(1031,1,'2020-11-30 22:50:55','2020-11-30 22:50:55','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>How to Insure Your Townhouse Like a Pro</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/f016fe92-d663-4591-8f83-00e849fd726d/how-to-insure-a-townhouse-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Townhouse insurance\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">So you\'ve bought yourself a nice little townhome so you can enjoy all the perks of home ownership without any of the lawn mowing? Good call. But townhomes need protection, too, and just as much as single-family homes. The difference, though, is that some things are covered under your association, and some are not. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But first, it\'s time to take a closer look at townhome insurance, from the coverages to the requirements and beyond.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Townhouse Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In short, townhouse insurance covers your indoor space and any outdoor property you possess. If a disaster strikes, or your belongings are stolen, you’ll be covered. But there\'s also a liability side to your coverage, too. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And if someone is injured on your property and files a liability claim against you, townhouse insurance can help minimize your risk.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who Needs Townhouse Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You may be asking yourself, “Why do I need homeowners insurance on my townhouse?”<em> </em>Well, because you want to protect it, right? And all of the memories and other stuff in it, too.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re already a great candidate for a comprehensive townhouse insurance policy. In just about all cases, townhouse insurance is highly recommended. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">First, it should be mentioned that it isn’t against the law to not have home insurance on your townhouse. However, there’s a strong possibility that you will need to purchase insurance in order to own one in the first place, for a number of reasons, like:</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Lender Requirements</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Did you purchase your townhouse using a mortgage? If so, your lender typically requires you to have homeowners insurance. Which makes sense, considering that the bank wants to protect their investment as well as your own.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Townhouse Owner Requirements</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you own your home outright, and the townhouse isn’t part of a homeowner/condo association (see below), insurance is typically optional — but it\'s strongly recommended. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Because basically, townhouse insurance functions as a standard homeowners insurance policy, providing coverage for your personal property, the interior and exterior structure of the townhouse, the land your property is on, and liability coverage should a claim be filed against you. </span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Rental Requirements</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you rent a townhouse, you should get renters insurance. Because you don’t own the property, a renters insurance policy covers your personal property (like furniture, big-screen TVs, fancy clothes) and provides liability coverage in case a claim is ever filed against you as a renter. It’s for these reasons that renters insurance is often referred to as “walls-in coverage.”</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Landlords are the owners of the property, so a renters insurance policy complements your landlord\'s insurance policy. Landlord insurance covers the interior and exterior structural elements of the townhouse. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Considering that most renters insurance policies only cost a few dollars a month while providing thousands in coverage in the event of a claim, having renters insurance is a no-brainer. </span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">HOA/Condo Association Requirements</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your townhouse is in a homeowners association (HOA), condo association, or planned community, then it\'s usually standard procedure to purchase insurance that meets the terms of your HOA/condo agreement (often referred to as “HO6 coverage”). </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This townhouse association insurance coverage protects your personal property, the interior of your townhouse, and any part of your home that isn’t covered by your association\'s group policy.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The group’s policy typically covers any parts of the property that are owned collectively by all of the residents, including:</strong></span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shared hallways</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Roads</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pathways</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Amenities, such as: </span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Elevators</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Activity spaces</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Exercise rooms</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hot tubs</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Saunas</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Swimming pools </span></li>\n</ul>\n</li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Also, be sure you know exactly what type of coverage you’re required to have for your townhouse beforehand (including minimum policy limits). This goes a long way toward ensuring that you’re not caught off guard by an unexpected expense or an unplanned disaster. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As an example, your townhouse’s roof may be considered a \"shared\" resource, and thus covered by your HO6 policy. If damage occurs to the condo\'s common property that exceeds the HO6/condo association\'s shared coverage limits, the extra expense is split evenly among all residents (known as an “assessment”). </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To cover this cost, loss assessment coverage is available to pay for your portion of those extra costs. If that part of your property isn’t shared, then it\'s up to you to properly insure it. </span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What’s Covered with Townhouse Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As mentioned before, typical townhouse insurance policies mirror the same coverages you would typically find with a homeowners insurance policy (e.g., damage from storms). But you may need to add a few additional coverages, depending on where you live and what else you\'ve got going on, like:</span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Flood insurance</strong><strong>:</strong> If you live in a flood-prone area, you should boost your policy to avoid mold and structural damage caused by overflowing water.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Earthquake insurance</strong><strong>: </strong>Similarly, if your townhouse is in an area that regularly experiences the shakes, an earthquake insurance policy can help cover repairs to your home’s structure, protection for injured occupants, and your belongings.  </span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Umbrella insurance</strong><strong>:</strong> If you feel your standard townhouse insurance policy isn’t comprehensive enough, consider an umbrella insurance policy, which boosts your coverage beyond your initial policy’s limits. If you regularly host a book club for seniors at your home, you may want to invest in umbrella coverage for any claims that may be filed against you. </span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How Much Does Townhouse Insurance Cost?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Considering that a typical homeowners insurance policy in the United States costs just over $1,000/year, you should be happy to hear that the average cost of homeowners insurance for townhouse policies is typically much less than homeowners insurance. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When compared to a stand-alone house in the same area, townhouse insurance is cheaper, since they tend to be smaller and cover less of the structure.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Like any other insurance policy, there\'s a number of factors that influence the cost of townhouse insurance, including:</span></h4>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Where the townhouse is located</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How much the townhouse is worth</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Crime rates</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Which elements of your townhome\'s structure you are responsible for</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How much liability coverage you need (such as more coverage for a heavily trafficked home)</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The value of your personal property and owned assets</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Number of occupants in the home, as well as their age</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And other factors</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What\'s the Difference Between Condo and Townhouse Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Townhouse and condominium are commonly used to describe types of homes that are similar in design, but there are clear differences. First, a townhouse is a type of building; a condo is a structure of ownership. This means that your home could be considered simply a townhouse, a condo, or both.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Generally speaking, a townhouse is a single-family dwelling that shares walls with up to two of its neighbors. A townhouse might have anywhere from one to five floors (two to four are the most common designs) with a doorway/entrance facing the street. And it may even have a small front or back yard. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Condominiums, on the other hand, are usually in a shared building complex that contains multiple units. The units are owned by different people in several apartments in a single building, or may be part of several independent buildings. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Further, condominiums have shared common areas and amenities of the property that are paid for, maintained, and insured by all who live in the condominium complex.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The real difference between condo and townhouse insurance lies with cost, since townhouse insurance is more comprehensive than insuring a condominium. But this means you\'ll see a slightly higher cost for condo insurance, because there are more risks with a greater number of residents living communally. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Furthermore, condo insurance usually excludes reimbursement for lightning damage, hail damage, and, in many cases, theft. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/09/10-tiny-pivots-to-make-your-small-business-more-effective.html\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','How to Insure Your Townhouse Like a Pro','','inherit','closed','closed','','1025-revision-v1','','','2020-11-30 22:50:55','2020-11-30 22:50:55','',1025,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1025-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1036,1,'2020-11-30 23:11:52','2020-11-30 23:11:52','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h2 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Home Appreciation: Should I Change My Homeowners Coverage?</strong></h2>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/9650549f-d71a-4095-97c2-ce85d0944d21/home-appreciation-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Home appreciation\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Most Americans grumble about their home values going down. It makes you wonder if home values ever increase (or <em>appreciate</em>).  In some ways, appreciation is like a unicorn — something we’ve all heard about but rarely see. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">So what are the different ways your dwelling can appreciate in value? Should you change up your homeowners insurance policy because of an increase in home value? </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Take a look at some basic info we put together for those fortunate souls experiencing home appreciation. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Four Ways Your Residence Value May Increase</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many people don’t think much about the changes and improvements they make to their homes. Adding a swimming pool, building a deck, going solar will certainly pump up your sticker price when (and if) you decide to sell. Below are examples of the four common ways a dwelling may appreciate. </span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">New Purchases</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Over the course of owning your dwelling there’s a good chance you’ll upgrade some appliances or buy yourself some special toys. Maybe you just set up a fully equipped home gym. Or you might have brought home a 75-inch 4K TV with all the bells and whistles.  Or you got a fabulous painting from your favorite up-and-coming artist. </span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Home Renovations</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your modest ranch style dwelling went from 1,000 square feet to 1,600 square feet. Now you have an extra bathroom, more bedrooms, and a huge family room with a stone fireplace.  That’s going to add quite a bit to the assessed value. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Or perhaps you did a variety of improvements. Is your master bathroom now a home spa? Did you jazz up your outdoor living space with built-in grill, wine cooler, and sound system? </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Outdoor areas and secondary buildings count towards your property’s overall price too. Even the enhancements like slab granite countertops or double convection ovens can contribute to a high-priced homestead. </span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Real Estate Market Soars</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Location is the name of the game when it comes to real estate sales. Perhaps your dwelling is now in a trendy neighborhood which automatically makes it more valuable. Over time a specialty shopping district might pop up or highly desirable school districts can get reassigned which equals home appreciation. </span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Home Business</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Starting a business that’s based in your home may be convenient (um, working in your pajamas) but it kinda changes your residential value. Businesses have equipment, inventory, and other valuable items that are specific to the company’s work. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These things don’t necessarily increase the sale price of your house but they do increase the content within the home. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Running a home business can also complicate insurance matters since you really should have everything used for and owned by the business protected under a separate business owners policy. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If any of these situations apply to your humble abode then you’ll want to talk with your agent to make sure your insurance coverage is just right. </span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Appreciation Means More Coverage (or Not) </span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your dwelling coverage is based on the estimated cost to rebuild or repair your home in case of fire, wind, hail, or other damages. Insurance companies take into consideration things like the square footage and local construction costs. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your policy benefits are set up with the purpose of fixing your broken home. Homes that appreciate because of a spike in the local real estate market do not need to have their insurance plans increased too. </span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are two reasons why you would want to increase your replacement coverage:</span></h4>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Renovations:</strong> Adding square footage by finishing the basement or adding a second floor can add a lot of value to the home. You’ll need to be sure the remodeled parts of your home are protected the same as the original parts of the house. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Construction Costs Go Up:</strong> Construction booming in your community is great for a number of reasons, yet it puts a strain on local building resources which ultimately drives up the cost for materials and labor. You’ll want to be sure the dwelling coverage benefit you signed up for ten years ago will still pay for repairing or replacing your home should a disaster strike. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Other situations that create appreciation in home value usually don’t need you to increase your homeowners insurance coverage. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/home-appreciation/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Home Appreciation: Should I Change My Homeowners Coverage?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1010-revision-v1','','','2020-11-30 23:11:52','2020-11-30 23:11:52','',1010,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1010-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1040,1,'2020-11-30 23:18:14','2020-11-30 23:18:14','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Are Dorm Rooms Covered by Homeowners Insurance?</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/966e8518-1a52-4b00-92e6-9b4e3f38aba6/desktop-with-computer-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Does homeowners insurance cover dorms\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify; color: #000000;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You’ve worked hard for 18+ years to raise your kids into college-going young adults, and now they’re headed off to hit the books. Congratulations, that’s quite the accomplishment. But while you’re packing up the stereos and lava lamps, you might be wondering if the dorm room and what’s inside it  will be covered by insurance.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Kind of Coverage Does Homeowners Insurance Provide for Dorm Rooms?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Once your kids are off at school, the fact is that you won’t be able to keep a close eye on them anymore (don’t worry, they’ll be fine). Aside from troubling visions of raging parties getting out of hand, there are several common mishaps that could take place in a dorm that would benefit from insurance coverage.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Homeowners insurance can provide coverage for the following with respect to dorm rooms:</strong></span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Personal liability</strong><strong>: </strong>Lawsuits for property damage and personal injury can happen even to college students. If your child is involved in an incident that results in another student or guest being injured in their dorm or damage to school property, your homeowners policy can help cover the financial ramifications. Coverage extends to repair costs, medical payments, and legal fees.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Personal property: </strong>If your child’s stuff is damaged, destroyed, vandalized, or stolen from their dorm, your homeowners policy will cover them—to an extent. Your homeowners policy most likely offers a 10% extension to property stored “off-premises,” or anywhere other than your home. So if you have $100,000 of property coverage under your policy, $10,000 of that will apply to belongings in the dorm.  Note: For more expensive or high-value electronics like computers and video game consoles, you might want to consider getting endorsements added to your policy.</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Knowing homeowners insurance extends to your kids once they leave the nest might help put your mind at ease. That being said, there’s no insurance out there that’ll cover missed assignments.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Students Are Eligible for Coverage Under Homeowners Insurance?</span></h3>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"b3242773-b332-462a-9953-5856020acd1e\" data-image-id=\"b3242773-b332-462a-9953-5856020acd1e\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/42179105-7c25-46d9-b5a7-dc9a2a2da05f/student-at-computer.jpg\" data-asset-id=\"b3242773-b332-462a-9953-5856020acd1e\" data-image-id=\"b3242773-b332-462a-9953-5856020acd1e\" alt=\"dorm insurance\" /></span></figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While in many cases homeowners insurance will extend part of its coverage to the policyholder’s college students, this isn’t a hard rule. Policies have varying restrictions about what students are allowed coverage under a parent\'s policy.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The following factors might influence which college students are covered under homeowners insurance:</span></h4>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The type of enrollment: </strong>Certain policies only cover students who are enrolled full time. The course load required to be considered a full-time student varies depending on the college or university.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The age of the student: </strong>Many homeowners policies have age limits for students they extend coverage to. In many cases, this is 26.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The amount of time spent at home: </strong>Certain situations could cause an insurance company to determine that your student is no longer a resident of your home, and therefore ineligible to receive an extension of your coverage. If your child did not live at home before leaving for college, or rarely makes visits home afterwards, they might be excluded from receiving coverage.</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It’s important to review your specific policy before your student settles into their new life away at college, so you can be sure they’re covered prior to any mishaps.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Does Homeowners Insurance Extend to Off-Campus Apartments and Townhouses?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Unfortunately there’s no simple answer for this, because it depends on your specific policy. However, many homeowners policies stipulate that coverage is strictly for on-campus housing. Students opting for off-campus apartments or townhouses might have better luck looking into a renters insurance policy.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Do I Need Renters Insurance?</span></h3>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"bcb5dc89-e2ba-4f65-9b12-d6dceff31498\" data-image-id=\"bcb5dc89-e2ba-4f65-9b12-d6dceff31498\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/492f697d-8e0c-4c48-8a84-d9863dcf09ad/dorm-buildings-exterior.jpg\" data-asset-id=\"bcb5dc89-e2ba-4f65-9b12-d6dceff31498\" data-image-id=\"bcb5dc89-e2ba-4f65-9b12-d6dceff31498\" alt=\"dorm buildings\" /></span></figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Basically, if they’ll be living in any kind of off-campus housing that isn’t covered by your homeowners insurance policy. Since college students face the same daily risks no matter where they live, you’ll want to make sure your offspring are covered under <em>some </em>kind of insurance.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Renters insurance can provide coverage for the following:</span></h4>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Personal liability</strong><strong>:</strong> If your student is involved in an incident resulting in injury or property damage, this coverage will take care of the legal expenses, medical fees, or other financial ramifications.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Personal property: </strong>Renters insurance can provide coverage for the repair or replacement of personal property in the off-campus housing that’s damaged, destroyed, or stolen. Certain natural disasters are covered, as well as other incidents. The advantage with a renters policy is that it won’t have the 10% extension limit of the personal property coverage offered by your homeowners policy.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Temporary housing: </strong>Should your student be displaced from their apartment or townhouse due to a fire or other disaster, coverage will provide temporary housing while their dwelling is unlivable.</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Renters insurance policies not only offer the advantage of offering higher coverage limits for things like personal property, but also offer cheap annual premiums. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In many cases, renters policies cost only $100 to $120 per year. Keep in mind that renters insurance does not cover the dwelling itself. The building belongs to the landlord, and should be covered under their policy.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/09/10-tiny-pivots-to-make-your-small-business-more-effective.html\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Are Dorm Rooms Covered by Homeowners Insurance?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1032-revision-v1','','','2020-11-30 23:18:14','2020-11-30 23:18:14','',1032,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1032-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1039,1,'2020-11-30 23:17:46','2020-11-30 23:17:46','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Are Dorm Rooms Covered by Homeowners Insurance?</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/966e8518-1a52-4b00-92e6-9b4e3f38aba6/desktop-with-computer-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Does homeowners insurance cover dorms\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify; color: #000000;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You’ve worked hard for 18+ years to raise your kids into college-going young adults, and now they’re headed off to hit the books. Congratulations, that’s quite the accomplishment. But while you’re packing up the stereos and lava lamps, you might be wondering if the dorm room and what’s inside it  will be covered by insurance.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Kind of Coverage Does Homeowners Insurance Provide for Dorm Rooms?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Once your kids are off at school, the fact is that you won’t be able to keep a close eye on them anymore (don’t worry, they’ll be fine). Aside from troubling visions of raging parties getting out of hand, there are several common mishaps that could take place in a dorm that would benefit from insurance coverage.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Homeowners insurance can provide coverage for the following with respect to dorm rooms:</strong></span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Personal liability</strong><strong>: </strong>Lawsuits for property damage and personal injury can happen even to college students. If your child is involved in an incident that results in another student or guest being injured in their dorm or damage to school property, your homeowners policy can help cover the financial ramifications. Coverage extends to repair costs, medical payments, and legal fees.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Personal property: </strong>If your child’s stuff is damaged, destroyed, vandalized, or stolen from their dorm, your homeowners policy will cover them—to an extent. Your homeowners policy most likely offers a 10% extension to property stored “off-premises,” or anywhere other than your home. So if you have $100,000 of property coverage under your policy, $10,000 of that will apply to belongings in the dorm.  Note: For more expensive or high-value electronics like computers and video game consoles, you might want to consider getting endorsements added to your policy.</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Knowing homeowners insurance extends to your kids once they leave the nest might help put your mind at ease. That being said, there’s no insurance out there that’ll cover missed assignments.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Students Are Eligible for Coverage Under Homeowners Insurance?</span></h3>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"b3242773-b332-462a-9953-5856020acd1e\" data-image-id=\"b3242773-b332-462a-9953-5856020acd1e\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/42179105-7c25-46d9-b5a7-dc9a2a2da05f/student-at-computer.jpg\" data-asset-id=\"b3242773-b332-462a-9953-5856020acd1e\" data-image-id=\"b3242773-b332-462a-9953-5856020acd1e\" alt=\"dorm insurance\" /></span></figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While in many cases homeowners insurance will extend part of its coverage to the policyholder’s college students, this isn’t a hard rule. Policies have varying restrictions about what students are allowed coverage under a parent\'s policy.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The following factors might influence which college students are covered under homeowners insurance:</span></h4>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The type of enrollment: </strong>Certain policies only cover students who are enrolled full time. The course load required to be considered a full-time student varies depending on the college or university.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The age of the student: </strong>Many homeowners policies have age limits for students they extend coverage to. In many cases, this is 26.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The amount of time spent at home: </strong>Certain situations could cause an insurance company to determine that your student is no longer a resident of your home, and therefore ineligible to receive an extension of your coverage. If your child did not live at home before leaving for college, or rarely makes visits home afterwards, they might be excluded from receiving coverage.</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It’s important to review your specific policy before your student settles into their new life away at college, so you can be sure they’re covered prior to any mishaps.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Does Homeowners Insurance Extend to Off-Campus Apartments and Townhouses?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Unfortunately there’s no simple answer for this, because it depends on your specific policy. However, many homeowners policies stipulate that coverage is strictly for on-campus housing. Students opting for off-campus apartments or townhouses might have better luck looking into a renters insurance policy.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Do I Need Renters Insurance?</span></h3>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"bcb5dc89-e2ba-4f65-9b12-d6dceff31498\" data-image-id=\"bcb5dc89-e2ba-4f65-9b12-d6dceff31498\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/492f697d-8e0c-4c48-8a84-d9863dcf09ad/dorm-buildings-exterior.jpg\" data-asset-id=\"bcb5dc89-e2ba-4f65-9b12-d6dceff31498\" data-image-id=\"bcb5dc89-e2ba-4f65-9b12-d6dceff31498\" alt=\"dorm buildings\" /></span></figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Basically, if they’ll be living in any kind of off-campus housing that isn’t covered by your homeowners insurance policy. Since college students face the same daily risks no matter where they live, you’ll want to make sure your offspring are covered under <em>some </em>kind of insurance.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Renters insurance can provide coverage for the following:</span></h4>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Personal liability</strong><strong>:</strong> If your student is involved in an incident resulting in injury or property damage, this coverage will take care of the legal expenses, medical fees, or other financial ramifications.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Personal property: </strong>Renters insurance can provide coverage for the repair or replacement of personal property in the off-campus housing that’s damaged, destroyed, or stolen. Certain natural disasters are covered, as well as other incidents. The advantage with a renters policy is that it won’t have the 10% extension limit of the personal property coverage offered by your homeowners policy.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Temporary housing: </strong>Should your student be displaced from their apartment or townhouse due to a fire or other disaster, coverage will provide temporary housing while their dwelling is unlivable.</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Renters insurance policies not only offer the advantage of offering higher coverage limits for things like personal property, but also offer cheap annual premiums. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In many cases, renters policies cost only $100 to $120 per year. Keep in mind that renters insurance does not cover the dwelling itself. The building belongs to the landlord, and should be covered under their policy.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How to Find the Best Homeowners or Renters Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In order to get the protection you need (and deserve), you’ll want to work with a trusted expert. Independent insurance agents will not only know where to find the best coverage and price, but also help to make sense of the fine print.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Consider your unique needs, then connect with an agent to help you take it from there. Have a list of your specific concerns and desires handy before you reach out, to help make the process even smoother.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/09/10-tiny-pivots-to-make-your-small-business-more-effective.html\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Are Dorm Rooms Covered by Homeowners Insurance?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1032-revision-v1','','','2020-11-30 23:17:46','2020-11-30 23:17:46','',1032,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1032-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1041,1,'2020-11-30 23:20:16','2020-11-30 23:20:16','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Non-Auto Accidents Away from Home?</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/5a69cfbd-fb08-46b1-a1d9-8bd738e0e6b4/non-auto-accident-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Off home property accident coverage\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When injuries or other accidents happen inside your home, you feel pretty calm and confident that you’ll be covered under your homeowners insurance. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But it’s those accidents that occur away from the home that blur this understanding for many people. Getting clear about what’s covered and where is in the golden rule book for homeowners—or at least it should be.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fortunately homeowners insurance still provides coverage for a long list of potential non-auto accidents, even if they happen somewhere outside your oasis.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Off-premises non-auto accident coverage is the aspect of homeowners insurance that takes care of accidents not involving vehicles that occur away from the home. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Honest mishaps that result in injury to you or others, as well as property damage, are covered—within reason. That being said, there’s no coverage for accidents that occur because you were deliberately being reckless or a jerk.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Included under Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" data-image-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/0bdc36d4-aaa7-47c0-b7d8-2b9b83081c0e/homeowners-policy.jpg\" data-asset-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" data-image-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" alt=\"What Is Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" /></span></figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">All kinds of things can go wrong in the home, but you’re not immune to making harmful mistakes when you’re out and about, either. The trick is learning what kinds of non-auto mishaps homeowners insurance provides coverage for away from the home.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The main non-auto accident categories covered off-premises include:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Injuries: </strong>If you’re involved in a non-auto accident that results in injury to you or others, even away from the home, your homeowners insurance will cover medical expenses and legal fees, should you get sued.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Property damage: </strong>If you accidentally cause damage to someone else’s property in a way that doesn’t involve a vehicle, your homeowners insurance will cover expenses required to repair the damage, as well as potential legal fees if they file a lawsuit against you.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Negligent acts: </strong>The only accidents homeowners insurance will cover must be caused by your negligence—that is, your unintentional mess-up. If you cause injury or property damage while you’re spacing out or are otherwise distracted, the incident will most likely be covered. Basically, as long as you don’t intend harm, you should be covered.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners insurance does not provide coverage for:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Intentional harm: </strong>If someone upsets you and you lash out in a way that causes injury or property damage, homeowners insurance will not cover the incident in any way. Acts of deliberate vandalism and Halloween pranks gone awry are also not covered. Intended harm or destruction does not qualify as an accident—not to mention, it’s just not cool.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Knowing that your homeowners policy provides coverage for medical fees, legal fees, and property damage repair for honest non-auto accidents, even off-premises, can provide some peace of mind when you’re away from home.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why Would I Need Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Basically, because you’re human, and accidents can happen anywhere. Causing injury or damage to someone else or their property can be guilt-inducing enough in the first place, but at least there’s some comfort in knowing that homeowners insurance is there to help cover the costs. We’ll explore just a handful of covered scenarios.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The following situations would be included under off-premises non-auto accident coverage:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Sports-related injuries: </strong>If you throw a foul ball or accidentally toss your golf club during a game and end up whacking someone, homeowners insurance will cover you.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Cooking-related illnesses: </strong>If you bring a dish to a potluck that ends up making everyone sick due to spoiled ingredients, you’ll be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Child bullying: </strong>If your child bullies another child and ends up causing bodily injury, homeowners insurance will provide coverage even though their actions may have been deliberate.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Slander-related injuries: </strong>If you cause harm to another person through your false words, potential legal fees will be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Non-bodily injury upsets: </strong>If you cause upset or harm other than bodily injury to someone, such as getting them lost for several days during a hiking trip you’re leading, homeowners insurance will cover legal fees if they sue you. Basically, any non-business related upset caused by your negligence could be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Dog  and other pet bites:</strong> If your pet dog, horse, snake, bird or ocelot gets over-rambunctious and bites or otherwise injures someone, you’ll be covered. Your insurance company may exclude coverage for specific dog breeds, however.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The fact is, there are tons of ways we can accidentally cause injury or damage to others or their property, even without vehicles. Luckily, homeowners insurance provides coverage for a big old stack of potential mishaps and their resulting costs.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Does My Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yes. Homeowners coverage extends to non-auto accidents that occur even away from the home. However, there are certain exclusions that vary depending on your state. You’ll need to double-check your policy—with the help of your insurance agent—to find out exactly what’s covered and what’s not in your specific location.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How To Find the Best Homeowners Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In order to get the protection you need (and deserve), you’ll want to work with a trusted expert. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Consider your unique needs, then connect with an agent to help you take it from there. Have a list of your specific concerns and desires handy before you reach out, to help the make process even smoother.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/off-property-accident-coverage/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Non-Auto Accidents Away from Home?','','publish','closed','closed','','does-my-homeowners-insurance-cover-non-auto-accidents-away-from-home','','','2020-12-01 00:09:30','2020-12-01 00:09:30','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1041',0,'page','',0),(1042,1,'2020-11-30 23:20:16','2020-11-30 23:20:16','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Non-Auto Accidents Away from Home?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1041-revision-v1','','','2020-11-30 23:20:16','2020-11-30 23:20:16','',1041,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1041-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1046,1,'2020-11-30 23:29:22','2020-11-30 23:29:22','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Are Dorm Rooms Covered by Homeowners Insurance?</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/966e8518-1a52-4b00-92e6-9b4e3f38aba6/desktop-with-computer-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Does homeowners insurance cover dorms\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify; color: #000000;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You’ve worked hard for 18+ years to raise your kids into college-going young adults, and now they’re headed off to hit the books. Congratulations, that’s quite the accomplishment. But while you’re packing up the stereos and lava lamps, you might be wondering if the dorm room and what’s inside it  will be covered by insurance.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Kind of Coverage Does Homeowners Insurance Provide for Dorm Rooms?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Once your kids are off at school, the fact is that you won’t be able to keep a close eye on them anymore (don’t worry, they’ll be fine). Aside from troubling visions of raging parties getting out of hand, there are several common mishaps that could take place in a dorm that would benefit from insurance coverage.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Homeowners insurance can provide coverage for the following with respect to dorm rooms:</strong></span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Personal liability</strong><strong>: </strong>Lawsuits for property damage and personal injury can happen even to college students. If your child is involved in an incident that results in another student or guest being injured in their dorm or damage to school property, your homeowners policy can help cover the financial ramifications. Coverage extends to repair costs, medical payments, and legal fees.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Personal property: </strong>If your child’s stuff is damaged, destroyed, vandalized, or stolen from their dorm, your homeowners policy will cover them—to an extent. Your homeowners policy most likely offers a 10% extension to property stored “off-premises,” or anywhere other than your home. So if you have $100,000 of property coverage under your policy, $10,000 of that will apply to belongings in the dorm.  Note: For more expensive or high-value electronics like computers and video game consoles, you might want to consider getting endorsements added to your policy.</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Knowing homeowners insurance extends to your kids once they leave the nest might help put your mind at ease. That being said, there’s no insurance out there that’ll cover missed assignments.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Students Are Eligible for Coverage Under Homeowners Insurance?</span></h3>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"b3242773-b332-462a-9953-5856020acd1e\" data-image-id=\"b3242773-b332-462a-9953-5856020acd1e\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/42179105-7c25-46d9-b5a7-dc9a2a2da05f/student-at-computer.jpg\" data-asset-id=\"b3242773-b332-462a-9953-5856020acd1e\" data-image-id=\"b3242773-b332-462a-9953-5856020acd1e\" alt=\"dorm insurance\" /></span></figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While in many cases homeowners insurance will extend part of its coverage to the policyholder’s college students, this isn’t a hard rule. Policies have varying restrictions about what students are allowed coverage under a parent\'s policy.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The following factors might influence which college students are covered under homeowners insurance:</span></h4>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The type of enrollment: </strong>Certain policies only cover students who are enrolled full time. The course load required to be considered a full-time student varies depending on the college or university.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The age of the student: </strong>Many homeowners policies have age limits for students they extend coverage to. In many cases, this is 26.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The amount of time spent at home: </strong>Certain situations could cause an insurance company to determine that your student is no longer a resident of your home, and therefore ineligible to receive an extension of your coverage. If your child did not live at home before leaving for college, or rarely makes visits home afterwards, they might be excluded from receiving coverage.</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It’s important to review your specific policy before your student settles into their new life away at college, so you can be sure they’re covered prior to any mishaps.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Does Homeowners Insurance Extend to Off-Campus Apartments and Townhouses?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Unfortunately there’s no simple answer for this, because it depends on your specific policy. However, many homeowners policies stipulate that coverage is strictly for on-campus housing. Students opting for off-campus apartments or townhouses might have better luck looking into a renters insurance policy.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Do I Need Renters Insurance?</span></h3>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"bcb5dc89-e2ba-4f65-9b12-d6dceff31498\" data-image-id=\"bcb5dc89-e2ba-4f65-9b12-d6dceff31498\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/492f697d-8e0c-4c48-8a84-d9863dcf09ad/dorm-buildings-exterior.jpg\" data-asset-id=\"bcb5dc89-e2ba-4f65-9b12-d6dceff31498\" data-image-id=\"bcb5dc89-e2ba-4f65-9b12-d6dceff31498\" alt=\"dorm buildings\" /></span></figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Basically, if they’ll be living in any kind of off-campus housing that isn’t covered by your homeowners insurance policy. Since college students face the same daily risks no matter where they live, you’ll want to make sure your offspring are covered under <em>some </em>kind of insurance.</span></p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Renters insurance can provide coverage for the following:</span></h4>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Personal liability</strong><strong>:</strong> If your student is involved in an incident resulting in injury or property damage, this coverage will take care of the legal expenses, medical fees, or other financial ramifications.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Personal property: </strong>Renters insurance can provide coverage for the repair or replacement of personal property in the off-campus housing that’s damaged, destroyed, or stolen. Certain natural disasters are covered, as well as other incidents. The advantage with a renters policy is that it won’t have the 10% extension limit of the personal property coverage offered by your homeowners policy.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Temporary housing: </strong>Should your student be displaced from their apartment or townhouse due to a fire or other disaster, coverage will provide temporary housing while their dwelling is unlivable.</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Renters insurance policies not only offer the advantage of offering higher coverage limits for things like personal property, but also offer cheap annual premiums. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In many cases, renters policies cost only $100 to $120 per year. Keep in mind that renters insurance does not cover the dwelling itself. The building belongs to the landlord, and should be covered under their policy.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/college-dorm-insurance/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Are Dorm Rooms Covered by Homeowners Insurance?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1032-revision-v1','','','2020-11-30 23:29:22','2020-11-30 23:29:22','',1032,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1032-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1044,1,'2020-11-30 23:22:30','2020-11-30 23:22:30','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Non-Auto Accidents Away from Home?</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/5a69cfbd-fb08-46b1-a1d9-8bd738e0e6b4/non-auto-accident-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Off home property accident coverage\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>When injuries or other accidents happen inside your home, you feel pretty calm and confident that you’ll be covered under your<span> </span><a data-item-id=\"baedaa8b-1314-547d-b69c-b82cffb3083c\" href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/\">homeowners insurance</a>. </p>\n<p>But it’s those accidents that occur away from the home that blur this understanding for many people. Getting clear about what’s covered and where is in the golden rule book for homeowners—or at least it should be.</p>\n<p>Fortunately homeowners insurance still provides coverage for a long list of potential non-auto accidents, even if they happen somewhere outside your oasis. </p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/09/10-tiny-pivots-to-make-your-small-business-more-effective.html\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Non-Auto Accidents Away from Home?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1041-revision-v1','','','2020-11-30 23:22:30','2020-11-30 23:22:30','',1041,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1041-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1048,1,'2020-11-30 23:37:29','2020-11-30 23:37:29','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Non-Auto Accidents Away from Home?</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/5a69cfbd-fb08-46b1-a1d9-8bd738e0e6b4/non-auto-accident-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Off home property accident coverage\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When injuries or other accidents happen inside your home, you feel pretty calm and confident that you’ll be covered under your homeowners insurance. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But it’s those accidents that occur away from the home that blur this understanding for many people. Getting clear about what’s covered and where is in the golden rule book for homeowners—or at least it should be.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fortunately homeowners insurance still provides coverage for a long list of potential non-auto accidents, even if they happen somewhere outside your oasis.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Off-premises non-auto accident coverage is the aspect of homeowners insurance that takes care of accidents not involving vehicles that occur away from the home. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Honest mishaps that result in injury to you or others, as well as property damage, are covered—within reason. That being said, there’s no coverage for accidents that occur because you were deliberately being reckless or a jerk.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Included under Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" data-image-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/0bdc36d4-aaa7-47c0-b7d8-2b9b83081c0e/homeowners-policy.jpg\" data-asset-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" data-image-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" alt=\"What Is Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" /></span></figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">All kinds of things can go wrong in the home, but you’re not immune to making harmful mistakes when you’re out and about, either. The trick is learning what kinds of non-auto mishaps homeowners insurance provides coverage for away from the home.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The main non-auto accident categories covered off-premises include:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Injuries: </strong>If you’re involved in a non-auto accident that results in injury to you or others, even away from the home, your homeowners insurance will cover medical expenses and legal fees, should you get sued.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Property damage: </strong>If you accidentally cause damage to someone else’s property in a way that doesn’t involve a vehicle, your homeowners insurance will cover expenses required to repair the damage, as well as potential legal fees if they file a lawsuit against you.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Negligent acts: </strong>The only accidents homeowners insurance will cover must be caused by your negligence—that is, your unintentional mess-up. If you cause injury or property damage while you’re spacing out or are otherwise distracted, the incident will most likely be covered. Basically, as long as you don’t intend harm, you should be covered.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners insurance does not provide coverage for:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Intentional harm: </strong>If someone upsets you and you lash out in a way that causes injury or property damage, homeowners insurance will not cover the incident in any way. Acts of deliberate vandalism and Halloween pranks gone awry are also not covered. Intended harm or destruction does not qualify as an accident—not to mention, it’s just not cool.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Knowing that your homeowners policy provides coverage for medical fees, legal fees, and property damage repair for honest non-auto accidents, even off-premises, can provide some peace of mind when you’re away from home.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why Would I Need Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Basically, because you’re human, and accidents can happen anywhere. Causing injury or damage to someone else or their property can be guilt-inducing enough in the first place, but at least there’s some comfort in knowing that homeowners insurance is there to help cover the costs. We’ll explore just a handful of covered scenarios.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The following situations would be included under off-premises non-auto accident coverage:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Sports-related injuries: </strong>If you throw a foul ball or accidentally toss your golf club during a game and end up whacking someone, homeowners insurance will cover you.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Cooking-related illnesses: </strong>If you bring a dish to a potluck that ends up making everyone sick due to spoiled ingredients, you’ll be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Child bullying: </strong>If your child bullies another child and ends up causing bodily injury, homeowners insurance will provide coverage even though their actions may have been deliberate.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Slander-related injuries: </strong>If you cause harm to another person through your false words, potential legal fees will be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Non-bodily injury upsets: </strong>If you cause upset or harm other than bodily injury to someone, such as getting them lost for several days during a hiking trip you’re leading, homeowners insurance will cover legal fees if they sue you. Basically, any non-business related upset caused by your negligence could be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Dog  and other pet bites:</strong> If your pet dog, horse, snake, bird or ocelot gets over-rambunctious and bites or otherwise injures someone, you’ll be covered. Your insurance company may exclude coverage for specific dog breeds, however.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The fact is, there are tons of ways we can accidentally cause injury or damage to others or their property, even without vehicles. Luckily, homeowners insurance provides coverage for a big old stack of potential mishaps and their resulting costs.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Does My Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yes. Homeowners coverage extends to non-auto accidents that occur even away from the home. However, there are certain exclusions that vary depending on your state. You’ll need to double-check your policy—with the help of your independent insurance agent—to find out exactly what’s covered and what’s not in your specific location.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How To Find the Best Homeowners Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In order to get the protection you need (and deserve), you’ll want to work with a trusted expert. Independent insurance agents will not only know where to find the best coverage and price, but also help to make sense of the fine print.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Consider your unique needs, then connect with an agent to help you take it from there. Have a list of your specific concerns and desires handy before you reach out, to help the make process even smoother.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/off-property-accident-coverage/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Non-Auto Accidents Away from Home?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1041-revision-v1','','','2020-11-30 23:37:29','2020-11-30 23:37:29','',1041,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1041-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1233,1,'2021-03-22 18:45:08','2021-03-22 18:45:08','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder -->\n[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"post-headline \" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>An insurance peril is an event that causes damage to your home, and </strong></span></h1>\n<h1 class=\"post-headline \" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>your coverage depends on what policy you have</strong></span></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://i.insider.com/5fdccb3ec910a400192e84b0?width=700\" alt=\"InsurancePeril\" style=\"float: left;\" /></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you have homeowners insurance, you have coverage to protect against damage to your home. There are limitations to that coverage, though, and they depend on the types of peril your policy insures against.</span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A peril is something that causes damage to your home. There are eight types of homeowners insurance, but they all fall into one of two categories: named peril or open peril.</span></p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-an-insurance-peril?\" class=\"toc-header-element\" style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>What is an insurance peril?</strong></span></h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A peril is an event that may damage your home or belongings, like theft, fire, or a storm, according to Allstate. The type of peril coverage you have depends on the homeowners insurance based on your dwelling type: condo, home, mobile home, renter, or new construction. </span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Note the difference between the terms peril, hazard, and risk. For insurance purposes, a peril refers to a specific event that determines whether your homeowners insurance will cover you.</span></p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A hazard is something likely to cause a peril. For example, a dry Christmas tree can cause a fire hazard triggering a peril. During winter, ice and snow can cause a slipping or tripping hazard, increasing the potential of physical injury. A risk increases the likelihood of a peril. For example, hanging heavy Christmas lights on roofs and gutters increases the risk of falling objects</span></p>\n<h2 id=\"open-peril-vs.-named-peril-homeowners-insurance\" class=\"toc-header-element\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Open-peril vs. named-peril homeowners insurance</strong></span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners insurance falls in two categories: named-peril policies and open-peril policies.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\"Open peril\" is also referred to as \"all peril.\" A named-peril policy covers you for listed events, like a fire, storm, or theft. An open/all-peril policy covers just about anything that might happen, unless your policy specifically notes that it\'s not covered.  </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Insurance company Lemonade provides the following example of an open-peril policy: If an apartment flood ruined your computer, and your policy doesn\'t specifically say flooding <em>isn\'t</em> covered, your insurance company will have to approve your claim, by default.</span></p>\n<h2 id=\"peril-coverage-depends-on-your-type-of-homeowners-insurance\" class=\"toc-header-element\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Peril coverage depends on your type of homeowners insurance</strong></span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are eight types of homeowners policies based on the type of home you have. Most of the policies include named-peril coverage, meaning you\'re only covered for listed events.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">However, standard HO-3 insurance and mobile home insurance have additional open/all-peril coverage for the dwelling structure. That means if you have an HO-3 or HO-7 policy, your home is covered from just about anything, but your belongings are covered under named perils only.</span></p>\n<h2 id=\"perils-covered-by-home-insurance\" class=\"toc-header-element\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Perils covered by home insurance</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here are a few instances of events that might be considered named peril or open peril:</span></p>\n<div class=\"horizontal-scroll\">\n<table border=\"1\" cellpadding=\"10px\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Named peril</strong></span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Open/all peril</strong></span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fire or lightning</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Windstorm or hail</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Explosion</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Riots</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Aircraft</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Vehicles</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Smoke</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Vandalism</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Theft</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Falling objects</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Weight of ice, snow, or sleet</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sudden and accidental tearing, cracking, burning, or bulging</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Freezing</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sudden and accidental damage due to short circuiting</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Volcanic eruption</span></li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n<td>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Freezing pipes and systems in vacant dwellings</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Damage to foundations or pavements from ice and water weight</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Theft from a dwelling under construction</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Vandalism to vacant dwellings</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Latent defects, corrosion, industrial smoke, pollution</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Settling, wear, and tear</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pets, other animals, and pests</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Weather conditions that aggravate other excluded causes of loss</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Government and association actions</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Defective construction, design, and maintenance</span></li>\n</ul>\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Perils not covered by homeowners insurance </strong></span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Earthquakes, floods, government seizures, mudslides, ordinance updates, sewer backups and sinkholes are all perils that won\'t be covered by homeowners insurance, according to Hippo Insurance. Those will require add-on coverage using a rider policy.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homes located in disaster-prone areas — hurricanes, tornadoes, and wildfires — will have increased premiums because these types of events are not included in basic coverage and will need to be add-on riders. </span></p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-homeowners-insurance?\" class=\"toc-header-element\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>What is homeowners insurance?</strong></span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners insurance protects the dwelling, your belongings, and offers liability coverage for injuries that happen on your property. If the mailman slips and falls on your sidewalk, the dog bites a guest, a tree falls on your roof, or the neighbor\'s kid injures himself doing a cannonball in your swimming pool, homeowners insurance can protect you. If you live in a condo/co-op, the condo association\'s master policy covers the building and common areas, but condo insurance covers your unit.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners insurance offers protection for homeowners\' belongings and the home itself. Unlike car insurance, homeowners insurance is not required by state law. However, if you have a mortgage, your lender will require homeowners insurance to protect the investment. Also, some condo associations will have rules in the by-laws about homeowners insurance coverage minimums.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/what-is-home-insurance-peril\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></p>\n</div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]\n<!-- /wp:divi/placeholder -->','An insurance peril is an event that causes damage to your home, and your coverage depends on what policy you have','','inherit','closed','closed','','1227-revision-v1','','','2021-03-22 18:45:08','2021-03-22 18:45:08','',1227,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1227-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1052,1,'2020-11-30 23:44:56','2020-11-30 23:44:56','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Invest Wisely in High-Value Home Insurance</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/76cb9587-2ca0-4eec-943e-5bfdc2746f5d/high-value-home-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Paradise Valley, Arizona - newest estate luxury home\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You\'ve had the good fortune of experiencing financial success in your life, and you\'ve invested a great deal of it in your home. But when shopping for homeowners insurance, you may find that standard policies don\'t quite meet your needs. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You\'ve worked hard to build high-value estate complete with expensive furnishings and other valuables, and you deserve a specialized policy designed to cover your investments.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>What Is High-Value Home Insurance?</strong></span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In short, high-value home insurance is a policy that provides all the coverage offered by traditional homeowners insurance, and then goes above and beyond. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Allowed coverage limits in each category are much higher than with traditional homeowners policies, which makes this type of policy perfect for individuals with luxury estates. The value of your home and possessions is factored into your specific policy.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Obviously, all homes (and the possessions within) have different total values, and your personal estate will demand coverage needs tailored specifically for you. Your policy will even provide coverage in the event that your home is badly damaged and needs to be rebuilt — up to its original value.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why Traditional Homeowners Insurance Policies May Not Be Enough</span></h3>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Number of High-Net-Worth Households in the US</span></h4>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"9f307d6c-6e80-4394-9e93-43f9321c4d82\" data-image-id=\"9f307d6c-6e80-4394-9e93-43f9321c4d82\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/7b17c69b-7503-4aa9-9199-49c515931285/high-net-worth%20households.png\" data-asset-id=\"9f307d6c-6e80-4394-9e93-43f9321c4d82\" data-image-id=\"9f307d6c-6e80-4394-9e93-43f9321c4d82\" alt=\"high net worth household\" /></span></figure>\n<div class=\"small small-text\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Beyond just understanding that typical homeowners insurance policies may not be enough to meet your unique needs, it\'s helpful to see the specific breakdown of where they might come up short.</span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Traditional homeowners policies typically place caps of $1,000 to $2,000 each on coverage for items such as furs, silver, jewelry, and fine art.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Purchasing separate riders on these items may only increase your full coverage to $10,000 for each category of personal belongings.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners policies typically limit the cap on contents coverage at 50% to 70% of your home’s value — usually not enough for high-wealth individuals and collectors.</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Basically, a high-value home insurance policy helps to fill in the gaps that would be left by a traditional homeowners insurance policy. When dealing with potentially replacing or repairing luxury estates and valuables, these are gaps you can\'t afford not to fill.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How Is High-Value Home Insurance Different?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">High-value home insurance addresses the issue of coverage needs that extend beyond the coverage caps locked on to numerous categories by traditional homeowners insurance policies. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">With high-value home insurance, the need to purchase separate endorsements or insurance riders in order to cover the additional value is eliminated. </span></p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Typical limits for high-value items in standard home insurance</strong></span></td>\n<td></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Jewelry</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Furs</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Photo &amp; Video Equipment</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Musical Instruments</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Silverware</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Golf Equipment</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fine Art</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Computer/Electronic Equipment</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Postage</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Stamps</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Coins</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$200</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Firearms</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bikes</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Individuals with an extensive list of luxury items requiring higher coverage amounts can get all their needs met, wrapped up in one neat and tidy policy. To make matters even better, having a single policy without extraneous endorsements or riders will ultimately save you money.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Constitutes a High-Value Home?</span></h3>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"1d10244b-8e82-4fa1-a2e9-826fe1ce2e26\" data-image-id=\"1d10244b-8e82-4fa1-a2e9-826fe1ce2e26\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/b5277644-bb01-4e19-8922-4d8838fe85cc/alabama-governors-mansion.jpg\" data-asset-id=\"1d10244b-8e82-4fa1-a2e9-826fe1ce2e26\" data-image-id=\"1d10244b-8e82-4fa1-a2e9-826fe1ce2e26\" alt=\"high value home insurance\" /></span></figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">High-value home insurance sounds great, but how do you determine if your home is a candidate for this type of policy? Well, some insurance companies offer high-value policies for homes valued at $300,000 or more, but most won\'t insure homes under $750,000 in value. Some policies even begin at the $1 million mark when it comes to estate values.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Keep in mind that home values vary throughout the country, and that insurance companies differ in their coverage requirements. You\'ll need to shop around to find the best policy, since not all the available options will apply to your unique needs.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why Do Luxury Homes Need Special Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Now that we\'ve covered how high-value home insurance differs from standard homeowners insurance, it\'s important to determine why luxury homes need to be insured in the first place. Here are just a few reasons why luxury estate owners should look into getting coverage:</span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Luxury home owners may have hired staff (for cleaning, cooking, etc.) in addition to other guests in their home at any given time. With all these extra bodies in and around the estate, homeowners may rightfully be concerned about theft. </span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Possessions that are higher-value are also highly attractive to burglars. In addition to loss due to theft, burglars may also cause damage to the home or property upon their intrusion, resulting in more financial loss.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Luxury items that appreciate in value (i.e., custom stained-glass windows from Italy, a cellar stocked with fine wines from France, Persian rugs, etc.) may not have their full potential worth realized by standard homeowners insurance policies. </span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Only a high-value home insurance policy can recognize and honor the full value of your luxury estate and possessions. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In the event of a catastrophe that requires the replacement of your belongings or the rebuilding of your home, you\'ll need an elite home insurance policy from a company that not only understands your unique coverage needs, but also values your items as much as you do.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Coverage Options for High-Value Home Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Because high-value home insurance providers understand that your unique needs extend beyond traditional policies, they offer several options to choose from in order to create complete coverage designed specifically for you.</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Excess liability and umbrella liability coverage</strong>: These policies provide the full coverage necessary in the event that a lawsuit is filed against a high-value homeowner, including financial reimbursement for legal fees, fines, and restitution. </span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Liability insurance for domestic help</strong>: Should one of your domestic help employees suffer an injury on the job, this coverage will take care of the medical expenses as well as lost wages while they are unable to work. This insurance also covers fees in the event that you are sued and deemed responsible for their injuries.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Flood insurance</strong>: Homeowners insurance policies typically do not provide flood coverage. Floods can cause damage to your property and possessions, and water damage is one of the most common (and costly) home insurance claims across the board. Since typical flood insurance (provided by the National Flood Insurance Program) does not provide even close to enough coverage for luxury estates, high-value home insurance companies include it as part of their package.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Identity theft insurance</strong>: Identity theft crimes are on the rise, and individuals with a high net worth are ideal targets for these criminals. This aspect of your insurance provides coverage for legal fees required to clean up the mess, and will potentially reimburse you for financial losses suffered while victimized.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Kidnap and ransom insurance</strong>: Criminals also target high-net-worth individuals for prospective ransom payments. In the event of an incident, this coverage will help with costs required to meet the criminal\'s demands, as well as for hiring the expert assistance necessary to resecure and protect your loved ones.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Coverage for vacation homes</strong>: Many insurers also provide coverage for additional structures, including pool houses and vacation homes. Combining this coverage into one policy is a strategy to save money while maintaining the full coverage you need.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Medical coverage for pets</strong>: Some high-value home policies even extend to pets. This coverage provides medical insurance policies to cover vet bills and possibly even boarding costs, should your home become temporarily uninhabitable due to a disaster.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"b806fd53-bf41-4f6b-b48d-7d91fd0343c4\" data-image-id=\"b806fd53-bf41-4f6b-b48d-7d91fd0343c4\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/29d8322c-ee5b-4a34-b220-305af62aa2ca/coverage-options-for-high-value-home-insurance.png\" data-asset-id=\"b806fd53-bf41-4f6b-b48d-7d91fd0343c4\" data-image-id=\"b806fd53-bf41-4f6b-b48d-7d91fd0343c4\" alt=\"coverage options for a high-value home\" /></span></figure>\n<h3></h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How Do Insurance Companies Determine Property Values?</span></h3>\n<h4></h4>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Richest States in America 2019</span></h4>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"64f68503-63b3-4fc0-a6fb-bc439346c9c0\" data-image-id=\"64f68503-63b3-4fc0-a6fb-bc439346c9c0\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/da3f8d89-7579-485e-ae04-e109f2c978c0/richest-states-in-america.png\" data-asset-id=\"64f68503-63b3-4fc0-a6fb-bc439346c9c0\" data-image-id=\"64f68503-63b3-4fc0-a6fb-bc439346c9c0\" alt=\"Wealthiest states is the U.S.\" /></span></figure>\n<div class=\"small small-text\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Typically, an insurance company will send out an expert appraiser to your estate to examine, assess, and document the value of your home and luxury possessions, including jewelry, artwork, collectibles, antiques, and custom materials/construction. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Should you disagree with the final report given by the appraisal, you may request a second appraisal, or appeal it by conducting your own expert assessment.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your coverage needs may change over the years as you redecorate, renovate, or otherwise revamp your home. Your insurance company may require periodic assessments in order to accurately keep your coverage up to date. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">An assessment of your estate, as well as a review of your insurance policy, is encouraged at least once every five years.</span></p>\n<p><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/high-value/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></p>\n</div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Invest Wisely in High-Value Home Insurance','','publish','closed','closed','','invest-wisely-in-high-value-home-insurance','','','2020-12-10 19:45:15','2020-12-10 19:45:15','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1052',0,'page','',0),(1053,1,'2020-11-30 23:44:56','2020-11-30 23:44:56','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','Invest Wisely in High-Value Home Insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','1052-revision-v1','','','2020-11-30 23:44:56','2020-11-30 23:44:56','',1052,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1052-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1057,1,'2020-11-30 23:59:06','2020-11-30 23:59:06','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The Definitive Guide to Home Repair Insurance</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/849e6195-6c4c-4dfb-b97e-b6bee0ddcff7/home-repair-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Home Repair Insurance\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As any homeowner can attest, houses require constant maintenance. The cost of home repairs, renovations and improvements can add up quickly. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you are purchasing a new home or if your current home needs some refurbishing, you may be wondering whether any of your work can be covered by insurance policies and what sort of remodeling or home repair insurance is available.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Average Lifespans of Major Home Appliances</span></h3>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Dishwashers and trash compactors usually last around 9 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Gas stoves last about 15  years, while electric stoves last about 13 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Refrigerator last about 13 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Garbage disposals have an expected lifespan of  12 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hot water heaters need to be replaced about every 10  years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Air conditioning units have an average lifespan of 15 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Washers and dryers usually work well for about 10 years.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<h3></h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Home Repair Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Under certain circumstances, your regular homeowners insurance policy will provide coverage for necessary home repairs, but this is not always the case. For repairs and renovations that fall outside the scope of your homeowners insurance, you may be able to get additional coverage. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Basically, the scope of home repair insurance can fall under these four categories:</strong></span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Home warranty insurance policies</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Home protection plans or home repair programs</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Utility line insurance</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Home repair contractors insurance</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14px;\"> </span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Home Repairs Will My Homeowners Policy Cover?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are many cases where your homeowners insurance will cover necessary repairs to your home. If your roof or gutters are damaged due to severe weather, or if a tree falls onto your home and damages windows and walls, your homeowners insurance will probably cover the repair costs. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you simply wished to replace your roof or windows due to wear and tear, it would not. Similarly, if an indoor water pipe bursts and causes water damage, your homeowners insurance is likely to cover the repairs, but if your basement is flooded due to excessive rainfall, you will need to have a separate flood insurance policy to handle the repairs.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is a Home Warranty Insurance Policy?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You can buy home warranty insurance when you are buying a home. It is typically part of the sales contract and is often paid for by the seller or even the real estate company for the first year. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This insurance is designed to protect the buyer from defects in the home. Coverage typically lasts for the first year of home ownership and can often be renewed. Most home warranty plans include coverage for:</span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kitchen appliances, including the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave and garbage disposal</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wiring systems, including electrical, telephone and cable</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Plumbing, including indoor pipes, drains, faucets, sprinkler systems, pools and hot tubs</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Heating and cooling appliances, including the furnace, air conditioner, heat pump and hot water heater</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Other items such as ceiling fans, doorbells and garage door openers</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some home warranties require that you purchase additional coverage to include some items otherwise not covered. Be sure to read the terms of your home warranty carefully. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If any of the covered items break, you can call the insurance company and they will send someone to your house to attempt a repair. If the unit is irreparable, the company will cover replacement and installation costs.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Keep in mind that home warranties will not provide coverage for structural damage in the home, such as problems with the foundation, cracks in the walls, or a leaky roof. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Be sure to have a thorough home inspection done before finalizing the purchase of your home so that you are aware of any serious problems for which you will be responsible.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Are Home Protection Plans and Home Repair Programs?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These programs are usually offered by home insurance companies to assist policyholders with the costs of repairing or replacing home appliances or components that are not covered by a homeowners policy. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They are similar in scope to home warranty insurance plans and can be purchased at any time. Costs for this coverage often depend on the current age of your home and appliances.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Utility Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many utility providers offer their customers the option to purchase insurance to cover utility delivery lines. This may include power lines to your house as well as gas, water and sewage pipes that are on your property but outside your home. It sometimes even includes plumbing issues in your home.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If an underground utility line is damaged and your yard or driveway has to be dug up for repairs, the cost can run more than $1,000 dollars and will not be covered by your homeowners insurance policy. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For this reason, the utility companies will allow you to pay an additional amount on your utility bill, often around $5, to provide coverage for such an instance. These costs vary by location and utility company.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Contractors Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Contractors insurance is liability insurance that should be carried by any contractor that you hire to do work on your house. If a contractor is installing new shelves and accidentally drills into a pipe, causing water damage, the contractor insurance policy should provide coverage for the repair and all damage caused by the mishap. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Additionally, contractors insurance may include workers\' compensation, so if any of the contractor’s employees are injured while working in your home, you will not need to worry about being held liable.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Always be certain that any contractors you hire to do work in your home carry liability insurance. You can do this by requesting the name and phone number of the contractor\'s insurance agent. You can call the insurance company and request a certificate of insurance for the contractor.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Can Home Repairs and Improvements Save Money?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Repairs, improvements and renovations to your home may cost a lot in the short term, but the long-term benefits can often outweigh these costs. In addition to making your home more livable, some updates may save you money on your monthly bills. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Replacing older appliances with newer, energy-efficient models can lower your utility costs, and some home repairs may even earn you a discount on your homeowners insurance policy.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Updates such as the installation of a burglar alarm or home sprinkler system, new doors and windows with secure locks, or even a new roof, may lead to discounts on your insurance policy. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">After completing any home renovations, be sure to ask your insurance agent if the updates qualify you for a reduction in your premiums.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/home-repair/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','The Definitive Guide to Home Repair Insurance','','publish','closed','closed','','the-definitive-guide-to-home-repair-insurance','','','2020-12-01 00:04:26','2020-12-01 00:04:26','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1057',0,'page','',0),(1058,1,'2020-11-30 23:59:06','2020-11-30 23:59:06','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','The Definitive Guide to Home Repair Insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','1057-revision-v1','','','2020-11-30 23:59:06','2020-11-30 23:59:06','',1057,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1057-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1066,1,'2020-12-01 00:10:02','2020-12-01 00:10:02','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Invest Wisely in High-Value Home Insurance</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/76cb9587-2ca0-4eec-943e-5bfdc2746f5d/high-value-home-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Paradise Valley, Arizona - newest estate luxury home\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You\'ve had the good fortune of experiencing financial success in your life, and you\'ve invested a great deal of it in your home. But when shopping for homeowners insurance, you may find that standard policies don\'t quite meet your needs. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You\'ve worked hard to build high-value estate complete with expensive furnishings and other valuables, and you deserve a specialized policy designed to cover your investments.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>What Is High-Value Home Insurance?</strong></span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In short, high-value home insurance is a policy that provides all the coverage offered by traditional homeowners insurance, and then goes above and beyond. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Allowed coverage limits in each category are much higher than with traditional homeowners policies, which makes this type of policy perfect for individuals with luxury estates. The value of your home and possessions is factored into your specific policy.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Obviously, all homes (and the possessions within) have different total values, and your personal estate will demand coverage needs tailored specifically for you. Your policy will even provide coverage in the event that your home is badly damaged and needs to be rebuilt — up to its original value.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why Traditional Homeowners Insurance Policies May Not Be Enough</span></h3>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Number of High-Net-Worth Households in the US</span></h4>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"9f307d6c-6e80-4394-9e93-43f9321c4d82\" data-image-id=\"9f307d6c-6e80-4394-9e93-43f9321c4d82\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/7b17c69b-7503-4aa9-9199-49c515931285/high-net-worth%20households.png\" data-asset-id=\"9f307d6c-6e80-4394-9e93-43f9321c4d82\" data-image-id=\"9f307d6c-6e80-4394-9e93-43f9321c4d82\" alt=\"high net worth household\" /></span></figure>\n<div class=\"small small-text\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Beyond just understanding that typical homeowners insurance policies may not be enough to meet your unique needs, it\'s helpful to see the specific breakdown of where they might come up short.</span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Traditional homeowners policies typically place caps of $1,000 to $2,000 each on coverage for items such as furs, silver, jewelry, and fine art.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Purchasing separate riders on these items may only increase your full coverage to $10,000 for each category of personal belongings.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners policies typically limit the cap on contents coverage at 50% to 70% of your home’s value — usually not enough for high-wealth individuals and collectors.</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Basically, a high-value home insurance policy helps to fill in the gaps that would be left by a traditional homeowners insurance policy. When dealing with potentially replacing or repairing luxury estates and valuables, these are gaps you can\'t afford not to fill.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How Is High-Value Home Insurance Different?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">High-value home insurance addresses the issue of coverage needs that extend beyond the coverage caps locked on to numerous categories by traditional homeowners insurance policies. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">With high-value home insurance, the need to purchase separate endorsements or insurance riders in order to cover the additional value is eliminated. </span></p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Typical limits for high-value items in standard home insurance</strong></span></td>\n<td></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Jewelry</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Furs</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Photo &amp; Video Equipment</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Musical Instruments</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Silverware</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Golf Equipment</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fine Art</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Computer/Electronic Equipment</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Postage</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Stamps</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Coins</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$200</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Firearms</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bikes</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Individuals with an extensive list of luxury items requiring higher coverage amounts can get all their needs met, wrapped up in one neat and tidy policy. To make matters even better, having a single policy without extraneous endorsements or riders will ultimately save you money.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Constitutes a High-Value Home?</span></h3>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"1d10244b-8e82-4fa1-a2e9-826fe1ce2e26\" data-image-id=\"1d10244b-8e82-4fa1-a2e9-826fe1ce2e26\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/b5277644-bb01-4e19-8922-4d8838fe85cc/alabama-governors-mansion.jpg\" data-asset-id=\"1d10244b-8e82-4fa1-a2e9-826fe1ce2e26\" data-image-id=\"1d10244b-8e82-4fa1-a2e9-826fe1ce2e26\" alt=\"high value home insurance\" /></span></figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">High-value home insurance sounds great, but how do you determine if your home is a candidate for this type of policy? Well, some insurance companies offer high-value policies for homes valued at $300,000 or more, but most won\'t insure homes under $750,000 in value. Some policies even begin at the $1 million mark when it comes to estate values.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Keep in mind that home values vary throughout the country, and that insurance companies differ in their coverage requirements. You\'ll need to shop around to find the best policy, since not all the available options will apply to your unique needs.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why Do Luxury Homes Need Special Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Now that we\'ve covered how high-value home insurance differs from standard homeowners insurance, it\'s important to determine why luxury homes need to be insured in the first place. Here are just a few reasons why luxury estate owners should look into getting coverage:</span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Luxury home owners may have hired staff (for cleaning, cooking, etc.) in addition to other guests in their home at any given time. With all these extra bodies in and around the estate, homeowners may rightfully be concerned about theft. </span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Possessions that are higher-value are also highly attractive to burglars. In addition to loss due to theft, burglars may also cause damage to the home or property upon their intrusion, resulting in more financial loss.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Luxury items that appreciate in value (i.e., custom stained-glass windows from Italy, a cellar stocked with fine wines from France, Persian rugs, etc.) may not have their full potential worth realized by standard homeowners insurance policies. </span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Only a high-value home insurance policy can recognize and honor the full value of your luxury estate and possessions. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In the event of a catastrophe that requires the replacement of your belongings or the rebuilding of your home, you\'ll need an elite home insurance policy from a company that not only understands your unique coverage needs, but also values your items as much as you do.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Coverage Options for High-Value Home Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Because high-value home insurance providers understand that your unique needs extend beyond traditional policies, they offer several options to choose from in order to create complete coverage designed specifically for you.</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Excess liability and umbrella liability coverage</strong>: These policies provide the full coverage necessary in the event that a lawsuit is filed against a high-value homeowner, including financial reimbursement for legal fees, fines, and restitution. </span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Liability insurance for domestic help</strong>: Should one of your domestic help employees suffer an injury on the job, this coverage will take care of the medical expenses as well as lost wages while they are unable to work. This insurance also covers fees in the event that you are sued and deemed responsible for their injuries.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Flood insurance</strong>: Homeowners insurance policies typically do not provide flood coverage. Floods can cause damage to your property and possessions, and water damage is one of the most common (and costly) home insurance claims across the board. Since typical flood insurance (provided by the National Flood Insurance Program) does not provide even close to enough coverage for luxury estates, high-value home insurance companies include it as part of their package.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Identity theft insurance</strong>: Identity theft crimes are on the rise, and individuals with a high net worth are ideal targets for these criminals. This aspect of your insurance provides coverage for legal fees required to clean up the mess, and will potentially reimburse you for financial losses suffered while victimized.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Kidnap and ransom insurance</strong>: Criminals also target high-net-worth individuals for prospective ransom payments. In the event of an incident, this coverage will help with costs required to meet the criminal\'s demands, as well as for hiring the expert assistance necessary to resecure and protect your loved ones.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Coverage for vacation homes</strong>: Many insurers also provide coverage for additional structures, including pool houses and vacation homes. Combining this coverage into one policy is a strategy to save money while maintaining the full coverage you need.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Medical coverage for pets</strong>: Some high-value home policies even extend to pets. This coverage provides medical insurance policies to cover vet bills and possibly even boarding costs, should your home become temporarily uninhabitable due to a disaster.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"b806fd53-bf41-4f6b-b48d-7d91fd0343c4\" data-image-id=\"b806fd53-bf41-4f6b-b48d-7d91fd0343c4\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/29d8322c-ee5b-4a34-b220-305af62aa2ca/coverage-options-for-high-value-home-insurance.png\" data-asset-id=\"b806fd53-bf41-4f6b-b48d-7d91fd0343c4\" data-image-id=\"b806fd53-bf41-4f6b-b48d-7d91fd0343c4\" alt=\"coverage options for a high-value home\" /></span></figure>\n<h3></h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How Do Insurance Companies Determine Property Values?</span></h3>\n<h4></h4>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Richest States in America 2019</span></h4>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"64f68503-63b3-4fc0-a6fb-bc439346c9c0\" data-image-id=\"64f68503-63b3-4fc0-a6fb-bc439346c9c0\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/da3f8d89-7579-485e-ae04-e109f2c978c0/richest-states-in-america.png\" data-asset-id=\"64f68503-63b3-4fc0-a6fb-bc439346c9c0\" data-image-id=\"64f68503-63b3-4fc0-a6fb-bc439346c9c0\" alt=\"Wealthiest states is the U.S.\" /></span></figure>\n<div class=\"small small-text\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Typically, an insurance company will send out an expert appraiser to your estate to examine, assess, and document the value of your home and luxury possessions, including jewelry, artwork, collectibles, antiques, and custom materials/construction. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Should you disagree with the final report given by the appraisal, you may request a second appraisal, or appeal it by conducting your own expert assessment.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your coverage needs may change over the years as you redecorate, renovate, or otherwise revamp your home. Your insurance company may require periodic assessments in order to accurately keep your coverage up to date. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">An assessment of your estate, as well as a review of your insurance policy, is encouraged at least once every five years.</span></p>\n<p><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/09/10-tiny-pivots-to-make-your-small-business-more-effective.html\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></p>\n</div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Invest Wisely in High-Value Home Insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','1052-revision-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:10:02','2020-12-01 00:10:02','',1052,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1052-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1056,1,'2020-11-30 23:58:38','2020-11-30 23:58:38','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Invest Wisely in High-Value Home Insurance</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/76cb9587-2ca0-4eec-943e-5bfdc2746f5d/high-value-home-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Paradise Valley, Arizona - newest estate luxury home\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You\'ve had the good fortune of experiencing financial success in your life, and you\'ve invested a great deal of it in your home. But when shopping for homeowners insurance, you may find that standard policies don\'t quite meet your needs. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You\'ve worked hard to build high-value estate complete with expensive furnishings and other valuables, and you deserve a specialized policy designed to cover your investments.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>What Is High-Value Home Insurance?</strong></span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In short, high-value home insurance is a policy that provides all the coverage offered by traditional homeowners insurance, and then goes above and beyond. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Allowed coverage limits in each category are much higher than with traditional homeowners policies, which makes this type of policy perfect for individuals with luxury estates. The value of your home and possessions is factored into your specific policy.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Obviously, all homes (and the possessions within) have different total values, and your personal estate will demand coverage needs tailored specifically for you. Your policy will even provide coverage in the event that your home is badly damaged and needs to be rebuilt — up to its original value.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why Traditional Homeowners Insurance Policies May Not Be Enough</span></h3>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Number of High-Net-Worth Households in the US</span></h4>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"9f307d6c-6e80-4394-9e93-43f9321c4d82\" data-image-id=\"9f307d6c-6e80-4394-9e93-43f9321c4d82\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/7b17c69b-7503-4aa9-9199-49c515931285/high-net-worth%20households.png\" data-asset-id=\"9f307d6c-6e80-4394-9e93-43f9321c4d82\" data-image-id=\"9f307d6c-6e80-4394-9e93-43f9321c4d82\" alt=\"high net worth household\" /></span></figure>\n<div class=\"small small-text\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Beyond just understanding that typical homeowners insurance policies may not be enough to meet your unique needs, it\'s helpful to see the specific breakdown of where they might come up short.</span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Traditional homeowners policies typically place caps of $1,000 to $2,000 each on coverage for items such as furs, silver, jewelry, and fine art.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Purchasing separate riders on these items may only increase your full coverage to $10,000 for each category of personal belongings.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners policies typically limit the cap on contents coverage at 50% to 70% of your home’s value — usually not enough for high-wealth individuals and collectors.</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Basically, a high-value home insurance policy helps to fill in the gaps that would be left by a traditional homeowners insurance policy. When dealing with potentially replacing or repairing luxury estates and valuables, these are gaps you can\'t afford not to fill.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How Is High-Value Home Insurance Different?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">High-value home insurance addresses the issue of coverage needs that extend beyond the coverage caps locked on to numerous categories by traditional homeowners insurance policies. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">With high-value home insurance, the need to purchase separate endorsements or insurance riders in order to cover the additional value is eliminated. </span></p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Typical limits for high-value items in standard home insurance</strong></span></td>\n<td></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Jewelry</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Furs</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Photo &amp; Video Equipment</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Musical Instruments</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Silverware</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Golf Equipment</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fine Art</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Computer/Electronic Equipment</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Postage</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Stamps</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Coins</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$200</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Firearms</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$2,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bikes</span></td>\n<td><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,500</span></td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Individuals with an extensive list of luxury items requiring higher coverage amounts can get all their needs met, wrapped up in one neat and tidy policy. To make matters even better, having a single policy without extraneous endorsements or riders will ultimately save you money.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Constitutes a High-Value Home?</span></h3>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"1d10244b-8e82-4fa1-a2e9-826fe1ce2e26\" data-image-id=\"1d10244b-8e82-4fa1-a2e9-826fe1ce2e26\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/b5277644-bb01-4e19-8922-4d8838fe85cc/alabama-governors-mansion.jpg\" data-asset-id=\"1d10244b-8e82-4fa1-a2e9-826fe1ce2e26\" data-image-id=\"1d10244b-8e82-4fa1-a2e9-826fe1ce2e26\" alt=\"high value home insurance\" /></span></figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">High-value home insurance sounds great, but how do you determine if your home is a candidate for this type of policy? Well, some insurance companies offer high-value policies for homes valued at $300,000 or more, but most won\'t insure homes under $750,000 in value. Some policies even begin at the $1 million mark when it comes to estate values.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Keep in mind that home values vary throughout the country, and that insurance companies differ in their coverage requirements. You\'ll need to shop around to find the best policy, since not all the available options will apply to your unique needs. An independent insurance agent can make this process much easier for you.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why Do Luxury Homes Need Special Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Now that we\'ve covered how high-value home insurance differs from standard homeowners insurance, it\'s important to determine why luxury homes need to be insured in the first place. Here are just a few reasons why luxury estate owners should look into getting coverage:</span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Luxury home owners may have hired staff (for cleaning, cooking, etc.) in addition to other guests in their home at any given time. With all these extra bodies in and around the estate, homeowners may rightfully be concerned about theft. </span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Possessions that are higher-value are also highly attractive to burglars. In addition to loss due to theft, burglars may also cause damage to the home or property upon their intrusion, resulting in more financial loss.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Luxury items that appreciate in value (i.e., custom stained-glass windows from Italy, a cellar stocked with fine wines from France, Persian rugs, etc.) may not have their full potential worth realized by standard homeowners insurance policies. </span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Only a high-value home insurance policy can recognize and honor the full value of your luxury estate and possessions. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In the event of a catastrophe that requires the replacement of your belongings or the rebuilding of your home, you\'ll need an elite home insurance policy from a company that not only understands your unique coverage needs, but also values your items as much as you do.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Coverage Options for High-Value Home Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Because high-value home insurance providers understand that your unique needs extend beyond traditional policies, they offer several options to choose from in order to create complete coverage designed specifically for you.</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Excess liability and umbrella liability coverage</strong>: These policies provide the full coverage necessary in the event that a lawsuit is filed against a high-value homeowner, including financial reimbursement for legal fees, fines, and restitution. </span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Liability insurance for domestic help</strong>: Should one of your domestic help employees suffer an injury on the job, this coverage will take care of the medical expenses as well as lost wages while they are unable to work. This insurance also covers fees in the event that you are sued and deemed responsible for their injuries.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Flood insurance</strong>: Homeowners insurance policies typically do not provide flood coverage. Floods can cause damage to your property and possessions, and water damage is one of the most common (and costly) home insurance claims across the board. Since typical flood insurance (provided by the National Flood Insurance Program) does not provide even close to enough coverage for luxury estates, high-value home insurance companies include it as part of their package.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Identity theft insurance</strong>: Identity theft crimes are on the rise, and individuals with a high net worth are ideal targets for these criminals. This aspect of your insurance provides coverage for legal fees required to clean up the mess, and will potentially reimburse you for financial losses suffered while victimized.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Kidnap and ransom insurance</strong>: Criminals also target high-net-worth individuals for prospective ransom payments. In the event of an incident, this coverage will help with costs required to meet the criminal\'s demands, as well as for hiring the expert assistance necessary to resecure and protect your loved ones.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Coverage for vacation homes</strong>: Many insurers also provide coverage for additional structures, including pool houses and vacation homes. Combining this coverage into one policy is a strategy to save money while maintaining the full coverage you need.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Medical coverage for pets</strong>: Some high-value home policies even extend to pets. This coverage provides medical insurance policies to cover vet bills and possibly even boarding costs, should your home become temporarily uninhabitable due to a disaster.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"b806fd53-bf41-4f6b-b48d-7d91fd0343c4\" data-image-id=\"b806fd53-bf41-4f6b-b48d-7d91fd0343c4\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/29d8322c-ee5b-4a34-b220-305af62aa2ca/coverage-options-for-high-value-home-insurance.png\" data-asset-id=\"b806fd53-bf41-4f6b-b48d-7d91fd0343c4\" data-image-id=\"b806fd53-bf41-4f6b-b48d-7d91fd0343c4\" alt=\"coverage options for a high-value home\" /></span></figure>\n<h3></h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How Do Insurance Companies Determine Property Values?</span></h3>\n<h4></h4>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Richest States in America 2019</span></h4>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"64f68503-63b3-4fc0-a6fb-bc439346c9c0\" data-image-id=\"64f68503-63b3-4fc0-a6fb-bc439346c9c0\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/da3f8d89-7579-485e-ae04-e109f2c978c0/richest-states-in-america.png\" data-asset-id=\"64f68503-63b3-4fc0-a6fb-bc439346c9c0\" data-image-id=\"64f68503-63b3-4fc0-a6fb-bc439346c9c0\" alt=\"Wealthiest states is the U.S.\" /></span></figure>\n<div class=\"small small-text\">\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Typically, an insurance company will send out an expert appraiser to your estate to examine, assess, and document the value of your home and luxury possessions, including jewelry, artwork, collectibles, antiques, and custom materials/construction. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Should you disagree with the final report given by the appraisal, you may request a second appraisal, or appeal it by conducting your own expert assessment.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your coverage needs may change over the years as you redecorate, renovate, or otherwise revamp your home. Your insurance company may require periodic assessments in order to accurately keep your coverage up to date. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">An assessment of your estate, as well as a review of your insurance policy, is encouraged at least once every five years.</span></p>\n<p><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/09/10-tiny-pivots-to-make-your-small-business-more-effective.html\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></p>\n</div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Invest Wisely in High-Value Home Insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','1052-revision-v1','','','2020-11-30 23:58:38','2020-11-30 23:58:38','',1052,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1052-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1061,1,'2020-12-01 00:04:26','2020-12-01 00:04:26','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The Definitive Guide to Home Repair Insurance</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/849e6195-6c4c-4dfb-b97e-b6bee0ddcff7/home-repair-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Home Repair Insurance\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As any homeowner can attest, houses require constant maintenance. The cost of home repairs, renovations and improvements can add up quickly. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you are purchasing a new home or if your current home needs some refurbishing, you may be wondering whether any of your work can be covered by insurance policies and what sort of remodeling or home repair insurance is available.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Average Lifespans of Major Home Appliances</span></h3>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Dishwashers and trash compactors usually last around 9 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Gas stoves last about 15  years, while electric stoves last about 13 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Refrigerator last about 13 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Garbage disposals have an expected lifespan of  12 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hot water heaters need to be replaced about every 10  years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Air conditioning units have an average lifespan of 15 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Washers and dryers usually work well for about 10 years.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<h3></h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Home Repair Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Under certain circumstances, your regular homeowners insurance policy will provide coverage for necessary home repairs, but this is not always the case. For repairs and renovations that fall outside the scope of your homeowners insurance, you may be able to get additional coverage. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Basically, the scope of home repair insurance can fall under these four categories:</strong></span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Home warranty insurance policies</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Home protection plans or home repair programs</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Utility line insurance</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Home repair contractors insurance</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14px;\"> </span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Home Repairs Will My Homeowners Policy Cover?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are many cases where your homeowners insurance will cover necessary repairs to your home. If your roof or gutters are damaged due to severe weather, or if a tree falls onto your home and damages windows and walls, your homeowners insurance will probably cover the repair costs. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you simply wished to replace your roof or windows due to wear and tear, it would not. Similarly, if an indoor water pipe bursts and causes water damage, your homeowners insurance is likely to cover the repairs, but if your basement is flooded due to excessive rainfall, you will need to have a separate flood insurance policy to handle the repairs.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is a Home Warranty Insurance Policy?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You can buy home warranty insurance when you are buying a home. It is typically part of the sales contract and is often paid for by the seller or even the real estate company for the first year. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This insurance is designed to protect the buyer from defects in the home. Coverage typically lasts for the first year of home ownership and can often be renewed. Most home warranty plans include coverage for:</span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kitchen appliances, including the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave and garbage disposal</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wiring systems, including electrical, telephone and cable</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Plumbing, including indoor pipes, drains, faucets, sprinkler systems, pools and hot tubs</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Heating and cooling appliances, including the furnace, air conditioner, heat pump and hot water heater</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Other items such as ceiling fans, doorbells and garage door openers</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some home warranties require that you purchase additional coverage to include some items otherwise not covered. Be sure to read the terms of your home warranty carefully. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If any of the covered items break, you can call the insurance company and they will send someone to your house to attempt a repair. If the unit is irreparable, the company will cover replacement and installation costs.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Keep in mind that home warranties will not provide coverage for structural damage in the home, such as problems with the foundation, cracks in the walls, or a leaky roof. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Be sure to have a thorough home inspection done before finalizing the purchase of your home so that you are aware of any serious problems for which you will be responsible.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Are Home Protection Plans and Home Repair Programs?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These programs are usually offered by home insurance companies to assist policyholders with the costs of repairing or replacing home appliances or components that are not covered by a homeowners policy. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They are similar in scope to home warranty insurance plans and can be purchased at any time. Costs for this coverage often depend on the current age of your home and appliances.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Utility Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many utility providers offer their customers the option to purchase insurance to cover utility delivery lines. This may include power lines to your house as well as gas, water and sewage pipes that are on your property but outside your home. It sometimes even includes plumbing issues in your home.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If an underground utility line is damaged and your yard or driveway has to be dug up for repairs, the cost can run more than $1,000 dollars and will not be covered by your homeowners insurance policy. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For this reason, the utility companies will allow you to pay an additional amount on your utility bill, often around $5, to provide coverage for such an instance. These costs vary by location and utility company.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Contractors Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Contractors insurance is liability insurance that should be carried by any contractor that you hire to do work on your house. If a contractor is installing new shelves and accidentally drills into a pipe, causing water damage, the contractor insurance policy should provide coverage for the repair and all damage caused by the mishap. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Additionally, contractors insurance may include workers\' compensation, so if any of the contractor’s employees are injured while working in your home, you will not need to worry about being held liable.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Always be certain that any contractors you hire to do work in your home carry liability insurance. You can do this by requesting the name and phone number of the contractor\'s insurance agent. You can call the insurance company and request a certificate of insurance for the contractor.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Can Home Repairs and Improvements Save Money?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Repairs, improvements and renovations to your home may cost a lot in the short term, but the long-term benefits can often outweigh these costs. In addition to making your home more livable, some updates may save you money on your monthly bills. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Replacing older appliances with newer, energy-efficient models can lower your utility costs, and some home repairs may even earn you a discount on your homeowners insurance policy.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Updates such as the installation of a burglar alarm or home sprinkler system, new doors and windows with secure locks, or even a new roof, may lead to discounts on your insurance policy. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">After completing any home renovations, be sure to ask your insurance agent if the updates qualify you for a reduction in your premiums.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/home-repair/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','The Definitive Guide to Home Repair Insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','1057-revision-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:04:26','2020-12-01 00:04:26','',1057,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1057-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1060,1,'2020-12-01 00:02:54','2020-12-01 00:02:54','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>The Definitive Guide to Home Repair Insurance</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/849e6195-6c4c-4dfb-b97e-b6bee0ddcff7/home-repair-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Home Repair Insurance\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As any homeowner can attest, houses require constant maintenance. The cost of home repairs, renovations and improvements can add up quickly. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you are purchasing a new home or if your current home needs some refurbishing, you may be wondering whether any of your work can be covered by insurance policies and what sort of remodeling or home repair insurance is available.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Average Lifespans of Major Home Appliances</span></h3>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Dishwashers and trash compactors usually last around 9 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Gas stoves last about 15  years, while electric stoves last about 13 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Refrigerator last about 13 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Garbage disposals have an expected lifespan of  12 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hot water heaters need to be replaced about every 10  years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Air conditioning units have an average lifespan of 15 years.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Washers and dryers usually work well for about 10 years.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<h3></h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Home Repair Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Under certain circumstances, your regular homeowners insurance policy will provide coverage for necessary home repairs, but this is not always the case. For repairs and renovations that fall outside the scope of your homeowners insurance, you may be able to get additional coverage. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you are buying a new home with plans to renovate, contact an independent insurance agent who can help you find a policy that will cover your repairs and upgrades.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Basically, the scope of home repair insurance can fall under these four categories:</strong></span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Home warranty insurance policies</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Home protection plans or home repair programs</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Utility line insurance</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Home repair contractors insurance</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000; font-size: 14px;\"> </span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Home Repairs Will My Homeowners Policy Cover?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are many cases where your homeowners insurance will cover necessary repairs to your home. If your roof or gutters are damaged due to severe weather, or if a tree falls onto your home and damages windows and walls, your homeowners insurance will probably cover the repair costs. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you simply wished to replace your roof or windows due to wear and tear, it would not. Similarly, if an indoor water pipe bursts and causes water damage, your homeowners insurance is likely to cover the repairs, but if your basement is flooded due to excessive rainfall, you will need to have a separate flood insurance policy to handle the repairs.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is a Home Warranty Insurance Policy?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You can buy home warranty insurance when you are buying a home. It is typically part of the sales contract and is often paid for by the seller or even the real estate company for the first year. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This insurance is designed to protect the buyer from defects in the home. Coverage typically lasts for the first year of home ownership and can often be renewed. Most home warranty plans include coverage for:</span></p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"icon-list-single-right-caret\">\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Kitchen appliances, including the stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave and garbage disposal</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Wiring systems, including electrical, telephone and cable</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Plumbing, including indoor pipes, drains, faucets, sprinkler systems, pools and hot tubs</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Heating and cooling appliances, including the furnace, air conditioner, heat pump and hot water heater</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Other items such as ceiling fans, doorbells and garage door openers</span></li>\n</ul>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some home warranties require that you purchase additional coverage to include some items otherwise not covered. Be sure to read the terms of your home warranty carefully. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If any of the covered items break, you can call the insurance company and they will send someone to your house to attempt a repair. If the unit is irreparable, the company will cover replacement and installation costs.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Keep in mind that home warranties will not provide coverage for structural damage in the home, such as problems with the foundation, cracks in the walls, or a leaky roof. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Be sure to have a thorough home inspection done before finalizing the purchase of your home so that you are aware of any serious problems for which you will be responsible.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Are Home Protection Plans and Home Repair Programs?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These programs are usually offered by home insurance companies to assist policyholders with the costs of repairing or replacing home appliances or components that are not covered by a homeowners policy. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">They are similar in scope to home warranty insurance plans and can be purchased at any time. Costs for this coverage often depend on the current age of your home and appliances.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Utility Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many utility providers offer their customers the option to purchase insurance to cover utility delivery lines. This may include power lines to your house as well as gas, water and sewage pipes that are on your property but outside your home. It sometimes even includes plumbing issues in your home.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If an underground utility line is damaged and your yard or driveway has to be dug up for repairs, the cost can run more than $1,000 dollars and will not be covered by your homeowners insurance policy. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For this reason, the utility companies will allow you to pay an additional amount on your utility bill, often around $5, to provide coverage for such an instance. These costs vary by location and utility company.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Contractors Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Contractors insurance is liability insurance that should be carried by any contractor that you hire to do work on your house. If a contractor is installing new shelves and accidentally drills into a pipe, causing water damage, the contractor insurance policy should provide coverage for the repair and all damage caused by the mishap. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Additionally, contractors insurance may include workers\' compensation, so if any of the contractor’s employees are injured while working in your home, you will not need to worry about being held liable.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Always be certain that any contractors you hire to do work in your home carry liability insurance. You can do this by requesting the name and phone number of the contractor\'s insurance agent. You can call the insurance company and request a certificate of insurance for the contractor.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Can Home Repairs and Improvements Save Money?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Repairs, improvements and renovations to your home may cost a lot in the short term, but the long-term benefits can often outweigh these costs. In addition to making your home more livable, some updates may save you money on your monthly bills. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Replacing older appliances with newer, energy-efficient models can lower your utility costs, and some home repairs may even earn you a discount on your homeowners insurance policy.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Updates such as the installation of a burglar alarm or home sprinkler system, new doors and windows with secure locks, or even a new roof, may lead to discounts on your insurance policy. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">After completing any home renovations, be sure to ask your insurance agent if the updates qualify you for a reduction in your premiums.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/home-repair/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','The Definitive Guide to Home Repair Insurance','','inherit','closed','closed','','1057-revision-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:02:54','2020-12-01 00:02:54','',1057,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1057-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1064,1,'2020-12-01 00:09:05','2020-12-01 00:09:05','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Non-Auto Accidents Away from Home?</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/5a69cfbd-fb08-46b1-a1d9-8bd738e0e6b4/non-auto-accident-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Off home property accident coverage\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When injuries or other accidents happen inside your home, you feel pretty calm and confident that you’ll be covered under your homeowners insurance. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But it’s those accidents that occur away from the home that blur this understanding for many people. Getting clear about what’s covered and where is in the golden rule book for homeowners—or at least it should be.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fortunately homeowners insurance still provides coverage for a long list of potential non-auto accidents, even if they happen somewhere outside your oasis.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Off-premises non-auto accident coverage is the aspect of homeowners insurance that takes care of accidents not involving vehicles that occur away from the home. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Honest mishaps that result in injury to you or others, as well as property damage, are covered—within reason. That being said, there’s no coverage for accidents that occur because you were deliberately being reckless or a jerk.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Included under Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" data-image-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/0bdc36d4-aaa7-47c0-b7d8-2b9b83081c0e/homeowners-policy.jpg\" data-asset-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" data-image-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" alt=\"What Is Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" /></span></figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">All kinds of things can go wrong in the home, but you’re not immune to making harmful mistakes when you’re out and about, either. The trick is learning what kinds of non-auto mishaps homeowners insurance provides coverage for away from the home.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The main non-auto accident categories covered off-premises include:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Injuries: </strong>If you’re involved in a non-auto accident that results in injury to you or others, even away from the home, your homeowners insurance will cover medical expenses and legal fees, should you get sued.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Property damage: </strong>If you accidentally cause damage to someone else’s property in a way that doesn’t involve a vehicle, your homeowners insurance will cover expenses required to repair the damage, as well as potential legal fees if they file a lawsuit against you.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Negligent acts: </strong>The only accidents homeowners insurance will cover must be caused by your negligence—that is, your unintentional mess-up. If you cause injury or property damage while you’re spacing out or are otherwise distracted, the incident will most likely be covered. Basically, as long as you don’t intend harm, you should be covered.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners insurance does not provide coverage for:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Intentional harm: </strong>If someone upsets you and you lash out in a way that causes injury or property damage, homeowners insurance will not cover the incident in any way. Acts of deliberate vandalism and Halloween pranks gone awry are also not covered. Intended harm or destruction does not qualify as an accident—not to mention, it’s just not cool.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Knowing that your homeowners policy provides coverage for medical fees, legal fees, and property damage repair for honest non-auto accidents, even off-premises, can provide some peace of mind when you’re away from home.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why Would I Need Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Basically, because you’re human, and accidents can happen anywhere. Causing injury or damage to someone else or their property can be guilt-inducing enough in the first place, but at least there’s some comfort in knowing that homeowners insurance is there to help cover the costs. We’ll explore just a handful of covered scenarios.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The following situations would be included under off-premises non-auto accident coverage:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Sports-related injuries: </strong>If you throw a foul ball or accidentally toss your golf club during a game and end up whacking someone, homeowners insurance will cover you.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Cooking-related illnesses: </strong>If you bring a dish to a potluck that ends up making everyone sick due to spoiled ingredients, you’ll be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Child bullying: </strong>If your child bullies another child and ends up causing bodily injury, homeowners insurance will provide coverage even though their actions may have been deliberate.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Slander-related injuries: </strong>If you cause harm to another person through your false words, potential legal fees will be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Non-bodily injury upsets: </strong>If you cause upset or harm other than bodily injury to someone, such as getting them lost for several days during a hiking trip you’re leading, homeowners insurance will cover legal fees if they sue you. Basically, any non-business related upset caused by your negligence could be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Dog  and other pet bites:</strong> If your pet dog, horse, snake, bird or ocelot gets over-rambunctious and bites or otherwise injures someone, you’ll be covered. Your insurance company may exclude coverage for specific dog breeds, however.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The fact is, there are tons of ways we can accidentally cause injury or damage to others or their property, even without vehicles. Luckily, homeowners insurance provides coverage for a big old stack of potential mishaps and their resulting costs.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Does My Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yes. Homeowners coverage extends to non-auto accidents that occur even away from the home. However, there are certain exclusions that vary depending on your state. You’ll need to double-check your policy—with the help of your insurance agent—to find out exactly what’s covered and what’s not in your specific location.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How To Find the Best Homeowners Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In order to get the protection you need (and deserve), you’ll want to work with a trusted expert. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Consider your unique needs, then connect with an agent to help you take it from there. Have a list of your specific concerns and desires handy before you reach out, to help the make process even smoother.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/off-property-accident-coverage/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Non-Auto Accidents Away from Home?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1041-revision-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:09:05','2020-12-01 00:09:05','',1041,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1041-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1062,1,'2020-12-01 00:08:28','2020-12-01 00:08:28','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Non-Auto Accidents Away from Home?</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/5a69cfbd-fb08-46b1-a1d9-8bd738e0e6b4/non-auto-accident-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Off home property accident coverage\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When injuries or other accidents happen inside your home, you feel pretty calm and confident that you’ll be covered under your homeowners insurance. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But it’s those accidents that occur away from the home that blur this understanding for many people. Getting clear about what’s covered and where is in the golden rule book for homeowners—or at least it should be.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fortunately homeowners insurance still provides coverage for a long list of potential non-auto accidents, even if they happen somewhere outside your oasis.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Off-premises non-auto accident coverage is the aspect of homeowners insurance that takes care of accidents not involving vehicles that occur away from the home. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Honest mishaps that result in injury to you or others, as well as property damage, are covered—within reason. That being said, there’s no coverage for accidents that occur because you were deliberately being reckless or a jerk.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Included under Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" data-image-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/0bdc36d4-aaa7-47c0-b7d8-2b9b83081c0e/homeowners-policy.jpg\" data-asset-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" data-image-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" alt=\"What Is Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" /></span></figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">All kinds of things can go wrong in the home, but you’re not immune to making harmful mistakes when you’re out and about, either. The trick is learning what kinds of non-auto mishaps homeowners insurance provides coverage for away from the home.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The main non-auto accident categories covered off-premises include:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Injuries: </strong>If you’re involved in a non-auto accident that results in injury to you or others, even away from the home, your homeowners insurance will cover medical expenses and legal fees, should you get sued.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Property damage: </strong>If you accidentally cause damage to someone else’s property in a way that doesn’t involve a vehicle, your homeowners insurance will cover expenses required to repair the damage, as well as potential legal fees if they file a lawsuit against you.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Negligent acts: </strong>The only accidents homeowners insurance will cover must be caused by your negligence—that is, your unintentional mess-up. If you cause injury or property damage while you’re spacing out or are otherwise distracted, the incident will most likely be covered. Basically, as long as you don’t intend harm, you should be covered.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners insurance does not provide coverage for:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Intentional harm: </strong>If someone upsets you and you lash out in a way that causes injury or property damage, homeowners insurance will not cover the incident in any way. Acts of deliberate vandalism and Halloween pranks gone awry are also not covered. Intended harm or destruction does not qualify as an accident—not to mention, it’s just not cool.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Knowing that your homeowners policy provides coverage for medical fees, legal fees, and property damage repair for honest non-auto accidents, even off-premises, can provide some peace of mind when you’re away from home.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why Would I Need Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Basically, because you’re human, and accidents can happen anywhere. Causing injury or damage to someone else or their property can be guilt-inducing enough in the first place, but at least there’s some comfort in knowing that homeowners insurance is there to help cover the costs. We’ll explore just a handful of covered scenarios.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The following situations would be included under off-premises non-auto accident coverage:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Sports-related injuries: </strong>If you throw a foul ball or accidentally toss your golf club during a game and end up whacking someone, homeowners insurance will cover you.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Cooking-related illnesses: </strong>If you bring a dish to a potluck that ends up making everyone sick due to spoiled ingredients, you’ll be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Child bullying: </strong>If your child bullies another child and ends up causing bodily injury, homeowners insurance will provide coverage even though their actions may have been deliberate.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Slander-related injuries: </strong>If you cause harm to another person through your false words, potential legal fees will be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Non-bodily injury upsets: </strong>If you cause upset or harm other than bodily injury to someone, such as getting them lost for several days during a hiking trip you’re leading, homeowners insurance will cover legal fees if they sue you. Basically, any non-business related upset caused by your negligence could be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Dog  and other pet bites:</strong> If your pet dog, horse, snake, bird or ocelot gets over-rambunctious and bites or otherwise injures someone, you’ll be covered. Your insurance company may exclude coverage for specific dog breeds, however.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The fact is, there are tons of ways we can accidentally cause injury or damage to others or their property, even without vehicles. Luckily, homeowners insurance provides coverage for a big old stack of potential mishaps and their resulting costs.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Does My Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yes. Homeowners coverage extends to non-auto accidents that occur even away from the home. However, there are certain exclusions that vary depending on your state. You’ll need to double-check your policy—with the help of your insurance agent—to find out exactly what’s covered and what’s not in your specific location.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How To Find the Best Homeowners Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In order to get the protection you need (and deserve), you’ll want to work with a trusted expert. Independent insurance agents will not only know where to find the best coverage and price, but also help to make sense of the fine print.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Consider your unique needs, then connect with an agent to help you take it from there. Have a list of your specific concerns and desires handy before you reach out, to help the make process even smoother.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/off-property-accident-coverage/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Non-Auto Accidents Away from Home?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1041-revision-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:08:28','2020-12-01 00:08:28','',1041,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1041-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1065,1,'2020-12-01 00:09:37','2020-12-01 00:09:37','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Does My Homeowners Insurance Cover Non-Auto Accidents Away from Home?</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/5a69cfbd-fb08-46b1-a1d9-8bd738e0e6b4/non-auto-accident-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Off home property accident coverage\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When injuries or other accidents happen inside your home, you feel pretty calm and confident that you’ll be covered under your homeowners insurance. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But it’s those accidents that occur away from the home that blur this understanding for many people. Getting clear about what’s covered and where is in the golden rule book for homeowners—or at least it should be.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fortunately homeowners insurance still provides coverage for a long list of potential non-auto accidents, even if they happen somewhere outside your oasis.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Off-premises non-auto accident coverage is the aspect of homeowners insurance that takes care of accidents not involving vehicles that occur away from the home. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Honest mishaps that result in injury to you or others, as well as property damage, are covered—within reason. That being said, there’s no coverage for accidents that occur because you were deliberately being reckless or a jerk.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Included under Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<figure data-asset-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" data-image-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/0bdc36d4-aaa7-47c0-b7d8-2b9b83081c0e/homeowners-policy.jpg\" data-asset-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" data-image-id=\"f45b33db-5654-476f-9be4-0db385c867c6\" alt=\"What Is Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" /></span></figure>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">All kinds of things can go wrong in the home, but you’re not immune to making harmful mistakes when you’re out and about, either. The trick is learning what kinds of non-auto mishaps homeowners insurance provides coverage for away from the home.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The main non-auto accident categories covered off-premises include:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Injuries: </strong>If you’re involved in a non-auto accident that results in injury to you or others, even away from the home, your homeowners insurance will cover medical expenses and legal fees, should you get sued.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Property damage: </strong>If you accidentally cause damage to someone else’s property in a way that doesn’t involve a vehicle, your homeowners insurance will cover expenses required to repair the damage, as well as potential legal fees if they file a lawsuit against you.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Negligent acts: </strong>The only accidents homeowners insurance will cover must be caused by your negligence—that is, your unintentional mess-up. If you cause injury or property damage while you’re spacing out or are otherwise distracted, the incident will most likely be covered. Basically, as long as you don’t intend harm, you should be covered.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners insurance does not provide coverage for:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Intentional harm: </strong>If someone upsets you and you lash out in a way that causes injury or property damage, homeowners insurance will not cover the incident in any way. Acts of deliberate vandalism and Halloween pranks gone awry are also not covered. Intended harm or destruction does not qualify as an accident—not to mention, it’s just not cool.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Knowing that your homeowners policy provides coverage for medical fees, legal fees, and property damage repair for honest non-auto accidents, even off-premises, can provide some peace of mind when you’re away from home.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Why Would I Need Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Basically, because you’re human, and accidents can happen anywhere. Causing injury or damage to someone else or their property can be guilt-inducing enough in the first place, but at least there’s some comfort in knowing that homeowners insurance is there to help cover the costs. We’ll explore just a handful of covered scenarios.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The following situations would be included under off-premises non-auto accident coverage:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Sports-related injuries: </strong>If you throw a foul ball or accidentally toss your golf club during a game and end up whacking someone, homeowners insurance will cover you.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Cooking-related illnesses: </strong>If you bring a dish to a potluck that ends up making everyone sick due to spoiled ingredients, you’ll be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Child bullying: </strong>If your child bullies another child and ends up causing bodily injury, homeowners insurance will provide coverage even though their actions may have been deliberate.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Slander-related injuries: </strong>If you cause harm to another person through your false words, potential legal fees will be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Non-bodily injury upsets: </strong>If you cause upset or harm other than bodily injury to someone, such as getting them lost for several days during a hiking trip you’re leading, homeowners insurance will cover legal fees if they sue you. Basically, any non-business related upset caused by your negligence could be covered.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Dog  and other pet bites:</strong> If your pet dog, horse, snake, bird or ocelot gets over-rambunctious and bites or otherwise injures someone, you’ll be covered. Your insurance company may exclude coverage for specific dog breeds, however.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The fact is, there are tons of ways we can accidentally cause injury or damage to others or their property, even without vehicles. Luckily, homeowners insurance provides coverage for a big old stack of potential mishaps and their resulting costs.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Does My Homeowners Insurance Policy Cover Off-Premises Non-Auto Accident Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yes. Homeowners coverage extends to non-auto accidents that occur even away from the home. However, there are certain exclusions that vary depending on your state. You’ll need to double-check your policy—with the help of your insurance agent—to find out exactly what’s covered and what’s not in your specific location.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></h3>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How To Find the Best Homeowners Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In order to get the protection you need (and deserve), you’ll want to work with a trusted expert. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Consider your unique needs, then connect with an agent to help you take it from there. Have a list of your specific concerns and desires handy before you reach out, to help the make process even smoother.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/off-property-accident-coverage/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','','','inherit','closed','closed','','1041-autosave-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:09:37','2020-12-01 00:09:37','',1041,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1041-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1068,1,'2020-12-01 00:11:10','2020-12-01 00:11:10','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Homeowners Liability Insurance Explained</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/33a607ee-9531-4e61-a9e0-254307467b25/homeowners-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you do everything you can to protect your family and care for your property, you may be asking yourself how safe your home and belongings will be if the unexpected happens. You may also wonder what impact an incident may have on your financial well-being. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your homeowners coverage provides financial protection against risks including home fires, burglaries, and damage from storms. Does it provide enough coverage for your liability and the risks to your assets?</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowner Liability Facts</span></h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Property owners must keep their property safe, even for trespassers</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A homeowner can be liable for any dangerous conditions that go unrepaired</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The owner can be held responsible for everything from slippery walkways to leaving tools, ladders, and equipment out that cause harm to a visitor</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners are responsible for the actions of their pets; some companies will not provide coverage to owners of high risk “bully breeds” such as pit bulls</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is the Definition of Liability?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Liability</em> can be defined as “a legal or financial obligation.” As a property owner, you are legally responsible to make sure the premises of your home and property are safe, and you can be held accountable if anything happens on your property, whether due to oversight or negligence. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For instance, you may be liable if you fail to keep your dog restrained and he bites someone, causing a severe injury.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Typically, you will only be held responsible for an accident, injury, or property damage if you are in some way negligent, or if you have failed to ensure that your home and property are safe for visitors. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For example, you want to be sure your sidewalks and steps are not icy, that there are no tripping hazards, and that a person walking across your yard cannot fall into a gopher hole and break an ankle.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your home is under construction, or if you have a landscaping project under way, you can be liable for harm to others if you have not put any measures in place to protect visitors from being harmed by the equipment and tools. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">So, the best advice is to do everything you can to make your home and property safe, and then make sure you have adequate coverage for unforeseen incidents.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Does Liability Insurance Cover?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The liability portion of your homeowners insurance protects your financial assets in the event that you or another member of your household are legally responsible for damage to another person or their property. For example, it will potentially cover:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The cost of repairs to another person’s property</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The medical expenses of an injured party</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The cost of your legal defense when an attorney must defend you against bodily injury or property damage</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Depending upon the specifics of your homeowners insurance policy, you may also be covered for defamation. Under other circumstances, this coverage may be available if you have your agent add a separate endorsement to your policy.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Home Liability Protects You From Financial Loss</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The assets your home liability insurance is designed to protect includes everything from your liquid assets, such as your checking and savings accounts, to your investments and retirement accounts, your valuable personal property, your home, and any other properties such as a vacation home.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The nature of litigation today is that your financial assets can all come into the picture if you are liable for personal damage and are taken to court. When you have adequate liability coverage in place, it can provide peace of mind that your family assets are protected.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What if I Don’t Have Enough Home Liability Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If someone is injured either on your premises or as a result of some negligence on your part, you need to think about your liability coverage. Hopefully, you will have a simple settlement on your hands, in which your liability coverage pays for the injured person’s medical expenses or property damage. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But it is important to know what is at stake in an extreme circumstance — for example, if a visitor experiences a severe head injury on your property, or is paralyzed after a fall from your deck.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your homeowners insurance has a liability limit set at the time you purchase your coverage. For example, a common coverage amount is $100,000. If someone files a large lawsuit against you, the legal claim can potentially exceed this coverage limit. In that event, your other assets can be at risk, including your home, savings, and investments.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To protect your assets against such risks, there are two strategies you can consider:</span></p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Increase the amount of liability coverage included in your homeowners policy, for example to $300,000 or $500,000, to help cover the cost of a large legal claim, medical expenses and property damage. The cost of increasing home liability coverage is typically very affordable.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Buy an “umbrella liability” policy that will kick in when your home, auto. or other liability coverage limits are exhausted. Umbrella insurance is also priced affordably.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Umbrella Policies for Home Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">An umbrella policy provides extra liability protection for your current assets and future income in the event that a large legal claim exceeds your homeowners liability or auto liability coverage. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Whereas your homeowners policy would cover the costs of medical expenses, property damage, and legal claims up to your homeowners liability limits (such as $100,000, $300,000 or $500,000), your umbrella policy would provide protection up to $1 million dollars or more.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You can buy umbrella liability coverage in increments of $1 million. It is important to evaluate your risks and the assets you want to protect to determine how much liability coverage you really need. </span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/liability/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Homeowners Liability Insurance Explained','','publish','closed','closed','','homeowners-liability-insurance-explained','','','2020-12-01 00:21:51','2020-12-01 00:21:51','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1068',0,'page','',0),(1069,1,'2020-12-01 00:11:10','2020-12-01 00:11:10','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','Homeowners Liability Insurance Explained','','inherit','closed','closed','','1068-revision-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:11:10','2020-12-01 00:11:10','',1068,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1068-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1076,1,'2020-12-01 00:18:01','2020-12-01 00:18:01','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>10 Tiny Pivots to Make Your Small Business More Effective</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/8b23bff6-7886-4e9b-824c-bcaa96c1d0ba/cabin-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Cabin insurance\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You may be leaving your parcel of land undeveloped for a number of reasons. Maybe one day you plan on building a summer cabin or retirement retreat, or maybe you use the land to hunt and fish. No matter what your vacant land is used for, you might want to consider insuring it against certain risks.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Basics of Vacant Land Insurance</span></h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you own your property outright, you are not required by law to buy land insurance; however, in the event of a lawsuit this coverage will be essential</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your property is financed, your lender may require land insurance</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Vacant land cannot have any existing structures</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hunting land insurance is important if your land is used for sport</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Land Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Land insurance is a form of property coverage that will cover a claim of bodily injury or property damage if someone has an accident on your property and you are found to be at fault. If someone files a lawsuit against you, it will also help to cover your legal fees. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While it cannot cover any damage that happens to your land, it will protect you financially if others are ever on your property. To decide whether this type of insurance is important for you, consider your risks and talk with a knowledgeable agent.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The easiest way to add land insurance is through your homeowner’s policy. If you own a home, you can typically extend your liability coverage to include your vacant land. If you have an umbrella liability policy, be sure to add your vacant land to that policy as well, and update your liability if needed.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you don’t have a homeowner’s policy, you can purchase a separate vacant land insurance policy through an independent insurer. There is typically no deductible on these policies and the premiums are affordable. Plus, you’ll have the peace of mind that no matter what happens on your land, your assets are covered.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hunting Land Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you plan on using your property for hunting and allow others use it as well, it’s very important to purchase property insurance. Because of the risks involved in hunting and use of firearms, you have a greater risk for liability concerns. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a responsible landowner, you should inform all hunters of any perils they should know about that may exist on your property, such as cliffs, abandoned wells, or barbed wire fences. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sharing this knowledge is one important way to help cover your liability risks, but it is still important to have liability insurance coverage in place as well.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some insurance companies require landowners to make hunters sign a waiver absolving the landowner of any wrongdoing. While this won’t protect you from all potential lawsuits, it can provide a safety net that otherwise wouldn’t exist.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some hunters may ask to use all-terrain vehicles on your property, and it is important to realize that you will assume additional liability risks if you allow it. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If an accident happens on your property, you can potentially be held responsible – especially if there are features in the natural landscape that pose a risk.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Vacant Land Insurance Does Not Cover</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you have any kind of structure on your land, even if it is temporary, your land is no longer \"vacant\" and will not be covered by vacant land insurance. If you decide to start constructing a building on your formerly vacant land, the land insurance will be void for that structure. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You will need to purchase additional property insurance to cover any outbuildings or dwellings. Even you have an old dilapidated structure on your property that has been empty for many years, your land is not considered vacant property. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And if someone is injured inside an abandoned building on your property, your land insurance liability will not cover it. Ask your insurance agent how to protect yourself against claims that are related to abandoned buildings.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/09/10-tiny-pivots-to-make-your-small-business-more-effective.html\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Purchase Land Insurance for Undeveloped Property','','inherit','closed','closed','','1073-revision-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:18:01','2020-12-01 00:18:01','',1073,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1073-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1082,1,'2020-12-01 00:21:51','2020-12-01 00:21:51','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Homeowners Liability Insurance Explained</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/33a607ee-9531-4e61-a9e0-254307467b25/homeowners-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you do everything you can to protect your family and care for your property, you may be asking yourself how safe your home and belongings will be if the unexpected happens. You may also wonder what impact an incident may have on your financial well-being. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your homeowners coverage provides financial protection against risks including home fires, burglaries, and damage from storms. Does it provide enough coverage for your liability and the risks to your assets?</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowner Liability Facts</span></h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Property owners must keep their property safe, even for trespassers</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A homeowner can be liable for any dangerous conditions that go unrepaired</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The owner can be held responsible for everything from slippery walkways to leaving tools, ladders, and equipment out that cause harm to a visitor</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners are responsible for the actions of their pets; some companies will not provide coverage to owners of high risk “bully breeds” such as pit bulls</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is the Definition of Liability?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Liability</em> can be defined as “a legal or financial obligation.” As a property owner, you are legally responsible to make sure the premises of your home and property are safe, and you can be held accountable if anything happens on your property, whether due to oversight or negligence. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For instance, you may be liable if you fail to keep your dog restrained and he bites someone, causing a severe injury.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Typically, you will only be held responsible for an accident, injury, or property damage if you are in some way negligent, or if you have failed to ensure that your home and property are safe for visitors. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For example, you want to be sure your sidewalks and steps are not icy, that there are no tripping hazards, and that a person walking across your yard cannot fall into a gopher hole and break an ankle.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your home is under construction, or if you have a landscaping project under way, you can be liable for harm to others if you have not put any measures in place to protect visitors from being harmed by the equipment and tools. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">So, the best advice is to do everything you can to make your home and property safe, and then make sure you have adequate coverage for unforeseen incidents.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Does Liability Insurance Cover?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The liability portion of your homeowners insurance protects your financial assets in the event that you or another member of your household are legally responsible for damage to another person or their property. For example, it will potentially cover:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The cost of repairs to another person’s property</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The medical expenses of an injured party</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The cost of your legal defense when an attorney must defend you against bodily injury or property damage</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Depending upon the specifics of your homeowners insurance policy, you may also be covered for defamation. Under other circumstances, this coverage may be available if you have your agent add a separate endorsement to your policy.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Home Liability Protects You From Financial Loss</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The assets your home liability insurance is designed to protect includes everything from your liquid assets, such as your checking and savings accounts, to your investments and retirement accounts, your valuable personal property, your home, and any other properties such as a vacation home.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The nature of litigation today is that your financial assets can all come into the picture if you are liable for personal damage and are taken to court. When you have adequate liability coverage in place, it can provide peace of mind that your family assets are protected.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What if I Don’t Have Enough Home Liability Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If someone is injured either on your premises or as a result of some negligence on your part, you need to think about your liability coverage. Hopefully, you will have a simple settlement on your hands, in which your liability coverage pays for the injured person’s medical expenses or property damage. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But it is important to know what is at stake in an extreme circumstance — for example, if a visitor experiences a severe head injury on your property, or is paralyzed after a fall from your deck.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your homeowners insurance has a liability limit set at the time you purchase your coverage. For example, a common coverage amount is $100,000. If someone files a large lawsuit against you, the legal claim can potentially exceed this coverage limit. In that event, your other assets can be at risk, including your home, savings, and investments.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To protect your assets against such risks, there are two strategies you can consider:</span></p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Increase the amount of liability coverage included in your homeowners policy, for example to $300,000 or $500,000, to help cover the cost of a large legal claim, medical expenses and property damage. The cost of increasing home liability coverage is typically very affordable.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Buy an “umbrella liability” policy that will kick in when your home, auto. or other liability coverage limits are exhausted. Umbrella insurance is also priced affordably.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Umbrella Policies for Home Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">An umbrella policy provides extra liability protection for your current assets and future income in the event that a large legal claim exceeds your homeowners liability or auto liability coverage. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Whereas your homeowners policy would cover the costs of medical expenses, property damage, and legal claims up to your homeowners liability limits (such as $100,000, $300,000 or $500,000), your umbrella policy would provide protection up to $1 million dollars or more.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You can buy umbrella liability coverage in increments of $1 million. It is important to evaluate your risks and the assets you want to protect to determine how much liability coverage you really need. </span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/liability/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Homeowners Liability Insurance Explained','','inherit','closed','closed','','1068-revision-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:21:51','2020-12-01 00:21:51','',1068,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1068-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1071,1,'2020-12-01 00:14:05','2020-12-01 00:14:05','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Homeowners Liability Insurance Explained</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/33a607ee-9531-4e61-a9e0-254307467b25/homeowners-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you do everything you can to protect your family and care for your property, you may be asking yourself how safe your home and belongings will be if the unexpected happens. You may also wonder what impact an incident may have on your financial well-being. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your homeowners coverage provides financial protection against risks including home fires, burglaries, and damage from storms. Does it provide enough coverage for your liability and the risks to your assets?</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowner Liability Facts</span></h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Property owners must keep their property safe, even for trespassers</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A homeowner can be liable for any dangerous conditions that go unrepaired</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The owner can be held responsible for everything from slippery walkways to leaving tools, ladders, and equipment out that cause harm to a visitor</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners are responsible for the actions of their pets; some companies will not provide coverage to owners of high risk “bully breeds” such as pit bulls</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is the Definition of Liability?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><em>Liability</em> can be defined as “a legal or financial obligation.” As a property owner, you are legally responsible to make sure the premises of your home and property are safe, and you can be held accountable if anything happens on your property, whether due to oversight or negligence. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For instance, you may be liable if you fail to keep your dog restrained and he bites someone, causing a severe injury.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Typically, you will only be held responsible for an accident, injury, or property damage if you are in some way negligent, or if you have failed to ensure that your home and property are safe for visitors. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For example, you want to be sure your sidewalks and steps are not icy, that there are no tripping hazards, and that a person walking across your yard cannot fall into a gopher hole and break an ankle.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your home is under construction, or if you have a landscaping project under way, you can be liable for harm to others if you have not put any measures in place to protect visitors from being harmed by the equipment and tools. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">So, the best advice is to do everything you can to make your home and property safe, and then make sure you have adequate coverage for unforeseen incidents.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Does Liability Insurance Cover?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The liability portion of your homeowners insurance protects your financial assets in the event that you or another member of your household are legally responsible for damage to another person or their property. For example, it will potentially cover:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The cost of repairs to another person’s property</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The medical expenses of an injured party</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The cost of your legal defense when an attorney must defend you against bodily injury or property damage</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Depending upon the specifics of your homeowners insurance policy, you may also be covered for defamation. Under other circumstances, this coverage may be available if you have your agent add a separate endorsement to your policy.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Home Liability Protects You From Financial Loss</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The assets your home liability insurance is designed to protect includes everything from your liquid assets, such as your checking and savings accounts, to your investments and retirement accounts, your valuable personal property, your home, and any other properties such as a vacation home.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The nature of litigation today is that your financial assets can all come into the picture if you are liable for personal damage and are taken to court. When you have adequate liability coverage in place, it can provide peace of mind that your family assets are protected.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What if I Don’t Have Enough Home Liability Coverage?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If someone is injured either on your premises or as a result of some negligence on your part, you need to think about your liability coverage. Hopefully, you will have a simple settlement on your hands, in which your liability coverage pays for the injured person’s medical expenses or property damage. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But it is important to know what is at stake in an extreme circumstance — for example, if a visitor experiences a severe head injury on your property, or is paralyzed after a fall from your deck.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your homeowners insurance has a liability limit set at the time you purchase your coverage. For example, a common coverage amount is $100,000. If someone files a large lawsuit against you, the legal claim can potentially exceed this coverage limit. In that event, your other assets can be at risk, including your home, savings, and investments.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To protect your assets against such risks, there are two strategies you can consider:</span></p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Increase the amount of liability coverage included in your homeowners policy, for example to $300,000 or $500,000, to help cover the cost of a large legal claim, medical expenses and property damage. The cost of increasing home liability coverage is typically very affordable.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Buy an “umbrella liability” policy that will kick in when your home, auto. or other liability coverage limits are exhausted. Umbrella insurance is also priced affordably.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Umbrella Policies for Home Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">An umbrella policy provides extra liability protection for your current assets and future income in the event that a large legal claim exceeds your homeowners liability or auto liability coverage. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Whereas your homeowners policy would cover the costs of medical expenses, property damage, and legal claims up to your homeowners liability limits (such as $100,000, $300,000 or $500,000), your umbrella policy would provide protection up to $1 million dollars or more.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You can buy umbrella liability coverage in increments of $1 million. It is important to evaluate your risks and the assets you want to protect to determine how much liability coverage you really need. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Not all insurance companies provide umbrella liability coverage suitable for the very affluent. If you need a specialty insurance company to protect your assets, a local independent agent will be an excellent resource.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/liability/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Homeowners Liability Insurance Explained','','inherit','closed','closed','','1068-revision-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:14:05','2020-12-01 00:14:05','',1068,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1068-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1073,1,'2020-12-01 00:14:57','2020-12-01 00:14:57','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Purchase Land Insurance for Undeveloped Property</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/8b23bff6-7886-4e9b-824c-bcaa96c1d0ba/cabin-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Cabin insurance\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You may be leaving your parcel of land undeveloped for a number of reasons. Maybe one day you plan on building a summer cabin or retirement retreat, or maybe you use the land to hunt and fish. No matter what your vacant land is used for, you might want to consider insuring it against certain risks.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Basics of Vacant Land Insurance</span></h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you own your property outright, you are not required by law to buy land insurance; however, in the event of a lawsuit this coverage will be essential</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your property is financed, your lender may require land insurance</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Vacant land cannot have any existing structures</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hunting land insurance is important if your land is used for sport</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Land Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Land insurance is a form of property coverage that will cover a claim of bodily injury or property damage if someone has an accident on your property and you are found to be at fault. If someone files a lawsuit against you, it will also help to cover your legal fees. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While it cannot cover any damage that happens to your land, it will protect you financially if others are ever on your property. To decide whether this type of insurance is important for you, consider your risks and talk with a knowledgeable agent.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The easiest way to add land insurance is through your homeowner’s policy. If you own a home, you can typically extend your liability coverage to include your vacant land. If you have an umbrella liability policy, be sure to add your vacant land to that policy as well, and update your liability if needed.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hunting Land Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you plan on using your property for hunting and allow others use it as well, it’s very important to purchase property insurance. Because of the risks involved in hunting and use of firearms, you have a greater risk for liability concerns. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a responsible landowner, you should inform all hunters of any perils they should know about that may exist on your property, such as cliffs, abandoned wells, or barbed wire fences. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sharing this knowledge is one important way to help cover your liability risks, but it is still important to have liability insurance coverage in place as well.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some insurance companies require landowners to make hunters sign a waiver absolving the landowner of any wrongdoing. While this won’t protect you from all potential lawsuits, it can provide a safety net that otherwise wouldn’t exist.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some hunters may ask to use all-terrain vehicles on your property, and it is important to realize that you will assume additional liability risks if you allow it. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If an accident happens on your property, you can potentially be held responsible – especially if there are features in the natural landscape that pose a risk.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Vacant Land Insurance Does Not Cover</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you have any kind of structure on your land, even if it is temporary, your land is no longer \"vacant\" and will not be covered by vacant land insurance. If you decide to start constructing a building on your formerly vacant land, the land insurance will be void for that structure. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You will need to purchase additional property insurance to cover any outbuildings or dwellings. Even you have an old dilapidated structure on your property that has been empty for many years, your land is not considered vacant property. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And if someone is injured inside an abandoned building on your property, your land insurance liability will not cover it. Ask your insurance agent how to protect yourself against claims that are related to abandoned buildings.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/land/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Purchase Land Insurance for Undeveloped Property','','publish','closed','closed','','purchase-land-insurance-for-undeveloped-property','','','2020-12-01 00:21:04','2020-12-01 00:21:04','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1073',0,'page','',0),(1074,1,'2020-12-01 00:14:57','2020-12-01 00:14:57','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','Purchase Land Insurance for Undeveloped Property','','inherit','closed','closed','','1073-revision-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:14:57','2020-12-01 00:14:57','',1073,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1073-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1077,1,'2020-12-01 00:18:59','2020-12-01 00:18:59','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>10 Tiny Pivots to Make Your Small Business More Effective</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/8b23bff6-7886-4e9b-824c-bcaa96c1d0ba/cabin-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Cabin insurance\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You may be leaving your parcel of land undeveloped for a number of reasons. Maybe one day you plan on building a summer cabin or retirement retreat, or maybe you use the land to hunt and fish. No matter what your vacant land is used for, you might want to consider insuring it against certain risks.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Basics of Vacant Land Insurance</span></h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you own your property outright, you are not required by law to buy land insurance; however, in the event of a lawsuit this coverage will be essential</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your property is financed, your lender may require land insurance</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Vacant land cannot have any existing structures</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hunting land insurance is important if your land is used for sport</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Land Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Land insurance is a form of property coverage that will cover a claim of bodily injury or property damage if someone has an accident on your property and you are found to be at fault. If someone files a lawsuit against you, it will also help to cover your legal fees. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While it cannot cover any damage that happens to your land, it will protect you financially if others are ever on your property. To decide whether this type of insurance is important for you, consider your risks and talk with a knowledgeable agent.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The easiest way to add land insurance is through your homeowner’s policy. If you own a home, you can typically extend your liability coverage to include your vacant land. If you have an umbrella liability policy, be sure to add your vacant land to that policy as well, and update your liability if needed.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you don’t have a homeowner’s policy, you can purchase a separate vacant land insurance policy through an independent insurer. There is typically no deductible on these policies and the premiums are affordable. Plus, you’ll have the peace of mind that no matter what happens on your land, your assets are covered.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hunting Land Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you plan on using your property for hunting and allow others use it as well, it’s very important to purchase property insurance. Because of the risks involved in hunting and use of firearms, you have a greater risk for liability concerns. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a responsible landowner, you should inform all hunters of any perils they should know about that may exist on your property, such as cliffs, abandoned wells, or barbed wire fences. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sharing this knowledge is one important way to help cover your liability risks, but it is still important to have liability insurance coverage in place as well.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some insurance companies require landowners to make hunters sign a waiver absolving the landowner of any wrongdoing. While this won’t protect you from all potential lawsuits, it can provide a safety net that otherwise wouldn’t exist.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some hunters may ask to use all-terrain vehicles on your property, and it is important to realize that you will assume additional liability risks if you allow it. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If an accident happens on your property, you can potentially be held responsible – especially if there are features in the natural landscape that pose a risk.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Vacant Land Insurance Does Not Cover</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you have any kind of structure on your land, even if it is temporary, your land is no longer \"vacant\" and will not be covered by vacant land insurance. If you decide to start constructing a building on your formerly vacant land, the land insurance will be void for that structure. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You will need to purchase additional property insurance to cover any outbuildings or dwellings. Even you have an old dilapidated structure on your property that has been empty for many years, your land is not considered vacant property. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And if someone is injured inside an abandoned building on your property, your land insurance liability will not cover it. Ask your insurance agent how to protect yourself against claims that are related to abandoned buildings.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/land/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Purchase Land Insurance for Undeveloped Property','','inherit','closed','closed','','1073-revision-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:18:59','2020-12-01 00:18:59','',1073,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1073-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1078,1,'2020-12-01 00:19:49','2020-12-01 00:19:49','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h2 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Purchase Land Insurance for Undeveloped Property</strong></h2>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/8b23bff6-7886-4e9b-824c-bcaa96c1d0ba/cabin-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Cabin insurance\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You may be leaving your parcel of land undeveloped for a number of reasons. Maybe one day you plan on building a summer cabin or retirement retreat, or maybe you use the land to hunt and fish. No matter what your vacant land is used for, you might want to consider insuring it against certain risks.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Basics of Vacant Land Insurance</span></h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you own your property outright, you are not required by law to buy land insurance; however, in the event of a lawsuit this coverage will be essential</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your property is financed, your lender may require land insurance</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Vacant land cannot have any existing structures</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hunting land insurance is important if your land is used for sport</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Land Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Land insurance is a form of property coverage that will cover a claim of bodily injury or property damage if someone has an accident on your property and you are found to be at fault. If someone files a lawsuit against you, it will also help to cover your legal fees. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While it cannot cover any damage that happens to your land, it will protect you financially if others are ever on your property. To decide whether this type of insurance is important for you, consider your risks and talk with a knowledgeable agent.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The easiest way to add land insurance is through your homeowner’s policy. If you own a home, you can typically extend your liability coverage to include your vacant land. If you have an umbrella liability policy, be sure to add your vacant land to that policy as well, and update your liability if needed.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you don’t have a homeowner’s policy, you can purchase a separate vacant land insurance policy through an independent insurer. There is typically no deductible on these policies and the premiums are affordable. Plus, you’ll have the peace of mind that no matter what happens on your land, your assets are covered.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hunting Land Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you plan on using your property for hunting and allow others use it as well, it’s very important to purchase property insurance. Because of the risks involved in hunting and use of firearms, you have a greater risk for liability concerns. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a responsible landowner, you should inform all hunters of any perils they should know about that may exist on your property, such as cliffs, abandoned wells, or barbed wire fences. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sharing this knowledge is one important way to help cover your liability risks, but it is still important to have liability insurance coverage in place as well.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some insurance companies require landowners to make hunters sign a waiver absolving the landowner of any wrongdoing. While this won’t protect you from all potential lawsuits, it can provide a safety net that otherwise wouldn’t exist.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some hunters may ask to use all-terrain vehicles on your property, and it is important to realize that you will assume additional liability risks if you allow it. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If an accident happens on your property, you can potentially be held responsible – especially if there are features in the natural landscape that pose a risk.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Vacant Land Insurance Does Not Cover</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you have any kind of structure on your land, even if it is temporary, your land is no longer \"vacant\" and will not be covered by vacant land insurance. If you decide to start constructing a building on your formerly vacant land, the land insurance will be void for that structure. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You will need to purchase additional property insurance to cover any outbuildings or dwellings. Even you have an old dilapidated structure on your property that has been empty for many years, your land is not considered vacant property. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And if someone is injured inside an abandoned building on your property, your land insurance liability will not cover it. Ask your insurance agent how to protect yourself against claims that are related to abandoned buildings.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/land/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Purchase Land Insurance for Undeveloped Property','','inherit','closed','closed','','1073-revision-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:19:49','2020-12-01 00:19:49','',1073,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1073-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1081,1,'2020-12-01 00:21:04','2020-12-01 00:21:04','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Purchase Land Insurance for Undeveloped Property</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/8b23bff6-7886-4e9b-824c-bcaa96c1d0ba/cabin-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Cabin insurance\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You may be leaving your parcel of land undeveloped for a number of reasons. Maybe one day you plan on building a summer cabin or retirement retreat, or maybe you use the land to hunt and fish. No matter what your vacant land is used for, you might want to consider insuring it against certain risks.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Basics of Vacant Land Insurance</span></h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you own your property outright, you are not required by law to buy land insurance; however, in the event of a lawsuit this coverage will be essential</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your property is financed, your lender may require land insurance</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Vacant land cannot have any existing structures</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hunting land insurance is important if your land is used for sport</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Land Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Land insurance is a form of property coverage that will cover a claim of bodily injury or property damage if someone has an accident on your property and you are found to be at fault. If someone files a lawsuit against you, it will also help to cover your legal fees. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While it cannot cover any damage that happens to your land, it will protect you financially if others are ever on your property. To decide whether this type of insurance is important for you, consider your risks and talk with a knowledgeable agent.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The easiest way to add land insurance is through your homeowner’s policy. If you own a home, you can typically extend your liability coverage to include your vacant land. If you have an umbrella liability policy, be sure to add your vacant land to that policy as well, and update your liability if needed.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\"> </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hunting Land Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you plan on using your property for hunting and allow others use it as well, it’s very important to purchase property insurance. Because of the risks involved in hunting and use of firearms, you have a greater risk for liability concerns. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a responsible landowner, you should inform all hunters of any perils they should know about that may exist on your property, such as cliffs, abandoned wells, or barbed wire fences. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sharing this knowledge is one important way to help cover your liability risks, but it is still important to have liability insurance coverage in place as well.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some insurance companies require landowners to make hunters sign a waiver absolving the landowner of any wrongdoing. While this won’t protect you from all potential lawsuits, it can provide a safety net that otherwise wouldn’t exist.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some hunters may ask to use all-terrain vehicles on your property, and it is important to realize that you will assume additional liability risks if you allow it. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If an accident happens on your property, you can potentially be held responsible – especially if there are features in the natural landscape that pose a risk.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Vacant Land Insurance Does Not Cover</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you have any kind of structure on your land, even if it is temporary, your land is no longer \"vacant\" and will not be covered by vacant land insurance. If you decide to start constructing a building on your formerly vacant land, the land insurance will be void for that structure. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You will need to purchase additional property insurance to cover any outbuildings or dwellings. Even you have an old dilapidated structure on your property that has been empty for many years, your land is not considered vacant property. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And if someone is injured inside an abandoned building on your property, your land insurance liability will not cover it. Ask your insurance agent how to protect yourself against claims that are related to abandoned buildings.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/land/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Purchase Land Insurance for Undeveloped Property','','inherit','closed','closed','','1073-revision-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:21:04','2020-12-01 00:21:04','',1073,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1073-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1079,1,'2020-12-01 00:19:56','2020-12-01 00:19:56','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Purchase Land Insurance for Undeveloped Property</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/8b23bff6-7886-4e9b-824c-bcaa96c1d0ba/cabin-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Cabin insurance\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You may be leaving your parcel of land undeveloped for a number of reasons. Maybe one day you plan on building a summer cabin or retirement retreat, or maybe you use the land to hunt and fish. No matter what your vacant land is used for, you might want to consider insuring it against certain risks.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Basics of Vacant Land Insurance</span></h3>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you own your property outright, you are not required by law to buy land insurance; however, in the event of a lawsuit this coverage will be essential</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your property is financed, your lender may require land insurance</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Vacant land cannot have any existing structures</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hunting land insurance is important if your land is used for sport</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Is Land Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Land insurance is a form of property coverage that will cover a claim of bodily injury or property damage if someone has an accident on your property and you are found to be at fault. If someone files a lawsuit against you, it will also help to cover your legal fees. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">While it cannot cover any damage that happens to your land, it will protect you financially if others are ever on your property. To decide whether this type of insurance is important for you, consider your risks and talk with a knowledgeable agent.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The easiest way to add land insurance is through your homeowner’s policy. If you own a home, you can typically extend your liability coverage to include your vacant land. If you have an umbrella liability policy, be sure to add your vacant land to that policy as well, and update your liability if needed.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you don’t have a homeowner’s policy, you can purchase a separate vacant land insurance policy through an independent insurer. There is typically no deductible on these policies and the premiums are affordable. Plus, you’ll have the peace of mind that no matter what happens on your land, your assets are covered.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Hunting Land Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you plan on using your property for hunting and allow others use it as well, it’s very important to purchase property insurance. Because of the risks involved in hunting and use of firearms, you have a greater risk for liability concerns. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a responsible landowner, you should inform all hunters of any perils they should know about that may exist on your property, such as cliffs, abandoned wells, or barbed wire fences. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Sharing this knowledge is one important way to help cover your liability risks, but it is still important to have liability insurance coverage in place as well.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some insurance companies require landowners to make hunters sign a waiver absolving the landowner of any wrongdoing. While this won’t protect you from all potential lawsuits, it can provide a safety net that otherwise wouldn’t exist.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some hunters may ask to use all-terrain vehicles on your property, and it is important to realize that you will assume additional liability risks if you allow it. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If an accident happens on your property, you can potentially be held responsible – especially if there are features in the natural landscape that pose a risk.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What Vacant Land Insurance Does Not Cover</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you have any kind of structure on your land, even if it is temporary, your land is no longer \"vacant\" and will not be covered by vacant land insurance. If you decide to start constructing a building on your formerly vacant land, the land insurance will be void for that structure. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You will need to purchase additional property insurance to cover any outbuildings or dwellings. Even you have an old dilapidated structure on your property that has been empty for many years, your land is not considered vacant property. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">And if someone is injured inside an abandoned building on your property, your land insurance liability will not cover it. Ask your insurance agent how to protect yourself against claims that are related to abandoned buildings.</span></p>\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/home-coverage-types/land/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Purchase Land Insurance for Undeveloped Property','','inherit','closed','closed','','1073-revision-v1','','','2020-12-01 00:19:56','2020-12-01 00:19:56','',1073,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1073-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1083,1,'2020-12-03 18:49:03','2020-12-03 18:49:03','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"article-hed\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Managing Someone Whose Life Has Been Upended</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span><img src=\"https://hbr.org/resources/images/article_assets/2020/11/Nov20_30_-145668837.jpg\" /></p>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The pandemic marks the first time in a century that the entire planet is going through the same disruption at the same time. For businesses, that means every employee is going through a life transition at the same time. Those transitions range from the loss of a loved one to the loss of income to the loss of child care.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These transitions are so widespread that executives and managers alike have no choice but to step in and try to help. The good news: There is evidence on how to help employees navigate these types of events.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I spent the last five years talking to people about the biggest transitions their lives. What I learned is that the average adult experiences around three dozen disruptors in the course of their lives, that’s one every 12 to 18 months. These disruptors can be involuntary (a downsizing or a cancer diagnosis) or voluntary (starting a new venture, having a child).</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">We get through most of these disruptors with relative ease. We adjust, draw on our support networks, and move on. But every now and then, one of these disruptors — or more commonly a pileup of two, three or four or them — rises to the level of truly disorienting and destabilizing us. I call these events “lifequakes” because they’re higher on the Richter Scale of consequence and have aftershocks that last for years.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The pandemic represents a massive, collective lifequake. But while this lifequake has been involuntary, the life transition that grows out of it must be voluntary. We must choose to take the steps. A life transition, at its heart, is the period of adjustment, creativity, and rebirth that helps one find meaning after a major life upheaval.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">So what role do managers play in this process? A hallmark of the first century of management theory was that “personal issues” like lifequakes should be kept separate from “office issues”; “work” and “family” need not mix. When private matters did arise, the advice was often: Take a leave of absence; use your personal days; let us know when you’re back on the job.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">That strict separation of church and state had already been eroding in recent years with the influx of more moms into the workplace, more dads into the parenting space, and 24/7 connective technology into every space. The once-airtight membrane that divided work life from family life had already become more porous.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The pandemic has blown that membrane to smithereens. Working remotely, supervising children doing remote learning, even something as relatively minor as finding a quiet space for an uninterrupted call have all forced changes. Issues that were once the sole domain of family are now the undeniable terrain of business.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The bottom line: At exactly the moment your employees most need you, you need a plan to address entire realms of their lives. Here, based on my research, are four pieces of advice you can give to help your team members manage their life transitions in a way that doesn’t upend their work lives.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Start with transition superpowers.</strong></span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The most valuable thing a manager can provide someone going through a life transition is calm, empathic perspective: <em>You will get through this</em>. That posture begins with pointing out that transitions have a clear structure that may not always be apparent to someone just entering one.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Transitions involve three phases. I call them “the long goodbye,” in which you mourn the old you; “the messy middle,” in which you shed habits and create new ones; and “the new beginning,” in which you unveil your fresh self. Each person tends to gravitate to the phase they’re best at (their transition superpower) and bog down in the one they’re weakest at (their transition kryptonite). And most important of all, these phases need not happen in order.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The best advice: Start with your superpower. Since managers tend to know the strengths and weaknesses of their employees, helping them determine where to begin would be a simple and helpful step. Those who excel at navigating emotions might start with the long goodbye; those who excel at blocking out noise and plunging into challenging initiatives might begin with the new beginning; those who excel at spreadsheets or complex tasks might begin with the messy middle.</span></p>\n<div class=\"promo--right\">\n<div class=\"advertising\">\n<div id=\"DFP_IC_pos3\"></div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Rob Adams, for example, was a management consultant from Cincinnati who took over the Simon Pearce glassware company 10 days after the Great Recession hit in 2008. While it took him a year to accept defeat in that job, once he did, he quickly pivoted and moved his family to Africa to run a nonprofit. “Saying goodbye was hard for me,” he said. “But once I was done, I relished the messy middle. I’m a consultant; fixing problems is my expertise.”</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Use rituals to say goodbye.</strong></span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The long goodbye has proven to be particularly challenging during the pandemic. Early on, most of us expected we would absorb the impact of the virus, then return to normal. After a while, we realized we weren’t going back. The key to navigating a shift like this is to accept that it’s an emotional experience. I asked hundreds of people the biggest emotion they struggled with in their life transition. Fear was the most popular reaction, followed by sadness and shame. Some people cope with these emotions by writing down their feelings; others plunge into new tasks.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But eight in 10 say they turn to rituals. They held memorial services, got tattoos, visited sweat lodges, purged. Following a brutal year in which she lost her job in Hollywood, had a blowup with her mother, and went on 52 first dates, Lisa Rae Rosenberg jumped out of an airplane. “I had a terrible fear of heights, and I thought, If I can figure this out, I can figure anything out.” A year later she was married with a child.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Managers can play a helpful role in this process by encouraging colleagues to use collective, symbolic gestures or experiences, either with colleagues or not, as a way of making the statement that they’re going a change and are ready for what comes next.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Everyone profits from sharing.</strong></span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many of the tools for navigating transitions are connected to one of the three phases. But one tool has no temporal element at all: It floats, it reoccurs; it happens all the time. It’s sharing your story with others, and it’s one part of a life transition where managers can be most impactful, by welcoming, even encouraging, team members to open up about their challenges.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Human beings like to share. Personal revelation releases soothing chemicals in our brains and activates special systems in our bodies that help us relate better to others. When people relate their most traumatic experiences, their blood pressure, heart rate, and other physiological functions rise in the short term, but afterward fall to below where they were before their confessions — and remain there for weeks afterward.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Dwayne Hayes, who working in publishing in Michigan, returned to work after his wife gave birth to stillborn twins, he hoped to avoid people and bunker down in his cubicle. A colleague whose wife had been pregnant at the same time, approached him in the hallway and offered a hug. “It was exactly what I needed,” he said.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">My research shows that people respond to different kinds of advice. Around a third of people, like Dwayne Hayes, prefer what I call comforters (I love you; I trust you; you can do it); a quarter prefer nudgers (I love you, but maybe you should try this); while a sixth prefer slappers (I love you, but get over yourself). While encouraging team members to communicate about their transitions can be valuable, don’t make assumptions about the type of feedback they’d like to hear. Ask before you advise.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Priorities will change</strong>.</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A life transition is fundamentally a meaning-making exercise. It is an autobiographical occasion, in which we are called on to revise and retell our life stories, adding a new chapter in which we find meaning in our lifequake. The lifequake itself may have been positive or negative, but the story we tell about it has an ending that’s upbeat and forward-looking.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This may be the most important role managers can play. Clearly communicate that everyone is dealing with the same kinds of adjustments; reassure them that minor accommodations in their work schedules are not an existential threat to their jobs; remind them that life is nonlinear and that modest career oscillations, even ones that oblige them to step away for a while, are not permanent and can altered once the pandemic passes.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Above all, stress to them a truth we all need to be reminded of these days: transitions work. Ninety percent of the people I spoke with got through their difficult time. By being an outlet as well as a source of both wisdom and comfort, you’re not just being a good colleague and friend, you’re also being a good leader.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://hbr.org/2020/11/managing-someone-whose-life-has-been-upended\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Managing Someone Whose Life Has Been Upended','','publish','closed','closed','','managing-someone-whose-life-has-been-upended','','','2020-12-03 18:51:00','2020-12-03 18:51:00','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1083',0,'page','',0),(1084,1,'2020-12-03 18:49:03','2020-12-03 18:49:03','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','Managing Someone Whose Life Has Been Upended','','inherit','closed','closed','','1083-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 18:49:03','2020-12-03 18:49:03','',1083,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1083-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1090,1,'2020-12-03 19:04:21','2020-12-03 19:04:21','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','6 Great Small Business Tips That Will Save You Headaches','','inherit','closed','closed','','1087-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 19:04:21','2020-12-03 19:04:21','',1087,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1087-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1094,1,'2020-12-03 20:27:06','2020-12-03 20:27:06','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Withdrawing money from your retirement fund ahead of time could</strong></h1>\n<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong> cost you more than you think</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/83e081eae80cd2848af52df6da1060d621468f19/c=0-111-2120-1303/local/-/media/2020/11/12/USATODAY/usatsports/couple-looking-at-phone-and-documents.jpg?width=2120&amp;height=1192&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Nobody has all the right answers when it comes to saving for retirement, and everyone is bound to make money mistakes now and then.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">However, some blunders are more subtle than others – and potentially more costly. Those types of mistakes can be especially dangerous because, by the time you realize you\'ve made a mistake, it may have already cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. And there\'s one common saving error that can be more expensive than you may think.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A dangerous misstep</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">One of the most costly retirement mistakes you can make is to withdraw money from your retirement fund before you retire. On the surface, that may not seem like such a disastrous move, but over time, it could potentially cost you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many people tap their retirement accounts when they\'re faced with an unexpected cost or emergency. When millions of Americans lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, some of those affected took hardship withdrawals from their retirement funds. </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In April, the average retirement account withdrawal was around $5,500, according to research from Fidelity Investments. A one-time distribution might not seem like it would have a significant effect on your long-term savings, but it could do more harm than you think.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The average retirement account balance among Fidelity investors is approximately $102,000, according to Fidelity Investments. Say you\'re 40 years old with an account balance of $102,000, and you withdrew $5,500. If you were earning an 8% annual rate of return on your investments and you didn\'t make any additional contributions, here\'s what your total savings would look like at various ages, depending on whether you had or had not taken that withdrawal:</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<table class=\"gnt_ar_b_tbl\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Age</span></th>\n<th scope=\"col\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Total Savings Without</span><br /><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$5,500 Withdrawal</span></th>\n<th scope=\"col\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Total Savings After</span><br /><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$5,500 Withdrawal</span></th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">40 (Today)</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$102,000</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$96,500</span></p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">50</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$220,200</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$208,300</span></p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">60</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$475,400</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$449,800</span></p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">70</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,026,400</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$971,000</span></p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #000000;\">In this case, that single $5,500 withdrawal can amount to around $55,400 in lost potential savings after 30 years. And if you were to make multiple withdrawals over the years, you could miss out on even more.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How to avoid tapping your retirement savings</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When you\'re faced with an emergency expense and have no way to pay for it, raiding your retirement fund may be your only option. However, it\'s important to prepare for these unexpected costs before they actually happen so you can avoid this scenario.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you don\'t already have an emergency fund, now\'s a fantastic time to start building one. Try to save enough to be able to cover three to six months\' worth of living expenses, but saving anything at all is better than nothing.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The more savings you have stashed in an emergency fund, the less likely it is you\'ll need to tap your retirement account when you inevitably face an unexpected expense. And the longer you\'re able to let your retirement savings grow, the healthier your nest egg will be.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/retirement/2020/11/16/retirement-planning-mistake-could-cost-you-more-than-you-think/43087131/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Withdrawing money from your retirement fund ahead of time could cost you more than you think','','publish','closed','closed','','withdrawing-money-from-your-retirement-fund-ahead-of-time-could-cost-you-more-than-you-think','','','2020-12-03 20:30:45','2020-12-03 20:30:45','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1094',0,'page','',0),(1095,1,'2020-12-03 20:27:06','2020-12-03 20:27:06','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','Withdrawing money from your retirement fund ahead of time could cost you more than you think','','inherit','closed','closed','','1094-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 20:27:06','2020-12-03 20:27:06','',1094,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1094-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1087,1,'2020-12-03 18:52:17','2020-12-03 18:52:17','<div align=\"center\">\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2379\" src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/down-payment-on-summary-1024x343.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"251\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you are just getting started with your small business, knowing what to do and tackle first can be overwhelming.</span>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tips to Reduce Business Headaches</span></h2>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But if you follow some of the business management tips below, you will be off to a great start with your company.</span>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Set Up An LLC</span></h3>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Even if you are a one-person shop and are 100% self-employed, it is wise to set up your company as a separate taxable organization from the start.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many small businesses establish themselves as an <a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https://www.bizfilings.com/toolkit/research-topics/incorporating-your-business/creating-an-llc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">LLC</a>. It only costs about $1,000 to do this. It will immediately protect your personal assets from legal problems that your company might encounter. Most businesses never have legal issues, but it is always best to be prepared.<span id=\"ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-149\" class=\"ezoic-adpicker-ad\"></span></span>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Separate Business and Personal Finances</span></h3>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">From the start of your business, be sure that you separate your business and personal finances. You and your business are separate taxable entities, so you need to have your finances separate. Otherwise, things may get messy. You could eventually have to handle an IRS audit, which is a hassle, even if you have nothing to hide.</span>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pay For Education</span></h3>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many small businesspeople say the best money they ever spend is on improving their education. If you do not know how to do something, rather than figure it out by Googling, pay for a course in it.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Need to know Photoshop? Take a class! Want to brush up on Excel? <a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https://exceltraining.com/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Take a class!</a></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It makes sense to lay out a few hundred dollars to learn a skill you will regularly use in your business. Most courses you take will pay you back by saving you money and time by avoiding mistakes and working more efficiently.</span>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ignore Your Email For Half the Day</span></h3>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some productivity experts advise not checking your email first thing in the morning. This is standard advice that some people may assume should be ignored.<span id=\"ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-151\" class=\"ezoic-adpicker-ad\"></span></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But there is a purpose to not checking your inbox the first time you enter the office. It is a good idea to use your brain when it is freshest on important business decisions, not on a long list of emails.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Focus on the critical business tasks you have and get to your emails in the latter half of the day. But if an emergency email shows up, you will have already completed most of your vital tasks for the day.</span>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pay For Marketing</span></h3>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It would be great if we could just put an ‘Open for Business’ sign on your door and have business flood in! But that is not how it usually goes.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Our world requires us to get our name in front of people to buy our goods and services. So, put some money aside to invest in marketing your company. Consider spending on:</span>\n<ul>\n 	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https://www.wordstream.com/ppc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Pay per click ads</a> on Google or Facebook</span></li>\n 	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Renting a conference booth</span></li>\n 	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Putting ads in the newspaper</span></li>\n 	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Email marketing</span></li>\n 	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Building an SEO-tuned website</span></li>\n</ul>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Whatever marketing you plan on, prepare to do it from the first day.</span>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Set Up Meetings – With Yourself</span></h3>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">As the owner, you have a lot of decisions to make. You are responsible for your success or failure. But we can get so caught up in running the company’s day-to-day operations that we forget to set up a time to go over the big picture.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Don’t get so caught up being an employee that you forget you are the owner. So, set up 30 minutes a week to go over your company’s goals, problems, and how you will address them.</span>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Bottom Line</span></h3>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Owning your own business is fantastic! But it takes a lot of discipline and preparation to ensure its long-term success. Keep the tips above in mind, and your business is sure to be a winner!</span>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"center\"></div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/12/reduce-business-headaches.html\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></div>','6 Great Small Business Tips That Will Save You Headaches','','publish','closed','closed','','6-great-small-business-tips-that-will-save-you-headaches','','','2022-04-25 23:47:54','2022-04-25 23:47:54','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1087',0,'page','',0),(1088,1,'2020-12-03 18:52:17','2020-12-03 18:52:17','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','ProTips: 5 Ways to Scale Customer Support Without Breaking the Bank','','inherit','closed','closed','','1087-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 18:52:17','2020-12-03 18:52:17','',1087,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1087-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1086,1,'2020-12-03 18:51:00','2020-12-03 18:51:00','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"article-hed\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Managing Someone Whose Life Has Been Upended</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span><img src=\"https://hbr.org/resources/images/article_assets/2020/11/Nov20_30_-145668837.jpg\" /></p>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The pandemic marks the first time in a century that the entire planet is going through the same disruption at the same time. For businesses, that means every employee is going through a life transition at the same time. Those transitions range from the loss of a loved one to the loss of income to the loss of child care.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These transitions are so widespread that executives and managers alike have no choice but to step in and try to help. The good news: There is evidence on how to help employees navigate these types of events.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I spent the last five years talking to people about the biggest transitions their lives. What I learned is that the average adult experiences around three dozen disruptors in the course of their lives, that’s one every 12 to 18 months. These disruptors can be involuntary (a downsizing or a cancer diagnosis) or voluntary (starting a new venture, having a child).</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">We get through most of these disruptors with relative ease. We adjust, draw on our support networks, and move on. But every now and then, one of these disruptors — or more commonly a pileup of two, three or four or them — rises to the level of truly disorienting and destabilizing us. I call these events “lifequakes” because they’re higher on the Richter Scale of consequence and have aftershocks that last for years.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The pandemic represents a massive, collective lifequake. But while this lifequake has been involuntary, the life transition that grows out of it must be voluntary. We must choose to take the steps. A life transition, at its heart, is the period of adjustment, creativity, and rebirth that helps one find meaning after a major life upheaval.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">So what role do managers play in this process? A hallmark of the first century of management theory was that “personal issues” like lifequakes should be kept separate from “office issues”; “work” and “family” need not mix. When private matters did arise, the advice was often: Take a leave of absence; use your personal days; let us know when you’re back on the job.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">That strict separation of church and state had already been eroding in recent years with the influx of more moms into the workplace, more dads into the parenting space, and 24/7 connective technology into every space. The once-airtight membrane that divided work life from family life had already become more porous.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The pandemic has blown that membrane to smithereens. Working remotely, supervising children doing remote learning, even something as relatively minor as finding a quiet space for an uninterrupted call have all forced changes. Issues that were once the sole domain of family are now the undeniable terrain of business.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The bottom line: At exactly the moment your employees most need you, you need a plan to address entire realms of their lives. Here, based on my research, are four pieces of advice you can give to help your team members manage their life transitions in a way that doesn’t upend their work lives.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Start with transition superpowers.</strong></span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The most valuable thing a manager can provide someone going through a life transition is calm, empathic perspective: <em>You will get through this</em>. That posture begins with pointing out that transitions have a clear structure that may not always be apparent to someone just entering one.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Transitions involve three phases. I call them “the long goodbye,” in which you mourn the old you; “the messy middle,” in which you shed habits and create new ones; and “the new beginning,” in which you unveil your fresh self. Each person tends to gravitate to the phase they’re best at (their transition superpower) and bog down in the one they’re weakest at (their transition kryptonite). And most important of all, these phases need not happen in order.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The best advice: Start with your superpower. Since managers tend to know the strengths and weaknesses of their employees, helping them determine where to begin would be a simple and helpful step. Those who excel at navigating emotions might start with the long goodbye; those who excel at blocking out noise and plunging into challenging initiatives might begin with the new beginning; those who excel at spreadsheets or complex tasks might begin with the messy middle.</span></p>\n<div class=\"promo--right\">\n<div class=\"advertising\">\n<div id=\"DFP_IC_pos3\"></div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Rob Adams, for example, was a management consultant from Cincinnati who took over the Simon Pearce glassware company 10 days after the Great Recession hit in 2008. While it took him a year to accept defeat in that job, once he did, he quickly pivoted and moved his family to Africa to run a nonprofit. “Saying goodbye was hard for me,” he said. “But once I was done, I relished the messy middle. I’m a consultant; fixing problems is my expertise.”</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Use rituals to say goodbye.</strong></span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The long goodbye has proven to be particularly challenging during the pandemic. Early on, most of us expected we would absorb the impact of the virus, then return to normal. After a while, we realized we weren’t going back. The key to navigating a shift like this is to accept that it’s an emotional experience. I asked hundreds of people the biggest emotion they struggled with in their life transition. Fear was the most popular reaction, followed by sadness and shame. Some people cope with these emotions by writing down their feelings; others plunge into new tasks.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But eight in 10 say they turn to rituals. They held memorial services, got tattoos, visited sweat lodges, purged. Following a brutal year in which she lost her job in Hollywood, had a blowup with her mother, and went on 52 first dates, Lisa Rae Rosenberg jumped out of an airplane. “I had a terrible fear of heights, and I thought, If I can figure this out, I can figure anything out.” A year later she was married with a child.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Managers can play a helpful role in this process by encouraging colleagues to use collective, symbolic gestures or experiences, either with colleagues or not, as a way of making the statement that they’re going a change and are ready for what comes next.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Everyone profits from sharing.</strong></span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many of the tools for navigating transitions are connected to one of the three phases. But one tool has no temporal element at all: It floats, it reoccurs; it happens all the time. It’s sharing your story with others, and it’s one part of a life transition where managers can be most impactful, by welcoming, even encouraging, team members to open up about their challenges.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Human beings like to share. Personal revelation releases soothing chemicals in our brains and activates special systems in our bodies that help us relate better to others. When people relate their most traumatic experiences, their blood pressure, heart rate, and other physiological functions rise in the short term, but afterward fall to below where they were before their confessions — and remain there for weeks afterward.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Dwayne Hayes, who working in publishing in Michigan, returned to work after his wife gave birth to stillborn twins, he hoped to avoid people and bunker down in his cubicle. A colleague whose wife had been pregnant at the same time, approached him in the hallway and offered a hug. “It was exactly what I needed,” he said.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">My research shows that people respond to different kinds of advice. Around a third of people, like Dwayne Hayes, prefer what I call comforters (I love you; I trust you; you can do it); a quarter prefer nudgers (I love you, but maybe you should try this); while a sixth prefer slappers (I love you, but get over yourself). While encouraging team members to communicate about their transitions can be valuable, don’t make assumptions about the type of feedback they’d like to hear. Ask before you advise.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Priorities will change</strong>.</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A life transition is fundamentally a meaning-making exercise. It is an autobiographical occasion, in which we are called on to revise and retell our life stories, adding a new chapter in which we find meaning in our lifequake. The lifequake itself may have been positive or negative, but the story we tell about it has an ending that’s upbeat and forward-looking.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This may be the most important role managers can play. Clearly communicate that everyone is dealing with the same kinds of adjustments; reassure them that minor accommodations in their work schedules are not an existential threat to their jobs; remind them that life is nonlinear and that modest career oscillations, even ones that oblige them to step away for a while, are not permanent and can altered once the pandemic passes.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Above all, stress to them a truth we all need to be reminded of these days: transitions work. Ninety percent of the people I spoke with got through their difficult time. By being an outlet as well as a source of both wisdom and comfort, you’re not just being a good colleague and friend, you’re also being a good leader.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://hbr.org/2020/11/managing-someone-whose-life-has-been-upended\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Managing Someone Whose Life Has Been Upended','','inherit','closed','closed','','1083-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 18:51:00','2020-12-03 18:51:00','',1083,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1083-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(2396,1,'2022-04-25 23:47:54','2022-04-25 23:47:54','<div align=\"center\">\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-2379\" src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/down-payment-on-summary-1024x343.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"750\" height=\"251\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you are just getting started with your small business, knowing what to do and tackle first can be overwhelming.</span>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tips to Reduce Business Headaches</span></h2>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But if you follow some of the business management tips below, you will be off to a great start with your company.</span>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Set Up An LLC</span></h3>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Even if you are a one-person shop and are 100% self-employed, it is wise to set up your company as a separate taxable organization from the start.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many small businesses establish themselves as an <a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https://www.bizfilings.com/toolkit/research-topics/incorporating-your-business/creating-an-llc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">LLC</a>. It only costs about $1,000 to do this. It will immediately protect your personal assets from legal problems that your company might encounter. Most businesses never have legal issues, but it is always best to be prepared.<span id=\"ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-149\" class=\"ezoic-adpicker-ad\"></span></span>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Separate Business and Personal Finances</span></h3>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">From the start of your business, be sure that you separate your business and personal finances. You and your business are separate taxable entities, so you need to have your finances separate. Otherwise, things may get messy. You could eventually have to handle an IRS audit, which is a hassle, even if you have nothing to hide.</span>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pay For Education</span></h3>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many small businesspeople say the best money they ever spend is on improving their education. If you do not know how to do something, rather than figure it out by Googling, pay for a course in it.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Need to know Photoshop? Take a class! Want to brush up on Excel? <a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https://exceltraining.com/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Take a class!</a></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It makes sense to lay out a few hundred dollars to learn a skill you will regularly use in your business. Most courses you take will pay you back by saving you money and time by avoiding mistakes and working more efficiently.</span>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ignore Your Email For Half the Day</span></h3>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some productivity experts advise not checking your email first thing in the morning. This is standard advice that some people may assume should be ignored.<span id=\"ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-151\" class=\"ezoic-adpicker-ad\"></span></span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But there is a purpose to not checking your inbox the first time you enter the office. It is a good idea to use your brain when it is freshest on important business decisions, not on a long list of emails.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Focus on the critical business tasks you have and get to your emails in the latter half of the day. But if an emergency email shows up, you will have already completed most of your vital tasks for the day.</span>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pay For Marketing</span></h3>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It would be great if we could just put an ‘Open for Business’ sign on your door and have business flood in! But that is not how it usually goes.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Our world requires us to get our name in front of people to buy our goods and services. So, put some money aside to invest in marketing your company. Consider spending on:</span>\n<ul>\n 	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a style=\"color: #000000;\" href=\"https://www.wordstream.com/ppc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Pay per click ads</a> on Google or Facebook</span></li>\n 	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Renting a conference booth</span></li>\n 	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Putting ads in the newspaper</span></li>\n 	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Email marketing</span></li>\n 	<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Building an SEO-tuned website</span></li>\n</ul>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Whatever marketing you plan on, prepare to do it from the first day.</span>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Set Up Meetings – With Yourself</span></h3>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">As the owner, you have a lot of decisions to make. You are responsible for your success or failure. But we can get so caught up in running the company’s day-to-day operations that we forget to set up a time to go over the big picture.</span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Don’t get so caught up being an employee that you forget you are the owner. So, set up 30 minutes a week to go over your company’s goals, problems, and how you will address them.</span>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Bottom Line</span></h3>\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Owning your own business is fantastic! But it takes a lot of discipline and preparation to ensure its long-term success. Keep the tips above in mind, and your business is sure to be a winner!</span>\n\n</div>\n</div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"center\"></div>\n<div style=\"text-align: justify;\" align=\"center\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/12/reduce-business-headaches.html\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></div>','6 Great Small Business Tips That Will Save You Headaches','','inherit','closed','closed','','1087-revision-v1','','','2022-04-25 23:47:54','2022-04-25 23:47:54','',1087,'https://smartinsurance.tips/?p=2396',0,'revision','',0),(1092,1,'2020-12-03 19:19:02','2020-12-03 19:19:02','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"post-title entry-title\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>6 Great Small Business Tips That Will Save You Headaches</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Small-Business-Tips-850x476.png\" alt=\"Small Business Tips\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you are just getting started with your small business, knowing what to do and tackle first can be overwhelming.</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tips to Reduce Business Headaches</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But if you follow some of the business management tips below, you will be off to a great start with your company.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Set Up An LLC</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Even if you are a one-person shop and are 100% self-employed, it is wise to set up your company as a separate taxable organization from the start.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many small businesses establish themselves as an <a href=\"https://www.bizfilings.com/toolkit/research-topics/incorporating-your-business/creating-an-llc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #000000;\">LLC</a>. It only costs about $1,000 to do this. It will immediately protect your personal assets from legal problems that your company might encounter. Most businesses never have legal issues, but it is always best to be prepared.<span id=\"ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-149\" class=\"ezoic-adpicker-ad\"></span></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Separate Business and Personal Finances</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">From the start of your business, be sure that you separate your business and personal finances. You and your business are separate taxable entities, so you need to have your finances separate. Otherwise, things may get messy. You could eventually have to handle an IRS audit, which is a hassle, even if you have nothing to hide.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pay For Education</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many small businesspeople say the best money they ever spend is on improving their education. If you do not know how to do something, rather than figure it out by Googling, pay for a course in it.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Need to know Photoshop? Take a class! Want to brush up on Excel? <a href=\"https://exceltraining.com/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Take a class!</a></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It makes sense to lay out a few hundred dollars to learn a skill you will regularly use in your business. Most courses you take will pay you back by saving you money and time by avoiding mistakes and working more efficiently.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ignore Your Email For Half the Day</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some productivity experts advise not checking your email first thing in the morning. This is standard advice that some people may assume should be ignored.<span id=\"ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-151\" class=\"ezoic-adpicker-ad\"></span></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But there is a purpose to not checking your inbox the first time you enter the office. It is a good idea to use your brain when it is freshest on important business decisions, not on a long list of emails.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Focus on the critical business tasks you have and get to your emails in the latter half of the day. But if an emergency email shows up, you will have already completed most of your vital tasks for the day.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pay For Marketing</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">It would be great if we could just put an ‘Open for Business’ sign on your door and have business flood in! But that is not how it usually goes.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Our world requires us to get our name in front of people to buy our goods and services. So, put some money aside to invest in marketing your company. Consider spending on:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><a href=\"https://www.wordstream.com/ppc\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Pay per click ads</a> on Google or Facebook</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Renting a conference booth</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Putting ads in the newspaper</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Email marketing</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Building an SEO-tuned website</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Whatever marketing you plan on, prepare to do it from the first day.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Set Up Meetings – With Yourself</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As the owner, you have a lot of decisions to make. You are responsible for your success or failure. But we can get so caught up in running the company’s day-to-day operations that we forget to set up a time to go over the big picture.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Don’t get so caught up being an employee that you forget you are the owner. So, set up 30 minutes a week to go over your company’s goals, problems, and how you will address them.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Bottom Line</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Owning your own business is fantastic! But it takes a lot of discipline and preparation to ensure its long-term success. Keep the tips above in mind, and your business is sure to be a winner!</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/12/reduce-business-headaches.html\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','6 Great Small Business Tips That Will Save You Headaches','','inherit','closed','closed','','1087-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 19:19:02','2020-12-03 19:19:02','',1087,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1087-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1098,1,'2020-12-03 20:30:45','2020-12-03 20:30:45','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Withdrawing money from your retirement fund ahead of time could</strong></h1>\n<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong> cost you more than you think</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/83e081eae80cd2848af52df6da1060d621468f19/c=0-111-2120-1303/local/-/media/2020/11/12/USATODAY/usatsports/couple-looking-at-phone-and-documents.jpg?width=2120&amp;height=1192&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Nobody has all the right answers when it comes to saving for retirement, and everyone is bound to make money mistakes now and then.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">However, some blunders are more subtle than others – and potentially more costly. Those types of mistakes can be especially dangerous because, by the time you realize you\'ve made a mistake, it may have already cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. And there\'s one common saving error that can be more expensive than you may think.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A dangerous misstep</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">One of the most costly retirement mistakes you can make is to withdraw money from your retirement fund before you retire. On the surface, that may not seem like such a disastrous move, but over time, it could potentially cost you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many people tap their retirement accounts when they\'re faced with an unexpected cost or emergency. When millions of Americans lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, some of those affected took hardship withdrawals from their retirement funds. </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In April, the average retirement account withdrawal was around $5,500, according to research from Fidelity Investments. A one-time distribution might not seem like it would have a significant effect on your long-term savings, but it could do more harm than you think.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The average retirement account balance among Fidelity investors is approximately $102,000, according to Fidelity Investments. Say you\'re 40 years old with an account balance of $102,000, and you withdrew $5,500. If you were earning an 8% annual rate of return on your investments and you didn\'t make any additional contributions, here\'s what your total savings would look like at various ages, depending on whether you had or had not taken that withdrawal:</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<table class=\"gnt_ar_b_tbl\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Age</span></th>\n<th scope=\"col\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Total Savings Without</span><br /><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$5,500 Withdrawal</span></th>\n<th scope=\"col\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Total Savings After</span><br /><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$5,500 Withdrawal</span></th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">40 (Today)</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$102,000</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$96,500</span></p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">50</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$220,200</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$208,300</span></p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">60</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$475,400</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$449,800</span></p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">70</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$1,026,400</span></p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">$971,000</span></p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #000000;\">In this case, that single $5,500 withdrawal can amount to around $55,400 in lost potential savings after 30 years. And if you were to make multiple withdrawals over the years, you could miss out on even more.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How to avoid tapping your retirement savings</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When you\'re faced with an emergency expense and have no way to pay for it, raiding your retirement fund may be your only option. However, it\'s important to prepare for these unexpected costs before they actually happen so you can avoid this scenario.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you don\'t already have an emergency fund, now\'s a fantastic time to start building one. Try to save enough to be able to cover three to six months\' worth of living expenses, but saving anything at all is better than nothing.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The more savings you have stashed in an emergency fund, the less likely it is you\'ll need to tap your retirement account when you inevitably face an unexpected expense. And the longer you\'re able to let your retirement savings grow, the healthier your nest egg will be.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/retirement/2020/11/16/retirement-planning-mistake-could-cost-you-more-than-you-think/43087131/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Withdrawing money from your retirement fund ahead of time could cost you more than you think','','inherit','closed','closed','','1094-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 20:30:45','2020-12-03 20:30:45','',1094,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1094-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1097,1,'2020-12-03 20:30:06','2020-12-03 20:30:06','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Withdrawing money from your retirement fund ahead of time could</strong></h1>\n<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong> cost you more than you think</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/83e081eae80cd2848af52df6da1060d621468f19/c=0-111-2120-1303/local/-/media/2020/11/12/USATODAY/usatsports/couple-looking-at-phone-and-documents.jpg?width=2120&amp;height=1192&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Nobody has all the right answers when it comes to saving for retirement, and everyone is bound to make money mistakes now and then.</p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">However, some blunders are more subtle than others – and potentially more costly. Those types of mistakes can be especially dangerous because, by the time you realize you\'ve made a mistake, it may have already cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars. And there\'s one common saving error that can be more expensive than you may think.</p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">A dangerous misstep</h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">One of the most costly retirement mistakes you can make is to withdraw money from your<span> </span><a href=\"https://www.fool.com/retirement/plans/?utm_source=usa-today&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;referring_guid=1683b879-0efb-43d3-af61-d8dd2ca06cec\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-t-l=\"|inline|intext|n/a\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">retirement fund</a><span> </span>before you retire. On the surface, that may not seem like such a disastrous move, but over time, it could potentially cost you tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars.</p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span>Many people tap their retirement accounts when they\'re faced with an unexpected cost or emergency. When millions of Americans lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, some of those affected took hardship withdrawals from their retirement funds. </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span>In April, the average retirement account withdrawal was around $5,500, according to research from Fidelity Investments. A one-time distribution might not seem like it would have a significant effect on your long-term savings, but it could do more harm than you think.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The average retirement account balance among Fidelity investors is approximately $102,000, according to Fidelity Investments. Say you\'re 40 years old with an account balance of $102,000, and you withdrew $5,500. If you were earning an 8% annual rate of return on your investments and you didn\'t make any additional contributions, here\'s what your total savings would look like at various ages, depending on whether you had or had not taken that withdrawal:</p>\n<table class=\"gnt_ar_b_tbl\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<th scope=\"col\">Age</th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Total Savings Without<br />$5,500 Withdrawal</th>\n<th scope=\"col\">Total Savings After<br />$5,500 Withdrawal</th>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">40 (Today)</p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">$102,000</p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">$96,500</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">50</p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">$220,200</p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">$208,300</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">60</p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">$475,400</p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">$449,800</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">70</p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">$1,026,400</p>\n</td>\n<td>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">$971,000</p>\n</td>\n</tr>\n</tbody>\n</table>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Source: Author\'s calculations.</p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">In this case, that single $5,500 withdrawal can amount to around $55,400 in lost potential savings after 30 years. And if you were to make multiple withdrawals over the years, you could miss out on even more.</p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">How to avoid tapping your retirement savings</h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">When you\'re faced with an emergency expense and have no way to pay for it, raiding your retirement fund may be your only option. However, it\'s important to prepare for these unexpected costs before they actually happen so you can avoid this scenario.</p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">If you don\'t already have an<span> </span><a href=\"https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/10/23/build-emergency-fund-or-invest-in-stock-market/?utm_source=usa-today&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=article&amp;referring_guid=1683b879-0efb-43d3-af61-d8dd2ca06cec\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-t-l=\"|inline|intext|n/a\" class=\"gnt_ar_b_a\">emergency fund</a>, now\'s a fantastic time to start building one. Try to save enough to be able to cover three to six months\' worth of living expenses, but saving anything at all is better than nothing.</p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The more savings you have stashed in an emergency fund, the less likely it is you\'ll need to tap your retirement account when you inevitably face an unexpected expense. And the longer you\'re able to let your retirement savings grow, the healthier your nest egg will be.</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/retirement/2020/11/16/retirement-planning-mistake-could-cost-you-more-than-you-think/43087131/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Withdrawing money from your retirement fund ahead of time could cost you more than you think','','inherit','closed','closed','','1094-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 20:30:06','2020-12-03 20:30:06','',1094,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1094-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1100,1,'2020-12-03 22:18:04','2020-12-03 22:18:04','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>More than 40% of Social Security beneficiaries worry they\'ll outlive</strong></span></h1>\n<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> their savings. How to avoid that fate</strong></span></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/9e1f6e2ee20f44aa1f3be4f71e9f3e52b6ae2c7e/c=0-110-2121-1303/local/-/media/2020/11/27/USATODAY/usatsports/MotleyFool-TMOT-a158a9e4-cbba22f9.jpg?width=2121&amp;height=1193&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Running out of money in retirement is a huge concern. In fact, 43% of Social Security recipients have this fear, reports SimplyWise. That\'s dangerous given that older Americans may not have much opportunity to boost their nest eggs.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your retirement is a long way off, here are a few things you can do to ensure your savings last as long as possible.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1. Know what role Social Security will play in your retirement</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many people risk depleting their 401(k)s or IRA prematurely because they assume they\'ll get more money from Social Security than they actually do. Others fail to recognize that those benefits can only play a limited role in covering senior expenses. The typical Social Security beneficiary today collects $1,519 a month, for a total of just over $18,000 a year. That\'s not a ton of cash to live on.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To see how much money you might receive from Social Security, check your annual earnings statement. If you\'re at least 60, you\'ll get it in the mail. If not, you can create an account on the Social Security Administration\'s website and view it there. Keep in mind that the younger you are, the less accurate that estimate will be, since it won\'t have accounted for all of your career earnings.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a general rule, Social Security will replace about 40% of your pre-retirement income if you earn an average wage. Most seniors, however, need about double that amount. Plan on putting more money into your retirement plan to avoid a cash crunch.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></h2>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2. Estimate your costs wisely</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many seniors start to run out of money because their retirement expenses end up costing more than anticipated. To avoid the same fate, research what various expense categories might amount to. If you\'re planning to relocate to a certain city in retirement, research its cost of living and see what local income taxes look like.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Also, read up on healthcare, as it could end up being the most substantial expense you face as a senior. One major retirement myth that gets people into trouble is that healthcare will be free under Medicare. Not so. You might have Medicare expenses like deductibles, premiums, and copays, so know what you\'re getting into.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></h2>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">3. Invest your savings aggressively</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The more money you retire with, the less likely you\'ll be to run out of it -- it\'s that simple. Not only should you save consistently in a 401(k) or IRA, but you should also invest your savings. The plan should be to load up on stocks while you\'re young and only shift more of your assets toward bonds as your senior years approach.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Imagine you\'re able to put $400 a month into your retirement plan between the ages of 30 and 67. All told, that\'s $177,600 in out-of-pocket contributions. If you invest your savings heavily in stocks, you might see an average annual 7% return in that account, since that\'s just below the stock market\'s average. In that case, you\'d end up with an ending balance of $769,600, having directly contributed only about a quarter of that amount yourself.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Running out of money in retirement is a lot of people\'s worst nightmare -- but it doesn\'t have to be your reality. Plan and save appropriately, and you\'ll have a lot less to worry about in the future.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/11/27/social-security-avoid-outliving-your-savings/115055166/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','More than 40% of Social Security beneficiaries worry they\'ll outlive their savings. How to avoid that fate','','publish','closed','closed','','more-than-40-of-social-security-beneficiaries-worry-theyll-outlive-their-savings-how-to-avoid-that-fate','','','2020-12-03 22:23:45','2020-12-03 22:23:45','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1100',0,'page','',0),(1101,1,'2020-12-03 22:18:04','2020-12-03 22:18:04','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','More than 40% of Social Security beneficiaries worry they\'ll outlive their savings. How to avoid that fate','','inherit','closed','closed','','1100-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 22:18:04','2020-12-03 22:18:04','',1100,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1100-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1104,1,'2020-12-03 22:23:45','2020-12-03 22:23:45','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>More than 40% of Social Security beneficiaries worry they\'ll outlive</strong></span></h1>\n<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> their savings. How to avoid that fate</strong></span></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/9e1f6e2ee20f44aa1f3be4f71e9f3e52b6ae2c7e/c=0-110-2121-1303/local/-/media/2020/11/27/USATODAY/usatsports/MotleyFool-TMOT-a158a9e4-cbba22f9.jpg?width=2121&amp;height=1193&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Running out of money in retirement is a huge concern. In fact, 43% of Social Security recipients have this fear, reports SimplyWise. That\'s dangerous given that older Americans may not have much opportunity to boost their nest eggs.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your retirement is a long way off, here are a few things you can do to ensure your savings last as long as possible.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1. Know what role Social Security will play in your retirement</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many people risk depleting their 401(k)s or IRA prematurely because they assume they\'ll get more money from Social Security than they actually do. Others fail to recognize that those benefits can only play a limited role in covering senior expenses. The typical Social Security beneficiary today collects $1,519 a month, for a total of just over $18,000 a year. That\'s not a ton of cash to live on.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To see how much money you might receive from Social Security, check your annual earnings statement. If you\'re at least 60, you\'ll get it in the mail. If not, you can create an account on the Social Security Administration\'s website and view it there. Keep in mind that the younger you are, the less accurate that estimate will be, since it won\'t have accounted for all of your career earnings.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a general rule, Social Security will replace about 40% of your pre-retirement income if you earn an average wage. Most seniors, however, need about double that amount. Plan on putting more money into your retirement plan to avoid a cash crunch.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></h2>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2. Estimate your costs wisely</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many seniors start to run out of money because their retirement expenses end up costing more than anticipated. To avoid the same fate, research what various expense categories might amount to. If you\'re planning to relocate to a certain city in retirement, research its cost of living and see what local income taxes look like.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Also, read up on healthcare, as it could end up being the most substantial expense you face as a senior. One major retirement myth that gets people into trouble is that healthcare will be free under Medicare. Not so. You might have Medicare expenses like deductibles, premiums, and copays, so know what you\'re getting into.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></h2>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">3. Invest your savings aggressively</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The more money you retire with, the less likely you\'ll be to run out of it -- it\'s that simple. Not only should you save consistently in a 401(k) or IRA, but you should also invest your savings. The plan should be to load up on stocks while you\'re young and only shift more of your assets toward bonds as your senior years approach.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Imagine you\'re able to put $400 a month into your retirement plan between the ages of 30 and 67. All told, that\'s $177,600 in out-of-pocket contributions. If you invest your savings heavily in stocks, you might see an average annual 7% return in that account, since that\'s just below the stock market\'s average. In that case, you\'d end up with an ending balance of $769,600, having directly contributed only about a quarter of that amount yourself.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Running out of money in retirement is a lot of people\'s worst nightmare -- but it doesn\'t have to be your reality. Plan and save appropriately, and you\'ll have a lot less to worry about in the future.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/11/27/social-security-avoid-outliving-your-savings/115055166/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','More than 40% of Social Security beneficiaries worry they\'ll outlive their savings. How to avoid that fate','','inherit','closed','closed','','1100-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 22:23:45','2020-12-03 22:23:45','',1100,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1100-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1103,1,'2020-12-03 22:23:35','2020-12-03 22:23:35','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>More than 40% of Social Security beneficiaries worry they\'ll outlive</strong></h1>\n<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong> their savings. How to avoid that fate</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/9e1f6e2ee20f44aa1f3be4f71e9f3e52b6ae2c7e/c=0-110-2121-1303/local/-/media/2020/11/27/USATODAY/usatsports/MotleyFool-TMOT-a158a9e4-cbba22f9.jpg?width=2121&amp;height=1193&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Running out of money in retirement is a huge concern. In fact, 43% of Social Security recipients have this fear, reports SimplyWise. That\'s dangerous given that older Americans may not have much opportunity to boost their nest eggs.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your retirement is a long way off, here are a few things you can do to ensure your savings last as long as possible.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1. Know what role Social Security will play in your retirement</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many people risk depleting their 401(k)s or IRA prematurely because they assume they\'ll get more money from Social Security than they actually do. Others fail to recognize that those benefits can only play a limited role in covering senior expenses. The typical Social Security beneficiary today collects $1,519 a month, for a total of just over $18,000 a year. That\'s not a ton of cash to live on.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To see how much money you might receive from Social Security, check your annual earnings statement. If you\'re at least 60, you\'ll get it in the mail. If not, you can create an account on the Social Security Administration\'s website and view it there. Keep in mind that the younger you are, the less accurate that estimate will be, since it won\'t have accounted for all of your career earnings.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As a general rule, Social Security will replace about 40% of your pre-retirement income if you earn an average wage. Most seniors, however, need about double that amount. Plan on putting more money into your retirement plan to avoid a cash crunch.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></h2>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2. Estimate your costs wisely</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many seniors start to run out of money because their retirement expenses end up costing more than anticipated. To avoid the same fate, research what various expense categories might amount to. If you\'re planning to relocate to a certain city in retirement, research its cost of living and see what local income taxes look like.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Also, read up on healthcare, as it could end up being the most substantial expense you face as a senior. One major retirement myth that gets people into trouble is that healthcare will be free under Medicare. Not so. You might have Medicare expenses like deductibles, premiums, and copays, so know what you\'re getting into.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></h2>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">3. Invest your savings aggressively</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The more money you retire with, the less likely you\'ll be to run out of it -- it\'s that simple. Not only should you save consistently in a 401(k) or IRA, but you should also invest your savings. The plan should be to load up on stocks while you\'re young and only shift more of your assets toward bonds as your senior years approach.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Imagine you\'re able to put $400 a month into your retirement plan between the ages of 30 and 67. All told, that\'s $177,600 in out-of-pocket contributions. If you invest your savings heavily in stocks, you might see an average annual 7% return in that account, since that\'s just below the stock market\'s average. In that case, you\'d end up with an ending balance of $769,600, having directly contributed only about a quarter of that amount yourself.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Running out of money in retirement is a lot of people\'s worst nightmare -- but it doesn\'t have to be your reality. Plan and save appropriately, and you\'ll have a lot less to worry about in the future.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/11/27/social-security-avoid-outliving-your-savings/115055166/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','More than 40% of Social Security beneficiaries worry they\'ll outlive their savings. How to avoid that fate','','inherit','closed','closed','','1100-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 22:23:35','2020-12-03 22:23:35','',1100,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1100-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1105,1,'2020-12-03 22:27:23','2020-12-03 22:27:23','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Lose money in the stock market loss in 2020? Don\'t worry, losses can </strong></span></h1>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>reduce your taxes</strong></span></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/43b070579a60f8f4fe85a8c06be0be9338b76264/c=0-379-1732-1353/local/-/media/2020/11/12/USATODAY/usatsports/bear-market-cartoon-stock-market-losses.jpg?width=1732&amp;height=974&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bragging about stock market losses is never in style, except when you\'re filing your tax returns. If you\'ve been a victim of the stock market\'s wild ride and sold stocks at a loss in 2020, don\'t despair – there\'s a special rule in the tax code that allows you a unique opportunity to turn your stock loss pain into a tax savings gain.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A smart way to profit from your pain </span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2020 was a year of unprecedented volatility in the financial markets – you may have had stocks in your portfolio that performed extremely well while others were the underachievers you wish you never laid eyes on. Don\'t become bitter; focus on finding a better way to deal with losses by tapping into the power of tax loss harvesting – a way to use losses to reduce or eliminate capital gains taxes in a taxable investment account. </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Capital gains occur when you sell a stock for more than you purchased it. If you bought shares of stock for $1,000 and sold them for $5,000 in a taxable investment account, you have a $4,000 capital gain that you have to share with the IRS. If you held your investment for a year or less, you pay a short-term capital gains rate that is similar to the taxes you pay on your income from working a job – those rates can be as high as 37%. Long-term investments (over a year) qualify for lower tax rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income and filing status.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you want to strategically reduce your capital gains taxes now and in the future, this is where tax loss harvesting comes in handy. You can offset capital gains with capital losses, invest your proceeds in other stocks that have the potential to grow, lower your tax bill, and transfer extra losses to future years.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Locking in losses isn\'t always a bad thing</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Let\'s face it: losses can be devastating. But a loss in the stock market can lead to a victory on your tax return if you dig into the IRS rules that make this possible. You can write off your losses to offset short-and long-term gains of the same type and then use the excess to reduce the other type of gains.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For example, if you sold a long-term stock investment at a $20,000 loss and another long-term stock investment at a $5,000 gain, you can wipe out your entire $5,000 gain with the loss – no taxes are required on the gain because your long-term losses exceeded your long-term gains! Next, you can use the remaining $15,000 loss to reduce short-term capital gains. Essentially, when you sell stocks at a loss, you can potentially reduce your capital gains taxes to zero and save thousands of dollars during tax time!</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If 2020 was a brutal year for you and you ended up with no capital gains, you can still use the tax loss harvesting strategy to offset up to $3,000 a year of ordinary income ($1,500 if married filing separately) on federal income taxes and carry over the rest of your losses to reduce gains and income in future years. There\'s no limit to the amount of losses that can be carried forward – you can continue to use losses from previous years to reduce your taxes until you\'ve exhausted the entire amount of losses!</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Get ready for a brighter future</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tax loss harvesting works magic on your tax return, but it should never stand in the way of your investing goals. Don\'t become overzealous and divorce great stocks just to take advantage of the tax perks this year; it\'s always best to invest for the long-term and give your portfolio a chance to keep growing.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tax loss harvesting makes the most sense when you are in a higher tax bracket and have investments in your portfolio that have lost their sparkle. You can sell the investments at a loss, save money on taxes, and reallocate that money in places where your portfolio has a chance to grow even more. But fair warning – don\'t attempt to buy the same or substantially identical stock within 30 days of taking the loss. That would be in violation of the IRS\' wash-sale rules, and it\'s one of the exceptions that will disqualify you from taking advantage of the amazing tax benefits that a stock loss presents. </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tax loss harvesting is the mental breakthrough that you\'ve been searching for this year – you can still hold your head up high knowing you will receive incredible tax savings and have additional funds available to sprinkle some more attractive stocks throughout your portfolio. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/investing/2020/11/15/stock-market-loss-2020-reduce-taxes/114862960/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Lose money in the stock market loss in 2020? Don\'t worry, losses can reduce your taxes','','publish','closed','closed','','lose-money-in-the-stock-market-loss-in-2020-dont-worry-losses-can-reduce-your-taxes','','','2020-12-03 22:32:11','2020-12-03 22:32:11','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1105',0,'page','',0),(1106,1,'2020-12-03 22:27:23','2020-12-03 22:27:23','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','Lose money in the stock market loss in 2020? Don\'t worry, losses can reduce your taxes','','inherit','closed','closed','','1105-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 22:27:23','2020-12-03 22:27:23','',1105,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1105-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1109,1,'2020-12-03 22:32:55','2020-12-03 22:32:55','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Are you overinvesting? Baby Boomers might be putting their retirement</strong></span></h1>\n<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> at risk.</strong></span></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/9e1f6e2ee20f44aa1f3be4f71e9f3e52b6ae2c7e/c=0-110-2121-1303/local/-/media/2020/11/29/USATODAY/usatsports/MotleyFool-TMOT-a0db2fb1-7cca10d5.jpg?width=2121&amp;height=1193&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Most baby boomers are retired already, or are getting close to it. Unfortunately, far too many are putting their retirement security at risk. Recent data from Fidelity shows members of this generation are the most likely to be overinvested in stocks and thus invested too aggressively based on their retirement timeline. </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Fidelity reports 23.2% of employees enrolled in a defined contribution plan have too much equity exposure, with boomers most likely to make this potentially costly error. Unfortunately, that could be an especially big problem as all boomers will be at least 65 by 2030 and most don\'t have much time left to wait out market downturns. </span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Why is it so dangerous for older Americans to be overinvested in the market? </span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Investing in the market is important to build wealth, but putting <em>too </em>much money into stocks can be a problem because market crashes are inevitable and can come on suddenly. While recovery is also inevitable, it can sometimes take awhile. </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Younger investors can wait it out if their investments face sudden and unexpected losses. But sometimes a recovery takes years. For baby boomers who have to start making withdrawals to live on, there may not be time to sit around until stock prices climb. Instead, current and near-retirees who are overinvested in stocks could find themselves forced to sell shares at an inopportune moment.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Selling a stock shortly after a market crash not only locks in the losses you\'ve experienced, but it could also mean that your account balance falls to a dangerously low level much more quickly.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Say you were counting on your investments to produce $40,000 of income, following the 4% rule to make sure you don\'t run out of money.If you had $1 million, you\'d be in good shape. But if the market crashes when you\'re overinvested and you suffer big losses, you\'d be in trouble. If yourbalance declined by, say, 25% and you have no emergency cash to draw from,you\'d either have to drastically cut your budget or take out around 5.3% of your balance to get your $40,000. That\'s far above what most experts believe is a safe withdrawal rate. </span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">How can baby boomers fix their asset allocation? </span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fixing your asset allocation is easy: Look at how much of your money is in the stock market. If it\'s too much, sell some of your stocks and shift the money to bonds.There are a number of different ways to assess the amount of equity exposure you should have, but one of the simplest approaches is to subtract your age from 110. </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">If you\'re one of the older boomers and are 70, for example, you\'d want to have about 40% of your portfolio in the market. If you\'re a younger boomer and just turned 60, you\'d ideally have closer to half your money in the market. If you\'ve got much more than that invested, consider whether you\'re comfortable with the outsize level of risk you\'re taking on.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">You don\'t want to just leave your portfolio alone due to complacency and end up finding yourself in financial trouble if a crash happens at exactly the wrong time. If you\'re one of the many boomers who are overexposed to the market, you may want to act before something goes very wrong.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/investing/2020/12/01/boomers-retirement-risk-investing/43204057/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Are you overinvesting? Baby Boomers might be putting their retirement at risk.','','publish','closed','closed','','are-you-overinvesting-baby-boomers-might-be-putting-their-retirement-at-risk','','','2020-12-03 22:35:35','2020-12-03 22:35:35','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1109',0,'page','',0),(1110,1,'2020-12-03 22:32:55','2020-12-03 22:32:55','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','Are you overinvesting? Baby Boomers might be putting their retirement at risk.','','inherit','closed','closed','','1109-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 22:32:55','2020-12-03 22:32:55','',1109,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1109-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1108,1,'2020-12-03 22:31:51','2020-12-03 22:31:51','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Lose money in the stock market loss in 2020? Don\'t worry, losses can </strong></span></h1>\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>reduce your taxes</strong></span></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/43b070579a60f8f4fe85a8c06be0be9338b76264/c=0-379-1732-1353/local/-/media/2020/11/12/USATODAY/usatsports/bear-market-cartoon-stock-market-losses.jpg?width=1732&amp;height=974&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Bragging about stock market losses is never in style, except when you\'re filing your tax returns. If you\'ve been a victim of the stock market\'s wild ride and sold stocks at a loss in 2020, don\'t despair – there\'s a special rule in the tax code that allows you a unique opportunity to turn your stock loss pain into a tax savings gain.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A smart way to profit from your pain </span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2020 was a year of unprecedented volatility in the financial markets – you may have had stocks in your portfolio that performed extremely well while others were the underachievers you wish you never laid eyes on. Don\'t become bitter; focus on finding a better way to deal with losses by tapping into the power of tax loss harvesting – a way to use losses to reduce or eliminate capital gains taxes in a taxable investment account. </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Capital gains occur when you sell a stock for more than you purchased it. If you bought shares of stock for $1,000 and sold them for $5,000 in a taxable investment account, you have a $4,000 capital gain that you have to share with the IRS. If you held your investment for a year or less, you pay a short-term capital gains rate that is similar to the taxes you pay on your income from working a job – those rates can be as high as 37%. Long-term investments (over a year) qualify for lower tax rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on your income and filing status.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you want to strategically reduce your capital gains taxes now and in the future, this is where tax loss harvesting comes in handy. You can offset capital gains with capital losses, invest your proceeds in other stocks that have the potential to grow, lower your tax bill, and transfer extra losses to future years.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Locking in losses isn\'t always a bad thing</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Let\'s face it: losses can be devastating. But a loss in the stock market can lead to a victory on your tax return if you dig into the IRS rules that make this possible. You can write off your losses to offset short-and long-term gains of the same type and then use the excess to reduce the other type of gains.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For example, if you sold a long-term stock investment at a $20,000 loss and another long-term stock investment at a $5,000 gain, you can wipe out your entire $5,000 gain with the loss – no taxes are required on the gain because your long-term losses exceeded your long-term gains! Next, you can use the remaining $15,000 loss to reduce short-term capital gains. Essentially, when you sell stocks at a loss, you can potentially reduce your capital gains taxes to zero and save thousands of dollars during tax time!</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If 2020 was a brutal year for you and you ended up with no capital gains, you can still use the tax loss harvesting strategy to offset up to $3,000 a year of ordinary income ($1,500 if married filing separately) on federal income taxes and carry over the rest of your losses to reduce gains and income in future years. There\'s no limit to the amount of losses that can be carried forward – you can continue to use losses from previous years to reduce your taxes until you\'ve exhausted the entire amount of losses!</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Get ready for a brighter future</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tax loss harvesting works magic on your tax return, but it should never stand in the way of your investing goals. Don\'t become overzealous and divorce great stocks just to take advantage of the tax perks this year; it\'s always best to invest for the long-term and give your portfolio a chance to keep growing.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tax loss harvesting makes the most sense when you are in a higher tax bracket and have investments in your portfolio that have lost their sparkle. You can sell the investments at a loss, save money on taxes, and reallocate that money in places where your portfolio has a chance to grow even more. But fair warning – don\'t attempt to buy the same or substantially identical stock within 30 days of taking the loss. That would be in violation of the IRS\' wash-sale rules, and it\'s one of the exceptions that will disqualify you from taking advantage of the amazing tax benefits that a stock loss presents. </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tax loss harvesting is the mental breakthrough that you\'ve been searching for this year – you can still hold your head up high knowing you will receive incredible tax savings and have additional funds available to sprinkle some more attractive stocks throughout your portfolio. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/investing/2020/11/15/stock-market-loss-2020-reduce-taxes/114862960/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Lose money in the stock market loss in 2020? Don\'t worry, losses can reduce your taxes','','inherit','closed','closed','','1105-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 22:31:51','2020-12-03 22:31:51','',1105,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1105-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1113,1,'2020-12-05 00:07:01','2020-12-05 00:07:01','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Why Antiques May Not Be Covered in Your Home Policy</strong></span></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/da4757c6-9eb1-4e37-b3d0-61d3aa81bb8b/how-much-contents-coverage-do-i-need-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"How much contents coverage do I need\" /></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Almost everyone has a special collection, whether it\'s a collection of antiques, coins, art, figurines, dolls, collector cars, or fine wine. It’s hard to imagine anything happening to your treasured belongings. Antiques and collectibles insurance provides coverage for those hard-to-replace belongings in your home. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Loss Scenarios: When You Need Collectible Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">If you have questions about antiques and collectibles insurance and why it can be necessary to protect your items, it might be helpful to you to consider some scenarios that would make collectible insurance valuable to have. Here are just a few to consider:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">A heat wave or other event damages your wine collection</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Your figurine collection is broken when a shelf collapses</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Broken water pipes destroy your collection of antique furniture</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">A home fire destroys your collection of autographed sports memorabilia</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">You lose your collection of fine art in a burglary</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">These are examples of worst-case scenarios that could cause your prized possessions to be destroyed. Because these items have high dollar values and mean so much to you and your family, protecting your investment in antiques and collectibles with specific insurance can provide peace of mind.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Antiques and Collectibles?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">A common misconception is that homeowners insurance provides coverage for all high value items in the home, including antiques, collectibles, and family heirlooms. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">While some policies may cover your antiques, the amount of coverage is typically very limited and may not be enough to cover the replacement of your expensive possessions after a loss.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Homeowners policies typically cover up to a set limit for many specific categories of items. For example, your policy may cover a loss of up to $2,500 for your art, collectibles, and antiques.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">If you determine that you need additional, specific coverage for antiques and collectibles, there are typically two methods:</span></p>\n<ol>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Work with your agent to add an “endorsement” (also called a rider) to your existing homeowners insurance policy for any items of value that otherwise won\'t be covered for their full value by your home policy.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Buy a separate \"insurance floater\" for each of your most treasured items or collections.</span></li>\n</ol>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Consult with your agent about the best approach for you based on the value of the items you need to cover, and a cost comparison of a rider vs. a separate insurance floater.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Antiques and Collectibles: Do You Know What You Have?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Surprisingly, many collectors are unsure how many antiques they have or whether they have great value. In your search for the best antiques and collectibles insurance, you’ll want to identify each item in your collection. Be sure to include any item you would want to replace if it is destroyed or stolen.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">How much insurance you’ll need depends on the size of your collection and what that collection includes. Many times, getting the appropriate coverage for your antiques and collectibles requires an appraisal of your collection. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">The appraised value of a collection can sometimes be two to three times more than the fair market value. An appraisal is beneficial to help ensure that you have a written valuation of your collection and documentation in the event that you need to file a claim.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">You’ll want to carefully compare coverage options in order to select a plan that suits you.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">How Much Are My Antiques and Collectibles Worth?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">If you’re unsure what your collection is worth, you’re not alone. Many people collect special items for years, never realizing that those items are increasing in value over time. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">If you take the time to create a list of your antiques and collectibles, your appraiser can more easily determine their worth so you can get the insurance protection you need.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Possessions have different types of values for different purposes. These include:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\"><strong>Retail value</strong>: The price the item currently sells for in an antique shop.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\"><strong>Wholesale value</strong>: The price a dealer pays for the piece, which is often up to 50% less than its retail value.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\"><strong>Fair market value</strong>: The selling price agreed upon by the seller and buyer.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\"><strong>Insurance value</strong>: The highest monetary value given to the item if it needs to be replaced.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\"><strong>Tax or estate value</strong>: The average price paid for the same, or similar, piece at an auction.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\"><strong>Auction value</strong>: The price the item would cost if neither the seller nor buyer were in a position of forced sale. This is also known as the “open market price.”</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Knowing the value of your collectibles is just as important whether you have plans to sell, or you want to be certain it is properly insured.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<h3><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Determine the Best Collectible Insurance for You</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Though you likely realize that protecting your antiques and collectibles with insurance is important, you may still feel overwhelmed by the process of finding the right coverage.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">In the end, collecting several rate quotes is the most important step you can take to make sure you\'re getting the best coverage at a competitive price. It\'s highly recommended that you get at least three rate quotes on similar coverage before you buy. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\">Furthermore, it\'s a good idea to check the insurance company\'s financial strength rating through an agency. Best to make sure you\'re working with a reputable company. Insurance is a great tool that can protect your belongings, but just make sure you\'re getting the best coverage for your needs and budget.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #0a0a0a;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/contents-personal-property/antiques-collectibles/\">click here<span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></a></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Why Antiques May Not Be Covered in Your Home Policy','','inherit','closed','closed','','967-revision-v1','','','2020-12-05 00:07:01','2020-12-05 00:07:01','',967,'http://smartinsurance.tips/967-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1112,1,'2020-12-03 22:35:35','2020-12-03 22:35:35','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Are you overinvesting? Baby Boomers might be putting their retirement</strong></span></h1>\n<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong> at risk.</strong></span></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/9e1f6e2ee20f44aa1f3be4f71e9f3e52b6ae2c7e/c=0-110-2121-1303/local/-/media/2020/11/29/USATODAY/usatsports/MotleyFool-TMOT-a0db2fb1-7cca10d5.jpg?width=2121&amp;height=1193&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Most baby boomers are retired already, or are getting close to it. Unfortunately, far too many are putting their retirement security at risk. Recent data from Fidelity shows members of this generation are the most likely to be overinvested in stocks and thus invested too aggressively based on their retirement timeline. </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Fidelity reports 23.2% of employees enrolled in a defined contribution plan have too much equity exposure, with boomers most likely to make this potentially costly error. Unfortunately, that could be an especially big problem as all boomers will be at least 65 by 2030 and most don\'t have much time left to wait out market downturns. </span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Why is it so dangerous for older Americans to be overinvested in the market? </span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Investing in the market is important to build wealth, but putting <em>too </em>much money into stocks can be a problem because market crashes are inevitable and can come on suddenly. While recovery is also inevitable, it can sometimes take awhile. </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Younger investors can wait it out if their investments face sudden and unexpected losses. But sometimes a recovery takes years. For baby boomers who have to start making withdrawals to live on, there may not be time to sit around until stock prices climb. Instead, current and near-retirees who are overinvested in stocks could find themselves forced to sell shares at an inopportune moment.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Selling a stock shortly after a market crash not only locks in the losses you\'ve experienced, but it could also mean that your account balance falls to a dangerously low level much more quickly.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Say you were counting on your investments to produce $40,000 of income, following the 4% rule to make sure you don\'t run out of money.If you had $1 million, you\'d be in good shape. But if the market crashes when you\'re overinvested and you suffer big losses, you\'d be in trouble. If yourbalance declined by, say, 25% and you have no emergency cash to draw from,you\'d either have to drastically cut your budget or take out around 5.3% of your balance to get your $40,000. That\'s far above what most experts believe is a safe withdrawal rate. </span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">How can baby boomers fix their asset allocation? </span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Fixing your asset allocation is easy: Look at how much of your money is in the stock market. If it\'s too much, sell some of your stocks and shift the money to bonds.There are a number of different ways to assess the amount of equity exposure you should have, but one of the simplest approaches is to subtract your age from 110. </span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">If you\'re one of the older boomers and are 70, for example, you\'d want to have about 40% of your portfolio in the market. If you\'re a younger boomer and just turned 60, you\'d ideally have closer to half your money in the market. If you\'ve got much more than that invested, consider whether you\'re comfortable with the outsize level of risk you\'re taking on.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span data-sheets-hyperlinkruns=\"[null,13,&quot;https://sponsor.fidelity.com/bin-public/06_PSW_Website/documents/Building_Financial_Futures.pdf&quot;]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" data-sheets-textstyleruns=\"{&quot;1&quot;:0}[null,13,{&quot;2&quot;:[null,2,1136076],&quot;9&quot;:1}]{&quot;1&quot;:21}\" style=\"color: #000000;\">You don\'t want to just leave your portfolio alone due to complacency and end up finding yourself in financial trouble if a crash happens at exactly the wrong time. If you\'re one of the many boomers who are overexposed to the market, you may want to act before something goes very wrong.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/investing/2020/12/01/boomers-retirement-risk-investing/43204057/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Are you overinvesting? Baby Boomers might be putting their retirement at risk.','','inherit','closed','closed','','1109-revision-v1','','','2020-12-03 22:35:35','2020-12-03 22:35:35','',1109,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1109-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1115,1,'2020-12-05 00:09:23','2020-12-05 00:09:23','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>When You Lose Your Cell Phone, What\'s Your Plan?</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/97237a68-d183-4206-acc5-a9f81d363f67/cell-phone-store-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Cell Phone Store Insurance\" /><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cell phones have come a long way from being mere calling devices. Today, the wide range of applications for a mobile phone include everything from helping you to navigate around the city to providing appointment reminders and keeping tabs on your teen. If you are like most people, your phone is your constant companion.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Losing or breaking your phone can really set you back. And having it stolen is even worse. For this reason, cell phone insurance may be a good idea. With this coverage in place, you can get a replacement phone quickly, whatever the cause of the loss. </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cell Phone Loss Statistics</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many of us have lost or destroyed a cell phone before. Here are some statistics about nationwide incidents of cell phone loss:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">About 60 million mobile phones are lost or damaged each year.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Philadelphia, Seattle, Oakland, Long Beach and Newark report the highest instances of cell phone loss.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">People in San Francisco and New York lose their phones three times as often as people in Chicago.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In 2011, the cumulative value of lost cell phones in America amounted to about $30 billion.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The loss of your cell is both inconvenient and expensive. If your phone will cost a small fortune to replace, you may want to consider cell phone insurance to protect you from loss, damage or theft.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Bad Things Happen to Good Cell Phones</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Most cell phones come with warranties from the manufacturer covering all damage from defects or mechanical failure. Manufacturer warranties usually cover defects for one year. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">However, a manufacturer’s warranty will not cover a replacement phone if you drop the phone and smash it, if you spill your coffee on it, or if your phone is stolen or lost.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cell phone insurance reimburses you for accidental damage or theft not covered under the warranty. With mobile phone insurance in place, you can typically get a similar replacement for your damaged or destroyed phone.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The deductibles for cell phone insurance are usually around $50-$150. This may seem excessive for a cheaper phone, but when it comes to a a high-end smartphone that costs $500 or more, the deductible is much more affordable to pay for than buying a new phone.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Manufacturer’s Warranty Is Not Mobile Phone Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Unlike cell phone insurance, the manufacturer’s warranty usually lasts for one year and covers manufacturing defects or mechanical issues. As long as you have taken all possible precautions and used the phone properly, you can get a replacement for a malfunctioning phone with your manufacturer’s warranty.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">However, cell phones can be stolen, lost or damaged by accident – which isn’t covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. Mobile phone insurance policies fill in where your warranty ends. If you have a high-end model, coverage for loss and damage especially makes sense.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Does Your Homeowners Policy Include Cell Phone Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Insurance for mobile phones – when it is included in your homeowners policy – is probably not enough to replace your phone. A typical HO-3 homeowners policy insures all direct physical losses of all personal property listed in Coverage C of the policy document. The only condition is that a covered peril needs to be the cause for the loss.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Therefore, if you listed your mobile phone in Coverage C and insured it against theft, you would receive coverage for the theft of the mobile phone. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your theft coverage pays for the depreciated value of the phone, you will still pay a considerable amount to buy a brand-new one. You also need to pay a deductible before your coverage kicks in.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners seldom conduct a complete assessment of their personal belongings before opting for full replacement value coverage in their homeowners policies. Make sure you understand what personal belongings are covered, and for what amounts. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Adding your cell phone as a line item to your homeowners policy, or getting a separate rider, will ensure that you’re covered when something dire happens to your phone.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What to Look for in Cell Phone Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Insurance for mobile phones makes sense under certain circumstances, but you want to be sure you are getting the benefit and value you need. Here are some questions to ask:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What is the coverage and scope of the cellular phone insurance? Does the policy cover accidental damage, phone theft and loss?</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What does the coverage cost? Multiply your monthly premiums by the length of the policy and then add the deductible. For example, if you pay $10 a month for 3 years, then $10x36 = $360 + deductible of $50 = $410. If the price of a new cell phone is less than the amount you would be paying, you may decide that buying a new phone would be a more cost-effective option.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How will the cell phone will be replaced in the event of a loss? Will you get a similar model or a better one? Will the replacement be a new phone or a refurbished one?</span></li>\n</ul>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Considerations When Evaluating Cell Phone Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Only you know whether cell phone insurance makes the most sense for you. When deciding whether to buy coverage, consider the value of the cell phone and your usage. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you are a person who uses your phone for everything from staying in touch with your kids to managing your email, consider whether you can afford to be without it. Are you a very careful person, or do you tend to drop your phone?</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Be sure to evaluate the cell phone coverage carefully and ask such questions as:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What will it cost to replace your phone out of pocket?</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you are considering insurance, how much is the deductible?</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Will the insurance cover the cost of calls a thief made after stealing your phone?</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your insurance coverage should fit your needs and give you peace of mind. When you research your options, take the time to get a few quotes before you buy, so you can feel confident that your coverage has a high value and can protect your investment adequately.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/contents-personal-property/cell-phone/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','When You Lose Your Cell Phone, What\'s Your Plan?','','inherit','closed','closed','','976-revision-v1','','','2020-12-05 00:09:23','2020-12-05 00:09:23','',976,'http://smartinsurance.tips/976-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1116,1,'2020-12-05 00:10:06','2020-12-05 00:10:06','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"h1 text-tc-blue-800 font-weight-bold\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>When You Lose Your Cell Phone, What\'s Your Plan?</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><img src=\"https://assets-us-01.kc-usercontent.com/0542d611-b6d8-4320-a4f4-35ac5cbf43a6/97237a68-d183-4206-acc5-a9f81d363f67/cell-phone-store-insurance-header.jpg?w=1110&amp;h=400&amp;fit=crop\" alt=\"Cell Phone Store Insurance\" /><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cell phones have come a long way from being mere calling devices. Today, the wide range of applications for a mobile phone include everything from helping you to navigate around the city to providing appointment reminders and keeping tabs on your teen. If you are like most people, your phone is your constant companion.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Losing or breaking your phone can really set you back. And having it stolen is even worse. For this reason, cell phone insurance may be a good idea. With this coverage in place, you can get a replacement phone quickly, whatever the cause of the loss. </span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cell Phone Loss Statistics</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many of us have lost or destroyed a cell phone before. Here are some statistics about nationwide incidents of cell phone loss:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">About 60 million mobile phones are lost or damaged each year.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Philadelphia, Seattle, Oakland, Long Beach and Newark report the highest instances of cell phone loss.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">People in San Francisco and New York lose their phones three times as often as people in Chicago.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In 2011, the cumulative value of lost cell phones in America amounted to about $30 billion.</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The loss of your cell is both inconvenient and expensive. If your phone will cost a small fortune to replace, you may want to consider cell phone insurance to protect you from loss, damage or theft.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Bad Things Happen to Good Cell Phones</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Most cell phones come with warranties from the manufacturer covering all damage from defects or mechanical failure. Manufacturer warranties usually cover defects for one year. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">However, a manufacturer’s warranty will not cover a replacement phone if you drop the phone and smash it, if you spill your coffee on it, or if your phone is stolen or lost.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Cell phone insurance reimburses you for accidental damage or theft not covered under the warranty. With mobile phone insurance in place, you can typically get a similar replacement for your damaged or destroyed phone.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The deductibles for cell phone insurance are usually around $50-$150. This may seem excessive for a cheaper phone, but when it comes to a a high-end smartphone that costs $500 or more, the deductible is much more affordable to pay for than buying a new phone.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Manufacturer’s Warranty Is Not Mobile Phone Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Unlike cell phone insurance, the manufacturer’s warranty usually lasts for one year and covers manufacturing defects or mechanical issues. As long as you have taken all possible precautions and used the phone properly, you can get a replacement for a malfunctioning phone with your manufacturer’s warranty.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">However, cell phones can be stolen, lost or damaged by accident – which isn’t covered by a manufacturer’s warranty. Mobile phone insurance policies fill in where your warranty ends. If you have a high-end model, coverage for loss and damage especially makes sense.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Does Your Homeowners Policy Include Cell Phone Insurance?</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Insurance for mobile phones – when it is included in your homeowners policy – is probably not enough to replace your phone. A typical HO-3 homeowners policy insures all direct physical losses of all personal property listed in Coverage C of the policy document. The only condition is that a covered peril needs to be the cause for the loss.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Therefore, if you listed your mobile phone in Coverage C and insured it against theft, you would receive coverage for the theft of the mobile phone. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your theft coverage pays for the depreciated value of the phone, you will still pay a considerable amount to buy a brand-new one. You also need to pay a deductible before your coverage kicks in.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Homeowners seldom conduct a complete assessment of their personal belongings before opting for full replacement value coverage in their homeowners policies. Make sure you understand what personal belongings are covered, and for what amounts. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Adding your cell phone as a line item to your homeowners policy, or getting a separate rider, will ensure that you’re covered when something dire happens to your phone.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What to Look for in Cell Phone Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Insurance for mobile phones makes sense under certain circumstances, but you want to be sure you are getting the benefit and value you need. Here are some questions to ask:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What is the coverage and scope of the cellular phone insurance? Does the policy cover accidental damage, phone theft and loss?</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What does the coverage cost? Multiply your monthly premiums by the length of the policy and then add the deductible. For example, if you pay $10 a month for 3 years, then $10x36 = $360 + deductible of $50 = $410. If the price of a new cell phone is less than the amount you would be paying, you may decide that buying a new phone would be a more cost-effective option.</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How will the cell phone will be replaced in the event of a loss? Will you get a similar model or a better one? Will the replacement be a new phone or a refurbished one?</span></li>\n</ul>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Considerations When Evaluating Cell Phone Insurance</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Only you know whether cell phone insurance makes the most sense for you. When deciding whether to buy coverage, consider the value of the cell phone and your usage. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you are a person who uses your phone for everything from staying in touch with your kids to managing your email, consider whether you can afford to be without it. Are you a very careful person, or do you tend to drop your phone?</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Be sure to evaluate the cell phone coverage carefully and ask such questions as:</span></p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">What will it cost to replace your phone out of pocket?</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you are considering insurance, how much is the deductible?</span></li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Will the insurance cover the cost of calls a thief made after stealing your phone?</span></li>\n</ul>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your insurance coverage should fit your needs and give you peace of mind. When you research your options, take the time to get a few quotes before you buy, so you can feel confident that your coverage has a high value and can protect your investment adequately.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.trustedchoice.com/homeowners-insurance/contents-personal-property/cell-phone/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','','','inherit','closed','closed','','976-autosave-v1','','','2020-12-05 00:10:06','2020-12-05 00:10:06','',976,'http://smartinsurance.tips/976-autosave-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1119,1,'2020-12-09 17:47:06','2020-12-09 17:47:06','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Was your mortgage application rejected? Here are 5 things you can do</strong></h1>\n<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong> before you try again.</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/70b4cd59be29df8697308165711948ed641c0add/c=0-111-2119-1303/local/-/media/2020/12/07/USATODAY/usatsports/upset_man_with_bills_wek9vp7original.jpg?width=2119&amp;height=1192&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Given mortgage rates have fallen to historic lows, it\'s a pretty good time to apply for a home loan. But what if you go through the motions only to have your application rejected? If you can\'t seem to get approved for a mortgage, here are a few critical moves to make.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1. Boost your credit</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your credit score is a measure of how trustworthy you are as a borrower. As such, it\'s a factor lenders always look at when deciding whether you qualify. If you\'ve been denied a mortgage, your credit score might need work. Generally, you\'ll need a minimum score of 620 to qualify for a home loan, but some lenders may impose tighter restrictions. If your score needs a boost, the single most effective way to increase it is to pay your incoming bills on time. Your payment history is the most important factor that goes into calculating your score, and being timely could really work to your advantage.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2. Pay off some existing debt</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A mortgage lender will only give you a home loan if it\'s confident you\'ll be able to keep up with your payments. If you already have a lot of debt in your name, your lender might fear you\'ll fall behind. Plus, having too much debt is a sign you don\'t have your financial house in order.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you\'ve had a mortgage application rejected, your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) could be too high. Your DTI is the amount you spend on debt each month relative to your income. Paying off some existing debt could bring it down to a more reasonable level. And if you pay off credit card debt, it could also improve your credit score.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">3. Secure a steadier job</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Maybe you\'re scraping together an income by doing a series of odd jobs or freelance work. That may be enough to pay the bills, but it may not be enough to convince a lender that you\'re capable of keeping up with your mortgage payments. If that\'s the case, finding a steady, stable job could be your ticket to getting an application approved. So dust off your resume and see what\'s out there. Jobs are more difficult to come by these days due to the general economic crisis the pandemic has spurred, but there are opportunities available.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">4. Add to your savings</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The more money you have, the more comfortable a lender will be giving you a mortgage. That\'s because if you lose your job or have your income cut, you\'ll still have your personal assets to fall back on.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">5. Make sure your credit report is accurate</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Erroneous information on your credit report could drag your score down and needlessly alarm mortgage lenders. For example, if you\'re listed as having a delinquent debt that\'s not actually yours, it could harm your chances of getting a mortgage application approved. It\'s for this reason that checking your credit reports is so important. Normally, you can request a free copy each year from all three major reporting bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – but during the coronavirus pandemic, you\'re actually entitled to a free copy every week. If you find a mistake on your credit report and get it corrected, you may find that lenders are far more willing to give you a mortgage.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Being denied a mortgage can be upsetting. But rather than wallow in your disappointment, take action. The above moves could put you in a much better position to get approved for a home loan, and one with a competitive rate at that.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2020/12/08/mortgage-application-rejected/115113452/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Was your mortgage application rejected? Here are 5 things you can do before you try again.','','publish','closed','closed','','was-your-mortgage-application-rejected-here-are-5-things-you-can-do-before-you-try-again','','','2020-12-09 17:53:32','2020-12-09 17:53:32','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1119',0,'page','',0),(1120,1,'2020-12-09 17:47:06','2020-12-09 17:47:06','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','Was your mortgage application rejected? Here are 5 things you can do before you try again.','','inherit','closed','closed','','1119-revision-v1','','','2020-12-09 17:47:06','2020-12-09 17:47:06','',1119,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1119-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1123,1,'2020-12-09 17:54:34','2020-12-09 17:54:34','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How to save more money on your student loans</strong></span></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2020/11/931/506/Credible-save-money-student-loans-iStock-1036027636.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Repaying your student loans can be a major financial burden, especially during the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting recession.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The good news is, saving on student loans is possible if you can reduce the interest rate you\'re paying. Interest is the cost of borrowing and the lower your rate, the less expensive your loans are, and the easier it is to pay them off.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You can find lower rates with a student loan refinance. Credible can reveal what refinance rates you qualify for. You can compare student loan refinancing rates from up to 10 lenders without affecting your credit. Plus, it\'s 100% free!</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How to save money on student loans</strong></span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are a number of ways to reduce your student loan interest rate, including taking the following four steps.</span></p>\n<ol>\n<li><span class=\"text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Refinance student loans</span></li>\n<li><span class=\"text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Selecting a variable interest rate</span></li>\n<li><span class=\"text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Improve your credit score</span></li>\n<li><span class=\"text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Apply with a co-signer</span></li>\n</ol>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>1. Refinance student loans</strong></span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Once you have already borrowed for school, the best option for saving on student loans is to refinance your loan. Refinancing your student loan is generally free, and it can enable you to both reduce your monthly payment to increase your cash flow and to save thousands on interest over time.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Refinancing involves applying for a new loan with a different lender to pay off existing loans. Usually, you\'ll only want to repay private student loans, as paying off federal loans with a private refinance loan would mean giving up important borrower benefits.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>2. Selecting a variable interest rate</strong></span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When you refinance your student loans, you\'ll have a choice of a fixed- or variable-rate option. A fixed-rate loan would lock in your rate for the entire repayment time while a variable rate is tied to a financial index and can change over time.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The average interest rate on variable rate loans is generally far lower than the average rate on fixed-rate alternatives.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Comparison shopping to get quotes from several lenders can also help ensure you\'re getting the most affordable loan possible as rates do vary. You can use Credible to compare student loan refinancing rates from multiple lenders at once without affecting your credit score.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>3. Improving your credit score</strong></span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you\'re planning to refinance your student loans, you can maximize the chances of getting the most competitive rate possible by taking steps to improve your credit score before applying. That\'s because credit score is one of the most important financial credentials lenders use to decide if they should give you a loan and what interest rate they should charge you to borrow.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Improving your credit score can involve several different tactics. If there are errors on your credit report that have caused your score to be lower, you\'ll want to get them corrected ASAP. You should also work on repaying some of your debt, as this can help you raise your score by showing a positive payment history and reducing the ratio of your debt relative to your available credit. The higher that ratio, or the more of your available credit you\'ve used, the lower your score will be.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>4. Applying with a co-signer</strong></span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Often, you may not have the income or credit history necessary to get the best possible refinance rate. The good news is, student loan refinance lenders are generally willing to allow you to apply with a cosigner.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A cosigner shares legal responsibility for repayment if you don\'t pay back your student debt. Lenders consider their credentials and, if they\'re well-qualified borrowers, you\'ll get approved for a loan at a lower rate. Many lenders also allow cosigner release after you make a certain number of on-time payments, which means your lender may only need to guarantee the loan for a short time.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">By taking these steps, you may be able to reduce your student loan costs substantially, which can be especially important during these times of economic uncertainty.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/how-to-save-more-money-on-student-loans\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','How to save more money on your student loans','','publish','closed','closed','','how-to-save-more-money-on-your-student-loans','','','2020-12-09 18:07:54','2020-12-09 18:07:54','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1123',0,'page','',0),(1124,1,'2020-12-09 17:54:34','2020-12-09 17:54:34','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','How to save more money on your student loans','','inherit','closed','closed','','1123-revision-v1','','','2020-12-09 17:54:34','2020-12-09 17:54:34','',1123,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1123-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1135,1,'2020-12-09 18:31:24','2020-12-09 18:31:24','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Around 53% of Americans are saving for retirement in a savings </strong></h1>\n<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>account. Is that optimal?</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/9e1f6e2ee20f44aa1f3be4f71e9f3e52b6ae2c7e/c=0-110-2121-1303/local/-/media/2020/12/04/USATODAY/usatsports/MotleyFool-TMOT-5d352461-c444aa29.jpg?width=2121&amp;height=1193&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Saving for retirement is tough, and nobody has all the right answers. Everyone is bound to make mistakes sooner or later – but the most important thing is to learn from those blunders and move on.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Unfortunately, though, not all mistakes are created equal. There are some retirement planning missteps that are easy to miss, but could end up being incredibly costly over the long run. And there\'s one mistake in particular that can hurt your savings more than you think.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Choose your retirement account wisely</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">One aspect of retirement planning that\'s easy to overlook is where, exactly, you\'re stashing your cash. You may be saving in a 401(k), an IRA, a 403(b), or other types of accounts, and each option has its pros and cons.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Another popular retirement fund option is a savings account. In fact, around 53% of Americans have at least a portion of their retirement savings socked away in a savings account, according to a survey from the Certified Financial Planner Board and Morning Consult.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">However, saving for retirement in a savings account can be risky, and you could potentially lose money over time. Savings accounts are designed for short-term financial needs, where you may need cash at a moment\'s notice. They\'re not made for holding your money long-term, and keeping your cash in a savings account for decades could have serious consequences.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The risks of using a savings account</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When you stash your long-term savings in a savings account, you could be putting your retirement at risk. Even high-yield savings accounts have interest rates of only around 1% per year, while inflation typically hovers around 2% to 3% per year.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you\'re only keeping a few thousand dollars in a savings account for short-term use, inflation won\'t make a significant difference. But if you\'re keeping tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in this type of account for decades, your money won\'t keep up with inflation, and could lose value over time. In other words, your future savings could be worth less than what they are now.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In addition, using a savings account for retirement means you\'re missing out on potential stock market growth. Investing in the stock market can be intimidating, but it\'s one of the best ways to see significant growth in a relatively short period of time.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The S&amp;P 500 has experienced a rate of return of around 10% per year, on average, since its inception. Even after the market crashed earlier this year, it still managed to bounce back stronger than ever.</span></p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"S&amp;P 500 10-year performance\" src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2020/12/04/USAT/00fe3e46-90b0-4112-88f2-6ce5aff7932e-26fcf88fab55259afd1eed23cd0cd9a9.png?width=660&amp;height=376&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /> </span>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"S&amp;P 500 10-year performance\" data-c-credit=\"Motley Fool\"></div>\n</figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">^SPX data by YCharts</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Though the market does have its ups and downs, it\'s not as risky as it may seem. If you\'re keeping your money in a savings account to avoid the risk of investing, you could be losing more than you gain.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Just how much could you miss out on by saving in a savings account? Say you have $10,000 in savings right now. If you were earning a 1% annual return on your money, you\'d have approximately $12,200 in savings after 20 years. But if you had invested that money and been earning a modest 7% annual return, you\'d have nearly $39,000 saved in that same time period. </span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Is it time to start investing?</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Investing in the stock market can supercharge your savings. And when it comes to saving for retirement, it can actually be less risky than stashing your money in a savings account.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, it\'s still a good idea to keep some cash in a savings account for emergencies. The last thing you want is to have to withdraw money from your 401(k) or IRA to cover unexpected expenses. But in general, the more money you\'re able to invest, the better off you\'ll be in retirement.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/retirement/2020/12/07/saving-for-retirement-you-could-be-losing-money-without-realizing-it/43255489/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Around 53% of Americans are saving for retirement in a savings account. Is that optimal?','','publish','closed','closed','','around-53-of-americans-are-saving-for-retirement-in-a-savings-account-is-that-optimal','','','2020-12-09 18:38:34','2020-12-09 18:38:34','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1135',0,'page','',0),(1136,1,'2020-12-09 18:31:24','2020-12-09 18:31:24','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','Around 53% of Americans are saving for retirement in a savings account. Is that optimal?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1135-revision-v1','','','2020-12-09 18:31:24','2020-12-09 18:31:24','',1135,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1135-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1142,1,'2020-12-09 18:50:58','2020-12-09 18:50:58','','Untitled_Clipping_121020_025041_AM','','inherit','open','closed','','untitled_clipping_121020_025041_am','','','2020-12-09 18:50:58','2020-12-09 18:50:58','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Untitled_Clipping_121020_025041_AM.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(1122,1,'2020-12-09 17:53:32','2020-12-09 17:53:32','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Was your mortgage application rejected? Here are 5 things you can do</strong></h1>\n<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong> before you try again.</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/70b4cd59be29df8697308165711948ed641c0add/c=0-111-2119-1303/local/-/media/2020/12/07/USATODAY/usatsports/upset_man_with_bills_wek9vp7original.jpg?width=2119&amp;height=1192&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Given mortgage rates have fallen to historic lows, it\'s a pretty good time to apply for a home loan. But what if you go through the motions only to have your application rejected? If you can\'t seem to get approved for a mortgage, here are a few critical moves to make.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1. Boost your credit</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Your credit score is a measure of how trustworthy you are as a borrower. As such, it\'s a factor lenders always look at when deciding whether you qualify. If you\'ve been denied a mortgage, your credit score might need work. Generally, you\'ll need a minimum score of 620 to qualify for a home loan, but some lenders may impose tighter restrictions. If your score needs a boost, the single most effective way to increase it is to pay your incoming bills on time. Your payment history is the most important factor that goes into calculating your score, and being timely could really work to your advantage.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2. Pay off some existing debt</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A mortgage lender will only give you a home loan if it\'s confident you\'ll be able to keep up with your payments. If you already have a lot of debt in your name, your lender might fear you\'ll fall behind. Plus, having too much debt is a sign you don\'t have your financial house in order.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you\'ve had a mortgage application rejected, your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) could be too high. Your DTI is the amount you spend on debt each month relative to your income. Paying off some existing debt could bring it down to a more reasonable level. And if you pay off credit card debt, it could also improve your credit score.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">3. Secure a steadier job</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Maybe you\'re scraping together an income by doing a series of odd jobs or freelance work. That may be enough to pay the bills, but it may not be enough to convince a lender that you\'re capable of keeping up with your mortgage payments. If that\'s the case, finding a steady, stable job could be your ticket to getting an application approved. So dust off your resume and see what\'s out there. Jobs are more difficult to come by these days due to the general economic crisis the pandemic has spurred, but there are opportunities available.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">4. Add to your savings</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The more money you have, the more comfortable a lender will be giving you a mortgage. That\'s because if you lose your job or have your income cut, you\'ll still have your personal assets to fall back on.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">5. Make sure your credit report is accurate</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Erroneous information on your credit report could drag your score down and needlessly alarm mortgage lenders. For example, if you\'re listed as having a delinquent debt that\'s not actually yours, it could harm your chances of getting a mortgage application approved. It\'s for this reason that checking your credit reports is so important. Normally, you can request a free copy each year from all three major reporting bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion – but during the coronavirus pandemic, you\'re actually entitled to a free copy every week. If you find a mistake on your credit report and get it corrected, you may find that lenders are far more willing to give you a mortgage.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Being denied a mortgage can be upsetting. But rather than wallow in your disappointment, take action. The above moves could put you in a much better position to get approved for a home loan, and one with a competitive rate at that.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2020/12/08/mortgage-application-rejected/115113452/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Was your mortgage application rejected? Here are 5 things you can do before you try again.','','inherit','closed','closed','','1119-revision-v1','','','2020-12-09 17:53:32','2020-12-09 17:53:32','',1119,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1119-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1126,1,'2020-12-09 17:55:45','2020-12-09 17:55:45','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>How to save more money on your student loans</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://cdn-0.smallbiztrends.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/10-Tiny-Pivots-2-850x476.png?ezimgfmt=rs:840x470/rscb7/ng:webp/ngcb7\" alt=\"10 Tiny Pivots\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You don’t always need to make huge changes in your business in order to grow. Sometimes, small pivots can be just as effective. Members of the online small business community understand what it takes to adapt and make incremental changes. Here are some of their top tips for those who want to start small.</span></p>\n<hr class=\"clear\" />\n<div class=\"content-ad-wrap\"><span id=\"ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-115\"></span></div>\n<hr class=\"clear\" />\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Consider a Fractional CFO</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Many small businesses cannot afford or simply do not need a full time CFO. However, having an individual dedicated to your finances can still be useful. That’s where a fractional CFO comes in. In this Acuity post, Matthew May goes over the concept for small businesses.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Conquer Your Video Fears and Get on Camera</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Video marketing can be useful for nearly any business. But many small business owners and teams are afraid to actually face the camera. Pivoting your strategy in this way can pay major dividends. So if you’re ready to face your fears, read this Content Marketing Institute post by Dennis Shiao.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Adapt Your Human Resource Management with Big Data</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you have a team for your small business, you need human resource management systems. Big data offers plenty of opportunities for businesses to make these processes more efficient. But you need to understand their role. Sam O’Brien elaborates in this Small Biz Daily post.<span id=\"ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-149\" class=\"ezoic-adpicker-ad\"></span></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Change When You Post on Social Media</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If your social media strategy isn’t as effective as you’d like, you may be posting at the wrong times. In this Blogging Wizard post, Kim Locery details the best times to post on each site. And BizSugar members offered thoughts on the post here.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Adapt to the Instagram Algorithm in 2020</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you use Instagram for marketing, you’re no doubt familiar with the algorithm. Though these changes may be frustrating, small businesses have no control over them. So it’s best to accept the changes and pivot your strategy accordingly. Julia Miashkova explains how in this Search Engine Watch post.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Improve Your Email Marketing Campaigns</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you’ve run a small business for years, you almost certainly use email marketing. But it’s very possible you haven’t updated your strategy in years. To adapt to today’s customers, check out the tips in this Marketing Land post by Rodric Bradford.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Create Better Content with These Tools</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Tons of businesses already use content marketing with great success. But there are always options for improving content. And there are tools to help you accomplish this. Ivan Widjaya lays out some of them in this Biz Penguin post.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Upgrade Your Web Design</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Web design trends are constantly evolving. So if you want your brand to appear current, you need to upgrade your strategy regularly. In this Smallbiztechnology.com post, James Baier offers some trends that small businesses should know.<span id=\"ezoic-pub-ad-placeholder-151\" class=\"ezoic-adpicker-ad\"></span></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Let Your Personality Shine</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For years, many business owners have kept their personal and company brands separate. But your personal brand could actually be an asset to your business. Rachel Strella of Strella Social media goes over how this small pivot can help here. Once you’ve read the post, head over to BizSugar to see even more discussion.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Use Advanced SEO Tactics to Drive More Traffic to Your Website</span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You probably already use some form of SEO to market your business online. But if you want to get even more traffic, you need to upgrade your tactics. In this UpCity post, Pratik Kothari shares eight advanced strategies to consider.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/09/10-tiny-pivots-to-make-your-small-business-more-effective.html\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','How to save more money on your student loans','','inherit','closed','closed','','1123-revision-v1','','','2020-12-09 17:55:45','2020-12-09 17:55:45','',1123,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1123-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1129,1,'2020-12-09 18:13:39','2020-12-09 18:13:39','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"fs-headline speakable-headline font-base font-size\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Hyperfocus Versus Scatterfocus: How To Boost Your Productivity</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5fce6ae4f38918238f1dc29f/960x0.jpg?fit=scale\" alt=\"African woman in glasses sitting near computer holding pen writing\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\"Hyperfocus\" can be described as an intense fixation on an activity for a long period of time. Generally, many people find it hard to stay focused on a single task. But the ability to pay attention to something for any length of time can enhance our lives. We can get work done faster, learn better and even feel less stressed. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here’s a counterintuitive notion for you to consider: Multitasking doesn’t save time. In fact, it actually creates stress. This is because reorienting yourself toward a new task every so often is a drain on your mental energy. Instead, by focusing and finishing one thing at a time, you can get things done faster, feel a sense of accomplishment and avoid stress.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But there is a time and place for letting your thoughts wander, too. That’s where \"scatterfocusing\" comes in. In this post, I’ll share tips that can help you practically carry out either hyperfocusing or scatterfocusing. Let’s get started. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How to hyperfocus</strong></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How does one hyperfocus? Well, it\'s self-explanatory if not easy to follow. Simply set aside time and do nothing except for a specific task, giving it your full attention. For those of us who find this nearly impossible to do, these techniques can help.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Time Blocking: </strong>Use a spreadsheet or your journal and create rows and columns for your workdays and the hours you work. Next, create \"blocks\" for different times during the day. A block can last one hour or three. The more you’d like to work on a task, the more time you can set aside for it. Time blocking is more detailed than a to-do list because you’re creating specific time frames for activities. And you only move forward when you’re done with a block. This way, you can harness your mental energy to focus on a task, but also achieve different things during the day.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">• <strong>Pomodoro Technique</strong>: This technique is great if you have a single task that you do all day, such as writing. Set a timer for 25-minute intervals. Work during this time interval, and when the timer goes off, take a five- to 10-minute break, and then start again.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These tips can help you become more organized in your attempt to focus. You\'ll also feel like you’ve accomplished something whenever you’re done with a session, making these techniques very motivating.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How to scatterfocus</strong></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The relentless focus on a specific task works well when you have to carry out a planned activity, but it isn’t necessarily helpful for creative work. If you’re trying to write a book, come up with innovative product ideas or build a blog, for example, hyperfocusing hinders rather than helps. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Instead, you need to allow your mind to explore without wandering into unhelpful territories. Here’s where scatterfocusing comes in. The following techniques will give you enough structure to stay on top of a task, but you’ll still have the ability to come up with new ideas.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">• <strong>Doodling:</strong> Grap a pencil and paper and even add colors into the mix. It’s important to get physically involved in the act of doodling. If you can set up a flipchart in your office space, you can move around and doodle. Start drawing and adding text related to the work you’re trying to accomplish. Connect concepts with arrows and try to showcase every idea in the form of a doodle. As you draw and explore ideas, you may see patterns or a central idea emerge. In this way, doodling harnesses yet frees up your mind to find solutions to problems. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">• <strong>Freewriting: </strong>This is a technique where you sit down in front of a computer or use your notebook and write without pausing or editing for any reason. You can set a timer or commit to finishing three pages. Usually, the longer you go, the more you’ll see powerful ideas emerge. Freewriting works well because it gets the \"junk\" thoughts out on paper, and then your mind is forced to dig to get to the really creative stuff. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These techniques provide a degree of focus that doesn’t prevent you from wandering or exploring ideas, which makes them great for creative work. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Conclusion</strong></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There’s more than one way to drive productivity. And now that we’ve looked at practical ways to either hyperfocus or scatterfocus, you’ll be able to use the right method for the task at hand. Explore loosely focused techniques that will reveal hidden ideas to your conscious mind. Or work with structured support tools to simply get things done. With the tools provided here, you should be able to develop more of your skills in a short time.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2020/12/08/hyperfocus-versus-scatterfocus-how-to-boost-your-productivity/?sh=14180924243e\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Hyperfocus Versus Scatterfocus: How To Boost Your Productivity','','publish','closed','closed','','hyperfocus-versus-scatterfocus-how-to-boost-your-productivity','','','2020-12-09 18:23:43','2020-12-09 18:23:43','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1129',0,'page','',0),(1130,1,'2020-12-09 18:13:39','2020-12-09 18:13:39','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','Hyperfocus Versus Scatterfocus: How To Boost Your Productivity','','inherit','closed','closed','','1129-revision-v1','','','2020-12-09 18:13:39','2020-12-09 18:13:39','',1129,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1129-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1128,1,'2020-12-09 18:00:30','2020-12-09 18:00:30','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How to save more money on your student loans</strong></span></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxbusiness.com/foxbusiness.com/content/uploads/2020/11/931/506/Credible-save-money-student-loans-iStock-1036027636.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Repaying your student loans can be a major financial burden, especially during the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting recession.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The good news is, saving on student loans is possible if you can reduce the interest rate you\'re paying. Interest is the cost of borrowing and the lower your rate, the less expensive your loans are, and the easier it is to pay them off.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">You can find lower rates with a student loan refinance. Credible can reveal what refinance rates you qualify for. You can compare student loan refinancing rates from up to 10 lenders without affecting your credit. Plus, it\'s 100% free!</span></p>\n<h2><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How to save money on student loans</strong></span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There are a number of ways to reduce your student loan interest rate, including taking the following four steps.</span></p>\n<ol>\n<li><span class=\"text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Refinance student loans</span></li>\n<li><span class=\"text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Selecting a variable interest rate</span></li>\n<li><span class=\"text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Improve your credit score</span></li>\n<li><span class=\"text\" style=\"color: #000000;\">Apply with a co-signer</span></li>\n</ol>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>1. Refinance student loans</strong></span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Once you have already borrowed for school, the best option for saving on student loans is to refinance your loan. Refinancing your student loan is generally free, and it can enable you to both reduce your monthly payment to increase your cash flow and to save thousands on interest over time.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Refinancing involves applying for a new loan with a different lender to pay off existing loans. Usually, you\'ll only want to repay private student loans, as paying off federal loans with a private refinance loan would mean giving up important borrower benefits.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>2. Selecting a variable interest rate</strong></span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When you refinance your student loans, you\'ll have a choice of a fixed- or variable-rate option. A fixed-rate loan would lock in your rate for the entire repayment time while a variable rate is tied to a financial index and can change over time.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The average interest rate on variable rate loans is generally far lower than the average rate on fixed-rate alternatives.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Comparison shopping to get quotes from several lenders can also help ensure you\'re getting the most affordable loan possible as rates do vary. You can use Credible to compare student loan refinancing rates from multiple lenders at once without affecting your credit score.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>3. Improving your credit score</strong></span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you\'re planning to refinance your student loans, you can maximize the chances of getting the most competitive rate possible by taking steps to improve your credit score before applying. That\'s because credit score is one of the most important financial credentials lenders use to decide if they should give you a loan and what interest rate they should charge you to borrow.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Improving your credit score can involve several different tactics. If there are errors on your credit report that have caused your score to be lower, you\'ll want to get them corrected ASAP. You should also work on repaying some of your debt, as this can help you raise your score by showing a positive payment history and reducing the ratio of your debt relative to your available credit. The higher that ratio, or the more of your available credit you\'ve used, the lower your score will be.</span></p>\n<h3><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>4. Applying with a co-signer</strong></span></h3>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Often, you may not have the income or credit history necessary to get the best possible refinance rate. The good news is, student loan refinance lenders are generally willing to allow you to apply with a cosigner.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A cosigner shares legal responsibility for repayment if you don\'t pay back your student debt. Lenders consider their credentials and, if they\'re well-qualified borrowers, you\'ll get approved for a loan at a lower rate. Many lenders also allow cosigner release after you make a certain number of on-time payments, which means your lender may only need to guarantee the loan for a short time.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">By taking these steps, you may be able to reduce your student loan costs substantially, which can be especially important during these times of economic uncertainty.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.foxbusiness.com/money/how-to-save-more-money-on-student-loans\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','How to save more money on your student loans','','inherit','closed','closed','','1123-revision-v1','','','2020-12-09 18:00:30','2020-12-09 18:00:30','',1123,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1123-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1132,1,'2020-12-09 18:21:42','2020-12-09 18:21:42','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"fs-headline speakable-headline font-base font-size\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Hyperfocus Versus Scatterfocus: How To Boost Your Productivity</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5fce6ae4f38918238f1dc29f/960x0.jpg?fit=scale\" alt=\"African woman in glasses sitting near computer holding pen writing\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p>\"Hyperfocus\" can be described as an intense fixation on an activity for a long period of time. Generally, many people find it hard to stay focused on a single task. But the ability to pay attention to something for any length of time can enhance our lives. We can get work done faster, learn better and even feel less stressed. </p>\n<p>Here’s a counterintuitive notion for you to consider: Multitasking doesn’t save time. In fact, it actually<span> </span><a href=\"https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/new-study-multitasking-is-making-your-anxiety-worse.html\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"color-link\" title=\"https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/new-study-multitasking-is-making-your-anxiety-worse.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" data-ga-track=\"ExternalLink:https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/new-study-multitasking-is-making-your-anxiety-worse.html\" aria-label=\"creates stress\">creates stress</a>. This is because reorienting yourself toward a new task every so often is a drain on your mental energy. Instead, by focusing and finishing one thing at a time, you can get things done faster, feel a sense of accomplishment and avoid stress.</p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2020/12/08/hyperfocus-versus-scatterfocus-how-to-boost-your-productivity/?sh=14180924243e\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Hyperfocus Versus Scatterfocus: How To Boost Your Productivity','','inherit','closed','closed','','1129-revision-v1','','','2020-12-09 18:21:42','2020-12-09 18:21:42','',1129,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1129-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1134,1,'2020-12-09 18:23:43','2020-12-09 18:23:43','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 class=\"fs-headline speakable-headline font-base font-size\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Hyperfocus Versus Scatterfocus: How To Boost Your Productivity</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/5fce6ae4f38918238f1dc29f/960x0.jpg?fit=scale\" alt=\"African woman in glasses sitting near computer holding pen writing\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><span style=\"font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;\"> </span></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">\"Hyperfocus\" can be described as an intense fixation on an activity for a long period of time. Generally, many people find it hard to stay focused on a single task. But the ability to pay attention to something for any length of time can enhance our lives. We can get work done faster, learn better and even feel less stressed. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Here’s a counterintuitive notion for you to consider: Multitasking doesn’t save time. In fact, it actually creates stress. This is because reorienting yourself toward a new task every so often is a drain on your mental energy. Instead, by focusing and finishing one thing at a time, you can get things done faster, feel a sense of accomplishment and avoid stress.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">But there is a time and place for letting your thoughts wander, too. That’s where \"scatterfocusing\" comes in. In this post, I’ll share tips that can help you practically carry out either hyperfocusing or scatterfocusing. Let’s get started. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How to hyperfocus</strong></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">How does one hyperfocus? Well, it\'s self-explanatory if not easy to follow. Simply set aside time and do nothing except for a specific task, giving it your full attention. For those of us who find this nearly impossible to do, these techniques can help.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Time Blocking: </strong>Use a spreadsheet or your journal and create rows and columns for your workdays and the hours you work. Next, create \"blocks\" for different times during the day. A block can last one hour or three. The more you’d like to work on a task, the more time you can set aside for it. Time blocking is more detailed than a to-do list because you’re creating specific time frames for activities. And you only move forward when you’re done with a block. This way, you can harness your mental energy to focus on a task, but also achieve different things during the day.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">• <strong>Pomodoro Technique</strong>: This technique is great if you have a single task that you do all day, such as writing. Set a timer for 25-minute intervals. Work during this time interval, and when the timer goes off, take a five- to 10-minute break, and then start again.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These tips can help you become more organized in your attempt to focus. You\'ll also feel like you’ve accomplished something whenever you’re done with a session, making these techniques very motivating.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>How to scatterfocus</strong></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The relentless focus on a specific task works well when you have to carry out a planned activity, but it isn’t necessarily helpful for creative work. If you’re trying to write a book, come up with innovative product ideas or build a blog, for example, hyperfocusing hinders rather than helps. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Instead, you need to allow your mind to explore without wandering into unhelpful territories. Here’s where scatterfocusing comes in. The following techniques will give you enough structure to stay on top of a task, but you’ll still have the ability to come up with new ideas.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">• <strong>Doodling:</strong> Grap a pencil and paper and even add colors into the mix. It’s important to get physically involved in the act of doodling. If you can set up a flipchart in your office space, you can move around and doodle. Start drawing and adding text related to the work you’re trying to accomplish. Connect concepts with arrows and try to showcase every idea in the form of a doodle. As you draw and explore ideas, you may see patterns or a central idea emerge. In this way, doodling harnesses yet frees up your mind to find solutions to problems. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">• <strong>Freewriting: </strong>This is a technique where you sit down in front of a computer or use your notebook and write without pausing or editing for any reason. You can set a timer or commit to finishing three pages. Usually, the longer you go, the more you’ll see powerful ideas emerge. Freewriting works well because it gets the \"junk\" thoughts out on paper, and then your mind is forced to dig to get to the really creative stuff. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">These techniques provide a degree of focus that doesn’t prevent you from wandering or exploring ideas, which makes them great for creative work. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>Conclusion</strong></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">There’s more than one way to drive productivity. And now that we’ve looked at practical ways to either hyperfocus or scatterfocus, you’ll be able to use the right method for the task at hand. Explore loosely focused techniques that will reveal hidden ideas to your conscious mind. Or work with structured support tools to simply get things done. With the tools provided here, you should be able to develop more of your skills in a short time.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2020/12/08/hyperfocus-versus-scatterfocus-how-to-boost-your-productivity/?sh=14180924243e\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Hyperfocus Versus Scatterfocus: How To Boost Your Productivity','','inherit','closed','closed','','1129-revision-v1','','','2020-12-09 18:23:43','2020-12-09 18:23:43','',1129,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1129-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1143,1,'2020-12-09 18:52:25','2020-12-09 18:52:25','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Which Debt Is ‘Good Debt’ and Which Is ‘Bad Debt’?</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Untitled_Clipping_121020_025041_AM.jpg\" width=\"845\" height=\"475\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1142 aligncenter size-full\" /></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>Let’s talk about debt baby.  Let’s talk about you and me.  Let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be.  Let’s talk about debt.  </p>\n<p>Do I have you humming the tune to a popular Salt-N-Pepa song circa 1990?  </p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/credit-debt/debt/debt-management/601811/which-debt-is-good-debt-and-which-is-bad\">click here</a><a href=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/09/10-tiny-pivots-to-make-your-small-business-more-effective.html\"></a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Which Debt Is ‘Good Debt’ and Which Is ‘Bad Debt’?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1139-revision-v1','','','2020-12-09 18:52:25','2020-12-09 18:52:25','',1139,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1139-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1139,1,'2020-12-09 18:44:48','2020-12-09 18:44:48','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Which Debt Is ‘Good Debt’ and Which Is ‘Bad Debt’?</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Untitled_Clipping_121020_025041_AM.jpg\" width=\"845\" height=\"475\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1142 aligncenter size-full\" /></span></p>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Let’s talk about debt baby.  Let’s talk about you and me.  Let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be.  Let’s talk about debt.  </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Do I have you humming the tune to a popular Salt-N-Pepa song circa 1990?  </span></p>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--main\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have to bring some joy during the pandemic!  OK. We talked about the importance of budgeting and cash flow analysis. Now, let’s focus on a related topic: debt. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>True or false? Some debt can be good.</strong> Answer: True. But there’s a catch.  You should be responsible with debt and use it to acquire an appreciating asset; in other words, an asset that will increase in value over time.  This takes discipline and focus. </span></p>\n<h2 class=\"polaris__heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Good Debt: Mortgages and Student Loans</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Most people can’t afford to purchase a home outright, or entirely with cash.  They rely on a mortgage to finance the home purchase.  If you are a first-time homebuyer, I’d strongly urge you to save at least 20% of the home’s purchase price for a down payment.  Otherwise, you may have to take out a secondary loan at a higher interest rate or pay private mortgage insurance, also known as PMI.  What if the value of the value of your home declines after the initial purchase, as happened to me in 2005 near the peak of the real estate market?  I wasn’t a financial adviser then and had only saved 10% for the down payment.  My first home was a big financial mistake — at least a $15,000 loss on a $150,000 starter home when you factor in closing costs, realtor commissions and renovations.  Yet, I learned valuable lessons.</span></p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--aside\">\n<div class=\"polaris__ad -sidebar-ad -empty-ad-slot\">\n<div class=\"polaris__ad--inner\">\n<div id=\"refresh-desktop-side-9\"></div>\n</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--main\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mortgage debt can be good. In fact, my husband and I recently had the option of taking our Missouri home sale proceeds and providing even more than a 20% down payment on our new home in Florida. However, with the mortgage rates so compelling, we kept the extra cash and invested it in other long-term goals. You can exercise the same judgment when purchasing a new home.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The other “good debt” could be student loans.  In many cases, bachelor’s degrees are required to get into any white-collar position.  Some professions demand additional schooling.  A newly minted doctor or lawyer could easily have over $200,000 in student loan debt.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Is your child entering college soon?  If so, have a candid conversation with him or her about constructing a plan to pay off the debt. Think about the chosen career field, average annual earnings, and time it takes to secure a position. Make sure that the student loans you’re taking out make sense in that context, or else that good debt could turn into bad debt pretty fast.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Is your child entering a field where supply outweighs demand?  Some advanced degrees no longer carry as much weight.  I know a handful of law school graduates who could not find reasonable employment within a year of graduation, let alone a six-figure salary with a top-tier firm. </span></p>\n<h2 class=\"polaris__heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Not-So-Good Debt: Credit Cards and Autos</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Debt isn’t always good.  It can be crippling to people who don’t responsibly manage their finances.  Credit card companies prey on individuals who make the minimum payment.  This may sound harsh, but <strong><em>only buy on credit if you can pay off the balance in full each month</em></strong>.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Credit cards aren’t the only type of debt.  Payday loans are even worse.  They provide quick cash but charge an exorbitant interest rate.  Tax debt is also dangerous.  As the Federal Trade Commission points out, tax relief companies collect thousands of dollars up-front and promise to settle your tax debt, but few actually deliver on that promise.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--main\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">On a related note, have you seen the prices of cars and trucks these days? The average sales price for light vehicles in July was $38,378, according to Kelley Blue Book. If you are overly concerned with what friends and neighbors are driving, you may be tempted to buy a new car every few years. <strong><em>This is a dangerous proposition. </em></strong>The desire to “keep up with the Joneses” really impacts your ability to build long-term wealth.  When does it stop?  After you have a luxury car?  Two of them?</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A car depreciates quickly.  If you purchase it for $40,000, it may only be worth $30,000 a year later.  Not only are you making monthly payments, but you’re also going to get far less money when you sell it.  Additionally, there is no tax deduction for personal vehicle financing (business purchases are a different story). </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The solution?  Hold on to a new car at least seven years.  Save up for the next car when you don’t have any more payments on your current vehicle. Or, get ahead of it and buy a used car with more mileage. You may not be able to keep it as long, but you most likely can negotiate a lower price.</span></p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--aside\">\n<div class=\"polaris__ad -sidebar-ad -empty-ad-slot\">\n<div class=\"polaris__ad--inner\">\n<div id=\"refresh-desktop-side-29\"></div>\n</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--main\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When you feel burdened by debt, there are steps you can take to clear negative items from your credit report. Kiplinger.com provides an excellent, in-depth guide on the factors that influence your credit score and steps you can take to boost it. </span></p>\n<h2 class=\"polaris__heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pay Down Debt or Save?</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">All right.  You see how <em>some</em> debt is healthy.  How do you know when to pay down debt rather than use that money to save more for retirement? Here are a few considerations:</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"polaris__heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1. Build an Emergency Fund </span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Set aside enough cash in a money market account for true emergencies.  If “emergency” evokes too many negative emotions, reframe it as an opportunity fund instead.  This may be an opportunity to start a side business, travel more or accomplish another goal. </span></p>\n<h2 class=\"polaris__heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2. Get the Employer Match </span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ensure you’re contributing enough to your employer’s retirement plan to take full advantage of the match.  It’s a no-brainer. Unfortunately, several employers have reduced or taken away the company match in 2020 because of the pandemic. If your family is still in a strong enough financial position to contribute to your 401(k) plan at work, consider maintaining your normal retirement contribution. This means you do not have to remember to reinstate it when your employer resumes the 401(k) match.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"polaris__heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">3. Weigh the Investment Rate of Return vs. Debt Interest Rate </span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This assumes you’ve already built an emergency fund and are taking advantage of your employer’s match.  Let’s say you have a credit card balance of $10,000 on which you pay nondeductible interest of 15%.  By getting rid of those interest payments, you’re effectively getting a 15% return on your money!  Which sounds better … paying off this credit card or earning 7% in an investment account?  In this case, eliminating high-interest debt should be a bigger priority.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"polaris__heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">4. Consider a Hybrid Approach</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you’re an intensely focused person who values logic over emotion, making the best financial decision gives you satisfaction.  Emotion may not come into the equation.  You focus all energy on paying down “bad” debt. </span></p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--aside\">\n<div class=\"polaris__ad -sidebar-ad -empty-ad-slot\">\n<div class=\"polaris__ad--inner\">\n<div id=\"refresh-desktop-side-43\"></div>\n</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--main\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For others, financial and emotional decisions function differently. What makes the most financial sense may not “feel” good. You have many intentions — paying down student loan debt, saving for retirement, and funding your child’s education. Putting all financial resources toward a single goal may not make sense to you, emotionally.  Instead, allocate a small amount of money toward each goal.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some clients who have mastered their day-to-day finances ask me, <strong><em>“Should I prepay my mortgage?”</em></strong>  It’s a good question, and I don’t always have a definitive answer.  First, we focus on financial specifics like the mortgage interest rate, loan term and income tax bracket.  I also consider the client’s timeline for investing and risk tolerance.  Thus, it’s easy to tell them which decision is better financially. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yet, we can’t ignore the emotional aspect.  <strong>Why</strong> does the client want to prepay the mortgage?  Is it to fulfill a lifelong dream to be debt-free by age 50?  Travel the world five years from now?  What is the underlying ambition? </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The bottom line is this: Debt, when used properly, can be a great tool to achieve your financial goals.</strong></span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong></strong></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/credit-debt/debt/debt-management/601811/which-debt-is-good-debt-and-which-is-bad\">click here</a><a href=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/09/10-tiny-pivots-to-make-your-small-business-more-effective.html\"></a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Which Debt Is ‘Good Debt’ and Which Is ‘Bad Debt’?','','publish','closed','closed','','which-debt-is-good-debt-and-which-is-bad-debt','','','2020-12-09 18:57:41','2020-12-09 18:57:41','',0,'http://smartinsurance.tips/?page_id=1139',0,'page','',0),(1140,1,'2020-12-09 18:44:48','2020-12-09 18:44:48','<!-- wp:divi/placeholder /-->','Which Debt Is ‘Good Debt’ and Which Is ‘Bad Debt’?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1139-revision-v1','','','2020-12-09 18:44:48','2020-12-09 18:44:48','',1139,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1139-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1138,1,'2020-12-09 18:38:20','2020-12-09 18:38:20','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Around 53% of Americans are saving for retirement in a savings </strong></h1>\n<h1 class=\"gnt_ar_hl\" elementtiming=\"ar-headline\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>account. Is that optimal?</strong></h1>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"><img src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/9e1f6e2ee20f44aa1f3be4f71e9f3e52b6ae2c7e/c=0-110-2121-1303/local/-/media/2020/12/04/USATODAY/usatsports/MotleyFool-TMOT-5d352461-c444aa29.jpg?width=2121&amp;height=1193&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /></div>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p>&nbsp;</p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Saving for retirement is tough, and nobody has all the right answers. Everyone is bound to make mistakes sooner or later – but the most important thing is to learn from those blunders and move on.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Unfortunately, though, not all mistakes are created equal. There are some retirement planning missteps that are easy to miss, but could end up being incredibly costly over the long run. And there\'s one mistake in particular that can hurt your savings more than you think.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Choose your retirement account wisely</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">One aspect of retirement planning that\'s easy to overlook is where, exactly, you\'re stashing your cash. You may be saving in a 401(k), an IRA, a 403(b), or other types of accounts, and each option has its pros and cons.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Another popular retirement fund option is a savings account. In fact, around 53% of Americans have at least a portion of their retirement savings socked away in a savings account, according to a survey from the Certified Financial Planner Board and Morning Consult.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">However, saving for retirement in a savings account can be risky, and you could potentially lose money over time. Savings accounts are designed for short-term financial needs, where you may need cash at a moment\'s notice. They\'re not made for holding your money long-term, and keeping your cash in a savings account for decades could have serious consequences.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The risks of using a savings account</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When you stash your long-term savings in a savings account, you could be putting your retirement at risk. Even high-yield savings accounts have interest rates of only around 1% per year, while inflation typically hovers around 2% to 3% per year.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you\'re only keeping a few thousand dollars in a savings account for short-term use, inflation won\'t make a significant difference. But if you\'re keeping tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars in this type of account for decades, your money won\'t keep up with inflation, and could lose value over time. In other words, your future savings could be worth less than what they are now.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">In addition, using a savings account for retirement means you\'re missing out on potential stock market growth. Investing in the stock market can be intimidating, but it\'s one of the best ways to see significant growth in a relatively short period of time.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The S&amp;P 500 has experienced a rate of return of around 10% per year, on average, since its inception. Even after the market crashed earlier this year, it still managed to bounce back stronger than ever.</span></p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"S&amp;P 500 10-year performance\" src=\"https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2020/12/04/USAT/00fe3e46-90b0-4112-88f2-6ce5aff7932e-26fcf88fab55259afd1eed23cd0cd9a9.png?width=660&amp;height=376&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" /> </span>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"S&amp;P 500 10-year performance\" data-c-credit=\"Motley Fool\"></div>\n</figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">^SPX data by YCharts</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Though the market does have its ups and downs, it\'s not as risky as it may seem. If you\'re keeping your money in a savings account to avoid the risk of investing, you could be losing more than you gain.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Just how much could you miss out on by saving in a savings account? Say you have $10,000 in savings right now. If you were earning a 1% annual return on your money, you\'d have approximately $12,200 in savings after 20 years. But if you had invested that money and been earning a modest 7% annual return, you\'d have nearly $39,000 saved in that same time period. </span></p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Is it time to start investing?</span></h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Investing in the stock market can supercharge your savings. And when it comes to saving for retirement, it can actually be less risky than stashing your money in a savings account.</span></p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, it\'s still a good idea to keep some cash in a savings account for emergencies. The last thing you want is to have to withdraw money from your 401(k) or IRA to cover unexpected expenses. But in general, the more money you\'re able to invest, the better off you\'ll be in retirement.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/retirement/2020/12/07/saving-for-retirement-you-could-be-losing-money-without-realizing-it/43255489/\">click here</a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Around 53% of Americans are saving for retirement in a savings account. Is that optimal?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1135-revision-v1','','','2020-12-09 18:38:20','2020-12-09 18:38:20','',1135,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1135-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),(1145,1,'2020-12-09 18:54:38','2020-12-09 18:54:38','[et_pb_section fb_built=\"1\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\" hover_enabled=\"0\"]<h1 style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Which Debt Is ‘Good Debt’ and Which Is ‘Bad Debt’?</strong></h1>\n[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_column type=\"4_4\" _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"][et_pb_text _builder_version=\"4.0.9\"]<div align=\"center\">\n<p style=\"text-align: left;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><img src=\"http://smartinsurance.tips/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Untitled_Clipping_121020_025041_AM.jpg\" width=\"845\" height=\"475\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1142 aligncenter size-full\" /></span></p>\n<div class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\"></div>\n<div id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0-38\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block finance-sc-block-html mntl-sc-block-html\" style=\"text-align: justify;\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Let’s talk about debt baby.  Let’s talk about you and me.  Let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be.  Let’s talk about debt.  </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Do I have you humming the tune to a popular Salt-N-Pepa song circa 1990?  </span></p>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--main\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have to bring some joy during the pandemic!  OK. We talked about the importance of budgeting and cash flow analysis. Now, let’s focus on a related topic: debt. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>True or false? Some debt can be good.</strong> Answer: True. But there’s a catch.  You should be responsible with debt and use it to acquire an appreciating asset; in other words, an asset that will increase in value over time.  This takes discipline and focus. </span></p>\n<h2 class=\"polaris__heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Good Debt: Mortgages and Student Loans</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Most people can’t afford to purchase a home outright, or entirely with cash.  They rely on a mortgage to finance the home purchase.  If you are a first-time homebuyer, I’d strongly urge you to save at least 20% of the home’s purchase price for a down payment.  Otherwise, you may have to take out a secondary loan at a higher interest rate or pay private mortgage insurance, also known as PMI.  What if the value of the value of your home declines after the initial purchase, as happened to me in 2005 near the peak of the real estate market?  I wasn’t a financial adviser then and had only saved 10% for the down payment.  My first home was a big financial mistake — at least a $15,000 loss on a $150,000 starter home when you factor in closing costs, realtor commissions and renovations.  Yet, I learned valuable lessons.</span></p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--aside\">\n<div class=\"polaris__ad -sidebar-ad -empty-ad-slot\">\n<div class=\"polaris__ad--inner\">\n<div id=\"refresh-desktop-side-9\"></div>\n</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--main\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mortgage debt can be good. In fact, my husband and I recently had the option of taking our Missouri home sale proceeds and providing even more than a 20% down payment on our new home in Florida. However, with the mortgage rates so compelling, we kept the extra cash and invested it in other long-term goals. You can exercise the same judgment when purchasing a new home.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The other “good debt” could be student loans.  In many cases, bachelor’s degrees are required to get into any white-collar position.  Some professions demand additional schooling.  A newly minted doctor or lawyer could easily have over $200,000 in student loan debt.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Is your child entering college soon?  If so, have a candid conversation with him or her about constructing a plan to pay off the debt. Think about the chosen career field, average annual earnings, and time it takes to secure a position. Make sure that the student loans you’re taking out make sense in that context, or else that good debt could turn into bad debt pretty fast.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Is your child entering a field where supply outweighs demand?  Some advanced degrees no longer carry as much weight.  I know a handful of law school graduates who could not find reasonable employment within a year of graduation, let alone a six-figure salary with a top-tier firm. </span></p>\n<h2 class=\"polaris__heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Not-So-Good Debt: Credit Cards and Autos</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Debt isn’t always good.  It can be crippling to people who don’t responsibly manage their finances.  Credit card companies prey on individuals who make the minimum payment.  This may sound harsh, but <strong><em>only buy on credit if you can pay off the balance in full each month</em></strong>.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Credit cards aren’t the only type of debt.  Payday loans are even worse.  They provide quick cash but charge an exorbitant interest rate.  Tax debt is also dangerous.  As the Federal Trade Commission points out, tax relief companies collect thousands of dollars up-front and promise to settle your tax debt, but few actually deliver on that promise.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span></p>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--main\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">On a related note, have you seen the prices of cars and trucks these days? The average sales price for light vehicles in July was $38,378, according to Kelley Blue Book. If you are overly concerned with what friends and neighbors are driving, you may be tempted to buy a new car every few years. <strong><em>This is a dangerous proposition. </em></strong>The desire to “keep up with the Joneses” really impacts your ability to build long-term wealth.  When does it stop?  After you have a luxury car?  Two of them?</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">A car depreciates quickly.  If you purchase it for $40,000, it may only be worth $30,000 a year later.  Not only are you making monthly payments, but you’re also going to get far less money when you sell it.  Additionally, there is no tax deduction for personal vehicle financing (business purchases are a different story). </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">The solution?  Hold on to a new car at least seven years.  Save up for the next car when you don’t have any more payments on your current vehicle. Or, get ahead of it and buy a used car with more mileage. You may not be able to keep it as long, but you most likely can negotiate a lower price.</span></p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--aside\">\n<div class=\"polaris__ad -sidebar-ad -empty-ad-slot\">\n<div class=\"polaris__ad--inner\">\n<div id=\"refresh-desktop-side-29\"></div>\n</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--main\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">When you feel burdened by debt, there are steps you can take to clear negative items from your credit report. Kiplinger.com provides an excellent, in-depth guide on the factors that influence your credit score and steps you can take to boost it. </span></p>\n<h2 class=\"polaris__heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Pay Down Debt or Save?</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">All right.  You see how <em>some</em> debt is healthy.  How do you know when to pay down debt rather than use that money to save more for retirement? Here are a few considerations:</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"polaris__heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">1. Build an Emergency Fund </span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Set aside enough cash in a money market account for true emergencies.  If “emergency” evokes too many negative emotions, reframe it as an opportunity fund instead.  This may be an opportunity to start a side business, travel more or accomplish another goal. </span></p>\n<h2 class=\"polaris__heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">2. Get the Employer Match </span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ensure you’re contributing enough to your employer’s retirement plan to take full advantage of the match.  It’s a no-brainer. Unfortunately, several employers have reduced or taken away the company match in 2020 because of the pandemic. If your family is still in a strong enough financial position to contribute to your 401(k) plan at work, consider maintaining your normal retirement contribution. This means you do not have to remember to reinstate it when your employer resumes the 401(k) match.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"polaris__heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">3. Weigh the Investment Rate of Return vs. Debt Interest Rate </span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">This assumes you’ve already built an emergency fund and are taking advantage of your employer’s match.  Let’s say you have a credit card balance of $10,000 on which you pay nondeductible interest of 15%.  By getting rid of those interest payments, you’re effectively getting a 15% return on your money!  Which sounds better … paying off this credit card or earning 7% in an investment account?  In this case, eliminating high-interest debt should be a bigger priority.</span></p>\n<h2 class=\"polaris__heading\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">4. Consider a Hybrid Approach</span></h2>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">If you’re an intensely focused person who values logic over emotion, making the best financial decision gives you satisfaction.  Emotion may not come into the equation.  You focus all energy on paying down “bad” debt. </span></p>\n</div>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--aside\">\n<div class=\"polaris__ad -sidebar-ad -empty-ad-slot\">\n<div class=\"polaris__ad--inner\">\n<div id=\"refresh-desktop-side-43\"></div>\n</div>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div class=\"polaris__simple-grid--main\">\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For others, financial and emotional decisions function differently. What makes the most financial sense may not “feel” good. You have many intentions — paying down student loan debt, saving for retirement, and funding your child’s education. Putting all financial resources toward a single goal may not make sense to you, emotionally.  Instead, allocate a small amount of money toward each goal.</span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some clients who have mastered their day-to-day finances ask me, <strong><em>“Should I prepay my mortgage?”</em></strong>  It’s a good question, and I don’t always have a definitive answer.  First, we focus on financial specifics like the mortgage interest rate, loan term and income tax bracket.  I also consider the client’s timeline for investing and risk tolerance.  Thus, it’s easy to tell them which decision is better financially. </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Yet, we can’t ignore the emotional aspect.  <strong>Why</strong> does the client want to prepay the mortgage?  Is it to fulfill a lifelong dream to be debt-free by age 50?  Travel the world five years from now?  What is the underlying ambition? </span></p>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>The bottom line is this: Debt, when used properly, can be a great tool to achieve your financial goals.</strong></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<p><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></p>\n</div>\n</div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\"></span></div>\n<div align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">To read the full article, </span><a href=\"https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/credit-debt/debt/debt-management/601811/which-debt-is-good-debt-and-which-is-bad\">click here</a><a href=\"https://smallbiztrends.com/2020/09/10-tiny-pivots-to-make-your-small-business-more-effective.html\"></a><span style=\"color: #000000;\">.</span></span></div>[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]','Which Debt Is ‘Good Debt’ and Which Is ‘Bad Debt’?','','inherit','closed','closed','','1139-revision-v1','','','2020-12-09 18:54:38','2020-12-09 18:54:38','',1139,'http://smartinsurance.tips/1139-revision-v1/',0,'revision','',0),