The Flight Insure Plus plan doesn’t include flight cancellation or trip cancellation benefits, so it doesn’t reimburse you for airfare.

Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection’s AirCare policy does not cover medical expenses. It covers tarmac delays, flight and baggage delays, lost luggage and missed connections. If your flight is canceled, you get $150 for the inconvenience, but the policy does not cover trip cancellation or reimburse you for airfare.

If you buy a comprehensive travel insurance policy to cover your flight, it will generally include the following types of coverage, up to the policy limits.

Trip cancellation. Trip cancellation pays you for pre-paid and nonrefundable trip expenses. This can include airfare if you cancel due to emergencies listed in your policy.

Medical expenses. Travel medical insurance pays for medical expenses if you get sick or injured during your trip and medical evacuation insurance helps pay for emergency transportation if you require treatment unavailable locally.

Trip delay. Travel delay insurance provides money for food, lodging and other expenses you incur if your trip is delayed due to a problem covered by the policy and after a specified period of time.

Trip interruption. Trip interruption insurance lets you recoup pre-paid and nonrefundable trip expenses if you cut a trip short because of a problem covered by your policy.

Baggage coverage.  Baggage insurance benefits pay the depreciated value of lost, stolen or damaged baggage and personal items. Baggage delay insurance helps pay for extra costs such as toiletries if your belongings arrive after a required amount of time listed in your policy.

What’s Not Covered by Flight Insurance

Flight insurance doesn’t cover the following:

• Cancellations that are in your control. Flight insurance won’t pay out if you decide to cancel your trip for a reason that’s not listed in your policy.
• Changes you make to your itinerary. If you switch up your travel plans and reschedule your flight for personal reasons, flight insurance benefits won’t apply.
• Expenses that are refundable. If you can get reimbursed for your airfare or other trip expenses, you won’t qualify for a flight insurance claim. So if you get a refund from the airline, you can’t also make an insurance claim for the same expense.

If you’re only concerned about getting your money back for a canceled flight or one that’s delayed, you may not need flight insurance. A federal law mandates that airlines refund your airfare if your flight is canceled or significantly changed and you don’t accept an alternative flight or travel credits.
 – Michelle Megna, Lead Editor

Our Picks: Best Travel Insurance

Company & top-scoring policy name	Forbes Advisor rating	Average travel insurance cost	Emergency medical and medical evacuation coverage limits per person	Learn More
IMG iTravelInsured LX	5.0	$587	$500,000/$1 million	See PlansVia Forbes Advisor’s Partner
Nationwide Cruise Luxury	4.9	$399	$250,000/$1 million	See PlansVia Forbes Advisor’s Partner
WorldTrips Atlas Journey Elevate	4.8	$258	$250,000/$1 million	See PlansVia Forbes Advisor’s Partner
Seven Corners Cruise Insurance	4.7	$446	$250,000/$500,000	See PlansVia Forbes Advisor’s Partner
Starr Insurance Premier	4.6	$511	$250,000/$500,000	See PlansVia Forbes Advisor’s Partner

Source: Forbes Advisor Research. Average costs are based on various trip costs, ages and number of travelers.See More

How Much Is Flight Insurance?

What you pay for flight insurance can vary significantly depending on the type of policy you buy and where you buy it from. A bare-bones policy designed for post-departure problems will cost much less than a comprehensive travel insurance policy. And, a policy with generous benefits purchased directly from a travel insurance company will usually cost more than a policy with lower limits you buy through the airline when booking your trip.

Your age and the total trip cost you’re insuring can also affect what you pay for travel insurance.

For example:

• An AIG Travel Guard international policy sold by United Airlines costs $189 for a 17-day trip for two travelers age 40. That’s for an economy class flight costing $2,481 for both travelers. It provides $10,000 in medical expense coverage and $50,000 in medical evacuation coverage, per person.
• A Travel Guard Preferred policy from AIG for the same trip and travelers with a total trip cost of $6,000 is about $431. That’s about $240 more than the policy sold by United but it has much better higher limits for benefits. For example, it provides $50,000 in travel medical expenses and $500,000 in medical evacuation coverage, per person.
• A Flight Insure Plus plan from Travelex costs just $58 for the same trip and travelers, but does not include cancellation coverage and provides $10,000 in medical expense benefits and $100,000 in medical evacuation coverage.

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How to Get Flight Insurance

• You can buy a policy from an airline after purchasing your plane tickets. This is typically through a partnership between the airline and a travel insurance company.
• You can buy a policy from a travel provider after booking your trip, which is also usually through a partnership with a travel insurance company.
• It may be offered by your credit card company when you use the credit card to book your trip.
• You can buy a comprehensive travel insurance policy from a travel insurance company.
• You can buy a travel insurance policy from a travel insurance company that’s designed for air travel mishaps and includes benefits for flight and baggage delays, but may not cover airfare.

If you fly on Delta or American Airlines, which partner with Allianz Travel, you can buy comprehensive travel insurance. This policy includes benefits for trip interruption, trip cancellation, trip and baggage delay coverage and travel medical insurance for international trips. United, Expedia, and Travelocity offer standard travel insurance through AIG, which sells Travel Guard policies.

No one enjoys the telltale signs of a ticket stuck under your windshield wiper or in your mailbox. If you don’t want to pay a fine or you’re a high-risk driver, tickets are bad news. But not all tickets are created equal. Some can have longer-term consequences.

We’re going over what tickets don’t affect insurance and other ways to help keep your premium from skyrocketing out of control.

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Do tickets affect car insurance?

Traffic violations usually result in penalties assessed through tickets. Once a violation has been noted, a ticket is issued on the spot or by mail that details the driver’s name, address, any rules broken, and the amount owed.

Once a ticket has been issued, the motorist has two options: pay the fine or contest it in a court of law. Depending on the nature of the incident, it can even end up on your driving record. Violations on your driving record are more likely to increase the cost of your car insurance.

5 tickets that will not affect your insurance premiums

Every car insurance company sets its own criteria for the types of tickets that affect premiums. Common traffic violations that are less likely to inflate your insurance premiums include:

1. Parking tickets 

As long as you pay your parking ticket on time, it doesn’t end up on your driving record. Overdue tickets may go on record to raise your premium. Not paying on time subjects you to the following risks: 

• Vehicle towing
• Increased fines
• License revocation
• Unpaid tickets could negatively affect your credit score

Try to avoid getting a parking ticket in the first place or prove your innocence in court.

2. Red-light camera tickets 

If you get caught rolling past a red light without stopping, you’ll be fined. Most states — except California, Oregon, and Arizona, consider this violation to be a non-moving violation, and it often doesn’t end up on your driving record. 

However, just like with other tickets, failure to pay on time can put you at risk for higher insurance premiums. For your driving record and your safety, come to a full stop at traffic lights. 

3. Windows too heavily tinted 

If your window tint doesn’t follow the regulations of your state, you can be issued a ticket for it. The fine itself depends on the state and for the most part, it is a non-moving offense so it is not likely to end up on your driving record. 

If you fail to pay on time or have multiple tint-related violations, it can go into your record. So, the best course of action is to keep your window tint within the required limit in the first place.

4. Not wearing a seatbelt

If you are in a state that considers lack of fastened seat belts as a non-moving offense (like Florida), the violation will not be on your driving record or affect your insurance premium.

The safest bet is to wear a seat belt whenever you are in the car. 

5. Fix-it tickets

Fix-it tickets are issued by law enforcement officials to get the vehicle owner to follow regulations. Issues can range from a broken tail light to a loud muffler. However, most fix-it violations are non-moving and don’t make it on your permanent driving record. 

If you pay on time, your driving record will not be affected and in turn, your insurance premium will not be raised. However, if you fail to pay the fine on time, your premium can go up. The best way to avoid this situation is to immediately comply with the fix-it ticket’s request and pay the fine. 

Common tickets that will impact your insurance rates

Certain tickets will directly impact your insurance premium. Examples include:

• Hit and run
• DUI
• Refusal of DUI checks like a breathalyzer
• Racing
• Reckless driving
• Suspended license
• At-fault accident
• Driving with an open container
• Passing a school bus
• Improper passing
• Illegal turn
• Wrong lane
• Failure to yield
• Speeding in school zone
• Driving too slowly
• Cellphone use while driving
• Not-at-fault accident
• No seat belt while moving
• Driving without lights

6 Ways to avoid an increase in your car insurance premium 

Some simple steps every driver can take to avoid an increase in their car insurance premium:

1. Enroll in a traffic school

In some US states, you can avoid certain tickets or their repercussions on your driving record by attending a defensive driving course to help ascertain your mistakes. You may need to pay a fee for this course. 

2. Request a deferment

You can plead guilty and file for a deferral. The court can place you on probation for a predetermined period. If you complete it with no citations, your driving record will remain unaffected. 

3. Contest any unfair or inaccurate tickets in court

If you firmly believe that a ticket is unfair, you can go to the court and argue your case. For serious violations that will affect your driving record or insurance premium, hire an attorney. 

Here are some other ways of reducing your car insurance premium.

4. Reduce your coverage

You can reduce your car insurance coverage to save up some money on a premium. However, be prepared for poor coverage if you eventually have to file a claim after an accident. 

5. Avail of discounts

You can ask your insurance provider if any discounts are available to help lower your premium. If you are shopping for a policy, you can find the best option available by asking each insurer about it. 

6. Improve your credit score

In many US states, insurance companies calculate your insurance premiums based on your credit scores. Learn how to improve your credit score in 3 months. 

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Not All Tickets Are Equal

Car insurance can be expensive, and traffic violations vary in impact. By understanding which ones affect your record, you can try to avoid a hike in premiums. Different state laws and insurers can also affect the outcome. Parking tickets, fix-it tickets, and window tinting tickets usually won’t raise your insurance rates. 

FAQs

Do all tickets go on your record?

No, not all tickets go on your driving record. Parking tickets, fix-it tickets, and seatbelt tickets don’t go into your driving records if you pay them on time.

Is it worth fighting a ticket?

If you are confident about your position, you can contest a ticket in court. You will likely need evidence that the ticket doesn’t apply to you. 

Do insurance companies care about points?

Depending on the state, car insurance companies may raise the premium if you lose points on your driving license.

In This Article

• Avoid Duplication
• Individual Named Insured Endorsement
• Autos Not Covered
• Physical Damage
• Frequently Asked Questions

As a general rule, autos owned by a business should be insured under a business auto policy, and vehicles owned by an individual should be insured under a personal auto policy. However, it gets more complicated for sole proprietorships. Here’s what to know about insuring cars under a commercial auto policy.

Key Takeaways

• It’s best to avoid covering the same vehicle under two different policies.
• Sole proprietors may be able to insure personal cars under a commercial policy.
• Individual Named Insured endorsements may provide some coverage for your family, but not in all situations.

Avoid Duplication

If you are a sole proprietor, you may own both commercial vehicles (like trucks and trailers) that you use in your business and private passenger autos that you use for non-business purposes. Commercial autos owned by business entities must be insured under a business auto policy.¹

Note

While you could insure your personal-use autos under a separate personal auto policy, this is a bad idea.

Both commercial and personal auto policies provide automatic coverage for vehicles you acquire after the policy inception date. Both provide auto liability coverage for a vehicle used as a temporary substitute for a covered auto that is out of service. The policies may overlap.

Coverage overlaps may also occur between rented and non-owned autos. Most personal policies afford liability coverage to insured parties while driving autos they don’t own, including rental vehicles. A commercial auto policy covers hired autos (rental vehicles) and non-owned autos for liability (depending on the insurance symbol).

Duplicate coverage is a waste of premium dollars and can lead to coverage disputes, particularly when the business and personal policies have been issued by different insurers. If an accident causes injury or damage that either policy could cover, the insurers might disagree on which one is liable for the loss.

Individual Named Insured Endorsement

If you are a sole proprietor, your personal-use vehicles can be insured under your commercial auto policy via a standard ISO endorsement entitled Individual Named Insured. The endorsement adds personal auto coverage to a commercial policy. It is available only if your business is a sole proprietorship.

Who’s Covered?

The endorsement amends the definition of you and your to include your spouse. Your spouse qualifies as a named insured as long as he or she is a resident of your household. However, your spouse is not entitled to receive notice of cancellation. If your insurer cancels your policy it will send notice to you only.

The endorsement covers your family members as insureds while they are using covered autos you (or your spouse) own that are private passenger-type autos. This term means cars, vans, and pickups not used for business purposes (other than farming or ranching). 

Your family members are also covered while driving autos you don’t own. For example, your teenage son borrows a neighbor’s car to run an errand and is involved in an accident in which another driver is injured. If the injured driver sues for son for bodily injury, your policy should cover the claim. Your liability insurance applies as excess coverage over any insurance available under the neighbor’s policy.

Note

The term family member means anyone related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption who is a resident of your household. It includes wards and foster children.

No Fellow-Employee Exclusion

The Individual Named Insured endorsement eliminates the fellow-employee exclusion with regard to injuries sustained by your fellow employees or those of your family members. The exclusion is eliminated because most personal policies do not exclude suits by fellow employees of insured parties.

Autos Not Covered

The Individual Named Insured endorsement does not cover your family members while driving any of the following types of vehicles.

Autos Owned by Family Members

For example, your 20-year-old daughter owns a car that is registered in her name. Neither she nor any other family member is an insured under your commercial auto policy while driving her vehicle.

Auto Furnished or Available for Your (or a Family Member’s) Use

For instance, your wife’s employer provides her with a company car. Neither she nor any other family member is insured under your commercial auto policy while using her company car.

Auto Used To Sell, Service, Repair, or Park Autos

For example, your teen-aged son works part-time at a garage that provides valet parking. Your son is not an insured under your commercial auto policy while parking customers’ cars.

Autos Used for Other Business or Occupations

For example, your daughter owns a two-ton truck that she uses in a landscape design business she owns. Your daughter is not insured under your commercial auto policy while using the truck.

Physical Damage

The Individual Named Insured endorsement makes one important change under physical damage coverage. If you own a private passenger-type vehicle that is covered for physical damage, then physical damage coverage applies to any non-owned auto.

The term non-owned auto has a different meaning in the endorsement than in the commercial auto policy. In the endorsement, it means any private passenger vehicle, pickup, van, or trailer that is being operated by, but is not owned, by you or any family member. The definition excludes any vehicle that is furnished or available for regular use to you or a family member. The most your insurer will pay for physical damage to any non-owned trailer is $500.

To see how this coverage applies, suppose that you own a private passenger vehicle that is insured under your commercial auto policy for liability, comprehensive, and collision. Your teenage daughter is driving a car she has borrowed from a neighbor when she skids on a patch of ice and hits a tree. She isn’t hurt but the car is damaged.

Because a private passenger-type vehicle you own is covered for physical damage, that coverage extends to autos you don’t own. However, this physical damage coverage is excess over any coverage afforded by the vehicle owner’s policy. If the owner of the vehicle hasn’t insured it for physical damage, your physical damage insurance should cover the loss (subject to the applicable deductible).

Definition

Water damage legal liability insurance provides financial protection to a person or business that causes water damage to the property of another.

Key Takeaways

• Water damage liability insurance protects against unintentional damage to another’s property.
• Coverage is typically included in renters, homeowners, and condo insurance policies.
• Insurance only covers sudden events, like burst pipes or malfunctioning appliances.
• Damage from poor maintenance or negligence is usually not covered under these policies.
• Umbrella policies offer broader liability coverage than standard homeowners insurance.

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What Is Water Damage Liability Insurance?

Water damage liability insurance is a type of policy that provides financial protection against unintentional water damage caused to another person’s property.

This coverage is often included in renters, homeowners, and condo insurance policies.

Water damage liability insurance covers damages resulting from sudden or accidental events, such as a burst pipe or a malfunctioning appliance.

It’s important to review insurance contracts to understand the extent of water damage coverage.

Condo owners who could face out-of-pocket repair costs without water damage liability insurance are one example of the potential financial impact if such a policy is not in place.

Understanding the Mechanics of Water Damage Liability Insurance

Water damage liability insurance is a kind of liability insurance. Liability insurance is a type of coverage that protects an individual or business from the risk of being sued or held legally responsible—that is, liable—for something.

Liability insurance policies can cover both legal costs and any payouts for destruction, damage, or injury, however inadvertent, for which the insured is deemed responsible. There are various situations when water damage liability insurance could help protect an individual from enormous costs.

For example, let’s say the owners of a second-floor condo unit experienced a water heater explosion and the water leaked into the first floor. Water damage liability insurance would protect the owners of the second-floor condo by providing the money to repair the damage to the first-floor units. Without the insurance, the second-floor owners could be held responsible for paying for the repairs out of pocket.

How Homeowners Policies Cover Water Damage Liability

Homeowners insurance policies generally include water damage liability, either as part of the personal liability coverage or in a separate rider. If you have a mortgage loan, your mortgage lender will likely require you to buy homeowners insurance but not mandate a separate policy for water damage liability.

Generally, the water damage must result from a sudden event or accident—something unforeseen and inadvertent like a leaking air conditioner, burst pipe, malfunctioning washing machine, or the aforementioned water heater rupture. The liability extends to damage, destruction, or injury to others’ structures, belongings, or even people.

However, if the triggering event and ensuing water damage are caused by poor maintenance, misconduct, or deliberate carelessness, then the liability coverage might not apply, or your insurance company might reject the claim.¹

Warning

Be aware of policies that limit your coverage for water damage and liability. Some homeowners insurance policies have sublimits within the contract that impose a cap on claim payouts associated with water damage.²

Enhancing Your Water Damage Liability Coverage

Not all policies include legal liability insurance for water damage legal liability insurance, so it is important to read the insurance contract carefully.

Expanding Your Current Policy for Better Water Damage Coverage

A more common issue is not the existence of the coverage but the extent of it. Most standard homeowners policies provide a basic limit of liability of $300,000 for property damages or injuries. This coverage amount can be increased for an additional premium, but often only to a specified limit.

Umbrella Policies: Extending Your Liability Protection

If you want broader liability coverage than that provided by your homeowners insurance, you could purchase what is commonly called an umbrella insurance policy. Personal liability insurance makes payments on the policyholder’s behalf in cases of at-home and auto accidents, as well as situations that involve libel, slander, vandalism, or invasion of privacy. The policy also covers injuries that occur at secondary residences or seasonal homes, within recreational vehicles, on the premises of rental properties, or on a boat or watercraft owned by the policyholder.

How Does Water Damage Legal Liability Insurance Work?

Typically, water damage legal liability insurance protects you if water damage results from a sudden event or accident like a burst pipe or broken washing machine. The liability protects you financially from damage caused to other people and their property.

How Do I Increase My Water Damage Legal Liability Insurance?

The standard homeowners insurance policies usually provide a basic limit of liability protection for water damage. You can increase the coverage, but it will also increase your monthly premium. You can also buy an umbrella policy, which provides broad coverage of personal liability, including slander, libel, accidents, and water damage.

What Claims Are Not Covered by Water Damage Legal Liability Insurance?

If the event causing the water damage resulted from poor maintenance, malfeasance, or deliberate carelessness, then the water damage liability coverage might not apply, meaning the insurer would deny the claim.¹

The Bottom Line

Water damage liability insurance provides a policyholder with financial protection from accidents and unforeseen events (such as burst pipes or malfunctioning appliances) that cause water damage to other people or their property.

Typically, the standard homeowners, renters, or condo insurance policy includes water damage legal liability insurance, but you can increase the coverage as needed.

There are potential limitations to water damage liability coverage, such as exclusions for poor maintenance.

Key Takeaways

• Windstorm insurance covers damage from gusty events like tornadoes and hurricanes.
• It is often required by lenders in high-risk areas.
• Standard homeowners insurance usually excludes damage from windstorms and requires a separate rider.
• The policy can cover home and personal property damage but not flood damage.
• Filing claims quickly is crucial to prevent further damage and get compensation.

What Is Windstorm Insurance?

Windstorm insurance is a special type of property-casualty insurance that protects policyholders from property damage caused by gales, winds, hail, and other gusty hazards. A subset of storm insurance, windstorm insurance is usually offered as a rider on a standard casualty insurance policy through the extended coverage endorsement.

Understanding the Mechanics of Windstorm Insurance

Windstorm insurance covers the types of excessively gusty events, such as hurricanes and cyclones, that are often considered vis major and so might be excluded from standard homeowners insurance policies.

Those who live in areas susceptible to this type of peril must purchase this additional coverage to protect themselves. Residents of coastal and midwestern states, where hurricanes and tornadoes are relatively common, fall into this category.

If you have a mortgage loan and live in a high-risk area for windstorms, your mortgage lender may require you to purchase windstorm insurance.

Coverage Details of Windstorm Insurance

Windstorm insurance will typically cover physical damage to the property and personal belongings inside the home. Many policies also include coverage for detached structures, such as garages and sheds. When big winds harm roofs and windows, rain and debris can cause additional damage. In such cases, most policies will cover repairs as long as the claim is filed soon after the event.

Exclusions in Windstorm Insurance Coverage

Sometimes, windstorms are followed by storm surges and flooding, but windstorm insurance will not typically cover damage caused by these rising waters. Flood insurance coverage provided by the federal government must be purchased separately, and it takes 30 days to go into effect.¹²

Important

Neither windstorm insurance nor homeowners insurance will cover repairing or replacing a vehicle damaged by a wind-toppled tree or other blowing debris. You must carry a comprehensive auto insurance policy to cover a car.³

Steps to File a Windstorm Insurance Claim

To file a windstorm insurance claim, you must take certain steps. The most important thing is to act quickly. Many policies limit the time frame to file a claim for storm damage. Often, this is because failure to fix problems promptly can lead to more damage later.

Immediately after a windstorm, a windstorm insurance policyholder should:

1. Record the storm date and save news articles about the storm as proof.
2. Assess and record all damage that they see from the ground with pictures and/or video.
3. Have at least two reputable contractors inspect the property and provide written estimates for repairs.
4. Contact the claims department of their insurance carrier, provide all the information they have gathered, and request a visit from a claims adjuster.
5. Ask one of the contractors to be present during the insurance adjuster’s inspection to ensure a fair assessment.
6. If a claim is denied, request another evaluation. Policyholders are entitled to meet with three different insurance adjusters.

What Is the Difference Between Homeowners Insurance and Windstorm Insurance?

Homeowners insurance protects you financially from structural damage to your property, theft or damage to personal belongings, and liability. Homeowners insurance may cover wind damage due to hurricanes, but it may not cover a high-risk area like along the coast for wind damage. As a result, you would need windstorm insurance if your home is in a coastal area.⁴

Are You Required to Get Windstorm Insurance?

Typically, you are not required to get windstorm insurance. However, if you live in a coastal area prone to wind damage and have a mortgage loan, your mortgage lender may require you to buy windstorm insurance.⁴

How Much Does Windstorm Insurance Cost?

Windstorm insurance can cost approximately $2,000 per year in coastal or high-risk areas. However, the cost can vary depending on the size of the home, its location, and the insurer.⁵

The Bottom Line

Windstorm insurance covers excessively gusty events, including hurricanes and cyclones, often excluded from a homeowners insurance policy. Those living in high-risk areas must purchase windstorm insurance in addition to their homeowners insurance. However, storm surges and flooding that follow a windstorm and cause property damage may not be covered by windstorm insurance.

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Even if you prioritize it, it’s hard to get adequate sleep.

Only 41 percent of Americans say the quality of their sleep is “good” or “very good,” according to an October 2022 nationally representative survey (PDF) of 2,084 U.S. adults by Consumer Reports. And 91 percent of Americans said they’d experienced at least one sleep challenge in the past year, according to that survey.

In searching for relief, many turn to dietary supplements. The most popular supplement for sleep, by far, is melatonin, a hormone naturally produced by the body that governs our sleep-wake cycle. In the U.S., melatonin sales have grown from $285 million in 2016 to a staggering $821 million in 2020, according to a 2022 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.

Is that money well-spent?

The scientific research is mixed, says Charles Czeisler, PhD, MD, chief of the division of sleep and circadian disorders at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. “Melatonin has important but limited uses,” he says.

Melatonin is a hormone secreted by the brain’s pineal gland, usually at night. It regulates the body’s circadian rhythm, the approximately 24-hour internal “clock” that helps control when you’re sleepy and when you feel awake.

It’s the “hormone of darkness,” Czeisler says, something that the brain should start to release as it gets dark, a few hours before we usually go to sleep.

Taking a synthetic supplemental form of that hormone might help people who aren’t producing the hormone naturally because of age; one of several health disorders; or because they’re trying to go to bed at a different time than usual. But it’s less likely to help in most other circumstances and could cause side effects like next-day drowsiness.

Here’s what to know about melatonin, including when it might help and how to take it safely.

When Melatonin Can and Can’t Help

Some people with certain kinds of sleep disorders may get some relief from melatonin, research suggests, but there’s less evidence for its use with more common forms of insomnia, according to the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

A 2013 meta-analysis found that, on average, people with insomnia fell asleep about 7 minutes faster with melatonin than with a placebo. While most melatonin side effects are mild, some people take it long term, despite the fact that little is known about the safety of using it for more than three months. 

Because of the lack of evidence, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends clinicians not use melatonin as a treatment for insomnia.

But that doesn’t mean it can’t help anyone.

About 5 to 10 percent of people may feel sleepy after taking melatonin, says Alcibiades Rodriguez, MD, the medical director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center-Sleep Center at New York University.

“Usually the people that get more benefit are the elderly, maybe 70 or older, and young patients,” he says. That’s because older patients and young children are less likely to produce sufficient melatonin on their own, though it’s important to consult a medical professional before giving a child melatonin. There’s still little research on melatonin in kids and some concern about how it might affect development, especially around puberty. The AASM says that parents should be especially cautious, since the actual amount of melatonin can vary dramatically from the amount listed on the label.

Because the general cue for the body to start releasing melatonin is the change from daylight to darkness, supplements may be essential for people with circadian disorders related to blindness, Czeisler says. It can also help people who need to fall asleep at a time that’s not in sync with their natural clock, like people working a night shift or anyone experiencing jet lag because they have traveled to a new time zone.

Czeisler says melatonin may help some extreme night owls—people whose internal clock makes them inclined to fall asleep hours later than would be considered reasonable—by helping to get their body clocks on a more normal schedule.

What to Know Before You Take Melatonin

Start small and don’t overdo it. Many stores sell supplements that are packed with far more melatonin than the body naturally produces. Czeisler recommends starting with a low dose, between 0.2 and 0.5 mg. The Council for Responsible Nutrition, a supplement trade group, says doses should not exceed 10 mg, even though products with higher doses are available.

Get it from a safe source. Supplements aren’t subject to the same standards set by the Food and Drug Administration for safety and efficacy as are over-the-counter and prescription drugs. That means supplement makers don’t have to show that their products work. Certain supplements may contain a higher or lower dose or may have other potentially dangerous ingredients. Labels from the supplement-verifying organizations such as ConsumerLab.com, NSF International, USP, and UL can provide some assurance that a product contains what’s listed on its label and that the product isn’t contaminated with something risky.

Make sure it won’t interact dangerously with other drugs you take. Melatonin can change the way other drugs work, making blood pressure and diabetes drugs less effective and increasing the effects of blood-thinning drugs, for example. Talk to your doctor before taking melatonin if you take any medication.

Be careful driving the next morning. Short-term use of melatonin is generally considered safe, Rodriguez says. But some people do report drowsiness, headaches, dizziness, or nausea. The Council for Responsible Nutrition says not to drive while using melatonin.

Be cautious about long-term use. Studies have shown that melatonin appears to be safe when used for three months or less, according to reviews of research and the NIH. But a lack of long-term studies means we don’t know if long-term use is safe.

Talk to a doctor about sleep problems. Whether or not melatonin helps you, you should consult your doctor if you’ve had trouble sleeping for three months or longer, according to Rodriguez. “The longer insomnia goes, the more difficult it is to treat,” he says.

Remote work has become widespread, driven by technological advances and the global shift toward flexible work arrangements. However, managing time effectively in remote teams poses unique challenges due to the absence of traditional office environments and in-person supervision. This article outlines advanced time management techniques tailored for remote teams, emphasizing the importance of structured processes, collaboration tools, and strategies to boost efficiency and productivity. It also highlights the role of “Time Management Training” in enhancing performance.

The Importance of Time Management in Remote Teams

Time management is crucial in remote settings, as it enables teams to function smoothly across different time zones, minimize distractions, and maintain high productivity levels. Remote employees often face challenges such as:

• Overlapping work and personal boundaries
• Difficulty in maintaining focus
• Lack of regular communication
• Unstructured workflows

Time management strategies help mitigate these issues by providing structure, improving accountability, and fostering collaboration.

Core Time Management Techniques for Remote Teams

Establishing a Structured Workday Routine

Creating a consistent daily schedule helps remote employees maintain discipline. It reduces ambiguity and builds a sense of normalcy.

Key Components:

• Set Fixed Working Hours: Stick to specific start and end times for work.
• Daily Planning: Use task management tools to create a prioritized to-do list.
• Break Scheduling: Schedule short breaks to avoid burnout, following techniques like the Pomodoro method.

Time Blocking and Task Prioritization

Time blocking is a powerful technique that assigns specific blocks of time to tasks or projects. This method ensures focused work on high-priority tasks and minimizes interruptions.

Task Prioritization Framework	Explanation
Eisenhower Matrix	Divide tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance to help focus on critical activities.
ABCDE Method	Classifies tasks from A (most important) to E (least important), making it easier to concentrate on high-value activities.
Pareto Principle	Emphasizes the 80/20 rule, where 80% of results come from 20% of the effort. Identifying and focusing on these key tasks increases productivity.

Asynchronous Communication

Remote teams often operate in different time zones. Asynchronous communication helps reduce the need for constant availability by allowing employees to respond on their schedules. Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Asana are critical in maintaining communication without disrupting workflows.

Advanced Time Management Techniques

Leveraging Automation and Technology

Automation tools can significantly reduce the time spent on repetitive tasks. Integrating software that automates routine workflows frees employees to focus on higher-value tasks.

Role of Time Management Training

Time management training is essential for equipping remote employees with the skills needed to manage their workload efficiently. This training focuses on improving organizational habits, task prioritization, and utilization of time-tracking tools.

Benefits of Time Management Training	Impact on Remote Teams
Increased Productivity	Structured workflows help employees focus on tasks that matter, leading to better output.
Reduced Stress and Burnout	Training fosters balance between work and personal life by teaching effective boundary-setting techniques.
Enhanced Accountability	Time management training instills a culture of accountability, ensuring team members complete their tasks on time.
Improved Decision Making	Employees become more adept at prioritizing tasks and making informed decisions about their time.

Key Challenges in Remote Time Management

Overcoming Distractions

Distractions are one of the major productivity drainers for remote workers. A structured workspace, along with tools to block distracting websites or applications, can mitigate this.

Common Distractions	Mitigation Techniques
Household Disruptions	Designate a specific workspace and communicate boundaries with family.
Social Media	Use apps like Freedom to block access to social media during working hours.
Unplanned Meetings	Set meeting-free time blocks and enforce “deep work” hours for focused tasks.

Managing Time Zones

For globally distributed teams, managing different time zones can be difficult. Scheduling overlapping working hours or asynchronous tools ensures that communication flows without loss.

Solution	Description
World Time Buddy	Helps manage time zone differences by allowing easy scheduling.
Async Video Updates	Use tools like Loom to send video updates without scheduling conflicts.

Avoiding Overwork

Remote employees may overwork due to the blurring of work and home life. Setting clear boundaries and shutting down work tools at a designated time each day are essential to maintaining balance.

Lists for Implementing Time Management Techniques

Time Management Best Practices

1. Set Clear Priorities – Use frameworks like the Eisenhower Matrix to classify tasks based on urgency and importance.
2. Time Block Deep Work – Reserve uninterrupted time for critical tasks.
3. Reduce Unnecessary Meetings – Implement meeting-free blocks to focus on productive work.
4. Take Regular Breaks – Use methods like the Pomodoro technique to maintain energy levels.
5. Utilize Collaboration Tools – Streamline communication and task allocation through tools like Slack and Asana.
6. Time Audits – Periodically review time spent on tasks to optimize productivity.

Summary of Time Management Training

Effective time management is critical to the success of remote teams. Teams can significantly enhance productivity and collaboration by implementing structured techniques such as time blocking, leveraging automation, and adopting asynchronous communication. The inclusion of “Time Management Training” further solidifies these processes, equipping team members with the necessary skills to thrive in a remote work environment. In a world where remote work continues to rise, time management is not just a skill but a key to long-term success and sustainability.

 

Table of Contents

• Which Data Are Susceptible to Privacy Breaches?
• #1 Insufficient Data Privacy Plans
• #2 Data Trading
• #3 Location Tracking
• #4 Dangers of Additional Devices
• #5 Insufficient Standard Operating Procedures 
• #6 Data Hoarding
• Why Is Data Privacy Worth It?
• How Should You Protect Your Data?
• Solve Your Data Privacy Issues With DataGrail

Businesses today face growing challenges in protecting personal data due to evolving privacy regulations, increasing consumer expectations, and complex data ecosystems.

Key issues include:

• Regulatory compliance: Navigating and keeping up with laws like GDPR, CCPA, and others is increasingly complex.
• Third-party risk: Companies often lack visibility into how vendors handle personal data.
• Consumer trust: Failing to protect privacy can damage reputation and customer loyalty.
• Data minimization: Collecting more data than necessary increases exposure and risk.
• Data subject requests (DSRs): Managing and responding to access and deletion requests is time-consuming without automation.

Data privacy should be at the top of your list when it comes to leading your company toward expansion and innovation. An integral part of both of these is ensuring that third parties are unable to access, use, or distribute your private user data, can protect your employees, safeguard your business operations, and preserve your company’s reputation.

In all likelihood, your business faces a data privacy concern every day—if any of your employees use the internet, your company’s information could be at risk. Fortunately, in this article, we’ll break down which data are susceptible to attack, dissect six common issues in data privacy, and discuss how to solve data privacy issues to help bolster your data protection measures. 

Which Data Are Susceptible to Privacy Breaches?

Privacy breaches often involve a wide range of company information. While account credentials—usernames and passwords—are likely the first pieces of information that come to mind when considering data privacy issues, plenty of other details are susceptible to access, theft, and sale. 

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These include:

• Products you’ve purchased online
• Search engine and browser histories
• Location information
• Financial data 
• Employee benefits service providers such as:
  • Insurance companies
  • Health Savings Account administrators
  • Retirement account platforms
• Preferred operational solutions for tasks like:
  • Employee messaging
  • Internal record storage
  • Project management
  • Banking and bookkeeping

Malicious third parties may infiltrate data and documents that you and your employees create, access, store, or share across your organization. When third parties gain access to your private information, you’re at risk of data loss, reputational damage, and regulatory fines. 

That being said, you can prevent or seriously mitigate data breaches by pinpointing possible vulnerabilities and data privacy concerns within your business operations. We’ve detailed six below. 

#1 Insufficient Data Privacy Plans

Nearly two megabytes of new data enter the digital sphere each second. If you conduct any aspect of your business digitally or online, you contribute to that figure any time business hours are open. 

But, have you considered whether or not your data protection policy and infrastructure are robust enough to handle your business’s data volume? The more data you produce, store, and share, the more likely it is that you’ll encounter data privacy issues. As such, you should consider each piece of new data as a potential weak spot in your privacy policies. 

Any preventative software or procedure should address specific privacy concerns at scale. To that end, every cybersecurity and privacy solution should account for the following, at the minimum:

• The number of users and their permission throughout your network
• The sheer volume of data that your business stores physically and in the cloud
• Each employee’s average technology needs and usage
• Your company’s most critical and sensitive data

Instead of preventing issues in data privacy as an afterthought, create a plan that’s both scalable and comprehensive enough to protect your business’s unique data volume and usage. To bolster your privacy, you may encrypt your data, back up personal information on a cloud server, and implement monitoring software to regularly analyze data access and protection. 

#2 Data Trading

To determine how to solve data privacy issues specific to your company, remember to account for one of the most insidious issues in the digital sphere—data trading. 

Data trading includes:

• Third-party access and theft of your confidential information
• Selling the information to other third parties
• The continued sale and resale of data until relevant leaks are addressed

Protecting your sensitive data from unauthorized access—and potential sale to third parties—should be one of the linchpins of your data privacy plan. Why? Once data traders have your company or customer data, they can accomplish a variety of potentially harmful undertakings, such as:

• Identity theft – With access to enough confidential customer data, hackers can impersonate your business or your customers online for their own gain. They may issue electronic transfers from your bank accounts, apply for loans using your federal tax ID number, or make unauthorized purchases.
• Data hostaging – In extreme cases, data traders will invite you to the negotiations table by holding your data hostage for a high price. While they await your response, they may take offers from other bidders. 
• Targeted advertising – Data traders can sell your data to advertising companies who can create ads personally tailored to your shopping habits, your digital shopping lists, and your search engine results. 

Although it’s one of numerous data privacy issues, data sales can inconvenience, set back, or decimate your and your customers’ daily operations. 

#3 Location Tracking

In the business sector, location tracking can be insidious. Hackers can infiltrate your employees’ location data to reveal or sell trade secrets, confidential consumer data, supply chain information, and business development efforts. 

Let’s explore an example scenario:

1. Data traders access an employee’s location data from his smartphone. The employee drives a company car to pick up orders from suppliers and deliver products to customers. 
2. By examining trends in his location data, third parties can uncover:
   1. Your primary material suppliers or consulting partners
   2. Your retail and individual clients
   3. Your company vehicle storage locations when business hours are closed
3. These third parties can sell your information to data traders or offer the data to your competitors, putting your operations in jeopardy.

Hackers can wreak havoc with access to even one employee’s location data. As such, businesses must protect location data as part of their privacy initiatives. 

#4 Dangers of Additional Devices

Even if on-site IT equipment is well-protected by data privacy infrastructure and procedures, consider the risks that other devices can present to your business. 

In addition to work-issued smartphones, tablets, and PCs, businesses should also include the following devices in their data privacy plan:

• Employee-provided equipment, such as:
  • Smartphones
  • Tablets
  • Laptops
• Hardware employees use to remotely access your server
• Portable hotspots for remote wifi access

The more data your company has, the more opportunities usurpers have to hijack your information—the same is true when considering the number of devices in circulation. Encourage your employees to only access company information from their work-issued devices, rather than a personal computer, phone, or tablet. 

#5 Insufficient Standard Operating Procedures 

Even with the best data privacy platform at their disposal, humans can still make mistakes. As such, businesses shouldn’t rely on software alone to protect their data. Companies must also develop and fine-tune standard operating procedures (SOPs) for data privacy. 

SOPs should include procedures like:

• New device setup and privacy protection
• Protocol concerning employee devices
• Document naming and filing conventions
• When, why, how, and by whom the SOP should be reviewed and updated

After creating—or overhauling—their data privacy SOP, companies should also strongly consider:

• Training new employees to access and follow SOPs
• Adjusting the SOP each time their data protection software changes or updates
• Offering incentives for employees to attend semi-regular data privacy trainings

#6 Data Hoarding

As we’ve explored in previous sections, more data means more opportunities for unauthorized access. If your company is unnecessarily saving digital documents, you should perform some spring cleaning to dispose of any redundant or outdated files on your server, in the cloud, or on individual devices to prevent any privacy issues from arising. 

When thinning out your data inventory, prioritize the following items for disposal:

• Duplicate files
• Program files that are outdated or no longer in use
• Non-financial documents over 10 years old

If you’re not ready to purge older materials, consider storing hard copies in a secure, safe location, like an offsite, locked storage unit. This strategy is particularly useful for old financial or HR documents—since you may need them in the future, you can reduce the risk of a data privacy issue from happening by opting for printed copies. 

Why Is Data Privacy Worth It?

If the potentially massive risks posed by the data privacy issues above didn’t sway you, consider how catastrophic a personal data breach could be for your or your family’s financial security, privacy, and physical safety. 

Company data should be treated with the same care, if not more—while a personal data breach could jeopardize your immediate family, a business data breach could endanger your company, your customers, and each employee. 

Simply put, data privacy is worth it because:

• A data breach may lead to a loss in revenue, customer distrust, and financial penalties.
• You must comply with data privacy regulation and laws. Failure to do so may result in steep fines.
• Securing the personal information of your customers and data regarding your business operations is vital to preventing fraud, identity theft, and competitor access.

Learn more: Data Privacy vs. Data Security: A Guide

How Should You Protect Your Data?

So, wondering how to improve data privacy? Data privacy issues can be addressed with various solutions, some of which we’ve already briefly explored. These include:

• Bolster data privacy plans – To protect your digital assets thoroughly, review your current procedures and software, identify coverage gaps, and build a system that can scale as you create more data.
• Monitor data trading – Prevent data trading by reducing the likelihood of third-party data access—consider software-based solutions and internal procedures.
• Disable location tracking – Disable location services on devices company-wide to prevent data leaks and competitor access.
• Reduce devices – Limit the number of devices that can access your data and restrict employee access to company assets via personal devices.
• Create sufficient SOPs – Determine the vulnerabilities in your internal procedures, create new SOPs, and train your employees to follow them. 
• Avoid data hoarding – Perform regular purges of outdated digital documents, opting for hard copies in secure storage when necessary. 

Renting vehicles creates numerous risks for businesses. Some are obvious, such as the chance of an injury accident or physical damage to the vehicle. Other risks, like a harsh indemnification clause in a rental contract, may be more obscure. To reduce their risks, business owners should consider the following issues before they rent any autos.

Business Liability Insurance

Most states require rental companies to provide customers with at least the minimum statutory limit of liability insurance. Businesses should not rely on this coverage as their main source of protection against liability claims. For one thing, the limit is generally low ($25,000/$50,000 is typical). In some states, moreover, the insurance afforded by the rental company is excess over any other coverage available to the renter.

While businesses can buy additional liability insurance from the rental agency, many already have insurance under a commercial auto policy. A key source of liability insurance for rental vehicles is hired auto liability coverage. This coverage is available under the standard business auto policy. It protects your company against claims for bodily injury or property damage caused by accidents resulting from the use of hired autos. Note that hired auto liability coverage applies on an excess basis. Your policy will pay claims arising out of a hired auto after other collectible insurance has been used up.

Name on the Rental Agreement

When a rental vehicle is used on behalf of the business, whose name should appear on the rental agreement? Ideally, the contract should list the business. There are two reasons for this. First, hired auto liability coverage applies to you, meaning the named insured business. The policy does not specifically cover employees while driving autos rented by them personally. Consequently, an insurer may refuse to pay a claim stemming from an accident involving a vehicle rented by an employee unless employee-hired autos are covered by an endorsement.

Secondly, an employee’s personal auto policy (or personal assets) may be used to pay claims if the employee has rented a vehicle in his own name and is subsequently involved in an accident. The employee’s policy and assets are at risk even if the worker rented the auto to use in his employer’s business.⁵

Personal Auto Coverage

While it’s preferable for vehicles used for business to be rented in the name of the business, this isn’t always possible. An employee may lack the authority or the means (like a company credit card) to rent an auto in his employer’s name. Thus, employees who rent autos should have personal auto coverage in place. A personal policy can provide backup coverage if no other insurance is available to cover a claim. Most personal policies cover rental cars for liability.

Note

Many personal auto policies don’t provide liability coverage for trucks or other commercial vehicles (other than vans or pickups) used in a business.

Liability Under the Rental Agreement

Most rental contracts contain an indemnity agreement that transfers liability from the rental agency to the customer. The agreement typically requires the customer to assume liability for any claims by third parties for injuries or damage caused by accidents resulting from the customer’s use of the rental vehicle. Agreements vary. Thus, customers need to read contracts carefully so they understand how much liability they are assuming.

Physical Damage Coverage

Rental car contracts typically make customers liable for any physical damage they cause to the rental vehicle. The contract may also hold customers responsible for various costs such as loss of use, diminution in value, and administrative expenses.

Many rental agencies offer to waive liability for physical damage and the other charges if the customer purchases a loss damage waiver (also called a collision damage waiver). Because an LDW is often pricey, customers should consider other potential sources of coverage. These may include hired auto physical damage coverage under a commercial auto policy or physical damage coverage under a personal auto policy.

Note

Besides insurance, many businesses also have collision and theft coverage afforded by a credit card company. This coverage is available only if the business uses the card to rent the vehicle.

Which Coverage Is Primary?

As mentioned previously, hired auto liability coverage applies on an excess basis under the standard business auto policy. Liability coverage afforded for rental vehicles under personal auto policies also applies on an excess basis. Liability coverage provided by the rental company may also be excess. If all coverage is excess, which will apply first? The answer may be determined by a state statute or a previous court ruling. Alternatively, the insurers may opt to share the loss. Ask your agent or attorney how such disputes are typically resolved in your state.

Wondering where to invest? Real estate agents break it down.

• Strategic kitchen updates like fresh countertops, new lighting, and painted cabinets can make a big impact on buyers without requiring a full remodel.
• Timeless and high-quality finishes—like real tile backsplashes and neutral color schemes—tend to appeal more than trendy or overly personalized choices.
• Even small staging details, such as decluttering counters and using subtle scents, help create a welcoming kitchen that stands out during showings.

Most people spend a lot of time in their kitchens, so when it comes time to buy a home, they often take a closer look at this room than others. And if you’re a seller, it pays to make sure your kitchen is feeling fresh, according to real estate agents.

“Kitchen remodels are pricey—and disruptive to everyday life,” explains Susan Thayer, founder of the Thayer Group and a market trends committee member at the Denver Metro Association of Realtors. “Many buyers will put an offer on a home that has an updated kitchen even if the rest of the home is not as updated, simply because they know the cost and disruption of having to do this update themselves.”

Pamela Bathen, a broker with Oak Realty in Ashland, Massachusetts, notes kitchen upgrades bring a strong visual impact to a home, making them smart investments for sellers. But what projects are most attractive to buyers? Here’s what home-selling experts say. 

New Countertops

It’s worth it to consider adding new countertops to your kitchen, especially if your current counters are dated. “If the kitchen has an island and acres of counter space, new countertops can become a highlight and make other deficits, if there are any, seem less urgent,” says Bathen. 

According to a recent Zillow analysis, soapstone countertops fetch a 3.5% sale premium. The dark and richly veined natural stone adds depth and drama to a kitchen, explains Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert. Quartz, meanwhile, can help a home sell for 2.6% more than expected.

“Porcelain is very popular right now and more budget-friendly than quartz, however buyers will not usually pay more just because the counters are a certain material,” Bathen adds. “In most cases new is new, and both are fabulous options.”

Updated Lighting

Kate Terrigno, a Realtor with Corcoran in Charlotte, North Carolina, says good lighting can completely transform how a kitchen feels, bringing it from dim to bright and inviting. “I recommend focusing on under-cabinet and statement fixtures,” she says. “Swapping in modern pendants immediately eludes warmth while adding a touch of luxury without the huge expense.”

According to Houzz’s 2025 kitchen trends study, 9 out of 10 renovating homeowners install new lighting over their kitchen islands, with pendant lights coming in as the top choice. 

A Real Backsplash

The finish that wows the most is typically the backsplash, explains Kristen Hunter, an agent with Keller Williams Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. “But it has to be timeless and real tile,” she says. Translation? Skip the peel-and-stick backsplashes, which are viewed as a project since the drywall underneath can get ruined. “It also can’t be specific to the decor of the seller or the paint on the wall because the buyer may not have the same taste,” she says. 

Refreshed Cabinets

“Sometimes, lipstick on a pig works,” says Andrew Abrams, a broker at Guide Real Estate and another market trends committee member for the Denver Metro Association of Realtors. In other words, painting outdated or dingy kitchen cabinets can go a long way, as can swapping in new hardware.

“If the kitchen is older and only one upgrade is realistic, painted cabinets usually have the biggest impact,” adds Bathen. “A light, modern color draws the eye up and gives a fresh, new feel to the room.”

Pendleton, however, suggests one specific paint color: olive green. Zillow’s latest paint color analysis found buyers will pay nearly $1,600 for an olive green kitchen. “Leave any major renovations to your home’s next owner,” she says.

Just Don’t Go Overboard

In most casts, huge renovation projects and over-personalized selections won’t do you any favors, explains Terrigno. “Less is more—keep it clean, neutral, and simple,” she says.

With that in mind, it’s important to sufficiently prep any kitchen for a showing, no matter how many upgrades you did or didn’t make. Taylor Lucyk, the team lead at Taylor Lucyk Group, suggests clearing off countertops, hiding garbage cans, and putting away pet bowls.

“Try not to cook right before a showing, and consider lighting a lightly scented candle to create a welcoming atmosphere,” he adds. “Small touches like these can make the kitchen feel more inviting and leave a strong impression on potential buyers.”